Emergentism

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sparse spatial selection for novelty-based search result diversification

Abstract. Novelty-based diversification approaches aim to produce a diverse ranking by directly comparing the retrieved documents. However, since such approaches are typically greedy, they require O(n 2) documentdocument comparisons in order to diversify a ranking of n documents. In this work, we propose to model novelty-based diversification as a similarity search in a sparse metric space. In particular, we exploit the triangle inequality property of metric spaces in order to drastically reduce the number of required document-document comparisons. Thorough experiments using three TREC test collections show that our approach is at least as effective as existing novelty-based diversification approaches, while improving their efficiency by an order of magnitude.

A relational-constructionist account of protein macrostructure and function

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Use of Smart Devices for the Detection of Aflatoxin in Ground Corn Feeds

Aflatoxin contaminates agricultural commodities, plants or animal-derived food, in warm and humid conditions primarily in tropical countries such as the Philippines. Although the type and degree of contamination are dependent on its concentration, its effect becomes critical when biomagnified. In this study, a rapid, simple, and portable detection was developed. A smart-device sensor was used to measure the pH of the samples with aflatoxin and compared it with the pH of pure samples. Concentrations in parts per billion (ppb) were calculated for each of the samples from the obtained pH readings; Cyclic voltammetry was also conducted to further study the electrochemical properties of the mixture with aflatoxin

The Use of Smart Devices for the Detection of Aflatoxin in Ground Corn Feeds

Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced predominantly by two fungal species: Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus (Gourama, H., & Bullerman, L., 1995). These fungal species are contaminants of food crops as well as animal feeds, and are responsible for aflatoxin contamination of these agricultural products. The toxicity and potency of aflatoxins make them the primary health hazard as well as responsible for losses associated with contaminations of processed foods and feeds (Gourama, H., & Bullerman, L., 1995). Determination of aflatoxins concentration in food crops and animal feeds is thus very important for Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FRSA) to create effective policies (Shane, S.H. & Groopman, J.D., 1994). However, the current mechanism of aflatoxin detection does not provide an immediate result, requires technical expertise, and are costly (Paniel, N., Radoi, A. & Marty, J., 2010

Effect of Applied Magnetic Field on Surface Morphology, Optical and Electrical Property of Tin (IV) Oxide (SnO2) Nanomaterial for Meat Spoilage Detection

The specter of botcha or “double dead” meat is a persistent, if not underestimated, threat in Filipino markets. In 2014, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) recorded the confiscation of more than 12 metric tons of so-called hot meat, unfit for human consumption. The hazard that consuming this and other forms of spoiled meat poses to human health cannot be overstated, especially because spoiled meat can harbor dangerous pathogens or parasites such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas Aeroginosa, and Trichinella

A study of reproducibility of kinesiology tape applications: review, reliability and validity

Background: Literature addressing the mechanical properties of kinesiology tape is quite scarce. There are no studies which focus on the mechanical characteristics of kinesiology tape, its mechanical properties, nor its adherence following the ISO international standard test methods for tape elongation. Methods: This study quantified the mechanical characteristics of 380 samples of kinesiology tape from 19 different brands and in 4 different colors using a dynamometer. Mechanical testing was controlled by UNE EN ISO 13934-1. Results: Significant differences were found between tape brands in terms of grammage, maximum force tenacity, work, pre-elongation and percentage elongation (P < .001). Regarding kinesiology tape color, statistically significant differences were found between tape brands in terms of grammage, maximum force and tenacity (P < .001), work and pre-elongation (P < .05). When adherence was studied, statistically significant differences were found between tape brands in terms of maximum force and work (P < .001). Conclusions: The different kinesiology tapes presented different behaviors with regard to rupture and removal when applied to skin in dry state, wet state and after being submerged in artificial acidic sweat solution. Therefore, different kinesiology tape brands will produce different levels of strain even though the same elongation is used. Depending on the characteristics (body dimensions) and properties (skin elongation) of each subject in the sample, bandages with different elongations must be applied to achieve the same strain in all of the tapes and therefore produce the same effect. The absence of these data at this time limits the reliability of previous clinical studies, makes comparing their findings impossible and presents new challenges for research in this field

Simulation of Urban Heat Island during a High-Heat Event Using WRF Urban Canopy Models: A Case Study for Metro Manila

This present study aims to determine the performance of using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, coupled with the urban canopy models (UCMs), in simulating the 2 m air temperature and 2 m relative humidity in Metro Manila. The simulation was performed during a high heat event on 22–29 April 2018, which coincided with the dry season in the Philippines. The four urban canopy model options that were used in this study include, the bulk (no urban), SLUCM, BEP, and BEM. The results of the simulations were compared with the hourly observations from three weather stations over Metro Manila from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Integrated Surface Dataset (ISD) and one agrometeorological station in Naic, Cavite. After model validation, the urban heat island (UHI) was then characterized to determine the spatial-temporal variations in the cities of Metro Manila. Statistical results show that the WRF simulation for 2 m air temperature agrees with measurements with an RMSE of0.80. WRF simulation for relative humidity still presents a challenge where simulation errors are higher than the acceptable range. The addition of UCMs does not necessarily improve the simulation for 2 m air temperature, while the use of BEP improved the 2 m relative humidity simulation. The results suggest the importance of using actual urban morphology values in WRF to accurately simulate near-surface variables. On the other hand, WRF simulation shows the presence of urban heat islands, notably in the northwest and central area of Metro Manila during daytime, extending throughout Metro Manila during nighttime. Lower air temperature was consistently observed in areas near Laguna Lake, while higher air temperature due to stagnant winds was observed in the northwest area of Metro Manila. High heat index was also observed throughout Metro Manila from daytime until nighttime, especially in areas near bodies of water like Manila Bay and Laguna Lake due to high humidity