Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution to Performance Characterization and Kinetic Modelling of Micropollutants Abatement in Water and Wastewater by Ozone-based Oxidation Processes

El proceso de ozonizacion constituye una de las tecnologias de tratamiento de aguas con mayor potencial para la eliminacion de microcontaminantes organicos de los efluentes de depuradoras de aguas residuales municipales. Pese a ello, algunos aspectos como la eliminacion de aquellos contaminantes resistentes al ataque del ozono y la modelizacion cinetica de este proceso ofrecen aun amplias posibilidades de mejora. La formacion de productos de transformacion a partir de reacciones del ozono y el radical hidroxilo con la materia organica contenida en el efluente es otro aspecto que se tiene raramente en cuenta en la investigacion y aplicacion del proceso de ozonizacion. Dados los problemas tecnicos y ambientales que dichos subproductos pueden ocasionar, la investigacion de este fenomeno es tambien de gran interes. En esta tesis se estudiaron en primer lugar los fundamentos (cinetica, mecanismos de reaccion y efectos toxicologicos de los productos de transformacion) del proceso de degradacion de tres microcontaminantes organicos de preocupacion emergente mediante el proceso de ozonizacion. A continuacion, estos y otros compuestos tipicamente detectados en las aguas residuales urbanas se emplearon como sustancias modelo en el estudio de la aplicacion del proceso de ozonizacion en efluentes reales de depuradora de calidad variada, con el fin de evaluar la eficiencia del proceso y proponer estrategias para la modelizacion del mismo. En este sentido, se propuso la combinacion de parametros cineticos junto a la monitorizacion de parametros de calidad del agua para el control a tiempo real del proceso. Las predicciones de eliminacion de contaminantes llevadas a cabo mediante esta metodologia mostraron una gran concordancia con los datos experimentales, tanto para el proceso de ozonizacion simple como para la combinacion ozono-peroxido de hidrogeno, que por otro lado exhibio una gran eficiencia en la eliminacion de contaminantes resistentes al ozono cuando se aplico con dosificacion simultanea de ambos oxidantes. Finalmente, la evaluacion en detalle de los cambios experimentados por la materia organica del efluente durante la aplicacion del ozono revelo una acumulacion de compuestos de bajo peso molecular en todos los efluentes tratados, ademas de la solubilizacion de materia organica en suspension en efluentes con mayor carga organica.
Circadian variation in methane emissions by cattle and correlation with level and composition of ryegrass-based pasture eaten

The objective of the study was to determine the circadian variation in CH4 emission from cattle fed ryegrass-based pasture offered in two meals a day and identify factors that affect this circadian variation. Methane emission data (expressed as g/d) of 15 respiration chamber trials with growing beef cattle (six trials) or non-lactating (three trials) and lactating (six trials) dairy cows was analysed. Minimum CH4 production rate, measured approximately every 3 minutes, in the 24 h day, among the 15 trials ranged from 51 g/d to 217 g/d, and maximum CH4 production rate ranged from 152 g/d to 471 g/d. The ratio of maximum to minimum CH4 production rate, indicating absolute circadian variation, among the 15 trials, ranged from 1.8-fold to 4.4-fold. This ratio correlated negatively with feeding level (r =0.57; P < 0.05) and within the growing and non-lactating cattle dataset, the ratio also correlated negatively with forage neutral and acid detergent fibre concentration (r = -0.74; P < 0.10) and positively with crude protein concentration (r = 0.77; P < 0.10). In summary, the magnitude of circadian variation in CH4 emissions decreased with increasing feeding level over the whole dataset and also with changing pasture composition within the growing and non-lactating animal dataset.
Influence of Relationship between Agents' Appearance and Behaviors to Buying Motivation in Online Shopping

Applications of product recommendation virtual agents (PRVAs) for online shopping are increasing, and various studies on how to design effective PRVAs to user’s buying motivation have been done. In this paper, we try to analyze recommendation effects of PRVAs focused on the consistency between the agent’s appearances and behaviors in online shopping. First, we set up a hypothesis based on the consistency of the PRVAs’ appearances and behaviors, and prepare typical PRVA’s appearances and suitable behaviors to them. Then we conducted within-participant experiments in which the participants evaluated their buyer motivation for all combinations of the PRVAs’ appearances and the behaviors and reported their impressions on the agents. Also eye-tracking information was measured through the experiment. By investigating statistics on the participants’ buying motivations and applying statistic tests to the experimental results, our hypothesis on the consistency between the PRVAs’ appearances and the behaviors was supported. Furthermore, the experimental results of eye-tracking revealed some useful inspects on the users’ attentions.
Abejas carpinteras (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopinae: Xylocopini) asociadas a la flora de un área del Chaco Serrano de Córdoba (Argentina)

El obetivo de este trabajo fue contribuir al conocimiento de las especies de Xylocopa (Apidae; Xylocopinae, Xylocopini) asociados a la flora nativa del Chaco Serrano de Cordoba (Argentina), estableciendo las preferencias por recursos florales y la selectividad por un tipo floral determinado. En el area del Chaco Serrano de Cordoba, se seleccionaron dos lugares de estudio: Cabana (30°20’S, 64°10’O) y Quebrada Los Hornillos (31° 20'S, 64°10'O). Se realizaron 24 muestreos, uno cada quince dias desde octubre de 2015 a marzo de 2016 en cadda uno de los lugares de estudio seleccionados. El esfuerzo de busqueda fue de 10 minutos por cada parche de oferta floral. El periodo de observacion estuvo comprendido entre las 9 a 16 hs, cuando las abejas se encuentran en las flores y presentan mayor actividad. Las unidades de observacion fueron los plantas de los estratos herbaceo y arbustivo, cuyas especies comparten similitudes en sus biotipos florales. Las especies de abejas carpinteras registradas en el area de estudio fueron: Xylocopa artifex Sm. , X. ciliata Brum. , X. ordinaria Sm. , X . splendidula Lep. y X. subcyanea Perez. Podemos proponer que las especies de Xylocopa presentes en la seccion de Chaco Serrano estudiado muestran un amplio espectro de seleccion de recursos florales. Asi, Xylocopa ciliata es preferentemente monolectica de Asteraceae; X. artifex , X. subcyanea y X. splendidula son oligolecticas de Asteraceae, Fabaceae y Solanaceae; mientras que X. ordinaria es polilectica ya que visita todas las especies de Magnoliopsidas observadas en el area. Las preferencias por tipos florales, nos permite establecer un grado de similitud mayor entre X. ordinaria y X. splendidula , en tanto que las otras especies se apartarian notablemente de aquellas. Una profundizacion de los observaclones aqui planteadas nos permitira discernir mejor los alcances de este estudio.
Optimum Distributed Energy Management of Residential Consumers in Presence of Rooftop Photovoltaic Panels

In this paper, a new energy management method is proposed for residential consumers based on a distributed algorithm. Consumers could participate in demand response programs by managing their schedulable and deferrable loads as well as using of photovoltaic (PV) systems. In the proposed method, the Alternating Direction Method of Multiplier (ADMM) is used to model the distributed management and scheduling of buildings electricity consumption. By implementing the distributed algorithm, a large number of residential consumers can update their consumption parameters by online communication with the central controller in parallel. The results confirm that residential customers are able to reduce their electricity bill by modifying their electricity consumption patterns without reducing their welfare.
Wind-blown particulate transport: A review of computational fluid dynamics models

The transport of particulate by wind constitutes a relevant phenomenon in environmental sciences and civil engineering, because erosion, transport and deposition of particulate can cause serious problems to human infrastructures. From a mathematical point of view, modeling procedure for this phenomenon requires handling the interaction between different constituents, the transfer of a constituent from the air to the ground and viceversa, and consequently the ground-surface interaction and evolution. Several approaches have been proposed in the literature, according to the specific particulate or application. We here review these contributions focusing in particular on the behavior of sand and snow, which almost share the same mathematical modeling issues, and point out existing links and analogies with wind driven rain. The final aim is then to classify and analyze the different mathematical and computational models in order to facilitate a comparison among them. A first classification of the proposed models can be done distinguishing whether the dispersed phase is treated using a continuous or a particle-based approach, a second one on the basis of the type of equations solved to obtain particulate density and velocity, a third one on the basis of the interaction model between the suspended particles and the transporting fluid.
Implications of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and Betaine in Human Health: Beyond Being Osmoprotective Compounds

Osmolytes are naturally occurring small molecular weight organic molecules, which are accumulated in large amounts in all life forms to maintain the stability of cellular proteins and hence preserve their functions during adverse environmental conditions. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and N,N,N-trimethylglycine (betaine) are methylamine osmolytes that have been extensively studied for their diverse roles in humans and have demonstrated opposing relations with human health. These osmolytes are obtained from food and synthesized endogenously using dietary constituents like choline and carnitine. Especially, gut microbiota plays a vital role in TMAO synthesis and contributes significantly to plasma TMAO levels. The elevated plasma TMAO has been reported to be correlated with the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, kidney diseases, metabolic syndrome, etc.; Hence, TMAO has been recognized as a novel biomarker for the detection/prediction of several human diseases. In contrast, betaine acts as a methyl donor in one-carbon metabolism, maintains cellular S-adenosylmethionine levels, and protects the cells from the harmful effects of increased plasma homocysteine. Betaine also demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and has a promising therapeutic value in several human diseases, including homocystinuria and fatty liver disease. The present review examines the multifarious functions of TMAO and betaine with possible molecular mechanisms towards a better understanding of their emerging and diverging functions with probable implications in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases.
Computational Approaches for the Discovery of Novel Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4A and NS5B Inhibitors

Nonstructural 5B (NS5B) polymerase and Nonstructural 3/4A (NS3/4A) protease have proven to be promising targets for the development of anti-HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) agents. The NS5B polymerase is of paramount importance in HCV viral replication; therefore, employing NS5B inhibitors was considered an effective way for the treatment of HCV. Identifying inhibitors against NS3/4A serine protease represents another attractive approach applied in anti-HCV drug discovery, which is evidenced by its crucial role of in the biogenesis of the viral replication activity. In this chapter, many different computational approaches including Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) and virtual screening in anti-HCV drug discovery were considered and discussed in detail. Virtual Screening (VS) techniques, including ligand-based and structure-based, and QSAR have been utilized for the discovery of NS5B inhibitors. Moreover, using various in silico protocols and workflows, a number of studies have been conducted with an aim of identifying potential NS3/4A blockage agents
Rates of Channel Migration on the Brazos River: Final Report

"For this project four (4) tasks were developed and agreed to by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) contract person and the investigators. The four tasks are: (1) Calculate rates of channel migration along selected reaches (2) Categorize channel banks for erosion occurrence/potential (3) Develop estimated sediment budget for selected reaches (4) Determine and classify behavior of channel movement"
RESEARCH ON DYNAMICS AND FUNCTIONS OF BIOLOGICAL NEURAL NETWORK SYSTEMS

As information networks with numerous interconnected neurons,Biological nervous systems play a key role in sense,recognition and motion control of biological bodies.This paper is first concerned with physiological structures and theoretical models of neurons,brain and some biological neural networks.Then some important topics of firing and network dynamical behavior are presented,including complex firing modes of neurons,synchronization and spatiotcmporal dynamics of coupled neuronal networks,network features of neuronal micro-circuitry of combined cerebral cortex and the dynamical mechanism of working memory and decision making processes etc.Finally,prospective developments are suggested.
Monitoring and Visualization of Solar PV Thermal Flow via Interpolation Techniques

Temperature is one of the major factors that affect the efficient of solar panels and temperature profiles on solar panel are required to optimise the performance of solar PV. A method to construct and visualise the thermal profiles of solar panel with minimum temperature measurement is proposed in this work. Based on nine measured temperature, three different interpolation techniques are used to predict the temperature at 25 points and 81 points. The predicted temperature is then compared with measured temperature from thermal gun. MATLAB is used to reconstruct the thermal image in two different resolution, 17x17 and 33x33. Bilinear interpolation technique and resolution of 33x33 gives the best results and can be applied in industry to predict temperature profile on solar panel with minimum measurement.
Origin of Regular Networks of Joints: Experimental Constraints, Theoretical Background, and Numerical Modeling

Experimental data show that inelastic straining occurs even at very low pressure before and during brittle fracturing. This process is therefore investigated within the framework of elastoplasticity using 2‐D, three‐layer finite difference modeling. The constitutive model includes both tensile and shear failure mechanisms coupled at the level of the strain softening law. The modeling results show that sets of parallel joints initiate as pure dilation bands, the narrow σ3‐normal bands of localized dilatant damage (inelastic deformation). The band thickness, length, and the initial strain softening degree within it are proportional to the ductility of the material, which increases with the effective stress level (σ1) or pressure. The strength reduction within the bands is accelerated at a certain stage, and the strength locally reaches zero resulting in fracture initiation. The initial fracture then propagates in Mode I following the propagating band. The fracture (joint) appears thus as a band of damaged material with the increased porosity, which is maximum along the axial zone of the band where the material is completely broken. The damage is due to both tensile and shear mechanisms. The role of shear failure increases with the ductility (pressure) increase, which also leads to the band thickness increase. These processes can result in small (band thickness)‐scale oblique shear fractures within the band, causing the increase in the roughness of fracture walls organized in plumose patterns typical of both natural and experimentally generated joints.
A review on unidirectional converters for on-board chargers in electric vehicle

Transport is a vital sector for achieving sustainable development. The evolution of the electric vehicle is subject to the charging time, accessibility, and facility. On-board chargers are broadly used in the battery-electric and plug-in-electric fleets due to their easy installation and low cost. Also, it must be powerful and extremely efficient because of the constrained interior area and quick charging times. The minimization of hardware requirements and ease of interconnection problems are benefits of unidirectional charging. This review article presents an overview of charging levels, standards of chargers, and various topologies. On-board chargers pose a higher-power rating that reduces the anxiety of charging time and improves the charging facility on level-1 and level-2 grid supply. Unidirectional chargers reduce the charger size while other two-stage chargers pose a higher charging rate with various topologies. Finally, emerging charging trends in off-board charging, inductive charging, technology about vehicle-to-grid, wide-bandgap devices, and application of renewable energy uses are addressed.
Crack Propagation and Fracture Process Zone (FPZ) of Wood in the Longitudinal Direction Determined Using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) Technique

As a state-of-the-art method, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique is used to capture the fracture properties of wood along the longitudinal direction, such as the crack propagation, the strain field, and the fracture process zone (FPZ). Single-edge notched (SEN) specimens made of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) from Canada with different notch-to-depth ratios are tested by three-point-bending (3-p-b) experiment. The crack mouth opening displacements (CMOD) measured by the clip gauge and DIC technique agree well with each other, verifying the applicability of the DIC technique. Then, the quasi-brittle fracture process of wood is analyzed by combing the load-CMOD curve and the strain field in front of the preformed crack. Additionally, the equivalent elastic crack length is calculated using the linear superposition hypothesis. The comparison between the FPZ evolution and the equivalent elastic crack shows that specimens with higher notch-to-depth ratios have better cohesive effect and higher cracking resistance.
Obtaining High-Resolution Seabed Topography and Surface Details by Co-Registration of Side-Scan Sonar and Multibeam Echo Sounder Images

Side-scan sonar (SSS) is used for obtaining high-resolution seabed images, but with low position accuracy without using the Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) or Short Base Line (SBL). Multibeam echo sounder (MBES), which can simultaneously obtain high-accuracy seabed topography as well as seabed images with low resolution in deep water. Based on the complementarity of SSS and MBES data, this paper proposes a new method for acquiring high-resolution seabed topography and surface details that are difficult to obtain using MBES or SSS alone. Firstly, according to the common seabed features presented in both images, the Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) algorithm, with the constraint of image geographic coordinates, is adopted for initial image matching. Secondly, to further improve the matching performance, a template matching strategy using the dense local self-similarity (DLSS) descriptor is adopted according to the self-similarities within these two images. Next, the random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm is used for removing the mismatches and the SSS backscatter image geographic coordinates are rectified by the transformation model established based on the correct matched points. Finally, the superimposition of this rectified SSS backscatter image on MBES seabed topography is performed and the high-resolution and high-accuracy seabed topography and surface details can be obtained.
Sharing Medical Information by Means of Using Intelligent Agents and Cloud Computing

From birth to death, every human being leaves a long medical history consisting of laboratory exams, records of medical consultations, records, and hospitalizations, as well as any other important information that affects the patient’s health. These are known today as Electronic Health Records (EHR) or Electronic Medical Records (EMR). However, because a person’s lifestyle and health are continuously changing, most of this medical information is distributed among different institutions, cities, and even countries where the specific processes were undertaken, in possession of health insurance providers or even hidden inside a drawer of the patient’s home. Therefore, aiming to enhance the availability of improved medical services at reduced costs, modern information technology is being increasingly used in the healthcare sector. Researchers, developers, and companies have made efforts to develop mobile, Web, desktop, and enterprise e-health applications raising the importance of interoperability and data exchange between e-health applications and Health Information Systems (HIS). In this regard, Cloud Computing (CC) promises low cost, high scalability, availability, and disaster recoverability, which can be a natural solution for some of the problems faced in storing and analyzing EMRs. However, CC, which is mainly defined to address the use of scalable and often virtualized resources, is still evolving. New, specific collaboration models among service providers are needed for enabling effective service collaboration, allowing the process of serving consumers to be more efficient. In this chapter, the current state and trends of CC in healthcare are presented as well as a detailed collaboration model based on intelligent agents focusing on the EHR sharing subject. This model for enabling effective service in cloud systems is based on a recent research proposal related to defining a collaboration mechanism by means of Scout Movement. The chapter also includes details on the way in which services and service providers are clearly defined in this particular system. Mauricio Paletta Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana (UNEG), Venezuela DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-6118-9.ch008
Infraestructura carretera y crecimiento económico en México

La relación entre infraestructura carretera y crecimiento económico regional ha sido estudiada con resultados poco concluyentes. En este documento se analiza el efecto de la disponibilidad de infraestructura carretera sobre la producción regional de los municipios de México. Se caracterizaron regionalmente las carreteras disponibles por municipio aplicando un SIG y mediante un análisis de mínimos cuadrados ordinarios, y se explica la relación positiva densidad carretera-producción para las regiones municipales. Se demuestra que las carreteras tienen sus mayores efectos en la producción bruta regional de las actividades manufactureras y el comercio minorista, mientras que en la agricultura, la ganadería, la pesca y la minería, no tiene influencia significativa; particularmente las carreteras libres brindan mayor beneficio regional en comparación.