Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation on Rutin Content, Radical Scavenging Activity and Properties of Tablets Prepared from Noni Leaf and Fruit Extracts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rutin content and radical scavenging activity of the leave and fruit extracts of Morinda citrifolia (Noni). The preparation and evaluation of tablets containing the Noni leaf and fruit extracts were also aimed. In this study, the leaves and fruits of Noni were prepared by maceration technique. Their rutin content and antioxidant activity were determined by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, respectively. The tablets containing theses extracts were prepared and their physical properties, including thickness and hardness, weight variation and disintegration time (DT) were evaluated. Additionally, the physicochemical stability was evaluated for three months period at 45 o C and relative humidity of 75 %. The results showed that Noni leave extract had similar rutin content and antioxidant activity compared to the fruit extract. The physical properties of tablets prepared from these extracts were met the requirements of USP XXX. Following stability test, rutin content and antioxidant activity of the extract and all tablet formulations were decreased.
A Low Cost Single Board Computer Based Mobile Robot Motion Planning System for Indoor Environments

In this study, a low cost, flexible and modular structure is proposed for mobile robot motion planning systems in an indoor environment with obstacles. In this system, the mobile robot has to follow the shortest path to the target avoiding obstacles. It is designed as three main modules including image processing, path planning and robot motion blocks. These modules are embedded on a single board computer. In the image processing module, the image of the indoor environment, including a mobile robot, obstacles and a target, having different colors is taken to the single board computer with a wireless IP camera. This image is processed to find the locations of the mobile robot, obstacles and the target in C programming language using OpenCV. In path planning module, the shortest and optimal path is generated for the mobile robot. Generated path is applied to the robot motion module to produce necessary angles and distances for the mobile robot to reach the target. Since the structure of the proposed system is designed as modular and flexible, similar or different hardware, software or methods can be applied to these three modules.
The Feasibility of a Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Low Self-Esteem within a Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Population

Low self-esteem is a common characteristic amongst populations with schizophrenia and co-morbid substance abuse (dual diagnosis) and has been linked to increased psycho- pathology, substance abuse and lower social functioning. The following study built upon the promising results of Hall and Tarrier (2003) and examined the feasibility and clinical utility of a cognitive behavioural intervention for low self-esteem within a population of dual diagnosis inpatients. A small sample of dual diagnosis inpatients (N = 23) were screened during a one- month wait list period to ensure stability in presentation of low self-esteem, psychopathology and substance abuse before commencing a brief eight-session intervention for low self-esteem. Results collected post intervention showed participants displayed significant increases in levels of self-esteem and corresponding significant decreases in depressive symptoms and psychopathology associated with schizophrenia. These improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Outcomes were examined in terms of identifying and implementing beneficial treatments for dual diagnosis populations within everyday psychiatric settings, a population often considered one of the most challenging to treat.
Volcanic soils and landslides: a case study of the island of Ischia (southern Italy) and its relationship with other Campania events

Abstract. An integrated investigation was carried out on the volcanic soils involved in the landslide phenomena that occurred in 2006 at Mt. Vezzi on the island of Ischia (southern Italy). Chemical (soil pH, organic carbon content, exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, Na adsorption ratio and Al, Fe and Si forms), physical (particle and pore size distribution, pore structure), hydrological (soil water retention, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity), mineralogical and micromorphological analyses were carried out for three soil profiles selected in two of the main head scarps. The studied soils showed a substantial abrupt discontinuity in all the studied properties at the interface with a buried fine ash layer (namely, the 2C horizon), that was only marginally involved in the sliding surface of the landslide phenomena. When compared to the overlying horizons, 2C showed (i) fine grey ash that is almost pumice free, with the silt content increasing by 20 %; (ii) ks values 1 order of magnitude lower; (iii) a pore distribution concentrated into small (15–30 μm modal class) pores characterised by a very low percolation threshold (approximately 15–25 μm); (iv) the presence of expandable clay minerals; and (v) increasing Na content in the exchange complex. Most of these properties indicated that 2C was a lower permeability horizon compared to the overlying ones. Nevertheless, it was possible to assume this interface to be an impeding layer to vertical water fluxes only by the identification of a thin (6.5 mm) finely stratified ash layer, on top of 2C, and of the hydromorphic features (e.g. Fe / Mn concretions) within and on top of the layer. Although Mt. Vezzi's soil environment has many properties in common with those of other Campania debris-mudflows (e.g. high gradient, north-facing slope, similar forestry, and volcanic origin of the parent material), the results of this study suggest a more complex relationship between soil properties and landslides and emphasise the role of vertical discontinuities as noteworthy predisposing factors.
Discovery of the Most Ultra-Luminous QSO Using GAIA, SkyMapper, and WISE

Abstract We report the discovery of the ultra-luminous quasi-stellar object SMSS J215728.21−360215.1 with magnitude z = 16.9 and W4 = 7.42 at redshift 4.75. Given absolute magnitudes of M145, AB = −29.3, M300, AB = −30.12, and logLbol/Lbol, ⊙ = 14.84, it is the quasi-stellar object with the highest unlensed UV-optical luminosity currently known in the Universe. It was found by combining proper-motion data from Gaia DR2 with photometry from SkyMapper DR1 and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. In the GAIA database, it is an isolated single source and thus unlikely to be strongly gravitationally lensed. It is also unlikely to be a beamed source as it is not discovered in the radio domain by either NRAO-VLA Sky Survey or Sydney University Molonglo Southern Survey. It is classed as a weak-emission-line quasi-stellar object and possesses broad absorption line features. A lightcurve from ATLAS spanning the time from 2015 October to 2017 December shows little sign of variability.
Towards a conceptual framework for protection of personal information from the perspective of activity theory

Background: Personal information about individuals is stored by organisations including government agencies. The information is intended to be kept confidential and strictly used for its primary and legitimate purposes. However, that has not always been the case in many South African government agencies and departments. In recent years, personal information about individuals and groups has been illegally leaked for other motives, in which some were detrimental. Even though there exists a legislation, Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act , which prohibits such malpractices, illegally leaked information has however, not stopped or reduced. In addition to the adoption of the POPI Act , a more stringent approach is therefore needed in order to improve sanity in the use and management of personal information. Otherwise, the detriment that such malpractices cause too many citizens can only be on the increase. Objectives: The objectives of this study were in twofold: (1) to examine and understand the activities that happen with personal information leaks, which includes why and how information is leaked; and (2) to develop a conceptual framework, which includes identification of the factors that influence information leaks and breaches in an environment. Method: Qualitative research methods were followed in achieving the objectives of the study. Within the qualitative methods, documents including existing literature were gathered. The activity theory was employed as lens to guide the analysis. Result: From the analysis, four critical factors were found to be of influence in information leaks and breaches in organisations. The factors include: (1) information and its value, (2) the roles of society and its compliance to information protection, (3) government and its laws relating to information protection and (4) the need for standardisation of information usage and management within a community. Based on the factors, a conceptual framework was developed. Conclusion: This study can be used to guide implementation of information protection acts in any environment. It empirically contributes to societal awareness on how and why personal information is leaked and breached. Also, it will benefit academic domain, particularly in the use of activity theory.
New Approach to OTA Testing : RIMP and pure-LOS as Extreme Environments & a Hypothesis

We propose a new systematic approach to OTA testing of wireless devices. This involves testing in the two opposite environments Rich Isotropic Multipath (RIMP) and pure-LOS (Line-of-Sight), being present in well-stirred reverberation chambers and traditional anechoic chambers, respectively. It is now well known how to test multipath-related functions such as MIMO and OFDM in the RIMP environment in reverberation chambers, and results are in excellent agreement with basic theories and algorithms. Herein, it is proposed how to test the effects of the users randomness in the pure-LOS in an anechoic chamber. The two tests complement each other to a full test procedure via a reasonable OTA hypothesis, which covers real-life situations. It is proposed to test the real-life OTA hypothesis by extensive simulations to determine its possible limitations.
Security and Confidentiality Solutions for Public Cloud Database Services

The users perception that the confidentiality of their data is endangered by internal and external attacks is limiting the diffusion of public cloud database services. In this context, the use of cryptography is complicated by high computational costs and restrictions on supported SQL operations over encrypted data. In this paper, we propose an architecture that takes advantage of adaptive encryption mechanisms to guarantee at runtime the best level of data confidentiality for any type of SQL operation. We demonstrate through a large set of experiments that these encryption schemes represent a feasible solution for achieving data confidentiality in public cloud databases, even from a performance point of view. Keywords-Cloud; Database; Confidentiality; Adaptivity; Encryption
Low lower crustal velocity across Ethiopia: Is the Main Ethiopian Rift a narrow rift in a hot craton?

The Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) is a classic narrow rift that developed in hot, weak lithosphere, not in the initially cold, thick, and strong lithosphere that would be predicted by common models of rift mode formation. Our new 1‐D seismic velocity profiles from Rayleigh wave/receiver function joint inversion across the MER and the Ethiopian Plateau indicate that hot lower crust and upper mantle are present throughout the broad region affected by Oligocene flood basalt volcanism, including both the present rift and the adjacent Ethiopian Plateau hundreds of kilometers from the rift valley. The region of hot lithosphere closely corresponds to the region of flood basalt volcanism, and we interpret that the volcanism and thermal perturbation were jointly caused by impingement of the Afar plume head. Across the affected region, Vs is 3.6–3.8 km/s in the lowermost crust and ≤4.3 km/s in the uppermost mantle, both ∼0.3 km/s lower than in the eastern and western branches of the East African Rift System to the south. We interpret the low Vs in the lower crust and upper mantle as indicative of hot lithosphere with partial melt. Our results lead to a hybrid rift mode, in which the brittle upper crust has developed as a narrow rift along the Neoproterozoic suture between East and West Gondwana, while at depth lithospheric deformation is distributed over the broad region (∼400 km wide) thermally perturbed by the broad thermal upwelling associated with the Afar plume head. Development of both the East African Rift System to the south (in cold, strong lithosphere) and the MER to the north (in hot, weak lithosphere) as narrow rifts, despite their vastly different initial thermal states and depth‐integrated lithospheric strength, indicates that common models of rift mode formation that focus only on temperature, thickness, and vertical strength profiles do not apply to these classic continental rifts. Instead, inherited structure and associated lithospheric weaknesses are the primary control on the mode of extension.
Real‐time localised forecasting of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation using neural network models

Existing statistical forecast models of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) are generally of very low order and predict the evolution of a small number (typically two) of principal components (PCs). While such models are skilful up to 25 days lead time, by design they only predict the very largest‐scale features of the MJO. Here we present a higher‐order MJO statistical forecast model that is able to predict MJO variability on smaller, more localised scales, that will be of more direct benefit to national weather agencies and regional government planning. The model is based on daily outgoing long‐wave radiation (OLR) data that are intraseasonally filtered using a recently developed technique of empirical mode decomposition that can be used in real time. A standard truncated PC analysis is then used to isolate the maximum amount of variance in a finite number of modes. The evolution of these modes is then forecast using a neural network model, which does not suffer from the parametrisation problems of other statistical forecast techniques when applied to a higher number of modes. Compared to a standard 2‐PC model, the higher‐order PC model showed improved skill over the whole MJO domain, with substantial improvements over the western Pacific, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and Phillipine Sea. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Bench-Scale Flushing Experiments for Remediation of Hg-Contaminated Groundwater

Bench-scale laboratory column experiments were conducted to determine the desorption characteristics of Hg in the aquifer material from an area of known elevated Hg concentrations in groundwater under flushing conditions. The experimental results showed that columns packed with perched aquifer material (PA) showed flushing of Hg, with the general decline of effluent Hg concentrations over time (from 0.05–0.1 mg/L in the beginning to 0.0001–0.003 mg/L at the end of the experiment). Columns with lower aquifer material (LA) showed nondetectable level of effluent Hg throughout the experiment. Possibility of redissolution/desorption of Hg after static condition (for the duration of 18 days) was tested, showing only slight rebound of Hg concentrations after equilibration. The results suggest that removal of up to 20% of Hg inventory in the sediment could be achievable for the duration of the experiments (about 10 pore volumes). The results also indicate that the treated water from the water treatment plant was more effective compared to deionized water, probably due to complexing agents contained in the treated water.
Is the Market Portfolio Efficient? A New Test of Mean-Variance Efficiency when all Assets are Risky

The market portfolio efficiency remains controversial. This paper develops a new test of portfolio mean-variance efficiency relying on the realistic assumption that all assets are risky. The test is based on the vertical distance of a portfolio from the efficient frontier. Monte Carlo simulations show that our test outperforms the previous mean-variance efficiency tests for large samples since it produces smaller size distortions for comparable power. Our empirical application to the U.S. equity market highlights that the market portfolio is not mean-variance efficient, and so invalidates the zero-beta CAPM.
Investigation of G-network with random delay of signals at nonstationary behaviour

The object of this research is an open queueing G-network with signals with random delay. The purpose of the research is investigation of such a network at the transi- ent behavior. It is considered the case when the intensity of the incoming flow of positive and negative messages and service intensity of messages do not depend on time. All the systems in the network are one-line. It is described the model of computer system DDoS-attacks, the effect of penetration of the virus in a computer network in the form of G-network with random delay of signals. Approximate expressions are obtained for the time-dependent probabilities of states and the average characteristics of the network. Examples are calculated.
Some design aspects of the multi flux barrier rotor reluctance synchronous machine

This thesis deals with different design aspects of the multi-flux barrier rotor of the reluctance synchronous machine (RSM). The effect of the different designs on the performance of the RSM is investigated by means of two-dimensional finite element analysis. The finite element analysis is also directly used in the optimum design of the rotor of the RSM. The importance of the use of the finite element analysis in the design and performance calculations of the RSM is illustrated in this thesis. The design aspects of the RSM which are focussed on in this thesis are, amongst other things, the chording of the stator winding, the skewing of the rotor and the ratio of the number of rotor flux barriers to the number of stator slots of the RSM. The effects of these design aspects on the average torque and torque ripple of the RSM are investigated and general design directives are given. The occurrence of flux pulsations in the stator teeth and rotor iron segments of the RSM are also studied to some extent. The finite element optimum design of a4-pole RSM-rotor with a high number of flux barriers is described in the thesis. This optimum designed rotor is built and the RSM with this rotor is tested in the laboratory. Its calculated and measured performances are studied and compared with a conventional, low number rotor flux barrier RSM. It is found, amongst other things, that the RSM with the high number of rotor flux barriers has a slightly higher average torque with a significantly lower torque ripple. iii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Catalyst Load Optimization for Microwave Susceptible Catalysed Dpf

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is the most applied device to control the Particulate Matter (PM) from diesel engine exhaust: it consists of alternately plugged parallel square channels (wall-flow monolith) so that the exhaust gases flow through the porous inner walls and the particles are collected on the surface and in the porosity of the channel walls, progressively blocking the pores, causing a growing pressure drop. The accumulated PM is removed by periodic combustion, triggered by an increase in the exhaust temperature, i.e. by injection of fuel into the exhaust gases. The exothermic PM combustion leads in some cases to excessive temperature rise, resulting in filter damage. The development of a cost effective, fast and safe regeneration procedure is the major remaining technological challenge in the use of this device. In our previous works we showed that the simultaneous use of a Microwave (MW) applicator and a specifically catalysed DPF, with 15%wt of CuFe2O4, allows to reduce the temperature, the energy and the time required for the DPF regeneration. Starting by these very promising results, we continued to study in order to further improve the performances of the catalyzed DPF in terms of catalytic activity, to reduce the temperature and the MW energy required for the regeneration. The objectives of this work are to optimize both the preparation procedure of the catalytic DPF and the load of active species, and to verify the feasibility of the MW technology by assessing the energy balance of the regeneration phase, comparing it to the actually employed regeneration technologies. In the future we want to evaluate the activity towards the other pollutants present in the diesel exhausts (such as NOx).
Profitability and Product Quality: Economic Determinants of Airline Safety Performance

This study investigates product safety choices in the airline industry, with particular attention to the role of financial conditions. The analysis uses data on 35 large scheduled passenger airlines over the 1957-86 period to estimate the effect of profitability and other aspects of financial health on accident and incident rates. The results indicate that lower profitability is correlated with higher accident and incident rates, particularly for smaller carriers. These findings support a broad class of theoretical models that suggest links between financial conditions and product quality and may have significant implications for the allocation of safety inspection and enforcement resources.
The Adaptation of English Liquids in Contemporary Korean: a Diachronic Study *

This paper examines the diachronic development of English liquid adaptation in Contemporary Korean (1890-Present) based on a number of loanword lists from different time periods. The examination of initial liquids shows that contrary to common assumption, the initial liquids are often realized as [n], showing that the Tuɨm rule (a rule of initial liquid avoidance) is still active, although marginally. The adaptation of word-medial /l/ varies between singleton [ɾ] and geminate [ll]. A quantitative study finds evidence for both of two competing explanations for the variation—(1) the singleton adaptation is a remnant of Japanese-mediated loans and (2) the variation is conditioned by the durational characteristics of English input—but the former turns out to be a more dominant factor and the latter plays only a minor role.
Protozoologica Possible Involvement of cAMP and Protein Phosphorylation in the Cell Signaling Pathway for Resting Cyst Formation of Ciliated Protozoan

It has been suggested that encystment of Colpoda cucullus is mediated by intracellular Ca2+-activated signaling pathways involving an increase in the cAMP concentration. In the present study, cAMP enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and chemiluminescence detection for phosphorylated proteins using anti-phosphoserine antibody, anti-phosphothreonine antibody and biotinylated phosphate-binding tag molecules (Phos-tag) showed that the intracellular cAMP concentration in Colpoda cells was raised and the phosphorylation level of serine/ threonine residues was elevated in many proteins prior to the cyst formation. Such encystment induction and protein phosphorylation were suppressed by the addition of an intracellular Ca2+ chelating reagent (BAPTA-AM) or the encystment inhibitor, chlorophyllin in all or most of these proteins, respectively. The phosphorylation level of some proteins was slightly elevated by the addition of IBMX, which tended to promote encystment induction, and tended to be slightly suppressed by the addition of H-89 (PKA inhibitor), which also suppressed encystment induction. These results suggest that Ca2+-activated signaling pathway involving cAMP/PKA-dependent protein phosphorylation may be responsible for the encystment induction of C. cucullus.