Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Convex Maximization Formulation of General Sphere Packing Problem

We consider a general sphere packing problem which is to pack nonoverlapping spheres (balls) with the maximum volume into a convex set. This problem has important applications in science and technology. We prove that this problem is equivalent to the convex maximization problem which belongs to a class of global optimization. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for inscribing a finite number of balls into a convex compact set. In two dimensional case, the sphere packing problem is a classical circle packing problem. We show that 200 years old Malfatti’s problem [11] is a particular case of the circle packing problem. We also survey existing algorithms for solving the circle packing problems as well as their industrial applications.
Preliminary study of soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in emitted particles from adobe kilns that use scrap tires as fuel

Artisanal pottery in Mexico is largely manufactured in handmade adobe kilns using scrap tires as main fuel in rural and peri-urban areas, making this activity one of the main sources of atmospheric pollutants. An intensive sampling campaign was conducted in a Mexican small town in order to characterize the toxic species emitted by more than 400 adobe kilns working in two scenarios: low activity and normal activity, as well as to determine their carcinogenic potential. PM 10 concentrations ranged 50-80 µg m −3 and 77-290 µg m −3 during low and normal activity periods, while PM 2.5 concentrations were 33-57 µg m −3 and 37-177 µg m −3 , in the same periods. Organic carbon and elemental carbon presented concentrations around 4 times and 7 times greater during normal activity period than during low activity in both particle sizes. Quantified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were twice greater during the normal activity period than during the low activity period. Carcinogenic PAHs accounted for 53-59% of total PAHs in all cases and the carcinogenic potential, B[ a ]Peq in PM 10 , during the normal activity, was 25 times higher than the European Commission recommendation, proving thereby the high risk that nearby population faces to those emissions.
The Influence of Lithospheric Mantle Scars and Rheology on Intraplate Deformation and Orogenesis: Insights From Tectonic Analog Models

Structural heterogeneities in the deep lithosphere have been identified as an important factor in crustal tectonics, particularly where inherited deep zones of weakness may initiate orogenesis in continent interiors. Aside from structural heterogeneity, the rheological strength of the lithosphere may also have a primary role affecting the kinematics of deformation in the lithosphere. To investigate the interplay of rheology and preexisting structures, we designed a set of physical scaled analog experiments for a convergent setting that tests (a) the presence and absence of a preexisting weak zone in the lithospheric mantle and (b) the effects of the rheological strength of the lithospheric mantle. Tectonic evolution of the model is recorded to acquire a time series data set of the velocity field and subsequently strain in the model. Results show that a weak zone in the lithospheric mantle allows deformation to be accommodated by displacement along this zone and into the overlying lower and upper crust, regardless of lithosphere strength. In contrast, a model absent of a weak zone accommodates deformation by folding and thickening of the viscous layers. The viscous lithosphere in models with a strong lithospheric mantle tends to buckle creating a sequence of brittle faulting in the upper crust. Specifically, the rheology of the lithosphere dictates the distribution of strain. Our results are considered in the context of the formation of the Eurekan fold and thrust belts in an intraplate setting on Ellesmere Island, where deformation may be related to the influence of deep lithosphere structure(s) and deep lithosphere strength.
Effect of aqueous extract of Syzygium cumini Pulp on antioxidant defense system in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

The aqueous extract of Syzygium cumini (Pulp) was investigated for its possible hypoglycemic and antioxidant potentials in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic wistar female rats. A single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 55 mg/kg body weight elevated the glucose levels more than 230 mg/dl after 3 days. Treatment with the aqueous extract of Syzygium cumini (Pulp) at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight resulted in significant reduction ( p <0.001) in blood glucose levels. Body weights were significantly reduced ( p <0.001) in STZ Induced diabetic rats when compared to normal rats, while in diabetic rats S.cumini extract ( p <0.001) prevented significantly the decrease in body weight in a dose dependant manner. Total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, LDL-c, HDL-c levels were altered in STZ induced diabetic rats, which were considerably restored to near normal in animals treated with S.cumini extract . The administration of aqueous extract of Syzygium cumini resulted in significant ( p <0.001) increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutahione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione (GSH), thus resulting in reduced free radical formation in liver tissues of the diabetic rats . The increased levels of lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxides in diabetic rats were reverted back to near normal levels after the treatment with aqueous extract of Syzygium cumini . These observations demonstrated that aqueous extract of Syzygium cumini (Pulp) have strong hypoglycemic effect and in vivo antioxidant activity in STZ-Induced diabetic rats and was dose dependent.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia after Liver Transplantation

Introduction and aim: Post-liver transplant recipients present a vast array of metabolic disturbances in the post-transplant period which impact on their morbidity and mortality. Post-transplant diabetes and hypertension were associated with increased risks of graft failure, infection, cardiovascular disease, and death. Therefore, predicting and preventing post-transplant metabolic complications would be a compelling objective for improving care of post-transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors of metabolic complications after liver transplantation. Methods: Incidence and risk factors for new onset arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia were assessed progressively in 100 post- liver transplant recipients at least one year after transplantation (91% male; mean age 52 ± 7.7 y). Risk factors were assessed using logistic regression analysis according to demographic, clinical and laboratory variables. Results: The incidence of hypertension was 38.6%; diabetes, 39.7% and hyperlipidemia, 19% at one year post-liver transplantation (LTX). Independent risk factors for new onset of hypertension were family history of hypertension (OR: 4.85; 95% CI: 3.04-7.74), and cyclosporine use (OR: 6.33; 95%CI: 2.36-16.96). Risk factor for new onset of diabetes were HCV infection (OR: 2.54; 95%CI: 0.84-7.72) and cyclosporine use (12.63; 95%CI: 3.06-52.09). The incidence of hyperlipidemia after LTX was related to the use of cyclosporine (OR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.04-1.98), or tacrolimus (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.02-1.67). Conclusion: LTX was associated with significantly increased rates of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, the incidences of these disorders were related to immunosuppressive therapy.
Optimal passive shunted damping configurations for noise reduction in sandwich panels

This article addresses the issue of vibration and noise reduction in laminated sandwich plates using piezoelectric patches with passive shunted damping. A finite element implementation of a laminated sandwich plate with viscoelastic core and surface bonded piezoelectric patches is used to obtain the frequency response of the panels. The sound transmission characteristics of the panels are evaluated by computing their radiated sound power using the Rayleigh integral method. Resistor and inductor shunt damping circuits are used to add damping to the sandwich panels. The optimal location of the surface-bonded piezoelectric patches is then obtained, along with the resistor and inductor circuits resistance and inductance, using direct multisearch optimization to minimize added weight, number of patches, and noise radiation. Trade-off Pareto optimal fronts and the respective optimal patch configurations are obtained.
The Impact of Income Inequality on Carbon Emissions in China: A Household-Level Analysis

This study investigates the impact of income inequality on household carbon emissions in China using nationwide micro panel data. The effect is positive—households in counties with greater income inequality emit more—and remarkably robust to a battery of robustness checks. We also explore the roles that consumption patterns, time preference, and mental health play in the relationship between income inequality and household carbon emissions. The findings suggest that the change in consumption patterns caused by income inequality may be an important reason for the positive effect of inequality on household carbon emissions and that a lower time preference for consumption and improved mental health can mitigate the positive effect of income inequality on household carbon emissions. Furthermore, substantial differences are found among households at different income levels and households with heads of different ages. The findings of this study provide important insights for policy makers to reduce both inequality and emissions.
Morfometría y distribución de especies del género Ornithocercus(Dinophysiales: Dinophyta) del Pacífico Mexicano

It is described, illustrated and indicated the distribution of nine taxa of Ornithocercus; two of them being new records for the Mexican Pacific. The results of morphometric analyses over seven Ornithocercus species (O. bilobatus, O. magnificus, O. heteroporus, O. galea, O. quadratus, O. steini and. O. thumii) are presented. We evaluated 29 variables on 90 organisms of different species collected in the Mexican Tropical Pacific coasts. Due to the overlapping between O. steini-O. thumii, special analyses were done for this complex. Data were analyzed with multivariate statistical tools, Cluster Analysis (CA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA). CA resulted in two main and well differentiated groups, one of them with O. thumii, O. steini and O. quadratus (as differentiated subgroups), a second one with O. magnificus, O. heteroporus and O. galea. The DA showed significant differences up to fourth function (? Wilks<0.162, p<0.0005) with 97.7% of cases correctly classified and accumulated variance of 98.1%. The most important variables for segregation were the total length, the cingulum width and the rib R3. Significant differences were found among epitecal area and cingulum width. We concluded that O. galea is different enough from O. quadratus so they are not varieties of a single species. Despite of the overlapping between O. steini and O. thumii we found meristic characters to differentiate them.
Aadel Brun Tschudi Annual Lecture 2017 – efficiency and equity in development geography, the SDGs and the Sendai Framework

ABSTRACT What can contemporary geographical research learn from Aadel Brun Tschudi? As a pioneer of development geography, Tschudi emphasised efficiency, equity and the responsibility of geographers to be active in society. While her contributions to development geography were made in the context of nation-building efforts in the mid–late 20th century, the globalising process of the early 21st century raise similar concerns for identity, emergent hierarchies of power and socio-environmental transformation. Using Tschudi’s cardinal principles of equity and efficiency, the paper identifies four action arenas and exemplifies these through interventions aimed at reducing risk and addressing unmet development challenges: (1) high efficiency, low equity (private sector led), (2) low efficiency, low equity (humanitarian sector led), (3) low efficiency, high equity (spontaneous local action), and (4) high efficiency, high equity (collaborative action). The analysis draws out the different ways in which the aspirations and policy communities that own the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 are interacting now and how far these interactions are able to deliver efficiency and equity for the poor in low- and middle-income countries, which is Tschudi’s primary concern.
Designing Rotor Disks of a Coreless Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machines by Using Simplified FEM and an Approximation Method

The article deals with designing rotor disks of a double-sided axial flux permanent magnet machine, based on their deflection, due to the pull forces between opposite rotor disks, caused by the permanent magnets. Permanent magnets cause the magnetic flux density to flow between the permanent magnets on opposite rotor disks and its size determines the size of the pull force. That is why it is essential to determine the size of the axial component of magnetic flux density in the middle of the clearance between opposite rotor disks (fictitious air gap) in order to calculate the deflection of the rotor disks. The article presents a new method for determining the size of the axial component of magnetic flux density, based on a simplified finite element method and an approximation method as well as modified equations for determining the deflection of rotor disks. The method is used to determine the pull forces between rotor disks and based on the deflection of the disks an optimum rotor disk thickness can be selected in order to reduce the weight of the machine.
Habitat Selection by the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus in North-Eastern Poland: Implications for Forest Management

Research Highlights: Intensive forest management practices generally have a negative effect on biodiversity. However, the creation of new, open habitats as a consequence of timber harvesting within large areas of woodland may be favorable to some bird species. Background and Objectives: Habitat selection of the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus in a coniferous woodland area in northeastern Poland was studied in order to specify management recommendations. Materials and Methods: To define the influence of various environmental parameters on territory occupation, 11 micro- and 3 macrohabitat factors were analyzed. Results: Denser vegetation in the ground layer deterred birds from nesting in clearings with such characteristics. Moreover, Nightjars preferentially inhabited sites adjacent to young stands of trees. Birds preferred plots with a higher number of clearings in the neighborhood, as this enabled them to enlarge their foraging area. Other microhabitat factors (e.g., the type, age and area of clearings), as well as macroscale factors like distances to the forest edge, nearest roads and human settlements, were of no importance. Conclusions: Knowledge of the Nightjar preferences may be useful in working out a compromise between an appropriate level of clear-felling and conservation of other bird species requiring preservation of old tree stands.
Study on the tarsonemid mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from Korea. II. Four unrecorded species of Tarsonemus.

In a survey of Tarsonemid mites associated with omamental trees, four Tarsonemus species unrecorded in Korea were identified in 1993. They ae Tarsonemus bilobatus Suski, 1965, T. evodiae Ito, 1964, T. smithi Ewing, 1939, and T. takaoensis Ito, 1964. Morphological characteristics of these 4 species are reported herein.
Electrostatic forcing of thin leaky dielectric films under periodic and steady fields

The linear and nonlinear dynamics of an interface separating a thin liquid film and a hydrodynamically passive ambient medium, subject to normal electrostatic forcing, are investigated. A reduced-order model is developed for the case where both fluids are taken to be leaky dielectrics (LD). Cases of time periodic as well as steady forcing are studied. In the former case, an important result is the elucidation of two forms of resonant instability than can occur in LD films. These correspond to an inertial resonance due to mechanical inertia of the fluid and an inertialess resonance due to charge capacitance at the interface that is similar to mechanically forced films with an insoluble surfactant. In the case of steady forcing, the long-time dynamics exhibits spontaneous sliding as the interface approaches the wall, for the two limiting cases of a perfect conductor–perfect dielectric pair as well as a pair of perfect dielectrics. Under these limits, only the normal component of the Maxwell stress at the interface is significant and the interface dynamics resembles that of a Rayleigh–Taylor unstable interface. For a general pair of leaky dielectrics studied in the limit of fast relaxation times, the presence of interfacial charge prevents the onset of sliding. For the special case when the square of the conductivity ratio equals the permittivity ratio, the interface exhibits cascading structures, similar to those reported for the long-wave Marangoni instability.
Binary and ternary transition metal phosphides for dry reforming of methane

In this work, both binary and ternary transition metal phosphides (MoP, WP, Ni2P, Fe2P, CoP, NiMoP and CoMoP) were used as potential catalysts for dry reforming of methane (DRM). Moreover, Ni2P, Fe2P, CoP, NiMoP and CoMoP were tested in DRM for the first time. A comparison of various phosphide catalysts identified Mo-based phosphides (MoP, NiMoP and CoMoP) as having much higher DRM activity than phosphides of W, Ni, Fe and Co. It was worth mentioning that CoMoP can show a similar catalytic activity and stability to the Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. The XRD, Raman and SEM results indicated that the resistance to coking, bulk oxidation and sintering of Mo-based phosphides was higher than that of phosphides of metals (W, Ni, Co and Fe). Furthermore, CoMoP exhibited the highest resistance to coking, oxidation and sintering among these phosphide catalysts. It was proposed that both the quantity and location of active sites for CH4 and CO2 dissociation over phosphides were crucial to maintain the oxidation–reduction cycle in DRM.
Reproductive cycles of male and female Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) on Stephens Island

An abrasive pack and anchor assembly for mounting, in plurality, on an axial hub to provide an abrasive drum. The hub is of the type having a substantially cylindrical surface, with substantially longitudinal slots recessed into said surface, each of said slots receiving one of said packs. The abrasive pack of the invention is a laminar assembly of abrasive strips having a length substantially the length of the slotted hub. The base portions of said strips are bonded together by adhesive, and preferably, are compressed to form a relatively solid base structure having a flat planar base surface adapted to seat on the bottom of the slot. The base structure of the pack is transversely pierced at longitudinally spaced intervals by transverse apertures. A reusable anchor member is comprised of a retainer bar seating on one sidewall of said base structure; with short transverse bar members extending laterally of said retainer bar, and integral therewith, at longitudinal spacing corresponding to the spacing of said apertures in the base structure of said pack. When said anchor member is assembled to one of said laminar packs, and drawn longitudinally into one of said hub slots, the abrasive pack assembly is retained in position in said slot.
Plant Biotechnology: The Genetic Manipulation of Plants

Introduction 1. Plant genomes - the organisation and expression of plant genes 2. Plant tissue culture 3. Techniques for plant transformation 4. Binary vectors for plant transformation 5. The genetic manipulation of herbicide resistance 6. The genetic manipulation of pest resistance 7. Plant disease resistance 8. Reducing the effects of viral diseases 9. Strategies for stress tolerance 10. The improvement of crop yield and quality 11. Molecular farming / "pharming" 12. Future prospects for GM crops
Complete mitochondrial genome of Eudarcia gwangneungensis (Lepidoptera: Meessiidae)

Abstract We report the complete mitochondrial genome of Eudarcia gwangneungensis Roh & Byun, 2019. The genome has a total length of 15,391 bp (GenBank accession number: MN413148), consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA genes, and A + T-rich control region. The nucleotide composition was 39.4% T, 40.4% A, 12.7% C, and 7.4% G. This study is the first report of a complete mitochondrial genome of a meessiid species, and the mitogenomic sequence can be used as a reference data for extensive phylogenetic studies of Tineoidea.
Nesting biology of Megachile (Chrysosarus) guaranitica and high mortality caused by its cleptoparasite Coelioxys bertonii (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Brazil

Twenty‐six nests of Megachile guaranitica Schrottky were obtained during a study of trap‐nesting bees and wasps in a forest remnant surrounded by crop areas in the central‐western region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Fieldwork was performed monthly from June 2011 to May 2013. Females of M. guaranitica nested during the hotter/wetter season, from December to March. Brood cells consisted of three layers: an outer one made with oblong pieces of leaves, a thick middle wall of mud and an inner layer of oblong pieces of leaves. Pollen analysis of the contents of 10 nests revealed the dominance (97.6%) of pollen from the subfamily Mimosoidae (Fabaceae). The immature stages underwent prepupal diapause and took approximately 277 days to emerge. Seventeen of the 26 nests (65%) were attacked by the cleptoparasite Coelioxys bertonii Schrottky, and more individuals of this species (69%) emerged than females and males of the host species (31%). Coelioxys bertonii also underwent prepupal diapause, with development lasting approximately 240 days. The parasitoid wasp Melittobia australica Girault (Eulophidae) is recorded as a parasitoid of M. guaranitica.
Modeling and Analysis Botnet Propagation in Social Internet of Things

The existence of botnet puts people in an extremely insecure environment, which has seriously affected the development of Internet of Things (IoT). In order to prevent the formation of a botnet, it is necessary to understand the propagation behaviors and influence factors. As IoT devices become more intelligent, they can gradually generate social characteristics by mimicking human behaviors. However, in the process of coping with the botnet problem, little consideration has been given to the potential social characteristics of IoT. In this article, we build a dynamic botnet propagation model (i.e., IoT-BSI model) to study the influences of two social characteristics (i.e., device’s spread capability and device’s identification ability) on botnet formation. First, in terms of device’s spread capability, this article makes great improvements on the K- shell decomposition algorithm and calculates this characteristic more accurately. Second, this article divides the device’s identification ability into the rational identification ability and the irrational identification ability based on the sociological theory, and the calculation of the former is mainly realized by utilizing the PageRank idea. Third, this article applies the mean-field equation theory to analyze the dynamic characteristics of botnet propagation theoretically. Finally, the comprehensive results show that our model is not merely more consistent with the actual situation but also performs better than four compared models.