Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Geological Structure and Prospect of Gas Hydrate over the Dongsha Slope, South China Sea

The area around the Dongsha Island in the northeastern South China Sea was generally known for the occurrence of gas hydrate related features, like BSR, cold seep carbonates and chemoautotrophic bacteria. To precisely evaluate the potential of gas hydrate occurrence in the NE South China Sea, marine geology of the large Dongsha slope region is studied based on more geophysical and geological data including multiple-channel seismic and high resolution sub-bottom topographic images. The east Dongsha slope area represents the largest slumping zone in the northern slope of the South China Sea, and might exhibit the highest potential of gas hydrate occurrences. The central Dongsha slope area, with very thin Cenozoic sediments, was tectonically disturbed by the latest Cenozoic uplifting and magmatism events, therefore is unfavorable for gas hydrate occurrence. The west Dongsha slope area with the deepest Cenozoic depression and moderate to minor slumping bodies might be favorable for gas hydrate occurrence.
Fellows : Collaborative Pathfinding through Uncertain Terrain

From 2014-2016, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Research Fellows at a mid-sized Canadian research-intensive, medical-doctoral university undertook to study their own formation as scholars of teaching and learning, as well as benefits and challenges of their cross-appointment to our central teaching and learning institute from their home academic departments. Findings from surveys and focus groups identified themes such as identity, community, access, transfer, and structural elements (each with benefits and challenges to practice). Our autoethnographic work confirms assertions in the literature about the uneasy relation between SoTL and traditional scholarship, while also bearing out the need for departmental support, and for key interventions along the path from novice to practitioner identity. Some discussion of the ambassador or translator role that can flow from such arrangements is included. De 2014 à 2016, les chercheurs en Avancement des connaissances en enseignement et en apprentissage (ACEA) d’une université canadienne médicale-doctorale de taille moyenne ayant un coefficient de recherche élevé ont entrepris une étude portant sur leur propre formation en tant que chercheurs érudits en matière d’enseignement et d’apprentissage, ainsi que sur les avantages et les défis de leur nomination conjointe à notre institut central d’enseignement et d’apprentissage tout en enseignant dans leur propre département universitaire. Les résultats des sondages et des groupes de discussion ont permis d’identifier certains thèmes tels que l’identité, la communauté, l’accès, le transfert, ainsi que des éléments structuraux (chacun présentant des avantages et des défis concernant la pratique). Notre travail autoethnographique confirme les assertions présentes dans la documentation existante concernant la relation difficile qui existe entre l’ACEA et la recherche traditionnelle, tout en tenant compte de la nécessité du soutien départemental ainsi que pour les interventions clés sur la voie qui consiste à passer de l’identité de novice à celle de praticien. L’article contient également des discussions sur le rôle d’ambassadeur ou de traducteur qui peut découler de tels arrangements.
Enlarge Research in cSON, a Maximal Covering Tree-Based Approach

We propose to enlarge research in cSON (community Semantic Overlay Network) a semantic overlay network that requires an organization of peers into communities. cSON is developed for an efficient research in unstructured Peer-to- Peer (P2P) system. In this paper, a community is composed of one super-peer (e.g. the administrator of the community) and of several peers: the super-peer describes a domain (e.g. ontology) and a peer (with its own data schema) joins one community which is in accordance with its own domain. One challenge in cSON is how to efficiently extend the scope of the research to all communities (and not only to neighboring communities). We propose an algorithm that builds, starting from the administrator of a community, a Maximal-affinity Covering Tree (MCT). The obtained MCTs are used later by queries in order to search in each community the pertinent peers. We give a performance evaluation concerning the creation of a MCT and we compare then our routing algorithm with the one (called baseline) which consists to send queries to only neighboring communities which are able to treat them.
Development of a CSMA mac protocol and throughput analysis for mu-mimo WLAN

With the proliferation of wireless devices as well as high bandwidth consuming applications, wireless local area networks (WLANs) has not only turned into the most popular form of wireless communication but also increased the emphasis on throughput in a significant manner. Multi-user multiple-input and multiple-output (MUMIMO), an advance form of MIMO, has caught the eyes of the researchers due to its enormous capacity in enhancing the performance of wireless networks. IEEE 802.11 provides the physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) specifications for WLANs. Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) is mainly utilized as the access mechanism in IEEE 802.11 based WLANs. However, the traditional CSMA/CA MAC protocol cannot use the full benefits from MUMIMO technique in WLANs. The random access nature of the users to the shared medium is responsible for this. Therefore, MU-MIMO WLANs under the traditional CSMA/CA MAC protocol cannot employ all the resources simultaneously which results in the ineffective utilization of the resources. In this thesis, we propose a carrier sensing based MAC protocol for MU-MIMO based WLANs system which can extract the full benefits of MU-MIMO technique. In the proposed protocol, multi-contention based users selection in uplink and concurrent multi-packet transmission in downlink are incorporated by introducing an additional control packet and using the existing control packets with some modifications into the frame structure. By utilizing these control packets, our protocol not only ensures the proper utilization of all the available resources but also efficiently encounters the joint uplink-downlink access based problems raised in MU-MIMO based WLAN environment. We consider a single rate and single channel WLAN. The transmission power of each antenna is assumed to be equal. We model the WLAN system under the proposed MAC protocol as a discrete time Markov chain (DTMC). Based on the Markov chain, an analytical model is developed to compute the total throughput of a WLAN under saturation. The wireless characteristics, i.e., path loss, Rayleigh fading and log-normal shadowing under the physical interference model are taken
Graph Classification via Neural Networks

For a long time, the preferred machine learning algorithms for doing graph classification have been kernel based. The reasoning has been that kernels represent an elegant way to handle structured data that cannot be easily represented using numerical vectors or matrices. An important reason for the success of kernel methods, is the ’kernel trick’, which essentially replaces computing the feature representation, with a call to a kernel function, thus saving computation and memory cost. For some of the most successful kernels in the graph domain however, such as graphlets, this is not feasible, and one must compute the entire feature distribution in order to obtain the kernel. We present experimental evidence that using graphlet features presented to different neural networks gives comparable accuracy results to kernelized SVMs. As neural networks are parametric models that scale well with data size and can yield faster predictions than SVMs, our results suggest that they are attractive models for graph classification. Our experiments show that increasing the depth of the network gives a highly significant speedup in convergence, but no effect on accuracy on our datasets. In addition to this, we present an experimental method of using latent node representations from a method called DeepWalk as input to a neural net for graph classification. This method under-performs both kernel based methods and our graphlet based method. Finally we discuss several ways to extend both graphlet based and embedded representation based classification methods.
Stationary Wavelet Transform for denoising Pulsed Thermography data: optimization of wavelet parameters for enhancing defects detection

Innovative denoising techniques based on Stationary Wavelet Transform (SWT) have started being applied to Pulsed Thermography (PT) sequences, showing marked potentialities in improving defect detection. In this contribution, a SWT-based denoising procedure is performed on high and low resolution PT sequences. Samples under test are two composite panels with known defects. The denoising procedure undergoes an optimization step. An innovative criterion for selecting the optimal decomposition level in multi-scale SWT-based denoising is proposed. The approach is based on a comparison, in the wavelet domain, of the information content in the thermal image with noise propagated. The optimal wavelet basis is selected according to two performance indexes, respectively based on the probability distribution of the information content of the denoised frame, and on the Energy-to-Shannon Entropy ratio. After the optimization step, denoising is applied on the whole thermal sequence. The approximation coefficients at the optimal level are moved to the frequency domain, then low-pass filtered. Linear Minimum Mean Square Error (LMMSE) is applied to detail coefficients at the optimal level. Finally, Pulsed Phase Thermography (PPT) is performed. The performance of the optimized denoising method in improving the defect detection capability respect to the non-denoised case is quantified using the Contrast Noise Ratio (CNR) criterion.
Protection of Groundwater from Migration of Infiltrates from a Chromic Waste Storage Site and Methods of Treating these Infiltrates

This work presents the results ofinvestigations to develop and implement methods toeffectively collect and purify infiltrates from heaps,situated in the region of Alwernia near Cracow, wheremore than 3 million tonnes of waste material resultingfrom the production of chromium compounds have beenstored. It describes a system for the protection ofgroundwater from these infiltrates which contain 50–400 g m-3 Cr6+, as well as the effectivenessof cheap and simple chemical methods to purify thesechromic wastewaters. The infiltrate collection systemand the most effective method to decrease theconcentration of Cr6+ to a level below 0.1 ppm,as required by Polish and European Union regulations,were implemented in the Alwernia Chemical Works S.A. in the years 1998–1999.
‘Teachers flipping out’ beyond the online lecture: Maximising the educational potential of video

While video is recognised as an important medium for teaching and learning in the digital age, many video resources are not as effective as they might be, because they do not adequately exploit the strengths of the medium. Presented here are some case studies of video learning resources produced for various courses in a university environment. This ongoing project attempts to identify pedagogic strategies for the use of video; learning situations in which video has the most efficacy; and what production techniques can be employed to make effective video learning resources.
Effect of Inclusion of Hard Versus Soft Wheat Bran with Different Particle Size on Diet Digestibility, Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Fattening Rabbits

Effect of inclusion of hard vs. soft wheat bran with different particle size on diet digestibility, growth performance and some slaughter traits was evaluated in fattening rabbits. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were used according to the origin of wheat bran (hard (HWB) - Triticum durum - and soft (SWB) - Triticum aestivum) combined with wheat bran particle size sieved by 2 mm (fine: 2) or by 8 mm (coarse: 8) in a bifactorial (2×2) study. A growth trial was conducted to measure the effect of treatments on performance in one hundred and twenty New Zealand White×Californian rabbits fed experimental diets from 50 to 87 days of age. Faecal apparent digestibility was determined within the last week in twenty animals per diet. Digestibility of nutrients was higher (p 0.05) affected by the diets fed; however, the diet containing fine hard wheat bran led to lower (p<0.05) percentages of skin, abdominal fat and carcass drip loss than the other dietary treatments. It is concluded that fine hard wheat bran can be better included in
The changing views of health promotion amoung HIV-infected pregnant women in South Africa before and after delivery: A choice experiment

Objectives: In South Africa, pregnancy is often the gateway for HIV diagnosis, followed by lifelong initiation of Antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, studies have shown that retention in care and adherence to preventive therapies significantly decrease after delivery. We sought to examine motivation to take preventive therapies among HIV-infected pregnant women in antepartum vs. postpartum period and whether these motivation significantly changes.
Mobile water vapor Raman lidar for heavy rain forecasting: system description and validation

Abstract. To improve the lead time and accuracy of predictions of localized heavy rainfall, which can cause extensive damage in urban areas in Japan, we developed a mobile Raman lidar (RL) system for measuring the vertical distribution of the water vapor mixing ratio ( w ) in the lower troposphere. The RL was installed in a small trailer for easy deployment to the upwind side of potential rainfall areas to monitor the inflow of moist air before rainfall events. We describe the lidar system and present validation results obtained by comparing the RL-measured data with collocated radiosonde, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and high-resolution objective analysis data. The comparison results showed that RL-derived w agreed within 10 % with values obtained by radiosonde at altitude ranges between 0.14 and 1.5 km in the daytime and between 0.14 and 5–6 km at night in the absence of low clouds; the vertical resolution of the RL measurements was 75–150 m, their temporal resolution was less than 20 min, and the measurement uncertainty was less than 30 %. RL-derived precipitable water vapor values were similar to or slightly lower than those obtained by GNSS at night, when the maximum height of RL measurements exceeded 5 km. The RL-derived w values were at most 1 g/kg (25 %) larger than local analysis data. Four months of continuous operation of the RL system demonstrated its utility for monitoring water vapor distributions for heavy rain forecasting.
ICT Platform for Cognitive Stimulation: Technological Description and Evaluation of Effectiveness and Impact of the Practice in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

Cognitive impairments, such as memory problems or other thinking problems, are a defining feature of the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Cognitive Stimu lation (CS) is a relatively new approach to improve well-being for people with mild to moderate AD. At present only preliminary evidence regarding efficacy is available but it is enough to suggest that this CS has the potential to bring abo ut changes in behavior and maintain involvement in daily life. The main contribution of this work is to evaluate the effect iveness and impact of CS in AD patients using an information and communication technologies (ICT) platform, implemented through a customized Virtual Personal Trainer (VPT) that can allow the patients to perform the CS practice direc tly at home. The whole system is made up of an embedded PC conne cted to a TV monitor with internet connection, a low-cost 3d sensor and an optional e-shirt with textile electrodes for clinical signs detection. Moreover, the system provides an audio/v isual link with the medical center, so the physician can inter act with the patient during the rehabilitation practice, increasing the compliance and the efficacy and making sure that ty pe and intensity of treatment are appropriate. Results obt ained after the experimentation stages demonstrates that the us e of the aforementioned ICT platform can improve the cogniti ve and neuropsychiatric state of the patient and its quali ty of life, confirming that CS could be represent an attractive option in the support of caregivers and patients affected of AD. KeywordsCognitive Stimulation; Alzheimer’s Disease; ICT Platform; Quality of Life.
Jarkko Etula NOVEL IRON DOPED TETRAHEDRAL AMORPHOUS CARBON FILMS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL DRUG SENSING APPLICATIONS Master ́s Programme in Chemical, Biochemical and Materials Engineering Major in Functional Materials Master’s thesis for the degree of Master of Science in Technology

The development of in vivo and in vitro methods for detection of neurotransmitters and active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as dopamine and paracetamol, is vital for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and drug overdosing. In this context, carbon nanostructures embedded with iron nanoparticles have been found to be desirable sensor materials in numerous cases. However, since complete removal of iron species from carbon nanostructures can be challenging, it is important to understand the specific electrochemical role iron species add to the carbon nanostructures. This effect was investigated in this work by controlled addition of iron into tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) thin films. As of yet unreported iron doped ta-C (Fe/ta-C) thin films were fabricated with 2, 5 and 10 at% iron content using a room temperature filtered cathodic vacuum arc process. Deposited films were examined using extensive physical film characterization methods combined with electrochemical voltammetry and impedance techniques. Paracetamol and ascorbic acid were used as benchmark analytes. The addition of iron into ta-C films is found to 1) result in the embedding of non-oxidized iron nanocrystallites in the sp3-rich carbon matrix, and 2) increase the selectivity and sensitivity of paracetamol detection by a cathodic shift of ascorbic acid oxidation potential. Furthermore, increased double-layer capacitance, enhanced electron transfer kinetics, dramatically lowered sheet resistance, and good electrochemical stability are achieved by the iron addition. Compared to reference ta-C films, significant improvement in sensor performance is accomplished through iron doping. An important inference of this study is that iron species in carbon thin films are found to have an analyte-specific electrochemical role. This has far-reaching implications for the fabrication of tailored analyte-specific electrochemical thin film sensors. Furthermore, this suggests, that iron catalysts used in carbon nanostructure synthesis for sensing applications should be considered based on their application driven electrochemical role.
Glutathione S-Transferase (GSTM1, GSTT1) Genes Polymorphisms Associated with Vitiligo Disease in Thi Qar Province/South of Iraq

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder characterised by the appearance of white patches resulting from the loss of functional melanocytes from the skin.The prevalence of vitiligo is 0.1–2.0% in various populations worldwide irrespective of race and gender (Hann et al., 2000). The etiology of vitiligo is still unknown and several theories has been proposed, involving, autoimmune, neurogenic factors, oxidative stress (Gopal et al., 2007). Accumulation of free radicals in the epidermal layer of influenced skin have been suspected to be involved in the pathophysiology of vitiligo. There is a failure of antioxidative system in vitiligo melanocytes with resultant free radical mediated destruction in melanocyte International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 8 (2016) pp. 156-163 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
INHIBITORY RESPONSE OF DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA TOWARDS METHANOL EXTRACT OF PIPER LONGUM L. FRUIT

Summary Plant extract could be a potential source of compounds usable against antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria because of structurally novelty from traditionally used microorganisms with high stability and activity in extreme conditions. The activity of different solvent extracts of Piper longum L. fruit on some selected pathogenic drug resistant bacterial strains were weight up. The fruit extracts were evaluated against four gram positive and four gram negative pathogenic bacteria by Disk diffusion method. Fruit extracted in methanol,
A heuristic to generate input sequence for simulated annealing to solve VRP

This paper addresses the issue of input sequence, which affects the results of simulated annealing (SA) for vehicle routing problem (VRP). Also, a heuristic has been proposed which improves the result by 1.7% than the well known and frequently used input sequence. With its ability to provide solutions of good quality at low computing times, the proposed heuristic has ample scope for application as an automated scheduler when implemented at the site of a logistics-planning cell.
Orientation effects of elastic–plastic deformation at surfaces: nanoindentation of nickel single crystals

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study anisotropic features in nanomechanical properties at the surfaces of nickel single crystals as a function of indenter size and velocity for three crystallographic orientations: ⟨100⟩, ⟨110⟩, and ⟨111⟩. The tabular form of Voter's embedded atom method (EAM) potential was used to describe the interatomic interactions of nickel single crystals. A strongly repulsive potential model between the indenter tip and the metal surface was designed to address the effect of a passivation layer. The force vs. displacement curves for indentation followed the power law solution of for elastic deformation. The value of ν was dependent on the indenter velocity, following the Hertzian solution at the high velocity of approximately 670 m/s but showing a non-Hertzian power at the low velocity of approximately 67 m/s. The force fitted micro-modulus showed a dependency on indenter size and velocity for the three crystallographic orientations. The results of dislocation nucleation—the early stage of plasticity—in the different orientations showed anisotropy: stacking faults in the ⟨100⟩ orientation, deep partial dislocations in the ⟨110⟩ orientation, and shallow partial dislocations followed by stacking faults in the ⟨111⟩ orientation.
The Impact Of Macroeconomic Variables On Stock Market: Empirical Evidence On Karachi Stock Exchange By Using ARDL Model

This research work provides a broader area to examine the impact of macroeconomic variables on Karachi Stock Exchange. KSE-100 index data is the dependent variable while macroeconomic variables are independent variable. CPI, foreign exchange rate, foreign portfolio liabilities (equities), oil prices and t-bill rates are selected as macroeconomic variables. Data is collected quarterly from the period of 1992 to 2009. A powerful ARDL model is used in this research work. Result of the ARDL model shows that CPI, exchange rate, and t-bill rates got negative relationship with KSE-100 index. Foreign portfolio liabilities (equities) and oil prices showed positive relationship with KSE-100 index