Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF SPEARMINT (MENTHA SPICATA ) ON PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKS

This study was conducted to determine the effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata) on productive and physiological performance of broiler chicks. One hundred and eighty day old unsexed (Arbor Acres) broiler chicks were used in this experiment. Birds were distributed randomly into four equal treatment groups, in three replication, 15 chicks each. The dietary treatments including T1(control diet), T2 with addition 0.5% spearmint, T3 with addition 1% spearmint and T4 with addition 2% spearmint. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. Body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were weekly recorded. At the end of the experimental period (42 days of age), three birds were randomly chosen to determine both hematological and blood biochemical parameters and carcass traits. The results indicated that the addition of 0.5 and 1% spearmint did not significantly (P>0.05) affect final body weight, total gain compared with the control group, while the supplementation of different levels of spearmint to the diets of broiler chicks improved feed conversion ratio, also there was significant differences between the control group and the groups treated with different spearmint levels on feed consumption. The chickens fed diet supplemented with 2% spearmint had significantly lower body weight, total gain and feed consumption compared to the control group and the other treatments. There were an increase numerically in Hb concentration and red blood cell count in chickens fed diet supplemented with 2% Spearmint compared to the control group and the same group had lower significantly in the total cholesterol compared with the control group and the other groups. Chickens fed diet supplemented with 1% Spearmint had significantly higher concentration of total plasma lipid. There were no significant differences in carcass traits between the control group and the groups supplemented with 0.25, 0.5, and 1% spearmint in chicken diet. There was a significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in group treated with 2% Spearmint. Meanwhile, the chicken supplemented with 1% Spearmint had higher significantly total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared with the control group and the other treated groups.
Influence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense (E.F. Smith) Snyder and Hansen on 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol production by Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula in banana rhizosphere

Influence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (E.F. Smith) Snyder and Hansen on 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) production in the rhizosphere of banana cultivar Rasthali by Pseudomonas fluorescens was investigated. The purified extracts of Pfm strain of P. fluorescens isolated from banana rhizosphere inhibited the growth and spore germination of F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense under laboratory conditions. DAPG extracted from the cultures of the strain was observed as distinct spots in thin layer chromatographic plates at Rf value of 0.88. The extracts of soil inoculated with P. fluorescens and challenge inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense eluted at retention time ranges from 20.00 min to 21.30 min. The quantity of DPAG production was less in the extracts of soil inoculated with P. fluorescens and challenge inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense as compared to P. fluorescens alone inoculated soil. The talc formulation of Pfm strain also reduced vascular discolouration due to the pathogen in banana plants when inoculated at 15 g/plant.
3D cancer cell culture in high‐yield multi‐scale scaffolds by shear spinning

Polymeric scaffolds comprising two size scales of microfibres and submicron fibres can better support 3D cell growth in tissue engineering, making them an important class of healthcare material. However, a major manufacturing barrier hampers their translation into wider practical use: scalability. Traditional production of two‐scale scaffolds by electrospinning is slow and costly. For day‐to‐day cell cultures, the scaffolds need to be affordable, made in high yield to drive down cost. Combining expertise from academia and industry from the UK and USA, this study employs a new series of high‐yield, low‐cost scaffolds made by shear‐spinning for tissue engineering. The scaffolds comprise interwoven sub‐micron fibres and microfibres throughout as observed under scanning electron microscopy and demonstrate good capability to support cell culturing for tumour modelling. Three model human cancer cell lines (HEK293, A549 and MCF‐7) with stable expression of GFP were cultured in the scaffolds and found to exhibit efficient cell attachment and sustained 3D growth and proliferation for 30 days. Cryosection and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy confirmed the formation of compact 3D cell clusters throughout the scaffolds. In addition, comparative growth curves of 2D and 3D cell cultures show significant cell‐type‐dependent differences. This work applies high‐yield shear‐spun scaffolds in mammalian tissue engineering and brings practical, affordable applications of multi‐scale scaffolds closer to reality.
A computational and experimental study of flexible flapping wing aerodynamics

To gain some more understanding of the flapping wing aerodynamics and aeroelasticity associated with biological flyers and micro air vehicles (MAVs), a combined computational and experimental study of a well characterized flapping wing structure was conducted. In particular, the coupling between aerodynamics and structural dynamics plays an important role in such flyers but to date has not been adequately addressed. An aeroelasticity framework based on a co-rotational shell finite element solver with a Navier-Stokes solver is developed. Experimentally, a customized digital image correlation system measures the wing deformation, a load sensor attached to the flapping mechanism records the forces produced by the flapping motion, and a stereo digital particle image velocimetry measures the flow velocities. Computational efforts with insight into the fluid physics are reported. Relevant fluid physics are documented including the counter-rotating vortices at the leading and the trailing edge which interact with the tip vortex during the wing motion. Overall, good correlations between experiment and computation are attained. Furthermore, studies on hypothetical flexible flapping wing configurations showed that wing flexibility can be tailored to alter the aerodynamics of a flapping wing.
Game Play in Engineering Education— Concept and Experimental Results*

Dynamic simulators combined with educational games may create a new and improved learning culture by taking advantage of the new knowledge and skills of today's students obtained from extensive use of interactive computer games. This paper presents a design basis and a set of online learning resources based on dynamic simulators that takes advantage of game-related features. The e-learning resources are used in basic engineering courses. Feedback from approximately 1200 engineering students is analysed, the main conclusion being that students clearly view game-related learning resources as having a positive learning effect.
Forecasting Financial Processes by Using Diffusion Models

Time series forecasting is one of the most important issues in the financial econometrics. In the face of growing interest in models with continuous time, as well as rapid development of methods of their estimation, we try to use the diffusion models to modeling and forecasting time series from various financial markets. We use Monte-Carlo-based method, introduced by Cziraky and Kucherenko (2008). Received forecasts are confronted with those determined with the commonly applied parametrical time series models.
Propuesta de Método de Cálculo de Presión para un Modelo de Intensidad de Potencial

Resumen Se propone un método para el cálculo de la presión mínima central en un modelo de intensidad potencial de ciclones tropicales determinado a partir del perfil radial de viento de Willoughby, lo que garantiza una relación físicamente directa entre la presión mínima central y la velocidad máxima del viento en superficie. Se observó que el modelo para los huracanes más intensos de la cuenca atlántica mantuvo una incertidumbre de un valor máximo de 6 hPa, pudiéndose apreciar valores de presión muy cercanos a la realidad. Se comprobó para los huracanes menos intensos la capacidad de simular la presión mínima central y la velocidad máxima del viento en superficie dentro de un rango muy cercano a los valores reales.
Enzymatic studies on Natural rubber biodegradation by Bacillus pumilus

Objective: To isolate Natural Rubber degrading Bacteria from soil and to screen the enzymes responsible for Natural Rubber degradation. Methods: Soil burial method was followed for isolation of bacteria. Plate assay method and liquid assay method by using Mineral Salt Medium was followed for screening of bacteria for its capacity to degrade Natural rubber. Degradation was confirmed by weight loss experiment, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) studies. Enzymes responsible for Natural rubber degradation were screened and their activity was measured by spectrophotometric method. Results: Isolated organism was identified as Bacillus pumilus. It was able to degrade Natural rubber which was confirmed by weight loss, SEM and FTIR studies. From the current work it was studied that Laccase and Manganese peroxidase were the enzymes which were responsible for Natural rubber degradation. Conclusion: From current investigation, it can be concluded that our isolated bacterial strain Bacillus pumilus have the capacity to degrade Natural rubber and it can be useful in solving the problem caused by waste Natural rubber products in the environment.
Combined automated culture system for tubular structure assembly and maturation for vascular tissue engineering

Development of the robust yet practical tissue culture systems for vascular grafting is one of the major challenges for biomedical engineering. The following questions should be solved in priority: (1) flexibility of the tissue reservoir allowing dynamic stretching, (2) seeding of cells and extraction of tissues should be easy and safe, (3) system must allow morphological observation in real time, (4) maintenance of metabolic activity of tissues should be performed automatically. In our study, we attempted to solve these problems designing in vivo-like culture chamber made of PDMS, and developed an integrated system with a perfusion bioreactor and a small digital microscope. We developed disposable cell chamber with following qualities: transparent, autoclave-sterilizable, non cell-adhesive, and having low autofluorescence. The polyacetal mold made it possible to prepare a chamber hosting the tissue of the desired shape and size. In our case, a porous tube made from PTFE was fixed inside the chamber and tubular cell culture space was prepared for loading of preformed cell spheroids. Perfusion of the media within the porous tube continuously supplied the nutrients and oxygen to the spheroids. Growth and fusion of the cell spheroids inside the chamber can be observed real time by the small digital microscope and analyzed retrospectively by time-laps movies. We loaded batches up to 900 goat fibroblast spheroids into the system; growth, development and morphological fusion of the spheroids were followed out for 10 days. Removal of the tissue without disturbing its structural integrity was possible, and histological analysis revealed reasonable fusion degree between spheroids, and 72.5 % cell survival rate as estimated by TUNEL staining. In conclusion, our system has the basic performance necessary for culturing cell spheroids for tissue-engineered vascular graft.
User-oriented implementation strategy for mobile computing at construction sites

The use of mobile and wireless Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in geographically distributed project organizations appears to be an appropriate application of new technical capabilities in an existing business environment. But to successfully introduce and adopt a suitable mobile ICT-based project communication platform in an existing operational setting involves a complex framework of socio-technical issues that have to be considered. This Licentiate thesis presents the results of an ongoing doctoral research project. The study explores the implementation process of mobile computing tools at Sweden’s largest construction company, with the aim of improving information management and project communication of production site operations in construction projects. The research project highlights the interdependencies between the creation of usefulness and its resulting benefits. It emphasizes user-oriented implementation as the enabling process for realizing technology fit and user acceptance of the mobile computing tools, as well as achieving long-term benefit and business value of the ICT investment. The studied case specifically addresses the neglected mobile and flexible information needs and communication demands of management staff at construction sites. The fundamental issue is to identify what the usefulness perspective of mobile computing for construction operations consists of relating to both technology and the different groups of people who are supposed to use it. Generic access, mobility of project data and individual adaptation of information and communication resources are technological aspects that are emphasized and discussed in the context of creating usefulness and benefit of mobile computing in construction projects. The often present political dimension of ICT implementation within an organization is also highlighted. The socio-technical introduction and adoption process of mobile computing involves balancing various perspectives and agendas inherent on different organizational levels in order to achieve an acceptable outcome for all the actors involved. Topics for further research are discussed and refined relating to the ongoing case study and the conceptual framework presented.
Reducing False Notification in Identifying Malicious Application Programming Interface(API) to Detect Malwares Using Artificial Neural Network with Discriminant Analysis

This paper argues the accuracy of behavior based detection systems, in which the Application Programming Interfaces (API) calls are analyzed and monitored. The work identifies the problems that affecting the accuracy of such detection models. The work was extracted (4744) API call through analyzing. The new approach provides an accurate discriminator and can reveal malicious API in PE malware up to 83.2%. Results of this work evaluated with Discriminant Analysis.
Detection of very high energy gamma-ray emission from the gravitationally lensed blazar QSO B0218+357 with the MAGIC telescopes

Context. QSO B0218+357 is a gravitationally lensed blazar located at a redshift of 0.944. The gravitational lensing splits the emitted radiation into two components that are spatially indistinguishable by gamma-ray instruments, but separated by a 10–12 day delay. In July 2014, QSO B0218+357 experienced a violent flare observed by the Fermi-LAT and followed by the MAGIC telescopes. Aims. The spectral energy distribution of QSO B0218+357 can give information on the energetics of z ~ 1 very high energy gamma-ray sources. Moreover the gamma-ray emission can also be used as a probe of the extragalactic background light at z ~ 1. Methods. MAGIC performed observations of QSO B0218+357 during the expected arrival time of the delayed component of the emission. The MAGIC and Fermi-LAT observations were accompanied by quasi-simultaneous optical data from the KVA telescope and X-ray observations by Swift-XRT. We construct a multiwavelength spectral energy distribution of QSO B0218+357 and use it to model the source. The GeV and sub-TeV data obtained by Fermi-LAT and MAGIC are used to set constraints on the extragalactic background light. Results. Very high energy gamma-ray emission was detected from the direction of QSO B0218+357 by the MAGIC telescopes during the expected time of arrival of the trailing component of the flare, making it the farthest very high energy gamma-ray source detected to date. The observed emission spans the energy range from 65 to 175 GeV. The combined MAGIC and Fermi-LAT spectral energy distribution of QSO B0218+357 is consistent with current extragalactic background light models. The broadband emission can be modeled in the framework of a two-zone external Compton scenario, where the GeV emission comes from an emission region in the jet, located outside the broad line region.
Robust contact force controller for slip prevention in a robotic gripper

Abstract Grasping a soft or fragile object requires the use of minimum contact force to prevent damage or deformation. Without precise knowledge of object parameters, real-time feedback control must be used with a suitable slip sensor to regulate the contact force and prevent slip. Furthermore, the controller must be designed to have good performance characteristics to rapidly modulate the fingertip contact force in response to a slip event. In this paper, a fuzzy sliding mode controller combined with a disturbance observer is proposed for contact force control and slip prevention. The controller is based on a system model that is suitable for a wide class of robotic gripper configurations. The robustness of the controller is evaluated through both simulation and experiment. The control scheme was found to be effective and robust to parameter uncertainty. When tested on a real system, however, chattering phenomena, well known to sliding mode research, was induced by the unmodelled suboptimal components of the system (filtering, backlash, and time delays), and the controller performance was reduced.
No 36-2011 The environment and directed technical change : comment

This paper discusses the growth model with environmental constraints recently presented in (Acemoglu et al., 2011) which focuses on the redirection of technical change by climate policies with research subsidies and a carbon tax. First, Acemoglu et al.'s model and chosen parameters yield numerical results that do not support the conclusion that ambitious climate policies can be conducted « without sacrificing (much or any) long-run growth ». Second, they select unrealistic key parameters for carbon sinks and elasticity of substitution. We find that more realistic parameters lead to very different results. Third, the model leads to an unrealistic conclusion when used to analyse endogenous growth, suggesting specification problems.
Stimulation and Attenuation Effects of Neuroactive Amines oncAMP Production in Two-spotted Mites Membranes

The interaction of biogenic amines including octopamine (OA), dopamine (DA), tyramine (TA), serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA) with octopamine / tyramine receptors and the resulting stimulation or attenuation effects of cyclic AMP (cAMP) production in vitro were investigated in the membrane homogenates of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus. cAMP levels were determined by standard protein binding method. It’s found that 100mM OA could cause around 310~420% increasing of cAMP comparing with the basal treatment, which was done with 10mM theophyline. The stimulation effect of OA could be inhibited completely by OA antagonist, like 100mM miaserin. The adenylate cyclase (AC) system could be activated by 10mM forskolin with an average stimulation of around 1200% enhancement of cAMP production. 5-HT and NA displayed no significant potential stimulating or attenuation effects on the AC activity. It’s very interesting to find that DA, which has similar structure with octopamine except its m-hydroxyl group in the phenyl ring, could significantly inhibit the cAMP production at above 10mM concentration. Further study showed that IC50 of DA as an antagonist behaviour was 25.1mM. It’s apparent that 1mM DA could attenuate cAMP stimulation to a level below what the basal did. The attenuation of DA could be partially recovered from TA or DA antagonist yohimbine. More interestingly, with 10mM TA alone, it could cause about 40% increasing of cAMP. While 100mM TA was added with OA, it did not showed additive increasing effects rather than partial attenuation of OAstimulated cAMP production by 30% decreasing.
Salinity influences disease-induced mortality of the oyster Crassostrea gigas and infectivity of the ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1)

Mortality of young Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas associated with the ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) is occurring worldwide. Here, we examined for the first time the effect of salinity on OsHV-1 transmission and disease-related mortality of C. gigas, as well as salinity-related effects on the pathogen itself. To obtain donors for OsHV-1 transmission, we transferred laboratory-raised oysters to an estuary during a disease outbreak and then back to the laboratory. Oysters that tested OsHV-1 positive were placed in seawater tanks (35‰, 21°C). Water from these tanks was used to infect naive oysters in 2 experimental setups: (1) oysters acclimated or non-acclimated to a salinity of 10, 15, 25 and 35‰ and (2) oysters acclimated to a salinity of 25‰; the latter were exposed to OsHV-1 water diluted to a salinity of 10 or 25‰. The survival of oysters exposed to OsHV-1 water and acclimated to a salinity of 10‰ was 95%, compared to only 43 to 73% survival in oysters acclimated to higher salinities (Expt 1), reflecting differences in the levels of OsHV-1 DNA and viral gene expression (Expts 1 and 2). However, the survival of their non-acclimated counterparts was only 23% (Expt 2), and the levels of OsHV-1 DNA and the expression of 4 viral genes were low (Expt 1). Thus, OsHV-1 may not have been the ultimate cause of mortality in non-acclimated oysters weakened by a salinity shock. It appears that reducing disease risk by means of low salinity is unlikely in the field.
Industrie 4.0 with Ms-excel?

Industrie 4.0 is a project in the high-tech strategy of the German government to promote the computerization of traditional industries such as manufacturing. Other countries have similar programs. Industrie 4.0 changes the cooperation of enterprises and the relationships of the company to its customers significantly. The company's success increasingly depends on the competence of the company to use software properly. Not only the life cycles and the understanding of quality in the software industry and in process engineering come into conflict. Software ranges from the MS-Excel spreadsheet of the individual engineer over more or less closely associated applications of all sizes through to the group-wide integrating SAP R/3. At the interfaces of software, knowledge stocks of different domains (semantics) with their standardizations and with potentially different meanings collide. In process design and development, chemical engineers use MS-Excel and process simulators to create process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment data sheets and heat and mass balances. Manufacturers typically use their own programs for the design of the equipment. Starting with the basic design or the following detailed design, asset management systems network and coordinate all the crafts involved in the planning and operation of a plant across sites and across the entire life cycle of the plant. Various organizations, associations and initiatives such as Namur, Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI), DEXPI, ISO 15926, CAPE-OPEN and others have begun to describe the requirements for data structures and the interchangeability of data records between CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) systems. The paper shows in four examples from chemical engineering how various programs connect to a chemical process simulator through the existing interfaces. MS-Excel plays an important role in almost all cases. From these examples, course of action for process engineering, for computer science and for management derive.