Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Olanzapine Nano-Emulsion for Enhanced Brain Delivery

The main objective of the present research work was to design, optimize and characterize olanzapine loaded nanoemulsion for improved brain transport of the drug. Olanzapine nano-emulsion was formulated using the ultrasonication method. The formulation variables (oil and surfactant) and process variables (ultrasonication time) were optimized by Response surface methodology using the Box-Behnken statistical method. Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential were measured by photon correlation spectroscopy using a Malvern zeta sizer. Morphology of emulsion droplets was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Release study was performed and drug release was estimated by HPLC method. Stability studies were performed at 4 o C-25 o C for a period of three months. The optimized nano-emulsion obtained showed a uniform size distribution with an average size in the range of 65.1 nm to 74.21 nm and surface charge in the range of –18.9 mv to – 25.23 mv. The Transmission electron microscopy studies on olanzapine nano-emulsion revealed a spherical morphology of globules. An average of 91.91% of drug was released from the optimized formulation over a period of 24 hours. The particle size analysis after three months showed no significant change implying that the nano-emulsion was quite stable when stored at room temperature. Stable olanzapine nano-emulsion was formulated. The novel nanoformulation was found to be a potential vehicle for delivery of olanzapine to the brain.
Absorptive Capacity for Firms Development: Impending Factors for Small and Medium Sized Construction Firms

The concept of Absorptive Capacity (AC) emanated from the presumptions of macroeconomists, who described it as the capability of an economy to adapt and absorb external knowledge. The concept was engrossed into firms through the capacity to identify the value of new, external information, assimilate it, and apply it to business perspectives. However, this study sought to explore on issues concerning AC on development of Small and Medium Sized Construction Firms (SMCFs) in Nigeria. Through qualitative interviews and quantitative survey protocols of 100 respondents, relevant responses were obtained from participants in the construction industry and research institutions. The questionnaire used was designed to obtain responses using closed ended questions for easy analysis through the Likert Scale and ranking system. The data obtained were subjected to a computer based Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) Version 17. Other open-ended responses and interviews were thematically analyzed to determine the distribution of responses to the variables under investigation. The study finds that SMCFs in Nigeria have a mean awareness index of 4.38 out of a scale of 5.0. This finding indicates that construction firms in Nigeria are highly aware of the prospects of the implementation of AC concept for the development of SMCFs. In addition to this, the study also has identified the factors affecting the implementation of AC concept in Nigeria. Keywords: Absorptive capacity, Small and medium sized firms, Service Organizations; Construction firms, Knowledge management, Nigeria.
Grid fault ride-through of an LCC-VSC tandem converter, used as a grid interface for a multi-MW wind turbine

A tandem converter, consisting of a line-commutated converter in parallel with a voltage source active filter, is proposed as a grid interface for a 10 and 20MW superconducting wind turbine generator. A commutation assistance scheme is introduced which allows the active filter to regulate the commutation of the LCC thyristors. This can allow ride through of grid faults by enabling the LCC thyristors to continue commutating with reduced grid voltage, which enables the use of tandem converters as a grid interface for renewable energy sources. The commutation assistance scheme is verified using simulation.
User Selection of Optimal HRTF Sets via Holistic Comparative Evaluation

If well-matched to a given listener, head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) that have not been individually measured can still present relatively effective auditory scenes compared to renderings from individualised HRTF sets. We present and assess a system for HRTF selection that relies on holistic judgements of users to identify their optimal match through a series of pairwise adversarial comparisons. The mechanism resulted in clear preference for a single HRTF set in a majority of cases. Where this did not occur, randomised selection between equally judged HRTFs did not significantly impact user performance in a subsequent listening task. This approach is shown to be equally effective for both novice and expert listeners in selecting their preferred HRTF set.
Factors controlling the community structure of picoplankton in contrasting marine environments

Abstract. The effect of inorganic nutrients on planktonic assemblages has traditionally relied on concentrations rather than estimates of nutrient supply. We combined a novel dataset of hydrographic properties, turbulent mixing, nutrient concentration, and picoplankton community composition with the aims of (i) quantifying the role of temperature, light, and nitrate fluxes as factors controlling the distribution of autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton subgroups, as determined by flow cytometry, and (ii) describing the ecological niches of the various components of the picoplankton community. Data were collected at 97 stations in the Atlantic Ocean, including tropical and subtropical open-ocean waters, the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, and the Galician coastal upwelling system of the northwest Iberian Peninsula. A generalized additive model (GAM) approach was used to predict depth-integrated biomass of each picoplankton subgroup based on three niche predictors: sea surface temperature, averaged daily surface irradiance, and the transport of nitrate into the euphotic zone, through both diffusion and advection. In addition, niche overlap among different picoplankton subgroups was computed using nonparametric kernel density functions. Temperature and nitrate supply were more relevant than light in predicting the biomass of most picoplankton subgroups, except for Prochlorococcus and low-nucleic-acid (LNA) prokaryotes, for which irradiance also played a significant role. Nitrate supply was the only factor that allowed the distinction among the ecological niches of all autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton subgroups. Prochlorococcus and LNA prokaryotes were more abundant in warmer waters (>20 ∘C) where the nitrate fluxes were low, whereas Synechococcus and high-nucleic-acid (HNA) prokaryotes prevailed mainly in cooler environments characterized by intermediate or high levels of nitrate supply. Finally, the niche of picoeukaryotes was defined by low temperatures and high nitrate supply. These results support the key role of nitrate supply, as it not only promotes the growth of large phytoplankton, but it also controls the structure of marine picoplankton communities.
A study on effects of the best human resource management methods on employee performance based on Guest model: A case study of Charmahal-Bakhtiari Gas distribution firm

Article history: Received October 14, 2012 Received in revised format 5 February 2012 Accepted 7 February 2013 Available online February 7 2013 Human resource management plays an essential role on the success of any business units such as utility firms. In this paper, we present a study to investigate the effects of different human resource management on employee performance. The proposed study is applied on one of gas distribution units in province of Charmahal-Bakhtiari, which is located west part of Iran. There were 161 people working for this firm where 75 employees were working in center of province and 86 employees were working in other sides of province. Cronbach alpha is calculated as 0.83, which is well above the minimum desirable limit. The study uses Pearson correlation test to investigate the effects of Hiring system, Training system, Job design, Organizational relationship and Share ownership programs on employee performance. The results of our survey indicate that job design is the most important technique for employee management followed by training system, organizational relationship and share ownership programs. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
What is the democratic deficit

The two most recent and interesting developments in contemporary political science concern the study of the status of democracy. Questions concerning both the quality of democracy and the so-called “democratic deficit” have attracted the attention of a large number of political scientists, rightly so for two major reasons. First, the number of democracies, be they electoral only or liberal-constitutional has grown significantly. Second, in the many remaining non-democratic regimes, the battle cry is, indeed, “democracy”. In a way, the studies devoted to the quality of democracy and those, fewer in number, devoted to the democratic deficit have something in common. The immense literature on both topics, much of it summarized and analyzed by Morlino (2012), has not, however, attempted clearly to identify the areas of overlapping and cross-cutting issues. In fact, there has been the tendency to treat the two phenomena separately. I believe that the time has come to proceed to a fruitful “conciliation” of the two areas. But I also think that it is important to start with a better definition of the concepts that are utilized. In this paper I leave temporarily aside the analysis of all the issues and indicators regarding the quality of democracy (Diamond and Morlino 2005) and will concentrate on the concept of democratic deficit and related aspects.
Multimodal MRI Evaluation in Intractable Epilepsy with Pathologically Confirmed Mesial Temporal Sclerosis

Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is a common syndrome. Many of the cases of medial temporal lobe epilepsy often remain resistant to drug therapy. Surgical resection of the affected temporal lobe is often final option to control/reduce the seizure frequency. Mesial temporal sclerosis which can be unilateral or bilateral is the most common cause of medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Accurate preoperative lateralization of the mesial temporal lobe sclerosis is essential, because the surgical strategy and outcome is distinctive in this group of patients. Currently many non-invasive methods like MRI, EEG and neuropsychological assessment are used to achieve this goal. Number of studies have shown role of various MRI techniques in lateralizing the seizure focus in cases of mesial temporal sclerosis (1-8). Newer quantitative MRI along with qualitative MR techniques has improved the overall sensitivity of MRI for the detection of MTS (9-12). We planned to examine the relative sensitivity of specific MRI sequences in patients with pathologically confirmed MTS.
ACADEMIC IMPACT OF LEARNING OBJECTS: THE CASE OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Electricity is an important and challenging science topic at all school levels. Learners often have many difficulties in learning electricity. Previous attempts to overcome these difficulties have been rather one-sided, leaning only on one method at the time, and thus ineffective. As a solution, a learning environment which combines the strengths of traditional laboratory exercise and simulation working with tasks that structure student work and explicitly address common difficulties in learning electricity was developed. This experimental study examined if this 1) simulationlaboratory-combination environment can enhance elementary school students understanding of simple DC circuits compared to those students that only 2) use a simulation or work with 3) traditional hands-on laboratory methods. As a result, compared to traditional laboratory work, the simulation-laboratory-combination environment was particularly effective. It improved more effectively students’ overall knowledge of DC circuits and facilitated the development of scientifically acceptable models of current flow and current division.
Dimensions and Perceptional Differences of Exhibition Destination Attractiveness : The Case of China

The meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry has evolved into a vital sector of business tourism. The vast majority of research to date has focused on the convention/meeting sector (Lee & Back, 2005; Yoo & Weber, 2005), with studies on convention site selection being especially prominent. In contrast, the exhibition sector and particularly, exhibition destination attractiveness, have received relatively little research attention. This study aims to address this research gap by examining, from the exhibitors’ perspective, key factors for an attractive and successful exhibition destination. Based on 616 survey responses from exhibitors collected at nine trade fairs in four cities in Mainland China, study findings highlighted the critical importance of two types of cluster effects – ‘host city leadership in the industry,’ and ‘host city/region as a source of exhibitors’ to an exhibition destination’s attractiveness for exhibitors. Accessibility, venue facilities, and the destination’s leisure and economic environment were considered less important. Implications of the study results are discussed and directions for future research provided.
Active Noise Control Algorithm Based on a Neural Network and Nonlinear Input-Output System Identification Model

The development of digital signal processors and the increase in their computing capabilities bring opportunities to employ algorithms with multiple variable parameters in active noise control systems. Of particular interest are the algorithms based on artificial neural networks. This paper presents an active noise control algorithm based on a neural network and a nonlinear input-output system identification model. The purpose of the algorithm is an active noise control system with a nonlinear primary path. The algorithm uses the NARMAX system identification model. The neural network employed in the proposed algorithm is a multilayer perceptron. The error backpropagation rule with adaptive learning rate is employed to update the weight of the neural network. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been tested by numerical simulations. Results for narrow-band input signals and nonlinear primary path are presented below.
An Investigation into the Analysis of Epidemiological Models

This master’s dissertation concentrates on how epidemics occur, and how we can predict the likely outcomes. We use mathematical models to analyse how different population groups interact, and how certain parameters can be pivotal in accurately predicting epidemics. Throughout this dissertation we will focus on work done in the book by Murray [12] and the paper by Kermack and McKendrick [9]. We study the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and discuss a population model which predicts how the virus behaves in a homosexual population. Then we then formulate a model of the biological make up of the disease. This enables us to evaluate the potential effects drug therapy can have in reducing the evolution of HIV into AIDS, and in reducing the spread of HIV within the population. We will evaluate how numerical approximations can provide an insight into how an epidemic may develop when analytic solutions cannot be obtained. Computed approximations will then be compared to explain the likely outcomes when an epidemic occurs. Dissertation Supervisor: Dr Fotini Karakatsani Title: Lecturer in Mathematics
Stingless bees in applied pollination: practice and perspectives

At present, numbers of both wild and managed bee colonies are declining rapidly, causing global concern for pollination services. Stingless bees play an important ecological role as pollinators of many wild plant species and seem good candidates for future alternatives in commercial pollination. This paper reviews the effectiveness of stingless bees as crop pollinators. Over the past six years the number of crops reported to be effectively pollinated by stingless bees has doubled, putting the total figure on 18 crops. Eleven stingless bee species across six genera have been found to forage effectively under enclosed condi- tions, indicating the potential of stingless bees as pollinators of greenhouse crops. The biological features that make stingless bees strong candidates for commercial pollination services are discussed, together with their present limitations. The effects of natural vegetation and wild bees on crop yield are reviewed, and make a strong case for habitat conservation. agriculture / alternative pollinators / food crop / greenhouse / Meliponini
Optimization of SW480 Colon Cancer Cells Transfection with Lipofectamine 2000

Background and Objectives: Nonviral carriers including those based on synthetic cationic lipids, offer several advantages over the viral counterparts. These carriers are able to form complexes with nucleic acids and deliver genes into the cells via the cellular endocytosis pathway, without significant toxicity. The level of transgenes expression depends on some experimental variables including cell type and density, Lipofectamine and DNA concentrations and Lipofectamine-DNA complexing time. The main objective of this study was to optimize transfection of SW480 colon cancer cells with Lipofectamine 2000. Methods: In this study, SW480 cells were transfected with plasmid containing green fluorescent protein reporter gene using Lipofectamine 2000. Green fluorescent protein expression was studied under a reverse fluorescence microscope and the results were analyzed with the ImageJ software. Effect of different quantities of plasmid DNA and different Lipofectamine 2000 volumes on cell transfection efficiency was evaluated. Results: The optimal volume of Lipofectamine and quantity of plasmid was 2 μl and 1μg, respectively, which showed 59% efficiency for the transfection of SW480 cells at 24 hours post-transfection. Conclusion: This study shows that Lipofectamine 2000 is an efficient reagent for the delivery of genes into SW480 cells. According to the results, the quantity of DNA per transfection and reagent concentrations are essential factors for a successful transfection.
Economic evaluation of recreation - comparison of the travel cost model (TCM) and the contingent valuation method (CVM)

Tourism that takes place in nature sites benefits from the fact that nature is considered to be a public good. There is no fee charged for being in nature and using nature for recreational purposes. Prevailing nature-based tourism destinations are admission free. To evaluate the economic value of recreation, various methods for valuation of environmental goods are commonly used. The most widely used methods are the travel cost method and contingent valuation method. This paper focuses on comparison of these two methods. It discusses tourists’ travel costs to get to a nature-based destination. It studies direct costs to get to a destination place and related indirect costs, including the time costs. To measure the economic value by using the contingent valuation approach, the Willingness-to-pay method is used. The Willingness-to-pay method measures the consumer surplus tourists have from their recreation (indirect economic value). The direct economic value is measured by expenditures incurred by tourists in the destination place. The comparison of both the approaches is applied to the tourists ́ survey data collected in a prime nature-based destination – National Park Podyji.
A New High Performance Decoder for LDPC Codes

The article introduces a new decoder for LDPC codes based on the general check matrix and soft syndrome. Simulation result shows that the new decoder can improve the performance of LDPC codes. Compared with some other improvements, the new decoding algorithm is simpler, and it can detect errors and be applied to great length LDPC codes.
Development of Bio-Impedance microprobes for Integration with a Smart Biopsy tool

Development of Bio-Impedance Micro Probes for Integration with Smart Biopsy Tool Vivek Jayabalan Biopsy is a standard practice in the diagnosis and treatment of many cancers. Despite its integral role in cancer diagnosis, in some instances, the biopsy tool facilitates metastasis by transferring cancerous cells attached to its exterior into the healthy tissue or the blood circulation during its retraction from the tumor. These few cancer cells can then serve as seeds for the malignant tumor to grow in the healthy tissue. Cauterization using extreme heat or cold can destroy cells in the region and minimize the chance of seeding but this can be an inexact process that increases damage to otherwise healthy tissue and prolongs healing time following a biopsy procedure. In our laboratory, we have developed the concept of a new smart biopsy tool that can reduce the chance of cancer cell dissemination during a biopsy. This tool improves on the conventional biopsy needle by introducing an impedance sensor on the biopsy tool which is housed in a sliding sheath. Due to the significant difference in the electrical conductivity of the tumor and the healthy tissue, the sensor is able to distinguish between the two and locate the exact tumor interface. The protective sheath placed around the instrumented biopsy tool and above the interface isolates the healthy tissue and prevents or at least minimizes the transfer of tumor cells. Delivering an RF dose through the sheath can kill any malignant cells that might be lurking around the interface. Figure 1, below, demonstrate a schematic of this envisioned device. Figure 1: Schematic working of the smart biopsy tool showing the bio-impedance sensor This thesis, in particular, will concentrate on the development of the design, fabrication and calibration of the impedance sensor and its integration with the biopsy tool. The impedance sensor essentially consists of conductive electrodes sandwiched between insulating layers. They are built on thin-film polymer, Polyimide, using conventional microfabrication techniques. These sensors are further calibrated to estimate the cell constant. Once calibrated, these probes are used to measure the conductivity of porcine tissues, and in-house prepared agar phantoms.
The AT-LESS CO(1–0) survey of submillimetre galaxies in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South: first results on cold molecular gas in galaxies at z ∼ 2

We present the first results from our ongoing Australia Telescope Compact Array survey of 12CO(1–0) in Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)-identified submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South. Strong detections of 12CO(1–0) emission from two SMGs, ALESS 122.1 (z = 2.0232) and ALESS 67.1 (z = 2.1230), were obtained. We estimate gas masses of Mgas ∼ 1.3 × 1011 M⊙ and Mgas ∼ 1.0 × 1011 M⊙ for ALESS 122.1 and ALESS 67.1, respectively, adopting αCO = 1.0. Dynamical mass estimates from the kinematics of the 12CO(1–0) line yields Mdyn sin2 i = (2.1 ± 1.1) × 1011 M⊙ and (3.2 ± 0.9) × 1011 M⊙ for ALESS 122.1 and ALESS 67.1, respectively. This is consistent with the total baryonic mass estimates of these two systems. We examine star formation efficiency, using the LFIR versus L′CO(1−0) LCO(1−0)′ relation for samples of local ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs), and more distant star-forming galaxies, with 12CO(1–0) detections. We find some evidence of a shallower slope for ULIRGs and SMGs compared to less luminous systems, but a larger sample is required for definite conclusions. We determine gas-to-dust ratios of 170 ± 30 and 140 ± 30 for ALESS 122.1 and ALESS 67.1, respectively, showing that ALESS 122.1 has an unusually large gas reservoir. By combining the 38.1 GHz continuum detection of ALESS 122.1 with 1.4 and 5.5 GHz data, we estimate that the free–free contribution to radio emission at 38.1 GHz is 34 ± 17 μJy, yielding a star formation rate (1400 ± 700 M⊙ yr−1) consistent with that from the infrared luminosity.