Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computational urban design prototyping: Interactive planning synthesis methods—a case study in Cape Town

This article is motivated by the fact that in Cape Town, South Africa, approximately 7.5 million people live in informal settlements and focuses on potential upgrading strategies for such sites. To this end, we developed a computational method for rapid urban design prototyping. The corresponding planning tool generates urban layouts including street network, blocks, parcels and buildings based on an urban designer’s specific requirements. It can be used to scale and replicate a developed urban planning concept to fit different sites. To facilitate the layout generation process computationally, we developed a new data structure to represent street networks, land parcellation, and the relationship between the two. We also introduced a nested parcellation strategy to reduce the number of irregular shapes generated due to algorithmic limitations. Network analysis methods are applied to control the distribution of buildings in the communities so that preferred neighborhood relationships can be considered in the design process. Finally, we demonstrate how to compare designs based on various urban analysis measures and discuss the limitations that arise when we apply our method in practice, especially when dealing with more complex urban design scenarios.
Minimization of the external heating power by long fusion power rise-up time for self-ignition access in the helical reactor FFHR2m

Minimization of the external heating power to access self-ignition is advantageous to increase the reactor design flexibility and to reduce the capital and operating costs of the plasma heating device in a helical reactor. In this work we have discovered that a larger density limit leads to a smaller value of the required confinement enhancement factor, a lower density limit margin reduces the external heating power and over 300 s of the fusion power rise-up time makes it possible to reach a minimized heating power. While the fusion power rise-up time in a tokamak is limited by the OH transformer flux or the current drive capability, any fusion power rise-up time can be employed in a helical reactor for reducing the thermal stresses of the blanket and shields, because the confinement field is generated by the external helical coils.
Persistent random walks

We consider a walker that at each step keeps the same direction with a probability that depends on the time already spent in the direction the walker is currently moving. In this paper, we study some asymptotic properties of this persistent random walk and give the conditions of recurrence or transience in terms of ”transition” probabilities to keep on the same direction or to change, without assuming that the latter admits any stationary probability. Examples are exhibited when this process is recurrent even if the random walk is not symmetric.
Islands and Destination Image: The Case of Ios

This study was conducted to identify the image of Ios as a tourist destination as perceived by the visitors, in order to contribute to the formation of an effective marketing plan. The strengths and weaknesses of the image of Ios were measured and presented, accompanied with a number of recommendations. The findings revealed that Ios has a very strong destination image as a party island, with the majority of the visitors being international young students coming to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and the party mood of the island. As a result, Ios needs to strengthen its image compared to other islands or destinations which offer the same product, by promoting its competitive advantages, such as; the nightlife, the relatively low prices, the relaxing atmosphere and the friendliness of the locals.
Managing for Success: The Role of Transactional and Relational Mechanisms in Buyer-Supplier Relationships

Firms are collaborating more in supply chain network and identified the importance of business relationships. This idea was embraced by academic and empirical research in operations management since last decade. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive integrated conceptual and empirical framework which elaborates the role of transactional and relational factors to highlight buyer-supplier relationship performance. While, limited studies explored these factors separately neither provide the dynamic interactive role of transactional and relational factors in an integrated framework. Through multiple case studies, findings reveal that impact of relational factors of trust and communication has constructive influence in reducing the transaction cost and improving relationship performance. This study contributes to debate on managing complex business network relationships by providing a combined theoretical setting (transaction cost economics and social exchange theory) and empirically proven integrated model. Managers can enhance the operational performance by selecting the most suitable constructs.
New tools for THE EU agricultural sector and rural areas. What role for public policy in promoting Payments for Ecosystem Services

In this paper we examine whether it is possible to create a market for ecosystem services deriving from rural landscape and environmental conservation. First of all to do this we consider the results of some studies we have conducted in recent years about monetary and non-monetary environmental evaluation. These studies help us first to identify some rural landscape features which improve or worsen landscape appearance and secondly, to discover the willingness of beneficiaries to pay for maintaining these landscape and environmental resources. Then, in order to understand whether social benefits can be increased by using market and economic measures for conservation of landscape and environmental resources, we study Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES). PES are economic instruments used to support the conservation and improvement of ecosystem services. We describe PES for landscape (PaLBeS) and discuss the suitability of introducing it in favour of some ecosystem services in Italy.
Effect of total isoflavones found in soybean on vitellogenin production in common carp.

Soybean meal is used most extensively as a replacement to fishmeal as the main protein source in fish diets. However, there is concern about the effect of soybean-based diets on reproductive development of the fish because of the phytoestrogenic properties of soybean. The objective of the present study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the concentration of soybean extract containing total isoflavones in diet and the production of vitellogenin protein in cyprinid fish. Five different doses (0, 250, 500, 1.000, and 10.000 mg/kg based on total isoflavones content) of commercial soybean extract were tested to determine the effect of pyhtoestrogens concentration on vitellogenin synthesis in female and male carp, Cyprinius carpio L. There were no significant differences in the growth of fish between any of the groups. All concentrations of soybean extract lowered male gonadosomatic index (GSI), but female GSI was increased in diets including up to 500 mg/kg soybean extract, and then decreased at higher doses. This was associated by an inhibition and induction, respectively, in plasma vitellogenin levels. Changes in GSI and vitellogenin appeared to be sensitive marker for detecting phytoestrogens exposure. Higher concentrations of isoflavones resulted in a higher amount of vitellogenin produced in both male and female fish. Our results clearly showed that exposure to phytoestrogens found in soybean extract significantly induces vitellogenin production in both males and females, in a dose-response manner. GSI and high vitellogenin production indicated that phytoestrogens found in soybean disrupt the endocrine system of fish. The endocrine disruptor effect of soybean products must be considered in fish meal preparation.
Design of a Code-Maker Translator Assistive Input Device with a Contest Fuzzy Recognition Algorithm for the Severely Disabled

This study developed an assistive system for the severe physical disabilities, named “code-maker translator assistive input device” which utilizes a contest fuzzy recognition algorithm and Morse codes encoding to provide the keyboard and mouse functions for users to access a standard personal computer, smartphone, and tablet PC. This assistive input device has seven features that are small size, easy installing, modular design, simple maintenance, functionality, very flexible input interface selection, and scalability of system functions, when this device combined with the computer applications software or APP programs. The users with severe physical disabilities can use this device to operate the various functions of computer, smartphone, and tablet PCs, such as sending e-mail, Internet browsing, playing games, and controlling home appliances. A patient with a brain artery malformation participated in this study. The analysis result showed that the subject could make himself familiar with operating of the long/short tone of Morse code in one month. In the future, we hope this system can help more people in need.
Determination of the vascular input function using magnitude or phase-based MRI: influence on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI model parameters in carotid plaques

Poster: "ECR 2013 / B-0118 / Determination of the vascular input function using magnitude or phase-based MRI: influence on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI model parameters in carotid plaques" by: "R. van Hoof1, M. Truijman1, E. Hermeling1, R. van Oostenbrugge1, R. J. van der Geest2, M. J. A. P. Daemen3, J. E. Wildberger1, W. Backes1, M. E. Kooi1; 1Maastricht/NL, 2Leiden/NL, 3Amsterdam/NL"
Transdermal drug delivery by coated microneedles: geometry effects on drug concentration in blood

Drug administration through transdermal delivery is restricted by the top layer of skin, the stratum corneum. One possible solution to overcome the barrier function of the stratum corneum is to employ microneedle arrays. However, detailed theoretical models relating drug-coated microneedles and their geometry to the drug concentration in the blood are limited. This article aims to address this issue by examining the blood concentration profiles for a model drug, insulin, that has been administered via coated microneedles. A mathematical model is introduced and applied to predict theoretical blood concentrations. Furthermore, the insulin concentration in blood is calculated for a range of different microneedle shapes and dimensions to identify the most effective geometry. The results indicate that the optimum microneedle geometry in terms of maximizing insulin concentration was a rocket-shaped needle with a constant tip angle of 90°. Also, it has been found that the number of microneedles in an array is the most significant factor in determining maximum insulin concentration in the blood (Cb, max). Penetration depth of the microneedle, centre-to-centre spacing and microneedle thickness had a less significant effect on the maximum insulin concentration in the blood. It is envisaged that the current study will help in designing microneedles of optimum size and shape for transdermal drug delivery. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ranking in keyphrase extraction problem: is it suitable to use statistics of words occurrences?

Abstract . The paper deals with keyphrase extraction problem for single documents, e.g. scientific abstracts. Keyphrase extraction task is important and its results could be used in a variety of applications: data indexing, clustering and classification of documents, meta-information extraction, automatic ontologies creation etc. In the paper we discuss an approach to keyphrase extraction, its’ first step is building of candidate phrases which are then ranked and the best are selected as keyphrases. The paper is focused on the evaluation of weighting approaches to candidate phrases in the unsupervised ex-traction methods. A number of in-phrase word weighting procedures is evaluated. Unsuitable approaches to weighting are identified. Testing of some approaches shows their equivalence as applied to keyphrase extraction. A feature, which allows to increase the quality of extracted keyphrases and shows better results in comparison to the state of the art, is proposed. Experiments are based on Inspec dataset.
Variations in expression of episodic growth by in vitro- cultured shoots of oak (Quercus robur L.)

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Variations in expression of episodic growth by in vitrocultured shoots of oak (Quercus robur L.) J.M. Favre, Non Renseigné
Impact of poaching on an Asian elephant population in Periyar, southern India: a model of demography and tusk harvest

Ivory poaching has been a serious problem in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) populations. Reliable records of elephants killed and ivory harvested are generally unavailable. We have used a simulation modelling approach to estimate the numbers of male elephants killed and the quantities of ivory harvested over a 20 year period (1974–94) in the Periyar Reserve of southern India. The age‐structured Leslie matrix projection model was modified for this purpose by considering three segments (female, tusked male and tuskless male), relating fecundity to adult sex ratio and iteratively simulating tusked male mortality rates so as to match the observed elephant population structure at Periyar. Four different scenarios of poaching all gave very similar results. We estimate conservatively that 336–388 tuskers have been poached and 3256–3334 kg of ivory harvested by poachers over the 20 year period. The maximum harvest came from the 10–20 year age class. Trends in various demographic parameters such as population numbers, tusked male to tuskless male ratios and female fecundity are described. The implications of ivory poaching and the extremely skewed sex ratios for the conservation and management of the elephant population at Periyar are discussed.
The Glacier and Land Ice Surface Topography Interferometer (GLISTIN): A Novel Ka-band Digitally Beamformed Interferometer

The estimation of the mass balance of ice sheets and glaciers on Earth is a problem of considerable scientific and societal importance. A key measurement to understanding, monitoring and forecasting these changes is ice-surface topography, both for ice-sheet and glacial regions. As such NASA identified 'ice topographic mapping instruments capable of providing precise elevation and detailed imagery data for measurements on glacial scales for detailed monitoring of ice sheet, and glacier changes' as a science priority for the most recent Instrument Incubator Program (IIP) opportunities. Funded under this opportunity is the technological development for a Ka-Band (35GHz) single-pass digitally beamformed interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). Unique to this concept is the ability to map a significant swath impervious of cloud cover with measurement accuracies comparable to laser altimeters but with variable resolution as appropriate to the differing scales-of-interest over ice-sheets and glaciers.
Interactive comment on “ Simple statistics for complex Earthquakes ’ time distribution ” by Teimuraz Matcharashvili et al

The authors study the southern Californian earthquake catalogue (1975-2017) analyzing the extend of regularity in the time series that is defined by the occurrence of earthquakes with magnitudes above 2.6. For that purpose they introduce the "integral deviation times" (IDT), a simple statistic measure that corresponds to the sum of the deviation times of the earthquake occurrences to regular times steps. As the authors state, the earthquake time distribution does not follow the patterns of a random process and there are several studies on the determination of the regularity of seismic processes and its changes in time. Yet, with regard to the presented IDT method I have several doubts concerning the appropriateness of that measure. Further, I see some weaknesses in the design of the analysis and clearness of the paper. At times it looks like you apply a bunch of methods without knowing why and what do you want to
STUDIES ON GENETIC VARIABILITY FOR YIELD AND QUALITY CHARACTERS IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) UNDER INTEGRATED FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT

The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for the all the 9 quantitative and 5 quality traits in rice indicating that enough variability is present in the studied material. The magnitude of difference between PCV and GCV were relatively low for all the traits revealing little influence of the environment in the expression of these traits. The higher magnitude of PCV and GCV was recorded for number of grains per panicle (23.85%; 23.10%) and grain yield per plant (23.17%; 22.04%). All the characters showed high broad sense heritability, while high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was recorded for plant height (97.67%; 30.81%), number of effective tillers per plant (84.10%; 28.19%), panicle length (95.17%; 22.94%), number of grains per panicle (93.79%; 46.08%), kernel elongation ratio (95.81%; 21.88%), kernel length after cooking (99.91%; 23.77%), 1000-grain weight (89.97%;26.22%), harvest index (79.02%; 26.25%) and grain yield per plant (90.48%; 43.20%) indicates the preponderance of additive gene action and such characters could be improved through selection.
Illegal Trade in South East Europe

Based on the theoretical foundations as described in Bhagwati (1974), illegal trade can be defined to consist of faked invoicing on the one hand and smuggling on the other hand. While in the first case at least one of the trading partner countries has recorded a trade flow either as an export or as an import, in the latter case no official customs data is available. Smuggling is bypassing legal trade channels altogether. Therefore it is difficult to estimate the full magnitude of illegal trade with the help of one single method. In this paper we rather tried to detect faked invoicing and smuggling in the Balkans separately. Therefore we first tried to measure illegal cross-border trade in South East Europe (SEE) in order to have at least some impressions about the magnitude of this phenomenon and second we analysed illegal trade from a more theoretical perspective and provided an overview of possible policy relevant aspects. The paper ends with some discussion on the impact of illegal trade on security and of some soft security instruments that could be used to address it.
A Novel Dynamic Data Blocking Mechanism for Symmetric Cryptosystems

This study contributes a dynamic data blocking mechanism to replace the fixed (static) data blocking mechanism in symmetric cryptosystems. The robustness of cryptosystems relies on dynamicity and probability to provide sufficient randomness. Any encryption method is considered as secure as it retains randomness properties. Current cryptographic algorithms (AES, DES) utilize fixed (static) data blocking mechanism that enable practical cracking of DES and academic cracking of AES-256 up to full 14 rounds with almost practical complexity of (q.267) queries through related-key distinguisher attack which works for 1 key out of 235 keys with 2120 data and time complexity trials. Fixed (static) data blocking mechanism triggers the applicability of this kind of security attacks on symmetric cryptosystems by offering computable probability range. In this study, we proposed a dynamic (variable) data blocking mechanism to achieve robust probabilistic randomness in computing of number of data blocks and their number of bits in symmetric cryptosystems for the enhancement of security strength. The ultimate objective behind this proposed dynamic data blocking mechanism is to produce different number of data blocks with different number of bits in order to lead the complexity (probability) of block partitioning as a NP-hard problem (P ≠ NP - widely believed for which no efficient algorithm exists). In our proposed scheme the diversity of both parameters (block numbers, block bits) is dependent on a plaintext data and key. We applied superlative tactics of digital logic and mathematics in order to evaluate and justify our proposed Dynamic Data Blocking Mechanism (DDBM).
Long-Term Accuracy in Sea Navigation without using GNSS Systems

Many ships today rely on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), for their navigation, where GPS (Global Positioning System) is the most well known. Unfortunately, the GNSS systems make the ships dependent on external systems, which can be malfunctioning, be jammed or be spoofed. There are today some proposed techniques where, e.g. bottom depth measurements are compared with known maps using Bayesian calculations, which results in a position estimation. Both maps and navigational sensor equipment are used in these techniques , most often relying on high accuracy maps, with the accuracy of the navigational sensors being less important. Instead of relying on high accuracy maps and low accuracy navigation sensors, this paper presents an idea of the opposite, namely using low accuracy maps, but compensating this by using high accuracy navigational sensors and fusing data from both bottom depth measurements and magneticfield measurements. (Less)
Ultrafast electron dynamics at metal surfaces: Competition between electron-phonon coupling and hot-electron transport

An experimental scheme (double pump/reflectivity probe using femtosecond laser pulses) enables the investigation of nonequilibrium electron dynamics at metal surfaces by measuring the equilibrated surface temperature. The competition between electron-phonon coupling and hot-electron transport gives rise to a reduced equilibrated temperature when the two pump pulses overlap in time, and provides a way of accurately determining the electron-phonon coupling constant. These observations have important consequences for femtosecond photochemical investigations.