Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPING A SAMPLING STRATEGY FOR MEASURING ACOUSTIC VELOCITY IN STANDING PINUS RADIATA USING THE TREETAP TIME OF FLIGHT TOOL

Acoustic velocity, measured using time of flight tools, provides a nondestructive measure of wood stiffness in standing trees. In order to assess how best to assess a stand of trees to a given level of precision, acoustic velocity was measured across three sites in New South Wales, Australia. All sites had similar climatic conditions and had had the same silviculture but different establishment dates. Analysis of variance and regression analysis were used to determine the components of variation and relationships between acoustic velocity, diameter at breast height, and age. The variation within a stand was greatest between trees, followed by that between sides within trees, between plots, and within each side of a tree. There was a significant positive relationship between acoustic velocity squared and age, but little relationship between acoustic velocity squared and diameter at breast height. An optimal sampling strategy was developed that involved sampling four plots per stand, each plot containing 12 trees, and acoustic velocity measurements being taken four times on each of the two sides of the trees being sampled. With this strategy the mean acoustic velocity squared of a stand can be estimated to within at least ±10% of the mean.
TDeX: A Description Model for Heterogeneous Smart Devices and GUI Generation

The fast-growing availability of smart devices is making our environments smarter than ever, but also more and more heterogeneous. Many diverse devices must be integrated and this paper proposes a unified description model and a supporting middleware. Besides focusing on the functional capabilities of the different devices, and on the contexts of use, TDeX, which extends the W3C's Thing Description model, has been designed to embed descriptions of the graphical user interfaces (GUIs) needed to interact with them. The paper also proposes a model-driven and device-agnostic approach for the automatic generation of these GUIs. M4HSD, our RESTful middleware infrastructure, mediates between the GUIs and the devices themselves and provides a generic and platform-independent solution for the interoperability of Internet/Web of Things systems. Preliminary experiments demonstrate the feasibly of the proposed approach and its innovative characteristics.
PROBABILISTIC MODELING OF EARTHQUAKE HAZARD IN STABLE CONTINENTAL SHIELD OF THE INDIAN PENINSULA

This paper presents the probabilistic assessment of seismic hazard associated with the stable continental shield of peninsular India (10°N-26°N; 68°E-90°E) in terms of peak ground accelerations for different levels of ground shaking. The paper discusses the procedure for evaluating the probabilistic seismic hazard using a knowledge-tree approach. Attenuation relationships proposed for peninsular India and those proposed for the other stable continental regions such as Central and Eastern United States have been used in this study. The results show that for many parts of peninsular India, the estimated seismic hazard is higher than the level specified in the current seismic zoning map given in IS 1893-2002.
Evaluating the state of the art of photovoltaic performance modelling in Europe

There are many models currently available which provide detailed information regarding the performance of PV modules. This paper reviews, as part of the European co-ordination action PV-Catapult, the different performance modelling approaches currently developed by European research institutions. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of modelling approaches available and define the inputs required for each model. This will be used to investigate the accuracy of these models for different European climatic conditions in a second stage of the project. All methods are reviewed, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of each. None of the methods consider temporal variations, such as degradation in the case of amorphous silicon. This paper investigates the impact this has on the year-to-year performance translation of such devices. Furthermore there is very little consideration of the incident spectrum, which affects wide band gap devices and multi-bandgap devices disproportionately, but this effect commonly is folded into irradiance and temperature effects. The implications of these are discussed based on current sales practice of quoting straight kWh/kWp, indicating the need for a better, technology independent comparator based on realistic energy production, rather than today’s STC laboratory efficiency. The results indicate that most models can predict energy yield within 10%.
Evidence against the Dorag (mixing-zone) model for dolomitization along the Wisconsin arch—A case for hydrothermal diagenesis

Ordovician carbonates near the Wisconsin arch represent the type locality in ancient rocks for the Dorag, or mixing-zone, model for dolomitization. Field, petrographic, and geochemical evidence suggests a genetic link between the pervasive dolomite, trace Mississippi Valley–type (MVT) minerals, and potassium (K)-silicate minerals in these rocks, which preserve a regional hydrothermal signature. Constraints were placed on the conditions of water-rock interaction using fluid-inclusion methods, cathodoluminescence and plane-light petrography, stable isotopic analyses, and organic maturity data. Homogenization temperatures of two-phase aqueous fluid inclusions in dolomite, sphalerite, and quartz range between 65 and 120C. Freezing data suggest a Na-Ca-Mg-Cl-H2O fluid with salinities between 13 and 28 wt. % NaCl equivalent. The pervasive dolomitization of Paleozoic rocks on and adjacent to the Wisconsin arch was the result of water-rock interaction with dense brines at elevated temperatures, and it was coeval with regional trace MVT mineralization and K-silicate diagenesis. A reevaluation of the Dorag (mixing-zone) model for dolomitization, in conjunction with convincing new petrographic and geochemical evidence, has ruled out the Dorag model as the process responsible for pervasive dolomitization along the Wisconsin arch and adds to the abundant body of literature that casts serious doubt about the viability of the Dorag model in general.
Role of Diet in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Treatment

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a growing healthcare problem. Identification of modifiable risk factors for prevention and treatment of COPD is urgent, and the scientific community has begun to pay close attention to diet as an integral part of COPD management, from prevention to treatment. This review summarizes the evidence from observational and clinical studies regarding the impact of nutrients and dietary patterns on lung function and COPD development, progression, and outcomes, with highlights on potential mechanisms of action. Several dietary options can be considered in terms of COPD prevention and/or progression. Although definitive data are lacking, the available scientific evidence indicates that some foods and nutrients, especially those nutraceuticals endowed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and when consumed in combinations in the form of balanced dietary patterns, are associated with better pulmonary function, less lung function decline, and reduced risk of COPD. Knowledge of dietary influences on COPD may provide health professionals with an evidence-based lifestyle approach to better counsel patients toward improved pulmonary health.
Tropical montane cloud forest: environmental drivers of vegetation structure and ecosystem function

Abstract: Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) are characterized by short trees, often twisted with multiple stems, with many stems per ground area, a large stem diameter to height ratio, and small, often thick leaves. These forests exhibit high root to shoot ratio, with a moderate leaf area index, low above-ground production, low leaf nutrient concentrations and often with luxuriant epiphytic growth. These traits of TMCF are caused by climatic conditions not geological substrate, and are particularly associated with frequent or persistent fog and low cloud. There are several reasons why fog might result in these features. Firstly, the fog and clouds reduce the amount of light received per unit area of ground and as closed-canopy forests absorb most of the light that reaches them the reduction in the total amount of light reduces growth. Secondly, the rate of photosynthesis per leaf area declines in comparison with that in the lowlands, which leads to less carbon fixation. Nitrogen supply limits growth in several of the few TMCFs where it has been investigated experimentally. High root : shoot biomass and production ratios are common in TMCF, and soils are often wet which may contribute to N limitation. Further study is needed to clarify the causes of several key features of TMCF ecosystems including high tree diameter : height ratio.
Redesigning Computer Engineering Gateway Courses Using a Novel Remediation Hierarchy

Focusing on the quality of education, skills, and employability of our graduates in computingrelated fields, this work proposes a cost-effective approach to achieve these goals. The Evaluation and Proficiency Infrastructure, Curricula, and Services (EPICS) extends successful methods in other units on campus in an innovative way as synergistic combination of faculty, Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), and educational technology using the Canvas Webcourses Learning Management System (LMS) already in use at our college. We integrate computer-based evaluation with a close-knit review and learning cycle based on directed and open tutoring to collectively form the Evaluation and Proficiency Center (EPC). Initial results have been encouraging, as students’ test scores and survey results indicate a 43% reduction in D or F grades compared to a section of the same course with the same instructor, using conventional delivery, and overwhelmingly positive responses from students regarding the effectiveness of pedagogical strategies (i.e., Exemplar Vignettes, content tutoring), assessment models (i.e., electronically delivered quizzes, flexible scheduling, use of testing center), and tutoring strategies (i.e., self-paced, exam results review). In this manuscript, the EPICS process, as well as results collected from student performance and perceptions of the initial implementation, will be addressed.
Modelling Contagion in a Multiple Equilibria Setting: an Application to Stock Market Returns ∗

This paper deals with estimation and inference in the incoherent econometric model of contagion of Pesaran and Pick (2006). The Likelihood function is obtained. By Monte Carlo simulation the resulting Maximum Likelihood estimator is shown to perform better than the GIVE estimators proposed by Pesaran and Pick (2006). Testing for contagion turns out to be nonstandard, as a nuisance parameter is not identified under the null of no contagion. An empirical application to stock market returns shows that the New York Stock Exchange seems to be unaffected by a crisis taking place in any of the major European stock markets.
Unveiling inoculum sources of black foot pathogens in a commercial grapevine nursery.

Black foot of grapevine is an important disease caused primarily by Ilyonectria spp. and “ Cylindrocarpon ” pauciseptatum . These pathogens affect grapevine nurseries and young vineyards, causing the decline and death of plants. In the nursery, the primary infections of the grafted cuttings are mainly attributed to soil-borne inoculum, which could infect the roots and the basal end of rootstocks during the rooting stage. The aim of this research was to detect other possible sources of inoculum throughout the different nursery stages by classical and molecular techniques (nested-PCR and multiplex nested-PCR). Results revealed the presence of the I. liriodendri and/or I. macrodidyma complex in grapevine rootstock and scion cuttings, cutting tools, water from hydration tanks, well water, callusing medium, one indoor air sample and soils collected from mother fields and nurseries. “ Cylindrocarpon ” pauciseptatum was only detected in the callusing medium, nursery soils, rooted-graftlings and on the root pruning machine. Forty four isolates obtained from soils (mother fields and nurseries) and rooted graftlings (six grapevine cultivar/rootstock combinations) were sequenced for part of histone H3 gene to resolve the species. While I. liriodendri , I. macrodidyma and I. torresensis were identified from soil samples, from rooted graftlings it was also possible to detect I. liriodendri , I. macrodidyma , I. novozelandica , I. torresensis , Ilyonectria sp. 2, “ C . “ pauciseptatum and four Ilyonectria isolates which are close to I. cyclaminicola. The results demonstrated that, in addition to nursery soils, mother field soils, rootstock and scion cuttings, water from wells and hydration tanks, callusing media, cutting tools and indoor air should be considered as potential sources of inoculum for black foot pathogens.
The Discontinuity of Cultural Process in the Digital Civilization. Main Dangers

Before I begin, I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers of this conference, especially Professors Rogerson and Szejko. Without their kind assistance, we couldn't meet today in cyberspace. Special thanks go to Mister Michal Ren, a student of informatics from Adam Mickiewicz University. He is the one who arranged it so that our servers can deliver the visual part of this conference all over the world. Be there tomorrow, when he will present his paper!
Testing the Information Efficiency in Emerging Markets

One of the most common issues for investors regarding markets nowadays is to what extent these markets are efficient as all of them aim to increase their gains and beat the market as much as possible. This competition among them will inevitably result in markets becoming efficient and, therefore, prices quickly adjusting to the new coming information. Eventually, investors will most probably receive only a sum that makes up for the risk they took and the time value of money they invested. This is where market efficiency, its theory and forms come into question. There have been many researches conducted assessing the efficiency of different markets located throughout the world. However, there are still a lot of gaps in research involving emerging economies which needs to be completed for the sake of investment decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to is to show how information efficiency relates to the stock mar - kets of emerging economies, how it implicates investors, analyze the stock prices of 24 emerging economies to look for their weak form efficiency, and to put forward a set of commonalities found in results of literature relating to emerging market information efficiency. stock prices given on the major indices of the 24 emerging markets located all around the world in order to see if they are weak form efficient and if there are opportunities that can be exploited. Using the ADF test, data from February 2008 to May 2017 were analysed. The results indicated that out of the 24 markets only 7 of them were inefficient and the rest were weak form efficient, which contradicts the generalised view that emerging economies are inefficient. These results provided an interesting ground for comparison to information efficiency literature, especially focusing on the postcrisis period. However, that in emerging economies, it important to gather as much information about these markets.
Urbanization, energy consumption, and pollutant emission in Asian developing economies: An empirical analysis

This paper aims to investigate the effects of urbanization, renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, trade liberalization, and economic growth on pollutant emissions and energy intensity in selected Asian developing countries from 1980 to 2010. We use both linear and nonlinear panel data econometric techniques and employ the recently introduced mean group estimation methods, allowing for heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence. However, to check robustness of our panel results, we also apply the autoregressive distributed lag bound testing approach to country-level data. In addition, the relationship between affluence and CO2 emissions is examined in the context of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The estimation results identify population, affluence, and non-renewable energy consumption as the main factors in pollutant emissions in Asian countries. However, the results of the EKC hypothesis show that when countries achieve a certain level of economic growth, their emissions tend to decline. Whereas nonlinear results show that renewable energy, urbanization, and trade liberalization reduce emissions, linear estimations do not confirm such outcomes. Thus, substitution of non-renewable for renewable energy consumption, as well as cautious and planned urbanization programs, and more liberal trading regimes may be viable options for the sustainable growth of these emerging Asian economies.
Nursing interventions in mental health and psychiatry: Content analysis of records from the nursing information systems in use in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION The nursing intervention corresponds to a key element in the nursing process. No information was found in the literature about which major interventions are documented by nurses working in psychiatric wards. AIMS 1. To identify the interventions documented by nurses in Portugal that respond to nursing needs within the scope of psychiatric nursing; 2. To identify the main problems in identifying these interventions. METHOD A descriptive study combining: 1. quantitative content analysis of intervention records identified by mental health nurses in Portugal, and 2. A focus group meeting with 14 nurses exploring the results of the first study phase. RESULTS The 2881 initial intervention records were systematised into 198 intervention categories. Some problems in the interventions' documentation by nurses were identified. DISCUSSION Despite certain important aspects of mental health nursing may have been excluded, this study provides information on some of the most relevant interventions in the field of mental health nursing documented in Portugal. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This study may offer an important contribution to the improvement of nursing informatics systems and the production of health indicators that reveal the contribution of nursing care towards population health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Employee Responses To Psychological Contract Breach And Violation: Intentions To Leave The Job, Employer Or Profession

Empirical research supports the idea that the perception of under-fulfillment of psychological contract (i.e., breach and violation) increases the willingness to leave the employer via turnover cognitions (i.e., available alternatives and search a job). Further research indicates that employee turnover is not only restricted to the notion of an employee leaving an employer to join another employer. To go beyond this restriction, data were collected among a sample of professional employees. The results suggest that when employees feel that under-fulfillment of psychological contract occur, they may leave the organization or the current job for one another by in the same organization, but did not consider leaving the profession. Findings are discussed in light of relevant literature.
Technique for preventing stiction and notching effect on silicon-on-insulator microstructure

The notching (undercutting or footing) and stiction problem, which widely exists in silicon-on-insulator microstructure were resolved in this study regardless of the feature sizes, by the introduction of a spacer oxide thin film. In this modified process, the deep reactive ion etching was divided into several steps, where conformal plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition oxide coating, and anisotropic oxide etch were employed to prevent the notching effect. Dry chemical release was also realized in this approach but the deep etching did not etch through the device layer. The notching or footing effect was exploited for attaining the lateral etching following the deployment of the anisotropic plasma etching of the inductively coupled plasma. This method was proven useful for both the uniform and nonuniform feature designs. To validate the proposed etching method, an optical switch was fabricated. The details and benefits of the proposed process and its extensions to more valuable and flexible design were.
The Effects of Prenatal Breast-Feeding Class on Breast-Feeding Success and Maternal Perception of the Infant: A Replication

THE EFFECT OF PRENATAL BREAST-FEEDING EDUCATION ON BREAST­ FEEDING SUCCESS AMD MATERNAL PERCEPTION OF THE INFANT. By Eileen Grunstra Susan Rowe The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of prenatal breast-feeding education on a mother's perceived success at breast-feeding. This study also looked at the relationship of prenatal breast-feeding education on a mother's perception of her infant. The conceptual framework utilized was the Roy Adaptation Model. Motherhood and breast-feeding involve a change in role, which is why this theory served as a foundation for the study. The method for study was a quasi-experimental design. Subjects in the experimental group attended a prenatal breast-feeding class, those in the control group did not. In addition to a general survey questionnaire, mothers were asked to complete Broussard's Neonatal Perception Inventory, I & II, and a questionnaire related to their breast-feeding experience. Two relationships were analyzed from the data obtained. They were 1) The relationship between a prenatal breast-feeding class and breast-feeding success. 2) The
What Should We Do With Our Solid Tannery Waste

There is worldwide concern about the management of solid waste generated from the tannery industry, primarily because of its chromium toxicity. In many developing countries the solid tannery waste, which is high in protein content, is utilized as animal feed. Recent studies indicate that there is a link between chromium in solid tannery waste, in the animal feed and in the animals themselves. This review examines the toxicity of chromium in solid tannery waste, separately as Cr(III) and Cr(VI), and discusses management approaches to control the pollution from solid tannery waste. In order to safely continue using solid tannery waste in animal feed, more emphasis should be placed on the management of Cr(VI) rather than on Cr(III). It is possible to decrease the amount of Cr(VI) in solid tannery waste by taking proper steps at different stages of the production of leather and feed. This approach is safe, economical and implementable and may be appropriate for countries which are struggling with tannery waste.