Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Existing Legal Assessment Values for Heavy Metal Deposition in Western Europe and Calculation of Assessment Values for Luxembourg

The protection against eco- and human-toxicological impairments caused by atmospheric deposition of heavy metals requires legally defined assessment values. Since such values are missing for Luxembourg, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate different approaches to derive assessment values for the regulation of heavy metals that are in accordance with scientific and legal standards. To this end, assessment values for heavy metals were derived from the compilation of respective values implemented in European countries. In addition, (1) precipitation-related assessment values for the protection of soil for Cr, Zn, and Cu and (2) precautionary assessment values (critical loads for Cr, Zn, and Cu, as well as As, Cd, Ni, and Pb) for the protection of human health and ecosystems were calculated. The calculation of the regionally differentiated precipitation-related assessment values resulted in ranges of 17–272 g Cu ha−1 a−1, 167–2672 g Zn ha−1 a−1 and 17–272 g Crtotal ha−1 a−1. The critical loads for drinking water protection vary in the ranges from 1.23 to 2.14 g Cd ha−1 a−1, from 4.05 to 8.63 g Pb ha−1 a−1, from 2.6 to 5.9 g As ha−1 a−1, from 258 to 564 g Cu ha−1 a−1, from 1292 to 2944 g Zn ha−1 a−1, and from 12.9 to 29.9 g Crtotal ha−1 a−1. Ecosystems are significantly more sensitive to Pb, Cu, and Zn inputs than humans. For As and Cr, humans react much more sensitively than ecosystems. For Cd, the critical loads for drinking water, ecosystems, and wheat products are about the same.
Rheological and chemical characteristics of warm mix asphalt binders at intermediate and low performance temperatures

Warm asphalt has been gaining increasing popularity in recent years around the world due to many reasons including the energy reductions and environmental benefits. In the present study, the objective was to conduct a laboratory investigation of rheological properties of eight binders with four non-foaming warm mix asphalt (WMA) additives at intermediate and low performance temperatures in terms of Superpave low temperature test criteria. The conventional testing procedures such as dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR) test as well as specific Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to determine the influences of non-foaming additives on asphalt binders after a long-term aging procedure. The test results indicated that the binder type and source play key roles in determining the G*sin δ values of WMA binders with the non-foaming WMA additive. All eight binders containing Sasobit generally have higher creep stiffness values compared to the binders with other WMA .
Spatial and temporal changes of hydrogeochemistry in ancient tank cascade systems in Sri Lanka: evidence for a constructed wetland

The tank cascade system (TCS) in Sri Lanka is one of the most advanced water‐conveyance mechanisms among the medieval hydraulic civilizations in the world. In this study, temporal and spatial variations of the hydrogeochemistry of a small cascade system were investigated. A cascade system at Malagane in the Deduru Oya basin, located in the north‐west of Sri Lanka, was selected. Measurements of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, sulphates, alkalinity, chloride, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn were carried out fortnightly throughout the year, to understand the nutrient dynamics in TCSs. Most parameters show a decreasing trend when water passes through ‘Thaulla’, which is located in the upper peripheral region of the tank. However, phosphate behaves differently, probably due to human activities that dominated along the tank bund. The results suggested that Thaulla, which abounds with numerous hydrophytes, acts as an active ‘constructed wetland’ and efficiently removes pollutants in order to sustain the system. The water quality monitoring described in this paper provides evidence for the wetland function of Thaulla in the ancient irrigation hydraulic system in Sri Lanka.
Using Latent Semantic Indexing as a metric for evaluating research potentialities through Innovation Public Policies

Public innovation policies usually define strategies for Public research organizations, such as universities, in order to guide the next research projects of such organizations. Sometimes, it is difficult to know the actual state of an organization when a new policy is released by the government. The objective of this paper is to present the application of Latent Semantic Analysis, a technique of information retrieval, in order to create an index and automatically classify research projects, using text fields like title and abstract, to areas and subareas defined by related terms. It is also proposed a case study of about 200 projects from five graduate programs of the Universidade Federal do Tocantins. The proposed solution was capable of satisfactorily classify each project to the areas and subareas of a recent policy from the Science, Technology, Innovations, and Communications Ministry. In this way, the university could have some decision-making information, and the results could sustain for which internal policies could be implemented to maximize its actuation faced to the national innovation policy.
PSO-based neural network for dynamic bandwidth re-allocation [power system communication]

A high-speed network needs to assign a fixed bandwidth for each connection some where between its mean and peak rates. Most of the time this assigned bandwidth will not handle all the traffic received and creates traffic loss. This paper introduces a new algorithm to avoid network congestion. The algorithm mainly considers online measurements of the relative contents of each buffer in the network. An adaptive bandwidth reallocation is simply done by recalling an evolved neural network. A particle swarm optimizer (PSO) is used to adjust both weights matrix and the number of nodes for the hidden layer providing that input and output layers are fixed at one node (ratio of relative contents and bandwidth proportion respectively). The results are compared with static bandwidth allocation in terms of number of traffic drop.
Manufacturing strategy, performance indicators and improvement programmes

Abstract This article reports on a survey conducted in Belgian industry. The purpose was to get insight into manufacturing objectives, performance measurement systems and improvement programmes. It turns out that quality is dealt with very consistently. But in many cases time-based objectives are not yet supported by consistent time-based performance criteria and/or time-based improvement actions.
Concept evaluation trials of teleoperation system for control of an underwater robotic arm by graphical simulation techniques

In the main, the current control method for underwater manipulators involves a master-slave robot configuration combined with visual feedback provided by closed-circuit TV from a number of ROV mounted cameras. In order to overcome the various drawbacks of this system, a new method of both control and feedback, utilising simulation software developed for off-line programming, is currently under development at Cranfield. This paper describes these new methods, and summarises the need for them and their inherent advantages over current technology. It also includes a description of thefirst stages of their development and the evaluation experiments which were used to judge the feasibility of the continuance of the project.
PECVD application to obtain polymer coated graphene nanoplatelets and development of new epoxy nanocomposites

In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were synthesized from graphite by a liquid-phase exfoliation (layer separation) method, and their surfaces were functionalized with poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) by using the rotating-bed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses were performed to characterize the unmodified (u-GNP) and modified GNP (PGMA-GNP). Epoxy nanocomposites were prepared with both types of GNPs at different loading levels (0.1–2% by weight). The role of the surface modification of the GNPs on the mechanical, thermal, electrical conductivity, contact angle, water sorption, and corrosion properties of the epoxy nanocomposite coatings was also investigated. Consequently, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the epoxy resin (ER)/PGMA-GNP nanocomposites were enhanced by 10.2–20 and 3.3–18.4%, respectively, as compared to the ER/u-GNP composites. Moreover, the nanocomposites prepared with PGMA-GNP had better water sorption and wettability properties than those prepared with u-GNP, but lower electrical conductivity. The corrosion test results showed that the addition of GNPs to epoxy effectively improved the corrosion resistance of the epoxy composites in high salinity, basic, and acidic environments.
Exact observer for flexible joint robots

This paper deals with a problem of state observation of robot manipulators having elastic joints. The authors treat the case when one assumes that the global outputs of the system are link positions and their time derivatives (velocities). The authors propose an exact nonlinear observer based on some properties of the robot and on the known theory of linear observers. This observer reconstructs exponentially all the robot variables. The dynamic behavior of the observation algorithm is illustrated by simulation tests on a two revolute elastic joints robot manipulator. <<ETX>>
A Qualitative Analysis of Black and White Adolescents’ Perceptions of and Responses to Racially Targeted Food and Drink Commercials on Television

Food and beverage marketing is a major driver of childhood obesity, and companies target their least nutritious products to Black youth. However, little is known about adolescents’ perceptions of and responses to racially targeted food marketing. In this qualitative study, we investigated how Black and White adolescents perceived and responded to racially targeted television commercials for food and beverages. We recruited 39 adolescents aged 12–17 years in New York City to watch a series of commercials and then participate in an in-depth interview using a semi-structured interview guide. The research team recorded, transcribed, and analyzed interviews using ATLAS.ti. Overall, participants responded positively to commercials that featured celebrities. They were also able to recognize the commercials and reported they had been exposed to marketing from these companies on social media and in subways/buses. Many participants considered the advertised brands as healthy or able to enhance athletic performance because of their endorsement by or association with athletes. Participants also understood that marketers were using racial targeting in their ads but that targeting did not translate into improved perceptions or responses towards advertised products. These findings suggest the need to empirically evaluate and further explore Black and White adolescents’ responses to racially targeted food marketing.
Lean disassembly line layout, and network simulation models

The purpose of this research is to create a simulation method and validated cases, that enable disassembly enterprises to experiment with different computer networking solutions, and protocols for electronically supported manual, and optionally automated robotized disassembly workstations (integrated into a disassembly line), to experiment with different disassembly process layout and cell/line design solutions, and to provide electronic support systems for designers and managers for evaluating 'what if? ' scenarios, when developing such systems. This simulation project extends our Web-enabled Virtual Disassembly Manager (webVDM) project for electronic product/process designers, disassembly line managers and operators. webVDM is a major MERC/NJIT R&D group effort, supported by several funding agencies, companies and institutions and their hard working staff, and our RAs (Research Assistants).
Variability of Ground Motion Amplitudes Recorded in Bucharest Area during Vrancea Intermediate-Depth Earthquakes

This study focuses on the assessment of the correlation and variability of ground motion amplitudes recorded in Bucharest area during Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes from a database of 119 pairs of horizontal components. Empirical models for the evaluation of the peak ground velocity and displacement from spectral accelerations are proposed in this study. The distribution of the shear wave velocities from 41 boreholes at specific depths appears to follow a normal probability distribution. The analysis performed in this study has also shown that the variability of peak ground velocities and displacements does not appear to be influenced by the earthquake magnitude. In addition, it was observed that the variability in terms of shear wave velocities at specific depths is smaller than the variability of the spectral amplitudes of the recorded ground motions. The empirical site-amplification factors from the Eurocode 8 draft fail to capture the long-period spectral amplifications observed in Bucharest area during large magnitude Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes.
Recommendations for improving statistical inference in population genomics

The field of population genomics has grown rapidly in response to the recent advent of affordable, large-scale sequencing technologies. As opposed to the situation during the majority of the 20th century, in which the development of theoretical and statistical population-genetic insights out-paced the generation of data to which they could be applied, genomic data are now being produced at a far greater rate than they can be meaningfully analyzed and interpreted. With this wealth of data has come a tendency to focus on fitting specific (and often rather idiosyncratic) models to data, at the expense of a careful exploration of the range of possible underlying evolutionary processes. For example, the approach of directly investigating models of adaptive evolution in each newly sequenced population or species often neglects the fact that a thorough characterization of ubiquitous non-adaptive processes is a prerequisite for accurate inference. We here describe the perils of these tendencies, present our consensus views on current best practices in population genomic data analysis, and highlight areas of statistical inference and theory that are in need of further attention. Thereby, we argue for the importance of defining a biologically relevant baseline model tuned to the details of each new analysis, of skepticism and scrutiny in interpreting model-fitting results, and of carefully defining addressable hypotheses and underlying uncertainties.
Green and Chemical Silver Nanoparticles and Pomegranate Formulations to Heal Infected Wounds in Diabetic Rats

Infected cutaneous ulcers from diabetic rats with Candida albicans and Streptococcus aureus were treated with spray formulations containing green silver nanoparticles (GS), chemical silver nanoparticles (CS), or pomegranate peel extract (PS). After wound development and infection, the treatments were performed twice per day for 14 days. The wound healing was analyzed on days 2, 7, and 14 through the determination of CFUs, inflammatory infiltrate, angiogenesis, fibroplasia, myeloperoxidase, and collagen determination. Expressive improvement in wound healing was noted using both silver nanoparticles for 7 days. All the treatments were superior to controls and promoted significant S. aureus reduction after 14 days. CS presented better anti-inflammatory results, and GS and CS the highest number of fibroblasts. Despite the techniques’ limitations, GS and CS demonstrated considerable potential for managing infected wounds, especially considering no early strategies prior to the drugs, such as the debridement of these wounds, were included.
Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Wind Farms

The operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms represent a significant proportion of the lifetime cost of energy of offshore wind. There are a number of significant differences from maintaining wind turbines in the onshore environment and new methodologies that will be required as wind farms increase in size and distance from shore. Understanding the key cost drivers is therefore vital in order to determine optimal maintenance strategies for existing wind farms and minimising the uncertainty associated with future projects. This study identifies the key issues associated with operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms for this purpose. A review of early operational experiences in the North Sea is also presented and key lessons learned to identify. In addition, a case study based on operating strategies for major maintenance actions is included. This case study demonstrates how different strategies can impact overall costs and the uncertainty of offshore wind.
ModeLab - Web Tool for the Modeling of Bus Rapid Transit Systems

Bus rapid transit (BRT) systems have in recent years become a viable and effective option for solving the mobility problems in different cities around the world. For these systems to fulfill their mission effectively and efficiently, they need to respond adequately to the different situations that appear periodically or arbitrarily in the users’ routines, modification of system resources (e.g., buses, drivers, lanes, or roads), among others. Modeling and simulation in these and many other complex systems are key tools to support decision-making since, in general, they are an inexpensive option that allows to quickly evaluate the effect of different changes on the system and to define the best solution in the shortest time for a specific problem or situation. This paper introduces ModeLab, a web-based tool for modeling BRT systems that facilitates the design of models by using an iconic language closer to the modeler, a language based on the real-world objects found in this type of system and that allows us to define simpler and more compact models, which are easier to visualize, understand, and configure. To evaluate the models that ModeLab can define, a model of medium complexity was developed and compared with the model obtained by ARENA®; the results show a significant reduction in the complexity of the models, while, at the same time, there are identical results when simulating the models with SIMAN (a common simulation software for both tools).
Responses of radiation-hardened power MOSFETs to neutrons

The test results of recent neutron irradiations performed on a variety of radiation-hardened power MOSFETs manufactured by Fairchild Semiconductor are reported here. Twelve device types from four different families with rated drain breakdown voltages from 30 to 500 volts of which most are n-channels and the others are p-channels, were characterized.
An efficient variable gain homotopy method using the SPICE-oriented approach

Homotopy methods are known to be effective methods for finding DC operating points of nonlinear circuits with the theoretical guarantee of global convergence. There are several types of homotopy methods; as one of the efficient methods for solving bipolar circuits, the variable gain homotopy (VGH) method is well-known. However, in the conventional VGH method, the initial point is sometimes far from the solution because it is given as a solution of a diode circuit. In this paper, we propose an efficient VGH method using the SPICE-oriented approach. The proposed method can be easily implemented on SPICE without programming, although we do not know the homotopy method well. Moreover, since we can use a good initial point, the path following tends to become smooth and efficient.
Fandoms, Trending Topics and Social Capital in Twitter

It is increasingly common to see hashtags about celebrities, musicians and famous people among the Trending Topics (TTs) on Twitter. In this paper, we examine fans strategies to put their hashtags in the Top Ten list of trending topics and the social values created and used during the process. To discuss these appropriations, we studied the case of hashtags created by fans from a Brazilian pop rock band, Restart. We used a quanti-qualitative approach through online and offline ethnography (with 71 interviews) and the collection and analysis of 20 Trending Topics and six networks extracted from them during the second semester of 2011. As results, we discuss how the groups of fans of Restart learned to create hashtags in a cooperative way in order to spread their relations with their idols; which strategies they used to create the hashtags and get them into the TTs; and how they fight back the tags created by anti-fans, generating what we call Fan Wars. Finally, we show how fans are able to create bonding ties, network clusterization and influence visibility of information in Twitter.
AR-Based Off-Line Programming of the RV-M1 Robot

This paper presents a prototype system for off-line programming of industrial robot RV-M1 using augmented reality technology. The system allows controlling a virtual model of the industrial robot co-located in the real environment, planning configurations, generating robot program and simulating the robot actions. The proposed architecture makes it possible to manipulate, pick or place the objects in the scene. The advantage of this system is use of inexpensive equipment for intuitive off-line programming of an industrial robot.
Dyslipidemia, Diabetes and Atherosclerosis: Role of Inflammation and ROS-Redox-Sensitive Factors

The prevalence of diabetes is growing at an alarming rate with increased disability, morbidity, and often premature mortality because of the various complications of this disorder. Chronic hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and other metabolic alterations lead to the development and progression of macro- and microvascular complications of diabetes including cardiovascular, retinal and kidney disease. Despite advances in glucose and lipid lowering treatments, a large number of diabetic individuals develop one or more types of these complications, ultimately leading to end-organ damage over the time. Atherosclerosis is the major macro-vascular complications of diabetes and the primary underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) posing heavy burden on the health care system. In this review, we discuss the involvement of dyslipidemia in the progression of atherosclerosis by activating the pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress-related factors. In addition, we also provide information on various pharmacological agents that provides protection against diabetic atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Rigorous computer-assisted bounds on the period doubling renormalization fixed point and eigenfunctions in maps with critical point of degree 4

We gain tight rigorous bounds on the renormalisation fixed point for period doubling in families of unimodal maps with degree $4$ critical point. We use a contraction mapping argument to bound essential eigenfunctions and eigenvalues for the linearisation of the operator and for the operator controlling the scaling of added noise. Multi-precision arithmetic with rigorous directed rounding is used to bound operations in a space of analytic functions yielding tight bounds on power series coefficients and universal constants to over $320$ significant figures.