Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remote sensing and GIS-based assessment of urbanisation and degradation of watershed health

Water resources, ecological quality, i.e. vegetation, flora-fauna, native plants, etc., and geo-morphological characteristics are some of the important elements that represent health of a watershed. Watershed health can be assessed through some of the indirect metrics, such as change in rainfall-runoff response, depletion of groundwater, groundwater pollution and degradation of geo-morphological characteristics. In the present study, application of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies have been demonstrated for assessment of health of two urbanised sub-watersheds over a period of last 29 years (1977–2005). Investigation includes estimation of urbanisation and resulting changes in the watershed characteristics representing heath of watershed, such as change in surface runoff response, groundwater level, groundwater quality and morphological characteristics. Remote sensing images of eight years (1977–2005) have been used for extraction of land use/cover and urban growth. Change in surface runoff characteristics have been estimated using a physically based distributed storm water management model (SWMM). Groundwater analysis has been carried out in GIS to determine the change in groundwater level and quality over a period of 1992 to 2005. Results reveal that rate of land development in Ajmer is higher as compared to the population growth. Significant changes have been found in important watershed characteristics leading to deterioration of its health. Remote sensing and GIS technologies have been found to be useful for such studies.
Miniaturized hairpin superconducting filters for telecommunications applications

Using miniaturized hairpin resonators and following the Chebychev model, we have designed and fabricated superconducting filters with a centre frequency of 2.2 GHz and a bandwidth of 5 MHz. The measured unloaded Q‐factor of the resonator fabricated on LaAlO3 using YBCO thin film is 47,000 at 60 K. Prototype filters with three and four poles have been realized by using Nb thin films. The measured performances do not show appreciable degradations up to 10 dBm. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 35: 360–362, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10607
An exploratory investigation on NPD in Small Family Businesses from Northern Italy

The purpose of this exploratory study is to provide an understanding of the role of the family in the new product development (NPD) process of small family businesses (SFBs). The impact of the family on the business and innovation activities happens through a combination of social interaction, networks, family business corporate identity, family goals, dynamics, values, culture and heritage that act on the company in several forms of behaviour, actions, decisions and plans, as suggested by Kansikas. Through a conceptual analysis and four case studies the research attempts to conceptualise the impact of the family on SFBs’ NPD processes. The objective is to empirically analyse small firms’ family pressure in the context of the NPD operations. Theory has been explored in three areas; the first one regards the specific features of family firms and the impact of the ‘family’ on the business, the second one the activities composing the NPD process, and the third one the NPD and innovation in the specific context of family businesses. The gathered empirical data are analysed by exploring and comparing the understanding of theoretical concepts with qualitative data from the small family firms’ innovation processes.
A massively parallel speciation‐based differential evolution algorithm applied to the 3D‐AB protein structure prediction

One of the most challenging problems in Bioinformatics is the finding of a protein conformation and it is known as the Protein Structure Prediction (PSP) problem. The main feature present in the AB off‐lattice model is the use of polarity as the main driving force to guide the optimization process. The present work proposes an adaptive evolutionary algorithm based on GPU that is applied to the 3D‐AB off‐lattice PSP problem. The proposed approach is named cuDSMjDE, and is composed of a Dynamic Speciation‐based Mutation Strategies Differential Evolution that employs the jDE mechanism to control F and CR parameters. A crowding strategy is also adopted, increasing competition between individuals and maintaining the diversity of solutions. All routines of the proposed algorithm are developed to run in GPU. During the experiments, eight Protein Data Bank sequences are employed. Results obtained concerning potential energy are competitive when compared with state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. The use of a massively parallel architecture promoted the necessary scalability with speedups up to 708.78 × .
Minimization of fixed-point roundoff noise in extended state-space digital filters

A technique for determining a minimum roundoff noise extended state space (e-state) realization of fixed-point recursive digital filters is developed. Previous efforts have developed such minimum roundoff noise e-state structures for the second-order e-state equation only. This new algorithm determines a minimum roundoff e-state structure for the general order e-state equation. The technique obtains a linear transformation which, when applied to the original structure, produces a minimum noise e-state structure. A combination of a conjugate gradient algorithm and a variable metric algorithm is employed to determine the transformation coefficients. The e-state roundoff noise characteristics are illustrated by numerical examples. It is found that the minimum-noise e-state structure can have lower roundoff noise than the conventional minimum-noise structure, since fewer state variables are actually computed. In an e-state structure an Nth-order filter where N=LM can be implemented by M difference equations of order L resulting in a computational complexity of O[L(M+1)/sup 2/]. One advantage of e-state structures, compared to other realizations, is the use of fewer but longer inner products which pipelined digital signal processors are designed to handle efficiently.
Colonzation of Tobacco Plants by Fungal Entomopathogens and the Effect on Consumption over Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Entomopathogenic fungi are naturally occurring microorganisms that attack insect pests, making them exceptional allies when developing biocontrol strategies. A particular aspect of the ecology of these fungi is that they interact not only with insects but also with plants, being able to colonize them endophytically without causing symptoms of disease. The objectives of this study were to determine the endophytic capacity of different species of entomopathogenic fungi in tobacco plants by means of foliar spraying, to evaluate the persistence in planta of the entomopathogens and the effect of endophytes on consumption by coleopteran pests. A total of 24 strains were analyzed to test endophytic capacity at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post inoculation. A significant effect of the strains was found. On days 7, 14 and 21, the strain that showed the highest colonization percentages was B. bassiana LPSc 1215, and at day 28 B. bassiana strains LPSc 1215 and LPSc 1212 exhibited the best endophytic capacity, maintaining elevated colonization percentages. Choice test results indicated that D. speciosa fed indiscriminately on colonized and non-colonized leaves. The results indicate that B. bassiana LPSc 1215 constitutes a strain that would merit further investigation for the purpose of pest management in tobacco cultivation.
Evaluation of Soil Quality and Maize Growth in Different Profiles of Reclaimed Land with Coal Gangue Filling

Reclaiming subsidence and waterlogged zones caused by coal mining to maintain food and feed supplies is an urgent issue in China. Utilizing coal gangue (CG) as a filling matrix to construct different profiles of reclaimed land in coal mining subsidence has downsides, e.g., due to its low conservative capability of water-fertilizer and crop yield, its lack of quantitative evaluation of soil quality, and its limiting factors of crop growth. Quantifying the soil quality by principal component analysis (PCA), obtaining key soil indicators, and a scoring system can clarify the influence of the profile structure on soil quality and limiting productive factors of soil and ascertain the optimal profile. Soil quality was evaluated by the minimum data set (MDS) of soil quality index (SQI) obtained by PCA in seven different profiles of reclaimed plots constructed in a field with maize planting experiments. The agronomic traits of maize were analyzed and compared. The result shows that the pH value contributed highest in surface SQI value. Maximal and minimal SQI value is 0.57 and 0.18, respectively, the variation of SQI between different profiles reveals it increases with the increase in thickness of overburdens and decreases with the increase in soil interlayer depth of reclaimed land. SQI based on MDS has a correlation coefficient of 0.4280 with maize yield and the same sequence with comprehensive growth of maize in reclaimed plots. Agronomic traits of maize are positively correlated with the nutrient index and SM of the surface soil, and negatively correlated with pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total salt content (TS). Choosing a thicker surface overburden and control pH of CG preceding filling can effectively augment soil quality and maize growth. This study provides the exploratory means and a scientific basis for the management and improvement of filling reclamation.
Positive Association between Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus in Hypertensive Patients

Background The association between triglyceride-rich lipoprotein cholesterol (TRL-C) and diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear because of limited research and data. The aim of this study was to explore the independent association between TRL-C and DM in hypertensive patients and to examine whether a healthy lifestyle would have an impact on this relationship. Methods In this study, data from 13,721 hypertensive patients who were not treated with lipid-lowering drugs were analyzed. TRL-C was calculated from total cholesterol (TC) minus [LDL cholesterol + HDL cholesterol]. DM was defined as fasting plasma glucose of ≥7.0 mmol/L and/or self-reported history of hypoglycemic drug use. Results After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the TRL-C was significantly positively associated with elevated DM (odds ratio (OR): 1.73 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54–1.94). In subgroup analysis, a healthy lifestyle (HL) failed to modify the positive association between TRL-C and DM (HL: OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.58–2.36; non-HL: OR 1.72, 95%CI 1.50–1.98; P for interaction = 0.38). Conclusion The results showed a positive association between TRL-C and DM in hypertensive patients. A healthy lifestyle failed to diminish the relationship between TRL-C and DM. The novel findings indicate that TRL-C might be a reliable marker of DM and may provide a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of DM.
Remote Control Vehicle Guidance Using Stereoscopic Displays

A remote handling vehicle is presently in service with the Metropolitan Police Bomb Squad in London, England. Its prime role is in approaching and neutralising suspect explosive devices, including vehicles, whilst being operated from a safe distance, aided by a closed circuit television system. As a result of using this equipment certain serious limitations have become apparent. When operating the vehicle in an unfamiliar environment (which is usually the case), the precise position of the robot in relation to its surroundings is very often difficult to determine. Also, on arriving at the target area the operator may still face problems in effectively bringing into operation the various attachments and weapons carried on board. This is because only a standard two-dimensional television image with its restricted amount of visual information is presented to the operator. These factors have led to a situation where there is now a reluctance on the part of Bomb Squad personnel to use this vehicle in the role for which it was intended. In September, 1982, after discussion with all interested parties, it was proposed that a three-dimensional television system should be designed which could be mounted on the remote handling vehicle. The type chosen was the time-division technique which takes advantage of the interlace facility in the standard television display and employs electro-optic lenses in the viewing spectacles. The camera unit has controlled focus, zoom and convergence, but a fixed camera separation. It has been designed to make it relatively easy for the operator to adjust the parameters of the stereo-camera as the working visual range of the robot changes. The vehicle can be controlled up to a maximum of 800m from the operator and recording and play-back of the images on a standard video recorder is possible. This requirement was one of the main reasons for adopting the time-division technique. Although the robot is not yet in service, the results of introducing the potential operators to this new kind of display have been most encouraging. It is anticipated that further information relating to this aspect of the work will be available in the near future.
Aluminium and energy

Aluminium smelters are very large consumers of both electricity and gas, and energy efficiency is absolutely vital. Today a modern smelter occupies a site outside Holyhead, and this factory is one of Europe's largest smelters. It consumes over 1800 million units of electricity a year which is supplied from a nuclear power plant
Reduction of the chromatic dispersion penalty at 10 Gbit/s by integrated electronic equalisers

At 10 Gbit/s a 3.3 dB reduction of the power penalty induced by the chromatic dispersion of an 127 km standard single-mode fiber (G.652) has been achieved (BER=10/sup -9/, PRBS 2/sup 23/-1) by processing the detected signal in the receiver with a nonlinear equaliser realized as SiGe integrated circuit.
Current and Emerging Strategies for Enhancing Antibody Delivery to the Brain

For the treatment of neurological diseases, achieving sufficient exposure to the brain parenchyma is a critical determinant of drug efficacy. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) functions to tightly control the passage of substances between the bloodstream and the central nervous system, and as such poses a major obstacle that must be overcome for therapeutics to enter the brain. Monoclonal antibodies have emerged as one of the best-selling treatment modalities available in the pharmaceutical market owing to their high target specificity. However, it has been estimated that only 0.1% of peripherally administered antibodies can cross the BBB, contributing to the low success rate of immunotherapy seen in clinical trials for the treatment of neurological diseases. The development of new strategies for antibody delivery across the BBB is thereby crucial to improve immunotherapeutic efficacy. Here, we discuss the current strategies that have been employed to enhance antibody delivery across the BBB. These include (i) focused ultrasound in combination with microbubbles, (ii) engineered bi-specific antibodies, and (iii) nanoparticles. Furthermore, we discuss emerging strategies such as extracellular vesicles with BBB-crossing properties and vectored antibody genes capable of being encapsulated within a BBB delivery vehicle.
RSFQ random logic gate density scaling for the next-generation Josephson junction technology

Post-layout automatic analysis of Flux-1 microprocessor, a representative random logic RSFQ chip of more than 5000 gate complexity, allowed us to extract important layout parameters such as gate density, Josephson junction density and gate/wiring/unused area ratios. A scaling model is presented to predict the area required to layout a given number of random logic gates. When applied to Flux-1 chip itself, which occupies 88.6 mm/sup 2/ in the current TRWs 4 kA/cm/sup 2/ J110D technology, this model predicts that it can be shrunk by almost a factor of two in area to 49 mm/sup 2/ if moved to a next-generation J110E technology with 8 kA/cm/sup 2/ junctions. This information enables us to confidently floorplan random logic chips to be implemented in future advanced JJ technologies. It can also provide directions for JJ technology improvements leading to the maximum positive impact on RSFQ chip density.
Biological Control as an Alternative Measure for Tarnished Plant Bug Control in Mississippi

Tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is a common pest of the main agricultural crops in Mississippi, particularly of cotton in the Mississippi Delta. Tarnished Plant Bug in cotton is economically important through reductions of crop yield. Losses may vary depending on TPB population levels, environmental conditions, or efficacy of insecticides. For more than 60 years numerous investigations on TPB control have been conducted based on biology, hosts, and distribution; however, more studies need to be conducted on ecology, behavior, and population dynamics to better understand its control. The experiences gained in the last 30 years of research should be reanalyzed in the context of an optimized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program for this insect. New approaches to the management of TPB in Mississippi with a better and broader realization of the vital role of natural control agents in regulation of this insect population are needed.
A valve-less planar pump isotropically etched in silicon

The first valve-less diffuser fluid pump in silicon is presented. It consists of a planar double-chamber arrangement fabricated in a silicon wafer anodically bonded to a glass wafer. The pump uses fluid-directing diffuser - nozzle elements which have a depth of and a neck width of . The pump chamber diameter is 6 mm. Pump cavities and diffuser - nozzle elements are etched with an isotropic HNA silicon etch. Pumps with three different diffuser lengths are compared reaching a maximum pump capacity of and a maximum pump pressure of 1.7 m at a resonance frequency of 1318 Hz for methanol.
The Research of Security Network Group Key Management

To improve the security and applicable capability of the group key management in 802.16e standard, the traditional group key management mechanism is discussed and the current security owing to lack of considering comprehensive factors, some security solutions designed also bring some problems. To solve these issues, Current multi-hop Wimax group key management security solutions were described firstly, then One-way Function Tree group key management mechanism is analyzed; An efficient group key management scheme based on one-way function is proposed, which can be used in multi-hop Wimax network system to enhance the security of group management effectively. Analysis result shows that, compared with the methods of One-way Function Tree, he proposed scheme has better performance in key storage, key updating and key calculation cost, which provides an effective solution for group key management in Wimax network and has better application value.
INVESTIGATING IDENTIFICATION EFFECTS OF SPECIAL BRANDS (SAMSUNG MOBILE PHONE) ON EXPANDING AND BRAND PREFERRING IN IRAN MARKET

This paper relies on investigating the effects of identifying one brand in Iran Market for expanding especial brand such as Samsung and the mobile phones constructed by this company and preferring clients based on these primary cognitions. As nowadays with expanding volume of advertisements we can see verity types of brands and as a significant principle in marketing this general frame can be an aim. This research method has been examined exactly as a scientific logic with evaluating target market in Shiraz, one of a full sale city of communication tools. After offering general frame of research for testing the represented assumptions, a questionnaire constituted of 19 questions was designed and distributed in statistical society of research constituted of 200 holders of Samsung mobile phone which was simply chosen randomly. The research method on view point of the aim was applicable and as the research method was descriptive-correlation which with using of questionnaire tool the required data has been gathered. Gathering data was analyzed by using statistical technique of structural equations in LISREL, software environment. The attained results from data analysis showed that the brand self-similarity was the most effective element on identifying brand which lead to a meaningful relation with expanding and preferring the brand.
Collagen Scaffolds Treated by Hydrogen Peroxide for Cell Cultivation

Collagen in the body is exposed to a range of influences, including free radicals, which can lead to a significant change in its structure. Modeling such an effect on collagen fibrils will allow one to get a native structure in vitro, which is important for modern tissue engineering. The aim of this work is to study the effect of free radicals on a solution of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 0.006–0.15% on the structure of collagen fibrils in vitro, and the response of cells to such treatment. SEM measurements show a decrease in the diameter of the collagen fibrils with an increase in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Such treatment also leads to an increase in the wetting angle of the collagen surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrates a decrease in the signal with wave number 1084 cm−1 due to the detachment of glucose and galactose linked to hydroxylysine, connected to the collagen molecule through the -C-O-C- group. During the first day of cultivating ASCs, MG-63, and A-431 cells, an increase in cell adhesion on collagen fibrils treated with H2O2 (0.015, 0.03%) was observed. Thus the effect of H2O2 on biologically relevant extracellular matrices for the formation of collagen scaffolds was shown.
A Categorical Characterization of a ①-Iteratively De ned State of Common Knowledge

We present here a novel approach to the analysis of common knowledge based on category theory. In particular, we model the global epistemic state for a given set of agents through a hierarchy of beliefs represented by a presheaf construction. Then, by employing the properties of a categorical monad, we prove the existence of a state, obtained in an iterative fashion, in which all agents acquire common knowledge of some underlying statement. In order to guarantee the existence of a fixed point under certain suitable conditions, we make use of the properties entailed by Sergeyev's numeral system called grossone, which allows a finer control on the relevant structure of the infinitely nested epistemic states.
Requirements for a Design Rationale Capture Tool to Support NASA's Complex Systems

An understanding of the design rationale, or the justification for design decisions made throughout the design process, is necessary in order to understand, recreate, or modify a design. However, this information is rarely captured in a systematic and usable format because there are no tools that adequately facilitate and support the capture of these critical decisions. This paper summarizes the requirements for a design rationale capture tool that supports the capture and retrieval of relevant design knowledge throughout three phases of the design process: Conceptual Design, Design Implementation, and Design Evaluation and Transfer.