Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of nanosilica on the calcium silicate hydrates in Portland cement–fly ash systems

Cementitious materials have a complex chemistry and naturally form nanostructures in the hydration process, a network of calcium silicate hydrates. It is considered that nanoparticles such as nanosilica could act as a pozzolanic material as well as a seeding agent for nucleation and acceleration of the formation of the calcium silicate hydrate network. This work evaluates the effect of nanosilica on the calcium silicate hydrate network and microstructure of hardened ternary, quaternary and quinary system Portland cement based pastes. The quinary system, containing Portland cement, limestone, fly ash, microsilica and nanosilica, and ternary combinations (Portland cement, limestone and fly ash) showed mean calcium/silicon atomic ratios of the calcium silicate hydrate gel in the 28 d old hardened paste of 1·2 and 2·3 respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show the presence of the bridging silicate tetrahedra (Q2) characteristic of a peak at around 980 cm−1 and a shoulder at around 1060.
EVALUATION OF POLITICAL REGIMES , PERSONAL PREDISPOSITIONS , AND POLITICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING ( THE CASE OF BULGARIA )

The paper is focused on the micro level processes of democratisation, namely the perception of political information and the consequent perception and evaluation of the political regimes of the past and the present. Illustrated by the case of Bulgaria, it reveals mechanisms that can be observed in other transition countries as well. The study examines the influence of party affiliation and political socialisation on how people process political information and evaluate political regimes, both present and past. The data, collected by quasi-experimental focus groups and analysed by employing quantitative content analysis, provides evidence that people with different political affiliations and with different political socialisation vary not only in their evaluation of the political regimes, but also in the way they reach their evaluations. This is mostly due to their attachment to one of the regimes and the cognitive closure effect. As a whole, the new liberal democratic regime is embraced. However, there are certain aspects of the regime perception and evaluation that raise concerns about the sustainability of this support.
Histomorphological comparison of tonsil of Large WhiteYorkshire and indigenous pigs of Kerala, India

The present study was undertaken to compare the distribution and histomorphology of the tonsil of soft palate in Large White Yorkshire and indigenous pigs of Kerala. Tissue samples were collected from12 apparently healthy adult male animals. In both the groups of pigs, the tonsil of soft palate was located in the oropharynx and was found to be larger in Large White Yorkshire. Histological structure of tonsil of soft palate revealed that the average number of lymphatic nodules per microscopic field and lymphocyte count per nodule was maximum in indigenous pigs. Statistically significant differences were recorded in the average size of tonsils, crypt depth, number and size of lymphatic nodules and lymphocyte count per nodule in Large White Yorkshire and indigenous pigs.
A Lab-On-a-Chip system for cell microencapsulation in a polymeric material

In order to give a concrete response to the need of novel drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, a microfluidic device designed for cell encapsulation has been developed in this thesis work. Water in oil (w/o) and oil in water (o/w) emulsion processes are carried out in the microsystems produced during the thesis project, which is the starting point for encapsulating cells. Specific microfabrication techniques are employed in the development of the microchip, made using a novel polymeric platform, called Off-Stoichiometry Thiol-Ene/Epoxy (OSTE (+)). \nThe experimental results show how a high value of the flow rate ratio between the continuous phase and the dispersed phase, for both w/o and o/w emulsions, allows for high production frequency of droplets with size comparable to the channel s width. The tests conducted highlight that the innovative polymeric material employed and the microfluidic device fabricated both are suited for the development of a new drug delivery system
High power TiO 2 and high capacity Sn-doped TiO 2 nanomaterial anodes for lithium-ion batteries

A range of phase-pure anatase TiO2 (~5 nm) and Sn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with the formula Ti1xSnxO2 (where x 1⁄4 0, 0.06, 0.11 and 0.15) were synthesized using a continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS) reactor. Charge/discharge cycling tests were carried out in two different potential ranges of 3 to 1 V and also a wider range of 3 to 0.05 V vs Li/Liþ. In the narrower potential range, the undoped TiO2 nanoparticles display superior electrochemical performance to all the Sn-doped titania crystallites. In the wider potential range, the Sn-doped samples perform better than undoped TiO2. The sample with composition Ti0.85Sn0.15O2, shows a capacity of ca. 350 mAh g 1 at an applied constant current of 100 mA g 1 and a capacity of 192.3 mAh g 1 at a current rate of 1500 mA g 1. After 500 charge/ discharge cycles (at a high constant current rate of 382 mA g 1), the same nanomaterial anode retains a relatively high specific capacity of 240 mAh g 1. The performance of these nanomaterials is notable, particularly as they are processed into electrodes, directly from the CHFS process (after drying) without any post-synthesis heat-treatment, and they are made without any conductive surface coating. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Environment in poultry production covered with thermal and aluminum roofing tiles

Brazil is a country of tropical climate, a fact that hinders the poultry production in the aspect of thermal comfort. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the thermal environment in commercial poultry houses with different covers during the months of December 2012 to May 2013, in the municipality of Rio Verde, Goias. The experimental design was completely randomized in split plots with factorial arrangement of treatments 2x3, being two shed models (thermal and aluminum roof tiles) and three sections within each shed (initial, central and final) for 182 days, having the days as replicates. The thermal environment was assessed through thermal comfort indices: Temperature and Humidity Index, Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index, Radiant Heat Load and Enthalpy. The data was analyzed by SISVAR 5.1. , through the analysis of variance, the Scott Knott test used to compare the means, considering a significance level of 1%. The results showed a significant statistical difference between the sheds and the points assessed (P < 0.05). The thermal shed had the lowest values for the environmental variables (Dbt and Bgt) and thermal indices studied, but larger values for the RH compared to the shed with aluminum covering. The use of thermal covers minimizes the difference in temperature range throughout various times of the day, being at 14:00 o'clock the prominence time to others.
A Search for MRI Diffusion Coefficient Standards

i Acknowledgements ii 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Background and Theory 4 2.1 Diffusion 4 2.2 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 9 2.3 Pulse Sequences 12 2.4 Magnetic Resonance Imaging 20 3.0 Experimental Methods 23 3.1 Sample Preparation 23 3.2 NMR Spectroscopy 25 3.3 Gradient Calibration 26 3.4 MRI Measurements 28 4.0 Results and Discussion 29 4.1 Gradient Calibration Results 29 4.2 Diffusion Coefficient Checks 31 4.3 Diffusion Coefficient from the 600 MHz NMR 34 4.4 Diffusion Coefficient from the 1.5T MRI System 35 5.0 Conclusion 39 References 41
Channel Structure And Strategy Decisions In Emerging Markets

The channels of distribution in emerging markets are the mix of traditional channel of the localised market structure. The government still has control over the economy in which these channels operate but the channels carry the products to various customer destinations including the international markets with competitive edges over the conventional markets. This study was a survey of these markets with total reliability on extant literature for the investigations and the information extracted were analysed and the findings made including the success in the use of these channels. The channels are resilient in the operations relying on mutual trust among the channel members, the accurate management of channel information and reliability on channel relationships. Channels are funded by financial institutions that had made high volume purchases possible without resorting to absolute sales returns. The recommendation was that channel of distribution is the strength of the business development in emerging markets and should be strongly protected from the competitive strategies of the conventional channels of the developed economies. Keywords: Channel Structure, Strategy Emerging Markets
Real-Time Face Tracking for Audience Engagement

Audience measurement is an application area where face tracking and analysis could automatically provide reliable answers about how consumers and users behave spontaneously in real environments. The solutions can detect age, gender, size of the audience, distance from a display, dwell times and more. By knowing audience emotional reactions and engagement towards the products, content and campaigns, one can offer audience an improved experience and customized content addressing their interests and behaviour. In this paper, we present a pose-invariant face tracking method to automatically monitor audience’s attention time in real-time. The current system can handle 3D pose variation up to ±55 in yaw and ±30 in pitch angles.
Hedging Effectiveness of Commodities in the Stock Portfolio: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan Stock Exchange using Multivariate GARCH Models

This study explores the hedging effectiveness of oil and gold assets in Pakistani stock market. We incorporate three multivariate GARCH models for hedging potential of oil and gold assets in stock market of Pakistan. The DCC model is found fitted among others for empirical analysis. The empirical results indicate that the asymmetric effect is positive (negative) providing that negative shocks tend to increase (decrease) volatility in future more than positive shocks of the same magnitude for stock market and oil (gold). During the Global Financial Crisis 2007-2009, the study finds a positive trend in correlations between oil-stock pair suggesting a lack of portfolio diversi cation bene t of oil when added in stock portfolio. However, a more prominent negative trend in correlations between gold-stock pair shows that gold proves a potential safe haven asset for stocks in Pakistan. The results also reveal that investors must adjust their hedging position in oil and gold assets for their portfolio of stocks across the study period, as the optimal hedge ratios for stock-oil/gold pairs are dynamic in nature. Overall, the average negative values of hedging efffectiveness indicate that unhedged portfolio performs better than the hedged ones. These results contain implications for different stakeholders including policymakers, portfolio managers, domestic and international investors.
Quality Characteristics of Value Added Chicken Meat Noodles

Background: Now a day snack foods are quite popular all over world. They are food of choice for children, women and highly mobilized population. Most of the snacks available are rich in carbohydrate and lower in protein. So the efforts were tried to incorporate the valuable animal protein in snacks. Methods: Technology of chicken meat noodles preparation was standardized with various levels (0, 30, 40 and 50 percent) of meat along with whole wheat flour and other necessary ingredients. The emulsion was initially prepared then this emulsion was moulded into noodles and cooked in hot air oven at 65 ± 2°C for required time (7-8 hours). The analysis was performed on emulsion, physico-chemical qualities and sensory attributes using suitable method. Results: On assessment product conations 30 percent meat was found best in all respect. The emulsion pH and stability overall showed decreasing trend with increase in level of meat. Among physico-chemical characteristics moisture showed non significant increasing trend while protein, fat, ash and water absorption index increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in level of meat in noodles. The other parameters like crude fibre, yield, water solubility index, weight increase, volume increase and cooking loss decreased significantly (P<0.05) on increase in level of meat in noodles from 0 to 50 percent. All sensory attributes were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1 as compared to T2, T3 and control except meat flavour intensity which was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T3 than other products. Conclusion: On the basis of analysis done and sensory evaluation conducted it is concluded that noodles having 30% chicken meat represented an acceptable preference in term of sensory evaluation as compare to 0, 40, and 50%.
Characteristics of Meta-Referential Discourse in Arts

The phenomenon of metaization, namely explicit or i mpl cit auto-reflexivity, has been theoretically approached only in the latest two dec ades, although it has been present since quite distant historical epochs. The present contri bution presents several general characteristic aspects which are connected to the a pparently new domain of meta-refentiality. The interest towards this theoretic field resembles , to a certain extent, to that developed for intertextuality some decades ago. This contribution d es not regard only the traditional arts such as literature in general, poetry, painting, bu t also the others in which meta-referentiality has been spotted later. At this point, we have in m ind architecture, sculpture, music, theatre, film, photography, animated cartoon, advertisement, computer games, etc. Our contribution develops some theoretical aspects along with the va rious modalities which are especially proper for genres approaching meta-referentiality l a er. Each presentation is provided with concise commentaries and examples. A synthesis of t he already known data regarding metaization is attempted. The performative aspects of the creation process are brought forward as well. The present contribution intends t o be an introduction to this domain which is not vey well known or debated in our country. A special practical exception still can be mentioned. We refer to Victor Ieronim Stoichita’s v ery interesting volumes concerning painting and sculpture, his books being recently tr anslated into Romanian as well. Details and examples are offered for all kind of arts becau se this paper means to establish a fertile premise for further Romanian analyses and approache s of this challenging field.
Process analytical technology: a critical view of the chemometricians

The role of chemometrics in process analytical technology (PAT) solutions development is presented in the review on the basis of publications from 1993 to 2011. Main areas of application, stages of implementation, instruments, and chemometric methods used for the PAT implementations are reviewed. Generally speaking, PAT is considered to be an approach applicable not only in pharmaceutical industry but also in any production area such as food industry and biotechnology. PAT is claimed to be a new flexible manufacturing concept that accounts for variability and adapts the process to fit it. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tendencies of Defence Expenditure and its Structural Changes in the European Union Countries

Nowadays security is one of the most important things and a hot issue among politicians. The European countries are surrounded by threats and have to be prepared to face instability. For every country it is necessary to ensure internal as well as external security. That is why many policy-makers have to decide how much money should be spent on security. This paper investigates the tendencies of defence expenditure and its structural changes in the European Union countries in the period of year between 2004 and 2012. Firstly, based on the defence expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the European Union (EU) countries have been classified into four categories, such as high defence spenders, upper middle defence spenders, lower middle and low defence spenders. Secondly, the structural analysis of defence expenditure has been applied in the context of the EU countries’ groups. To that end, the findings suggest the following: 1) over the period of 2004-2012, spending for military defence has dominated in the structure of total defence expenditure of the EU countries; 2) increase in foreign military aid and RD 3) high defence spenders report increase in the share for military defence, while other groups of the EU countries show decline of this spending; the increase of the share for foreign military aid has been typical for all the EU countries’ groups; 4) high defence spenders have the most significant intensity coefficient of structural changes, while upper middle and low defence spenders’ groups have the least changing defence’s patterns. Index Terms: defence expenditure, government expenditure, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), structural changes JEL: C10, H5, O47
Enhancing the Ductility of Mg-(5.6Ti+3Al) Composite Using Nano-B4C Addition and Heat Treatment

This study investigates the effects of nano-B4C addition and isothermal heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-(5.6Ti+3Al) composite developed through the disintegrated melt deposition method followed by hot extrusion. The developed Mg composites were characterized for their microstructural and mechanical properties in the as-extruded and heat treated conditions. Microstructural studies reveal no significant changes to the pre-existing Al 3 Ti intermetallic phases and the average grain size, due to nano-B4C addition. In the as-extruded condition, mechanical properties measurements showed large improvement in fracture strain without significant changes in strength properties due to nano-B 4 C addition. The best combination of strength and ductility observed in Mg-(5.6Ti+3Al)-2.5B 4 C composite was attributed to combined presence of nano-B4C particulates and Al3Ti intermetallics. In the isothermal heat-treated condition (200oC for 5 hours), all the developed Mg composites exhibit significant enhancement in ductility with marginal reduction in strength due to the stress relaxation at matrix-reinforcement interface.
Spatially Resolved Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Flow through the Intake Port of an Internal Combustion Engine

Modern spark-ignited internal combustion engines have intake ports designed to introduce high levels of so-called “tumble” charge motion. Correspondingly high shear rates can lead to high fluctuations and turbulence within the combustion chamber. A suitable test case to characterize the intake flow is a steady-state flow bench. Although routinely used in the engine development process to determine the global discharge coefficients, only a few detailed numerical and experimental studies use this test case to analyze the flow in the vicinity of the valve with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this paper, we combined highly resolved two-dimensional, two-component Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements and numerical simulations using a Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES) model to characterize engine-relevant flow features on a flow bench. The spatial resolution of numerical simulations on two different grids is assessed and compared to that of the PIV measurement. The results of simulations and experiment are then compared in terms of their mean and fluctuation velocity fields and the jet orientation. A detailed study of the area around the valve seats investigates the validity of wall functions in this region. Finally, we examine structures induced by vortex-shedding at the valve stem and if they are transported into the combustion chamber.
Microbial processes in the weathering crust aquifer of a temperate glacier

Abstract. Incident solar radiation absorbed within the ablation zone of glaciers generates a shallow perched aquifer and seasonal icebound microbial habitat. During the melt seasons of 2014 and 2015, borehole investigations were used to examine the physical, geochemical, and microbiological properties in the near-surface ice and aquifer of the temperate Matanuska Glacier (south-central Alaska). Based on temperature, solar forcing, and ice optical properties, the dissipation of shortwave radiation promoted internal melting and the formation of a weathering crust with a maximum depth of ∼2 m. Boreholes into the weathering crust provided access to water percolating through the porous ice. The water had low ion concentrations (4–12 µS cm−1), was aerobic (12 mg O2 L−1), contained 200 to 8300 cells mL−1, and harbored growing populations with estimated in situ generation times of 11 to 14 days. During the melt season, the upper 2 m of ice experienced at least 3 % of the surface photosynthetically active radiation flux and possessed a fractional water content as high as 10 %. Photosynthetic subsistence of biogeochemical reactions in the weathering crust ecosystem was supported by ex situ metabolic experiments and the presence of phototrophic taxa (cyanobacteria, golden and green algae) in the aquifer samples. Meltwater durations of ∼7.5 months coupled with the growth estimates imply biomass may increase by 4 orders of magnitude each year. Our results provide insight into how seasonal dynamics affect habitability of near-surface ice and microbial processes in a portion of the glacial biome poised to expand in extent with increasing global temperature and ablation season duration.