Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Nonparametric Analysis of Efficiency for a Sample of Kansas Beef Cow Farms

Abstract Competitive pressures in the cow-calf sector increased in 1995 because of a decline of 27% in calf prices. Technical, allocative, and scale efficiency measures were used to examine the competitiveness of a sample of Kansas beef cow farms. On average, the farms were 78% technically efficient, 81% allocatively efficient, and 95% scale efficient. Enterprise profitability was correlated positively with the efficiency measures. Inefficiency was related to herd size and degree of specialization. Producers should focus on using capital, feed, and labor more efficiently rather than increasing their size. Increased concentration of the cow-calf sector will not result in large cost savings given the current technology.
The internet of things sensors technologies and their applications for complex engineering projects: a digital construction site framework

Abstract Purpose : The paper aims to present constructs related to Internet of Things, which are expected to be integrated to, and improve the implantation phase of Complex Engineering Projects. The traditional implantation methods for Complex Engineering Projects are neither effective nor efficient to deal with the massive data generated by their productive processes. It usually causes high levels of rework, schedule delays and financial losses. Design/methodology : In this paper a systematic literature review on IoT architecture, sensor technologies and possible applications was presented. These constructs were identified and selected from a lexical analysis of a reseach basis carried out with NVivo software. Findings : We have been in the emerging 4 th Industrial Revolution and the Internet of Things (IoT) has a valuable role to make an easier way to success for Complex Project implementations. Therefore, a correlation scheme of the constructs and their applications identified in the bibliography was proposed. Originality/value : A concept and a framework for a "Digital Construction Site" (DCS) from the application of IoT Sensors (IoTS) in the shipbuilding industry. It is valuable for readers who want to understand alternatives to improve the results of typical processes on implementation phase of Complex Engineering Projects, with open source technologies.
Low Noise Mid-Wavelength IR Photodetectors

Abstract : This report documents the investigations and development of low noise mid-wavelength infrared photodetectors at the University of Oklahoma for a period of time from June 2012 to Nov. 2013. Our technical approach is based on interband cascade IR photodetectors (ICIPs) that are composed of discrete superlattice (SL) absorbers. We developed a unified theory on carrier transport and noise in discrete multiple stage absorber structures and applied the theory to have evaluated the fundamental limit of device performance in terms of the product of absorption coefficient and minority carrier diffusion length. We demonstrated in theory that ICIP device performance can be better in terms of detectivity compared to conventional single-absorber detectors, which is especially significant at high temperatures when the diffusion length is reduced or for high-speed applications. Several ICIP structures were grown by MBE and fabricated into devices with a cut-off wavelength near 4-5 m. Experimental results obtained from these devices have indicated improved device performance at high temperatures with additional stages as projected qualitatively by the theory.
A Support Vector Classifier Based on Vague Similarity Measure

Support vector machine (SVM) is a popular machine learning method for its high generalizaiton ability. How to find the adaptive kernel function is a key problem to SVM from theory to practical applications. This paper proposes a support vector classifer based on vague sigmoid kernel and its similarity measure. The proposed method uses the characteristic of vague set, and replaces the traditional inner product with vague similarity measure between training samples. The experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce the CPU time and maintain the classification accuracy.
Productivity to Reduce Poverty: Study of a Micro-Level Institution in Peru

A Peruvian community-based organization, a comedor popular (communal kitchen), is studied in this article to show how, as a micro-level institution, it fosters productivity in order to reduce poverty. The concepts of institutions, productivity and poverty are reviewed to establish a framework of analysis, where institutions are linked to productivity and poverty. This framework is applied to a comedor the author visited in 2001 and 2003. Through the diversity and intensity of the comedor’s activities and the practices it instills in women working there, productivity leads to key poverty reductions. The analysis illustrates how material well-being, psychological well-being, access to infrastructure and capacity to manage assets (the four dimensions of poverty) benefit from the various productivity improvements. The findings of this paper call for a better mix of poverty reduction strategies, where macro and micro institutions are used to fight the multidimensional problem of poverty.
Herbal flavonoids inhibit the development of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice: proposed mechanisms of action in the example of PADMA 28

Padma 28 is a multicompound herbal preparation based on the camphor formulas from traditional tibetan medicine (TTM). It contains a variety of different secondary plant substances, which include terpenes and polyphenols such as flavonoids and tannins. The formula is used in various chronic inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether secondary plant substances as present in Padma 28 are able to prevent the development of autoimmune diabetes. Female NOD mice were administered an aqueous Padma 28 extract intraperitonneally (i.p.), subcutaneously (s.c.) or per os (p.o.) over a period of 13 weeks. The development of autoimmune diabetes mellitus type 1 was monitored over 24 weeks. Untreated and saline treated mice served as controls. After 24 weeks, 20% of the control groups were free of diabetes while 100% and 80% of the animals administered aqueous extracts from Padma 28 i.p. or s.c. , respectively, were diabetes-free. In the p.o. group, 33% were diabetes-free. In controls, only a few pancreatic islets had survived. Animals treated i.p. with Padma 28 had preserved islets with minimal lymphocyte infiltrations. Spleen cells from animals treated i.p. or s.c. with Padma 28 and stimulated with concanavalin A showed significant elevations in the levels of interleukins (IL)-10, IL-6 and IL-4. In the plasma, the level of the Th1 cytokine IL-12 was decreased in the i.p. group. Padma 28 treatment by the i.p. route of administration showed a significant decrease in CD8 cytotoxic cells, which have been implicated in the destruction of the islets. The findings support the use of secondary plant substances such as flavonoids in inflammatory autoimmune diseases. The results suggest that Padma 28 has immuno­modulatory effects associated with a shift from Th1 to Th2 immune response and may have protective effects against autoimmune diabetes.
Immunization with the Aeromonas OMP Provides Protection against Aeromonas hydrophila in Goldfish ( Carassius auratus )

Aeromonas hydrophila is one of the serious pathogens in ornamental fishes causing hemorrhagic bacterial septicemia leading to inflammation and necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, muscle, and spleen. Recent studies demonstrated that immunoproteomic vaccines provide protection against bacterial pathogens in fin fish aquaculture and the vaccines are popular due to its long lasting immunity, safety and low cost versatile characteristics. In this study we used an Outer Membrane Protein (OMP) of Aeromonas hydrophila as a vaccine to provide protection against the pathogen in goldfish (Carassius auratus). We used the extract of Asparagus racemosus as an adjuvant in the vaccine preparation. Surivival and immunological response of the vaccinated fishes (30 and 60 days post vaccination (dpv)), were evaluated after challenge with virulent A. hydrophila. The vaccine treated experimental groups significantly improved (P<0.05) the survival at 50% compared to the controls and had improved immunological responses including phagocytosis, albumin-globulin ratio, serum bactericidal activity, and serum lysozyme activity.
Performance and Analysis of Image Filtering Techniques

Many image segmentation techniques have been developed over the past two decades for segmenting the images, which help for object recognition, occlusion boundary estimation within motion or stereo systems, image compression, image editing.The objective is to develop a combined approach for segmenting the image, which give better segmented output image. First we used histogram equalization to the input image, from which we get contrast enhancement output image . After that we applied median filtering which will remove noise from contrast output image . At last we applied fuzzy c-mean clustering algorithm to denoising output image, which give segmented output image. In this paper, we compare the performance of various segmentation techniques i.e. histogram equalization, median filter and fuzzy c means.
Analysis of WeChat on IPhone

With the popularization of smart phone, more and more applications emerge especially in the aspect of social network services. Take China for example, WeChat has become the most universal communication applications in recently several years. In the meantime, forensic technicians start to pay attention to the data contained in them. Furthermore, the latent evidence could be concealed in those devices and they are generally supposed to be recovered and extracted via utilizing the proper tools. This paper demonstrates a method on analyzing latent evidences in iPhone regarding the application WeChat. Keywords-smartphone, application, social network service, iPhone, iOS
THE ROLE AND APPLICATIONS OF EXPERT ERROR ANNOTATION IN A CORPUS OF ENGLISH LEARNER TEXTS

The paper presents the rationale for the decisions that were taken in the set-up and further development of a learner corpus of student texts written in English by Russian learners of English, the only Russian learner corpus in the open access. The tool of manual expert annotation is in the focus of the present observations, and after introducing categorization of errors applied in annotation the complicated cases that arose in annotation practices have been looked into followed by comparison of the annotation statistics over the three stages in the corpus development. For that purpose, texts annotated by different groups of participants in the process of two experiments were used to spot the problematic areas in annotation. The main pedagogical applications of the learner corpus in teaching EFL—the
Agroindustrial waste cellulose using fermented broth of white rot fungi

El objetivo de esta investigacion fue la separacion de la celulosa de ripio de pique empleando caldo fermentado de diferentes hongos ligninoliticos. Las especies Pleurotus sp. CBT1, Pleurotus sp. CBT2 y Pycnoporus sanguineous se adaptaron aun medio de cultivo que contenia lignina como fuente de Carbono. La degradacion de lignina en medio de cultivo ocurrio entre 12 y 72 h de fermentacion para las tres especies, alcanzando una degradacion de 72, 60 y 54% para Pleurotus sp. CBT1, Pleurotus sp. CBT2 y Pycnoporus sanguineous, respectivamente, lo que coincidio con los niveles maximos de actividad de la enzima en Mn-P de 4.59, 2.24 y 4.19UI / L para Pleurotus sp. CBT1, Pleurotus sp. CBT2 y P. sanguineous, respectivamente. El ripio de fique se sometio a degradacion en caldo fermentado de Pleurotus sp. CBT1, Pleurotus sp. CBT2 y P. sanguineous a pH 5.0, temperatura de 50 °C y 30 min de accion enzimatica. El caldo fermentado a partir de Pleurotus sp. CBT1 despues de 48h de fermentacion mostro una degradacionn de la lignina en el ripio de pique de 65,2%, disminuyendo el contenido de lignina inicial de 14.1% a 4.9% y un aumento en contenido de celulosa de 61.8 a 73.1%
Reviewing the current state of machine learning for artificial intelligence with regards to the use of contextual information

This paper will consider the current state of Machine Learning for Artificial Intelligence, more specifically for applications, such as: Speech Recognition, Game Playing and Image Processing. The artificial world tends to make limited use of context in comparison to what currently happens in human life, while it would benefit from improvements in this area. Additionally, the process of transferring knowledge between application domains is another important area where artificial system can improve. Using context and transferability would have several potential benefits, such as: better ability to function in multiple problem domains, improved understanding of human interaction and stronger grasping of current and potential future situations. While these items are all quite usual to us humans, it is particularly challenging to integrate them into artificial systems, as will be shown within this review. The limitations of our current systems with regards to these topics and the achievable improvements, if these items would be addressed, will also be covered. It is expected that by utilising transferability and/or context, many algorithms in the artificial intelligence field will be able to expand their functionality considerably and should provide for more general purpose learning algorithms.
Identifying Super-Spreader Nodes in Complex Networks

Identifying the most influential individuals spreading information or infectious diseases can assist or hinder information dissemination, product exposure, and contagious disease detection. Hub nodes, high betweenness nodes, high closeness nodes, and high -shell nodes have been identified as good initial spreaders, but efforts to use node diversity within network structures to measure spreading ability are few. Here we describe a two-step framework that combines global diversity and local features to identify the most influential network nodes. Results from susceptible-infected-recovered epidemic simulations indicate that our proposed method performs well and stably in single initial spreader scenarios associated with various complex network datasets.
Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Burkina Faso

This study tests the performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Burkina Faso using indicators such as the sustainable interest rate and the subsidy dependence index. The results indicate that MFIs outreach performance remains very low compared with potential demand, and the factors responsible appear to be both the refusal of most MFIs to mobilize local savings and the high costs of supply of microfinancial services. The results also show that MFIs are not viable and sustainable. Their interest rates are kept low and do not allow them to cover all the costs. In addition, the results indicate that MFIs are dependent on subsidies. However, the oldest MFIs and/or institutions providing deposit services have the lowest subsidy dependence index. It is suggested that more attention should be placed on savings mobilization and ceilings on interest rates should be removed in order to allow MFIs to charge sustainable interest rates.
The upper critical magnetic field of holographic superconductor with conformally invariant Power–Maxwell electrodynamics

The properties of (d–1)-dimensional s-wave holographic superconductor in the presence of Power–Maxwell field is explored. We study the probe limit in which the scalar and gauge fields do not backreact on the background geometry. Our study is based on the matching of solutions on the boundary and on the horizon at some intermediate point. At first, the case without external magnetic field is considered, and the critical temperature is obtained in terms of the charge density, the dimensionality, and the Power–Maxwell exponent. Then, a magnetic field is turned on in the d-dimensional bulk, which can influence the (d–1)-dimensional holographic superconductor at the boundary. The phase behavior of the corresponding holographic superconductor is obtained by computing the upper critical magnetic field in the presence of Power–Maxwell electrodynamics, characterized by the power exponent q. Interestingly, it is observed that in the presence of a magnetic field, the physically acceptable phase behavior of the holog.
Heterogenous stem cells from nonsorted versus sorted mononuclear cell from bone marrow: FACS based approach

The widely accepted source of stem cell for clinical transplant is the infusion of mononuclear cell (MNC) from bone marrow. The disadvantages of MNC infusion pose a threat to the world of regenerative medicine because of its vast heterogeneity, granulocyte interface and age. Thus, finding an alternative on improvisation of MNC therapy is of utmost importance. Thereby, we hypothesized an alternative approach by sorting of lymphocytes and monocytes using an FACS based purification method. To confirm our speculation, we enumerated various stem cell populations in non-sorted as well as sorted MNC from bone marrow. We found that sorted lymphocytes and monocytes possess high percentage of stem cells when compared to non-sorted MNC. Thus, it is concluded that sorted lymphocytes and monocytes cocktail from bone marrow might be an efficient alternative approach in cell based therapies. However, further investigations on these sorted cells will bring this work closer to clinical applications.
The causal analysis in the log-linear model

In this paper I try to provide a causal theory which can be applied to the log-linear models because they are devoid of complete methods to calculate the different effects. My causal theory uses odds ratios and Pearl's definitions (2001, 2009, 2012). I find that although I delete the log-linear parameter which regulates the interaction, there is still an interaction effect, which I call cell effect and which is due to the mere presence of two variables which affect a third. I then try to calculate this effect using Pearl's formulas for the direct, indirect and total effects and I find that a part of this effect is contained in Pearl's direct natural effect, this part is that related to the nonlinearity. To conclude I provide a test to see if this effect is equal to 0.
The Information in Systemic Risk Rankings

We propose to pool alternative systemic risk rankings for financial institutions using the method of principal components. The resulting overall ranking is less affected by estimation uncertainty and model risk. We apply our methodology to disentangle the common signal and the idiosyncratic components from a selection of key systemic risk rankings that are recently proposed. We use a sample of 113 listed financial sector firms in the European Union over the period 2002-2013. The implied ranking from the principal components is less volatile than most individual risk rankings and leads to less turnover among the top ranked institutions. We also find that price-based rankings and fundamentals based rankings deviated substantially and for a prolonged time in the period leading up to the financial crisis. We test the adequacy of our newly pooled systemic risk ranking by relating it to credit default swap premia.
AVO Modelling of the South-East Niger Delta, Nigeria

Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO) modelling was carried out using pre-stack seismic and well-log data in the south-east Coastal Swamp of Niger Delta. The results of the work demonstrated that seismic pres-stack and well-log data provided valuable information in modelling a reservoir and other important intervals in wells. Amplitude-Versus-Angle (AVA)/ Amplitude-Versus-Offset (AVO) extracted from pre-stack seismic data identified gas sand of AVO Class 3 type. Sand- shale lithology is deduced, with sandstone volume decreasing with increasing depth, while shale volume increases with depth. Porosity and permeability showed decreasing trend with depth for both sandstone and shale units. Velocity, GR (API), Poisson’s ratio, V p /V s and density increase with increasing depth. Compressional-velocity V p and shear-wave V s are linearly related, and mudrock line equation is established for the study area: V p =0.807Vs+1.600. The results of this work can be used as an Exploration tool for the identification or evaluation of prospective areas, locations and also for feasibility studies during an appraisal activity.
Gender and distance between intention and action

This paper analyses the perceptions of men and women on the compatibility between paid jobs and family , from the standpoint of gender relations. Based upon the resu lts of a survey carried out in Brazil in 2004, it i s examined whether there is a rapport between more equalitaria n perceptions regarding gender and more shared atti tudes regarding household work. There is also an attempt to identify the weight and the extent to which vari ous factors (e.g. cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic) are relevant to the existence of values and routine pr actices that entail the perception of more balanced and symmetri cal marital relations.
The Challenge of Iron Stress in Cyanobacteria

Iron is an essential nutrient for most living organisms. Due to the low solubility of ferric iron at physiological pH, the transition from an anaerobic atmosphere to the actual oxidant environment caused a dramatical decrease of iron bioavailability. Therefore, most organisms had to adapt their lifestyle to survive under an iron-depleted environment. In cyanobacteria, the electron transport chains involved in photosynthesis and respiration, as well as the enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism have a high content of iron. Hence, cyanobacterial iron requirements are much higher than those of heterotrophic organisms. In this chapter, we revise different strategies developed by this important group of microorganisms to cope with iron deficiency, as well as the regulatory networks involved in the homeostasis of this indispensable element.
POMDP-Based Throughput Maximization for Cooperative Communications Networks with Energy-Constrained Relay under Attack in the Physical Layer

In this paper, we investigate jamming attacks in the physical layer against cooperative communications networks, where a jammer tries to block the data communication between the source and destination. An energy-constrained relay is able to assist the source to forward the data to the destination even when the jammer tries to block the direct link. Due to a limited-capacity battery of the relay, a non-radio frequency energy harvester equipped in the relay helps to prolong its operation. We propose a scheme based on a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) to find the optimal action for the source such that we can maximize the achievable throughput of cooperative communications networks. Under this scheme, the source dynamically selects the appropriate action mode for its transmission in order to obtain maximum throughput under the jamming attack. Simulation results verify that the proposed scheme is superior to the Myopic scheme where only current throughput is taken into account for making decisions.
The 2D Eulerian Approach of Entrained Flow and Temperature in a Biomass Stratified Downdraft Gasifier

This paper describes a “1-D+2-D” numerical model used to simulate the gasification of pine wood pellets in a stratified downdraft gasifier whereby Eulerian conservation equations are solved for particle and gas phase components, velocities and specific enthalpies. The model takes into account the biomass particle process such as heating up, drying, primary pyrolysis of biomass, secondary pyrolysis of tar, homogeneous reactions and heterogeneous combustion/ gasification reactions and particle size change. This CFD model can be used to predict temperature profiles, gas composition, producer gas lower heating value and carbon conversion efficiency and the reactor performance when operating parameters and feed properties are changed. The standard κ-e and RNG κ-e models were used to simulate the turbulent flow conditions.