Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Le profil des entreprises ayant recours à l'administration électronique : une analyse empirique sur données luxembourgeoises.

Ce travail cherche à comprendre le comportement d’adoption de l’e-gouvernement des entreprises, en mettant en évidence les déterminants de trois usages différents du G2B. Les facteurs explicatifs qui sont testés sont ceux proposés par les modèles théoriques les plus fréquemment utilisés dans la littérature relative aux systèmes d’information : le modèle TAM, le modèle TPB et le modèle de la théorie de la diffusion de l’innovation. Sur le plan empirique, un modèle probit est mis en œuvre sur des données collectées, en 2006, au Luxembourg, auprès de quelques 1800 entreprises employant 10 salariés et plus et appartenant à la quasi-totalité des secteurs d’activités. L’analyse montre qu’une action visant à inciter les entreprises à adopter une connexion Internet de qualité et à utiliser de façon intensive des TIC dédiées à la communication est de nature à accroître l’adoption de l’e-gouvernement.
Electronic passivation of GaAs surfaces through the formation of arsenic—sulfur bonds

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the remarkable electronic quality of GaAs/sulfide interfaces can be ascribed to the formation of AsxSy phases which grow on an oxide‐free GaAs surface. While one of these phases is akin to As2S3, another shows significant in‐plane S—S bonding. Raman experiments indicate that the band bending on this disulfide‐ terminated surface has been reduced to 0.12 eV.
A study of bacteriological and antibiotic susceptibility profile of urinary tract infection

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infection and is associated with significant morbidity in the community. Most of the UTI cases are treated empirically with broad-spectrum antibiotics which invariably results in the development of resistance. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates causing UTI and to determine Extended spectrum beta Lactamase (ESBL) production in Gram negative isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 724 urine samples were studied and bacteria identified by standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Detection of ESBL was done as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Significant bacteriuria was detected in 238 (32.8%) samples. The most common pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli 148 (58.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 57 (22.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus 18 (7.1%) followed by Enterococcus spp 7 (2.7%), Proteus mirabilis 6 (2.4%), Citrobacter koseri 6 (2.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 5(2%) and Staphylococcus saphrophyticus 4 (1.6%). ESBL production was seen in Klebsiella pneumoniae 12 (21%), followed by Escherichia coli 26 (17.5%). Most of the Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to meropenam, piperacillintazobactum and nitrofurantoin. Conclusion: This study reveals that many bacteria causing UTI are multidrug resistant pathogens. This suggests that regular monitoring and modification of empirical therapy and it’s validation by culture report is required to prevent morbidity associated with this disease.
Investigation of bone and cartilage by synchrotron scanning-SAXS and -WAXD with micrometer spatial resolution

Biological materials such as bone or wood are hierarchically structured to optimize mechanical and other properties. Several methods and experimental techniques are usually needed to study these materials on different length scales. We developed a device for small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), optimized for position resolved investigations of bone sections using synchrotron radiation. Thin samples can be scanned with 20 µm steps, acquiring two-dimensional SAXS or WAXD patterns at every point. The system was tested by performing one-dimensional scans across bone cartilage interfaces, revealing information about size, shape and orientation of nanometer sized mineral particles as well as about crystal type and texture of these particles.
Towards a PV- θ view of the general circulation

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in using isentropic coordinates and Rossby-Ertel potential vorticity (PV) for diagnosing the behaviour of middle latitude synoptic systems. Such a PV- θ analysis may also prove important in providing insight into the global circulation of the atmosphere. Apart from the isentropic diagnostic of D. Johnson and collaborators, some quasi-geostrophic studies and recent studies of stratospheric behaviour, there has been little work in this area and our present understanding is very limited. The object of the present paper is to stimulate such studies by presenting some initial results from continuing research. A three-fold division of the atmosphere is discussed. The “Overworld” is the region encompassed by isentropic surfaces that are everywhere above the tropopause. In the “Middleworld”, the region with isentropes crossing the tropopause but not striking the Earth's surface, the isentropic zonal and time mean of PV exhibits interesting regions of enhanced and diminished gradients. The isentropic transient eddy advection of PV exhibits a dipolar distribution about the tropopause, suggestive of PV mixing. The marked PV signature of the Asian summer monsoon on one particular Middleworld isentrope is shown and the mean isentropic advection of PV shows interesting features. For the “Underworld”, in which isentropic surfaces intercept the surface of the Earth, a PV- θ analysis yields a novel constraint linking low-level drag and diabatic heating. This constraint links “westerlies” and “cooling”, and “easterlies” and “heating” in some average sense. The result is discussed in terms of the Southern Hemisphere strong surface westerlies and the circulation associated with the Asian summer and winter monsoons. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1991. t01-3-00005.x
Synthesis of polymeric microspheres employing SPG emulsification technique

Relatively uniform polymeric microspheres, the coefficients of variation being close to 10%, were obtained by the BPO-initiated suspension polymerization of styrenic monomers. Unlike the conventional stirred-tank system, a particular microporous glass membrane (SPG) provided uniform monomer droplets continuously when monomer was allowed to permeate through the micropores. The monomer droplets were suspended in an aqueous solution containing the stabilizing agents, transferred to a stirred vessel, and polymerized. Up to 10μm spheres, of a far narrower size distribution than those obtained by conventional microsuspension polymerization spheres, were obtained. The initial droplet size and distribution were retained with the successful suppression of secondary particle nucleation by the addition of hydroquinone in the aueous phase. Crosslinked polystyrene spheres were also synthesized in the presence of various low-molecular-weight diluents. While a good solvent, toluene, was not so effective; poor solvents, n-heptane and n-heptane, easily yielded the microporous structure, the specific surface area being as high as 160 m2/g. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comparison of hydrogen sulfide transport properties in fluorinated and nonfluorinated polymers

Permeability coefficients of hydrogen sulfide in fluorinated polymers are anomalously low when compared to its permeability in nonfluorinated polymers. As a result, fluoropolymer membranes have unusual selectivities for gas pairs involving H2S. For example, while the mixture CO2/H2S selectivity is 0.66 for nonfluorinated, rubbery poly(dimethylsiloxane), this selectivity is 8.0 for a fluoroelastomer composed of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, and perfluoro-8-cyano-5-methyl-3,6-dioxa-1-octene (TFE/PMVE/8CNVE) and 27 for a glassy, cyclic perfluoroether (Cytop) under similar test conditions. The low H2S permeability in fluoropolymers is caused primarily by unexpectedly low H2S solubility in the fluorinated polymer matrices. For instance, H2S solubility in a Teflon AF copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole is approximately 5 times lower than the value predicted by a correlation of solubility with gas critical temperature. This low solubility is .
POSTMORTEM ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING BEEF CARCASS LEAN MATURITY AND MARBLING EVALUATIONS

Postmortem environmental factors such as chill time before ribbing, evaluation time after ribbing, interstate shipment, ribeye condition and ribeye cover condition were related to beef carcass lean maturity and marbling evaluations. Also, effects of lighting type and intensity on the evaluation of beef quality factors were studied. Beef carcasses chilled 48 h or less before ribbing required additional chilling after ribbing (greater than 30 min) in order to optimize lean maturity and marbling scores. I n general, carcasses that are thoroughly chilled and have covered ribeye surfaces are likely to maintain or develop more youthful lean maturity evaluation scores during shipment. Carcasses that were less chilled at initial evaluations and had ribeye surfaces that remained substantially covered during transportation were more likely to increase in marbling scores during transportation. Carcasses chilled for only 24 h at initial evaluation and that had a “Small” or lower amount of marbling were more subject to change in marbling score during shipment than carcasses that were more thoroughly chilled or carcasses that had higher levels of marbling. Lean maturity evaluations were optimized when beef carcasses were evaluated under “high” incandescent (1937 lux) lighting, whereas marbling scores were optimized when beef carcasses were evaluated under “medium” incandescent (1076 lux) lighting.
Supersaturation of self‐interstitials and undersaturation of vacancies during phosphorus diffusion in silicon

A series of experiments were performed to settle the long‐standing controversy on whether there is a vacancy excess or deficit during the diffusion of phosphorus in silicon. Phosphorus and antimony buried layers sandwiched between p‐type substrates and p‐type epitaxial layers were used to monitor the departure from equilibrium of point defects. It was found that diffusion of the antimony buried layer is retarded during high concentration phosphorus diffusion while diffusion of the phosphorus buried layer is enhanced. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that there is simultaneously a vacancy undersaturation and a self‐interstitial supersaturation. Possible causes of the interstitial supersaturation are investigated. It is concluded that the process whereby a phosphorus interstitialcy converts to substitutional form by emitting a self‐interstitial is a likely source.
Synthesis, Spectral and Microbial Studies of Some Novel Schiff Base Derivatives of 4-Methylpyridin-2-amine

Schiff base derivatives of N-{(1E)-[3-(mono or di-substituted aryl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methylene{-4-methylpyridin-2-amine were synthesized by the acid catalyzed condensation of 3-(mono- or di- substituted aryl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde derivatives with 4-methylpyridin-2-amine. Schiff base derivatives were characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, Mass spectral analysis and elemental analysis. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for their antimicrobial activities by using broth dilution method.
Effects of water temperature on fouling and flux of ceramic membranes for wastewater reuse

ABSTRACT Membrane filtration is one of the promising technologies to reclaim water, but fouling is a barrier to overcome to be operated economically. Irreversible fouling makes membrane life time short than reversible fouling, because pollutants inside of pores are difficult to remove by physical cleaning and can be eliminated using chemical such as acids and bases. Ceramic membranes have strong heat resistant, so it is possible to treat thermal wastewater. High water temperature can make the viscosity of water down and thus increase permeability. There are controversies between theoretical and real viscosities. The results showed that high water temperature caused initial flux rise the flux became similar to that of low temperature water after 2 h of operation. It also led R irr ratios bigger than R rev. High temperature of water can increase irreversible fouling of ceramic membrane probably caused by inorganic scale formation in the membrane pores.
Rotational spectral line broadening of OCS by noble gases

The theory of the pressure broadening of rotational spectra is described using (for the first time) the Magnus approximation to calculate the relevant S matrices. The latter's unitary character is thereby maintained. The relative contributions of the attractive and repulsive anisotropy terms in the interaction potential is investigated for the system of a linear molecule broadened by a noble gas atom. A ``centrifugal'' approximation is also introduced to write the linewidth expression in a closed analytic form and to simplify the computation. It is shown to be a good approximation for the systems investigated. An additional approximation described in an appendix can also be introduced, but it is valid only for systems in which the repulsive anisotropy does not make a significant contribution to the linewidth.
Optimization of electrostatic binding free energy

An analytic result is derived that defines the charge distribution of the tightest-binding ligand given a receptor charge distribution and spherical geometries. Using the framework of continuum electrostatics, the optimal distribution is expressed as a set of multipoles determined by minimizing the electrostatic free energy of binding. Results for two simple receptor systems are presented to illustrate applications of the theory.
Speciation and distribution of sulfur in a mollusk shell as revealed by in situ maps using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the S K-edge

Abstract The microstructure and composition, including chemical speciation of S, of the calcitic and aragonitic shell layers of two mollusc shells were investigated using a combination of thermogravimetric analyses, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalyses, and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy. Microprobe analyses show the different chemical contents of the shell layers, whereas in situ XANES maps and spectra show the dominance of organic sulfate over S aminoacids (cysteine, cystine, and methionine). Also, the distribution of S species is different for different structures within the shell. Growth lines are clearly seen in the chemical species maps. These results suggest that studies focussing exclusively on the protein contents of biominerals are not sufficient to understand the role of the organic matrices in the biomineralization and diagenetic processes.
Graphene−Metal Particle Nanocomposites

Graphene sheets, which possess unique nanostructure and a variety of fascinating properties, can be considered as promising nanoscale building blocks of new composites, for example, a support material for the dispersion of nanoparticles. Here, we present a general approach for the preparation of graphene−metal particle nanocomposites in a water−ethylene glycol system using graphene oxide as a precursor and metal nanoparticles (Au, Pt and Pd) as building blocks. These metal nanoparticles are adsorbed on graphene oxide sheets and play a pivotal role in catalytic reduction of graphene oxide with ethylene glycol, leading to the formation of graphene−metal particle nanocomposites. The typical methanol oxidation of graphene−Pt composites in cyclic voltammograms analyses indicated its potential application in direct methanol fuel cells, bringing graphene−particle nanocomposites close to real technological applications.
Constrained Optimization of Spatial Sampling using Continuous Simulated Annealing

Spatial sampling is an important issue in environmental studies because the sample configuration influences both costs and effectiveness of a survey. Practical sampling constraints and available pre-information can help to optimize the sampling scheme. In this paper, spatial simulated annealing (SSA) is presented as a method to optimize spatial environmental sampling schemes. Sampling schemes are optimized at the point-level, taking into account sampling constraints and preliminary observations. Two optimization criteria have been used. The first optimizes even spreading of the points over a region, whereas the second optimizes variogram estimation using a proposed criterion from the literature. For several examples it is shown that SSA is superior to conventional methods of designing sampling schemes. Improvements up to 30% occur for the first criterion, and an almost complete solution is found for the second criterion. Spatial simulated annealing is especially useful in studies with many sampling constraints. It is flexible in implementing additional, quantitative criteria.
Deuteration of cotton fibers. II. A novel method of deuteration-infrared study of cellulose in fiber form

A new technique enabling the use of cellulosic material in the fiber form during deuteration-infrared studies is reported. A minipress, modified to suit the new technique, is described. Since the material was studied in the fiber form, danger of fiber modification during film formation was avoided. Although the usual KBr pellet technique was utilized for scanning the spectra of the deuterated fibers, preparation of pellet as well as scanning were carried out under fully dry conditions, thus completely avoiding the rehydrogenation of deuterated fibers. The modified minipress containing the pellet forms an airtight assembly allowing repeat scans after any length of time without affecting the quality of the spectra of the deuterated sample.
Surface and interfacial properties of Ga0.47In0.53As–Al2O3 MIS structures

Field‐effect‐controlled electrical and galvanomagnetic measurements have been made on transistorlike five‐terminal metal insulator semiconductor (MIS) structures using n‐type 0.25 μm thick Ga0.47In0. 53As epitaxial layers grown on semi‐insulating InP substrates. These layers have an electron density n=3.5×1016 cm−3 and a mobility μn=7.5×103 cm2/V‐s; 0.13 μm thick Al2O3 dielectric layers, grown by a rf plasma‐assisted low temperature chemical‐vapor deposition (CVD) process were employed as gate insulators under 0.01 cm2 vacuum‐deposited aluminum gates. Hall effect and resistivity measurements were made on such structures and the experimentally observed gate voltage dependent change in resistivity and Hall coefficient of the conducting channel under the gate have been related to the corresponding change in the depletion depth of the surface space charge region. The data were used to derive the density of the surface states and their position within the fundamental band gap of Ga0.47In0. 53As. We find that the.
Detection of brain tumour from MRI image using modified region growing and neural network

Abstract Region growing is an important application of image segmentation in medical research for detection of tumour. In this paper, we propose an effective modified region growing technique for detection of brain tumour. It consists of four steps which includes: (i) pre-processing; (2) modified region growing by the inclusion of an additional orientation constraint in addition to the normal intensity constrain; (3) feature extraction of the region; and (4) final classification using the neural network. The performance of the proposed technique is systematically evaluated using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain images received from the public sources. For validating the effectiveness of the modified region growing, we have considered the quantity rate parameter. For the evaluation of the proposed technique of tumour detection, we make use of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values which we compute from finding out false positive, false negative, true positive and true negative. Comparative analyses were made of the normal and the modified region growing using both the Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN) and Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network. From the results obtained, we could see that the proposed technique achieved the accuracy of 80% for the testing dataset, which clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the modified region growing when compared to the normal technique.
A CASE-BASED ONLINE HOUSING RECOMMENDER SYSTEM

Housing has central importance to the quality of life with considerable economic, social, cultural and personal significance [1]. A recommender framework gives suggestions and recommendations to clients when they are choosing while confronted with various decision options [2]. Recommender system has been applied to solve different housing problems by several researchers; [3] proposed a hybrid user-centric housing recommender system with the aid of fuzzy logic and item-based collaborative filtering technique; [4] proposed a hybrid real estate recommender system that combines collaborative and contentbased filtering techniques. There is a need for a special housing decision support system that is channeled towards solving this problem and focused on giving the user, houses that matches what he/she is exactly looking for as his/her 'Dream Home'. This research work established a knowledge-based recommender system driven by a case-based reasoning approach for providing recommendations to potential home buyers and tenants. The case-based reasoning approach uses similarity measures function and weight to retrieve items from the system that are similar to the specified items attribute by the users.
Using Genetic Programming To Solve the Schrödinger Equation

In a recent paper [Makarov, D. E. ; Metiu, H. J. Chem. Phys. 1998, 108, 590], we developed a directed genetic programming approach for finding the best functional form that fits the energies provided by ab initio calculations. In this paper, we use this approach to find the analytic solutions of the time-independent Schrodinger equation. This is achieved by inverting the Schrodinger equation such that the potential is a functional depending on the wave function and the energy. A genetic search is then performed for the values of the energy and the analytic form of the wave function that provide the best fit of the given potential on a chosen grid. A procedure for finding excited states is discussed. We test our method for a one-dimensional anharmonic well, a double well, and a two-dimensional anharmonic oscillator.