Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interface Waves Excited by Vertical Vibration of Stratified Fluids in a Circular Cylinder

The excitation of interface waves by vertical vibration of stratified immiscible fluids in a circular cylinder is studied experimentally and analytically. The excitation of linear capillary-gravity waves by the time-dependent fluid acceleration combined with the fluid-wall relative motion is considered in the analysis. The analytical results show that the interface responses are dominated by the modes predicted by the Mathieu equation when the excitation amplitude and frequency lie in an unstable region of the Mathieu equation governing the acceleration-driven interface oscillation. Otherwise, symmetrical harmonic modes are excited by the capillary force associated with the fluid-wall relative motion. These changes in the instability modes agree to those observed in the experiments conducted with oil (kerosene) and water in an acrylic pipe. The amplitudes of the symmetrical harmonic waves in the experiments are well predicted by using the contact line model of Miles. The interface motion in the experiment.
Imaging of inversion twin boundaries in potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) by liquid–crystal surface decoration and X–ray diffraction topography

An extended inversion boundary separating two large 180°; domains of a flux-grown KTP crystal is studied by nematic liquid-crystal (NLC) surface decoration and by X-ray projection and section topography using Mo-K α radiation. Although a non-polar (100) cleavage plate was used for NLC decoration, the domains appeared by bright optical contrast. The boundary exhibits a mainly irregular zigzag course with an—on average—charged orientation and is clearly visualized by both methods. It appears by strong contrast in X-ray reflection 004 (normal to the polar axis) and is completely invisible in reflection 040. A large uncharged planar boundary segment parallel to the polar axis and inclined by ca. 40° to the normal of the specimen surface shows in reflection 004 dynamical fringe contrast of the stacking fault type. A section topograph of this segment exhibits an ideal 'hour–glass' contrast pattern, proving the absence of long-range strain and of any tilt of the reflecting (001) planes across the inversion boundary.
Prediction of favourable sites for spin labelling of proteins

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies on diamagnetic proteins are based on site-directed spin labelling and require relatively much effort for engineering cystein point mutations as well as expressing and labelling the protein. Therefore, it is advantageous to predict those sites and pairs of sites that can provide the most precise and most reliable information on accessibility and distances. Systematic site scans based on a rotamer library approach for spin label side groups allow for such predictions. Figures of merit are defined that can be used to rank sites according to their potential suitability in studies of structure and structural changes. Such site scans can still provide useful results if only a backbone model and the amino acid sequence of the protein are known.
Thin film amorphous electrolytes : Structure and composition by experimental and simulated infrared spectra

Ionic conducting glasses in thin film forms are promising candidates for applications in microelectronics devices such as microbatteries and microsupercapacitors. In recent years, it was shown that physicochemical properties of thin films may differ substantially from those of the target bulk materials. Thus, it remains a challenge in science and thin film technology to control the properties of thin films in terms of chemical composition and conditions of manufacturing. This work presents a structural investigation of lithium−borate thin film electrolytes prepared by rf sputtering of Li−diborate targets. Chemically stable thin films ca. 1 μm thick were deposited on Si and gold-covered Si substrates under argon and their infrared spectra were measured in a broad spectral range (30−5000 cm-1). The spectra of thin films were modeled on the basis of rigorous expressions for reflectance and transmittance of the film/substrate bilayer system. The experimental results for thin films were compared with those sim.
High-brilliance X-ray system for high-pressure in-house research: applications for studies of superhard materials

Newly installed, at Bayerisches Geoinstitut, X-ray system consists of three major components: RIGAKU FR-D high-brilliance source, Osmic's Confocal Max-Flux optics, and SMART APEX 4K CCD area detector. We tested the system for single-crystal structural studies on example of garnet, Co3Al2Si3O12, for powder diffraction analysis on example of a small sample of boron carbide, B4C, recovered after treatment in a multi-anvil apparatus, and for in situ experiments at high pressure on example of FeO compressed in a diamond anvil cell to>100 GPa. In all the cases, the system demonstrated its reliability and provided results comparable with those obtained using the best currently available instruments. Using a new X-ray system, we measured the compressibility of superhard nanocrystalline diamond at pressures up to 26 GPa and found it to be extremely incompressible with K T=488(4) GPa, K′=3.1(2), and V 0=3.401(6) cm3/mol.
Analysis of Surface Carbon Contamination on Phosphated Zinc Surfaces by Scanning Kelvin Probe Measurements

The scanning Kelvin probe has been used to detect the presence of carbon particles on phosphated and electrogalvanized steel panels. The results showed that 30-40 μm carbon particles could be detected by this method. Oxygen reduction is shown to be the rate-limiting step for the atmospheric corrosion of phosphated zinc surfaces. The presence of carbon particles leads to a rapid degradation of the phosphate layer at the contaminated locations.
Pulsed laser deposition of iron oxide films

Iron oxide films have been grown onto MgO and oxidized silicon substrates using pulsed laser deposition with a KrF laser. Films deposited in vacuum consisted of the stoichiometric ferrimagnetic γ-Fe2O3 phase, with a saturation magnetization of 371±27 kA/m. However, films deposited in an O2 atmosphere were iron deficient and consisted of the antiferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 phase, with a saturation magnetization of 40±10 kA/m. Films predominantly consisting of the metastable γ-Fe2O3 phase at least 680 nm in thickness could be grown on MgO (001) substrates, which is thicker than films reported elsewhere. The effects of stoichiometry, thickness, and annealing on the magnetic properties of the films are discussed.
Evaluation of the toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol A and some of its oxidation products using a micro-scale algal growth inhibition test

A micro-scale algal growth inhibition (μ-AGI) test using a common micro-plate based fluorometric detection was used to demonstrate the effects of humic substances (HSs) on the toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its oxidative decomposition products 2,5-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone (2,5-DBBQ), 2,5-dibromohydroquinone (2,5-DBHQ), 2,6-dibromobenzoquinone (2,6-DBBQ), and 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP) to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The EC50 values were: EC50(TBBPA) = 7 mg L−1, EC50(2,5-DBHQ) = 7 mg L−1, EC50(2,5-DBBQ) = 19 mg L−1, EC50(2,6-DBP) = 49 mg L−1, and EC50(2,6-DBBQ) = 13 mg L−1. The toxicity of the chemicals was slightly lower in the presence of HA. The toxicity of TBBPA decomposed by a biomimetic catalytic system consisting of iron (III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (p-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (Fe(III)-TPPS) and KHSO5 was also evaluated using P. subcapitata and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
SUPPLEMENTING THE PBSA APPROACH WITH QUANTUM MECHANICS TO STUDY THE BINDING BETWEEN CDK2 AND N2-SUBSTITUTED O6-CYCLOHEXYLMETHOXYGUANINE INHIBITORS

Because classical Poisson–Boltzman Surface Area (PBSA) model does not allow re-polarization of charges and does not account for charge transfer when a ligand binds to a protein, we have examined a hybrid approach in which we describe the protein–ligand interface by quantum mechanics and the rest of the system with the classical PBSA model. We found this approach to rank order the binding of five N2-substituted O6-cyclohexylmethoxyguanine inhibitors to CDK2 (cyclin-dependent kinase 2) properly. The calculated binding free energy correlated well with experimental Log(IC50) with a correlation coefficient of 0.94. A regression fit between experimental Log(IC50) and calculated binding free energy yielded a root-mean-square error of 0.48 when Log(IC50) spanned a range over three units. In addition, we observed charge transfer between the ligand and the protein at the interface — an effect not accounted for by the classical PBSA model. We also found that the direct interactions between the protein and the ligands provided the dominant factor to distinguish the binding affinity of the five ligands studied here. This hybrid approach can better prioritize derivatives of lead compounds for synthesis and biological evaluation.
Formulation and development of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of pioglitazone hydrochloride

Self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) is a promising system for the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II drugs. The current research aimed to improve the dissolution of poorly water-soluble antidiabetic drug pioglitazone HCl by formulating it in SMEDDS. Liquid SMEDDS of pioglitazone HCl were formulated with Capmul MCM C8 and oleic acid as oil phase, Cremophor RH 40 and Tween 80 as surfactant phase, and Transcutol P as cosurfactant phase after screening various vehicles. The prepared formulations were evaluated for self-emulsifying ability and phase diagram was constructed to optimize the system. These systems were further characterized for globule size, effect of pH and robustness, zeta potential, drug content, viscosity, self-emulsification time, polydispersity index, % transmittance, thermodynamic stability, surface morphology, and drug release. The system was robust to different pH media and dilution volumes. The optimized system possessed a mean globule size of 122.2 nm, zeta potential around -22.9 mV, drug content 99.66 ± 0.47%, viscosity 0.8874 ± 0.026 cP, emulsification time 38 s, polydispersity index value of 0.5, and transmittance value of 99.3 ± 0.6%. Drug release in hydrochloric acid buffer pH 2 was found to be 99.35 ± 0.38%. More than three-fold increase in dissolution characteristics of pioglitazone HCl in SMEDDS was observed as compared to pure and marketed formulation. Liquid SMEDDS filled in hard gelatin capsule (HGC) shell was found to be compatible. Stability studies show there was no sign of phase separation or precipitation and no change in drug content was observed.
Photoelectrochemical and structural characterization of carbon-doped In2O3 and carbon-doped WO3 films prepared via spray pyrolysis

Carbon-doped In2O3 and carbon-doped WO3 films were produced using a spray pyrolysis methodology with octanoic acid as the carbon dopant source. C-doped and undoped In2O3 films showed a cubic polycrystalline In2O3 structure, and C-doped and undoped WO3 films displayed a monoclinic polycrystalline WO3 structure. C-doped In2O3 and WO3, compared to their corresponding undoped materials, showed increased absorption in the 350-550 nm range with a red shift in the band gap transition. The presence of carbonate-type species in these C-doped samples was confirmed by XPS. The photoelectrochemical activity was evaluated under near UV-visible light and visible light only irradiation conditions. Under the same irradiation conditions, C-doped In2O3 and C-doped WO3 electrodes produced greater photocurrent densities than their corresponding undoped electrodes. The C-doped In2O3 electrode exhibited photocurrent densities up to 1 mA/cm2, with 40% from visible light irradiation, and the C-doped WO3 electrode showed photocurrent densities up to 1.3 mA/cm2, with 50% from visible light irradiation. These results indicate the potential for further development of In2O3 and WO3 photocatalysts by simple wet chemical methods, and provide useful information towards understanding the structure and enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of these materials.
Absorptive Capacity and its Potential Role in Supporting Organisational knowledge Creation: A Qualitative Approach

Absorptive Capacity (ACAP) is the ability of a firm to integrate, transform, and apply valuable knowledge required for business success. ACAP is proposed to play a significant role in enriching the process of knowledge creation embraced inside contemporary organizational Information Systems (IS) environments. Many misperceptions surround how ACAP can be measured and understood as an organizational construct. The aim of this research is to decrease such misperception by providing qualitative measures for ACAP dimensions extracted using data from (22) semi-structured interviews conducted with senior managers working in two telecommunication companies, and analysed following Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM) coding techniques. Drawing on our analysis, we propose a relational model that includes measures that can be commonly used in the literature, and treated as guides to IS researchers and senior managers in exploring the rich facets of ACAP. The extracted measures are proposed to offer foundations for shaping where and how further potential organizational assets can be leveraged.
The prevention of diffusional growth of cobalt particles in mercury

A suspension in mercury of cobalt particles of median diameter 45 AA was prepared by electrolytic deposition at room temperature from a saturated solution of cobalt sulphate. The effect of a number of metal additives on the diffusional growth (Ostwald ripening) of the particles was examined and it was concluded that both gallium and tin were successful in inhibiting growth providing that the quantity of additive was approximately equal to that necessary to form a monolayer coating on the particles. The earlier work of Luborsky (1957-63) indicated that an excess of tin led to the destruction of the magnetic moment of the cobalt particles. The present work has shown that an excess of gallium produces a similar result to that of tin. Resistivity and X-ray fluorescence measurements indicate that the gallium adheres to the surface of the particles, either to form a coating or to form an intermetallic compound with the surface cobalt atoms.
Image retargeting approach for ranging cameras

Abstract This paper presents a novel image retargeting approach for ranging cameras. The proposed approach first extracts three feature maps: depth map, saliency map and gradient map. Then, the depth map and the saliency map are used to separate the main contents and the background and thus compute a map of saliency objects. After that, the proposed approach constructs an importance map which combines the four feature maps by the weighted sum. Finally, the proposed approach constructs the target image using the seam carving method based on the importance map. Unlike previous approaches, the proposed approach preserves the salient object well and maintains the gradients and visual effects in the background. Moreover, it protects the salient object from being destroyed by the seam carving algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed approach performs well in terms of the resized quality.
Quasibound levels and shape resonances of 39K2(B 1Πu) crossed laser‐molecular beam studies and analytical interpretation

Quasibound levels and shape resonances in the (B 1Πu −X 1Σ+g) band system of 39K2 have been recorded by crossed laser‐molecular beam techniques. Using optical–optical double resonance, individual rovibrational levels (v‘=15–18, J‘=3–25) of the K2 state are prepared by Franck–Condon pumping (FCP) in a supersonic nozzle beam. Excitation into quasibound levels below and above the (B 1Πu) state barrier is detected as molecular and atomic (K4 2P3/2→4 2S1/2 only) fluorescence. The resonance transition frequencies and shapes are measured and the results are used (a) to determine the scattering resonance energies, widths, and lifetimes; (b) to compare them with values obtained by a ‘‘maximum internal amplitude’’ approach [R. J. LeRoy and R. B. Bernstein, J. Chem. Phys. 54, 5114 (1971)]; and (c) to check the agreement with exact calculations of the B state potential using the ‘‘inverted perturbation approach (IPA). ’’ The bound and quasibound part of the B 1Πu state including the locus (R=8.08±0.05 A) of the barrie.
Synthesis and Characterization of Antibacterial Ag−SiO2 Nanocomposite

In order to increase antibacterial abilities and avoid aggregation of Ag nanoparticles, Ag−SiO2 nanocomposites were studied to achieve hybrid structure. SiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by the Stober method served as seeds for immobilization of Ag. The chemical binding structure and morphology of Ag−SiO2 nanocomposites and SiO2 nanoparticles were investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial properties of Ag−SiO2 nanocomposites were examined with disk diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results showed that Ag nanoparticles are homogeneously formed on the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles without aggregation and showed excellent antibacterial abilities.
Resonant effect analysis at finite one-dimensional anisotropic photonic crystal band edges

Using the transfer matrix method to analyze a 1D anisotropic photonic crystal usually involves a 4×4 matrix, which means for any given ω and β (the Snell quantity nsinθ), four eigenvalues of K can be found. Based on the degeneracy of K, the band edge in the dispersion curves can be divided into two types. One is the regular band edge (R.B.E) which has degeneracy of the order 2 and another is the degenerate band edge (D.B.E) which has fourth order degeneracy. It was predicted that in the case of a transmission resonance in the vicinity of the D.B. E, the resonant field intensity enhancement is proportional to N4, where N is the total number of periods, while in the case of a regular band edge, the field intensity enhancement is proportional to N2. Based on this prediction, we have calculated the band edge resonant effect of a novel D.B. E photonic crystal structure with a unit cell having two misaligned in-plane anisotropic layers and one isotropic layer. By making a comparison among different anisotropic materials, we have found that the giant resonant effects in the vicinity of the D.B. E also need a large anisotropy of the materials. However, whether the anisotropy is large or small, the field intensity enhancement is approximately proportional to N4 once the number of the periods is large enough to cause the strong enough resonance effect inside the structure. We believe this DBE resonant effect will have applications requiring slow-light and in nonlinear optics.
Extractant Color as a Factor in Grain Sorghum Tannin Analysis1

Methods of tannin analysis for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] depending on color reaction, such as vanillin hylrochloric acid (VHCl) and modified vanillin hydrochloric acid (MVHCl), have not accounted for the color of the extract due to various pigments before adding the test reagents. The objective of this study was to determine how much this original color intensity affects the apparent level of tannin in the plant material. Tannin in the extract was estimated by the traditional VHCl method. The original color of the extract (without reagents) was measured after adding methanol to the extractant and using methanol as 100% transmittance standard. The amount of tannin in the grain, milk, dough, and mature stages of 20 single cross sorghum hybiids was estimated. Results from the VHCl method compared to correction for extractant color showed that the original color of the extractant before adding the reagents for color development had a significant effect on the measured tannin levels. The amount of tannin measured after correcting for extractant color was significantly lower than that measured by VHCl. The corrected method showed that the amount of unmeasured pigments differed with maturity, location, hybrid, and year. The corrected method produced lower standard errors and coefficients of variation than the VHCl method, and the corrected method probably produced the most accurate estimation of astringent tannins
Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene−Clay Hybrids

Polypropylene (PP)−clay hybrids (PPCH) have been prepared by simple melt-mixing of three components, i.e., PP, maleic anhydride modified polypropylene oligomers (PP-MA), and clays intercalated with stearylammonium. The dispersibility of 10-A-thick silicate layers of the clays in the hybrids was investigated by using a transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. It is found that there are two important factors to achieve the exfoliated and homogeneous dispersion of the layers in the hybrids: (1) the intercalation capability of the oligomers in the layers and (2) the miscibility of the oligomers with PP. Almost complete hybrids were obtained in the case where the PP-MA has both intercalation capability and miscibility. The hybrids exhibit higher storage moduli compared to those of PP especially in the temperature range from Tg to 90 °C. The highest relative storage modulus at 80 °C of the hybrid based on a mica and the miscible PP-MA is as high as 2.0 to that of PP and is 2.4 to that of the .
Evaluation of the national adherence guidelines for chronic diseases in South Africa : patient perspectives on differentiated care models, 2017

This report presents the result of the qualitative evaluation to understand the implementation of five adherence interventions from the patient perspective in four South African provinces. The research is part of the evaluation of the new Adherence Guidelines for HIV, TB and other chronic diseases. The study sought to answer four key questions: questions: 1. How does patient satisfaction with care at the intervention sites compare to the control sites among HIV positive patients? 2. What are the barriers to and facilitators of ART initiation and adherence among HIV-positive patients eligible for each intervention? 3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each intervention for HIV positive patients from the patient perspective? 4. What additional strategies do patients feel would be helpful in improving treatment adherence? The report presents the triangulated qualitative and quantitative data from patient surveys and focus group discussions under each of the four questions. The results show that from the patient perspective, each intervention has promise and supported either ART initiation or adherence, however each could be improved. Detailed illustrative quotes are provided for each intervention according to the main themes identified. Specifically, patients had very positive feelings about Adherence Clubs and Decentralized Medication Delivery in focus group discussions.