Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of visitors to urban, coastal and rural areas. Evidence from the island of Crete

Taking as a case three diverse geographical locations, the coastal resort of Amoudara, the city of Heraklion and the village of Archanes, all of them within the border of the Prefecture of Heraklion on the island of Crete, the aim of this study has been set to provide a better understanding of differences between urban, rural and coastal tourists based on the attributes of the place they visit. Although due to various limitations results cannot be generalized beyond the study population, it was intriguing to find differences in motivations and preferences of urban, rural and coastal tourists which are a consequence of socio-demographic, motivation and travel-related variables. Based on these differences, this study provides implications for future decision making to target specific market segments.
Endoscopic Cryotherapy of Lung and Bronchial Tumors: A Systematic Review

Background/Aims We made a systematic review and evaluation of endoscopic cryotherapy of endobronchial tumors, investigating safety and efficacy. Methods Qualified studies regarding endoscopic cryotherapy of lung tumors were systemically evaluated using available databases according to predefined criteria. Results In total, 16 publications were included in the final assessment. A narrative synthesis was performed because a formal meta-analysis was not viable due to the lack of controlled studies and study heterogeneity. Overall success rates for significant recanalization of the obstruction were approximately 80%, although they varied, depending on disease status in the patient population. Complications from the procedure developed in 0-11.1% of cases, most of which were minor and controlled by conservative management. Although limited data were available on comprehensive functional assessment, some studies showed that respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests, and performance status were significantly improved. Conclusions Endoscopic cryotherapy was found to be a safe and useful procedure in the management of endobronchial tumors although its efficacy and appropriate indications have yet to be determined in well-designed controlled studies.
Demographic aspects of migration in West Africa : volume two

This working paper brings together country-level analyses of the demographic aspects of migration in French speaking West Africa. Migration patterns across and within national boundaries affect the distribution of resources especially human capital. When, as in West Africa, millions of people are involved, the economic and social effects of migration are significant to the development of both the countries of origin and those of destination. Data from the 1960 and 1970 series of censuses and surveys in West Africa indicate the magnitude of the flow. This volume includes the country reports and bibliography for the French-speaking countries.
Evidence for continent-wide convergent evolution and stasis throughout 150 y of a biological invasion

Significance Adaptive evolution can help species to persist and spread in new environments, but it is unclear how the rate and duration of adaptive evolution vary throughout species ranges and on the decadal timescales most relevant to managing biodiversity for the 21st century. Using herbarium records, we reconstruct 150 y of evolution in an invasive plant as it spread across North America. Flowering phenology evolves to adapt to local growing seasons throughout the range but stalls after about a century. This punctuated, convergent evolution recapitulates long-term dynamics in the fossil record, implicating limits to evolutionary rates that are not evident for the first century of spread.
Continuous Occupancy Mapping Using Gaussian Processes

The topic of this thesis is occupancy mapping for mobile robots, with an emphasis on a novel method for continuous occupancy mapping using Gaussian processes. In the new method, spatial correlation is accounted for in a natural way, and an a priori discretization of the area to be mapped is not necessary as within most other common methods.The main contribution of this thesis is the construction of a Gaussian process library for C++, and the use of this library to implement the continuous occupancy mapping algorithm. The continuous occupancy mapping is evaluated using both simulated and real world experimental data. The main result is that the method, in its current form, is not fit for online operations due to its computational complexity. By using approximations and ad hoc solutions, the method can be run in real time on a mobile robot, though not without losing many of its benefits.
Advances in Spatial and Temporal Databases: 10th International Symposium, SSTD 2007, Boston, MA, USA, July 16-18, 2007: Proceedings

Continuous Monitoring of Exclusive Closest Pairs. - Continuous Evaluation of Fastest Path Queries on Road Networks. - Continuous Medoid Queries over Moving Objects. - Efficient Index Support for View-Dependent Queries on CFD Data. - Generalizing the Optimality of Multi-step k-Nearest Neighbor Query Processing. - S-GRID: A Versatile Approach to Efficient Query Processing in Spatial Networks. - Efficiently Mining Regional Outliers in Spatial Data. - A Two Round Reporting Approach to Energy Efficient Interpolation of Sensor Fields. - Online Amnesic Summarization of Streaming Locations. - Spatial Partition Graphs: A Graph Theoretic Model of Maps. - Geographic Ontology Matching with iG-Match. - Local Topological Relationships for Complex Regions. - MobiHide: A Mobilea Peer-to-Peer System for Anonymous Location-Based Queries. - Blind Evaluation of Nearest Neighbor Queries Using Space Transformation to Preserve Location Privacy. - Enabling Private Continuous Queries for Revealed User Locations. - Computing a k-Route over Uncertain Geographical Data. - Querying Objects Modeled by Arbitrary Probability Distributions. - Invisible Graffiti on Your Buildings: Blind and Squaring-Proof Watermarking of Geographical Databases. - Transformation of Continuous Aggregation Join Queries over Data Streams. - Continuous Constraint Query Evaluation for Spatiotemporal Streams. - Collaborative Spatial Data Sharing Among Mobile Lightweight Devices. - A Study for the Parameters of a Distributed Framework That Handles Spatial Areas. - Distributed, Concurrent Range Monitoring of Spatial-Network Constrained Mobile Objects. - Compression of Digital Road Networks. - Traffic Density-Based Discovery of Hot Routes in Road Networks. - Spatio-temporal Network Databases and Routing Algorithms: A Summary of Results.
Time Preference and Income Convergence in a Dynamic Heckscher–Ohlin Model

This paper shows that income convergence in an open-economy setting hinges upon how the time-discount rate of the households is determined. As opposed to the case of constant time-discount rate where cross-country income divergence may emerge, the small-open economy may catch up with the rest of the world if the discount rate increases with consumption. In contrast, either if the discount rate decreases with consumption or if future-oriented investment of the household lowers the time- discount rate, then the small-open economy fails to catch up with the rest of the world under free trade of commodities.
Sound Change: Actuation and Implementation.

LEXICAL DIFFUSION. We have amassed a sizable amount of evidence drawn from the history of Chinese, English, and Swedish, as well as from language acquisition, to substantiate the claim that a phonological change propagates itself gradually across the lexicon, from morpheme to morpheme. In partial answer to the second question, concerning the actuation of phonological processes, we propose that the principal determinants of sound change are to be sought in the inherent constraints of the physiological and perceptual apparatus of the language user. To illustrate the point, we have investigated the attrition of the consonantal endings in a large number of Chinese dialects, and have found significant parallels in the development of well-known Indo-European languages. We argue that the cross-linguistically prevalent pattern and schedule of the related processes are traceable to their PHONETIC ACTUATION. Experimental evidence, both perceptual and physiological, is produced in support. *
Returns to Investors in Stocks in New Industries

We examine the returns to investors in publicly traded stock in new industries. We examine data from the United States on sellers of own-brand personal computers, airlines and airplane manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, railroads, and telegraphs. We find that a relatively small number of companies generate outstanding returns and many firms fail. Firms in new industries typically have high volatility of individual stocks' returns. Compared with indexes for the same period, expected returns of firms are higher for two industries, lower for one industry and roughly the same for two industries. Portfolios of firms in new industries generally have lower Sharpe ratios than the overall market.
Intact bacterial hopanoids as specific tracers of bacterial carbon in marine and estuarine environments

Title of Document: INTACT BACTERIAL HOPANOIDS AS SPECIFIC TRACERS OF BACTERIAL CARBON IN MARINE AND ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENTS Karen Ann Taylor, M.S., 2009 Directed By: Professor H. Rodger Harvey, Marine Estuarine Environmental Sciences Intact bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs) and their degrative products were investigated in surface sediments and particulate organic matter from the Bering Sea, Western Arctic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay to trace the inputs of bacterial carbon sources and the dominant microbial processes operative during organic matter recycling. Despite cold temperatures and the dominance of diatoms, cyanobacteria are ubiquitous and inhabit the deeper layers of the euphotic zone in the Bering Sea, where their contributions to sediments were directly traced. As a small but important contribution to the total system chlorophyll, cyanobacteria represent a previously undocumented fraction of the organic carbon pool in this region. In the Western Arctic, soil derived bacterial sources were abundant and include a fraction that likely degraded on land prior to being transported into the Arctic Ocean. Bacterial signatures in Chesapeake Bay transition along the salinity gradient with intact hopanoids reflecting a diverse range of potential
Attention Alters the Appearance of Spatial Frequency and Gap Size

Transient attention is the automatic and short-lasting preferential processing of an area in visual space initiated by sudden stimulation in the same vicinity. Transient attention enhances early visual processing in a variety of dimensions, increasing contrast sensitivity, spatial resolution, and acuity. A recent study established that the increase in contrast sensitivity is accompanied by an increase in apparent contrast. In the present study, we investigated whether the effects of transient attention on spatial resolution and acuity are accompanied by corresponding phenomenological changes in these dimensions. The data indicate that transient attention increases the apparent spatial frequency of Gabor stimuli (Experiment 1) and increases apparent gap size in a Landolt-square acuity task (Experiment 2). Transient attention not only affects basic visual processing—it changes what one experiences.
Equilibrium existence under generalized convexity

Abstract We introduce, in the first part, the notion of weakly convex pair of correspondences, we give its economic interpretation, we state a fixed point and a selection theorem. Then, by using a tehnique based on a continuous selection, we prove existence theorems of quilibrium for an abstract economy. In the second part, we define the weakly biconvex correspondences, we prove a selection theorem and we also demonstrate the existence of equilibrium for a generalized quasi-game (2003 Kim's model). In the last part of the paper, we give other applications in the game theory, finding equilibrium for abstract economies having correspondences with weakly convex graph. We show that the equilibrium exists without continuity assumptions.
IMPACT OF BUILDING ROADS TO EVERYWHERE. IN SPRAWL CITY. RACE, POLITICS, AND PLANNING IN ATLANTA

Despite decades of transportation investment, residents of the Atlanta region face worse traffic congestion, drive farther, and are more automobile-dependent that ever. They also continue to breathe polluted air. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) estimates that if no transportation or land use changes are made in a timely fashion, transportation conditions will get drastically worse. These problems create unprecedented opportunities to move the Atlanta region away from roads and sprawl-based development patterns to ones that offer more travel choice, a cleaner environment, and more livable neighborhoods. The current Atlanta regional transportation planning process is flawed. If this region is to have healthy air, transportation options, and livable communities, significant changes in the planning process for the Atlanta region are desperately needed. Corrective actions are required in such areas as needs assessment, system planning, public involvement and information, equity issues, use of performance measures and project evaluation and selection.
Los receptores nicotínicos de acetilcolina y las α-conotoxinas

Los caracoles marinos del genero Conus, utilizan venenos para la captura de sus presas. Sus venenos estan compuesto por un vasto numero de toxinas. Estas toxinas, que se conocen como conotoxinas, son usualmente peptidos pequenos, que selectivamente se unen a diferentes blancos moleculares, particularmente a receptores y canales ionicos; entre otros a los receptores nicotinicos de acetilcolina. El estudio de estas conotoxinas ( α conotoxinas) ha sido util para entender el papel fisiologico de estos receptores
Measurement of CP violation and constraints on the CKM angle in B±DK± with DK0S+- decays

A model-dependent amplitude analysis of B ± → DK ± with D → K 0S π + π − decays is performed using proton–proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1 fb − 1 , recorded by LHCb at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV in 2011. Values of the CP violation observables x ± and y ± , which are sensitive to the CKM angle γ , are measured to be where the ﬁrst uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third arises from the uncertainty of the D → K 0S π + π − amplitude model. The value of γ is determined to be ( 84 + 49 − 42 ) ◦ , including all sources of uncertainty. Neutral D meson mixing is found to have negligible effect.
Foetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: a review article and retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients in Slovenia between 1996 and 2016

Foetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) results from the transplacental transmission and binding of alloimmune antibodies on the child’s platelet antigens which were inherited from the father. Alloimmunisation of the mother against platelet antigen can occur during present or previous pregnancies or platelet transfusions. FNAIT is a rare disease whose course may be insignificant or may present with signs of haemorrhagic diathesis. Its most serious complication is intracranial bleeding, therefore early diagnosis and, in the case of indications, appropriate treatment are very important. The estimated incidence of FNAIT is 1 in 1,000– 2,000 live births. According to the Slovenia’s national vital statistics data, we estimate that there should be between 10 and 20 serologically confirmed cases of FNAIT annually. The incidence of FNAIT in Slovenia is not known. The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the inci dence and aetiology of FNAIT in Slovenia and clinical characteristics of the disease. The results of a retrospective study in which we analysed the results of blood tests for the detection of platelet antibodies in infants or mothers have shown a much lower incidence. In the period from 1996 to 2016, there were on average 9 requests for FNAIT diagnostic tests per year and 39 cases of FNAIT were confirmed, resulting in an incidence rate of 1 in 10,000 live births in Slovenia. We are aware that the obtained incidence may be underestimated due to retrospective analysis of the data; nevertheless, our results confirm our clinical observations that FNAIT is underdiagnosed in our area. In the present article, in addition to the results of a retrospective study on the incidence, aetiology and clinical picture of FNAIT in Slovenia, we review current knowledge of FNAIT. This contribution is aimed at increasing awareness about FNAIT, which can be life-threatening, and its prompt diagnosis may be very important for the child as well as for the mother’s following pregnancies.
Biomechanical Assessment of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological disorder a ecting hundreds of thousands of Americans. The current best practice for assessment of this disease is a clinical examination and subjective rating using the Uni ed Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Such ratings are coarse scaled, subject to rater bias, and costly. Instruments which provide objective measurements of disease state can eliminate rater bias, provide repeatable data, and increase the frequency and responsiveness of subject assessments, expediting the validation of new therapies and treatments. This thesis describes the design and implementation of a battery of bio-mechanical devices suitable for clinical and in home use, including descriptions of the instruments and the functionality of the data acquisition software, as well as the overall system used for data collection. A data analysis algorithm is fully described, and descriptive statistics of pilot data from twenty two subjects are reported. These statistics show promising correlations of time duration metrics with the motor subsection of the UPDRS, as well as good responsiveness to dopaminergic intervention. Data also suggests that these devices have an advantage over previously described devices in the ability to record the full
Climate driven trophic cascades affecting seabirds around the British Isles

After flourishing during the second half of the twentieth century, many North Sea seabird populations are now in decline. Much evidence is accumulating that climate change is driving these negative trends in growth rate. Climate driven changes in the physical environment may affect seabirds both directly and indirectly. Direct impacts such as increasingly common extreme weather events will result in negative physiological responses. However, climate effects on seabirds are more likely to be indirect, and mediated by prey quality and availability. Mounting evidence suggests that climate impacts on lower trophic levels are altering the pathway of energy to seabirds. While the basis for changes in primary production are complex and uncertain, climate driven changes in sandeels, and Calanus finmarchicus, key prey species in adjacent trophic levels, appear to be causing a reduction in breeding success and growth rate in several British seabird species.
RazakSAT – A High Performance Satellite Waiting for Its Mission in Space

Flight Model (FM) development and testing of RazakSAT, a high performance imaging satellite, has been successfully completed to be launched by Falcon in the first quarter of 2007. The 190 kg satellite, formerly known as MACSAT, has been designed to provide 2.5 m and 5 m resolution multi-spectral and panchromatic imagery from a 685 km altitude in a Near Equatorial orbit (NEqO), respectively. Its seven degree inclination NEqO orbit has been specially chosen for frequent monitoring of equatorial regions of Malaysia with unique revisit characteristics. During the designed life time of three years, RazakSAT is expected to generate image maps using a high resolution medium-sized aperture camera (MAC), which is a push-broom type camera with a swath width of 20 km. The satellite also has +/30 degrees of tilting and 30 Mbps of X-band data downlink capabilities for high imaging throughput. The image receiving and processing ground station (IRPS) for RazakSAT is based on that of KOMPSAT-1 & 2 which allows large image production and highly automated operation. This paper presents the background of the mission, and describes the performance and operation of the FM RazakSAT satellite. Results of the final verification test of the satellite are also summarized in the paper. INTRODUCTION As an international collaborative program, Satrec Initiative (SI) and ATSB have completed developing the Medium-sized Aperture Camera Satellite (RazakSAT, formerly known as MACSAT) for Earth observation and successively delivered the Flight Model to ATSB, Malaysia, in August, 2005. The high performance imaging satellite is expected to be launched by Falcon in early 2007, and is now waiting for its mission in space to provide 2.5 m and 5 m resolution multi-spectral and panchromatic imagery from a 685 km altitude in a Near Equatorial orbit (NEqO), respectively. The RazakSAT mission was initiated by Malaysia to launch a high-resolution remote sensing satellite into NEqO. Due to its geographical location, Malaysia can have huge benefits from operating a satellite at an equatorial orbit. As depicted in Figure 1, from the baseline circular orbit of 685 km altitude with 7 degrees of inclination, the neighboring regions around Malaysian territory can be frequently monitored. The equatorial environment around the
COMPARAÇÃO ENTRE CLASSIFICAÇÕES COM REDE NEURAL ARTIFICIAL EM DIFERENTES ÁREAS DE ESTUDO (classifications with artificial neural network in differen study areas)

The use of satellite images for mapping is very relevant because of its wide coverage in terms of area, imaging in a short period of time, visual analysis, spectral and its low acquisition costs. With the objective of classifying digitally two distinct images from the satellite LandSat TM 5 and 7, this study evaluates the quality of digital classifications in two different areas using Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Confusion Matrix and the Kappa Coefficient were used for accuracy of the classifications obtained by the ANN. It is confirmed that the ANN is dependent on the complexity of the study area and for each image to be classi fied there should be a network architecture of its own, with pure samples and representative of the classes defined in the original image.
Spatial statistical modelling of insurance risk: a spatial epidemiological approach to car insurance

ABSTRACT Spatial models, such as the Besag, York and Mollie (BYM) model, have long been used in epidemiology and disease mapping. A common research question in these subjects is modelling the number of disease events per region; here the BYM models provides a holistic framework for both covariates and dependencies between regions. We use these tools to assess the relative insurance risk associated with the policyholders geographical location. A Bayesian modelling approach is presented and an elastic net is used to reduce the large number of possible geographic covariates. The final inference is performed using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation. The model is applied to car insurance data from If P&C Insurance together with spatially referenced covariate data of high resolution, provided by Insightone. The entire analysis is performed using freely available R-packages. Including spatial dependence when modelling the number of claims significantly improves on the result obtained using ordinary generalised linear models. However, the support for adding a spatial component to the model for claims cost is weaker.