Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct measurements of the L -gap surface states on the (111) face of noble metals by photoelectron spectroscopy

We present a comprehensive photoemission study of the L-gap surface states of the (111) surfaces of Cu, Ag, and Au by high-resolution angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). With an angular resolution of about $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\theta}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ and an energy resolution of $\ensuremath{\Delta}E\ensuremath{\approx}3.5\mathrm{meV},$ our data establish new values for the intrinsic lifetime broadening and the dispersion relation of these surface states. We compare our photoemission results to recently published theoretical calculations and measurements by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). In the case of the Au(111) state, we observe particular qualitative discrepancies in comparison to the STS data: the PES data show a split dispersion and Fermi surface, possibly caused by a spin-orbit interaction of the surface state electrons.
Enhanced dielectric and electro-optical properties of a newly synthesised ferroelectric liquid crystal material by doping gold nanoparticle-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

In this article, a newly synthesised ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) material, namely LAHS 22, has been characterised. The characterisation of the FLC material has been performed using dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and polarisation optical microscopy. We observed an enhancement in the dielectric and electro-optical properties of the FLC material by incorporating gold nanoparticles (GNPs)-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The GNPs-decorated MWCNTs cause an increment in dielectric dispersion (up to kHz), absorption, spontaneous polarisation and rotational viscosity of the FLC material. The pure and GNPs-decorated MWCNTs doped FLC cells were analysed by means of various dielectric spectroscopic and optical measurements. The observed enhancement in the dielectric and electro-optical properties of the FLC material has also been studied with concentration of GNPs-decorated MWCNTs in FLC material. The GNPs-decorated MWCNTs/FLC composites are not only of fundamental importance, but also useful materials for device applications such as liquid crystal displays and memory devices.
Fabrication of SERS Substrates Based on Porous- Si Nanostructures and Silver Nanoparticles for Application in Identification of Carbendazim

In this work, we present a quick and simple approach for fabrication of active-surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and porous silicon nanostructures (denoted by Si/Ag substrate). SERS substrates were fabricated by a 3-stage-process including the deposition of Au nanoparticles on Si wafer, etching for porous Si wafer, and coating Ag NPs on porous Si to produce SERS-active layer. To control the uniformity and cleanliness of the SERS substrate, sputtering technique was used to coat Au and AgNPs. The absorption spectra of the Si/Ag substrates exhibited a strong surface plasmon resonance absorption band of AgNPs at 425 nm. Using Si/Ag substrates to detect carbenzadim (CBZ) residue dispersed in acetone has shown that Si/Ag substrates morphology greatly affected the Raman intensity of carbendazim which opens up a promising and potential approach using SERS spectroscopy for food, environment and especially pharmaceutical applications. Keywords: Raman, SERS, plasmon, nanoparticles, carbendazim.
Bibliotherapy: Present-day marvel in Malaysia

This study explores the current trends of bibliotherapy within the public library community in Malaysia. A qualitative data collection approach using a structured interview was employed to elicit the opinions of five public librarians, two practitioners specializing in mental health, and a bibliotherapy writer. Eight (8) interview transcripts have been analyzed using theme-based analysis. This study shows that bibliotherapy in Malaysia is a new trend and concept. The public librarians were unnoticed that they had already practiced the technique due to the lack of bibliotherapy awareness among public librarians. There is a need to establish bibliotherapy education for future librarians. Keywords: Public library; Bibliotherapy; Library education; Malaysia eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by E-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer-review under the responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behavior Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioral Researchers on Asians), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behavior Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
Optimizing the Utilization of Village Funds for Sustainable Village Development in Majene, Indonesia

This article explores Optimizing the Utilization of Funds for sustainable development. This study aims to analyze the Optimization of Village Fund Utilization. The research method used is observation, interviews, and documents. This study was analyzed using a phenomenological approach. The research subjects are the government and the village community. The results of this study indicated the Optimization of the Utilization of Village Funds through 6 forms, namely; 1) Village level consultations involving the community and community shops to accommodate various proposals; 2) Every Cash Inflow and Outflow is recorded by the treasurer, and closes the books every month in an orderly manner; 3) The Village Development Implementation Stage involves local communities to be empowered in the implementation of the Village Fund which prioritizes the poor so that their economy can also improve; 4) The development of village infrastructure is greatly benefited by the community; 5) the village apparatus capacity building program increases the motivation and performance of the village apparatus in carrying out their duties; 6) Community empowerment has representatives from BPD and LPM such as cultivation. Further research will focus on the use of village funds for economic development.
New Insights Into the Petrogenesis of Voluminous Crustal‐Signature Silicic Volcanic Rocks of the Toba Eruptions (Indonesia)

The formation of large‐volume silicic magmas in arc settings is fundamental for understanding trans‐crustal magmatic systems related to subduction zones. Here, we present an integrated study of the four Quaternary Toba eruptions and pre‐caldera Haranggaol Andesite on Sumatra, Indonesia. This rock suite has significantly enriched Sr‐Nd isotopes (87Sr/86Sr = 0.71220–0.71517, εNd = −8.9 to −10.6) compared with other volcanic rocks on Sunda‐Banda arc, but is similar to the post‐caldera (<74 ka) Sipisupisu basalts near the Toba Caldera. Thermodynamic modeling using Magma Chamber Simulator has revealed that the Toba silicic rocks can be produced by a two‐stage assimilation and fractional crystallization of mantle‐derived basaltic melts with compositions similar to the Sipisupisu basalts in the lower and upper crustal magma reservoirs. Binary modeling of Sr‐Nd isotopes suggests that the rocks near the Toba Caldera can be produced by mixing of 5%–10% of the subducting Nicobar Fan sediments (87Sr/86Sr = 0.73493, εNd = −14 on average) with depleted MORB mantle (DMM). Indeed, decompressional partial melting modeling of bulk mixtures of DMM with 7% subducting sediments using pMELTS indicates that the melts generated can have geochemical compositions similar to the Sipisupisu basalts. We therefore argue that hybridization of the subducting sediments with the mantle wedge could be an alternative scenario responsible for the enriched isotopic characteristics of the rocks near Toba. Prolonged fractionation of mantle‐derived enriched/depleted basaltic melts, accompanied by crustal assimilation and crystal‐melt segregation, could be common processes in generating large‐volume silicic magmas on continental arcs.
Geocoronal structure: The effects of solar radiation pressure and the plasmasphere interaction

The theory of planetary exospheres is extended to incorporate solar radiation pressure in a rigorous manner, and an evaporative geocoronal prototype (classical, motionless exobase) is constructed using Liouville's theorem. Model calculations for density and kinetic temperature at points along the earth-sun axis (solar and antisolar directions) reveal an extensive satellite component, comprising approximately 2/3 of the total hydrogen density near 10 earth radii, and a temperature profile suggestive of an isotropic quasi-Maxwellian velocity distribution for the bound component. A geotail is also evident as an enhancement of the density at local midnight compared to local noon that increases outward (from approximately 25 percent at 10 earth radii to over 60 percent at 20 earth radii). Additional mechanisms acting upon the geocorona alter the basic evaporative case in notable ways. Solar ionization has been included in a simple fashion; the effect is to partially deplete the density without otherwise altering the structure. Interaction with a simple plasmasphere via the Boltzmann equation results in 'heating' the geocorona and enhancing the escape flux at the expense of the density of the bound component, an effect not appreciated in earlier studies; the geotail survives this interaction.
Trends in Industry Payments to Diabetologists and Endocrinologists in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction Limited evidence suggests there were substantial amounts of payments from the healthcare industry to diabetologists and endocrinologists in the United States before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period. However, there is no study on how these industry payments changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate trends in non-research industry payments to physicians specializing in diabetology and endocrinology in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Using the open payments database between 2013 and 2021, we examined trends in general payments made to physicians whose primary specialty was diabetology and endocrinology by the healthcare industry in the United States. Trends in industry payments during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated by interrupted time series analysis with generalized estimating equation models. Results Of 7965 active endocrinologists and diabetologists, 6991 (87.8%) received one or more general payments from the healthcare industry in the United States between August 2013 and December 2021. Median per-physician payments were $116.68 (interquartile range (IQR): $41.66-$390.00) before the COVID-19 pandemic period and $97.91 (IQR: $32.81-$314.04) during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Monthly per-physician payments, the number of per-physician payments, and the number of physicians receiving payments decreased by 61.0% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 58.1%-63.7%, p<0.001), 59.2% (95% CI: 57.9%-60.4%, p<0.001), and 39.7% (95% CI: 38.3%-41.0%, p<0.001) at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020), compared to those before pandemic period, respectively. Conclusion The non-research payments to endocrinologists and diabetologists from the healthcare industry sharply decreased by about 60% in payment amounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Exact Piezothermoelastic Solution for Simply Supported Laminated Flat Panel in Cylindrical Bending

The three‐dimensional exact solution is presented for infinite simply supported, cross‐ply laminated flat panel with piezoelectric layers in cylindrical bending. The variables are expanded in Fourier series to satisfy the boundary conditions at the simply supported ends. The governing equations reduce to ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients. For each layer, the general solutions of the thermal and the piezoelastic problems involve two and six arbitrary constants, respectively. These are determined from the boundary and interface conditions. The response of panels consisting of cross‐ply laminated substrate of graphite‐epoxy composite with a PVDF layer bonded to its one face has been determined for prescribed sinusoidal surface temperature distributions and electric potential difference applied to the piezoelectric layer. The effect of span to thickness ratio on the response has been investigated. The feasibility of reducing deflection and stresses by applying potential difference to the piezoelectric layer is reported.
Allelopathic Effect of Vicia faba L. Extracts on Stimulating or Inhibiting the Seeds Germination and Seedling Growth of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill

inhibitory effects of the aqueous extracts of Vicia faba on the seed germination and the growth of the Lycopersicon esculentum seedlings. The experiment was carried out at the research stations and laboratories of College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, and the Department of Examination and Certification of Seeds in Tikrit, Salah Aldeen, Iraq. In this study, different concentrations of the aqueous extracts of various parts of Vicia faba were tested in this study, namely (4, 8 and 12% root extracts; 4, 8 and 12% stem extracts; 4, 8 and 12 % leaf extracts) for determining their effects on the seed germination and the seedling growth of the Lycopersicon esculentum plant. Water was used as the control treatment. All parameters used in the experiments were randomly distributed based on the Completely Randomised Design (CRD). The results were the mean of 4 replicate experiments. The results indicated that the aqueous root extracts (4%) of Vicia faba showed a significant stimulatory effect on the different growth parameters like radicle length and the dry weight of the radicle of the Lycopersicon esculentum. The different aqueous extracts of the Vicia faba showed differing effects (either stimulatory or inhibitory) on the seedling growth. The mode of action was dependent on the extracts of the plant parts that were used. The results indicated that the different concentrations of aqueous extracts of various parts of Vicia faba showed an allelopathic effect.
Persistency of military spending and fiscal policy responses to Covid-19

ABSTRACT Using a relatively large time-varying cross-country panel dataset of fiscal policy responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, this paper examines the relationship between military spending persistency and the size of the fiscal stimulus packages. The results suggest that countries with more persistent military spending have had smaller fiscal-stimulus packages during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Factors Influencing Farmers to Convert Productive Croplands into Woodlots in Mbeya Rural District, Tanzania

Recently, the Mbeya Rural district has experienced land fragmentation and scarcity due to population increase. However, it is paradoxical to see that farmers have been converting productive croplands into woodlots instead of practicing agricultural intensification on their already scarce croplands. This paper contributes to the understanding of changes that are experienced by farmers in Uporoto Highlands by analysing factors that influence them to convert productive croplands into woodlots. The selection of the research area was based on the rate of conversion of croplands into woodlots, and easy accessibility from main roads. A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 366 farmers for household interviews, while purposive sampling was used to select the research area, key informants, and participant of focus group discussions (FGDs). Field observation and documentary review were also used to complement the collection of data. The paper employed a mixed method approach to capture both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed with the aid of the IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 21, to allow the generation of descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation functions, and multinomial regression analysis results. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The results suggest that the conversion of productive croplands into woodlots is influenced by market conditions, social/peer influence, institutional factors, nature and characteristics of trees, holding land for future use, farmers’ characteristics and urban to peri-urban expansion. The study recommends that agricultural institutions in the country should create enabling conditions that help farmers convert their productive croplands in a manner that does not threaten food security.
Water quality forecast through application of BP neural network at Yuqiao reservoir

This paper deals with the study of a water quality forecast model through application of BP neural network technique and GUI (Graphical User Interfaces) function of MATLAB at Yuqiao reservoir in Tianjin. To overcome the shortcomings of traditional BP algorithm as being slow to converge and easy to reach extreme minimum value, the model adopts LM (Levenberg-Marquardt) algorithm to achieve a higher speed and a lower error rate. When factors affecting the study object are identified, the reservoir’s 2005 measured values are used as sample data to test the model. The number of neurons and the type of transfer functions in the hidden layer of the neural network are changed from time to time to achieve the best forecast results. Through simulation testing the model shows high efficiency in forecasting the water quality of the reservoir.
Integration of machine learning and statistical models for crash frequency modeling

ABSTRACT Crash frequency modeling has been an active research topic in traffic safety, for which various techniques have been proposed that can be loosely classified as either statistical models or machine learning (ML) methods. Statistical models are suitable for drawing inferences and producing relationships that are verifiable by domain experts. However, they generally suffer from low predictive performance due to built-in assumptions about the crash data and adherence to prespecified functional forms. On the other hand, ML methods are data-driven and free from pre-supposed conditions on the dataset, yet they are often not interpretable. In this paper, a combination scheme is proposed to leverage the advantages of both techniques, and it is evaluated using crash data collected from urban highways in the state of Washington. The results show that this combination scheme could significantly improve the predictive performance and model fitness of statistical models without adversely impacting their interpretability.
Variable Selection in Logistic Regression Models

Abstract In the statistical analysis the selection of independent (predictor) variables in a regression model that might influence the outcome variable is an important task. To overcome the problems with selection procedures to obtain these authentic variables, we compare the performance of stepwise selection procedures with a bagging method proposed by Sauerbrei [Sauerbrei, W. (1999). The use of resampling methods to simplify regression models in medical statistics. Appl. Statist. 48:313–329]. Furthermore, the bootstrap method with a variable selection from the full logistic regression model was applied. Logistic regression models were conducted to compare the performance of these selection procedures. Similar results were obtained for the different selection procedures such as backward, forward or stepwise selection with the same entry/retention criterion for the “simple” and the bagging method, respectively. Our simulations show better results for small entry and/or retention criterion, in particularly when the predictor variables were correlated. The bagging procedures were substantial better than the “simple” stepwise selection procedures. However, the problems remain, for instance that the degree of correlation between the predictor variables affects the frequency with which authentic variables found their way into the final model.
R -matrix electron-impact excitation cross sections in intermediate coupling: an MQDT transformation approach

A widely used alternative to a full Breit-Pauli R-matrix calculation of electron-impact excitation is the transformation of S- or K-matrices, calculated in pure LS coupling, to intermediate coupling. Here we present a transformation method, based on multi-channel quantum defect theory (MQDT), that eliminates the problems associated with standard transformation methods and leads to accurate level-to-level electron-impact excitation cross sections. Instead of transforming the physical S- or K-matrices, we employ MQDT to generate unphysical K-matrices in pure LS coupling; we then treat all channels as open and transform these matrices to intermediate coupling. Finally, we generate the physical K-matrices from the intermediate-coupled unphysical K-matrices. To illustrate the accuracy of this method, we compare cross sections for several transitions in determined using: (i) the standard transformation method in which the LS-coupled physical S-matrices are transformed to intermediate coupling; (ii) an MQDT transformation method, used by others, in which the unphysical LS-coupled K-matrices are transformed to pure jK coupling; (iii) our intermediate coupling frame transformation (ICFT) method and (iv) a full Breit-Pauli R-matrix calculation. It is shown that our ICFT method eliminates the problems associated with the other two transformation methods and leads to cross sections that agree very well with those determined from a full Breit-Pauli R-matrix calculation. Furthermore, the ICFT method can be applied to complex atomic systems which are intractable to a full Breit-Pauli calculation.
Fresnel scattering model for the specular echoes observed by VHF radar

In recent years several groups using VHF radars have reported highly anisotropic echoes originating from stable regions of the troposphere and stratosphere. The echoes are most intense looking vertically, and their occurrence is well correlated with regions of hydrostatic stability. Observations also show that the echoes are usually much stronger when observed with coarse spatial resolution. There is no commonly used scattering or reflection model that can account for these features. In this paper we present a new model to explain the enhanced vertical echoes. The model pertains to scattering from the half-wavelength Fourier component of horizontally coherent fine structure in the radio refractive index within a region of finite vertical extent. We refer to this echoing mechanism as ‘Fresnel scattering. ’ The new model is applied to simulate the magnitude of VHF radar echoes by using radiosonde temperature soundings as input. Good agreement is found between these simulations and observations at the Sunset VHF radar in Colorado.
MEDSEA-FIN: SOME RESULTS FROM AN ESTIMATED DSGE MODEL

This article documents the estimation of MEDSEA-FIN, a medium scale Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model with household het - erogeneity, housing and borrowing constraints. The model is estimated using Bayesian methods on Maltese data, and delivers reasonable identification of the structural parameters and shock variances. The article shows the dynamic responses of several macroeconomic variables to a monetary policy shock and uses the estimated model to decompose observed house price movements into the underlying structural drivers. The model delivers results that are in line with expectations and other findings in the literature