Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
158 Freitas

Ant colony optimization (ACO) is a relatively new computational intelligence paradigm inspired by the behaviour of natural ants (Bonabeau, Dorigo & Theraulaz, 1999). The natural behaviour of ants that we are interested in is the following. Ants often find the shortest path between a food source and the nest of the colony without using visual information. In order to exchange information about which path should be followed, ants communicate with each other by means of a chemical substance called pheromone. As ants move, a certain amount of pheromone is dropped on the ground, creating a pheromone trail. The more ants follow a given trail, the more attractive that trail becomes to be followed by other ants. This process involves a loop of positive feedback, in which the probability that an ant chooses a path is proportional to the number of ants that have already passed by that path. Hence, individual ants, following very simple rules, interact to produce an intelligent behaviour – a solution to a complex problem – at the higher level of the ant colony. In other words, intelligence is an emergent phenomenon; that is, “the whole is more than the sum of the parts”. In this article we present an overview of Ant-Miner, an ACO algorithm for discovering classification rules in data mining (Parpinelli, Lopes & Freitas, 2002a, 2002b). In essence, in the classification task each case (record) of the data being mined consists of two parts: a goal attribute, whose value is to be predicted, and a set of predictor attributes. The aim is to predict the value of the goal attribute for a case, given the values of the predictor attributes for that case. To the best of our knowledge, the use of ACO algorithms (Bonabeau, Dorigo & Theraulaz, 1999; Dorigo et al., 2002) for discovering classification rules is a very under-explored research area. There are other ant algorithms developed for the data mining task of clustering – see for example Monmarché (1999) – but that task is very different from the classification task addressed in this article. Note that Ant-Miner was designed specifically for discovering classification rules, rather than for solving other kinds of data mining tasks. In other research areas ACO algorithms have been shown to produce effective solutions to difficult realworld problems. A detailed review about many other ACO algorithms (designed to solve many other different kinds of problems) and a discussion about their performance can be found in Bonabeau, Dorigo and Theraulaz (1999) and Dorigo et al. (2002). A typical example of application of ACO is network traffic routing, where artificial ants deposit “virtual pheromone” (information) at the network nodes. In essence, the amount of pheromone deposited at each node is inversely proportional to the congestion of traffic in that node. This reinforces paths through uncongested areas. Both British Telecom and France Telecom have explored this application of ACO in telephone networks.
Improving ontology matchers utilizing linguistic ontologies: an information retrieval approach

Matching ontologies is a crucial process when facilitating system interoperability and information exchange. A reoccurring problem in this process is that names can be ambiguous, yielding uncertainty to whether entities of two heterogeneous ontologies are actually related. Linguistic ontologies provide a clear structure of meanings, rather than names, allowing the quantification of the relatedness of any two given meanings. We propose an approach for the automatic allocation of correct meanings within a linguistic ontology through the use of virtual documents and information retrieval techniques. The benefits of this approach are tested and established using a data set from the Ontology Alignment Evaluation Initiative (OAEI) competition, while further improvements are revealed using a benchmark data set from the same competition.
A User-Centred Well-Being Home for the Elderly

Every single instant a person generates a large amount of information that somehow is lost. This information can assume a large diversity of means, such as an oral word, a sneeze, an increase in heartbeat or even facial expressions. We present a model which promotes the well-being of the elderly in their homes. The general idea behind the model is that every single experience may mean something, and therefore may be recorded, measured and even have adequate responses. There is no device that provides a more natural interaction than a human body and every one of us, sends and receives useful information, which sometimes gets lost. Trends show that the future will be filled with pervasive IoT devices, present in most aspects of human life’s. In this we focus on which aspects are more important for the well-being of a person and which devices, technologies and interactions may be used to collect data directly from users and measure their physiological and emotional responses. Even though not all the technologies presented in this article are yet mainstream, they have been evolving very rapidly and evidence makes us believe that the efficiency of this approach will be closely related to their advances.
A global method for calculating plant CSR ecological strategies applied across biomes world‐wide

Summary Competitor, stress-tolerator, ruderal (CSR) theory is a prominent plant functional strategy scheme previously applied to local floras. Globally, the wide geographic and phylogenetic coverage of available values of leaf area (LA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and specific leaf area (SLA) (representing, respectively, interspecific variation in plant size and conservative vs. acquisitive resource economics) promises the general application of CSR strategies across biomes, including the tropical forests hosting a large proportion of Earth's diversity. We used trait variation for 3068 tracheophytes (representing 198 families, six continents and 14 biomes) to create a globally calibrated CSR strategy calculator tool and investigate strategy–environment relationships across biomes world-wide. Due to disparity in trait availability globally, co-inertia analysis was used to check correspondence between a ‘wide geographic coverage, few traits’ data set and a ‘restricted coverage, many traits’ subset of 371 species for which 14 whole-plant, flowering, seed and leaf traits (including leaf nitrogen content) were available. CSR strategy/environment relationships within biomes were investigated using fourth-corner and RLQ analyses to determine strategy/climate specializations. Strong, significant concordance (RV = 0·597; P < 0·0001) was evident between the 14 trait multivariate space and when only LA, LDMC and SLA were used. Biomes such as tropical moist broadleaf forests exhibited strategy convergence (i.e. clustered around a CS/CSR median; C:S:R = 43:42:15%), with CS-selection associated with warm, stable situations (lesser temperature seasonality), with greater annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. Other biomes were characterized by strategy divergence: for example, deserts varied between xeromorphic perennials such as Larrea divaricata, classified as S-selected (C:S:R = 1:99:0%) and broadly R-selected annual herbs (e.g. Claytonia perfoliata; R/CR-selected; C:S:R = 21:0:79%). Strategy convergence was evident for several growth habits (e.g. trees) but not others (forbs). The CSR strategies of vascular plants can now be compared quantitatively within and between biomes at the global scale. Through known linkages between underlying leaf traits and growth rates, herbivory and decomposition rates, this method and the strategy–environment relationships it elucidates will help to predict which kinds of species may assemble in response to changes in biogeochemical cycles, climate and land use.
Estimating Subject-Specific Treatment Differences for Risk-Benefit Assessment with Competing Risk Event-Time Data

∗Harvard University, bclagget@hsph.harvard. edu †Harvard University, lhzhao@hsph.harvard. edu ‡Stanford University School of Medicine, lutian@stanford.edu ∗∗Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Universtiy of Turin ††Harvard University, wei@hsph.harvard. edu This working paper is hosted by The Berkeley Electronic Press (bepress) and may not be commercially reproduced without the permission of the copyright holder.
A novel strategy to control emerging drug resistant infections

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals and the community has significantly limited the effectiveness of current drugs resulting in treatment failure. Moreover, bacterial cells growing within biofilms exhibit increased resistance to antibacterial agents, making it imperative that alternative approaches be explored to improve treatment strategies. The present study investigates the antimicrobial activity of chitosan (CS), quaternary ammonium chitosan derivative (QCS) and their nanoparticulate forms against clinically derived methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli. Chitosan nanoparticles (CS NP) and quaternary ammonium chitosan derivative nanoparticles (QCS NP) were prepared using the ionic gelation method and characterised using scanning electron microscope and zeta potential analyzer. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of all the particles was determined. There was about 1.5 to 4 fold reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration of CS NP and QCS NP for both the test organisms when compared to the parent CS and QCS particles. Potent invitro activity against biofilms of MRSA and ESBL-producing Escherichia coli was observed using CS and QCS nanoparticles. Our data demonstrates the antimicrobial efficacy of nanoparticulate forms of chitosan and its quarternized N-alkyl derivative and suggests their potential as novel therapeutic agents against emerging drug resistant bacteria.
Variability of sea salts in ice and firn cores from Fimbul Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Abstract. Major ions were analysed in firn and ice cores located at Fimbul Ice Shelf (FIS), Dronning Maud Land – DML, Antarctica. FIS is the largest ice shelf in the Haakon VII Sea, with an extent of approximately 36 500 km2. Three shallow firn cores (about 20 m deep) were retrieved in different ice rises, Kupol Ciolkovskogo (KC), Kupol Moskovskij (KM), and Blaskimen Island (BI), while a 100 m long core (S100) was drilled near the FIS edge. These sites are distributed over the entire FIS area so that they provide a variety of elevation (50–400 m a.s.l.) and distance (3–42 km) to the sea. Sea-salt species (mainly Na+ and Cl−) generally dominate the precipitation chemistry in the study region. We associate a significant sixfold increase in median sea-salt concentrations, observed in the S100 core after the 1950s, to an enhanced exposure of the S100 site to primary sea-salt aerosol due to a shorter distance from the S100 site to the ice front, and to enhanced sea-salt aerosol production from blowing salty snow over sea ice, most likely related to the calving of Trolltunga occurred during the 1960s. This increase in sea-salt concentrations is synchronous with a shift in non-sea-salt sulfate (nssSO42−) toward negative values, suggesting a possible contribution of fractionated aerosol to the sea-salt load in the S100 core most likely originating from salty snow found on sea ice. In contrast, there is no evidence of a significant contribution of fractionated sea salt to the ice-rises sites, where the signal would be most likely masked by the large inputs of biogenic sulfate estimated for these sites. In summary, these results suggest that the S100 core contains a sea-salt record dominated by the proximity of the site to the ocean, and processes of sea ice formation in the neighbouring waters. In contrast, the ice-rises firn cores register a larger-scale signal of atmospheric flow conditions and a less efficient transport of sea-salt aerosols to these sites. These findings are a contribution to the understanding of the mechanisms behind sea-salt aerosol production, transport and deposition at coastal Antarctic sites, and the improvement of the current Antarctic sea ice reconstructions based on sea-salt chemical proxies obtained from ice cores.
A three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel-activated carbon composite catalyst that enables low-cost microfluidic microbial fuel cells with superior performance

Microfluidic microbial fuel cells (μMFCs) are promising miniaturized power generators and bio-sensors, which combine the micro-fabrication process with bio-chip technology. However, a limited power output and considerable cost severely restrict their practical applications. Previous research has revealed that inadequate colonization of bacteria on bio-anodes as well as sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics are two main causes for the unsatisfactory power output. In this study, we have demonstrated a μMFC that has successfully addressed the aforementioned limitations by utilizing low-cost self-assembled reduced graphene oxide–nickel (rGO@Ni) foam and a nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel-activated carbon (AC@N-GA) as the bio-anode and air-cathode electrodes, respectively. The three-dimensional and macro-porous structure of the rGO@Ni foam provides a large surface area for bacterial colonization and hence largely increases the loading amount of bacterial cells. The AC@N-GA electrode shows excellent ORR catalytic performance due to the meso-porous structure and the presence of nitrogen functionalities that can serve as the catalytic sites. As a result, the μMFC achieves a maximum power density of 1181.4 ± 135.6 W m−3 (continuous-mode) and 690.2 ± 62.3 W m−3 (batch-mode) evaluated based on the volume of the reactor (50 μL). To our knowledge, this is the highest volumetric power density reported for air-breathing μMFCs and microfluidic glucose fuel cells with a similar configuration. Besides, the utilization of the inexpensive electrodes and membrane-free architecture could significantly decrease the fabrication cost of μMFCs.
Why It is Important to Understand the Relation between Foam Rolling and Proprioception

Foam rolling is a method used by professionals such as physical therapists, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches, as well as fitness enthusiasts to relieve tight muscles and/or to break down scar tissue. The foam roller’s popularity has increased in recent years and can be found in variety of settings, such as gyms, clinics, and stores. It is believed to yield benefits similar to manual therapy/massage therapy, although it is not as specific as one on one massage therapy session. Foam rolling targets groups of muscles whereas, manual therapy can target specific muscle. It is the most cost-effective method to have in a group-training setting, which are common in the fields fitness and strength and conditioning. The foam roller has a cylindrical shape and is available in different sizes, textures, and foam densities. The different types of foam rollers assist in controlling the intensity of the intervention. Foam rollers are used frequently during warm up and cool down, as well as during practices, games, or exercise routines. Several studies investigated the influence of the foam roller on range of motion (ROM), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and even force and power output.
The effects of floral display size on pollinator service to individual flowers of Myosotis and Mimulus

Large floral displays allow high fecundity but in addition have been postulated to disproportionately attract pollinator visitation, resulting in increased pollination rates to flowers on large plants. Balancing this advantage, however, is the presumed cost of increased self-pollination through transfer of pollen within plants (geitonogamy). Protohystricia huttoni (Tachinidae) responded to larger floral displays in Myosotis colensoi in its native habitat in New Zealand by making more plant-visits per hour, visiting more flowers at each visit, but visiting a declining proportion of the flowers available. As a result, flowers were visited at approximately the same rate (∼ 1 visit per flower per hour) on all display sizes. Pollen deposition, pollen receipt and seed set all varied independently of flower number confirming the even pollinator service to flowers across all plant sizes. Bombus terrestris and Apis mellifera both responded in a very similar way to variation in flower number in naturalised Mimulus guttatus in Britain and, similarly, the proportion of flowers successfully pollinated was independent of flower number. The data presented offer little support for the hypothesis of facilitation of visitation to individual flowers on large displays. Instead, pollinators appear to adopt an «ideal free distribution» and utilise floral resources evenly across all plant sizes
Preparation and Evaluation of Granola – a Breakfast Cereal, Sustituted with Maize (Zea May) and Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Blend

Granola was produced using three varieties of maize namely, yellow, white and pop and oat as control. Coconut was added to the granola sample in order to replace walnut in the control. They were subjected to sensory, chemical and functional evaluation. Sensory analysis showed that there was significant difference in their color and taste, while flavor, texture, crispness and overall acceptability showed no significant difference (p≥0.05). Chemical analysis result showed that oat based granola had the highest value for fat, protein, energy, sugar, starch and amylopectin, while yellow maize granola had the highest value for moisture content and carbohydrate and white maize granola had the highest value for crude fibre and amylose. Granola produced from pop maize had the highest value for ash. There was no significant difference (P≥0.05) in ash, protein energy and amylopectin between oat granola (control) and maize based granola samples. Functional analysis of the samples showed that oat granola had the highest value for water absorption capacity and swelling power. Yellow maize granola had the highest value for dispersibility and bulk density. Pop corn granola had the highest value for solubility. There was no significant difference (P≥0.05) in bulk density and water absorption capacity.
How the Drilling Fluids Can be Made More Efficient by Using Nanomaterials

Drilling fluids serve many objectives in a drilling process, including the elimination of cuttings, lubricating and cooling the drill bits, supporting the stability of the hole and preventing the inflow-outflow of fluids between borehole and the formation. However, with increasing production from non-conventional reservoirs, the stability and effectiveness of traditional drilling fluids under high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) environment have become big concerns. Both water and oil based drilling fluids are likely to experience a number of deteriorations such as gelation, degradation of weighting materials and breakdown of polymeric additives under HTHP conditions. Recently, nanotechnology has shown a lot of promise in the oil and gas sectors, including nanoparticle-based drilling fluids. This paper aims to explore and assess the influence of various nanoparticles on the performance of drilling fluids to make the drilling operation smooth, cost effective and efficient. In order to achieve this aim, the article will begin by explaining the important role that drilling fluid plays during the drilling process with a historical review of drilling fluid industry development. Then, definitions, uses and types of drilling fluid will be demonstrated as well as, the additives that are appended in order to enhance drilling fluid performance. Moreover, the maturation of the oil production industry from unconventional wells will be discussed after which the limitations and degradation of the traditional drilling fluid will be cleared up. Finally, this essay will discuss the great potential of nanotechnology in solving drilling problems in addition to the technical and the economic benefits of using nanomaterials in drilling fluids before offering a brief conclusion.
Effects of modified FSH surges on follicle selection and codominance in heifers

Follicular Wave 1 emerges near ovulation and Wave 2 emerges during mid-diestrus and are stimulated by FSH Surges 1 and 2, respectively. During a follicular wave, one follicle becomes dominant and continues to grow, and the others become subordinates. The eminent and recognizable event during this selection process is diameter deviation. The relationships between the patterns of the wave-stimulating FSH surge and deviation were studied by altering the FSH surge, using follicle ablations. Codominance was used as the primary indicator of altered deviation. In waves with codominant follicles, the day of deviation was based on the beginning of regression of the third-largest follicle. The following groups (n=8/group) were used: 1) controls, 2) 6.5-mm group; all follicles ≥ 5.0 mm ablated except F1 (largest) and F2 when F1 was ≥ 6.5 mm, 3) Day-4 group; all follicles ≥ 5.0 mm ablated on Day 4 (ovulation=Day 0) and 4) Day-7 group; all follicles ≥ 5.0 mm ablated on Day 7. Ablations were done during the decreasing FSH concentrations in Surge 1, during the minimal FSH concentrations between Surges 1 and 2, and during the increasing FSH concentrations in Surge 2 in the three ablation groups, respectively. Concentration of FSH at the beginning of deviation was 38% greater (P < 0.03) in the 6.5-mm group than in the controls. The greater FSH concentrations did not interfere with deviation, as indicated by the unaltered interval from emergence to deviation and an unaltered incidence of codominant follicles ≥ 10.0 mm. Ablations on Day 4 induced the most prominent surge as indicated by a 74% greater (P < 0.003) FSH peak and 31% greater (P < 0.05) FSH concentration at deviation than in controls. The Day-4 group had a greater (P < 0.05) rate of codominance (6 of 8 waves, 75%) than in each of the other groups (25%). The day at the beginning of deviation between F1 and F3 in codominant waves was not different from the day of deviation between F1 and F2 in single dominant waves. Ablations on Day 7 induced a surge with a peak intermediate between the peak for the control and Day-4 groups (P < 0.01) but with no difference from controls in FSH concentrations near deviation and in the rate of codominance. There was no difference among groups in the length of the interval between wave emergence and the beginning of deviation, despite the experimentally increased FSH concentrations encompassing deviation in the 6.5-mm and Day-4 groups. This result indicated that the initiation of deviation was more dependent on attained follicle diameters than on the concentrations of FSH reached during the decline in the FSH surge. Follicle ablation during the low FSH concentrations between surges induced the most prominent FSH surge and was the only group with altered deviation as indicated by a high incidence of codominance.
Production of exo-pectinase by Penicillium roqueorti using pumpkin oil cake

Submerged fermentation (SmF) was carried out using the pumpkin oil cake (PuOC) as a substrate for the production of exo-pectinase (exo-p) by Penicillium roqueforti. PuOC was used as carbon, nitrogen and mineral source for fungi growth and exo-p production. SmF was carried out in the production medium containing 0.2% KH2PO4, 0.1% MgSO4 and 0.1% NaCl, supplemented with PuOC at 2% concentration. The obtained results show that P. roqueforti cultivated in a liquid medium in the presence of PuOC as a source of nitrogen, produced significant amount of exo-p, activity 161.03 U/ml.