Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary crude fibre level on intake, digestibility and productivity of slow-growing indigenous Venda chickens aged one to 91 days

Two experiments were conducted to determine diet crude fibre (CF) levels for optimal productivity of slow-growing indigenous Venda chickens. In each experiment the diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous but with different CF levels of 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8%. A complete randomised design was used in both experiments, the starter (1-49 days) and finisher (50-91 days). A quadratic equation was used to determine CF levels for optimal productivity. Dietary CF levels of 3.4, 4.0 and 3.0 % optimised growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and live weight of unsexed Venda chickens (starter), respectively; and higher dietary CF levels resulted in lower (P less tha 0.05) intake and digestibility. Dietary CF levels of 6.5, 4.3, 3.2 and 4.4 % optimised feed intake, growth rate, nitrogen retention and live weight of male Venda chickens (finisher), respectively; while higher dietary CF levels resulted in poor (P less tha 0.05) FCR and nutrient digestibility. The results indicate that different CF levels optimised production parameters, and dietary CF levels for optimal productivity increased as chickens grew older.
CRITICAL DYNAMICS IN THE PEARLING INSTABILITY OF MEMBRANES

We report quantitative measurements above threshold in the pearling instability of cylindrical membranes. Induced by optical tweezers, the instability propagates outward from the laser trap with well defined wavelength, and velocity. All measured quantities scale with the reduced tension control parameter e ; sS 2 ScdySc. A critical slowing down for initiation of the instability is observed. The values of the velocity, wavelength, and delay time agree with marginal stability and linear analysis. Measurements very close to threshold are strongly masked by thermal fluctuations. [S0031-9007(97)03733-2]
Dynamic Scene Recognition Using Spatiotemporal Based DLTP on Spark

Scene recognition plays a significant role in the fields of pictorial information retrieval and scene understanding. However, the existing methods for scene recognition mostly consider only the images. Moreover, due to the rapid growth of multimedia data, there is a growing demand for distributed processing of large-scale video data. In this paper, we present a novel method for dynamic scene recognition from videos that considers spatiotemporal information in a distributed environment. Firstly, to obtain the dynamic information from the videos, we propose the directional local ternary pattern from three orthogonal planes, which provides valuable information about the nature of dynamic textures. Then, we utilize Apache Spark to conduct distributed computing for large-scale video data. Finally, we employ a convolutional neural network to classify the dynamic scenes. The experimental results show that our proposed approach outperforms most of the state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy. Moreover, we also experimentally demonstrate the scalability of the proposed method.
Maintenance Management Based on Signal Processing

Most of the wind turbines are three-blade units (Figure 1.) [55]. Once the wind drives the blades, the energy is transmitted via the main shaft through the gearbox (supported by the bearings) to the generator. The generator speed must be as near as possible to the optimal for the generation of electricity. At the top of the tower, assembled on a base or foundation, the housing or nacelle is mounted and the alignment with the direction of the wind is con‐ trolled by a yaw system. There is also a pitch system in each blade. This mechanism controls the wind power and sometimes is employed as an aerodynamic brake. The wind turbine features a hydraulic brake to stop itself when it is needed. Finally, there is a meteorological unit that provides information about the wind (speed and direction) to the control system.
Cooperative Control of Networked Ground Robotic Vehicles

The purpose of this thesis is to develop coordination schemes concerning the motion of robotic agents for area coverage purposes under RF communications constraints. The nodesperform motion in discrete time steps according to distributed information acquired from nodes which are connected at predefined number of hops until they reach optimum area configuration. Robots are supposed to be equipped with sensor for coverage purposes and with radio transceiver so as information to be transmitted. However, communication radius is not demanded to be at least equal to twice the sensing one, imposing an extra constraint in the overall problem.Coordination schemes are developed ensuring end-to-end RF connectivity of the network while attaining optimum area coverage.Results are further verified via simulations studies.
An eigenvalue problem involving a degenerate and singular elliptic operator

We study an eigenvalue problem involving a degenerate and singular elliptic operator on the whole space R N . We prove the existence of an unbounded and increasing sequence of eigenvalues. Our study generalizes to the case of degenerate and singular operators a result of A. Szulkin and M. Willem.
The Relationship between the Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve and the NAIRU over Time

New Keynesian models of the Phillips curve in the spirit of Gali and Gertler (1999) generally assume a short-run trade-off between inflation and a measure of excess demand due to nominal rigidities, while in the long run inflation is constant at the Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment (NAIRU). By contrast, Gordon (1997) in his "triangle model" of inflation models a time-varying NAIRU. We combine both approaches and estimate state-space models of the hybrid New Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC), where excess demand is measured by the unemployment gap and the NAIRU is allowed to vary over time as in Gordon (1997). Moreover, inflation expectations are measured directly from surveys on household? s inflation expectations and not instrumented for. Our model is estimated for the US, the UK, Italy and Spain and we find considerable variation in the NAIRU over time with NAIRU estimates significantly different from HP-filter derived measures such as usually employed in dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models. In contrast to GMM results for the hybrid NKPC, we find that backward looking behaviour generally seems to be quantitatively more important for inflation than forward looking behaviour.
University knowledge, open innovation and technological capital in Spanish science parks : Research revealing or technology selling?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the connection between university research and technological capital developed by science park (SCP) firms in order to elucidate whether the causal linkage is owing to non-pecuniary research spillovers or pecuniary technology transfer activities. Design/methodology/approach – Two publicly available surveys, one dealing with the research and transfer activities of 45 Spanish universities and another with the patenting activities of 44 Spanish SCPs, are matched in such a way that hypotheses can be tested using regression analysis. Findings – The patenting performance of SCP firms is positively related to the competitive R&D projects undertaken by the universities to which they are affiliated and negatively related to the technology transfer activities carried out by those universities. These findings suggest that the scientific knowledge produced by universities principally contributes to private technology-based firms’ technological capital through non-.
A Post-Earthquake Fire Spread Model considering Damage of Building Components due to Seismic Motion and Heating of Fire

KEISUKE HIMOTO, KYOSUKE MUKAIBO, RYO KURODA, YASUO AKIMOTO, AKIHIKO HOKUGO, and TAKEYOSHI TANAKA Disaster Prevention Research Institute Kyoto University Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan Graduate School of Science and Technology Ritsumeikan University Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan Ichijo Corporation Kiba, Kohtoh, Tokyo 135-0042, Japan Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Imabashi, Chuo, Osaka 541-0042, Japan Research Center for Urban Safety and Security, Kobe University Rokkodai 1-1, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
Glacial North Atlantic: Sea-surface conditions reconstructed by GLAMAP 2000

The response of the tropical ocean to global climate change and the extent of sea ice in the glacial nordic seas belong to the great controversies in paleoclimatology. Our new reconstruction of peak glacial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Atlantic is based on census counts of planktic foraminifera, using the Maximum Similarity Technique Version 28 (SIMMAX-28) modern analog technique with 947 modern analog samples and 119 well-dated sediment cores. Our study compares two slightly different scenarios of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the Environmental Processes of the Ice Age: Land, Oceans, Glaciers (EPILOG), and Glacial Atlantic Ocean Mapping (GLAMAP 2000) time slices. The comparison shows that the maximum LGM cooling in the Southern Hemisphere slightly preceeded that in the north. In both time slices sea ice was restricted to the north western margin of the nordic seas during glacial northern summer, while the central and eastern parts were ice-free. During northern glacial winter, sea ice advanced to the south of Iceland and Faeroe. In the central northern North Atlantic an anticyclonic gyre formed between 45degrees and 60degreesN, with a cool water mass centered west of Ireland, where glacial cooling reached a maximum of >12degreesC. In the subtropical ocean gyres the new reconstruction supports the glacial-to-interglacial stability of SST as shown by CLIMAP Project Members (CLIMAP) [1981]. The zonal belt of minimum SST seasonality between 2degrees and 6degreesN suggests that the LGM caloric equator occupied the same latitude as today. In contrast to the CLIMAP reconstruction, the glacial cooling of the tropical east Atlantic upwelling belt reached up to 6degrees-8degreesC during Northern Hemisphere summer. Differences between these SIMMAX-based and published U37(k)- and Mg/Ca-based equatorial SST records are ascribed to strong SST seasonalities and SST signals that were produced by different planktic species groups during different seasons.
Mathematical Modeling of Skin Temperature Changes with Whole-Body Cryotherapy

The physical processes taking place in the cryochamber during the therapeutic treatment were investigated. The analysis of temperature fields during whole-body-cryotherapy (WBC) in skin integument and volume of cryochamber has been investigated. The analysis was implemented based on the modeling of non-stationary heat transfer through a multilayered object. The study was performed using the finite element method. The calculations were based on the equations of heat transfer process in solids and biological tissue with internal heat source and laminar flow. The modules were combined using Multiphysics interface. Main results. The computer model created allows the calculation of thermal field dynamics in the skin of a patient body during and after WBC. Mathematical model of WBC allows the estimation of such parameters as coolant velocity and temperature, session exposure, cryochamber design and individual features of WBC object. The model performed allows the analysis of WBC parameters and their impact on skin integument temperature.
Zakopane lectures on loop gravity

This is a first version of the introductory lectures on loop quantum gravity that I will give at the quantum gravity school in Zakopane. The theory is presented in self-contained form, without emphasis on its derivation from classical general relativity. Dynamics is given in the covariant form. Some applications are described, including the recent derivation of de Sitter cosmology from full quantum gravity.
The role and value of strategic environmental assessment in Estonia: stakeholders' perspectives

The requirements for strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in Estonia legally came into force on 1 January 2001. Since then, seven SEAs of national-level plans and programmes have been conducted. This paper, based on a survey of SEA stakeholders (public authorities, SEA experts and environmental non-governmental organisations), explores the perceptions of objectives and effects, and difficulties, of conducting SEAs at this level. SEA is considered to have had a tangible effect on the content of policy documents, stakeholder involvement and environmental education. However, the late start of the SEA process and different perception of its objectives by different stakeholders have probably limited its effectiveness. Several recommendations related to SEA procedure and capacity building are made to overcome these difficulties.
Regional Disparities and Investment–Cash Flow Sensitivity: Evidence from Chinese Listed Firms

In China, regional disparities are significant. We find that firms in inland regions rely more on their internal funds in terms of their investment activities than those in coastal regions, and that the sensitivity gap between inland and coastal firms widened in the recent contractionary monetary policy period. This suggests that firms in inland regions find it harder to obtain outside funds due to the unfavourable social and economic environments they face. Our findings suggest that capital markets in China respond rationally to the potential impact of regional disparities on a firm's performance.
Microenterprise Support to Integrate Urban Refugees in Uganda

We propose a randomized controlled trial to investigate programs supporting microenterprises – grants and trainings – for both refugee and hosts, implemented by a refugee-led non-profit in Kampala, Uganda. Employing quantitative and qualitative methods, we will measure the effects on 1) social outcomes, like support for hosting more refugees and allowing them to work, and 2) economic outcomes, like business profits and household food security, to test whether effective development aid can induce support for inclusive hosting. Critically, we will also address key concerns: social spillovers – tensions caused by unequal allocations of assistance across groups – and economic spillovers – recipient businesses expanding at the expense of non-recipients.
Credit Accessibility and Poverty among Smallholder Cassava Farming Households in South West, Nigeria

The role of credit in agricultural economy cannot be overemphasized. Its constraints hamper productivity and income of rural smallholder farmers. In this study, cross-sectional data from 150 smallholder cassava farming households were used to examine credit accessibility and poverty among cassava farmers in Ogun state, Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression model and the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke class of measures (FGT). Logistic regression model was used to examine factors influencing the farmers’ credit accessibility while the FGT class of measures were used to determine the incidence, depth and severity of poverty among cassava farmers. The results revealed that majority of the farmers had access to credit with co-operatives serving as the major source of credit to the households. The results of the logistic model showed the significant determinants of credit accessibility as gender, age, main occupation, participation in off-farm activities, membership of farmers’ association and crop yield. The FGT results revealed a high rate of poverty among the cassava farming households with 66.7% households being poor and the households with no credit access had higher poverty incidence.
Optical Properties of Infrared-bright Dust-obscured Galaxies Viewed with Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam

We report on the optical properties of infrared (IR)-bright dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs) that are defined as . Because supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in IR-bright DOGs are expected to be rapidly growing in the major-merger scenario, they provide useful clues for understanding the coevolution of SMBHs and their host galaxies. However, the optical properties of IR-bright DOGs remain unclear because the optical emission of a DOG is very faint. By combining ∼105 deg2 images of the optical, near-IR, and mid-IR data obtained from the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) survey, the VISTA VIKING survey, and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer all-sky survey, respectively, 571 IR-bright DOGs were selected. We found that IR-bright DOGs show a redder (g − z)AB color than do other populations of dusty galaxies, such as ultraluminous IR galaxies (ULIRGs) at a similar redshift, with a significantly large dispersion. Among the selected DOGs, star formation (SF)-dominated DOGs show a relatively red color, while active galactic nucleus (AGN)-dominated DOGs show a rather blue color in optical. This result is consistent with the idea that the relative AGN contribution in the optical emission becomes more significant at a later stage in the major-merger scenario. We discovered eight IR-bright DOGs showing a significant blue excess in blue HSC bands. This blue excess can be interpreted as a leaked AGN emission that is either a directly leaking or a scattered AGN emission, as proposed for some blue-excess Hot DOGs in earlier studies.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Effect of Hypoxia on Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Effect of Hypoxia on Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation

The maintenance of pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) requires a high efficiency of self-renewal. During in vitro propagation, however, spontaneous differentiation occurs frequently, and there is also a risk of chromosomal changes. In this study, we assessed the properties of hESCs after long-term culture at ambient air and 5% oxygen growth conditions. The Hesc lines were grown for up to 42 and 18 mo in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, respectively, and their proliferation; expression of Oct4, SSEA1, Nanog, and Notch1; karyotype; telomerase activity; and differentiation potential in vitro were evaluated. In contrast to cultures at 20% oxygen, where the central zones of the colonies underwent spontaneous differentiation, during exposure to 5% oxygen, the hESC colonies maintained a homogenous and flat morphology that was consistent with the presence of Oct4-positive undifferentiated phenotype. Irrespective of oxygen concentration, the undifferentiated cells expressed high levels of Nanog and Oct4 transcripts, normal karyotype, and high telomerase activity. When assayed for differentiation 88 potential, they yielded derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers. Our data thus indicate that hypoxic exposure has the capacity to sustain enhanced long-term self-renewal of hESCs. The hESC lines described in the current paper can be obtained for research purposes from the Laboratory for Stem Cell Research, Aalborg University.
The Risk-Taking Channel of Monetary Policy: Evidence from Norway

This thesis presents and discusses the theoretical and empirical literature that analyses the effects of monetary policy on financial stability. As a means to clarification and structure, the thesis will build on the IMF (2013) approach of separating the different effects that monetary policy may have on financial stability. These effects are divided into five different channels. In a literature review, these channels are carefully examined, and many of the most important contributions to the literature are presented. In short, the borrower balance sheet channel refers to the effects that higher monetary policy rates may have on borrowing constraints and therefore possibly on default rates. The asset price channel refers to the effects that lower monetary policy rates may have on aggregate asset prices that might lead to asset price bubbles. The exchange rate channel points to the effects that monetary policy may have on capital flows and exchange rates, and therefore on foreign borrowing. The risk-shifting channel refers to the effects that higher monetary policy rates have on the liability side of banks’ balance sheets, possibly reducing banks’ margins. Finally, the risk-taking channel refers to the potential effects of monetary policy on the asset side of banks’ balance sheets, which may affect banks’ risk-taking. The second part of the thesis provides an empirical analysis of a potential risktaking channel in Norway. By making use of quarterly panel data for Norwegian banks over the period 1995 to 2014, I study the effects of an increased three-month NIBOR interest rate, as a proxy for Norwegian monetary policy, on the composition of banks’ risk weighted corporate lending. The results provide evidence of a risktaking channel. Thus, the results from the analysis suggest that banks’ risk-taking is negatively associated with interest rates. However, since the estimated interest rate coefficient is quite small, the economic significance seems modest. I also find evidence of a less pronounced negative relationship for banks with higher capitalization levels, which is contrary to the implications suggested by the theory as well as previous empirical findings in other countries. This literature suggests that the negative relationship is less pronounced for banks with lower capitalization levels. The results from the empirical analysis may contribute to the ongoing debate on the role of monetary policy on financial stability. However, the analysis also clearly indicates a need of further investigation.
Filling the groove: energy flow to seabirds in the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

We assessed the energy requirements and the food consumption of the seabird com- munity of the Beagle Channel in summer. We evaluated differences in energy flow among a priori established zones in the study area and among species. We converted data on densities of seabirds in the channel (February and March 1997) into energy demands. Energy flow to sea- birds in shallow waters was twice that of in deep waters. Average energy flow in the whole study area was 9.46×10 4 kJ.km -2 . day -1 . Energy intake rates ranged 4-13×10 4 kJ.km -2 . day -1 , being higher in zones that include breeding sites or close to them. Imperial Cormorant was the major con- tributor to energy flow in all the zones followed by the Black-browed Albatross. Kelp Gull was the major contributor in areas where food from human origin was available. Energy flow was similar in four zones, which may represent a saturation point for seabird biomass in the Beagle Channel. The factors that explain the observed energy flow distribution deal with the distribu- tion of shallow water areas in the channel, the presence of seabird's colonies, the proportion of diver and surface feeders, and the possible segregation of, at least, the most abundant species. Finally, food consumption varied from 1.71-3.42 ton/day, being higher near breeding colonies and lower in areas with more open waters. RESUMEN. Saturando el canal: flujo energetico de aves marinas en el Canal Beagle, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina: Se determinaron los requerimientos energeticos y el consumo de alimento de la comunidad de aves marinas del Canal Beagle durante el verano. Se evaluaron las diferencias en el flujo energetico entre seis zonas establecidas a priori en el area de estudio y entre especies. Se transformaron los datos de densidad de aves marinas del canal (febrero y marzo de 1997) en demanda energetica. El flujo energetico hacia las aves marinas en las aguas someras fue el doble del que se encontro en aguas profundas. El flujo energetico promedio en toda el area de estudio fue de 9.46×10 4