Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breathing-Mode Ceramic Element for Therapeutic Array Transducer

A new concept of piezoceramic array transducer element using breathing mode has been proposed for therapeutic application. Finite element numerical simulation showed that a concave hemispherical piezoceramic shell with a diameter slightly larger than the wavelength in water is effective for obtaining good acoustic matching with water. A hemispherical piezoceramic element with an inner diameter of 4.0 mm and a thickness of 0.2–0.4 mm produced more than several times higher acoustic power output than a conventional thickness-mode element at the same drive voltage in the simulation. Its good acoustic matching with water is considered to be accomplished by the combined resonance with the spherical bulk of water half covered by the shell, because the resonance was very sensitive to the change in sound speed of the virtual material replacing water with the same acoustic impedance in simulation.
FUZZY AND ANFIS BASED SOFT STARTER FED INDUCTION MOTOR DRIVE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS

Soft starters are used with induction motors in blowers, fans, pumps and the crane hoist drives. AC voltage controllers are used as soft starters in induction motors for starting and to adjust its speed. This paper highlights the intelligent controllers such as Fuzzy and Neuro fuzzy based ac voltage controllers to generate the firing pulses for appropriate thyristors for any given operating torque, speed of the motor and the load. FUZZY and ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System) models have been designed to achieve the proposed algorithm. MATLAB/SIMULINK package was used to simulate the proposed methods. Simulation results presented in this paper explain the advantages of proposed soft starting methods over conventional method. The advantages of intelligent methods proposed in this paper are its simplicity, stability, accuracy and fast response.
Brain Signal Classification using Genetic Algorithm for Right-Left Motion Pattern

Brain signals or EEG are non-stationary signals and are difficult to analyze visually. The brain signal has five waves alpha, beta, delta, gamma, and theta. The five waves have their frequency to describe the level of attention, alertness, character and external stimuli. The five waves can be used to analyze stimulation patterns when turning left and right. Giving weight to the five brain waves utilizes genetic algorithms to get one signal. Genetic algorithms can be used to find the best signal for classification. In this paper, the EEG signal will be classified to determine the right or left movement pattern. After combining the five brain waves with genetic algorithms is then classified using the Logistic Regression, Linear Discriminant Analysis, K-Neighbors Classifier, Decision Tree, Naive Bayes Gaussian, and Support Vector Machine. From the six methods above that have the highest accuracy is 56% and SVM is a method that has better accuracy than others on this problem.
(Mis)Appropriations of Gadamer in Qualitative Research: A Husserlian Critique (Part 1)

Abstract Within the Husserlian phenomenological philosophical tradition, description and interpretation co-exist. However, teaching the practice of phenomenological psychological research requires careful articulation of the differences between a descriptive and an interpretive relationship to what is provided by qualitative data. If as researchers we neglect the epistemological foundations of our work or avoid working through difficult methodological issues, then our work invites dismissal as inadequate science, undermining the effort to strongly establish psychology along qualitative lines. The first article in this two-part discussion provides a Husserlian investigation of the meaning of ‘method’ for psychology as a human science. This investigation is undertaken in the light of some researchers’ appropriations of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics in the service of non-methodical praxes. The second article will address some implications of the attempt to structure qualitative psychological research along ‘Gadamerian’ lines, taking seriously the references to Gadamer’s work made by researchers such as Van Manen and Smith.
Effects of Climate Change on Soil and Water Resources: A Review

This review paper presents an overview of global impacts on soil and water resources as consequence of change in climate and summarizes the measures/adaptation options to minimize the risk. There is a strong scientific consensus that the earth’s climate has changed and will continue to change as human activities increase the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. World population is increasing day by day and at the same time soil and water resources is threatened due to natural resource degradation and climate change. The recent IPCC report has clearly stated that warming of the climate system is unequivocal and it is very likely” caused by natural and human activities. Numerous scholars reported that climate change affects hydrological cycle or water cycle components, especially precipitation, evapotranspiration, temperature, stream flow, ground water and surface runoff. A change in climate can alter the spatial and temporal availability of soil and water resources. These changes will result in increased floods and drought, which will have significant impacts on the soil and water resource availability. Soils are complicatedly linked to the climate system through nitrogen, the carbon, and hydrologic cycles. Because of change in climate soil processes and properties will affected. Along with changes in temperature, climate change will bring changes in global rainfall amounts and distribution patterns. And since temperature and water are two factors that have a large influence on the processes that take place in soils, climate change will therefore cause changes in the world’s soils. Water resources management can help to counter balance effects of climate change on stream flow and water availability until a certain level. This review paper starts with highlighting the studies on the impacts of climate changes on soil and water resource mainly due to change in temperature and rainfall. The impacts of climate change on soil and water resources are highlighted, and respective studies on hydrological responses to climate change are examined. Finally the paper concludes by outlining possible adaptation options in the realm of climate change impacts on soil and water resources. Keywords : Climate change, Soil and water resources, hydrological Cycle, soil processes and Properties
The adoption of supermajority-independent boards in the post-Enron era

Combining insights from the agency theory and sociopolitical perspectives, this study examines the extent to which factors such as ownership structure, CEO power, and firm performance influence firms’ adoption of board independent reform advocated by shareholder activists. Event history analysis using extensive data on 1083 Standard & Poor’s 1500 companies from January 2002 to December 2004 shows that firms with more powerful CEO were less likely to adopt supermajorityindependent boards, while both poorly performing firms and large firms were more likely to adopt such board structure. We also find that higher institutional blockholder ownership increased the likelihood of the adoption in firms managed by less powerful CEOs, while external non-institutional blockholder ownership decreased the likelihood of the adoption.
First Nations Educational Success: Assessing Determinants Using a Social Context Lens

The essential role of education in numerous social outcomes is well known. The Census data indicate that average educational attainment levels of First Nations are below national averages (Hull 1996; Norris and Siggner 2003). No doubt, the implications for Aboriginal communities are vast. This is captured by recent analyses, such as the Community Well-being (CWB) Index examining the relative differences in well-being between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities (White, Beavon, and Spence 2007). Considering the importance of this ongoing issue, an attempt is made in this paper to explore the characteristics of successful schooling for First Nations communities. This approach begins with the community as the unit of analysis, with the realization that there are multiple levels of influence when discussing educational attainment, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual (community, province, country) and institutional. Unfortunately, the availability of data to examine educational issues in a comprehensive manner is the single greatest obstacle facing researchers. This analysis does not privilege contextual effects, which focus on the community, but underscores that they are an integral component of the overall picture of Aboriginal educational success. It is the process of exploring the community-level characteristics that explain educational success that is our main preoccupation in this paper. There are five categories of explanatory variables used in our model: geographic isolation, school type, demographic, economic, and human capital. This study is the first of its kind where the explanatory power of the community is examined. We add to the information on Aboriginal school experience and contribute to a better understanding of the indicators of attainment by looking at three issues related to quality: graduate rate, withdrawal rate, and age-appropriate rate. We consider these indicators to be important as they focus on the school and community.1 We are studying those individuals who fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Accordingly, we evaluate the education outcomes of all First Nations students who report that they reside on a First Nations reserve, have qualified to register under the Indian Act, and appear
Integrated management of Aspergillus species and aflatoxin production in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) through application of farm yard manure and seed treatments with fungicides and Trichoderma species

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important cash crop in the lowland areas of Ethiopia. However, prevalence of Aspergillus invasions and subsequent aflatoxin contamination compromises the quality of groundnut kernels. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of farm yard manure (FYM) and seed treatments against Aspergillus species pod colonization and aflatoxin accumulation under field conditions. The inhibitory efficacy of Trichoderma species as biocontrol agents was also assessed. A total of 20 treatment combinations including pre-planting applications of FYM at 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 tons/ha and seed treatments with carbendazim at 2 g/kg and mancozeb at 3 g kg-1, and Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride each at 5 g/kg as well as untreated seed as control were used. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. The experiment was conducted in two consecutive seasons (2014 and 2015) at Babile Haramaya University sub-Research Station. The highest pod and seed yields (1901.5 and 1281.5 kg/ha, respectively) were recovered from plots treated with T. harzianum at 5 g/kg seed. A. flavus was abundantly recorded in control plots, which could be responsible for the high aflatoxin B1 (5704.4 µg/kg) and B2 (2219.0 µg/kg) contamination. However, plots treated with T. harzianum at 5 g/kg seed and FYM at 5 tons/ha + T. harzianum at 5 g/kg were free from aflatoxin. Integrations of T. harzianum as biocontrol seed treatment and soil amendment with FYM were effective in the pre-harvest management of Aspergillus spp. and aflatoxins contamination.
Two combined model MPPT algorithms for stand alone photovoltaic systems

Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT’s) play an important role in stand alone photovoltaic systems. MPPT’s find and maintain operation at the maximum power point, using an MPPT algorithm. Many MPPT algorithms have been proposed in the literature. The MPPT techniques using microprocessors are favored because of their flexibility and compatibility with different PV module. The efficiency of these MPPT algorithms is drops in cases of rapidly changing atmospheric conditions. The incremental conductance solves this problem. In the other way, we find that the constant voltage algorithm is the simplest and is more effective than the incremental conductance in case of low solar irradiance condition. This paper combines the two models MPPT control algorithm, the constant voltage and the incremental conductance under different solar irradiance levels. Firstly, a novel model is proposed to predict the PV module performance for engineering applications and compared with the Walker model. A MSX60 PV, BPSX150 PV and PB585 PV modules are selected to proof the performance of the proposed model. Next, the combined two model MPPT algorithm is applied at various irradiations solar. Finally, a model of Cuk converter is built in order to verify the performance of proposed MPPT algorithm.
Improved shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration of Echinacea angustifolia DC

We established an improved method for shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration from stem cultures of Echinacea angustifolia DC. The regenerated shoots obtained from stem cultures on solid MS medium containing different concentrations of BAP and kinetin. The highest number of shoots per explant (3.2) and shoot length (1.3 cm) was obtained on MS medium containing 2 mg/l BAP. The addition of auxins in MS medium containing 2 mg/l BAP substantially improved the shoot regeneration of E. angustifolia and at the optimal concentration of 0.5 mg/l IBA was the most suitable auxin for the highest number of shoots per explant (4.6) and shoot growth (1.5 cm). Plant regeneration was found to be more efficient when Phytagel was used as the gelling agent. The number of shoots produced per leaf explant was 12% higher, and the growth of shoots was 11% greater, on 3 g/l phytagel compared to 7 g/l phytagar. The rooted plants were hardened and transferred to soil with an 80% survival rate. The production of E. angustifolia regenerated plants could be used as a possible transformation protocol. Key words: Echinacea angustifolia DC, plant regeneration, shoot organogenesis.
In vitro nematicidal effect of endophytic Fusarium oxysporum against Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus goodeyi and Helicotylenchus multicinctus.

Van Dessel, P., D. Coyne, T. Dubois, D. De Waele and J. Franco. 2011. In vitro nematicidal effect of endophytic Fusarium oxysporum against Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus goodeyi and Helicotylenchus multicinctus. Nematropica 41:154-160. Endophytic fungi colonize most plants, causing no damage to their hosts, and often extending benefits, such as enhanced protection against various biotic and abiotic constraints. In the current study, three experiments assessed the activity of secondary metabolites of three strains of endophytic Fusarium oxysporum (Emb2.4o, Eny1.31i and V5w2) against the banana (Musa spp.) root-parasitic nematodes Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus goodeyi and Helicotylenchus multicinctus under different laboratory procedures. All experiments showed higher nematode mortality after 24 h exposure for each endophyte culture filtrate compared to control treatments after 24 h exposure. Helicotylenchus multicinctus was less sensitive to endophytic treatments than R. similis and P. goodeyi; and R. similis was more sensitive than P. goodeyi to strain V5w2 even at lower filtrate concentrations. Based on motility of R. similis and P. goodeyi, light (14 L: 10 D h) had no significant effect on endophyte culture filtrates (Emb2.4o and V5w2). These results indicate the potential of endophytic F. oxysporum as an environmentally sensitive management strategy for a range of plant-parasitic nematodes on banana, although more detail is required on the identification of the toxic metabolites involved. Van Dessel, P., D. Coyne, T. Dubois, D. De Waele and J. Franco. 2011. In vitro nematicidal effect of endophytic Fusarium oxysporum against Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus goodeyi and Helicotylenchus multicinctus. Nematropica 41:154-160. Los hongos endofiticos colonizan la mayoria de las plantas sin causar dano y a veces brindan beneficios tales como la proteccion contra diversos agentes bioticos y abioticos. En este estudio se llevaron a cabo tres experimentos in vitro para evaluar la actividad de metabolitos secundarios de tres cepas de Fusarium oxysporum (Emb2.4o, Eny1.31i y V5w2) contra tres nematodos fitoparasitos del banano, Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus goodeyi y Helicotylenchus multicinctus. Todos los experimentos mostraron mayor mortalidad de los nematodos despues de 24h de exposicion al filtrado de cada cultivo del hongo comparados con los controles. Helicotylenchus multicinctus fue menos sensible a los tratameintos que R. similis y P. goodeyi; y R. similis fue mas sensible que P. goodeyi a la cepa V5w2 aun en concentraciones bajas del filtrado. Con base en la motilidad de R. similis y P. goodeyi, la luz (14 L: 10 D h) no tuvo efecto significativo sobre los filtrados del cultivo del hongo (Emb2.4o and V5w2). Estos resultados indican que F. oxysporum puede ser una opcion de manejo ambientalmente viable para algunos nematodos fitoparasitos del banano, aunque se requiere mas informacion acerca de los metabolitos toxicos involucrados en el control.
Differential Response and Signal Transduction Due to Cold Shock and Oxidative Stress in Bacillus simplex TWW-04

The accumulation of stress proteins in the cytoplasm, periplasm or membrane of bacteria is considered an initial signal which induces the expression of genes involved in defense, recovery and stress acclimation. Whole cell protein profile for Bacillus simplex TWW-04 showed a gradual increase in expressed proteins by increasing the hydrogen peroxide concentration, this was different from the heat shock proteins induced at 60°C and were closer to the cold -shock proteins expressed at 4°C, a marked increase in band number and intensity varied by the increase in hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The bacterial count and total protein content showed a decrease in cold-shock cultures, hydrogen peroxide (150 mM) and gamma (0.5 KGy) exposed cultures after 4 h. The colony forming ability for cultures exposed to cold-shock, hydrogen peroxide and gamma radiation showed no change after 4 h, but after 16 h of incubation, only the hydrogen peroxide culture failed to show any colony forming ability. The growth pattern followed by absorbance at O.D600 after stress exposure showed different response for each culture. The level of membrane lipid unsaturation was measured through FTIR, the spectra showed a close pattern for both the cold-shock and oxidative stress exposed cultures at the characteristic wave number for C=C. It is therefore concluded that the response of Bacillus simplex TWW-04 during oxidative stress is close to that exhibited during cold-shock; the role is similar in protecting the cell membrane from damage during hydroxyl attack by increasing the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in the membrane lipids.
Physiological and behavioural responses of Ruditapes decussatus to roundup and reldan

The clam Ruditapes decussatus was used as a bioindicator for pollution to determine the toxicity of a herbicide (48% glyphosate, ‘roundup') and an insecticide (50% chlorpyrifosmethyl, ‘reldan'). After estimating LC 50 (µl L-1) and LT50 (days) of both organophosphrous pesticides over 60 days, the impact of ½ LC50 of roundup (1.1µl L -1 ) and reldan (0.6 µl L -1 ) was measured. After two months of treatment, reldan reduced valve activity more than roundup; the rest period increased with increasing time of exposure. There was direct relationship between valve movement and metabolic heat output of respiration and excretion. The decrease in respiration rate was associated with a decrease in ammonia excretion. Thus valve-movement responses of R. decussatus to ½ LC 50 of the two pesticides are type-dependent. Both pesticides reduced physiological condition, but reldan is more potent than roundup and its effect is time-dependent. Respiration and excretion rates were components of the energy expenditure that accounted for the decline in metabolism and excretion with increasing the time of exposure to pesticides. This study highlights the potential use of behavioural and physiological response of a sentinel organism for monitoring the pesticides in the marine environment. KEY WORDS: LC 50 , glyphosate, chlorpyrifos-methyl, valve movement, oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, energy lost. Egyptian Journal of Botany Vol.5 2003: 108-119
LabVIEW electrocardiogram event and beat detection

QRS and ventricular beat detection is a basic procedure for electrocardiogram (ECG) processing and analysis. Large variety of methods have been proposed and used, featuring high percentages of correct detection. Nevertheless, the problem remains open especially with respect to higher detection accuracy in noisy ECGs. LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench) is a graphical programming language that uses icons instead of lines of text to create programs. We developed in LabVIEW the filtering for removal of artifacts in biomedical signals and the Pan-Tompkins algorithm. We have investigated problems posed by artifact, noise and interference of various forms in the acquisition and analysis of several biomedical signals. We have also established links between the characteristics of certain epochs in a number of biomedical signals and the corresponding physiological or pathological events in the biomedical systems of concern. Event detection is an important step that is required before we may attempt to analyze the corresponding waves in more detail. A real-time detection method is proposed, based on comparison between absolute values of summed differentiated electrocardiograms of one of more ECG leads and adaptive threshold. Also, a cardiac beat recognition based on continuous wavelet transform is presented.
Assessment of heavy metal content in soil and grasslands in national park of the lake plateau of the N. P. “Durmitor” Montenegro

Investigations were conducted in the N.P. Durmitor area of Montenegro where anthropogenic activities are negatively impacting forests and grasslands. According to meteorological data, this area has been polluted with heavy metals via aero deposition. The aim of this paper was to present an assessment which describes the content of heavy metals in the top soil layer (0 to 20 cm) and the corresponding vegetation cover. Linear regression was used to explain the relationship between heavy metals in the soils and plants. Statistically significant correlation coefficients were determined between content of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in the soil and plants. Since a statistical significant correlation existed, it was possible to suggest that, increasing the content of heavy metals in the soil will influence an increase in the content of heavy metals in the vegetation cover. Also, transfer factor (TF) values were used to assess the concentrations of elements in plants taken from the soil. The highest transfer factors were obtained for Zn and Cu followed by Cd, with Pb been the least. According to values of TF in the studied conditions, the content of Zn, Cu and Cd were greater in the mobile fractions than in the nonmobile fractions, but the content of Pb was not mobile and available for plants. Thus, we were able to conclude that, soil properties and the form of heavy metals in the soil influence the uptake of heavy metals from the soil by the vegetation cover.