Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of flower-like tellurium

Tellurium (Te) with a flower-like superstructure has been successfully synthesized through a low temperature biphasic solvothermal reaction utilizing diethyldithiocarbamato tellurium (IV) (TDEC) as Te source and 2,2′-dithiodibenzoic acid (DTBA) as a reducing agent. Characterizations by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) show that the as-prepared product consists of well-aligned needle-like t-Te nanorods growing radically from the core. These nanorods have a diameter ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers and a length of several micrometers, and the Raman spectra are greatly affected by their diameter. Fluorescence measurement reveals that the t-Te superstructures produce blue–violet emission.
Potential Health Risks Associated with Particles in Reclaimed Wastewater

Human dose-response data from seven pathogens commonly associated with waterborne illness were used in conjunction with acceptable levels of risk specified by the United States EPA to determine an allowable particle limit for reclaimed water assuming varying degrees of pathogen association. Assuming particles contain a single pathogen, particle limits ranged from 213,000 particles/L for E. coli ETEC to 400 particles/billion L for rotavirus. Particle concentrations in the effluent from nine reclamation facilities that employed advanced filtration exceeded calculated allowable particle limits for one or more pathogens despite achieving permitted water quality standards. Hence, current methods of estimating particle densities (e.g., turbidity and suspended solids) and indicator organisms are potentially incongruent with acceptable levels of risk specified by the United States EPA. The significance of this incongruence is dependent on the uncertain frequency of pathogen association with wastewater particles.
Antimicrobial and phytochemical screening of methanolic fruit extract of Withania coagulans L. Dunal for evaluating the antidiabetic activity

The Withania coagulans L. Dunal, a small bush, belongs to the family Solanaceae and is widely spread in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and South Asia. It is commonly known as ‘Indian cheese maker’ or ‘vegetable rennet’ due to its milk coagulating property found especially in its leaves and fruits. In the present study phytochemical screening of methanolic fruit extract of Withania coagulans was performed. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis was performed for screening Withanolides, having potential for treatment of diabetes in natural way. Different withanolides are responsible for different therapeutic properties. It is widely used in treating cancer, diabetes mellitus, nervous exhaustion, disability, insomnia, wasting diseases and failure to thrive in children, etc. The antibacterial activity of methanolic fruit extract of W. coagulans was tested against various bacteria (Salmonella paratyphi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus), highest inhibitory activity of methanolic extract was observed against Bacillus subtilis (12 mm).
Comparison of optical nonlinearities of type II and type I quantum wells

We have performed low‐temperature femtosecond pump and probe experiments on GaAs/AlAs type II and GaAs/AlGaAs type I multiple quantum wells of similar well sizes. The measurements are analyzed using a many‐body theory appropriate for both types of systems. It is found that the type I and type II nonlinearities are very similar at early times after excitation. However, the very fast (<1 ps) Γ to X electron scattering in the type II samples causes pronounced differences at later times, allowing the observation of hole relaxation in the type II samples.
e-Learning Environment with Multimodal Interaction A proposal to improve the usability, accessibility and learnability of e-learning environments

—The Human-Computer Interaction is challenging the use of many modalities to interact with an application. The e-Learning environments interfaces are been exposed to this diversity of modalities, but they are designed to be used with a limited set. The impact is that users have interaction problems caused by the cross modality. The e-Learning environments need to evolve allowing users to interact with a more broadly interaction styles. One solution is adopt Multimodal Interaction concepts, improving the usability and accessibility of the e-Learning environment and make possible to embrace better learning contexts, property that we define as learnability.
Release of pesticides into the environment and initial concentrations in soil, water, and plants

Considerable information exists as to the initial concentrations of pesticide residues to be expected in soils, plants, and water. Empirical or theoretical models have been developed for incorporating this data into exposure assessments for humans as well as terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. In addition, monitoring data exists for many older products, especially with respect to typical concentrations observed in food commodities for human consumption and in surface and ground waters. Estimated and observed concentrations of pesticides in these matrices have been routinely employed for more than 30 years in assessing the potential impacts of pesticides on a variety of biologically relevant endpoints. The same data will also prove useful for exposure assessments of endocrine active substances. There are some additional research needs, however. First, further research and development is needed to ensure that estimation and monitoring methods for pesticide concentrations in soil, water, and food are applicable and utilized for all important and relevant cultural, agronomic, and environmental conditions. This is especially true with respect to developing countries and tropical climates, which are often disproportionately ignored in favor of developing countries and temperate climates. Second, methodologies for collection of monitoring data and generation of modeled estimates for pesticide residues in soil, water, and food need to be carefully designed with the requirements of higher-tier, probabilistic exposure assessments in view. Although worst-case, point estimates or analyses may be useful for screening-level assessments, advanced assessments targeted at addressing the likelihood of biologically relevant exposures are urgently required by scientists and regulatory authorities for reaching sound risk assessment and risk management decisions.
Computational aspects of simulations of early stages of a Townsend discharge

In this paper we present some computational aspects of investigations of the early stages of development of the gas breakdown discharges via applying a fully kinetic model for particles and binary processes in a self-consistent electric field. Coupled set of Newton and Poisson equations is solved by so called Particle in Cell (PIC) model. Microscopic plasma parameters, i.e., ion and electron velocity distributions and corresponding fluid quantities are obtained as functions of position, time and pressure for a fixed computational domain geometry and dimension, i.e., for fixed system length in one-dimensional plane discharge. The paper is a first step towards implementing one by one additional particle-particle, particle-field and particle-boundary processes, and additional surface and volume sources and sinks of particles and energy during the gas discharge breakdowns in various gases.
Effect of Tibial Nerve Mobilization on Nerve Conduction Velocity in Diabetic Neuropathy Patient

Background: Diabetic neuropathy is a noteworthy reason for neuropathy worldwide and may prompt removal and inadequacy. Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy presents sensory and autonomic symptoms with predominant involvement of small fibers, evolving with the involvement of sensory large fibers and finally motor fibers in its more severe stages. Sensory disturbance is normally observed, and mostly recognized is the loss of vibration sense at the toes, checked by pinprick, temperature, and light touch sensations. Nerve mobilization is a technique to reduce injuries or to assist in upgrading performance in activities included in the management. It helps in improving the strength. Objective: The aim of the current study was to find out the effect of tibial nerve mobilization on nerve conduction velocity in diabetic neuropathy patients. This was an experimental study using NCV test and nerve mobilization technique. Method: Twenty participants were included between the age group of 50-60 years diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy. Tibial nerve mobilization technique was performed in the participant‟s lower limbs, pre and post sensory nerve conduction velocity was assessed. Outcome measure used in this study will be nerve conduction velocity test. Result: The study showed that there was statistically significant difference in the nerve conduction velocity after giving the intervention for three weeks. („p‟= <0.05,„t‟= 2.22) Conclusion: The study showed that the SNCV of the dominant limb improved as compared to the pre-intervention SNCV. Thus, this study concluded that tibial nerve mobilization technique canimprove the nerve conduction velocity and helps subside the burning sensation in individuals.
L’Institut bénéficie du soutien financier de l’Autorité des marchés financiers ainsi que du ministère des Finances du Québec Document de recherche

Contingent Convertible (CoCo) is a hybrid debt issued by banks with a specific feature forcing its conversion to equity in the event of the bank’s financial distress. CoCo carries two major risks: the risk of default, which threatens any type of debt instrument, plus the exclusive risk of mandatory conversion. In this paper, we propose a model to value CoCo debt instruments as a function of the debt ratio. Although the CoCo is a more expensive instrument than traditional debt, its presence in the capital structure lowers the cost of ordinary debt and reduces the total cost of debt. For preliminary equity holders, the presence of CoCo in the bank’s capital structure increases the shareholder’s aggregate value.
Proofs and Strategies A Characterization of Classical and Intuitionistic Logic using Games with Explicit Strategies MSc Thesis (Afstudeerscriptie)

We define two-player perfect information games characterizing classical and intuitionistic first-order validity. In short we enrich the language of first-order logic with two force markers denoting assertion and challenge. A two-player game is then a tree of states representing each players assertions and challenges and whose turn it is to move. A winning strategy for a player is a subtree of a game fulfilling some conditions. In particular we examine one of the players (the proponents) winning strategies for which we define several operations such as parallel, contraction, application, and composition. Using these operations we then establish a correspondence of strategies with derivations in the sequent calculus, giving us soundness and completeness for classical and intuitionistic logic. Additionally a close correspondence between composition and the cut-rule provides us with a method for cut-elimination. The constructive treatment of strategies gives them a computational interpretation which is of general interest for denotational semantics. The techniques developed may also be of use for many similar game-semantics.
Understanding the Mineralogical Composition of Ancient Greek Pottery through Raman Microprobe Spectroscopy

Mineralogical studies using Raman microprobe spectroscopy and high-magnification optical spectroscopy were performed on sherds of pottery vessels that were used as cooking pots and water jars in Hellenistic Greece (third and second century BC). Of specific interest was the mineralogical identification of the so-called inclusions, which are phases that morphologically stand out from the fired clay matrix and result from the presence of inorganic temper in the original paste mixture. The sizes of mono- and polymineralic inclusions in the sherds range from 5 μm to 2 mm. The combined use of Raman microprobe spectroscopy and incident-light optical microscopy permits identification of specific minerals (such as quartz, albite, calcite, hematite, anhydrite, epidote, rutile, anatase, and apatite) in various different types of inclusions and then visual evaluation of the abundance of those minerals in each sample. The application of our nondestructive analytical approach is documented on a set of four sherds (each on the order of several cm2) from excavations of the ancient Agora of Athens. The information on the mineralogy obtained via Raman spectroscopy can shed light on the provenance of the raw materials and firing conditions of the pottery and thus aids archeologists with their historical interpretations.
Action and variation potential electrical signals in higher plants

Published : 01 January 2021 doi: 10.33472/AFJBS.3. 1.2021. 1-18 Article Info Abstract This review evaluates the types of electrical signals (ESs) in plants, generation and propagation of various ESs, their ways of transmission within the plant body and their corresponding physiological significance. It also outlines abiotic factors, e.g., light, temperature, water content as stimuli on the electrical potential (EP) of the plants. The paper also summarizes a review of the effects of ESs on photosynthesis, the mechanisms of the effects, and its physiological role in plants. Local irritations of plants induce various photosynthetic responses including fast and long-term inactivation of photosynthesis and its activation. The paper also reviews the concept of plant energy harvesting. The measurement techniques used for ESs in plants including extracellular measurement and intracellular measurement are also reviewed. A brief summary of the applications of these methods for investigating ES in plants is also given.
Application of Poly(Pyrrole-co-Phenol) Electrosynthesized for Stir-Bar Sorptive Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Liquid Chromatographic Analysis

A poly(pyrrole-co-phenol) film synthesized by the constant potential coulometry technique was coated on stir-bar for sorptive extraction. The extraction properties of this stir-bar were evaluated for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), followed by liquid chromatography analysis. The copolymer coatings of polypyrrole/polyphenol doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonate and oxalate were synthesized in aqueous solution. The scanning electron micrographs, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and FTIR spectra for the coated stir-bar are presented. The effects of potential, time, and solution concentration (pyrrole, phenol, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and oxalic acid) were evaluated in the coating step. The effects of extraction time, extraction temperature, and ionic strength in the sorption step, and the effects of type and volume of desorption solvent, desorption time, and desorption temperature in the desorption step were studied. The detection limits obtained for the various compounds studied varied between 0.02 and 0.12 ng mL−1, the intra-day (N = 7) relative standard deviations at 8 ng mL−1 concentration level using a single stir-bar were 2.4–12%, respectively. The bar-to-bar reproducibilities, also at 8 ng mL−1, were 3.4–13%. The linear ranges and recoveries varied from 0.1 to 400 ng mL−1, and 69% to 113%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of a group of PAHs in real samples.
Family Size and Subjective Well-being in Europe: Do More Children Make Us (Un)Happy?

We estimate the causal relationship between the number of children and parental subjective well-being using the 2013 wave of SILC data and relying on multiple births as the source of exogenous variation. The major value added of our study is estimating this effect by children’s age. We show that parents of larger families experience the same or higher levels of well-being than parents of smaller families. The positive effect is mainly driven by parents of teenage children. Among parents of pre-school children we mainly estimate a negative effect of an additional (twin) child. We further show that the negative relationship between the number of children and parental well-being at young child ages is mainly driven by dissatisfaction with accommodation and by increased frequency of feeling nervous. The positive effect at higher child ages is driven by satisfaction with financial situation only for fathers, while for mothers it is mainly driven by lower frequency of experiencing negative feelings. We conclude that higher fertility levels might be reached if parents receive more help during the early years of their children and if the positive future effects of having large families are publicized. JEL classification: I31, J12, J13
SYNTHETIC JETS

■ Abstract The evolution of a synthetic (zero-net mass flux) jet and the flow mechanisms of its interaction with a cross flow are reviewed. An isolated synthetic jet is produced by the interactions of a train of vortices that are typically formed by alternating momentary ejection and suction of fluid across an orifice such that the net mass flux is zero. A unique feature of these jets is that they are formed entirely from the working fluid of the flow system in which they are deployed and, thus, can transfer linear momentum to the flow system without net mass injection across the flow boundary. Synthetic jets can be produced over a broad range of length and timescale, and their unique attributes make them attractive fluidic actuators for a number of flow control applications. The interaction of synthetic jets with an external cross flow over the surface in which they are mounted can displace the local streamlines and induce an apparent or virtual change in the shape of the surface, thereby effecting flow changes on length scales that are one to two orders of magnitude larger than the characteristic scale of the jets. This control approach emphasizes an actuation frequency that is high enough so that the interaction domain between the actuator and the cross flow is virtually invariant on the global timescale of the flow, and therefore, global effects such as changes in aerodynamic forces are effectively decoupled from the operating frequency of the actuators.
FACTORS AFFECTING PREFERENCE FOR HOMEMADE OR MANUFACTURED YOGHURT CONSUMPTION IN TURKEY

Yoghurt is a basic food that can be enjoyed by people of all age groups for a healthy life. Yoghurt is known and consumed all over the world. However, its consumption can be traced back to very early times in Turkey. Both homemade and manufactured yoghurts are consumed in Turkey. Average yearly yoghurt consumption in Turkey is about 17.6 kg/capita. Spending on yoghurt constitutes 2.8% of total household food expenses. The aim of this study was to analyse socio-economical factors that affect homemade or manufactured yoghurt consumption of households. Data from a questionnaire conducted on 302 families living in Tokat Province of Turkey in 2005 were used. Data were analysed using binomial logit model. Of the variables used in the model, household income, work status of woman and number of elderly people in the household were significant in affecting the preference for homemade or manufactured yoghurt consumption. It was concluded that governments should make decisions to promote yoghurt manufacturing having better hygienic conditions and to facilitate the production of reasonably cheaper yoghurt.
Telemetry and Tele-operation of Nonlinear Systems: Applications in Tele-operation of Autonomous Vehicles

—This paper presents a new technique for state and reference tracking of nonlinear dynamics systems over the packet erasure channel, which is an abstract model for transmission via the Zigbee modules. A proper encoder, decoder and controller for state and reference tracking of nonlinear dynamics systems when measurements are sent through the limited capacity erasure channel, are presented. Then, the satisfactory performance of the proposed technique is illustrated via computer simulations by applying this technique on the unicycle model, which represents the dynamics of autonomous vehicles.
In-fat pointer: hardware-assisted tagged-pointer spatial memory safety defense with subobject granularity protection

Programming languages like C and C++ are not memory-safe because they provide programmers with low-level pointer manipulation primitives. The incorrect use of these primitives can result in bugs and security vulnerabilities: for example, spatial memory safety errors can be caused by dereferencing pointers outside the legitimate address range belonging to the corresponding object. While a range of schemes to provide protection against these vulnerabilities have been proposed, they all suffer from the lack of one or more of low performance overhead, compatibility with legacy code, or comprehensive protection for all objects and subobjects. We present In-Fat Pointer, the first hardware-assisted defense that can achieve spatial memory safety at subobject granularity while maintaining compatibility with legacy code and low overhead. In-Fat Pointer improves the protection granularity of tagged-pointer schemes using object metadata, which is efficient and binary-compatible for object-bound spatial safety. Unlike previous work that devotes all pointer tag bits to object metadata lookup, In-Fat Pointer uses three complementary object metadata schemes to reduce the number pointer tag bits needed for metadata lookup, allowing it to use the left-over bits, along with in-memory type metadata, to refine the object bounds to subobject granularity. We show that this approach provides practical protection of fine-grained spatial memory safety.
On impact of neutrals on the tokamak edge plasma instabilities

In many situations, the plasma in boundary regions of magnetic confinement devices contains significant amount of neutrals, which come either because of recycling from the walls or from plasma volumetric recombination. An interaction of neutrals with plasma through a number of collisional processes, plays an important role in establishing detached divertor regime [1]. In addition to that, neutrals can also play an vital role in edge plasma instabilities and turbulent processes. For example, an impact of neutrals can result in new type of instabilites [2], alter the strength of zonal flows in edge plasmas and, therefore, cause enhancement of turbulent transport [3]. On the other hand neutrals could reduce the growth rates of both interchange and resistive drift wave modes [4, 5]. Therefore, accounting for plasma-neutral interactions in modeling of edge plasma turbulence and transport seems to be irrefutable. However, given that the influence of neutrals on plasma dynamics is rather complex, the physics underlying an impact of neutrals on plasma instabilities and turbulent transport is not understood yet. One of the issues with incorporating neutrals into edge plasma turbulence codes is the fact that neutrals, unlike plasma charged particles, are not magnetized. As a result, accurate modeling of neutral-plasma interactions becomes rather complex since neutral dynamics, depending on both plasma and turbulence parameters, could vary from fluidlike (e.g. see [6]) to ballistic-like regimes. In this work we investigate an impact of neutrals on both interchange and resistive drift wave instabilities and consider an impact of neutrals on nonlinear generation of zonal flow by turbulent eddies. We carefully assess an impact of neutrals on these instabilities and zonal flow generation examining both fluid and ballistic regimes of neutral dynamics. Finally we compare our results with existing theoretical predidcitons and numerical simulations.