Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing biomass and grain yields stability of a restricted collection of Batini barley landraces from Oman under salinity stress

Batini barley landraces from Oman are thought to exhibit salinity tolerance because of their wide cultivation in several salt affected areas. This field study evaluated the biomass and grain yields of 21 Batini landraces and 4 breeding lines from an international collection over three cropping seasons under three irrigation water salinity levels corresponding to electrical conductivities of 2, 8 and 14 dS m -
STUDY OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BOTTOM ASH : CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Bottom Ashes (BAs) are solid residue products of incinerator combustion that consist mainly of polycrystalline fragments, such as glasses, silicate minerals and various waste metals. Many volatile metals (e.g., zinc and lead) are incorporated in salts and in silicate glasses and their speciation in melts and crystals in MSW products are widely unknown. In this PhD thesis I investigated two sets of bottom ash samples derived from two combustion facilities, one located in Rimini and the other in Piacenza. Both the incinerator systems work with rotary kilns, but in the incinerator plant of Piacenza the waste material treated is composed also of special hazardous waste, in particular hospital waste. The samples were mineralogically and chemically characterized by using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), LA-ICP-MS and electron microprobe analyses. The main goal of this work was to investigate the bottom ashes as starting combustion products and after vitrification treatments. The Fig. 1 compares the main oxide composition of BA samples of this study to literature data reported as minimum and maximum average values: except for the slightly higher SiO2 content in these BA, all the other oxides concentrations were within the concentration ranges reported in the literature. Thermal treatments on the BA samples were carried out at 1000-1300°C, with melting times from 1 h to 72 h. Vitrification of waste was useful to get more homogenous products and for volume reduction; moreover, it is considered a valuable technique to be used before possible re-utilization of the MSW.
Occurrence of toxigenic moulds isolated in maize ( Zea mays ) from Okitipupa metropolis , Ondo State , Nigeria

The goal of this work is to provide adequate information about the mould associated with dry maize samples in Okitipupa metropolis and also generate data which will give an insight into management and prevention of mycotoxicoses outbreaks in the region. Dry maize (Zea mays) was obtained randomly from selected rural households and markets within Okitipupa, Ondo state, Nigeria. Moulds were isolated from all the samples with at least one genera of mycotoxigenic fungi present such as; Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. The frequently occurring mould species were; Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tamarii, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum and Penicillium atramentous. The occurrence of A. flavus was the highest in all the samples collected followed by Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium oxysporum. Penicillium has the lowest frequency of occurrence. The highest occurring mould species were Aspergillus flavus (40%), Aspergillus tamarii (20%), Aspergillus niger (4%), Aspergillus fumigatus (4%), Aspergillus terreus (4%), Fusarium oxysporum (12%), Fusarium proliferatum (16%) and Penicillium (4%).
Studies on Infrasound Noise Generated by Operation οf Low-Power Wind Turbine

Subject matter of this paper deals with issues of the environmental impact of infrasound noise associated with operation of low-power wind turbines. It is now the current and relevant problem for both the cognitive and utilitarian standpoint. There is now a considerable growth in the number of such installations in Poland, Europe and in the world, due to the possibility of locating them on existing building roofs in heavily urbanized areas, and without having to build additional supporting structures. As part of the study, measurements of low frequency acoustic signals generated during operation of micro turbine equipped with a rotor of vertical axis of rotation relative to the wind direction have been performed. Analyses were carried out in order to determine the impact of wind speed and selected meteorological parameters on the level of infrasound signals emitted by the test turbine. In addition, frequency analysis of the recorded signals was performed. Then, the obtained results were subjected to comparative analysis. In summary, the achieved results were referred to the limits of sound pressure intensity level of infrasound signals as speci ed for the working environment in accordance with the Polish Standard PN-Z-01338.
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl-153 decreases incidence of autoimmune Type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

Abstract Type 1 diabetes (T1D) incidence has been steadily rising across the globe. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POP) has been implied as one potential cause of increased T1D occurrence. Since data regarding the role of POP polychlorinated biphenyl-153 (PCB-153) in autoimmune T1D development in experimental animal models are lacking, this study sought to evaluate the effect of PCB-153 exposure on T1D development in a non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. As T1D is an autoimmune, T-cell-dependent disease, PCB-153 effects on T-cells were studied as well. Pre-diabetic 8–9-week-old NOD mice were exposed to intraperitoneal injections of PCB-153 in a 10-day short- (subacute exposure; 0.5 or 50 mg/kg) or 16-week long-term (subchronic exposure; 0.125 or 12.5 mg/kg) fashion. A significant decrease in incidence of T1D was observed in both low- and high-dose subchronically exposed mice. Analysis of various immune parameters, including T-cell types and subtypes, T-cell proliferative responses – as well as their cytokine secretions, revealed that both short- and long-term exposure to PCB-153 caused significant immunosuppression. PCB-153-induced immunosuppression was reflected in reductions in levels of T helper (TH)-type cells and their functions after subacute treatment with low- and high-dose PCB-153. In agreement, decreased levels of TH cells, reduced proliferation and IL-2 secretion seemed to be a mechanism of PCB-153 action in the development of T1D in subchronically exposed mice. In conclusion, this study for the first time revealed the effects of PCB-153 on development of T1D, bridging the existing experimental knowledge gap regarding the association of non-dioxin-like PCBs and T1D.
The mouse mast cell-restricted tetramer-forming tryptases mouse mast cell protease 6 and mouse mast cell protease 7 are critical mediators in inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Increased numbers of mast cells (MCs) that express beta tryptases bound to heparin have been detected in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The corresponding tryptases in mice are mouse MC protease 6 (mMCP-6) and mMCP-7. Although MCs have been implicated in RA and some animal models of arthritis, no direct evidence for a MC-restricted tryptase in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis has been shown. We created transgenic mice that lack heparin and different combinations of mMCP-6 and mMCP-7, to evaluate the roles of MC-restricted tryptase-heparin complexes in an experimental model of arthritis. METHODS The methylated bovine serum albumin/interleukin-1beta (mBSA/IL-1beta) experimental protocol was used to induce inflammatory monarthritis in different mouse strains. Mice were killed at the time of peak disease on day 7, and histochemical methods were used to assess joint pathology. RESULTS Arthritis was induced in the knee joints of mBSA/IL-1beta-treated mMCP-6(+)/mMCP-7(-) and mMCP-6(-)/mMCP-7(+) C57BL/6 mice, and numerous activated MCs that had exocytosed the contents of their secretory granules were observed in the diseased mice. In contrast, arthritis was markedly reduced in heparin-deficient mice and in mMCP-6(-)/mMCP-7(-) C57BL/6 mice. CONCLUSION MC-derived tryptase-heparin complexes play important roles in mBSA/IL-1beta-induced arthritis. Because mMCP-6 and mMCP-7 can compensate for each other in this disease model, the elimination of both tryptases is necessary to reveal the prominent roles of these serine proteases in joint inflammation and destruction. Our data suggest that the inhibition of MC-restricted tryptases could have therapeutic potential in the treatment of RA.
DIRECT NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF TURBULENCE INDUCED SECONDARY MOTION IN SQUARE AND SKEWED DUCTS

We performed direct numerical simulations of turbulent flow in square and skewed ducts. A secondorder-accurate finite-volume approach was used to discretize the Navier-Stokes equations in a curvilinear coordinate system. The mean secondary flow field was observed in all cases; in the skewed ducts, however, the strength of the secondary flow is weaker compared to that for the square duct. The flow in the sharper corners tend to relaminarize and the axis of the secondary flow shifts toward the corner with wider angle.
Analysis of Dynamic Loads on Azimuthing Ducted Propulsor under Off-Design Operation Conditions

In the present study, the results of CFD simulations by the unsteady RANS method of the flow around a generic model of azimuthing ducted pushing thruster are presented and compared with the results of model tests. The calculations are performed with the propeller operating at the design pitch (P0.7/D=1.1) for different advance coefficients in straight and oblique flow conditions. The main quantities considered in the validation study include propeller thrust and torque, duct thrust and side force, total thrust and total side force as well as the thruster steering moment. In addition, the loads acting on a single propeller blade are also compared to the experimental data. A good agreement between the calculations and measurements is achieved for most quantities except the steering moment that shows larger relative differences from the measured values. However, the overall variation of the steering moment with loading and heading angle appears to be qualitatively captured by the numerical simulations. Separately, CFD simulations are performed with the same thruster operating in presence of initially undisturbed free surface, at different magnitudes of submergence, in order to illustrate the impact on propulsor forces and individual blade loads.
Anatomical characterization of the neuropeptide S system in the mouse brain by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is the endogenous ligand for GPR154, now referred to as neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR). Physiologically, NPS has been characterized as a modulator of arousal and has been shown to produce anxiolytic‐like effects in rodents. Neuroanatomical analysis in the rat revealed that the NPS precursor mRNA is strongly expressed in the brainstem in only three distinct regions: the locus coeruleus area, the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus, and the lateral parabrachial nucleus. NPSR mRNA expression in the rat is widely distributed, with the strongest expression in the olfactory nuclei, amygdala, subiculum, and some cortical structures, as well as various thalamic and hypothalamic regions. Here we report a comprehensive map of NPS precursor and receptor mRNA expression in the mouse brain. NPS precursor mRNA is only expressed in two regions in the mouse brainstem: the Kölliker‐Fuse nucleus and the pericoerulear area. Strong NPSR mRNA expression was found in the dorsal endopiriform nucleus, the intra‐midline thalamic and hypothalamic regions, the basolateral amgydala, the subiculum, and various cortical regions. In order to elucidate projections from NPS‐producing nuclei in the brainstem to NPSR‐expressing structures throughout the brain, we performed immunohistochemical analysis in the mouse brain by using two polyclonal anti‐NPS antisera. The distribution of NPS‐immunopositive fibers overlaps well with NPSR mRNA expression in thalamic and hypothalamic regions. Mismatches between NPSR expression and NPS‐immunoreactive fiber staining were observed in hippocampal, olfactory, and cortical regions. These data demonstrate that the distribution pattern of the central NPS system is only partially conserved between mice and rats. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:1867–1893, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of Be-treated sapphire by luminescence spectroscopy

1Gems Enhancement Research Unit, Faculty of Gems, Burapha University, Chanthaburi, 22170, Thailand 2Faculty of Gems, Burapha University, Chanthaburi, 22170, Thailand 3Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand 4The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), Bangkok, 10500, Thailand 5Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallographie, Universität Wien, 1090 Wien, Austria *e-mail: bhuwadol@yahoo.com
MODELING THE VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT SUCCESS AMONG MALAYSIAN TEACHERS : THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION

The positive technological advantages of ICT had inspired the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) to invest in digitalizing the Malaysian schools, including the implementation of Frog Virtual Learning Environments (VLE). Despite this huge investment, the ratio of usage is relatively low, especially among the teachers. This evidence indicates that there is an urgent requirement to conduct a post-implementation evaluation to investigate the factors behind the issue. Therefore, this study is conducted to develop a conceptual model based on the updated DeLone and McLean IS Success Model to evaluate the Frog VLE success among Malaysian teachers. As the study is still in the early stage, this paper will present the initial investigation that leads to the development of the conceptual model, including the background of the study, literature review and research methodology that the study wishes to employ. Finally, this study seeks to contribute some understandings on how the new Conceptual Model can predict the success of Frog VLE among Malaysian teachers.
Design Procedure of Centrifugal Compressors

This paper investigates the development of a preliminary design method for centrifugal compressors. The design process starts with the aerodynamic analysis of the preliminary design and its reliance on empirical rules limiting the main design parameters. The procedure is applied to compressors for pressure ratios of 1.5, 3 and 5 as an example for developing an initial non-dimensional skeleton design. The skeleton diagrams are presented for different exit blade angles ranging from 0° to -60°. The design procedure was carried out for three cases: without prewhirl and with high positive prewhirl of 15° and 30°. Design considerations of mechanical stress for the impeller and minimum inlet relative Mach number are taken into consideration. Diffusion factor limitations have also been considered. Selected design parameters according to economical considerations have been presented for each pressure ratio.
E-Leadership in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Developing World

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the economies of many developing countries. A critical challenge faced by SME leaders, as digitization continues, is how to adopt digital technologies to create value and enable faster product commercialization. There is a paucity of empirical research examining how e-leadership in SMEs drives technology and new product commercialization processes in the developing world. In this study, we have broadened the notion of what constitutes e-leadership, from the perspective of how advanced information technologies affect the leadership dynamic and the appropriation of advanced information technologies. Although there have been several studies on leading technologies in developed countries, we focus on developing an e-leadership framework for SMEs in developing economies. Using this framework and five selection criteria, we conducted 11 interviews with a sample of successful SMEs selected from a pool of 2,240 firms in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. We conclude by highlighting the five key findings of this study, which explain how SMEs can develop effective e-leadership to foster commercialization and improve firm performance.
GEOTECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF GRAVITY FLOW DURING BLOCK CAVING

Block Caving is a mining operation method where taking advantage of the gravity forces, the ore is fragmented into particles and extracted from different draw points. The actual phenomenon, usually called gravity flow that takes place in the mine is complex, being still at the present the operation and design mainly empirical. In this paper the gravity flow is analyzed using the computer code Flac 3D, modeling the fractured ore as a granular material with a Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria and with a modulus of deformation as function of both the minor principal stress and stress path. The computed results are in good agreement with empirical evidences observed in the block caving. The obvious question of how a flow can be modeled with a computer code for a continuum media is also explained in the paper.
Eliciting and Enforcing Subjective Individual Fairness

We revisit the notion of individual fairness first proposed by Dwork et al. [2012], which asks that "similar individuals should be treated similarly". A primary difficulty with this definition is that it assumes a completely specified fairness metric for the task at hand. In contrast, we consider a framework for fairness elicitation, in which fairness is indirectly specified only via a sample of pairs of individuals who should be treated (approximately) equally on the task. We make no assumption that these pairs are consistent with any metric. We provide a provably convergent oracle-efficient algorithm for minimizing error subject to the fairness constraints, and prove generalization theorems for both accuracy and fairness. Since the constrained pairs could be elicited either from a panel of judges, or from particular individuals, our framework provides a means for algorithmically enforcing subjective notions of fairness. We report on preliminary findings of a behavioral study of subjective fairness using human-subject fairness constraints elicited on the COMPAS criminal recidivism dataset.
An energy-efficient mobile target detection scheme with adjustable duty cycles in wireless sensor networks

In this paper, an energy-efficient mobile target detection scheme with adjustable duty cycles TDADCs is proposed. TDADC has three advantages. First, it takes full advantage of the residual energy and improves the effective energy utilisation by increasing the sensing duty cycle of non-hotspot nodes. Secondly, the new scheme can significantly improve the overall probability of target detection. Thirdly, the notification transmission latency can be reduced by increasing the communication duty cycles of non-hotspot area. The problem of target detection can be addressed as an optimal problem trade-off between the target detection quality and network lifetime. A novel measurement framework called Weighted Quality of Target Detection WQTD is also proposed to measure the quality of target detection. Both theoretical and simulation results show that the proposed scheme significantly improved the probability of target detection, decreased the notification transmission latency and detection delay without reducing the network lifetime.
Pure Nash Equilibria and Best-Response Dynamics in Random Games

In finite games, mixed Nash equilibria always exist, but pure equilibria may fail to exist. To assess the relevance of this nonexistence, we consider games where the payoffs are drawn at random. In particular, we focus on games where a large number of players can each choose one of two possible strategies and the payoffs are independent and identically distributed with the possibility of ties. We provide asymptotic results about the random number of pure Nash equilibria, such as fast growth and a central limit theorem, with bounds for the approximation error. Moreover, by using a new link between percolation models and game theory, we describe in detail the geometry of pure Nash equilibria and show that, when the probability of ties is small, a best-response dynamics reaches a pure Nash equilibrium with a probability that quickly approaches one as the number of players grows. We show that various phase transitions depend only on a single parameter of the model, that is, the probability of having ties.
Temporal-difference learning for nonlinear value function approximation in the lazy training regime

We discuss the approximation of the value function for infinite-horizon discounted Markov Decision Processes (MDP) with nonlinear functions trained with Temporal-Difference (TD) learning algorithm. We consider this problem under a certain scaling of the approximating function, leading to a regime called lazy training. In this regime the parameters of the model vary only slightly during the learning process, a feature that has recently been observed in the training of neural networks, where the scaling we study arises naturally, implicit in the initialization of their parameters. Both in the under- and over-parametrized frameworks, we prove exponential convergence to local, respectively global minimizers of the above algorithm in the lazy training regime. We then give examples of such convergence results in the case of models that diverge if trained with non-lazy TD learning, and in the case of neural networks.
HadaNets: Flexible Quantization Strategies for Neural Networks

On-board processing elements on UAVs are currently inadequate for training and inference of Deep Neural Networks. This is largely due to the energy consumption of memory accesses in such a network. HadaNets introduce a flexible train-from-scratch tensor quantization scheme by pairing a full precision tensor to a binary tensor in the form of a Hadamard product. Unlike wider reduced precision neural network models, we preserve the train-time parameter count, thus out-performing XNOR-Nets without a train-time memory penalty. Such training routines could see great utility in semi-supervised online learning tasks. Our method also offers advantages in model compression, as we reduce the model size of ResNet-18 by 7.43 times with respect to a full precision model without utilizing any other compression techniques. We also demonstrate a 'Hadamard Binary Matrix Multiply' kernel, which delivers a 10-fold increase in performance over full precision matrix multiplication with a similarly optimized kernel.
On the (In)fidelity and Sensitivity for Explanations.

We consider objective evaluation measures of saliency explanations for complex black-box machine learning models. We propose simple robust variants of two notions that have been considered in recent literature: (in)fidelity, and sensitivity. We analyze optimal explanations with respect to both these measures, and while the optimal explanation for sensitivity is a vacuous constant explanation, the optimal explanation for infidelity is a novel combination of two popular explanation methods. By varying the perturbation distribution that defines infidelity, we obtain novel explanations by optimizing infidelity, which we show to out-perform existing explanations in both quantitative and qualitative measurements. Another salient question given these measures is how to modify any given explanation to have better values with respect to these measures. We propose a simple modification based on lowering sensitivity, and moreover show that when done appropriately, we could simultaneously improve both sensitivity as well as fidelity.