Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insecticidal activity of Piper aduncum oil: variation in dillapiole content and chemical and toxicological stability during storage

ABSTRACT The insecticidal effect of the essential oil of Piper aduncum (EOPA), and of its constituent dillapiole [1-allyl-2,3-dimethoxy-4,5-(methylenedioxy) benzene] in particular, is well documented in the literature and can be associated with its interference with the enzymatic detoxification in arthropods. However, no data exist on the range of dillapiole content associated with insecticidal activity, which is necessary to establish reliable dose-activity parameters for a formulated product. The oil composition can also change during storage after distillation, mainly due to environmental factors such as light incidence, atmospheric oxygen and temperature, which can be deleterious to oil quality. In this study, EOPA subjected to different storage conditions over four years and its rectified fractions were submitted to bioassays to evaluate their insecticidal effect by topical contact and residual contact against Spodoptera frugiperda. Our objectives were to determine the relationship between dillapiole content and the insecticidal activity of EOPA, and to evaluate its chemical and toxicological properties over time under different conditions. Our results showed that EOPA was stable with respect to the dillapiole content and the toxicological effect against S. frugiperda under different storage conditions for four years. The overall chemical composition of the EOPA did not vary significantly among storage conditions. EOPA with dillapiole content ranging between 68% and 100% showed greater insecticidal toxicity by residual and topical contact against S. frugiperda larvae.
Cassava residues in the diet of slow-growing broilers

ABSTRACT Cassava by-products are abundant and largely unused in familiy agro-industries in the Amazon region, where slow-growing broilers are commonly raised. Thus the incorporation of cassava by-products in broiler feed may provide starch enrichment for better zootechnical performance. We evaluated the use of cassava residues instead of corn in the diet of slow-growing broilers. We determined the chemical composition of cassava scrapings (CS) and cassava starch residue (CSR), and tested the digestibility of the residues in 192 broilers and three treatments: inclusion of 30 g kg-1 CS or CSR and a control without residue, with eight replicates of eight broilers each. Digestibility was assessed through collection of total excreta from 19 to 22 days of age. Apparent and corrected metabolizable energy, and apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and crude energy were significantly higher for CSR than CS. Therefore, only CSR was used in a performance experiment using 324 broilers 30 to 90 days old, distributed in four treatments (0; 6.8; 13.4 and 20 g kg-1 CSR in feed) with nine replicates of nine broilers each. There was no significant difference among treatments in weight gain, feed intake, yield of carcass, breast and viscera, meat color, luminosity, pH, shear force, cooking-weight loss and drip loss. As there was a significant reduction in feed conversion and thigh and drumstick yield for 20 g kg-1, we suggest the incorporation of CSR up to 13.4 g kg-1.
The performance of zero-cost option derivative strategies during turbulent market conditions in developing and developed countries

Abstract Financial markets behave in a volatile manner at certain stages in their maturity. These volatile conditions pose a market risk to an investor that can be limited by imposing derivatives strategies within the investment objective. The aim of this paper is to provide investors with a trading strategy to effectively manage turbulent market conditions (such as during the Covid-19 pandemic) by implementing a strategy that has a continuous approach of implementation. The study chose to include three main turbulent market periods such as the Dotcom bubble (1995–2005), the financial crisis (2008–2009), and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). Stock indices from six different stock exchange countries were chosen for comparison (also aligned to different geographical locations and developing versus developed economies) who were most likely to be affected by the extreme market events. Zero-cost collars are option-based strategies that can be used by investors to provide costless protection for stock or index investment. This strategy is obtained by setting equal the price obtained and the price paid for the components of the strategy. Previous literature has to date, not explored the potential outcomes for such procedures of different frequency intervals and the effect thereof on the performance in turbulent and non-turbulent market conditions. It was observed that moderate levels of market volatility combined with high-performing indices provide the scenario for the zero-cost collar to result in respectable returns. Furthermore, in order to add to this performance the strike level of the put option contract needs to be increased. Consequently, respectable results will be produced during periods of both significant market downturns.
On localized modes of free vibrations of single‐walled carbon nanotubes embedded in nonhomogeneous elastic medium

Free axisymmetric vibrations of a single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) embedded in a nonhomogeneous elastic matrix are studied on the base of the nonlocal continuum shell theory. The effect of the surrounding elastic medium are considered using the Winkler‐type spring constant which is assumed to be variable along the tube axis. The tube may be prestressed by external tensile forces. The Flügge type shell equations, including the initial membrane hoop and axial stresses, are used as the governing ones. The constitutive equations are formulated by considering the small‐scale effects. Using the asymptotic approach, the SWCNT eigenmodes are constructed in the form of functions decreasing rapidly away from some “weakest” line which is assumed to be far from the tube edges. This study shows that introducing the small length scale parameter into the tube model allows to take into account inclusions in the surrounding elastic matrix which may results in the strong localization of some eigenmodes. The dependence of the natural frequencies and the power of the localization of the corresponding modes upon the constant of non‐locality, tensile stresses and the nanotube radius is analyzed.
The Microstructure and Cracking Behaviors of Pure Molybdenum Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

Selective laser melting (SLM) of pure molybdenum encounters all the difficulties of SLM metals due to its intrinsic properties (high melting point, high ductile-to-brittle transition temperature and high surface tension). In this work, we studied the influence of key factors such as powder morphology and processing parameters on SLM fabricated pure molybdenum. Pure molybdenum with a relative density of 99.1% was fabricated by SLM using optimized processing parameters. The formation mechanisms for densification behavior and crack growth behaviors are systematically analyzed. Electron backscattered diffraction analysis indicates that the interlocking grain boundary structure and stretch columnar grains can increase bonding force and inhibit crack growth. The balling and cracking can be reduced by adding support structure and suppressing oxygen content. The hardness of SLM-fabricated molybdenum exceeding 260 HV, which is 30–37% higher than Mo prepared by conventional manufacturing methods, mainly attributed to the fine grains and dislocation strengthening in the SLM process. The bending strength of SLM-ed Mo reached 280 ± 52 Mpa. The fracture mode of SLM Mo was intergranular. This study provides a new route for the fabrication of refractory metals with a complex structure.
Spark Ignition Engine Modeling Using Optimized Artificial Neural Network

The spark ignition engine is a complex multi-domain system that contains many variables to be controlled and managed with the aim of attending to performance requirements. The traditional method and workflow of the engine calibration comprise measure and calibration through the design of an experimental process that demands high time and costs on bench testing. For the growing use of virtualization through artificial neural networks for physical systems at the component and system level, we came up with a likely efficiency adoption of the same approach for the case of engine calibration that could bring much better cost reduction and efficiency. Therefore, we developed a workflow integrated into the development cycle that allows us to model an engine black-box model based on an auto-generated feedfoward Artificial Neural Network without needing the human expertise required by a hand-crafted process. The model’s structure and parameters are determined and optimized by a genetic algorithm. The proposed method was used to create an ANN model for injection parameters calibration purposes. The experimental results indicated that the method could reduce the time and costs of bench testing.
Portable infrared reflectometer for evaluating emittance

Optical methods are frequently used to evaluate the emittance of candidate spacecraft thermal control materials. One new optical method utilizes a portable infrared reflectometer capable of obtaining spectral reflectance of an opaque surface in the range of 2 to 25 microns using a Michelson-Type FTIR interferometer. This miniature interferometer collects many infrared spectra over a short period of time. It also allows the size of the instrument to be small such that spectra can be collected in the laboratory or in the field. Infrared spectra are averaged and integrated with respect to the room temperature black body spectrum to yield emittance at 300 K. Integrating with respect to other black body spectra yields emittance values at other temperatures. Absorption bands in the spectra may also be used for chemical species identification. The emittance of several samples was evaluated using this portable infrared reflectometer, an old infrared reflectometer equipped with dual rotating black body cavities, a.
Hierarchical Decentralized Controller Synthesis for Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Dynamical Systems by LQR

This paper is concerned with systematic ways of designing hierarchical decentralized controllers for heterogeneous multi-agent dynamical systems. Given a bunch of independent agents or subsystems with a class of information networks, the aim of the paper is to propose a systematic design procedure for hierarchical decentralized controllers, where each subsystem cooperatively interacts with each other as well as controls it locally to achieve both the local and global goals in some senses. It is shown that employing the LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator) method with properly chosen weighting matrices in the performance index, both the local and global objectives can be achieved by the desired hierarchical decentralized structure which fits the given information network. The effectiveness of the proposed design method is confirmed through an illustrative example and its application to a velocity consensus problem in vehicle platoons.
Inhibition of Nematocyst Discharge from Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)—Prevention Measures against Jellyfish Stings

Pelagia noctiluca stings are common in Mediterranean coastal areas and, although the venom is non-lethal, they are painful. Due to its high toxicity and abundance, P. noctiluca is considered a target species for the focus of research on active ingredients to reduce the symptoms of its sting. To determine the effect of 31 substances and formulations on nematocyst discharge, we performed three tests: (1) screening of per se discharge activator solutions, (2) inhibitory test with nematocyst chemical stimulation (5% acetic acid) and (3) inhibitory test quantifying the hemolytic area. Ammonia, barium chloride, bleach, scented ammonia, carbonated cola, lemon juice, sodium chloride and papain triggered nematocyst discharge. All of them were ruled out as potential inhibitors. Butylene glycol showed a reduction in nematocyst discharge, while the formulations of 10% lidocaine in ethanol, 1.5% hydroxyacetophenone in distilled water + butylene glycol, and 3% Symsitive® in butylene glycol inhibited nematocyst discharge. These last results were subsequently correlated with a significant decrease in hemolytic area in the venom assays versus seawater, a neutral solution. The presented data represent a first step in research to develop preventive products for jellyfish stings while at the same time attempting to clarify some uncertainties about the role of various topical solutions in P. noctiluca first-aid protocols.
A reinterpretation of the Fisher-Friedman definition of complementarity

A reinterpretation of the Fisher-Friedman definition of complementarity Sub Title Author 辻村, 江太郎(Tsujimura, Kotaro) Tsuzuki, Sakiko Publisher Keio Economic Observatory (Sangyo Kenkyujo), Keio University Publication year 1998 Jtitle Keio Economic Observatory occasional paper. E No.22 (1998. 6) Abstract The Fisher-Freidman definition classifies commodities as substitutable of complementary depending on the global shape of indifference maps. It thus requires the specification of the global mathematical properties of any model used to illustrate this definition. We utilized the simple model of a direct utility function of quadratic homogeneous form. As shown in Sections IIV, the substitution effect--theAllen elasticity of substitution-is always non-negative with this specification.Therefore, by the Hicks-Allen-Shultz definition, this model applies only to competing commodities and not to complementary commodities, a conclusion that is independent of the number of commodities. Notes Genre Technical Report URL http://koara.lib. keio.ac. jp/xoonips/modules/xoonips/detail.php? koara_id=AA10818580-000000220001
The Acoustically Emotion-Aware Conversational Agent With Speech Emotion Recognition and Empathetic Responses

Emotion is important for the conversational user interface. In prior research, conversational agents (CAs) employ natural language process techniques to create affective interaction based on text. However, the use of acoustic features of speech for voice-based CAs is under exploration. This work presents an acoustically emotion-aware CA that enables speech emotion recognition and stylizes responses with empathetic feedback and interjections. We conducted an experiment with 75 participants to evaluate their perceived emotional intelligence (PEI) after interacting with the CA. Our results show that the acoustical emotion-awareness increased the participants’ PEI of the CA, and the empathetic responses from the CA helped alleviate some participants’ negative emotions. Our work provides implications for designing future CAs with better PEI.
Instabilité des équations de Schrödinger

Dans cette these on s'est interesse a differents phenomenes d'instabilites pour des equations de Schrodinger non-lineaires. Dans la premiere partie on met en evidence un mecanisme de decoherence de phase pour l'equation (semi-classique) de Gross-Pitaevski en dimension 3. Ce phenomene geometrique est du a la presence du potentiel harmonique, qui permet de construire -via une methode de minimisation- des solutions stationnaires se concentrant sur des cercles de R^{3}. Dans la deuxieme partie, on obtient un resultat d'instabilite geometrique pour NLS cubique posee sur une surface riemannienne possedant une geodesique periodique, stable et non-degeneree. Avec une methode WKB, on construit des quasimodes non-lineaires, qui permettent d'obtenir des solutions approchees pour des temps pour lesquels l'instabilite se produit. On generalise ainsi des travaux de Burq-Gerard-Tzvetkov pour la sphere. Enfin, dans la derniere partie on considere des equations sur-critiques sur une variete de dimension d. Grâce a une optique geometrique non-lineaire dans un cadre analytique on peut montrer un mecanisme de perte de derivees dans les espaces de Sobolev, et une instabilite dans l'espace d'energie.
Detection-estimation of distributed Gaussian sources

The problem of estimating the number of independent homogeneously distributed (spread) Gaussian sources and their parameters impinging upon a uniform linear antenna array is considered for scenarios with a priori known angular spreading. This new method adopts the generalised likelihood ratio test (GLRT) methodology, based on LR maximisation, supported by a statistical nonasymptotic scenario-free lower bound analysis. The introduced LR maximisation yields results that statistically exceed the LR generated by the exact covariance matrix. High LR optimisation efficiency drives very high detection-estimation performance that, nevertheless, breaks down under certain threshold conditions. It is demonstrated that this breakdown phenomenon is not curable within the ML paradigm, since these highly incorrect solutions are still "better" than the actual covariance matrix as measured by the LR.
A Human Visual System Inspired No-Reference Image Quality Assessment Method Based on Local Feature Descriptors

Objective quality assessment of natural images plays a key role in many fields related to imaging and sensor technology. Thus, this paper intends to introduce an innovative quality-aware feature extraction method for no-reference image quality assessment (NR-IQA). To be more specific, a various sequence of HVS inspired filters were applied to the color channels of an input image to enhance those statistical regularities in the image to which the human visual system is sensitive. From the obtained feature maps, the statistics of a wide range of local feature descriptors were extracted to compile quality-aware features since they treat images from the human visual system’s point of view. To prove the efficiency of the proposed method, it was compared to 16 state-of-the-art NR-IQA techniques on five large benchmark databases, i.e., CLIVE, KonIQ-10k, SPAQ, TID2013, and KADID-10k. It was demonstrated that the proposed method is superior to the state-of-the-art in terms of three different performance indices.
Modelling the turbulent transport of angular momentum in tokamak plasmas - A quasi-linear gyrokinetic approach

Le confinement magnetique dans les tokamaks est a l'heure actuelle la voie la plus avancee pour produire de l'energie par fusion thermonucleaire. Des etudes theoriques et experimentales ont montre que la generation de rotation permet d'en augmenter les performances par la reduction du transport turbulent a l'œuvre dans les plasmas de tokamaks. L'influence de la rotation sur les flux turbulents de chaleur et de particules ainsi que le transport du moment angulaire sont etudies par simulation numerique dans le cadre du code gyro-cinetique, quasi-lineaire QuaLiKiz. A cette occasion, le code QuaLiKiz est modifie pour prendre en compte la rotation du plasma et calculer le flux de moment angulaire. Il est montre que le cadre de travail de QuaLiKiz permet de calculer le flux de moment angulaire y compris le stress residuel induit par le cisaillement du champ electrique radial ainsi que l'effet de la rotation sur les flux de chaleur et de particules. Les approximations majeures du formalisme utilise, en particulier la representation de ballonnement a son ordre le plus bas et l'utilisation de fonctions propres analytiques calculees dans la limite hydrodynamiques, sont analysees en detail et leur validite verifiee. La construction des flux quasi-lineaires est ensuite detaillee et le flux quasi-lineaire de moment angulaire derive. Les differentes contributions au flux turbulent de moment angulaire sont etudiees et comparees avec succes a la fois aux donnees de simulations gyro-cinetiques non-lineaires ainsi qu'aux donnees experimentales.
Non-existence of time-periodic vacuum spacetimes

We prove that smooth asymptotically flat solutions to the Einstein vacuum equations which are assumed to be periodic in time, are in fact stationary in a neighborhood of infinity. Our result applies under physically relevant regularity assumptions purely at the level of the initial data. In particular, our work removes the assumption of analyticity up to null infinity in [Bicak, Scholtz, and Tod; 2010]. The proof relies on extending a suitably constructed "candidate" Killing vector field from null infinity, via Carleman-type estimates obtained in [Alexakis, Schlue, Shao; 2013].
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy

Through its functions in oxygen delivery, electron transport, and enzymatic activity, iron is crucial for the operation of all cells. High metabolic rate cells need more iron and are more likely to malfunction when there is an iron deficit. Since the mother's blood volume expands during pregnancy, and the fetus grows and develops, there is a sharp increase in the need for iron. Negative pregnancy outcomes, such as increased maternal sickness, low birthweight, preterm, and intrauterine growth restriction, are linked to iron deficiency. IDA, or nutritional iron deficiency anemia, affects more than two billion people worldwide and is the most prevalent disease. Based on the regression-based analysis, the prevalence of anemia in the World Health Organization's global database was calculated to be 14%. According to recent data, there are 17.4% more IDA cases among pregnant women in industrialized countries than in poor ones (up to 56% more cases). Despite the fact that oral iron supplementation is frequently used to treat IDA, not all patients benefit from oral iron therapy. This is caused by a number of things, which include the adverse effects of oral iron, resulting in low compliance and ineffectiveness. In a sizable group of patients taking oral iron preparations, the adverse effects primarily include GI symptoms. Intravenous iron was previously underutilized since it was linked to unfavorable and occasionally dangerous side effects. New type II and III iron complexes have been created recently, though, and they offer superior compliance and toleration in addition to strong efficacy and a good safety profile.
Credibility Analysis on Twitter Considering Topic Detection

Twitter is one of the most popular sources of information available on the internet. Thus, many studies have proposed tools and models to analyze the credibility of the information shared. The credibility analysis on Twitter is generally supported by measures that consider the text, the user, and the social impact of text and user. More recently, identifying the topic of tweets is becoming an interesting aspect for many applications that analyze Twitter as a source of information, for example, to detect trends, to filter or classify tweets, to identify fake news, or even to measure a tweet’s credibility. In most of these cases, the hashtags represent important elements to consider to identify the topics. In a previous work, we presented a credibility model based on text, user, and social credibility measures, and a framework called T-CREo, implemented as an extension of Google Chrome. In this paper, we propose an extension of our previous credibility model by integrating the detection of the topic in the tweet and calculating the topic credibility measure by considering hashtags. To do so, we evaluate and compare different topic detection algorithms, to finally integrate in our framework T-CREo, the one with better results. To evaluate the performance improvement of our extended credibility model and show the impact of hashtags, we performed experiments in the context of fake news detection using the PHEME dataset. Results demonstrate an improvement in our extended credibility model with respect to the original one, with up to 3.04% F1 score when applying our approach to the whole PHEME dataset and up to 9.60% F1 score when only considering tweets that contain hashtags from PHEME dataset, demonstrating the impact of hashtags in the topic detection process.