Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emerging value chains within the bio-economy: structural changes in the case of phosphate recovery

Abstract The needed transition from a fossil-to a bio-based economy fosters the utilization of biological resources derived from recycled low value by-products and waste streams. Chain actors face multiple challenges associated with the adoption of novel processing technologies. Bio-based technologies might be related to high switching costs, missing downstream processing technologies, lack of quality standards, missing industry standards, emerging regulatory frameworks. Moreover, as previously unrelated actors form new relationships, value chains are moving towards new structural changes. This paper thus seeks to explore the challenges associated with the emergence of novel value chains with an exploratory case study approach that reviews a new process of recovering phosphate - a typical scarce and fundamental resource - from rapeseed oil press cakes. The contribution of our paper is thus not only to provide conclusions for this specific case, but also, and more importantly, to present a blueprint for other cases of scarce resources that require the establishment of novel supply chains to foster cascading usage of by-products. Expert interviews with different value chain actors have been conducted to investigate arising challenges, and derive implications and a further research agenda. Despite the advantages of the bio-based process, interviews revealed several challenges associated with the emergence of novel value chains: hesitation of respondents in making new investments in terms of equipment and know-how, missing complementary competencies, and difficulties in integrating different industrial sectors to engage in cross-industry innovation, such as food processing (rapeseed oil cakes) and specialty chemicals/mineral (phosphate and its derivatives). These exploratory results open the way for some useful recommendations, enabling us to propose an agenda for further research and policy development in areas such as: development of synergies between academia and industry; formulation of management strategies to support the flexibility of firms to capture opportunities associated with by-product valorization; building a systemic approach at a local level to implement bio-based technology clusters.
SMART CITIES INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM (SMACiSYS) INTEGRATING SENSOR WEB WITH SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURES (SENSDI)

Abstract. The paper endeavours to enhance the Sensor Web with crucial geospatial analysis capabilities through integration with Spatial Data Infrastructure. The objective is development of automated smart cities intelligence system (SMACiSYS) with sensor-web access (SENSDI) utilizing geomatics for sustainable societies. There has been a need to develop automated integrated system to categorize events and issue information that reaches users directly. At present, no web-enabled information system exists which can disseminate messages after events evaluation in real time. Research work formalizes a notion of an integrated, independent, generalized, and automated geo-event analysing system making use of geo-spatial data under popular usage platform. Integrating Sensor Web With Spatial Data Infrastructures (SENSDI) aims to extend SDIs with sensor web enablement, converging geospatial and built infrastructure, and implement test cases with sensor data and SDI. The other benefit, conversely, is the expansion of spatial data infrastructure to utilize sensor web, dynamically and in real time for smart applications that smarter cities demand nowadays. Hence, SENSDI augments existing smart cities platforms utilizing sensor web and spatial information achieved by coupling pairs of otherwise disjoint interfaces and APIs formulated by Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) keeping entire platform open access and open source. SENSDI is based on Geonode, QGIS and Java, that bind most of the functionalities of Internet, sensor web and nowadays Internet of Things superseding Internet of Sensors as well. In a nutshell, the project delivers a generalized real-time accessible and analysable platform for sensing the environment and mapping the captured information for optimal decision-making and societal benefit.
Monitoring buckling of metal structures using PZT Transducers

Piezoceramic (PZT) transducers are extensively used for damage detection in electromechanical impedance (EMI) based structural health monitoring (SHM) of aerospace, civil and mechanical (ACM) systems. In the EMI models, the PZT transducers are generally surface bonded to the host structure and subjected to actuation, so as to interrogate the structure for the desired frequency range. The interrogation results in the prediction of electromechanical admittance (inverse of EMI) signatures. These signatures work as indicator to estimate the health/integrity of the structure as changes in these signatures during the life of the structure may be caused by cracks or damages in the structure. Recent research shows that these signatures can be used to monitor not only the structural damages but also the load imposed on the structures. For the metallic structures, an important issue is their buckling subjected to compressive loading. This paper presents a study on monitoring of buckling of metal columns using PZT transducers. For this purpose, an experimental study is carried out to find the effect of loading patterns on metal structures. Various lab sized specimens with different boundary conditions for various load increments are tested and variations in PZT admittance signatures are recorded. Furthermore, a numerical study is carried out to support the findings obtained from the experiments. Additionally, root mean square deviation (RMSD) index is used to statistically evaluate the progressive loading on one of the specimens.
Stability of Motion: From Lyapunov to the Dynamics of N{Degree of Freedom Hamiltonian Systems

In this paper I discuss some aspects of a problem with a long history, which continues to be of current interest due to its great importance to many applications: The stability of motion in N{degree of freedom Hamiltonian systems. I will start with N small and proceed to the case of N arbitrarily large, in an attempt to understand the thermodynamic limit, where N ! 1 and statistical mechanics is expected to take over from classical mechanics. Our domain is the Euclidian phase space R 2N of the qk;pk;k = 1;2;:::;N, position and momentum coordinates. The dynamics is governed by Hamilton’s equations of motion and the solutions (or orbits) lie on a (2N i1){dimensional compact manifold (the so{called \energy surface"), deflned by H(q1;:::;qN;p1;:::;pN) = E, where H is the Hamiltonian and E is the (constant) energy of the system. Of primary importance in our discussion is the connection between local and global dynamics, i.e. the seemingly paradoxical relevance of events occurring in small scale regions of the energy surface, to the stability of motion in large domains, afiecting the properties of the system as a whole. This link is provided by a detailed study of what I call Simple Periodic Orbits (SPOs), i.e periodic solutions where all variables oscillate with equal frequencies, ! k = ! = 2…=T, returning to the same values after a single maximum (and minimum) in their evolution over one period T. We will start by recalling some fundamental concepts concerning the stability of dynamical systems, as introduced by one of the forefathers of this fleld, the great Russian Mathematician A. M. Lyapunov, more than 110 years ago. First, we shall review his two main methods for studying the solutions in the vicinity of equilibrium points that led to his proof of the existence of periodic solutions, as continuations of the corresponding oscillations of the linearized system of equations. We will then apply his theory of the continuation of normal modes of N{degree of freedom Hamiltonian systems to the famous Fermi{Pasta{Ulam lattice to explain how these SPOs can help resolve the paradox of the FPU recurrences. I will then discuss how the study of other SPOs, corresponding to in{phase and out{of{phase oscillations in the FPU and other Hamiltonians, help us understand the transition to large scale chaotic behavior, characterized by invariant spectra of Lyapunov exponents, as well as identify domains where the motion is still quasiperiodic, lying on invariant N{dimensional tori (on which the ! k are rationally independent). Finally, I will report on a recent discovery of a very e‐cient spectrum of indices distinguishing ordered from chaotic motions in conservative dynamical systems, called the GALIk;k = 1;2;:::;2N. These represent an important generalization of the SALI, used by many researchers to identify domains of chaos and order not only in N{degree{of{freedom Hamiltonian systems, but also 2N{dimensional symplectic maps.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has a great importance in all aspects of life, including education as well. With the fast technology progress, its implementation in education is inevitable. This paper shows the implementation of ICT in education, beginning with its definition, indicators, techniques and methods of implementation, the obstacles that the implementation faces, and some good implementation practices performed in Mathematics. All the above mentioned aspects are described in this paper including the cycle of subject organization through ICT, which is followed by the creation of electronic files for teachers and students illustrated by an example of the way of organizing these files. There is also discussed for the lesson planning in Mathematics using available applications for each teacher in the R. of Macedonia. This research covers the teachers of the R. of Macedonia of different ages which come both from elementary and high schools. We show the level of Information and Communications Technology usage in education; the obstacles for not implementing it by the teachers; the ways of communication between the teachers; student arrangement and grouping while using Information and Communications Technology; types of applications that the students use; the impact of the ICT on the students; the impact of the ICT on the role of the teacher; the ways of evaluating the students’ work by using ICT. Some of the results found by this research are compared by the results found by the research done by the Institute for Applied Social Science(IT S) with teachers from Germany, Ireland, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium.
Induction of Apoptosis in Human Hepatoma SMMC-7721 Cells by Polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum

Lycium barbarum L, a traditional Chinese herb rich in functional components such as polysaccharide, has been widely consumed in Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP2) on human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells and investigate the possible mechanism of apoptosis. An acidic polysaccharide LBP2 isolated from the fruit of Lycium barbarum L. was purified by ionexchanged column. Chemical analysis indicated LBP2 was composed of three kinds of monosaccharides including mannose, galactose and glucose with the molar ratios of 1.32, 1.79 and 7.38 with average molecular weight of 358 kDa, and consisted of neutral sugars, uronic acid and protein. SMMC-7721 cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. The effect on morphology was observed with a inverted microscopy. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. GJIC was measured using laser scanning confocal microscopy. LBP2 significantly inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells and induced cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that LBP2 caused cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, induction of apoptosis was associated with an increase in GJIC. The study demonstrated that LBP2 has a potential for inducing apoptosis and promoting GJIC.
ANALYSIS OF THE SOFTWARE BEHAVIOUR USING FORENSIC METHODS FOR COMPUTER SECURITY PURPOSES

Abstract: Static analysis of malicious software is a complicated process. This complication stems from the fact that the process of analysis has to be carried out on the malicious binary file which is represented in assembly language and therefore lacks critical semantics such as functions, types and bu ffers that are only found in the source code of high-level languages. This work presents a method that is built on top of IDA Pro disassembler and can be used for analysis of binary files by describing their structure using finite-state automaton. This kind of approach allows a reverse engineer to perform advanced features such as visualization, comparison, etc on a malicious file.
Docking and QSAR Study on Triazole Derivatives as More Potent and Effective Antifungal Agents

Aims: In this research, a group of triazole derivatives with CYP51 inhibitory activity was subjected to a docking study followed by a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analyses. Methods: Desired azoles were built using the HyperChem program and conformational studies were performed through a semi-empirical method. A docking study on all of the compounds was performed using the AutoDock program. For this QSAR study, different descriptors were calculated. Results: Docking results revealed the azole-heme coordination, hydrogen bond, π-π and πcation interactions were involved in the drug-receptor interactions. The developed QSAR model indicated the importance of atomic van der Waals volumes and atomic electro statistics volume on the potency of this group of ligands. The sum of the IDDE, SAA, P1s, Mor17m and DX were identified as the most significant descriptors that affected the biological response. The developed QSAR model was statistically significant according to the validation parameters. Conclusion: According to the results of the docking and QSAR studies, the entire designed compound showed a good inhibition effect on the active site of the enzyme.
SENSITIVITY TO PROGRESSIVE DAMAGE OF MODAL PARAMETERS OF AN ELASTIC BEAM: EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION

The aim of this article is twofold: (1) to provide more insight into the pattern of changes in modal parameters, including natural frequencies and mode shapes, of beams and girders resulting from the increasing of damage level and (2) verification of numerical modelling of the problem using data from experiments on an Aluminum box beam. To this end, first an impact hammer test has been conducted on the 2.6 meter long single span aluminum beam while a progressive damage has been applied at several stages. The modal parameters of the undamaged and damaged beam at different intensities have been extracted and the trend of their changes with respect to the increase in damage level has been studied. Then this process has been simulated numerically by Dynamic Finite Elements Method (DFEM) and the modal parameters have been extracted from numerical simulation. Finally the similarity between the experimental and numerical results has been investigated. The results show that at low levels of damage the modal parameters change very slightly, especially when just a part of the flange has been damaged, but when the damage has been extended to penetrate the beam web, the modal parameters have shown considerable sensitivity to the damage. Also the sensitivity of the different modes to damage has not been the same though relatively good agreement has been observed between the trend of changes in the modal parameters obtained from experimental and numerical studies, except for a number of modal parameters at very extensive damage level.
Sensory impact of alternative ageing technology for the production of wine brandies

The production of wine brandies requires their stage in wooden barrels, for a minimum period of time, a process called ageing or maturation. Due to the high cost of this process, alternative technologies are being studied in order to accelerate the ageing process, such as the use of wood fragments inside of stainless steel tanks. The present work evaluates the influence of different ageing technologies on the sensory profile of the brandy. A brandy was aged, during two years, in 650 L wooden barrels and in 3000 L stainless steel tanks. Both had Limousin oak (Quercus robur ) and Portuguese chestnut staves (Castanea sativa ). The brandy samples were profiled by descriptive sensory analysis during the ageing period.The results showed that the kind of ageing system influences topaz, golden, woody, caramel, coffee, green and unctuous attributes, as well as the overall brandy quality. Despite these differences, the multidimensional analysis of the sensory results was not able to clearly distinguish the brandy samples from different ageing systems.The results, obtained at industrial scale, revealed an interesting alternative for the manufacturers: wine brandies can be produced through the use of wooden staves inside stainless steel tanks. Since this alternative ageing system provides a similar brandy sensory profile than the one obtained through wooden barrels, this new data can be used by researchers and manufacturers in order to develop new products. Furthermore, this alternative ageing technology allows the reduction of the ageing process costs.
PERCEPTIONS AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY BY IMMIGRANT FARMERS IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS OF KENYA

Kenya comprises of 83% arid and semi-arid land mainly suited to extensive livestock production. Communities living in the semi-arid areas have been affected by serious effects of climate change and variability. A study was carried out to evaluate farmer perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Naro Moru and Nairutia areas (both in Nyeri North District) and Matanya in Lamuria Division in Laikipia East District, areas that are typically semi-arid in nature. The farmers identified environmental destruction as the major contributor to the visible effects of climate change and variability in the region. The main indicators are erratic and low rainfalls, frequent droughts and dust storms, low crop yields and high day and low night time temperatures. The effects of climate change resulted into increased levels of poverty, food insecurity, change in biodiversity and scarcity of resources such as water and indigenous trees which are sources of medicine, nectar, fuel wood, timber and fodder. Changes in biodiversity entail disappearance of wild animals and insects such as safari ants and an upsurge of pests (e.g. centipedes, millipedes and birds). The reduced availability of resources has changed the people’s attitudes towards the need to conserve the natural resources and enhance food security through self and group initiatives. The biggest efforts have been towards tree planting and husbandry and adoption of appropriate technologies and farming methods.
Virtual O&M: A far north queensland innovation

Abstract Transition programs for students with vision impairment require the facilitation of more than navigational orientation and mobility (O&M) skills. Facilitating the student with vision impairment to interpret and gather information about the socio-cultural and learning spaces of the new school is a key component of regional O&M specialist programs. Transition from a primary to a secondary school campus separated by approximately 800 km (490 miles) requires a re-imagining of O&M. The authors discuss the development and trial of an innovative transition program for one student with low vision from Far North Queensland.
Chapter 2 Scope of the work & Objective

This chapter describes the motivation for the present work, the rationale for the choice of the targeting ligand, target gene and design of the nano-carriers. The research questions addressed in the present work have been listed based on which the overall objective has been defined. The specific aims designed to achieve the overall objective and the underlying hypothesis has also been elaborated.
Is There a Primary Roleof Institutions on Explaining Cross Country Differences in IncomeLevels and Long-Run Economic Growth?

This work evaluates the role of institutions and other control variables on per capita income and growth models for a set of almost one hundred countries, using cross-section and dynamic panel data analysis to answer two questions. Institutions have a primary role on explaining huge cross-country differences on per capita income levels when compared to other control variables such as trade integration and geography? Does long-run growth performance relies mainly on institutional quality? The 2SLS and OGMM results for per capita income levels models suggest that there are some evidence regarding the role of institutions since all the estimated coefficients are positive and statistically significant but the instruments are not valid. Trade integration and geography do not seem to play a direct and significant role on explaining differences in per capita income levels. On the other hand, the results from the growth models suggest that there is scarce evidence for the role of institutions in fostering economic growth and the System-GMM is the one that is more likely to capture such role. In one word, there is no indication of an empirical consensus to claim that institutions have a primary role on growth and income models, but after all, the institutional environment seems to matter. Key-Words: Per Capita Income Levels and Growth Models; Institutions; Cross-Section and Panel Data Analysis. JEL Codes: C33, O47, O43 Resumo O trabalho avalia o papel das instituicoes e outras variaveis de controle em modelos de renda per capita e de crescimento para um conjunto de quase cem paises atraves de analises de painel e corte transversal para responder duas questoes. Instituicoes tem um papel primordial na explicacao das grandes diferencas nos niveis de renda per capita entre paises quando comparado com variaveis tais como integracao comercial e geografia? O desempenho em termos de crescimento de longo prazo depende de maneira crucial da qualidade institucional? Os resultados das estimacoes por 2SLS e OGMM para os modelos de renda per capita sugerem que ha alguma evidencia quanto ao papel das instituicoes dado que todos os coeficientes estimados sao positivos e estatisticamente significativos, mas os instrumentos nao sao validos. Integracao comercial e geografia nao tem um papel direto e significativo na explicacao das diferencas de niveis de renda per capita. Por outro lado, os resultados dos modelos de crescimento sugerem evidencias menos robustas para o papel das instituicoes em estimular o crescimento economico sendo que as estimacoes por System GMM foram aquelas em que este papel e mais facilmente encontrado. Sumarizando, pode se argumentar que nao ha indicacao de um consenso empirico a favor do argumento de que instituicoes tem um papel primordial nos modelos de crescimento e de renda per capita, porem, o ambiente institucional parece ser relevante. Palavras-Chave: Modelos de Crescimento e Nivel de Renda per Capita; Instituicoes: Analise de Painel e Corte Transversal Codigos JEL: C33, O47, O43