Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Excitonic condensation and metal-semiconductor transition in AA bilayer graphene in an external magnetic field

In this paper, the eﬀects of the external transverse magnetic ﬁeld B (perpendicular to the surface of the layers) on the electronic and excitonic properties are studied in the AA-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG). The eﬀects of the Coulomb interactions and excitonic pairing have been taken into account and analyzed in detail within the bilayer Hubbard model. Both half-ﬁlling and partial ﬁlling regimes have been taken into account and the magnetic ﬁeld dependence of a series of physical parameters was found. It is shown that the diﬀerence between the average electron concentrations in the layers vanishes at some critical value of magnetic ﬁeld B c and the chemical potential is calculated numerically above and below that value. The role of the Coulomb interactions on the average carrier concentrations in the layers has been analyzed, and the excitonic order parameters have been calculated for diﬀerent spin orientations. We found a possibility for the particle population inversion between the layers when varying the external magnetic ﬁeld. The calculated electronic band structure in the AA-BLG shows the presence of metal-semiconductor transition, governed by the strength of the applied magnetic ﬁeld or the interlayer interaction potential. We show that for high magnetic ﬁelds the band-gap is approaching the typical values of the gaps in the usual semiconductors. It is demonstrated that, at some parameter regimes, the AA-BLG behaves like a spin-valve device, by permitting the electron transport with only one spin direction. All calculations have been performed at the zero-temperature limit.
Treatment of Wastewater From Car Washes Using Natural Coagulation and Filtration System

Wastewater generated from carwash is one of the main wastewater resources, which contribute effectively in the increasing of environmental contamination due to the chemical characteristics of the car wastes. The present work aimed to develop an integrated treatment system for carwash wastewater based on coagulation and flocculation using Moringa oleifera and Ferrous Sulphate (FeSO4.7H2O) as well as natural filtration system. The carwash wastewater samples were collected from carwash station located at Parit Raja, Johor, Malaysia. The treatment system of car wash wastewater was designed in the lab scale in four stages included, aeration, coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation and filtration. The coagulation and flocculation unit was carried out using different dosage (35, 70, 105 and 140 mg L-1) of M. oleifera and FeSO4.7H2O, respectively. The efficiency of the integrated treatment system to treat carwash wastewater and to meet Environmental Quality Act (EQA 1974) was evaluated based on the analysis of pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity (NTU). The integrated treatment system was efficient for treatment of raw carwash wastewater. The treated carwash wastewaters meet EQA 1974 regulation 2009 (Standards A) in the term of pH and DO while, turbidity and COD reduced in the wastewater to meet Standards B. The integrated treatment system designed here with natural coagulant (M. oleifera) and filtration unit were effective for primary treatment of carwash wastewater before the final disposal or to be reused again for carwash process.
Daily ambulatory remote monitoring system for drug escalation in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: pilot phase of DAVID-HF study

Abstract Aims Underutilization of guideline-directed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) medications contributes to poor outcomes. Methods and results A pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a home-based remote monitoring system for HFrEF management was performed. The system included wearable armband monitors paired with the smartphone application. An HFrEF medication titration algorithm was used to adjust medication daily. The primary endpoint was HFrEF medication utilization at 120 days. Twenty patients (60.5 ± 8.2 years, men: 85%) with HFrEF were recruited. All received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) at recruitment; 45% received ≥50% maximal targeted dose (MTD) with % MTD of 44.4 ± 31.7%. At baseline, 90 and 70% received beta-adrenergic blocker and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), 35% received ≥50% MTD beta-adrenergic blocker with % MTD of 34.1 ± 29.6%, and 25% received ≥50% MTD MRA with % MTD of 25.0 ± 19.9%. At 120 days, 70% received ≥50% MTD ACEI/ARB/ARNI (P = 0.110) with % MTD increased to 64.4 ± 33.5% (P = 0.060). The proportion receiving ≥50% MTD ARNI increased from 15 to 55% (P = 0.089) with % MTD ARNI increased from 20.6 ± 30.9 to 53.1 ± 39.5% (P = 0.006*). More patients received ≥50% MTD MRA (65 vs. 25%, P = 0.011*) with % MTD MRA increased from 25.0 ± 19.9 to 46.2 ± 28.8% (P = 0.009*). Ninety-five per cent of patients had reduced NT-proBNP with the percentage reduction of 26.7 ± 19.7%. Conclusion Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction medication escalation with remote monitoring appeared feasible.
Relation between Climate, Agricultural Land Cover and Bird Richness in a Mediterranean Natura 2000 Wetland

In this study we explore for the first time the combined effect of climate variables and remote sensing land cover indicators on bird richness in a representative wetland location of the Thermaikos gulf Natura 2000 protected area in Northern Greece. In particular the association between bird diversity and climate, as well as remote sensed land cover indices was explored for seven successive seasons using correlation analysis and a Cox-Box transformed multivariate linear model. Three climate variables were tested, mean temperature, rain level and mean relative humidity and three land cover indices, the Normalized difference index (NDVI), the atmospheric resistance vegetation index (ARVI) and an agricultural band combination index (ABCI). Among the environmental drivers explored, temperature, rain levels and ABCI were significantly correlated to bird richness in contrast to NDVI and ARVI which showed a lower correlation, while relative humidity displayed the poorest correlation. Thus, temperature, rain levels and agricultural intensity significantly influenced bird composition. Additionally, the multivariable linear model indicates that temperature, rain levels and ABCI have a statistically significant effect (p<0.05) on bird species richness accounting for 73,02% of data variability. Based on the overall model results and the related 3D contour plot simulation we can conclude that in general, bird species richness increases with an increase in temperature and Rain, as well as with a decrease in agricultural intensity (ABCI). Understanding the factors that can affect bird biodiversity of species is of great importance in ecosystem management and species conservation.
Paraclostridium benzoelyticum Bacterium-Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their In Vivo Multiple Biological Applications

We presented a low-cost, eco-friendly, and efficient bacterium-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) utilizing Paraclostridium benzoelyticum strain 5610 as a capping and reducing agent. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to physiochemically characterize the biosynthesized ZnO-NPs. A major narrow peak at 441 nm was observed using UV-visible spectroscopy, verifying the presence of nanoparticles. According to SEM and TEM studies, the average dimensions of ZnO-NPs was 50 nm. The crystal size of 48.22 nm was determined by XRD analysis. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of various reducing metabolites on the surface of ZnO-NPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were investigated for biological activity against Helicobacter suis, Helicobacter bizzozeronii, Helicobacter felis, and Helicobacter salomonis. Helicobacter suis was the most vulnerable strain, with an inhibitory zone of 19.53 ± 0.62 mm at 5 mg/mL dosage. The anti-inflammatory and the findings of the rat paw edema experiments revealed that the bacterium-mediated ZnO-NPs had a strong inhibitory action. In the arthritis model, the solution of ZnO-NPs showed 87.62 ± 0.12% inhibitory effect of edema after 21 days when linked with that of the standard drug. In the antidiabetic assay, ZnO-NPs sharply reduced glucose level in STZ-induced diabetic mice. In this study, the particle biocompatibility by human red blood cells was also determined. Keeping in view the biological importance of ZnO-NPs, we may readily get the conclusion that Paraclostridium benzoelyticum strain 5610-mediated ZnO-NPs will be a prospective antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiarthritic, and anti-inflammatory agent in vivo experimental models and can be used as a potent antidiabetic drug.
Gender differences in trunk acceleration and related posture during shuttle run cutting

Abstract Measurements using an accelerometer reflect the impact applied to the trunk. Measurement of trunk acceleration has the possibility of reflecting the typical characteristics of trunk motion during cutting. However, analysis of trunk acceleration data during cutting manoeuvres has not been previously conducted. This study aimed to analyse trunk acceleration during cutting manoeuvres to examine any gender differences or a relationship with posture. All participants (eight male and eight female college soccer athletes) performed a shuttle run cutting task, and trunk accelerations (medio-lateral, vertical, and antero-posterior) were calculated. The peak acceleration (G) and total magnitude during the 200 ms after foot contact were measured, and the forward trunk inclination and femoral angle were calculated from the video images taken using a sagittal plane camera. Peak vertical acceleration (mean, s) was significantly greater among female athletes than among male athletes (−2.18, s = 0.84 G; −1.15, s = 0.45 G, respectively; p < 0.01). Medio-lateral and antero-posterior peak acceleration and the total magnitude in all directions were not significantly different between genders. Moderate negative correlations were found between vertical peak acceleration and trunk forward inclination and femoral inclination (r = −0.57, p < 0.05; r = −0.69, p < 0.01, respectively). The difference in vertical acceleration between genders has the possibility to reflect a stiff cutting movement among female athletes. The acceleration of the upper trunk may be an index for evaluating cutting movements.
Flood impact on income inequality in the Itapocu River basin, Brazil

Disasters worldwide tend to affect the poorest more severely and increase inequality. Brazil is one of the countries with high income‐inequality rates and has unplanned urbanization issues and an extensive disaster risk profile with little knowledge on how those disasters affect people's welfare. Thus, disasters often hit the poorest hardest, increasing the country's income inequality and poverty rates. This study proposes a method to assess the impact of floods on households spatially based on their income levels by conducting flood analysis and income analysis. The method is applied to the Itapocu River basin (IRB) located in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The flood is assessed by conducting rainfall analysis and hydrological simulation and generating flood inundation maps. The income is evaluated using downloaded 2010 census data and a dasymetric approach. Flood and income information is combined to analyze flood‐impacted households by income level and flood return period. The results confirm the initial assumption that flood events in the IRB are more likely to affect the lowest‐income households rather than the highest‐income levels, thus, increasing the income inequality.
Seasonal incidence of major insect pests of brinjal (Solanum melongena) and their correlation with weather parameters

The present investigation was undertaken to find the seasonal incidence of major insect pests of brinjal during kharif 2019 at the Research farm, College of Agriculture, Tikamgarh (M.P.). The results revealed that the incidence of sucking insect pests viz., whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) started from last week of September (39th standard week) with a population of 4.89/ 3 leaves and reached to a peak level during the second week of October (41st standard week) with a population of 8.96/ 3 leaves whereas jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) started from last week of September (39th standard week) with a population of 0.80/ 3 leaves and reached to a peak level during the second week of October (41st standard week) with a population of 1.29/ 3 leaves. The incidence of shoot and fruit borer started from second week of October (41st standard week) with 4.0% shoot infestation and reached its peak during the second week of November (46th standard week) with 20.0% shoot infestation. Highest fruit infestation of 50% was recorded during the first week of December (49th standard week). Correlation studies showed that among the various abiotic factors, maximum (r= 0.73) and minimum temperature (r= 0.79) exhibited highly significant positive correlation and morning relative humidity exhibited significant negative correlation (r= -0.56) with whitefly population. In case of jassid population, maximum temperature exhibited significant positive correlation (r= 0.59) and minimum temperature exhibited highly significant positive correlation (r= 0.79) with jassid population. The incidence of shoot and fruit borer showed significant negative correlation with minimum temperature and rainfall (r = -0.77, -0.56, respectively).
An event-driven approach to control and optimization of multi-agent systems

This dissertation studies the application of several event-driven control schemes in multi-agent systems. First, a new cooperative receding horizon (CRH) controller is designed and applied to a class of maximum reward collection problems. Target rewards are time-variant with finite deadlines and the environment contains uncertainties. The new methodology adapts an event-driven approach by optimizing the control for a planning horizon and updating it for a shorter action horizon. The proposed CRH controller addresses several issues including potential instabilities and oscillations. It also improves the estimated reward-to-go which enhances the overall performance of the controller. The other major contribution is that the originally infinite-dimensional feasible control set is reduced to a finite set at each time step which improves the computational cost of the controller. Second, a new event-driven methodology is studied for trajectory planning in multi-agent systems. A rigorous optimal control solution is employed using numerical solutions which turn out to be computationally infeasible in real time applications. The problem is then parameterized using several families of parametric trajectories.
Individual and situational influences on the propensity for unethical behavior in responses to organizational scenarios

This article reports two studies evaluating the impact of moral intensity, work experience, and gender on the propensity (attitude, behavioral intention, and subjective norm) for unethical behavior of Venezuelan students and employees responding to different organizational scenarios, and controlling the effects of moral disengagement and empathy. One study singled out moral disengagement as a covariate, and the other did the same with empathy. In both studies, moral intensity, work experience, and gender acted as independent variables. Each study consisted of around 400 participants (totaling 801 participants in both studies): one-half were students without work experience and the other half were employees. For manipulating moral intensity, we used six scenarios describing ethically questionable situations. After reading each of the scenarios, participants answered the Multidimensional Ethics Scale to measure propensity for unethical behavior. After completing this phase, participants responded to the moral disengagement scale in Study 1 and the empathy scale in Study 2. This research did not find concluding, significant effects of moral intensity on the measures of the propensity for unethical behavior. Employees expressed higher intentions of acting unethically than students, though the effect was small (ε2 Study 1 = .016. ε2 Study 2 = .026). Gender had no significant effect on attitude and subjective norm; but, in behavioral intention, men's scores were significantly higher than women's in Study 1, but not in Study 2. Moral disengagement had a stronger effect than empathy on the propensity for unethical behavior (ε2 moral disengagement: attitude = .225, behavioral intention = .179, subjective norm = .159. ε2 empathy: attitude = .016, behavioral intention = .011, subjective norm = .010). The authors highlight the relevance of contrasting findings from less-developed countries with those from developed countries, commonly found in the literature, and suggest avenues for further research.
Designing a Learning Analytics Dashboard to Provide Students with Actionable Feedback and Evaluating Its Impacts

: Various educational settings have begun to increasingly leverage the power of data analytics to optimize the learning environment and enhance the learning experience for students. However, despite this effort, significant research gaps still exist around utilizing educational data mining to provide students with actionable feedback and assess the comprehensive impact of data-informed feedback on students. In this study, a learning analytics dashboard was designed to provide students with actionable feedback to advance their self-regulated learning skills and improve their course performance. A rigorous inquiry using mixed methods was also conducted to study the dashboard’s impacts on students. It found that students’ use of the dashboard was positively correlated with their course performance, and those who viewed the dashboard had higher course ranks. In addition, it showed that students’ use of the dashboard was positively correlated with their homework submission time, and those who viewed the dashboard submitted homework earlier as the course progressed. The inquiry also revealed that students had mixed feelings about the dashboard, including motivation and anxiety.
Inflation and Growth Nexus: An Estimate of the Threshold Level of Inflation in Sierra Leone

This study investigates the relationship between inflation and economic growth, and determines the threshold level of inflation in Sierra Leone, using a non-linear model (quadratic function) with time-series data from 1980 to 2020. The study employs the Ordinary Least Squares estimation technique within the framework of Hendry’s General-to-Specific approach to obtain a parsimonious result. The results of the unit root test confirm that all the variables are stationary in the first difference, i.e. they are integrated of order one or I(1), with an optimal lag length of two (2). The findings confirm the presence of a non-linear relationship in the inflation-growth nexus. The results reveal that the threshold level of inflation (optimal level of inflation) favourable for economic growth is 10.3 per cent. Thus, inflation is growth-enhancing in Sierra Leone when it is below 10.3 per cent, (i.e. ≤ 10.3 per cent). However, inflation above the threshold is detrimental to economic growth. The results also indicate that economic growth is largely influenced by investment, openness and dummy variable for war, with statistically significant coefficients. Specifically, the results confirm that both openness and investment have a positive impact on economic growth, whilst war dummy has a negative effect on economic growth. The results suggest that the regressors explain 86% of the variation in economic growth and the F-stat reveals that the regressors are jointly significant. The policy implication of this study is that the central bank should implement a prudent monetary policy aimed at maintaining inflation below the threshold level of 10.3 per cent. In this regard, the authorities should follow a rule-based approach to monetary policy implementation rather than discretion in order to contain inflation at the threshold level.
Forecasting the Disturbance Storm Time Index with Bayesian Deep Learning

The disturbance storm time (Dst) index is an important and useful measurement in space weather research. It has been used to characterize the size and intensity of a geomagnetic storm. A negative Dst value means that the Earth's magnetic field is weakened, which happens during storms. In this paper, we present a novel deep learning method, called the Dst Transformer, to perform short-term, 1-6 hour ahead, forecasting of the Dst index based on the solar wind parameters provided by the NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. The Dst Transformer combines a multi-head attention layer with Bayesian inference, which is capable of quantifying both aleatoric uncertainty and epistemic uncertainty when making Dst predictions. Experimental results show that the proposed Dst Transformer outperforms related machine learning methods in terms of the root mean square error and R-squared. Furthermore, the Dst Transformer can produce both data and model uncertainty quantification results, which can not be done by the existing methods. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Bayesian deep learning has been used for Dst index forecasting.
Haematological and behavioral response of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (Burchell, 1822) exposed to sub-lethal concentration of xylene

The study was carried out to examine the haematological and behavioral response of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (0.0 ml/L (as control), 12.8 ml/ L, 25.59 ml/L, 38.39 ml/L, 51.19 ml/L, and 63.99 ml/L) of xylene using a renewable assay for 28 days. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) healthy Clarias gariepinus with a mean length of 15.20±2.3 cm and mean weight of 10.23±2.60 g was used for the experiment. Some physicochemical parameters such as temperature, conductivity, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total hardness and total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, ammonia and nitrate were monitored using standard procedures. These parameters were significantly different (P<0.05) across the concentration gradients with time. behavioral changes observed in C. gariepinus exposed to the different concentrations of xylene compared to the control includes increased erratic swimming, hyperactivity, decreased equilibrium status, increased jerky movement and decreased fin movement. There were significant dissimilarities (P<0.05) observed in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, red blood cell counts, white blood cell and blood platelets of the Clarias gariepinus species on exposure to the toxicant from the control except for mean corpuscular volume and haemoglobin concentration PCV (24.5±0.33 to 20.8±0.06); HB (6.9±0.58 to 8.2±1.03); RBC (3.5±0.08 to 3.9±0.16); WBE (6.9±0.05 to 10.1±0.04); Platelet (168±1.45 to 214±0.05); MCHC (30.5±0.07 to 32.5±0.01); MCH (20.5±0.01 to 20.4±0.01) and MCV (59±0.07 to 62±0.02) respectively. In conclusion, xylene caused negative changes in the haematological indices and the behavioural pattern of C. garienpinus. Hence the need to focus efforts on ensuring a decrease in the discharge of xylene to water bodies.