Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Notes on the sand fly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a region of Brazil

The family Psychodidae has a cosmopolitan distribution with members that occur in many habitats, mainly in humid environments, and is most diverse in the tropics. Subfamilies Sycoracinae and Phlebotominae have females with hematophagous habits and the latter studied more due to medical and veterinary interest, since it includes species that can transmit diseases to animals and humans. The knowledge about the sand fly fauna in a region is extremely important for adequate monitoring and control measures for leishmaniasis. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize Psychodidae fauna in relation to richness, abundance and molecular identification of Leishmania spp. in sand flies in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. The ollections were carried out between 2015 and 2016 in three cities in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were taken near feeding places for domestic animals, urban forest and peridomicile areas. The insects were identified and female sand flies were submitted to molecular analysis to detect the presence of Leishmania spp. A total of 4,200 insects were collected, 4,193 from the Sycoracinae subfamily and 7 Phlebotominae from the Nyssomyia neivai and Pintomyia fisheri species. Of the studied municipalities, sandflies were registered in Tubarão and Imaruí and the most frequent habitat was the peridomicile areas. No samples were positive for Leishmania spp. In conclusion, the work highlights the presence of two species of sandflies, which were recorded for the first time in southern Santa Catarina.
Relation between physical activity and energy expenditure in a representative sample of young children 1 – 3

Background: Strategies for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity require a better understanding of the relation between the pattern of free-living physical activity and total energy expenditure (TEE). Objective: We assessed the relations between TEE and physical activity level (PAL) during engagement in different intensities of physical activity. Design: We used a cross-sectional study of 104 children (median age: 5.4 y) in Scotland. TEE was measured with use of doubly labeled water (DLW), and resting energy expenditure was predicted to determine PAL. Time spent sedentary and in light-intensity activity and in moderateand vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) was assessed by accelerometry concurrent with DLW measurements. Correlation and regression were used to assess the relations between measures of sedentary behavior, intensities of activity, and PAL as the dependent variable. Results: Time spent sedentary was negatively correlated with PAL (r 0.33, P 0.01), and time spent in light-intensity activity was positively correlated with PAL (r 0.31, P 0.01). In multiple regression analyses, both time spent sedentary and in light-intensity activities were significantly associated with PAL. Time spent in MVPA was not associated with PAL; engagement in MVPA was limited in this sample (median: 3% of waking hours; range: 0–14%). PAL was significantly higher in boys than in girls. Conclusion: In this sample and setting, PAL was not influenced by engagement in MVPA but was influenced by time spent sedentary and in light-intensity activities. This study suggests that in young children, MVPA could make only a minor contribution to free-living TEE and PAL. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80:591–6.
Forecasting CO2 Emissions in China’s Construction Industry Based on the Weighted Adaboost-ENN Model and Scenario Analysis

As a pillar industry of national economy, China’s construction industry is still facing the status of substantial energy consumption and high CO2 emissions, which is a key field of energy conservation and emission reduction. In CO2 emissions research, it is essential to focus on analyzing the present and future trends of CO2 emissions in China’s construction industry. This article introduces a novel prediction model, in which the weighted algorithm is combined with Elman neural network (ENN) optimized by Adaptive Boosting algorithm (Adaboost) for evaluating future CO2 emissions in China’s construction industry. Firstly, logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) is used to decompose CO2 emissions into economy, structural, intensity, and population indicators, posing as inputs to the weighted Adaboost-ENN model. Then, through comparison with other three models based on the data of total CO2 emissions in China’s construction industry during 2004-2016, there is evidence that the proposed model makes a favorable prediction performance. On this basis, we employ scenario analysis to predict future trend of CO2 emissions in China’s construction industry. It can be found that the peak of CO2 emissions in China’s construction industry will be achieved before 2030 in high carbon scenario (HS) and baseline carbon scenario (BS), whereas it will not be realized in low carbon scenario (LS). Finally, the specific policy recommendations related to energy conservation and emission reduction in China’s construction industry are proposed.
Response of Soil Surface Respiration to Storm and Ips typographus (L.) Disturbance in Boreal Norway Spruce Stands

Disturbances such as storm events and bark beetle outbreaks can have a major influence on forest soil carbon (C) cycling. Both autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration may be affected by the increase in tree mortality. We studied the effect of a storm in 2010 followed by an outbreak of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) on the soil surface respiration (respiration by soil and ground vegetation) at two Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) dominated sites in southeastern Finland. Soil surface respiration, soil temperature, and soil moisture were measured in three types of plots—living trees (undisturbed), storm-felled trees, and standing dead trees killed by I. typographus—during the summer–autumn period for three years (2015–2017). Measurements at storm-felled tree plots were separated into dead tree detritus-covered (under storm-felled trees) and open-vegetated (on open areas) microsites. The soil surface total respiration for 2017 was separated into its autotrophic and heterotrophic components using trenching. The soil surface total respiration rates at the disturbed plots were 64%–82% of those at the living tree plots at one site and were due to a decrease in autotrophic respiration, but there was no clear difference in soil surface total respiration between the plots at the other site, due to shifts in either autotrophic or heterotrophic respiration. The soil surface respiration rates were related to plot basal area (living and all trees), as well as to soil temperature and soil moisture. As storm and bark beetle disturbances are predicted to become more common in the future, their effects on forest ecosystem C cycling and CO2 fluxes will therefore become increasingly important.
Less Welfare or Fewer Foreigners? Immigrant Inflows and Public Opinion Towards Redistribution and Migration Policy

I examine the effect of immigrant inflows in Europe on natives' individual attitudes towards redistribution and immigration policy over the last decade. Unlike previous studies, I analyze the evolution over time of these two types of attitudes in a joint empirical framework. Using migration data at the NUTS regional level from the European Labor Force Survey and individual attitudes data from the European Social Survey, I exploit variation over time and across regions in the size and composition of immigrant inflows. I address the endogeneity of immigrant inflows by using a shift share instrument and within-country specification. I find evidence coherent with a theoretical model in which individual attitudes depend essentially on how immigration is perceived to affect wages and net welfare benefits. Specifically, I find that, when immigrants tend to compete with natives for jobs (due to having similar skills or occupations), natives prefer policies that support welfare and put restrictions on migration. When migrants are mostly low-skilled (high-skilled), European citizens typically favor lower (higher) levels of redistribution.
Simulating Mold Filling in Compression Resin Transfer Molding (CRTM) Using a Three-Dimensional Finite-Volume Formulation

Light-weight structural components are increasingly made of continuous fiber reinforced plastics (CoFRP), but their mass production is still very expensive. Because of its high automation potential, especially the Compression Resin Transfer Molding (CRTM) process gains more and more attention. Numerical mold filling simulations help to optimize this process and can avoid expensive experimental studies. Here, we present a new method to simulate mold filling in CRTM using a full three-dimensional finite-volume (FV) method. In comparison to known finite-element (FE) methods, it contains a compressible two-phase/Volume-of-Fluid description of the air- and resin-phase. This approach is combined with a moving mesh to account for the change of cavity height during the process, which results in a change of fiber volume fractions and thus permeabilities. We verify the method by comparison to analytic solutions of the Darcy equation and to solutions of state-of-the-art mold filling simulation software. The presented method enables CRTM mold filling simulation of complex parts, which is shown in two application examples. Furthermore, this shows the potential of using FV-based tools to simulate mold filling in RTM process variants containing non-constant cavity geometries.
Charge-Modulated Synthesis of Highly Stable Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation

The surface charge of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) plays a critical role in the interactions between nanoparticles and biological components, which significantly affects their toxicity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we synthesized three differently charged IONPs (negative, neutral, and positive) based on catechol-derived dopamine, polyethylene glycol, carboxylic acid, and amine groups, via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer-mediated polymerization (RAFT polymerization) and ligand exchange. The zeta potentials of the negative, neutral, and positive IONPs were −39, −0.6, and +32 mV, respectively, and all three IONPs showed long-term colloidal stability for three months in an aqueous solution without agglomeration. The cytotoxicity of the IONPs was studied by analyzing cell viability and morphological alteration in three human cell lines, A549, Huh-7, and SH-SY5Y. Neither IONP caused significant cellular damage in any of the three cell lines. Furthermore, the IONPs showed no acute toxicity in BALB/c mice, in hematological and histological analyses. These results indicate that our charged IONPs, having high colloidal stability and biocompatibility, are viable for bio-applications.
Morphological Identification of Lepidii Seu Descurainiae Semen and Adulterant Seeds Using Microscopic Analysis

Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen, the dried ripe seeds of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl or Lepidium apetalum Willd. , is used widely as a traditional herbal medicine in Northeast Asia. However, seeds of a number of other species have been misidentified as Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen, and are therefore misused because of morphological similarities among the seeds of these species. To accurately identify Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen, we investigated the morphology, mucilage reaction, and micromorphology of Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen and the seeds of other plant species. We used a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope to describe and compare various morphological and micromorphological characteristics of seeds, and a light microscope to determine the presence or absence of mucilage. We evaluated the potential usefulness of mucilage as a morphological marker for seed identification. The shape, outline, and size of seeds were useful characteristics for identification. The mucilage reaction and the three types of seed ornamentation that were identified in this study were particularly valuable for seed authentication. Based on these results, we created an identification key based on morphology and micromorphology of Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen and adulterant seeds. The method of seed identification using microscopic examination, as described here, is easy and economical, making it a potential key tool for accurate identification of Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen and seeds of other medicinal plants.
Contingency-Constrained Unit Commitment with Preventive and Corrective Transmission Switching

Preventive and corrective transmission switching have been previously shown to offer significant benefits to power system operation. The former primarily reduces operating costs, while the latter decreases potential levels of power imbalance caused by contingencies. Within the context of co-optimized electricity markets for energy and reserves, this paper addresses the incorporation of transmission switching in the contingency-constrained unit commitment problem. The proposed generation scheduling model differs from existing formulations due to the joint consideration of two major complicating factors. First, not only preventive but also corrective transmission switching actions are considered, thereby requiring binary post-contingency variables. In addition, the time-coupled operation of generating units is precisely characterized. The proposed model is cast as a challenging mixed-integer program that is solved by an exact nested column-and-constraint generation algorithm. Numerical results illustrate the economic, operational, and computational advantages of the proposed approach.
Nutritive Value and Digestibility of Aruana Guinea Grass under N Fertilization of NBPT-Treated Urea

Forage plants are the most important food source for ruminants. The nutritive value and digestibility of forage grass depends on N supply. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N fertilization, rates and nitrogen sources on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, in Aruana Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) cultivated in good soil fertility, under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was performed at the Institute of Animal Science, at the municipality of Nova Odessa, Sao Paulo State (Brazil), from April to June (Fall season) using a randomized blocks experimental design with four replication, in a factorial scheme 4 x 2 (rates and nitrogen sources). The grass was grown in clay Oxisol red in which were applied 0; 150; 300 and 450 N kg/ha and two sources of urea (urea untreated and coated urea with the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphate triamide NBPT). Two harvests were performed and each of them the grass was harvested about 30 days of growth, the vegetal material was separated into: a) blade leaf and b) stems. The nitrogen application significantly (P< 0.01) increased the dry matter accumulation and crude protein (CP) on leaves and stems in both cuts. Nitrogen fertilization increased linearly IVDMD and decreased NDF and ADF. Moreover, there was improved in the values of cell wall constituents and therefore the forage quality. The use of UR + urease inhibitor (NBPT) in regrowth with interval of 28 days resulted in higher CP contents and forage digestibility. Forage quality was improved with N rates greather than 150 kg/ ha.
Superresolution underwater acoustics

We explore the application of some recent results in exponential analysis and sparse interpolation to underwater acoustics, in a joint effort from marine engineers and computational mathematicians. The fact that, in practice, the sampling rate used for the recording of an echoed signal is often a multiple of the Nyquist rate, is regarded as a constraint on the cost and performance of echo sounding devices. Here we illustrate how the latter can be overcome, using a new regular sampling scheme, that can even go well below the Nyquist rate. In the numerical examples an average of 20-25 % of the Nyquist rate is amply sufficient to reliably recognize and reconstruct the echo. The sparse sub-Nyquist method under consideration allows to recover from possible aliasing introduced by the subsampling. The technique does not need newly designed hardware, has low computational complexity and uses a small number of samples.
New Sales and Buying Models in the Internet: App Store Model for Enterprise Application Software

Whereas electronic marketplaces had been established years ago to distribute different kinds of software, they have become subject of public interest given the success of “app store” models in business-to-consumer (B2C) environment, especially for mobile device software. The expectation of a consumer grade buying experience, cloud deployment models and the disaggregation of software bundles to smaller and more focused offerings are fostering the app store model also for enterprise software. In this article, a classification of buying situations for enterprise application software is introduced reflecting organizational buying processes between the transactional and the consultative sales / buying model. In that context, the article outlines the role of electronic marketplaces and Internet-based sales infrastructures detailed in a practical case example.
Subassembly Retrieval of 3D CAD Assembly Models with Different Layout of Components Based on Sinogram

We propose a method to find assembly models contained in another assembly model given as a query from a set of 3D CAD assembly models. A 3D CAD assembly model consists of multiple components and is constructed using a 3D CAD software. The proposed method distinguishes assembly models which consist of a subset of components constituting the query model and also whose components have the same layout as the subset of the components. We compute difference between the shapes and the layouts of the components from the sinograms which are constructed by the Radon transform of their projections from various angles. We evaluate the proposed method experimentally using the assembly models which we prepare as a benchmark. The proposed method can also be used to find the database models which contains a query model. key words: 3D CAD model, assembly, subassembly, retrieval, layout of component, sinogram
Fast 3D Semantic Mapping in Road Scenes

Fast 3D reconstruction with semantic information in road scenes is of great requirements for autonomous navigation. It involves issues of geometry and appearance in the field of computer vision. In this work, we propose a fast 3D semantic mapping system based on the monocular vision by fusion of localization, mapping, and scene parsing. From visual sequences, it can estimate the camera pose, calculate the depth, predict the semantic segmentation, and finally realize the 3D semantic mapping. Our system consists of three modules: a parallel visual Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) and semantic segmentation module, an incrementally semantic transfer from 2D image to 3D point cloud, and a global optimization based on Conditional Random Field (CRF). It is a heuristic approach that improves the accuracy of the 3D semantic labeling in light of the spatial consistency on each step of 3D reconstruction. In our framework, there is no need to make semantic inference on each frame of sequence, since the 3D point cloud data with semantic information is corresponding to sparse reference frames. It saves on the computational cost and allows our mapping system to perform online. We evaluate the system on road scenes, e.g., KITTI, and observe a significant speed-up in the inference stage by labeling on the 3D point cloud.
Moral Resistance in Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This case study illustrates with a detailed report the treatment of a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The therapist noted that the patient did not improve despite all the necessary psychological interventions taken, the patient’s request for treatment, and his commitment to the treatment. Enquiry revealed that the patient unconsciously preferred to continue suffering and feeling guilty towards his deceased so. The patient was suffering in order to preserve his loyalty to his deceased son, a phenomenon which we name moral resistance. PTSD Symptom Scale Interview (PSSI) was applied pre and post treatment and in follow-up. The Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) was the main therapeutic strategy, as well as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). The study found significant effectiveness of TIR and REBT in treatment of moral resistance according to the PSSI scale. The total score decreased from 43, which indicated a very severe level of the disorder, to 10 a week after commencement of the treatment, and to 7 after a month. Scores of 4 was kept constant in 3- and 6- months follow-up.
A Learning-based Innovized Progress Operator for Faster Convergence in Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization

Learning effective problem information from already explored search space in an optimization run, and utilizing it to improve the convergence of subsequent solutions, have represented important directions in Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization (EMO) research. In this article, a machine learning (ML)-assisted approach is proposed that: (a) maps the solutions from earlier generations of an EMO run to the current non-dominated solutions in the decision space; (b) learns the salient patterns in the mapping using an ML method, here an artificial neural network (ANN); and (c) uses the learned ML model to advance some of the subsequent offspring solutions in an adaptive manner. Such a multi-pronged approach, quite different from the popular surrogate-modeling methods, leads to what is here referred to as the Innovized Progress (IP) operator. On several test and engineering problems involving two and three objectives, with and without constraints, it is shown that an EMO algorithm assisted by the IP operator offers faster convergence behavior, compared to its base version independent of the IP operator. The results are encouraging, pave a new path for the performance improvement of EMO algorithms, and set the motivation for further exploration on more challenging problems.
Linearly tapered slot antenna

LINEARLY TAPERED SLOT ANTENNA by Luis Alberto Tumialan Design procedure for Linearly Tapered Slot Antennas (LTSA) has been developed and implemented using High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) code based on a finite-element analysis. A CAD study of two variations of a LISA based on either a stripline or a microstrip feed has been carried out. Circular and radial stubs have been considered in these designs for an antenna operating at 10 Ghz. LTSA on a Duroid substrate fed by a stripline has been designed to operate with better than 12 dB return loss. Fabricated antenna was characterized and had even a wider response than the CAD design. Radiation patterns also were measured for this antenna. Furthermore, microstripline-fed LTSA designs were made. Further work on a low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate LTSA antennas and their arrays has been suggested. LINEARLY TAPERED SLOT ANTENNA by Luis Alberto Tumialan A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of New Jersey Institute of Technology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering January 1996