Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Addition of Essential Oils and Functional Extracts of Clove on Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan-Based Films

Mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan films prepared with essential oils of clove and functional extract were studied. The films made with functional extracts (esters E6 and E7) presented the significant increment of extensibility compared with the untreated chitosan films. In the case of punction test, the films made with the esters E6 and E7 resisted more the applied strength before tearing up compared with the chitosan control film (without any treatment). Thermogravimetric analysis values were determined for the chitosan control film and chitosan film treated with clove essential oil obtaining 112.17°C and 176.73°C, respectively. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine their morphology by analyzing their surfaces and phase arrangement; AFM was also used to observe the porosity in chitosan-based antimicrobial films and the chitosan films incorporating functional extracts. The water vapour permeability (WVP) data showed that incorporating the functional extract to the formulation of films has a positive effect on water vapour barrier properties. In general, the incorporation of essential oils and functional extract of clove at 20% in chitosan films caused microstructural changes that were dependent on the different affinity of components.
Self-similar clustering of inertial particles and zero-acceleration points in fully developed two-dimensional turbulence

Clustering of inertial particles in fully developed two-dimensional inverse cascading turbulence occurs for all particle relaxation times ranging from an order of magnitude under the smallest eddy turnover time to an order of magnitude above the largest eddy turnover time. Particle voids and clusters are statistically self-similar over a finite range of scales within the inertial range and are explained in terms of coarse-grained vorticity and resonant eddies (for voids) and in terms of zero-acceleration points (for clusters). The clustering of inertial particles reflects the clustering of zero-acceleration points. Essential to both explanations is the sweeping of small eddies by large ones. An important implication is that particle clustering can be explicitly described just in terms of the fluid acceleration field without the need for Lagrangian particle integrations.
The Concept of Attack Surface Reasoning

Today’s cyber defenses and cyber defenders face determined and diverse adversaries, who can study all aspects of deployed systems including networks, hosts, and the applications running on them, in order to find exploitable vulnerabilities and to devise attack vectors that exploit the detected vulnerabilities. The conflict between cyber attackers and cyber defenders is stacked against the defender. The defender must protect against all the ways that an adversary can cause potential loss of security, collectively called the attack surface, while the attacker needs to find only a single vulnerability and attack vector to be successful. This work-in-progress paper describes an AI-inspired approach for modeling and analyzing the attack surface of a distributed system. Once modeled, an attack surface can be quantified in terms of size and level of dynamism through four types of algorithms: path analysis, metric computation, path comparison, and path enumeration. Our approach supports relative comparison across multiple attack models for each combination of a system and a set of defenses, in order to select an appropriate set of defenses given a certain cost/benefit tradeoff.
Design of Compact Multiband Antenna with Band-Rejection Features for Mobile Broadband Satellite Communications

This paper presents the design of a compact printed multi-band antenna for satellite communications within vehicular applications. The designed antenna is characterized by its compact size of 24mm × 18mm and multiple resonances over WiMAX, WLAN, 5GHz U-NII, C-band, X-band, Ku-band, K-band and Ka-band. The performance of the multi-band antenna is investigated, and its equivalent circuit model is presented. Good performance is achieved over all the operating bands, with a relatively high gain and efficiency. Furthermore, as the interference with coexisting wireless systems can have a severe impact on the performance of the antenna, four variants of the antenna are proposed incorporating band rejection features within the antenna design. Embedded quarter-wavelength spurlines, slots, and parasitic elements were used.
Novel insights into the neuroendocrinology of critical illness

An unexplained hallmark of prolonged critical illness is the fact that food does not prevent or reverse protein wasting, while fat is paradoxically accrued. This 'wasting syndrome' often persists after the underlying disease has been resolved and thus perpetuates intensive care dependency. Although the crucial role of an intact hypothalamus-pituitary axis for homeostasis during stress is well recognized, the differences between the neuroendocrine changes observed in acute and prolonged critical illness were only recently described. Novel insights in this area are reviewed here. The initial endocrine stress response consists primarily of a peripheral inactivation of anabolic pathways while pituitary activity is essentially amplified or maintained. These responses presumably provide the metabolic substrates and host defense required for survival and to delay anabolism, and thus should be considered as adaptive and beneficial. Persistence of this acute stress response throughout the course of critical illness was hitherto assumed. This assumption has now been invalidated, since a uniformly reduced pulsatile secretion of ACTH, TSH, LH, prolactin (PRL) and GH has been observed in protracted critical illness, causing diminished stimulation of several target organs. Impaired pulsatile secretion of anterior pituitary hormones in the chronic phase of critical illness seems to have a hypothalamic rather than a pituitary origin, as administration of relevant releasing factors evoked immediate and pronounced pituitary hormone release. A reduced availability of TRH, one of the endogenous ligands of the GH-releasing peptide (GHRP) receptor (such as the recently discovered ghrelin) and, in very long-stay critically ill men, also of GHRH, appear to be involved. This hypothesis was further explored by investigating the effects of continuous i.v. infusion of GHRH, GHRP, TRH and their combinations for several days. Pulsatile secretion of GH, TSH and PRL was re-amplified by relevant combinations of releasing factors which also substantially increased circulating levels of IGF-I, GH-dependent binding proteins, thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine (T3) while avoiding a rise in reverse T3. Active feedback-inhibition loops prevented overstimulation of target organs and metabolic improvement was noted with the combined infusion of GHRP and TRH. Whether this novel endocrine strategy will also enhance clinical recovery from critical illness remains to be explored.
Investigating the Impacts of Lateral and Angular Misalignments between Circular Filaments

This paper analyses the impacts of lateral and angular misalignments on the mutual inductance and the magnetic force between circular filaments which are arbitrarily positioned in space. Advanced and relevant models available in the literature are used to accomplish the aim of this paper. Using SCILAB application software, the results obtained based on the theoretical model show that as the coil misalignments increase the values of the mutual inductance and the magnetic force keep decreasing and increasing with respect to certain variable rotation angle at any point of the secondary coil. In order to further investigate the impact of coil separation distance and misalignments on the amount of voltage induced in the secondary coil, a model of air-cored transformer is constructed. The experimental results obtained show that the amount of the induced magnetic flux from the primary coil into the secondary coil becomes weaker if the coil separation distance and coil misalignments increase.As a result, a much smaller value of the mutual inductance is obtained resulting to a much smaller induced electromotive force in the secondary coil. Journal of Machine to Machine Communications, Vol. 1, 83–104. doi: 10.13052/jmmc2246-137X.113 c © 2014 River Publishers. All rights reserved. 84 Anele O. Amos et al. In conclusion, this study shows that the full benefits of contactless inductive power transfer (CIPT) systems will not be realized if issues regarding coil separation distance and misalignments are not tackled in the model to be designed for the CIPT transformer.
The Better You Feel the Better You Learn: Do Warm Colours and Rounded Shapes Enhance Learning Outcome in Multimedia Learning?

The aim of the present study was to examine whether fostering positive activating affect during multimedia learning enhances learning outcome. University students were randomly assigned to either a multimedia learning environment designed to induce positive activating affect through the use of “warm” colours and rounded shapes ( ) or an affectively neutral environment that used achromatic colours and sharp edges ( ). Participants learned about the topic of functional neuroanatomy for 20 minutes and had to answer several questions for comprehension and transfer afterwards. Affective states as well as achievement goal orientations were investigated before and after the learning phase using questionnaires. The results show that participants in the affectively positive environment were superior in comprehension as well as transfer when initial affect was strong. Preexperimental positive affect was therefore a predictor of comprehension and a moderator for transfer. Goal orientations did not influence these effects. The findings support the idea that positive affect, induced through the design of the particular multimedia learning environment, can facilitate performance if initial affective states are taken into account.
Introduction: Reconsidering the Region in India

In this introduction to a special issue on ‘Reconsidering the Region in India’, we aim to develop a synthetic and theoretically nuanced account of the multifarious ways in which the idea of region has been imbricated in diverse spatial, political, cultural and socio-economic configurations. We draw from various bodies of anthropological, geographic and historical literature to elaborate on three themes that we believe are central to understanding contemporary processes of region-making in India: trans-regional mobilities and connections; the actors who produce and perform regional imaginaries; and changing regional politics of development.
THE «RESOURCES CURSE» AND SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN UKRAINE

The features of «resources curse» phenomenon display within the world economy limits are considered and its influence on the economic growth tendency is determined; structure and dynamic of Ukraine national wealth forming and countries of Visegrad Four are compared; author position in relation to the deployment of «resources curse» effect within national economy limits - national wealth growth through natural capital exhausting which additionally increases insufficient reproduction of capital assets is validated.
The Landscape of Ontology Reuse in Linked Data

Abstract. The uptake of Linked Data (LD) has promoted the proliferation of datasets and their associated ontologies for describing different domains. Ac-cording to LD principles, developers should reuse as many available terms as possible to describe their data. Importing ontologies or referring to their terms’ URIs are the two main ways to reuse knowledge from available ontologies. In this paper, we have analyzed 18589 terms appearing within 196 ontologies in-cluded in the Linked Open Vocabularies (LOV) registry with the aim of under-standing the current state of ontology reuse in the LD context. In order to char-acterize the landscape of ontology reuse in this context, we have extracted sta-tistics about currently reused elements, calculated ratios for reuse, and drawn graphs about imports and references between ontologies. Keywords: ontology, vocabulary, reuse, linked data, ontology import
Does the Fundamental Matrix Define a One-to- One Relation between the Corresponding Image Points of a Scene?

In computer stereo vision, the fundamental matrix is the algebraic representation of the epipolar geometry that relates two images of a scene observed from two different viewpoints. The most important feature of the fundamental matrix is its independence of the scene structure. Different methods have been proposed to derive the fundamental matrix equation.  This paper reviews one of these methods and reveals that it is based on flawed statements to conclude the existence of a homography between the points on the two images. This derivation of the fundamental matrix equation is based on the existence of a homography between the two images.
Characterization of Verticillium dahliae Isolates and Wilt Epidemics of Pepper.

Epidemics of Verticillium wilt in pepper fields of the central coast of California and isolates of Verticillium dahliae associated with these epidemics were characterized. The mean incidence of wilted plants per field ranged from 6.3 to 97.8% in fields with Anaheim, jalapeno, paprika, or bell peppers. In general, incidence of wilt in jalapeno and bell pepper crops was lower than in crops of other types of pepper. Inoculum density of V. dahliae in the surveyed pepper fields ranged from 2.7 to 66.6 microsclerotia g-1 dry soil, and the correlation between disease incidence and density of microsclerotia was high (r = 0.81, P < 0.01). Distribution of Verticillium wilt was aggregated in a majority of the pepper fields surveyed, but the degree of aggregation varied. Vegetative compatibility group (VCG) characterization of 67 isolates of V. dahliae indicated that 67% belonged to VCG 2, 22% to VCG 4, and 11% to a new group, designated VCG 6. The pathogenicity of isolates of V. dahliae from bell pepper and tomato plants was tested by inoculating 1-month-old bell pepper (cv. Cal Wonder) and tomato (cv. EP 7) seedlings and incubating the inoculated plants in the greenhouse. Seedlings of bell pepper were susceptible only to the isolates of V. dahliae from pepper, whereas seedlings of tomato were susceptible to both pepper and tomato isolates. Pepper isolates belonging to VCG 2, VCG 4, and VCG 6 were highly pathogenic to bell pepper and chili pepper. Temperatures between 15 and 25°C were optimal for mycelial growth of a majority of isolates of V. dahliae. Molecular characterization of pepper isolates of V. dahliae using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique revealed minor variation among these isolates, but unique polymorphic banding patterns were observed for isolates belonging to VCG 6. Verticillium wilt of pepper is a major production constraint in the central coast of California. More aggressive isolates of V. dahliae may have been selected in this region as a result of intensive cropping practices.
APPLICATION OF MODIS DATA TO ASSESS THE LATEST FOREST COVER CHANGES OF SRI LANKA

Assessing forest cover of Sri Lanka is becoming important to lower the pressure on forest lands as well as man-elephant conflicts. Furthermore, the land access to north-east Sri Lanka after the end of 30 years long civil war has increased the need of regularly updated land cover information for proper planning. This study produced an assessment of the forest cover of Sri Lanka using two satellite data based maps within 23 years of time span. For the old forest cover map, the study used one of the first island-wide digital land cover classification produced by the main author in 1988. The old land cover classification was produced at 80 m spatial resolution, using Landsat MSS data. A previously published another study by the author has investigated the application feasibility of MODIS and Landsat MSS imagery for a selected sub-section of Sri Lanka to identify the forest cover changes. Through the light of these two studies, the assessment was conducted to investigate the application possibility of MODIS 250 m over a small island like Sri Lanka. The relation between the definition of forest in the study and spatial resolution of the used satellite data sets were considered since the 2012 map was based on MODIS data. The forest cover map of 1988 was interpolated into 250 m spatial resolution to integrate with the GIS data base. The results demonstrated the advantages as well as disadvantages of MODIS data in a study at this scale. The successful monitoring of forest is largely depending on the possibility to update the field conditions at regular basis. Freely available MODIS data provides a very valuable set of information of relatively large green patches on the ground at relatively real-time basis. Based on the changes of forest cover from 1988 to 2012, the study recommends the use of MODIS data as a resalable method to forest assessment and to identify hotspots to be re-investigated. It's noteworthy to mention the possibility of uncounted small isolated pockets of forest, or sub-pixel size forest patches when MODIS 250 m x 250 m data used in small regions.
Source apportionment vs. emission inventories of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) in an urban area of the Middle East: local and global perspectives

Abstract. We applied the positive matrix factorization model to two large data sets collected during two intensive measurement campaigns (summer 2011 and winter 2012) at a sub-urban site in Beirut, Lebanon, in order to identify NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons) sources and quantify their contribution to ambient levels. Six factors were identified in winter and five factors in summer. PMF-resolved source profiles were consistent with source profiles established by near-field measurements. The major sources were traffic-related emissions (combustion and gasoline evaporation) in winter and in summer accounting for 51 and 74 wt %, respectively, in agreement with the national emission inventory. The gasoline evaporation related to traffic source had a significant contribution regardless of the season (22 wt % in winter and 30 wt % in summer). The NMHC emissions from road transport are estimated from observations and PMF results, and compared to local and global emission inventories. The PMF analysis finds reasonable differences on emission rates, of 20–39 % higher than the national road transport inventory. However, global inventories (ACCMIP, EDGAR, MACCity) underestimate the emissions up to a factor of 10 for the transportation sector. When combining emission inventory to our results, there is strong evidence that control measures in Lebanon should be targeted on mitigating the NMHC emissions from the traffic-related sources. From a global perspective, an assessment of VOC (volatile organic compounds) anthropogenic emission inventories for the Middle East region as a whole seems necessary as these emissions could be much higher than expected at least from the road transport sector.
Religion and Spirituality as Important Components of Men’s Health and Wellness

Men’s health has been receiving increased attention in health care research and practice because of associated negative outcomes and men’s reluctance to seek help. Religion or religiosity, defined as involvement in an organized, structured community focused on moral code, and spirituality, defined as the subjective, mystical, and holistic interpretation of personal beliefs and behaviors, have been associated with positive health outcomes. Specifically, religion and spirituality mediate an increase in positive health outcomes and a decrease in risk factors through social and existential well-being. However, men seem to be less religious and spiritual compared with women, a potential problem as men may be missing an important pathway to health and wellness. This state-of-the-art review examines the intersections of religion, spirituality, and health and focuses on how religion and spirituality relate specifically to men’s health and health behaviors. Subsequently, 4 health problems with religious and spiritual implications are examined that have been identified in the literature as pertinent to men’s health: (a) prostate cancer screening and coping, (b) HIV/AIDS prevention and coping, (c) addictions, and (d) palliative care. Finally, suggestions are offered for clinicians to incorporate an understanding of religion and spirituality into their patient encounters.
Body Trunk Shape Estimation from Silhouettes by Using Homologous Human Body Model

This paper attempts to estimate a 3D shape of human torso from 2 pictures which are front and side silhouette of a subject. Our method assumes that input pictures have accurate contours of a subject’s body. And regions of torsos are extracted manually from input pictures. We use a deformable body model for estimation. This model is generated by principal component analysis to a homologous model database which is made of whole body scanned data. A result shape is computed by optimizing some deformation parameters of the model with comparing model’s silhouettes and input silhouettes.
LOCAL LINE BINARY PATTERN FOR FEATURE EXTRACTION ON PALM VEIN RECOGNITION

In recent years, palm vein recognition has been studied to overcome problems in conventional systems in biometrics technology (finger print, face, and iris). Those problems in biometrics includes convenience and performance. However, due to the clarity of the palm vein image, the veins could not be segmented properly. To overcome this problem, we propose a palm vein recognition system using Local Line Binary Pattern (LLBP) method that can extract robust features from the palm vein images that has unclear veins. LLBP is an advanced method of Local Binary Pattern (LBP), a texture descriptor based on the gray level comparison of a neighborhood of pixels. There are four major steps in this paper, Region of Interest (ROI) detection, image preprocessing, features extraction using LLBP method, and matching using Fuzzy k-NN classifier. The proposed method was applied on the CASIA Multi-Spectral Image Database. Experimental results showed that the proposed method using LLBP has a good performance with recognition accuracy of 97.3%. In the future, experiments will be conducted to observe which parameter that could affect processing time and recognition accuracy of LLBP is needed
Review of Non-Traditional Optimization Methods for Allocation of Distributed Generation and Energy Storage in Distribution System

The integration of distributed energy sources transforms passive distributed grid, in which the energy flows only in one direction (from the source to the consumer), in an active one, in which energy flows in both directions. To maximize positive impacts, which distributed generation (DG) can provide to the distribution network, it is necessary to determine the optimal allocation of distributed generation. The optimal allocation can be determined by using the optimization method. There are two main categories: exact methods (traditional) and heuristic (non-traditional) methods. Exact methods search for global optimum while heuristic methods achieve satisfactory solutions with greater computation speed. This paper gives a brief review of non-traditional methods used for determining optimal location and optimal power of DG with the aim to reduce real power losses and to improve voltage characteristics. Also, there is a review of the application of those methods in determining the optimal power, optimal location and optimal cycle of charging/discharging of electrical energy storage systems.