Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Both Prey and Predator Features Determine Predation Risk and Survival of Schooling Prey

Predation is one of the main evolutionary drivers of social grouping. While it is well appreciated that predation risk is likely not shared equally among individuals within groups, its detailed quantification has remained difficult due to the speed of attacks and the highly-dynamic nature of collective prey response. Here, using high-resolution tracking of solitary predators (Northern pike) hunting schooling fish (golden shiners), we not only provide detailed insights into predator decision-making but show which key spatial and kinematic features of predator and prey influence individual’s risk to be targeted and survive attacks. Pike tended to stealthily approach the largest groups, and were often already inside the school when launching their attack, making prey in this frontal “strike zone” the most vulnerable to be targeted. From the prey’s perspective, those fish in central locations, but relatively far from, and less aligned with, neighbours, were most likely to be targeted. While the majority of attacks (70%) were successful, targeted individuals that did manage to avoid capture exhibited a higher maximum acceleration response just before the attack and were further away from the pike‘s head. Our results highlight the crucial interplay between predators’ attack strategy and response of prey in determining predation risk in mobile animal groups.
Contouring control of biaxial systems based on polar coordinates

A contouring controller for biaxial systems that integrates the effects of feedback, feedforward, and cross-coupled control is proposed in this study. Conventional approaches to contouring control suffer from the complicated contour-error model and from lack of a systematic way for controller design. The integrated controller is based on polar coordinates under which a relatively simple contour-error model can be obtained. Taking the simple contour error as a state variable, the contouring-control problem is transformed into a stabilization problem. The feedback-linearization technique incorporated with linear feedback or robust control (such as sliding-mode control) can then yield the integrated controller. The proposed method is verified both numerically and experimentally and is compared with the conventional approach. It is found that the proposed controller is better for high speed and/or noncircular contouring. In addition, it can be applied to either linear plants or nonlinear plants (like linear motors).
Accurate and automatic extrinsic calibration method for blade measurement system integrated by different optical sensors

Fast and precise 3D inspection system is in great demand in modern manufacturing processes. At present, the available sensors have their own pros and cons, and hardly exist an omnipotent sensor to handle the complex inspection task in an accurate and effective way. The prevailing solution is integrating multiple sensors and taking advantages of their strengths. For obtaining a holistic 3D profile, the data from different sensors should be registrated into a coherent coordinate system. However, some complex shape objects own thin wall feather such as blades, the ICP registration method would become unstable. Therefore, it is very important to calibrate the extrinsic parameters of each sensor in the integrated measurement system. This paper proposed an accurate and automatic extrinsic parameter calibration method for blade measurement system integrated by different optical sensors. In this system, fringe projection sensor (FPS) and conoscopic holography sensor (CHS) is integrated into a multi-axis motion platform, and the sensors can be optimally move to any desired position at the object’s surface. In order to simple the calibration process, a special calibration artifact is designed according to the characteristics of the two sensors. An automatic registration procedure based on correlation and segmentation is used to realize the artifact datasets obtaining by FPS and CHS rough alignment without any manual operation and data pro-processing, and then the Generalized Gauss-Markoff model is used to estimate the optimization transformation parameters. The experiments show the measurement result of a blade, where several sampled patches are merged into one point cloud, and it verifies the performance of the proposed method.
Nonstationary signal de-noising method of slow-speed large-size slewing bearing using robust local mean decomposition

As a key rotary connection component of construction machinery, the operation performance of slewing bearing has an impact on the stability of engineering construction. Condition monitoring for slewing bearing is essential to their high availability and profitable operation. However, the characteristics of slow-speed large-size slewing bearing make the weak vibration signal corrupted with noise. Therefore, effective signal de-noising for preprocessing technique is difficult but crucial. To solve this problem, a novel signal de-nosing method using robust local mean decomposition is proposed with a product function selection strategy based on kernel principal component analysis. The effectiveness is validated by using simulated as well as experimental vibration signals obtained through a slewing bearing highly accelerated life test. The results illustrate that proposed method can perform effective signal de-noising of slewing bearing compared with other conventional method.
Dynamic modelling and open-loop control of a twin rotor multi-input multi-output system

Abstract A dynamic model for a one-degree-of-freedom (DOF) twin rotor multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system (TRMS) in hover is obtained using a black-box system identification technique. The behaviour of the TRMS in certain aspects resembles that of a helicopter; hence, it is an interesting identification and control problem. This paper investigates modelling and open-loop control of the longitudinal axis alone, while the lateral axis movement is physically constrained. It is argued that some aspects of the modelling approach presented are suitable for a class of new generation or innovative air vehicles with complex dynamics. The extracted model is employed for designing and implementing a feedforward/open-loop control. Open-loop control is often the preliminary step for development of more complex feedback control laws. Open-loop control strategies using shaped command inputs are accordingly investigated for resonance suppression in the TRMS. Digital low-pass and band-stop filter shaped inputs are used on the TRMS testbed, based on the identified vibrational modes. A comparative performance study is carried out and the corresponding results presented. The low-pass filter is shown to result in better vibration reduction.
Stray electric field energy harvesting technology using MEMS switch from insulated AC power lines

A new energy harvesting technology that extracts energy from the stray electric field around a three-wire AC power line is presented. It is observed that when 20 cm of the insulated power line is surrounded with a conductive sheet, about 20 mJ of energy is harvested in 15 min with a 1 μF storage capacitor. An autonomous harvesting circuit was designed and built adopting an MEMS switch as a low leakage, low power consumption and hysteretic switch. It is demonstrated that the harvested energy is utilised to drive a commercial Zigbee-based wireless sensor module autonomously. Since it is easy and safe to install, the proposed stray electric field harvesting technology should greatly expand the field in which wireless sensors are required, such as home automation, smart grid, building energy management and structural health monitoring, as long as power lines are available nearby.
Addressing Water Security: An Overview

For the last two decades, water security has been in the spotlight as a key concept for sustainable development. However, due to its wide interpretation range, the understanding of what water security is and what it encompasses can change considerably with different perspectives. By means of a review of both academic and grey literature, this paper presents an in-depth global overview of what water security means and how assessment is being carried out. These aspects are put together in the present work with the aim to facilitate access to this complex concept for academics but also policymakers and other stakeholders involved in water management and governance. Aiming to provide a groundwork for water security understanding, we examine definitions, scales of application, frequent approaches and methodologies used to study water security. We also present indicators and aspects being included in water security frameworks. A summary of important actions towards water security improvement is also presented. As a dynamic and multi-faceted concept, water security requires an equally multi-dimensional and flexible interpretation. Understanding and measuring are key to improving water security levels. Bringing attention to how climate change, environmental needs, demographics, economics and governance are linked to water security can boost impact by prompting science, policies and innovation to come together.
Hydrogen Recovery by Mixed Matrix Membranes Made from 6FCl-APAF HPA with Different Contents of a Porous Polymer Network and Their Thermal Rearrangement

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consisting of a blend of a hydroxypolyamide (HPA) matrix and variable loads of a porous polymer network (PPN) were thermally treated to induce the transformation of HPA to polybenzoxazole (β-TR-PBO). Here, the HPA matrix was a hydroxypolyamide having two hexafluoropropyilidene moieties, 6FCl-APAF, while the PPN was prepared by reacting triptycene (TRP) and trifluoroacetophenone (TFAP) in a superacid solution. The most probable size of the PPN particles was 75 nm with quite large distributions. The resulting membranes were analyzed by SEM and AFM. Up to 30% PPN loads, both SEM and AFM images confirmed quite planar surfaces, at low scale, with limited roughness. Membranes with high hydrogen permeability and good selectivity for the gas pairs H2/CH4 and H2/N2 were obtained. For H2/CO2, selectivity almost vanished after thermal rearrangement. In all cases, their hydrogen permeability increased with increasing loads of PPN until around 30% PPN with ulterior fairly abrupt decreasing of permeability for all gases studied. Thermal rearrangement of the MMMs resulted in higher permeabilities but lower selectivities. For all the membranes and gas pairs studied, the balance of permeability vs. selectivity surpassed the 1991 Robeson’s upper bound, and approached or even exceeded the 2008 line, for MMMs having 30% PPN loads. In all cases, the HPA-MMMs before thermal rearrangement provided good selectivity versus permeability compromise, similar to their thermally rearranged counterparts but in the zone of high selectivity. For H2/CH4, H2/N2, these nonthermally rearranged MMMs approach the 2008 Robeson’s upper bound while H2/CO2 gives selective transport favoring H2 on the 1991 Robeson’s bound. Thus, attending to the energy cost of thermal rearrangement, it could be avoided in some cases especially when high selectivity is the target rather than high permeability.
Systematic Review of Calcium Channels and Intracellular Calcium Signaling: Relevance to Pesticide Neurotoxicity

Pesticides of different chemical classes exert their toxic effects on the nervous system by acting on the different regulatory mechanisms of calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis. Pesticides have been shown to alter Ca2+ homeostasis, mainly by increasing its intracellular concentration above physiological levels. The pesticide-induced Ca2+ overload occurs through two main mechanisms: the entry of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium through the different types of Ca2+ channels present in the plasma membrane or its release into the cytoplasm from intracellular stocks, mainly from the endoplasmic reticulum. It has also been observed that intracellular increases in the Ca2+ concentrations are maintained over time, because pesticides inhibit the enzymes involved in reducing its levels. Thus, the alteration of Ca2+ levels can lead to the activation of various signaling pathways that generate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and, finally, neuronal death. In this review, we also discuss some proposed strategies to counteract the detrimental effects of pesticides on Ca2+ homeostasis.
Prediction of Terminal-Area Weather Penetration on the Basis of Operational Factors

Convective weather is known to reduce airspace capacity, but the extent of the impact is not well understood. Understanding how weather affects terminal area capacity is essential for quantification of the uncertainty in weather forecasts and, in particular, the degree of accuracy of the forecast. With this foundation, the question emerges as to the feasibility and possible effectiveness of an optimal mitigation strategy. Research has focused on the overlap between convective weather cells and air routes but has not sufficiently analyzed the differences that arise from factors such as aircraft types and pilot behavior. This paper examines the interactions between convective weather and aircraft trajectories in the arrival airspace surrounding Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Illinois. Case studies based on operational data are used to determine potentially relevant operational factors, and a predictive model is built with these factors to forecast whether a flight will pass through hazardous weather. The results of the analysis suggest that these operational factors are secondary to the weather itself in determining whether a pilot will deviate from or penetrate hazardous weather.
Some Statistical Models vs. Models Based on SC for High Frequency Financial Time Series Applied to Bonds of Commercial Banks

In neural networks modeling approach, a non-linear model is estimated based on machine learning methods. The study discusses, analytically and numerically demonstrates the quality and interpretability of the obtained prediction accuracy results from prediction models based on advanced statistical methods and models based on neural networks (intelligent methods). Both proposed approaches are applied to the financial time series of s of VUB bond prices. We found that it is possible to achieve significant risk reduction in managerial decision-making by applying intelligent forecasting models based on the latest information technologies. In a comparative study is shown, that both presented modeling approaches are able to model and predict high frequency data with reasonable accuracy, but the neural network approach is more effective.
Inferring Functional Annotation for Human Genes from Gene-PDB Structure Mapping

Protein 3D structure is one of the main factors in reecting gene functions. The availability of protein structure data in Protein Data Bank (PDB) allows us to conduct gene function analysis based on protein structure data. However, the molecules in PDB, whose structures having been determined, are always not corresponding to a unique gene. That is to say, the mapping from a gene to the PDB is not one-to-one. This feature complicates the situation and increases the difculty of gene function analysis. In this paper, we attempt to tackle this problem and also study the problem of predicting gene function from protein structures based on the gene-PDB mapping. We rst obtain the gene-PDB mapping, which is used to represent a gene by the structure set of all its corresponding PDB molecules. We then dene a new gene-gene similarity measurement based on the structure similarity between PDB molecules, and we further show that this new measurement matches with the gene functional similarity. This means that the measurement we dened here can be used effectively for gene function prediction.
Design considerations for an electrooptic directional coupler modulator

A rigorous numerical model is presented for an electrooptic directional coupler (DC) modulator. It was observed that it is possible for such a device to be optimized by the variation of a number of fabrication parameters. The applied field, the induced refractive index changes, and hence the change in the waveguide optical field due to the antisymmetric refractive index change are calculated for an elected structure. Finally, the product of switching voltage and coupling length, the power transfer efficiency, obtained using the least squares boundary residual (LSBR) method, and the optical loss due to the metal electrodes are also given.
Intensive Commercialization of Endangered Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii) Along the Coastal Amazon as Revealed by DNA Barcode

Elasmobranchs represent a well-defined group, composed of about 1,150 species inhabiting diverse aquatic environments. Currently, several of these species have been classified as threaten due to overexploitation. Therefore, we used DNA barcode to identify traded species of sharks and stingrays in the municipality of Bragança (Amazon coastal region), a major fishery landing site in northern Brazil. We collected a total of 127 samples labeled into 24 commercial nomenclatures over 1-year period. Twenty species were discriminated and 13 of them are recognized under some threatening status. In relation to sharks, Carcharhinidae showed the highest number of species, half of them classified as endangered, followed by hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae), with four species also regarded as threatened with extinction. The Rhinopteridae and Dasyatidae rays were the most abundant groups, with trade records of the following threatened species: Rhinoptera brasiliensis, Rhinoptera bonasus, Hypanus berthalutzae, and Fontitrygon geijskesi. It is noteworthy that threatened species of elasmobranchs have been frequently and regularly exploited because of inefficient fishery management policies. Therefore, effective inspection practices need to be incorporated in fisheries, including the use of DNA barcode to enable a reliable method of species authentication and to assure the proper commercialization.
Mouse Movement Trajectories as an Indicator of Cognitive Workload

ABSTRACT Assessing the cognitive impact of user interfaces is a shared focus of human-computer interaction researchers and cognitive scientists. Methods of cognitive assessment based on data derived from the system itself, rather than external apparatus, have the potential to be applied in a range of scenarios. The current study applied methods of analyzing kinematics to mouse movements in a computer-based task, alongside the detection response task, a standard workload measure. Sixty-five participants completed a task in which stationary stimuli were tar;geted using a mouse, with a within-subjects factor of task workload based on the number of targets to be hovered over with the mouse (one/two), and a between-subjects factor based on whether both targets (exhaustive) or just one target (minimum-time) needed to be hovered over to complete a trial when two targets were presented. Mouse movement onset times were slower and mouse movement trajectories exhibited more submovements when two targets were presented, than when one target was presented. Responses to the detection response task were also slower in this condition, indicating higher cognitive workload. However, these differences were only found for participants in the exhaustive condition, suggesting those in the minimum-time condition were not affected by the presence of the second target. Mouse movement trajectory results agreed with other measures of workload and task performance. Our findings suggest this analysis can be applied to workload assessments in real-world scenarios.
Using a case study approach to identify critical success factors for alliance contracting

Purpose – There has been a significant increase in the use of relationship contracting in the global construction industry, with strategies such as Partnering, Alliancing and Public-Private Partnerships all used. These approaches were introduced to the Australian construction industry in the 1990s in an attempt to overcome the adversarial nature of traditional contracting methods. The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence the successful implementation of Project Alliancing by means of a case study approach focusing on the procurement of a large water treatment plant. The research findings identify critical success factors (CSFs) both from literature and the case study project. Design/methodology/approach – The research traces the origins of Alliancing and identifies CSFs by reviewing literature and analysing a current case study project. The paper first identifies CSFs on a global scale by establishing a theoretical framework of CSFs and then compares this to the case study projec.
Biomimetic Analysis of Insect Wing Kinematics for Flapping MAVs

Despite significant interest for over a decade in developing micro air vehicles (MAVs) that mimic the flight performance exhibited by insects, no design has achieved this challenge. This has principally been due to limitations in actuation devices, which have resulted in constrained flapping motions that require conventional rudder and aileron control surfaces. Recent advances in “artificial muscle” actuation technologies mean that reproducing the complex wing kinematics of insects with sufficient power density for MAV flight has become feasible. Consequently, there is a need to analyse the wing kinematics of insects and how they are modulated for controlled, manoeuvrable flight. It is also important to understand how wing kinematics affect the unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms that crucially augment lift and thrust force production. In this paper a biomimetic analysis of insect wing kinematics based on established biological literature is presented, that aims to aid the development of agile and controllable flapping MAVs.
Runoff, erosion, and soil quality characteristics of a former conservation reserve program site in southwestern Oklahoma

This study was conducted to measure runoff, erosion, and soil quality characteristics of a site in southwestern Oklahoma the first year following conversion from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Treatments included undisturbed CRP, Old World bluestem (Bothriochlora ischaemum L.), no-till wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and conservation-till wheat. Significant differences in surface cover were found between each of the experimental treatments, with values ranging from 100% on the undisturbed CRP site to 42% for the conservation-till treatment. No significant difference in runoff was found among the various experimental treatments. The Old World bluestem and winter wheat treatments had only minimal erosion during the first year following conversion from the CRP. Production of Old World bluestem maintained levels of soil quality similar to those of the undisturbed CRP. Conversion of this CRP area to winter wheat production significantly reduced biological nutrient reserves, suggesting a degradation of soil quality. If this trend continues, long term productivity and the quality of air and water resources at this site could be affected.