Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards a more applicable set of sustainable construction practices

The concept of introducing sustainability into the construction industry is not a new one; it has been paid an ever-increasing attention since the late 1980s. Previous research and literature on sustainable construction are plentiful, and diversifying to a very broad - and sometimes conflicting - range of aspects: from social, economic, and ecological, to engineering. Sustainable construction, however, is by no means standard practice. This paper attempts to investigate several issues related to the practical implementation of sustainable practices in construction, including the nature of 'sustainable construction' itself, the limitations to application, and the need for a promoted set of sustainable construction practices at an operational level. A conceptual context space is proposed, within which a set of sustainable construction practices is promoted.
Mixtures of higher-order fractional Brownian motions

Abstract In this article, we show that the nth-order fractional Brownian motions (fBm) introduced by Perrin et al. are non Markovian special semimartingales. Their infinite mixtures are also presented and shown to be semimartingales satisfying mixed self-similarity property and accounting for long-range dependence phenomena. As result, they are alternative to mixed fBm in modeling stock prices in arbitrage-free financial markets.
Evaluation of antioxidative capacity of Artemisiae Argyi Folium in vitro

As the traditional Chinese medicine, artemisiae argyi folium has various functions such as analgesia, antitumor, and anti-hypertension. To study antioxidant activity of artemisiae argyi folium (AAF) in vitro. The antioxidant activity of AAF was evaluated by ABTS assay, DPPH experiment, OH test and lipid peroxidation. The hydrogen peroxide-induced RAW264.7 cell oxidative damage model was established to assess its antioxidant activity. The results showed that the AAF had strong antioxidant activity and the IC50 on ABTS radicals, DPPH radicals and hydroxyl radicals were 80.88, 813.63, 2458.67 and 94. 86μg/ml. MTT experiments showed that AAF was not cytotoxic. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrate the antioxidant activity of AAF. AAF has great potential for development.
Equations for determining aircraft motions for accident data

Procedures for determining a comprehensive accident scenario from a limited data set are reported. The analysis techniques accept and process data from either an Air Traffic Control radar tracking system or a foil flight data recorder. Local meteorological information at the time of the accident and aircraft performance data are also utilized. Equations for the desired aircraft motions and forces are given in terms of elements of the measurement set and certain of their time derivatives. The principal assumption made is that aircraft side force and side-slip angle are negligible. An estimation procedure is outlined for use with each data source. For the foil case, a discussion of exploiting measurement redundancy is given. Since either formulation requires estimates of measurement time derivatives, an algorithm for least squares smoothing is provided.
Targeting Tumor Microenvironment: Metformin Suppresses IL-22 Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Upregulating Hippo Signalling Pathway.

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown direct associations between type 2 diabetes and the risk of cancers. Accumulating evidence indicates that metformin is profoundly implicated in preventing tumor development. However, the exact mechanism underlying the anti-tumor effects of metformin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still not clear. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effects of metformin on a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and interleukin-22 (IL-22)-associated carcinogenesis in vitro. Results: We found that metformin significantly suppressed the incidence and tumor burden of HCC in the diethyl-nitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC mouse model. As expected, expression of IL-22, an important factor involved in HCC progression, was markedly reduced by metformin. Treatment of HCC cells with metformin inhibited IL-22 induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, ectopic expression of IL-22 makes HCC more aggressive whereas metformin largely compromised it in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the whole transcriptome analysis and functional analysis revealed that Hippo signaling pathway was involved in the anti-tumor ability of metformin. Consistent with this, metformin directly activated Mst1/2, phosphorylated YAP1 in vitro. After blocking Hippo pathway by XMU-MP-1, the inhibitor of MST1/2, the inhibitory effects by metformin were dramatically attenuated as shown by in vitro study. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings illuminate a new regulatory mechanism, metformin activates Hippo signaling pathway to regulate IL-22 mediated HCC progression and provide new insights into its tumor-suppressive roles.
Effects of Extraction Time on the Functional Properties of Silver Catfish (Pangasius sutchi) Skin Gelatin

Silver catfish (Pangasius sutchi) skin gelatin was extracted to determine the effects of extraction time on the functional properties of the gelatin in terms of solubility, protein solubility as a function of pH and sodium chloride concentration, emulsifying capacity and stability, water holding capacity, fat binding capacities and foaming properties. Silver catfish skins were washed in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution prior to pre-treatment in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and acetic acid solution. Gelatin was extracted at 50oC for 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours extraction time followed by freeze drying. The extraction of silver catfish skin gelatin at 50 oC for 12 hours was more effective than extraction at 6, 8 and 10 hours where the gelatin was characterized by higher emulsifying capacity (52.63%), emulsifying stability (47.83%), water holding capacity (31.78 mL/g), fat binding capacities (54.76%), foaming capacity (41.47 mL) and foaming stability (56.42%) than gelatins extracted at other extraction time. The longer the extraction time, the better the functional properties of the gelatin. Based on its good functional properties, silver catfish skin gelatin may be useful in various food applications such as soups, sauces and gravies.
Sensor fusion techniques for cooperative localization in robot teams

A fundamental capability for autonomous robot operations is localization—that is, the ability of a robot to estimate its position in the environment. It is a base level capability enabling numerous other technologies including mapping, manipulation, and target tracking. Within this realm of research, there is a more recent and narrower focus on Cooperative Localization (CL) for robot teams. In this paradigm, groups of robots combine sensor measurements to improve localization performance. The focus of this dissertation is applying sensor fusion techniques to the CL problem. We are particularly interested in employing teams of robots in target tracking roles. This has motivated our own solution to CL which is capable of solving the Simultaneous Localization and Target Tracking problem. Under this paradigm, targets are merely viewed as “passive” team members that must be localized. The benefit of such an approach is that although the targets do not contribute measurements, they still contribute constraints to the localization process. We assume an unknown-but-bounded model for sensor noise, whereby bearing and range measurements are modeled as linear constraints on the configuration space of the robot team. Merging these constraints induces a convex polytope representing the set of all configurations consistent with sensor measurements. Estimates for the uncertainty in the absolute position of a single robot or the relative positions of two or more nodes can then be obtained by projecting this polytope onto appropriate subspaces of the configuration space. While recovering the exact projection can require exponential time, we propose a novel method for approximating these projections using linear programming techniques. We then further extend current localization methods to the problem of active target tracking. Recall that in the CL model, pose estimates are formed by combining information from multiple distributed sensors. This capability invites the following question: given that the robot platforms are mobile, how should they be deployed in order to maximize the quality of the estimates returned by the team? We present a generic theoretical framework, and practical computational approaches for tackling this problem.
Summary of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fisheries and aquaculture sector

Although COVID-19 does not infect aquatic species (Bondad-Reantaso et al., 2020), it has affected the fisheries and aquaculture food systems like no other shock before. The protection measures taken by governments to contain the spread of the disease, while necessary, have impacted each step of the seafood supply chain, from fishing and aquaculture production, to processing, transport, and wholesale and retail marketing. Yet, in this period of global pandemic, f ish1 remains an essential source of animal proteins, micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital in low-income food-deficit countries (LIFDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where diets are heavily reliant on fish.2
Design preservation over subsequent releases of a software product: a case study of Baan ERP: Practice Articles

We present the results of two case studies we conducted at Baan in the Netherlands. At the time of conducting the case studies, Baan was part of Invensys plc. (Baan is now owned by SSA Global Technologies.) In these case studies we investigated how companies identify design erosion and address this in their software, a practice we call ‘design preservation’. In this study, we selected two sub-systems in Baan products that had recently been subjected to extensive maintenance activities because they were eroded. In this paper, we analyze the problems these systems had, how Baan identified that these systems were problematic, and the remedies that were used to address the problems. In addition to confirming some of our earlier conclusions, we have been able to extract some common causes for design erosion problems as well as a number of recommended design preservation practices, which, at least for Baan, have proven to be very effective in strengthening design preservation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constructing an Index Fund Using Interior Point Primal- Dual Method

Optimization methods nowadays play a very important role in financial decisions such as portfolio managements, construction of index funds and pension funds. This Master Thesis is devoted to the problem of an index fund construction. The problem is represented as a linear optimization problem of re-balancing the portfolio at minimum cost and solved using the Primal-Dual interior point method. The index fund is constructed using ten companies from the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJIA). The Primal-Dual interior point method was first implemented in Matlab and later on in Java.
Defining the Meaning of a Major Modeling and Simulation Change as Applied to Accreditation

Abstract : Increasingly, decisions are being made based partially or entirely on models. These decisions may be quite important, with the potential of serious or unacceptable consequences if an incorrect decision is made. The models used to support the decisions may have been newly developed or modified versions of existing models. In the former case, it seems clear that a new model should undergo validation before it is used for any significant application. In the latter case, the matter may be less clear; must the modified model, which presumably was validated when it was initially developed, be subject to another round of validation due to the modifications? Several existing methods address the re-validation question, including methods developed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Joint Accreditation Support Agency, and the project's sponsoring agency. These existing methods vary widely in several respects including level of detail, specificity with respect to modeling and simulation, degree of quantitativeness, ease of use, and applicability to the sponsoring agency. All include some form of the notion of risk, which is conventionally defined as the product of the likelihood of an incorrect decision and the consequences of such a decision. A new method, the Quantitative-to-Qualitative Risk-based (QQR) method, was developed to make a quantitative recommendation regarding the re-validation of a modified model. The QQR method was developed with these goals in mind: to be quantitative, repeatable, and transparent to consider both model modifications and model use risk; to focus on model types and simulation applications of interest to the sponsoring agency; and to be simple and accessible so as to encourage its use in practical applications. The QQR method estimates the probability that not re-validating a modified model will lead to unacceptable consequences, given the modifications made to it.
FDR - DIE FAHRDYNAMIKREGELUNG VON BOSCH

Nach der Serieneinfuehrung von ABS und ABS/ASR wird Bosch 1995 mit der Fahrdynamikregelung FDR ein neues aktives Fahrsicherheitssystem einfuehren. FDR gibt dem Fahrer nicht nur verbesserte ABS- und ASR-Grundfunktionen in laengsdynamisch kritischen Situationen bei Vollbremsung und Beschleunigung, sondern auch aktive Unterstuetzung bei querdynamisch kritischen Situationen. Das System verbessert die Fahrstabilitaet in allen Betriebszustaenden, das heisst bei Voll- und Teilbremsung, Freirollen, Antrieb, Schub und Lastwechsel, sobald der fahrdynamische Grenzbereich erreicht wird. Das Fahrverhalten entspricht auch im Grenzbereich dem Erfahrungshorizont des Fahrers und ist damit vorhersehbar. Das neue FDR-System reduziert selbst bei extremen Lenkmanoevern die Schleudergefahr drastisch und ermoeglicht auch in kritischen Verkehrssituationen weitgehend die sichere Beherrschung des Automobils. Diese Vorteile lassen erwarten, dass FDR einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Unfallvermeidung und Schadensbegrenzung leisten wird. Titel in Englisch: VDC - The Vehicle Dynamics Control system of Bosch.
Are current antivirus programs able to detect complex metamorphic malware? An empirical evaluation.

In this paper, we present the design of a metamorphic engine representing a type of hurdle that antivirus systems need to get over in their ght against malware. First we describe the two steps of the en- gine replication process : obfuscation and modeling. Then, we apply this engine to a real worm to evaluate current antivirus products detection ca- pacities. This assessment leads to a classication of detection tools, based on their observable behavior, in two main categories: the rst one, rely- ing on static detection techniques, presents low detection rates obtained by heuristic analysis. The second one, composed of dynamic detection programs, focuses only on elementary suspicious actions. Consequently, no products appear to reliably detect the candidate malware after appli- cation of the metamorphic engine. Through this evaluation of antivirus products, we hope to help defenders understand and defend against the threat represented by this class of malware.
Students Performance: From Detection of Failures and Anomaly Cases to the Solutions-Based Mining Algorithms

Educational Data Mining (EDM) helps to recognise the performance of students and predict their academic achievements that include the successes aspects and failures, negative aspects and challenges. In the educational systems, a massive amount of students' data has been collected, which has become difficult for officials to search through and obtain the knowledge required to discover challenges facing students and universities by traditional methods. Therefore, the rooted problem is how to dive into these data and discover real challenges that are facing both the students and the universities. The main aim of this research is to extract hidden, significant patterns, new insights from students' historical data, which can solve the current problems, help to enhance the educational process and to improve academic performance. The data mining tools used for this task are classification, regression, and association rules for frequent patterns generation. The research data sets gathered from the College of Business and Economics (CBE). The finding of this research can help to make appropriate decisions for certain circumstances and provide better suggestions for overcoming students' weaknesses and failures. Through the findings, numerous problems related to a students' performance discovered at different levels and in various courses. The research findings indicated that there are many important problems. Consequently, a suggestion of suitable solutions, which can be presented to the relevant authorities for the benefit and improving student performance and activating academic advising.
Analysis of Real Time EEG Signals

The recent evolution in multidisciplinary fields of Engineering, neuroscience, microelectronics,bioengineering and neurophysiology have reduced the gap between human andmachine intelligence. Many methods and algorithms have been developed for analysisand classification of bio signals, 1 or 2-dimensional, in time or frequency distribution.The integration of signal processing with the electronic devices serves as a major root forthe development of various biomedical applications. There are many ongoing researchin this area to constantly improvise and build an efficient human- robotic system.Electroencephalography (EEG) technology is an efficient way of recording electrical activityof the brain. The advancement of EEG technology in biomedical application helpsin diagnosing various brain disorders as tumors, seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsyand other malfunctions in human brain.The main objective of our thesis deals with acquiring and pre-processing of real timeEEG signals using a single dry electrode placed on the forehead. The raw EEG signalsare transmitted in a wireless mode (Bluetooth) to the local acquisition server and storedin the computer. Various machine learning techniques are preferred to classify EEGsignals precisely. Different algorithms are built for analysing various signal processingtechniques to process the signals. These results can be further used for the developmentof better Brain-computer interface systems.
Natural Commutation Technique to Reduce Voltage Surges and Switching Losses in a Cycloconverter-Type High-Frequency Link Inverter

Abstract This paper presents an isolated cycloconverter-type high-frequency (HF) link inverter that consists of three arms of bidirectional switches at the transformer secondary. This topology has the advantages of light weight and reduced switch count, when compared to other types of HF link inverters. However, like all HF link inverter topologies, this topology suffers from a high-voltage surge problem and power device switching loss. In order to overcome these problems, the natural commutation method that enables soft-switching operation is applied. To verify the viability of the scheme, a low-power laboratory prototype based on the Siemens 80C167 fixed-point microcontroller is constructed. In addition, the simulation of the inverter is also carried out. The prototype inverter is able to supply output voltage at 120 V’rms, with a total harmonics distortion of less than 1%. The total power conversion efficiency reaches 86% when the output power is over 300 W.
Integrated system for a high resolution MEMS accelerometer

2 Table of contents. 3 List of Figures . 4 List of Tables . 5 Introduction . 6 Micromachined Inertial Sensors . 7 Introduction . 7 Micromachined Accelerometer. 8 Capacitive Accelerometer . 10 Electrical Model . 11 Fully Differential Charge Amplifier for Mems Accelerometer [5] . 13 Introduction . 13 Fully Differential Amplifier . 14 Charge Amplifier . 17 Conclusion. 19 Analog-Digital Converter . 20 Introduction . 20 Sigma-Delta Analog-Digital Converter (ΣΔ ADC) . 21 Structure of the ΣΔ ADC . 22 ΣΔ ADC Circuits already developed for MEMS Accelerometer. 25 Future Work . 27 References . 28
Phytochemicals and Elemental Analysis of Methanol Leave Extract of Peppermint Tea (Mentha Piperita L.)

The species Mentha piperita L. (Peppermint tea) is an aromatic perennial glabrous and strongly scented herb. It is one of the most popular and widely consumed single ingredient herbal teas, or tisanes. This study evaluate the phytochemicals constituents and elemental compositions of methanolic leaves extract of peppermint tea. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, glycosides, saponin, steroids, tannins, terpenoids and total phenolic compounds, while quantitative analysis shows terpenoids>total phenolic compounds>flavonoids>alkaloids>glycosides>tannins>steroids>saponins. Elemental analysis revealed the presence of potassium (K) 116.67±0.00mg/kg, Calcium (Ca) 96.67±9.95mg/kg, Sodium (Na) 93.33±0.00mg/kg, Iron (Fe) 77.53± 0.50mg/kg, Copper (Cu) 49.13±5.15mg/kg, Manganese (Mn) 15.33±0.75mg/kg, Magnesium (Mg) 9.33±4.00mg/kg, and Zinc (Zn) 0.80±0.30mg/kg. Thus this study shows peppermint plant to be of high nutritional value and contain medicinally important bioactive compounds.
Effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, meat quality, and backfat in finishing pigs

This experiment was conducted to estimate the influence of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, meat quality, and backfat in finishing pigs. A total of 100 mixed finisher pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments for 10 weeks, the average initial body weight was 52.03 ± 1.08 kg. Dietary treatments consisted of supplementation of GABA to 0.05% of the basal diet (GAB) and a CON (basal diet) without supplementation . Each treatment had 10 replicates with 5 pigs per pen (three gilts and two barrows). Measurements were made at three time period: weeks 1 5, weeks 5 10 and overall experimental period. Compared to CON, the pigs fed GABA had average daily gain (ADG) increases among phases (p < 0.05). Average Daily Feed Intake ADFI increased during the overall experimental period (p < 0.05). The digestibility of Dry Matter (DM) increased. The concentration of epinephrine decreased at 5th and 10th weeks (p < 0.05), meanwhile, cortisol decreased at 10th week (p < 0.05) in GAB treatment. Otherwise, the pigs’ GABA supplementation had no effect on meat quality and backfat thickness (p > 0.05). We conclude that a dietary supplementation of GABA at 0.05% improves growth performance and the digestibility of dry matter, while reducing the stress response of finishing pigs.
Investigating the Target Environment for Agile Methods

Agile methods are systems development methodologies that are commonly tailored to fit the contingencies of a project. We used this property to investigate the environmental factors which affect the use of agile methods. Initially we developed a theoretical model of the target environment for agile methods, then tested the model using data from a multi-case study of nine software development projects. We gathered data on agile method tailoring to calculate an agile method usage value. We then investigated the relationship between project environment factors and agile method usage using non-parametric data analysis. Our results indicate that specific environmental factors correlate with effective use of an agile method. These factors include the extent to which the project was undergoing constant change and the organisational culture factors of feedback and learning, teamwork, empowerment of people, collaboration, leadership, loyalty, and a results-oriented culture that values entrepreneurship, innovation and risk taking.