Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating Light-Driven Hole Injection and Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis at Dye-Sensitized NiO Photocathodes: A Combined Experimental–Theoretical Study

Dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells form an emerging technology for the large-scale storage of solar energy in the form of (solar) fuels because of the low cost and easy processing of their constitutive photoelectrode materials. Such hybrid photoelectrodes consist of molecular dyes grafted onto transparent semiconducting metal oxides in combination with catalytic centers. The optimization of the performances of such hybrid photoelectrodes requires a detailed understanding of the light-driven electron transfer processes occurring first at the interface between the semiconducting material and the dye and then between the dye and the catalytic center. Here we address the first of these issues and use quantum chemistry to determine the structural and electronic features of the interfaces between a push–pull dye and the p-NiO (100) surface. We show that these calculations are in good agreement with transient absorption spectroscopic measurements on a prototypical dye-sensitized photocathode system able t.
Have China's Enterprise Reforms Led to Improved Efficiency and Profitability for Privatized Soes?

About twenty years ago, China set about reforming its moribund economy by introducing certain elements of free market capitalist economics. One reform was the partial privatization of many State Owned Enterprizes (SOEs) and listing the shares in them on the stock exchanges of Shanghai and Shenzhen. The partial private ownership of these companies was supposed to act as a spur to improve profitability, efficiency, investment, and growth. In contrast to the operating and financial improvements recorded in privatizations in other countries, our study shows that performance deteriorated after the privatization. Profitability and efficiency decline in the five years after privatization. Sales grow, capital investment improves, and debt levels fall after privatization. We argue that the privatizations have been unsuccessful (in terms of profitability and efficiency) because the state continues to hold substantial shareholdings in companies and because the state often controls the make-up of the board of directors. Despite their declared intentions, state shareholders are not fully committed to profitability and efficiency because they have various social and political objectives that hinder economic performance.
Research on Across-cultural Communication in College English Teaching based on Cloud Platform

Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate. It is applied in college English teaching more and more. Cloud computing has an important value and significance to solve the problem of college education resource sharing and construction. The construction of cloud platform in universities is to integrate all sorts of educational resources and it can provide rapid and convenient resource storage, sharing, learning and computing services. In this paper we analyse the advantages of cloud platform in the college English teaching, further build a college network English teaching system based on cloud computing, and probe into the construction of an autonomous learning mode in the light of the problems existing in across-cultural communication.
Development of Quantitative and Temporal Scalar Implicatures in a Felicity Judgment Task

Experimental investigations into children’s interpretation of scalar terms show that children have difficulties with scalar implicatures in tasks. In contrast with adults, they are for instance not able to derive the pragmatic interpretation that “some” means “not all” (Noveck, 2001; Papafragou and Musolino, 2003). However, there is also substantial experimental evidence that children are not incapable of drawing scalar inferences and that they are aware of the pragmatic potential of scalar expressions. In these kinds of studies, the prime interest is to discover what conditions facilitate implicature production for children. One of the factors that seem to be difficult for children is the generation of the scalar alternative. In a Felicity Judgment Task (FJT) the alternative is given. Participants are presented with a pair of utterances and asked to choose the most felicitous description. In such a task, even 5-year-old children are reported to show a very good performance. Our study wants to build on this tradition, by using a FJT where not only “some-all” choices are given, but also “some-many” and “many-all. ” In combination with a manipulation of the number of successes/failures in the stories, this enabled us to construct control, critical and ambiguous items. We compared the performance of 59 5-year-old children with that of 34 11-year-old children. The results indicated that performance of both age groups was clearly above chance, replicating previous findings. However, for the 5-year-old children, the critical and ambiguous items were more difficult than the control items and they also performed worse on these two types of items than the 11-year-old children. Interestingly with respect to the issue of scalar diversity, the 11-year-old children were also presented temporal items, which turned out to be more difficult than the quantitative ones.
Distributional Effects of the CAP on Western German Farm Incomes and Regional Farm Income Disparity

This study is concerned with measuring impacts of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on farm income distribution of western Germany. Not only the sheer contribution of market price support and direct payments as a proportion of income is taken into account, but also the impact of support on production incentives. For this purpose, we apply a modelling system consisting of a partial equilibrium model and a programming model. Based on a comparison of Gini coefficients and a decomposition of overall inequality effects we conclude that liberalization of the agricultural sector leads to a more unequal distribution of family farm income in relative terms, whereas a liberalized market provides a more equal situation in absolute terms. Furthermore, we consider the impacts of liberalizing the agricultural market on regional differences in average agricultural income and conclude that in relative terms liberalization increases regional inequality.
Public participation: a need of forest planning

Abstract: Stakeholder participation in decisions related to forest planning is essential to get long-lasting and viable solutions. Nowadays, public participation is necessary to reach consensus in natural resource management and in citizen governance of land. It is a key element in a forest planning on a strategic level. However, only the first steps are being taken to include public participation in forest planning within the forestry sector. This paper proposes a review of public participation processes in forest planning as a reference for the development of new methodologies in areas with no previous experience in participative processes. The assessment of the existing scientific literature and its use in different models and countries show a high diversity of responses to the challenge of including social aspects and integrating them with methodological proposals.
Synthesis of Nickel Hydroxide Nanoparticles by Reverse Micelle Method and its Antimicrobial Activity

Rod shaped Ni(OH) 2 nanoparticles of average size 10-20 nm were synthesized in Triton/water/cyclohexane/Polyvinyl pyrolidone quaternary microemulsion by reverse micelle method in different water to surfactant ratio. Nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM, FTIR and DSC techniques. Antibacterial activity of Ni(OH) 2 nanoparticles at different concentrations (0.05 to 1.2 mg/ml) were tested on three bacterial strains i.e. E. coli, P. aerugenosa and S. aureus and further compared with seven well known antibiotics. A significant increase in the antibacterial activity of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles have been observed with the increase in concentration of nanoparticles. Optimum concentration for inhibiting growth of bacterial cell was found to be 0.4 mg/ml. It is believed that Ni(OH) 2 nanoparticles due to its small size penetrated the bacterial cell membrane and binds to functional groups of proteins, resulting in denaturation of protein and also believed to have caused damage to the bacterial cell by interacting with phosphorous and sulphur containing compounds such as DNA causing death of bacterial cell.
Collaborative Options and Pedagogical Experiment in Anthropological Research on Experts and Policy Processes

This article engages the current challenges that the ecology of designing and implementing ethnographic research today presents to the still powerful culture of method in anthropology, especially as it is manifested in the production of apprentice graduate dissertation research by anthropologists in the making. The Anthropology of Public Policy defines a recent and emerging terrain of anthropological research that challenges the culture of fieldwork/ethnographic method at the core of anthropology’s practice and identity. Thus, what might emerge, in the author’s view, is not a new or adjusted handbook of method, but a more far-reaching discussion of how the very function of ethnographic research shifts in response to this challenge in terms of collaboration and pedagogy.
Impact of technological innovations on customers in the banking industry in developing countries

Without continuous technological innovations in today’s highly digital world, it will be extremely difficult for banks to remain relevant within the competitive landscape. Bank customers are also becoming very sophisticated and their demands drive the direction of these technological innovations. Whilst banks derive efficiency from these innovations, customers are however impacted with convenience and transaction costs offered by these innovative services and electronic activities. This study sought to understand the impact of these electronic banking services on customer satisfaction and related transaction cost. Drawing on the customer satisfaction model SERVQUAL and the conventional economic efficiency theory, this paper employed the chi-square analysis to investigate customer satisfaction and the associated cost of electronic banking services with specific reference to banking customers in Ghana. Whilst the study concluded that there is a significant relationship between customer satisfaction and technological innovations in the Ghanaian banking industry, it was revealed that the costs associated with technological innovations in banking have also increased transactions costs to the disadvantages of customers. This increase could be attributed to the high cost of investment made by the banks, low level of technology adoption and customer education in the technological innovations. The findings of the study have important policy implications for banks. First, banks need to have closer collaboration with the target segment of customers in developing new electronic products and services. This is to ensure that these products meet the needs, delight, attract and retain customers. Secondly, to avoid customer attrition as a result of high cost of electronic banking transactions, banks need to employ effective pricing strategies such as offering bundle fees to customers consuming multiple electronic banking services. This means that the banks must focus on innovation, disruptive technology and automation, with the ultimate aim of increasing profitability and at the same time satisfying its customers.
Is stimulation of leaf photosynthesis by elevated carbon dioxide concentration maintained in the long term? A test with Lolium perenne grown for 10 years at two nitrogen fertilization levels under Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE)

Photosynthesis is commonly stimulated in grasslands with experimental increases in atmospheric CO 2 concentration ([CO 2 ]), a physiological response that could significantly alter the future carbon cycle if it persists in the long term. Yet an acclimation of photosynthetic capacity suggested by theoretical models and short-term experiments could completely remove this effect of CO 2 . Perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L. cv. Bastion) was grown under an elevated [CO 2 ] of 600 m m m mol mol - 1 for 10 years using F ree A ir C O 2 E nrichment ( FACE ), with two contrasting nitrogen levels and abrupt changes in the source : sink ratio following periodic harvests. More than 3000 measurements characterized the response of leaf photosynthesis and stomatal conductance to elevated [CO 2 ] across each growing season for the duration of the experiment. Over the 10 years as a whole, growth at elevated [CO 2 ] resulted in a 43% higher rate of light-saturated leaf photosynthesis and a 36% increase in daily integral of leaf CO 2 uptake. Photosynthetic stimulation was maintained despite a 30% decrease in stomatal conductance and significant decreases in both the apparent, maximum carboxylation velocity ( V c,max ) and the maximum rate of electron transport ( J max ). Immediately prior to the periodic (every 4‐8 weeks) cuts of the L. perenne stands, V c,max and J max, were significantly lower in elevated than in ambient [CO 2 ] in the low-nitrogen treatment. This difference was smaller after the cut, suggesting a dependence upon the balance between the sources and sinks for carbon. In contrast with theoretical expectations and the results of shorter duration experiments, the present results provide no significant change in photosynthetic stimulation across a 10-year period, nor greater acclimation in V c,max and J max in the later years in either nitrogen treatment.
Antibacterial activity of Zingiber officinale roscoe extract as a potential root canal irrigation solution against Enterococcus faecalis

Introduction: This study was aimed to determine and formulate antibacterial activity of Zingiber Officinale Roscoe (Z. officinale) extract against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) as a potential irrigating solution which is easily available and cost-effective. Methods: Extract of Z. officinale Roscoe was yielded through soxhlet technique. Samples divided into two groups, i.e., the extract of Z. officinale Roscoe and chlorhexidine 2% as a control. The antimicrobial activity was observed using the diffuse agar method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by serial microdilution method, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined by cultured samples in blood agar. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe has antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis with the MBC of 15.625 mg/mL. (p<0,05). Conclusion: Extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe have shown antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and can be further developed as a potential root canal irrigation solution.
Molecular characterisation and genetic diversity analysis of Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. clones using SSR markers

In India, only few poplar clones are commercially grown over the vast tracts of land. This practice of monoculture is alarming as outbreak of any disease or pest incidence may wipe out the whole plantations of narrow genetic base. A study was carried out to find out genetic diversity among the 147 poplar clones. Of 32 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers used in study, only 22 markers showed polymorphic pattern and amplified a total of 102 alleles. Average number of alleles amplified per locus was 4.5. Two unique alleles specific to 65/27 and one allele specific to U64c were also detected. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value at a locus ranged from 0.29 to 0.77. The results demonstrated that the PTR SSR DNA-markers developed from P. tremuloides and WPMS SSR markers established from P. nigra could be successfully used to differentiate genotypes of P. deltoides. Cluster analysis of SSR data using UPGMA separated 147 clones into 6 major clusters at similarity coefficient of 0.60. The diverse clones identified in the study would be useful for developing intraspecific hybrids to exploit hybrid vigour and for commercial cultivation to broaden genetic base. The DNA fingerprints obtained for each clone can be used for biodiversity conservation.
A Slip-velocity Hypothesis Applied to Hydraulically Smooth Wind Flow Over a Snow cover

Abstract An hypothesis relating the slip velocity for laminar flow over a porous surface to the specific permeability of the surface proposed by Beavers and Joseph (1967) is applied to the problem of estimating the surface shear stress on an extensive snow surface at low wind speeds. Vertical profiles of wind speed and the air permeability of the surface snow layer were recorded for five periods of neutrally stable, hydraulically smooth flow. The variation of the ratio of the slip velocity to the surface shear stress with the specific permability was examined. The data are compatible with the hypothesis, although they are too sparse to allow valid estimates of the coefficients in the hypothesis.
Team innovation and team effectiveness: The importance of minority dissent and reflexivity

Past research suggests that minority dissent in teams may foster team innovations. It is hypothesized, however, that minority dissent would predict team innovations only when teams have high levels of reflexivity - the tendency to overtly reflect upon the group's objectives, strategies, and processes and adapt them to current or anticipated circumstances. This hypothesis was tested in a field study involving a heterogeneous sample of 32 organizational teams performing complex, ill-defined tasks. Results showed more innovation and greater team effectiveness under high rather than low levels of minority dissent, but only when there was a high level of team reflexivity. Avenues for future research are discussed.
Voices of Couples Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

The purpose of this research was to identify themes in communication between persons with Alzheimer’s disease and their spouse caregivers. Theme identification provides insight so that interventions can be designed to improve communication. The long term goal of this research is to improve quality of life for couples experiencing dementia and increase their satisfaction with their relationship. Thirty transcribed videotaped ten-minute interviews between fifteen couples who consented to participate in a previous study (Principal Investigator: Williams) were analyzed to identify common themes. Themes included Harmony in Spite of a Memory Disorder, Healthy Acceptance, and Discord and Contempt. These themes were further divided into individual subthemes, which included “Loving Affection,” “Bringing up the Past,” “Orienting Spouse to the Situation,” “Giving Assurance,” “Fighting Acceptance of Illness,” and “Bitterness and Frustration. ” Understanding the themes generated within the conversations help to further analyze the effects that Alzheimer’s disease has on communication in a relationship.
Delighting the Customer: Creativity-Oriented High-Performance Work Systems, Frontline Employee Creative Performance, and Customer Satisfaction

Drawing on self-determination theory, we proposed and tested a cross-level model of how perceived creativity-oriented high-performance work systems (HPWS) influence customer satisfaction. Data were obtained from frontline employees (FLEs), their managers, and branch records of two organizations (retail bank and cosmetics) in Lithuania. Results of multilevel structural equation modeling analyses revealed partial support for our model. Although perceived creativity-oriented HPWS related to creative performance at the individual level, this effect was mediated solely by need satisfaction and not by creative process engagement nor by a serial mediation of both variables as we hypothesized. However, as we did hypothesize, average branch creative performance related to branch customer satisfaction. We interpret our findings as underscoring the utility of perceived creativity-oriented HPWS in fostering FLEs’ creative performance and ultimately, customer satisfaction.
The Relationship between Emotional Labour and Job Satisfaction: A Study of Senior Teachers in Selected International Schools in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Area of the Study This study attempts to identify the relationship between emotional labour and job satisfaction of senior teachers in selected International Schools in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Problem of the Study There is an empirical knowledge gap in Sri Lankan context on the relationship between emotional labour and job satisfaction of International School teachers. This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional labour and job satisfaction of senior teachers in selected International Schools in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Method of the Study The data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 120 senior teachers in selected three International Schools in Colombo district in Sri Lanka by administering a structured questionnaire, which consisted of 32 questions/statements with 5 point scale. The data analyses included the univariate and bivariate analyses. Findings of the Study This study found that there is a weak negative relationship between surface acting and job satisfaction and a moderate strong positive relationship between deep acting and job satisfaction of senior teachers in the selected three International Schools. Conclusion of the Study It is concluded that the surface acting is negatively associated with job satisfaction while deep acting is positively associated with job satisfaction of senior teachers in International Schools. Thus, it is advisable for Teacher Training Institutes to give a better understanding of these emotional demands and different strategies in teacher training programmes to enhance job satisfaction and teaching effectiveness. Keywords: Surface Acting, Deep Acting, Emotional Labour, Job Satisfaction, International School Teachers