Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHUNLEI YU et al: ANALYSIS AND MODELLING OF SOCKET TERMINATION FOR WIRE STRAND USING ..

A finite element model (FEM) for 7-wire strand with zinc alloy filled socket termination is developed in this paper. The domain superposition technique (DST) for efficient modelling of complex composite structures/materials has been used to implement the FEM. Full three dimensional solid model has been used in order to achieve accurate prediction. 8-noded brick elements were used throughout for structural discretization. Nonlinear effects including material plasticity, contact between wires, contact between the socket internal cone surface and the composite zinc alloy cone surface and friction between these contacting surfaces are all taken into account. Using the model developed, detailed mechanical behaviour of a realistic wire strand socket termination could be studied effectively.
The Value of Health Insurance During a Crisis: Effects of Medicaid Implementation on Pandemic Influenza Mortality

This paper studies how better access to public health insurance affects infant mortality during pandemics. The analysis combines cross-state variation in mandated eligibility for Medicaid with two influenza pandemics that arrived shortly before and after the program's introduction in 1965. We find that better access to public health insurance in high-eligibility states substantially reduced pandemic infant mortality. The reductions in pandemic infant mortality are too large to be attributable solely to new Medicaid recipients, suggesting that expanded access to public health insurance helped mitigate disease transmission among the broader population.
Fish-to-fish transmission of Myxidium spp. (Myxozoa) in cultured tiger puffer suffering from emaciation disease.

Experimental transmission of Myxidium fugu and Myxidium sp. TP (formerly described as Myxidium sp. in tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes) among tiger puffer was successful by the following 3 methods; 1) feeding infected gut tissue, 2) cohabitation with infected fish, 3) exposure to effluent from a tank containing infected fish. Regardless of the transmission methods, prevalences of infection in the intestine with M. fugu reached 100%. However, those with Myxidium sp. TP, which is suspected of an etiological agent of the emaciation disease, varied among experiments conducted in different months, suggesting that development of Myxidium sp. TP was strongly influenced by the ambient temperature. It was evident that trophozoites of Myxidium sp. TP excreted from the infected fish were transmittable directly to other fish. Mortalities and morbidities in fish experimentally infected with Myxidium sp. TP seemed to be associated with the parasite's development which might be promoted by higher temperature. The present study suggests that fish-to-fish transmission of Myxidium spp. occurs in sea cages, inducing a rapid spread of the emaciation disease among farmed tiger puffer.
Phenotypic identification of non‐clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species

Five different phenotypic identification systems were used in attempts to place 164 Acinetobacter strains obtained from a biological nutrient removal plant and 16 reference cultures into the genospecies of Bouvet and Grimont, and Tjernberg and Ursing. Of these strains only four, including two of the reference strains, were identified at a Willcox probability level of >0·95 and a modal likelihood fraction of > 0·0001 by all five systems. These different identification schemes were compared for their usefulness with such non-clinical isolates.
Reproductive phenology and natural reseeding of ‘Grasslands Maku’ Lotus pedunculatus in tussock grassland environments

Abstract The potential of natural reseeding to increase the density of ‘Grasslands Maku’ Lotus pedunculatus was investigated in established swards in South Island tussock grasslands. The ability of Maku lotus to produce viable seed varied with site and defoliation regime. The length of time to produce mature seed, the delaying effect of increasing altitude, and severe effects of out-of-season or early frosts will restrict the effectiveness of natural reseeding to low-mid-altitude blocks or favourable sunny faces on higher-altitude blocks. However, even on these areas, the severe effect of defoliation in delaying seed production indicates that natural reseeding is unlikely unless blocks are spelled for the growing season. Although a high percentage of lotus seed was damaged during digestion, sufficient survived passage through the grazing animal to germinate in dung pats. However, lack of rhizobia limited nodulation of seedlings that germinated.
Cetacean remains and strandings in the Galápagos Islands, 1923-2003

A compilation of data on cetacean remains and strandings found on the shores of the Galapagos Islands, eastern equatorial Pacific, for the period 1923-2003 is presented. Information is available for 87 records belonging to 13 species. Four species account for 71% of the records: Tursiops truncatus , Globicephala macrorhynchus , Delphinus delphis , and Ziphius cavirostris . Visitor sites and the vicinity of population centers yielded most of the records; no other geographic pattern was evident in the strandings. The stranding record reflects the odontocete communities of nearshore and upwelling environments in the Galapagos. Morphometric and meristic measurements are presented for 17 skulls belonging to T. truncatus , Stenella attenuata , D. delphis , and S. coeruleoalba . The measurements for T. truncatus are consistent with the offshore ecotype, although in the Galapagos the species predominantly occupies the nearshore environment. The stomach contents of a young Z. cavirostris included seven species of cephalopod and two crustaceans. Mass strandings of Z. cavirostris (n=2) and G. macrorhynchus (n=2) have been witnessed and documented, while remains of multiple individuals found together on the beach suggest additional mass strandings of Pseudorca crassidens , S. attenuata , T. truncatus , and G. macrorhynchus . Some of the records could be attributed to confirmed or presumed interaction with human activities including industrial-scale fishing, pollution, and loud sound sources.
The effect of spring temperature on the appearance dates of British butterflies 1883–1993

This paper examines the first appearance of butterflies using two sources; historical data from the former phenological reports of the Royal Meteorological Society and recent data from the extant Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. Using regression techniques mean dates of appearance are related to Manley's central England temperatures and are then examined for other, unexplained, trends over time. The observed relationships suggest that, in the absence of evolutionary change, climate warming of the order of 3°C could advance butterfly appearance by two to three weeks. The flowering of two of the larval foodplants of the orange tip butterfly is also examined, with the conclusion that synchrony is likely to be maintained by a similar advance in timing. The consequences of such changes to the phenology of British butterflies are discussed.
GREEN SYNTHESIS OF IRON NANOPARTICLES FROM CASSIA FISTULA LINN LEAF EXTRACT AND ITS ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Nanotechnology is an emerging field in Biotechnology and it has vast applications in all fields. Biomolecules present in plant extracts can be used to reduce metal ions to nanoparticles in a single-step green synthesis process. This biogenic reduction of metal ion to base metal is quite rapid, readily conducted at room temperature, pressure and easily scaled up. Iron nanoparticles are reported to have magnetic, catalytic, optical, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity. In this study iron nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by reduction of ferric chloride solution using aqueous solution of Cassia fistula Linn leaf extract. The method was non-lethal, simple, ecoaccommodating and relatively inexpensive. The resulting iron nanoparticles were characterized by physical color changes, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The reaction mixture of aqueous ferric chloride and Cassia fistula Linn leaf extract displayed black color confirming the synthesis of iron nanoparticles. UV–Vis spectra showing an absorption band at 220nm characteristic of the iron nanoparticles in deed revealed the presence of nanoparticles. Images of the biosynthesized iron nanoparticles at different magnifications from SEM showed that the particles were spherical shaped and size of the nanoparticles ranged from 20-50 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed the contribution of O-H group, sulphate group, biopolymers, N-H group in primary amines and carboxylic groups in the synthesis procedure. The synthesized iron nanoparticles had antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp and Klebsiella sp by well diffusion method.
Accounting Standards, Reporting Incentives, and Earnings Management

In this study, we examine which factor, firms’ accounting standards or firms’ reporting incentives, has a greater impact on firms’ earnings management behavior. To answer this question, we utilize unique hand-collected data that consists of foreign firms cross-listed in the U.S. using U.S. GAAP. This interesting setting allows us to control for differing accounting standards and external monitoring from the SEC between foreign firms and their U.S. domestic counterparts. Therefore, if there is any observed difference in the level of firms’ earnings management, that difference can be mainly attributed to firms’ reporting incentives rather than firms’ accounting standards. Our findings suggest that cross-listed foreign firms using U.S. GAAP exhibit more accruals-based and real activities earnings management relative to domestic firms. The results suggest that accounting standards, regulations, and enforcement is not enough to eliminate opportunistic reporting behavior. Firm incentives will still impact the magnitude of earnings management. This finding is particularly important given the hot debate regarding whether the U.S should adopt IFRS or not. No matter what accounting standards firms choose, U.S GAAP or IFRS, firms’ earnings quality can still vary with differing reporting incentives.
Proceedings of Seminar and Project 2D Image Processing and Augmented Reality

3D reconstruction of deformed objects from a single monocular 2D image is still a challenging topic.Current methods either require reference template frame, dense correspondences, or tracking points. Those methods are still not able to recostruct 3D scene in challenging stiuations e.g., occlusion, illumination change, pespective distortion. In this work, we propose a new hybrid approach for monocular non-rigid 3D reconstruction employing deep neural network which we call Hybrid Deformation Model Network(HDMNet). We train the network with sequential deformation state of a non-rigid object. HDM-Net uses contour, texture and shading on 2D single image as clue information of 3D geometry reconstruction. We demonstrate the robustness of HDM-Net against noise, texture change, and illumination position changes. We also show its successful generalisability of 3D coordinates regression for unknown deformation states.
Year-Class Strength and Survival of O-Group Clupeoids

Global marine fish catch has been stable over the past decade but the clupeoid contribution has declined from one-half to one-third of the marine fish catch. This decline appears to be caused by changes in recruitment success during heavy fishing pressure. Theoretical population approaches and correlative environmental indices are not yet sufficient for setting catch limits. For some time the direct measurement of current biomass appears to be necessary for setting clupeoid quotas. Precision and cost studies on the estimation of biomass with current methods indicate that a standard error of estimate less than 25% cannot be justified based on the increased long-term yield of the stock. Assembly of a prospective life-table for the central subpopulation of the northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) allows the discussion of intra-population and environmental controls on growth of the population. Using reasonable values for survival and growth in the embryonic, larval, and juvenile stages in the context of a life.
Employment composition and labour earnings inequality within EU countries

This paper presents a novel methodology that combines different datasets to decompose estimated changes in labour earnings inequality into the contributions of a number of employment characteristics. Based on this approach, we provide empirical evidence for recent developments in 18 EU countries starting in 2000. We find that the common upward trend in inequality is related to shifts in the composition of employment within sectors, rather than to sectoral reallocation. In particular, we estimate that the expansion of part-time and fixed-term contracts, as well as the higher share of tertiary educated workers within sectors, have been the main contributors to the rise of earnings inequality. Cross-country differences are exacerbated when taking into account unemployed population due to divergent capacities to create jobs in face of successive economic crises and external competition. In policy terms, a specific concern deals with the possibility that a higher share of flexible contractual arrangements is masking the rise of underemployment. On a broader perspective, we deem that the overall growth and competitiveness strategies are essential within the fairness agenda, while the enhancement of education, social and income-redistribution tools is needed to face economic and technological challenges in the most inclusive way possible.
Corolla ontogeny and aestivation in the Acanthaceae

Corolla ontogeny has been investigated in 33 species of 23 genera of Acanthaceae. These data are supported by less informative descriptions of mature aestivation patterns in 96 species of 34 genera. Five distinct aestivation patterns are described and illustrated: left contort, quincuncial, ascending cochlear, descending cochlear, and open. Corolla ontogeny alone provides no evidence for distinguishing the relative plesiomorphy and apomorphy of different aestivation patterns. These data undermine previous higher level classifications of Acanthaceae.
Renoprotective influence of Teucrium polium leaf extract on Rats Intoxicated by Cyclophosphamide

Teucrium polium leaves extract (TPLE) used as traditional herbal therapy for various diseases. Long term treated with Cyclophosphamide (CD) concomitant with development of renaltoxicity. The present study aims to assess the mechaism of renal protective effect of TPLE on rats intoxicated with CD. Forty male rats were separated into 4 groups; control (Cont), CD; rats intraperitoneal (i.p) injected with CD (fifty mg/kg b.wt) for twenty one days, TPLE two hundred mg/kg b.wt +CD and TPLE four hundred mg/kg b.wt +CD; rats received TPLE orally for 21 days, followed by i.p. injected with CD. Following 24 hours of the last dose of CD blood and renal samples were collected for biochemical and histopathogical investigations. Renal oxidative stress biomarkers; lipid peroxides (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum anti-inflammatory biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), kideny function; serum levels of creatinine(Cr), urea (BUN) and uric acid (UA), as well as serum ionic levels of sodium (Na) and potassim (K) were derermined. The current study demonestrated that injection of CD caused significant increases in renal MDA, serum anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL1β), serum kidney function paramters and the serum ionic K+ levels, with significant decreases in the renal SOD and serumionic Na+ RESEARCH 24(101), January February, 2020 Medical Science ISSN 2321–7359 EISSN 2321–7367
Motives of participation in Paraná School Games of students-athlets in Brazil

espanolAlgunos levantamientos han senalado que solo una parte de la poblacion juvenil practica deporte con cierta regularidad, y entre aquellos que inician la practica deportiva, existe un elevado indice de casos de abandono. En ese sentido, los expertos apuntan que entender los motivos que llevan a la practica del deporte puede ser un importante camino para el entendimiento de este fenomeno, principalmente para el atleta escolar. Asi, el objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los motivos para la practica del deporte de atletas escolares participantes en los Juegos Escolares de Parana -2016 y las variables, sexo, edad y tiempo de entrenamiento. Participaron del estudio 2014 atletas. Los resultados demuestran que los atletas escolares asignaron mayor importancia a aspectos equivalentes a las razones relacionadas con el perfeccionamiento de las habilidades tecnicas, el enfrentamiento de desafios y exposicion de riesgos, aprender nuevas habilidades y seguir hacia un alto nivel. portuguesAlguns levantamentos tem apontado que apenas uma parcela da populacao infantil e juvenil pratica esporte com alguma regularidade, e dentre aqueles que iniciam a pratica esportiva, existe um elevado indice de casos de abandono. Nesse sentindo, especialistas apontam que entender os motivos que levam a pratica de esporte pode ser um importante caminho para o entendimento deste fenomeno, principalmente para o atleta escolar. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi identificar os motivos para a pratica de esporte de atletas escolares participantes dos Jogos Escolares do Parana –2016 e as variaveis, sexo, idade e tempo de treino. Participaram do estudo 2014 atletas escolares. Os resultados demonstram que os atletas escolares atribuiram maior importância para aspectos equivalentes as razoes relacionadas ao aprimoramento das habilidades tecnicas, ao enfrentamento de desafios e exposicao de riscos, aprender novas habilidades e seguir para um alto nivel EnglishA sports practice for young people has been shown as an important tool in searching for physical, psychological and social benefits. However, some international surveys pointed out that only one part of the children and youths practice sports with some regularity, and that those who start a sports practice, there is a high rate of abandonment. In this sense, experts point out that understanding the reasons that lead to a sport practice can be an important way to understand this phenomenon, especially for the school athlete. Thua, the objective of this study was to identify the reasons for sports practice of school athletes in different sports modalities participating in the School Games of Parana - 2016 and the variables, gender, age, and training time. In total, 2014 school athletes (1050 girls and 964 boys), aged 10 to 17, participated in the study. The results demonstrate that school athletes gave greatest importance to aspects related to improvement in technical skills, tackling challenges and exposure to risks, learning new skills, and moving to a higher level.
Gipuma: Massively Parallel Multi-view Stereo Reconstruction

: We describe a method for dense multi-view matching and 3D point cloud reconstruction, which has been developed at the Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry of ETH Zurich. The method generates high-quality point clouds from oriented images very efficiently, by massively parallel processing on graphics processing units (GPUs). It is available as open-source code. Technically, the method is an extension of the PatchMatch Stereo algorithm: 3D depth values and surface normal vectors are iteratively propagated across the image and refined, in order to find a maximally photo-consistent depth map and normal field for each view. Photo-consistency is computed in a slanted tangent plane, such that the reconstruction does not suffer from fronto-parallel bias. We extend PatchMatch to 3D scene space, such that photo-consistency can be aggregated over multiple views, which allows for more robust and more accurate depth estimation. Moreover, the sequential propagation is replaced by a local, diffusion-like scheme, such that the computation can be massively parallelised. All computations are local, thus computation time is linear in the image size and inversely proportional to the number of parallel threads. Moreover, memory requirements are also modest, since only four values per pixel must be stored. Experiments on benchmark datasets show that our method delivers point clouds (respectively, surfaces) with high accuracy and completeness, across a range of applications.
The Testaria concept (Polyplacophora + Conchifera) updated

Mollusca is the second most speciose phylum of animals and includes a high organizational diversity grouped in eight classes, with the gastropods and bivalves being most familiar. The phylogenetic relationships among the three aculiferan molluscan classes Solenogastres (Neomeniomorpha), Caudofoveata (Chaetodermomorpha) and Polyplacophora (Placophora, chitons, Loricata), as well as the sister-group relationship to Conchifera (all other molluscs) are still under discussion. On one side, the three aculiferan groups are regarded as a monophyletic clade, Aculifera, contrasted with its sister taxon Conchifera (Aculifera concept). Recent molecular-phylogenomic analyses appear to support this hypothesis. Here we point out the plesiomorphic nature of many morphological similarities among the aculiferan taxa and in relation to Conchifera. On the other side, a complex of morphological synapomorphies support Recent Polyplacophora as sister group to Conchifera (Testaria concept). The supposed monophyletic characters for this clade Testaria (Recent Polyplacophora + Conchifera) include the radula complex, the specific differentiation of the midgut into regions, the dorsoventral musculature, and the excretory organs. A critical review of arguments of both hypotheses in the light of present evidence, also integrating ontogenetic and palaeontological data, is presented. Morphological analyses favour the Testaria concept, implying a gradual anagenesis from aplacophoran to polyplacophoran grades and a monophyletic Testaria. Recently published molecular trees differ conspicuously in the position of Aculifera as well as in conchiferan relationships and show well-supported but conflicting aculiferan and conchiferan topologies. These discrepancies are discussed in connection with outgroup representation, the rooting of Mollusca, and refining of phylogenomic analysis tools. Although considerably improved, current molecular analyses of ‘deeper’ relationships within major molluscan taxa appear less reliable than the morphological Testaria concept.