Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using passive acoustic monitoring to document the distribution of beaked whale species in the western North Atlantic Ocean

Little is known about the ecology of many beaked whale species, despite concerns raised by mass strandings linked to certain sources of anthropogenic noise. Here, we used passive acoustic monitoring to examine spatial and temporal patterns in beaked whale occurrence at six locations along the continental slope in the western North Atlantic Ocean. We analyzed 2642 days of recordings collected between 2011 and 2015, and identified echolocation signals from northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), Cuvier’s (Ziphius cavirostris), Sowerby’s (Mesoplodon bidens), Gervais’, (Mesoplodon europaeus), and Blainville’s (Mesoplodon densirostris) beaked whales, and one signal type of unknown origin. We recorded multiple species at each site, with detections generally occurring year-round, and observed latitudinal gradients and site-specific variation in relative species occurrence. Notably, we regularly detected Cuvier’s beaked whales in a region where they have not been commonly observed, and discovered pote.
An introduction to universality and renormalization group techniques

These lecture notes have been written for a short introductory course on universality and renormalization group techniques given at the VIII Modave School in Mathematical Physics by the author, intended for PhD students and researchers new to these topics. First the basic ideas of dynamical systems (fixed points, stability, etc.) are recalled, and an example of universality is discussed in this context: this is Feigenbaum's universality of the period doubling cascade for iterated maps on the interval. It is shown how renormalization ideas can be applied to explain universality and compute Feigenbaum's constants. Then, universality is presented in the scenario of quantum field theories, and studied by means of functional renormalization group equations, which allow for a close comparison with the case of dynamical systems. In particular, Wetterich equation for a scalar field is derived and discussed, and then applied to the computation of the Wilson-Fisher fixed point and critical exponent for the Ising universality class. References to more advanced topics and applications are provided.
How Labor Unions Affect Firm Value: Evidence from Political Contributions in the United States

This paper investigates the relation between political engagement by special interest groups (corporations and labor unions) and corporate stock returns in the United States. Exploiting two opposing interventions affecting the legality of soft-money political contributions from unions and corporations, we find that abnormal returns around the ban (repeal) of soft-money contributions are positively (negatively) related to unionization. These results suggest that political spending by labor unions has a meaningfully deleterious effect on the value of unionized corporations. To counter-engage labor unions in the political arena, we find that unionized firms provide more support (i.e., hard-money contribution) for Republicans.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Gyebutang Granules Combined with Acupuncture for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for a Multicenter, Randomized, Assessor-blinded, 2-armed Parallel, Controlled Trial

Background: Due to the aging population in Korea, knee osteoarthritis (KOA) has become an increasingly common condition. Many patients with KOA prefer analgesics, herbal medicines, acupuncture, or exercise, rather than arthroscopic surgery or a knee replacement. Gyebutang (GB) granules are a herbal extract widely used to treat KOA in traditional Korean medicine, but there is insufficient evidence of its efficacy and safety.Methods: A multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded, 2-armed parallel, controlled clinical trial has been designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of GB combined with acupuncture for the treatment of KOA. There will be 100 patients with KOA enrolled in the study from 3 traditional Korean medicine hospitals. The participants will be randomly allocated to an experimental group (GB and acupuncture) or a control group (celecoxib and acupuncture) in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will receive acupuncture treatment once a week for 6 weeks; one group will receive GB and the other will receive celecoxib for the same duration.Results: The primary outcome will be the change of knee osteoarthritic pain, based on scores on a 100 mm visual analog scale. The secondary outcomes will be scores on a numeric rating scale, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, patient global assessment, European quality of life 5-dimension 5-level scale, and adverse events.Conclusion: The results of this study will provide evidence of efficacy and safety of GB as a treatment for patients with KOA.
The Cytotoxic Effect of Newly Synthesized Ferrocenes against Cervical Carcinoma Cells Alone and in Combination with Radiotherapy

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, with approximately 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths every year. Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy represents the treatment of choice for advanced cervical carcinomas. The role of the chemotherapy is to increase the sensitivity of the cancer cells to irradiation. Cisplatin, the most commonly used drug for this purpose, has its limitations. Thus, we used a family of ferrocene derivatives (in addition, one new species was prepared using standard Schlenk techniques) and studied their effects on cervical cancer cells alone and in combination with irradiation. We applied colorimetric assay to determine the cytotoxicity of the compounds; flow cytometry to analyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell cycle, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP); immunochemistry to study protein expression; and colony forming assay to evaluate changes in radiosensitivity. Treatment with ferrocenes exhibited significant cytotoxicity against cervical cancer cells, associated with increasing ROS production and MMP changes, suggesting the induction of apoptosis. The combined activity of ferrocenes and ionizing radiation highlighted ferrocenes as potential radiosensitizing drugs, while their higher single-agent toxicity in comparison with routinely used cisplatin could also be promising. Our results demonstrate antitumor activity of several tested ferrocenes both alone and in combination with radiotherapy.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Properties of the Task Allocation Problem

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Canonical formulation of spin in general relativity

The present article aims at an extension of the canonical formalism of Arnowitt, Deser, and Misner from self‐gravitating point‐masses to objects with spin. This would allow interesting applications, e.g., within the post‐Newtonian (PN) approximation. The extension succeeded via an action approach to linear order in the single spins of the objects without restriction to any further approximation. An order‐by‐order construction within the PN approximation is possible and performed to the formal 3.5PN order as a verification. In principle both approaches are applicable to higher orders in spin. The PN next‐to‐leading order spin(1)‐spin(1) level was tackled, modeling the spin‐induced quadrupole deformation by a single parameter. All spin‐dependent Hamiltonians for rapidly rotating bodies up to and including 3PN are calculated.
Comparison of the Dynamic Characteristics of a Hydrostatic Carriage and a Mechanical Carriage of High-Speed Milling Machines

Comprehensive vibration data were generated for a hydrostatic carriage system that carries workpiece of a High-Speed Milling Machine at the Machine Tool Research Center of the University of Florida. Machine tool accuracy is critical if final quality of machined parts is of importance. In high speed machining, easy movement of parts is also a desired feature and the use of a hydrostatic bearing and guides provides a way to achieve this. Data was generated using experimental modal analysis; a technique that has found wide use with vibration analysts. A comparison of this data is made with a carriage built on purely mechanical system on another High-Speed Milling Machine. The data shows good vibration characteristics of the hydrostatic system. It was observed that both the hydrostatic and the mechanical bed have high stiffness with comparable stiffness values for the two high-speed milling machines. The hydrostatic bed exhibited more damping than the mechanical bed in low frequency ranges with damping values of hydrostatic system reaching three times that of the mechanical bed. The dynamic response expected for a hydrostatic system, which is high stiffness and damping, was confirmed
ERK Crosstalks with 4 EBP 1 to Activate Cyclin D 1 Translation during Quinol-Thioether – Induced Tuberous Sclerosis Renal Cell Carcinoma

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogenactivated protein kinase signaling cascades have been implicated in a number of human cancers. The tumor suppressor gene tuberous sclerosis-2 (Tsc-2) functions as a negative regulator of mTOR. Critical proteins in both pathways are activated following treatment of Eker rats (Tsc-2) with the nephrocarcinogen 2,3,5-tris-(glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone (TGHQ), which also results in loss of the wild-type allele of Tsc-2 in renal preneoplastic lesions and tumors. Western blot analysis of kidney tumors formed following treatment of Tsc-2 rats with TGHQ for 8 months revealed increases in B-Raf, Raf-1, pERK, cyclin D1, 4EBP1, and p-4EBP1-Ser65, -Thr70, and -Thr37/46 expression. Similar changes are observed following TGHQ-mediated transformation of primary renal epithelial cells derived from Tsc-2 rats (quinol-thioether rat renal epithelial [QTRRE] cells) that are also null for tuberin. These cells exhibit high ERK, B-Raf, and Raf-1 kinase activity and increased expression of all p-4EBP1s and cyclin D1. Treatment of the QTRRE cells with the Raf kinase inhibitor, sorafenib, or the MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor, PD 98059, produced a significant decrease in the protein expression of all p-4EBP1s and cyclin D1. Following siRNA knockdown of Raf-1, Western blot analysis revealed a significant decrease in Raf-1, cyclin D1, and all p-4EBP1 forms noted above. In contrast, siRNA knockdown of B-Raf resulted in a nominal change in these proteins. The data indicate that Raf-1/MEK/ERK participates in crosstalk with 4EBP1, which represents a novel pathway interaction leading to increased protein synthesis, cell growth, and kidney tumor formation.
Design of Multisection Impedance-Matched Dielectric-Slab Filled Waveguide Phase Shifters

Optimum-matched dielectric-slab filled waveguide phase shifters are designed with the method of field expansion into eigenmodes, which includes higher order mode interaction between the step discontinuities. The relative phase shift is mechanically adjustable between 0° and about 360° at midband frequency by lateral displacement of the dielectric slab. Computer-optimized design data are given for Ku-, K-, and Ka-band prototypes which achieve return losses of better than 40 dB, both as a function of displacement at midband frequency and as a function of frequency at fixed displacements. Measurements verify the theory.
Texture analysis of Laminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae) thallus reveals trade-off between tissue tensile strength and toughness along lamina

Abstract Texture analysis is a method to test the physical properties of a material by tension and compression. The growing interest in commercialisation of seaweeds for human food has stimulated research into the physical properties of seaweed tissue. These are important parameters for the survival of sessile organisms consistently exposed to turbulent flow and varying drag-forces. These tactile properties also affect consumer perception and acceptance of materials. Here, we present a standardised method to determine these physical properties using, as an example, the brown seaweed Laminaria digitata (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux, which is prevalent on coastlines along the northern Atlantic Ocean. Morphological features of a healthy L. digitata thallus (lamina) seem modified to withstand physical distress from hydrodynamic forces in its wave-swept habitat. The trade-off in tissue responses to tensile and compression forces along the lamina, linked to an age gradient, indicates a twinned alignment of its cellular microstructure, similar to those of modern nanotechnology, to optimise the toughness and flexibility of constituent tissue. Tensile strength increased from young to old tissue along a positive toughness gradient of 75%. Based on our results, a short interpretation is given of the heterogeneity in L. digitata lamina from morphological, ecological and physiological perspectives.
Advanced control scheme of a unifiedpower flow controller using sliding mode control

This paper presents an advanced control scheme based on sliding mode control of a unified power flow controller (UPFC). This controller can generate a number of benefits in terms of static and dynamic operation of the power system such as the control law is synthesized with two kinds of controllers: sliding mode controller (SMC), and proportional integral (PI). Their respective performances are compared in terms of reference monitoring, sensitivity to disturbances and robustness. We have to study the problem of controlling power in electric system by UPFC. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed strategy especially in chattering-free behavior, response to sudden load variations and robustness. All the simulations for the above work have been carried out using MATLAB/Simulink. Various simulations have given very satisfactory results and we have successfully improved the active and reactive power flows on a line of transmission, as well as to control voltage at the bus where it is connected, the studies and illustrate the effectiveness and capability of UPFC in improving power.
North American winter‐spring storms: Modeling investigation on tropical Pacific sea surface temperature impacts

An increased frequency and intensity of winter and spring storms have recently manifested over a broad area of North America—along the east coast of the U.S. especially, though global mean storm tracks are suggested to shift northward. To understand these changes, we have conducted atmospheric model experiments, examining the response of North American storm activity to the elevated tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) associated with El Niño. The results indicate that, when tropical Pacific SST increases, there are more numerous intense storms over southwestern, southeastern, and northwestern North America, but fewer weaker storms over the northeast. Transient eddy analysis of the general circulation demonstrates consistent changes, suggesting systematic changes from large‐scale general circulation to synoptic‐scale storms. These changes can be attributed to enhanced lower tropospheric baroclinicity, to which the southward shift and an intensification of extratropical jet streams make a major contribution.
Some Topological Aspects of Sampling Theorem and Reconstruction Formula

In this paper, we present a few thoughts regarding topological aspects of transferring a signal of a continuous time into its discrete counterpart and recovering an analog signal from its discrete-time equivalent. In our view, the observations presented here highlight the essence of the above transform-ations. Moreover, they enable deeper understanding of the reconstruction formula and of the sampling theorem. We also interpret here these two borderline cases that are associated with a time quantization step going to zero, on the one hand, and approaching its greatest value provided by the sampling theorem, on the other.
Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions Synthesis , Characterization , and Bioavailability in Rats of Ferric Phosphate Nanoparticles 1

Particle size is a determinant of iron (Fe) absorption from poorly soluble Fe compounds. Decreasing the particle size of metallic Fe and ferric pyrophosphate added to foods increases Fe absorption. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize nanoparticles of FePO4 and determine their bioavailability and potential toxicity in rats. Amorphous FePO4 nanopowders with spherical structure were synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis (FSP). The nanopowders were characterized and compared with commercially available FePO4 and FeSO4, including measurements of specific surface area (SSA), structure by transmission electron microscopy, in vitro solubility at pH 1 and 2, and relative bioavailability value (RBV) to FeSO4 in rats using the hemoglobin repletion method. In the latter, the potential toxicity after Fe repletion was assessed by histological examination and measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The commercial FePO4 and the 2 FePO4 produced by FSP (mean particle sizes, 30.5 and 10.7 nm) had the following characteristics: SSA: 32.6, 68.6, 194.7 m/g; in vitro solubility after 30 min at pH 1: 73, 79, and 85% of FeSO4; and RBV: 61, 70, and 96%, respectively. In the histological examinations and TBARS analysis, there were no indications of toxicity. In conclusion, nanoparticles of FePO4 have a solubility and RBV not significantly different from FeSO4. Reducing poorly soluble Fe compounds to nanoscale may increase their value for human nutrition. J. Nutr. 137: 614–619, 2007.
Mixing Rules Formulation for a Kinetic Model of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood Semipredictive Type Applied to the Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Degradation of Multicomponent Mixtures

Mixing rules coupled to a semipredictive kinetic model of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood type were proposed to determine the behavior of the heterogeneous solar photodegradation with TiO2-P25 of multicomponent mixtures at pilot scale. The kinetic expressions were expressed in terms of the effective concentration of total organic carbon . An expression was obtained in a generalized form which is a function of the mixing rules as a product of a global contribution of the reaction rate constant and a mixing function . Kinetic parameters of the model were obtained using the Nelder and Mead (N-M) algorithm. The kinetic model was validated with experimental data obtained from the degradation of binary mixtures of chlorinated compounds (DCA: dichloroacetic acid and 4-CP: 4-chlorophenol) at different initial global concentration, using a CPC reactor at pilot scale. A simplex-lattice design experiment was adopted to perform the runs.
On the Development of a Homogenized Earthquake Catalogue for Northern Algeria

Regions with a significant percentage of nonseismically designed buildings and reduced urban planning are particularly vulnerable to natural hazards. In this context, the project ‘Improved Tools for Disaster Risk Mitigation in Algeria’ (ITERATE) aims at seismic risk mitigation in Algeria. Past earthquakes in North Algeria caused extensive damages, e.g. the El Asnam 1980 moment magnitude (Mw) 7.1 and Boumerdes 2003 Mw 6.8 earthquakes. This paper will address a number of proposed developments and considerations made towards a further improvement of the component of seismic hazard. In specific, an updated earthquake catalog (until year 2018) is compiled, and new conversion equations to moment magnitude are introduced. Furthermore, a network-based method for the estimation of the spatial and temporal distribution of the minimum magnitude of completeness is applied. We found relatively large values for Mc, due to the sparse network, and a nonlinear trend between Mw and body wave (mb) or local magnitude (ML), which are the most common scales reported in the region. Lastly, the resulting b-value of the Gutenberg-Richter distribution is sensitive to the declustering method. Keywords—Conversion equation, magnitude of completeness, seismic events, seismic hazard.
FORMULATION AND PRODUCTION OF GRANULE FROM ANNONA MURICATA FRUIT JUICE AS ANTIHYPERTENSIVE INSTANT DRINK

Objective: The present study aims to formulate instant granule drink from soursop ( Anonna muricata Linn) fruit juice and investigate its antihypertensive effect on Sprague-Dawley rats suffer from level 1 hypertensive disease. Methods: Soursop instant granule was formulated using the wet granulation method, comprising of soursop fruit juice as the main ingredient with the addition of natrium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), citric acid, saccharalose, and maltodextrin as excipient and flavoring substances. The obtained granule, then administered orally to natrium chloride (NaCl)-induced hypertensive Sprague-Dawley rats and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats was measured subsequently on the day 4 th , 8 th , 11 th and 14 th of treatment. Results: The granule obtained from soursop fruit juice has very good physical characteristics, colored white, has fresh sweet and sour taste with the typical smell of soursop fruit. Other physical characteristics of the granule were it has 2.9% water content (<5%), 1.91 % ash content, 3.13 ml/s solubility, 29.3% angle of repose, and stable in the storage at 15 °C for two months. The oral administration of soursop granule significantly decrease the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both male and female Sprague-Dawley NaCl-induced hypertension rats. Conclusion: The granule produced from the juice of soursop fruit has acceptable physical features and proved effective to decrease high blood pressure, hence the soursop granule could be produced as an antihypertensive instant fruit drink in an industrial scale to substitute synthetic antihypertensive drugs.
Modeling of Rakugo Speech and Its Limitations: Toward Speech Synthesis That Entertains Audiences

We have been investigating rakugo speech synthesis as a challenging example of speech synthesis that entertains audiences. Rakugo is a traditional Japanese form of verbal entertainment similar to a combination of one-person stand-up comedy and comic storytelling and is popular even today. In rakugo, a performer plays multiple characters, and conversations or dialogues between the characters make the story progress. To investigate how close the quality of synthesized rakugo speech can approach that of professionals’ speech, we modeled rakugo speech using Tacotron 2, a state-of-the-art speech synthesis system that can produce speech that sounds as natural as human speech albeit under limited conditions, and an enhanced version of it with self-attention to better consider long-term dependencies. We also used global style tokens and manually labeled context features to enrich speaking styles. Through a listening test, we measured not only naturalness but also distinguishability of characters, understandability of the content, and the degree of entertainment. Although we found that the speech synthesis models could not yet reach the professional level, the results of the listening test provided interesting insights: 1) we should not focus only on the naturalness of synthesized speech but also the distinguishability of characters and the understandability of the content to further entertain audiences; 2) the fundamental frequency ( $f_{o}$ ) expressions of synthesized speech are poorer than those of human speech, and more entertaining speech should have richer $f_{o}$ expression. Although there is room for improvement, we believe this is an important stepping stone toward achieving entertaining speech synthesis at the professional level.