Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
iRov: A Social & Interactive Robot Platform Using iOS Technology

Abstract: This paper introduces an autonomous camera-equipped robot platform for active vision research and as an education tool. Due to recent progress in electronics and computing power, in control and agent technology, and in computer vision and machine learning, the realization of an autonomous robots platform capable of solving high-level deliberate tasks in natural environments can be achieved. We used iPhone 4 technologies with Lego NXT to build a mobile robot called the iRov. iRov is a desktop size robot that can perform image processing onboard utilizing the A4 chip which is a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) in the iPhone 4. With the CPU and the GPU processors working in parallel, we demonstrate real-time filters and 3D object recognition. Using this platform, the processing speed was 10 times faster than using the CPU alone.
A qualitative comparison of two interventions from the participants’ point of view : the stories we live by vs. expressive writing intervention

The interest in narrative psychology has risen in the last few decades. It was found that characteristics of narratives have a positive relation to well-being and can help to improve it. Based on this relation, different interventions were developed to improve well-being. Today is only partly known which specific elements in such interventions lead to high well-being. It is assumed that a combination of elements is responsible for the positive effect on well-being. Until now, established theories failed to explain the whole working mechanism. Maybe due to the fact that they primarily tried to answer the question from a theoretical point of view. Therefore, the current study is concerned with the participants’ view on two interventions: “Expressive Writing” and “The Stories we Live by”. The study focuses on how participants experienced the interventions and what are differences in the experience between the interventions. Participants (N=89) were randomly assigned to one of the interventions and were afterwards asked which elements they experienced as helpful and important. The so gained data was analyzed by the grounded theory approach. The developed theoretical model states reciprocal relationships between the most elements, implying that the whole interventions were experienced as important and helpful from most participants. Furthermore, it was found that participants mentioned the elements self-knowledge, reminiscence, writing, coping strategies and specific elements such as particular tasks most often. Only few differences between the interventions could be shown, implying that the experiences in the interventions were almost similar. Obvious was that in the “Expressive Writing” intervention the element writing was mentioned most often. Contrary, in “The Stories we Live by” self-knowledge was mentioned the most and reminiscence was mentioned more often than writing. This shows that the main differences between the interventions could be found in the methodology, namely between the elements writing and reminiscence. Further research is needed to test the developed theoretical model and specify the relationships between the elements. For future interventions can be suggested not to use individual elements, instead using the interventions as a whole and integrate at least the elements participants mentioned most often as valuable.
Discovery of a warm, dusty giant planet around HIP 65426

Aims. The SHINE program is a high-contrast near-infrared survey of 600 young, nearby stars aimed at searching for and characterizing new planetary systems using VLT/SPHERE’s unprecedented high-contrast and high-angular-resolution imaging capabilities. It is also intended to place statistical constraints on the rate, mass and orbital distributions of the giant planet population at large orbits as a function of the stellar host mass and age to test planet-formation theories. Methods. We used the IRDIS dual-band imager and the IFS integral field spectrograph of SPHERE to acquire high-contrast coronagraphic differential near-infrared images and spectra of the young A2 star HIP 65426. It is a member of the ~17 Myr old Lower Centaurus-Crux association. Results. At a separation of 830 mas (92 au projected) from the star, we detect a faint red companion. Multi-epoch observations confirm that it shares common proper motion with HIP 65426. Spectro-photometric measurements extracted with IFS and IRDIS between 0.95 and 2.2 μm indicate a warm, dusty atmosphere characteristic of young low-surface-gravity L5-L7 dwarfs. Hot-start evolutionary models predict a luminosity consistent with a 6–12 MJup, Teff = 1300–1600 K and R = 1.5 ± 0.1 RJup giant planet. Finally, the comparison with Exo-REM and PHOENIX BT-Settl synthetic atmosphere models gives consistent effective temperatures but with slightly higher surface gravity solutions of log (g) = 4.0–5.0 with smaller radii (1.0–1.3 RJup). Conclusions. Given its physical and spectral properties, HIP 65426 b occupies a rather unique placement in terms of age, mass, and spectral-type among the currently known imaged planets. It represents a particularly interesting case to study the presence of clouds as a function of particle size, composition, and location in the atmosphere, to search for signatures of non-equilibrium chemistry, and finally to test the theory of planet formation and evolution.
The ca 2.74 Ga Mopoke Member, Kylena Formation: a marine incursion into the northern Fortescue Group?

The northern part of the Fortescue Group consists of interbedded flood basalts and sedimentary rocks that were deposited on the southern margin of the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, during one or more periods of continental rifting between ca 2.78 and ca 2.63 Ga. Well-preserved sedimentary intervals within the group have yielded stable carbon and sulfur isotope data that have been used to infer changes in geobiological processes in the Neoarchean. However, the Fortescue Group is notable for being a predominantly subaerial succession, and it remains unclear whether data obtained from these intervals should be interpreted in the context of deposition in marine environments, possibly recording changes in the global ocean/atmosphere system, or in local and restricted lacustrine settings. Here, we describe the sedimentology, stratigraphy, stromatolites and stable carbon isotope geochemistry of the ca 2.74 Ga Mopoke Member, Kylena Formation, the oldest stromatolitic horizon in the Fortescue Group. This unit differs in terms of internal stratigraphic relationships, sedimentology, carbonate mineralogy and stable isotope geochemistry when compared with intervals of probable lacustrine origin in the overlying Tumbiana and Maddina formations. In contrast, we suggest that parts of the Mopoke Member may have been deposited under open marine conditions, or alternatively, in a lacustrine environment characterised by differing water chemistry and basement topography. Stromatolitic microfabrics of the Mopoke Member are dominated by spar, dolospar and vertically aligned calcitic crusts, rather than the micritic microfabrics described from other Fortescue Group stromatolites. Mud-draped ripples are common sedimentary features in the Mopoke Member, suggesting a tidal influence. Mopoke Member δ13Ccarb values are generally slightly positive, but also include some significantly depleted values, which may relate to the reoxidation of 13C-depleted organic matter. δ13Corg values average –36.7‰, consistent with Neoarchean marine units reported from elsewhere, but significantly less 13C-depleted than values reported from overlying lacustrine intervals in the Fortescue Group. We conclude that some features of Fortescue Group datasets relevant to the field of geobiology may be facies dependent, and that more work focusing on the overall depositional environments of the Fortescue Group is needed in order to appropriately interpret geobiological data reported from that group.
The importance of ecosystem adaptation on hydrological model predictions in response to climate change

Abstract. To predict future hydrological behavior in a changing world, often use is made of models calibrated on past observations, disregarding that hydrological systems, hence model parameters, will change as well. Yet, ecosystems likely adjust their root-zone storage capacity, which is the key parameter of any hydrological system, in response to climate change. In addition, other species might become dominant, both under natural and anthropogenic influence. In this study, we propose a top-down approach, which directly uses projected climate data to estimate how vegetation adapts its root-zone storage capacity at the catchment scale in response to changes in magnitude and seasonality of hydro-climatic variables. Additionally, the Budyko characteristics of different dominant ecosystems in sub-catchments are used to simulate the hydrological behavior of potential future land-use change, in a space-for-time exchange. We hypothesize that changes in the predicted hydrological response as a result of 2 K global warming are more pronounced when explicitly considering changes in the sub-surface system properties induced by vegetation adaptation to changing environmental conditions. We test our hypothesis in the Meuse basin in four scenarios designed to predict the hydrological response to 2 K global warming in comparison to current-day conditions using a process-based hydrological model with (a) a stationary system, i.e. no changes in the root-zone storage capacity of vegetation and historical land use, (b) an adapted root-zone storage capacity in response to a changing climate but with historical land use, and (c, d) an adapted root-zone storage capacity considering two hypothetical changes in land use from coniferous plantations/agriculture towards broadleaved forest and vice-versa. We found that the larger root-zone storage capacities (+34 %) in response to a more pronounced seasonality with drier summers under 2 K global warming strongly alter seasonal patterns of the hydrological response, with an overall increase in mean annual evaporation (+4 %), a decrease in recharge (−6 %) and a decrease in streamflow (−7 %), compared to predictions with a stationary system. By integrating a time-dynamic representation of changing vegetation properties in hydrological models, we make a potential step towards more reliable hydrological predictions under change.
Innovation barriers and drivers in Sub-sahara African economies (1976-2012): A cointegration analysis

The study relied on secondary data accessed from World Bank data base spanning over 37 years (1976-2012). Data obtained were analyzed using canonical cointegration regression (CCR) method. It was found that poor education (secondary school enrollment) was exerting negative influence on innovation levels in SSA (p<0.05) in the long-run. Credit to the private sector as well as value of official aids received, labour mobility proxied by number of passengers transported via air planes and electricity consumption were significantly and positively influencing the long-run level of innovation in the region. Their t-statistics were all significant at p<0.01. Based on the findings, the study recommended increased funding of education, RD international communities and donors especially should be encouraged to contribute to building global innovation systems by supporting SSA firms: While SSA countries should remove barriers to labour mobility through flexible immigration policies. Key words: Innovation, barriers, sub-Sahara African, economies ,cointegration analysis.
TRPV4 mediates cell damage induced by hyperphysiological compression and regulates COX2/PGE2 in intervertebral discs

Aberrant mechanical loading of the spine causes intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and low back pain. Current therapies do not target the mediators of the underlying mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways, as these are poorly understood. This study investigated the role of the mechanosensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) ion channel in dynamic compression of bovine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in vitro and mouse IVDs in vivo.
Why Preservice Teacher Empowerment with Five Dimension Matters in Language Pedagogy Context

Why Preservice teacher Empowerment matters in teaching language at teacher education program. Nevertheless, the conservative teaching practices often have the effect of disempowering students. The process of Student empowerment is the iterative process, which engages five integrated dimension such as knowledge dimension, learning dimension, skill and competence dimension, personal growth dimension, and the classroom community dimension. The aim of the paper is to figure out the preservice teachers, teacher educator, and mentor teacher’ belief on why preservice teacher empowerment with five dimensions matters in teacher education program especially English Education. The research method is a case study which elaborates questionnaire, interviews, and document analysis to collect the data. The analysis found that the description knowledge dimension: types of knowledge that preservice teacher should have; learning dimension: learning interest, motivation, habit, and commitment; competence dimension: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity; personal growth dimension: selfawareness, self-control, self-direction, self-reflection; classroom community dimension: connectedness, group norm, group rule, and reward systems. The implication of the findings relates to the process of preservice teacher empowerment that leads to sustainability of teacher education programs.
Can the Personal Software Process1 be used for Empirical Studies?

This paper discusses the use of the Personal Software Process (PSP) as a context for conducting empirical studies. It is argued that the PSP provides an interesting environment for doing empirical studies. Student experiments are frequently used to perform empirical studies to improve the understanding of software development as an engineering discipline. The PSP may be one context in which student experiments can be performed, in particular if the PSP is taught independently of the objective of doing empirical studies. In other words, the empirical study becomes a natural by-product in teaching the PSP. This has some benefits in comparison with other types of studies. The PSP provides a well-defined context and eases replication of the studies. The objective of this paper is to present the idea and discuss the opportunities in combining the PSP with empirical studies.
Slow Slip Events Following the 2002 Mw 7.1 Hualien Offshore Earthquake Afterslip

The recurrence intervals of slow slip events may increase gradually after a large earthquake during the afterslip. Stress perturbations during coseismic and postseismic periods may result in such an increase of intervals. However, the increasing recurrence intervals of slow slip events are rarely observed during an afterslip. The evolution process along with the afterslip remains unclear. We report an observation of slow slip events following the 2002 Mw 7.1 Hualien offshore earthquake afterslip in the southernmost Ryukyu subduction zone. Slow slip events in 2005, 2009, and 2015 are adjacent to the Mw 7.1 earthquake hypocenter. An increasing slow-slip interval of 3.1, 4.2, and 6.2 years has been observed after the earthquake. We calculated coseismic and postseismic slips from the Mw 7.1 earthquake and then estimated the Coulomb stress changes in the slow slip region. The Mw 7.1 earthquake has contributed positive Coulomb stresses to both the 2005 slow-slip region and 2009/2015 repeating slow-slip region. The coseismic and postseismic Coulomb stress change on the 2005 slow-slip region is approximately 0.05 MPa and 0.035 MPa, respectively. However, both Coulomb stress changes on the 2009/2015 repeating slow-slip region are not over 0.03 MPa. The ongoing afterslip following the Mw 7.1 earthquake last for at least five years, evolving with a decaying stress rate with time. The long-term stress perturbations may be able to trigger the 2005 slow slip event during the afterslip. The 2009 slow slip event seems to be influenced by the afterslip as well. Postseismic stress evolution and frictional and stressed conditions of the slow-slip region can be a reason to affect the evolution process of slow slip events intervals.
Enhancement of Substrate Decomposition through Potential Hydrolytic Bacteria for Cumulative Biogas Production

Scenarios focus on the practical behavior of anaerobic decomposition systems to enhance biogas production, in addition to assure economic progression and ecological sustainability. The present study has framed to identify the potential hydrolytic bacteria from five different sources since principally the efficacy of hydrolytic bacteria determines the rate of hydrolysis of anaerobic decomposition and thereby biogas production. Among the 40 dominant bacteria isolated from diverse bases, 10 isolates were selected as efficient through preliminary screening. Consequently, the premier enzyme activity obtained from the isolate G5 obtained from goat rumen fluid for cellulase (44.16±1.00 U/ml), protease (260.63±1.35 U/ml) and lipase (33.20 ± 0.81 U/ml). Morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization revealed that G5 is Bacillus sp. DDG5 (KM093856.1). A range of pH (7.0-7.5) and temperature (40oC) was sufficient for the highest activity of hydrolytic enzymes experienced. Biogas production using cow dung showed an improved efficiency of 9.54 % in Bacillus sp. DDG5 treated tank (70.16 ± 1.54 %) in contrast to control (58.13 ± 1.02%) at 30th day. However, this study established that Bacillus sp. DDG5 obtained from goat rumen fluid is the promising hydrolytic bacteria, since it can be applied for proficient hydrolysis of various organic materials to enhance methane production in outlook. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(4): 386-396
Hybrid finite–discrete element modelling of rock fracture process in intact and notched Brazilian disc tests

Abstract A hybrid finite–discrete element method is proposed to model the rock fracture behaviour under various loading rates. Three fracture models are proposed to predict the fracture initiation and propagation for modelling the transition from continuum to discontinuum. The modelling transition from continuum to discontinuum makes the hybrid method superior to the traditional continuum-based finite element method and discontinuum-based discrete element method. Moreover, the hybrid method considers the effect of the loading rate by implementing an empirical relationship between the static strengths and the dynamic strengths derived from the dynamic rock fracture experiments. Then, the Brazilian tensile strength tests are modelled to calibrate the proposed method under various loading rate, and demonstrate its ability in modelling the dynamic rock behaviours. The Notched Brazilian Disc tests are modelled to illustrate the capabilities of the proposed method in modelling different fracture modes. The hybrid finite element method has well modelled the stress propagation, fracture initiation and propagation, even the pure mode I, pure mode II and mixed-mode I–II fractures. It is concluded that the hybrid finite element method is superior to the continuum-based finite element method and discontinuum-based discrete element method in modelling the fracture behaviours of rock under various loading rates.
Equipment Maintenance Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Competitive Advantage in the Digitalization Context: Connotation, Types, and Measuring

The equipment maintenance services have become a new profit center and an important way to gain sustainable competitive advantage for manufacturing enterprises. The business model is an important tool for manufacturing enterprises to derive economic benefits from sustainable competitive advantage in the context of digitalization technologies, such as IoT, big data, and cloud computing. At present, the concept of equipment maintenance business model innovation is still vague, and it is rare to report on the innovation behaviors and types of equipment maintenance business models adopted by manufacturing enterprises. Based on literature analysis of equipment maintenance services and business model innovation, following business model gestalt theory, the concept of equipment maintenance business model innovation is analyzed at the business-level, the types are divided into novel and efficient following value sources—“innovation and efficiency”. The initial scale is developed through literature investigation, semi-structured interviews and expert reviews, and tested by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis by using the data of two independent large-sample questionnaires. The results indicate that the behavior and types of equipment maintenance business model innovation can be described by two types and 19 items.
Decay of an oscillating plate in a free-molecular gas

An infinite plate without thickness is placed in a free‐molecular gas, and an external force, obeying Hooke’s law, is acting perpendicularly on the plate. If the plate is displaced perpendicularly from its equilibrium position and released, then it starts an oscillatory motion, which decays as time goes on because of the drag exerted by the gas molecules. This unsteady motion is investigated numerically, under the diffuse reflection condition, with special interest in the manner of its decay. It is shown that the decay of the displacement of the plate is slow and is in proportion to an inverse power of time. The result complements the existing mathematical study of a similar problem [S. Caprino, et al., Math. Models. Meth. Appl. Sci. 17, pp. 1369–1403 (2007)] in the case of non‐oscillatory decay.
Small-scale convection in a plume-fed low-viscosity layer beneath a moving plate

Two-dimensional simulations using a thermomechanical model based on a finite-difference method on a staggered grid and a marker in cell method are performed to study the plume-lithosphere interaction beneath moving plates. The plate and the convective mantle are modelled as a homogeneous peridotite with a Newtonian temperature- and pressure-dependent viscosity. A constant velocity, ranging from 5 to 12.5 cm yr−1, is imposed at the top of the plate. Plumes are generated by imposing a thermal anomaly of 150 to 350 K on a 50 km wide domain at the base of the model (700 km depth); the plate atop this thermal anomaly is 40 Myr old. We analyse (1) the kinematics of the plume as it impacts the moving plate, (2) the dynamics of time-dependent small-scale convection (SSC) instabilities developing in the low-viscosity layer formed by spreading of hot plume material at the base of the lithosphere and (3) the resulting thermal rejuvenation of the lithosphere. The spreading of the plume material at the base of the lithosphere, characterized by the ratio between the maximum down- and upstream horizontal (dimensionless) velocities in the plume-fed sublithospheric layer, Peup/Pedown depends on the ratio between the maximum plume upwelling velocity and the plate velocity, Peplume/Peplate. For fast plate velocities and sluggish plumes (low Peplume/Peplate), plate motion drags most plume material and downstream flow is dominant. As Peplume/Peplate increases, an increasing part of the plume material flows upstream. SSC systematically develops in the plume-fed sublithospheric layer, downstream from the plume. Onset time of SSC decreases with the Rayleigh number. For vigorous plumes, it does not depend on plate velocity. For more sluggish plumes, however, variations in the plume spreading behaviour at the base of the lithosphere result in a decrease in the onset time of SSCs with increasing plate velocity. In any case, SSC results in uplift of the isotherm 1573 K by up to 20 km relative to its initial equilibrium depth at the impact point.