Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Share Portugal - Participatory Platform

Nowadays, technology impacts almost every economic activity, and tourism is a major sector which emerges from mobility as a form of capital. In more and more countries, tourism is becoming one of the most important sources of revenue, which in return becomes also one of the larger investment areas. Furthermore, more and more people are not just interested in visiting new places and getting to know new cultures. Travelers place a greater emphasis on having new experiences, feeling that they are an important part of their destination, and on having very close and authentic contact with their hosts. Based on these two ideas, we have designed and deployed the Share Portugal platform, aiming at harnessing the participatory potential and the crowdsourcing power of web technologies. The fundamental and base concept of Share Portugal is based on allowing local inhabitants of a speciﬁc location to share their proﬁles and preferences about what activities to do and which sightseeings to spot in such location, while visitors can rely on authentic and reliable information provided by locals, and even use the platform to initiate dialogues with them and deepen their relationship.
INVITED FEATURE PAPERS Review Tuning the functional interface of carbon nanotubes by electrochemistry: Toward nanoscale chemical sensors and biosensors

The ability to tune the functional interface of single-walled carbon nanotubes in a versatile manner is key to the success of deploying them as an active material in chemical and biological sensors. Here we present an overview of our device strategies demonstrating the use of controlled electrochemical functionalization to tune this interface by bringing in different functionalities ranging from metallic nanoparticles to biomolecules onto the nanotube surface. The extent of such a functionalization is tunable, providing us with a good control over sensitivity, selectivity, and detection limit of the realized sensors. Moreover, the sensor mechanisms have been analyzed. Taken together the methods and results outlined here constitute a general framework for the rational design of nanoscale field-effect-based chemical sensors and biosensors.
FaSTrack:A Modular Framework for Real-Time Motion Planning and Guaranteed Safe Tracking

Real-time, guaranteed safe trajectory planning is vital for navigation in unknown environments. However, real-time navigation algorithms typically sacrifice robustness for computation speed. Alternatively, provably safe trajectory planning tends to be too computationally intensive for real-time replanning. We propose FaSTrack, Fast and Safe Tracking, a framework that achieves both real-time replanning and guaranteed safety. In this framework, real-time computation is achieved by allowing any trajectory planner to use a simplified planning model of the system. The plan is tracked by the system, represented by a more realistic, higher dimensional tracking model. We precompute the tracking error bound (TEB) due to mismatch between the two models and due to external disturbances. We also obtain the corresponding tracking controller used to stay within the TEB. The precomputation does not require prior knowledge of the environment. We demonstrate FaSTrack using Hamilton–Jacobi reachability for precomputation and three different real-time trajectory planners with three different tracking-planning model pairs.
FDI patterns and Regional Integration Agreements in Latin America: A Gravity Model Analysis

Regional Integration Agreements (RIAs) reduce ad hoc protectionism and increase trade between bloc members. Integration treaties claim to promote foreign investment since they ease access to markets; however, their effects on FDI are not empirically well assessed. In this study we employ an augmented gravity model to study intra-regional foreign direct investment (FDI) flows across members of regional blocs in Latin America and the effects or Regional Integration Agreements on FDI. We use data from 1995 to 2012 and control for cross-country differentials and multilateral resistance. Our macro approach reveals that belonging to well-established RIAs, such as MERCOSUR and ALADI, attracts foreign direct investment activity, although its effect is small in magnitude. The main forces behind intra bloc FDI are market size and cost differentials. The impacts of other determinants, such as macroeconomic stability and political climate, are larger. These findings suggest that FDI patterns in Latin America respond to a hybrid knowledge capital model, in which FDI is closely related to country similarity, more than belonging to a preferential economic agreement.
Kinetic Modeling in Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

This seminar firstly introduces Positron Emission Tomography (PET) as a functional and molecular imaging technique and describes main physical principles on which PET imaging works tracers, electron positron annihilation, detection, and image reconstruction. Then, it focuses on kinetic modeling in PET. The purpose of kinetic modeling in PET is a description of radioactive tracer tissue uptake kinetics in mathematical terms. Assuming we have a proposed model, an input function which provides the tracer concentration in blood as a function of time, and dynamic PET data which provide the tracer concentration in a tissue as a function of time, the kinetic parameters of a proposed model can be estimated. Kinetic parameters have relevant physiological interpretation, i.e provide the quantitative information about physiological processes that take place in an observed tissue or organ. Therefore, this seminar also introduces compartmental models which are most often used method for describing the radioactive tracers tissue uptake, the concept of input function, and explaines the estimation of kinetic parameters. An concrete example of kinetic parameters estimation is given on the example of the two tissue compartment model.
Cloning and Characterization of Disease Resistance Gene Analogs from Poplar (Populus tremula) Chromosome 1

The majority of verified plant disease resistance genes (R‐genes) isolated to date are of the NBS‐LRR class, encoding proteins with a predicted nucleotide‐binding site (NBS) and a leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) region. The conservation between different NBS‐LRR R‐genes opens the avenue for the use of PCR‐based strategies in isolating and cloning other R‐gene family members or analogs using degenerate primers for these conserved regions in plants. However, the screening of target sequences among the numerous amplified resistance gene analogs (RGAs) can be very laborious and time‐consuming. The amplification of RGAs from specific chromosomes could greatly reduce the number of RGAs to be screened and, consequently, speed up the identification of target RGAs. We have developed a technique that combines chromosome microdissection and homologous sequence amplification in order to acquire RGAs from single chromosomes in forest tree poplars (Populus tremula). A number of RGAs were amplified with the DNA fragments of P. tremula chromosome 1 as template, using consensus‐degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primers based on conserved motifs of the NBS domain. Here, we report the sequence characterization and diversity analysis of these RGAs and their relationships with the NBS sequences of known R‐genes from other plant species. These data permit insights into the origin, diversification, and evolution of NBS‐LRR R‐genes in perennial species such as poplar.
Object Manifold Learning Based on Tactile and Action Information and Its Application to Active Object Identi(cid:12)cation

: In this study, we consider an object identi(cid:12)cation problem based on tactile information using a robot hand. For eﬃcient identi(cid:12)cation, active learning which obtains more information in short time is more suitable than passive learning. In the active learning algorithm, a model is used for evaluation of the uncertainty in learning. However, object features needed to construct the model are unknown exactly in the object identi(cid:12)cation problem. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised model learning method based on manifold learning which extracts the object features from tactile and action information. We show experimental results that verify the eﬀectiveness of our proposed method.
The homeland of Proto-Tungusic inferred from contemporary words and ancient genomes

Abstract Abstract The Tungusic languages form a language family spoken in Xinjiang, Siberia, Manchuria and the Russian Far East. There is a general consensus that these languages are genealogically related and descend from a common ancestral language, conventionally called ‘Proto-Tungusic’. However, the exact geographical location where the ancestral speakers of Proto-Tungusic originated from is subject to debate. Here we take an unprecedented approach to this problem, by integrating linguistic, archaeological and genetic evidence in a single study. Our analysis of ancient DNA suggests genetic continuity between an ancient Amur genetic lineage and the contemporary speakers of the Tungusic languages. Adding an archaeolinguistic perspective, we infer that the most plausible homeland for the speakers of Proto-Tungusic is the region around Lake Khanka in the Russian Far East. Our study pushes the field forward in answering the tantalizing question about the location of the Tungusic homeland and in illustrating how these three disciplines can converge into a holistic approach to the human past.
Comparison of different methods for the detection of Salmonella spp. in minced meat samples.

The presence of Salmonella spp. in minced meat that is consumed in nine different sites of Istanbul is evaluated by using conventional culture (ISO 6579:2002), immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. Salmonella spp. was isolated from five of 50 (20%) minced meat with ISO 6579 method, and three of 50 (6%) minced meat using IMS method. Bacteria isolated from both ISO and IMS methods were identified as Salmonella choleraesuis ssp. arizonae and Salmonella spp. The presence of Salmonella spp. was determined from 37 of 50 (74%) minced meat by using FISH method. In the current study, it has been shown that ISO 6579 method was found more to be susceptible than IMS method for determining presence of Salmonella spp. , FISH method is the best method to determine the presence of Salmonella spp. Even if the quick determination of the epidemics of international importance occured as a result of the contamination by pathogens derivated from foods, the results of the use of new methods should be supported by the conventional culture method.
Tools for Assessing the Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Wildfire Regimes in Forests

Fire is an intrinsic element of many forest ecosystems; it shapes their ecological processes, determines species composition and influences landscape structure. However, wildfires may: have undesirable effects on biodiversity and vegetation coverage; produce carbon emissions to the atmosphere; release smoke affecting human health; and cause loss of lives and property. There have been increasing concerns about the potential impacts of climate variability and change on forest fires. Climate change can alter factors that influence the occurrence of fire ignitions, fuel availability and fuel flammability. This review paper aims to identify tools and methods used for gathering information about the impacts of climate variability and change on forest fires, forest fuels and the probability of fires. Tools to assess the impacts of climate variability and change on forest fires include: remote sensing, dynamic global vegetation and landscape models, integrated fire-vegetation models, fire danger rating systems, empirical models and fire behavior models. This review outlines each tool in terms of its characteristics, spatial and temporal resolution, limitations and applicability of the results. To enhance and improve tool performance, each must be continuously tested in all types of forest ecosystems.
University of Birmingham Modulation of item and source memory by auditory beat stimulation

• Users may freely distribute the URL that is used to identify this publication. • Users may download and/or print one copy of the publication from the University of Birmingham research portal for the purpose of private study or non-commercial research. • User may use extracts from the document in line with the concept of ‘fair dealing’ under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (? ) • Users may not further distribute the material nor use it for the purposes of commercial gain.
Multiple Device Indoors Localization System

—With the increasing demand for interactive places and with the rise of augmented reality applications, the accurate localization of a device in the environment has become a big issue for the app developers, specially indoors, due to the fact that most localization technologies do not work that well in closed environments (such as GPS), and the solutions for indoors environments are prohibitively expensive, and most of the times require speciﬁc equipment in order to work. This project aims to study some of the existing technologies and solutions that try to solve this problem. Our solution tries to implement a cheap and reliable indoors positioning system with a high level of accuracy ( < 20cm error). This solution uses a Radio based technology (Bluetooth/WiFi), and Image based technology (Marker Tracking) and a Movement based technology (Inertial Sensors), which through sensor fusion using Kalman ﬁlter, tries to locate the device in a 2D space. It was chosen to use an Android device for two main reasons: ﬁrst it already has all the components we need to perform the tracking (camera, Wiﬁ and inertial sensors), and second because it is a fairly common and cheap device, meaning that almost anyone could use one. Some experiments where made to ensure each component works as it should and that each as the desired accuracy. Lastly we made an experiment with the full setup on a room. The ﬁrst results were unsatisfactory due to sensor noise. On a later experiment we only used the markers and the results were much better, in terms of accuracy, but the tracking in real time was sacriﬁced.
University of Birmingham Theta burst stimulation in neglect after stroke

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Brain following peer review. The version of record: Thomas Nyffeler, Tim Vanbellingen, Brigitte C Kaufmann, Tobias Pflugshaupt, Daniel Bauer, Julia Frey, Magdalena Chechlacz, Stephan Bohlhalter, René M Müri, Tobias Nef, Dario Cazzoli, Theta burst stimulation in neglect after stroke: functional outcome and response variability origins, Brain, Volume 142, Issue 4, April 2019, Pages 992–1008, is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz029
Inquiry-based learning and secondary chemistry education – a contradiction?

Abstract Even though inquiry-based learning (IBL) has been a component of various curricula and standards for more than ten years and its implementation has been supported by several funding programs, it is still applied only rarely. The reasons for this are not only frequently mentioned obstacles, but also the teachers’ beliefs regarding IBL. In this article, it is exemplified what IBL means to five Austrian chemistry teachers and what contradictions between IBL and the curriculum emerge from this. For this purpose, a group discussion is analyzed to discern what teachers think IBL is. The results are contrasted with relevant literature as well as with the Austrian curriculum for chemistry. The findings are finally used to derive implications for designing an appropriate professional development program.
Common-Value Auctions with Ambiguity over Correlation

We consider common value auctions when individuals have ambiguity over the joint information structures generating the signals for players. This implies that ambiguity interacts with strategic e¤ects as individuals condition their behaviour on their opponents equilibrium bid and hence their signal. We show that compared to the canonical model, both in the rst-price and second-price auctions, low types underbid and high types sometimes overbid. Therefore, the winners curse is mitigated for low types and potentially exacerbated for high types. We also show that these results di¤er from a model with standardambiguity about the prior over the state. Finally, we characterize the optimal auction and show that the optimal revenue decreases with this type of ambiguity. A novel feature that arises in the optimal mechanism is that the seller only partially insures the high type against ambiguity.
Will dingoes really conserve wildlife and can our methods tell

Debate rages in Australia about the merits of using apex predators (dingoes Canis lupus dingo) to limit the impact of introduced mesopredators, which have been identified as the primary cause of Australia’s mass mammal extinction since European arrival. All studies in this debate have ignored detectability issues and have instead relied primarily on unvalidated indices of footprints or photographs from trails as a measure of abundance or activity or both. We illustrate how detectability is likely to vary using these methods in ways that predict the outcome before any data are collected. We argue that until robust methods (e.g. distance sampling, mark–recapture, occupancy modelling) coupled with experimentation are used to assess this issue (and those of competition and trophic cascades in general), practitioners will be unwilling to implement the conservation actions suggested (in this case the reintroduction of dingoes). These issues are relevant to carnivore studies more generally.
Meiotic Behavior of Carica papaya L.: Spontaneous Chromosome Instability and Elimination in Important cvs. in North Indian Conditions

Cytogenetical analysis was done in tropical species of papaya that is widely cultivated for its fruits and papain production. The proper and orderly chromosome behavior of the species is a perquisite to ensure high fertility and seed set in the crop. A study on pre-meiotic and post-meiotic stages was done on commercially important cultivars of India and few exotic cultivars. The meiosis in the flower buds was highly disturbed and many meiotic irregularities were recorded from the material fixed in summar. These ranged from chromosome stickiness (44%), chromatin bridges (21.1%), laggards (4.8), chromosome diminution/degeneration (5.2), and micronucleus (5.9%) formation, in the commercially important varieties. Pollen stickiness accounting for persistent pollen adherence in groups of 3–10 was observed in all the varieties ranging from 85.95% in cv. CO2 to 11.64% in CO5. Callose deposition on tetrads accounting for adhesion of pollen grains (permanent tetrads) was also observed. These were found to have a profound effect on the pollen fertility of the cultivars, wherein most of the commercial papaya cultivars had less than 50% of fertile pollen. Thus the role of meiotic irregularities in poor seed setting and seed production capacities under northern Indian conditions, specifically during the summer season has been established. Genetic or abiotic stress factors could be responsible for inducing such kind of anomalies, which are manifested in the form of pollen sterility and poor seed setting. Crop regulation strategies need to be evolved, so that the maximum seed set and fruit production occurs after this period to off set the restrictions imposed due to irregular meiosis.
Inhibition of green mold by volatile compounds from an endophytic fungus, Muscodor albus CMU-Cib 462

Muscodor albus CMU-Cib 462 reside as an endophytic fungus within the leaf tissues of Cinnamomum bejolghota collected in Chiang Mai province. This fungus is able to produce active volatile organic compounds. Analysis of the volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry showed that M. albus CMU-Cib 462 primarily produced a number of esters, alcohols and small molecular weight acid compounds. These volatile compounds showed capability in control green mold (Penicillium digitatum) causal agent of fruit rot on tangerine fruit cv. Sai Nam Peung.
BIMSL: A Domain Speciﬁc Language for Integrating Building Information Models with Sensor Data

The upsurge of interest in digital models of buildings combined with an increasing sensorization of spaces is prompting for the integration between Building Information Modeling (BIM) and real-time data of sensors, which is still performed in a very ad-hoc way using General Purpose Languages (GPLs). Indeed, a standard solution to explore sensor data in the context of BIM models is missing in literature. Although several integration approaches have been proposed by the scientiﬁc community, some of them remain theoretical, while others target very speciﬁc application domains, and therefore the development of applications requiring this integration is associated to a tremendous complexity. Herein, we overview existing approaches to the integration of BIM with sensor data, clearly identifying the gaps on research background, and aiming at the development of a Domain-Speciﬁc Query Language that, by providing substantial gains in expressiveness and ease of use, simpliﬁes the development of applications that require processing data of sensors with complex conditions over the BIM model. Our solution is validated with experienced software developers, according to an evaluation methodology focused on usability and ﬂexibility attributes. The results outperformed existing alternatives, indicating that our proposal is eﬀective to integrate BIM with sensor data.
Live-imaging evaluation of the efficacy of elevated CO 2 concentration in a closed cultivation system for the improvement of bioproduction in tomato fruits

To maximize fruit yield of tomatoes cultivated in a controlled, closed system such as a greenhouse or a plant factory at a limited cost, it is important to raise the translocation rate of fixed carbon to fruits by tuning the cultivation conditions. Elevation of atmospheric CO2 concentration is a good candidate; however, it is technically difficult to evaluate the effect on fruit growth by comparing different individuals in different CO2 conditions because of large inter-individual variations. In this study, we employed a positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS), which is a live-imaging technology for plant studies, and a short-lived radioisotope 11C to quantitatively analyze immediate responses of carbon fixation and translocation in tomatoes in elevated CO2 conditions. We also developed a closed cultivation system to feed a test plant with CO2 at concentrations of 400, 1,500 and 3,000 ppm and a pulse of CO2. As a result, we obtained serial images of 11C fixation by leaves and subsequent translocation into fruits. Carbon fixation was enhanced steadily by increasing the CO2 concentration, but the amount translocated into fruits saturated at 1,500 ppm on average. The translocation rate had larger inter-individual variation and showed less consistent responses to external CO2 conditions compared with carbon fixation. Our experimental system was demonstrated to be a valuable tool for the optimization of closed cultivation systems because it can trace the responses of carbon translocation in each individual, which are otherwise usually masked by interindividual variation.