Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Annealed Particle Filter Algorithm Used for Lane Detection and Tracking

This paper describes a lane detection and tracking method based on annealed particle filter algorithm, which combines multiple cues with annealed particle filter. As a first step, preprocessing, with bar filter and color cues being used. In the annealed particle filter step, angle information of edge map is utilized to measure weights of particles. Experiments show that the time cost of annealed particle filter algorithm for each frame is largely reduced comparing with the lane detection and tracking using conventional particle filter algorithm, which is the main contribution of this paper. Furthermore, on this basis, we build a robust lane model which can be applied to not only the linear road but also the curved road. The experiments indicate that it is effective for lane detection and tracking. 
Energy spectra of stably stratified turbulence

Abstract We investigate homogeneous incompressible turbulence subjected to a range of degrees of stratification. Our basic method is pseudospectral direct numerical simulations at a resolution of $102{4}^{3} $. Such resolution is sufficient to reveal inertial power-law ranges for suitably comprised horizontal and vertical spectra, which are designated as the wave and vortex mode (the Craya–Herring representation). We study mainly turbulence that is produced from randomly large-scale forcing via an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process applied isotropically to the horizontal velocity field. In general, both the wave and vortex spectra are consistent with a Kolmogorov-like ${k}^{\ensuremath{-} 5/ 3} $ range at sufficiently large $k$. At large scales, and for sufficiently strong stratification, the wave spectrum is a steeper ${ k}_{\perp }^{\ensuremath{-} 2} $, while that for the vortex component is consistent with ${ k}_{\perp }^{\ensuremath{-} 3} $. Here ${k}_{\perp } $ is the horizontally gathered wavenumber. In contrast to the horizontal wavenumber spectra, the vertical wavenumber spectra show very different features. For those spectra, a clear ${ k}_{z}^{\ensuremath{-} 3} $ dependence for small scales is observed while the large scales show rather flat spectra. By modelling the horizontal layering of vorticity, we attempt to explain the flat spectra. These spectra are linked to two-point structure functions of the velocity correlations in the horizontal and vertical directions. We can observe the power-law transition also in certain of the two-point structure functions.
Just Deserts: An Experimental Study of Distributive Justice Norms

efficiency-under a condition of impartiality. Our experiments are designed to investigate these principles and to determine how independent factors influence how individuals use them. We find that individuals tend to use all or most of these principles simultaneously in making distributive justice judgments, but that they weigh them differently according to various factors. In particular, we find an expectedly strong difference between how women and men use and weigh
Returns to education in transition and advanced European countries : The role of an expansion of higher education

Cross-national comparisons on returns to education were so far based on secondary evidence from national studies. Unlike in Western European countries, in Eastern countries the data on the levels and development of returns since 1990 shows a uniform upward trend in returns to higher education. Since 2004, the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EUSILC) provides a unique comparative database. In 2009, midway through the period observed by EUSILC, came the breaking point when rising returns to tertiary education started to decrease, albeit slightly. In general, differences over time are not as big as differences between individual countries. Although converging, the returns to tertiary education in Eastern and Western countries remain still far apart, considerably higher in Eastern countries. Panel analysis with economic, demographical and institutional characteristics of countries shows also substantial differences in factors of returns to tertiary education in Eastern and Western Europe. The assumed negative relationship between the share of tertiary educated workers in the working age population and the returns to tertiary education was confirmed only in Western Europe. Job vacancy rate has a significant negative impact on returns to tertiary education only in Eastern Europe. It seems that in the West, the labour market reacts on labour supply, while labour demand plays more important role in the East.
Predicting Coronal Mass Ejections transit times to Earth with neural network

Predicting transit times of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from their initial parameters is a very important subject, not only from the scientific perspective, but also because CMEs represent a hazard for human technology. We used a neural network to analyse transit times for 153 events with only two input parameters: initial velocity of the CME, v, and Central Meridian Distance, CMD, of its associated flare. We found that transit time dependence on v is showing a typical drag-like pattern in the solar wind. The results show that the speed at which acceleration by drag changes to deceleration is v �500 km s 1 . Transit times are also found to be shorter for CMEs associated with flares on the western hemisphere than those originating on the eastern side of the Sun. We attribute this difference to the eastward deflection of CMEs on their path to 1 AU. The average error of the NN prediction in comparison to observations is �12 hours which is comparable to other studies on the same subject.
A molecular diagnostic for tropical race 4 of the banana

This study analysed genomic variation of the translation elongation factor 1 (TEF-1) and the intergenic spacer region (IGS) of the nuclear ribosomal operon of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) isolates, from different banana production areas, representing strains within the known races, comprising 20 vegetative compatibility groups.
A Topical Analysis of Three Northern Hemisphere Accounting Journals' Output

This study investigates publishing characteristics of accepted papers of three prestigious accounting journals - Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Accounting Organizations and Soci-ety, and Contemporary Accounting Research - for the period 2007â€“2009. It offers insights into the way in which contemporary accounting knowledge has developed, especially in respect to the topics addressed. The results of the topical analysis show that both Critical Perspectives on Accounting and Accounting Organizations and Society enjoy a heavy concentration of historical and profes-sional accounting articles. Critical Perspectives on Accounting also focuses on public sector ac-counting manuscripts, while Accounting Organizations and Society dwells considerably on the topics of environmental accounting and organizational outcomes. The research output of Con-temporary Accounting Research appears entirely technical with a heavy concentration of manu-scripts that cover technical auditing issues, earnings reporting and cost accounting. The clear implication for new accounting journals springing up in the southern hemi-sphere is that there is great scope for an â€œalternative voiceâ€ that not only captures the technicali-ties of Contemporary Accounting Research but also the well worn paths of Critical Perspectives on Accounting and Accounting Organizations and Society in the â€˜southern hemisphereâ€™ setting. Â Keywords:Â Â Â Contemporary accounting output, topical analysis, historical accounting, accounting profession, environmental accounting, auditing, and earnings reporting.
Institutional proximity and the size and geography of FDI spillovers: do European firms generate more favourable productivity spillovers in the EU neighbourhood?

The EU association framework provides European businesses with an entry advantage into the associated countries by facilitating production links and encouraging institutional convergence. It is believed that this has multiple beneficial effects for the associated countries, including ones related to productivity spillovers accruing to domestic firms. However, no empirical evidence exists to show that the presence of European firms produces larger productivity spillovers in recipient economies compared to firms from other world regions. We examine this question using firm-level data covering 28 transition countries over the period 2002-2009. We estimate the intra-industry productivity effects of foreign ownership and examine how these differ across regional blocks (CEE, SEE and ENP), by origin of investor (EU15 versus non-EU15), across geographical scales (national versus regional) and for different types of locations (capital-city regions versus the rest). Our results suggest that investments of EU origin play a distinctive role, helping raise domestic productivity in the associated countries unlike investments from outside the EU. However, this process operates in a spatially selective manner, potentially enhancing regional disparities and spatial imbalances. This assigns a particular responsibility for EU policy to devise interventions that will help redress these problems within its existing association framework.
Polymorphism in hcnAB Gene in Pseudomonas Species Reveals Ecologically Distinct Hydrogen Cyanide-Producing Populations

Bacterial HCN production is catalyzed by the membrane-bound enzyme HCN synthase. HCN synthase is encoded by a cluster of three genes, hcnABC, which form an operon. Polymorphism in the three genes may affect the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme and influence HCN production. In this study, we selected a ∼570 bp portion of hcnAB gene consisting of a cysteine cluster at the 3′ end of hcnA that matches the iron-sulfur binding signature of 2[Fe–S] ferredoxins and the ADP binding-fold in the 5′ end of hcnB from 50 strains of HCN producing bacteria to analyze polymorphism in the gene. Both motifs have been credited to have a role in bacterial HCN synthesis. Analysis of the partial hcnAB gene showed that the bacteria grouped into four groups. Pairwise comparison of the distinctness ratios revealed that the HCN groups identified in this study were ecologically distinct populations and distinctness between the groups was reflected in HCN production by the bacteria. Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Geomicrobiology Journal to view the supplemental file.
PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT. INVESTIGATIONS IN LIVEZILE-RIMETEA MICRO-REGION (2001-2002 and 2007-2008)

The aim of this study is to present some important aspects of the way inwhich participatory research may contribute to the management of territorialdevelopment, through the identification of problems and development opportunities in agiven territory. We will first identify some epistemological and methodological aspectswhich regard participatory research as a means of action research. Next, we will upholdthe idea of restoring the scientific research results as an instrument for the constructionand promotion of local actors’ participation in the development processes. To this end wewill present extensively two series of research carried out in the Livezile-Rimetea micro-region (county of Alba, Romania), respectively the series of research between 2001-2002and 2007-2008. As a result of this research we identified and developed the methodologyof restoring of results through interviews or public debates, with a view to reinforcing thehuman support in the region under scrutiny.
Influencing Factors and Role of Emotions in Luxury Consumption

Author(s) Title Number of Pages Date Aisha Shoaib Influencing Factors and Role of Emotions in LuxuryConsumption A study of Millenials’ attitudes, beliefs and value perception of luxury goods and services 53 pages + 4 appendices 17 June 2016 Degree International Degree Programme Degree Programme European Management Specialisation option Marketing Instructor(s) Kevin McIntire, Senior Lecturer The objective of the thesis is to examine the role of emotions, attitudes and influencing factors leading to luxury consumption. The target group chosen for the thesis study are the Millennials who were born in 1978-2000. The research is implemented through an Internet-mediated questionnaire with multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The open-ended questions allowed the 53 respondents to express a variety of opinions freely, which was useful for the research. The research results of the questionnaire suggest that some consumers have ambivalent feelings regarding to the emotional state before, during or after purchase. Many consumers expressed mixed feelings of both happiness and regret. The research results revealed that expensiveness and high quality were positively related to the high price set by luxury brands. The author‟s hypothesis statement on the most influencing factors is income level and consumer emotions/want. Furthermore, when respondents were given the option of multiple choices in determining influencing factors leading to purchase, majority of the respondents believed those factors to be emotions and wants. In addition when respondents were asked to select specifically one factor that influenced them the most to purchase luxury goods, majority of the respondents selected income level.
Multiple Sklerose und Fettsäuren – historischer und aktueller Studienstand

Zusammenfassung Schon in den 1950er-Jahren gab es Hinweise auf Zusammenhänge zwischen Fettsäuren in der Ernährung und Multipler Sklerose (MS). In den kommenden Jahrzehnten konnte dann aufgedeckt werden, über welche Mechanismen bestimmte Fettsäuren pro- oder anti-inflammatorisch wirken. Weitere Studien konnten belegen, dass die Omega-3-Fettsäuren EPA/DHA Entzündungsmediatoren senken können. Weitere Symptome wie Depression, Schübe oder Stoffwechselparameter konnten laut Studien ebenfalls gebessert werden.
Palaeoenvironmental significance of Late Permian palaeosols in the South‐Eastern Iberian Ranges, Spain

The Late Permian (Wuchiapingian) Alcotas Formation in the SE Iberian Ranges consists of one red alluvial succession where abundant soil profiles developed. Detailed petrographical and sedimentological studies in seven sections of the Alcotas Formation allow six different types of palaeosols, with distinctive characteristics and different palaeogeographical distribution, to be distinguished throughout the South‐eastern Iberian Basin. These characteristics are, in turn, related to topographic, climatic and tectonic controls. The vertical distribution of the palaeosols is used to differentiate the formation in three parts from bottom to top showing both drastic and gradual vertical upwards palaeoenvironmental changes in the sections. Reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions based on palaeosols provides evidence for understanding the events that occurred during the Late Permian, some few millions of years before the well‐known Permian‐Triassic global crisis.
Antioxidant status, immune system, blood metabolites and carcass characteristic of broiler chickens fed turmeric rhizome powder under heat stress

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary turmeric rhizome powder (TP) on performance, blood metabolite, immune system, antioxidant status, and relative weight of organs in pre and post heat stressed broilers. Two hundred and sixty-four (264) day-old male Arian broiler chicks were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments containing 0, 0.4 or 0.8% turmeric powder. Each diet was fed to four replicates of 22 birds each. Heat stress was applied for 5 h (33°C) from 28 to 42 days. Two birds from each replicate were randomly selected and blood samples were taken to collect the serum, plasma and whole blood. These were slaughtered to determine the relative weight of organs pre (28 days PHS) and after heat stress (42 days AHS). TP did not affect feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), production index, and protein and energy efficiency ratio of broilers. Blood cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) decreased and blood high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased when fed TP in PHS and AHS birds. TP did not affect serum triglyceride, protein, antibody production against sheep red blood cell (SRBC), IgG, IgM and Newcastle vaccination (ND) in PHS and AHS. TP suppressed the enzyme activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of heat stressed birds. The enzyme activity of creatine kinase (CK) in AHS and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in PHS were not affected by TP diets. TP diets increased blood activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and SOD and decreased blood thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) index. The H:L ratio, relative weight of bursa of fabircus and abdominal fat decreased in birds fed TP diets. TP diets did not alter percentage of bone Ash, and P of heat stress broilers; however, it increased bone Ca of heat stressed broilers. It can be concluded that the supplementation of TP to diets, decreased the activity of dehydrogenase enzyme, stressor index, and improved the antioxidant status without affecting performance and the immune system of heat stressed broilers.
LOL and LLL

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. LOL and LLL Nathalie Vienne-Guerrin
SEMIOTICS OF PERFORMING IN NAJWA LATIF’S MUSIC VIDEOS

With more than 53 million hits on her YouTube videos, Najwa Latif is an icon of contemporary Malay popular culture. Just two of her music videos Cinta Muka Buku (Facebook Love), and AdaMu (Your Existence), have received more than 12.9 million hits at the time of writing with the former earning a nomination for best Malay song at the coveted Champion Songs Award in 2011. Equally relevant is the semiotics of performing in the music videos that captures the hearts and minds of the cyberspace-inhabiting Generation Y. Contrary to the existing studies of Malay popular culture that usually focus on linguistic content we use atomization as the framework to analyze the rich and rapid visual content in Cinta Muka Buku and AdaMu. By atomizing the musical content into visual frames, we derive base units for examining the semiotic hybridity that underscores the positive identification with an online fan base. The segmented visual frames provide the locus for studying the interplay of semiotic elements in the visual symbolization. Consequently, we may identify the semiotics of performing and its relationship with the consumption of Najwa Latif’s Malay music videos in cyberspace.
On a new identity for the H-function with applications to the summation of hypergeometric series

Using generalized hypergeometric functions to perform symbolic manipulation of equations is of great importance to pure and applied scientists. There are in the literature a great number of identities for the Meijer-G function. On the other hand, when more complex expressions arise, the latter function is not capable of representing them. The H-function is an alternative to overcome this issue, as it is a generalization of the Meijer-G function. In the present paper, a new identity for the H-function is derived. In short, this result enables one to split a particular H-function into the sum of two other H-functions. The new relation in addition to an old result are applied to the summation of hypergeometric series. Finally, some relations between H-functions and elementary functions are built
The Undisciplined Nature of Ecological Design

The author evaluates the results of a participatory action research that takes place amidst a private design school located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The objective of the research is to verify if it is possible to steer design education towards ecological sustainability. This paper presents a case study that reports on strategies and actions that were undertaken by a group of teachers in order to advance Ecological Design methods and thus contribute to sustainability building. Keywords: Design Education; Ecodesign; Ecological Design; Participatory Action Research.
Effect of changes in heat resistance of Salmonella spp. during pasteurization on the efficiency of long-term heat treatment at 55°C

In this study, a specific heating procedure was applied during which native homogenized liquid egg white, liquid egg yolk and liquid whole egg samples were kept at 55°C for 24 h. The method proved to be more efficient than the conventional liquid egg pasteurization process because the bacteria tested were completely destroyed by the end of thermal treatment. With this technology, the heat treatment of packaged liquid egg products can be performed, thereby preventing post-infections from the environment. It has also been found, however, that the applied long-term heat treatment is not always efficient. Our results showed that the use of heat shock (e.g. pasteurization of products) prior to long-term heating may increase the thermal resistance of surviving microorganisms.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Helping families change : The adoption of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program in the Netherlands

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AN ECONOMIC MODEL FOR POWER EXCHANGE OF V 2 GS IN PARKING

Each battery vehicle (V2G) can be charged from the power grid or return its stored energy back to the grid. The effect of a single V2G on the power grid is approximately an ignorable noise. Parking lots can cumulate hundreds of V2Gs in a way that their load/generation impact can influence the grid. This paper proposes a technical and economic model for managing the charging and discharging time of battery vehicles in a parking lot. This model is employed maximizes the parking lot profit, while satisfying vehicle owners. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to set the charging & discharging time table of vehicles. Finally, profit fluctuations due to varying the V2G parameters are investigated.
The experience of coincidence : an integrated psychological and neurocognitive perspective

In this chapter, we focus on psychological and brain perspectives on the experience of coincidence. We first introduce the topic of the experience of coincidence in general. In the second section, we outline several psychological mechanisms that underlie the experience of coincidence in humans, such as cognitive biases, the role of context and the role of individual differences. In the third and final section we formulate the phenomenon of coincidence in the light of the unifying brain account of predictive coding, while arguing that the notion of coincidence provides a wonderful example of a construct that connects the Bayesian brain to folk psychology and philosophy.