Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfacial reactions of Ti/n-GaN contacts at elevated temperature

Interfacial reactions in Ti/GaN contacts have been studied using conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM), and x-ray diffraction. The thin film contacts were fabricated by evaporating Ti on n-GaN and subsequent rapid thermal annealing in argon. An x-ray result shows that the as-deposited Ti on GaN is an epitaxial hcp phase, whereas a fcc phase was identified from the as-deposited metal layer in cross-sectional TEM specimens. This phenomenon is interpreted as the transformation of hcp-Ti phase to fcc-TiHx phase by hydrogen incorporation during TEM specimen thinning. At elevated temperature, first gallium and then nitrogen diffused into the metal layer. The reaction front moved into the Ti layer, and after annealing at 700 °C many voids were formed along the Ti/GaN interface at the GaN side. A sequence of phases GaN/TiN/Ti2GaN/Ti3Ga/Ti was identified in annealed contacts, and corresponds to the expected diffusion path. The ternary phase Ti2GaN was .
Compression of MR Images Using DWT by Comparing RGB and YCbCr Color Spaces

This paper consists of a lossy image compression algorithm dedicated to the medical images doing comparison of RGB and YCbCr color space. Several lossy/lossless transform coding techniques are used for medical image compression. Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is one such widely used technique. After a preprocessing step (remove the mean and RGB to YCbCr transformation), the DWT is applied and followed by the bisection method including thresholding, the quantization, dequantization, the Inverse Discrete Wavelet Transform (IDWT), YCbCr to RGB transform of mean recovering. To obtain the best compression ratio (CR), the next step encoding algorithm is used for compressing the input medical image into three matrices and forward to DWT block a corresponding containing the maximum possible of run of zeros at its end. The last step decoding algorithm is used to decompress the image using IDWT that is applied to get three matrices of medical image.
Sorption of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene onto a perlite/peat mixture.

Expanded perlite and peat are effective sorbents of organic pollutants; and their mixture would have improved mixing properties, increased organic matter content; and better price compared to individual materials. Therefore sorption of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene to a 1:1 mixture of both materials was studied. Freundlich isotherm fitted best the data for trichloroethylene, with sorption coefficient of 15.9 ± 1.1 (cm 3 /g) (1/0.711) and the Freundlich exponent of 0.711. The sorbed concentration ranged from 1.4 to 80 μg/g.d. w and the dissolved values varied between 0.1 and 9.8 µg/cm 3 . Sorption of perchloroethylene followed the linear isotherm with the sorption partition coefficient of 20.6 ± 0.3 cm 3 /g. The dissolved equilibrium concentration values ranged from 0.1 to 8.7 µg/cm 3 , while concentrations in the solid phase ranged from 2 to 180 μg/g.d. w. Percentages of removal were between 19 and 47 % for trichloroethylene; and between 23 and 30 % for perchloroethylene. Shape of the trichloroethylene isotherm indicated that rate of desorption was higher than the rate of sorption, while compound partitioning into the sorbent matrix governed the shape for perchloroethylene. Results obtained suggest the 1:1 mixture of expanded perlite and peat is an effective soil additive in remediation operations.
I-V and C-V methods to extract Al/polysilicon Schottky diode parameters

Series resistance, ideality factors, saturation currents and doping concentrations have been determined using I-V and C-V techniques. However, the usual equations cannot fit some diodes, may be because they are too approximated or because other mechanisms are present. In this work we use two methods based on C-V and I-V measurements to extract Schottky diode parameters. These methods are very easy to use and give results with more precision even when characteristics behavior is far from ideal. The influence of the material (polysilicon) hase also been investigated.
Information criteria for multistep ahead predictions

We propose an information criterion for multistep ahead predictions. It is also used for extrapolations. For the derivation, we consider multistep ahead predictions under local misspecification. In the prediction, we show that Bayesian predictive distributions asymptotically have smaller Kullback--Leibler risks than plug-in predictive distributions. From the results, we construct an information criterion for multistep ahead predictions by using an asymptotically unbiased estimator of the Kullback--Leibler risk of Bayesian predictive distributions. We show the effectiveness of the proposed information criterion throughout the numerical experiments.
Dangerous targets? Unresolved issues and ideological clashes around marine protected areas

While conservationists, resource managers, scientists and coastal planners have recognized the broad applicability of marine protected areas (MPAs), they are often implemented without a firm understanding of the conservation science } both ecological and socio-economic } underlying marine protection. The rush to implement MPAs has set the stage for paradoxical differences of opinions in the marine conservation community. 2. The enthusiastic prescription of simplistic solutions to marine conservation problems risks polarization of interests and ultimately threatens bona fide progress in marine conservation. The blanket assignment and advocacy of empirically unsubstantiated rules of thumb in marine protection creates potentially dangerous targets for conservation science. 3. Clarity of definition, systematic testing of assumptions, and adaptive application of diverse MPA management approaches are needed so that the appropriate mix of various management tools can be utilized, depending upon specific goals and conditions. Scientists have a professional and
Trees on farms: diversity, carbon pool and contribution to rural livelihoods in Kanchanpur District of Nepal

Trees and shrubs are important component of rural farming system in Nepal. This paper assesses tree diversity and carbon pool of trees and shrubs outside forests as well as their contribution in the rural economy of the study area. In the land use classification map derived from the high resolution ALOS Pan-sharpened imagery, random selection was made among systematic grid in the agriculture class to find out the inventory plot. The plot was designed as nested plot. Firstly, tree measurement was done and then leaves, branch samples as well as soil samples were collected from each sample plot. Structured questionnaire survey was used to assess the contribution of trees and shrubs on rural livelihoods. The biomass and soil samples were analyzed using dry combustion method to estimate the carbon content. The amount of carbon stock difference between farmland with TOF and without TOF was found 26.56 Mg (megagram) ha -1 . There was 350,714.6 Mg above ground carbon, 35,103.36 Mg root carbon and 84451.18 Mg soil carbon accumulated by total trees and shrubs on farms in the District. Hence, the total carbon pool of the District in different agroforestry systems was estimated to be 470,269.18 Mg. Homegarden system was found to be a good agroforestry system in terms of having higher species richness, tree diversity and relatively higher amount of above and below ground carbon per unit area. The results also showed that the trees on farms contributed16.4% (NRs. 3689 per household/year) and 17.1% (NRs. 2613 per household/year) of farmland income and livestock income respectively. The results, thus, indicate that trees on farms have visible impacts on rural livelihoods, harboring rich plant diversity and sequestering substantial amount of carbon. Banko Janakari, Vol. 23, No. 1, Page 3-11 DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/banko.v23i1. 9462
Delivery Systems in Wound Healing and Nanomedicine

Introduction: Delivery systems in nanomedicine contribute to the improvements in wound healing, tissue regeneration, and anticancer pharmacological fields. Although various wound dressings have been used in wound care treatments, there is a great challenge in the wound management of ulcers, trauma, chronic wounds, and severe injury and burns, especially infected wounds. Body: To accelerate wound healing, influence tissue repair, reduce scarring, and control infection, various delivery devices have been developed in wound healing. The application of delivery devices has improved early as well as long‐term wound care in delayed healing wounds. Main delivery systems are described, including drugs, bioactive proteins/growth factors, genes, and cells, outlining the advantages and limitations of each carrier in wound healing, as well as the mechanisms and release. This chapter reviews biomaterials and scaffolds that provide the carriers of bioactive agents, which include antimicrobial agents, combinations of cells, growth factors and genes, both scaffolds and cell interactions toward regeneration of skin tissues, vascular reconstructions, as well as transdermal carriers. In addition, the regulations, procedures, and clinical trails for delivery systems for wound healing are discussed. Conclusion: In the past decades, many wound dressings and skin substitutes have been developed to treat skin loss and wounds. Delivery systems can improve wound healing and tissue regeneration. Looking toward the future, the need for delivery wound healing products for chronic and complex wounds will increase. Functionalized delivery systems will probably be the academic interest and industrial focus on wound healing.
PHOTOCATALYTIC OXIDATION OF ANAEROBICALLY DEGRADED REACTIVE RED 2 DYE BATH EFFLUENT

The present study describes the advanced oxidation (Photo catalytic oxidation) of an anaerobically degraded textile dye bath effluent containing reactive red 2 dye by combined UV and hydrogen peroxide. The reactor used in this study is a batch laboratory-scale photo-reactor equipped with a low-pressure mercury lamp. Different initial dosages of hydrogen peroxide at variable TiO2 concentrations were used. The degradation of secondary metabolites formed during the anaerobic degradation was measured in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction. Within 5 hours of exposure time at 200 rpm stirrer speed with 30 mmolL -1 H2O2 concentration, 350 mg L -1 TiO2 concentration and pH 3 the COD reduction was appreciable with 97% COD reduction based on the inlet COD to the photocatalytic reactor.
Microwave, Ultrasound Assisted Dyeing- Part I: Dyeing characteristics of C.I. Disperse Red 60 on polyester fabric

The goal of this study was to utilize microwave and ultrasound irradiation as green methodologies, not only to improve dyeing performance of polyester fabric with disperse red 60, but also, to save energy for preserving the environmental impact. Both of color strength expressed as dye uptake and the fastness properties of the dyed fabric were evaluated.
Use of phenotypes from research herds to develop genomic selection for scarcely recorded traits like feed efficiency

Introduction There has been long running interest in how feed intake and feed efficiency should be taken into account in breeding decisions (for review Veerkamp, 1998). Initially the interest in feed intake was based on trying to reduce the amount of feed required per unit of production, i.e. improving feed efficiency. However, in the past two decades, interest has shifted towards the role of feed intake and its relationship with energy balance (EB), health, and fertility. There is, as yet, no direct selection practiced for feed efficiency or EB using actual feed intake observations. This is primarily because the large resource demand of measuring, particularly, individual feed intake in dairy cows. This makes routine selection in breeding programs too difficult. Similar arguments hold for detailed fertility measures using progesterone (van der Lende et al., 2004), methane (Wall et al., 2010) and several disease traits. An alternative might be to combine existing datasets from, for example, research herds in different countries and use these as a reference herd for calibrating a SNP key. In the RobustMilk database we combined data from research herds in four countries to generate sufficient data to achieve the research objectives of the project. Research was undertaken on how to combine the data (with different recording systems, feeding systems, and genetic groups), QTL detection, and statistical models. In this study the objective was to test the accuracy of the genomic breeding values from the RobustMilk database in predicting the breeding values based on progeny information in the UK, The Netherlands and Ireland.
A class of exponentially-Fitted third derivative methods for solving stiff differential equations

A class of exponentially fitted third derivative methods of order eight for solving stiff initial value problems in ordinary differential equations is derived. The derivation of the method which allows free parameters is cast into predictor-corrector form for efficient implementation. The analysis of the method shows that it is A-stable. The numerical implementation of the method to standard stiff problems shows that it is more efficient when compared with some existing methods which some the same set of problems (2000 Mathematics subject classification: primary: 65L05; Secondary 65L06, 65L20).
IMPLEMENTATION OF DOT-BLOT IN RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF BSE

The article describes the preliminary results from the implementation of dot-blot technique in the diagnosis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Simple methodology, low equipment requirements and fast procedure coupled with small volume of liquid waste prompted us to use this technique for the detection of pathological, proteolysis resistant form of prion protein (PrP res ). The method was assessed with respect to sensitivity and specificity and it was compared with already approved rapid test for BSE diagnosis. Ability to detect all positive cases used in the study, lack of non-specific signal from negative samples, short time of testing procedure and higher sensitivity in comparison to the commercial test show that the method may be used in surveillance programs for BSE.
Financial Deepening, Economic Growth and Corruption: The Case of Islamic Banking

As Islamic banking is becoming popular among bank customers, attempts are made in this study to examine the relationship between the corruption level and financial market deregulation, which causes financial deepening, using data for Islamic banks in 14 countries. This study employs a panel data analysis and uses three variables to represent the corruption level: the World Banki¯s control of corruption index (Cor), Transparency Internationali¯s corruption perception index (Cor-per) and Heritage Foundationi¯s corruption perception data (Cor-hf). Using fixed effect regression, the results of this study support the viewpoint that there is no significant positive relationship between the corruption level and financial deepening in countries where Islamic banking is dominant. This finding could help policy makers and regulators to implement further deregulatory measures in these countries.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE SIMULTENEOUS ESTIMATION OF OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL AND CHLORTHALIDONE IN TABLET DOSAGE FORM

Objective: To develop and validate a simple, rapid, accurate and precise RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) and chlorthalidone (CHL) in pharmaceutical formulation. Methods: Chromatographic separation was performed on a Phenomenox, Gemini C18 (250×4.6 mm, 5 µm) column from thermo isocratic mode with mobile phase 55:45 water: acetonitrile with pH adjusted to 3.0 with ortho phosphoric acid at flow rate 1 ml/min. Peak intensity of both the drugs was monitored at 250 nm with UV detection. Results: The retention time (RT) of OLM and CHL was found to be 2.95 and 3.91 min, respectively. The linearity of OLM and CHL were found in the range of 10-60 µg/ml for OLM and 5-30 µg/ml for CHL. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation was 15ng/ml and 70 ng/ml for OLM and 20 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml for CHL. Conclusion: The proposed method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection and limit of quantification. Furthermore, no interference was observed with extra pharmacopoeial excipients in tablet suggesting its utility for routine quality control analysis of OLM and CHL in pharmaceutical formulations.
Short-Period Modulations in Aerosol Optical Depths over the Central Himalayas: Role of Mesoscale Processes

Multiyear measurements of spectral aerosol optical depths (AODs) were made at Manora Peak in the central Himalaya Range ($29^022^{\prime}N$, $79^027^{\prime}E$, \sim1950 m above mean sea level), using a 10-channel multiwavelength solar radiometer for 605 days during January 2002-December 2004. The AODs at $0.5 \mu m$ were very low ($\leq0.1)$ in winter and increased steeply to reach high values $(\sim0.5)$ in summer. It was observed that monthly mean AODs vary significantly (by more than a factor of 6) from January to June. Strong short-period fluctuations (within a daytime) were observed in the AODs.Further investigations of this aspect have revealed that boundary layer dynamics plays a key role in transporting aerosols from the polluted valley region to higher altitudes, causing large contrast in AODs between forenoon and afternoon. The seasonal variations in AODs, while examined in conjunction with synoptic-scale wind fields, have revealed that the transport of dust aerosols from arid regions to the valley regions adjacent to the observational site and their subsequent transport upward by boundary layer dynamics are responsible for the summer increases.
Thai family care givers’ lived experience in a crisis during their care for relatives with a mental illness

The aim of the study was to explore family care givers’ lived experience of the crises that periodically occur in the course of providing care and support for mentally ill relatives. It was undertaken in a rural-urban community in Thailand and many of the participants were involved in subsistence farming while also providing high levels of care and support for relatives with mental illness. The study was undertaken using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. In-depth audio-taped interviews, using semi-structured open-ended questions, were conducted with 12 consenting participants. Follow-up interviews were undertaken with 10 of the participants originally recruited to the study. Other data collection techniques included the use of note-taking during the interview and maintaining a reflective field journal. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. The results suggested that family care givers in rural-urban Thailand face a number of difficulties and challenges in providing care for their loved ones with mental illness; these include: practical daily struggles, confronting relatives’ worrying and disruptive behaviours, personal social and financial difficulties, and their own troublesome personal lives. The lived experience of care giving for the participants was largely one of ongoing predicament, or crisis, which involved four main themes: ‘Out of control’, ‘So alone’, ‘Confusion and chaos’, and ‘No way out’. Consideration of the lived experience of the participants has highlighted the need for ongoing help and support for family care givers in rural-urban Thailand. It is important that health care providers can recognise and assess the significant burdens associated with family care giving for a relative with mental illness. When care givers face crisis situations it is important that practical help is provided in a timely fashion. Greater emphasis should be placed on improving the mental health literacy of village health care workers in Thailand, through training in basic mental knowledge and skills.
Validity of Interleukin-18 plus CRP Measurement in the Early Diagnosis of Sepsis Neonatorum

Background: Over the last decade a variety of laboratory tests have been developed to enhance the early and accurate diagnosis of sepsis neonatorum. However, non of these tests has been found to be absolutely reliable in detecting all septic neonates. Objective: To test the validity of circulating interleukin-18 (cIL-18) plus serum C-reactive protein (CRP) for the diagnosis of sepsis neonatorum, in term infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Zagazig University Hospitals, during year 2005. Study design: Twenty – four neonates with positive blood cultures were selected from 60 neonates with clinically suspected sepsis. Their ages ranged from 0.3 to 25 days (X + SD: 14.2 + 7.1). In addition, 14 gestational age (GA)-, chronologic age – and sex – matched healthy neonates served as a control group. Results: Forty percent of neonates with clinically suspected sepsis proved to have positive blood cultures, E. coli being the most significant isolate (62.5%). Rise of serum CRP and cIL-18 is highly significantly associated with culture-proven neonatal sepsis. Meanwhile, other tests were nonsignificant associates. Using ROC curve analysis, cIL-18 displayed a sensitivity and a specificity of 91.7% and 85.7%, and CRP displayed a sensitivity and a specificity of 72% and 100%, respectively. When both tests were used, combined, the reported sensitivity and specificity accounted for 100%, for each. Conclusion: The combined use of cIL-18 and serum CRP is valuable in the early and accurate diagnosis of sepsis neonatorum. Key wards: sepsis-neonatal-proteic marker.
Antioxidant and Cytotoxicological Effects of Aloe vera Food Supplements

Currently, food industries use supplements from Aloe vera as highly concentrated powders (starting products), which are added to the final product at a concentration of 1x, meaning 10 g/L for decolourized and spray-dried whole leaf powder (WLP) or 5 g/L for decolourized and spray-dried inner leaf powder (ILG) and also for nondecolourized and belt-dried inner leaf powder (ILF). Flavonoids, tannins, or saponins could not be detected for any starting product at this concentration and their total phenol concentration of 68–112 μM gallate-eq. was much lower than in fresh extract; however, their antioxidant capacity of 90–123 μM ascorbate-eq. for DPPH was similar to the fresh extract. Starting products, dissolved at 1x, had an aloin concentration of 0.04 to 0.07 ppm, a concentration much lower than the industry standard of 10 ppm for foodstuff. While decolourized starting products (i.e., treated with activated carbon) exhibited low cytotoxicity on HeLa cells (CC50 = 15 g/L ILG or 50 g/L WLP), ILF at CC50 = 1–5 g/L exhibited cytotoxic effects, that is, at concentrations even below the recommended for human consumption. Probable causes for the cytotoxicity of ILF are the exposure to high temperatures (70–85°C) combined with a high fibre content.
2 Preliminaries on Wu-Ritt ’ s Decomposition Algorithm

We extend the concept of the resolvent of a prime ideal to the concept of the resolvent of a general ideal with respect to a set of parameters and propose an algorithm to construct the generalized resolvents based on Wu-Ritt’s zero decomposition algorithm. Our generalized algorithm has the following applications. (1) For a reducible variety V , we can find a direction on which V is projected birationally to an irreducible hypersurface. (2) We give a new algorithm to find a primitive element for a finite algebraic extension of a field of characteristic zero. (3) We present a complete method of finding parametric equations for algebraic curves. (4) We give a method of solving a system of polynomial equations to any given precision.