Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Screen Reader Intelligibility in Noisy Environments

People with blindness or severe low vision access mobile devices using screen readers. However, noisy environments can impair screen reader intelligibility. During mobility, this could disorient or even endanger the user. To address this issue, we propose three screen reader speech compensation techniques based on environmental noise: speech rate slowing, adaptive volume increase, and adaptive equalization. Through a study with 12 participants in three simulated noise scenarios, we evaluate screen reader intelligibility and the perceived distraction from the soundscape, with and without compensations. Four of the proposed compensations, in particular those that pair speech rate reduction with volume or equalization adaptation, significantly improve screen reader's speech intelligibility in all the considered scenarios, and the compensations do not have a significant impact on the distraction from the soundscape.
Une condition algébrique pour l'observabilité d'une classe de systèmes hybrides

Dans ce papier nous allons donner une condition geometrique suffisante pour caracteriser l'observabilite des systemes lineaires par morceaux. Comme pour les systemes lineaires, notre condition est basee sur le rang d'une matrice que nous allons associer aux systemes lineaires par morceaux. Cette matrice prend en compte toutes les matrices d'observabilite des sous-systemes ainsi que la fonction lineaire de commutation qui definit le systeme. Au travers du papier, nous donnerons des exemples pour illustrer notre proposition.
Indicator of Job Satisfaction Related to Intention to Quit in Peruvian Nurses

The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between job satisfaction and intention to quit among nurses in Peru. The methodology used is quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study. The sample consisted of 335 nursing professionals from various public and private institutions in Peru. The G Clinic questionnaire was used to measure job satisfaction and the Boshoff and Allen questionnaire was used to measure intention to quit. The results show that the 55.5% of nurses had medium job satisfaction and 63.6% had low levels of intention to leave. The higher the job satisfaction, work climate, interpersonal relationships, work motivation and recognition, the lower the levels of intention to quit (p? 0.05). It is concluded that there is a negative mean correlation was found between job satisfaction and intention to quit, the same was true for the dimensions of job satisfaction. It is important for health institutions to strengthen the job satisfaction of their workers in order to build their loyalty and prevent them from leaving their jobs. Received: 13 March 2023 / Accepted: 12 May 2023 / Published: 5 July 2023
FACE PROFILE RECOGNITION AND IDENTIFICATION

Since the early 1990's face Recognition Technology (FRT) became anactive research area. Most of the current profile recognition algorithmsdepend on the correct detection of fiducial points and the determination ofrelationships among these fiducial points. Unfortunately, some featuressuch as concave nose, lips, flat chin, etc. make detection of such pointsdifficult and unreliable. Also the number and position of fiducial pointsvary when pose changes even for the same person. In this paper, acurvature-proposed technique is presented, which does not require theextraction of all the fiducial points, but uses information contained in theprofile. The nearest neighbor interpolation method is used to smooth theprofile and then the curvature of the interpolated profile is computed.Using the curvature coefficient values, the fiducial points, such as nasion,chin, and forehead can be reliably extracted using a fast and simplemethod. Then an Euclidean distance method is applied to match the faceprofile based on the curvature coefficient values.Experiments are performed on collected 50 clients with different ages, inpublic area. Each had three shots differences in time capture andilluminations, getting total of 150 images database, recognition rate of96.67% and conclusion are presented and discussed.
Overview of the Tenth Dialog System Technology Challenge: DSTC10

This article introduces the Tenth Dialog System Technology Challenge (DSTC-10). This edition of the DSTC focuses on applying end-to-end dialog technologies for five distinct tasks in dialog systems, namely 1. Incorporation of Meme images into open domain dialogs, 2. Knowledge-grounded Task-oriented Dialogue Modeling on Spoken Conversations, 3. Situated Interactive Multimodal dialogs, 4. Reasoning for Audio Visual Scene-Aware Dialog, and 5. Automatic Evaluation and Moderation of Open-domainDialogue Systems. This article describes the task definition, provided datasets, baselines, and evaluation setup for each track. We also summarize the results of the submitted systems to highlight the general trends of the state-of-the-art technologies for the tasks.
The Capital Assets Pricing Model & Arbitrage Pricing Theory: Properties and Applications in Jordan

This paper aimed to test the validity of capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and arbitrage pricing theory (APT) in Jordanian stock Market using three different firms of three main sectors, financial, industrial, and service sector for the period Q1 (2000) to Q4 (2016), using published information obtained from Amman stock exchange (ASE), these models were designed to measure the cost of capital using the coefficient of systematic risk factor, that used in the valuation of capital assets. We reviewed the most important similarities and differences between the two models out of sectors analysis. The study showed, first, there are some differences between the two models in term of the amount of systematic risk that can be eliminated by diversification in the three sectors. Second, the application of APT model showed that large percentage of risk can be eliminated by diversification more than CAPM model. Third, the banking sector in Jordan faces more systematic risks than other sectors.
USE OF GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES FOR ANALYSIS OF TRACE METALS IN A CEMETERY UNSATURATED SOIL ZONE

The purpose of this research was to apply two geophysical methods [Resistivity Imaging Technique (RI) and Inductive Electromagnetic Technique (EM-31)] to verify this tool’s efficiency in locating in subsurface contamination plumes and/or metal ions released by decomposition of corpses and their shells at Necrópole Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Piedade, SP. This research was carried out from October 2015 to September 2016. In the first phase, we used the Resistivity Imaging technique and later we applied the electromagnetic technique. This period between one investigation and another was useful to verify if anomalies changed during that period. Results showed that localized anomalies did not move and that results of both methodologies were similar, considering limitations of each technique.
Assessment of Methane Emissions from Dairy Cattle Production in Selected Case Studies in Thailand

Thailand’s agriculture sector both cultivation and livestock has played a vital role in driving economic growth. Globally, livestock production is estimated to contribute about 18% of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Despite its importance, there is a relative lack of research on GHGs assessment in livestock sector in Thailand. The aim of this research was to estimate GHGs emissions from dairy cattle production in selected farm cases in Saraburi and Ratchaburi provinces of Thailand. The 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories was applied in this research. Methane (CH4) emissions from the enteric fermentation and manure management from dairy cattle farms in Saraburi and Ratchaburi are in the range of 2.73 – kg 15.67 kg CO2 eq. Methane emission from enteric fermentation was higher than those from manure management. Therefore, it is necessary for farm managers and related stakeholders to properly manage and focus on the feedstuffs and herd managements including genetic systems and farms to lower methane emissions.
Algorithms for the computation of Galois groups

This thesis covers the topic of the computation of Galois groups over the rationals. Beginning with the classic algorithm by R. Stauduhar, we then review the theory necessary to explain the modular algorithm by K. Yokoyama. More precisely, we discuss the notion of the universal splitting ring of a polynomial. For a separable polynomial, we then study idempotents in the universal splitting ring. The modular algorithm involves computations in the ring of p-adic integers. Examples are given for polynomials of degree 3 and 4.
Stress relaxation in a dilute bacterial suspension

In this communication, we offer a theoretical explanation for the results of recent experiments that examine the stress response of a dilute suspension of bacteria (wild-type E. coli) subjected to step changes in the shear rate (Lopez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 115, 2015, 028301). The observations include a regime of negative apparent shear viscosities. We start from a kinetic equation that describes the evolution of the single-bacterium orientation probability density under the competing effects of an induced anisotropy by the imposed shear, and a return to isotropy on account of stochastic relaxation mechanisms (run-and-tumble dynamics and rotary diffusion). We then obtain analytical predictions for the stress response, at leading order, of a dilute bacterial suspension subject to a weak but arbitrary time-dependent shear rate profile. While the predicted responses for a step-shear compare well with the experiments for typical choices of the microscopic parameters that characterize the swimming motion of a single bacterium, use of actual experimental values leads to significant discrepancies. The incorporation of a distribution of run times leads to a better agreement with observations.
Political Business Cycles in Australia Elections and Party Ideology

Abstract Party ideology, elections and economic performance can have a significant impact on the overall economic performance. Governments are formed by parties that compete at elections and, based on their ideology, have different preferences regarding the size and scope of government. With respect to economic policy, left-wing parties advocate for government intervention in order to ease the effects of the business cycle whilst right-wing parties favour market solutions as a response to economic fluctuations. According to the partisan theory, left-wing parties are more willing to adopt expansionary fiscal and monetary policies when in government, as they are mainly concerned with employment. On the opposite side, right-wing parties prioritize inflation and fiscal discipline as objectives. Both left-wing and right-wing parties understand the impact that the economy has on their re-election prospects. When in government, in order to maximize their probability of being re-elected, all parties will try and make voters believe that their economic policies were successful. How the electorate will react to this behaviour depends on its ability to understand and predict the impact of current policies on future welfare. In this paper we examine the influence of government ideology and elections on the economy. Using quarterly data for government consumption, money supply, taxation and welfare expenditure, we find that both partisan and opportunistic political cycles characterize Australian politics thus confirming the insights put forward by Nordhaus, W.D. (1975. “The Political Business Cycle.” The Review of Economic Studies 42 (2): 169–190. ) and Hibbs, D. (1977. “Political Parties and Macroeconomic Policy.” The American Political Science Review 7: 1467–1487).
Visual Search and Target Selection Using a Bounded Optimal Model of State Estimation & Control

Visual attention and motor control are tightly coupled in domains requiring a human operator to interact with a visual interface. Here, we integrate a boundedly optimal visual attention model with two separate motor control models and compare the predictions made by these models against perceptual and motor data collected from human subjects engaged in a parafoveal detection task. The results indicate that humans use an optimal motor control policy limited by precision constraints – humans executed ballistic movements using near-optimal velocity (i
Cloak of mystery over Earth's mantle

"The electrical conductivity distribution inside the Earth could provide an important constraint in modelling the constitution of the lower mantle" according to recent article by Xiaoyuan Li and Raymond Jeanloz of the University of California at Berkeley ( J Geophys. Res. (1991) 96 6113). From experimental measurements on materials thought to constitute the lower mantle, they imply that it could be richer in iron than the upper mantle. Bernard Wood and Johann Nell at Bristol University, UK, on the basis of other experiments, contend that this is not required and that the mantle can be chemically homogeneous (Nature (1991) 351 309). Why is the question of knowing whether the lower mantle an important one and what conclusions can be drawn from the conflicting experiments?
Predictive Compensation-Based Harmonics Suppression for Speed-Sensorless Induction Motor Drives With Improved Feedback Gains

The adaptive magnetizing current control (AMCC) has been presented for speed-sensorless induction motor (IM) drives to enhance speed observability around zero stator frequency. However, adaptive variations of magnetizing current result in inevitable harmonics of speeds and torque. Addressing this problem, this article proposes a predictive compensation-based AMCC (PC-AMCC) method to compensate the reference of torque current and relieve the harmonics of speeds and torque. With the equivalent model of synchronous speed control (SSC) loop, the analysis is carried out to clarify the origin of harmonics. Then, the torque current variations are predicted by tangent of electromagnetic torque in sampling periods according to the variations of stator current and torque current error. On this basis, the reference of torque current of current loop can be compensated to relieve the hysteresis effect and suppress speeds and torque harmonics. Furthermore, the selections of feedback gains are elaborated with respect to flux error in low-speed motoring region. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified on a 2.2-kW IM experimental setup.
A Stretchable Glucose Sensor via Conductive Polymer-Coated VACNT Forests Rooted in Elastomer Polymer Substrate

This article presents a stretchable glucose sensor composed of dodecylbenzenesulfonate-doped polypyrrole (PPyDBS)-coated vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forests rooted in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. The measured sensitivity was approximately 10 mAcm−2M−1 with a wide linear range demonstrated, as low as 0.1 mM and up to 12 mM, and the sensor achieved 90% of steady-state current in less than 3 s. The PDMS/CNT/PPy(DBS)/GOx structure was tested under stretching, demonstrating the coefficients of determination larger than 0.982, indicating its robustness of sensing capability of glucose concentrations with tensile strain up to 75%. These results show the potential of this stretchable glucose sensor with a novel fabrication strategy and stretchable electrode design toward potential wearable applications interfacing with physiological fluids.
Advances in nonlinear optical microscopy for biophotonics

Abstract. This article reviews recent advances in nonlinear optical microscopy for biophotonics, including stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), second harmonic generation (SHG), and sum frequency generation (SFG). We first introduce the principles and applications of SRS, CARS, TPEF, SHG, and SFG and their individual applications for biophotonics. We then introduce the combination of SRS, CARS, TPEF, SHG, and SFG microscopy for biophotonics. Our review not only summarizes the recent advances in nonlinear optical microscopy but also can deepen the understanding of the combination of these types of nonlinear optical microscopy for biophotonics.
Noise-robust pixel-super-resolved multi-image phase retrieval with coherent illumination

Multi-image phase retrieval (MPR) algorithms play a significant role in the success of coherent diffractive imaging and in-line lensfree digital holographic imaging. However, they still suffer from the pixelation problem. By using them in combination with pixel super-resolution algorithms, the problem could be partially alleviated. But the existing pixel-super-resolved MPR method requires delicate parameter tuning and additional de-noising techniques. In this paper, we propose a new noise-robust pixel-super-resolved MPR scheme. It obviates the need for the mechanical movement of traditional pixel super-resolution methods and needs no extra measurements so that it can be directly applied in the existing system or dataset. Compared with the existing reconstruction method, it requires no sophisticated parameter selection and exhibits higher noise robustness, especially under laser illumination. Also, a new and effective focus measure is put forward so as to locate the object plane with higher precision and robustness. As a whole, our scheme provides a new label-free way of complex field imaging with a large field of view and high spatial resolution.
Do Exports and Imports Affect the Gross Domestic Product in Palestine During the Period (2000-2020)?

This paper examines the relationship between exports, imports, and GDP in Palestine. To achieve this, annual data from 2000 to 2020 was utilized. Johansen's test for cointegration analysis was employed to estimate the VAR model and conduct Granger-Causality tests. Based on the results of the analysis, the least squares (OLS) regression test indicated that there is no causal relationship between exports, imports, and GDP, as demonstrated by Granger's test. Additionally, the VAR test revealed that exports do not affect GDP. However, it is expected that imports have a positive impact on the GDP of Palestine. These findings confirm that imports influence GDP, suggesting that they are one of the contributing factors to economic growth in Palestine.
Short review of dimensionality reduction methods for failure detection

Size of a dataset is often a challenge in real-life applications. Especially, when working with time series data, when the next sample is produced every few milliseconds and can include measurements from hundreds of sensors, one has to take dimensionality of the data into consideration. In this work, we compare various dimensionality reduction methods for time series data and check their performance on a failure detection task. We work on sensory data coming from existing machines.
Sequence variants contributing to dysregulated inflammatory responses across keratoconic cone surface in adolescent patients with keratoconus

Background Keratoconus (KTCN) is the most common corneal ectasia resulting in a conical shape of the cornea. Here, genomic variation in the corneal epithelium (CE) across the keratoconic cone surface in patients with KTCN and its relevance in the functioning of the immune system were assessed. Methods Samples from four unrelated adolescent patients with KTCN and two control individuals were obtained during the CXL and PRK procedures, respectively. Three topographic regions, central, middle, and peripheral, were separated towards the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) study embracing a total of 18 experimental samples. The coding and non-coding sequence variation, including structural variation, was assessed and then evaluated together with the previously reported transcriptomic outcomes for the same CE samples and full-thickness corneas. Results First, pathway enrichment analysis of genes with identified coding variants pointed to “Antigen presentation” and “Interferon alpha/beta signaling” as the most overrepresented pathways, indicating the involvement of inflammatory responses in KTCN. Both coding and non-coding sequence variants were found in genes (or in their close proximity) linked to the previously revealed KTCN-specific cellular components, namely, “Actin cytoskeleton”, “Extracellular matrix”, “Collagen-containing extracellular matrix”, “Focal adhesion”, “Hippo signaling pathway”, and “Wnt signaling” pathways. No genomic heterogeneity across the corneal surface was found comparing the assessed topographic regions. Thirty-five chromosomal regions enriched in both coding and non-coding KTCN-specific sequence variants were revealed, with a most representative 5q locus previously recognized as involved in KTCN. Conclusion The identified genomic features indicate the involvement of innate and adaptive immune system responses in KTCN pathogenesis.
Evaluation of normal variants of circle of Willis at MRI

Background: Anatomy of circle of Willis (COW) shows extensive variations in different individuals and signifies the causation and presentation of clinical disease. The present study aims to evaluate the different anatomical variations of the Circle of Willis (COW) in general population, using magnetic resonance (MR) 3D-time of flight angiography and to correlate the observations with age and gender characteristics. Methods: This observational clinical study was conducted January 2013 to March 2014 in 503patients who were referred for MRI – Brain. MRI (Philips 1.5 Tesla magnet) with routine brain sequences along with 3D –TOF MRA was done in all patients. The anatomical variants of the anterior and posterior components of the COW were studied. The complete COW was assessed and the diameters of all the components were measured. The correlation between the vessel diameters in relations to age and gender were evaluated. Results: The mean age group of study participants was 42 years. Male dominance was seen among participants (57.1%). The complete configuration of the circle was seen in 31.6% of population. Most common anterior variant is type A (normal anterior configuration) with a prevalence of 52.9% and posterior variant is type K with a prevalence of 32.9%. Average diameters of the proximal vessels supplying the COW were larger in the older age subjects (centripetal vessels, the right and left ICA s and BA). Statistically significant differences between the mean vessel diameters between males and females were seen in the ICA-RT, ICA-LT, and PCOA-LT. Conclusions: The present study showed great variability of the anatomy of the COW in asymptomatic person. Various variants of COW can be picked up by MRA which is safer and non-invasive when compared with CTA / DSA. Knowledge of these variations would help in planning surgical procedures as well as preventing unwanted interventions.
Local dynamics of a three-dimensional host-parasite model

In this paper, local dynamics of a three-dimensional host parasite model as a discrete dynamical system has been studied. The existence of fixed points and stability behaviour near these points are investigated. By use of centre manifold theorem we describe the stability of non-hyperbolic fixed points. Some numerical simulations explain our theoretical results in better way.
Investigation on the effect of indium composition on ultrafast carrier dynamics in InGaN alloys

In this letter, we investigated the effect of indium composition on carrier relaxation mechanisms in InGaN alloys. Four high quality alloys with indium composition from 25% to 75% were fabricated using energetic neutral atomic-beam lithography/epitaxy molecular beam epitaxy. Using sub-picosecond resolved photoluminescence at high carrier density, it was found the effective carrier lifetime extends with increasing indium composition. Moreover, the calculated initial carrier temperature also rises with higher indium composition. These results are consistent with the theoretical prediction that a greater phonon bandgap could reduce the carrier cooling rate to a certain extent via hot carrier bottleneck effect.