Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrile Elastomer/LDH Composites with Varying Mg/Al Ratio, Curing, Nanoparticles Dispersion and Mechanical Properties

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) tend to be a promising material in the field of polymer nanocomposites because it possesses unique chemical and structural properties. The novelty of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) comparing to other conven - tional fillers is connected with possibility of surface functionalization by introduction of various organic species into an interlayer area. Organic modifiers could act not only as intercalation promoters but also have additional functions such as UV stabilizers, anti-aging substances, pigments, antimicrobial, and antifungal activity. Additionally, in the case of nitrile elastomers, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) could play role as cur ing substances, reinforcing fillers, and improve mechanical, barrier and thermal proper - ties of rubber products. The purpose of our experimental work was to examine the effect of Mg-Al-LDHs on the crosslink density and properties of nitrile rubber. Various LDHs containing, respectively, 30, 63, 70 wt% of magnesium were applied as a curing system for carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (XNBR) composites prepared by melt compounding methods. The influence of ionic liquids containing saccharinate, acesulfa mate ions on the curing reactions and properties of rubber was investigated. systems, the production of mechanically strong and transparent elastomer composites without any supplementary additives is enabled that is an important ecological and economical advantage. It is huge benefit for layered double hydroxides (LDHs) to serve multifunctional suit ability in elastomers, such as crosslinking substance, UV screener, thermal, mechanical, and barrier property enhancer. Simplicity of synthesis and easy way of surface modification with different anions give this filler highly tunable characteristics, the possibility to control filler structure and interlayer spacing. Study has demonstrated that the incorporation of layered double hydroxides can remarkably change elastomer properties. Layered double hydroxides were able to cure carboxylated nitrile rubber. The tensile measurements indicated the enhance ment of mechanical properties. Magnesium-rich layered double hydroxides (LDHs) act as a reinforcing filler and as a curing agent in carboxylated elastomers. Application of ionic liquids consisting of saccharinate and acesulfamate ions as surface functionalizing agents for layered double hydroxide enhanced dispersion and compatibility of nanoparticles in an elastomer matrix. Ionic liquids facilitated the compounding of nitrile rubber acting as plasticizing agents and influenced ionic clusters formation, resulting in increase of crosslink density.
Electromagnetically induced transparency and four-wave mixing in a cold atomic ensemble with large optical depth

We report on the delay of optical pulses using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in an ensemble of cold atoms with an optical depth exceeding 500. To identify the regimes in which four-wave mixing (4WM) impacts on EIT behaviour, we conduct the experiment in both 85Rb and 87Rb. Comparison with theory shows excellent agreement in both isotopes. In 87Rb negligible 4WM was observed and we obtained one pulse-width of delay with 50% efficiency. In 85Rb 4WM contributes to the output. In this regime we achieve a delay-bandwidth product of 3.7 at 50% efficiency, allowing temporally multimode delay, which we demonstrate by compressing two pulses into the memory medium.
AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN Double Heterostructures on Silicon Substrates for High Breakdown Voltage Field-Effect Transistors with low On-Resistance

AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN double heterostructure field-effect transistors (DHFET) with high breakdown voltage and low on-resistance were fabricated on silicon substrates. A linear dependency of the breakdown voltage on the buffer thickness and on the buffer Aluminium concentration was found. A breakdown voltage as high as 830 V and an on-resistance as low as 6.2 Ω·mm were obtained in devices processed on 3.7 µm buffer thickness. The gate–drain spacing was 8 µm and the devices did not have any field plates.
Psychological impact of war and sexual abuse on adolescent girls in Northern Uganda

In this article, war experiences, psychological symptoms, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, and the physical and sexual abuses of formerly abducted girls in Northern Uganda were assessed. In a cross-sectional self-report design, questionnaires were administered to 123 formerly abducted girls. Data originating from records at three rehabilitation centres were analysed. The girls had been exposed to horrific war events, participated in shocking atrocities, were physically and sexually abused, and diagnosed with diseases resulting from their abduction. As a result, many are psychologically distressed. There are child mothers and a few were pregnant at the time of the study. Training in entrepreneurial skills and teaching better coping skills are suggested as activities in psychosocial intervention.
Pansexual Identification in Online Communities: Employing a Collaborative Queer Method to Study Pansexuality

The research investigates different aspects of pansexual self-identification within contemporary online communities. To explore this, it is asked whether pansexual identification constitutes an anti-identity position against conserva tive conceptualisations of identity, as well as the new-homonormativities that mainstream LGBTQ movements of the West engage in to invest in normalcy. It must be noted that, while the research has the deconstructionist focus of queer theory, the anti-identity position of pansexuality investigated does not refer to a performative failure of the subject. As stated, the anti-identity position proposed is pansexual identification’s possible opposition to ‘traditional’ and fixed readings of identity, and the ‘respectable’ features of new-homonor mativities. The study explores the way in which pansexuality is understood as a multiple and flexible identity that exists in stark opposition to binaries of sex and gender in the eyes of the research respondents. As the research investigates pansexual identifications online by gathering data through an online survey, it follows a collaborative queer method that represents a conjunction of queer theory, sociology and cyberstudies.
The Nature of Collaborative Patenting Activities

We investigate the reasons why different governance modes are used in a sample of successful collaborative patenting activities in Europe. First we show that collaboration activities in the patenting process are much more common than one may expect by l ooking only at information on co-assignment. Indeed, collaborative patenting activity accounts for more than a quarter of all patents in our sample. This figure is about eight times higher than that from co-assignment data (usually considered to assess cooperation in patenting). We then examine the impact of organizational, individual and project determinants on the choice of three possible modes of governance: coassignment,co-invention, collaborative agreement. We find that higher project complexity and technological scope are associated to tighter modes of governance. We also find a significant negative relationship between licensing and co-assignment, thus providing some support to the view that some licensing can be the result of ex-ante legal agreements rather than of the presence of a market for technology. Finally, inventor specific characteristics matter too. In particular, age increases the probability of choosing looser governance modes while better education is associated to tighter modes.
Macroeconomic Challenges of Structural Transformation: Public Investment, Growth and Debt Sustainability in Sierra Leone

This paper analyzes the link between public investment, economic growth and debt sustainability in Sierra Leone using an inter-temporal macroeconomic model. In the model, public capital improves the productive capacity of private capital, generating positive medium and long term effects to increases in public investment. The model application indicates that a large increase in public investment would have positive macroeconomic effects in the medium term. However, since there is no free lunch, rigidities in tax adjustment would entail unrealistic and unachievable adjustment in the current spending to cover recurrent costs and ensure debt sustainability. A more ambitious increase in public investment would entail more fiscal adjustment, particularly if external commercial loans are secured to complement the adjustment. The model simulations also emphasize the importance of improvements in the structural economic conditions to reap growth dividends. In addition, even if the macroeconomic implications of public investment scaling-up can be favorable in the long term under changes in certain structural conditions, downside risks such as terms of trade shifts and Ebola-induced productivity shortfall expose the country to increased risk of unsustainable debt dynamics. This underscores the need to remove bottlenecks to growth and maintain prudent borrowing policies.
Seismic anisotropy inferred from direct S -wave-derived splitting measurements and its geodynamic implications beneath southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Abstract. The present study deals with detecting seismic anisotropy parameters beneath southeastern Tibet near Namcha Barwa Mountain using the splitting of direct S waves. We employ the reference station technique to remove the effects of source-side anisotropy. Seismic anisotropy parameters, splitting time delays, and fast polarization directions are estimated through analyses of a total of 501 splitting measurements obtained from direct S waves from 25 earthquakes ( ≥ 5.5 magnitude) that were recorded at 42 stations of the Namcha Barwa seismic network. We observe a large variation in time delays ranging from 0.64 to 1.68 s, but in most cases, it is more than 1 s, which suggests a highly anisotropic lithospheric mantle in the region. A comparison between direct S- and SKS-derived splitting parameters shows a close similarity, although some discrepancies exist where null or negligible anisotropy has been reported earlier using SKS. The seismic stations with hitherto null or negligible anisotropy are now supplemented with new measurements with clear anisotropic signatures. Our analyses indicate a sharp change in lateral variations of fast polarization directions (FPDs) from consistent SSW–ENE or W–E to NW–SE direction at the southeastern edge of Tibet. Comparison of the FPDs with Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements, absolute plate motion (APM) directions, and surface geological features indicates that the observed anisotropy and hence inferred deformation patterns are not only due to asthenospheric dynamics but are a combination of lithospheric deformation and sub-lithospheric (asthenospheric) mantle dynamics. Direct S-wave-based station-averaged splitting measurements with increased back-azimuths tend to fill the coverage gaps left in SKS measurements.
Environmental dependence of bulge-dominated galaxy sizes in hierarchical models of galaxy formation. Comparison with the local Universe

We compare state-of-the-art semi-analytic models of galaxy formation as well as advanced subhalo abundance matching models with a large sample of early-type galaxies from Sloan Digital Sky Survey at z < 0.3. We focus our attention on the dependence of median sizes of central galaxies on host halo mass. The data do not show any difference in the structural properties of early-type galaxies with environment, at fixed stellar mass. All hierarchical models considered in this work instead tend to predict a moderate to strong environmental dependence, with the median size increasing by a factor of ? 1.5–3 when moving from low- to high-mass host haloes. At face value the discrepancy with the data is highly significant, especially at the cluster scale, for haloes above log? Mhalo ? 14. The convolution with (correlated) observational errors reduces some of the tension. Despite the observational uncertainties, the data tend to disfavour hierarchical models characterized by a relevant contribution of disc instabilities to the formation of spheroids, strong gas dissipation in (major) mergers, short dynamical friction time-scales and very short quenching time-scales in infalling satellites. We also discuss a variety of additional related issues, such as the slope and scatter in the local size–stellar mass relation, the fraction of gas in local early-type galaxies and the general predictions on satellite galaxies.
Phytoconstituents from Sidastrum micranthum (A. St.-Hil.) Fryxell (Malvaceae) and antimicrobial activity of pheophytin a

Sidastrum micranthum (A. St.-Hil.) Fryxell, a member of the Malvaceae family, is called malva preta in Brazil. As this species is commonly used to treat bronchitis, cough, and asthma, better knowledge of its chemical compounds is important. The phytochemical study of its hexane extract, using chromatographic techniques, led to isolation of six compounds: the triterpene isoarborinol, a mixture of sitosterol and stigmasterol, sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, pheophytin a, and 132-hydroxy-(132-S)-pheophytin a. Structural identification of these compounds was carried out using spectroscopic methods such as IR and 1D and 2D NMR (HOMOCOSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY). Compounds isolated from S. micranthum were screened for their in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activity against twenty fungal and bacterial standard strains. Pheophytin a exhibited antimicrobial action against all microorganisms tested.
Coping Strategies of Child-Headed Households in Bindura Urban of Zimbabwe

An in-depth study of coping strategies of child-headed households was carried out in Bindura Urban of Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews and the survey method were used to examine the daily lives and coping methods of child-headed households. Data were gathered from child-headed households, community care givers, social workers and members of the community. The research identified a number of causes and challenges that were being faced by household heads. A number of coping mechanisms both positive and negative were employed by household heads in response to the challenges they were facing. The challenges included role adjustment, emotional and social distress, and sexual exploitation, lack of education and schooling and lack of adult care and support. The coping mechanisms identified included selling of family property, assistance from children’s organizations, community members and dropping from school early. The research concludes that the challenges identified by household heads were essentially basic material needs. The formation of child-headed households is unavoidable and should be supported with appropriate support where possible. The study demonstrated that households were receiving regular visits and small amounts of material support from the extended family. It recommends that HIV and AIDS patients should receive adequate treatment, need for investment in financial and human resources and legal recognition of child-headed households.
Age estimation of Anatololacerta anatolica (Werner, 1902) in the vicinity of Çanakkale by skeletochronology

In this study, age estimation using skeletochronology was done in 43 specimens (6 males, 29 females, 8 juv.) of Anatololacerta anatolica living in the vicinity of Canakkale. When the cross-sections taken from phalanges were examined, the median age for the Canakkale population was 4 years. The maximum age was calculated as 10 years for female individuals, and the maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of female individuals was measured as 74.18 mm. The mean SVL was 57.39 (SD = 4.6) mm for males and 63.62 (SD = 8.62) mm for females. The age at sexual maturity was determined as 3 years for both sexes of this species. As a result of correlation analysis, a strong correlation was found for both males (r: 0.845) and females (r: 0.886) in terms of age and SVL. These specimens were also examined for morphological properties and pholidosis characters.
Effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

ABSTRACT In order to study the effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea, two field experiments were conducted in the factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in Dezful and Mashhad, Iran in 2015. The experimental treatments were combinations of desert dust in three levels (0, 500 and 1500 µg m−3), numbers of desert dust application (once, twice and thrice) and two types of desert dust. The desert-dust particles were collected during dust storms occurred in Dezful and Zabol, which are the main sources of dust in Iran. The results showed that the biological yield and the grain yield were significantly decreased in both studied sites (Dezful and Mashhad) when the plants exposed to 500 µg m−3 desert dust treatment compared to normal conditions. Total soluble sugar and proline contents in plant leaf tissues increased significantly when they affected by 1500 µg m−3 of desert dust, while the plant height was significantly decreased by increasing the desert-dust concentrations at both sites. Biological yield, grain yield, and 100-seed weight were also significantly affected by the desert dust. Overall, the desert dust has adverse effects on yield of cowpea.
Leverage as Financial Antecedent to Financial Distress among Listed Companies at Nairobi Securities Exchange

The purpose of the research was to determine influence of leverage as financial antecedent of financial distress among listed companies at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has regulatory responsibility to keep watch on the performance of listed companies in the securities exchange and to attract more listings. The crisis in the listed companies where more than 16 companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange are undergoing financial challenges in the last 5 years is a worrying trend as it impacts negatively in the growth of the economy. This crisis points to the missing link between surveillance by regulator and management of listed firms. Specifically, the study examined leverage as a possible financial antecedent of financial distress in listed companies at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. The study used descriptive research design. All the 65 listed companies as at 31 st December 2011 at Nairobi Securities Exchange were used. Secondary data was collected using designed schedules. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as tool of data analysis. A logistic regression model was determined to establish the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables. Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis were used for the analysis. The study established significant relationship between leverage and financial distress, upon evaluation, relationship had an R2 = . 799, which meant leverage explained 79.9% of the variance in financial distress. The relationship model provides a high fit, which indicates that leverage was one of the potential predictors of financial distress in listed companies at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. It therefore recommends the development of guidelines on the level of leverage to be held by the listed companies for sustainability. Key words: Leverage, financial distress, financial antecedent, listed companies, Nairobi Securities Exchange.
ATCA observations of the galaxy cluster Abell 3921. I. Radio emission from the central merging sub-clusters

Context. We present the analysis of our 13 and 22 cm ATCA observations of the central ~$18\times15$ ${\rm arcmin}^2$ region of the merging galaxy cluster A3921 ($z=0.094$). Aims. We investigated the effects of the major merger between two sub-clusters on the star formation (SF) and radio emission properties of the confirmed cluster members. Methods. The origin of SF and the nature of radio emission in cluster galaxies was investigated by comparing their radio, optical and X-ray properties. We also compared the radio source counts and the percentage of detected radio galaxies with literature data. Results. We detected 17 radio sources above the flux density limit of 0.25 mJy/beam in the central field of A3921, among which 7 are cluster members. 9 galaxies with star-forming optical spectra were observed in the collision region of the merging sub-clusters. They were not detected at radio wavelengths, giving upper limits for their star formation rate significantly lower than those typically found in late-type, field galaxies. Most of these star-forming objects are therefore really located in the high density part of the cluster, and they are not infalling field objects seen in projection at the cluster centre. Their SF episode is probably related to the cluster collision that we observe in its very central phase. None of the galaxies with post-starburst optical spectra was detected down our 2 σ flux density limit, confirming that they are post-starburst and not dusty star-forming objects. We finally detected a narrow-angle tail (NAT) source associated with the second brightest cluster galaxy (BG2), whose diffuse component is a partly detached pair of tails from an earlier period of activity of the BG2 galaxy.
Comparative study of analgesic effi cacy of ropivacaine with ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine for paravertebral block in unilateral renal surgery

Aim: To compare the effi cacy of paravertebral block with ropivacaine or ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine for relief of post operative pain in patients undergoing unilateral renal surgeries. Methodology: Sixty adult patients of ASA I & II, undergoing unilateral renal surgery, were included in this prospective, randomized study. After placing the catheter in T12–L1 paravertebral space, block was randomly activated either by 18 ml of ropivacaine 0.25% (Group I) or by 18 ml of ropivacaine 0.25% plus 1μg/kg dexmedetomedine (Group II). General anaesthesia was instituted in all patients using a standardised technique. After recovery from GA, pain was assessed by VAS. The patients were administered fi rst top up dose through paravertebral route as soon as VAS score exceeded 3 and time was noted duration of analgesia. Total requirement of ropivacaine in 24 hours was also noted. Result: Mean duration of analgesia was longer in Group II (324.4±56.35 min) as compared to Group I (149.2 ±30.64 min) (p<0.05). Mean total consumption of ropivacaine was 84±14.12 mg in Group II and 120±15.26 mg in Group I (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Addition of dexmedetomidine to local anaesthetic agent ropivacaine signifi cantly prolongs the duration of analgesia in paravertebral blocks.
Effect of Different Operating Parameters on Seed Holding in the Single Seed Metering Unit of a Pneumatic Planter

This research was performed to determine the effect of different operating parameters on seed holding in a single seed metering unit. The metering unit was a vertical seed plate with a vacuum, used in seeding maize (Zea mays L.). An electronic counter in the metering unit was used to determine the holes without seed on the plate holes. The shapes of the holes, peripheral velocities, vacuum pressure, hole area on the seed plate and thousand grain weight of seed (TGW) were chosen as the operating parameters. A Factorial Completely Randomized Design was used for analysis of variance, Duncan's multiple range test and mean comparison. The data were analyzed using the MSTAT-C statistics program. At the end of the research, it was found that the hole's shape, peripheral velocity, vacuum pressure, the hole area and thousand grain weight of seed had an effect on the seed holding ratio (SHR) at a significance level of 1% (P < 0.01). The most suitable shape of the holes in the seed plate was oblong for maize seeds. The seed holding ratio decreased when the peripheral velocity of the seed plate increased, whereas the seed holding ratio increased parallel to the increase in vacuum pressure. An increase in the thousand grain weight of seed necessitated a larger hole area for holding seeds on the plate holes.