Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decomposing 3D Scenes into Objects via Unsupervised Volume Segmentation

We present ObSuRF, a method which turns a single image of a scene into a 3D model represented as a set of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs), with each NeRF corresponding to a different object. A single forward pass of an encoder network outputs a set of latent vectors describing the objects in the scene. These vectors are used independently to condition a NeRF decoder, defining the geometry and appearance of each object. We make learning more computationally efficient by deriving a novel loss, which allows training NeRFs on RGB-D inputs without explicit ray marching. After confirming that the model performs equal or better than state of the art on three 2D image segmentation benchmarks, we apply it to two multi-object 3D datasets: A multiview version of CLEVR, and a novel dataset in which scenes are populated by ShapeNet models. We find that after training ObSuRF on RGB-D views of training scenes, it is capable of not only recovering the 3D geometry of a scene depicted in a single input image, but also to segment it into objects, despite receiving no supervision in that regard.
When do Social Learners Affect Collective Performance Negatively? The Predictions of a Dynamical-System Model

A key question concerning collective decisions is whether a collective decision-making system can settle on the best available option when some members learn socially instead of evaluating the options on their own. This question is challenging to study, and previous research has reached mixed conclusions, because collective decision outcomes depend on the insufficiently understood complex system of cognitive strategies, task properties, and social influence processes. This study integrates these complex interactions together in one general yet partially analytically tractable mathematical framework using a dynamical system model. In particular, it investigates how the interplay of the proportion of social learners, the relative merit of options, and the type of conformity response affect collective decision outcomes in a binary choice. The model predicts that when the proportion of social learners exceeds a critical threshold, a bi-stable state appears in which the majority can end up favoring either the higheror lower-merit option, depending on fluctuations and initial conditions. Below this threshold, the high-merit option is chosen by the majority. The critical threshold is determined by the conformity response function and the relative merits of the two options. The study helps reconcile disagreements about the effect of social learners on collective performance and proposes a mathematical framework that can be readily adapted to extensions investigating a wider variety of dynamics.
Action-Based Conversations Dataset: A Corpus for Building More In-Depth Task-Oriented Dialogue Systems

Existing goal-oriented dialogue datasets focus mainly on identifying slots and values. However, customer support interactions in reality often involve agents following multi-step procedures derived from explicitly-defined company policies as well. To study customer service dialogue systems in more realistic settings, we introduce the Action-Based Conversations Dataset (ABCD), a fully-labeled dataset with over 10K human-to-human dialogues containing 55 distinct user intents requiring unique sequences of actions constrained by policies to achieve task success. We propose two additional dialog tasks, Action State Tracking and Cascading Dialogue Success, and establish a series of baselines involving large-scale, pre-trained language models on this dataset. Empirical results demonstrate that while more sophisticated networks outperform simpler models, a considerable gap (50.8% absolute accuracy) still exists to reach human-level performance on ABCD.
Influence of Silicon on Growth, Relative Water Contents and Uptake of Silicon, Calcium and Potassium in Wheat Grown in Nutrient Solution

ABSTRACT Growth performance, relative water contents (RWC), and mineral nutrition were studied in Triticum aestivum L. treated with different concentrations of silicon (25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 ppm). Lower administrations of silicon (25–200 ppm) resulted in an enhancement in relative yield, relative water contents, calcium, and potassium contents. A significant (0.1% level) direct relationship between tissue silicon content and applied silicon concentrations and an inverse relationship between relative yield and higher applied silicon concentrations (400 and 800 ppm) were observed. Shoots were significantly richer in silicon content than roots. The results indicate a possible requirement of silicon for higher plants.
Effect of various salts on the surface potential of the water‐air interface

Studies of the formation and chemical composition of marine aerosols strongly suggest that certain ions in the ocean may be preferentially excluded from the sea-air interface. In the present study, measurements of the surface potential of electrolyte solutions were found to be a useful technique for studying in situ ion exclusion, which should provide information relevant to the phenomena observed at sea. In a series of surface potential measurements the ΔV changes due to a variety of Na salts, at a solution concentration of 2 moles, were in the order of decreasing potential: SO42− > CO32− > CH3COO− > Cl− > NO3− > Br− > I− > SCN−. In general the anion with the smaller hydration energy gave the greater decrease in ΔV. Regular decreases in ΔV were observed for the group IA and IIA chlorides at a given concentration: K+ = NH4+ > Na+ > Li+ and Ba2+ > Sr2+ > Mg2+. The sign of the surface potential change as well as the magnitude appears to be determined primarily by the anion; this determination suggests that the anions are preferentially associated with the water molecules at the surface.
Design, Calibration, and Field Test of a Cyclone for PM 1 Ambient Air Sampling

Ambient air sampling at a flow rate of 16.7 Lpm (1 m 3 /h) has been well established with the adoption, within the USA, of the EPA regulations governing PM 2.5 sampling. Subsequent to the adoption of the new regulation, problems were encountered with the impactor technique utilized for establishing a PM 2.5 cut ( D 50 = 2.5 w m aerodynamic equivalent diameter, A.E.D.). In order to avoid the depression in the cut point engendered by a buildup of collected material on the impactor stage and to extend the operating interval between cleanings, a cyclone was developed to replace the impactor. Although not an adopted standard, PM 1 has a practical appeal in that it represents the smallest cut point that can practically be assessed for long periods of time at high flow rates utilizing inertial techniques. Further relevance is attributed to this cut by interest in particulate matter related to diesel engine emissions. A new version of the sharp cut cyclone (SCC) was constructed with the aim of obtaining a cut point at D 50 = 1 w m at a flow rate of 16.7 Lpm. The dimensions of the cyclone were calculated using the SCC design model by Kenny and Gussman. Field studies were conducted to validate the PM 1 cyclone and to compare the results to colocated PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentration measurements.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of diquat removal from water using magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite

A graphene oxide nanocomposite (GO-Fe3O4) was synthesized with a simple and low-cost method. This nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, TEM, FT-IR, TGA, and VSM. Spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles with an average size of 10 nm were uniformly applied to the surface of graphene oxide sheets. GO-Fe3O4 nanocomposite showed a superparamagnetic characteristic at room temperature and its saturation magnetization was 8.5 A · M2/kg. The adsorption behaviour of diquat at the surface of GO-Fe3O4 was investigated, including effects of pH, temperature, and water matrix. The adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics, and adsorption isotherm were also examined. The adsorption was strongly dependent on pH. The adsorption process obeyed the pseudo-second order kinetic model, and the rate-determining step might be chemical sorption. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model was applicable for describing the adsorption of diquat onto GO-Fe3O4, and the adsorption capacity was 74.85 mg/g at room temperature. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Most importantly, the GO-Fe3O4 could remove 96.6 % of diquat from a real water sample when the concentration of diquat is 20 mg/L.
Surface composition and distribution of fluorine in plasma‐fluorinated polyimide

Surface composition, fluorine distribution, and morphology were determined for polyimide films modified downstream from microwave plasmas containing CF4/O2. Complementary analytical techniques including x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy yielded a more complete understanding of polyimide fluorination and subsequent etching of the modified film. Depth of fluorination increased nonlinearly with treatment time for films exposed downstream from a CF4‐rich plasma. Exposure downstream from an O2‐rich plasma resulted in a reduction of thickness in both the fluorinated layer and the unmodified polyimide during etching. Finally, a model for fluorination of polyimide and subsequent removal is proposed.
SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL SCREENING OF NOVEL ARYLOXYACETIC ACID ANALOGS

A series of 5-Bromo- 2-formyl phenoxyacetyl amino acids and peptides have been synthesized by coupling of the 5-Bromo- 2-formyl phenoxyacetic acid with amino acid/methyl esters/dipeptides/ tripeptides using DCC as coupling agent and NMM as base. The structures were elucidated FTIR and 1 HNMR . The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal and anthelminitic activities. The compounds (2, 6, 11 and 13) were found to exihibit potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (gram negative) bacterias.The compounds (5, 6 and 13) were found to exihibit potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The moderate to good anthelminitic activity was shown by the synthesized compounds (7 and 13) against Eudrilus spieces.
Red colored CPL emission of chiral 1,2-DACH-based polymers via chiral transfer of the conjugated chain backbone structure

Four chiral polymer enantiomers were designed and synthesized. Interestingly, only R-P-1 and S-P-1 can exhibit strong mirror image Cotton effects and emit red colored circularly polarized luminescence, which can be attributed to the effective chiral transfer from the 1,2-diaminocyclohexane Schiff base to the chromophore BODIPY via the conjugated polymer chain backbone.
CYPHOS IL 101 (Tetradecyl(Trihexyl)Phosphonium Chloride) Immobilized in Biopolymer Capsules for Hg(II) Recovery from HCl Solutions

Abstract A composite polymer (made of gelatin and alginate) was used for the synthesis of Cyphos IL 101-immobilized resins. These resins (with varying size and different ionic liquid (IL) content) have been tested for the recovery of mercury from concentrated HCl solutions (0.1–5 M HCl concentrations). Prior to the study of sorption performance on resins, the reactivity of Cyphos IL 101 versus mercury was tested using solvent extraction methodology. These results showed that the extraction was hardly affected by the concentration of HCl and that an ion exchange mechanism was probably involved in metal recovery (binding of HgCl4 2-). The performance of these resins for Hg(II) recovery was tested through sorption isotherms and uptake kinetics, investigating the effect of resin size, ionic liquid content, metal concentration, agitation speed, and resin state (dry state versus wet state). Sorption capacity (which was proportional to the IL content) can reached up to 150 mg Hg g−1 in 1 M HCl; this sorption capacity was decreased by increasing chloride concentration. The kinetics were described well by the pseudo-second order equation and by the intraparticle diffusion equation (the so-called Crank's equation). The intraparticle diffusion coefficient was in the range of 10−11–1.2 × 10−10 m2 min−1. The kinetic profiles were controlled by the IL content, sorbent dosage, and the sorbent particle size. Drying of the resins significantly decreased diffusion rates in the resins. The presence of competitor metals did not affect sorption capacity except when stable chloro-anionic species such as in the case of Zn(II) were formed. Mercury can be desorbed using 6 M nitric acid solutions; and the sorbent can be recycled for at least six sorption/desorption cycles without significant decrease in the sorption performance.
Adsorption of Copper and Calcium Cations on Polarized Activated Carbon Modified by Quercetin

The effect of immobilized quercetin on activated carbon on Cu 2 + and Ca 2 + adsorption, as a function of a potential, was investigated. Ranges of potentials, corresponding to areas of selective adsorption of investigatedcations, were obtained. Ca 2 + ions do not adsorb on unmodified activated carbon AG-3V. In contrast, the modification of the activated carbon increases the adsorption activity of Ca 2 + . There are two areas of selective adsorption of Ca 2 + ions. The selective adsorption of Cu 2 + ions on unmodified sorbent was not found. The selective adsorption of Cu 2 + ions on the quercetin-modified activated carbon initiates at potentials near E = -0.25 V. Dissolved oxygen and the acidification of a solution, containing calcium or copper ions, decrease the adsorption activity on modified and unmodified activated carbons.
Acid absorbers as PVC costabilizers

Phase transfer catalyst coatings have been developed that increase the stabilization effectiveness of acid absorbers such as hydrotalcite and Type A zeolite in combination with lead stabilizers, and also with organotin stabilizers having structures that previously did not provide synergistic effects with acid‐absorbing costabilizers.
Isotope analysis (δ 13 C) of pulpy whole apple juice Análise isotópica (δ 13 C) em suco integral de maçã com polpa

The objectives of this study were to develop the method of isotope analysis to quantify the carbon of C 3 photosynthetic cycle in pulpy whole apple juice and to measure the legal limits based on Brazilian legislation in order to identify the beverages that do not conform to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA). This beverage was produced in a laboratory according to the Brazilian law. Pulpy juices adulterated by the addition of sugarcane were also produced. The isotope analyses measured the relative isotope enrichment of the juices, their pulpy fractions (internal standard) and purified sugar. From those results, the quantity of C 3 source was estimated by means of the isotope dilution equation. To determine the existence of adulteration in commercial juices, it was necessary to create a legal limit according to the Brazilian law. Three brands of commercial juices were analyzed. One was classified as adulterated. The legal limit enabled to clearly identify the juice that was not in conformity with the Brazilian law. The methodology developed proved efficient for quantifying the carbon of C 3 origin in commercial pulpy apple juices.
Conditional expected sojourn times in insensitive queueing systems and networks

We consider queueing systems where the stationary state probabilities are insensitive with respect to the distribution of certain basic random variables such as service requirements, interarrival times, repair times, etc. The conditional expected sojourn times are stated as Radon–Nikodym densities of the stationary distribution at jump points of the queueing system. The conditions are the given values of such basic random variables for which the insensitivity is valid. We use stationary point processes as our main tool. This means that dependences between certain basic random variables are permitted. Conditional expected real service times, conditional mean response times in closed queueing networks, and similar conditional expected values, are dealt with as special cases.
Caracterización y mejoramiento de la harina de Cannavalia ensiformis como alimento balanceado para Oreochromis niloticus

Background. The legume Cannavalia ensiformis is an excellent source of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to be used in animal production; however, it contains antinutritional factors (ANF), which limit its use for fishes. Goals. In this study 7 flours obtained from the processes of hydration, acid extraction, decorticating, cooking, germination, autoclaving and degreasing of the seeds of C. ensiformis were evaluated as means of elimination of ANF. Methods. The nutritional values of the meals were corroborated with proximal chemical analysis and in vitro digestibility, determining the degree of hydrolysis (GH%) of the flours of C. ensiformis obtained by pH STAT, the release of total amino acids (TAAL, μg mL-1) was calculated, using multienzymatic extracts of stomach and intestine of O.niloticus juveniles. Results. The acidic/alkaline GH values for cooked C. ensiformis flour were 0.76 ± 0.01% / 6.04 ± 0.37%, being significantly higher with respect to the other flours. The values of acidic/alkaline TAAL (mg mL-1) of this cooked flour (0.02 ± 0.006 / 0.40 ± 0.02) were significantly higher in the alkaline phase in relation to the other treatments. Conclusion. We detected that cooked meal of C. ensiformis, allow to be used as a source of protein in diets for Oreochromis niloticus.
Gas Sensing Characteristics of Porous ZnO and Pt/ZnO Ceramics

Changes in resistivity and chemical changes in reducing gases were measured for porous zinc oxide ceramics with and without a platinum catalyst at 300° and 400°C to examine the gas sensing mechanism and the effect of platinum additions. Reducing gases were oxidized to CO2 and Hz2 on the sensor surfaces. Platinum addition promoted the oxidation of reducing gases but did not lead to an increase in the resistivity change at 400°C. The reaction sequences for the gas sensing process are proposed, taking into account partially oxidized intermediates of hydrocarbons and oxidation on platinum without an electron transfer process.
Infrared spectra and thermal decompositions of metal acetates and dicarboxylates

The infrared spectra of rare earth acetates have been studied to examine the metal-acetate bonding. The thermal decomposition of rare earth acetates as well as lead and copper acetates have been investigated in detail by employing thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. Thermal decomposition of calcium dicarboxylates (malonate to sebacate) have been studied employing t.g. a. and d.t. a. Infrared spectra of the dicarboxylates have also been studied. Preliminary results on the products of decomposition of dicarboxylates have been reported.
A Preliminary Evaluation of the Suitability of Sap Flow Sensors for Use in Scheduling Vineyard Irrigation

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential for the use of sap flow measurement for scheduling irrigation in vineyards. Sap flow was measured over a 35-day period on 5 different varieties of grape vines ( Vitis vinifera ), with canopy leaf areas ranging from 3.4 to 16.4 m 2 . Irrigation was withheld from some vines to investigate whether sap flow sensors could be used to detect effects of water deficits on transpiration rates. Data obtained from sap flow sensors under well-watered conditions showed differences in transpiration rates caused by differing canopy sizes and changing evaporative demand due to diurnal and daily changes in meteorological conditions. When transpiration rates were expressed on a leaf area basis, mean transpiration from irrigated and non-irrigated vines were initially similar. With time, transpiration from non-irrigated vines became less than that from the irrigated vines. Also differences in diurnal patterns of sap flow became evident, with significantly more sap flow found at night for non-irrigated vines than for irrigated vines. Thus sap flow sensors were able to detect differences in both the timing and amount of water used by irrigated and nonirrigated vines and hence have potential application in irrigation scheduling.
Effect of Dendrimer Generation on the Assembly and Mechanical Properties of DNA/Phosphorus Dendrimer Multilayer Microcapsules

We report the preparation, characterization and mechanical properties of DNA/phosphorus dendrimer multilayer microcapsules. The shells of these microcapsules are composed by alternating DNA and positively charged dendrimer Gn(NH+Et2Cl-)m (n = 1, 2, 3, 4; m = 12, 24, 48, 96). The same multilayers were constructed on planar support to examine their layer-by-layer growth and to determine the multilayer thickness. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) showed regular linear growth of the multilayer film after the first dendrimer layer. We probe the mechanical properties of these DNA/dendrimer microcapsules by measuring force−deformation curves with the atomic force microscope (AFM). The experiment suggests that they are softer than microcapsules assembled from linear flexible polyelectrolytes (PE) studied before. The stiffness of the capsules increases with the generation of used dendrimer. This reflects the change in the multilayer thickness, but not the changes in structure of surface DNA/dendrimer co.
Life cycle assessment of polyols for polyurethane production using CO2 as feedstock: insights from an industrial case study

Polyethercarbonate polyols from carbon dioxide (CO2) are starting to be synthesized on industrial scale. These polyols can be further processed into polyurethanes enabling CO2 to be utilized in large amounts. Utilization of CO2 as alternative carbon feedstock for polyols is motivated from the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fossil resource depletion. This article presents a life cycle assessment for production of CO2-based polyethercarbonate polyols in a real industrial pilot plant. The considered cradle-to-gate system boundaries include polyol production and all upstream processes such as provision of energy and feedstocks. In particular, provision of CO2 from a lignite power plant equipped with a pilot plant for CO2 capture is considered. Production of polyols with 20 wt% CO2 in the polymer chains causes GHG emissions of 2.65–2.86 kg CO2-eq kg−1 and thus, does not act as GHG sink. However, compared to production of conventional polyether polyols, production of polyols with 20 wt% CO2 allows for GHG reductions of 11–19%. Relating GHG emission reductions to the amount of CO2 incorporated, up to three kg CO2-eq emissions can be avoided per kg CO2 utilized. The use of fossil resources can be reduced by 13–16%. The impacts reductions increase with further increasing the CO2 content in the polyols. All other investigated environmental impacts such as eutrophication, ionizing radiation, ozone depletion, particulate matter formation, photochemical oxidant formation, and terrestrial acidification are also lowered. Therefore, synthesis of polyethercarbonate polyols from CO2 is clearly favorable compared to conventional polyether polyols from an environmental point of view.
A Smörgåsbord of Separation Strategies Using Microporous Crystalline Materials†

Abstract Ordered crystalline microporous materials such as zeolites, metal-organic frameworks and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, with pores in the 3–20 Å range, offer considerable potential for use in a wide variety of separations in the process industries. For many separation tasks, microporous adsorbents and membranes are energy-efficient alternatives, or adjuncts, to conventional distillation technology. Molecular insights and molecular simulation techniques allow us to identify the microporous material with the ideal pore size that offers the right degree of interactions (such as van der Waals, electrostatic, π-electron exchange) with the guest molecules to achieve the best separation. Particularly noteworthy are possibilities of separations on the basis of subtle differences in molecular configurations, and the efficiencies with which molecules pack or stack within the microporous channels.