Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formation and Characterization of Stable TiO2/CuxO-Based Solar Cells

According to increasing demand for energy, PV cells seem to be one of the best answers for human needs. Considering features such as availability, low production costs, high stability, etc., metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) are a focus of attention for many scientists. Amongst MOS, TiO2 and CuxO seem to be promising materials for obtaining an effective photoconversion effect. In this paper, specific investigation, aimed at the manufacturing of the complete photovoltaic structure based on this concept is described in detail. A set of samples manufactured by DC magnetron sputtering, with various process parameters, is characterized by morphology comparison, layer structure and material composition investigation, and finally by the obtained photovoltaic parameters. Based on SEM studies, it was established that the films are deposited uniformly and complete their formation; without clearly defined faces, the conglomerates of the film grow individually. These are areas with a uniform structure and orientation of atoms. The sizes of conglomerates are in a normal direction range from 20 to 530 nm and increase with film thickness. The film thickness was in the range from 318 to 1654 nm, respectively. The I-V study confirms the photovoltaic behavior of thin film solar cells. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) values of the photovoltaic devices ranged from 1.5 to 300 mV and from 0.45 to 7.26 µA/cm3, respectively, which corresponds to the maximum efficiency at the level of 0.01%. Specific analysis of the junction operation on the basis of characteristics flow, Rs, and Rsh values is delivered.
Climbers' preferred management actions : addressing resource and crowding impacts in Yosemite Valley

approved: ________________________________________________________ Joanne F. Tynon As more people become interested in rock climbing, the need to understand climbers and their preferences and how their activities impact the resource are more vital than ever. With increased use, and with little empirical data about the Yosemite climbing community, park managers cannot adequately develop a comprehensive climbing management plan. The objectives of this research are to use a theoretically based survey instrument to measure Yosemite NP climbers’ level of support for different management strategies. I used chi-square analysis to evaluate the relationship between my independent variables, climbers’ self identified skill level and dependent variables, climbers’ perceived crowding and support for different resource and social based management actions. I found a relationship between climbers’ experience level and their support for resource based management actions. This suggests to managers that managing climbing impacts, either resource based or social impacts, should focus on managing the resource by using restoration techniques, or providing signs or maps to direct climbers to climbing areas. ©Copyright by Molly T. Burns December 4, 2014 All Rights Reserved Climbers’ Preferred Management Actions: Addressing Resource and Crowding Impacts in Yosemite Valley
Immunopathogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi infection: a role for suppressed macrophages and apoptotic cells

During Trypanosoma cruzi infection, macrophages phagocytose parasites and remove apoptotic cells through efferocytosis. While macrophage 1 (M1) produces proinflammatory cytokines and NO and fights infection, M2 macrophages are permissive host cells that express arginase 1 and play a role in tissue repair. The regulation of M1 and M2 phenotypes might either induce or impair macrophage-mediated immunity towards parasite control or persistence in chronic Chagas disease. Here, we highlight a key role of macrophage activation in early immune responses to T. cruzi that prevent escalating parasitemia, heart parasitism, and mortality during acute infection. We will discuss the mechanisms of macrophage activation and deactivation, such as T cell cytokines and efferocytosis, and how to improve macrophage-mediated immunity to prevent parasite persistence, inflammation, and the development of chagasic cardiomyopathy. Potential vaccines or therapy must enhance early T cell-macrophage crosstalk and parasite control to restrain the pathogenic outcomes of parasite-induced inflammation in the heart.
The Effect of Work Motivation and Compensation on Employee Performance

Employee performance is an important factor of a company, employee performance within the company is influenced by various factors such as work motivation and compensation. Then the purpose of this research is to determine the effect of work motivation and compensation on employee performance. The research methodology is ex-post facto with a quantitative approach. Respondents in this research were 71 employees taken by the total sampling technique. Methods of data analysis in research using multiple regression. The results of the research are as follows: 1). Work motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, 2). Compensation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, 3). Work motivation and compensation together affect employee performance by 33.7% and by 66.3% influenced by variables outside this research.
Association between gestational levels of toxic metals and essential elements and cerebral palsy in children

Introduction Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, but its causes are only partly known. Early-life exposure to toxic metals and inadequate or excess amounts of essential elements can adversely affect brain and nervous system development. However, little is still known about these as perinatal risk factors for CP. This study aims to investigate the associations between second trimester maternal blood levels of toxic metals, essential elements, and mixtures thereof, with CP diagnoses in children. Methods In a large, population-based prospective birth cohort (The Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study), children with CP diagnoses were identified through The Norwegian Patient Registry and Cerebral Palsy Registry of Norway. One hundred forty-four children with CP and 1,082 controls were included. The relationship between maternal blood concentrations of five toxic metals and six essential elements and CP diagnoses were investigated using mixture approaches: elastic net with stability selection to identify important metals/elements in the mixture in relation to CP; then logistic regressions of the selected metals/elements to estimate odds ratio (OR) of CP and two-way interactions among metals/elements and with child sex and maternal education. Finally, the joint effects of the mixtures on CP diagnoses were estimated using quantile-based g-computation analyses. Results The essential elements manganese and copper, as well as the toxic metal Hg, were the most important in relation to CP. Elevated maternal levels of copper (OR = 1.40) and manganese (OR = 1.20) were associated with increased risk of CP, while Hg levels were, counterintuitively, inversely related to CP. Metal/element interactions that were associated with CP were observed, and that sex and maternal education influenced the relationships between metals/elements and CP. In the joint mixture approach no significant association between the mixture of metals/elements and CP (OR = 1.00, 95% CI = [0.67, 1.50]) was identified. Conclusion Using mixture approaches, elevated levels of copper and manganese measured in maternal blood during the second trimester could be related to increased risk of CP in children. The inverse associations between maternal Hg and CP could reflect Hg as a marker of maternal fish intake and thus nutrients beneficial for foetal brain development.
EEF1A1 is Involved the Regulating Neuroinflammatory Processes in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND Studies have reported that the RNA-binding protein Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1A1 (EEF1A1) is low expressed in the hippocampal region of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, it is related to PARK2 activity in cells, predicting its importance in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the function of EEF1A1 in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unclear. Our study's primary objective was to knock down EEF1A1 in U251 cells and preliminarily explore the role of EEF1A1 in PD neuroinflammation. METHODS To inhibit EEF1A1 from being expressed in U251 cells, siRNA was transfected into those cells. Then, RNA-seq sequencing was used to determine the Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) resulting from the EEF1A1 knockdown. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to find the biological processes and signaling pathways engaged in the DEGs, as well as to screen for genes associated with neuroinflammatory processes that influence the development of PD. Further Real Time - quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) validation experiments were performed to confirm the reliability of the sequencing results. Finally, combined with the support of related literature, the molecular mechanism of EEF1A1 in regulating the neuroinflammatory process of PD was initially explored. RESULTS Analysis using the RNA-seq technique showed that EEF1A1 knockdown could significantly upregulate the expression of IL-6, GDF15, STC1, MT1E, GPNMB, CCL5, MT1X, A2M, and VIP genes at the transcriptional level. These nine highly elevated genes were enriched to signaling pathways linked to inflammatory processes, according to an analysis of GO and KEGG enrichment. CONCLUSIONS EEF1A1 is involved in the regulating of IL-6, GDF15, STC1, MT1E, GPNMB, CCL5, MT1X, A2M, and VIP genes associated with the neuroinflammatory process of PD. Among them, we found that GDF15, STC1, MT1E, MT1X, GPNMB, VIP, and A2M genes were involved in delaying the neuroinflammatory process of PD, while IL-6 and CCL5 were involved in exacerbating the neuroinflammatory process, implicating that EEF1A1 may participate in the regulation of the PD neuroinflammation.
Effectiveness of a multipurpose artificial underwater structure as a coral reef canopy: Hydrodynamic and ecological connectivity

The following research focuses on artificial underwater structures (a.k.a. artificial reefs) in a coral reef environment to mitigate the natural and anthropogenic pressures which reef systems are increasingly facing worldwide. The research question is stated as: “Establishing a method to determine if a multipurpose artificial underwater structure (MAUS) can perform the functions of a natural canopy cover on a coral reef flat”. To investigate this research question both ecological and hydrodynamic parameters are considered. The MAUS selected for this investigation is composed of a canopy of 1000’s of interlocking synthetic hooks known as ground consolidators (GCs). This investigation employs both a physical and numerical model. The relevant parameters required to assess the research question can be found by obtaining the flow characteristics inside the canopy and wave induced hydrodynamic dampening across the canopy. Wave driven velocities recorded in a 1:5 scale GC canopy model are used to assess the success of larval recruitment. In addition to ecological considerations in the canopy, the bulk-wave height reduction is computed. This component allows for GC canopy design and schematization in a numerical model application. A link between the bulk wave-height reduction and internal wave driven velocities within the canopy is desirable to understand the connectivity of hydrodynamics and larval recruitment. The evidence collected in this study gives an indication of the GC arrangement which can provide a suitable climate for the establishment, and long-term vitality of a benthic community within its pore structure. This study is unique in that it incorporates various fields of research to bridge the gaps needed to present a more complete and comprehensive design guideline for GCs, and other MAUS concepts. Additional outcomes from this study include a more thorough oversight and understanding of the required changes and considerations needed to improve current interpretation of porous canopy media.
Geochemical and mineralogical evidence for Sahara and Sahel dust additions to Quaternary soils on Lanzarote, eastern Canary Islands, Spain

Africa is the most important source of dust in the world today, and dust storms are frequent on the nearby Canary Islands. Previous workers have inferred that the Sahara is the most important source of dust to Canary Islands soils, with little contribution from the Sahel region. Soils overlying a late Quaternary basalt flow on Lanzarote, Canary Islands, contain, in addition to volcanic minerals, quartz and mica, exotic to the island’s bedrock. Kaolinite in the soils also likely has an exotic origin. Trace‐element geochemistry shows that the soils are derived from varying proportions of locally derived basalt and African dust. Major‐element geochemistry, clay mineralogy and interpretation of satellite imagery suggest that dust additions to the Canary Islands come not only from the Sahara Desert, but also from the Sahel region.
Effect of Cooling of Lidocaine with Epinephrine on the Anesthetic Success of Supplementary Intraligamentary Injection after a Failed Primary Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective The purpose of this prospective, randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of cooling a 2% lidocaine solution with 1:200,000 epinephrine, administered as a supplementary intraligamentary injection to overcome a failed primary inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). Methods The study was preceded by a pilot study to evaluate the anesthetic efficacy of plain lidocaine solutions given as intraligamentary injections. In the subsequent randomized clinical trial, one hundred and thirty-eight patients received IANB with 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine for endodontic management of a mandibular molar with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Eighty-eight patients reported pain greater than 54 mm on a visual analog scale (Heft-Parker VAS) were categorized as unsuccessful anesthesia. These patients received either of the following intraligamentary injections: 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine at room temperature; or 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine at 4°C. Anesthetic success was again evaluated after re-initiation of the endodontic treatment. The heart rates of the patients were measured using a finger pulse oximeter. The categorical success rates were statistically analyzed with the Pearson chi-square test at 5% significance levels. The heart rate measurements were analyzed using a t-test. Results The intraligamentary injections with anesthetic solutions at room temperature presented a success rate of 59.1%, while the injections with a solution at 4°C gave a success rate of 52.27%. There were no significant differences between the success rates of the groups (χ2=0.41, p=0.52). Regarding the heart rates, there were no differences between the two solutions at baseline (T=1.2, p=0.2) or after injections (T=0.64, p=0.52). Conclusion Reducing the temperature of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine to 4°C does not affect the anesthetic efficacy of supplemental intraligamentary injections, given after a failed primary IANB.
Voice Cloning: Training Speaker Selection with Limited Multi-Speaker Corpus

Text-To-Speech synthesis with few data is a challenging task, in particular when choosing the target speaker is not an option. Voice cloning is a popular method to alleviate these issues using only a few minutes of target speech. To do this, the model must first be trained on a large corpus of thousands of hours and hundreds of speakers. In this paper, we tackle the challenge of cloning voices with a much smaller corpus, us-ing both the speaker adaptation and speaker encoding methods. We study the impact of selecting our training speakers based on their similarity to the targets. We train models using only the training speakers closest/farthest to our targets in terms of speaker similarity from a pool of 14 speakers. We show that the selection of speakers in the training set has an impact on the similarity to the target speaker. The effect is more prominent for speaker encoding than adaptation. However, it remains nuanced when it comes to naturalness.
Insights into the Predictors of Empathy in Virtual Reality Environments

The effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in eliciting empathy lies in the fact that VR offers possibilities for situating people in a specific context and in the shoes of others. Previous research has investigated the benefits of VR in eliciting empathy and has compared VR with other technologies. However, there is a lack of research on the predictors of empathy in VR experiences. To fill this gap in the literature, this study aimed to identify the predictors of empathy when VR is used as a medium to elicit empathy. A structural model based on hypotheses was validated using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with data from the interaction of 100 participants in a tailor-made VR experience developed to create empathy toward migration. The results show that our model explains 44.8% of the variance in emotional empathy as a result of the positive influence of compassion and attitudes toward migrants. Moreover, the model explains 36.8% of the variance in cognitive empathy as a result of the positive influence of engagement, attitudes toward migrants, compassion, and immersion.
A novel role of the splenic volume in Crohn’s disease: evaluating the efficacy of infliximab

Background: A number of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) suffer from loss of response to infliximab (IFX) therapy. Splenic volume is reported to be enlarged in patients with CD compared to normal individuals. The association between splenic volume and IFX efficacy in CD remains unclear. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients with CD who received regular IFX treatment at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, between August 2015 and December 2021. We collected baseline characteristics and clinical features from medical records in the CD database of Zhongshan Hospital. We accurately measured the splenic volume using semi-auto spleen segmentation software, followed by the analysis of splenic volume and IFX efficacy. Results: We included 49 patients with CD receiving IFX treatment, of whom 41 responded to IFX and 8 failed to respond to IFX. Splenic volume, as well as volume adjusted for body mass index (SV/BMI) and body weight (SV/W), was significantly decreased after IFX treatment in responders but increased in non-responders compared to the volume before the treatment. Accordingly, the levels of leukocyte count, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were decreased after IFX treatment in responders. Contrarily, the levels of hemoglobin, albumin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were elevated in responders. Moreover, both CRP and TNF-α levels were significantly positively correlated with SV/BMI in all patients. Conclusion: Splenic volume, especially SV/BMI and SV/W, was reduced after IFX treatment in CD patients responsive to IFX. SV/BMI was positively correlated with disease activity. Splenic volume is a promising indicator to evaluate IFX efficacy in CD.
Mechanisms of Training-Related Change in Processing Speed: A Drift-Diffusion Model Approach

Processing speed is a crucial ability that changes over the course of the lifespan. Training interventions on processing speed have shown promising effects and have been associated with improved cognitive functioning. While training-related changes in processing speed are often studied using reaction times (RTs) and error rates, these measures provide limited insight into the mechanisms underlying changes during training. The drift-diffusion model provides estimates of the cognitive processes underlying speeded decision tasks, such as the rate of evidence accumulation (drift rate), response strategies (boundary separation), as well as time for other processes such as stimulus encoding and motor response (non-decision time). In the current study, we analyzed existing data of an extensive multi-session training intervention (von Bastian & Oberauer, 2013) to disentangle changes in drift rate, boundary separation, and non-decision time during training of different speeded choice-RT tasks. During this training intervention, 30 participants performed 20 training sessions over the course of four weeks, completing three tasks each session: a face-matching, a pattern-matching, and a digit-matching task. Our results show that processing speed training increased drift rates throughout training. Boundary separation and non-decision time decreased mostly during the initial parts of training. This pattern of prolonged training-related changes in rate of evidence accumulation as well as early changes in response strategy and non-decision processes was observed across all three tasks. Future research should investigate how these training-related changes relate to improvements in cognitive functioning more broadly.
Foundations of Higher-Order Forcing

prepared by Dominik Thomas Adolf URL: http://www.uni-muenster.de/imperia/md/content/logik/dissadolf.pdf Carolin Antos, Foundations of Higher-Order Forcing, University of Vienna, 2015. Supervised by Sy-David Friedman. MSC: 03Exx, 03E40, 03E70.
Effect of Green Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility on Purchase Decisions Mediated by Brand Image (Study on Consumers of Avoskin Skincare Products in Denpasar City)

Environmental pollution is an important issue today that is the responsibility of consumers and business actors. Consumers and business actors are required to be aware and care about the environment. This study aims to explain the effect of green marketing and corporate social responsibility on purchase decision mediated by brand image. The population of this study are consumers of Avoskin skincare products in Denpasar City. The method of determining the sample is non-probability in the form of purposive sampling with a sample size of 180 respondents. The data collection method uses a questionnaire in the form of a Google Form which is distributed via social media. The data analysis technique of this research uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based on Partial Least Square (PLS). The results of this study indicate that green marketing and corporate social responsibility have a positive and significant effect on purchase decision, green marketing and corporate social responsibility have a positive and significant effect on brand image, brand image has a positive effect on purchase decision and brand image is able to partially mediate the effect of green marketing and corporate social responsibility on purchase decision. Based on the results of this research, it is hoped that the results of this research will be able to enrich the development of marketing management knowledge, especially related to consumer behavior, and be able to become a reference for policy makers to further enhance the application of green marketing and CSR in order to build a brand image so as to increase purchase decision for Avoskin skincare products.
Excavating the Nabataean Incense Road

Excavations conducted along the Nabataean Incense Road, which extends from Petra to Gaza, highlight the changes and development of this historic trade route over time. Long-distance trade reached its apex following the Roman annexation of Nabataea in 106 CE, followed by a marked decline during the third century CE. Seven of these key sites were conserved between 1993 and 2000, culminating in the inscription of the Nabataean Incense Road on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2005.