Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEMENTIA PROJECT : Empathic tools between magic and everyday life

In Chinese society like in many cultures, persons with dementia suffer some level of stigmatisation. For this reason a dementia research/care centre in Hong Kong (China) initiated the design of the “dementia experience tool”. Its main goal is to create public understanding through inviting the general public to experience dementia. The dementia research/care centre commissioned a social design research lab team (two of the authors are part of this) to create the tool, starting from designing empathic tools. One of the main challenges to design this tool was to find a way to empathise with a complicated condition such as dementia, which is an umbrella term for a series of symptoms, as traditional empathic tools mostly focus on simulation of a specific physical or mental impairment. Additionally, we explored the possibility of using the concept of magic. Magic can be defined as “mysterious tracks: a quality that makes something seem removed from everyday life, especially in a way that gives delight” [1]. “What if everyday objects become demented? ” This was the speculative design statement to kick-start the creation of a set of empathic tools to experience dementia. The end result can be divided in three parts. The first part is the development of the Brain-man: a character/icon to present the project. Part II is about the “Demented City”, an infographic mapping out 11 common symptoms of dementia in such a way that they were not inanimate but set in a context. These symptoms were transferred into 11 sets of games, the “Demented Objects”. Part III is a set of objects mimicking existing everyday situations like taking an elevator or taking pills but they all hold a twist, a bit of magic through which the experience of having dementia is experienced.
Direction of arrival estimation algorithms for leaky-wave antennas and antenna arrays

The focus of this thesis is to study direction of arrival (DoA) estimation algorithms for reconfigurable leaky-wave antennas and advanced antenna arrays. Directional antennas can greatly improve the spectrum reuse, interference avoidance, and object and people localization. DoA estimation algorithms have also been shown to be useful for applications such as positioning for user tracking and location-based services in wireless local area networks (WLANs). The main goal is to develop novel DoA estimation algorithms for both advanced antenna arrays and composite right/left-handed (CRLH) leaky-wave antennas (LWAs). The thesis introduces novel modifications to existing DoA estimation algorithms and shows how these can be modified for real-time DoA estimation using both antenna types. Three modified DoA estimation algorithms for CRLH-LWAs are presented: 1) modified multiple signal classification (MUSIC), 2) power pattern cross-correlation (PPCC), and 3) adjacent power pattern ratio (APPR). Additionally, the APPR algorithm is also applied to advanced antenna arrays. The thesis also presents improvements to the modified MUSIC and APPR algorithms. The complexity of the algorithms is reduced by selecting a smaller number of received signals from different directions. The results show that the selection of the radiation patterns is very important and that the proposed algorithms can successfully estimate the DoA, even in a real-world environment. Based on the results, this thesis provides a good starting point for future research of DoA estimation algorithms to enhance the performance of future-generation wireless networks and the accuracy of localization.
Effects of Jerusalem Artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus L.) Extracts on Blood Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in STZ-induced Diabetic Rats

Streptozotocin (70 mg/kg B.W., i.p.)으로 유발된 당뇨쥐에서 돼지감자(Helianthus tuberosus L.) 추출액의 혈당강하 및 혈중 지질대사 개선효과를 알아보고자, SD 랫드(200∼220 g) 수컷을 3군(NC, DC, DJ)으로 나누어 돼지감자 추출액을 4주간 경구투여 하였다. 본 연구 결과 음수량과 식이량은 당뇨군에서 유의한 증가를 보였으며, 체중은 유의한 감소를 보였다(p＜0.05). 그러나 당뇨돼지 감자군에서 체중감소를 줄이고 식이효율을 다소 개선하는 것으로 나타났다. 혈청 중 AST 및 ALT 농도는 당뇨대조군(DC)에 비해 당뇨 돼지감자군(DJ)은 각 14.3%, 27.3% 유의한 감소를 보였다(p＜0.05). 혈청 HDL-C의 농도는 DC군에 비해 DJ군은 31.8% 유의한 증가를 보였다(p＜0.05). 혈청 TG, LDL-C 및 glucose 농도는 DC군에 비해 DJ군에서 각 25.4%, 56.6% 및 33.0% 유의한 감소를 나타내었다 (p＜0.05). 혈중 포도당 농도를 측정한 결과 당뇨 유발 후 3주 및 4주 후 DC군에 비해 DJ군은 각 31.0%, 31.6% 유의하게 감소를 보였다(p＜0.05). 이로서 돼지감자는 당뇨로 인한 체중 저하를 방지하고 혈당을 강하시키며 지방대사를 개선하는 것으로 판단된다.
Computational and Experimental Analysis for Horizontal Axis Marine Current Turbine Design

Performance analysis methods for the design of horizontal axis marine current turbines were developed using computational and experimental methods. For the computational analysis, two methods were utilized: (1) the blade element momentum theory (BEMT) method, and (2) the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. For the experimental analysis, open water tests were carried out in a towing tank. First, the computational methods were validated by comparing with the existing experimental data. Then the computational analysis results for the selected model turbine were compared to the experimental results, demonstrating good ability of performance prediction. Finally, using the validated computational method, new designs for the blade tip were suggested and their hydrodynamic performance was predicted. The new raked tip design suggests delay of the tip cavitation inception near the free surface.
Study on Carbon Sequestration Potential of Cyanobacteria ( Blue Green Algae ) in Rice Cultivation Ecosystems

Soil carbon sequestration in agricultural ecosystems is an immediate and significant option to mitigate the increase in the atmospheric CO2 concentration. Scientists propose terrestrial carbon sequestration as an effective mitigation option because it combines mitigation with positive effects on environmental conservation and soil fertility [1]. Carbon sequestration involves the capturing and storing of carbon, and its subsequent removal from the global carbon cycle [2]. Employment of cyanobacteria in biomineralization of carbon dioxide by calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation offers novel and self-sustaining strategies for point source carbon capture and sequestration [3]. Microbial based technologies, specifically those utilizing photoautotroph, represent a promising solution once methods of carbon uptake and disposition by the cell are determined [4]. The influence of photosynthesis on CaCO3 precipitation in general is based on the uptake mechanism of inorganic carbon. Factors important in CaCO3 precipitation are calcium concentration, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration, the pH of the growth environment and the availability of nucleation sites for the formation of CaCO3 [5]. Obst et al. (2009) [6] reported that under low nutrient concentrations and permanent CO2 supply, photosynthetic uptake of inorganic carbon predominantly uses CO2. Keeping in view the above facts, the present study was carried out to assess the carbon sequestration potential of cyanobacterial systems in rice ecosystem.
Personalized Driving Assistance to Predict Lane Change Manoeuvres

Advanced driving assistance systems can help to increase driving comfort and safety aspects. More and more systems are also using the observations of the driver as an additional input for the models. Especially in the case of prediction of lane changes this personal information are useful. To model this behaviour a Hidden Markov Model is used. In the first part of this work it is shown that the performance of the assistance system for lane change intention detection improves if the model parameters are learned individually. Moreover, the structure of the Hidden Markov Model is also individual for every driver. The second part explains how the personalized learning can be adapted to an on-line learning approach. For this purpose a model management systems is implemented and two different incremental learning methods are used to update the model parameters during runtime. It could be shown that the same performance like in the off-line scenario could be reached. With the usage of ensemble learning and a weighted majority vote the on-line learning approach shows that even better results are possible. For the driving assistance system to detect the lane changing intention it is useful to learn personalized models, this can be done in an on-line scenario. The performance is the same as in the off-line learning process and fewer data is needed.
DETERMINATION AND COMPARISON OF SOME SELECTED PROPERTIES OF MODIFIED WOOD

Modification of wood has become increasingly significant in recent decades due to e.g. growing environmental awareness, and a number of modified wood products are available. Some inherent qualities of wood may, however, raise questions about the durability of modified wood. This study investigates the properties of modified wood products. Three commercial modified wood products and two possible future contenders of our own production are studied and their resistance to artificial weathering, water absorption, swelling, and bending strength are analyzed. The results show that weathering caused notable and interesting differences among the tested materials. The moisture properties of the commercially available modified wood products remained on a restrained level compared to the contenders, but in the bending strength, the contender achieved equal values with the commercial products. It is concluded that each of the modified wood products had some outstanding properties.
A LARGER ROOT SYSTEM IN OAT ( AVENA NUDA L . ) IS COUPLED WITH ENHANCED BIOMASS ACCUMULATION AND HORMONAL ALTERATIONS UNDER LOW NITROGEN

Nitrogen (N), an essential macronutrient for crop growth and development, is well known for its economic losses and environmental hazards due to imbalanced application. Oat (Avena nuda L.), a food and fodder crop, is well adapted to marginal soils and requires minimum water and nutrients to produce biomass. A hydroponic experiment was conducted in China Agricultural University, Beijing, China to evaluate the morphological and physiological adaptations of oat to organic N (ON) and low N (LN) with respect to chemical N (CK as control). The results have shown that oat responded to different nitrogen supplies with response to LN having been the dominant one. Lowest SPAD value, net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, gas exchange and stomatal conductance showed that the oat was under LN stress. Highest level of root dry mass, as indicated by increased R/S ratio and C/N ratio, was at the cost of minimum nitrogen utility as depicted by increased nitrogen utilization efficiency in roots under LN. Accumulation of total soluble proteins and sugars elaborated the carbon allocation to nitrogen deprived roots. As a result of sufficient biomass provision in LN root, total root length increased which was coupled with increased concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic acid and zeatin riboside whereas decreased concentration of abscisic acid. Overall, oat is found to be a nitrogen use efficient crop which responded to LN through enhanced root system through biomass accumulation by the provision of nitrogen metabolites.
The relationship between firm value and long-term debt examining large S & P 100 companies

The effect of capital structure on firm value is one of the most debatable issues in corporate finance. Corporate managers focus on increasing the market value of the firm. Whether firms can increase their market value by altering their financing, and which part of the firm capital (debt or equity) plays the dominant role for that is still inconclusive. The relationship between leverage and firm value research has shown results ranging from positive influence to negative influence, with other factors showing no significant relationship at all. The part of the debt (short term vs. long term) that has greater influence on firm value and the direction of influence have not been conclusively established. This study examines the effect of long term debt on the market value of a firm. The study has been performed on a sample of 97 large blue chip companies under the S&P 100 index during the period of 2006–2014. Using multiple regression analysis, the results of the study indicate that a higher level of long term debt is negatively related to the firm value. The results focus on the risk averse nature of market participants in relation to the riskiness of debt.
Product Sound Quality and Multimodal Interaction : Paper ICA 2016-558 The quality of potato chip sounds and crispness impression

The acoustical signals are information carriers and the sound of a product is a hint of its quality. We communicate with industrial products in various situations and their sound inform us about the product, its operating condition or its quality. In some cases the product sounds can evoke emotional associations. For example, the roaring sound of a vehicle can be associated with the sportiness or the rattle of an oldtimer can be associated with the nostalgia. Not only the sounds of the industrial products, but also the sounds of the food deliver us various information. Earlier life (eating) experiences play an important role on this issue. We learn in our early childhood the connection between the acoustical parameters and the nutritional properties. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the properties of the chip bite sound and the perceived crispness. In an experiment, the crispness of chip sounds were evaluated. In this experiment, recordings of the sound of 5 chips and filtered variations of the recordings were presented to the subjects. Then, a link between the perceptually important signal properties and the crispness was established.
Properties of CdTe films brush plated on high temperature substrates

CdTe thin films were brush plated on substrates maintained at temperatures in the range 30–90 1C from the precursors. The films exhibited cubic structure. Optical band gap of 1.45 eV was obtained. XPS measurements indicated the formation of CdTe. AFM studies indicated the formation of fine grains of the order of 50 nm, for the films deposited on room temperature substrates. Hot probe measurements indicated films to be n-type. A mobility in the range of 5–60 cmV 1 s 1 and a carrier density of 10 cm 3 was obtained. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
DAMPING OF TSUNAMI AND STORM WAVES BY COASTAL FORESTS – PARAMETERIZATION AND HYDRAULIC MODEL TESTS

Motivated by the contradictory reports on the efficiency of coastal forests to attenuate waves, particularly under tsunami conditions, experimental investigations supported by numerical modelling is undertaken in the frame of the project TAPFOR in order to determine the hydraulic performance of coastal forest. On the basis of the experiments conducted in the twin-wave flumes of LWI for selected tree species (for mangroves Rhizophora sp. and for pine forest Casuarina sp.), wave transmission, reflection and energy dissipation will be determined, together with drag, inertia and roughness coefficients. Details of tree parameterization, construction of the required new devices/equipment and experimental setup/programme are presented in the paper.
TRADE , FDI AND INCOME INEQUALITY : FURTHER EVIDENCE FROM TRANSITION COUNTRIES

The aim of the paper is to verify whether trade and inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) may affect income distribution in a sample of 18 Transition Countries (TCs) over the period 1990-2006. Economic literature has often analyzed several aspects of both trade and FDI impact on the host countries economies, such as the productivity spillover effects (e.g. Aitken and Harrison, 1999) or the effect of growth. However, a quite relevant issue not enough investigated is pertinent to the effects on income distribution. With respect to the studies about the relationship between trade and income inequality, most of them have not found any significant effect. The issue regarding FDI is more complex. From a theoretical point of view, in the late Seventies scholars have been divided between those supporting the Modernization theory, according to which foreign penetration positively affects both economic growth and income distribution, and the “new Dependistas”, who claim that FDI disrupt host countries‟ social structure and increase inside inequalities. It is not easy to draw general conclusions from empirical studies carried out so far as the relationship between FDI and income inequality has proven to be contradictory, finding both positive and negative effects. In many cases authors have used large and heterogeneous samples, at times pooling Less Developed and Developed Countries and without introducing either the distinction between outward and inward FDI flows/stocks or between trade flows from Developed or Developing Countries. Our contributions to the literature are manifold: in the first place our analysis sheds light on trade and inward FDI-income inequality relationship in a geographical area, namely TCs, which has undergone many significant changes in both economic and political sense. Finally we test the linearity of the openness-inequality relationship in order to distinguish short run effects from long run ones. In line with most of the previous literature, results with respect to FDI do not report significant effects on income inequalities, whereas trade, especially when occurs with Developed Countries, seems to be more relevant. A second result concerns educational system of TCs which may represent an important channel through which FDI and trade contribute to knowledge dissemination; nonetheless local policies should focus more on the training role of educational systems. JEL classification: F10, F23, O15
The role of mosquito in the transfer of blood Protozoa in Baghdad, Iraq

The current study revealed the presence of Plasmodium sp. in Anopheline female mosquitoes which were collected indoor from different areas in Baghdad city, this result proved that malaria is still in Baghdad in two area: Al Ameria (in the west) and Al Geraiat (in the north); While other nine areas were negative. In our study, nearly most of the phases of life cycle were appeared in gut and salivary of mosquitoes as well as Sporozoites, Gametocyte and Sporogony; these phases findings revealed to the parasites which dormant in mosquitoes (hypnozoites) that are the only hidden parasites obstacle to malaria eradication. The current finding revealed to predictions of retransmission of malaria in Baghdad is probability at any time. This data can update the information system surveillance and strategies into the national program of malaria elimination.
Marine-derived 14 C calibration and activity record for the past 50 , 000 years updated from the Cariaco Basin

An expanded Cariaco Basin C chronology is tied to Th-dated Hulu Cave speleothem records in order to provide detailed marinebased C calibration for the past 50,000 years. The revised, high-resolution Cariaco C calibration record agrees well with data from Th-dated fossil corals back to 33 ka, with continued agreement despite increased scatter back to 50 ka, suggesting that the record provides accurate calibration back to the limits of radiocarbon dating. The calibration data document highly elevated DC during the Glacial period. Carbon cycle box model simulations show that the majority of observed DC change can be explained by increased C production. However, from 45 to 15 ka, DC remains anomalously high, indicating that the distribution of radiocarbon between surface and deep ocean reservoirs was different than it is today. Additional observations of the magnitude, spatial extent and timing of deep ocean DC shifts are critical for a complete understanding of observed Glacial DC variability. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
What aRe counteRFactual impact evaluations teaching us about enteRpRise and innovation suppoRt ?

since 2008, the Evaluation Unit of the European commission’s Directorate-General (DG) for Regional and Urban Policy has been promoting counterfactual impact evaluation, ie the use of comparison/control groups. the studies in the current paper enable us to examine over EUR 40 billion given to 235 000 firms under 12 support schemes in seven different EU Member states. Effects are considered in terms of investment, productivity, employment and innovation. While research continues, a goal of the current paper is to summarise findings in time to inform preparation of the 2014-20 programmes – EUR 80 billion is being investing in enterprise and innovation support in the 2007-13 period and it seems likely that such support will figure prominently in 2014-20. First lessons include: ■ Financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (sMEs) in lagging regions can be effective and seems to counter some kind of capital constraint – in the median scheme examined, every euro of public support increased investment by EUR 1.30 and the jobs created are of good quality and durable. there are hints that financial support may be particularly effective since the economic crisis. ■ there may, however, be room to make the policy more cost-effective – in some schemes support was as effective (or nearly as effective) when the grant was reduced or substituted by a loan. ■ Moreover, there are early signs that the most effective support includes nonfinancial elements such as business advice, networking and measures to promote innovation. ■ Finally, the positive results apply to sMEs only. Direct financial support seems to do little to change the investment behaviour of large firms and there is no evidence so far for wider benefits. Large firms may, however, have a role to play in innovation networks. An additional goal of publishing a review at this (relatively early) stage is as a challenge to others to bring their own rigorous evidence to the debate. Further research is needed: first, to confirm whether the current results extend to a broader range of regional contexts and policy instruments; and secondly, to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which impacts occur. DG Regional and Urban Policy is actively working with Managing Authorities to promote impact evaluations, and the proposed new regulations for the 2014-20 period provide for beneficiary data to be published in a form usable by academics and researchers. 2
Effect of Bisphenol-A on Serum Biochemistry and Liver Function in the Freshwater Fish , Catla catla

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: December 11, 2017 October 26, 2018 January 10, 2019 January 24, 2019 Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an anthropogenic chemical mimicking 17β estradiol actions. It is used as a monomer for plastic production. In the present study, adult female (age around 18 months) Catla catla, a widespread cyprinid fish in the Pakistani rivers, were exposed to increasing concentrations (10, 100, 1000 μg/l) of BPA for 2weeks. Classical toxicological endpoints like liver enzymes and alterations in liver histology were investigated. In addition, the effect of BPA on hepatosomatic index (HSI) and vitellogenin (vtg) mRNA expression was also examined. A concentrationdependent increase was recorded in serum liver enzymes like aspartic aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) compared to control. The biomarkers for kidney function like serum creatinine level and uric acid also significantly increased in fish exposed to BPA. HSI did not change in groups exposed to low concentrations of BPA (10 and 100 μg/l); however, a significant increase as compared to control was observed in female fish exposed to 1000 μg/l BPA. Hepatic vtg mRNA increased with increase in exposure concentration but only the highest concentration (1000μg/l) was capable of inducing a significant vtg expression. Present study showed that bisphenol-A has far reaching detrimental effects on fish health by altering metabolic profile of liver and kidney and induced significant histopathological changes in the liver. Moreover, it also exerted environmental estrogenic effects by inducing vitellogenin, similar to natural estrogens. The results presented here are similar to earlier studies reporting estrogenic actions of BPA. ©2019 PVJ. All rights reserved