Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of Soundscapes to Monitor Fish Communities: Meaningful Graphical Representations Differ with Acoustic Environment

Many marine animals produce sounds in several phases of their life cycles, either actively or as a byproduct of their activities, such as during mate attraction or when moving. Recent studies of underwater soundscapes have proved passive acoustic monitoring to be a cost-effective, non-invasive tool to understand ecological processes, especially when sampling in adverse conditions or at great depth. Four days of sound recordings at three seamounts from the Azorean archipelago were examined to assess the suitability of different sound graphical representations to characterize different acoustic environments that contrast in the contribution of vocal fish communities. Long-term spectrograms, sound pressure level, spectral probability densities and the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) were computed for two shallow seamounts (Formigas and Princesa Alice, c. 35 m) and one deep seamount (Condor, 190 m) using graphics with different time spans. Only in Formigas, which presented the highest occurrence of fish sounds, was it possible to observe temporal patterns of fish vocal activity in the graphical representations. We highlight that habitats with a higher diversity and abundance of sounds are the most suitable targets for these methods, while in locations with a low prevalence of fish sounds a combination of several methods would be recommended.
ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue ISBN: 978-81-930411-8-5 PARAMETRIC STUDY OF HEAT AFFECTED ZONE (HAZ) WIDTH IN LASER MICRO- DRILLING OF COPPER SHEET

Copper has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, good strength and formability. It also exhibits outstanding resistance to corrosion and fatigue. Due to these properties they are used in micro-electronics, robotics, printed circuit board, bio-medical equipments, etc. Laser beam machining is an advanced material processing technique which can be applied for almost all materials. Nowadays there is an increasing trends towards miniaturization of the various components, which requires micro-machining. Use of laser micro-drilling can be attributed to several advantages like high standard of finishing, high production rate, no mechanical damage or tool wear, low material wastage, low production cost, small heat affected zone and ecologically clean technology. In the present research work, 0.2 mm thick copper sheet is microdrilled by using Nd:YVO4 laser of maximum power 12 W. HAZ width has been investigated with respect to different processing parameters e.g. laser beam power, pulse frequency, scanning speed and number of pass. The results show that HAZ width increases with the increase of laser beam power throughout the range; it decreases first then increases with the increase of pulse frequency. Whereas, HAZ width increases initially but later decreases with the increase of scanning speed and number of passes. ANOVA and confirmation test has been performed to optimize the HAZ width. Keywords— Laser beam micro-drilling; copper sheet; HAZ width; ANOVA; confirmation test.
Absorption of Carbon Dioxide with Hot Potassium Carbonate Solution: Modeling and Statistical Analysis of Known Experimental Data

The process of absorbing carbon dioxide with an aqueous solution of hot potassium carbonate is widely used in industry for gas purification. The results of numerical modelling of the process are compared with a limited set of experimental data in well-known works. In this paper, a mathematical model of the process in a packed absorber is developed; fitting parameters are taken on the basis of processing known experimental data. The model is based on the equations of heat and mass transfer. Main characteristics: concentrations of substances and temperatures in the liquid and gas phases, depend on one coordinate z directed along the height of the absorber. The heat and mass transfer coefficients were calculated using the Onda formulas. The CO2 equilibrium at the liquid-gas interface was determined by Sechenov relation. The adequacy of the model was checked by comparing the calculations of carbon dioxide concentration along the absorber with the known experimental data not included in the sample from which the model parameters were determined. The numerical dependences of the CO2 content in the scrubbed gas on the physical characteristics of the process are obtained.
SEX-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE BIOMECHANICS OF PITCHING

This study assessed sex-based differences in the lower extremity kinetics and ball velocity during pitching. Fifteen men baseball players and fifteen women softball players threw fastballs on two force platforms, to assess propulsive and landing biomechanics. Doppler radar was used to assess ball velocity. Kinetic and kinematic data comparing men and women were analyzed with independent samples t-test. Paired samples t-test were used to assess difference between the propulsive and landing phases. Pearson’s bivariate correlations were used to assess the relationship between study variables and ball velocity. Few sex-based difference in the magnitude and rate of propulsive force development exist. Sex based differences (p < 0.05) were found for all but one landing phase variable. None of the biomechanical variables assessed were related to ball velocity.
Pyroligneous acid improves in vitro rooting of Japanese pear cultivars

Effects of PA on in vitro shoot proliferation and root formation were investigated using shoot cultures of three Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) cultivars. PA inhibited shoot multiplication and promoted initiation and development of roots in the cultured shoots of three cultivars, resulting in increasing the proportion of rooted shoots. Chemical name used: pyroligneous acid (PA). by distillation. The distillation duration was ≈10 h and the rate of temperature increase was 2 °C per min., with maximum temperature of ≈500 °C. Crude PA was obtained as a dripping solution from the base of an opening of a gas spillage and was kept for 6 months in a dark, cool room. The top clear layer was removed from the deposited tar by filtering through a coffee filter paper (Karita Co., Tokyo) and was used in the following experiment. Shoot proliferation and rooting investiga- tion. To investigate the effect of PA on shoot proliferation, shoot tips were transferred to a proliferation medium containing 0%, 0.001%, 0.01%, or 0.1% (v/v) PA. The number of new shoots formed from each initial shoot and the rate of fresh weight increase after 30 d were recorded. To investigate the effect of PA on rooting, 10 mm shoot tips were cut and trans- ferred to a root initiation medium consisting of half-strength MS with 4.9 µM IBA, 58.5 µM sucrose, 1.35 mM phloroglucinol (1,3,5- trihydroxybenzene), 0.8% powder agar and 0%, 0.001%, 0.01% or 0.1% (v/v) PA and were kept in the dark at 25 °C. After 5 d, they were transferred to the same medium without IBA (root development medium). Rooting frequency, the average root length and sur- vival rate were recorded after 45 d. All media were adjusted to pH 5.7 and were autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 min. The PA solution was adjusted to pH 5.7 using 1.0 N NaOH, and the PA solution and phloroglucinol were filter- sterilized and were added to the medium after autoclaving. All cultures were incubated at a 16-h photoperiod illuminated by a cool-white fluorescent light (50 µmol·m -2
CauseNet: Towards a Causality Graph Extracted from the Web

Causal knowledge is seen as one of the key ingredients to advance artificial intelligence. Yet, few knowledge bases comprise causal knowledge to date, possibly due to significant efforts required for validation. Notwithstanding this challenge, we compile CauseNet, a large-scale knowledge base of claimed causal relations between causal concepts. By extraction from different semi- and unstructured web sources, we collect more than 11 million causal relations with an estimated extraction precision of 83% and construct the first large-scale and open-domain causality graph. We analyze the graph to gain insights about causal beliefs expressed on the web and we demonstrate its benefits in basic causal question answering. Future work may use the graph for causal reasoning, computational argumentation, multi-hop question answering, and more.
Mandatory Energy Efficiency Disclosure in Housing Markets

Mandatory disclosure policies are implemented broadly despite sparse evidence that they improve market outcomes. We study the effects of requiring home sellers to provide buyers with certified audits of residential energy efficiency. Using similar nearby homes as a comparison group, we find that this requirement increases price premiums for energy efficiency and encourages energy-saving investments. We additionally present evidence highlighting the market failure—incomplete information by both buyers and sellers—that prevents widespread voluntary disclosure of energy efficiency in housing transactions. Our findings support that disclosure policies can improve market outcomes in settings with symmetrically incomplete information. (JEL D83, K32, L98, Q41, Q48, R31)
Implications for Inflammatory Lung Disease

The molecular events that modulate the T-cell response to antigen are key determinants in the outcome of pulmonary immune responses. Over the past several years, it has become evident that the B7:CD28 costimulation pathway is a critical regulator of T-cell responses both in vitro and in vivo . Given its importance in T-cell activation and its potential as a target for immune-based therapies, this perspective will review the current data on the regulation of T-cell activation by the B7 costimulatory pathway. In 1970 Bretscher and Cohn put forth the two-signal model of lymphocyte activation to explain self/nonself discrimination (1). This model proposes that T-cell activation requires two independent signals. The first is transduced through the T-cell receptor (TCR) after engagement by antigen; and the second, costimulatory signal is delivered by ligation of a distinct receptor present on the surface of the T cell. This model predicts that engagement of the TCR in the absence of costimulation will fail to activate the T cell. A substantial body of evidence has accumulated in support of this hypothesis. Early studies demonstrated that antigen presented by chemically fixed antigen-presenting cells (APCs) resulted in a failure of T-cell activation and rendered them unresponsive to further antigenic stimulation, a process termed induction of anergy. This was shown to be the result of the inability of the fixed
Performance of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

Two genotypes of hibiscus sabdariffa (Sudan and Jamaica) type was evaluated for the purpose of agronomic adaptability and economic traits. The experiment was done in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia at Wondogenet and Hawassa and Qoqa by using randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on agronomic and economical traits were collected for two years from 2012 to 2013 and statistically analyzed by analysis of variance using SAS PROC GLM (2002) at P<0.05. Differences between means separated using the least significance difference test at P<0.05. The overall respective mean performance across the test locations varied from 87.13-131.4 cm, 18.8-66.83, 43.93-72.17, 95.93-159.69 g, 19.41-33.59 g, 58.7-98.06 g, 5.87-9.88 g, 2.66-4.44 ton, 5.39-9.33 ton, 16.30-27.50 ton, 1.63-2.75 ton for plant height; number of branches/plant; number of pods per plant; pod yield/plant; dry seed yield/ plant; fresh calyx yield/plant; dry calyx yield/plant; pod yield/hectare; dry seed yield/hectare, fresh calyx yield/ hectare, dry calyx yield /hectare respectively. The highest value for all this parameter were recorded at Hawassa; and the lowest value were recorded at Qoqa for plant height and number of branch /plant and Wondogenet for the other parameter and Jamican type was highly preformed than Sudan type. Therefore, these variations are due to fluctuating features of the environmental factors and the two types of hibiscus were adapted well over the testing locations and years. Hence, it is possible to use the existing the two hibiscus cultivars for the production of pod, calyx and seed for local and international consumption for the food and medicinal purpose in Ethiopia
Immunomodulatory and antineoplastic activity of common Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus, Schneider) skin extract

Objective : To explore the immunomodulatory and antineoplastic action of toad skin extract (TSE) in experimental animals Methods: TSE was injected (s.c.) in male albino mice. Lymphocyte (blood and spleen) and macrophage count were done at different time intervals. To estimate phagocytic activity carbon clearance assay was performed in albino mice. Effect of TSE on T-cell rosette, chemotaxis of leucocyte, and macrophage migration was also studied in vitro. To study antineoplastic activity, TSE was injected (i.p.) in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. Survival time and tumour cell growth (in vivo) were estimated. Results : TSE significantly increased lymphocyte (blood and spleen) and macrophage count. TSE significantly increased phagocytic activity and showed positive meutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Enhanced inhibition of macrophage migration and T-cell rosette formation was observed due to TSE. TSE also increased survivial time of EAC bearing mice and inhibited tumour cell growth in vivo. Conclusion :All these observations indicate that TSE possesses immunomodulatory and antineoplastic activity in experimental animals.
Analysis of Information-Seeking Conversations with Process Mining

Online communities have become increasingly popular sources of information for both users and organisations. Every day thousands of users ask questions on these platforms, yet this knowledge-sharing process is not very studied. In this paper we aim to fill this knowledge-gap, by providing a general framework for studying the knowledge-sharing processes in such online communities. Specifically, we provide a three-step algorithm, that can create process models from interleaved and unlabelled conversations. We provide an instantiation of our framework, and conduct several experiments to evaluate its performance using the process mining tool Disco. From these experiments we show that it is possible to gain meaningful insights from the conversations on online communities using process mining techniques.
A Statistical Analysis of the Energy Dissipation Rate Estimated From the PMWE Spectral Width in the Antarctic

The radar volume reflectivity and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate in the Antarctic mesosphere were estimated from the polar mesosphere winter echoes (PMWE) recorded using a vertical beam of the PANSY radar, a Mesosphere‐Stratosphere‐Troposphere radar at Syowa Station (69°S, 40°E), over a period of 4 years. The observed radar volume reflectivity exhibits a lognormal distribution in the range of 2 × 10−18 to 5 × 10−15 m−1 for a height region of 55–82 km. The turbulent energy dissipation rate estimated from the spectral widths of the PMWE ranges from 10−4 to 100 m2 s−3. From monthly histograms of the turbulent energy dissipation rate for a fixed solar zenith angle (SZA) and height, it was found that the summer‐to‐winter transition of the turbulent energy dissipation rate occurs in March, while the winter‐to‐summer transition occurs in September. This seasonal variation agrees well with that of gravity wave activity, suggesting that the turbulence in the mesosphere is likely caused by gravity wave breaking.
I Don't Care as Long as It's Good: Player Preferences for Real-Time and Turn-Based Combat Systems in Computer RPGs

Combat systems are a fundamental part of computer role-playing games (RPGs). Popular media articles and online discussions suggest that players have very strong opinions on combat styles, in particular, whether they like RPGs with real-time or turn-based combat systems. However, there is little scientific research into this question. With our research we aim to systematically explore combat style preferences and determine the underlying reasons for preferring certain types over others. To this end, we analyzed a set of online discussions (546 posts) with regard to three broad combat system categories: Real-Time (RT), Turn-Based (TB), and Real-Time with Pause (RTwP). Our results suggest that while most players indeed do have a preference for one combat style, most players are still largely or completely open to other styles of combat. We furthermore identify common positive and negative traits of different combat styles and discuss implications for combat design.
Virtual Manufacturing

: Virtual engineering is an emerging technology which integrates geometric models and related engineering tools such as design, analysis, simulation, optimization and decision making tools within computer-generated environment that facilitates multidisciplinary collaborative product development. In manufacturing, the major component of virtual engineering is Virtual Manufacturing (VM). VM use computer aided design models and simulations of manufacturing for production of manufactured products. VM provides the capability to “Manufacture in the computer” and has the ability to interchange models between their use in simulation and control environments. An innovative and effective solution to overcome recent product development lifecycle problems in manufacturing industries is the application of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to simulate and improve the manufacturing processes before they are carried out. This would ensure that activities such as design, planning, simulation, machining are done right-the-first-time without subsequent rework and modifications. The challenge is to design and integrate VR and AR in Virtual Manufacturing Systems (VMS) that could enhance manufacturing processes and product development process leading to shorter lead time, reduced cost, more efficient and improved quality with clean and green process. The paper aims at providing a review on virtual manufacturing: definition, its origin, types, benefits, virtual manufacturing systems, applications, future and challenges to overcome the drawbacks associated by adopting VM.
MQTT-SN Protocol - A Review

—Traditional TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) does not cater the requirements of the IoT (Internet of Things) application. This invoked development of different protocols for IoT devices that satisfy specific purposes. Within its domain, sensor network has constrained devices and limited network bandwidth. Even though Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is light weight they need TCP/IP stack to operate. They are heavy to be operated by small sensors that requires big payload, retry mechanism, time to live for the packets etc. MQTT for Sensor Networks (MQTT-SN) is adapted to incorporate devices with limited processing and storage resources. It’s a publish-subscribe protocol that supports any network having bi-directional data transfer service that does not need TCP/IP. It is designed to work in similar way as MQTT but uses UDP which is a connectionless protocol. The data are transmitted based on function of contents and interests rather than network addresses. When the communications to other networks are required a gateway with MQTT-SN at the one side and the MQTT at another end will suffice.
The interaction of harvester ants and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a patchy semi-arid environment: the effects of mound structure on fungal dispersion and establishment

Disc areas created by the western harvester ant, Pogonomyrmes occidentalis, around their mound nests can comprise over 10% of the land surface in semi-arid shrub steppes of the Great Basin, USA. The harvester ant mounds are abandoned after 12-20 years and the mycorrhizal fungal inoculum dispersion patterns within these patches may affect subsequent plant establishment. It was hypothesized that harvester ant activity reduces mycorrhizal inoculum levels within the disc, and that mycorrhizal fungi must re-establish in these patches from surface-deposited, immigrating inoculum. To test this, we first excavated two ant mounds, which revealed a chambered core consisting of a mat of densely packed, clipped roots with 2000-5000 times the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore density found in the surrou ding undisturbed vegetation (.)
Mucosal Manifestations of Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Key Sign for Early Diagnosis

Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune, chronic and life-threatening disorders that involve acantholysis, resulting in blisters and erosions of the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is the most common form of the condition, with the production of IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein 3, which is mainly expressed on the mucous membranes, and desmoglein 1, expressed on the skin epidermis. Involvement of the oral cavity is more often observed when it comes to PV, especially in areas vulnerable to frictional trauma, causing painful lesions. This disorder may interfere with eating, leading to dysphagia, and subsequent weight loss, malnutrition, hydro electrolytic imbalances, and increased catabolism, enhancing the risk of local and systemic diseases. PV is associated with high morbimortality rates, whether it be because of the disease itself or because of complications that might follow the treatment. Therefore, the recognition of these lesions in clinical practice, as well as their correct management with pharmacological and support measures is fundamental in order to improve the quality of life of the patient.
Content Delivery based on Context and User Intelligence

: Today’s Internet content providers primarily use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to deliver content to end-users with the aim to enhance their Web access experience. We adopt a measurement-based approach to understand why, how, and how much CP-level intelligences can help content delivery. In contrast, knowing the exact context under which contents are consumed, CPCDN is able to exploit context intelligence capturing how contents are dynamically processed and synthesized in different contexts, to optimize the user experience and service quality along content delivery. In this paper, to go along with the rapid move to CPCDN, we apply a measurement-based approach to understand why, how and how much CP-level intelligence can help content delivery. Based on the crowd patterns, we proactively duplicate contents according to the interest groups so that users can get the contents they are interested in from nearby CPCDN servers. Leveraging the powerful user intelligence capturing how contents are dynamically shared and distributed among social-networked users, CPCDN is able to improve both the content delivery efficiency and user experience to the next level.
Realism and Morality in Politics

Kortunov is author of chapters in eight books and more than thirty papers and coauthor of the book American Model on the Scales of History. Be good in thinking – this is the main principle of morality. – Blaise Pascal Realism has always been considered an important virtue for a state leader. Understandably, a reputation of a dreamer, or even worse of an unrestrained adventurer, would not win anyone's support. It is particularly unsuitable for any man responsible for the destiny of a country. Today realism in politics takes on special significance. The time of prophets and magicians has passed. The continued existence of life on this planet depends on the direct and consistent application of realistic principles to international relationships. Concepts and practices of original realists in foreign policy, Niccolo Machiavelli and Hugo Grotius, or the " Realpolitik " of Austrian Prince Metternich are again achieving popularity in the modern world. This is understandable, since no one wants to run the risk of embarking on a totally unknown path in politics, particularly when the stakes are high. Under these conditions, the future is predicted by a straight–line extrapolation from the past. Present actions are then not determined by what might be, but by what has already happened or is happening at the moment.