Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A VISION OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND ITS INTEGRATION WITH IOT: APPLICATIONS, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES; FROM THE AUTHENTICATION PERSPECTIVE

The Internet of Things (IoT) is used in our daily lives, thus this type of technology greatly affects various environments such as smart home, smart cities, and industrial systems. Through IoT, daily objects will be able to interact and interconnect to gather information and automate specific tasks. An IoT framework is a group of guiding rules, protocols, and standards. The implementation of IoT applications depends on the characteristics of the IoT environment especially the security issue and the mechanisms implemented for this purpose, where security and privacy are pivotal. This paper maps the research landscape in two ways. The first describes the blockchain technology, the principles of using the blockchain technology, and the different areas of its applications. The second highlights the capabilities and challenges of blockchain, the most famous applications of IoT used in blockchain, and the opportunities of using blockchain together with IoT in the present and future. Finally, the recommendations and future research directions are discussed.
Interactive comment on “ From Heinrich Events to cyclic ice streaming : the grow-and-surge instability in the Parallel Ice Sheet Model ” by

Here we report on a cyclic, physical ice-discharge instability in the Parallel Ice Sheet Model, simulating the flow of a three-dimensional, inherently buttressed ice-sheet-shelf system which periodically surges on a millennial timescale. The thermo-mechanically coupled model on 1 km horizontal resolution includes an enthalpy-based formulation of the thermodynamics, a non-linear stress-balanced based sliding law and a very simple sub-glacial hydrology. The simulated unforced surging is characterized by rapid ice streaming through a bed trough, resulting in abrupt discharge of ice across the grounding 5 line which is eventually calved into the ocean. We identify and visualize the central feedbacks that dominate the sub-sequent phases of ice build-up, surge and stabilization which emerge from the interaction between ice dynamics, thermodynamics and the sub-glacial till layer. A reduction in the :::::: Results ::::: from ::: the :::::::: variation :: of : surface mass balance or basal roughness yields a damping of the feedback loop which suggests that thinner ice sheets may be less ::: and :::: basal ::::::::: roughness ::::::: suggest ::: that ::: ice :::::: sheets :: of ::::::: medium :::::::: thickness :::: may ::: be ::::: more : susceptible to surging :::: than :::::::: relatively :::: thin :: or ::::: thick ::::: ones ::: for ::::: which :::: the ::::: surge :::::::: feedback 10 :::: loop :: is ::::::: damped. ::: We :::: also :::::::::: investigate ::: the :::::::: influence :: of :::::::: different :::: basal ::::::: sliding :::: laws ::::::: (ranging ::::: from :::::: purely :::::: plastic :: to ::::::::: non-linear :: to ::::: linear) ::: on ::::::: possible ::::::: surging. The presented mechanisms underlying our simulations of self-maintained, periodic ice growth and destabilization may play a role in large-scale ice-sheet surging, such as the surging of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which is associated with Heinrich Events, and ice-stream shut-down and reactivation, such as observed in the Siple Coast region of West
Organizational Culture Impact on Psychological Empowerment of Academic Staff

The main aim of this study is to examine the dimensions that have impact to the psychological empowerment academic staff in Albanian universities. Despite the factors like professional growth, self-efficacy, and decision making we especially get focused on the organizational culture thinking that it can have a powerful influence on the psychological empowerment, because it describes the link between contextual factors and employees’ work behaviors. The research question of this study is: Which type of culture is needed in a university that improves academic staff to get empowered? This study aimed to examine the relationship between organizational culture and psychological empowerment of academicians in university `Aleksander Moisiu` in Albania. A total of 46 interviews are made with the academic staff. Results of the study showed that organizational culture have a great impact on the psychological empowerment of academicians and its dimensions. The dominant culture in research universities was hierarchy culture, while the strongest predictor of psychological empowerment was clan culture.
Supplement: Investigating the Necessity of Demand Characterization and Stimulation for Geospatial Electrification Planning in Developing Countries

Stephen J. Lee1, Eduardo Sánchez2, Andrés González-Garcı́a1,3, Pedro Ciller3, Pablo Duenas1, Jay Taneja4, Fernando de Cuadra Garcı́a3, Julio Lumbreras2,5, Hannah Daly6,7, Robert Stoner1, Ignacio J. Pérez-Arriaga1,3 1MIT Energy Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2Departamento de Ingenierı́a Quı́mica Industrial y del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid 3Instituto de Investigación Tecnológica, Universidad Pontificia Comillas 4Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts at Amherst 5Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University 6MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork 7School of Engineering, University College Cork
SOLVING UNILATERAL CONTACT PROBLEMS IN MULTIBODY DYNAMICS USING A PRIMAL-DUAL INTERIOR POINT METHOD

Rigid unilateral contacts in multibody problems lead to non-smooth dynamics: this requires the development of new types of time integrators that draw on the solution of a variational inequality at each time step. In most settings, this variational inequality is a complementarity problem. In the context of non-smooth multibody dynamics, projected fixed-point, spectral and Nesterov methods have been successfully used to solve those complementarity problems, especially for granular problems or real-time simulations [2] [3], but large scale and ill-conditioned problems still advocate for solvers with better convergence. The promising class of interior-point method has been applied only recently to multibody dynamics [4]. Their implementation is more complicate, but this comes at the benefit of high precision and good convergence, moreover they can be applied to problems with both deformable and rigid bodies [5]. We present an algorithm based on a dual-primal interior point method. The solution is advanced along the central path using the Mehotra predictor-corrector scheme, in a small number of sub steps that leverage on a parallel direct solver for computing the updates from highly sparse saddle-point problems. Although the original method addresses unilateral constraints only, it is possible to restate it in order to fit also equality constraints, as might happen when introducing joints between colliding parts. The algorithm is implemented in C++ language in our open-source simulator. Results show that the method regularly converges to small residuals even in cases (for instance, odd mass ratios) that degraded the convergence of other methods.
Removal of Actacid Orange-RL DyeUsing Biocomposites: Modeling Studies

Textile industry wastewater plays an important role in environmental pollution. In the present study, the removal of actacid orange-RL (AO-RL) dye was carried out in batch mode with biocomposites. The optimum pH, biosorbent dose, equilibrium time, initial dye concentration, and temperature for maximum dye adsorption were recorded in the range of 3-6, 0.05 g, 60 min and 125-150 mg/L and 30oC, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich biosorption isotherms showed the satisfactorily fitness on equilibrium biosorption data, whereas the pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order both showed the satisfactorily fitness on biosorption kinetic data. The characterization of efficient biosorbents was carried out using FT-IR and SEM techniques, which revealed a significant change in biocomposite as a result of dye adsorption. Based on results, we can conclude that the biocomposite could be an efficient adsorbent for the adsorption of dyes from textile wastewater.
Wang, Yachao and Badawy, Ahmed and Holliday, Derrick and Williams, Barry W. (2016) Plug-in repetitive control strategy for high-order wide output range impedance source converters. IEEE Transactions on Power

Strathprints is designed to allow users to access the research output of the University of Strathclyde. Unless otherwise explicitly stated on the manuscript, Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Please check the manuscript for details of any other licences that may have been applied. You may not engage in further distribution of the material for any profitmaking activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute both the url (https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/) and the content of this paper for research or private study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge.
The effect of plantain and tigernut flours substitution on the antioxidant, physicochemical and pasting properties of wheat-based composite flours

Abstract Wheat based composite flour was substituted with plantain and tigernut flours in order to enhance its protein, fibre, minerals, antioxidants and resistant starch contents. The proximate and compositions were optimized using optimal model design of response surface methodology. The independent variables were wheat flour (60–77%), plantain flour (92–37%) and tigernut flour (3–10%). The optimum blends, that is, blends with overall best protein, fibre and minerals contents were chosen for subsequent analyses (functional properties, amylose and amylopectin contents, resistant starch, dietary fibre, pasting characteristics and antioxidant properties). The control was 100% wheat flour. From the results, the optimum blends obtained were runs 2 (70% wheat, 20% plantain and 10% tigernut flours), 13 (77% wheat, 20% plantain and 3% tigernut flours) and 15 (65.66% wheat, 29% plantain and 5.33% tigernut flours) with overall best ash, fibre, protein and mineral contents. Substitution of wheat flour with plantain and tigernut flours reduces the swelling capacity and foaming capacity while there are no significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in the oil absorption capacity at all levels of substitution. Substitution of wheat flour with plantain and tigernut however increases the water absorption capacity. In addition, substitution of wheat flour with plantain and tigernut flour above 30% significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increases the antioxidant properties and insoluble dietary fibre. However, 100% wheat flour had better pasting characteristics. The study therefore showed that substitution of wheat flour with plantain and tigernut flour (30% and above) greatly enhanced its nutritional quality while the 100% wheat flour was better in terms of pasting characteristics.
The Egg-Yolk Reaction of Aerobic Sporing Bacilli

Summary: Among a large number of strains of aerobic sporing bacilli only Bacillus cereus, B. mycoides and, to a lesser extent, B. anthracis were able to produce turbidity and formation of a curd in saline extract of egg-yolk. None of the other species tested, namely, B. alvei, B. alcalophilus, B. brevis, B. carotarum, B. circulans, B. coagulans, B. fusiformis, B. licheniformis, B. macerans, B. megatherium, B. pumilus, B. polymyxa, B. orpheus, B. repens and B. subtilis caused any opalescence in the yolk medium. The yolk reaction was due to the action of phospholipinase produced by the organisms. As in the case of Cl. welchii α-toxin, the yolk curd-forming activity of B. cereus and B. mycoides also was associated with haemolytic activity. The substances responsible for these activities appear to be similar, and may be identical. The yolk reaction has proved useful for the rapid identification of B. cereus, as it is more specific than any of the other distinguishing tests hitherto employed. The three positive organisms, B. cereus, B. mycoides and B. anthracis, have been considered by previous workers on the grounds of morphology and antigenic structure to be closely related.
Structural Response of a Composite Beam subject to Cyclic Loading Conditions considering the Interfacial Slip Effect

An extension of a model, which can simulate the bond-slip effect at the interface between the slab and the girder of composite beams, in cyclic loading condition is introduced. The model is based on non-linear finite element (FE) method adopting a simple beam element for which the nodal degree of freedom is only two (one lateral deflection and one rotation) even without taking a double node. Hysteresis models of concrete and steel are adopted to implement cyclic stress-strain relations. An incremental approach to replicate the non-linear cyclic shear behaviour of shear connectors and a unique iteration method searching double neutral axis are also proposed. The performance of the model is verified by comparing the analysis results by the model with experimental results for a simply supported composite beam structure under cyclic load.
GAN-ALGAN HIGH ELECTRON MOBILITY TRANSISTORS

| 2 Abstract Presented here is the research done in course of a Master’s assignment at the Physics of Interfaces and Nanomaterials (PIN) group at the University of Twente, commissioned by NXP Semiconductors. Research is done into the carrier transport mechanism of gallium nitride – aluminium gallium nitride high electron mobility transistors, using titanium alloyed contacts, designed and produced by NXP. Three hypotheses concerning the transport mechanism are put forward, all concerning the formation of titanium nitride. A cross-section of these transistors is fabricated and measured by way of scanning tunnelling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and current-sensing atomic force microscopy. Additional measurements, done during fabrication and in between other measurements, by way of scanning electron microscopy and helium ion microscopy, showing unknown and as of yet unexplained electric behaviour in the structure, are discussed as well. Determination of the transport mechanism proved unsuccessful as the cross-section was fabricated in atmosphere, causing insurmountable oxide build up on the measured surface, which in turn makes definitively determining the electronic structure of the transistor difficult. However, in investigating this result, interesting electronic properties of the stack in question, as well as the substrate used, are found. Recommendations are done on how to repeat the presented measurements with samples created in situ, preventing oxide build-up, as well as recommendations concerning the fabrication of said samples.
A device for surface study of confined micron thin films in a total internal reflection geometry

A device to probe the molecular structure of materials next to a solid interface in a thin film geometry has been developed. The device can produce controlled thicknesses as small as 1 μm with parallelity better than 0.003°. We have shown that the thickness and the parallelity of the film produced between two optical surfaces can be quantified using white light and monochromatic light interferometry, respectively. In addition, this apparatus allows the study of these films in a static state or under shear using spectroscopic techniques involving transmission or reflection measurements.
I V ] 2 1 O ct 2 01 8 Digital holographic particle volume reconstruction using a deep neural network

This paper proposes a particle volume reconstruction directly from an in-line hologram using a deep neural network. Digital holographic volume reconstruction conventionally uses multiple diffraction calculations to obtain sectional reconstructed images from an in-line hologram, followed by detection of the lateral and axial positions, and the sizes of particles by using focus metrics. However, the axial resolution is limited by the numerical aperture of the optical system, and the processes are time-consuming. The method proposed here can simultaneously detect the lateral and axial positions, and the particle sizes via a deep neural network (DNN). We numerically investigated the performance of the DNN in terms of the errors in the detected positions and sizes. The calculation time is faster than conventional diffracted-based approaches.
HPTLC analysis of bioactive marker barbaloin from n vitro and naturally grown Aloe vera evendra

Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. , Xanthorrhoeaceae, a succulent, produces barbaloin, a bioactive compounds used in various pharmaceutical products. Extracts prepared from the leaves have been widely used as bittering agents, taste modifiers and also as cathartic agent against severe constipation. Barbaloin is reported for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral and anticancer activities and these properties are mostly mediated by its antioxidative capacity. Presently, a study has been conducted on the comparative High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography analysis of barbaloin from the dried leaf skin powder of in vivo and in vitro grown A. vera. Shoot tips of A. vera were cultured in Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with different combination of 6-benzylaminopurine and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. [Best multiplication response was noted in benzylaminopurine (2.0 mg/l) + 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.1 mg/l) supplemented Murashige and Skoog media]. The quantitative determination of barbaloin was performed on silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates as stationary phase. The linear ascending development was carried out in a twin trough glass chamber saturated with a mobile phase consisting of ethyl acetate: methanol: water (100:16.5:13.5) at room temperature (22 ± 2 ◦C). CAMAG Thin Layer Chromatography scanner-3 equipped with CATS software (version: 1.4.4.6337) was used for spectrodensitometric scanning and analysis in the ultraviolet region at = 366 nm. The method was validated for linearity, precision and accuracy. Correlation coefficient, limit of detection, limit of quantification as well as recovery values were found to be satisfactory. Out of the five populations studied, the leaf skin of A. vera collected from Jodhpur (Rajasthan, India) and raised in vitro was found to contain higher amount of barbaloin (2.78%) when compared to its naturally growing counterparts (2.46%) and other plant populations. ileira © 2015 Sociedade Bras
Graphene-on-Silicon solar cells with graphite contacts

This paper proposes an innovative technology for top contacting graphene-on-silicon Schottky solar cells, making use of graphite glue instead of the commonly used Ti/Au bilayer. Current-Voltage light characterization allow immediately to appreciate the advantage of the innovative contact evidencing the highest FF ever obtained in a graphene/Si solar cell with pristine (undoped) graphene and without graphene/silicon interlayer. To better understand the electrical behavior of our devices, solar cells realized either with gold contacts or with graphite contacts are compared by means of the impedance spectroscopy analysis too. It is shown that gold contacts give rise to strongly distorted impedance spectra and that such a distortion is due to the contact resistance. Conversely, graphite contacts result in extremely regular impedance spectra, as expected for ohmic behaving contacts.
Comparison of the effect of sol-gel and coprecipitation routes on the properties and behavior of nanocomposite chitosan-bioactive glass membranes for bone tissue engineering

Recent studies in tissue engineering have highlighted the importance of the development of composite materials based on biodegradable polymers containing bioactive glasses, in particular, composites for high load support and excellent cell viability for potential application in bone regeneration. In this work, hybrid composite films were obtained by combining chitosan with bioactive glass in solution form and in nanoparticle dispersion form obtained by the two different synthesis routes: the sol-gel method and coprecipitation. The bioactive glass served both as a mechanical reinforcing agent and as a triggering agent with high bioactivity. The results of in vitro assays with simulated body fluid demonstrated the formation of a significant layer of fibrils on the surface of the film, with a typical morphology of carbonated hydroxyapatite, reflecting induction of a favorable bioactivity. Maximum tensile stress increased from 42 to 80 MPa to the sample with 5% wt bioactive glass. In addition, samples containing 5% and 10% wt bioactive glass showed a significant increase in cell viability, 18 and 30% increase compared to the control group. The samples showed significant response, indicating that they could be a potential material for use in bone regeneration through tissue engineering.
pediatric radiology : studies in living and deceased children Hoogendoorn

Fractures are reported to be the second most common findings in child abuse, after skin lesions such as bruises and contusions. This makes careful interpretation of childhood fractures in relation to the provided clinical history important. In this literature review we address imaging techniques and the prevailing protocols as well as fractures, frequently seen in child abuse, and the differential diagnosis of these fractures. The use of a standardized protocol in radiological imaging is stressed, as adherence to the international guidelines has been consistently poor. As fractures are a relatively common finding in childhood and interpretation is sometimes difficult, involvement of a pediatric radiologist is important if not essential. Adherence to international guidelines necessitates review by experts and therefore is mandatory. As in all clinical differential diagnoses, liaisons between pediatricians and pediatric radiologists in order to obtain additional clinical information or even better having joint review of radiological studies will improve diagnostic accuracy. It is fundamental to keep in mind that the diagnosis of child abuse can never be solely based on radiological imaging but always on a combination of clinical, investigative and social findings. The quality and interpretation, preferably by a pediatric radiologist, of radiographs is essential in reaching a correct diagnosis in cases of suspected child abuse.
Chapter 7 Model Systems to Define Remyelination Therapies

Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as multiple sclerosis (MS), are characterized by multiple focal demyelinating lesions, resulting in various functional deficits. The pathology of MS is defined by local loss of myelin sheaths in the brain and spinal cord associated with infiltration of peripheral immune cells. Classically, MS starts with a series of relapses and remissions, followed several years later by a more progressive form of the disease and a steady functional decline. Although the mechanism of disease initiation is poorly understood, disease progression is associated with immune system activation toward CNS antigens including myelin proteins. Animal models of MS have been critical in the development of MS therapies, with experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE) being the most common. This model has been instrumental in defining the role of T cells in disease progression and in the development of targeted therapies. Understanding the biology of myelin repair has, however, largely come from other model systems including local targeted demyelination in vivo, slice preparations, and in vitro. This has led to the identification of a diverse array of potential new targets to modulate disease progression. Development of these new avenues is the target of intensive ongoing research.