Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applications of machine-learning algorithms for infrared colour selection of Galactic Wolf–Rayet stars

We have investigated and applied machine-learning algorithms for infrared colour selection of Galactic Wolf–Rayet (WR) candidates. Objects taken from the Spitzer Galactic Legacy Infrared Midplane Survey Extraordinaire (GLIMPSE) catalogue of the infrared objects in the Galactic plane can be classified into different stellar populations based on the colours inferred from their broad-band photometric magnitudes [J, H and Ks from 2 Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), and the four Spitzer/IRAC bands]. The algorithms tested in this pilot study are variants of the k-nearest neighbours approach, which is ideal for exploratory studies of classification problems where interrelations between variables and classes are complicated. The aims of this study are (1) to provide an automated tool to select reliable WR candidates and potentially other classes of objects, (2) to measure the efficiency of infrared colour selection at performing these tasks and (3) to lay the groundwork for statistically inferring the total number of WR stars in our Galaxy. We report the performance results obtained over a set of known objects and selected candidates for which we have carried out follow-up spectroscopic observations, and confirm the discovery of four new WR stars.
Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation Modulates the Impacts of Arctic Sea Ice Decline

The Arctic sea ice cover has been rapidly declining in the last two decades, concurrent with a shift in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) to its warm phase around 1996/1997. Here we use both observations and model simulations to investigate the modulation of the atmospheric impacts of the decreased sea ice cover in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic (AASIC) by the AMO. We find that the AASIC loss during a cold AMO phase induces increased Ural blocking activity, a southeastward‐extended snowpack, and a cold continent anomaly over Eurasia in December through northerly cold air advection and moisture transport from the Arctic. The increased Ural blocking activity and more extended Eurasian snowpack strengthen the upward propagation of planetary waves over the Siberian‐Pacific sector in the lower stratosphere and hence lead to a weakened stratospheric polar vortex and a negative Arctic Oscillation (AO) phase at the surface in February. However, corresponding to the AASIC loss during a warm AMO phase, one finds more widespread warming over the Arctic and a reduced snowpack over Northern Eurasia in December. The stratosphere‐troposphere coupling is suppressed in early winter and no negative AO anomaly is found in February. We suggest that the cold AMO phase is important to regulate the atmospheric response to AASIC decline, and our study provides insight to the ongoing debate on the connection between the Arctic sea ice and the AO.
Punching shear resistance of reinforced concrete footings: evaluation of design codes

Punching shear is a possible failure mode for slender footings and it can lead a structure to ruin through progressive collapse. Although the geometric characteristics of footings are differentiated, their punching shear design is based on empirical methods similar to those used for slab-column connections. This paper uses experimental results from 216 tests to evaluate the performance of code provisions presented by ACI 318 (2014), ABNT NBR 6118 (2014) and Eurocode 2 (2010) to estimate the punching shear resistance of concrete footings. It was observed great dispersion between theoretical and experimental results, being evident that the ratio between the shear span and the effective depth (a/d) is a fundamental parameter to be considered in the design.
Annotating a non-model plant genome – a study on the narrow-leafed lupin.

We present here a highly portable and easy-to-use gene annotation system CEL (Computational Environment for annotation of Legume genomes) that can be used to annotate any type of genomic sequence -- from BAC ends to complete chromosomes. CEL’s core engine is modular and hierarchically organized with an open-source structure, permitting maximum customization -- users can assemble an individualized annotation pipeline by selecting computational components that best suit their annotation needs. The tool is designed to speed up genomic analyses and features an algorithm that substitutes for a biologist’s expertise at various steps of gene structure prediction. This allows more complete automation of the labor-intensive and time-consuming annotation process. The system collects and prioritizes multiple sources of de novo gene predictions and gene expression evidence according to the confidence value of underlying supporting evidence, as a result producing high-quality gene-model sets. The data produced by CEL pipeline is suitable for direct visualization in any genome browser tool that supports GFF annotation format (e.g. Apollo, Artemis, Genome Browser etc.). This provides an easy means to view and edit individual contigs and BACs using just mouse’s clicks and drag-and-drop features. Finally, we show that CEL produces accurate annotations for novel draft genomes,of low quality or mostly non-existent, as in the case of narrow-leafed lupin where the training-data are limited.
Photocurrent spectroscopy of low-k dielectric materials: Barrier heights and trap densities

Measurements of photoinduced current have been performed on thin films of porous low-k dielectric materials comprised of carbon-doped oxides. The dielectric films were deposited on silicon surfaces and prepared with a thin gold counterelectrode. From the spectral dependence of the photoinduced current, barrier heights for the dielectric∕silicon and dielectric∕gold interface were deduced. Transient currents were also found to flow after the photoexcitation was abruptly stopped. An estimate of the density of shallow electron traps within the low-k material was obtained from the measurement of the net charge transported from this detrapping current. A density of traps in the range of 6×1016traps∕cm3 was inferred for the low-k films, far exceeding that observed by the same technique for reference dielectric films of pure SiO2. This behavior was also compatible with photocurrent I‐V measurements on the low-k dielectric films and SiO2 reference sample.
SVM-Like Algorithms and Architectures for Embedded Computational Intelligence

This paper considers implementation of computational intelligence paradigms on resource-constrained platforms, an issue of the day for the age of invisible computing and smart sensors. This necessitates the development of ``light'' yet efficient hardware-friendly algorithms relying on a scanty power supplies and able to operate in stand-alone manner. The scope of the presented work is twofold. Firstly, we propose a new SVM-like approximated algorithm suitable for embedded systems due to good robustness and sparsity properties. Support vectors are considered as parameters of the outer optimization problem, whereas the inner one is solved using the primal representation, which reduces computational complexity and memory usage. Along with classical Gaussian kernel, a recently proposed hardware-friendly kernel, whose calculation requires only shift and add operations, is considered. Experimental results on several well-known data sets demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach, which in many cases outperforms the original RSVM using the same number of vectors. Secondly, we implement such kind of algorithm on a resource-constrained device such as a simple 8-bit microcontroller. The case-study considered further in this work is the design of a node of a wireless video-sensor network performing people detection, and a simple resource-constrained FPSLIC-based platform from Atmel is considered as a target device.
Estimating labour and output gap: evidence from the Athens Olympic Region in Greece

The present article estimates potential labour and labour gap as well as potential output and output gap using a Cobb–Douglas production function and a Hodrick–Prescott filter. We investigate the Athens Region in Greece by sector of economic activity, with the aid of the non-accelerating wage inflation rate of unemployment concept. The results support the idea that the Athens region seems to be working, mostly, over the regional economy's capabilities, a fact which leads to inflationary pressure.
Validation of Assays for Reactive Oxygen Species and Glutathione in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during Microgravity Simulation

ABSTRACT The effects of spaceflight on yeast have high concordance with agents that induce a very low intracellular redox state and induce a massive efflux of glutathione. These results raise important issues. Can the reduced redox state during spaceflight be reproduced and modulated in ground-based simulations? Will this allow definition of unique drug pathways as a low redox potential state mirrors the electrophilic properties of mitochondria where many drugs are metabolized? Unfortunately, assays for redox status and its major cellular determinant—glutathione—are diverse and often cell-type-specific. Currently, an accepted redox probe set for yeast studies is not available. This paper validates fluorescent probes for glutathione and reactive oxygen status in yeast to support mechanistic studies of microgravity and drug metabolism. The plethora of fluorescent reagents for reactive oxygen species and glutathione makes head-to-head comparisons of all the alternatives impractical. These reagents measure the physiological milieu of reactive oxygen species and diverse thiols, rather than specific individual molecules. We report that in yeast, monochlorobimane (mBCL) and 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DC-FDA) are suitable for fluorometric and flow cytometry studies of glutathione and reactive oxygen species, respectively. Both dyes have low background fluorescence, predictable loading, good retention, and are not acutely toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both dyes show concordance with other fluorescent and biochemical assays of reactive oxygen species.
How Does Investor Short-termism Affect Mutual Fund Manager Short-termism

This paper studies short-termism of mutual funds, both short-termism of fund investors and short-termism of investments made by fund managers. The empirical results are consistent with the view that short investment horizons of fund managers (which we term output short-termism) are positively related to their investors’ short investment horizons (which we term input short-termism). Further tests of causality suggest that fund manager investment short-termism is caused by investor short horizon, but not the other way round. The study contributes to a better understanding of why fund managers tend to exhibit short-term decision making. It also provides supporting evidence of theoretical models of managerial myopic reaction to investor short-termism as in Stein (1988, 1989) and Shleifer and Vishney (1990).
Teaching Family Theories: Building Conceptual Models Using Deductive Theorizing

This paper describes an andragogical method of creating substantive conceptual models from family theories using deductive thinking. Development of this method used ideas from Bloom’s taxonomy, Piaget’s conceptualizations of accommodation, and Masterman’s descriptions of concrete ways to facilitate paradigmatic, abstract shifts in thinking. There is description of learning activities including an experience called sit and think. Illustrations of the method entail descriptions of five models based on theories: family systems (1 model), social exchange (1 model), and symbolic interaction (3 models). One of models based on symbolic interaction theory incorporated elements from critical race feminist theory. The creators of these models reflect on their learning processes and suggest recommendations for further development of the andragogical method
Staphylococcus aureus carrying lukS/F Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) toxin genes in hospitals of Lahore city.

INTRODUCTION Panton Valentine-Leukocidin (PVL) toxin is secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and is mostly associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). This study aims to find out the prevalence of lukS/F-PV gene, which encode PVL toxin from strains of SSTI, burn wounds and nasal colonizers of out-patients and to measure the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolates. METHODOLOGY This is an analytical observational cross-section study and was conducted from July 2014 to June 2015 at four tertiary care hospitals and PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 376 random clinical swabs were collected from SSTI (n = 179), nasal nares (n = 134) and burn wounds (n = 63) from out-patients' departments (OPD). The specimens were cultured on nutrient and mannitol salt agar (MSA) and the organism was identified by catalase, coagulase, and DNase tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility, methicillin, inducible clindamycin, and high-level mupirocin (HLMR) resistance were determined as per CLSI guidelines. Molecular identification of mecA and lukS/F-PV genes was performed by PCR. RESULTS We isolated 127 S. aureus, where 41 (32.3%) were MRSA and 86 (67.7%) were MSSA. All MRSA carried mecA gene whereas lukS/F-PV gene was found in 21 MRSA and 31 MSSA strains. Overall, a high antimicrobial resistance was found against MRSA and lukS/F-PV positive MSSA. Inducible clindamycin and high-level mupirocin resistance (HLMR) was 23.6% and 19.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS A high rate of PVL toxin gene was detected among S. aureus strains and a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistant strains was observed.
Prosodic Markers of Saliency in Humorous Narratives

Much of what we think we know about the performance of humor relies on our intuitions about prosody (e.g., “it's all about timing”); however, this has never been empirically tested. Thus, the central question addressed in this article is whether speakers mark punch lines in jokes prosodically and, if so, how. To answer this question, this article unites both the recently emerged research agenda grounding spoken discourse analysis in the precision and verifiability of acoustic analysis and a research agenda within the field of discourse and humor focused on the “performance” of humorous narratives. This article presents an analysis of a relatively simple form: the joke or short humorous narrative. The starting point of this analysis is the folk theory of joke-telling. Through instrumental measurement of pitch, volume, and speech rate, this study shows that, contrary to the folk theory of joke-delivery, punch lines are not delivered significantly louder than the preceding text, but rather at a significantly lower pitch and slower speech rate than the text preceding the punch line. In addition, punch lines are often, but not necessarily, signaled by a laughing voice or a smiling voice and are not preceded by significant pauses. This article concludes that the folk theory of joke-delivery is largely refuted. This study further investigates whether the saliency of punch lines, which would predict higher volume and pitch, is less significant than their final position in the narrative, which, being associated with final position in a paratone, or spoken paragraph, predicts that they will demonstrate lower volume and pitch values. The conclusion is that final positioning trumps the saliency of the punch lines and accounts for the significantly lower pitch and lack of significantly higher volume in punch lines.
Population development in rural Switzerland: Do sectors matter?

The paper approaches the question of the role of the three different sectors in rural population development. A regression with data from 1606 rural Swiss municipalities shows that activity in the farming sector enhances population growth to a greater degree than activity in the industrial sector. Employment in the service sector was not found to sustain population growth in rural municipalities, whereas commuting possibilities had a strongly stabilising impact. Other important determinants were wealth, the number of holiday homes and demographic factors. A qualitative study of four rural municipalities largely confirmed the findings of the regression, but also showed the importance of non-economic factors influencing the relative attractiveness of a rural municipality.
Empirical Analysis on Factors Impacting on Intention to Use M-learning in Basic Education in Egypt

It is apparent that m-learning will continuously have a massive role in terms of development in teaching and learning methods for education. Student's intention to use this technology is the main factor that eventually leads to a success in implementing m-learning. The objectives of this particular research are to come up with the development and examination towards a research model to uncover the factors that have important effects on the intention to use mobile learning for basic education in Egypt. A research model was developed through extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) by incorporating two additional factors namely; learners' autonomy (LA) and content quality design (CQD). A quantitative approach based on cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from 386 respondents. The methodology used in this study was a Partial Least Squares (PLS) that was expected to test the model empirically. The results showcased that learners' autonomy (LA), performance expectancy (PE), facilitating conditions (FC), and social influence (SI) are significant in relation to behavioural intention (BI) to use m-learning while effort expectancy (EE) did not show the impact on intention to use mobile learning. The research also found that content quality design (CQD) affects significantly on performance expectancy (PE) and effort expectancy (EE). The possible development in future research and the limitations of the findings are also discussed later in this paper.
Airborne Noise Emission Characteristics of Wind Turbines in Iran

Introduction: Wind-turbine noise emission and its environmental impact are considerable issues nowadays. Considering the importance of the issue, the purpose of this study was to prepare noise map and wind turbines sound characteristics on the largest wind farm of Iran. Method: This study was carried out in two phases:1) In order to prepare the daytime sound level (Ld) noise map, environmental noise measurement was done using LAeq for 10 minutes three times daily according to the ISO9612 method. 2) On the basis of IEC 61400-11.2006, sound characteristics and wind speed were measured concurrently at the back and front of the wind turbines using TES-1358 Sound Level Meter and vane anemometer. Discussion: The average daytime sound level (Ld) of wind farm was 63dBA which is 3 dB higher than the recommended level. Wind speed has a significant non-linear relationship with the wind turbine noise emissions (p<0.05) which is valid with increasing wind speed up to 17 m/s. Frequency analysis showed that the wind turbine noise is in the range of low noise frequencies(below 1000 Hz). There is a significant relationship between the power generation, wind turbine blade length and sound level (p<0.05). Sound pressure levels in frequencies lower than 250 Hz are equal at the back and front of the wind turbines. Wind turbine characteristics specifies model of noise emission. Result: Daytime sound level around the wind farm is more than the recommended values. The sound level of wind turbines is sensitive to Wind speed changes and it is in a range of low frequencies and fluctuation once.
Food subsidies from fisheries to continental shelf benthic scavengers

Fisheries generate carrion as a result of material discarded at sea from fishing boats, and as a result of the direct mortality of organisms on the seabed that is caused by the bottom trawling gears. It is unclear whether the increases in the population sizes in scavenging seabirds that have been partially attributed to discarding practices might be mirrored in populations of benthic scav- engers. We used a previously published and field-validated, size-based model to calculate the effects of bottom fishing on benthic invertebrate production and production of invertebrate carrion at the seabed in the North Sea. This estimate was combined with previously published estimates of dis- carded fish carrion that reaches the seabed. Fishing decreases benthic biomass; this means that ben- thic production is also reduced. In this process, fishing increases production in the short term (2 to 3 d) by generating carrion. However, the production of carrion only compensates for 22% of the reduction in production. Calculations of ash free dry weight of carrion produced per unit area were similar to other previous estimates for the North Sea, which indicated that fisheries-generated carrion was sufficient to sustain benthic carnivores for only approximately 3 d yr -1 .
Absorptive capacity: A process and structure approach

The aim of this study is to understand and explain different dimensions of absorptive capacity and the strategies used in practice to realise it. The theoretical and conceptual contribution of the study lies in the adoption of a dual process and structure approach, aiming at identifying, respectively, how learning takes place and what learning takes place. The study is based upon a case study research design to explore the manifestation of absorptive capacity processes and its relationship to knowledge structures in four company case studies. The findings of the research indicate that knowledge acquisition, transformation and integration involve successive iterations of codification, abstraction and diffusion of knowledge in relation to product concepts, process requirements and problem-solving approaches. This relates to the capability to adopt, simultaneously, different trajectories in terms of knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation strategies. The combined adoption of these different strategies enables both strategic and operational flexibility and underlies the successful realisation of absorptive capacity.
Modeling the coupled effects of pore space geometry and velocity on colloid transport and retention

Recent experimental and theoretical work has demonstrated that pore space geometry and hydrodynamics can play an important role in colloid retention under unfavorable attachment conditions. Conceptual models that only consider the average pore water velocity and a single attachment rate coefficient are therefore not always adequate to describe colloid retention processes, which frequently produce nonexponential profiles of retained colloids with distance. In this work, we highlight a dual‐permeability model formulation that can be used to account for enhanced colloid retention in low‐velocity regions of the pore space. The model accounts for different rates of advective and dispersive transport, as well as first‐order colloid retention and release in fast and slow velocity regions of the pore space. The model also includes provisions for the exchange of colloids from fast to slow regions in the aqueous phase and/or on the solid phase. A sensitivity analysis performed with the dual‐permeability model parameters indicated that low rates of advective transport to low‐velocity regions had a pronounced influence on colloid retention profiles, especially near the inlet. The developed model provided a good description of measured colloid breakthrough curves and retention profiles that were collected for a variety of conditions.