Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Computer-Aided Tool for the Simulation and Optimization of the Combined HDS–FCC Processes

A computer-aided tool for the simulation, optimization and analysis of the combined operation of the hydrodesulphurization (HDS) and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes in an oil refinery is presented. The optimization of these processes is an important yet difficult engineering task, because of the complexity in the integration of the two units, the large number of interacting variables, the product quality specifications and the financial benefits associated. The proposed tool is developed in a user-friendly Visual Basic environment and operates in two different modes: the modelling-prediction mode and the optimization-sensitivity analysis mode. The modelling of the processes is based on 'short form’ models, which were created following statistical and neural network approaches. This kind of model usually has short computing time requirements, which is critical for the optimization mode. The optimization algorithm is based on a financial objective function with a flexible form, which gives the user the option to explore a variety of scenarios. Industrial runs have verified the modelling accuracy of the tool. The optimization scenarios examined include the contemporary needs of modern refineries for LPG and gasoline maximization, subject to strict quality specifications. The demonstration of this tool aims to give an insight into the system dependencies and add knowledge on the possibility of a more profitable operation of such a complex process.
Utilisation post-récolte de sels organiques et inorganiques pour lutter contre la pourriture molle de la pomme de terre : base physico-chimique

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of 21 organic and inorganic salts to control Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) and Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica (Eca), two bacteria responsible for soft rot development in stored potato tubers. The results have shown that eleven salts (at 0.2 M) have completely inhibited the bacterial growth in vitro, among which sodium carbonate, sodium metabisulfite, trisodium phosphate, aluminum lactate, aluminum chloride, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium acetate, aluminum di-hydroxy-acetate, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate were bactericidal. On potato tubers, only aluminum chloride, sodium metabisulfite and to a lesser extent sodium benzoate have markedly controlled the disease severity, during both curative and preventive applications. Based on the obtained results, it appears that the inhibitory effect of salts in vitro relates to the water ionization capacity (low pKa or low pKb) of their constituent ions, as well as their lipophilicity. However, the effect was dampened in vivo, presumably due to the buffering capacity of tuber tissue and Donnan effect which could lead to generation of less effective ionic species. It is likely that those salts effective in vivo exhibit other properties contributing to their effectiveness. Ultrastructural studies on Eca showed that aluminum chloride caused rupture of bacterial envelope, and cytoplasmic aggregation, which were not observed in the bacteria treated with sodium metabisulfite. These observations suggest that a part of the toxic effect of aluminum chloride originates from alterations of the bacterial envelope, whereas rapid bacterial death caused by sodium metabisulfite occurs intracellularly through interaction with biomolecules, facilitated by the diffusion of SO2. Finally, evaluation of the effect of salts on tuber quality revealed that tuber weight loss was generally higher with aluminum chloride and sodium metabisulfite treatments, while the organic salts, particularly sodium benzoate, increased sugar content of the tubers. It was concluded that aluminum chloride and sodium metabisulfite can be profitably used to fight potato storage soft rot.
VEGF and PDGF in liver cirrhosis and their relation to echocardiographic parameters and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Background: Liver fibrosis is an important pathological event in chronic hepatitis patients that eventually progresses to liver cirrhosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulates angiogenesis and perpetuates hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. VEGF has been shown to be important in atherosclerotic plaque development. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a major mitogen for fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and other cells. It is well established that platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are involved in several pathological settings, including liver fibrosis and atherosclerosis. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the serum level of VEGF and PDGF in liver cirrhosis and the possible association with portal vein diameter, echocardiographic parameters and Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT). Methods: sixty patients with post liver cirrhosis (group 1) and 20 age and sex matched normal volunteers (group 2) underwent echo-Doppler study for evaluation of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and mass, left atrium, aortic and left ventricular dimensions and EF%. Serum levels of VEGF and PDGF were measured by ELISA in serum of all subjects. Ultrasonographic measurement of CIMT, abdominal ultrasound and laboratory evaluation were also done to all subjects. Results: There were statistically significant increase in plasma levels of VEGF (483.6±242.3 vs 252±180.7) and PDGF (73.4±25.7 vs 49.27±0.9) in patients group compared to the controls. The levels of VEGF were positively correlated with portal vein diameter, aortic diameter and CIMT (r=0.306, r=0.236, r=0.252 respectively). While the PDGF levels were positively correlated with interventricular septum thickness (IVST), posterior wall thickness (PWT), left ventricular mass (LVM) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (r=0.242, r=0.289, r=0.331, r=0.256 respectively). Conclusion: Liver cirrhosis may be associated with increase in VEGF level and as it was correlated with portal vein diameter, VEGF might be involved in cirrhosis associated with portal hypertension. VEGF levels were positively correlated with aortic diameter as it is an endothelium-specific secreted protein that induces vasodilation and increases endothelial release of nitric oxide. As VEGF was also positively correlated with the sonographically measured CIMT (which is an indicator of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk) it may have some role in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in humans. Patients with liver cirrhosis also have increased PDGF levels that were positively correlated with IVS, PWT, LVM and CIMT. So, our data raise the possibility that PDGF may be involved not only in liver fibrosis but also in cardiac fibrosis and atherosclerosis. [Fatma Mohammad Nasr, Amna Metwaly, Ashraf Abdel khalik, Amal I. Sabry, Mona Hassan and Abdallah Morsy Desouky. VEGF and PDGF in liver cirrhosis and their relation to echocardiographic parameters and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness. Life Sci J 2013; 10(4): 1102-1110]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 145
Low-Power Far Field Nanonewton Optical Force Trapping Based on Far-Field Nanofocusing Plasmonic Lens

In this article, we study the far-field trapping behavior of dielectric nanospheres with diameter of 200 nm by utilizing a plasmon enhanced far-field nanofocusing lens. Based on our high effect nanofocusing circular plasmonic lens, such a far-field plasmonic trap is constituted by illuminating with a laser to form a sharper focus (subwavelength) due to a constructive interference of cylindrical surface plasmon wave. The nanoparticles can be steadily trapped in the far-field focal region (4.4λ) with an optical force to nanonewton (−4.76 nN) order, and the required optical power is less than 0.5W. Compared with other surface plasmon tweezers, the proposed far-field plasmonic tweezers can not only avoid physical contact with the trapped particles to prevent contamination and reduce thermal damage effects due to metal absorption, but also enable the easy trapping and manipulation of nanosize dielectric particles owing to nanonewton scale forces. © 2016, Electromagnetics Academy. All rights reserved.
Effects of early and late lactation period on plasma oxidant/antioxidant balance of goats.

The purpose of the study was to investigate effects on oxidant and antioxidant balance of early and late lactation period in goats. Blood samples used in study were obtained from Halep goats in early and late lactation period. Oxidative stress index (OSI) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total oxidative status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were analyzed to determined of oxidant and antioxidant balance. Plasma TOS, OSI and LOOH levels in early lactation period were significantly higher (P<0.001) than late lactation period of goats, while lower (P<0.001) level of TAS. It was concluded that lipid peroxidation decreased and antioxidant defence system mechanism in late lactation period in goats served as more positive than early lactation period.
Stress response in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) in relation to monoterritorial and polyterritorial behavior

I Acknowledgements II 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Materials and methods 7 2.1 Study area 7 2.2 Study Species 8 2.3 Territory establishment period (First time capture) 8 2.4 Nestling feeding period (Second time capture) 10 2.5 Blood sample analysis 11 2.6 Ethical consideration 12 2.7 Statistical methods 12 3.0 Results 13 3.1 Territorial establishment period (TEP) 13 3.2 Nestling feeding period (NFP) 14 3.2.1 Breathing rate 14 3.2.2 Corticosterone rate of increase 15 3.3 Baseline corticosterone measurement 16 3.4 Mean breathing rate versus corticosterone increase 17 3.5 Breathing rate analysis including monoterritorial and polyterritorial males 18 3.6 Experience and body condition in relation to monoand polyterritorial behavior. 19 3.7 Confounding factors on breathing rate 20 4.0 Discussion 21 4.1 Stress response as proximate explanation for monoor polyterritorial behavior 21 4.2 Baseline corticosterone measurements 23 4.3 Corticosterone increase in relation to breathing rate 24 4.4 Investigating territorial status 24 4.5 Stress response in territorial establishment period versus feeding nestlings period 25 4.6 Confounding variables 26 4.7 Conclusion 26 References 27 Appendix 31
To enhance the quality of life of elderly people with chronic heart failure. The nursing interventions : literture review

Chronic heart failure has a negative effect on the quality of life of elderly people especially those are 65 years old or more. The purpose: of this study is to explore how dose chronic heart failure affect the elderly’s quality of life and in which dimensions, also how nursing care can enhance the quality of life. Research questions: 1) What is the effect of chronic heart failure on the quality of life of elderly people? 2) What are the nursing interventions to enhance the quality of life of people suffering of chronic heart failure? Research theory: Register theory “Generative Quality of Life for the Elderly”. that base on the idea of “connectedness “. The elderly people generate quality of life as they experience connectedness with six correlated forces and processes which are the act of being such as metaphysically connected, spiritually connected, biologically connected, socially connected and environmentally connected. Methods: literature review of academic databases and reviewing 12 articles using qualitative research method was done. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis inductive approach. Finding: this study adds supporting evidence to the existing knowledge of enhancing and improving the quality of life for this group of patient suffering of CHF is based on providing total nursing care management including all aspects of patient’s life. Introduction of cardiac rehabilitation program such Tia Chi, dancing, regular exercise that may help in improving the physical performance and the functionality of CHF patients is fundamental. Also. the need of psychological support such face to face interview and telephone counseling may help to reduce depression, anxiety and maintain mental health well-being intact for elderly with CHF. Spiritually need to be evaluated and individual care to be introduced based on the elderly people personal preferences and needs. Finally, communication as part of the total care may elevate the level of care and improve patients and heath care professional interaction to achieve maximum care. Therfore, open discussion about the nursing care plan should be started as early as chronic heart failure is diagnosed to ensure that end –of –life care is mentioned and patient choices are considered.
Production of final boundary tones in declarative utterances by English-speaking learners of Spanish

Given differences in the intonational contours between Spanish and English in unmarked declarative utterances, the present study sought to determine how English-speaking learners of Spanish produce final boundary tones and how proficiency interacts with their performance. Participants were American college students learning Spanish at three proficiency levels: intermediate ( n =17), high ( n =20), and very high ( n =18). In addition, groups of monolingual speakers of Spanish ( n =17), English ( n =17), and balanced English-Spanish bilinguals ( n =16) were included for comparison. A storytelling task was used to elicit quasispontaneous speech. Syntactic, auditory, and acoustic criteria were employed to select eight analyzable utterances for each participant. End pitch values were automatically extracted, converted to ERB units, and averaged to produce one aggregate score per participant. Results revealed monolingual speakers of English had the highest boundary tone values, while speakers of Spanish had the lowest, which is consistent with the existence of high rising terminals (or uptalk ) in American English. Scores for Spanish learners and bilingual speakers fell in the middle of the pitch scaling range. Intermediate learners clustered with English monolinguals, while scores for the high and very high proficiency learners were not statistically different among themselves or from other groups. Findings showed that, despite differences between English and Spanish, learners can reach native-like performance at a high proficiency level.
Análisis de imágenes cardiacas tridimensionales

El analisis de imagenes constituye una herramienta util para el diagnostico, tratamiento y monitoreo de diversas enfermedades. Las tecnicas de procesamiento de imagenes permiten la evaluacion cuantitativa no–invasiva de la fisiopatologia humana, proporcionando informacion morfologica, funcional y dinamica de diferentes estructuras anatomicas. Los progresos tecnologicos recientes sobre las diferentes modalidades de observacion han permitido incrementar la calidad del tratamiento al paciente, gracias al uso de tecnicas modernas de procesamiento de imagenes tridimensionales. Sin embargo, la adquisicion de estas imagenes tridimensionales dinamicas conduce a la produccion de grandes volumenes de datos para procesar, a partir de los cuales, las estructuras anatomicas deben ser extraidas y analizadas, respetando las restricciones impuestas por el contexto clinico. Herramientas de extraccion, de visualizacion tridimensional y de cuantificacion son usadas actualmente dentro de la rutina clinica pero, desafortunadamente, necesitan de una interaccion importante con el medico. Estos elementos justifican el desarrollo de nuevos algoritmos eficaces y robustos para la extraccion de estructuras y estimacion de diferentes parametros clinicos a partir de imagenes tridimensionales. Como resultado colocar a disposicion del personal clinico nuevos medios para evaluar, de manera precisa, la anatomia y la fisiopatologia a partir de imagenes tridimensionales, representa un avance certero dentro de la investigacion conducente a obtener una descripcion completa del corazon a partir de un unico examen.
Mediating Punctuation in English Arabic Translation

This paper investigates some of the salient differences in punctuation between Arabic and English. Although the two languages share many of the basic punctuation marks such as the period (full-stop), the comma, the question and exclamation marks, Arabic has its own conventions of punctuation which are not strictly governed by the same rules applicable to English. In fact, even those punctuation marks that were transferred from European languages through translation have been adapted to the writing conventions of Arabic. While the comma, quotation marks and parentheses have been utilized with multiple and sometimes overlapping functions, other marks like the apostrophe and the semicolon have rarely, if ever, been used in original Arabic texts. In some cases, English punctuation marks are either deleted or substituted by Arabic lexical insertions. In such cases, in translating between English and Arabic, one has to realign meaning and reorder structures in order to retain the function of missing punctuation marks.
Haptic Laser : Haptic Feedback by Remotely Targeting Objects

This paper presents a system for providing haptic feedback that corresponds to surfaces at distance. The Haptic Laser is a handheld device that simulates the sensation of feeling surfaces that the user is pointing the device at. This is accomplished through inexpensive motors actuated by a computer vision input system. The device uses a camera for clutter detection, a laser for distance estimation, and motors (both vibration and pulse) for haptic feedback. The device can easily be held in one hand and is battery powered. Its primary application is to improve the navigation ability for visually impaired users over their existing canes. ACM Classification: H5.2 [Information interfaces and presentation]: User Interfaces. Graphical user interfaces. General terms: Algorithms, Measurement, Performance, Design, Experimentation, Human Factors.
Temporal variation in vegetative development of Caulerpa scalpelliformis (Chlorophyta) from Baleia beach, Ilha Grande bay (Rio de janeiro, brazil)

Caulerpa scalpelliformis grows on rocky and sandy bottoms at different depths in Jacuacanga Cove, Ilha Grande Bay, where it can form dense patches. The invasive behavior of this and other species of Caulerpa is well documented in the literature. This study analyzed the variation of the vegetative development of C. scalpelliformis from Baleia Beach (23o01'63''S and 44o14'18''W) in Jacuacanga Cove, from June 2003 to September 2004, including plants from rocky and sandy substrates. Morphometric and dry weight data from the erect and prostrate portions were used. Plants were collected from 20 x 20 cm2 plots (n=3), randomly positioned on the rocky boulders (≅1.5 m depth) and on contiguous sandy bottom (≅3.0 m depth). During the study period, C. scalpelliformis occurred on both substrates as a pseudo-perennial species, showing partial loss of the erect portions from winter to spring; the height and dry weight of the erect portions increased from summer to autumn on both substrates. The temporal variation of C. scalpelliformis vegetative development in Baleia Beach was similar to that described for the invasive C. racemosa and C. taxifolia from different geographical regions of the world.
JIHAP : A Virtual Serious Game for Neurological Haptic Rehabilitation

This paper presents a new rehabilitation platform developed for enhanced physical therapy exercising. It consists of a virtual serious game, haptic feedback for physical interaction with the environment, and an intelligent controller that adapts the virtual game to the patients’ performance and therapy needs. The serious game virtually emulates real jigsaw puzzle games where the user has a picture broken into a certain amount of pieces and has to interconnect all of them. The proposed platform allows tailoring the virtual environment to each patient’s needs by using a set of performance indices that correlate specific game parameters and robotic measures with the evolution of the patient.
Switching mechanism of double forming process phenomenon in ZrOx/HfOy bilayer resistive switching memory structure with large endurance

In this Letter, the mechanism of double forming process phenomenon revealing in ZrO2/HfO2 bilayer resistive random access memory structure is investigated. This phenomenon caused by the formation of TiON interfacial layer can be well explained by using the energy band diagram. The TiON interfacial layer will be a tunneling barrier during the first forming process when a negative voltage applied on the device, while it will breakdown when applying a positive voltage. Besides, due to the double forming process, an asymmetric conductive filament with narrower size at ZrO2/HfO2 interface is formed in the device. The point for formation and rupture of the conductive filament can be confined at the ZrO2/HfO2 interface, and it will suppress the consumption of oxygen ions during endurance test. Therefore, high speed (40 ns) and large endurance (107 cycles) characteristics are achieved in this device structure.
Characterization of a qubit Hamiltonian using adaptive measurements in a fixed basis

We investigate schemes for Hamiltonian parameter estimation of a two-level system using repeated measurements in a fixed basis. The simplest (Fourier based) schemes yield an estimate with a mean-square error (MSE) that decreases at best as a power law {approx}N{sup -2} in the number of measurements N. By contrast, we present numerical simulations indicating that an adaptive Bayesian algorithm, where the time between measurements can be adjusted based on prior measurement results, yields a MSE which appears to scale close to exp(-0.3N). That is, measurements in a single fixed basis are sufficient to achieve exponential scaling in N.
Indoor air pollution and its health impact: a case study of Aligarh city, India

The environmental concern for air pollution has largely been focused on the question of pollution outdoors. However the attention of scientists has shifted to the quality of air indoors. The indoor air pollutants are nearly the same as that of the outdoor ones. However in some instances the concentration of indoor pollutants exceeds the standard set for the outdoors. These pollutants reach such a high level although they are emitted in small volumes but they cannot escape easily from the buildings due to lack of proper ventilation. Indoor air pollution is more harmful and poses greater health hazards because on average a person spends nearly 16 to 18 hours indoors. Keeping these points in mind, it was thought worth studying the indoor air pollution and its impact on the health of the people in a medium size city of India, i.e. Aligarh with a population of nearly 0.6 million by the end of 2001. This paper is based on a comprehensive household survey. About 3.15 per cent (2,185) households were sampled for this study. The sampled households were divided into five income groups. An attempt was made to see the income-wise indoor air pollution and its health impact on the sampled residents of Aligarh city. The paper addresses the use of various fuels for cooking, place of cooking, indoor smoking, outside smoke coming inside the house, ventilation in the house and also the floor space per person in the sleeping rooms. A relationship between the indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases was drawn using the SPSS 7.5 for significance test by Spearman. The study shows that indoor air pollution, crowding and humidity contributes to the respiratory problems in more than 50 per cent of the sample residents of Aligarh city and if the economic conditions improve then the chances of air pollution and health impact is also likely to be reduced.