Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainable anaerobic digestion of euphorbiaceae waste forbiogas production: Effects of feedstock variation

Anaerobic digestion (AD) refers to the biological process which can convert organic substrates to biogas in the absence of oxygen. The aim of this study was to determine the capability of feedstock to produce biogas and to quantify the biogas yield from different feedstocks. A co-digestion approach was carried out in a continuous stirred tank reactor operated under mesophilic conditions and at a constant organic loading rate of 0.0756 g COD/ L.day, with a hydraulic retention time of 25 days. For comparison, mono-digestion was also included in the experimental work. 2 L working volumes were used throughout the experimental work. The seed culture was obtained from composting as substrate digestion. When the feedstock was added to seeding, the biogas started to emit after three days of retention time. The highest volume of biogas was observed when the seeding volume used for 1000 mL. However, the lowest volume of biogas yield was obtained from both co-digestion reactors, with a value of 340 mL. For methane yield, the highest methane production rate was 0.16 L CH4/mg. The COD with yield was at 8.6% and the lowest was at 0.5%. The highest quantity of methane was obtained from a reactor of Euphorbiaceae peel with added seeding, while the lowest methane yield came from a reactor of Euphorbiaceae stems with added seeding. In this study, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) was used as a buffering solution to correct the pH in the reactor if the reactor condition was found to be in a souring or acidic condition.
Investigation on enhancing the binary classification accuracy of supervised classifiers using various transforms

The Classification is used for testing instances where the unknown class labels are assigned where the predictor features are known. This paper aims to investigate the classification performance improvement of popular supervised classification approaches using data transformation techniques. Hilbert Transform, Discrete Wavelet Transform, and Principal Component Analysis are investigated as data transformation techniques for improving the performance of four different supervised classification approaches namely K-Nearest Neighbor classifier, Random Forest Classifier, Naive Bayes Classifier, and Support Vector Machine. SONAR dataset is used in this research work and the highest Mathews Correlation Coefficient of 0.72 is attained for Random Forest Classifier.
Impacto de la prostatectomía radical y la radioterapia en la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer de próstata clínicamente localizado

Objetivos: La evaluación de la calidad de vida asociada a distintos tratamientos en pacientes con cáncer de próstata es clave para tomar decisiones terapéuticas informadas. Sin embargo, los resultados en práctica clínica son heterogéneos e insuficientes. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo en pacientes que iban a iniciar tratamiento con radioterapia externa o prostatectomía radical laparoscópica (PR) por cáncer de próstata localizado. Se completó el cuestionario de calidad de vida EPIC-CP antes de iniciar el tratamiento (basal) y tras 6, 12 y 24 meses del tratamiento. Resultados: El análisis incluyó 59 pacientes: 34 (58%) se sometieron a prostatectomía radical y 25 (42%) recibieron radioterapia. La calidad de vida media empeoró en los dos grupos de tratamiento y para todos los dominios, observándose un empeoramiento máximo a los 6 meses, recuperándose hasta normalizar las puntuaciones a los 24 meses. A los 6 y 12 meses de tratamiento, el porcentaje de pacientes que experimentó un cambio mínimo relevante en calidad de vida fue significativamente superior en el grupo de PR que en el de radioterapia para los dominios incontinencia y sexual; estas diferencias no se observaron a los 24 meses. Discusión: El cuestionario EPIC-CP permite estimar el cambio mínimo relevante, facilitando así la interpretación clínica de los resultados. Conclusiones: A medio plazo, la PR y la radioterapia externa impactan de una forma distinta en la calidad de vida asociada a la incontinencia y la función sexual. A los 24 meses del tratamiento la calidad de vida se normaliza, independiente del tratamiento elegido.
Model of a domain-specific profiling system based on Explainable AI technologies

The article offers a system model of intelligent profiling system that opens up opportunities for both staff selection and effective training and rotation of existing employees of the organization. To implement this paradigm, state registers of open information resources are defined and created. From the point of view of science, the system model corresponds to the structure of the expert system of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), which has the task of forming many solutions. The task is set to provide validation and verification of the models taking into account the uncertainty. The tool to improve this approach is a software analytical complex, the development and implementation of which will allow to search and effective analysis of data, forming indicators for their subsequent use in decision-making in the management of organization processes. Presentation of knowledge about the subject area under study in the form of system model allows applying formal logical rules, graphoanalytic metalanguage and rules for development and design of program analytical complexes.
Nevada Seismological Laboratory Rapid Seismic Monitoring Deployment and Data Availability for the 2020 Mww 6.5 Monte Cristo Range, Nevada, Earthquake Sequence

The Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) at the University of Nevada, Reno, installed eight temporary seismic stations following the 15 May 2020 Mww 6.5 Monte Cristo Range earthquake. The mainshock and resulting aftershock sequence occurred in an unpopulated and sparsely instrumented region of the Mina deflection in the central Walker Lane, approximately 55 km west of Tonopah, Nevada. The temporary stations supplement NSL’s permanent seismic network, providing azimuthal coverage and near-field recording of the aftershock sequence beginning 1–3 days after the mainshock. We expect the deployment to remain in the field until May 2021. NSL initially attempted to acquire the Monte Cristo Range deployment data in real time via cellular telemetry; however, unreliable cellular coverage forced NSL to convert to microwave telemetry within the first week of the sequence to achieve continuous real-time acquisition. Through 31 August 2020, the temporary deployment has captured near-field records of three aftershocks ML≥5 and 25 ML 4–4.9 events. Here, we present details regarding the Monte Cristo Range deployment, instrumentation, and waveform availability. We combine this information with waveform availability and data access details from NSL’s permanent seismic network and partner regional seismic networks to create a comprehensive summary of Monte Cristo Range sequence data. NSL’s Monte Cristo Range temporary and permanent station waveform data are available in near-real time via the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology Data Management Center. Derived earthquake products, including NSL’s earthquake catalog and phase picks, are available via the Advanced National Seismic System Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog. The temporary deployment improved catalog completeness and location quality for the Monte Cristo Range sequence. We expect these data to be useful for continued study of the Monte Cristo Range sequence and constraining crustal and seismogenic properties of the Mina deflection and central Walker Lane.
Common Kilka oil and its primary and secondary oxidative dynamics stabilized by different variants of clove essential oil

Aceite de Kilka común y su dinámica oxidativa primaria y secundaria estabilizada por diferentes variantes de aceite esencial de clavo. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las propiedades de los aceites esenciales de clavo que se extrajeron utilizando diferentes métodos asistidos por microondas y evaluar los efectos de estos aceites esenciales en la estabilidad del aceite de Kilka común. Se hipotetizó que cada uno de los métodos produce un aceite esencial de clavo que tendría una composición y un efecto distintivo cuando se agrega al aceite de Kilka común manteniendo su estabilidad oxidativa. La oxidación del aceite de Kilka común se determinó mediante oxidación acelerada utilizando el método de oxígeno activo y Rancimat. El aceite esencial de clavo extraído por hidrodestilación asistida por microondas logró en el aceite de Kilka común un período de inducción, mediante el método de oxígeno activo, más alto (16,56 h) y un período de inducción mediante Rancimat de 3,64 h y su actividad antioxidante fue comparable a la del BHT (16,59 h y 4,34 h, respectivamente) y a la del acetato de tocoferol (16,30 h y 4,02 h, respectivamente). Además, el método de hidrodestilación asistido por microondas influyó en la cantidad de eugenol que presentó una mayor capacidad antioxidante para preservar los PUFAs del aceite de Kilka común. Por último, el aceite esencial de clavo puede convertirse en un antioxidante natural eficiente para la estabilidad oxidativa del aceite de Kilka común.
Development and Evaluation of Cooperative Intersection Management Algorithm under Connected and Automated Vehicles Environment

Recent technological advancements in the automotive and transportation industry established a firm foundation for development and implementation of various connected and automated vehicle solutions around the globe. Wireless communication technologies such as the dedicated short-range communication protocol are enabling information exchange between vehicles and infrastructure. This research paper introduces an intersection management strategy for a corridor with automated vehicles utilizing vehicular trajectory-driven optimization method. Trajectory-Driven Optimization for Automated Driving provides an optimal trajectory for automated vehicles based on current vehicle position, prevailing traffic, and signal status on the corridor. All inputs are used by the control algorithm to provide optimal trajectories for automated vehicles, resulting in the reduction of vehicle delay along the signalized corridor with fixed-time signal control. The concept evaluation through microsimulation reveals that, even with low market penetration (i.e., less than 10%), the technology reduces overall travel time of the corridor by 2%. Further increase in market penetration produces travel time and fuel consumption reductions of up to 19.5% and 22.5%, respectively.
Consortium Formulation of Bacteria as a Fertilizer and Biological Pesticide in Various Carriers

The use of agricultural production facilities that are produced from non-renewable natural resources such as fertilizers and chemical pesticides is constantly feared that will disrupt environmental sustainability and reduce soil fertility and quality. The application of biotechnology derived from local resources is a very appropriate alternative to answer these challenges, such as the use of local microorganisms that act as biological fertilizers and pesticides. The research aims to determine the compatibility of the bacterium Bacillus cereus strain ATCC 14579, Bacillus subtillis subsp. Subtilis strain 168 Bacillus siamensis strain KCTC13613, Azotobacter sp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from local microorganisms (MOL) banana weevil and know the best formulation, as well as the shelf life of the formula. The study was conducted in 3 stages: 1) testing bacterial compatibility on TSA media with the dual culture method; 2) test bacterial formulations on compost carriers, peat soils and vermicompost.3) Test the shelf life of formulas. The results showed that B. cereus strain ATCC 14579, B. subtillis subsp.subtilis strain 168, B. siamensis strain KCTC13613, P. fluorescens and Azotobacter sp were synergistic (compatible) so that they could be sponsored and formulated on carrier material (compost, kascing, peat). The best formulation is a formula for compost and peat soils added with Molas, CMC and Arginine. This formula has a shelf life of up to 6 months with the number of bacterial consortium colony of 4.64-4.67x 10 5 CFU / gram, fulfilling the criteria of biological fertilizer according to Ministry of Agriculture Decree No. 261 KPTS SR 310 4, 2019 which is ⩾ 105.
Feasibility of SBRT for hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil — a prospective pilot study

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil. SBRT is an evolving treatment in HCC patients not candidates to other local therapies. Its adoption in clinical practice has been heterogeneous, with lack of data on its generalizability in the Brazilian population. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective pilot study involving HCC patients after failure or ineligibility for transarterial chemoembolization. Patients received SBRT 30 to 50 Gy in 5 fractions using an isotoxic prescription approach. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT02221778. Results From Nov 2014 through Aug 2019, 26 patients received SBRT with 40 Gy median dose. Underlying liver disease was hepatitis C, hepatitis B and alcohol-related in, respectively, 50%, 23% and 19% of patients. Median lesion size was 3.8 cm (range, 1.5–10 cm), and 46% had multiple lesions. Thirty-two percent had tumor vascular thrombosis; median pretreatment alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was 171.7 ng/mL (range, 4.2–5,494 ng/mL). 1y-local progression-free survival (PFS) was 86% (95% CI: 61% to 95%), with higher local control in doses ≥ 45Gy (p = 0.037; HR = 0.12). 1y-liver PFS, distant PFS and OS were, respectively, 52%, 77% and 79%. Objective response was seen in 89% of patients, with 3 months post-SBRT median AFP of 12 ng/mL (2.4–637 ng/mL). There were no grade 3 or 4 clinical toxicities. Grade 3 or 4 laboratory toxicities occurred in 27% of patients. Conclusion SBRT is feasible and safe in patients unresponsive or ineligible for TACE in Brazil. Our study suggests doses ≥ 45 Gy yields better local control.
Poly(lactic acid)/flax composites: effect of surface modification and thermal treatment on interfacial adhesion, crystallization, microstructure, and mechanical properties

ABSTRACT In this study, unidirectional flax fabrics were used to reinforce poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Flax/PLA composites were produced by thermo-compression using as-received flax fibers and titanium dioxide (TiO2) coated flax fibers. The aim was to investigate the effect of annealing temperature and time, under quiescent or mechanical stress conditions, on the microstructure, interfacial adhesion, crystallization, and mechanical properties of composites. Results showed significant differences between oxidized-TiO2-coated flax fibers/PLA composites (oxi-TiO2-C) and as-received flax fibers/PLA composites (AR-C). Indeed, above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA, the storage modulus (E’) of both composites significantly increased due to PLA crystallization. However, once E’ reached a maximum value, composites with treated flax fibers leveled off while the E’ of composites with untreated flax fibers dropped drastically. This peculiar result was explained by a partial destruction or damage of AR-C interface during PLA crystal growth. This phenomenon was not observed with oxi-TiO2-C, suggesting a good interfacial adhesion. Despite the presence of a trans-crystalline layer for both samples, it was shown that TiO2 coating of flax fibers strengthened the adhesion between flax fibers and the trans-crystalline structure. Interlaminar shear strength measurements revealed a 15% increase in the interfacial strength. Graphical abstract
Framework for Sustainable Recovery of Tourism in Protected Areas

Tourism in protected areas was a fast-growing segment within the global travel and tourism industry prior to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a development pathway, tourism generated foreign exchange for countries endowed with natural assets (protected areas, pristine landscapes, forests, oceans, wildlife), contributed to conservation revenues, and provided local development benefits for communities. However, the spread of COVID-19 and its associated travel restrictions severely impacted this sector. In this review, we describe the main challenges preventing the sector from achieving its development potential. We propose a framework to steer tourism in protected areas as a green recovery initiative, so that it may rebound sustainably and continue to support biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development.
Extraction and Visualization of Ocular Blood Vessels in 3D Medical Images Based on Geometric Transformation Algorithm

Data extraction and visualization of 3D medical images of ocular blood vessels are performed by geometric transformation algorithm, which first performs random resonance response in a global sense to achieve detection of high-contrast coarse blood vessels and then redefines the input signal as a local image shielding the global detection result to achieve enhanced detection of low-contrast microfine vessels and complete multilevel random resonance segmentation detection. Finally, a random resonance detection method for fundus vessels based on scale decomposition is proposed, in which the images are scale decomposed, the high-frequency signals containing detailed information are randomly resonantly enhanced to achieve microfine vessel segmentation detection, and the final vessel segmentation detection results are obtained after fusing the low-frequency image signals. The optimal stochastic resonance response of the nonlinear model of neurons in the global sense is obtained to detect the high-grade intensity signal; then, the input signal is defined as a local image with high-contrast blood vessels removed, and the parameters are optimized before the detection of the low-grade intensity signal. Finally, the multilevel random resonance response is fused to obtain the segmentation results of the fundus retinal vessels. The sensitivity of the multilevel segmentation method proposed in this paper is significantly improved compared with the global random resonance results, indicating that the method proposed in this paper has obvious advantages in the segmentation of vessels with low-intensity levels. The image library was tested, and the experimental results showed that the new method has a better segmentation effect on low-contrast microscopic blood vessels. The new method not only makes full use of the noise for weak signal detection and segmentation but also provides a new idea of how to achieve multilevel segmentation and recognition of medical images.
Sustainable Surface Water Storage Development Pathways and Acceptable Limits for River Basins

This paper addresses the questions of acceptable upper limits for storage development and how best to deploy storage capacity in the long-term planning of built surface water storage in river basins. Storage-yield curves are used to establish sustainable storage development pathways and limits for a basin under a range of environmental flow release scenarios. Optimal storage distribution at a sub-basin level, which complies with an identified storage development pathway, can also be estimated. Two new indices are introduced—Water Supply Sustainability and Environmental Flow Sustainability—to help decide which pathways and management strategies are the most appropriate for a basin. Average pathways and conservative and maximum storage limits are illustrated for two example basins. Conservative and maximum withdrawal limits from storage are in the range of 45–50% and 60–65% of the mean annual runoff. The approach can compare the current level of basin storage with an identified pathway and indicate which parts of a basin are over- or under-exploited. A global storage–yield–reliability relationship may also be developed using statistics of annual basin precipitation to facilitate water resource planning in ungauged basins.
Women in Top Management: Performance of Firms and Open Innovation

The lack of women’s presence in firms’ top management positions reflects gender equity problems, especially in South Asia, including Pakistan, and contours a firm’s financial behavior. Based on the underpinning of the conceptual framework developed by a combination of fourteen femininity theories, the current study investigates women’s induction in top management and its impact on a firm’s financial behavior. We collected data from annual reports of 60 non-financial firms listed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for 2013–2019. The study uses the return of assets (ROA), firm’s stability (FSTB), and risk-taking behavior (RTB) as dependent variables. Meanwhile, board gender diversity (BGD), female CEO (FCEO), female director-general (FDG), and female in audit committee (FIAC) are taken as independent variables. A multiple regression diagnostics approach is applied to analyze the data. The study reveals the positive impact of BGD on ROA and FSTB. However, this effect is adverse to RTB. The FIAC shows a positive (negative) impact on ROA (RTB). It also finds a negative impact of FCEO and FDG on ROA and FSTB.
THE SPECIATION AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF ANTIMONY IN THE SOILS NEAR ANTIMONY MINE AREA

Sampling and analyzing the soil samples near antimony mine area,the distribution,speciation and bioavailability of antimony in the soils were assessed.The results showed that the soils were heavily polluted by the antimony from the antimony mine and antimony smelter.The speciation of antimony in soil has following distribution order:residual phaseFe/Mn hydrous oxides,organic/sulphidic phase,carbonate fractioncation exchangeable and water-soluble fraction.The extraction ratio of some solvent was different.The order was NH 4NO 3EDTAHAc,H 2ONH 4OAc.The main fraction of antimony in the soils was in the Sb(Ⅴ)speciation,the percent in totalanti- mony was up to 90%. The concentration of easily bioavailable antimony was high and reached to 2.5—13.2 mg·kg -1,the percent of moderately bioiavailable antimony reached to 1.62—8.26%,inert bioavailable fraction reached to 88.2—97.91% of total antimony in soils.
Kernel correlation filter tracking strategy based on adaptive fusion response map

Funding information Tianjin natural science foundation, Grant/Award Numbers: 18JCYBJC88300, 18JCYBJC88400; National natural science foundation of China, Grant/Award Number: 61873186; Tianjin high school innovation team training program, Grant/Award Number: TD13-5036 Abstract Aiming at the problem that the tracking performance of the traditional kernel correlation filter tracking algorithm is easy to be affected by illumination variation, occlusion and motion blur during tracking, an improved tracking strategy is proposed. A new Histogram of Hue Gradient (HHG) feature is designed, and the new HOG-HHG feature is obtained by connecting the HOG and the HHG in series. Two features, CN and HOG-HHG, are extracted respectively, and two kernel correlation filter classifiers are constructed base on the two features above to establish the corresponding response maps of the tracking scenes, respectively. The response maps are fused adaptively to improve the tracking robustness to the complex situations in the tracking process. The updating strategy of the target model is designed based on peak sidelobe ratio (PSR) and its difference, and the adaptive thresholds are used to improve the stability of the target model. Simulation results show that the proposed method has better tracking adaptability to the illumination variation, occlusion and motion blur. Both the precision and the success rate can be enhanced.