Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ag/TiO2 Nanocomposite Modified Carbon Paste Electrode used to Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Carbamazepine

Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite was used as a modifier in carbon-paste electrode (CPE) to fabricate a carbamazepine (CBZ) voltammetric sensor. The results show an efficient catalytic activity of the electrooxidation of CBZ. Electrochemical behaviour of CBZ at the sensor was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Results showed that the modified electrode exhibited a strong electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of CBZ. The effects of scan rate and pH on peak current were investigated and an optimal scan rate of 50 mV s -1 and a pH 2.0, Britton-Robinson buffer solution (BR), were used. Under the optimum conditions, the catalytic peak currents of CBZ were linearly dependent on the concentrations of CBZ in the range from 2.5×10 -6 to 1.0×10 -4 mol L -1 with a detection limit of 8.6×10 -7 mol L -1 . This proposed method was successfully applied to determine the carbamazepin concentration in its tablet as real sample and a recovery of 95% was obtained without interference from tablet matrix.
Evaluation of failure progress in glass- and jute-fibre reinforced polymer laminates by analysis of vibration and noise

The application of contactless and non-destructive methods of measurements and analyses of vibroacoustic signals to evaluate the degradation of composite materials during their bending is proposed in the paper. Stand tests of bending of composite samples based on simultaneous recording of the stress – deflection characteristics were carried out and measurements were performed of their instantaneous vibration velocity and acoustic pressure in their vicinity. Samples of glass- and jute-fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates were subjected to examination. The obtained results have shown that the measurements of vibration and acoustic pressure expand and supplement the mechanical tests, and enable observation of the momentary destructive changes in the investigated materials. It was found that an instantaneous change of signals amplitude corresponds to the occurrence of local failure in the composite material. Spectral analysis of vibration velocity and acoustic pressure signals allowed a selection of the frequency bands in which symptoms of failure occurring in the composite material can be observed. The tests have also shown that the thresholds of point characteristics determined on the basis of the recorded vibration and noise signals may be used as indicators of the beginning of composite material’s degradation when it is loaded.
Performance Indicator for Public Expenditure Efficiency in Thai Basic Education: Data Envelopment Analysis Approach for the Future Improvement

The purposes of this paper are 1) to develop a model to measure the performance of public expenditure in Thai basic education 2) to identify the association between efficiency score and school size by using Pearson moment correlation. The data for the study were obtained from following sources. The National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS) and the office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) over the period 2007-2008. To identify the best performance schools, The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology enables to aggregate performance indicators in order to obtain a public expenditure efficiency measure through the comparison of 164 Thai basic education schools. Moreover, the second stage Pearson product moment correlation was used to assess whether there is a relationship between efficiency score and school size. The research findings were summarized as follows: The average efficiency of these schools is 0.706 (primary school) and 0.713 (secondary school) which is quite high. However, efficiency scores of individual schools range from 0.191 to 1, which shows that some schools are significantly less productive. The correlation analysis found the significant positive relationship between school size and efficiency score at 5% significance level.
Enhancing the Force-Velocity Profile of Athletes Using Weightlifting Derivatives

ABSTRACT WEIGHTLIFTING MOVEMENTS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IN A SEQUENCED PROGRESSION THROUGHOUT THE TRAINING YEAR TO OPTIMIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ATHLETE'S STRENGTH, RATE OF FORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND POWER OUTPUT. WEIGHTLIFTING MOVEMENTS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES CAN BE PROGRAMMED EFFECTIVELY BY CONSIDERING THEIR FORCE–VELOCITY CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL UNDERPINNINGS TO MEET THE SPECIFIC TRAINING GOALS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING PHASES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TYPICAL APPLICATION OF PERIODIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS.
Pharmacist Educational Intervention in Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia is Associated with Decreased Postoperative Pain

Background: Perioperative pain management reduces patient suffering throughout the surgery process. Patient-controlled analgesia has become a common technique for postoperative pain management, although in some cases, a patient’s lack of understanding of the treatment results in a decrease of its efficacy. Therefore, we examined the effects of a pharmacist intervention in acute pain control. Methods: In this study, patients who underwent artificial joint replacement at our orthopedics department between January 2013 and March 2014 were enrolled on a continuous basis. Seventy patients were eligible. The intervention comprised pre- and postoperative instruction on intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) and ensured patients’ understanding of the rescue dose administration procedure. We retrospectively investigated whether a pharmacist intervention improved the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores and the length of hospital stays. Results: The mean NRS score on postoperative day 1 was 3.8 ± 2.4 in the non-pharmacist intervention group and 2.3 ± 1.8 in the pharmacist intervention group, indicating a statistically significant difference between groups (p<0.01). The average length of hospital stays was 22.6 ± 6.2 days and 22.3 ± 6.0 days in the non-pharmacist intervention group and the pharmacist intervention group, respectively; however, this was not a statistically significant difference (p=0.44). Conclusion: Interventional education provided by pharmacists during the perioperative acute pain control phase improved patient understanding of IV-PCA usage and reduced NRS scores during the most painful postoperative period.
Global nonlinear optimization for the interpretation of source parameters from total gradient of gravity and magnetic anomalies caused by thin dyke

An efficient approach to estimate model parameters from total gradient of gravity and magnetic data based on Very Fast simulated Annealing (VFSA) has been presented. This is the first time of applying VFSA in interpreting total gradient of potential field data with a new formulation estimation caused due to isolated causative sources embedded in the subsurface. The model parameters interpreted here are the amplitude coefficient ( k ), exact origin of causative source ( x 0 ) depth ( z 0 ) and the shape factors ( q ). The results of VFSA optimization show that it can uniquely determine all the model parameters when shape factor is constrained. The model parameters estimated by the present method, mostly the shape and depth of the buried structures were found to be in excellent agreement with the actual parameters. The method has also the proficiency of evading highly noisy data points and improves the interpretation results. Study of histogram and cross-plot analysis also suggests the interpretation within the estimated uncertainty. Inversion of noise-free and noisy synthetic data for single structures as well as field data demonstrates the efficacy of the approach. The technique has been warily and effectively applied to real data examples (Leona Anomaly, Senegal for gravity and Pima copper deposit, USA for magnetic) with the presence of ore bodies. The present method can be extremely applicable for mineral exploration or ore bodies of dyke-like structure embedded in the shallow and deeper subsurface. The computation time for the whole process is very short.
growth CO 2 flux measurements reveal high sensitivity to climate anomalies cross seasonal , annual and decadal time scales

The traditional hypothesis that old-growth forests are carbon neutral is under debate as recent studies show evidence of net carbon sequestration. Here, we present a decade (1998–2008) of carbon dioxide, water and energy fluxes from an old-growth stand in the American Pacific Northwest to identify ecosystem-level responses to climate variability, including teleconnection patterns. This study provides the longest, continuous record of old-growth eddy flux data to date. From 1998 to 2008, average annual net ecosystem exchange (FNEE) was −49 ± 40 g C m−2 yr−1 (a small net carbon sink) while interannual variability was high (∼300 g C m−2 yr−1) and indicated that the stand is able to switch from net carbon sink to source in response to climate forcing. Seasonal and annual FNEE variability was strongly linked to climate anomalies associated with major teleconnections and the subsequent responses of driving mechanisms (e.g., water use efficiency, light use efficiency, canopy conductance) to local weather (e.g., cloudiness). Biometric measurements of aboveground net primary productivity (FANPP) provided a ∼60 year record of nterannual variability ong-term fluxes growth, recruitment, and mortality responses to a longer range of climatic conditions, including shifts in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). A negative trend in FANPP generally matched the warm PDO phase shift starting in 1977. As climate models predict future warming in the Pacific Northwest, our results suggest that any perturbations towards a warmer, drier state, such as would occur during positive climate phases, may have significant impacts on regional terrestrial carbon budgets through increasing respiration without subsequent, offsetting increases in carbon assimilation in these old-growth forests.
Interactive comment on “ A review of measurement-based assessment of aerosol direct radiative effect and forcing ” by H . Yu et al

We appreciate the reviewer’s detail and insightful comments on the work. We fully agree that enhanced uncertainty analysis and attribution of differences observed between methods are important to advancing the knowledge of aerosol direct effect and forcing. In the revision, we now discuss uncertainties associated with individual methods more quantitatively and in more detail, focusing on measurement-based estimates (section 3.1). We briefly discuss model diversities that have been documented and discussed in recent Global Aerosol Model Intercomparison (AEROCOM) papers (Kinne et al., 2005; Textor et al., 2005; Schulz et al., 2005), in which recent intercomparison results from 16 different global models are presented and some explanations of the model diversities and uncertainties are offered. We add in the revision (section 3.2.3)
The Use of 3 D Interface Elements and Applications on Web

The use of 3D graphics on the web has been limited by several factors, such as the inadequate quality of the 3D web graphics and the inability of the different web browsers to support the different 3D technologies. The development of modern web browsers, 3D technologies and standards that do not demand the use of plug-ins, such as HTML5 and WebGL, have facilitated the use and development of 3D web applications. Although 3D web applications have been used in several fields, such as gaming, education and commerce, these applications and virtual realities are not common. The aim of this study was to analyze how widespread the use of 3D interface elements and applications is currently on websites, both in general and on certain subsections, and to determine factors that may influence the popularity of these elements. Random samples of 100 websites from five different categories (general, Finnish, commercial, scientific, and entertainment) were selected for this study based on the previous prevalence of 3D applications in these fields, and they were analyzed with content analysis by concentrating on the purpose of these elements and certain features related to the acceptance and functionality of 3D elements, such as the plug-ins or software required by the technology on the end user's computer, and the compatibility of these elements with different selected web browsers. As the results of this study demonstrated, the use of 3D elements is still limited and in most of the studied categories they were used on less than 7 % of the websites, as only the games and entertainment related websites had a higher percentage of 3D usage (17 %). Most of the 3D elements present on the websites were separate single-user 3D applications that could be divided into games, design programs, and educational and scientific applications. Individual 3D models were also included for educational or commercial purposes, but integrated 3D interface elements were not commonly used on the studied websites. The popularity of the 3D elements could be affected by the lack of standardization and still increasing number of different technologies used to create the 3D elements and the varying plug-in support these technologies have on different browsers, since the majority of the technologies demand the use of plug-ins. Although 3D use was quite limited, there were some factors that could affect positively the decision to use 3D elements among the service providers. Some of the 3D applications had a simple, readymade platform for the desired purpose and the effort of building a new interface may be avoided by using these. In some cases, such as with games, the use of 3D was wellestablished and it may be expected instead of the 2D imagery. There may also be a greater motivation to include 3D applications on the website, if there is a pre-existing 3D based service to move online.
Phenolics content and antioxidant capacity of commercial red fruit juices

The content of phenolics: total phenols (TP), flavonoids (TF), anthocyanins (TA) and hydroxycinnamic acid as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in nine commercial red fruit juices (sour cherry, black currant and red grape) produced in Serbia were evaluated. The total compounds content was measured by spectrophotometric methods, TAC was determined using DPPH assays, and individual anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids was determined using HPLC-DAD methods. Among the examined fruit juices, the black currant juices contained the highest amounts of all groups of the phenolics and exhibited strong antioxidant capacity. The amount of anthocyanins determined by HPLC method ranged from 92.36 to 512.73 mg/L in red grape and black currant juices, respectively. The anthocyanins present in the investigated red fruit juices were derivatives of cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin. The predominant phenolic acid was neoclorogenic acid in sour cherry, caffeic acid in black currant, and p-coumaric acid in black grape juices. Generally, the red fruit juices produced in the Serbia are a rich source of the phenolic, which show evident antioxidant capacity.
Synthesis and One-Electron Oxidation Chemistry of Stable β,β-Dimesityl Enols with Heteroaryl Substituents

Four novel stable enols (one characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis) were synthesized and investigated under oxidative conditions to yield benzofurans. Depending on the donor qualities of the heteroaryl substituent the reaction following the one-electron oxidation could be stopped on the stage of the cyclohexadienyl cation whose lifetime was measured. Oxidation potentials were determined for the enols, the enolates and the α-carbonyl radicals. Oxidation of benzofurans yielded dimeric species or intramolecular cyclization products.
Prediction of a non-isothermal three-dimensional mixing layer created by a scarfed lobed mixer

Abstract The work presented here considers the complex mixing processes associated with a three-dimensional non-isothermal convoluted mixing layer such as produced by scarfed lobed mixers as used in aero-engine gas turbine exhaust ducts. Numerical simulations of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in Reynolds-averaged form with a k-ε turbulence model are conducted. The discretization of the high-Reynolds-number form of the k-ε model for the unstructured mesh numerical solver used is described. The discretization was verified against two elemental flows that represent subcomponents of lobed mixer problems: a planar shear layer and a developing boundary layer. A grid dependency study is also presented for different grid types: purely quadrilateral, a purely triangular, and a mixed grid, to assess the influence of different mesh types on predictions. Results for a two-dimensional planar shear layer flow indicated that quadrilateral grids yielded best results for a given grid resolution. This result was confirmed in the numerical simulations of three-dimensional convoluted shear layers created by a generic lobed mixer geometry in which hexahedral grids yielded the most accurate results relative to a purely tetrahedral grid and a mixed grid. The model was finally used to simulate the flow field in an engine-representative scarfed mixer configuration under non-isothermal flow conditions representative of current engine practice. Results showed that the scarfed mixer introduced strong flow asymmetries in the azimuthal direction. This caused adjacent vortical structures produced by the alternating short and long gullies of the lobes to interact with one another and this behaviour dominated the flow evolution. Detailed comparisons between predicted and measured temperature fields were also carried out and generally showed encouraging agreement and capture of correct trends. The evolution of the predicted thermal mixing layer slightly lagged the measured data as was also the case for the velocity fields, indicating that improvements in the prediction of the thermal mixing layer may be strongly dependent on correct prediction of the momentum transport process as well as improved modelling of the turbulent heat fluxes.
Nonresonant femtosecond second hyperpolarizabilities of intramolecular charge-transfer molecules with great excited- and ground-state dipole-moment differences

The femtosecond second hyperpolarizability due to the nonresonant electronic polarization for two intramolecular charge-transfer molecules, 6-propionyl-2-dimethylamino naphthalene and 2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonic acid which possess the great permanent dipole-moment difference between the excited state and the ground state, is obtained from the measurement of the ultrafast change in refractive index using a time-resolved interferometer. It is found that the second hyperpolarizability increases parabolically from 5×10−34 to 4.3×10−32 esu with increasing the dipole-moment difference from 7.7 to 40 D, and this quantitative relationship is well explained by a quantum-mechanical equation describing the electronic second hyperpolarizability of one molecule with the permanent dipole-moment difference.
The Theory-Testing Questionnaire Business Survey Has Passed Its Expiry Date

textabstractResponse rates in business surveys are low, which implies a huge risk of selection bias. Usually no attempt is made to assess the extent of selection bias and published survey results might, therefore, not be a correct reflection of actual population characteristics. In this paper, it is argued that response rates cannot be improved to a sufficient degree and that assessment of selection bias is difficult in practice. It is concluded that academic questionnaire surveys of businesses should be abandoned and that an alternative way of testing theory in populations must be found.
Physically Based Lighting Model for Cloth and its Validation

We present a new approach to modeling lighting in cloth based on a confirmed assumption that cloth yarns are scattering media. The paper proposes a way to calculate Bi-directional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) of a yarn by integrating the yarn’s Bi-directional Sub-Surface Scattering Reflectance Distribution Function (BSSRDF) over the yarn’s surface. The yarn’s BSSRDF is obtained via a Monte-Carlo ray tracing simulation of scattering and absorption of light within yarn’s volume. We demonstrate that the new approach is physically plausible by showing the correspondence of scattering patterns of the incident light between our modeled cloth sample and a piece of a real cotton cloth. The scattering pattern of a real cloth is acquired via direct measurement performed with a proprietary measurement apparatus. We outline some characteristics that a yarn’s BRDF shall possess to support good correspondence of modeled and real cloths’ scattering patterns.
A camera projector based ubiquitous user interface framework in a learning environment

72 The erea of Ubiquitous User interfaces is a very large research field, involving many research questions and raising many design issues. One of the promising interfaces is the Camera-Projector Ubiquitous user interface. Some its concepts, such as multimedia, multimodal, wearable, tangible, or augmented reality, make this kind of interfaces a very complex system. This paper presents a state of art about theses user interfaces and proposes a framework integrating the cited aspects. This system recognizes human gesture and augments the physical objects; displays information according to the user that interacts with the system. The framework is then applied and validated on a u-learning environment. Keywords: ubiquitous computing, camera projector user interfaces, design framework, u-learning
Mammalian Visitation to Candidate Feral Swine Attractants

Abstract Few data exist regarding suitable feral swine (Sus scrofa) attractants in the United States. We compared species-specific visitation and contact rates of mammals to 11 candidate feral swine attractants at scent stations using motion-sensing digital photography to identify promising attractants. We found feral swine had greater visitation rates to apple and strawberry stations than to control stations. We recommend managers consider using strawberry attractants for feral swine-specific applications. If, however, a general feral swine attractant is needed, then apple, berry, or caramel attractants may perform well.
Monetary policy and economic growth dynamics in Uganda

This paper provides an overview of Uganda’s economic, monetary and financial reforms – since Uganda’s independence in 1962. It traces the economic and monetary performance over the years; and it highlights the challenges facing the performance of monetary policy. In particular, the study tries to assess the main features of Uganda’s monetary regime, and the associated economic performance from 1962 to date (May, 2014). Over the years, Uganda has shifted from direct controls of interest rate and credit to base money targeting during the 1990s as agreed under the IMF/WB structural adjustment programes. Since June 2011, the country has moved from monetary targeting to inflation targeting lite. Better economic management, including monetary policy since the early 1990s, has led to significant economic and financial performance – manifested in the form of high growth rates, low inflation, and steadfast growth in money supply and private sector credit. However, the performance of monetary policy still faces a number of the challenges, including fiscal dominance, monetary-policy-competing objectives and shallow financial markets. In order to overcome these challenges, the study recommends that the country reduces its over-reliance on monetary policy, in order to achieve competing goals, to improve the effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policy mix, to continue to improve its analytical capacity – by further strengthening of the legal and institutional framework for economic policies.