Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Migratory movements and wintering areas of Leach's Storm-Petrels tracked using geolocators

Accumulating evidence suggests that Atlantic populations of Leach's Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) are experiencing significant declines. To better understand possible causes of these declines, we used geolocators to document movements of these small (50-g) pelagic seabirds during migration and the non-breeding period. During 2012 and 2013, movement tracks were obtained from two birds that traveled in a clock-wise direction from two breeding colonies in eastern Canada (Bon Portage Island, Nova Scotia, and Gull Island, Newfoundland) to winter in tropical waters. The bird from Bon Portage Island started its migration towards Cape Verde in October, arrived at its wintering area off the coast of eastern Brazil in January, and started migration back to Nova Scotia in April. The bird from Gull Island staged off Newfoundland in November and then again off Cape Verde in January before its geolocator stopped working. Movements of Leach's Storm-Petrels in our study and those of several other procellariiforms during the non-breeding period are likely facilitated by the prevailing easterly trade winds and the Antilles and Gulf Stream currents. Although staging and wintering areas used by Leach's Storm-Petrels in our study were characterized by low productivity, the West Africa and northeastern Brazilian waters are actively used by fisheries and discards can attract Leach's Storm-Petrels. Our results provide an initial step towards understanding movements of Leach's Storm-Petrels during the non-breeding period, but further tracking is required to confirm generality of their migratory routes, staging areas, and wintering ranges. RESUMEN. Movimientos migratorios yinvernales de Oceanodroma leucorhoa seguidos utilizando geolocaliza-dores La evidencia acumulada sugiere que las poblaciones del atlde Oceanodroma leucorhoa estexperimentando una disminuci´ on significativa. En un esfuerzo para entender mejor las posibles causas de esta disminuci´ on, usamos geolocaliza-dores para documentar los movimientos de esta peque˜ na (50-g) ave marina peldurante la migraci´ on y el periodo no reproductivo. Durante el 2012 y 2013, trayectorias de los movimiento fueron obtenidas basada en dos aves que viajaron en la direcci´
Studies of saharan dust intrusions over bucharest using ceilometer’s measurements and satellite data

Three case studies of Saharan dust intrusions over southern Romania were performed. For these studies the database from the ceilometers located at Magurele and Strejnic was used. In addition, the meteorological conditions were analyzed using the WLK Catalogue based on the Objektive Wetterlagenklassifikation classification of the weather types [1]. This catalogue uses information from three basic tropospheric levels: 925, 700 and 500 hPa, and information on the precipitable water content over the entire atmosphere column. Geopotential fields at 925hPa and 500hPa are used for establishing the cyclonicity or anticyclonicity, while the U and V components of wind at 700hPa for establishing the dominant direction of the wind flow. For better understanding of the atmospheric parameters we performed HYSPLIT dispersion and trajectories analysis in conjunction with DREAM model output data.
A Review of Local Economic and Employment Development Policy Approaches in OECD Countries: Policy Transferability to Wales

This paper is written in the context of a coalition government in the Welsh Assembly which is committed to full employment (defined as an employment rate of 80%) based on quality jobs. At the outset it should be noted that not all activities relevant to the subject matter of this report have been devolved to the Welsh Assembly. Though the Assembly has powers relating to education and training it does not have responsibility for employment issues. It should also be emphasised that the Welsh Assembly has introduced many new policies and strategies and has recently integrated bodies such as Education and Learning Wales (ELWa) and the Welsh Development Agency into Government Departments. This report considers the transferability of ten policy audits focusing on specific policy interventions in different OECD countries in the fields of labour market participation, skills development and economic and physical regeneration. First, it considers the main policy challenges for Wales in relation to the labour market. It then examines evidence of policy gaps in the current approach of the Welsh Assembly Government. This leads on to an assessment of the policy options that might be considered in relation to the challenges facing Wales. The next section attempts to consider the potential role of the reviewed initiatives in filling these gaps. A final section draws conclusions and makes some policy recommendations.
Rotor Failures Diagnosis of Squirrel Cage Induction Motors with Different Supplying Sources

The growing application and the numerous qualities of induction motors (IM) in industrial processes that require high security and reliability levels has led to the development of multiple methods for early fault detection. However, various faults can occur, such as stator short-circuits and rotor failures. Traditionally the diagnosis machine is done through a sinusoidal power supply, in the present paper we study experimentally the effects of the rotor failures, such as broken rotor bars in function of the ac supplying, the load and show the impact of the converter from diagnosis of the machine. The technique diagnosis used is based on the spectral analysis of stator currents or stator voltages respectively according to the types of induction motor ac supplying. So, four different ac supplying are considered: ? the IM is directly by the balanced three-phase network voltage source, ? the IM is fed by a sinusoidal current source given the controlled by hysteresis, ? the IM is fed (in open loop) by a scalar control imposing through ratio V/f=constant, ? the IM is controlled through a vector control using space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique inverter with an outer speed loop.
Prediction of the mass unbalance of a variable speed induction motor by stator current multiple approaches

Generally, rotor mass unbalance is one of the most probable causes of the majority of degradations suffered by electric drives in an industrial environment (current pumping, rolling problem, misalignment, etc.), especially those with high power and variable speed. This document is an experimental contribution to the reliable detection of mass unbalance and changes in its severity if, by necessity of service, the system is subjected to a speed variation. The implementation of the technical orbits Park, strengthened by the application of the Fourier transforms (FFT, STFT) to the Park vector of the stator current allowed the identification of the unbalance defect at low frequency. The sequence of current analytical approaches favors the convergence towards an unambiguous reading of the mass unbalance defect. A comparative table has been drawn up in order to observe the evolution of the gravity of this mechanical defect in the case of a speed variation of the induction motor. The results obtained by this multifaceted approach are very satisfying and can contribute to a self-diagnostic with the assistance of a decision-making technique.
A Multi-Criteria Prioritization Framework (MCPF) to Assess Infrastructure Sustainability Objectives

This paper presents a Multi-Criteria Prioritization Framework (MCPF) that can assist decision-makers and government administrators in identifying and ranking infrastructure sustainability objectives in developing countries. The framework also helps governments of developing countries in assessing the priority of repair of damaged infrastructure assets, based on significant sustainability objectives. A Template of infrastructure sustainability objectives is developed through literature review and interviews with key experts. A questionnaire-based survey solicits experts’ opinions to rate the sustainability objectives based on their relative importance to the public, using a five-point Likert rating scale. The quality of experts participating in the rating process is determined using the pair-wise comparison method of the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) that calculates a crisp importance weight value of each expert, based on his or her qualification criteria. The relative importance index (RII) method is adapted to prioritize the sustainability objectives, which integrates the rating scores assigned by experts and their relative importance weight factors. A crisp facility sustainability priority index (FSPI) is computed using a survey-based approach and a weighted sum technique in multi-criteria decision analysis that determines the priority of repair of damaged infrastructure facilities, based on significant sustainability objectives. In order to test the applicability of the prioritization framework, a case study is applied in Egypt to demonstrate how the model can assist governments of developing countries in prioritizing damaged infrastructure assets that need urgent repairs. The prioritization framework presented in this paper offers a simple yet efficient evaluation technique to decision-makers with limited budgets that accounts for sustainability objectives in deciding on the repair priorities of damaged facilities.
Epigenetic data analysis on Alzheimer's disease

Mutations in ones DNA can influence the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (Alzheimer). DNA consists of long strings of nucleotides, which together define the genome. However, next to these nucleotides, also the way in which DNA wraps in a cell affects the function of a cell. The information describing the DNA wrapping state is called the epigenome. A recent paper by Kundaje et al. [1] has provided, among other things, an epigenetic label (state) to each nucleotide. One type of mutations on the DNA affects a single nucleotide; these are called SNPs. Some SNPs are related to Alzheimer whereas others are related to other diseases or traits such as hair color. In this report, we have investigated if Alzheimer SNPs are related to specific epigenetic states. Specifically, we searched for patterns to distinguish Alzheimer SNPs from other SNPs. For this, we explored numerous similarity approaches, such as differences in state counts, clustering methods, and a classifier. Up till now, we did not find an obvious difference in epigenetic patterns between Alzheimer SNPs and control SNPs.
Efficient 2D Convolution Filters Implementations on Graphics Processing Unit Using NVIDIA CUDA

Convolution algorithms present a key component and a significant step in image processing field. Despite their high arithmetic complexity, these algorithms are widely used because of their great importance for extracting image properties and features. Convolution algorithms require significant computing time, for that we propose a GPU acceleration of these algorithms by using the programming language CUDA presented by NVIDIA. Since these algorithms consume a lot of computing power, we understand the impact of the implementation of this type of algorithm on the acceleration of processing. GPU implementation present a suitable path to achieve better results than other implementation , for that optimizing time consuming time consuming of applications became an increasingly important task in many research areas. The goal of this work is to try to boost convolution algorithms execution time by adopting GPU implementations to accelerate treatments and to achieve real time constraints.
Ion dynamics at supercritical quasi-parallel shocks: Hybrid simulations

By separating the incident ions into directly transmitted, downstream thermalized, and diffuse ions, we perform one-dimensional (1D) hybrid simulations to investigate ion dynamics at a supercritical quasi-parallel shock. In the simulations, the angle between the upstream magnetic field and shock nominal direction is θBn=30°, and the Alfven Mach number is MA∼5.5. The shock exhibits a periodic reformation process. The ion reflection occurs at the beginning of the reformation cycle. Part of the reflected ions is trapped between the old and new shock fronts for an extended time period. These particles eventually form superthermal diffuse ions after they escape to the upstream of the new shock front at the end of the reformation cycle. The other reflected ions may return to the shock immediately or be trapped between the old and new shock fronts for a short time period. When the amplitude of the new shock front exceeds that of the old shock front and the reformation cycle is finished, these ions become thermal.
A state variable approach for the calculation of switching transients on a power transmission line

This paper gives the outline of a new method for the calculation of electromagnetic transients on transmission lines above homogeneous ground. The basic idea is that line transfer functions which normally are calculated in terms of hyperbolic functions of \omega are now expressed in terms of s = \sigma + j \omega . This is possible due to the existence of analytical expressions of line impedances and admittances in terms of j \omega , or s in the new approach. It is then possible to find the poles of the transfer function by the secant method and then the corresponding residues. The partial fraction approximation of the transfer functions is incomplete and a correction may be used to account for the missing poles. The calculations are performed numerically only for samples of s needed for the calculation of poles and residues. The end result is a set of state equations with \upsilon and i as inputs/outputs at the switch terminals. Inputs and outputs are interchanged as the switch poles open or close. The integration can be numerical or closed form for sinusoidal inputs (generator voltages) and the state variables carry the past information from one stage of switching to the next. Essential parts of the procedures are illustrated by numerical results.
Improving Global Performance on GPU for Algorithms with Main Loop Containing a Reduction Operation: Case of Dijkstra's Algorithm

In this paper, we study the impact of copying data in GPU computing. GPU computing allows implementing parallel computations at low cost: a GPU can be purchased at under USD 500. Many studies have shown that GPU can be used to speed up the calculations. But for algorithms requiring doing a part of the calculations on GPU and another part on CPU, alternately, latency due to the copy of the data is a performance degradation factor. To illustrate this, we consider the Dijkstra’s algorithm on the shortest path used in solving optimization problems. This algorithm is very heavy to run on sequential machine. So, we are considering a parallel approach on GPU. Note that Dijkstra’s algorithm has been subject of many implementations on GPU. In the present work, we use two platforms with external GPU. Graphs are represented in adjacency matrix. During the computation of this algorithm, intermediates results are copied from GPU to CPU or from CPU to GPU. The purpose of this work is to measure the impact of these copies in the overall performance of the algorithm. For that we calculate time due to the copying data’s implementation; then we compare results with implementation computing only on CPU memory (zero-copy). The real impact shown by experiments demonstrates the interest of this study. GP-GPU programmers have to think that they will use either memory zero-copy or GPU memory. The challenge for GPU’s manufacturers is how to reduce this impact.
Construction and application of infectious citrus viroids for biological indexing

Author(s): Steyn, C; Cook, G; Burger, J T; Maree, H J | Abstract: Viroid species identified in citrus induce a range of symptoms in this host as well as in non-citrus hosts. Currently, 7 citrus viroid species are recognized including Citrus bent leaf viroid (CBLVd), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), Citrus dwarfing viroid (CDVd), Citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd), Citrus viroid V (CVd-V), Citrus viroid VI (CVd-VI) and Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd). Cachexia-inducing variants of HSVd and CEVd, which causes exocortis, are considered severe pathogens of citrus, whereas other viroid species induce less severe symptoms such as stunting, either singly or in combination. Some viroid species, such as CDVd, have previously been used to deliberately induce stunting for high density planting of citrus, but studies on the effects of commercial orchards are limited. Research on the effect of viroid species requires the isolation of single viroid species. Biological isolation of single species from naturally infected citrus is challenging since viroids seldom occur as single infections and are often found in combination with various other pathogens. The production of single viroid species clones for in vitro transcription enables the generation of a single viroid species inoculum for research applications and circumvents the need for maintenance of sources in plants. Complete genomes of 7 viroid strains including CBLVd, 2 HSVd variants (CVd-IIa and CVd-IIb), CDVd, CBCVd, CVd-V and CEVd were cloned with a leading T7 promoter sequence to facilitate in vitro transcription. Circularized RNA transcripts were successfully used to transfect ‘Etrog’ citron (Citrus medica) by slash-inoculation that developed typical citrus viroid symptoms.
Hydrologic impacts of small‐scale instream diversions for frost and heat protection in the California wine country

Though many river studies have documented the impacts of large water projects on stream hydrology, few have described the effects of dispersed, small‐scale water projects on streamflow or aquatic ecosystems. We used streamflow and air temperature data collected in the northern California wine country to characterize the influence of small instream diversions on streamflow. On cold spring mornings when air temperatures approached 0°C, flow in streams draining catchments with upstream vineyards receded abruptly, by as much as 95% over hours, corresponding to times when water is used to protect grape buds from freezing; flow rose to near previous levels following periods of water need. Streams with no upstream vineyards showed no such changes in flow. Flow was also depressed in reaches below vineyards on hot summer days, when grape growers commonly use water for heat protection. Our results demonstrate that the changes in flow caused by dispersed small instream diversions may be brief in duration, requiring continuous short‐interval monitoring to adequately describe how such diversions affect the flow regime. Depending on the timing and abundance of such diversions in a drainage network, the changes in streamflow they cause may be an important limiting factor to valued biotic resources throughout the region. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eventseer: "Calls for Papers" as Linked Data

Finding relevant publication outlets is a necessity for all academics and researchers. The Eventseer web service was originally created to simplify this task by providing access to academic calls for papers in a semi-structured and searchable for- mat. This paper describes the work being done to make the Eventseer data available as Linked Data, thereby further increasing its accessibility and usefulness to the scientific community. Details are given about the process of extracting necessary infor- mation such as event names and dates, deadlines and associated people, topics and organizations from the call for paper texts. The resulting mapping to a Linked Data RDF format and the modeling choices made are discussed. Examples of secondary use of Eventseer data are given; these include social network analysis of academic communities, altmetrics for measuring re- searcher impact, and automated modeling of topic hierarchies. Finally, a set of suggested improvements and known limitations are mentioned, along with plans for further improvement of the breadth and quality of the Linked Data.
Artistic Patterns in Hyperbolic Geometry

From antiquity, humans have created 2-dimensional art on flat surfaces (the Euclidean plane) and on surfaces of spheres. However, it wasn't until recently that they have created art in the third "classical geometry", the hyperbolic plane. M. C. Escher was the first person to do so, doing all the needed constructions laboriously by hand. To exhibit the true hyperbolic nature of such art, the pattern must exhibit symmetry and repetition. Thus, it is natural to use a computer to avoid the tedious hand constructions performed by Escher. We show a number of hyperbolic patterns, which are created by combining mathematics, artistic considerations, and computer technology.
Toxic Effects of Anatase Titanium DioxideNanoparticles on Spermatogenesis and Testiclesin Male Mice

Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in food products, capsules, toothpaste, and so on, so the kinds of NPs directly get in touch with human bodies. The potential effect of this kind of material on reproduction must be considered with the increase in infertility. Sixty ICR male mice were intragastrically treated with dosages of 0, 10, 50, and 100 mg kg-1 body weight (BW) anatase TiO2 NPs to investigate the male reproductive toxicity of the NPs. Sperm quality, morphological changes in mice testes, and oxidative damage indexes were investigated in this study. Results showed that anatase TiO2 NPs could lead to sperm malformation and increased rate of sperm cell micronucleus. These NPs also reduced the germ cell number and led to spherospermia, interstitial glands vacuole, malalignment, and vacuolization of spermatogenic cells in mice testes. Testicular cells accumulated reactive oxygen species when the mice were intragastrically administrated with TiO2 NPs. Superoxide dismutase activity decreased, and the malondialdehyde content increased in the TiO2 NP-treated groups. Anatase TiO2 NPs exerted potential toxic effects on male reproduction, so the widespread application of this kind of NP in food products needs to be regulated.
Automatic generation of anisotropic quadrilateral meshes on three‐dimensional surfaces using metric specifications

A new algorithm for constructing full quadrilateral anisotropic meshes on 3D surfaces is proposed in this paper. The proposed method is based on the advancing front and the systemic merging techniques. Full quadrilateral meshes are constructed by systemically converting triangular elements in the background meshes into quadrilateral elements.By using the metric specifications to describe the element characteristics, the proposed algorithm is applicable to convert both isotropic and anisotropic triangular meshes into full quadrilateral meshes. Special techniques for generating anisotropic quadrilaterals such as new selection criteria of base segment for merging, new approaches for the modifications of the background mesh and construction of quadrilateral elements, are investigated and proposed in this study. Since the final quadrilateral mesh is constructed from a background triangular mesh and the merging procedure is carried out in the parametric space, the mesh generator is robust and no expensive geometrical computation that is commonly associated with direct quadrilateral mesh generation schemes is needed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.