Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SYNTHESIS OF LITHIUM TITANATE ( Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 ) BY ADDITION OF EXCESS LITHIUM CARBONATE ( Li 2 CO 3 ) IN TITANIUM DIOXIDE ( TiO 2 ) XEROGEL

Lithium titanate, Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is a promising candidate as lithium ion battery anode material. In this investigation, LTO was synthesized by a solid state method using TiO2 xerogel prepared by the sol-gel method and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). Three variations of Li2CO3 content addition in mol% or Li2CO3 molar excess were fabricated, i.e., 0, 50 and 100%, labelled as sample LTO-1, LTO-2 and LTO-3, respectively. The characterizations were made using XRD, FESEM, and BET testing. These were performed to observe the effect of lithium excess addition on structure, morphology, and surface area of the resulting samples. Results showed that the crystallite size and surface area of each sample was 50.80 nm, 17.86 m 2 /gr for LTO-1; 53.14 nm, 22.53 m 2 /gr for LTO-2; and 38.09 nm, 16.80 m 2 /gr for LTO-3. Furthermore, lithium excess caused the formation of impure compound Li2TiO3, while a very small amount of rutile TiO2 was found in LTO-1. A near-pure crystalline Li4Ti5O12 compound was successfully synthesized using the present method with stoichiometric composition with 0% excess, indicating very little Li + loss during the sintering process.
Network analysis of phenological units to detect important species in plant-pollinator assemblages: can it inform conservation strategies?

Conservation of species is often focused either only on those that are endangered, or on maximising the number recorded on species lists. However, species share space and time with others, thus interacting and building frameworks of relationships that can be unravelled by community-level network analysis. It is these relationships that ultimately drive ecosystem function via the transfer of energy and nutrients. However interactions are rarely considered in conservation planning. Network analysis can be used to detect key species ("hubs") that play an important role in cohesiveness of networks. We applied this approach to plant-pollinator communities on two montane Northern Apennine grasslands, paying special attention to the modules and the identity of hubs. We performed season-wide sampling and then focused the network analyses on time units consistent with plant phenology. After testing for significance of modules, only some modules were found to be significantly segregated from others. Thus, networks were organized around a structured core of modules with a set of companion species that were not organized into compartments. Using a network approach we obtained a list of important plant and pollinator species, including three Network Hubs of utmost importance, and other hubs of particular biogeographical interest. By having a lot of links and high partner diversity, hubs should convey stability to networks. Due to their role in the networks, taking into account such key species when considering the management of sites could help to preserve the greatest number of interactions and thus support many other species.
Synthesis of Promoted Catalyst from Iraqi Rice Husk Used as a Raw Material for Treating Tannery Wastewater

In this investigation, the removal of Cr +6 ions in a semi continuous packed bed column by adsorption using a low cost adsorbent material which is Iraqi Rice Husk (IRH) at different operating conditions of pH, flow rates of polluted solution through the bed, weight of IRH and time of treatment was studied for two different initial concentration of Cr +6 ions. The results show that all factors have a significant effect on the percentage removal of Cr +6 ions from aqueous solutions and the optimum pH, flow rate, weight of IRH and time of treatment are 2, 10 ml/min, 50 g and 120 min respectively for two initial concentrations of Cr +6 ions. Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were also applied and they showed good fits to the experimental data. A comparison of kinetic models applied to the adsorption of Cr +6 ions on the IRH was evaluated for the first order, pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetic models, respectively. The results show that the pseudo first-order kinetic model was found to correlate with the experimental data well. A mathematical model is proposed for a packed bed isothermal adsorption column with a porous adsorbent. The mathematical model takes account of both external and internal mass-transfer resistances as well as of non-ideal plug flow along the column. A statistical model is also devised to find an expression that relates the overall operating parameters used in this investigation in a general equation. Samples of the Iraqi rice husk remaining after use in the removal of Cr +6 ions from the aforementioned aqueous solutions were taken to study the utilization of IRH as a raw material in the synthesis of promoted type Y-zeolite catalyst and compared with normal type Y-zeolite catalyst prepared from IRH alone in the process of n-heptane isomerization. The results show that the promoted type Y-zeolite catalyst gives a higher conversion of n-heptane to isomer substances than the normal type Y-zeolite catalyst.
Modeling of shape memory alloy springs using a recurrent neural network

In this paper, a recurrent neural network structure is proposed for the modeling of the behavior of shape memory alloy springs. Numerous mathematical modeling and experimental evaluations show that the force exerted by SMAs, aside from their length and applied voltages, depends on the loading path. Therefore, in addition to the applied voltage and deformation, a feedback of the voltage applied to, and the force exerted by the SMA spring in the previous time step is included in the inputs to this neural network to represent the loading path. Fed by adequate inputs, the NN estimates the output force of the spring. The results of some thermal loadings of the spring at various fixed lengths and mechanical loadings at various constant voltages are used to train the NN. The performance of the NN model is then evaluated for some constant weight loadings which are not learnt by the NN. Simulation results indicate that compared to other neural network structures, the proposed structure learns the behavior of the SMA spring faster (in less iteration). Moreover, it provides a more general model, i.e. this NN model effectively estimates the output force for almost all possible loadings.
Characterizing polar atmospheres and their effect on Rayleigh‐scattering optical depth

[1] A large set of radiosoundings was analyzed to study the dependence of Rayleigh-scattering optical depth (ROD) on pressure and temperature features of the polar clear-sky atmosphere. This set consists of 1320 radiosoundings, launched throughout the year at six Arctic sites, and of 940 radiosoundings launched at five Antarctic sites. The vertical profiles of pressure, temperature, and relative humidity given by these radiosoundings were corrected for lag errors and dry biases and then completed up to 120 km altitude, using COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere (CIRA) monthly vertical profiles of pressure and temperature, water vapor mixing ratio data derived from various satellite observations, and standard CO2 vertical profile relative to 2007, when the ground-level concentration was 380 ppmv. Calculations of the volume Rayleigh-scattering coefficient were made for all the radiosoundings to study its seasonal variations with height due to pressure and temperature changes occurring in the troposphere and stratosphere. It was found that the surface-level pressure and temperature conditions can account to a large extent for these seasonal effects. Therefore, average spectral evaluations of ROD were made at 88 selected wavelengths from 0.20 to 4.0 μm for all the radiosoundings, subdivided into eight latitude/altitude site classes, representing 70°N, 75°N, 80°N, 70°S, 75°S, 80°S, and 90°S latitudes, for which the average ground values of air pressure pa and air temperature Ta were defined. The dependence of ROD on the daily ground-level values of air pressure po and air temperature To measured at each site can be accounted for by using an algorithm in which the pressure dependence is given with good approximation by ratio (po/pa), and the temperature linear dependence is expressed by the difference (Ta − To) multiplied by a spectral slope coefficient k(λ) which varies by site classification. This algorithm was estimated to provide values of ROD with accuracy within ±0.5% at the six sea-level Arctic sites, ±0.5% at the three Antarctic coastal sites, and ±0.7% at the two Antarctic Plateau sites (Dome C and South Pole). When used to analyze the Sun photometer measurements, the present evaluations of ROD are estimated to provide aerosol optical depth values at visible wavelengths with relative errors of 1%–2% at the Arctic sites, 1%–4% at the coastal Antarctic sites, and 3%–13% at the Antarctic Plateau sites, for background aerosol extinction conditions.
The Impact of a Sound Amplification System in a Preschool Setting: Children’s and Educators’ Perspectives

This study investigated children’s and early childhood educators’ perspectives on the impact of a sound amplification system in a preschool setting. The sample included 69 children aged 3-5 years and nine early childhood educators from a preschool in regional Australia. Children completed selfreport booklets, rating how well they could hear in group time situations prior to and after the implementation of a sound amplification system. Early childhood educators completed an adapted version of the Listening Inventory for Education-Revised, rating the children’s hearing and listening. Quantitative analyses indicated that children’s hearing and listening improved, as reported by both educators and children. Qualitative analyses indicated that children and educators felt positive about the sound amplification system, that children could hear other children better, particularly at news time, that it helped children with speech difficulties to be better understood, and that it improved the confidence of the quieter children with speaking in front of the group.
Pricing Derivatives Under A Gains Tax Regime: New Impacts

Three years after the seminal work of Black and Scholes on the pricing of European options, Scholes presented a paper in which the impact of taxation on the value of an option is analyzed. We restart this discussion in a simple binomial setting emphasizing the economic principles of replicating strategies under taxation. Two perspectives will be introduced. The first one focuses on replicating payoff structures if the underlying assets are taxed. The second one discusses the influence of a tax system on a given contract specification. The limit results lead to a pricing formula in closed form suggesting a modification of the partial differential equation derived by Scholes. We claim that the value of the option is influenced by taxation even if gains of all relevant assets are taxed with the same rate. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the difference between numerical and closed form solutions are negligible in acceptable computing time. Thus the algorithmic schemes can be used as a base for pricing of complex options under taxation.
Plant Life History and Residue Chemistry Influences Emissions of CO2 and N2O From Soil – Perspectives for Genetically Modified Cell Wall Mutants

Vascular plants have lignified tissues that transport water, minerals, and photosynthetic products throughout the plant. They are the dominant primary producers in terrestrial ecosystems and capture significant quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis. Some of the fixed CO2 is respired by the plant directly, with additional CO2 lost from rhizodeposits metabolized by root-associated soil microorganisms. Microbially-mediated mineralization of organic nitrogen (N) from plant byproducts (rhizodeposits, dead plant residues) followed by nitrification generates another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O). In anaerobic soils, reduction of nitrate by microbial denitrifiers also produces N2O. The plant-microbial interactions that result in CO2 and N2O emissions from soil could be affected by genetic modification. Down-regulation of genes controlling lignin biosynthesis to achieve lower lignin concentration or a lower guaiacyl:syringyl (G:S) ratio in above-ground biomass is anticipated to produce forage crops with greater digestibility, improve short rotation woody crops for the wood-pulping industry and create second generation biofuel crops with low ligno-cellulosic content, but unharvested residues from such crops are expected to decompose quickly, potentially increasing CO2 and N2O emissions from soil. The objective of this review are the following: 1) to describe how plants influence CO2 and N2O emissions from soil during their life cycle; 2) to explain how plant residue chemistry affects its mineralization, contributing to CO2 and N2O emissions from soil; and 3) to show how modification of plant lignin biosynthesis could influence CO2 and N2O emissions from soil, based on experimental data from genetically modified cell wall mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. Conceptual models of plants with modified lignin biosynthesis show how changes in phenology, morphology and biomass production alter the allocation of photosynthetic products and carbon (C) losses through rhizodeposition and respiration during their life cycle, and the chemical composition of plant residues. Feedbacks on the soil environment (mineral N concentration, soil moisture, microbial communities, aggregation) affecting CO2 and N2O emissions are described. Down-regulation of the Cinnamoyl CoA Reductase 1 (CCR1) gene is an excellent target for highly digestable forages and biofuel crops, but A. thaliana with this mutation has lower plant biomass and fertility, prolonged vegetative growth and plant residues that are more susceptible to biodegradation, leading to greater CO2 and N2O emissions from soil in the short term. The challenge in future crop breeding efforts will be to select tissue-specific genes for lignin biosynthesis that meet commercial demands without compromising soil CO2 and N2O emission goals.
Bringing the crucified down from the cross: Preferential option for the poor in the South African context of poverty

This article makes an argument for the need and relevance of liberation theology and particularly its preferential option for the poor in the context of poverty. Post colonial and post-apartheid Southern African (and most if not all African) countries are still impoverished, with millions of the their citizens still living in dehumanising poverty despite the political liberation in the hands of the African rulers who replaced colonial and apartheid masters. Despite liberation and the dawn of democratic governments in Southern Africa millions of people are still suffering as a result of poverty. While the former colonies have been bequeathed some negative legacies that refuse to disappear, the main concern is that African leaders have failed to use the political powers at their disposal to bring about economic liberation and to transform the socio-economic and political structures that are responsible for the continuation of poverty. In the midst of these conditions that ensure the perpetuation of poverty and associated suffering theologians and pastors are disturbingly quiet and also failing to facilitate theological reflections in the context of poverty, to the extent that one is forced to ask some hard questions: On whose side are the pastors and theologians? On whose side is God? If as liberation theologians correctly argue that God is on the side of the poor, can theologians afford to be on a different side? Can they afford to be on a different side as they do theology, particularly as they do theology of missions? They are challenged to appropriate Jon Sobrino's theology of the "crucified peoples" and therefore make efforts to contribute to "bringing the crucified down from the cross" as they minister and as they reflect theologically.
Simultaneous dense and non-dense orbits for toral diffeomorphisms

We show that, for pairs of hyperbolic toral automorphisms on the $2$ -torus, the points with dense forward orbits under one map and non-dense forward orbits under the other is a dense, uncountable set. The pair of maps can be non-commuting. We also show the same for pairs of $C^{2}$ -Anosov diffeomorphisms on the $2$ -torus. (The pairs must satisfy slight constraints.) Our main tools are the Baire category theorem and a geometric construction that allows us to give a geometric characterization of the fractal that is the set of points with forward orbits that miss a certain open set.
The Role of Serum Uric Acid in Preeclampsia

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the utility of serum uric acid in preeclampsia diagnosis and its correlation with some maternal and fetal outcomes. Materials and methods: A case-control study was performed on 26 term pregnant women with preeclampsia and 52 normal pregnant women. Serum uric acid, platelet count, hematocrit, gestational age, and birth weight of all patients were measured. Data distribution was assessed with the one sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess differences between groups. Correlations between plasma uric acid and other parameters were evaluated with the Spearman’s Rho or Pearson correlation test, where appropriated. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to assess the ability of plasma uric acid to distinguish the preeclampsia from normal subjects. Significance was set at P< 0.05. Results: The mean level of plasma uric acid was 5.8 (+2) mg/dl in cases and 4.9 mg/dl in controls (P=0.04). ROC curve analysis demonstrates the absence of obvious cut off point for plasma uric acid to distinguish preeclampsia. Sensitivity and specificity for uric acid level of 5.5 mg/dl were 61.5% and 78.8%, respectively. There was no significant linear correlation between the plasma uric acid level and other measured parameters in each group. Conclusion: On the basis of our data, the clinical utility of measuring serum uric acid levels in diagnosing preeclampsia is limited.
Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion During Childhood; the Experience of a University Hospital in Turkey

Aim: Metallic foreign body (MFB) ingestion is a common problem in the pediatric population. Morbidity and mortality rates are low in foreign body ingestion during childhood, but it may lead to anxiety in parents. Materials and Methods: We aimed to analyze the clinical presentation, etiology, and management of MFB ingestion. The records of children admitted with a history of MFB ingestion were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding gender, age, type of foreign body, management, and outcome (outcomes) were recorded. Results: Of the 151 children included, 67 (44.4%) were male and 84 (55.6%) female. The mean age was 49.3±39.2 months. Coins, in 108 patients (71.5%), were the most commonly ingested foreign bodies, followed by batteries in 19 patients (12.6%), and other metallic objects. The foreign bodies were located in the esophagus in 70 (46.4%) patients, the stomach in 29 (19.2%), and the small intestine in 52 (34.4%). Endoscopic interventions were performed in 69 patients (45.6%). One patient who swallowed a battery was operated because of acute abdomen. Conclusion: MFB ingestion may appear as an emergency condition of a preventable cause in domestic accidents. It must not be forgotten that in addition to protective measures, early intervention in the emergency department is a significant factor in reducing mortality associated with this condition. (JAEM 2015; 14: 79-82)
The effect of red ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) extract on the growth of mastitis causing bacterial isolates

Red ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) a well known herb that was widely used as a remedy for various ailments in traditional medicine, belonged to the Zingiberaceae family. The red ginger had antibacterial properties. In the face of increasing bacterial resistance to various antibiotics and continuous efforts to look for new and safer antibacterial substances, the objective of this study was to assess the red ginger’s antibacterial potentials for treating mastitis. Mastitis was a common milking cows’ disease that caused a tremendous economic loss to dairy farms. Several bacteria that is,Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus agalactiae were responsible for this loss. To achieve this objective 3 x 4 factorial experiment wasimplemented. Three bacterial isolates that is, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. agalactiaewere tested with the following each concentration of the red ginger extracts that is, 50, 25, 12.50, and 6.25%. The findings were as followed: (1) S. epidermidis was most affected by the red ginger extract, followed by S. aureus and S. agalactiae, (2) the higher the concentration of the red ginger extracts, the higher the bacterial growth inhibition effect, and (3) the growth inhibition effects of the red ginger extracts on S. aureus, S. epidermidis,and S. agalactiae isolates were highly significantly different at α < 0.0001. Therefore, the red ginger the traditional remedy was effective in controlling the three mastitis causing bacteria’s growth. Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, red ginger, traditional medicine, mastitis.
March Madness in June: An Analysis of the NCAA Tournament and Its Impact on the NBA Draft from 2004–2008

In 2006, the National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association decided to adopt provisions which funnel most high school graduates into the college ranks. With so many talented players now entering the college ranks, the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament raises its profile and attracts a variety of fans, including NBA scouts and personnel. This paper analyzes the probability of getting drafted as well as draft placement for all NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball players who formally declared for the NBA Draft from 2004 – 2008. The findings of this paper show that an increase in the difference in scoring between the regular season and the NCAA Tournament positively affects the probability of getting drafted, while also causing a player to be selected earlier in the NBA Draft. The data used in this paper also show that college seniors benefit greatly from increases in statistical production during the NCAA Tournament. Team level data analysis found that playing on a team that exceeds its expected number of NCAA Tournament wins also increases the probability of getting drafted and causes a player to be selected earlier in the NBA Draft. This paper concludes by suggesting possible extensions to the research and implications of this paper.
Three Responses to the Methodological Challenges of Studying Strategizing

Empirical studies of strategizing face contradictory pressures. Ethnographic approaches are attractive, and typically expected since we need to collect data on strategists and their practices within context. We argue, however, that today's large, multinational, and highly diversified organizational settings require complimentary methods providing more breadth and flexibility. This paper discusses three particularly promising approaches (interactive discussion groups, self-reports, and practitioner-led research) that fit the increasingly disparate research paradigms now being used to understand strategizing and other management issues. Each of these approaches is based on the idea that strategizing research cannot advance significantly without reconceptualizing frequently taken-for-granted assumptions about the way to do research and the way we engage with organizational participants. The paper focuses in particular on the importance of working with organizational members as research partners rather than passive informants.