Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Manufacturing Method for Hydrogen Peroxide Catalysts: A Performance Verification

This paper describes the experimental characterization of catalysts manufactured with a novel method, omitting the need for the complicated and time consuming wash-coating procedure. The catalysts have been shown to be able to decompose highly concentrated solutions of hydrogen peroxide in operating conditions representative of a thruster for spacecraft attitude control and orbital maneuvers. The catalysts are based on a ceramic honeycomb support in yttria-stabilized zirconia, with manganese oxides as the active phase. Three catalysts, prepared by different in-house developed procedures, have been tested in a decomposition chamber, operating with a 87.5 wt % hydrogen peroxide solution. Test results have demonstrated decomposition efficiencies close to 100% and response times in the range of seconds. Additional tests have been performed on the most promising sample, to identify the maximum amount of hydrogen peroxide that can be decomposed before recording a strong drop in catalyst performance.
A novel Monte Carlo simulation code for linewidth measurement in critical dimension scanning electron microscopy

Besides the use of the most sophisticated equipment, accurate nanometrology for the most advanced CMOS processes requires that the physics of image formation in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) being modeled to extract critical dimensions. In this paper, a novel Monte Carlo simulation code based on the energy straggling principle is presented, which includes original physical models for electron scattering, the use of a standard Monte Carlo code for tracking and scoring, and the coupling with a numerical device simulator to calculate charging effects.
A question on McCoy rings

Nelsen [J. Algebra 298 (2006) 134–141] asked whether there is a natural class of McCoy rings which includes all reversible rings and all rings R such that R[X] is semi-commutative. In this paper, some new equivalent conditions of McCoy rings are given. One of them is used to answer this question in the affirmative. Finally, an example is given which is McCoy and semi-commutative, but it is not reversible and does not have the property that R[x] is semi-commutative.
Analysis Of Electromagnetic Field Transmitted By A Uniaxial Chiral Lens

Abstract —In this paper, the transmission of the electromagnetic waves through a plano convex lens of lossless uniaxial chiral medium is derived using dyadic transmission coefficient. Derived geometrical optics field is valid everywhere except at focal point where it gives infinite value.Singularity of the field at focal point is addressed using Maslov’s method. The effects of different constitutive parameters on the refracted field are also discussed.
A Case Study of Severe Winter Convection in the Midwest

Abstract Between 2100 UTC 11 February 2003 and 0200 UTC 12 February 2003, a line of thunderstorms passed swiftly through parts of eastern Iowa and into north-central Illinois. Although this storm somewhat resembled a warm season, line-type mesoscale convective system, it was unique in that the thunderstorm winds exceeded the severe criterion (50 kt; 25.7 m s−1) during a snowburst. While the parent snowband deposited only 4 cm of snow, it did so in a short period and created a treacherous driving situation because of the ensuing near-whiteout conditions caused by strong winds that reached the National Weather Service severe criteria, as the line moved across central Illinois. Such storms in the cold season rarely occur and are largely undocumented; the present work seeks to fill this void in the existing literature. While this system superficially resembled a more traditional warm season squall line, deeper inspection revealed a precipitation band that failed to conform to that paradigm. Radar analysis fai.
Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction

Considering the growing interest in the possible effects of internet’s addiction on adoles-cent’s mental health, this study aimed at exploring the psychological correlates of social media and internet problematic use during the first year of the covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of secondary school students (N = 258); participants were asked to complete an online survey, investigating social media addiction (BSMAS), self-esteem (RSES), feelings of isolation (CSIQ-A) and anxiety (STAI-Y). Data analysis (descriptive statistics, correlational and regression analyses) was conducted through XLSTAT software ©. An additional ad hoc questionnaire was administrated. Findings showed that the 11% of the participants were significantly addicted to social media, mostly females (59%). Gender represented an exposure factor for the hours spent on social media and the checking activity while performing other daily activities. Significant correlations emerged between the self-report measure of social media addiction and self-esteem and anxiety. Low scores at RSES corresponded to higher checking activity, hours spent on social networks, and playing videogames that were investigated as supplementary indicators of addiction with ad hoc questionnaire. The regression analysis showed just two predictors of social media addiction, gender (female) and trait anxiety. Limitations and implications of the study were argued in order to give some indications for future programs.
Spectral measurement of terahertz vibrations of biomolecules using a GaP terahertz-wave generator with automatic scanning control

Having previously generated frequency-tunable terahertz (THz) waves from GaP, we constructed a THz spectral measurement system with an automatic scanning control. We demonstrate the use of this THz spectrometer for measuring the transmittance spectra of D-(+)-glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-(−)-fructose, and D-(+)-sucrose in the 0.8 to 5.5 THz (25 to 185 cm−1) frequency region with a spectral resolution of 3.2 GHz (0.1 cm−1), using a pyroelectric detector operated at room temperature. Each crystalline saccharide had different spectral features.
Global existence for a 2D incompressible viscoelastic model with small strain

In this paper, we continue our previous study towards understanding the twodimensional hydrodynamic systems describing Oldroyd type incompressible viscoelastic fluids. We will decompose the deformation tensor into the strain and rotation components and look at their distinct contributions and structures in the small strain (with respect to viscosity) dynamics. In particular, we prove that there exist classical solutions globally in time if the strain component of the initial deformation is small enough, while we require no assumptions on smallness of the magnitude of the rotation component.
The mechanism of wheel polygonal wear based on rotor dynamics

A rotor dynamic model of wheel-rail coupling system was established taking wheel eccentricity and initial polygon into consideration in order to investigate the mechanism of wheel polygonal wear. Considering the complex wheel-rail contact relationship, the equivalent yaw angle was proposed and the wheel-rail relative speed model was established. The law of wheel-rail self-excited vibration and its effect on polygonal wear were studied. The possibility of variable speed operation was investigated together with the sensitivity of the system parameters. The results show that the periodic longitudinal and lateral creep forces are essential for the wheel polygonal wear, which have the characteristics of supercritical Hopf bifurcation and ‘fixed wavelength’ and ‘fixed frequency’. While in some circumstances, longitudinal and lateral creep forces jointly cause polygonal wear, in other cases, longitudinal creep forces have almost no effect. By adjusting the longitudinal and lateral stiffness, primary suspension stiffness, and rail damping parameters, as well as by selecting an appropriate speed for variable speed operation, the wheel polygonal wear may be effectively suppressed. The findings offer a fresh viewpoint for the study of mechanisms and the prevention of wheel polygonal wear.
Ulvophyte Green Algae Caulerpa lentillifera: Metabolites Profile and Antioxidant, Anticancer, Anti-Obesity, and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Properties

Marine algae have excellent bioresource properties with potential nutritional and bioactive therapeutic benefits, but studies regarding Caulerpa lentillifera are limited. This study aims to explore the metabolites profile and the antioxidant, anticancer, anti-obesity, and in vitro cytotoxicity properties of fractionated ethanolic extract of C. lentillifera using two maceration and soxhlet extraction methods. Dried simplicia of C. lentillifera was mashed and extracted in ethanol solvent, concentrated and evaporated, then sequentially partitioned with equal volumes of ethyl acetate and n-Hexane. Six samples were used in this study, consisting of ME (Maceration—Ethanol), MEA (Maceration—Ethyl Acetate), MH (Maceration—n-Hexane), SE (Soxhletation—Ethanol), SEA (Soxhletation—Ethyl Acetate), and SH (Soxhletation—n-Hexane). Non-targeted metabolomic profiling was determined using LC-HRMS, while antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anticancer cytotoxicity were determined using DPPH and ABTS, lipase inhibition, and MTT assay, respectively. This study demonstrates that C. lentillifera has several functional metabolites, antioxidant capacity (EC50 MH is very close to EC50 of Trolox), as well as anti-obesity properties (EC50 MH < EC50 orlistat, an inhibitor of lipid hydrolyzing enzymes), which are useful as precursors for new therapeutic approaches in improving obesity-related diseases. More interestingly, ME, MH, and SE are novel bioresource agents for anticancer drugs, especially for hepatoma, breast, colorectal, and leukemia cancers. Finally, C. lentillifera can be a nutraceutical with great therapeutic benefits.
Preparation and Characterization of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber Reinforced with Bio-Hydroxyapatite from Fish Scale

This work aims to enhance the mechanical properties, oil resistance, and thermal properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) by using the Nile tilapia fish scales as a filler and using bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide (TESPT) as a coupling agent (CA). The prepared fish scale particles (FSp) are B-type hydroxyapatite and the particle shape is rod-like. The filled NBR with FSp at 10 phr increased tensile strength up to 180% (4.56 ± 0.48 MPa), reduced oil absorption up to 155%, and increased the decomposition temperature up to 4 °C, relative to the unfilled NBR. The addition of CA into filled NBR with FSp at 10 phr increased tensile strength up to 123% (5.62 ± 0.42 MPa) and percentage of elongation at break up to 122% relative to the filled NBR with FSp at 10 phr. This work demonstrated that the prepared FSp from the Nile tilapia fish scales can be used as a reinforcement filler to enhance the NBR properties for use in many high-performance applications.
Observation of Quantum-Confined Stark Effect in a Graded-Gap Quantum Well

A graded-gap quantum well structure where the band gap of the well is inclined along the growth direction has been fabricated, and its quantum-confined Stark effect has been observed experimentally. It has been confirmed that, in comparison with the conventional square-shaped quantum well, the graded-gap quantum well exhibits larger and nearly linear energy shift of the fundamental exciton absorption edge with applied field.
Feasibility study of self-powered magnetorheological damper systems

This paper is aimed to provide a feasibility study of self-powered magnetorheological (MR) damper systems, which could convert vibration and shock energy into electrical energy to power itself under control. The self-powered feature could bring merits such as higher reliability, energy saving, and less maintenance for the MR damper systems. A self-powered MR damper system is proposed and modeled. The criterion whether the MR damper system is self-powered or not is proposed. A prototype of MR damper with power generation is designed, fabricated, and tested. The modeling of this damper is experimentally validated. Then the damper is applied to a 2 DOF suspension system under on-off skyhook controller, to obtain the self-powered working range and vibration control performance. Effects of key factors on the self-powered MR damper systems are studied. Design considerations are given in order to increase the self-powered working range.
Counterfactual Generation Framework for Few-Shot Learning

Few-shot learning (FSL) that aims to recognize novel classes with few labeled samples is troubled by its data scarcity. Though recent works tackle FSL with data augmentation-based methods, these models fail to maintain the discrimination and diversity of the generated samples due to the distribution shift and intra-class bias caused by the data scarcity, therefore greatly undermining the performance. To this end, we use causal mechanisms, which are constant among independent variables across data distribution, to alleviate such effects. In this sense, we decompose the image information into two independent components: sample-specific and class-agnostic information, and further propose a novel Counterfactual Generation Framework (CGF) to learn the underlying causal mechanisms to synthesize faithful samples for FSL. Specifically, based on the counterfactual inference, we design a class-agnostic feature extractor to capture the sample-specific information, together with a counterfactual generation network to simulate the data generation process from a causal perspective. Moreover, to leverage the power of CGF in counterfactual inference, we further develop a novel classifier that classifies samples based on their distributions of counterfactual generations. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of CGF on four FSL benchmarks, e.g., 80.12/86.13% accuracy on 5-way 1/5-shot miniImageNet FSL tasks, significantly improving the performance. Our codes and models are available at https://github.com/eric-hang/CGF.
Regional glacier mass loss estimated by ICESat-GLAS data and SRTM digital elevation model in the West Kunlun Mountains, Tibetan Plateau, 2003–2009

Abstract The Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) altimetry and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) data are used to estimate glacier mass loss changes in the West Kunlun Mountains, Tibetan Plateau (TP), 2003 to 2009. We integrated Landsat thematic mapper (TM)/enhanced TM images and GIS spatial analysis to map glacier surface elevation changes during 2003 to 2009. The ICESat-GLAS data can be used as baselines for surface elevation changes in altimetry as well as for TM imagery changes for depicting glacier area. Least-squares regression of an ICESat-derived thickness series shows the regional glacier mass decreased at an average rate of 1.41 ± 0.23 km 3 / year water equivalent from 2003 to 2009, during the period of 2003 to 2009, the trend in thickness change became weaker. The ICESat-GLAS and SRTM DEM elevation differences between February 2003 and October 2009 show that the glacier surface elevations were decreasing below 5800 m but increased by 1.1 ± 0.7 m above 6000 m a.s. l. region over that period. Thickness changes in the lower reaches of the glaciers indicate that the glacier ice ablation was mainly due to the summer temperature increases of 0.23°C and the summer precipitation decreases of 47.8 mm as measured at four stations, as well as the effects of sand and dust sources from the Tarim Basin. Meanwhile, in the upper parts of the glaciers (above 5800 m a.s.l.), ice surface elevation was increasing even though the Hetian station summer temperature at the 500 hPa level showed an obvious decrease of 0.78°C compared to 2003. In the upper part of the glacier-covered region, firn compaction and surface density should be taken into account. The glacier surges and bedrock movement may also lead to an underestimate of the volume loss due to the reduced mass conversion.
The Near‐Bed Flow Structure and Bed Shear Stresses Within Emergent Vegetation

The structure of the bottom boundary layer (BBL) in aquatic flows influences a range of biophysical processes, including sediment transport, hyporheic exchange, and biofilm formation. While the structure of BBL above bare sediment beds has been well studied, little is known about the complex near‐bed flow structure within aquatic vegetation. In this study, we used high‐resolution laboratory measurements and numerical Large Eddy Simulations to investigate the near‐bed mean and turbulent flow properties within staggered‐ordered emergent vegetation under a wide range of flow conditions and densities. There is strong spatial variability of key near‐bed flow characteristics on the scale of the vegetation elements. Measurement locations that provide single‐point flow characteristics closest to the spatially averaged values were identified. The spatially averaged BBL thickness is influenced strongly by vegetation density. This impact of vegetation density is engendered through its direct control of near‐bed turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), which in turn is negatively correlated with BBL thickness, both locally in a given flow and across the range of flow conditions studied here. A model based on the near‐bed TKE is developed to predict the BBL thickness and, ultimately, the bed shear stress. Model predictions were in close agreement with the experimental and numerical results. These findings provide new insights into the physical links between near‐bed flow variables and therefore contribute to the understanding of some of the complex biophysical processes present in vegetated flows.
Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination on Soil Faunal Diversity in Selected Local Governments Areas of Jigawa State, Nigeria

Heavy metal pollution in soils constitutes a highly complex disruption of ecological equilibrium because some are essential trace elements that become toxic when present beyond a certain concentration. The aim of this research is to assess the level of heavy metals contamination on soil faunal diversity in Dutse and Hadejia Jigawa State-Nigeria. The study employed multistage sampling techniques using 20cm2 quadrants thrown at random. A modified Baermann’s funnel method of extraction was used to extract the soil fauna from the soil samples and the specimens were properly examined for identification under compound microscope. The collected soil samples were digested using concentrated HNO3 and HCl. The digested samples were analyzed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result revealed that a total of 275 individuals and 13 species, belonging to 5 classes and 4 phyla were identified from both study areas. Ants, termites, millipedes, earthworms and snails (Cornu aspersum) were found in both Dutse and Hadejia. However, Beetles, wax worms, roundworms, burrowing nematodes and snails (Achantina fulica) were found only in samples from Hadejia. There was no significant variation in abundance of most soil fauna (p> 0.05) extracted across the study sites, except for dung beetle, millipedes, earthworm and roundworm. It also suggested a positive relationship between heavy metals and soil fauna density (r≥0.76), that is, the mean density of soil fauna increased proportionally with increasing heavy metal concentration. Further study should be conducted to check whether the soil fauna possibly resisted or adapt to the effect of the heavy metal or the concentration in the soil or inside the organisms is insignificant to have a negative effect on their diversity.
The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Campanian Stage at Bottaccione (Gubbio, Italy) and its Auxiliary Sections: Seaford Head (UK), Bocieniec (Poland), Postalm (Austria), Smoky Hill, Kansas (U.S.A), Tepayac (Mexico)

1 School of the Environment, Geography and Geological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Building, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO13QL UK; *Corresponding author, E-mail:andy.gale@port.ac. uk 2 Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW75BD UK 3 Departament de Dinamica de la Terra i de l’Ocea, Facultat di Ciences de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain 4 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Campus Scientifico “E. Mattei”, 61029 Urbino, Italy 5 Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, Al. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02–089 Warszawa, Poland 6 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A. Desio”, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 34, 20133 Milano, Italy 7 Geological Survey of Canada, 1500–605 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5J3 Canada 8 Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanazawa University, Kakuma–machi, Kanazawa 920–1192, Japan 9 SNSB Jura Museum, Eichstatt, Germany 10 Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Kingston University London, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK 11 Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford OX13AN, UK 12 Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30–059 Krakow, Poland 13 Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford OX13PW, UK 14 Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark 15 Institute of Geosciences, Goethe–University Frankfurt, Altenhöferallee 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany 16 Department of Geology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna, A–1090, Austria now at: Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia, Università degli Studi “G. D’Annunzio” di Chieti–Pescara, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Downregulation of Bax/Bcl-2 Expression During Apoptosis in the Hippocampus of Diabetic Male Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Effects of Peganum harmala Seed Extract

Background Apoptosis is proposed as a possible mechanism for diabetes-induced hippocampal neuronal cell death. Numerous studies have suggested that the therapeutic properties of plants, such as antioxidant and anti-apoptotic, are effective in improving the complications of diabetes in the hippocampus. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the anti-apoptotic properties of Peganum harmala (P. harmala) in the brain hippocampal cells of diabetic rats. Methods In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 8) as follows: Control (C), diabetic (D), harmine (H), diabetic plus harmine (DH), seed extract (S), and diabetic plus seed extract (DS). A single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) was enough to cause diabetes. Seed extract and harmine were given at 150 mg/kg and 6.5 mg/kg, respectively (daily by oral gavage for 28 days). The glucose levels in the blood were measured, and the histological staining of the hippocampus was examined. Percentages of apoptotic hippocampal cells were identified with flow cytometry. Bax and Bcl-2 expression was assayed via Real time- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. Results In DH (P = 0.001) and DS (P = 0.01) rats, the mean fasting blood glucose level significantly reduced compared with the D group. Bax and Bcl-2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels significantly differed between the D group and other groups (P = 0.01). Harmine and the seed extract considerably reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the hippocampal cells compared to the D group (P = 0.001). Conclusions Streptozotocin-induced apoptosis in the hippocampus of diabetic rats was reduced by administering the seed extract of Peganum harmala. The P. harmala seed extract and its active ingredient, harmine, could be used as anti-apoptotic drugs.