Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the Chemisorption Phenomena in SERS Studies via Computational Modeling

Colloidal gold solutions with nanostars and nanospheres as well as KlariteTM gold and gold-copper bimetallic substrates were used for SERS analysis of aniline and nitroaniline isomers to investigate their chemisorption phenomena. Computational modeling based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used in conjunction with the SERS analysis to study the adsorption behaviors of the analytes on metal surfaces. Gold nanospheres and KlariteTM samples produced about a 10-fold increase in signal enhancement compared to gold nanostars for the SERS analysis of aniline, nitroaniline isomers, and nitrobenzene. Signal enhancement is significantly greater for aniline compared to nitrobenzene and it is dependent on the proximity of the NH2 to the NO2 group for the nitroaniline isomers. Charge-transfer in chemisorbed analytes is an important contributing factor for SERS signal. The relative strengths of enhancement can be predicted by the DFT calculation of the HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of the analyte-metal cluster. Aniline and the three nitroaniline isomers showed stronger preference for the copper substrates if both the gold and copper substrates are present. The NO2 group in 2-nitroaniline has a very strong preference and affinity for the copper in the Au-Cu bimetallic cluster.
FERROELECTRIC, DIELECTRIC AND PIEZOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF FERROELECTRIC THIN FILMS AND CERAMICS

Ferroelectric, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric thin films and ceramics are reviewed with the aim of providing an insight into different processes which may affect the behaviour of ferroelectric devices, such as ferroelectric memories and micro-electro-mechanical systems. Taking into consideration recent advances in this field, topics such as polarization switching, polarization fatigue, effects of defects, depletion layers, and depolarization fields on hysteresis loop behaviour, and contributions of domain-wall displacement to dielectric and piezoelectric properties are discussed. An introduction into dielectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric and elastic properties of ferroelectric materials, symmetry considerations, coupling of electro-mechanical and thermal properties, and definitions of relevant ferroelectric phenomena are provided.
Organic and inorganic carbon dynamics in a karst aquifer: Santa Fe River Sink‐Rise system, north Florida, USA

Spatiotemporal variations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), major ions concentrations and other geochemical parameters including stable carbon isotopes of DIC (δ13CDIC), were measured in surface water and deep and shallow well water samples of the Santa Fe River Sink‐Rise eogenetic karst system, north Florida, USA. Three end‐member water sources were identified: one DOC‐rich/DIC‐poor/δ13CDIC‐depleted, one DOC‐poor/DIC‐rich/δ13CDIC‐enriched, and one enriched in major ions. Given their spatiotemporal distributions, they were presumed to represent soil water, upper aquifer groundwater, and deep aquifer water sources, respectively. Using assumed ratios of Na+, Cl, and SO42− for each end‐member, a mixing model calculated the contribution of each water source to each sample. Then, chemical effects of biogeochemical reactions were calculated as the difference between those predicted by the mixing model and measured species concentrations. In general, carbonate mineral dissolution occurred throughout the Sink‐Rise system, surface waters were net autotrophic and the subsurface was in metabolic balance, i.e., no net DOC or DIC production or consumption. However, there was evidence for chemolithoautotrophy, perhaps by hydrogen oxidizing microbes, at some deep aquifer sites. Mineralization of this autochthonous natural dissolved organic matter (NDOM) led to localized carbonate dissolution as did surface water‐derived NDOM supplied to shallow well sites during the highest flow periods. This study demonstrates linkages between hydrology, abiotic and microbial processes and carbon dynamics and has important implications for groundwater quality, karst morphologic evolution, and hydrogeologic projects such as aquifer storage and recovery in karst systems.
Synthesis of New Mannich Products Bearing Quinoline Nucleous Using Reusable Ionic Liquid and Antitubercular Evaluation

A series of Mannich products bearing quinoline nucleus was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their in vitro antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. The results showed that compounds 4b, and 4d found most active with percentage inhibition of 95, and 96, respectively, at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of >6.25 μg/mL, among the synthesized compounds. Whereas, compounds 4a, 4c, 4e, and 4f exhibited considerable antitubercular activity with percentage inhibition of 71, 79, 55, and 68, respectively, at MIC of >6.25 μg/mL. The structures of synthesized compounds were elucidated by various spectroscopic tools like IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass and elemental analysis.
A Review of the Fundamentals of Asphalt Oxidation: Chemical, Physicochemical, Physical Property, and Durability Relationships

This Circular is a synopsis of current physicochemical understanding of the chemistry, kinetics, and mechanisms of asphalt oxidation and its influence on asphalt durability. The oxidative behavior of asphalt is thought to be one of the critical factors contributing to the performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. The content of this review reflects more than half a century of research work on the physicochemical consequences of oxidative aging and its effects on the fundamental rheological properties of the oxidized asphalt. Emphasis is made on how the component fractions of asphalt behave under oxidation, including a consideration of the effects of the mineral aggregate and metals contained in asphalts. A section of the Circular reviews recent data and offers further insight on pavement aging as a function of air-void content of the mixture, temperature, and pavement depth and how oxidative hardening contributes to decreasing pavement service life. Civil engineers, chemists, and asphalt technologists developing fundamental pavement performance models will find this Circular to be of interest. Professionals in owner agencies will have at their fingertips a useful handbook to understand the subtleties of asphalt oxidation and how it contributes to distresses in an HMA pavement. Beginning students of asphalt technology will find this a welcome review with many references to original work.
Dive strategies and foraging effort in the Australasian gannet Morus serrator revealed by underwater videography

Gannets are specialist plunge divers that perform short and shallow V-shaped dives and long and deep U-shaped dives in pursuit of pelagic fish and squid. We used underwater video graphy to examine the patterns of behaviour and relative success rates of Vand U-shaped dives in Australasian gannets. A significantly greater proportion of U-shaped dives were associated with successful prey capture than V-shaped dives (95% vs. 43%, respectively). The maximum number of prey captured per dive by the gannets was higher than previously reported, reaching up to 5 fish in a single U-shaped dive. However, V-shaped dives were more efficient in terms of grams of prey captured per time spent underwater in successful dives. In contrast, a population-level comparison of the mass of fish captured per total time spent under water (i.e. including unsuccessful dives) suggested that the 2 dive profiles were equally efficient. We also found that gannets adjusted their dive shape in relation to the depth of their prey rather than prey type, as previously hypothesized. Further studies are needed to understand decisions made by gannets while plunge diving in complex marine environments.
Does Adding Inventory Increase Sales? Evidence of a Scarcity Effect in U.S. Automobile Dealerships

What is the relationship between inventory and sales? Clearly, inventory could increase sales: expanding inventory creates more choice (options, colors, etc.) and might signal a popular/desirable product. Or, inventory might encourage a consumer to continue her search (e.g., on the theory that she can return if nothing better is found), thereby decreasing sales (a scarcity effect). We seek to identify these effects in U.S. automobile sales. Our primary research challenge is the endogenous relationship between inventory and demand — e.g., dealers influence their inventory in anticipation of demand. Hence, our estimation strategy relies on weather shocks at upstream production facilities to create exogenous variation in downstream dealership inventory. We find that the impact of adding a vehicle of a particular model to a dealer's lot depends on which cars the dealer already has. If the added vehicle expands the available set of sub-models (e.g., adding a four-door among a set that is exclusively two-door), then sales increase. But if the added vehicle is of the same sub-model as an existing vehicle, then sales actually decrease. Hence, expanding variety should be the first priority when adding inventory — adding inventory without expanding variety is actually detrimental. Based on this insight, given a fixed set of cars, vehicles should be allocated among a group of dealers so as to maximize each dealer's variety. Our data indicate that the implementation of this strategy could increase expected sales by about 2.5% without changing the total number of vehicles in the market, which vehicles are produced or the number of vehicles at each dealership. If the firm is willing to reduce aggregate inventory by a modest 2.9% (and no more than 10% at any one dealer), then the sales impact of the "maximize variety, minimize duplication strategy" doubles, to 5.0%.
Elaboration Theory

Elaboration theory is one of the cognitivist models for instructional design proposed by Charles Reigeluth and his associates in the late 1970s. It was based on the cognitive research findings available at the time and influenced by works of Jerome Bruner (see: discovery learning) and David Ausubel (see: assimilation theory). Very well accepted, elaboration theory was offering suggestions on how to organize and sequence different types of instruction on macro level. For organizing instructions on the micro level, Reigeluth suggested using Dave Merrill's component display theory.
NewFields Characterization and Fiux of Marine Oil Snow in the Viosca Knoii ( Lophelia Reef ) Area due to the Deepwater Horizon Oii Spiil

Sediment trap samples from the Viosca Knoll {Lophelia reef) shelf edge area (VK826), approximately 60 km northeast of the failed Macondo well, were collected before, during and after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Detailed chemical analyses were performed on the <1 mm particulate fraction In order to assess the presence, character and sedimentation rate of any Macondo oil Impacting the reef ecosystems In this area. This study contributes to the understanding of the so-called "marine oil snow sedimentation and flocculent accumulation", or MOSSFA, caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The following conclusions are reached:
Audio Fingerprinting using Fractional Fourier Transform

The An audio fingerprint is popular nowadays due to its compact size and faster identification of song. When we like the song being played on the radio and do not have information about the song, then capture the fraction of currently playing song and input this audio clip to music identification system. This system generates an audio fingerprint of input song and compares with the audio fingerprints stored in the database. After finding the best match, it displays the information regarding the song and plays back the song. Here, Fractional Fourier Transform is used to generate an audio fingerprint. Audio fingerprints are made using another two different methods: FFT and MFCC. For the generation of an audio fingerprint, an audio clip is given as an input query. These generated fingerprints compared with the fingerprint stored in the database. After finding the best match, it displays metadata of song and playback the song.
Using 3 D Printing and Actuation to Adapt Physical Tools to Facilitate Motor Skills Learning

Many motor skills that people learn throughout their lives involve mastering a physical tool, such as riding a bike, writing with a pen, or playing basketball. To reduce the level of difficulty, learners use physical learning aids, such as training wheels for a bike, that provide physical support. To date, these learning aids only come in predefined levels: For instance, training wheels are either mounted or taken off. This jump from beginner to expert level makes the transition difficult for learners. In this paper, we address this challenge by adapting the physical tool according to the learner’s progress. For instance, while learning to ride a bike, we monitor learners’ balancing skills and as they improve, we gradually lift the training wheels to reduce support and increase the difficulty. Thus, our approach enables a step-by-step transition from beginner to expert level that, similar to existing adaptive learning systems for math and language skills, is personalized for each individual learner. To illustrate our idea, we built an end-to-end system that allows designers to setup adaptable tools that physically change when a learner’s skill level increases. Our system uses sensors integrated with the tools to measure progress; parametric 3D modeling to adapt the tool; and then either actuation or refabrication to deploy the physical change. Author
Review and new records of non-indigenous freshwater invertebrates in the Ebro River basin (Northeast Spain)

This paper is the first attempt to compile a list of the non-indigenous aquatic invertebrate species currently known to occur in the Ebro River basin (Northeast Spain). A total of 23 exotic aquatic species have been recorded in this area, and one more (the branchiobdellida Xironogiton victoriensis) may also be present in this Iberian basin. Due to the negative impacts that biological invasions cause to ecosystems and to human activities, it is important to state the introduction pathways and prevent the spread of already introduced species. In order to fight against biological alien species invasions, development of national strategies on invasive alien species and international cooperation are considered essential.
Soil microbial community analysis in the environmental risk assessment of transgenic plants

Soil microbial community analysis is one of the most important elements in the environmental risk assessment of transgenic plants. Recent technical advances in this area now enable us to assess the impact of plant genotypes on soil microbial communities with rapid, simple and less biased molecular techniques than the previously used conventional microbiological methodologies. We review the use of these modern molecular techniques from the aspect of environmental assessments of transgenic plants.
From Abstract to Tangible : Supporting the Materialization of Experiential Visions with the Experience Map

Designing for pleasurable and engaging product experiences requires an understanding of how users will experience the product, sometimes at a very abstract level. This focus on user experiences, rather than on the formal qualities of the product, might cause difficulties for designers in the materialization of design ideas. Designers need to navigate through several choices, shaping and refining the product qualities in order to elicit the intended experience. To support this process, we propose a tool, the Experience Map, guiding designers in the progressive transformation of an ‘experiential vision’ into tangible formal qualities, considering all the opportunities perceived by the different senses. The paper presents the results of two studies in which we verified the potential of the Experience Map, first in a workshop with design students and second in four design cases with professional designers. The results show that the Experience Map can provide a good structure to organize creative thoughts and progressively decrease the level of abstraction, particularly to support novice designers. It stimulates greater confidence and awareness of design decisions, while allowing the exploration of several design directions in parallel. These benefits, together with the visually stimulating layout and its ability to foster awareness on design decisions, make the Experience Map an effective tool to support experience-driven design practice, especially in the early phases of the creative process and in the educational context.
PATTERNING OF BIOMOLECULES IN EXTENDED NANOCHANNEL USING LOW-TEMPERATURE BONDING

Single cell analysis has difficulties due to small sample volume as picoliter. Extended nanospace(10-1000 nm) which has been studied by our group has femtoliter to attoliter volume smaller than single cells and is applicable for the analysis. However, solid phase capture of analytes at defined positions for detection has not yet realized. Here, we developed a novel patterning method of biomolecules in extended nanospace by using low temperature bonding of fused silica, which avoids destruction of organic molecules by thermal bonding. Patterned probe DNA showed good selectivity and stability, and fast hybridization time was observed in nanochannels. The method can be applied to immunoassays for protein quantification.
A Kernelization approach for Anytime Coalition Structure Generation using Knuth Algorithm X

Determining the optimal coalition structure is an interesting problem in multi-agent system and remains difficult to solve. It is proved that this problem is NPcomplete and even finding a suboptimal solution needs exponential time. The main problem is, after a group of agents comes together, how the agents can be partitioned such that social payoff is maximized? This work presents the application of Algorithm X in coalition structure generation problem. Before the algorithm starts, it uses some kernelization techniques to make the original input (2 − 1) size into some smaller input instances.
Influence of Enzyme Supplementation on Intestinal Morphology in Broiler Chicken

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of enzyme supplementation (Multi-enzymes :Cellulose -400units/g; Xylanse-2000 units/g), Pectinase-600 units/g, Protease-2000units/g) in diets with 5% and 10% energy and protein deficient diets on the morphology of intestines in broiler chickens for 42 days. At 3 rd and 6 th week of study, ileal contents were assessed for microbial counts and small intestines for morphology. The microbial counts were comparable among all the treatment groups with non-significant reduction compared to control diet. The mean length of the small intestine of treatment groups was significantly reduced compared to control. At 3 rd week, the intestinal weights were comparable in all groups but at 6 th week, a significant decrease was observed in treatment groups fed reduced protein compared to other groups. Histomorphological features revealed significantly variable villi length, crypt length and width at 3 rd and 6 th weeks. Villi height, crypt length and width were increased in the all enzyme treated groups. It can be concluded from this study that incorporation of exogenous multi-enzymes during reduced energy or protein intake or both affects total microbial count and the intestinal gross and histomorphology in the broiler chicken
An Improved Maximum Likelihood Localization Approach for Mobile Nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks using RSSI Technique

The wireless sensor networks based communication system is an increasing research area in the field of wireless communication. It has several advantages such as data sensing and actuating along with various real-world applications such as health-monitoring, environment monitoring, and army applications. In these applications, a large number of wireless sensors are deployed for data sensing. After deployment of these sensors, accurate location of the sensor is desired for efficient data sensing which is known as sensor node localization. Inaccurate locations of sensor collect the faulty information for data sensing which may lead to improper analysis. In order to deal with this, various studies have been presented for wireless sensor network localization. Generally, noisy and inaccurate distance measurement between anchor and sensing node causes this issue and it still remains a challenging task for researchers to minimize the distance measurement error between nodes. Conventional techniques of WSN localization assume that the anchor node positions are known perfectly but fail to provide better localization performance for mobile node scenario. To overcome this issue, we propose a novel approach for sensor node localization using range-based localization methodology. According to this approach, maximum likelihood function based problem is formulated and later RSSI based distance measurement model is developed to minimize the error and find the current coordinates of the nodes. This complete simulation study is carried out using MATLAB simulation tool and we present a comparative experimental analysis performance of proposed approach. The proposed model achieves better performance when compared with existing models of sensor node localization.
In Vivo Anti-Trypanosomal Potential Of Methanol Root Extract Of Terminalia Macroptera ( Guill . And Perr . ) In Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei Infected Wistar Rat

Trypanosoma brucei brucei is a haemo-protozoan parasite transmitted by tsetse fly, which causes African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT), a parasitic disease that causes economic loss in cattle, sheep and goats. Existing drugs for the management of AAT have been reported to be expensive, toxic and rapidly becoming ineffective due to animals becoming resistant to the drugs. Hence the need for drugs of plant origin that are natural, easily accessible, and cheaper, with minimal side effects when compared to conventional antitrypanocidal drugs. Terminalia macroptera (T. macroptera) is an ethnomedicinal plant used as antimicrobial and antimalarial therapies in some developing countries.The study aimed at evaluating the anti-trypanosomal potential of the methanol root extract of T. macroptera in Wistar rats. A prior Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) was carried out on the root extract. Twenty-five female Wistar rats were used for the study. These were divided into five groups (I: Therapeutically treated; II: Positive control; III: Prophylactically treated; IV: Extract control and V: Healthy control) of five animals each. Experimental groups I and III received 64 mg/kg of extract after and before a parasite dose of 10 6 respectively, via intraperitoneal route. Results obtained showed that Groups I and III had insignificant parasitaemia peaks with 40% and 20% survival respectively, at day 11 post infection (Pi), as compared to Group II which had a significant parasitaemia peak with 0% survival at day 6 Pi. The extract and healthy controls had 100% survival at day 14. Furthermore, Haematoxylin and Eosin stained spleen, liver and kidney tissues revealed distortion in the Group II as compared to Groups I and III. No significant (P > 0.05) change in body weight was observed. Methanol root extract of T. macroptera regulated parasite multiplication, ameliorated histopathological and hematological changes (P < 0.05) and extended animal survival in experimental trypanosomiasis. Key: Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, Terminalia macroptera, Trypanosomiasis and Trypanosoma brucei brucei -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 02-10-2017 Date of acceptance: 14-10-2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------