Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defining a Metadata Schema for Serious Games as Learning Objects

Games are increasingly recognized for their educational potential. However, when used as a learning resource, games can differ substantially from other educational media. They often combine high-fidelity audio and video content with experiential, social, or exploratory pedagogy. As educators increasingly turn to technology to support the delivery and management of content, the capability to describe and package serious games effectively as reusable learning objects (LOs) is increasingly vital. Doing so requires developing the capability to express games not in terms of technical boundaries, but as coherent and discrete LOs, which can be reused and combined. Enabling this requires metadata be attached to games, whilst making the metadata schema explicit to allow the use of the metadata beyond its original scope. Furthermore, standardisation of metadata schema means that systems are able to work together and use data interchangeably. However, current standards for describing educational content cannot directly be utilized to describe these serious games as educational resources. This makes it difficult to include serious games in repositories of learning objects and to describe them in a coherent way in the various online repositories. This paper introduces a metadata schema for describing serious games as educational resources, based on existing standards, so that serious games content can be described within online repositories.
A case of ectopic parathyroid carcinoma presenting with renal failure and anemia

2 and Mi Seon Kwon, M.D. 3 Parathyroid carcinoma is an uncommon cause of PTH-related hypercalcemia with a reported incidence of 0.4% to 5% of all cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. Even though the clinical manifestations of hyperparathyroidism are more severe in patients with parathyroid carcinoma than in those with parathyroid adenoma, it is difficult to differentiate carcinoma from adenoma preoperatively. Parathyroid carcinomas are usually larger and firmer than parathyroid adenomas and patients with parathyroid carcinoma have a higher incidence of renal dysfunction, bone disease and gastrointestinal symptoms. Anemia is an uncommon clinical feature of parathyroid carcinoma. There have been no prior cases of ectopic parathyroid carcinomas reported to date. In this article, we report the case of a 26-year-old man who developed severe anemia and acute renal failure due to an ectopic parathyroid tumor and was diagnosed with parathyroid carcinoma postoperatively. His serum calcium levels returned to normal and the anemia resolved postoperatively. (Korean J Med 71:435-441, 2006)
Trade and the Neoclassical Growth Model

The model developed in this paper expands upon the traditional neoclassical exogenous growth model by facilitating a long-run growth analysis of the impact of openness to trade within a multi-country framework. Openness affects growth by impacting the extent of knowledge spillovers from abroad. This feature effectively converts the traditional closed-economy exogenous growth model into a multi-country, open-economy endogenous growth model. Nevertheless, the conditional convergence and identical growth predictions of the neoclassical model are preserved here with the extent of trade now playing a role in determining the relative heights of the countries’ parallel output paths.
Investigation of a Flat Connector Concept Potential for Low and Medium Vacuum Conditions

Higher actuator voltages are required for future generation lithography machines to increase productivity. The operating pressures in combination with relevant insulation distances, can be situated near gas breakdown and cause partial discharge activity, making long-term damage conceivable. High voltage cone-shape connectors with pliable insulation can be applied for the low and medium vacuum range. However, materials and space are restricted making a cone shaped connector not ideal. In this paper, a flat connector concept is presented with a pliable insulation material allowed to be used for the aforementioned application. The permittivity of this material is measured and simulation results of the connector reveal critical design points. A prototype connector is made and its partial discharge inception voltage is characterized for the low and medium vacuum range. The results are discussed and compared with simulations.
Multiple vectors of unidirectional dialect change in eastern New England

Abstract Traditional eastern New England (ENE) dialect features are rapidly receding in many parts of northern New England. Because this ENE shift involves seven different phonological features, it provides a prime opportunity to explore different rates of change across multiple linguistic variables at the same time in the same social setting. The present study is the first acoustic sociophonetic investigation of central New Hampshire, and it is based on new field data from 51 adult speakers. Results show that young generations are discarding many traditional ENE pronunciations in favor of leveled, nonregional forms, yet the changes are affecting some variables more quickly than others. Many distinctive traditional ENE variants (nonrhotic speech, intrusive-r, fronted father, “broad-a” in bath) are quickly receding, while others (fronted start and hoarse/horse distinction) are somewhat more conservative, being “overshadowed” by the presence of (r) as a variable within the same syllable. We frame our apparent-time analysis in terms of Sankoff's (2013a) notion of “age vectors” and Labov's (2012) “outward orientation” of the language faculty, illustrating how different generations are juggling multiple age vectors within the same overall shift, and how one variable can overshadow another variable within the same syllable.
The role of in situ testing in coastal environmental monitoring

The increasing urbanization of coastal areas and the impeding climate change and the related changes, e.g., in sea-level rise, probability of salt water intrusion, increase in the storm surges etc., and their interaction with the human population is likely to degrade the environment in a complicated way. In order to have any kind of effective mitigation plan, an effective monitoring plan is required which is both feasible and economical. Cone penetration technology (CPT) offers such a scheme. Cone penetration testing has made a great progress in last 15 years and the interpretations of obtained results are based on established principles. Incorporation of geophysical techniques into CPT offers a new way to characterize subsurface conditions in coastal areas. In the present paper, the authors review some of the technologies to delineate the soil conditions. Two case histories are presented, one comparing the performance of conventional monitoring well with that of cone penetrometer enabled well and the second is the CPT based laser induced fluorescence to detail the concentration of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in harbour sediments.
Sensitivity-based Predictive Control of a Large-scale Supermarket Refrigeration System* *The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the EU-funded Network of Excellence HYCON, contract number FP6-IST- 511368.

Abstract Abstract Today, many supermarket refrigeration systems are operated by decentralized control systems that often lead to excessive starting and stopping of the compressors which drive the cooling cycle and, consequently, to a large wear of the process equipment. In our previous work, a hierarchical model-predictive control scheme was proposed for supermarket refrigeration systems that overcomes this drawback. In this scheme, simple low-level temperature controllers are employed, and the high-level optimization task is the optimal adjustment of the parameters of these controllers. While this approach yields a good control performance, it is computationally too expensive for larger systems. In this paper, a more efficient approach is presented that is based on an approximation of the system dynamics using simple models that are computed from system sensitivities around simulated reference trajectories. The application of the new approach to a large hybrid model proves the real-time capabilities of the new technique.
Implementing northern peatlands in a global land surface model: description and evaluation in the ORCHIDEE high-latitude version model (ORC-HL-PEAT)

Abstract. Widely present in boreal regions, peatlands contain large carbon stocks because of their hydrologic properties and high water content, which makes primary productivity exceed decomposition rates. We have enhanced the global land surface model ORCHIDEE by introducing a hydrological representation of northern peatlands. These peatlands are represented as a new plant functional type (PFT) in the model, with specific hydrological properties for peat soil. In this paper, we focus on the representation of the hydrology of northern peatlands and on the evaluation of the hydrological impact of this implementation. A prescribed map based on the inventory of Yu et al. (2010) defines peatlands as a fraction of a grid cell represented as a PFT comparable to C3 grasses, with adaptations to reproduce shallow roots and higher photosynthesis stress. The treatment of peatland hydrology differs from that of other vegetation types by the fact that runoff from other soil types is partially directed towards the peatlands (instead of directly to the river network). The evaluation of this implementation was carried out at different spatial and temporal scales, from site evaluation to larger scales such as the watershed scale and the scale of all northern latitudes. The simulated net ecosystem exchanges agree with observations from three FLUXNET sites. Water table positions were generally close to observations, with some exceptions in winter. Compared to other soils, the simulated peat soils have a reduced seasonal variability in water storage. The seasonal cycle of the simulated extent of inundated peatlands is compared to flooded area as estimated from satellite observations. The model is able to represent more than 89.5 % of the flooded areas located in peatland areas, where the modelled extent of inundated peatlands reaches 0.83×106 km2. However, the extent of peatlands in northern latitudes is too small to substantially impact the large-scale terrestrial water storage north of 45∘ N. Therefore, the inclusion of peatlands has a weak impact on the simulated river discharge rates in boreal regions.
Measuring Fine-Scale White-Tailed Deer Movements and Environmental Influences Using GPS Collars

Few studies have documented fine-scale movements of ungulate species, including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), despite the advent of global positioning system (GPS) technology incorporated into tracking devices. We collected fine-scale temporal location estimates (i.e., 15 min/relocation attempt) from 17 female and 15 male white-tailed deer over 7 years and 3 seasons in Oklahoma, USA. Our objectives were to document fine-scale movements of females and males and determine effects of reproductive phase, moon phase, and short-term weather patterns on movements. Female and male movements were primarily crepuscular. Male total daily movements were 20% greater during rut (7,363m±364) than postrut (6,156m±260). Female daily movements were greatest during postparturition (3,357m±91), followed by parturition (2,902m±107), and preparturition (2,682m±121). We found moon phase had no effect on daily, nocturnal, and diurnal deer movements and fine-scale temporal weather conditions had an inconsistent influence on deer movement patterns within season. Our data suggest that hourly and daily variation in weather events have minimal impact on movements of white-tailed deer in southern latitudes. Instead, routine crepuscular movements, presumed to maximize thermoregulation and minimize predation risk, appear to be the most important factors influencing movements.
EFFECT OF SOME GROWTH RETARDANTS ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L. CV. SUNRICH ORANGE SUMMER 981V PLANTS A- EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY TREATMENTS WITH ANCYMIDOL, DAMINOZIDE AND ETHEPHON

Pot experiments were carried out at the nursery of Hort. Res. Inst, Giza, Egypt throughout the two successive seasons of 2014 and 2015. The work embodied in this paper was to study the influence of some growth regulators (daminozide, ancymidol and ethephon) on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Sunrich Orange Summer 981V) plant for achieving the hope of producing dwarf plant of good quality, suitable for using as a pot plant. Results indicated that most treatments reduced stem length of the treated plants with the superiority of 2450 ppm daminozide treatment which induced 50% reduction in such trait, compared to the control plants in the two seasons. However, stem diameter and number of internodes/stem were improved in response to all the used treatments. Internode length, stem fresh and dry weights were decreased with few exceptions, but the greatest decrease in these criteria was attained by daminozide treatment at any rate and ethephon one at 250 ppm. Number of leaves/plant were increased by the various treatments. Root length increased over control with few exceptions in both seasons. However, the highest averages in most measurements were achieved by ancymidol, especially at 20 ppm level. A significant flowering earliness in the two seasons was noticed in plants sprayed with ethephon at 250 ppm. The least number of days from flower bud appearance to opening was obtained by the 20 ppm ancymidol treatment, but the plants treated with the other treatments took longer time to anthesis. Ethephon treatments elevated the mean number of lateral buds/stem to the maximum, while ancymidol ones gave the largest flower heads. Number of ray flowers/head, disc diameter and flower head fresh and dry weights were improved due to most treatments. Content of photosynthetic pigments were slightly improved with few exceptions. Total phenols content reached the maximum by ancymidol treatments, followed by the ethephon ones. However, total indoles content was not affected by most of the used treatments. In addition, the percent of total soluble sugars was increased by ancymidol at 5 ppm, daminozide at 2450 ppm and ethephon at 500 ppm treatments, while other treatments declined it. On the other hand, the percent of N, P and K was generally decreased in response to the various treatments, with few exceptions as compared to control.
Heavy metal concentrations in periwinkle (Litorina L ittorea) and tilapia (Tilapia Zilli) from the coastal water of Warri, Nigeria

Heavy metal (HM) contents in periwinkle and tilapia from Warri coastal water were carried out during dry and wet seasons of 2008 and 2009. Samples were collected from ten sampling locations. HM was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer-varian model spectral AA 220. The range of HM concentrations viz Pb, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn and Cr in periwinkle were found to be 0.68-10.34mg/kg, 1.21-8.01mg/kg, 198.73-457.11mg/kg, 0.002-4.60mg/kg, 1.02-5.06mg/kg, 0.002-0.54mg/kg, 10.00-72.27mg/kg and 205.09-1,453mg/kg respectively. In tilapia, the concentrations ranged from 0.73-3.25mg/kg, 0.72-482.00mg/kg, 0.001-1.93mg/kg, 3.02-459.00mg/kg, 0.83-3.75mg/kg, 0.65-1.45mg/kg,1.25-5.01mg/kg and 344.02-969.00mg/kg respectively. The results show that Fe, Mn and Cr in periwinkle and only Cr in tilapia were higher than other metals determined. The concentrations of heavy metals during wet season were slightly higher than dry season except in few occasions. Also, the heavy metal concentrations of the year 2009 were generally higher than the year 2008 indicating more of these metals were discharged or introduced into water/sediment environment than the previous year which enhanced bio-accumulation in these fauna. These generally suggest an evidence of these fauna to bio-concentrate these metals.
Continuous catalyst-free production of esters from Jatropha curcas L. oil under supercritical ethanol

In the present study, the transesterification of Jatropha oil in a continuous catalyst-free process using supercritical ethanol was investigated. Experiments were performed in a packed-bed tubular reactor by studying the effect on the reaction of temperature, pressure, water and cosolvent (n-hexane) concentrations, keeping the oil:ethanol mass ratio fixed at 1:1 for different residence times. The results demonstrated that temperature and pressure had a positive effect on fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) production and it was observed that the free fatty acids present in vegetable oil promote faster reaction kinetics due to simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions. The addition of water and a cosolvent increased the FAEE yields at 573 K and 20 MPa. Within the experimental ranges investigated, water and the cosolvent decreased the decomposition of fatty acids. Appreciable reaction yields (~90 wt%) were achieved at 573 K, 20 MPa, with an oil:ethanol mass ratio of 1:1 and 10 wt% water.
Stretching the Capacity of Structured Packings

Comprehensive experimental and modeling studies conducted recently with various types and sizes of Montz structured packing have revealed most performance-related secrets of this gas−liquid contacting device. Compared with other established gas−liquid contacting devices, structured packings are generally known as having the lowest pressure drop per theoretical tray. Less known is the fact that only a small fraction of this low-pressure drop is used in mass-transfer processes. Knowing this and using a model capable of describing realistically the relationship between geometric features and fluid mechanics, we have manipulated the geometry of the packed bed to develop configurations that allow a substantial increase in capacity without affecting efficiency adversely. The resulting configurations were tested experimentally and a joint experimental and modeling effort by the Delft University of Technology and J. Montz GmbH has led to increased capacity of well-established 45° corrugated sheet packings.
Effects of artificial disturbance on quantity and biochemical composition of organic matter in sediments of a coastal lagoon

The eutrophication of the coastal lagoon of Burano (Tuscany, Italy) produces periodic toxic-anoxic events. The possibility of mitigating eutrophication of a lagoon by resuspension of sediment was tested in a three-year field experiment conducted in 2008–2009. An unreplicated before-after control-impact (BACI) study design was used to ascertain variations in the quantity and biochemical composition of organic matter in sediment artificially disturbed by a specially equipped boat. In October 2008, before beginning disturbance, January 2009, half way through the disturbance period, and May 2009, at the end of disturbance, sediment was sampled in a disturbed area and an undisturbed control area to determine chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), phaeopigments (PHAE), proteins (PRT), carbohydrates (CHO), lipids (LIP), labile organic matter (LOM), refractory organic matter (ROM), total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN). The disturbed area, measuring 44 ha, was divided into nine subareas, eight of which were subjected to four different frequencies of disturbance (from 2 to 5) in the period October 2008 – April 2009. Sediment was sampled in each sub-area in the three months mentioned above to determine labile and total organic matter. The results were processed by univariate and multivariate analysis using Primer 6.0, Permanova + and Prism 5.0 software. The findings were as follows: (1) a large proportion of the biopolymeric carbon consisted of labile matter throughout the lagoon; (2) higher abatement of labile organic matter was recorded in the disturbed area; (3) a lower protein:carbohydrate ratio was found in the disturbed than in the undisturbed area; (4) the C:N ratio of sediment was much lower in the undisturbed area than in the disturbed area at the end of the study period; (5) sediment and macroalgal C:N ratios did not significantly change in response to disturbance; (6) initial accumulation of organic matter from phytoplankton was greater in the disturbed area than the undisturbed area; (7) chlorophyll-a, phaeopigments and the pigment diversity index did not reflect any decline in photosynthesis in the disturbed area; (8) treatment effects increased with increasing frequency of disturbance. These findings indicate less availability of labile organic matter and therefore lower risk of extended anoxic events in the disturbed area and support our hypothesis that artificial disturbance of sediment can be used to manage lagoon environments and prevent the consequences of eutrophication.
Effect of Shape of a Fruit Model-Product (Sodium Alginate Gel) Dryed by Microwave and Modeling of Drying Kinetics

Model-products are products designed to imitate and understand the heat treatment behavior of real products. This is the case of a sodium alginate gel used to simulate the drying behavior of water-rich fruit products (e.g. tomatoes). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the shape of a sodium alginate gel as a model-product of microwave drying. Then, from this shape of the gel, find a semi-empirical model that simulated well its drying kinetics. Thus, a sodium alginate gel was developed in cylindrical and slab shapes, which had almost identical volumes and weights, to assess the influence of product shape on drying kinetics. Experiments were performed in a stereo-mode cavity at 2450 MHz with output microwave powers densities of 1, 1.5, and 2 W / g. A regular weighing of dried product mass was carried out to better appreciate drying behavior. In addition, the temperature at the product core was measured by an optical fiber to observe the evolution of gel temperature. The experiments showed that the cylindrical shape of the model-product dries faster than the slab shape. Moreover, the Midilli mathematical model best fit the drying kinetics of the cylindrical shape of the gel.
4 The Architecture of PlantCrowns : From Design Rules to Light Capture and Performance

Introduction . 101 Plant Design . 103 Basic Architecture of Terrestrial Plants. 103 Modular Nature of Plants . 103 Scaling Up and Down. 104 Ecology of Branch Autonomy . 104 Modularity versus Integrity . 105 Plant Biomechanics: Coping with Gravity and Wind.105 Development of a Crown Shape . 107 Crown Architecture and Models of Growth . 107 Branching: The Framework of a Crown. 108 Arrangement of Leaves . 110 Classifying Crown Architectures.113 Functional Insights into Architectural Classifications. 113 Real Crowns: Imperfect Architectures or Controlled Variability? 114 Structural Determinants of Light Capture . 115 Shaping the Foliage: The Single-Crown Level. 115 Crown Size and Shape . 116 Geometry of Foliage Arrangement within the Crown . 118 Changing Geometries: Leaf Movements and Rolling . 125 Crown Architecture in Extreme Light Environments.126 When Light is Scarce . 126 When Light is Excessive.129 Occupying Space and Casting Shade: The Community Level . 131 Plasticity, Stress, and Evolution . 137 Acknowledgments . 139 References . 139