Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of N2O Plasma Reactant on PEALD-SiO2 Insulator for Remarkably Reliable ALD-Oxide Semiconductor TFTs

We studied nitrogen (N) incorporation effects on the electrical characteristics of SiO<sub>2</sub> fabricated by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD). To determine whether N could be incorporated into the SiO<sub>2</sub>, nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) plasma with different plasma powers (100, 150, and 200 W) was used during the SiO<sub>2</sub> deposition, and the film properties were compared with SiO<sub>2</sub> fabricated using a conventional oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) plasma reactant. Compared to the O<sub>2</sub> plasma reactant, the hard breakdown is improved by 27.5% as N<sub>2</sub>O plasma power increases up to 150 W, whereas it is degraded at a N<sub>2</sub>O plasma power of 200 W. These results are found to describe the relationship between the N content and film properties. The N content in the SiO<sub>2</sub> films fabricated using increasing N<sub>2</sub>O plasma power of 100, 150, and 200 W gradually increased by 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.5%, respectively. However, the N<sub>2</sub>O plasma power of 200 W results in increased O deficient Si bonding. To investigate the effects of continuous plasma exposure at the bottom layer during the SiO<sub>2</sub> deposition, we fabricated indium–zinc oxide (IZO) top-gate bottom-contact (TG-BC) thin-film transistors (TFTs) using the SiO<sub>2</sub> as a gate insulator (G.I). Compared to the O<sub>2</sub> plasma, the IZO TFTs using N<sub>2</sub>O plasma reactant during the G.I deposition show stable transfer characteristics. The IZO TFT using N<sub>2</sub>O plasma with 150-W power during the G.I deposition shows the optimal positive/negative bias temperature stress (P/NBTS) results, with the threshold voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathbf {TH}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) variations of 0.0 and −0.3 V, respectively.
Students’ key determinant structure towards educational technology acceptance at universities, during COVID 19 lockdown: Pakistani perspective

Abstract The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) situation has caused serious concerns to education systems worldwide, and educational institutions have transitioned to online classes. This article explores university students’ perceptions regarding the acceptance and usage of COVID-19 online learning. More specifically, this article aims to answer the question: “What are the key determinant structures that affect students’ attitude towards the acceptance and use of digital educational technology for online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown? ” The primary information was gathered via an Online-Structured-Questionnaire from 477 students at universities in Pakistan. The results showed that the correlation between the explanatory variables and the response variables is mediated by the perceived ease of use. The research offers recommendations on how to enhance the acceptance of COVID-19 outbreak online classes and how to develop the acceptance of the COVID-19 situation online learning. The output may be used in policy-making and resolving learning challenges towards a new normal time. The students preferred physical learning over online learning. The structure of the research presents research gaps and promising topics for future studies. This is the first empirical study to investigate the elements that are mostly associated with students’ behavior and attitudes towards online learning in the pandemic.
Association of Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Purpose Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease, which has been demonstrated to correlate with mutated genetics. Growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily and is expressed in different organs, tissues and immune cells. To date, limited studies have evaluated plasma levels of GDF-15 in RA patients, and whether GDF-15 gene polymorphisms correlate with RA risk in the Chinese Han population has not been clarified. Patients and Methods This case-control study recruited 910 age- and sex-matched RA patients and healthy controls. Plasma levels of GDF-15 were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and polymorphisms (rs1055150, rs1058587, rs3787023, and rs4808793) were genotyped by KASP method. Results RA patients had higher levels of GDF-15 as compared to that in healthy controls. Patients with positive CRP also showed higher levels of GDF-15 when compared to that in patients with negative CRP. Levels of GDF-15 correlated with disease activity score. Frequencies of GG, GC, GG+GC genotypes and G allele in GDF-15 gene rs1058587 were significantly elevated in RA patients compared to controls. Frequencies of CC genotype and C allele in GDF-15 gene rs3787023 were higher in RA patients compared to controls. Other polymorphisms did not correlate with RA susceptibility. Moreover, the four polymorphisms were not correlated with levels of GDF-15. Conclusion Plasma levels of GDF-15 were elevated in RA patients and GDF-15 gene polymorphisms were related to RA risk in the Chinese Han population.
Pilot study of three-phase current characteristic on transformer high-voltage side when the clearance is breakdown caused by single-phase grounding fault

This paper contains the three-phase current waveforms on the transformer high-voltage side when the transformer neutral-point spark gap is breakdown caused by single-phase earth fault of transmission line A,B or C.Based on the actual data,this paper analyses the character of three-phase current on the transformer high voltage side when the spark gap is breakdown,and the character of the fault current of load-side transformer whose neutral-point direct grounded when it’s no-load.And on the above condition,the current size,the phase relation and the characteristic of waveforms have been opened out.Compared with the theoretical analysis,it concludes the immanent relation of the spark gap length and the waveforms.At last,it points out the effect to the relay protection caused by the spark gap breakdown and gives the method of how to avoid it.
A randomized clinical trial: Comparison of group acceptance and commitment therapy with drug on quality of life and depression in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Background: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one of the newest treatment strategies that has been developed rapidly to improve the treatment of patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of ACT and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) drugs on the severity of depression symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in obsessive–compulsive patients. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial with a control group was conducted including 27 patients with OCD. Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 criteria for OCD diagnosis, participants were recruited from Tamasha Counseling Center and obsessive–compulsive clinic in the Psychosomatic Research Center in Isfahan, Iran. Selected patients were allocated to two groups (14 in ACT the group and 13 in the drug group with SSRI with a simple random sampling method. ACT group was treated by an ACT therapist in eight 1-h sessions. Data were collected by the World Health Organization QOL Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and Depression subscale of DASS-42 at admission, after the intervention, and 3 months thereafter. Therapists and evaluators were blind to each other's work. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures method using IBM SPSS Statistics software (V 23, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Results revealed that both treatments (ACT and SSRIs drug therapy) had significant impacts on reducing depression subscales scores and increasing WHOQOL-BREF scores at posttreatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in QOL scores between the two groups after the intervention and follow-up (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, drug therapy presented a significantly greater improvement in depression scores of patients than those resulting from ACT (P = 0.005). The persistence of treatment effects continued after 3 months (follow-up) in both groups. Conclusion: ACT is equal to SSRIs drug therapy in terms of improving QOL in patients with OCD. However, SSRIs are more effective in treating depression in obsessive–compulsive patients. It may be presumed that ACT without any chemical side effect is equal to drug and is preferred for patients who either cannot use drugs or prefer not to have a drug treatment.
CARE-compliant stereotactic radiotherapy of urothelial nodal metastases: A case report

The aim of the present study was to report the case of a 58-year-old male patient with ureteral carcinoma who underwent ureteroileostomy treatment. At 2 years following surgery, six lymph node metastases (LNMs) were detected in the patient's para-aortic and pelvic regions using 18F-labeled fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. All LNMs were treated using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT; 35-40 Gy/5 fractions). At 3 months after radiotherapy, 18F-FDG-PET/CT examination revealed a complete radiological and metabolic response of all targeted treatment sites in the patient. In the 2 years following radiotherapy, another three same-dose SBRT treatments were performed on single or multiple LNMs, which were all detected in the abdomen and pelvis of the patient. Overall, a total of 11 LNMs were targeted in the patient and all exhibited complete radiological and metabolic response following treatment. The only treatment side effect reported by the patient was a slight and temporary loss of appetite. In patients with lymph node oligometastases there are two options for radiotherapy: i) Irradiation focusing on LNMs alone; and ii) prophylactic irradiation of the entire lymph node area combined with a boost on macroscopic lesions. In the patient discussed in the present study, the choice of irradiation focusing on LNMs alone made it possible to postpone systemic therapies and instead use an optimally tolerated treatment. The treatment outcome in this patient indicated that there was no radioresistance of urothelial LNMs.
Chemerin Impact on Alternative mRNA Transcription in the Porcine Luteal Cells

Chemerin participates in the regulation of processes related to physiological and disorder mechanisms in mammals, including metabolism, obesity, inflammation, and reproduction. In this study, we have investigated chemerin influence on alternative mRNA transcription within the porcine luteal cell transcriptome, such as differential expression of long non-coding RNAs (DELs) and their interactions with differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differences in alternative splicing of transcripts (DASs), and allele-specific expression (ASEs) related to the single nucleotide variants (SNVs) frequency. Luteal cells were collected from gilts during the mid-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle. After in vitro culture of cells un-/treated with chemerin, the total RNA was isolated and sequenced using the high-throughput method. The in silico analyses revealed 24 DELs cis interacting with 6 DEGs and trans-correlated with 300 DEGs, 137 DASs events, and 18 ASEs. The results enabled us to analyse metabolic and signalling pathways in detail, providing new insights into the effects of chemerin on the corpus luteum functions related to inflammatory response, leukocyte infiltration, the occurrence of luteotropic and luteolytic signals (leading to apoptosis and/or necroptosis). Validation of the results using qPCR confirmed the predicted expression changes. Chemerin at physiological concentrations significantly modifies the transcription processes in the porcine luteal cells.
Potential Risk of Pollen from Genetically Modified MON 810 Maize Containing Cry1Ab Toxin to Protected Lepidopteran Larvae in the Pannonian Biogeographical Region—A Retrospective View

Simple Summary The Cry1Ab toxin content in different plant organs is highly variable by genetic events and cultivars. This applies particularly to the pollen, which is the main route of exposure of protected lepidopteran larvae. Thus, uncertainties appear regarding safety assessments on the basis of analytical and biological studies: (a) genetic events and cultivars produce various Cry1Ab toxin contents; thus, risk analyses based on single pollen counts may be erroneous; (b) analytical problems have been identified explaining the high variability of the documented pollen toxin content; (c) stinging nettle patches subject to maize pollen sedimentation are frequent nearby maize field edges, where protected nymphalid larvae may feed; (d) substantial maize pollen sedimentation (300–600 pollen grains/cm2 in the dominant wind direction) occurs on the leaves of stinging nettle; (e) July and August are the critical months for the young larvae of Nymphalis io, which are the most sensitive for pollen containing Cry1Ab toxin; (f) the exposure of these larvae to maize pollen containing >100 ng of Cry1Ab toxin/g results in <40% mortality and extended developmental times in younger stages. This is a definite hazard, which is a sufficient legal ground for habitat conservation of this protected species in Hungary. Abstract A credible risk analysis of maize pollen containing Cry1Ab toxin must include the assessment of (i) pollen production and its Cry1 toxin content; (ii) distribution of the pollen grains in the surroundings; (iii) pollen-catching capacity of the weeds on field edges; (iv) the lifestyle of protected lepidopteran larvae living on weeds; (v) Cry1 toxin sensitivity of non-target caterpillars; and (vi) Cry1 toxin resistance of individual non-target populations. The concentration range of 5–4300 ng Cry1Ab toxin/g dry pollen determined in MON 810 pollen batches is too diverse for handling it as a single set in any mathematical modeling. Within the work carried out mainly with the DK-440 BTY cultivar, the seed samples officially received from the variety owner produced significantly different (250–470 vs. 5–15 ng/g) Cry1Ab toxin concentrations in the pollen. Nymphalis io L1-L3 larvae were nearly six times more sensitive for Dipel than Nymphalis c-album. Feeding on the back side and in a leaf nest, Vanessa atalanta may be subject to lower pollen exposures. N. io larvae may actively attempt to avoid patches with high pollen contamination. Cry1Ab toxin resistance also partially emerged in N. io populations reared in the Pannonian Biogeographical Region (Hungary).
Mutual fund investment, group-affiliation, and stock price crash risk: evidence from Korea

ABSTRACT This study examines how mutual funds affect future stock price crash risk in the capital market. Particularly, we focus on investigating the relationship between mutual funds affiliated with chaebol groups and subsequent stock price crash risk. We find that mutual funds have a significantly positive effect on future stock price crash risk. We also observe a significantly negative relationship between group-affiliated mutual funds and subsequent stock price crash risk.
The Association of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia on Postoperative Complications and Periprosthetic Joint Infections Following Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Background A recently proposed risk factor for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) in men is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The objective was to explore the association of BPH on 1) 90-day complications, 2) length of stay (LOS), 3) readmission rates, and 4) healthcare expenditures following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Methods A retrospective query was performed using a nationwide claims database from January 2005 to March 2014 for male patients undergoing primary TSA. The study cohort included 5067 patients with BPH while 50,720 patients served as the comparison cohort. Logistic regression determined the association of BPH on complications and readmissions. A p value less than 0.001 was significant. Results Patients with BPH had higher incidence and odds (36.8 vs. 6.2%; OR: 2.73, p < 0.0001) of all ninety-day medical complications including PJIs (0.49 vs. 0.32%; OR: 1.54, p < 0.001). BPH patients had longer in-hospital LOS (3- vs. 2-days, p < 0.0001). Study group patients had higher 90-day episode of care reimbursements ($13,653 vs. $12,688), p < 0.0001). Conclusions BPH is associated with increased complications and healthcare expenditures following total shoulder arthroplasty. The investigation can be used to educate BPH patients of the possible adverse events which may occur within ninety-days following primary TSA for the treatment of glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
Seasonal variation of estuarine birds from Trapandé Bay, Cananéia, Brazil

Estuaries are important environments for birds as resting and foraging sites. Therefore, information about the abundance, distribution, and biology of bird populations are necessary for preservation of such ecosystems. In this work, we studied the dynamic population of birds at Baixio do Arrozal, Trapandé Bay, Cananéia Estuary on the southern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil. As an original hypothesis, we expected that the species abundances would display differences across months and seasons. Using the point count method, bird data were collected monthly between April and December 2013. For comparing the assemblages, a bar chart of the total abundance as a function of the monthly frequency was used along with boxplot graph of this index as a function of the seasons. We also investigated variations in the abundance of some specific bird populations. The results obtained for the total abundance indicated a seasonal pattern, peaking during the warmer months. The population analyses showed a greater abundance occurring in spring/summer, and a decrease of resident species populations in the winter. Migratory birds were recorded in the autumn and spring, following the migratory movements. This demonstrated that bird assemblages varied according to seasons due to the life cycle and the population sizes. Therefore, Baixio do Arrozal is an important environment for avifauna, which use the area throughout the year and need to be preserved.
The Asexual Male Experience: A Phenomenological Inquiry

This article offers a phenomenological investigation into the experience of asexuality for self-identified asexual, cisgender men. No other study has been previously conducted on this phenomenon; the present study sought to provide new knowledge surrounding the experience of male asexuality and to illuminate any potential differences in the asexual experience between asexual men and asexual women for further conversation. A qualitative analysis of data derived from 8 asexual adult men between 30 and 65 years of age via semi-structured interviews provided detail-rich insight into the inner processes, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of asexual men. Five major themes arose to comprise the essence of the asexual male experience: (1) emotional response, (2) feeling otherness, (3) process of discovery, (4) a sense of belonging, and (5) adapting split attraction models. Discussion includes context of the emergent themes through a Rogerian lens and the shared commonalities between the emerging asexual identity for asexual men and other marginalized sexual orientation groups.
Atypical MAPK regulates translocation of GATA transcription factor in response to chemoattractant stimulation

The Dictyostelium atypical MAPK Erk2 (a.k.a. ErkB) is required for chemotactic responses to external cAMP as individual amoeba aggregate and undergo a multicellular developmental program. External cAMP also stimulates the translocation of the GATA transcription factor, GtaC, a key regulator of developmental gene expression and a developmental timer of repeated cAMP stimulation of developing cells. In this study, atypical MAPK Erk2 was found to be essential for the translocation of GtaC in response to external cAMP as indicated by the cellular distribution of GFP-GtaC reporters. Erk2 was also demonstrated to mediate the translocation of GtaC in response to external folate, a signal that directs the foraging of amoeba for bacterial food sources. Erk1, the only other Dictyostelium MAPK, was not required for the GtaC translocation to either chemoattractant, indicating that GFP-GtaC is a kinase translocation reporter specific for atypical MAPKs. The translocation of GFP-GtaC in response to folate was absent in mutants lacking the folate receptor, Far1 (a.k.a. GrlL) or the coupled G protein, Gα4 subunit. Loss of GtaC function resulted in enhanced chemotactic movement to folate. Inspection of the GtaC primary sequence revealed four sites recognized as Erk2 preferred phosphorylation sites. The creation and analysis of GFP-GtaC mutants with alterations at these sites determined that these sites are required for translocation in response to folate. Consistent with the role of translocation for GtaC function certain combinations of these phosphorylation site alterations interfered with the ability of GFP-GtaC reporter to rescue aggregation of gtaC- cells. These findings provide the first evidence that atypical MAPKs can regulate transcription factors through specific phosphorylation sites in response to chemoattractants. The ability of different stimuli to regulate GtaC translocation through Erk2 indicates atypical MAPKs can regulate different cell fates in part through the translocation of transcription factors.
Australian sub‐regional temperature responses to volcanic forcing: A critical analysis using CMIP5 models

It is now well established that global to local climate is impacted by volcanic forcing associated with major eruptions. Much attention has been given to the way in which climate is affected by such eruptions, particularly for the Northern Hemisphere, and to a considerably lesser extent for the Southern Hemisphere. Research knowledge gaps remain on such forcing impacts at finer sub‐regional spatial scales. To this end, we explore temperature responses across eight sub‐regions of Australia following three major volcanic eruptions (i.e., Krakatau, 1883; Santa Maria, 1902; Pinatubo, 1991) as simulated by CMIP5 models. We then compare such responses with station and reanalysis datasets. Model outputs indicate strongest temperature responses over more northerly regions than southerly regions of Australia, with weakest responses over Tasmania. Eastern regions of Australia seem to have strongest seasonal cooling during austral autumn, while that for northwestern coastal regions is during austral winter. In contrast, central regions of Australia cool most substantially during austral summer and/or winter, depending on the eruption. Despite such variability, initial temperature responses occur during the warmer austral months (September to February). Uncertainties exist in the reliability of CMIP5 data. For instance, temperature responses from the later Pinatubo eruption seem in stronger agreement with reanalysis data than earlier eruptions (Krakatau and Santa Maria), and while most seasonal temperature responses are stronger than those provided through reanalysis data, they are often weaker in austral spring.