Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulations on high-z long gamma-ray burst rate

Since the launch of Swift satellite, the detections of high-z (z > 4) long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) have been rapidly growing, even approaching the very early Universe (the record holder currently is z= 8.3). The observed high-z LGRB rate shows significant excess over that estimated from the star formation history. We investigate what may be responsible for this high productivity of GRBs at high-z through Monte Carlo simulations, with effective Swift/Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) trigger and redshift detection probabilities based on current Swift/BAT sample and Compton Gamma-ray Observatory/Burst and Transient Source Experiment LGRB sample. We compare our simulations to the Swift observations via log N– log P, peak luminosity (L) and redshift distributions. In the case that LGRB rate is purely proportional to the star formation rate, our simulations poorly reproduce the LGRB rate at z > 4, although the simulated log N– log P distribution is in good agreement with the observed one. Assuming that the excess of high-z GRB rate is due to the cosmic metallicity evolution or unknown LGRB rate increase parametrized as (1 +z)δ, we find that although the two scenarios alone can improve the consistency between our simulations and observations, incorporation of them gives much better consistency. We get 0.2 4 (∼15 per cent of GRBs in current Swift LGRB sample based on our simulations), a window for very early Universe is opening by Swift and up-coming space-based multiband astronomical variable object monitor missions.
Global warming impairs chemical communication between plants and pollinators

Global warming is expected to have a great impact on floral scents and consequently, on the attraction of pollinators. While there is evidence that temperature affects the biosynthesis and emission of floral scents, the effects on chemically mediated pollinator behavior have not been assessed. Here, we show by chemical analytical, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches that increased air temperatures affect the chemical communication between strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) and its bee pollinators (Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, Osmia bicornis). Plants cultivated at increased temperatures released smaller amounts and a different composition of floral scent than plants cultivated at physiological optimum temperatures, which translated into a reduced attractiveness to pollinators. Our study highlights for the first time that increased temperatures negatively affect the chemical communication between plants and their pollinators. This raises important ecological and agricultural questions, as impaired communication between plants and their pollinators might result in insufficient pollination with negative consequences for ecosystem functioning and crop yields.
The Use of the Evenness of Eigenvalues of Similarity Matrices to Test for Predictivity of Ecosystem Classifications

The use of the evenness (E(λ)) of the eigenvalues of similarity matrices corresponding to different hierarchical levels of ecosystem classifications, is suggested to test correlation (or predictivity) between biological communities and environmental factors as one alternative of analysis of variance (parametric or non-parametric). The advantage over traditional methods is the fact that similarity matrices can be obtained from any kind of data (mixed and missing data) by indices such as those of Goodall and Gower. The significance of E(λ) is calculated by permutation techniques. One example of application of E(λ) is given by a data set describing plant community types (beech forests of the Italian peninsula).
Deep Learning-based Object Classification on Automotive Radar Spectra

Scene understanding for automated driving requires accurate detection and classification of objects and other traffic participants. Automotive radar has shown great potential as a sensor for driver assistance systems due to its robustness to weather and light conditions, but reliable classification of object types in real time has proved to be very challenging. Here we propose a novel concept for radar-based classification, which utilizes the power of modern Deep Learning methods to learn favorable data representations and thereby replaces large parts of the traditional radar signal processing chain. We propose to apply deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) directly to regions-of-interest (ROI) in the radar spectrum and thereby achieve an accurate classification of different objects in a scene. Experiments on a real-world dataset demonstrate the ability to distinguish relevant objects from different viewpoints. We identify deep learning challenges that are specific to radar classification and introduce a set of novel mechanisms that lead to significant improvements in object classification performance compared to simpler classifiers. Our results demonstrate that Deep Learning methods can greatly augment the classification capabilities of automotive radar sensors.
Candle soot nanoparticles-polydimethylsiloxane composites for laser ultrasound transducers

Generation of high power laser ultrasound strongly demands the advanced materials with efficient laser energy absorption, fast thermal diffusion, and large thermoelastic expansion capabilities. In this study, candle soot nanoparticles-polydimethylsiloxane (CSNPs-PDMS) composite was investigated as the functional layer for an optoacoustic transducer with high-energy conversion efficiency. The mean diameter of the collected candle soot carbon nanoparticles is about 45 nm, and the light absorption ratio at 532 nm wavelength is up to 96.24%. The prototyped CSNPs-PDMS nano-composite laser ultrasound transducer was characterized and compared with transducers using Cr-PDMS, carbon black (CB)-PDMS, and carbon nano-fiber (CNFs)-PDMS composites, respectively. Energy conversion coefficient and −6 dB frequency bandwidth of the CSNPs-PDMS composite laser ultrasound transducer were measured to be 4.41 × 10−3 and 21 MHz, respectively. The unprecedented laser ultrasound transduction performance using CSNPs-PDMS nano-comp.
Transaction Costs, Market Failures and Economic Development

This paper relates economic development to transaction costs It reveals the triad transaction costs market failure economic underdevelopment Many scholars attribute the problems of development to the failure of markets to perform their role of resource allocation Some deny market failure and blame government instead Of those who trace the roots of economic backwardness to market failure few if none investigate transaction costs in their linkage with market failure This paper tries to bridge development economics with transaction cost theory and new institutional analysis
In vitro antifungal activity of Candida culture extracts against Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Onychomycoses are nail infections caused primarily by dermatophytes fungi, yeasts, and other filamentous fungi, characterized by persistent infections, prolonged therapy, and high recurrence rates. In clinical practice, some of these occurrences present two or more microorganisms, and the interactions among them can change the chemical environment mediated by small diffusible molecules, producing a competitive niche. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of individual extracts of pure cultures of Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis against dermatophytes. To obtain the fungal extracts, cultures were filtered through a 0.2 μm membrane and submitted to liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each extract was evaluated by broth microdilution method and checkerboard assay with fluconazole against clinical isolates of Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. The invertebrate model of Galleria mellonella was used to evaluate the toxicity of the extracts. As results, the extracts of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis showed antifungal activity with MICs between 31,2 – 2000 μg/mL. In association with fluconazole, synergistic effect was detected for all combinations. The extracts presented low toxicity in G. mellonella. In the future, isolation and identification of the extract compounds may allow new therapeutic approaches in the control of fungal infections.
Analysis of tolerances and thermo-mechanical strains by operations on polytopes for hyperstatic mechanism architecture

simulate system compliance with functional requirements (stator rotor clearance, flush, etc.). The tolerance optimization is a critical point to address since the mechanisms most of time corresponds to hyperstatic architectures. In such cases, the contact between surfaces of parts induced by these architectures considerably increases the complexity of the problems to be solved. More to this, the parts are generally assumed to have an infinitely rigid behaviour. This limitation should be overcome in case of flexible parts of the mechanisms subject to thermal expansion and external mechanical loads.
Probing the ionic dielectric constant contribution in the ferroelectric phase of the Fabre salts

In strongly correlated organic materials it has been pointed out that charge ordering could also achieve electronic ferroelectricity at the same critical temperature ${T}_{co}$. A prototype of such phenomenon are the quasi-one-dimensional $({\mathrm{TMTTF})}_{2}X$ Fabre salts. However, the stabilization of a long-range ferroelectric ground state below ${T}_{co}$ requires the break of inversion symmetry, which should be accompanied by a lattice deformation. In this paper we investigate the role of the monovalent counteranion $X$ in such mechanism. For this purpose, we measured the quasistatic dielectric constant along the ${c}^{*}$-axis direction, where layers formed by donors and anions alternate. Our findings show that the ionic charge contribution is three orders of magnitude lower than the intrastack electronic response. The ${c}^{*}$ dielectric constant $({\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{{c}^{*}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ probes directly the charge response of the monovalent anion $X$, since the anion mobility in the structure should help to stabilize the ferroelectric ground state. Furthermore, our ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{{c}^{*}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ measurements show that the dielectric response is thermally broaden below ${T}_{co}$ if the ferroelectric transition occurs in the temperature range where the anion movement begin to freeze in their methyl groups cavity. In the extreme case of the ${\mathrm{PF}}_{6}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{H}}_{12}$ salt, where ${T}_{co}$ occurs at the freezing point, a relaxor-type ferroelectricity is observed. Also, because of the slow kinetics of the anion sublattice, global hysteresis effects and reduction of the charge response upon successive cycling are observed. In this context, we propose that anions control the order-disorder or relaxation character of the ferroelectric transition of the Fabre salts. Yet, our results show that x-ray irradiation damages change the well-defined ferroelectric response of the ${\mathrm{AsF}}_{6}$ pristine salt into a relaxor.
Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Plus Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts the Outcomes after Curative Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background In recent years, inflammation-based scoring systems have been reported to predict survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). The aim of our study was to validate combined preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR)-Platelet-to-Lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in predicting overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) in patients who underwent curative resection for HCC. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of HCC patients underwent liver resection with curative intent from January 2010 to December 2013. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off values for NLR and PLR. Patients with both NLR and PLR elevated were allocated a score of 2; patients showing one or neither of these indices elevated were accorded a score of 1 or 0, respectively. Results 132 patients with a median age of 66 years (range 18-87) underwent curative resection for HCC. Overall morbidity was 30.3%, 30-day mortality was 2.3%, and 90-day mortality was 6.8%. At a median follow-up of 24 months (range 1-88), 25% patients died, and 40.9% had recurrence. On multivariate analysis, elevated preoperative NLR-PLR was predictive of both OS (HR 2.496; CI 1.156-5.389; p=0.020) and RFS (HR 1.917; CI 1.161-3.166; p=0.011). The 5-year OS was 76% for NLR-PLR=0 group, 21.7% for the NLR-PLR=1 group, and 61.1% for the NLR-PLR=2 group, respectively. The 5-year RFS was 39.3% for the NLR-PLR=0 group, 18.4% for the NLR-PLR=1 group, and 21.1% for the NLR-PLR=2 group, respectively. Conclusion The preoperative NLR-PLR is predictive of both OS and RFS in patients with HCC undergoing curative liver resection.
FINAL REPORT THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTY DATA FOR LITHIUM BROMIDE/WATER SOLUTIONS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES PREPARED FOR THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERS UNDER PROJECT 526-RP SUPERVISED BY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 8.3 (ABSORPTION AND HEAT OPERATED MACHINES) PREPARE

The thermal conductivity of lithium bromide and water solutions was measured over the temperature range 20 ° 190 °C using a modified hot wire techique. Solutions containing 30.2, 44.3, 49.1, 56.3, 60.0, 62.9, and 64.9 wt % lithium bromide were studied and comparisons were made with reported data on aqueous lithium bromide solutions at lower temperatures. The data were correlated as a function of temperture and weight percent lithium bromide with an average deviation of 0.6%. The accuracy of the measurements was estimated to be ± 2%.
Effect of a Geothermal Heat Pump in Cooling Mode on the Housing Environment and Swine Productivity Traits

This study compared the effects of the cooling mode of a geothermal heat pump (GHP) system with those of a traditional cooling system (ventilation fans) inside a pig house on the internal house temperature, harmful gas emissions, and the growth performance of the pigs. During the 19-week experimental period, the temperature inside the house connected to the GHP cooling system was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of a house with a conventional cooling system. Similarly, the temperature–humidity index (THI) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the GHP cooling system-connected pig house. Furthermore, the concentrations of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were also decreased significantly in the GHP-installed pig house (p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed in the concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) and formaldehyde (p > 0.05). The pigs reared in the GHP-equipped pig house gained significantly more weight (p < 0.05) by the end of the experiment. The GHP cooling system can therefore be implemented as a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source in pig farms for sustainable swine production without adversely affecting the productivity parameters.
Estratégias de Diferenciação de Marca para uma Empresa do Setor Químico

Este estudo apresenta propostas de estratégias de diferenciação de marca por meio de atributos intangíveis numa empresa do setor químico. São abordados na revisão de literatura os temas diferenciação, valor intangível, branding, branding emocional, propósito e marketing de conteúdo. Além da revisão de literatura, foi realizada uma visita à empresa, em que foi possível entender sua história e as ações da área de Marketing, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com alguns funcionários. Como resultados, foram elaboradas propostas de diferenciação embasadas em exemplos realizados por grandes marcas, que foram divididas em quatro temas centrais: mensagens atrativas e úteis aos olhos dos consumidores; diferenciação por meio de embalagens; experiência do consumidor e diferenciação nas redes sociais. Conclui-se, a partir dos exemplos retratados e das propostas elaboradas é possível se diferenciar por meio de diversas estratégias, sendo elas novas ou até adaptadas de outras empresas e setores e que as marcas necessitam trabalhar aspectos emocionais para alcançar tais diferenciações.
Pan-European Calculation of Hydrologic Stress Metrics in Rivers: A First Assessment with Potential Connections to Ecological Status

The hydrologic regime of a river is one of the factors determining its ecological status. This paper tries to indicate the present hydrologic stress occurring across European rivers on the basis of model integration. This results in a pan-European assessment at the resolution of the functional elementary catchment (FEC), based on simulated daily time-series of river flows from the model PCR-GLOBWB. To estimate proxies of the present hydrologic stress, two datasets of river flow were simulated under the same climate, one from a hypothetic least disturbed condition scenario and the second from the anthropogenic scenario with the actual water management occurring. Indicators describing the rivers’ hydrologic regime were calculated with the indicators of hydrologic alteration (IHA) software package and the river total mean flow and the relative baseflow magnitude over the total flow were used to express the deviations between the two scenarios as proxy metrics of rivers’ hydrologic alteration or hydrologic stress. The alteration results on Europe’s FEC-level background showed that Southern Europe is more hydrologically stressed than the rest of Europe, with greater potential for hydrology to be clearly associated with river segments of unreached good ecological status and high basin management needs.
Isolation of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from Saudi Arabia soil and study of their potential efficiency against the lepidopteran pest Ephestia kuehniella

Insect pests represent a major threat to food crops and human health, and therefore have to be combated in several ways, including chemical methods. However, researchers demonstrated that these molecules are dangerous for the farmers, consumers and the environment in general. For this reason, scientists permanently searched environment friendly alternatives such as the use of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis classified as one of the best insect pathogens. This microorganism is known by its ability to produce two types of insecticidal proteins, Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip) and delta-endotoxins produced during vegetative and sporulation stages of growth, respectively. In the present study, 15 B. thuringiensis strains were isolated from soil collected from different regions in Saudi Arabia (Al Baha, Jeddah, Khulis and Yanbu). B. thuringiensis isolates were then classified according to the shape of their parasporal crystals identified under microscope and proteins content of these crystals. Delta-endotoxins efficiency of the different isolates was investigated and promising strains were identified as very active. After 5 days-treatment, B. thuringiensis isolates 14 and 7 killed Ephestia kuehniella larvae with low LC50 of about 59.18 and 65.67 mg/cm2, respectively. The results described in the present study proved that the new B. thuringiensis isolates could be of a great interest in the control of lepidopteran pests by using their delta-endotoxins in bioinsecticide formulations.
nhibition of spontaneous activity of rabbit atrioventricular node cells by BR 7943 and inhibitors of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2 + ATPase

The atrioventricular node (AVN) can act as a subsidiary cardiac pacemaker if the sinoatrial node fails. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Na–Ca exchange (NCX) inhibitor KB-R7943, and inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA), using thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), on spontaneous action potentials (APs) and [Ca]i transients from cells isolated from the rabbit AVN. Spontaneous [Ca]i transients were monitored from undialysed AVN cells at 37 ◦C using Fluo-4. In separate experiments, spontaneous APs and ionic currents were recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Rapid application of 5 M KB-R7943 slowed or stopped spontaneous APs and [Ca]i transients. However, in voltage clamp experiments in addition to blocking NCX current (I ) KB-R7943 trioventricular node (AVN)
The inter-organizational context of open innovation

Open innovation is almost by definition related to the establishment of ties of innovatingfirms with other organizations. Companies are increasingly forced to team up with othercompanies to develop or absorb new technologies, commercialize new products or simply to stayin touch with the latest technological developments.Firms are working more and more as part of broader networks to create customer value.Those networks are based on the collaborative efforts of specialist companies each providingcomplementary intermediate goods and services. As Information and CommunicationTechnology (ICT) becomes a powerful technology, it allows those companies to be linked bysophisticated business-to-business information systems. But networking can also implycollaboration with other partners. The set of partners can be quite different depending on the goalan innovating company wants to realize: companies develop relations with universities andresearch labs to explore the technical and commercial potential of new technologies, theyestablish alliances with or acquire technology based start ups or set up networks with selectedsuppliers and customers to launch radically new products or services based on new technologiesor a new business model. Learning how to create and capture value when companies are highlydependent on each other is still an under-explored area in the network literature. Most firms areused to make decisions within their boundaries taking the external environment as an exogenousvariable or as an arena where firms compete with one another. But in networks value is co-produced: the total value created in the network depends directly on how well partners'objectives are aligned to each other and on the commitment of the partners to invest incomplementary assets (Teece, 1986; Moore 1991). Similarly, in developing systemictechnologies, the innovating company depends on the technological skills and commitment ofother companies. Most firms do not feel comfortable in these 'open' scenarios where the returnessentially depends on the partnering actors. The three chapters in this section analyze in greater detail how companies have to team upwith other actors in the business system and build inter-organizational networks to support openinnovation. But firms are not only embedded in their environment by inter-organizationalnetworks: they can be part of regionally bounded clusters of competitive firms which, in turn,
Double-degenerate Bose-Fermi mixture of strontium

Sr.This symmetry can lead to new quantum phases in opti-cal lattices [3–6], like the chiral spin liquid. Non-Abeliangauge potentials can be realized by engineering state de-pendent lattices [7]. In addition, the nuclear spin canbe used to robustly store quantum information, whichcan be manipulated using the electronic structure [8, 9]. Double-degenerate Bose-Fermi mixtures extend the pos-sibilities evenfurther, allowingto study phase-separationand the eﬀects of mediated interactions.Evaporative cooling of ultracold atoms to quantumdegeneracy relies on elastic collisions to thermalize thesample. Identical fermions do not collide at low tem-peratures, therefore mixtures of spins [10–14], isotopes[15–17], or elements [18–20] are used for evaporation.