Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radio Coverage Mapping in Wireless Sensor Networks

Radio coverage directly affects the network connectivity, which is the foundational issue to ensure the normal operation of the network. Many efforts have been made to estimate the radio coverage of sensor nodes. The existing approaches (often RSSI measurement-based), however, suffer from heavy measurement cost and are not well suitable for the large-scale densely deployed WSNs. NRC-Map, a novel algorithm is put forward for sensor nodes radio coverage mapping. The algorithm is based on the RSSI values collected by the neighbor nodes. According to the spatial relationship, neighbor nodes are mapping to several overlapped sectors. By use of the least squares fitting method, a log-distance path loss model is established for each sector. Then, the max radius of each sector is computed according to the path loss model and the given signal attenuation threshold. Finally, all the sectors are overlapped to estimate the node radio coverage. Experimental results show that the method is simple and effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the sensor node radio coverage.
Digital Culture versus Change

The study of digital culture is a multi-disciplinary field that spans many different methodologies, frameworks and philosophies that explore the relationship between culture and technology. The following is a discourse in digital culture research using the philosophy of scientific revolution (Thomas S. Kuhn) as a key source for understanding the current state of the emerging field. Information Revolution, Scientific Revolution Electronic technology that developed out of the 20th century enabled the cultural prevalence of mass media, in the form of cinema and television and later digital media which provides cultural researchers and philosophers complex new frontiers to explore. Marshall McLuhan in The Gutenberg Galaxy1 and Martin Heidegger in The Question Concerning Technology discuss the idea of media and technology as an extension of mankind that creates new capacity and influence, both intended and unintended, and have sought to understand them in a cultural as well as philosophical context. A core philosophical problem of technology is that, much as language transforms the world, so do the extensions of man, resulting in a change of meaning. Ernst Cassirer saw technology as an attempt at making sense of the world through symbolism and creating meaning through spontaneous action. In the digital context, this changing of meaning is profound and reaches far into everyday life from the creation of online communities to digital identities that function as citizens of the global village, effectively changing the way we identity with ourselves and the world around us. As McLuhan predicted, the digital age has brought about electronic interdependence and a change in cognitive and social organization including the transformation of media structures, modes of communication and identity narratives. It is in this background that the discourse below will anchor its arguments on as the concept of digital culture
Improvement of Aluminium Film Adhesion on PMMA Using Pre-Layer and Specific Annealing

During the electron beam evaporation for deposition of an aluminium film, high-speed electrons decelerate when they bombard the material and part of the electron energy contributes to radiation. Due to the high sensitivity of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to such radiation (in UV), the PMMA surface is degraded. This results in a weak surface of PMMA layer and decreases film adhesion. Based on the film interface adhesion mechanism and the relationship between film structure and stress, this research proposed and investigated a method for producing high quality Al reflective thin film on a PMMA surface with good adhesion. This was done by depositing a pre-layer of 20 nm Al using resistant evaporation to protect the PMMA surface from radiation damage, followed by the deposition of 80 nm Al using e-beam evaporation with ion assisted deposition. Using this method, an average reflectance of 88.6% was achieved in the wavelength range of 400–800 nm. The elastic modulus and hardness were tested by nanoindentation for the calculation of the thermal stress of the film. Adhesion was tested using the pressure strip peeling test and meets the military national standard.
Phytochemical contents, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extracts of Centella asiatica(L.) Urb.leaf and stem

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (locally known as thankuni) is a well-known traditional herb in the South Asian region especially in Bangladesh. It is available as a weed growing in the waste lands and in the river basins. C. asiatica has antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiabetic, antidiuretic and antioxidant activities due to the production of various bioactive secondary metabolites (Sekharet al., 2014,Veeramuthuet al., 2006; Ghosh et al., 2008; Abubakar et al., 2011). It has many bioactive components that are necessary for the betterment of health conditions such as anti-inflammatory (George et al., 2009), antiulcer (Cheng et al., 2004), cardio protective (Gnanapragasam et al., 2004), cytotoxic and antitumor (Lee et al., 2002), and antiviral (Yoosook et al., 2000) activities. Pittella et al. (2009) reported that C. asiatica prevents the oxidative damage that takes place in neuropathological disorders including stroke, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease by improving the antioxidant neurological state related to aging.
Nutritional value of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes from Portuguese ecotypes

RODRIGUES, A. M. , F. I. PITACAS, C. M. G. REIS and M. BLASCO, 2016. Nutritional value of Opuntia ficusindica cladodes from Portuguese ecotypes. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 22: 40–45 The use of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes as a forage for ruminants has been very important in the semi-arid and arid regions of the world. O. ficus-indica cladodes can be fed to small ruminants especially in periods of the year when there is low quality and quantity of pasture. In Mediterranean regions like South of Portugal during the rainy season the availability of pasture is quantitatively and qualitatively satisfactory, but in critical times of the year the shortage and low nutritive value of forages causes decreased productivity in the ruminant’s production of milk and meat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional profile of the cladodes from five different Portuguese ecotypes of O. ficus-indica, in comparison with cultivar “Gialla”, and also evaluate its potential use as a feed for ruminants. Among populations’ significant differences were found in crude protein and ash content, and different groups were unfolded. In general, O. ficus-indica has a low content of DM, CP and NDF and high content in NFC and EM. Given the importance that DM, PB and the NDF have for nutrition and feeding of ruminants we conclude that O. ficus-indica can be used in feeding small ruminants provided that animals have access to dry forage and a feed source with high CP content. Used as fodder, O. ficus-indica seems to be an optional interesting feed for small ruminants in driest period of the year.
Dynamic analysis of spar-type floating offshore wind turbine

In the present study, a coupled dynamic analysis of NREL 5MW Spar-type floating wind turbine is presented. The turbine design variables used in the analysis are the hub height of 90 m above the mean sea level, rotor diameter of 126 m and maximum rotor speed of 12.1 rpm. Hydrodynamic added mass, damping and exiting force are obtained in frequency domain using WAMIT and are validated with the result obtained for OC3 Hywind. The hydrodynamic study of the floater is combined with the FAST code to obtain a coupled aero-servo-hydro-elastic model. The spar-type floating wind turbine is considered to be connected with delta connection three mooring lines, and the mooring lines are fixed at bottom. The tower base motions and platform motions are obtained for wind speed 3.7 m/s with 4m wave height and 0o wave heading angle.
Asset Pricing with Second-Order Esscher Transforms

The purpose of the paper is to introduce, in the class of discrete time no-arbitrage asset pricing models, a wider bridge between the historical and the risk-neutral state vector dynamics and to preserve, at the same time, its tractability and flexibility. This goal is achieved by introducing the notion of Exponential-Quadratic stochastic discount factor (SDF) or, equivalently, the notion of Second-Order Esscher Transform. Then, focusing on security market models, this approach is developed in three important multivariate stochastic frameworks: the conditionally Gaussian framework, the conditionally Mixed-Normal and the conditionally Gaussian Switching Regimes framework. In the conditionally multivariate Gaussian case, our approach determines a risk-neutral mean as a function of (the short rate and of) the risk-neutral variance-covariance matrix which is different from the historical one. The conditionally mixed-normal Gaussian case provides a first generalization of the Gaussian setting, in which the risk-neutral variance-covariance matrices and mixing weights of all components (in the finite mixture) can be different from the historical ones. The Gaussian switching regime case introduces further flexibility given the serial dependence of regimes and the introduction of the regime indicator function in the exponential-quadratic SDF. We also develop switching regime models which include (in the factor's conditional mean and conditional variance) additive impacts of the present and past regimes and we stress their interpretation in terms of general "discrete-time jump-diffusion'' models in which the risk included in the first and second moment of jumps is priced. Even if we focus on security market models, we do not make any particular assumption about the state vector and therefore this approach could be used not only in option pricing models, but also for instance in interest rate and credit risk models.
Federating Queries to RDF repositories

Currently large amounts of RDF data are being published in the Web. These data is commonly accessed by means of SPARQL endpoints. However to query a set of SPARQL endpoints new mechanisms are needed due to neither the SPARQL protocol nor the language provide any norms or guidelines about how to proceed. In this paper we present an approach for federating queries to a set of SPARQL endpoints, using relational database distributed query processing techniques and part of the WS-DAI specification for web-service based access to relational and XML databases.
A 2-legged XY parallel flexure motion stage with minimised parasitic rotation

XY compliant parallel manipulators (aka XY parallel flexure motion stages) have been used as diverse applications such as atomic force microscope scanners due to their proved advantages such as eliminated backlash, reduced friction, reduced number of parts and monolithic configuration. This paper presents an innovative stiffness centre based approach to design a decoupled 2-legged XY compliant parallel manipulator in order to better minimise the inherent parasitic rotation and have a more compact configuration. This innovative design approach makes all of the stiffness centres, associated with the passive prismatic (P) modules, overlap at a point that all of the applied input forces can go through. A monolithic compact and decoupled XY compliant parallel manipulator with minimised parasitic rotation is then proposed using the proposed design approach based on a 2-PP kinematically decoupled translational parallel manipulator. Its load–displacement and motion range equations are derived, and geometrical parameters are determined for a specified motion range. Finite element analysis comparisons are also implemented to verify the analytical models with analysis of the performance characteristics including primary stiffness, cross-axis coupling, parasitic rotation, input and output motion difference and actuator nonisolation effect. Compared with the existing XY compliant parallel manipulators obtained using 4-legged mirror-symmetric constraint arrangement, the proposed XY compliant parallel manipulators based on stiffness centre approach mainly benefits from fewer legs resulting in reduced size, simpler modelling as well as smaller lost motion. Compared with existing 2-legged designs with the conventional arrangement, the present design has smaller parasitic rotation, which has been proved from the finite element analysis results.
Several Computational Aeroacoustics Solutions for the Ducted Diaphragm at Low Mach Number

A hybrid method of aeroacoustic noise computation based on Lighthill’s Acoustic Analogy is applied to investigate the noise radiated by a low Mach number flow through a ducted diaphragm. The simulation method is a two-step hybrid approach relying on Lighthill’s acoustic analogy, assuming the decoupling of noise generation and propagation. The first step consists of an incompressible Large Eddy Simulation of the turbulent flow field, during which aerodynamic quantities are recorded. In the second step, a variational formulation of Lighthill’s Acoustic Analogy using a finite element discretization is solved in the Fourier space. The sensitive steps consisting in computing and transferring source term data from the fluid mesh to the acoustic mesh are reviewed. Indeed, as fluid and acoustic meshes have different constraints due to the different wavelengths to be resolved, interpolation is required. The method is applied to a three-dimensional ducted diaphragm with low Mach number flow. Although the configuration is symmetric, this study exhibits a very complex three-dimensional flow behavior. Four different aerodynamic solutions are compared with the Direct Noise Computation performed by Gloerfelt & Lafon. Good agreement is found in terms of mean flow as well as on instantaneous behavior and turbulent intensities. Acoustic computations are performed with different mesh refinement and interpolation methods. Comparison with literature data on similar cases shows the method relevancy.
Application of atomic emission spectrometry in aviation piston engine abnormal wear prevention

The measurement of wear metals concentration in used lubricating oil can be used to determine whether an engine is approaching failure, allowing further damage to be avoided. In this paper the application of inductively coupled plasmaatomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique in prevention of abnormal wear of aviation piston engines is explained. Used oil samples taken from two different engines are analyzed in respect with the wear metals concentration using ICP-OES. Concentration level for each metal is plotted against time of flight and its changes are observed. It is shown that low metals levels and small concentrations changes are connected with the well lubricated surfaces, while sudden concentration increase is an indication of wear beginning. Factors affecting the wear quantification are also summarized.
Dirac ’ s The Principles of Quantum Mechanics *

Paul A.M. Dirac’s book, The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, summarized the foundations of a new science,much of which was his own creation.It expressed the spirit of the new quantum mechanics, creating a descriptive language that we still use. I discuss the successive editions of Dirac’s book and their critical reception, noting changes, especially in the formulation of the general theory and in its treatment of relativistic quantum theory and quantum electrodynamics. In the case of the later editions, I discuss Dirac’s negative attitude toward renormalized quantum electrodynamics.
Microstructures and Toughening of TiC-TiB2 Ceramic Composites with Cr-Based Alloy Phase Prepared by Combustion Synthesis in High-Gravity Field

Micro-nanocrystalline microstructures which are characterized by TiB2 platelets of the average thickness close to or smaller than 1 μm can be achieved in nearly full-density solidified TiC-TiB2 ceramic composites with Cr-based alloy phases by combustion synthesis in ultra-high gravity field of 2500 g. The filler phases in ceramic composites are actually Cr-based alloy with a little solidified solution of Ni atoms and Al atoms. The hardness, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of the materials are 18.5 ± 1.5 GPa, 650 ± 35 MPa, and 16.5 ± 1.5 MPa⋅m0.5, respectively. The improved fracture toughness of TiC-TiB2 ceramic composites results from crack deflection, crack bridging, and pull-out by a large number of fine TiB2 platelets and plastic deformation with some Cr-based alloy phases.
Validating Algebraic Class Testing in Final Algebra

Algebraic class testing is an object-oriented software testing method based on algebraic specification. It tests if a class correctly implements an algebraic specification by checking if the equations of the specification are satisfied. Each test case consists of two ground terms, which corresponds to two sequences of method calls to the class, and a tag indicating if the sequences should generate equivalent results according to the specification. One of the most appealing advantages of algebraic testing is that formal specifications can be used to automatically generate test cases and to determine if two values are equivalent, for example, by using observation contexts. A basic validity requirement for test oracles is that it correctly determines if the equivalence of the values of ground terms is consistent with the equivalence required by the algebraic specification. Unfortunately, for initial algebra semantics, this requirement is not satisfied by the observation contexts. This paper proves that the observation context approach satisfies the validity requirements for the final algebra semantics of algebraic specifications.
Determinants in growth in small tourism business and the barriers they face. The case of Cappadocia

The study aims to identify the factors that play a significant role on the growth of small and micro tourism businesses and the barriers of growth. Owners and managers of tourism businesses in Cappadocia, Turkey were surveyed. “Owner/Manager’s age”, “number of years since the business has a new owner/manager”, “creativity and innovation”, “frequent provision of trainings and English level of employees” found to be important business growth determinants. Growth barriers and their solutions were also discussed. Overall the study argues that business growth is important for destination and regional development and the topic requires future research.
The Structure of Simple 'New Economic Geography' Models

This paper shows that the mathematical structure of the most widely used New Economic Geography models is the same, irrespective of the underlying agglomeration mechanism assumed (factor migration, input-output linkages, endogenous capital accumulation). This enables us to provide analytical proofs to three important and related results in the field. First, standard models display at most two interior steady states beyond the symmetric one; we refer to the latter steady state as 'dispersion' because the manufacturing industry is evenly spread across locations. Second, when interior, asymmetric steady-states exist they are unstable. The final result of this paper relates to the corner steady states of the model whereby the manufacturing sector is clustered in a single location; we refer to such a steady states as 'agglomeration'. I establish that both agglomeration and dispersion are stable steady state for some economically meaningful parameter values of the model. This paper also stresses the empirical implications of the most important results derived in this study.
Using genotype simulations and Bayesian analyses to identify individuals of hybrid origin in Australian bass: lessons for fisheries management

Simulated genotypes, Bayesian analyses and molecular genetic data were used to detect individuals of hybrid origin and hybrid introgression between the Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata), a species extensively stocked in Australia, and estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum). Based on this analytical framework, 93% of the hybrids up to three generations later could be distinguished from the Australian bass. Individuals of hybrid origin were identified in all three rivers sampled. In addition, this study verified the fertility of hybrids between Australian bass and estuary perch as determined through genomic introgression. This study exemplifies an analytical procedure that has implications for identifying suitable individuals for use in breeding and restocking programmes for other species. # 2008 The Authors Journal compilation # 2008 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
Index based approach for categorizing online news articles

This research proposes an alternative approach to machine learning based ones for categorizing online news articles. For using machine learning based approaches for any task of text mining, documents should be encoded into numerical vectors; it causes two problems: huge dimensionality and sparse distribution. Although there are various tasks of text mining such as text categorization, text clustering, and text summarization, the scope of this research is restricted to text categorization. The idea of this research is to avoid the two problems by encoding a document or documents into a table, instead of numerical vectors. Therefore, the goal of this research is to develop a scheme which is free from the two problems for categorizing on-line news article automatically.
Avocado Extract Inhibits 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)- Induced Carcinogenesis in Hamster Cheek Pouches

Background/Aim: Our studies have shown that an avocado extract (D003) selectively inhibits proliferation in premalignant and malignant but not normal primary human oral epithelial cell lines via an ROS-mediated mechanism. Herein, the in vivo anticancer effect of D003 extract and freeze-dried avocado (FA) was determined in the DMBAinitiated hamster cheek pouch (HCP) model. Materials and Methods: Tumors were initiated in hamster oral mucosa with DMBA followed by topical application of D003, FA, or vehicle. Tumor lesions were counted and evaluated histologically, epithelial proliferation was investigated using MTT assays, and ROS levels in HCP were examined using two photon microscopy. Results: D003 significantly inhibited tumorigenesis (tumor number and volume) compared to FA and vehicle, but neither D003 nor FA reversed premalignant changes induced by DMBA. ROS levels that were increased in the mucosa by DMBA treatment were enhanced by D003. D003 significantly reduced proliferation of cells in DMBAinitiated mucosa. Conclusion: Human cell culture and HCP data show that the phytochemicals extracted from avocado exhibit anticancer activity by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and progression.
On secure broadcasting over parallel channels with independent secret keys

The broadcast channel with independent secret keys models a communication scenario in which a common message has to be securely broadcast to two legitimate receivers keeping an eavesdropper ignorant of it. The transmitter shares an independent secret key of arbitrary rate with each legitimate receiver. Depending on the channel qualities of the legitimate receivers and the eavesdropper, these secret keys must be used as one-time pads to encrypt the message, as fictitious messages for randomization in wiretap coding, or a combination of both to achieve the secrecy capacity. In this paper, communication takes place over independent parallel subchannels and the secrecy capacity is established for these cases, in which all parallel channels follow the same order of degradation.