Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Function Point: A Quality Loom for the Effort Assessment of Software Systems

Summary Accurate estimation of software development effort is critical in software engineering. Underestimates lead to time pressures that may compromise full functional development and thorough testing of software. In the existing systems, the effort and cost estimation are more concentrated only on the development of software systems alone and not on the quality coverage. Hence the quality assurance for the effort estimation is proposed in this paper. To assure this quality, the ISO 9126 quality factors are used. For weighing the factors, the function point metric is used as an estimation approach. The classification of software system for which the effort estimation is to be calculated based on the COCOMO model classes. An exhaustive literature survey reveals that attention is not paid to the following for estimating the effort: 1. Function point, 2. COCOMO classes of systems, and 3. ISO9126 quality factors. Thus by combining all the three parts, a new effort estimation method is developed as a research approach.
A new approximate-analytical method to solve non-Fourier heat conduction problems

In this paper, the effect of laser as a heat source on a thin film was investigated. The non-Fourier heat conduction model of Cattaneo-Vernotte was used for thermal analysis of the problem. The thermal conductivity was assumed temperaturedependent, which resulted in a non-linear equation and by assuming the role of laser as a heat source, a non-homogeneous equation was obtained. The obtained equations were solved using approximate-analytical method of variational iteration method (VIM). It was concluded that the non-linear analysis is important in non-Fourier heat conduction problems. Significant differences were observed between the Fourier and non-Fourier solutions which stresses the importance of non-Fourier solutions in the similar problems.
Dermal drug delivery with ethosomes: therapeutic potential

There is an increasing need to target drugs to the deeper layers of the skin to achieve efficient dermal therapy. There are many patient populations of various ages waiting for new and advanced treatments, including noninvasive therapy for deep and resistant bacterial and viral skin infections, regional therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and more efficient treatment of pilosebaceous structure-related disorders. Thus, ethosomes, innovative carriers capable of overcoming the skin barrier, could provide a solution for delivering drugs into the deep skin strata for successful dermal therapy. The basic characteristics of the ethosome, as well as the mechanism by which this carrier facilitates absorption of drugs in various layers of the skin, are presented, and results with ethosomal formulations designed for new and improved dermal and regional therapies both at experimental and clinical levels are discussed. The efficiency of ethosomal delivery systems containing acyclovir, clindamycin, minoxidil, cannabidiol and erythromycin for dermal therapies in ex vivo and in vivo studies is reviewed. New and advanced therapies proposed with ethosomal drugs could highly increase drug-treatment efficiency and patient convenience.
Reading and spelling development in transparent alphabetic orthographies: points of convergence, divergence and arising issues

Research in different writing systems has established beyond doubt that alongside many similarities, there are also important differences in the way in which reading and spelling develop across the languages (Joshi & Aaron, 2006). Different languages and orthographies can make differential demands on the cognitive-linguistic systems that underlie literacy development, thereby giving rise to different patterns of relationships (Perfetti & Bolger, 2004). It is primarily for this reason that research on different writing systems is important to clarify the complex triad of relationships between language, orthography, and literacy.
Minimum Mean Square Error channel estimates for DS-SSS in the presence of ISI

In this paper, we propose to improve channel estimation quality for DS-SSS when small spreading factors are used. We take into account the intersymbol interference structure to construct an optimal estimate according to the minimum mean square error criterion. We show that signi cant performance improvement is obtained for both the Rake receiver and the linear chip equalizer.
Cooking banana farming system in rural Uganda

The demand for food, feed, fibre and fuel has increased in Uganda over the past 50 years due to population growth. Recurring extreme climate events such as drought and flooding, in combination with large-scale land degradation, have led to declining crop yields. Lack of equipment, money and socio-economic issues has contributed to low yields. However, the soils in Uganda have the potential to produce much higher yields than they do today. This study, which was carried out in April-June 2013 in Kkingo District, south-east Uganda, examined the effects of agroforestry on yield of cooking bananas in small-holder farming systems. Six farms practising agroforestry and six farms with no agroforestry, which were chosen in cooperation with the NGO Vi Agroforestry, were compared. On each farm, semi-structured interviews and seasonal interviews were held and the crops cultivated were recorded, particularly cooking bananas in mixed cropping systems. This study was run in parallel and in cooperation with two other studies, one on soil carbon stocks and one on macrofauna, and farms and sampling sites were chosen to fit all three studies. The results showed significantly increased yield of cooking bananas in the agroforestry systems. The farms which used organic manure (i.e. the agroforestry farms) also had significantly higher yields of cooking bananas. Agroforestry gave a more diverse cropping system than the non-agroforestry system, which resulted in a higher standard of living and more self-sufficient households on agroforestry farms. Agroforestry was no more time-consuming than the non-agroforestry system. In fact, in the long run agroforestry involved less heavy work. One of the most important factors for success in agroforestry was the farmer’s knowledge and dedication to managing the farm and taking advantage of all available resources.
“Let's Argue!”: Communicative Action in World Politics

This article introduces a mode of social action and interaction that has so far been largely overlooked in the U.S.-dominated international relations debate between rational choice and social constructivism that focuses mainly on the differences between instrumental rationality and norm-guided behavior. Drawing on insights from a theoretical debate within the Germanspeaking international relations community, I suggest that actors have a third mode of social action at their disposal: arguing and deliberating about the validity claims inherent in any communicative statement about identities, interests, and the state of the world. Arguing and truth-seeking behavior presuppose that actors no longer hold fixed interests during their communicative interaction but are open to persuasion, challenges, and counterchallenges geared toward reaching a reasoned consensus. The preconditions for argumentative rationality, particularly a “common lifeworld” and the mutual recognition of speakers as equals in a nonhierarchical relationship, are more common in international relations than is usually assumed. Arguing processes are more likely to occur the more actors are uncertain about their interests and even identities, the less they know about the situation in which they find themselves and the underlying “rules of the game,” and the more apparently irreconcilable differences prevent them from reaching an optimal rather than a merely satisfactory solution for a widely perceived problem (“problem solving”). Moreover, arguing is likely to increase the influence of the materially less powerful, be it small states or nonstate actors such as INGOs. I illustrate these claims empirically with two plausibility probes. The first concerns the East–West talks leading to a negotiated settlement of the Cold War in Europe and German unification within NATO. The second case focuses on the implementation of international human rights norms into domestic practices of Third World states.
A simple and novel method to obtain an FSR free silicon ring resonator

A simple and novel method to make a silicon ring resonator without the limit of free spectral range (FSR) is presented. For many applications, a ring resonator is desired with an ultra-wide FSR, a high quality factor, a large extinction ratio and low-fabrication complexity. In this paper we propose a novel method to obtain such a ring resonator, which is a single all-silicon micro-ring with a FSR as large as 150 nm around 1550 nm. It's based on the well-known phenomenon of resonance splitting.
Design of a Microemulsion-Based Drug Delivery System for Diclofenac Sodium

Summary: A microemulsion-based drug delivery system has been designed for Diclofenac Sodium (DS) comprising Span 60, 1-Propanol, Water, and Lemon Oil. The microemulsion system has been characterized by a pseudo-ternary phase diagram using the water titration method. The properties and structure of this system have been studied by the use of refractive index, electrical conductivity, viscosity and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The conductivity (σ) and viscosity (kη) measurements have provided evidence for percolation behavior with variation in Φ (weight fraction of aqueous phase). This phase transition corresponds to the structural change from water-in-oil to a bicontinuous microemulsion system. The percolation threshold (ΦC) obtained from conductivity measurements was in accordance with that obtained by viscosity measurements. Five microemulsion samples were selected and the changes in microstructure after incorporation of the drug, Diclofenac Sodium (DS) were examined by centrifugation, conductivity measurements, viscosity measurements and spectroscopic studies. The conductivity measurements showed that DS-loaded samples have higher conductivity values when compared to non-loaded samples. It was also found that DS is interfacially active. In addition, loading of DS had no negative effect on the stability of the system.
The Design of a Wireless Scoring System for Epee Fencing

This paper presents a method of registering hits in the sport of fencing, specifically for Epee, without the need for wires connecting the fencer to a central scoreboard. It outlines the problems associated with the development of such a system, including the lack of a common ground between devices. The paper focuses specifically be on the development of a prototype wireless scoring system for Epee fencing, compatible with existing equipment, which can be later adapted to operate with other weapons. The design and construction approaches taken to create a prototype solution are discussed. The use of high frequency signals, and exploitation of human body capacitive effects, and their usefulness in this context are explored. The success of the design in the trials is discussed, along with the limitations, which include latency and interface complexity. Finally, the paper analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the developed system, and recommends system improvements.
Accuracy of core mass estimates in simulated observations of dust emission

Aims. We study the reliability of the mass estimates obtained for molecular cloud cores using sub-millimetre and infrared dust emission. Methods. We use magnetohydrodynamic simulations and radiative transfer to produce synthetic observations with spatial resolution and noise levels typical of Herschel surveys. We estimate dust colour temperatures using different pairs of intensities, calculate column densities with opacity at one wavelength, and compare the estimated masses with the true values. We compare these results to the case when all five Herschel wavelengths are available. We investigate the effects of spatial variations of dust properties and the influence of embedded heating sources. Results. Wrong assumptions of dust opacity and its spectral index β can cause significant systematic errors in mass estimates. These are mainly multiplicative and leave the slope of the mass spectrum intact, unless cores with very high optical depth are included. Temperature variations bias the colour temperature estimates and, in quiescent cores with optical depths higher than for normal stable cores, masses can be underestimated by up to one order of magnitude. When heated by internal radiation sources, the dust in the core centre becomes visible and the observations recover the true mass spectra. Conclusions. The shape, although not the position, of the mass spectrum is reliable against observational errors and biases introduced in the analysis. This changes only if the cores have optical depths much higher than expected for basic hydrostatic equilibrium conditions. Observations underestimate the value of β whenever there are temperature variations along the line of sight. A bias can also be observed when the true β varies with wavelength. Internal heating sources produce an inverse correlation between colour temperature and β that may be difficult to separate from any intrinsic β(T ) relation of the dust grains. This suggests caution when interpreting the observed mass spectra and the spectral indices.
Kuijiean Suppress Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis Rat Models by Phosphorylation Level of HuR

In this study used a TNBS/ethanol method and combinated complex factors established the rat model of ulcerative colitis and treatment with the Xipayi Kuijiean (KJA) to conduct whole process. We detected the expression level of hnRNA and mRNA in the five inflammation factor such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and regulatory protein NF-κB and HuR in UC with complex factor group (UC group), normal group, UC treated with KJA group (KJA group) and negative control group. In UC group, we assesed the colonic damage and colon length by naked eye decision scores, KJA significantly reduced the severity of colitis inflammation. The immune dysfunction tends to be basically restored in colon tissue of the KJA group. Furthermore, in UC group hnRNA and mRNA level are increased, but mRNA level significantly higher than hnRNA. The post-transcriptional level of inflammatory related factors was mainly followed by the reduction of mRNA level after treated with KJA. These results demonstrate that post-regulation level of HuR has an important role in the development of UC.
Generalized Pan-European Geological Database for Shallow Geothermal Installations

The relatively high installation costs for different types of shallow geothermal energy systems are obstacles that have lowered the impact of geothermal solutions in the renewable energy market. In order to reduce planning costs and obtain a lithological overview of geothermal potentials and drilling conditions, a pan-European geological overview map was created using freely accessible JRC (Joint Research Centre) data and ArcGIS software. JRC data were interpreted and merged together in order to collect information about the expenditure of installing geothermal systems in specific geological set-ups, and thereby select the most economic drilling technique. Within the four-year project of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program, which is known as “Cheap-GSHPs” (the Cheap and efficient application of reliable Ground Source Heat exchangers and Pumps), the most diffused lithologies and corresponding drilling costs were analyzed to provide a 1 km × 1 km raster with the required underground information. The final outline map should be valid throughout Europe, and should respect the INSPIRE (INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe) guidelines.
Sensitivity of food webs to nitrogen pollution: a study of three transitional water ecosystems embedded in agricultural landscapes

1 - Transitional water ecosystems constitute extremely complex and productive environments, a preferred route of migrating birds and optimal nursery locations for many fish species. In these interesting environments, descriptors of trophic relationships between species in a web have been suggested as potential integrative and sensitive endpoints for anthropogenic pressure. 2 - To better understand the effects of environmental disturbance on the resident macroinvertebrate assemblage structure, we analysed food webs in three neighbouring transitional water ecosystems located along the Thyrrenian coastal area of Central Italy (Lake Caprolace, Lake Fogliano and Lake Sabaudia), which are affected by different inputs of nitrates from agricultural, farming and urban activities. 3 - Macrozoobenthos, aquatic macrophytes and attached macroalgae, leaf detritus from sediments and suspended organic matter in the water column were sampled at four sites in each ecosystem and stable isotope analysis (C and N) was carried out in order to describe trophic pathways and the food web structure. 4 - a15N values of macroinvertebrates increased from Caprolace to Sabaudia according to increasing nitrate concentration derived from organic sources. Macrozoobenthic assemblages varied in species composition with the lowest biodiversity found in Sabaudia, the most polluted ecosystem. Also proportion of primary consumers, predators and omnivorous species varied, with cascade effects on food web topology and nutrient flow pathways. 5 - In particular, omnivorous and generalist predators were more numerous in Sabaudia, where food chains were longer and webs less compartmentalised than in Caprolace and Fogliano. In Sabaudia a lower level of web robustness to species loss was also observed. 6 - These results suggest that nitrogen pollution can be responsible of evident changes in the architecture of biodiversity between ecosystems, determining less robust trophic structures with strong implication for biodiversity management and conservation.
Dynamic Characteristics on Composite Foundation with CFG Pile

The cement-Fly-ash-gravel (CFG) pile composite foundation is designed with 6.0 m pile length, 350 mm pile diameter and 1.0 m pile spacing, and the dynamic characteristics of CFG pile composite foundation and the rules of the dynamic response are studied through the field blasting experiment. The experiment shows that under the same conditions of the source of vibration location and heap load, within the scope of the composite foundation, the peak acceleration of each test points are decreased obviously and the site of the CFG pile composite foundation is good for earthquake, except that the individual site horizontal peak accelerations are less than the vertical. When the blast distance is 7.0 m and 14.0 m, under the effect of different loads, first order vibration main frequency are concentrated in 15.0 Hz-17.0 Hz and 22.0 Hz-25.0 Hz. With the same blast energy, the source of vibration location, the composite foundation form and the size of the upper load make an effect on the main frequency of composite foundation test points. The vibration main frequency is depending on the soil and the pile property between the source of vibration and test points. When the blast distance is different, the max damping ratio of test point on the soil and the pile are respectively 0.1640 and 0.2259, which is in contrast to the actual law, maybe it is the interaction result of the load, the soil and the pile property between the source of vibration and test point.
A New Locally Adaptive Patch Variation Based CT Image Denoising

The main aim of image denoising is to improve the visual quality in terms of edges and textures of images. In Computed Tomography (CT), images are generated with a combination of hardware, software and radiation dose. Generally, CT images are noisy due to hardware/software fault or mathematical computation error or low radiation dose. The analysis and extraction of medical relevant information from noisy CT images are challenging tasks for diagnosing problems. This paper presents a novel edge preserving image denoising technique based on wavelet transform. The proposed scheme is divided into two phases. In first phase, input CT image is separately denoised using different patch size where denoising is performed based on thresholding and its method noise thresholding. The outcome of first phase provides more than one denoised images. In second phase, block wise variation based aggregation is performed in wavelet domain. The final outcomes of proposed scheme are excellent in terms of noise suppression and structure preservation. The proposed scheme is compared with existing methods and it is observed that performance of proposed method is superior to existing methods in terms of visual quality, PSNR and Image Quality Index (IQI).
A design for Intelligent Parking System Based on ETC Technology and Android

With the rapid growth of private car ownership in the city, parking is difficult in the residential area and chaotic parking problems have become increasingly prominent. In view of the phenomenon,this paper makes electronic toll collection technology as the core design of a set of residential parking on intelligent parking management system based on the Android platform. The system enables ETC technology, embedded technology, streaming video conversion technology, wireless sensor technology, 3G/4G network technology rolled into one. After the simulation and testing, this system is more efficient and convenient than traditional parking system, has a high value.
Use of Intelligent Agents in Collaborative M-Learning: Case of Facilitating Group Learner Interactions

Intelligent agents have been used in collaborative learning. However, they are rarely used to facilitate group interactions in collaborative m-learning environments. In view of this, the paper discusses the use of intelligent agents in facilitating collaborative learning in mobile learning environments. The paper demonstrates how to design intelligent agents and integrate them in collaborative mobile learning environments to allow group learners to improve their levels of group knowledge construction. The design was implemented in a collaborative mobile learning system running on Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) platform. The application was used in some experiments to investigate the effects of those facilitated interactions on the level of group knowledge construction. The results showed improved levels of group knowledge construction in instances where the facilitations were enabled compared to where they were disabled. The paper concludes that the use of intelligent agents in facilitating learner group interactions in collaborative mobile learning environments improves the levels of group knowledge construction. For future work, the use of intelligent agents can be tested in other areas of group interactions to enhance group learning.
Fast and Robust Maximum Power Point Tracking for Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy is becoming an increasingly important part of the world's renewable energy. In order to develop technology for efficient energy conversion from a solar PV system, this paper studies typical Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control techniques used in solar PV industry and then proposes a close-loop and adaptive MPPT method for reliable and rapid extraction of solar PV power. The paper emphasizes especially on how the proposed and conventional adaptive MPPT methods perform under highly variable weather and solar irradiation conditions in a digital control environment. A computer simulation system is developed by using SimPowerSystems and Opal-RT real-time simulation technology which allows for fast and efficient investigations of the MPPT algorithms under high switching frequency conditions for power converters. A hardware experiment system is built to validate and compare the proposed and conventional MPPT techniques in a more practical condition. Advantages, disadvantages and properties of different MPPT methods are compared and studied, evaluated.