Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of parasitism in insects : why some Odonata species have parasites and others do not?

4 TIIVISTELMÄ . 5 LIST OF ORIGINAL ARTICLES . 6 1. INTRODUCTION . 7 2. AIMS OF THE THESIS . 11 3. MATERIAL AND METHODS . 12 3.1. Study species . 12 3.1. 1. Damselflies and dragonflies . 12 3.1. 2. Larval water mites . 12 3.1. 3. Gregarines . 14 3.2. Field work . 15 3.3. Lab work . 16 3.4. Data mining . 17 3.5. Statistics . 18 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 20 4.1. Does the "sicker sex" exist? (I). 20 4.2. From host phylogeny to immune defense what effects parasitism? (II) . 22 4.3. Ménage à trois do both parasites prefer the same host species? (III) . 23 4.4. Size, location and male aggression the parasitism pattern of the odonata order (IV) . 24 4.5. From host traits to parasite preferences in the end, what determines parasitism? 27 4.6. Methodological issues . 27 5. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH . 29 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 30 REFERENCES . 31 ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS (I-IV) . 35
Developing the attenuation relation for damage spectrum in X-braced steel structures with neural network

Evaluating structural damage, caused by earthquakes, is very important in seismic risk management. Zoning maps of structural damage are directly used in evaluating damage of different zones as well as planning to retrofit structures. Attenuation relation is applied in preparing the acceleration zoning of regions. Similarly, damage attenuation relations which are used in analyzing probabilistic hazard and preparing damage zoning are obtained by structural damage spectrum. This spectrum is nonlinear and designed by considering nonlinear parameters of a series of one-degree-of-freedom structures and time history dynamic analysis. After gathering and modifying 778 records of the earthquakes happened in Iran, the damage spectrum was prepared for X-braced steel structures with different specifications (yield force, hysteresis curves, and ductility capacity). Damage attenuation relation was developed for the structures through regression analysis and the obtained results were compared with those of artificial neural network method. Damage of three samples with different specifications was calculated by the developed attenuation relation. The obtained results were compared with those of time history dynamic analysis. The developed relations were used for analyzing the probabilistic damage risk and preparing the damage zoning maps for city of Qazvin, as a seismic region in Iran.
Evaluating approaches for estimating peat depth

Estimates of peat depth are required to inform understanding of peatland development, functioning, and ecosystem services such as carbon storage. However, there is a considerable lack of peat depth data at local, national, and global scales. Recent studies have attempted to address this knowledge deficit by using manual probing and ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) to estimate depth. Despite increasing application, little consideration has been given to the accuracy of either of these techniques. This study examines the accuracy of probing and GPR for measuring peat depth. Corresponding GPR and probing surveys were carried out at a catchment scale in a blanket peatland. GPR depth estimations, calibrated using common midpoint (CMP) surveys, were found to be on average 35% greater than probe measurements. The source of disagreement was found to be predominantly caused by depth probes becoming obstructed by artifacts within the peat body, although occasionally probing rods also penetrated sediments underlying the peat. Using the Complex Refractive Index Model, it was found that applying a single velocity of 0.036 m ns−1 across a single site may also result in −8 to +17% error in estimation of peat depth due to spatial variability in water content and porosity. It is suggested that GPR calibrated at each site using CMP surveys may provide a more accurate method for measuring peat depth.
An Analysis of the Customer Satisfaction from the Service Quality of General Services of Saudi Airlines

The main objective of the study was to find out customer satisfaction from the services quality of general services of Saudi Airlines and to highlight the major areas of improvement to the Saudi Airlines Authority. A Structured close ended questionnaire was developed and distributed among the users of Saudi Airlines to collect the data for results. The researchers used 'Five point Likert scale' to measure the satisfaction level. Six areas of general services representing general services of Airlines measured the satisfaction of users from general services. Data were collected from 400 users of Saudi Airlines Services including Saudi National and Non-Saudi Nationals. Users of Saudi Airlines in general are not satisfied with its' general services. The results are statistically significant. It is high time for the management of the Saudi Airlines to focus on customer satisfaction, for all the six variables under study in this research, satisfaction is low and need improvement to gain customer satisfaction.
A Preconditioning Technique for First-Order Primal-Dual Splitting Method in Convex Optimization

We introduce a preconditioning technique for the first-order primal-dual splitting method. The primal-dual splitting method offers a very general framework for solving a large class of optimization problems arising in image processing. The key idea of the preconditioning technique is that the constant iterative parameters are updated self-adaptively in the iteration process. We also give a simple and easy way to choose the diagonal preconditioners while the convergence of the iterative algorithm is maintained. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated on an image denoising problem. Numerical results show that the preconditioned iterative algorithm performs better than the original one.
A proposed model for applying total quality management in Syrian banks: a case study in the industrial bank of Syria

Syrian banks have witnessed an important change since 2002 with applying the advanced technology. Industrial bank played a crucial role in developing the industrial sector which provides about 25% to the GDP and this sector is the main engine of the national economy in Syria. This research aims to apply total quality management (TQM) to industrial banks of Syria. A random sample of 120 bank employees from higher and middle management were selected to investigate the current situation of TQM in the bank and to develop a new suitable TQM Model. The results show the levels of implementing TQM criteria in the industrial bank, and provide a proposed TQM Model with an implementation plan that could help other Syrian banks to apply TQM in an effective way.
DETECTION OF CO-INFECTION BY BABESIA CANIS AND EHRLICHIA CANIS IN A SUBCLINICALLY INFECTED DOG

A 3 year old dog presented to Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), Namakkal, Tamil Nadu with the history of inappetance and dullness, manifested pyrexia and lymphnode enlargement. Microscopic examination of Giemsa stained peripheral blood smear revealed stray Babesia canis, whereas, the blood sample when subjected to Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), positivity could be detected for both Ehrlichia canis and B. canis. Haematological values were found to be within range, however, biochemical analysis revealed slightly elevated Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. The dog was successfully treated with diminazene aceturate, oxytetracycline and supportive drugs.
AT-Free: A Preliminary Method for Localization Techniques in Sensor Networks

Mobile wireless sensors need to know their localizations in many control and monitoring applications. Among all sensors, some know their exact position (i.e., they are equipped with GPS or they are positioned by human intervention). These sensors are called anchors. Some sensors can have different capabilities allowing them to calculate either distances or angles when they receive messages from others nodes. So, they only use anchor positions to obtain an estimated position. However, when sensors are mobile they cannot continuously calculate their position because of the energy constraints. This paper concerns the localization problem in the case where all nodes in the network (anchors and others sensors) are mobile. We propose three techniques following the capabilities of nodes. Thus, each node obtains either an exact position or an approximate position with the knowledge of the maximal error born. Also, we adapt the periods where nodes invoke their localization. Simulation results show the performances of our methods in term of accuracy and determinate the technique the more adapted related to the network configurations.
Static memory leak detection based on a new memory model

Memory leaks of static analysis need to be more accurate to determine memory state of different times. The current static memory model has a high false positive rate and false negative rate, mainly because the current memory model cannot accurately represent memory state and memory hierarchy. In this paper, a domain-sensitive memory model that can represent the memory hierarchy is proposed. On this basis, a static memory leak detection method is implemented. The experimental results show that the model has high accuracy and detection efficiency.
Fabrication of Polymer Based Optical Devices for Communication and Sensing

of Thesis Fabrication of Polymer Based Optical Devices for Communication and Sensing Polymer waveguides present a potentially low cost alternative to electronics in communication systems. Polymers offer relatively straightforward and economical fabrication when compared to conventional materials. In this study, a fabrication process for Bragg gratings in polymer waveguides was developed. Waveguides were designed using finite-element analysis, patterned via e-beam lithography, and a detailed fabrication method was developed. Surface-Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is a widely accepted method for biological and chemical sensing. Measurement of bulk refractive index changes and specific surface binding is a crucial part in any biosensing. Design and fabrication of a novel self-referencing SPR sensor is described and its functionality is tested.
THE AGRICULTURE'S ROLE FOR SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development is characterized by interconnected social, economic, and ecological aspects and it is at the core value of the worldwide economy. A participatory and accountable framework is a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable development; so power is redistributed, reducing uncertainty, inequality and promoting shared prosperity. Despite its crucial importance and relevance, barriers remain in making progress towards its implementation, in particular for the agricultural sector. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of agriculture for sustainable and inclusive development, highlighting environmental, economic and social dimensions. Then, we aim at providing policy-makers more accessible results on trade-offs of alternative measures for greening the agri-food system. The research is based on method of analysis based on an extensive review of research evidence related in particular to Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). Focusing on CSA role, a set of priority actions for greening systems are drawn up. Results of analysis provide an insight on a new System Dynamics model able to represent the complex causal relations and non-linear feedback loops among key dimensions and actors of sustainable development. Furthermore investments/ measures coordination in agriculture and higher farmers’ knowledge are crucial driver in reaching this ambition. JEL Codes: Q01, Q15, Q56.
Long-term acoustical observations of the mesopelagic fish Maurolicus muelleri reveal novel and varied vertical migration patterns

We studied the temporal dynamics in the vertical distribution of Maurolicus muelleri scattering layers (SL) by examining continuous acoustic recordings over a 15 mo period in Masfjorden, Norway, complemented by intermittent sampling campaigns. The data revealed known patterns as normal diel vertical migration (DVM), midnight sinking between dusk and dawn, and periods without migrations, as well as novel behaviours consisting of early morning ascents, reverse diel vertical migrations, and interrupted ascents in the evening. During the first autumn of the study, adult fish modified their normal DVM behaviour by suspending their migration in the evening, yet ascending toward the surface in the later part of the night to reach upper layers during dawn. This behaviour was not observed during the second autumn of the study. By midto end of November (1st autumn), adult fish had suspended the nocturnal ascent entirely, and in the subsequent period until the end of January, a fraction of the population rather performed limited reverse migrations, slightly shifting their vertical distribution upwards during the first part of the day. From January to March 2008, fish interrupted their evening ascent at apparently random intervals and returned to deeper waters, instead of completing a full ascent to the surface. Our study underlines the value of long-term recordings, with the results suggesting that M. muelleri has the capability of changing its behaviour in response to ontogeny and internal state (satiation and hunger) as well as to external stimuli.
Indonesia Human Capital Competitiveness in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Era

ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is the Free Trade Area among ASEAN Members States (AMSs). Goods and services had been freed entrance a country after the establishment of MEA by December 2015 [1]. The implementation of MEA had the negative and positive impact on AMS especially Indonesia [2]. The AEC agreement contain five aspect that its distribution can’t be limited are goods distribution, services distribution, capital market, the investment, and skilled and trained workers. The Government of Indonesia has regulate foreign labour in ministry regulation (Permen) Number 16 2005 to protect local labour. The Province Minimum Wage (UMP) Issue will be correlated to AEC implication on Indonesia industrial climate. The AEC forces the Indonesia human capital to become more skilful and fully trained, otherwise the competition will be dominated by most proper country. Keywords—AEC, ASEAN, Human Capital Competitiveness, Labor
Structural Breaks and the Demand for Money in Fiji

This paper fills a gap in the empirical work on the demand for money for Fiji. We allowed for structural breaks in the cointegrating equation, within the Gregory and Hansen framework, and found that there is a cointegrating relationship between real narrow money, real income and the nominal rate of interest in all the three types of their models. However, only the model with an intercept shift for the 1987 political coup yields a meaningful cointegrating relationship. We tested for its temporal stability and found that the demand for money in Fiji is stable.
Correlation between Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity,Lichtiger Index and Fecal Calprotectin in Ulcerative Colitis Patients

Aim: The aim of the current study was to assess the correlation between the Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS), Lichtiger Index and the fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Methods: This prospective study included 58 patients with UC, referred for colonoscopy to our Center. The diagnosis of UC was based on the clinical, endoscopic, and histological criteria. FC was analyzed in stool samples by means of point-of-care desk-top Quantum Blue Reader® method. Results: The UCEIS significantly correlated with levels of FC (r=0.869, p<0.001) and the Lichtiger Clinical Activity Index (r=0.862, p<0.001). Moreover, the Lichtiger Index demonstrated significant correlation with FC levels (r=0.869, p<0.001). Conclusion: The strong correlation between clinical and endoscopic disease activity shows that FC is a useful biomarker for noninvasive activity monitoring in UC patients.
10 R . 5 TORNADO DETECTION USING A NEURO-FUZZY METHOD

The Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) has been developed and deployed to improve the detection and forecast of tornadoes. The current Tornado Detection Algorithm (TDA) (Mitchell et al. 1998) searches for strong azimuthal shears in the velocity field. However, when a tornado is located at far range or the size of the tornado is small compared to the radar resolution volume, the shear signature will be smoothed and difficult to identify. Figure 1 shows the smoothing effect on shear signature as a function of the ratio of the cross-beam dimension (beam width) to the radius of tornado’s maximum wind.
Exhaust gas recirculation on twin shaft gas turbines - A study to improve part load performance

By recirculating exhaust gases to the gas turbine inlet a temperature rise and hence, a density reduction, is achieved at the compressor inlet. For a constant volume flow this results in a reduced mass flow, ultimately affecting the temperature of the flame, and the emissions, at part load. This study is conducted by creating a model of the Siemens twin shaft gas turbine SGT-750 in the software IPSEpro. The model is based on characteristics which are read from a text file. With the model, different cases of exhaust gas recirculation, EGR, are examined and the calculations are carried out for a simple as well as a combined cycle. Both cycles are examined with standard and tropical ambient conditions and matching. Depending on the case studied the results yield a 3 – 5 percentage point increase in total cycle efficiency at 50% load compared to the method of bleed used today. Furthermore, the gas turbine performance is better at normal conditions comparatively and the limitations of temperature and rotational speed is reached at higher loads for the tropical match. Although negative effects such as influence on lifing and practical issues of implementation are present, EGR is recommended based on the positive results and the general improvement of the gas turbine performance with the method.
Modelling the Impact of Vaccination and Screening on the Dynamics of Human Papillomavirus Infection

While human papillomavirus has been a recognized disease for a long time, the control of outbreaks remains a challenge. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of screening and vaccination as control strategies in curtailing the spread of the disease. Using the next generation matrix, the disease free equilibrium has be shown to be asymptotically stable. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis is then performed on the key parameters driving HPV dynamics in order to detrmine their relative importance and potential impact in HPV dynamics and to dertmine the impacts of vaccination and screening in the spread of HPV. Numerical results indicate that HPV infection can be reduced hwn both interventions, that is screenig and vaccination, are implemented in order to reduce the burden of the disease. Mathematics Subject Classification: 34D20
Evaluating the capabilities of the Xeon Phi platform in the context of software-only, thread-level speculation

Intel Xeon Phi accelerators are one of the newest devices used in the field of parallel computing. However, there are comparatively few studies concerning their performance when using most of the existing parallelization techniques. One of them is thread-level speculation, a technique that optimistically tries to extract parallelism of loops without the need of a compile-time analysis that guarantees that the loop can be executed in parallel. In this article we evaluate the performance delivered by an Intel Xeon Phi coprocessor when using a software, state-of-the-art thread-level speculative parallelization library in the execution of well-known benchmarks. Our results show that, although the Xeon Phi delivers a relatively good speedup in comparison with a shared-memory architecture in terms of scalability, the low computing power of its computational units when specific vectorization and SIMD instructions are not exploited, indicates that further development of new specific techniques for this platform is needed to make it competitive for the application of speculative parallelization comparing with high-end processors or conventional shared-memory systems.
On the geometrical structure of covariant anomalies in Yang–Mills theory

Covariant anomalies are studied in terms of the theory of secondary characteristic classes of the universal bundle of the Yang–Mills theory. A new set of descent equations is derived which contains the covariant current anomaly and the covariant Schwinger term. The counterterms relating consistent and covariant anomalies are determined. A geometrical realization of the Becchi–Rouet–Stora (BRS)/anti‐BRS algebra is presented which is used to understand the relationship between covariant anomalies in different approaches.
The Impact of Electron Beam Pre-treatment on the Fermentation of Wood-based Sugars

Lignocellulosic biomass has the potential to be a major source of biomass-derived fuel products. However, the protective matrix of polymeric materials incorporated in lignocellulosic biomass, called recalcitrance, must be deconstructed in order for utilization. This requires efficient pretreatment before wood-based polymers can be converted to sugars which are useful in fermentation to fuels or other end products. Preliminary studies on high energy electron beam (HEEB) irradiation as a pretreatment of hardwood, along with hot water extraction, yield results that show enhancement in the rate and yield of enzymatic conversion of wood to sugars and subsequent fermentation. This project explores if a similar enhancement effect is seen in the fermentation of HEEB pretreated softwoods, such as red pine, and if a similar effect is demonstrated in butanol-producing fermentation using Clostridium acetobutylicum. Fermentation results are monitored using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy models designed for this project for the prediction of glucose consumption and ethanol/butanol production. The underlying component of the enhancement effect is also being investigated with respect to soluble ion concentrations after HEEB irradiation. The optimization of pretreatment protocol of woody biomass holds environmental, economic, and scientific value; maximizing the rate and yield of sugar conversion and fermentation production will lead to significant advancement in the manufacture of biofuels.
Video Age Estimation with Multiple Stacked CNN Models

Automatic age classification has become relevant to an increasing amount of applications, particularly after the occurrence of many social platforms and social medias where the video age recognition is important for the improvement of user experience; however, performance of the existing methods on real-world video continuous images is in great shortage, especially when it is compared to the “super-human” improvement of recognition precision reported for the related task of object and face recognition. In this paper, we proposed a new cnn structure by combining several stacked deep-convolutional neural networks (CNN), which consist of an improved alexnet and an improved grouped googlenet. The stacked models can be used to estimate the apparent age of the people from coarse to fine. Experiments showed that a significant improvement in performance can be obtained on the video tasks. W evaluated our method on the recent benchmark for video apparent age estimation and showed it to outperform current state-of-the-art methods.