Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Potential Pseudostems Musa Spp. for Biomass Production

It is evident that many processes at industrial level are limited by not disposing throughout the time, in a sustainable and continuous way, sources of raw materials of high potential. It is then that the use of foliar residues of Musa spp. plants plays an important role, taking into account that for being a perennial tropical crop, it presents a high production of biomass per unit area annually. It is to remark that on a regular basis, biomass produced is left on plantations after every harvest, which turns to be a problem not only for crop management, but also for the environment. This research evaluated the potential of pseudostem of Musa spp. for biomass production in order to generate added value to its crops and decrease the productiveenvironmental problem that all its waste produce. Plant samples of pseudostem are taken from the villages of San Francisco de Sales, Cundinamarca Colombia y Tibaná, Boyacá – Colombia. Pseudostem cutting was performed at a distance of 1 m from the base of the stem; the type of cut is transversal and the following 50 cm were used as raw material. With the purpose of identifying the exploitable physicochemical components of the pseudostem of Musa spp, one bromatological analysis was performed – Van Soest for every origin (San Francisco y Tibaná). To carry out the bromatological analysis, it was required 250g of each sample. The parameters evaluated were moisture content (H), ash content, ether extract or crude fat (GC), fiber, protein, carbohydrates, nitrogen – free extract (ELN), minerals, structural and nonstructural composites. A design with factorial arrangement with three replicates per treatment was used. A simple variance analysis (ANOVA) among the means of samples was performed by treatment with a significance level of 95% (α=0,05) in order to establish if there are meaningful differences for the variables in evaluation. In the case of not finding meaningful differences among the samples, a multiple range test was performed using the statistical package Statgraphics Centurion. While conducting the analysis of the study variables for raw materials in fresh, and regardless of their origin, the high potential for biomass production presented by pseudostem of Musa spp was detected, thus presenting a dry biomass content exceeding 70% in both stems. The elements of greater variation in the composition are lignin content, ashes, hemicellulose, nonstructural carbohydrates as well as sodium and manganese.
Algorithms for Problems in Voting and Scheduling

In this dissertation, we study the voting problem and the ranking problem in computational social choice, as well as a matching problem in a restricted graph. We present our results for these problems in two parts. Part I: Election, Ranking, and Heuristics. Computational voting theory is an interdisciplinary research area which considers the computational problems that arise in voting. Selecting the winner(s) of an election is one such problem. The problem of computing the winner(s) using most voting rules is easy. However, there are a few rules for which this problem becomes computationally hard. We study two important voting and ranking rules under which computing the winner(s) is hard. The first voting procedure is the Chamberlin-Courant which is a proportional representation system that does not restrict candidates to have a minimum number of votes to be selected in an assembly. We consider domination analysis of a 2-Opt heuristic for the winner determination problem under the Chamberlin-Courant system. The next problem we consider is the Linear Ordering Problem. Linear ordering problem is a classic optimization problem which can be used to model problems in graph theory, machine scheduling, and ranking (also known as Kemeny rule under social choice domain). Relatively recently, there has been some success in using Mixed Integer Program (MIP) heuristic for NP-hard optimization problems. We report our experience with using a MIP heuristic for the problem. Part II: Matching. The first problem we consider in this part is the Linear Ordering Problem. We show how the linear program of this problem can be solved by using a primal-dual based combinatorial algorithm instead of the Simplex method. Next, we address the cyclical scheduling problem which is used to schedule shifts for workers in a factory. Given a set of n work periods, each worker is assigned a shift where he works for n − 2 consecutive periods and takes off the remaining two periods. Each shift may also have a cost associated with it. We use the primal-dual method to solve (n− 2, n) cyclical scheduling problem by solving a series of b-matching problems on a cycle of n vertices.
Prospects of N-Acetylcysteine and Melatonin as Treatments for Tramadol-Induced Renal Toxicity in Albino Rats

Background: Tramadol (TD) has played an important role in the treatment of pain. However, renal toxicity due to TD abuse is a serious clinical challenge. This study assessed the effects of n-acetylcysteine (NAC) and melatonin (MT) on TD-induced renal toxicity in albino rats. Methods: Rats were randomized into groups and treated with MT (10mg/kg/day), NAC (10mg/kg/day) and TD (15, 30, and 45mg/kg/day) respectively. Rats were pretreated with MT (10mg/kg/day) and NAC (10mg/kg/day) prior to treatment with TD (15, 30, and 45mg/kg/day) intraperitonialy for 7days respectively. Rats were sacrificed, serum extracted and evaluated for creatinine, urea and uric acid. The kidneys were evaluated for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels. Results: Treatment with MT and NAC did not produce significant (P>0.05) effects on serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and kidney MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH levels when compare to saline control. In contrast, serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and kidney MDA levels were increased while kidney SOD, CAT, and GSH levels were decreased significantly (P<0.05) and in a dose-dependent manner in TD-treated rats. Kidneys of TD-treated rats showed varying degrees of damage which were dose-dependent. However, in all evaluated parameters, TD-induced alterations were abrogated in NAC and MT pretreated rats. Abrogations were most evident in rats pretreated with combined doses of NAC and MT. Conclusion: The present study showed prospects of n-acetylcysteine and melatonin as remedies for tramadol associated renal toxicity.
The Comparison of Kam and Additive Model on The Problems That Target Intervals are Already Determined

After running Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) on models, efficiency scores were determined. In addition, DEA models give us target scores too. However; sometimes the target scores are not in the intervals which are determined before, so obtained results will not be realistic. If desired constraints add in DEA normal models, ideal results cannot be obtained. For solving the problem, Kourosh and Arash Method (KAM) has been utilized. For creation of new model, the properties of KAM have been considered. In order to reach the thesis goal, suggested constraints were added to KAM mathematically and behavior of the other input and output changes are examined. For the analysis of large scale problems KAM model was developed in EXCEL Solver software. Results are compared with additive model and shows that KAM model gives better results.
MyGIsFOS: an automated code for parameter determination and detailed abundance analysis in cool stars

The current and planned high-resolution, high-multiplexity stellar spectroscopic surveys, as well as the swelling amount of under-utilized data present in public archives have led to an increasing number of efforts to automate the crucial but slow process to retrieve stellar parameters and chemical abundances from spectra. We present MyGIsFOS, a code designed to derive atmospheric parameters and detailed stellar abundances from medium - high resolution spectra of cool (FGK) stars. We describe the general structure and workings of the code, present analyses of a number of well studied stars representative of the parameter space MyGIsFOS is designed to cover, and examples of the exploitation of MyGIsFOS very fast analysis to assess uncertainties through Montecarlo tests. MyGIsFOS aims to reproduce a ``traditional'' manual analysis by fitting spectral features for different elements against a precomputed grid of synthetic spectra. Fe I and Fe II lines can be employed to determine temperature, gravity, microturbulence, and metallicity by iteratively minimizing the dependence of Fe I abundance from line lower energy and equivalent width, and imposing Fe I - Fe II ionization equilibrium. Once parameters are retrieved, detailed chemical abundances are measured from lines of other elements. MyGIsFOS replicates closely the results obtained in similar analyses on a set of well known stars. It is also quite fast, performing a full parameter determination and detailed abundance analysis in about two minutes per star on a mainstream desktop computer. Currently, its preferred field of application are high-resolution and/or large spectral coverage data (e.g UVES, X-Shooter, HARPS, Sophie).
Customizable scientific web-portal for DIII-D nuclear fusion experiment

Increasing utilization of the Internet and convenient web technologies has made the web-portal a major application interface for remote participation and control of scientific instruments. While web-portals have provided a centralized gateway for multiple computational services, the amount of visual output often is overwhelming due to the high volume of data generated by complex scientific instruments and experiments. Since each scientist may have different priorities and areas of interest in the experiment, filtering and organizing information based on the individual user's need can increase the usability and efficiency of a web-portal. DIII-D is the largest magnetic nuclear fusion device in the US. A web-portal has been designed to support the experimental activities of DIII-D researchers worldwide. It offers a customizable interface with personalized page layouts and list of services for users to select. Each individual user can create a unique working environment to fit his own needs and interests. Customizable services are: real-time experiment status monitoring, diagnostic data access, interactive data analysis and visualization. The web-portal also supports interactive collaborations by providing collaborative logbook, and online instant announcement services. The DIII-D web-portal development utilizes multi-tier software architecture, and Web 2.0 technologies and tools, such as AJAX and Django, to develop a highly-interactive and customizable user interface.
Mathematical Modelling of Venom Immunotherapy

b Allergic hypersensitivity of type I for hymenoptera venoms is the most frequent reason for acute IgE- mediated anaphylactic reactions. The subcutaneous injection of increasing doses of purified allergen followed by long-term administration of an adequate maintenance dose over a period of 3- 5 years called venom immunotherapy (VIT) has been proven to be a very effective treatment achieving protection in about 96% of allergic patients. Even though the principle of hyposensitisation has been introduced already 90 years ago, the underlying immunoregulatory mechanisms of VIT remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggest a shift in cytokine production from a Th2 to a Th1 cytokine profile during therapy. In this paper, a mathematical model for T-cell regulation and a model for mast cell/basophil desensitisation are presented and analysed to explain the mechanism of conventional rush and ultra-rush VIT.
Super‐optimal temperatures are detrimental to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) reproductive processes and yield at both ambient and elevated carbon dioxide

Continuing increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) will likely be accompanied by global warming. Our research objectives were (a) to determine the effects of season‐long exposure to daytime maximum/nighttime minimum temperatures of 32/22, 36/26, 40/30 and 44/34°C at ambient (350 μmol mol−1) and elevated (700 μmol mol−1) CO2 on reproductive processes and yield of peanut, and (b) to evaluate whether the higher photosynthetic rates and vegetative growth at elevated CO2 will negate the detrimental effects of high temperature on reproductive processes and yield. Doubling of CO2 increased leaf photosynthesis and seed yield by 27% and 30%, respectively, averaged across all temperatures. There were no effects of elevated CO2 on pollen viability, seed‐set, seed number per pod, seed size, harvest index or shelling percentage. At ambient CO2, seed yield decreased progressively by 14%, 59% and 90% as temperature increased from 32/22 to 36/26, 40/30 and 44/34°C, respectively. Similar percentage decreases in seed yield occurred at temperatures above 32/22°C at elevated CO2 despite greater photosynthesis and vegetative growth. Decreased seed yields at high temperature were a result of lower seed‐set due to poor pollen viability, and smaller seed size due to decreased seed growth rates and decreased shelling percentages. Seed harvest index decreased from 0.41 to 0.05 as temperature increased from 32/22 to 44/34°C under both ambient and elevated CO2. We conclude that there are no beneficial interactions between elevated CO2 and temperature, and that seed yield of peanut will decrease under future warmer climates, particularly in regions where present temperatures are near or above optimum.
Mental training – a tool to handle life?

Samhallsutvecklingen leder till ett okande informationsflode, och okande krav pa beslut och atgarder i olika situationer. Vuxna ar battre rustade an ungdomar att hantera sadana psykologiska stressituationer. Syftet med denna undersokning har varit att undersoka om det forelag nagon skillnad mellan tva grupper gymnasieelever under sista aret pa naturvetenskapligt program. Interventionsgruppen, som fatt mental traning varje dag under sina tre ar i gymnasiet, bestod av 25 elever vid ett gymnasium i Stockholm. Kontrollgruppen fran ett gymnasium i Lund bestod av 12 elever som ej fatt mental traning. De bada grupperna jamfordes med ett verbalt flodestest som mater exekutiva funktioner samt formular som matte medveten narvaro, livstillfredstallelse, halsa, positiva och negativa kanslor, reglering av negativa kanslotillstand, undvikande beteende samt slutligen situationsangest. Trots ett litet antal forsokspersoner samt grupper som var olika stora fanns en signifikanta skillnader mellan de tva grupperna. Interventionsgruppen presterade nastan dubbelt sa bra pa verbala flodestestet, de hade storre medveten narvaro, hade storre livstillfredsstallelse, battre halsa, storre positiva affektioner och mindre undvikande beteende. Grupperna skiljdes sig dock ej i upplevd reglering av negativ kanslostress och situationsangest.
Teleconnection between the Atlantic sea surface temperature and forest fires in Latvia and Estonia

Forest fire is one of the natural disturbances, which have important ecological and socioeconomical effect. Although fire activity is driven by weather conditions, during past two centuries forest fires have been strongly anthropogenically controlled. In this study, teleconnection between sea surface temperature (SST) in the Atlantic, which influences climate in Europe, and forest fire activity in Latvia and Estonia was assessed using “Climate explorer” web-tool. Factors affecting number and area of forest fires in Latvia and Estonia differed, suggesting regional specifics. In Estonia, the number of fires correlated with the SST in the North Atlantic in spring and summer, which affects the inflow of cool and dry air masses from the Arctic, hence the aridity and burnability. The area of fires in Estonia and in Latvia was associated with increased SST in Baltic Sea and near the European coast in summer, which likely were consequences of occurrence of warm high-pressure systems in summer, causing hot and dry conditions. Nevertheless, the observed teleconnections could be used to predict activity of forest fires in Latvia and Estonia.
Tidal impacts on primary production in the North Sea

Abstract. This study highlights the importance of tides in controlling the spatial and temporal distributions of phytoplankton and other factors related to growth, such as nutrients and light availability. To quantify the responses of net primary production (NPP) to tidal forcing, we conducted scenario model simulations considering M2 and S2 tidal constituents using the physical–biogeochemical coupled model ECOSMO (ECOSystem MOdel). The results were analyzed with respect to a reference simulation without tidal forcing, with particular focus on the spatial scale of the tidally induced changes. Tidal forcing regulates the mixing–stratification processes in shelf seas such as the North Sea and hence also influences ecosystem dynamics. In principle, the results suggest three different response types with respect to primary production: (i) in southern shallow areas with strong tidal energy dissipation, tidal mixing dilutes phytoplankton concentrations in the upper water layers and thereby decreases NPP. Additionally, tides increase turbidity in near-coastal shallow areas, which has the potential to further hamper NPP. (ii) In the frontal region of the southern North Sea, which is a transition zone between stratified and mixed areas, tidal mixing infuses nutrients into the surface mixed layer and resolves summer nutrient depletion, thus sustaining the NPP during the summer season after spring bloom nutrient depletion. (iii) In the northern North Sea, the NPP response to tidal forcing is limited. Additionally, our simulations indicate that spring bloom phenology is impacted by tidal forcing, leading to a later onset of the spring bloom in large parts of the North Sea and to generally higher spring bloom peak phytoplankton biomasses. By testing the related changes in stratification, light conditions and grazing pressure, we found that all three factors potentially contribute to the change in spring bloom phenology with clear local differences. Finally, we also analyzed the impact of the spring–neap tidal cycle on NPP. The annual mean impact of spring–neap tidal forcing on NPP is limited. However, locally, we found substantial differences in NPP either in phase or anti-phase with the spring–neap tidal cycle. These differences could be attributed to locally different dominant factors such as light or nutrient availability during spring tides. In general, we conclude that in shallow shelf seas such as the North Sea, intensified vertical mixing induced by tidal forcing could either promote NPP by counteracting nutrient depletion or hinder NPP by deteriorating the light environment because of the resuspension and mixing of suspended matter into the euphotic zone.
Binary collision of burning and non-burning droplets of xylene

OF THE THESIS Binary Collision of Burning and Non-Burning Droplets of Xylene by Rahul Nitin Gandhi Thesis Director: Prof. Stephen Tse The collision behavior of a burning droplet of xylene with a non-burning droplet of xylene is studied. Two piezoelectric droplet generators are used to generate streams of isolated mono-dispersed droplets. These droplet generators are placed vertically opposite to each-other, and the droplets are generated at a frequency of 6 Hz. Droplet diameters range from 80μm to 95μm; and droplet velocities vary from 0.7m/s−1.5m/s, for the lower droplet and from 1.5m/s − 2.5m/s, for the upper droplet. The droplet streams are confined within a cuvette. The collision occurs at atmospheric pressure, and a constant supply of O2 is maintained in the cuvette to allow burning of the droplet. A CCD strobe is used to detect the two droplets and make adjustments to have them collide. The lower droplet is ignited with a spark. For the experiments, the collision process is recorded using a high-speed camera. The relative velocity and impact parameter of the collisions are varied by changing the supply current to the piezoelectric droplet generators and by moving the lower droplet, respectively. The recorded videos of the collision process are analyzed using a MATLAB script to track the droplets and calculate their velocities and the impact parameter in each case. The collision outcomes are studied under a range of Weber numbers and for varying Impact Parameter. The post-collision behavior of the xylene flame suggests that the gas between the colliding
High-pressure Synthesis of Strontium Hexasilicide

The binary phase SrSi6 was prepared at a pressure of 10(1) GPa and a temperature of 1520(150) K. Single crystal refinements and powder diffraction data reveal that the compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (Cmcm, a=4.4692(4), b=10.256(1), c=11.698(1)Å ) and is isopointal to EuGa2Ge4 and EuSi6. Exothermic decomposition of the compound into SrSi2 and Si at 797 K and ambient pressure indicates that the compound is a metastable high-pressure phase. Analysis of the chemical bonding using the electron localization function and calculated charge densities reveals covalent bonding within the polyanion of four-bonded silicon atoms. Strontium cations are enclosed in the 3D net resulting in an electron balance Sr2+[Si0]2− 6 . In the electronic density of states the excess electrons of the framework are assigned to a filling of antibonding bands. SrSi6 is a metallic conductor with an electrical resistivity of ρ ≈ 250 μΩ·cm at 300 K. Magnetization measurements indicate diamagnetic behaviour (χ0 = −50 · 10−6 emu·mol−1).
A Host-Based Anomaly Intrusion Detection Model Based on Genetic Programming

Anomaly Detection techniques assume all intrusive activities deviate from the norm. In this paper a new anomaly detection model is found to improve the veracity and efficiency. The proposed model inestablishes a normal activity profile of the systemcall sequences by using Genetic Programming. One instance of the model monitors one process. If the model finds the real systemcall sequences profile of the process deviating from the normal activity profile, it will flag the process as intrusive and take some actions to respond to it. And a new method of calculating the fitness and two operators to generate the next offspring are provided. According to the comparison
Simple Approximations of Planar Deformation Operators

We consider the problem of shape deformation in two dimensions, using point handles. The challenge these types of deformation algorithms face is, given the user handles’ positions, to quickly infer the deformation of the rest of the shape. Current algorithms can be split into two groups: variational algorithms that minimize or approximate the minimizer of some energy every time new handles’ positions are provided (e.g.As-Rigid-As-Possible), and closed-form expressions that relate the handles’ positions and the deformation using known weights or formulas (e.g. Linear Blend Skinning or Generalized Barycentric Coordinates). Variational algorithms are time consuming, but usually produce high quality deformations while closed-form expressions are very fast to evaluate, but sometimes fail to produce satisfying deformations. In this paper we bridge this gap for planar deformations by designing closed-form expressions that well approximate the deformations computed by variational algorithms and consequently achieves both real-time performance and high-quality deformations.