Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Network Coding for Data Storage Systems

This report aims to outline a project undertaken to look at the use of network coding (NC) in multipoint-to-multipoint networks, namely distributed storage networks (DSNs). This project is particularly looked at instantly decodable network coding (IDNC). This report looks to review the existing literature on NC, and why IDNC is suited for the problem. The project reproduces results from existing literature and then using these results, extends the literature by considering other factors in DSNs, namely multi-packet reception. It was found that the more interfaces individual clients in the network have, the better the throughput for the network. More work will need to be done to conclusively determine how much improvement multiple interfaces give. A number of recommendations were made for how the project could be extended in future years.
Raman Spectroscopy of Natural Bone and Synthetic Apatites

Abstract Raman spectroscopy of natural bones and hydroxyapatites is described. In addition, how Raman spectroscopy has proved crucial in providing baseline data for the modification of synthetic apatite powders that are routinely used now as bone replacement materials is explained. It is important to understand the chemical structural properties of natural bone. Bone consists of two primary components: an inorganic or mineral phase, which is mainly a carbonated form of a nanoscale crystalline calcium phosphate, closely resembling hydroxyapatite, and an organic phase, which is composed largely of type I collagen fibers. Other constituents of bone tissue include water and organic molecules such as glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins, lipids, and peptides. Ions such as sodium, magnesium, fluoride, and citrate are also present, as well as hydrogenophosphate. Hence, the mineral phase in bone may be characterized essentially as nonstoichiometric substituted apatite. Such a distinction is important in the development of synthetic calcium phosphates for application as skeletal implants. An understanding of bone function and its interfacial relationship to an implant clearly depends on the associated structure and composition. Therefore, it is essential to fully understand the chemical composition of bone, and Raman spectroscopy is an excellent technique for such an analysis.
Transitions in glasses at low temperatures.

Abstract Length-temperature measurements from −180°C to the glass transition temperature have been made on a poly(vinyl alkyl ether) series, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and a tetrafluoroethylene-trifluoropropylene copolymer series. Consistent with low frequency dynamic measurements, the poly(vinyl alkyl ethers) exhibit a glass-glass transition‡ Tgg [1] between Tg and Tg −70°C with evidence of another at about −160 to −180°C. With increasing side-chain length, the expansion coefficient below Tg- and the magnitude of the g-g transition increase, and the value of the Simha-Boyer free-volume product decreases, suggesting retention of excess free volume by the flexible pendant group. This behavior is analogous to that observed for poly(alkyl methacrylates) except that the latter system exhibited two g-g transitions, the lower of which coincided with Tgg [1] observed here. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) samples, both amorphous and crystalline, exhibit two T > Tg transitions at about −85 and −40°C. Dynamic resul.
Li-modified metal–organic frameworks for CO2/CH4 separation: a route to achieving high adsorption selectivity

In this work three Li-modified metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) were constructed from MOF-5, by substituting the H atoms with O–Li groups in the organic linkers. A multiscale approach combining grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation and density functional theory (DFT) calculation was adopted to investigate the separation of CO2/CH4 mixtures in these new Li-modified MOFs, as well as in a previously proposed Li-doped MOF-5 for hydrogen storage and the original MOF-5. The results show that the selectivity of CO2 from CH4/CO2 mixtures in Li-modified MOFs is greatly improved, due to the enhancement of electrostatic potential in the materials by the presence of the metals. One of the new Li-modified MOFs, chem-4Li, shows a higher CO2 selectivity than any other known MOFs. Therefore, this work provides a route to improve the separation performance of MOFs for gas mixtures with components that have large differences in dipole and/or quadrupole moments. In addition, the mechanisms for selectivity enhancement in the Li-modified MOFs were elucidated at the molecular level, and we found that the location of doped metals can change the adsorption sites for CO2, and in turn may change the active sites in MOFs when used as catalysts.
Fertilizer banding influence on spatial and temporal distribution of soil inorganic nitrogen in a corn field

Fertilizer N is commonly applied as a sidedress band application in corn (Zea mays L.) fields. The objectives of this study were to determine the implications of fertilizer band application on spatial and temporal variations in soil inorganic N and to evaluate different sampling strategies for their suitability in estimating the average soil inorganic N concentration of a field. Treatments were 0, 60, and 120 kg N ha -1 in 1994, and 0, 120, and 240 kg N ha -1 in 1995, replicated three times at each of two sites. Fertilizer was applied as a band of NH 4 NO 3 15 cm on each side of each corn row at the corn six-leaf stage. Soil samples taken at eight interrow locations 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 cm from the corn row and at depth increments of 0 to o 15, 15 to 30, and 30 to 60 cm and on five sampling dates were analyzed for soil NO 3 and NH 4 concentrations, Random sampling and five systematic sampling strategies were evaluated with respect to bias in estimation of field soil NO 3 and NH 4 concentration for three depth increments, and with respect to the number of samples required to achieve a given precision and probability level combination for soil NO 3 concentration for the 0- to 15-cm depth. All systematic sampling strategies provided adequate estimates of the true soil inorganic N concentration as estimated based on uniform sampling across all interrow locations. There was no consistent benefit to using any one systematic strategy with respect to the number of cores required to obtain a given level of precision in soil NO 3 concentration at a given level of probability, Systematic sampling strategies were at least as good as, or superior to, random sampling, particularly after fertilizer band application and at high N rates. The apparent insensitivity of estimated field soil NO 3 concentration to sampling strategy was attributed to the relatively high mobility of NO 3 in soil and variation in placement of the fertilizer band relative to the corn row during side-dressing.
Reconocimiento de Perfiles de Regulación Genética mediante Algoritmos Evolutivos Multiobjetivo

Para desarrollar los objetivos planteados, la memoria esta organizada en cinco capitulos, una seccion de comentarios finales y un apendice. La estructura de cada una de estas partes se comentara brevemente a continuacion. En el Capitulo 1, se introduce al lector a los conceptos basicos de biologia molecular, los cuales seran necesarios para la adecuada comprension de los capitulos posteriores. Se comienza con una breve descripcion de los componentes principales de los organismos vivientes, siguiendo por los procesos necesarios para el mantenimiento de la vida, y finalizando con una breve resena cerca de los metodos biologicos para el estudio de secuencias de ADN. Adicionalmente, se introduce la Bioinformatica, una disciplina moderna y en pleno apogeo, conjuntamente con los problemas clasicos que esta abarca. En el Capitulo 2, se presentan las diferentes tecnicas y metodos sobre los cuales se basa la metodologia principal propuesta en esta memoria. Los temas tratados en este capitulo son: el modelado o la identificacion de sistemas, la logica difusa, el clustering (agrupamiento) de conjuntos de datos, en particular el clustering conceptual, y los algoritmos evolutivos, con especial atencion a la programacion genetica y a las tecnicas de optimizacion multiobjetivo. En el Capitulo 3, se explica en detalle la metodologia propuesta para poder abordar los objetivos comentados anteriormente. Se comienza mostrando el esquema general, para luego desarrollar cada uno de los pasos que la componen. Para una mayor comprension de la misma, se acompana cada etapa con ejemplos realizados sobre un dominio sencillo. En el Capitulo 4, se aplica la metodologia propuesta a un problema sobre organismos procariotas, el estudio de la regulacion genetica en los organismos de E. coli y Salmonella. En las diferentes secciones que componen este capitulo, se explica como se ha adaptado la metodologia general al problema especifico, destacando especialmente el proceso de construccion y modelado del conjunto de datos utilizado. Finalmente, se validaran los resultados obtenidos comparandolos con datos experimentales. En el Capitulo 5, se aplica la metodologia propuesta a un problema sobre organismos eucariotas, un estudio de la respuesta genetica a procesos inflamatorios en seres humanos. En las diferentes secciones que componen este capitulo, se explica como se ha adaptado la metodologia general al problema especifico, desde la construccion de la base de datos hasta el proceso final de prediccion sobre nuevos genes. Incluimos luego una seccion de “Comentarios Finales”, que resume los resultados obtenidos en esta memoria, presentando algunas conclusiones sobre los mismos. Finalmente, se comentaran algunos aspectos sobre trabajos futuros que quedan abiertos en la presente memoria. Por ultimo, incluiremos tambien un apendice donde se presentaran tablas y figuras adicionales asociadas a las dos aplicaciones de la metodologia.
Constant-pH molecular dynamics using stochastic titration

A new method is proposed for performing constant-pH molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, that is, MD simulations where pH is one of the external thermodynamic parameters, like the temperature or the pressure. The protonation state of each titrable site in the solute is allowed to change during a molecular mechanics (MM) MD simulation, the new states being obtained from a combination of continuum electrostatics (CE) calculations and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of protonation equilibrium. The coupling between the MM/MD and CE/MC algorithms is done in a way that ensures a proper Markov chain, sampling from the intended semigrand canonical distribution. This stochastic titration method is applied to succinic acid, aimed at illustrating the method and examining the choice of its adjustable parameters. The complete titration of succinic acid, using constant-pH MD simulations at different pH values, gives a clear picture of the coupling between the trans/gauche isomerization and the protonation process, making it possible to reconcile some apparently contradictory results of previous studies. The present constant-pH MD method is shown to require a moderate increase of computational cost when compared to the usual MD method.
Reignition phenomenon of high‐speed hydrogen jet diffusion flame

An experimental study deals with a high‐speed hydrogen jet diffusion flame ejected vertically upward from a straight circular nozzle. Consideration is given to the reignition phenomenon that occurs after blow‐off of the main flame. The Schlieren technique and image‐processing method with the aid of the high‐speed video camera are employed to visualize the flame shape, particularly the flame base near the nozzle tip and to investigate the time history of the flame morphology. It is found that: (i) the flame reignition phenomenon of hydrogen jet diffusion flames appears only in a certain region of mass flow rates; (ii) the small‐sized flame‐let remains in the vicinity of the nozzle rim at the mass flow rates that the reignition occurs; (iii) a further increase in mass flow rates makes the flame‐let extinguish and no reignition occurs; (iv) the time interval of flame reignition extends with an increase in mass flow rates; and (v) the flow rates of the onset and end of the reignition and the existence of flame‐let formed near the nozzle rim are affected by the rim thickness of the fuel nozzle. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Characterization and Chemistry of the Industrially Important Zinc Borate, Zn[B3O4(OH)3]

Several unique crystalline zinc borates are known, a few of which find industrial use in significant tonnages. Although the most important of these has been a commercial product for more than 3 decades, it was never before structurally characterized. The structure of Zn[B3O4(OH)3] (1) was determined for the first time by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing it to be a complex network consisting of infinite polytriborate chains cross-linked by coordination with zinc and further integrated by hydrogen bonding. The structure of 1 bears similarities to certain borate minerals, most notably, studenitsite (Ca[B3O4(OH)3]) and colemanite (Ca[B3O4(OH)3]·H2O); however, significant differences are described. Hydrolytic and thermochemical properties of 1 are discussed. This compound illustrates the important role played by metal cations in directing the spatial arrangement of anionic polyborate structural units in metal borates. This new structural information leads to a revision in the chemical formula, 2ZnO·.
Concentration-Dependent Hole Mobility and Recombination Coefficient in Bulk Heterojunctions Determined from Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

A simple analytical function based on the multiple trapping model, is used to describe the biomolecular recombination of charge carriers in a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) film in the presence of an exponential energetic tail of localized hole "trap" states. The function is used to fit charge carrier decay data from an unannealed P3HT/PCBM film measured by transient absorption. The analysis assumes that only free holes participate in recombination and transport. This implies an effective recombination rate coefficient which varies with the ratio of free to trapped holes. The fit parameters yield a bimolecular recombination constant for free holes with free electrons (k(o) = 3.4 x 10(-12) cm(3) s(-1)) and information about the distribution of trap states (trap distribution parameter beta = 0.29) Assuming the Langevin recombination limit, the analysis yields a concentration dependent effective hole mobility saturating at mu(o) approximate to 7 x 10(-2) cm(2) V-1 s(-1). This approach should be useful to compare BHJs in a consistent and meaningful manner.
New species and newly recorded species of Cercospora and allied genera from Indonesia.

Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, 1577 Kurima-machiya, Tsu, Mie Pref. 514-8507, Japan. chiharu@bio.mie-u.ac. jp Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia Microbiology Division, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, 16911, Indonesia Laboratory of Soil Biology, Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, Bogor, Indonesia Research Centre for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, 16911, Indonesia National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, Kazusa-Kamatari, Kisaradzu, Chiba, Japan
Generative Adversarial Networks: A Literature Review

The Generative Adversarial Networks, as one of the most creative deep learning models in recent years, has achieved great success in computer vision and natural language processing. It uses the game theory to generate the best sample in generator and discriminator. Recently, many deep learning models have been applied to the security field. Along with the idea of “generative” and “adversarial”, researchers are trying to apply Generative Adversarial Networks to the security field. This paper presents the development of Generative Adversarial Networks. We review traditional generation models and typical Generative Adversarial Networks models, analyze the application of their models in natural language processing and computer vision. To emphasize that Generative Adversarial Networks models are feasible to be used in security, we separately review the contributions that their defenses in information security, cyber security and artificial intelligence security. Finally, drawing on the reviewed literature, we provide a broader outlook of this research direction.
Compatibilizing Effect of Random or Block Copolymer Added to Binary Mixture of Homopolymers.

Abstract : When copolymer A-B is added to the mixture of homopolymer A and homopolymer B, the compatibility between the two homopolymers is enhanced under certain conditions. Analysis, based on the Flory-Huggins free energy of mixing, gives the specific conditions under which the critical, spinodal or binodal temperature of the ternary mixture is expected to be lowered linearly with the amount of the added copolymer. Experimental measurements were performed on the changes in the cloud point of the mixtures of polystyrene and polybutadiene to which varying amounts of styrene/butadiene random or diblock copolymer were added. The results agree with the theoretical expectation. From quantitative analysis of the cloud point depression, the temeprature coefficient of the interaction energy density between styrene and butadiene polymers is determined. The temperature coefficient is found to give an excellent agreement with the value previously determined by a curve fitting procedure applied to the cloud point curves of binary mixtures.
Investigation of the relationship between some basic flow properties of shea butter biodiesel and their blends with diesel fuel.

In this study, the density, viscosity, cloud and pour points of shea butter biodiesel-diesel fuel blends were measured following ASTM test methods. In order to predict these properties, mixing rule was evaluated as a function of the volume fraction of biodiesel in the blend. The effects of biodiesel fraction on each of these properties in addition to the effects of temperature on density and viscosity were investigated. The blends (B2, B5, B10, B20, B50 and B75) were prepared on a volume basis. Generalized equations and Arrhenius equation for predicting the density and viscosity of the blends were used. The low values of the absolute average deviations (AAD) and the maximum absolute deviations (MAD) obtained confirmed the suitability of the mixing rule used. For all the blends, it was observed that the results from the measured and estimated values of density and viscosities were in good agreement. From the results, the density and viscosities of the blends decreased with increase in temperature while these properties increased with increase of biodiesel content in the fuel blend. The cloud point and the pour point of the blend increased as the biodiesel concentration increases. The values obtained from empirical equations for predicting the relationship between cloud point, pour point and biodiesel content in the blends were in good agreement with the experiments.
Preparation and Application of Poly(melamine-urea-formaldehyde) Microcapsules Filled with Sulfur

Poly(melamine-urea-formaldehyde) microcapsules containing sulfur were prepared by in-situ polymerization. Several preparation parameters of microcapsules were investigated by analyzing the morphology, particle size and encapsulation efficiency. The morphologies indicated that sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) was a suitable surfactant. The mean diameter of microcapsules decreased with increasing stirring rate and surfactant concentration. The high encapsulation efficiency was achieved by stirring at 300 rpm. The microcapsules were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The microcapsules were applied in rubber, and the curometer test showed that it prevented blooming and improved the mechanical properties of NBR.
Method for Measuring Cellular Optical Absorption and Scattering Evaluated Using Dilute Cell Suspension Phantoms

The opal glass method (OGM) is a standard technique used by the ocean optics community to measure the spectral absorption coefficients of algal suspensions. We present and evaluate this method for its potential application to measurements of the inherent optical properties (optical absorption and scattering coefficients) of dilute mammalian cell suspensions, as an alternative to the integrating sphere method. In a series of controlled experiments on absorbing and scattering phantoms (Evans blue dye and polystyrene spheres 1–20 μm in diameter), separation of absorption and scattering was possible with less than 20% error in absorption coefficient estimates for particles with major scattering components in the size range of 2–5 μm.
High Rate Etching of Polymers by Means of an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

The impact of atmospheric pressure plasma on surfaces, in particular its potential application of modification and decontamination of different materials has been intensively investigated. In this study, the etching capability of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet is shown. A variety of polymers [e.g., polyethylene and poly (ether ether ketone)] was exposed to pure argon and argon/oxygen plasma. The influence of the oxygen admixture (up to 1%) and of the jet-nozzle to substrate distance on the etch rate of chemically different polymers was explored. Particular attention was applied on the feasible use of atmospheric pressure plasma on biofilm removal. For that reason a theory was postulated with each polymer representing a model compound of bacterial cells. The etch rates were obtained by determination of the mass loss and etch profiles after plasma exposure. The experiments showed that reactive oxygen species play an important role in the polymer removal which results in etch rates of 50 up to 300 nm · s ―1 depending on the polymeric material. These high etch rates imply that non-thermal atmospheric plasma jets could be used for removal of organic material including micro-organisms from surfaces.
Benzotriazole and benzodithiophene containing medium band gap polymer for bulk heterojunction polymer solar cell applications

An alternating donor-acceptor copolymer based on a benzotriazole and benzodithiophene was synthesized and selenophene was incorporated as p-bridge. The photovoltaic and optical properties of polymer were studied. The copolymer showed medium band gap and dual absorption peaks in UV- Vis absorption spectra. Photovoltaic properties of P-SBTBDT were performed by conventional device structure. The OSC device based on polymer: PC71BM (1:1, w/w) exhibited the best PCE of 3.60% with a Voc of 0.67 V, a Jsc of 8.95 mA/cm 2 , and a FF of 60%. This finding was supported with morphological data and space charge limited current (SCLC) mobilities. The hole mobility of the copolymer was estimated through SCLC model. Although surface roughness of the active layer is really high, mobility of a polymer was found as 7.46 3 10 23 cm 2 /Vs for optimized device that can be attributed to Se2Se interac- tions due to the larger, more-polarizable Se atom. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 00, 000-000