Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The "launching effect" depends on size of colliding objects

Suppose that two squares are aligned horizontally on a computer screen. At a point in time one square (A) starts moving towards the other (B), which remains stationary. When A and B come into contact, the latter starts moving with the same velocity as A, while A comes to a stop. Albert Michotte (1946) demonstrated that, under these stimulus conditions, observers usually have the impression that A “launches” or “pushes” B, a perceptual effect he called the “Launching Effect”. Michotte claimed that features of objects A and B (e.g., their size) exert only a slight influence on the phenomenon, however to our knowledge no research has systematically tested this claim. In our experiment we manipulated the size of two simulated spheres, and found that the velocity ratio most favouring the perception of the Launching Effect actually depends on the size of both spheres.
Psi-Conducive Experimenters and Psi-Permissive Ones

Some experimenters whose research is properly rigorous usually find significant evidence of psi; other experimenters usually find nonsignifi- cance. Either of two explanations (not mutually exclusive) can account for this difference. One explanation is the psychological experimenter effect. Experi- menters can, by tone of voice and other nonverbal cues, create a warm experimental climate in which subjects are at ease, interested, cooperative. This mood permits subjects to feel free and work well. Since psi is a natural ability, they are likely to show psi. Other experimenters, by tone of voice and other nonverbal cues, create a cold climate with expectation of failure. Their subjects feel inhibited and are unlikely to show psi. The other explanation is that an experimenter gifted in ESP or PK can temporarily transfer the ability to subjects, who then make high scores. These experimenters are psi-conducive; those who create a warm climate are merely psi-permissive. Psi-conducive experimenters who hope to support an invalid hypothesis could conduce high scores that apparently confirm the hypothesis. They thus can threaten the orderly accumulation of scientific knowledge. The discussion proposes methods of damage control and suggests some research with the psi- conducive that might lead to understanding psi-inhibitory experimenters.
SMEDDS FORMULATION: DEMONSTRATION OF ENHANCED BIOAVAILABILITY OF PIOGLITAZONE IN RATS

Objective: The present study was aimed at kinetic evaluation of Pioglitazone (Pio) in a novel Self micro-emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for enhanced oral administration. Poor water solubility of the drug has envisaged this work to prove with kinetic data the enhanced solubility by using novel SMEDDS systems. Methods: SMEDDS of Pio consisted of cotton seed oil as oily phase, tween 80 as the surfactant and PEG 400 as the co- surfactant containing 15 mg/ml of Pio. The optimized formulation selected by the aid of pseudo-ternary phase diagrams; confirmed increase in drug release by in vitro dissolution studies, with enhanced drug diffusion through biomembranes demonstrated by ex vivo intestinal diffusion studies, with SEM and TEM studies of reconstituted SMEDDS as a proof of nano size range and spherical shape of the droplets was selected for the kinetic study in rats. Pio SMEDDS formulation was administered orally to one study group and plain drug suspension to the other group. The plasma drug concentration was estimated by validated RP-HPLC method after successful plasma spiking of the drug. Results: An increase in Cmax and AUC values (p< 0.05) for the SMEDDS formulation depicts the increase in bioavailability of otherwise poorly soluble drug on comparison with plain drug formulation. A 3 month stability studies at accelerated conditions (400C & 75% RH) showed no change in physical appearance, droplet size and dissolution rate of the drug. Conclusion: Thus SMEDDS formulation was found to be instrumental in improving oral bioavailability and thus therapeutic efficacy of Pioglitazone.
Axial Force Calculation of Passive Magnetic Bearing

Axial magnetic force calculation between two ring permanent magnets is presented in the paper. One magnet is magnetized in radial direction while the other one is magnetized in axial direction. Configuration like this one resembles the one passive magnetic bearing has. Force calculation is performed using semi analytical approach based on fictitious magnetization charges and discretization technique. For comparison purposes, and in order to check preciseness of the method applied, Finite Element Method (FEM) results were used. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 33008]
H∞ Control of Continuous-Time Linear Systems Using Dynamic and Static Output Controllers

The paper deals with the problem of the H ∞ control of continuous-time linear systems by proper dynamic output controllers of order equal to the plant model order and by static output controller. The design procedure is based on solution of the set of linear matrix inequalities and the matrix equality and ensures the closed-loop asymptotic stability using Lyapunov approach and the H ∞ performance, to guarantee the closed-loop system robustness to unknown disturbance. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the design procedures and the relevance of the method as well as to validate the performances of the proposed approach.
THE INHIBITION EFFECT OF THIAZINE COMPOUNDS TOWARDS THE CORROSION OF MILD STEEL IN SULPHURIC ACID MEDIA

The inhibition effect of thiazines (AT, CBT & NBT) on mild steel corrosion in 1M sulphuric acid (H 2SO 4) was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The result showed that corrosion rate was significantly decreased in presence of the inhibitors. The inhibiting action increases with the concentration of thiazine compounds to attain 99 % at 0.5mM of (AT). The increase in temperature leads to a decrease in the inhibition efficiency of the compounds in the temperature range 308-353K. Adsorption of thiazines on the mild steel surface in 1M H 2SO 4 obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. EIS measurements showed an increase in charge transfer resistance (R ct ) with concentration. Potentiodynamic polarization study showed that the inhibitors act as mixed type, controlling both the anodic and cathodic reactions. Surface analysis by SEM confirmed the formation of adsorbed protective layer of the inhibitor on the steel surface.
Modelling of covariance structure in constrained marginal models for longitudinal data

A data-driven method for modelling intra-subject covariance matrix is introduced to constrained marginal models with longitudinal data. A constrained iteratively re-weighted least squares algorithm is presented consequently. Asymptotic properties of the constrained ML estimates, including strong consistency, approximate representation and asymptotic distribution, are given. Real data analysis and simulations are conducted to compare our new approach with classical menu-selection-based modelling technique.
Interface and surface roughness of polymer-metal laminates

Redmer van Tijum deed onderzoek naar de fysische eigenschappen van metaal/polymeer composietmaterialen. Met name het vlak waar metaal en kunststof aan elkaar hechten is een interessant gebied, zeker als men het materiaal gaat vervormen. Van Tijum keek vooral naar de invloed van de ruwheid van het oppervlak op de hechtingssterkte.
Medical Images Fusion Based on Different Frequency band Selection Schemes

A novel curvelet-based sub-band selection approach for medical image fusion is presented in this paper using the Parameterized Logarithmic Image Processing (PLIP) model. Both MRA and MRI image have different features, in this paper we use the different frequency band selection fusion rules yield novel fusion schemes for combining the coefficients, and fused MRA and MRI images to form a single image with as much information as possible. The experiments show that the proposed method is effective and can get satisfactory fusion results.
A Composite of Complex and Chemical Hydrides Yields the First Al‐Based Amidoborane with Improved Hydrogen Storage Properties.

The first Al-based amidoborane Na[Al(NH2BH3)4] was obtained through a mechanochemical treatment of the NaAlH4–4 AB (AB = NH3BH3) composite releasing 4.5 wt % of pure hydrogen. The same amidoborane was also produced upon heating the composite at 70 8C. The crystal structure of Na[Al(NH2BH3)4] , elucidated from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and confirmed by DFT calculations, contains the previously unknown tetrahedral ion [Al(NH2BH3)4] ¢ , with every NH2BH3 ¢ ligand coordinated to aluminum through nitrogen atoms. Combination of complex and chemical hydrides in the same compound was possible due to both the lower stability of the Al¢H bonds compared to the B¢H ones in borohydride, and due to the strong Lewis acidity of Al . According to the thermogravimetric analysis– differential scanning calorimetry–mass spectrometry (TGA– DSC–MS) studies, Na[Al(NH2BH3)4] releases in two steps 9 wt % of pure hydrogen. As a result of this decomposition, which was also supported by volumetric studies, the formation of NaBH4 and amorphous product(s) of the surmised composition AlN4B3H(0–3.6) were observed. Furthermore, volumetric experiments have also shown that the final residue can reversibly absorb about 27 % of the released hydrogen at 250 8C and p(H2) = 150 bar. Hydrogen re-absorption does not regenerate neither Na[Al(NH2BH3)4] nor starting materials, NaAlH4 and AB, but rather occurs within amorphous product(s). Detailed studies of the latter one(s) can open an avenue for a new family of reversible hydrogen storage materials. Finally, the NaAlH4–4 AB composite might become a starting point towards a new series of aluminum-based tetraamidoboranes with improved hydrogen storage properties such as hydrogen storage density, hydrogen purity, and
Electric-Powered Wheelchair Control Using Eye Tracking Techniques

: This paper presents a system to control an electric-powered wheelchair using the movement of the eye, through an infrared eye tracker sensor. Eye tracking techniques consists in recording the eye movements from a stimulus, and then determining where the individual is gazing at through interpolation of points. Thus, people who have some kind of severe motor disability would be able to control a wheelchair with the help of this technique, acquiring some autonomy in locomotion. According to the results obtained, this technique was a promising alternative to be considered.
Application of SiO2 nanoparticles as pretreatment alleviates the impact of drought on the physiological performance of Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae)

We studied the physiological responses of Prunus mahaleb (Mahaleb) seedlings to drought stress when previously irrigated (or not) with different concentrations of SiO2 nanoparticles (SNPs). SNPs were applied at four concentrations (0, 10, 50 and 100 mg L-1) for 45 days, and then seedlings were subjected to three watering treatments including low (300 mL water every 3 d), moderate (150 mL water every 3 d) and severe drought stress (no irrigation) for 19 days. Results showed that gas exchange – photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate – were significantly less impacted by severe drought stress when seedlings were pretreated with SNPs at high concentrations. Beneficial effects of SNPs pretreatment were evident in the nutritional status of the plants as the concentration of N, P and K, were maintained at similar levels than in well-watered seedlings. Pretreated seedlings were able to maintain the root length and to reduce the impact of severe drought on root dry mass accumulation. Therefore, application of SNPs as pretreatment should be considered as a promising agronomic practice in sites prone to suffer from water deficit.
Characterization and anti-fungal susceptibility pattern of dermatophytes isolated from dogs, cats and pet owners in and around Kolkata, India

Pet animals mostly suffer from dermatophytic infections and these animals can easily transmit the infection to their handlers or pet owners. Study of 362 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytic infections collected mainly from dogs (n=123), cats (n=202) and few pet owners (n=37) in and around Kolkata, was conducted to detect a total of 285 (78.7%) samples to be positive for significant dermatophytic fungal infections, with cats to be the highest in prevalence (55.4%) followed by dogs (37.9%) and human beings (6.7%) respectively. Microsporum canis (60.0%) was the most prevalent pathogen in comparison to M. gypseum (22.5%), Trychophyton mentagrophytes (15.8%) and T. rubrum (1.7%) affecting dogs, cats and human beings. T. rubrum was detected only from human cases in this study. Male dogs (58.3%), cats (51.3%) and human patients (78.9%) were mostly infected than the female ones. The anti-fungal susceptibility pattern of these isolates revealed lower MIC50 values of 0.06-0. 125µg/ml for Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Miconazole, and Amphotericin-B but not for Fluconazole (8-16µg/ml). The MIC90 values of these antifungal agents were as low as 0. 03µg/ml for all drugs except Fluconazole (32µg/ml).
Beyond bioinformatics : can similarity be measured in the digital world ? *

We show that the relationship between the worlds of digital signs and bodily (or analog) entities cannot be reduced to an unequivocal correspondence (code). Two strings of digital signs, such as numerals or alphabetic characters, can only be either identical or different, whereas in the analog world there is a continuum of similarities. If we recognize anything akin to similarity in the digital realm, it is only because a cognitive function residing at the interface between both worlds mediates the translation between the digital and the analog. This function is not decoding, but semiosis, thus endowing the relationship with a meaning. Since semiotic functions cannot be algorithmically formalized, they also cannot be automated. Participation of a sentient being in the broadest sense (i.e. a living being) is always required, should comparison of digital signs yield any other result than identity or non-identity. An apparent paradox arises therefore in the field of bioinformatics, where automated analyses of digital data (DNA or protein sequences) are performed routinely, providing reproducible quantitative estimates of sequence similarity. However, we demonstrate that digital sequence “similarity” analysis involves multiple non-algorithmic decisions taken by an understanding (human) observer. Also in other situations where recognition of sequence “similarities” seems to take place, such as “reading” of DNA motifs by DNA binding proteins, the recognition actually takes place in the bodily, i.e. analog, rather than digital world.
Ecological optimality in water‐limited natural soil‐vegetation systems: 2. Tests and applications

The long-term optimal climatic climax soil-vegetation system is defined for several climates according to previous hypotheses in terms of two free parameters, effective porosity and plant water use coefficient. The free parameters are chosen by matching the predicted and observed average annual water yield. The resulting climax soil and vegetation properties are tested by comparison with independent observations of canopy density and average annual surface runoff. The climax properties are shown also to satisfy a previous hypothesis for short-term optimization of canopy density and water use coefficient. Using these hypotheses, a relationship between average evapotranspiration and optimum vegetation canopy density is derived and is compared with additional field observations. An algorithm is suggested by which the climax soil and vegetation properties can be calculated given only the climate parameters and the soil effective porosity. Sensitivity of the climax properties to the effective porosity is explored.
Effective Compiler Error Message Enhancement for CS1 Students

Title Effective compiler error message enhancement for novice programming students Authors(s) Becker, Brett A. ; Glanville, Graham; Iwashima, Ricardo; Mooney, Catherine; et al. Publication date 2016-09-19 Publication information Computer Science Education, 26 (2-3): 148-175 Publisher Taylor and Francis Item record/more information http://hdl.handle. net/10197/8101 Publisher's statement This is an electronic version of an article published in Computer Science Education, 26 (2-3): 148-175 (2016). Computer Science Education is available online at: www.tandfonline. com/doi/abs/10.1080/08993408.2016. 1225464. Publisher's version (DOI) 10.1080/08993408.2016. 1225464
Performance of Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) in treating domestic wastewater

Performance of a laboratory-scale Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) system treating chemically adjusted domestic (sewage) wastewater with variable strength of 100-500 mg/L was investigated at anaerobic condition (25-30 °C) for 81 days after reaching steady-state at different retention time of 1 d, 2 d and 3 d. The evaluation was made by assuming a series of plug flow growth reactor, so that the results did not give a realistic interpretation of the data since diffusional limitations were not considered. The experimental section shows that for all wastewater strength, maximum COD removal of 69% were obtained at loading rates of 0.102-0.306 kg. COD/m3.day have been reported in the literature review. Removal efficiencies showed very little sensitivity to daily fluctuations in influent wastewater quality. HRT, pH and wastewater strength have a significant impact on sulfate removal, and longer retention time, lower pH and wastewater strength resulted in higher sulfate removal, contrary with nitrite where at longer retention time and lower pH and wastewater strength there would be an addition in nitrite. Overall, the ABR like other anaerobic reactors was not an efficient reactor for anions removal. The main objectives of this study was to study the ability of Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) to remove organics from domestic wastewater, as well as to investigate the possibility of ABR as an efficient, economic and lowly operation and maintenance, which do not need expertise to handle, compared to other systems. In order to enhance the commercial potential of ABR, more work still remains to be done in the following area: COD removal, solids, treatment of toxic wastewater and an improved understanding of the factors controlling bacterial ecology.
Context aware hand-held devices

The need to build devices that are more context aware has recently emerged. The motivation is to make devices easier to use on one hand, and decrease the information overload on the other. Context awareness should be helpful because it provides information to the device without bothering the user. In this thesis we concentrate on the context awareness of hand-held devices. Hand-held devices have special needs in the user interface, as they are small in size and fairly weak in performance. Moreover, they should also be easy to use while walking or doing something else. In the theoretical part of this thesis we analyze the possibilities that hand-held devices have for obtaining and exploiting contextual information. We propose use-case modeling and interaction scenarios to be used in revealing the potential use for context awareness. We also discuss the similarities between context awareness and agents. In the constructive part of the thesis we implement a general purpose sensor box which we use for increasing the context awareness of an example device. In the experiment we evaluate the theoretical ideas to gain hands-on experience of the practical problems involved in increasing context awareness of hand-held devices. Research into context awareness has been rather limited, especially in applying theories to practice. Research prototypes that use sensor information as a base of user interface operations have been built without much concern for the underlying principles. In this thesis we propose a theory for context awareness and show how it is used in practice.
Workers' Remittances and the Equilibrium Real Exchange Rate: Theory and Evidence

This paper investigates the impact of workers' remittances on equilibrium real exchange rates (ERER) in recipient economies. Using a small open economy model, it shows that standard "Dutch Disease" results of appreciation are substantially weakened or even overturned depending on: degree of openness, factor mobility between domestic sectors, and countercyclicality of remittances; the share of consumption in tradables; and the sensitivity of a country's risk premium to remittance flows. Panel integration techniques on a large set of countries provide support for these analytical results, and show that ERER appreciation in response to sustained remittance flows tends to be quantitatively small.
Nutrient condition and chironomid assemblages in Kolkata , India : assessment for biomonitoring and ecological management

Chironomid species in water bodies are useful indicators of the nutrient and environmental states. The relative abundance of chironomids and nutrients like organic carbon (C), potassium ions (K), nitrate (NO3), and phosphate (PO4 ) of the water bodies were analyzed using numerical techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) to justify the use of chironomids in environmental biomonitoring. The data analyses of 90 samples from eight different ponds Kolkata, India, revealed the presence of 12 chironomid species in different relative densities. The chironomid immature numbers per unit area was found to be positively correlated with C and PO4 , while no definite significant correlation was observed for K or NO3. The PCA yielded three components that could explain >63% of variation of the observed data. In terms of factor loadings, pH, K , NO3 and PO4 2 ̄ contributed to the first factor, while C, water temperature and dissolved O2 contributed to the second factor. The CCA showed distribution of the chironomid species to differ against the variance of water quality parameters. The first canonical axis (λ1=0.156; F=5.126; P<0.05) explained 69% of species environment relationship. The abundance of three species of chironomid midges, Chironomus striatipennis, C. circumdatus and Kiefferulus calligaster was prominent in all the water bodies. Cluster analysis showed that these species were highly correlated in their abundance contrast to remaining species. The results indicate that the water quality parameters influence the chironomid species assemblages to a considerable extent. This is supportive of the use of chironomid midges in biomonitoring for ecological management of urban water bodies of Kolkata, India and similar geographical areas.
A method for the detection of protein in the urine

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