Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Destabilising Farmers' Revenues by Shifting to Direct Payments? The Case of EU's Common Agricultural Policy

This paper quantifies the effects of EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on the instability of domestic farmers' revenues during the period 1986 to 2004. Comparing explicitly the situations with and without policy shows that CAP transfers have lowered the variability of revenues for major commodities through time. The decomposition of agricultural support allows to reveal the impacts of single instruments on instability and indicates that arable area and beef headage payments, introduced in the 1990s, tend to stabilise domestic farmers' revenues. With market price support, however, farmers' revenues are more stable.
Development of the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) for Korean

Jin, In-Ki (Ph. D., Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences) Development of the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) for Korean Dissertation directed by Professor Kathryn H. Arehart The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a baseline for developing the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) for Korean. In the first study, the dynamic range (DR) of Korean speech was measured to analyze differences in DR across Korean, English, and Mandarin. Recorded sentence-level speech materials were used as stimuli. DR was quantified using different definitions of DR (defined as the range in dB from the highest to the lowest signal intensities), for several integration times (from 1 to 512 ms), and in different frequency bands (center frequencies (CFs) ranging from 150 to 8600 Hz). Across-language differences in DR were evident when considering frequency-band effects. Specifically, the DR for Korean was smaller than the English DR and the Mandarin DR in low-frequency bands (less than a CF of 455 Hz). Compared to Korean and Mandarin, the DR for English was smallest in mid-frequency bands (between a CF of 455 Hz and 4050 Hz) and was greatest in high-frequency bands (above a CF of 4050 Hz). In the second study, band-importance functions (BIFs) for Korean were derived using procedures from Studebaker and Sherbecoe (1991) and Kates (2013). Seventy-eight native Koreans with normal hearing were tested with twenty-one low-pass (LP) and high-pass (HP)
An Improved Adaptive Deconvolution Algorithm for Single Image Deblurring

One of the most common defects in digital photography is motion blur caused by camera shake. Shift-invariant motion blur can be modeled as a convolution of the true latent image and a point spread function (PSF) with additive noise. The goal of image deconvolution is to reconstruct a latent image from a degraded image. However, ringing is inevitable artifacts arising in the deconvolution stage. To suppress undesirable artifacts, regularization based methods have been proposed using natural image priors to overcome the ill-posedness of deconvolution problem. When the estimated PSF is erroneous to some extent or the PSF size is large, conventional regularization to reduce ringing would lead to loss of image details. This paper focuses on the nonblind deconvolution by adaptive regularization which preserves image details, while suppressing ringing artifacts. The way is to control the regularization weight adaptively according to the image local characteristics. We adopt elaborated reference maps that indicate the edge strength so that textured and smooth regions can be distinguished. Then we impose an appropriate constraint on the optimization process. The experiments’ results on both synthesized and real images show that our method can restore latent image with much fewer ringing and favors the sharp edges.
Comparative Genomic Hybridization Array Analysis

At the present time, there is increasing evidence that cancer may be regulated by the number of copies of genes in tumor cells. Through microarray technology it is now possible to measure the number of copies of thousands of genes and gene segments in samples of chromosomal DNA. Microarray comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) provides the opportunity to both measure DNA sequence copy number gains and losses and map these aberrations to the genomic sequence. Gains can signify the over-expression of oncogenes, genes which stimulate cell growth and have become hyperactive, while losses can signify under-expression of tumor suppressor genes, genes whose activity stops the formation of tumors. In order to better understand the progression of cancer and the differences between cancer and non-cancer tissue it is of great importance to fully understand what is happening at the chromosomal level. In the hopes of finding a genetic signature for subtypes of cancer, it is our intention to explore statistical approaches to array CGH data. The Waldman Lab at UCSF-CCC graciously allowed us to access data from their renal cancer study. This project was designed to determine whether microarray information on copy number of genes could be used to discriminate among four subtypes of renal cancer.
Enhancing Manual Scan Registration Using Audio Cues

Indoor mapping and modelling requires that acquired data be processed by editing, fusing, formatting the data, amongst other operations. Currently the manual interaction the user has with the point cloud (data) while processing it is visual. Visual interaction does have limitations, however. One way of dealing with these limitations is to augment audio in point cloud processing. Audio augmentation entails associating points of interest in the point cloud with audio objects. In coarse scan registration, reverberation, intensity and frequency audio cues were exploited to help the user estimate depth and occupancy of space of points of interest. Depth estimations were made reliably well when intensity and frequency were both used as depth cues. Coarse changes of depth could be estimated in this manner. The depth between surfaces can therefore be estimated with the aid of the audio objects. Sound reflections of an audio object provided reliable information of the object surroundings in some instances. For a point/area of interest in the point cloud, these reflections can be used to determine the unseen events around that point/area of interest. Other processing techniques could benefit from this while other information is estimated using other audio cues like binaural cues and Head Related Transfer Functions. These other cues could be used in position estimations of audio objects to aid in problems such as indoor navigation problems.
Development of New Unmanned Fixed-wings Aircraft Patrol to Power Transmission Line

In connection with the shortcomings of the current power transmission line inspection Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a new electric power inspection fixed-wing UAV is developed to improve the efficiency. The images of the line defects and potential problems are located and collected with the aerial views of the cameras. Combined with the GPS of the transmission tower, an autonomous flight inspection and airborne image real-time display is presented according to the default track points. The real-time image is considered as instructions to deformat UAV wings and achieve low-speed and low-altitude detailed inspection of the key parts of the circuit. It is able to self-control over-continent flight for 3 hours and it can be used to conduct ground and relatively small mountain ranges, plains region of daily patrol and large area electric power line disaster monitoring word.
On optimization techniques for the matrix multiplication on hybrid CPU+GPU platforms

The use of auto-tuning techniques in a matrix multiplication routine for hybrid CPU+GPU platforms is analyzed. Basic models of the execution time of the hybrid routine and information obtained during its installation are used to optimize the execution time with a balanced assignation of the computation to the computing components in the heterogeneous system. Satisfactory results are obtained, with experimental execution times close to the lowest achievable.
Leukemogenesis in Down Syndrome

Constitutional trisomy 21 or Down syndrome (DS) is the most common human genetic aneuploidy caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21 chromosome. The incidence of DS is estimated at 1 per 700 births (Malinge et al., 2009) and is the most common genetic factor predisposing to childhood leukemia. People with DS present several clinical phenotypes, including cognitive impairment, craniofacial dysmorphy, gastrointestinal tract abnormalities, congenital heart defects, endocrine abnormalities, neuropathology leading to dementia and immunological defects. Concerning the hematopoietic system, children with DS frequently show abnormalities in platelet counts, macrocytosis and an increased prevalence of leukemia (Lange, 2000; Roizen & Amarose, 1993).
Performance of broiler fed on diet containing deoiled Koroch (Pongamia Pinnata) seed cake treated with NaOH and HCl

The study was conducted to investigate whether the productive performances and meat yield characteristics of broiler would be improved by feeding diet containing koroch (Pongamia Pinnata) seed cake (KSC) treated with NaOH and HCl. A total number of 160 day-old straight run broiler chicks were fed on 4 iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets containing either basal diet with no KSC or basal diet containing 2% KSC treated with or without 1% NaOH or 1% HCl for a period of 28 days. These diets were considered as 4 different treatments. Each treatment was replicated 4 times, each having 10 birds. Inclusion of 2% KSC treated with NaOH or HCl in the diet resulted in lower live weight, live weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency of broilers at all ages compared to inclusion of dietary 2% KSC alone (P<0.01). However, broilers, irrespective of age, fed on diet containing 2% KSC treated with 1% HCl exhibited better productive performances than those fed on 1% NaOH treated 2% KSC incorporated diet. The amount of feed intake of broilers on either KSC alone or HCl treated KSC was almost similar to that on control diet. The meat yield parameters showed a non-significant treatment effect except for the percentage of dressing yield, liver, gizzard, head and skin weight. Dressing percentage of broilers fed on HCl treated KSC at 2% level was significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to any other dietary treatment, whereas broilers in 2% KSC dietary group showed similar results to the control group. Percentage of head and skin weight relative to body weight were higher in treated (NaOH or HCl) KSC dietary group compared to either KSC alone or control group. However, the highest liver and gizzard weights were obtained from the broilers fed on diet containing 2% KSC treated with 1% HCl, followed by diet with 1% NaOH treated KSC, KSC alone diet and the control diet. The results of the present study clearly indicated that neither the 1% NaOH treated nor 1% HCl treated KSC alliviated the depressed productive performances and meat yield characteristics of broilers. It is concluded that the poor productive performances of broilers fed on KSC incorporated diet cannot be improved by treating KSC with either NaOH or HCl, and the oil extracted KSC may contain leftover oil which might have a potential toxic effect on growth and meat yield of broilers. Res. Agric. , Livest. Fish.3(2): 323-329, August 2016
Effect of season on growth and reproduction performance of improved backyard poultry in North Eastern Hill Region

A study was undertaken to evaluate the seasonal influence on performance of Vanaraja (n=3924) and Gramapriya (n=2227) maintained in five different batches during 2011-14. Better growth was observed in summer during brooding. At brooding, mortality was significantly higher during winter in Vanaraja and during summer in Gramapriya. The egg production was higher when birds started laying in winter than in summer. The overall Hen Day Egg Production (HDEP) was higher in Vanaraja (p<0.01) than the Gramapriya. The fertility level varied between 68 to 90% in both varieties. The hatchability percentage on fertile egg set (FES) varied within the range of 70 to 90. It was concluded that better egg production performance could be obtained from Vanaraja birds, raised in summer and those initiated laying in winter. Therefore, the seasonal factors should be taken care of while raising parent line to achieve optimum production.
The impact of tariff reduction on Bangladesh economy: a computable general equilibrium assessment

This paper explores the effects of tariff reduction on macroeconomic indicators and sectoral output in Bangladesh using a computable general equilibrium approach. The simulation results indicate that a reduction in all tariffs expands gross domestic product and generates employment, which suggests that tariff cuts have a short-run stimulatory effect on economic growth. The industries that experience the greatest positive effects on their output and employment are export-oriented industries. There are also positive effects on the suppliers to these industries. Lightly-protected industries that rely heavily on imported intermediate inputs exhibit robust expansion, benefiting from a cost reduction as a result of the removal of protection. However, highly-protected, import-competing industries suffer a contraction in output and employment as they face increased competition from imports due to the liberalisation of trade.
Analytical Solution for Expected Loss of a Collateralized Loan: A Square-root Intensity Process Negatively Correlated with Collateral Value

In this study, we derive an explicit solution for the expected loss of a collateralized loan, focusing on the negative correlation between default intensity and collateral value. Three requirements for the default intensity and the collateral value are imposed. First, the default event can happen at any time until loan maturity according to an exogenous stochastic process of default intensity. Second, default intensity and collateral value are negatively correlated. Third, the default intensity and collateral value are non-negative. To develop an explicit solution, we propose a square-root process for default intensity and an affine diffusion process for collateral value. Given these settings, we derive an explicit solution for the integrand of the expected recovery value within an extended affine model. From the derived solution, we find the expected recovery value is given by a Stieltjes integral with a measure-changed survival probability.
Terrestrial and Marine Geobiophysical Spatial Analysis and Modeling of Phytoplankton and Nutrients in Haifa Bay, Israel

Haifa Bay, Israel, is considered one of the most polluted environments in the nation. The bay water is enriched with nutrients and shows elevated levels of phytoplankton biomass. This requires continuous data collection to monitor productivity. The objectives of these remote sensing geobiophysical models were to (1) create a terrestrial model component to identify sources for the elevated levels of nutrients in the bay, and (2) marine model component to validate remote sensing algorithms for the detection of Chlorophyll in an oceanic setting. Methods included Spatial Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, Unsupervised Classification, Map Algebra, Band Ratios, and Statistical Regression of reflection values against chlorophyll In Situ concentration measurements. The examination of the relationship between in situ measured chlorophyll concentrations and reflectance values included several models: linear, polynomial, exponential, and power transformations Results of the terrestrial model component validated the assumption that diffuse introduction of nutrient is mainly attributed to urban, industrial, and agricultural regions and intensive anthropogenic activity around the bay. The aquatic model component tested ocean color algorithms using ETM+ and MERIS data, which achieved results. ETM+ algorithm (TM2-TM3)/TM1 resulted in high correlation coefficient (R=0.8255) and was found suitable for the detection of low chlorophyll concentration <3mg/m. MERIS reflectance ratio R510/R560 was found most accurate and achieved high correlation between measured and reflected values (R=0.8428). The terrestrial and the marine components of the geobiophysical models provide an alternative, effective approach to the common monitoring techniques.
A toilet system based on hydrothermal carbonization

We are developing a toilet system that converts faecal material to an aqueous suspension of carbonised material that is safe to handle, and readily separated from the remaining liquid. It will also extract useful salts from the liquid. The system is aim to be the new generation universally appealing toilet and it will be of particular and urgent interest to areas where no (or very crude) sanitation exists. The system is designed to be self-sufficient in terms of energy input and to scale for a number of users in the range a few tens to a thousand or more. In parallel with our engineering development we are designing the system to provide users with a positive and comfortable experience. Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) has received attention recently as a way to convert biomass - including sewerage - into coal like material. It involves heating the start material in water at high temperatures and pressures. Depending on the conditions used the process can produce hydrocarbon gases or liquids or coal like particles. Most HTC work involving sewerage treatment is currently aimed at replacing established large-scale treatment plants i.e. for places with well-developed sewerage services. Our system, using HTC, is aimed at bringing the process at a decentralized household ( including combination of households) level so that the new generation toilet become accessible to all and particularly to those areas where none currently exists. Using HTC for toilets on continuous basis for such a small scale is the key innovation of our proposed system. We will describe our work to characterise the energetics of the HTC process in order to optimise the process in terms of total energy input and how we have used this information to develop a continuous system based on a plug flow reactor. The material produced by the system can be easily separated from the remaining liquid and used to generate heat and power (via a generator including solar) in order to maintain the process. The solids are safe to handle, and look, feel and smell much like coffee grounds. In situations where electrical (or renewable energy like solar) power is available the solid material can be used either as a fuel for heating and cooking, as a soil conditioner and possibly for carbon capture. We will discuss the possibility of including other waste material (food, sanitary waste etc.) into the system. In order to minimize the amount of water required to flush material away from the toilet bowl and to help maintain high sanitary standards we have been investigating anti-fouling coatings for the system. We will describe the results of studies of a nano-coating based on a responsive polymer that significantly enhances the rate at which water flushes away material that adheres to the toilet surface.
Risk or Totem?: Semantics of Child in Korean Risk Society

In a risk society, intimacy falls under the category of rational management and individual reflexivities. Children are not an exception. This article attempts to shed light on this newly emerging figure of child in risk societalization of Korean society. We propose to grasp this figure of child as a risk-totem. For this, we refer to an important concept of Luhmann called self-observation of society. According to this insight, society observes itself through the mass media, sciences (sociology), and culture. In this context, we analyzed two major forms of self-observation of contemporary Korean risk society on the subject of child in particular: child abduction films and discourses on risk society. Through the examination of these two forms of self-observation of society, the semantics of child in a risk society are determined as a risk-totem.
Chirurgie des fortgeschrittenen nicht-kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinoms im Stadium IIIB und IV

Surgical Therapy in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) at Stages IIIB and IV. Resection is the gold stand- ard for NSCLC at stages I and II. At stage IIIA, resection is warranted in a combined modality approach only. Stage-IIIB tumors implying T1- 3N3 and T4N2-3 generally lack resectability and render surgical intervention a no longer recom- mended procedure. If N3-disease is confirmed by invasive staging concurrent chemoradiation is the appropriate the- rapy. Nevertheless, contemplating a potentially curative surgical approach in the attempt to im- prove the dismal prognosis, it is strongly advised to incorporate surgical therapy into a multimodal therapeutic concept regarding age, performance sta- tus, and response to neoadjuvant treatment and should not be performed beyond the context of clini- cal trials. At stage IV M1A, pleural or pericardial malig- nant effusion is relieved by catheter drainage, pleurodesis, or pericardial window. In case of a contralateral, malignant, synchronous pulmonary lesion treatment options are lobectomy and lymph node dissection on the side of the original lesion and sublobar resection (segmentectomy) of the contralateral (smaller) lesion or, especially in a re- duced performance status, stereotactic radiation therapy (SBRT). Patients diagnosed with solitary synchronous cerebral or adrenal metastases may benefit from a staged resectional procedure in curative intent. Indication, however, must be based on the confir- mation of a resectable synchronous lung involve- ment at stage I or II. Resection at stage IVB impli- cating multiple metastases is purely palliative. Inter- disz Onkol 2012; 1 (Pre-Publishing Online): 1-4.
Activation of gold decorated carbon nanotube hybrids for targeted gas adsorption and enhanced catalytic oxidation

Free standing assemblies of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), known as bucky-paper (BP), have been functionalised through the in situ plating of gold nanoparticles within the interstitial spaces in the BP. The nanoparticles are extremely small and well distributed at short plating times, so much so that the specific surface area of the BP is actually increased by the gold incorporation. These well distributed nanoparticles exhibit high enthalpy hydrogen storage and selective carbon dioxide adsorption over other gases, in particular methane. In concert with the conductive BP substrate, it has been demonstrated that these materials can also act as high turnover heterogeneous catalysts.
The Influence of Brand Personality Dimensions Towards Brand Loyalty: A Study at The Body Shop Lampung

Brand personality is one of the important strategy to be the basis of relationship between the company and the customers in order to enhance brand loyalty. Brand personality has five dimensions, such as sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication and ruggedness. The purpose of this research is to know the influence of brand personality towards brand loyalty in The Body Shop Lampung. Data were distributed to 100 respondents of The Body Shop Lampung customers who have membership card or purchase more than 3 times. By applying descriptive research design The Body Shop Lampung as the object research, using purposive sampling technique to get samples, multiple regression analysis as the technique analysis, and the result has shown that brand personality dimensions (sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication and ruggedness) has positively and significantly influence towards brand loyalty on The Body Shop. In this research, brand personality dimensions have influenced towards brand loyalty as 48,6%. The research also found that the competitive advantage for The Body Shop is excitement dimension as the major personality that has influenced the customers to keep buying the brands in the future and recommend the brand to others. Keyword: Brand Personality Dimension and Brand Loyalty