Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Low VOC-Emission Products and Analyses of Emitted VOCs and Aldehyde

Table 1 shows the guideline values for a concentration of chemical substances in the indoor atmosphere 1) released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. This was presented in response to the outbreak of sick building syndrome which became a social problem in the 1990s, and with an aim to reduce chemical substances in the indoor atmosphere. The amended Building Standards Law regulates formaldehyde emission 2), 3) (Table 2), and the “Standards of School Environmental Sanitation” 4) makes inspections on formaldehyde and toluene mandatory. Furthermore, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) self-regulates VOC in the vehicle cabin 5) and the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) does in similar way personal computers . The respective industry segments have thus formulated their own measuring methods for VOC and aldehyde emission. We have developed analysis techniques on VOC and aldehyde emission in order to achieve lower VOC emission for our products.
Verification of the Kinematic Analysis of the 6-DOF Stewart Platform Manipulator

Virtual modelling and simulation of robot-based systems provides decisive advantages not only in design but also in planning and the normal operation of such systems. In addition, kinematic modelling provides a powerful framework to understand the structure, mobility and adapt the specific characteristics of both serial and parallel manipulators. In this work, the position and orientation of the Stewart Platform parallel manipulator are required in order to find the leg lengths which is the solution for the inverse kinematics problem. The lengths are automatically computed with respect to a given orientation and position and hence the end‐effector performs a predefined trajectory in the task space. A virtual and mathematical verification of the position analysis of a 6‐DOF Stewart platform was implemented by comparing different robot postures with the same position and orientation. SolidWorks and MATLAB are used to check the study and the robot motion simulation. The results are discussed and an agreement between the two programs is certainly obtained.
SELECTION AND IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOCONTROL AGENTS WITH POTENTIAL TO PROTECT PEANUT PLANTS AGAINST FUNGAL PATHOGENS

Over 193 endophytic and epiphytic bacteria were isolated from different organs of peanut plants growing under field conditions. The diversity of the isolates was analyzed by ERIC/BOX-PCR and 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. Their potential to protect peanut plants against the fungal pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. minor, Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium solani was evaluated by assaying important biocontrol traits. Of the isolates, 148 produced siderophores, 71 (most of them epiphytes) showed fungal growth inhibition in YEMA plates, while only 28 also exhibited this activity in PDA medium. The cell free-extract from 11 bacterial cultures showed antibiotic activity suggesting the secretion of soluble extracellular compounds, some being heat-labile compounds with mol. wt greater than 12 kDa. Fungal sensitivity to volatile compounds produced by isolates differed from those observed for soluble secreted compounds or bacterial cells.
Comparison of two preparation methods of liver whole-organ decellularized matrix

Objective To compare the two different decellularization methods for preparation of liver whole-organ decellularized matrix for providing an experimental basis for screening more effective method. Methods Liver whole-organ decellularized matrix was prepared by two different decellularization methods using sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100+SDS (Tx+SDS) as main detergent respectively. The three-dimensional shape, vascular structure, histological results and immunofluorescence images were observed, and the contents of residual DNA, collagen and growth factors (HGF, bFGF) were determined by ELISA. Results Liver whole-organ decellularized matrix was successfully prepared by both methods, as the cellular and nuclear components were removed successfully and the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein was preserved. The Tx+SDS method preserved the vascular structure of the liver, and the SDS method resulted in damage to the vascular structure. Compared with SDS method, the Tx+SDS method preserved more ECM protein, including almost 100% of collagen, and 58.5% of HGF and 42.5% of bFGF. Conclusion The liver whole-organ decellularized matrix could be well prepared by Tx+SDS method, and it may provide an effective scaffold for the study of tissue engineered liver and regenerative medicine. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn. 0577-7402.2014. 04.07
Physiological correlates of the perceptual pitch shift for sounds with similar waveform autocorrelation

A perceptual experiment shows that random click trains with a uniform interclick distribution can be reliably pitch-matched to pseudo-periodic click trains. The pitch matches cannot be explained on the basis of mean rate, power spectrum, or autocorrelation of the waveform. The matches are qualitatively, but not quantitatively, consistent with the most common interspike interval present in responses of single units from the ventral cochlear nucleus of anaesthetised guinea pigs. The physiological recordings also demonstrate that at the level of the cochlear nucleus, similar cues are found in either first-order or all-order interspike interval statistics.
Procurement and Governance Choices for Collaborative Infrastructure Projects

Collaborative approaches to infrastructure procurement are increasingly popular around the world due to their potential to provide improved project performance compared with more traditional approaches. The problem is that project outcomes continue to be unpredictable. Previous research has shown that this is the case regardless of whether the chosen procurement approach is based on price or nonprice selection of the project team. This is a major choice that clients make, but the presented research shows that governance choices for project execution are more important. This is significant because clients tend to focus more on procurement choices and typically do not differentiate governance based on those choices. This needs to change, and the authors show that optimal governance configurations vary on the basis of the chosen type of team configuration. For example, three specific governance arrangements for workshops are highlighted for single teams, and two specific governance arrangements for risk/reward sharing are highlighted for multiple teams. This study identifies governance actions that are associated with superior time and cost outcomes on collaborative infrastructure projects in Australia run by experienced public-sector clients under the two procurement scenarios. Based on a survey of 320 senior managers, independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare the application of governance actions among three distinct groups of projects, based on type of team selection and type of project outcome. The study provides evidence of the most effective approaches to project governance in a country that is a world leader. The results provide much needed recommendations for improved project performance based on large-scale quantitative analysis, which before now has not existed. Overall, the study recommends more attention be paid to noncontractual governance under both approaches to team selection, although the specific actions recommended vary.
Minimizing costs of reducing agricultural nitrogen loadings: choosing between on- and off-field conservation practices

The objective of this research is to generate and cross-compare cost-effectiveness estimates of on-field (improved timing, rate, and application method) and off-field (restoring wetlands and establishing vegetative filter strips (VFSs)) approaches to reducing reactive nitrogen loadings. The analysis is based on economic and biophysical models that we’ve designed to evaluate public water quality conservation strategies. Results indicate that increasing the use of on-field nitrogen conservation practices, targeted to lands in corn-corn rotation (with a nitrogen-removal cost of $0.17 per pound), is the most cost-effective nitrogen conservation strategy. But the cost of further reductions in nitrogen losses by offering incentives to farmers with a corn-soybean rotation rises to $0.62 per pound. The authors found that wetland restoration is the second most cost-effective strategy. The average nitrogen removal cost of five- to ten-acre wetlands ranges from $0.23 to $0.24 per pound – when the wetlands are located to receive aquatic nitrogen flows. Nitrogen removal by VFS, in a best-case scenario, costs $0.41 per pound, but could be much higher. The analysis and results are based on conditions within a single Ohio county, two crop rotations, and a limited number of wetland options. Howev-er, the approach used here can be applied to assess different mixes of conservation practices and to determine which conservation practices are most cost-effective.
Histological and Ultrastructural Changes in the Liver of Albino Rat after Partial Hepatectomy

Background: Understanding of the mechanisms governing liver regeneration may be useful for designing treatments for patients with hepatitis, liver injury, or liver transplant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructural changes and BCL-2 protein expression associated with partial hepatectomy (PHx). Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 30 male albino rats assigned to three experimental groups. PHx was done for all the 30 animals and liver tissues were collected to become control tissues. The rats were sacrificed in 24 h (group A), 48 h (group B), and 72 h (group C) after PHx. Liver specimens were processed for light and transmission electron microscope. BCL-2 protein expression was evaluated in all groups. Results: Hepatocytes of groups A and B showed several apoptotic changes. BCL-2 protein expression was not detected in the hepatocytes of controls. 48h after PHx, the nuclei of the hepatocytes showed abundant heterochromatin with indistinct nucleoli. The cytoplasms showed numerous electron lucent vacuoles, and swollen mitochondria compared with the controls. Moreover, dilated bile canaliculi with absent microvilli were observed. Meanwhile, 72 h after PHx, the general architecture of liver was retained nearly to normal. Conclusion: In conclusion, during the 48 h after PHx, the hepatocytes underwent proliferative and apoptotic changes followed by regaining their normal structure and organization.
Enhancement of Executive Functions with Cognitive Rehabilitation in Older Adults

Introduction: Age-related decreases in cognitive functions such as executive functions are a common phenomenon. Cognitive rehabilitation with two main approaches, compensation and remediation, is used to help elderlies coping with these deficits. Despite reported benefits, there are doubts on the efficacy of each of these approaches. We tried to provide effective computerized cognitive tasks as a rehabilitation intervention for elderlies to help them regain their lost executive functions. Material and Methods: A 10-session cognitive training, in which 16 participants trained to regain their executive function shortcomings, was held using attentive rehabilitation of attention and memory (ARAM). Data from all 32 participants, assigned randomly to trained and control groups, were analyzed by paired and independent t-tests to examine each group’s improvement over time and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Wisconsin card sorting test, continuous performance test, and Stroop color-word test were used as assessment tools. Results: Results showed that general executive functioning that requires strategic planning and the ability to use environmental feedback to shift cognitive improved effectively using the intervention (P < 0.010). In overall, findings showed that ARAM is an effective tool for cognitive rehabilitation in elderlies. It overcomes limitations of most strategy learning programs. Conclusion: Although improvements were observed in executive functions such as attentional control, sustained attention, inhibitory control, and cognitive shifting in elderlies, further study needs to investigate the ARAM’s transfer and long-term effects. Keywords: Attentive rehabilitation of attention and memory; Cognitive rehabilitation; Older adult
Two-Phase Spray Cooling of Hybrid Vehicle Electronics

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Power Electronics and Electric Machines Program area, the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is currently leading a national effort to develop next-generation cooling technologies for hybrid vehicle electronics. Spray cooling has been identified as a potential solution that can dissipate 150-200 W/cm2 while maintaining the chip temperature below 125degC. This paper explores the viability and implementation of this cooling scheme. First, commercial coolants are assessed for their suitability to this application in terms of thermal, environmental, and safety concerns and material compatibility. In this assessment, HFE-7100 is identified as the optimum coolant in all performance categories. Next, spray models are used to determine the HFE-7100 spray conditions that meet such stringent heat dissipation requirements. These findings are verified experimentally, demonstrating that spray cooling is a viable thermal management solution for hybrid vehicle electronics.
Male mate choice and patterns of paternity in the polyandrous, sexually cannibalistic orb-web spider, Nephila plumipes

Studies that investigate patterns of paternity in polyandrous species typically employ double-mating trials, in which the paternity share of each male is established by either the sterile male technique or using genetic markers. However, polyandrous females may mate with more than two males and, in some species, triple-mating trials produce different patterns of paternity from double-mating trials. We investigated patterns of paternity share in triple-mating trials of the sexually cannibalistic orb-web spider Nephila plumipes. These experiments reveal little quantitative changes to paternity share when more than two males mate with the female; the third male apparently diluted the fertilisation success of the second male but not of the first male. Sexual cannibalism had little impact on the fertilisation success of the first male, but greatly increased the fertilisation success of the third male. When offered a choice, males did not prefer to mate with virgin over mated females, but males that chose virgin females were significantly heavier than those that chose mated females. ZOce and er w Mlg et
Mining Enrolment Data Using Predictive and Descriptive Approaches

In recent years, the technology of database has become more advanced where huge amount of data is required to be stored in the databases, and the wealth of information hidden in those datasets has been realized by business people as a useful tool for making business strategic decisions. Data mining then attract more attention as it promises to extract valuable information from the raw data that businesses can use to increase their profitability through a profitable decision-making process. Data mining is used to describe knowledge in databases; it is a process of extracting and identifying useful information and subsequent knowledge from databases using statistical, mathematical, artificial intelligence and machine learning technique (Efraim et al., 2007). Data mining applies modern statistical and computational technologies in its quest to expose useful pattern hidden within the large databases. It has proved itself as a powerful tool, capable of providing highly targeted information to support decision-making and forecasting for scientific, physiological, sociological, the military and business decision making. The predictive power of data mining comes from its unique design by combining techniques from machine learning, pattern recognition, and statistics to automatically extract concepts, and to determine the interrelations and patterns of interest from large databases (Edelstein, 1997). To date, higher educational organizations are placed in a very high competitive environment and are aiming to get more competitive advantages over the other business competitors. These organizations should improve the quality of their services and satisfy their customers such as industries and government agencies. To remain competitiveness among educational field, these organizations need deep and enough knowledge for a better assessment, evaluation, planning, and decision-making. Majority of the required knowledge that has been stored in the educational organization’s database can be extracted from the historical and operational data. Therefore, one approach to effectively tackle the student and administration challenges is through the analysis and presentation of data, or data mining. Data mining helps organizations to use their current reporting capabilities to discover and identify the hidden patterns in databases. The extracted patterns are then used to build data mining models, and hence can be used to predict performance and behaviour with high accuracy. As a result of this insight, universities are able to allocate resources more effectively. Data mining may, for example, give a university the information necessary to take action before students quit their study, or to efficiently assign resources with an
atalytic pyrolysis of recalcitrant , insoluble humin byproducts from 6 sugar biorefineries

Humins are solid by-products formed during the acid-catalysed conversions of C-6 sugars to platform chemicals like hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid. We here report an experimental study on the liquefaction/depolymerisation of humins using catalytic pyrolysis. Synthetic humins (SH) and crude industrial humins (CIH, including purified industrial (PIH) samples) from the acid-catalysed conversion of C-6 sugars to HMF/LA were tested. Thermal degradation patterns of both humin types vary significantly. Major thermal decomposition of the industrial humins was observed between 50 and 650 ◦C (weight loss approx. 66 wt%), whereas, major weight loss was observed between 200 and 800 ◦C for the synthetic humins (47 wt%). A series of catalytic pyrolysis tests with synthetic humins and different zeolites were performed using a PTV-GC/MS (humin to catalyst wt ratio of 0.2, 550 ◦C). Best results were obtained
Signaling Necessities and Function of Polyamines/ Jasmonate - Dependent Induced Resistance in Sugar Beet Against Beet Mosaic Virus (BtMV) Infection

Induced systemic resistance (ISR) in plants against pathogens is a pervasive phenomenon that has been intensively investigated with respect to the essential signaling pathways as well as to its potential use in plant protection. In the present study, sugar beet plants treated with methyl jasmonate (MJ) exhibited augmentation resistance to Beet Mosaic Virus (BtMV), associated with increased polyamines (PAs) and salicylic acid (SA) buildup. BtMV-inoculated plants showed symptoms resembling severe mosaic, mottling and deformations. Spraying the leaves of sugar beet with MJ helped to preclude the twisted destructive possessions. Conspicuously the double antibody sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) values were decreased in the extracts of MJ- treated plants. In addition, the lesion numbers and concentration of BtMV- were abridged by polyamines i.e. L- Ornithine; L-Ornithine.Hydro; L-Ornithine.monohyd; Pentamidine and Diminidine treatment. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting of -coat proteins accumulation in leaf tissue revealed that MJ at 3.0 µg/ml concentration entirely subdued BtMV protein accumulation. The changes in some biochemical and molecular parameters in sugar beet leaves allied to BtMV infection and the effect of exogenous application of MJ were showed, 15 days following treatment. Significant increases in levels of free and conjugated putrescine, spermidin and spermine were noticed after treatment of the leaves with MJ. These changes were accompanied by increasing the activity of soluble ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamine oxidize (PAO), in leaves following treatment with MJ. Analysis of soluble protein, salicylic acid (SA), peroxidase, chitinase, polyphenoloxidase and phenols in protected plants revealed conspicuous accumulation of such substances. In addition, protein patterns symbolized some newly synthesized polypeptides which mirror formation of certain pathogenesis associated proteins in MJ treatment. All results show significant changes in metabolism affected by either viral infection or MJ treatments and also indicated that exogenous MJ plays an important role in the induction of defense mechanism against BtMV infection. (New York Science Journal 2010;3(8):95-103). (ISSN: 1554-0200).
Geographic clustering and network evolution of innovative activities: Evidence from China’s patents

This study examines the spatial distribution and social structure of processes of learning and knowledge creation within the context of the inventor network connecting Chinese patent teams. Results uncover mixed tendencies toward both geographic co-location and dispersion arising from combined processes of intra-cluster learning and extra-cluster networking. These processes unfold within a social network that becomes less fragmented over time: as a giant component emerges and increases in size, social distances among inventors become longer. The interplay between geographic and network proximity is assessed against China’s institutional environment. Implications of the findings are discussed for regional development and policy-making.
Representation and Deliberation in Civil Society

This paper discusses the issue of political representation, by arguing the necessity of re-envisioning it so as to consider non-electoral forms of representation. It claims that civil society associations can be conceived of as representatives of a series of discourses, voices, opinions, perspectives and ideas. Whilst this type of representation lacks formal mechanisms of authorization and accountability, its legitimacy may emerge from the effects of such associations and from their porosity to several interactional loci. The paper suggests that associations that are open to several discursive spheres are more prone to foster a discursive accountability, built within a broad process in which discourses clash in several communicative contexts. The idea of a deliberative system helps to understand the interconnections among these interactional loci, as it points to the possibility of a dynamic between partiality and generality, which is at the heart of political representation.