Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the impact of root morphology on overturning mechanisms: a modelling approach.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The Finite Element Method (FEM) has been used in recent years to simulate overturning processes in trees. This study aimed at using FEM to determine the role of individual roots in tree anchorage with regard to different rooting patterns, and to estimate stress distribution in the soil and roots during overturning. METHODS The FEM was used to carry out 2-D simulations of tree uprooting in saturated soft clay and loamy sand-like soil. The anchorage model consisted of a root system embedded in a soil block. Two root patterns were used and individual roots removed to determine their contribution to anchorage. KEY RESULTS In clay-like soil the size of the root-soil plate formed during overturning was defined by the longest roots. Consequently, all other roots localized within this plate had no influence on anchorage strength. In sand-like soil, removing individual root elements altered anchorage resistance. This result was due to a modification of the shape and size of the root-soil plate, as well as the location of the rotation axis. The tap root and deeper roots had more influence on overturning resistance in sand-like soil compared with clay-like soil. Mechanical stresses were higher in the most superficial roots and also in leeward roots in sand-like soil. The relative difference in stresses between the upper and lower sides of lateral roots was sensitive to root insertion angle. Assuming that root eccentricity is a response to mechanical stresses, these results explain why eccentricity differs depending on root architecture. CONCLUSIONS A simple 2-D Finite Element model was developed to better understand the mechanisms involved during tree overturning. It has been shown how root system morphology and soil mechanical properties can modify the shape of the root plate slip surface as well as the position of the rotation axis, which are major components of tree anchorage.
Information Technology Investments and Firm Risk Across Industries: Evidence from the Bond Market

This study documents variation across industries in creditors' perceptions of the risk of information technology (IT) investments. The associations we document between IT investments and both initial bond ratings and yield spreads suggest that credit-rating agencies and bond investors consider IT investments in automate and informate industries less risky than those in transform industries. We document that IT investments are associated with more volatile future cash flows in transform industries than in automate or informate industries. The findings indicate that bond investors prefer IT investments in automate industries, where the cash flow payoffs to IT investment are smaller but more stable than in transform industries. Overall, these findings provide the important insight that bondholders' perceptions of IT investments vary across industries based on bondholders' aversion to the riskiness and the lack of collateralizability of IT investments. Senior managers should recognize that IT investments have implications for both operational performance and financing costs (e.g., costs of debt) of the firm, and they should consider the potential financial benefits of increased IT capabilities, such as the willingness of corporate bond investors to accept lower financing costs.
Property Tax in China: Is It Effective in Curbing Housing Price?

This paper studies the effects of the property tax, implemented in Shanghai and Chongqing since January 28, 2011, on the housing price. Applying the synthetic control method of Abadie, Diamond, and Hainmueller (2010), we construct counterfactual housing price for Shanghai and Chongqing using monthly data from 33 cities that have no property tax. Comparing the counterfactual and actual price, we estimate that by November 2012 the average housing price in Shanghai was about 2127 RMB/m2 or 13.4% lower than it would have been in the absence of the property tax. This evidence is found to be significant using placebo test. We find no significant evidence that property tax is effective in curbing the housing price in Chongqing.
Managing the major diseases of rice in Africa.

(eds M.C.S. Wopereis et al.) 213 by increasing the area under rice cultivation or increasing the productivity per unit area by using high-yielding varieties and fertilizers. However, both development of new areas for rice cultivation and intensification face prevailing and unpredictable challenges, among which diseases are likely to feature prominently. This chapter gives an overview of the rice diseases identified in Africa and their importance, and then focuses on the three major ones. We describe what is known about pathogen variability and show how that knowledge can be used to create varietal resistance as part of an integrated approach to disease management.
Estimation of Isostables and Basins of Attraction of Monotone Systems

In this paper, we study spectral properties of the socalled monotone systems and link these results with the celebrated Perron-Frobenius theorem for linear positive systems. Using these spectral properties we study the geometry of basins of attraction of monotone systems. Additionally, we show that under certain conditions we can bound the variations in these basins under parametric uncertainty in the vector field. We also provide a computational algorithm to estimate the basins of attraction and illustrate the results on two and three state monotone systems.
BAKER'S LAW REVISITED: REPRODUCTIVE ASSURANCE IN A METAPOPULATION

Baker's Law states that it is more likely for self‐compatible than for self‐incompatible individuals to establish sexually reproducing colonies after long‐distance dispersal, because only the former can do so with a single individual. This hypothesis, proposed by H. G. Baker 40 years ago is based largely on the observation that self‐compatibility is particularly frequent among colonists of oceanic islands. Here we argue that the principle of Baker's Law applies equally in the context of a metapopulation in which frequent local extinction is balanced by recolonization of sites by seed dispersal: metapopulation dynamics will select for an ability to self‐fertilize. We review several studies that support this hypothesis and present a metapopulation model in which the seed productivity required by obligate outcrossers for their maintenance in a metapopulation is compared with that of selfers. Our model also estimates the reduction in the advantage of reproductive assurance to selfers as a result of perenniality and seed dormancy. In general, selection for reproductive assurance is greatest when the colony occupancy rate, p, is low and is much reduced when p approaches its maximum. This provides an explanation for the observation that many highly successful colonizers, in which p is often high, are self‐incompatible. The basic model we present also lends itself to comparisons of metapopulation effects between unisexuality and cosexuality and between different modes of self‐incompatibility.
A survey on spectrum sensing techniques for cognitive radio

Spectrum sensing is an important functionality of cognitive radio (CR). Accuracy and speed of estimation are the key indicators to select the appropriate spectrum sensing technique. Conventional spectrum estimation techniques which are based on short time Fourier transform (STFT) suffer from familiar problems such as low frequency resolution, high variance of estimated power spectrum and high side lobes/leakages. Methods such as multitaper spectrum estimation successfully alleviate these infarctions but exact a high price in terms of complexity. On these accounts, it appears that the filter bank spectrum estimation formulated by F. Boroujeny and wavelet based spectrum estimates are the most promising and pragmatic approaches for CR applications. This article surveys and appraises available literature on various spectrum sensing techniques and discusses spectrum sensing as a key element of CR system design.
Does renewable energy drive sustainable economic growth? multivariate panel data evidence for EU-28 countries.

Energy is crucial to economic progress, but the contemporary worldwide population increase that demands greater energy generated from conventional exhaustible resources, an energy price upsurge, and environmental concerns, imperils sustainable economic growth. Nevertheless, switching to renewable energy produced from naturally replenished resources promotes energy security, likewise addressing issues such as global warming and climate change. This paper aims at exploring the influence and causal relation between renewable energy, both overall and by type, and sustainable economic growth of European Union (EU)-28 countries for the period of 2003–2014. We notice that the mean share of renewable energy in the gross final energy consumption is 15%, while the mean share of renewable energy in transport fuel consumption is 3%, which are below the thresholds of 20% and 10%, respectively, as set by the EU Directive 2009/28/EC. By estimating panel data fixed-effects regression models, the results provide support for a positive influence of renewable energy overall, as well as by type, namely biomass, hydropower, geothermal energy, wind power, and solar energy on gross domestic product per capita. However, biomass energy shows the highest influence on economic growth among the rest of renewable energy types. In fact, a 1% increase of the primary production of solid biofuels increases GDP per capita by 0.16%. Besides, cointegrating regressions set on panel fully modified and dynamic ordinary least squares regressions confirm the positive influence related to the primary production of renewable energies on economic growth. A 1% increase in primary production of renewable energies increases GDP per capita by 0.05%–0.06%. However, the results of Granger causality based on panel vector error correction model indicate both in short-run and long-run a unidirectional causal relationship running from sustainable economic growth to the primary production of renewable energies, being supported the conservation hypothesis.
Learning algorithm for self-organizing map classification of electroencephalogram patterns with individual differences

This paper introduces a new learning algorithm for training self-organizing maps (SOM) to classify electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns that have individual differences. To classify these EEG patterns, we propose an algorithm that specifies the learning area for SOM based on sub-attribute information (SOMSA) related to the individual differences of EEG data. The individual differences are quantified by analysing human personality because we believe that an individual's personality is responsible for individual differences. In the preprocessing phase, we extract the EEG feature vectors by calculating the time average in each of three frequency bands: θ, α and β. The personality is analysed through ego analysis based on psychological testing. The device for recording EEG is a band-type device with a small number of electrodes. To evaluate the performance of our proposed method, we conducted experiments using real EEG data. Our experimental results show that the accuracy rate of the EEG pattern classification using SOMSA is significantly improved compared with that using standard SOM.
Preliminary Evaluation of a Negotiable Student Model in a Constraint-Based its

Previous research on adaptive educational systems has shown that allowing the student to view their student model is useful in the learning process. Open student models help support meta-cognitive processes, such as self-assessment and reflection, and at the same time increase the student's trust in the system. Negotiable student models take this a step further, and allow students to negotiate and potentially modify their model. Very few negotiable student models have been implemented, and only in relatively simple systems, not integrated into a complex Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS). Therefore, it is not clearly known whether negotiable student models pose a significant advantage over simpler open student models. This research implements a basic negotiable student model into a version of a complex and internationally deployed ITS. Subjective evaluation is performed, and shows promising results. Participants felt the negotiable student model was both useful for learning, and enjoyable to use. With a few improvements, this negotiable student model implementation could be used in a wide-scale objective analysis to help determine the usefulness of negotiable student models.
Shape from Suggestive Contours Using 3D Priors

This paper introduces an approach to predict the three-dimensional shape of an object belonging to a specific class of shapes shown in an input image. We use suggestive contour, a shape-suggesting image feature developed in computer graphics in the context of non-photorealistic rendering, to reconstruct 3D shapes. We learn a functional mapping from the shape space of suggestive contours to the space of 3D shapes and use this mapping to predict 3D shapes based on a single input image. We demonstrate that the method can be used to predict the shape of deformable objects and to predict the shape of human faces using synthetic experiments and experiments based on artist drawn sketches and photographs.
Commentary: Shaping men's memory: the effects of a female's waist-to-hip ratio on men's memory for her appearance and biographical information

Citation: Smith DS (2017) Commentary: Shaping men's memory: the effects of a female's waist-to-hip ratio on men's memory for her appearance and biographical information. " But what the hell is it for? " asked Alan Baddeley (1988) about human memory. From an adaptive perspective, our mnemonic systems ought to be calibrated to retain information of high adaptive value i.e., that which promotes individual survival and reproduction (Tooby and Cosmides, 1989; Klein et al., 2002). To address the former, the last decade has seen the emergence of an extensive functionalist literature providing evidence of a survival mode in episodic memory (for a review, see Nairne and Pandeirada, 2016). These experiments characterize memory as the process of a general survival optimization system, attuned toward relevant stimulus. Regarding the latter part of nature's criterion, labs have examined the role of memory in courtship by exploring how contextual factors including jealousy (Maner et al., 2009), relationship status (Karremans et al., 2011), and primed infidelity (Schutzwohl and Koch, 2004) influence recall. Furthermore, generalized memory enhancements have been observed in response to attractive female faces (Maner et al., 2003; Becker et al., 2005). Inter-sex biases in men were interpreted as reflecting sensitivity to potential mates, while intra-sex biases in women were interpreted as serving to catalog quality competitors. Although these studies point toward functionally specialized cognitive modules, Fitzgerald et al. (2016) argue a focus on facial attractiveness is limited, since it is not the sole arbiter of mating decisions. Other potentially useful features include clothing, body shape, and social information (Buss, 1989). Moreover, physical characteristics of potential mates are only one component of the representation that is formed during an encounter. In addition to the appearance of who was there, people will need to remember that something occurred (what) at a particular time (when) in a particular place (where) (Nairne, 2015). Before Fitzgerald et al. (2016) few papers showed a correspondence between mate-choice relevant cues and memory enhancements for related stimulus (for exceptions, see Allan et al., 2012; Smith et al., 2012, 2013). Those that had done so exclusively identified effects in women, even in instances where data was gathered for men. Women's recall was consistently better for incidental details associated with men boasting features congruent to their mating strategies vs. less desirable competitors, i.e., masculine features for short-term preferences, and feminine features for long term (Gangestad and Simpson, 2000; Fink and Penton-Voak, 2002). In these …
K-method of cognitive mapping analysis

Introduced a new calculation method (K-method) for cognitive maps. K - method consists of two consecutive steps. In the first stage, allocated subgraph composed of all paths from one selected node (concept) to another node (concept) from the cognitive map (directed weighted graph) . In the second stage, after the transition to an undirected graph (symmetrization adjacency matrix) the influence of one node to another calculated with Kirchhoff method. In the proposed method, there is no problem inherent in the impulse method. In addition to "pair" influence of one node to another, the average characteristics are introduced, allowing to calculate the impact of the selected node to all other nodes and the influence of all on the one selected. For impulse method similar to the average characteristics in the case where the pulse method "works" are introduced and compared with the K-method.
A Unified Approach to Architecture Conformance Checking

Software erosion can be controlled by periodically checking for consistency between the de facto architecture and its theoretical counterpart. Studies show that this process is often not automated and that developers still rely heavily on manual reviews, despite the availability of a large number of tools. This is partially due to the high cost involved in setting up and maintaining tool-specific and incompatible test specifications that replicate otherwise documented invariants. To reduce this cost, our approach consists in unifying the functionality provided by existing tools under the umbrella of a common business-readable DSL. By using a declarative language, we are able to write tool-agnostic rules that are simple enough to be understood by untrained stakeholders and, at the same time, can be interpreted as a rigorous specification for checking architecture conformance.
Smart parking reservation system using short message services (SMS)

This paper proposes a smart parking system to solve the problem of unnecessary time consumption in finding parking spot in commercial car park areas. A parking reservation system is developed in such a way that users book their parking spots through short message services (SMS). The SMS sent will be processed by a wireless communication instrumentation device called micro-RTU (Remote Terminal Unit). This micro-RTU will reply the confirmation of booking by giving the details of reservation like password and lot number. The password will be used to enter the parking area and valid for a certain period of time. The system is fully automated with the use of the Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC). This microcontroller is capable in storing information of empty parking spaces, provide passwords as well as allowing or denying access to the parking area. A prototype of a car park system has been designed to demonstrate the capability of the proposed work. The demonstration has proven the capability of the system to reserve the parking, gain entry to the parking area and hence eliminates the hassle of searching empty parking lots.
How to analyze a type of game problem between dissymmetrical players?

We considered a type of game problem in which one player is full-rational individual, and the other is bounded rational population. Despite many social economy problems can be described by this game model between dissymmetrical players in the pyramidal social structure, the existing game theories have nothing to resolve this problems, because the existing game theory is divided into two branches, traditional game theory and evolutionary game theory, based on the playerpsilas characteristic and rational degree. In this paper we built a new game model that can connect traditional game with evolutionary game. In the game first phase, the bounded rationality population players takes the replicator dynamic behavior. In the second phase, the full-rational individual player decides himself response function by the strategies distribution of population players. At last, we discussed the modelpsilas application in some social economy problems.
New Insights from an Analysis of Social Influence Networks under the Linear Threshold Model

We study the spread of influence in a social network based on the Linear Threshold model. We derive an analytical expression for evaluating the expected size of the eventual influenced set for a given initial set, using the probability of activation for each node in the social network. We then provide an equivalent interpretation for the influence spread, in terms of acyclic path probabilities in the Markov chain obtained by reversing the edges in the social network influence graph. We use some properties of such acyclic path probabilities to provide an alternate proof for the submodularity of the influence function. We illustrate the usefulness of the analytical expression in estimating the most influential set, in special cases such as the UILT(Uniform Influence Linear Threshold), USLT(Uniform Susceptance Linear Threshold) and node-degree based influence models. We show that the PageRank heuristic is either provably optimal or performs very well in the above models, and explore its limitations in more general cases. Finally, based on the insights obtained from the analytical expressions, we provide an efficient algorithm which approximates the greedy algorithm for the influence maximization problem.
Tourism expert system with clips using PFC

This paper describes the research and development of Tourism Expert System (TES). A prototype system has been designed and developed with a knowledge base containing more than 20 cities and 150 rules for helping tourists to choose best destination town have maximum matching with their important requests. This paper without using fuzzyCLIPS presents a novel pseudo fuzzy counter (PFC) that has the most important rule of adding uncertainty to the system. Another feature of TES is using several individual experts. TES results are in accordance with the user requirements and offer user the percentage of compliance of all cities in knowledge base.
Developing Community-Led Public Libraries: Evidence from the UK and Canada

Contents: Introduction Consultation Needs assessment and research Library image and identity Outreach, community development and partnerships Information and communication technologies and social exclusion Materials provision Staffing, recruitment, training and education Mainstreaming and resourcing for social exclusion Standards and monitoring of services The community-led library service: a blue print for change A road map towards the community-led library service References Index.
Power-Bandwidth Efficiency and Capacity of Wireless Feedback Communication Systems

The paper is devoted to the analysis of problems appearing in optimisation and improvement of the power-bandwidth efficiency of digital communication feedback systems (FCS). There is shown that unlike digital systems, adaptive FCS with the analogue forward transmission allow full optimisation and derivation of optimal transmission-reception algorithm approaching their efficiency to the Shannon boundary. Differences between the forward channel capacity and capacity of adaptive FCS as communication unit, as well as their influence of the power-bandwidth efficiency of transmission are considered.