Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A graph-theoretic sensor-selection scheme for covariance-based Motor Imagery (MI) decoding

Optimal sensor selection is an issue of paramount importance in brain decoding. When associated with estimates of covariance, its implications concern not only classification accuracy, but also computational efficiency. However, very few attempts have been made so far, since it constitutes a challenging mathematical problem. Herein, we propose an efficient heuristic scheme that combines discriminative learning (from a small training dataset of labelled trials) with unsupervised learning (the automated detection of sensors that collectively maximize the trial discriminability of the induced Covariance structure). The approach is motivated from a complex network modelling perspective. Its efficacy and efficiency are demonstrated experimentally, based on BCI-competition datasets concerning MI-tasks, and compared against popular techniques in the field.
A Review on Oleaginous Microorganisms for Biological Wastewater Treatment: Current and Future Prospect

The water scarcity issue is becoming a critical issue to the climate change, industrialization and urbanization. Prompt to the advances in biotechnology, Oleaginous microorganisms have been discovered and successfully applied in biological wastewater treatments, which are highly effective for wastewater clean-up and energy efficient lipid conversion to value-added products. This paper aims to review the recent advances of the application of different types of Oleaginous microorganisms (e.g. yeasts, microalgae, and fungi) as well as the advantages, limitations and application fields (food industry, municipal waste and chemical plant). The future prospect and challenges of Oleaginous microorganism that warrant in environmental settings or engineered systems are also highlighted in the review. In order to improve the Technology Readiness Level (TRL), the future research direction should be more focussed on the economic and environmental studies.
Progression of tool usage in project-based IT courses

The research full paper examines what kind of IT tools (software and hardware) are used in project-based IT courses, where students create digital artefacts like games, apps, audio, VR worlds, web sites etc. The analysis is based on data from 46 IT courses, collected during the spring and fall semesters of 2017 at two Norwegian universities. The analysis of these data has led to a classification of the tools used by students in PjBL and guidelines for ensuring progression of tool usage in course design and study program design. The IT tools were classified into the following categories: Collaboration; Communication; Developer Platforms; Physical Tools; and Project Management. The analysis is done with reference to the existing body of literature on active learning, e.g. constructivism and constructionism, and taxonomies for learning. The study discusses ways in which tools may be used to enhance learning in the Creating level of Bloom’s revised taxonomy. The data was further analysed through a "lens of progression", resulting in guidelines for study program designers and course designers, with the goal of quality assuring the tool implementation and usage in project-based IT courses and study programs. The guidelines systematically structure the tool categories with the study program design and recommend an increasing student autonomy throughout the progression of the studies. The guidelines also focus on the implementation of professional tools in IT courses, as tools are influencing students’ identity development. The goal of the study is to contribute to the quality assurance of digital tool usage in IT study programs and the project-based courses, where it is important to define pre-requisites and to ensure that students learn to use different digital tools in the right order and that students know the necessary tools for their discipline.
Positive Emotions across the Adult Life Span

Quick, think of the typical older person. What comes to mind? If you were to answer “feeble, gray hair, slow, hard of hearing,” and maybe “wise,” then you would be conveying the predominantly negative stereotypes of later life that exist within U.S. culture (Hummert, 2011) and across the world (Löckenhoff et al., 2009). To some extent, such pessimistic views present an accurate portrayal of agerelated declines in physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities (for reviews, see, e.g., Birren & Schaie, 2006; Craik & Salthouse, 2008). Given the pervasiveness of such losses, one might expect to find a similar downward trajectory in the emotional lives and social relationships of older individuals. However, counter to such expectations, it has become increasingly clear that healthy aging is associated with stable or improved socioemotional wellbeing (see Carstensen, Mikels, & Mather, 2006; Charles & Carstensen, 2010; Scheibe & Carstensen, 2010). To provide the reader with a better understanding of this apparent paradox, this chapter reviews theoretical explanations, considers underlying emotion regulatory mechanisms, and explores practical implications for the lives of older adults. We begin with a review of age trajectories in various aspects of well-being and consider competing theoretical accounts of such effects. Next, we examine age differences in emotion regulatory strategies, with particular emphasis on the “positivity effect,” an agerelated tendency to shift processing resources away from negatively valenced material, toward the positive (Carstensen & Mikels, 2005; Mather & Carstensen, 2005). After reviewing evidence for age differences in specific aspects of emotion regulation, we consider practical implications for interpersonal relationships, decision making, and— ultimately— longevity. We conclude by identifying open questions and contextualizing age differences in positive emotions within the broader framework of life-span development.
RELATION OF LAND USE AND COVER CHANGE TO TOPOGRAPHY IN XISHUANGBANNA,SOUTHWEST CHINA

Aims Land-use and land-cover changes are important in the study of global change. Our objective is to understand the impact of topography on land use and cover change in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, from 1976 to 2007. Methods Based on GIS techniques, we used six periods of Landsat MSS/TM/ETM images and 1:50 000 digital elevation model (DEM) to analyze patterns of land use and cover change and transfer rates as af-fected by topography. Important findings The magnitude, pace and spatial reach of land use and cover changes in Xishuangbanna were unprecedented. The most significant changes were a decrease of forest area from 13 193 to 8 336 km2 and an expansion of area of rubber plantations from 249 to 2 256 km2 at low eleva-tion. Topographic features, especially elevation and slope, exerted significant influence on the distribu-tion pattern, intensity and velocity of land use and cover changes. Changes varied along elevation gra-dients, slope gradients and aspects. Forest cover continuously decreased below 1 600 m, while the upper limit of rubber plantations increased continuously from 1 000 to 1 400 m and was dominant between 400 and 1 000 m. Farmland was dominant below 600 m and decreased rapidly with increasing eleva-tion. Along all slope gradients, forest cover decreased gradually, while rubber plantation increased, but shrubland and dry land first increased and then decreased. Rubber plantations and farmland were mainly on gentle slopes, while forest occupied the majority of steep slopes. After 1988, rubber plantation coverwas unchanged below slopes of 5°, but continuously expanded above slopes of 5°. Aspect had large in-fluence on the distribution pattern of cash crops and agricultural land. Rubber plantations on south as-pects rapid expanded in comparison to a trend of general increase on north aspects, where forests reached a maximum and dry lands a minimum. Economic interests and population growth lead to ex-cessive deforestation and reclamation in this region. Especially in recent years, the continuous conver-sion of forests to both rubber plantations and tea gardens has yielded negative effects which have led to further fragmentation affecting the biodiversity and security of natural ecosystems. For local sustainable development, the government must control the expansion of rubber plantations into forest and higher elevations, safeguard relatively intact of tropical ecosystems and manage land sustainably over the long term.
Nexus of Political Connections with Green Finance and Financial Performance

One of the most crucial aspects of the business environment is interaction with the government. Government entities have more chances to gain their gratifying targets for secular growth, monumental work, and sustainable development. We are trying to determine whether political connections are valuable for green corporate finance and corporate performance. Based on the prior literature, political ties have better sustainable development priorities and financial performance than non-politically connected firms. It is because they have sufficient resources to protect the natural environment, which eventually enhances financial performance. Our findings corroborate with the stewardship theory that states the empowered board is a better decision-maker. Our study has considerable implications for the research as it will enhance the knowledge about political ties.
Anestrus is a major infertility issue in perspective of buffalo reproduction in India: A review

Buffalo is a major contributor to milk, meat, draught power and leather production in many countries but anoestrous is an important reproductive disorder that causes or effects reproductive performance of it. Anoestrous occur in buffaloes due to many reasons which are highlights under current review. Prevention or earlier diagnosis and treatment of anoestrous problems will improve herd production and help full in reduction in inter-calving period. Hence, current review also covered briefly about treatment and prevention of anoestrous.
How Costly is Regulatory Short-Termism for Defined-Benefit Pension Funds?

The recent pension crisis has triggered a fierce debate in most developed countries between advocates of a tighter regulation designed to provide explicit incentives for pension funds to increase their focus on risk management, and those arguing that imposing short-term funding constraints and solvency requirements to such long-term investors would only increase the cost of pension financing. We analyze this question in the context of a formal continuous-time dynamic asset allocation model for an investor facing liability commitments subject to inflation and interest rate risks. In an empirical exercise, we find that the presence of short-term funding ratio constraints indeed involves a positive welfare cost, but that cost is not found to be prohibitive for reasonable parameter values. Recognizing that the presence of minimum funding ratio constraints, whether desirable or not, should affect the optimal allocation policy, we then provide the formal solution to the asset allocation problem in the presence of such constraints. We compare these risk-controlled strategies to unconstrained allocation strategies coupled with additional contributions, and find that the latter involve severe welfare costs in the presence of irreversible contributions and regulatory short-termism, especially when marginal utility decreases sharply beyond a given threshold. In essence, we show that risk-management strategies can turn reversible contributions and short-term constraints into irreversible contributions and long-term constraints. Overall, our results suggest that it is not so much the presence of short-term funding ratio constraints that is costly per se for pension funds, but rather their reluctance to implement risk-management strategies that are optimal given such regulatory constraints.
Group III nitride semiconductor compounds. Physics and applications. Edited by Bernard Gill. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Pp. xvii + 470. Price US $145.00. ISBN 0-19-850159-5.

Announcements of new commercial products are published by the Journal of Applied Crystallography free of charge. The descriptions, up to 300 words or the equivalent if a ®gure is included, should give the price and manufacturer's full address. Full or partial inclusion is subject to the Editor's approval and to the space available. All correspondence should be sent to the Editor, Professor A. M. Glazer, Editor Journal of Applied Crystallography, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, England. The International Union of Crystallography can assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the claims made. A copy of the version sent to the printer is sent to the company concerned.
Catalyst Characterization: Physical Techniques For Solid Materials

Introduction B. Imelik, J.C. Vendrine. Infrared Spectroscopy G. Coudurier, F. Lefebvre. Raman Spectroscopy E. Garbowski, G. Coudurier. Electronic Spectroscopy E. Garbowski, H. Praliaud. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis Y. Ben Taarit, J. Fraissard. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance M. Che, E. Giamello. Ferromagnetic Resonance L. Bonneviot, D. Olivier. Mossbauer Spectroscopy P. Bussiere. Auger Electron Spectroscopy J.C. Bertolini. Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy J. Grimblot, Abon. Ion Scattering Spectroscopy J. Grimblot, M. Abon. Applications of Neutron Scattering to Catalysis H. Jobic. X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy B. Moraweck. Determination of the Atomic Structure of Solid Catalysis by X-Ray Diffraction G. Bergeret, P. Gallezot. Small Angle X-Ray Scattering A.J. Renouprez. Photo-Electron Spectroscopies J.C. Vendrine. Photo-Electron Diffraction and Surface Crystallography Y. Jugnet. 7 additional articles. Index.
Ventricular Preexcitation in Emery Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy: A Rare Case Report

Case Report Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a hereditary syndrome characterized by slow but progressive locomotor involvement and cardiomyopathy. Cardiac involvement is primarily conduction defects and dilated cardiomyopathy. Here we report the case of 27 year old man who present preexcitation syndrome as a cardiac involvement of emery dreifuss muscular dystrophy. We present a rare case of a 27 years old patient who consulted for recurrent palpitations, related to ventricular preexcitation discovered at ECG holter. The neuromuscular exam and the electromyography revealed an emery dreifuss dystrophy. Cardiac imaging found a left ventricular non compaction. The patient was treated by low dose of betablocker. The outcome was uneventful. In our knowledge, the present case is the first report described emery dreifuss muscular dystrophy presenting ventricular preexcitation.
Atmospheric dark matter and XENON1T excess

Very recently, the Xenon1T collaboration has reported an intriguing electron recoil excess, which may imply for light dark matter. In order to interpret this anomaly, we propose the atmospheric dark matter (ADM) from the inelastic collision of cosmic rays (CRs) with the atmosphere. Due to the boost effect of high energy CRs, we show that the light ADM can be fast-moving and successfully fit the observed electron recoil spectrum through the ADM-electron scattering process. Meanwhile, our ADM predicts the scattering cross section $\sigma_e \sim {\cal O}(10^{-38}- 10^{-39}$) cm$^{2}$, and thus can evade other direct detection constraints. The search for light meson rare decays, such as $\eta \to \pi + \slashed E_T$, would provide a complementary probe of our ADM in the future.
Adsorption of organic molecules at sufaces: A first principles investigation

The adsorption of a molecule at a surface is a fundamental step in a wide variety of industrially relevant phenomena, including adhesion, corrosion, and catalysis. The work presented in this thesis is motivated by the desire to contribute to a better understanding of the factors affecting the adhesion between an organic coating/adhesive and an aluminium alloy surface. A key factor is the nature and strength of the interfacial bonds between the binder polymers of the organic coating/adhesive and the substrate. The size of the polymers and complexity of the polymer-substrate interactions preclude a detailed, atomic-level description. The strategy followed in this thesis is to study the adsorption of small organic molecules, representing fragments of the industrially relevant amine-cured epoxides, with various surfaces, of metal oxides (α-Al2O3(0001) and α-Cr2O3(0001)), bimetallic alloys (NiAl(110)), and graphite(0001). This thesis consists of two parts, an introductory text and a collection of five papers. In the included papers we present results from density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the adsorption of methanol and methylamine on α-Al2O3(0001) and α-Cr2O3(0001), phenol on α-Al2O3(0001) and graphite(0001), and methoxy on α-Cr2O3(0001) and NiAl(110). We describe in detail the adsorption sites and geometry, and the nature and strength of the bonding at these surfaces.The majority of adsorption systems considered in this thesis are well described by traditional implementations of DFT. However, the adsorption of phenol on graphite is predominantly governed by van der Waals interactions. These interactions requires approximations beyond traditional DFT. In this thesis a recently presented functional (vdW-DF) is employed, and is found to be of decisive importance for describing the phenol-graphite interactions. We calculate the contribution from vdW interactions to the adsorption of phenol on α-Al2O3(0001), and compare their contribution to the adsorption bond to other forces.
CIFA 2008 Commande prédictive des systèmes avec l'entrée affectée par retard variable

Cette article presente une methodologie pour le calcul d'une loi de commande pour un systeme soumis a des contraintes de fonctionnement et affecte par un retard variable. Dans une premiere phase, on construit une loi de com-mande predictive "classique" qui garantie l'existence d'un ensemble positif invariant robuste (RPI) non vide. Deuxiemement, on proposera deux algorithmes iteratifs pour l'approximation de cet ensemble RPI. Ce probleme peut etre traite dans le cadre des systemes affines par morceaux du a la formulation explicite de la loi de commande obtenue via la programmation multi-parametrique.
Biological activities of soils under rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) and interactions with trunk phloem necrosis

The soil quality may have an influence in incidence of trunk phloem necrosis (TPN), which is the currently one of economically important disease of H. brasiliensis. This study aims to define the impact of TPN on soil biological activities and to investigate the impact of different soil management practices on soil functions. Principal component analysis showing associations between healthy and TPN trees, and soil enzyme activities revealed that polysaccharidases were lower under soil affected by TPN whereas N- glucosaminidase was higher. Termite density was associated with soil under TPN areas. The method of culturable-dependant was used in order to analyze fungal populations. Although fungal density in soil under trees affected by TPN was not significantly different from soil under healthy trees, some fungi were abundant only in soil with TPN. The similarity dendrogram of fungal 28S rDNA revealed that soil fungal community in healthy tree zones was different from TPN tree zones. Soil biological activities in soils with different managements including without external organic input, external organic input and Pueraria cover crop + external organic input were investigated in order to find out the proper soil management for H. brasiliensis. PCA revealed that most enzyme activites were low in soil without organic management. Xylanase activity was the highest in soil with Pueraria whereas the highest FDA hydrolysis activity was asscociated with soil under external organic input. Macrofauna density was also the lowest in soil without organic amendment.
Fuel Cell Engines

Chapter 1. Introduction to Fuel Cells. 1.1 Preliminary Remarks. 1.2 Fuel Cells as Electrochemical Engines. 1.3 The Generic Fuel Cell and Stack. 1.4 Classification of Fuel Cells. 1.5 Potential Fuel Cell Applications and Markets. 1.6 History of Fuel Cell Development. 1.7 Summary. Chapter 2. Basic Electrochemical Principles. 2.1 Electrochemical versus Chemical Reactions. 2.2 The Electrochemical Reaction. 2.3 Scientific Units, Constants, and Basic Laws. 2.4 Faraday? s Laws ? Consumption and Production of Specie. 2.5 Measures of Reactant Utilization Efficiency. 2.6 The Generic Fuel Cell. 2.7 Summary. Chapter 3. Thermodynamics of Fuel Cell Systems. 3.1 The Physical Nature of the Thermodynamic Variables. 3.2 Heat of Formation, Sensible Enthalpy, and Latent Heat. 3.3 Determination of the Change in Enthalpy for Non-reacting Species and Mixtures. 3.4 Determination of the Change in Enthalpy for Reacting Species and Mixtures. 3.5 Psychrometrics- Thermodynamics of Moist Air Mixtures. 3.6 Thermodynamic Efficiency of a Fuel Cell. 3.7 Maximum Expected Open Circuit Voltage-The Nernst Voltage. 3.8 Summary. Chapter 4. Performance Characterization of Fuel Cell Systems. 4.1 Polarization Curve. 4.2 Region I: Activation Polarization. 4.3 Region II: Ohmic Polarization. 4.4 Region III: Concentration Polarization. 4.5 Region IV: Other Polarization Losses. 4.6 Polarization Curve Model . 4.7 Summary. Chapter 5. Transport in Fuel Cell Systems. 5.1 Ion Transport in the Electrolyte. 5.2 Electron Transport. 5.3 Gas-Phase Mass Transport. 5.4 Single-Phase Flow in Channels. 5.5 Multi-Phase Mass Transport in Channels and Porous Media. 5.6 Heat Generation and Transport. 5.7 Summary. Chapter 6. The Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell . 6.1 The Hydrogen PEFC. 6.2 Water Balance in a H2 PEFC. 6.3 Flow Field Configurations and Stack Design. 6.4 Direct Alcohol Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells. 6.5 PEFC Degradation. 6.6 Multi-dimensional Effects. 6.7 Summary. Chapter 7. Other Fuel Cells. 7.1 Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. 7.2 Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells. 7.3 Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells. 7.4 Alkaline Fuel Cells. 7.5 Biological and Microbial Fuel Cells. 7.6 Summary. Chapter 8. Hydrogen Storage, Generation, and Delivery. 8.1 Modes of Storage. 8.2 Modes of Generation. 8.3 Hydrogen Delivery . 8.4 Summary. Chapter 9. Experimental Diagnostics and Diagnosis. 9.1 Methods to Delineate Polarization Curve Losses. 9.2 Physical Probes and Visualization. 9.3 Degradation Measurements. 9.4 Summary. Appendix. Tables, Figures, and Charts. Index to Tables, Figures, and Charts. Index to Textbook.
Smart Cities – a New Revitalisation Approach for Shrinking Cities ?

2 INTRODUCTION As globalization causes ongoing local and regional structural economic transformation processes, big challenges arise for today's urban planning (Tverbe rg, 2013). Post-industrial transformations can lead to declining manufacturing industries and therefore to a decline of local jobs. This has among other caus es effects on the urban landscape (Pallagst, 2007). Th e deindustrialisation and consequently out-migratio n of people has lead to the shrinkage of cities with vis ible changes such as declining and abandoned neighborhoods with derelict buildings (Hollander et .al., 2009).