Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling of silicon oxidation processes

The oxide on silicon is a major factor in silicon’s domination of microelectronics. Yet, there is still no comprehensive vahdated atomistic picture of the oxidation process. This work concentrates on the properties and diffusion mechanisms of different oxygen species (the potential oxidising species in the context of silicon oxidation) in the amorphous oxide. My periodic-boundary DFT calculations for a representative model of amorphous silica em­ phasise the influence of static disorder on defect properties, the importance of a statistical approach, and the use of appropriate techniques. They show it is important to go beyond models based on a — quartz. The calculations include atomic and molecular oxygen, in neutral and negative charge states, and ozone. The comparison of defect properties in a — quartz and a — Si02 shows three types of difference: different average energetics, a big spread of values in the amor­ phous sample for some of the species, and the possibility of different stable conflgurations in the amorphous and crystalline host materials. I conclude that a — quartz can be a poor mimic of amorphous sihca for some of the properties. For example, the signiflcant site-to-site variations in incorporation energies of atomic oxygen originate mostly from the intrinsic medium-range strain fields of amorphous structure, and to a lesser extent from the different structures of the defect local environments. Neither of the factors can be simulated using a — quartz. I establish, in agreement with the accepted picture, that the neutral oxygen molecule is the species responsible for oxygen transport from the gas phase to Si/oxide interface for the thick oxides. The molecule travels interstitially through the bigger voids of the amor­ phous structure with the 7-membered and bigger rings providing the preferable passages between the voids. The estimated activation energy for this process agrees well with the experimental results. My results imply, however, a new picture of siUcon oxidation arising from charge transfer from siHcon to the diffusing molecular oxygen with its possible disso­ ciation into atomic species near the Si/oxide interface. The model explains anomalies like layer-by-layer growth at terraces, roughness oscillations, the distribution of oxygen isotope incorporation, the effects of excitation, and deviations from Deal-Grove (diffusion-reaction) kinetics. Based on this concept, new approaches to oxidation control and optimisation of oxide properties are suggested.
Stabilisation tartrique des vins par la carboxymethylcellulose (C.M.C.)

L'instabilite tartrique des vins reste un probleme preoccupant faisant appel a des technologies le plus souvent couteuses ou d'efficacite limitee dans le temps. L'addition de faibles doses de carboxymethylcellulose (C.M.C.), sur des vins tres divers, confere a ceux-ci une stabilite tartrique fiable et durable car insensible a la chaleur, aux collages, a la filtration, et de surcroit sans effet organoleptique. Une hypothese d'explication du mecanisme d'action de ce polymere d'origine vegetale est decrit. Cet additif est largement utilise dans de nombreux produits alimentaires depuis de nombreuses annees a des doses 12 a 250 fois superieures a celles efficaces dans les vins. Son emploi est d'une mise en oeuvre simple et de cout modere. Un dossier d'extension d'autorisation pour les vins est en cours d'instruction.
The Effect of Family Member Reciprocity on the Family Firm Performance in Saudi Arabia

The paper explores the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) emerging market to study the emergent factors towards identifying relationships between family member reciprocity and family-owned business’ performance. The study was conducted during 2018, wherein, for data collection 280 pre-validated, piloted questionnaires were distributed to family firms. The data inferred a 48.6% response rate representing the substantial prevalence of family-owned businesses in Saudi Arabia. The statistical analysis conducted in SPSS version 18 (SPSS Inc., Illinois, USA) revealed a significance level p<0.000. Thus, indicating a positive and significant influence of family member reciprocity on family-owned business’ performance. These findings could be attributed to the deep integration of the family within the Arab culture. In several Arab countries, families continue and maintain the tribal and clan legacy which are manifested through strong loyalties.
Effect of stabbing collaterals bloodletting of the hand twelve well points on the content of NE and cytochrome oxidase activity in mice after carbon monoxide poisoning

[Objective] To observe the effect of stabbing collaterals bloodletting on hand twelve well points on awaking the coma mice after carbon monoxide poisoning and discuss the mechanism of the action. [Methods] Fifty-four Kunming male mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group and treatment group,18 mice in each group.The mice in model group and treatment group mice were inhaled at a standstill in the tank with CO at concentration of 4 300 ppm for 60~70 minutes.Normal mice were not given with carbon monoxide gas in the empty tank for the same time equal to model group.Then the mice were taken out of tank and treated with stabbing collaterals bloodletting of the hand twelve well points in mice in treatment group.The content of NE in blood was detected immediately,1 hour and 4 hours after exposure,and cytochrome oxidase activity in brain tissue 4 hours after that was detected. [Results] Compared with model group,the content of NE in blood immediately,1 hour and 4 hours after exposure in treatment group was significantly lower than that in the model group.After exposure for 4 hours,cytochrome oxidase activity in brain tissue in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in model group. [Conclusion] Stabbing collaterals bloodletting of the hand twelve well points can decrease the content of NE in blood and increase cytochrome oxidase activity in brain tissue.
Water deficit stress induced changes in metabolic organic compounds in chickpea grains

The aim of the present study was to quantify the extent of changes in the concentration of different metabolic organic compounds in chickpea grains under extreme moisture stress and non stress so that nutritional quality can be defined. Chemical composition of grain protein, carbohydrate, starch, soluble sugars contents in chickpea samples were estimated under water stress to non-stress environments. Results indicated that a higher amount of grain protein, carbohydrate and soluble sugars were found however starch content decreased under moisture stress environment. Average protein increased by 5.04%, carbohydrate 3.68% and soluble sugars 21.44% over non stress content value. Moisture stress induced reduction in starch. It was found that starch reduced by 4.73% in water deficit stress.
Pengaruh Budaya Organisasi dan Employee Engagement terhadap Kinerja Karyawan pada PT PLN (Persero) Area Bekasi

Abstract: Electricity is a necessity that can not be separated from human’s life. PLN as theelectric service providers in Indonesia are required to improve its performance. The aims ofthis study are (1) analyzing the influence of organizational culture to employee engagement,(2) analyzing the influence of organizational culture and employee engagement to employeeperformance at PT PLN (Persero) Bekasi area. Data processed and analyzed by DescriptiveAnalysis, Structural Equation Modeling Analysis supported by microsoft excel, SPSS 16.0for windows, and SmartPLS 3.0. The results of this study are: (1) Organizational culture hasa significant effect on employee engagement; (2) Organizational culture has a significanteffect on employee performance. However, employee engagement has no significant effect onthe employee performance. Keywords: organizational culture, employee engagement, employee performance, SEM
What is “hypermobile” water?: detected in alkali halide, adenosine phosphate, and F-actin solutions by high-resolution microwave dielectric spectroscopy

Abstract Experimental observation by high-resolution microwave dielectric spectroscopy of hydration properties of alkali halide ions, adenosine phosphate ions, and F-actin revealed the existence of hypermobile water (HMW) molecules around those solutes. To understand the molecular process of HMW, two theoretical approaches are reviewed here. One is based on a statistical mechanical approach to analyze the rotational freedom of water molecules around a charged particle. Another approach reports direct calculation of dielectric relaxation process of water molecules around an ion. Experimentally observed HMW molecules are theoretically explained with the significance of multi-correlations among an ion and water molecules.
Influence of Asphaltene Aggregation on the Adsorption and Catalytic Behavior of Nanoparticles

This study is a continuation of our previous works on the use of metal-based nanoparticles for the adsorption of asphaltenes and its subsequent catalytic thermal decomposition. In this study, we evaluated the effects of asphaltene aggregation on the adsorption process and the subsequent catalytic oxidation using fumed silica and nanoparticles of NiO and/or PdO supported on fumed silica. Adsorption isotherms were constructed through batch adsorption experiments at 25 °C by using mixtures of n-heptane and toluene in amounts of 0, 20% v/v n-heptane (Heptol 20), and 40% v/v n-heptane (Heptol 40) to obtain different aggregate sizes of asphaltenes. Subsequently, asphaltene oxidation in the presence and absence of the nanoparticles was carried out in a TGA/FTIR system to investigate the impact of adsorbed asphaltene aggregates on the catalytic activity of the selected nanoparticles. The adsorption isotherms were described by the solid–liquid equilibrium (SLE) model, and the catalytic behavior of the nanoparticle.
Development parameters, yield and agro-meteorological indices of wheat as affected by different dates of sowing, compaction levels and irrigation schedules

Field experiments were conducted at N. E. Borloug Crop Research Center of the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during two rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 in sandy loam soil with wheat cv. UP-2565 under three compaction levels (C) viz. no compaction (C1), two passes of 500 kg RCC (reinforced cement concrete) roller (C2) and four passes of roller (C3); three irrigation schedules (I) viz. irrigation at 30% depletion from available soil moisture (ASM)- I1, irrigation at 40% depletion from ASM- I2 and irrigation at 50% depletion from ASM- I3 at three dates of sowing (D) viz. 5 November (D1), 20 November (D2) and 5 December (D3) with three replications. Maximum days to seedling emergence was recorded with D3 (8.11) and C3 (7.69) during 2015-16 while maximum days to anthesis and physiological maturity was recorded with D1 (91.49 and 135.39, respectively), C3 (90.12 and 131.85) and I1 (87.96 and 129.37, respectively) during 2014-15. Accumulated GDD at maturity (oC days) was recorded higher in D1 (1500.31), C3 (1514.83) and I2 (1472.16) during 2014-15. Accumulated PTU at maturity (oC days-hour) was also recorded higher with D1 (8942.46), C2 (9009.28) and I2 (8646.85) during 2014-15. Highest value of HUE was recorded with D3 (3.63), C2 (3.32) and I2 (3.27) during 2015-16. Grain yield (q ha-1) was found higher during 2014-15 with D3 (48.30), C2 (47.07) and I1 (45.88)
Cinnamon: A Natural Feed Additive for Poultry Health and Production—A Review

Simple Summary Due to restrictions on antibiotics in chicken production in recent years, the poultry industry has looked towards alternatives such as plant-derived feed additives. Plant bioactive compounds, such as phytochemicals, in poultry diets, are gaining popularity due to their potential antioxidant and anti-microbial activities. Some plant derivatives improve the immune system, reduce the stress response, and exert positive effects on health and performance. The dietary supplementation of cinnamon in poultry feed as a natural feed additive has beneficial impacts on nutrient digestibility, hypocholesterolaemic, blood biochemical profile, gene expression, immunity, and particularly on gut health to alleviate the impact of disease and heat stress by maintaining water and electrolytic balance and feed intake. It is clearly demonstrated that cinnamon can be used as an alternative to antibiotics in the poultry industry offering greater animal health, food safety, and economic aspects of poultry production. Abstract The increased bacterial resistance to synthetic antibiotics and consumer awareness about the health and food safety concerns have triggered the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promotors (AGPs) in the poultry industry. This situation encouraged the poultry sector and industry to explore safe alternatives to AGPs and focus on developing more sustainable feed management strategies to improve the intestinal health and growth performance of poultry. Consequently, phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have emerged as natural alternatives to AGPs and have great potential in the poultry industry. In recent years, cinnamon (one of the most widely used spices) has attracted attention from researchers as a natural product with numerous health benefits for poultry. The essential oils in cinnamon, in particular, are of interest because of their antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and hypocholesterolaemic effects, in addition to their ability to stimulate digestive enzymes in the gut. This review mainly emphasizes the potential impact of cinnamon as a natural feed additive on overall gut health, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical profile, gene expression, gut microbiota and immune response.
Identifying Experiences and Hopelessness Levels of Women Receiving Infertility Treatment: A Mixed Method Study

Abstract The research aimed to identify experiences and hopelessness levels of women receiving infertility treatment. The quantitative sample included 276 women receiving infertility treatment at a university hospital and structured interviews were done with 20 women in qualitative dimension. It was identified that socio-demographic factors, knowledge about infertility treatment, alternative treatment tendencies and use of plant cures affected hopelessness levels (p<.05). Four themes were found in the qualitative dimension about infertility and treatment process It was seen that Turkish women did not have sufficient knowledge about the process of infertility and treatment and had a high level of hopelessness.
The Study on Pollen Germination in Vitro of Carrot

Through vitro germination,vigor of carrot pollen was tested and the results showed that,only addling the PEG formula had carrot pollen germination,and optional concentration was 100 g/L,H3BO3,Ca2+ could promote pollen germination,but too high or too lowconcentration would restrain it,the best concentrations were 300 mg/L,concentration of H3BO3 and Ca(NO3)2.4H2O were verified in BK,under the conditions of this experiment,the best medium was 100 g /L PEG+0.1 g /L BK.
External Heat Transfer in Moist Air and Superheated Steam for Softwood Drying

In kiln drying of softwood timber, external heat and moisture mass transfer coefficients are important in defining boundary temperature and moisture content at the wood surface. In addition, superheated steam drying of wood is a promising technology but this has not been widely accepted commercially, partially due to the lack of understanding of the drying phenomena occurred during drying. In this work, experimental investigation was performed to quantify the heat transfer between wood surface and surrounding moist air or superheated steam. In the experiment, saturated radiata pine sapwood samples were dried using dry-bulb/wet-bulb temperatures of 60℃/50℃, 90℃/60℃, 120℃/71℃, 140℃/90℃, 160℃/90℃, 140℃/100℃ and 160℃/100℃. The last two schedules were for superheated steam drying as the wet-bulb temperature was set at 100℃. The circulation velocity over the board surface was controlled at 4.2m·s-1. Two additional runs (90℃/60℃) using air velocities of 2.4m·s-1 and 4.8m·s-1 were performed to check the effect of the circulation velocity. During drying, sample weight and temperatures at wood surface and different depths were continuously measured. From these measurements, changes in wood temperature and moisture content were calculated and external heat-transfer coefficient was determined for both the moist air and the superheated steam drying.
Development of transparent conducting oxides for photovoltaic applications

Metal oxides are a very important class of materials with a wide range of photovoltaic applications. Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are the primary front contact materials used in thin film solar cells. Identification of methods for reducing the resistivity of these materials would have significant benefits. Development of p-type TCOs would provide alternative back contact materials and could enable further development of technologies such as bifacial, window and multijunction cells. A series of studies into these areas is presented in this work. Aluminium doped zinc oxide (AZO) is a well-known n-type TCO consisting entirely of Earth-abundant materials. Targets were manufactured from AZO powder, which was synthesised using a patented emulsion detonation process developed by Innovnano S.A. All films showed good optical transmission. Resistivity was found to decrease with both increasing time and temperature up to 300 degree C. Temperatures above 300 degree C were found to be detrimental to film formation, with increasing amounts of damage to the crystal structure and consequent increases in the resistivity. The effect of alloying molybdenum oxide with molybdenum nitride through reactive sputtering in a mixed oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere was investigated. All alloys were found to show p-type behaviour. Resistivity was found to improve with increased nitrogen content, in contrast to optical transmission, which reduced. A selection of compositions were deposited onto CdTe cells as back contacts. These cells showed an increase in efficiency with increasing nitrogen content. Work function was found to increase with increasing oxygen content, but all work functions were low. Resistivity was shown to correlate strongly with efficiency, caused by a corresponding increase in cell voltage. This implies that to form an ohmic contact on CdTe with p-type materials, work function may be less important than resistivity. The copper oxides are p-type, but uses are limited by the narrow band gaps. Cupric oxide was chosen for investigation and for alloying with other oxides with the aim of increasing the band gap. It was found that temperature and deposition environment have significant impacts on sputtered cupric oxide (CuO) films, with low temperatures and high oxygen environments producing the lowest resistivities. Extrinsic sodium doping was found to reduce the resistivity by up to four orders of magnitude. High oxygen content sodium-doped films were found to have carrier concentrations two orders of magnitude higher than that of indium tin oxide. [Continues . ]
Nitrate Removal from Contaminated Waters by Using Anion Exchanger Phragmites Australis Nanoparticles

efficiency of modified Phragmites australis nanoparticles for nitrate removal from aqueous solution in batch and continuous conditions was studied. The effect of different operating conditions such as pH, the amount of adsorbent, and initial nitrate concentration were surveyed. Our results showed that, pH 6 could provide better condition for nitrate removal. The increase in the nitrate concentration from 5 to 120mg L-1 reduced the efficiency from 90% to 67%. Kinetics and isotherm data revealed that the nitrate adsorption successfully can be described by pseudo-second order kinetic model (R 2 =1) and Longmuir isotherm (R 2 =0.99), respectively. At the continuous-flow mode, column were operated at 0.98 L hr-1 and 2.27 L hr-1 with initial nitrate concentration of 15, 50 and 120 mg L-1. At the above mentioned conditions, the adsorption capacities were 13.4, 28.5 and 36.5 mg g -1 at 0.98 L hr-1 and 25.2, 60.9 and 74.3 mg g-1 at 2.27 L hr-1, respectively. Keyword: Nitrate Removal, Phragmites Australis Nano Particles, Contaminated Waters.
Ozonesonde profiles from the West Pacific Warm Pool: measurements and validation

Abstract. We present a series of ozonesonde profiles measured from Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, during February 2014, with new insights on the calibration of ozonesondes for measurements in the tropical troposphere. The experiment formed a part of a wider airborne campaign involving three aircraft based in Guam, to characterise the atmospheric composition above the tropical West Pacific in unprecedented detail. Thirty-nine ozonesondes were launched between 2 and 25 February of which 34 gave good ozone profiles. Particular attention was paid to evaluating the background current of the ozonesondes, as this can amount to half the measured signal in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). An unexpected contamination event affected the measurements and required a departure from standard operating procedures for the ozonesondes. The most significant departure was not exposing the sondes to ozone during preparation, which meant that the background current remained stable before launch. Comparison with aircraft measurements allows validation of the measured ozone profiles and confirms that for well-characterized sondes (background current ∼ 50 nA) a constant background current could be assumed throughout the profile, equal to the minimum value measured during preparation just before launch. From this set of 34 ozonesondes, the minimum reproducible ozone concentration measured in the TTL was 12–13 ppbv; no examples of ozone concentrations
Management of the Northern-Eastern Region of Romania viewed from the perspective of ecotourism development.

Tourism and services are important components of any developed European society. The Northern-Eastern Region of Romania (NER), which comprises six counties with various problems, is lacking of good promotion and there are major gaps between the component counties. The failures of the communication and promotion system are caused by an insufficient development of the domestic network of tourist information offices within the towns and villages. The limited financial resources of the local government for the co-financing of tourism promotion actions and/or activities in their localities, area or region result into a stagnation of the touristic activity in that area. A remarkable local development fact is the funds provided to the local government by the Ministry of Culture for the renovation of various historical monuments and by the Ministry of Regional Development for infrastructure reconstruction.