Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chanter model: nonlinear modeling of the fruit growth of cocoa

ABSTRACT: The growth of plants and animals can be described through a growth curve. This curve is given by the equation of a nonlinear model, such as the Logistic model and the Gompertz model. The objective of this study was to adjust the Chanter model, as well as Logistic and Gompertz, using a set of cocoa (clone Sial-105) fruit whose length and diameter measurements were evaluated from 30 to 180 days after pollination, every 15 days. The Chanter model is a hybrid between the Logistic model and Gompertz model whose parameters can be interpreted similarly. A comparison of the quality of fit between the models was made using the following statistical measures: the Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), the Akaike’s weights criterion, Bayesian information criterion (BIC), residual standard deviation (RSD),the adjusted coefficient of determination (R²aj) and the measures of non-linearity Box’s bias and curvature of Bates and Watts. It was verified that the Chanter model is the most suitable one among the studied models for modeling the cocoa data.
Network winner determination problem

Many real-world marketplaces involve some additional constraints to be addressed during the market clearing process. This is the case of various infrastructure sectors of the economy, where market commodities are associated with some elements of the infrastructure, e.g., elements of telecommunication, power transmission or transportation network. Transactions are allowed only if the infrastructure, modeled as a ﬂow network, is able to serve them. Determination of the best offers is possible by solving the optimization problem, so called the Winner Determination Problem (WDP). We consider a new subclass of the WDP, i.e., the Network Winner Determination Problem (NWDP). We characterize different problems in the NWDP class and analyze their computational complexity. The sharp edge of tractability for NWDP-derived problems is generally designated by integer offers. However, we show that some speciﬁc settings of the problem can still be solved in polytime. We also present some exemplary applications of NWDP in telecommunication bandwidth
An integrated approach to prevent the erosion of salt marshes in the lagoon of Venice

The loss of coastal habitats is a widespread problem in Europe. To protect the intertidal salt marshes of the lagoon of Venice from the erosion due to natural and human causes which is diffusely and intensely impacting them, the European Commission has funded the demonstrative project LIFE VIMINE. LIFE VIMINE aims to protect the most interior, hard-to-access salt marshes in the northern lagoon of Venice through an integrated approach, whose core is the prevention of erosion through numerous, small but spatially-diffuse soil-bioengineering protections works, mainly placed through semi-manual labour and with low impact on the environment and the landscape. The effectiveness of protection works in the long term is ensured through routine, temporally-continuous and spatially-diffuse actions of monitoring and maintenance. This method contrasts the common approach to managing hydraulic risk and erosion in Italy which is based on large, one-off and irreversible protection actions. The sustainability of the LIFE VIMINE approach is ensured by the participatory involvement of stakeholders and the recognition that protecting salt marshes means defending the benefits they provide to society through their ecological functions, as well as protecting the jobs linked to the existence or conservation of this habitat.
Evaluation of Uranium Accumulation in Black Spruce Trees

This study evaluated the metal accumulation capacity of black spruce seedlings (Picea mariana) with a special focus on uranium and compared uptake from peat and podzol soil treated with various concentrations of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate. Bio-available indices for uranium in the substrates, accumulation factors and transfer factors for translocation of U between different plant organs were estimated. The results showed higher concentration of U in shoots with accumulation factors up to seven times greater than values determined in roots. Uranium accumulation in stems was several orders of magnitude higher than the metal content in roots and needles. Transfer from substrate to the plants was influenced by substrate-specific properties, resulting in higher uptake of U from soil than from peat. The pattern of U accumulation was consistent with that previously reported in field studies. Metal accumulation values also showed linear progression with Bio-available metal concentrations in the substrate suggesting that black spruce trees are best classified as bio-indicators of uranium content in underlying substrates rather than hyper accumulators of the metal.
Influence of ITO-SilverWire Electrode Structure on the Performance of Single-Crystal Silicon Solar Cells

This study aimed to explore the effect of various electrode forms on single-crystal silicon solar cells by changing their front and back electrode structures. The high light penetration depth of the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and the high conductivity of the silver wire that were coated on the single crystal silicon solar cells increased photoelectron export, thus increasing the efficiency of the solar cell. The experiment utilized a sol-gel solution containing phosphorus that was spin coated on single-crystal silicon wafers; this phosphorus also served as a phosphorus diffusion source. A p-n junction was formed after annealing at high temperature, and the substrate was coated with silver wires and ITO films of various structures to produce the electrodes. This study proposed that applying a heat treatment to the aluminum of back electrodes would result in a higher efficiency for single-crystal silicon solar cells, whereas single-crystal silicon solar cells containing front electrodes with ITO film coated with silver wires would result in efficiencies that are higher than those achieved using pure ITO thin-film electrodes.
Optimal Control of Skid Steer Wheeled Mobile Robots by Analytical Approach

This paper considers optimal control of skid steer wheeled mobile robots. Due to high energy consumption of skid steer wheeled mobile robots, which results from side slip of wheels in rotational maneuvers, additional studies on energy-efficient optimal control of skid steer robots seems mandatory. So, in this research, kinematic and dynamic modeling of skid steer mobile robot is presented in first. After that, electrical modeling of robot motors is expressed and an objective function, which is the robot energy consumption, introduces based on the system model. Then, to define and solve the optimal control problem, system’s Hamiltonian is formed and with the help of Hamilton’s principle, the optimal velocity profile of robot’s motion is calculated analytically to reduce energy consumption. Simulation results show the superiority of the proposed approach in this study and significant saving in energy consumption of robots in comparison to an optimal PD controller.
A NEW APPROACH TOWARDS GEODESIC CURVATURE AND GEODESIC TORSION OF TRANSVERSAL INTERSECTION IN R

In this paper, we formulate new method to obtain the geodesic curvature and geodesic torsion of two regular parametric surfaces in R3. The new method will be different from the older ones in the sense that we will be making use of Rodrigues rotat ion formula and a operator D [2].
WST 48(2) 373-380

In wastewater ponds, bacteria numbers decrease considerably in the case of raised algae concentrations in the effluent. This shows that algae have a high potential for bacteria reduction in wastewater. Simultaneously, algae remove nutrients from the water for the formation of biomass. However, suspended algae also cause a high secondary pollution in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants. By using attached algae, as they are frequently observed as an algal biofilm in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants, the problem of separation of algae and water can be avoided. Furthermore, the algae can be removed simply from the water. In this study the possibilities for bacteria reduction and nutrient removal were examined with the aid of an algal biofilm. The results show that an algal biofilm process can be used for cases where small amounts of wastewater should be treated and a high quality of the effluent should be attained.
Revisiting John Snow to Meet the Challenge of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous components of the soil and surface water microbiome. Disparities by sex, age, and geography demonstrate that both host and environmental factors are key determinants of NTM disease in populations, which predominates in the form of chronic pulmonary disease. As the incidence of NTM pulmonary disease rises across the United States, it becomes increasingly evident that addressing this emerging human health issue requires a bold, multi-disciplinary research framework that incorporates host risk factors for NTM pulmonary disease alongside the determinants of NTM residence in the environment. Such a framework should include the assessment of environmental characteristics promoting NTM growth in soil and surface water, detailed evaluations of water distribution systems, direct sampling of water sources for NTM contamination and species diversity, and studies of host and bacterial factors involved in NTM pathogenesis. This comprehensive approach can identify intervention points to interrupt the transmission of pathogenic NTM species from the environment to the susceptible host and to reduce NTM pulmonary disease incidence.
On some limit theorems following from Smith's Theorem

We give a generalization of the ergodic theorem for semi-Markov linear-type processes. This generalization is proved for the case when a common support of distributions defining this process is not arithmetic. Also we give an uniform estimate of expectations of the forward renewal time. These facts are based on the key renewal (Walter Smith's) theorem, and they are very useful in research in the queueing theory.
Performance of selected polyurethane joint sealants in concrete structures

Often underestimated and neglected, joint sealants in concrete structures play an important role in protecting the structure against its premature deterioration. The focus of the presented paper lays upon the issue of sealing of joints in concrete structures. Concrete is one of the most difficult materials to seal since there are always small particles of dust and the material itself. In this paper, the joint will be viewed as traditional expansion joint. Two representatives of flexible one component polyurethane sealants were selected. The main reason for this selection was that conventional repair materials are usually very rigid and easily incline towards the formation of cracks and gaps. The aim of this paper is not only to verify the suitability of selected materials but also to demonstrate that polyurethane sealants might be a better and long-lasting solution for filling of joints and patching of cracks within concrete structures.
One-Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of Novel Cu-MnS with PVP Cabbage-Like Nanostructures for High-Performance Supercapacitors

This paper reports the facile synthesis of a novel architecture of Cu-MnS with PVP, where the high theoretical capacitance of MnS, low-cost, and high electrical conductivity of Cu, as well as appreciable surface area with high thermal and mechanical conductivity of PVP, as a single entity to fabricate a high-performance electrode for supercapacitor. Benefiting from their unique structures, the Cu-MnS with 2PVP electrode materials show a high specific capacitance of 833.58 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, reversibility for the charge/discharge process, which are much higher than that of the MnS-7 h, Cu-MnS, and Cu-MnS with 1 and 3PVP. The presence of an appropriate amount of PVP in Cu-MnS is favorable for improving the electrochemical performance of the electrode and the existence of Cu was inclined to enhance the electrical conductivity. The Cu-MnS with 2PVP electrode is a good reference for researchers to design and fabricate new electrode materials with enhanced capacitive performance.
there a bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive ability in older people ? A prospective study using the English Longitudinal Study

Publisher Rights Statement: Psychological Medicine / Volume 42 / Issue 10 / October 2012, pp 2057-2069 Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 The online version of this article is published within an Open Access environment subject to the conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike licence <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-ncsa/2.5/>. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.1017/S0033291712000402 (About DOI), Published online: 15 March 2012
Why is biocontrol of common ragweed, the most allergenic weed in Eastern Europe, still only a hope?

Overview: This chapter presents the story of a long and as yet unsuccessful struggle to find suitable fungal and/or insect biocontrol agents for ragweed, a plant that became a widespread allergenic weed in Eastern Europe. This effort illustrates why biocontrol initiatives, although desirable, sometimes cannot be implemented into practical control strategies, in spite of the fact that they might represent a realistic solution to problems affecting human health, the environment and agricultural productivity.
Research on Location of Line Spectrum of Underwater Target Based on Passive Synthetic Aperture Method

Considering the location demand of radiated noise source in underwater target, the method of location of line spectrum of radiated noise based on passive synthetic aperture method is presented. Line spectrum signal is received using single hydrophone, and azimuth sampling rate depends on the azimuth doppler band, and the received data of one-dimension is transformed into data of two-dimension. Azimuth compressing function is configured based on the range curve and the frequency of line spectrum, image of line spectrum is derived in frequeny-azimuth domain. Simulated results show that line spetrum of radiated noise can be located and distinguished, and the resolution is dependent on the azimuth doppler band.
Does Ideology Matter for the Citizenry in China? Public Attitudes and Preferences for Economic Policies

This study argues that a generalized attitude about government performance provides significant structure to citizens’ political opinions in China. However, there does not appear to be any evidence that Chinese citizens hold consistent opinions on economic policy issues, suggesting that citizens do not have a well-ordered ideological mental structure. These conclusions are derived using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and are robust to various specification changes. The implications of these results challenge findings that Chinese citizens have a well-structured ideology, notably on an economic dimension.
Beta in the Chinese markets: Wanted dead or alive

The capital asset pricing model (CAPM) states that higher beta stocks are priced to deliver higher returns. Even when this is not the case, however, goods and services that are inherently more Oess) sensitive to the economy are expected to display stable higher Oower) betas. By this we mean, that when the economy rises, the underlying stocks of those firms that benefit the most are those that we expect to rise the most, and thereby have higher betas. And, in reverse, for economic downturns. In the present paper, we apply both considerations (higher beta stocks have higher average performances, and higher beta identifies those firms that respond most sensitively to the economy) to the Chinese markets. Our essential finding is that the level of stability of beta found in U.S. markets is not replicated in Chinese markets. Over the period of 1997-2006, the betas of Chinese stocks tend to revert to the mean (beta = 1). Not surprisingly, Chinese betas provide only weak value as indicators of portfolio exposure to subsequent market movements.
A new approach to minimising binary quartics and ternary cubics

We prove a theorem on the minimisation of genus one curves, generalising work of Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer, Cremona and Serf, and Cremona and Stoll. The advantage of our approach over earlier methods is that we do not need to treat residue characteristics 2 and 3 as special cases.
Evaluation of Bio-Mos® as a Feed Additive on Laying Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hens

This study was performed to investigate the effects of supplementation of Bio-Mos® on laying performance, egg quality and blood parameters during the laying period (22-36 wks of age). 22 wks old, sixteen laying Lohmann were randomly distributed into four dietary treatments of 15 hens each in three replicates. Diets were formulated containing 0.0% (control), 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5% Bio-Mos. The experimental results indicated that the use of Bio-Mos® in the layer diet decreased significantly (P>0.05) the final body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in comparison to the control diet. While, the laying rate and egg mass improved significantly with increased Bio-Mos level compared to control diet. Average egg weight and feed intake were not affected significantly by the addition of Bio-Mos levels in diet. Mortality rate decreased with increased level of Bio-Mos in layer diet. The serum lysozyme and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) increased significantly by Bio-Mos supplementation in the diets. The egg quality traits were affected significantly with addition Bio-Mos in the layer diet. The results indicated that Bio-Mos supplementation at 0.5% level in laying hens diets can be a good practice to increase laying performance, immune response and some of the egg quality traits.
Seismotectonics of the Indian subcontinent and the Bengal fan

Bengal Fan in the northeastern Indian Ocean is bordered by the Indian mainland on the west, Bengal Foreland basin in the north and the Andaman Sumatra Islands on the east. Seismicity of the Indian sub-continent and the Bengal Fan is predominantly confined to four major types of tectonic settings. They are i) Extra-Peninsular (Himalayan Region), associated with plate-collision seismicity, ii) Peninsular or the Stable Continental Region (SCR), associated with intra-plate stress related seismicity, iii) Equatorial region of the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB), associated with intraplate crustal deformation and iv) the Andaman Nicobar arc region, with subduction related seismicity . The extra-Peninsular seismicity is mainly due to the significant concentration of stress around the detachment plane, due to the northward underthrusting of the Indian lithosphere. During the period 1897-2000, five major earthquakes of magnitude greater than 8.0 have occurred in this region. Recent examples of extra-Peninsular seismicity are the Uttarkashi and Chamoli earthquakes, both located in the Garhwal Himalayan region and the 7.6 Mw earthquake that occurred in Pakistan on 8 October, 2005. Since the last few decades, Peninsular Shield or the Stable Continental Region (SCR) has been experiencing moderate seismicity, which indicates the ongoing tectonic activity or reactivation of existing Precambrian faults in the area. These events are mainly due to strike slip movements at shallow depths (‹ 5 km) and thrust movements at deeper depths (>5 km) and are the consequence of the continued northward movement of the Indian plate and the resulting accumulation of strain energy. In some cases like Koyna earthquake, the activity is attributed to reservoir induced seismicity. Latur (1993), Jabalpur (1997) and Bhuj (2001) are examples of SCR earthquakes, out of which the Bhuj earthquake was the most disastrous event, unique to SCR. A broad scale nature of intra-plate deformation, also a consequence of the Indian-Asian plate collision was reported in the equatorial region of the Central Indian Ocean Basin (5° N to 8° S; 70° E to 90° E). This region is associated with anomalous seismicity, high heat-flow along with folded and faulted oceanic basement and sediments. These observations suggest a nascent subduction zone in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) formed mainly due to N-S compression acting on the Indian Plate.
Effect of Emissivity on the Heat and Mass Transfer of Humid Air in a Cavity Filled with Solid Obstacles

The work reported here is a 2D numerical study on the buoyancy-driven low-speed turbulent flow of humid air inside a rectangular cavity partially filled with solid cylindrical objects for a Rayleigh number of 1.45 × 109. Variations of Nusselt number, buoyancy flux, vapor mass fraction, and turbulence viscosity ratio are presented for various emissivity values of wall surfaces. It was observed that during the natural convection process, radiation effects are very significant and the air/water vapor combination results in a small increase in heat transfer as compared with the pure natural convection of dry air.
Low-Rank Approximation via Generalized Reweighted Iterative Nuclear and Frobenius Norms

The low-rank approximation problem has recently attracted wide concern due to its excellent performance in real-world applications such as image restoration, traffic monitoring, and face recognition. Compared with the classic nuclear norm, the Schatten-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> norm is stated to be a closer approximation to restrain the singular values for practical applications in the real world. However, Schatten-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> norm minimization is a challenging non-convex, non-smooth, and non-Lipschitz problem. In this paper, inspired by the reweighted <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> norm for compressive sensing, the generalized iterative reweighted nuclear norm (GIRNN) and the generalized iterative reweighted Frobenius norm (GIRFN) algorithms are proposed to approximate Schatten-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> norm minimization. By involving the proposed algorithms, the problem becomes more tractable and the closed solutions are derived from the iteratively reweighted subproblems. In addition, we prove that both proposed algorithms converge at a linear rate to a bounded optimum. Numerical experiments for the practical matrix completion (MC), robust principal component analysis (RPCA), and image decomposition problems are illustrated to validate the superior performance of both algorithms over some common state-of-the-art methods.
Cauchy Multichannel Speech Enhancement with a Deep Speech Prior

We propose a semi-supervised multichannel speech enhancement system based on a probabilistic model which assumes that both speech and noise follow the heavy-tailed multi-variate complex Cauchy distribution. As we advocate, this allows handling strong and adverse noisy conditions. Consequently, the model is parameterized by the source magnitude spectrograms and the source spatial scatter matrices. To deal with the non-additivity of scatter matrices, our first contribution is to perform the enhancement on a projected space. Then, our second contribution is to combine a latent variable model for speech, which is trained by following the variational autoencoder framework, with a low-rank model for the noise source. At test time, an iterative inference algorithm is applied, which produces estimated parameters to use for separation. The speech latent variables are estimated first from the noisy speech and then updated by a gradient descent method, while a majoriation-equalization strategy is used to update both the noise and the spatial parameters of both sources. Our experimental results show that the Cauchy model outperforms the state-of-art methods. The standard deviation scores also reveal that the proposed method is more robust against non-stationary noise.