Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Voltage Cross-Linked Polyethylene Insulator Characteristics Improvement Using Functionalized ZnO Nanoparticles

This study aims to develop large-scale commercial Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) nanocomposites used for industrial applications with power cables insulations. To achieve this goal, XLPE/zinc oxide nanocomposites were prepared with four unique loadings of Zinc Oxid (ZnO) nanoparticles: 0.5, 2, 3.5 and 5 wt. %, in the presence of appropriate coupling agent which used to reduce the agglomeration of nanoparticles and to improve the compatibility inside the polymer matrix. Amino silane was the coupling agent used in this study and the nanocomposites preparation was done using the melt blending method. The morphology and the distribution of nanoparticles inside XLPE polymer were studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The mechanical properties were also evaluated. Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), the thermal properties for nanocomposites were investigated. The dielectric properties of these prepared XLPE/ZnO nanocomposites were studied by measuring the loss tangent (tan δ) and the dielectric constant (ɛr) under frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 1 MHz. The AC Breakdown Voltage (AC-BDV) was also measured using a controlled high voltage testing transformer (50 Hz) under the sphere-to-sphere field then; the AC dielectric strength was calculated using the Finite Element Method (FEM) technique.
Estudo comparativo entre as técnicas de voltametria em pulso diferencial, Espectrofotometria no ultravioleta e visível e Cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência como metodologias analíticas no doseamento da substância química Paracetamol

The paracetamol is a chemical substance extensively used in medicine against fever and pain. It constitutes a therapeutic alternative for those patients sensible to aspirin. It is a phenolic compound and it suffers irreversible oxidation in acidic medium with the participation of 2 electrons and 2 protons per paracetamol molecule. This work was carried out, in order to evaluate the applicability of voltammetry with solid electrodes as an alternative analytical method for analyzing paracetamol in raw material used for preparation of chemical standard. All significant voltammetric analytical parameters were studied. The following voltammetric conditions were used: Support electrolyte – metanol: percloric acid Diluent - metanol pH –0.6 Scan rate – 15mv/s Rotated speed – 200 rpm The results obtained by this optimized method were compared with those obtained by using official methods (HPLC and UV- spectrophotometry) using paracetamol produced in three different producers. Statistical tests used in these comparisons showed that all three methods produce precise and accurate results, based on the student test.
Ridge regression and the Lasso: how do they do as finders of significant regressors and their multipliers?

Abstract A simulation study is done to compare Ridge Regression (RR) and the Lasso, under the assumption of a linear model, by calculating four metrics: the squared distance, from the true coefficients, of estimated coefficients that are both statistically significant and true; the proportion of true regressors discovered; the squared distance, from the true predictions, of the predictions made using the estimated coefficients that are only statistically significant (but not necessarily true); and the chance that no estimated coefficient is true. Results indicate that RR surpasses the Lasso in regard to all of these metrics. This indicates that RR can add value to model discovery, in Economics and the Sciences, by continuing to employ the key concept of statistical significance in the classical sense to find true regressors. This is important, because it allows the “manufacturer” of models to focus on the process generating the data, if indeed there is one. And, thus, provide important feedback on the outputs of other fashionable competitors, such as Machine Learning, with their pervasive “black-box” focus on prediction as an end in itself.
Exploring frontline employee-customer linkages: a psychological contract perspective

Abstract Although the concept of psychological contract provides a valuable tool to explore frontline employees and customer relationships, this has received little research attention. To address this gap, we develop an integrated model anchored on social exchange theory and a set of research propositions which link together Human Resource Management (HRM) practices delivered by line managers, frontline employee psychological contract, frontline employee customer-oriented behaviors, and customer psychological contract fulfillment, eventually predicting customer outcomes. We also stress the moderating role of service climate and organizational identification, as well as the control effects played by frequency of interactions, nature of product/service, and frequency of purchase of the product/service. Our analysis offers useful theoretical and managerial implications, as well as directions for further research.
Efforts toward a stereocontrolled synthesis of CYP3A4 inhibitor GF-I-1 and stereoisomers

1 Chapter 1 – Introduction and Background. 3 Chapter 2 – Synthesis of Racemic Model System. 7 Chapter 3 – Stereocontrolled Synthesis. 11 Chapter 4 – Future Directions. 15 Experimental Section. 17 Acknowledgements. 23 References. 24 Supplementary Spectra Geranyl pivaloate (2) – H NMR. 27 Racemic 6,7-epoxygeranyl pivaloate (3) – H NMR. 28 Racemic 6,7-epoxygeranyl pivaloate (3) – C NMR. 29 Racemic 6,7-dihydroxygeranyl pivaloate (4) – H NMR. 30 1-phenyl-1-isopropoxyethanol (6) – H NMR. 31 1-phenyl-1-isopropoxyethanol (6) – C NMR. 32 Racemic ether-linked dimer (7) – H NMR. 33 Racemic ether-linked dimer (7) – C NMR. 36 Racemic ether-linked dimer (7) – ES MS. 37 (S)-6,7-dihydroxygeranyl pivaloate (8) – H NMR. 38 (R)-6,7-dihydroxygeranyl pivaloate (9) – H NMR. 39 Diols 8 and 9 with Eu(hfc)3 – H NMR. 40 Diol 8 with Eu(hfc)3 – H NMR. 42 Diol 9 with Eu(hfc)3 – H NMR. 43 (R)-6,7-epoxygeranyl pivaloate (10) – H NMR. 44 (R)-6,7-epoxygeranyl pivaloate (10) – C NMR. 45 (S)-6,7-epoxygeranyl pivaloate (11) – H NMR. 46
Removal of behavioural and electrophysiological signs of chronic pain by in vivo microsections of rat somatosensory cortex with parallel X-ray microbeams

Chronic pain (CP) is a condition characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms, missing a sound modelling at the neuronal network scale. Recently, we presented a general theory showing common electrophysiological traits in different CP rat models, i.e. a collapse of relevant functional connectivity network properties, such as modularity, in the somatosensory thalamo-cortical (TC) network. In this work, we preliminary investigated by an in silico accurate simulator of the six-layer mammalian cortical networks that evidenced the crucial collapse of network modularity in CP simulated conditions and the consequent reduction of network adaptive processes. On this track, in studies on CP experimental animals affected by sciatic nerve multiple ligature (Bennett-Xie model), by synchrotron-generated X-ray microbeam (MB) irradiations (7 parallel beams, 100um width), we targeted in vivo the CP involved hindlimb somatosensory projection cortex that, because of the doses radiation (360 Gy, peak at each beam), non-invasively produced fast and precise tissue destruction along the 7 beam projections. These parcellated the cortical tissue and restored the cortical network statistics related to modularity and information processing efficiency as evidenced from post irradiation in vivo electrophysiological recordings. In addition, by MB treatment there was an ensuing removal of behavioral signs of allodynia and hyperalgesia accompanied by recovered normal gait schemes yet preserving the normal sensory thresholds of the experimental rats up to three months after the MB irradiation. Finally, novel and unprecedented therapeutic appraisals for CP are devised. Significance Statement Chronic pain (CP) is an excruciating condition with severe effects on patients’ life. Apart from many clinical and experimental studies no current theory on CP is generally accepted. Recently, we proposed a general theory of CP in experimental animals as characterized by strong alteration of the connections among neurons in different brain regions. We show here on in silico simulations that specific connectivity changes in the somatosensory cortex recover the lost functional integrity. Concurrently, in experimental animals, we re-modulated, in vivo, some anatomical connections of the somatosensory cortex by extremely thin synchrotron generated X-ray microbeam irradiations. The resulting behavioral and electrophysiological signs of CP disappeared yet maintaining normal sensory responses. No adverse or pathological effects on blank animals were observable.
Trade-Offs between Sustainability Indicators in Response to the Production Choices of Different Farm Household Types in Drylands

A lot of national and international effort has been made to promote sustainable agricultural production systems in drylands. However, success has been seriously limited due to lack of thorough characterization of the impact of the diversity of farm household types on productivity, resource-use efficiency and economic and nutritional status. This study applied hierarchical ascendant classification to a random sample of 286 cereal-producing farm households in Morocco and identified distinct household typologies. It also carried out an analysis of trade-offs between economic, nutritional and environmental factors induced by the production decisions of the different farm household typologies. Our analysis identified three dominant farm household typologies in the production system, namely: (i) intensive predominantly-vegetable farming households with high input intensities, (ii) semi-intensive cereal mono-crop farming households with moderate input intensities and (iii) extensive mixed cereal-legume farming households with low input intensities. Extensive mixed cereal-legume farming households exhibited the highest resource-use efficiency and high biodiversity. These benefits, however, came at the expense of a much lower farm income and limited food supplies relative to the other two systems. These results show that, as is the case for many dryland regions, all three farm types showed precarious conditions for one or more of the sustainability-related indicators.
Forced to be Free: The Limits of European Tolerance

This Article addresses a long-established debate in political theory — under which circumstances is it legitimate to force people to be free? Focusing on recent cases in Europe—handshaking, gender-mixed swimming lessons, and burkini ban — the Article reveals two types of moral hypocrisy. First, there is an increasing appeal to the notion of “forcing people to be free. ” This seems counter-intuitive and the antithesis of freedom, yet it is often justified based on conformity with the “general will” and the avoidance of self-imposed “harm. ” The Article shows the dangerous use of the concepts of the general will and harm and claims that they are employed to legitimize the submission of the minority to the majority culture. Second, the Article indicates the double standard of European policies. While religious symbols and ways of life of the majority are first culturalized and then universalized, symbols and ways of life of the minority, even when seen as cultural, are often religionalized and politicized. This legal facade enables the majority group to frame social reality as a direct conflict between universal morality and religious fundamentalism.
Shoreline Fluctuations Mark the Beginning and the Ending of Prehistoric Human Habitation at Guar Kepah, Malaysia

Abstract Guar Kepah is the only known prehistoric coastal habitation site along the Straits of Malacca, excluding those found in Sumatra. The site of Guar Kepah on the western coast of Malaysia is believed to have been situated on a stranded beach ridge and in close proximity to the Muda River during its period of human settlement. As such, this site is critical for examining long term coastal habitation during this time. In this paper, we examine prehistoric shoreline changes and Muda River shifts through time prior to assessing their degree of impacts on Guar Kepah using 2-Dimensional Resistivity Imaging (2-DRI). 2-DRI profiles show three soil layers composed of sandy-clay, shell, and sand over 4 m in depth. The layers deepen toward the west, in the direction of the shoreline. The physical characteristics of these layers indicate that people who settled Guar Kepah in the past lived in close proximity to the shoreline. Meanwhile, the trend of Muda River shifting also suggests that the river used to be further north than its current location. This indicates that human settlement at Guar Kepah was centered on the coast rather than the river. A strong correlation between shell middens at Guar Kepah and those around the world supports global coastal adaptation during the Holocene. As the only shell middens discovered in Malaysia, this study has potential for helping to track human migration, language, and population diversity in this part of Southeast Asia.
Ege Bölgesine Uygun Pamuk (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Çeşitlerinde Verim ve Kalite Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi

Cotton has a great economic value in terms of producer countries with added value and job opportunities that it creates for the industry and economy with its widespread and compulsory use. Over the past 20 years there has been a 45% reduction in cotton cultivation areas in our country. This study was carried out at the experimental area of the Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University in 2016, in order to find the most adept species with high fiber quality and ginning capacity among the many cultivated cotton species in the Aegean Region. In this study, which was established as four replications according to the randomized complete blocks design, 12 cotton varieties (Gloria, Claudia, Julia, ST 373, Karizma, Ozaltin 404, Carmen, Sezener 76, Naz 07, Flash, BIR 949, Ozbek 100). ). In this study, plant height, number of boll, number of fruiting branch, cotton seed yield, fiber yield, ginning turnout, fiber tenderness, fiber strength, fiber length and fiber flexibility were examined. As a result of the observations and fiber analyzes, it was seen that among these 12 varieties, the highest seed cotton yield and fiber yield were obtained from Claudia and Julia varieties. The highest fiber length and fiber strength were obtained from BIR 949. As a final, Claudia and BIR 949 have been detected as promising varieties according to purpose of future hybridization studies.
Adaptive robust control for tank stability: A constraint-following approach

This article addresses a control problem for tank stability based on constraint following. The objective is to design a control to drive the tank stability control system to follow a pre-specified stability constraint approximately: with the consideration of (possibly) time-varying uncertainty (including system modeling error and road excitation), if the barrel deviates from the target angle, drive it to be arbitrarily close to the target angle; and if the barrel points to the target angle, drive it to stay there. This is formulated as a problem of approximate constraint-following control. First, as the model-based control design object, the dynamic equation of the tank stability control system with the system modeling error and the road excitation is obtained. Second, as the control objective, the stability constraint is formulated. Third, as the control strategy, an adaptive robust control is proposed for approximate constraint following. Fourth, as the control object, a virtual prototype model of tank driving on bumpy road is established with multi-body dynamics software RecurDyn. Finally, real-time servo control and target observation of the tank stability system are performed by co-simulation. It shows that the constraint-following error converges quickly to 10 − 4 in 1.5 s. By this, the tank stability control system can be always stable even if the tank is driving and disturbed with frequent road excitation.
Zn-Al Layered Double Hydroxide Thin Film Fabricated by the Sputtering Method and Aqueous Solution Treatment

Zn-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized herein via a simple process. First, Al-doped ZnO film was deposited onto a glass substrate using the facing target sputtering system. Successful synthesis of the Zn–Al LDH was achieved via a treatment process using an aqueous solution which contains NO3− anions. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that it was consistent with the previous Zn–Al LDH synthesis experiment data, and the calculated d-value was 9.1 Å. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that the as-synthesized sample had a plate-like structure.
Moxifloxacin-loaded electrospun polymeric composite nanofibers-based wound dressing for enhanced antibacterial activity and healing efficacy

Abstract Nanofibers were prepared with different ratios of chitosan (CS) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) via the electrospinning technique, and tested for morphological features using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Drug content, drug loading, release of moxifloxacin (MXF) at pH 4.7 and pH 5.5, and degree of swelling were investigated. Further characterization was accomplished via X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial activity was studied in comparison with blank nanofibers. Furthermore, wound healing was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. A formulation consisting of CS/PEO (50/50) exhibited smooth-surfaced and beadless nanofibers having a mean diameter of 138 ± 25 nm. Drug content and drug loading in the optimized formulation, consisting of MXF, CS and PEO (0.5/2.5/2.5, w/w/w), were 99–101% and 9.1%, respectively. MXF release in 48 hours was 79.83 ± 4.2% and 94.29 ± 3.9% at pH 7.4 and pH 5.5, respectively. Moreover, degree of swelling was 133 ± 13%. The drug existed in the amorphous state and had no covalent interaction with the polymers. MXF-loaded nanofibers demonstrated greater stability, antibacterial activity and wound healing efficacy than did blank nanofibers. Accordingly, MXF-loaded CS-PEO polymeric composite nanofibers might be a potential wound dressing for effective wound healing. Graphical Abstract
Estudio termodinmico de la transferencia de acetaminofn desde el agua hasta el octanol

Se determino el coeficiente de reparto octanol/agua y la solubilidad de acetaminofen (paracetamol) en octanol, agua y los solventes mutuamente saturados a 25.0, 30.0, 35.0 y 40.0 °C. Mediante el analisis termodinamico de Gibbs y van't Hoff se observa que el proceso de transferencia del farmaco desde el agua hasta el octanol es espontaneo y de conduccion principalmente entalpica. Se encuentra que la saturacion mutua de las fases juega un papel importante en el reparto y la solubilidad de este farmaco, lo cual se ha demostrado para otras sustancias semipolares tales como algunos derivados de la guanina y algunas sulfonamidas.
Non-Periodic Lower-Limb Motion Recognition with Noncontact Capacitive Sensing

Noncontact captive sensing is a new sensing strategy that we proposed previously to compensate for the limitations of existing surface electromyography studies for exoskeleton control. It has been validated on locomotion mode recognition and gait phase estimation. However, our previous studies addressed the tasks of periodic ambulation based on machine learning algorithms. The performances of the capacitive sensing on non-periodical lower-limb motion recognition have never been evaluated. In this preliminary study, we designed a motion recognition method by fusing the capacitive sensing and the inertial sensors. The recognition algorithm was designed based on the combined logics, which freed the system from burdensome training procedures in the recognition tasks. The method was validated on three healthy subjects in performing 6 lower-limb motions and the transitions between them (10 in total). The capacitance-inertial fusion method produced an average precision/recall of >0.92 in static motions and >0.86 with transitions. The most prominent improvement of using the capacitance signals is that it increases the time-response ability during the motion transitions. Compared with purely using inertial sensors, the sensor fusion method reduced more than 100-ms latency on average. The pilot study extends the scope of the new sensing method in human motion recognition. Future efforts will be paid in this direction to get more promising results.
The Stakeholder’s Position Map Related to the Mercury Pollution Reduction Program in Bombana Area, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

The rapid expansion of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) industry in developing countries has resulted in occupational exposure to mercury via the gold extraction process. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, interest, position, and power of stakeholders for the implementation of the mercury pollution reduction program. This study involved ten stakeholders as representatives from different backgrounds in the Bombana regency. The results of the analysis show that the health department, environmental agency, and village head are stakeholders who have a high level of knowledge and interest in the program. The assessment based on position and partnership indicates that the health department and local university have high-level power/leadership and become the great potential supporter. Stakeholders with the potential to become opponent are traditional land owners, mining companies, and local activists. The priority strategy recommended from this study is to initiate active communication to stakeholders and create a clear guidance on the implementation of the program. Also, an effective approach is needed to create the mutually beneficial cooperation agreement to avoid provocation and conflict.
Envelope of Family of Angled Projectiles and Its Universal Geometric Characteristics

Geometric properties of trajectories of angled projectiles under gravity pull are a popular common traditional theme discussed in introductory physics and engineering college courses. What is overlooked is the universal collective properties of the overarching specificities of families of such parabolas, the envelope. For instance [1] and references within explored the existence of one such envelope, however, even the most recent article [2] overlooked its global hidden properties. Here, we investigate exposing this hidden information. Having the equation of the envelope on hand we introduce its universal characteristics such as its: arc length, enclosed 2D surface area, surface area of the surface-of-revolution about the symmetry axis, and, the volume of the enclosure. Numeric values of these quantities are global as is e.g. the 45° projectile angle that maximizes the range of a projectile in vacuum irrespective, its initial speed. In our exploratory investigation, we utilize the popular Computer Algebra System (CAS) MathematicaTM [3] [4] [5].
Openness Personality Trait on Local Government Information System Services: An Overview

This paper investigates the adaptation of one of the Big Five Personality traits namely Openness in local community acceptance toward local government information system. The data collected via survey based on Openness statement taken from Big Five Personality Inventory item. This is to gain idea regarding acceptance on information system such as information system services in local government agencies in Northern Malaysia that has been introduced to them. Questionnaires has been distributed to collect data and has been analyzed using statistical software. Analyses such as percentage and correlation are been executed to differentiates and tabulate the data to readable results. The findings of the study believe could give the idea to the local government or local authority in providing better services to their community.