Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential application of tungsten carbides as electrocatalysts

The reactions of methanol, water, and carbon monoxide over clean and modified tungsten carbide surfaces are studied by using temperature programmed desorption, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy. The carbide-modified W(111) surface is highly active toward the decomposition of methanol, with 55% going to complete decomposition, 31% to CO, and 14% to CH4. Additionally, the C/W(111) surface exhibits strong activity toward the dissociation of water. Furthermore, the desorption of CO from C/W(111) occurs at a relatively low temperature of ∼330 K. When modified by the presence of submonolayer Pt, the decomposition pathways of methanol are significantly altered. The presence of low-coverage Pt onto C/W(111) effectively inhibits the production of CH4, an undesirable side product in direct methanol fuel cells. The Pt-modified C/W(111) surface also remains active toward the dissociative of water. When C/W(111) is modified by oxygen, the surface retains significant act.
Raman spectroscopy for identification and quantification analysis of essential oil varieties: a multivariate approach applied to lavender and lavandin essential oils

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is used for cosmetics, perfumes and medicine (antimicrobial activity and relaxant properties) while lavandin (sterile hybrid of L. angustifolia P. Mill. × Lavandula latifolia (L.f.) Medikus) is used for air fresheners, deodorants and soaps. These plants are widely cultivated for essential oil production. In this study, 104 samples were analyzed including 62 lavandin and 42 lavender oil samples from several varieties. The Raman spectra are similar but can be differentiated by chemometrics treatment. Data structure may be studied by PCA. A PLS regression model was used for quantitative analysis of the main compounds such as linalyl acetate, linalool and eucalyptol. The reference data were obtained by gas chromatography. The performance of the method was also tested to discriminate between the two species and the seven varieties (Abrial, Fine, Grosso, Maillette, Matherone, Sumian and Super) by PLS-DA regression. The examination of PLS and PLS-DA regression coefficients allowed for the identification of species and of the varieties' metabolomic markers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on earthed atomizing corona discharge enhancing the biodegradability of waste water from oil extraction

This paper studies the usage of earthed atomizing corona discharge to dispose waste water from oil extraction. The I - V characteristic curves of earthed atomizing positive and negative corona discharge are compared to study the influence of water flux and inter-electrode distance (which refers to the distance between line electrode and plate electrodes) on discharge characteristics, and to measure the turbidity, pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the variation tendency of BOD 5 /COD in the process of dealing with waste water from oil extraction by earthed atomizing corona discharge. Ultimately, the mechanism of earthed atomizing corona discharge is analyzed. Research results indicate that when using earthed atomizing corona discharge to dispose of waste water from oil extraction, as the processing time grows there is a maximum value of turbidity, the pH level increases gradually then stabilizes, COD appears to descend, and BOD 5 as well as BOD 5 /COD both have minimum values. When the processing time attains 300 min, waste water from oil extraction is suitable for biochemical treatment, foreshadowing that earthed atomizing corona discharge technology demonstrates energy conservation characteristic in improving the biodegradability of waste water from oil extraction and has a brilliant application prospect waiting ahead.
How to persevere in a ballet performance career: exploring personal wisdom of retired professional ballet dancers

ABSTRACT Despite the well-documented challenges of professional ballet dancers and anecdotal report of premature retirement, no research has examined what professional ballet dancers do to persevere in their performance careers. This study drew on the perspectives of retired professional ballet dancers to address this question. We conducted narrative interviews with nine retired professional ballet dancers and identified four themes using thematic analysis. Findings show that to persevere in a performance career, dancers need to: (1) Look After Mental Health and Self-Worth; (2) Be Proactive in Navigating Career; (3) Grow as an Artist; and (4) Live as a Whole Person. We suggest these thematic findings illustrate attitudes and behaviours of career adaptability and draw attention to the needs for mental health support and mental skills training, and mentorship and career advice, for helping aspiring and professional ballet dancers persevere in a performance career. Findings have implications and applications for ballet dancers, research, ballet management, dance educators, and dance counsellors.
A Potential Inhibition Process of Ricin Protein with the flavonoids Quercetin and Epigallocatechin Gallate. A Quantum-Chemical and Molecular Docking Study

Castor bean (Ricinus Communis) oil has been reported as one of the most important bio-based fuels; however, high amounts of toxic solid residue are generated in the production. This toxicity is due to several molecules, ricin protein being the most studied compound. The inhibition of the ricin protein is essential for eliminating its toxicity. The objective of this study is to predict the possible inhibition process via the interactions between the ricin protein and the flavonoids quercetin (Q) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The molecular structures of the complexes formed between the ricin protein and flavonoids were studied using quantum-chemical and molecular docking calculations to analyze the type of interaction, active site of the protein, binding energies, and different conformations in the inhibition process. Different methodologies were applied for the molecular structure determination; the best approximation was obtained with B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) theoretical methodology. Mappings of electrostatic potential (MEP) and frontier molecular orbitals were used for the identification of the probable sites of interaction, which were confirmed by molecular docking. The adjustment and alignment of flavonoid groups before and after the interaction, and charge transfer parameters, showed that Q and EGCG act as electron donors inside of the active site in ricin.
Nitrate in Streams During Winter Low‐Flow Conditions as an Indicator of Legacy Nitrate

Winter low‐flow (LF) conditions in streams provide a potential opportunity to evaluate the importance of legacy nitrate in catchments due to the dominance of slow‐flow transport pathways and lowered biotic activity. In this study, the concentration, flux, and trend of nitrate in streams during winter low‐flow conditions were analyzed at 320 sites in the conterminous United States. LF flow‐normalized nitrate concentrations varied from <0.1 to >20 mg‐N L−1 and LF conditions contributed between 2% and 98% of the winter nitrate flux. LF nitrate concentrations generally exceeded 2.5 mg‐N L−1 in the upper Midwest, with smaller regions of high LF nitrate concentrations in eastern Texas and along the northern mid‐Atlantic coast. Groundwater was inferred to be the primary or sole contributor of nitrate to streams during winter LF conditions at 140 of our 320 sites. Among these 140 sites, nitrate from groundwater comprised 45% or more of the winter nitrate flux at a quarter of the sites. Among the same 140 sites, concentrations of nitrate in streams during winter LF conditions generally increased between 2002 and 2012 at sites where 40% or more of the winter flux was from groundwater, suggesting that concentrations of nitrate in the contributing groundwater system were increasing. Using metrics developed herein, we characterize the potential importance of legacy nitrate at sites in this study and discuss methods to characterize sites with fewer samples than required by our models or at sites without continuous stream discharge measurements.
Using the science writing heuristic in the general chemistry laboratory to improve students' academic performance

A two-semester longitudinal study investigated the effects of a laboratory instructional strategy—the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH)—on improving student academic performance in the lecture portion of the course. The SWH approach helps students do inquiry science laboratory work by structuring the laboratory notebook in a format that guides students to answer directed questions instead of using a traditional laboratory report. In this approach, students must make a claim (inference) about what was learned through the laboratory experiment and provide evidence to support that claim. Then, through reflection, students continue to negotiate meaning from the experiment(s) they conducted. Successfully implementing the SWH requires a student-centered learning environment. In this study, the instructors were rated on how well they implemented the SWH approach and inquiry. The hypothesis under investigation was that the more proficiently an instructor engages students to do collaborative inquiry and the SWH appr.
Total peroxides in rainwater at two mountainous sites and in Mexico City, Mexico

Rainwater samples were collected in the western sector of Mexico City (MC) and at Rancho Viejo (RV), 80 km west-south-west of MC, from 2001 to 2005, and Orizaba City (OC), about 90 km from the Gulf of Mexico, where rainwater collections were only possible on some weekends in 2001. Rainwater samples were treated in the field, and analysed by fluorescence at the laboratory. The volume-weighted mean concentration (VWMC) of H2O2 was 13.2 μM at RV, and 11.2 μM in MC, for the period 2001–2005. The highest VWMC was observed in OC (21.6 μM). The VWMCs for each year were 9.5, 14.4, 11.5, 16.7, and 14.3 μM at RV, and 12.2, 12.2, 14.3, 11.8, and 9.9 μM in MC, for 2001–2005, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide in rainwater correlated significantly and negatively with sulfate in both MC and RV, but not, however, in OC. This study confirmed that H2O2 concentration in rainwater is controlled by a complex combination of rain intensity, washout processes and in-cloud formation of H2O2, acting simultaneously. This was suggested by the fact that rain intensity seemed to predominate in certain rain fractions of a rain event, while washout processes seemed to predominate in other fractions of the same rain event.
Indonesian Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Preservice Teachers’ Experiences in STEM-TPACK Design-Based Learning

This paper presents Indonesian preservice teachers’ experiences in designing a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics-Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (STEM-TPACK) learning website. The framework of TPACK was expanded to include all STEM subjects for the synthesis of the theoretical/design framework. The STEM-TPACK framework is further epitomized as a replicable website to support preservice teachers in designing STEM lesson activities. The framework is also employed to examine preservice teachers’ efficacies and experiences in learning how to design the learning website. Thirty-seven second- and third-year Indonesian preservice teachers from science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering backgrounds formed interdisciplinary groups to design the STEM-TPACK website based on the current secondary school curricula. Data were collected from TPACK-STEM questionnaires, interviews, reflective journals, and observation. The preservice teachers’ efficacy for their STEM-TPACK developed significantly, with large effect sizes, after they co-designed the websites. The results also indicate that the preservice teachers faced challenges in communicating their discipline-based content knowledge when developing the STEM projects. Contextualizing and connecting their content knowledge with real-world design challenges was also difficult for them. Consequently, the preservice teachers realized that teaching is a complex matter, especially when they need to integrate the different disciplines for STEM education. However, this was viewed in a positive light for professional development. This study implies that preservice teachers may benefit from learning by design, employing the TPACK framework in the social setting of interdisciplinary STEM communities.
Molecular dynamics of photodissociation in matrices including nonadiabatic processes

Molecular dynamics calculations of the photodissociation of HCl and Cl2 in a Xe crystal have been performed using diatomics‐in‐molecules (DIM) Hamiltonians to describe the electronic interaction. Nonadiabatic transitions between the adiabatic states are explicitly taken into account in the equations of motion. It is shown that the transitions occur on a subpicosecond‐time scale. They induce fast recombination of the fragments, thus leading to a reduction of the quantum yield of permanent dissociation. In addition to the octahedral and tetrahedral interstitial sites the DIM model predicts two further energy minima for Cl in a Xe crystal. One of them, a D2 site between two neighboring xenon atoms, is populated after dissociation of Cl2. In this case, our calculations led to recombination of the molecule when the system is annealed at temperatures below the onset of thermal diffusion of Cl atoms.
Normally-OFF Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMT on 8 in. Si with Low Leakage Current and High Breakdown Voltage (825 V)

We report recessed-gate Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN normally-OFF metal–oxide–semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs) on 8 in. Si. The MOS-HEMTs showed a maximum drain current of 300 mA/mm with a high threshold voltage of +2.4 V. The quite low subthreshold leakage current (∼10−8 mA/mm) yielded an excellent ON/OFF current ratio (9 × 108) with a small, stable subthreshold slope of 74 mV/dec. An atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 layer effectively passivates, as no significant drain current dispersions were observed. A high OFF-state breakdown voltage of 825 V was achieved for a device with a gate-to-drain distance of 20 µm at a gate bias of 0 V.
A Remedy to the Misery of Language Learning Efficacy: Flipped Classroom

Choosing the right method for teaching is an important step in learning. Corporate trainers have always been interested in finding new ways to achieve effective learning. The present study seeks to improve language learning by measuring, comparing and prioritizing the effectiveness of three methods: traditional, blended and flipped method. In terms of purpose and nature, the present study was experimental and with respect to method it was quasi-experimental including a pre-test and a post-test designed with an equivalent control group. The participants consisted of 66 employees in an Iranian organization who were required to attend English language courses. The participants were sampled in accordance with training needs analysis results in the organization. Moreover, data were analyzed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics including mean analysis, standard deviation, F-way ANOVA, and Scheffe post hoc test using SPSS software version 25. The findings of the study indicate a significant difference between the three groups and the ranking of methods in terms of learning effectiveness from the highest to the lowest level includes; 1)Flipped 2) Blended 3) Traditional, respectively. The results showed that in spite of the high effectiveness of the flipped classroom to the other methods, some cultural differences such as family preference, feasts, training customs and also resistance to new methods of learning hindered the allocation of sufficient time for practicing the lesson at home. In addition, such hindrances partially trace back to ancient Iranian culture. In conclusion, some suggestions were proposed to modify technology acceptance and other related weaknesses.
Temperature dependence of the pre-breakdown and breakdown phenomena in natural esters under AC stress

: Natural ester dielectric fluids are being used as alternatives for mineral insulating oils in oil-filled power apparatuses. Although partial discharges (PDs) are recognised as one of the main causes of degradation of dielectrics used in power equipment, their characteristic voltages appear to be temperature-dependent. In this contribution, the pre-breakdown and breakdown behaviour of two natural ester fluids, extracted from canola oil (NE1) and soybean oil (NE2) is reported. To assess the effectiveness of the temperature dependence, −5, 0, and + 20°C have been identified as test temperatures. It was found that the different pre-breakdown and breakdown characteristic voltages increase with increasing temperature for both types of esters. The delay time is always longer for canola oil when compared to soybean oil regardless of the test temperature. The analysis of the average propagation velocity of NE1 and NE2 indicates that PDs propagate faster in NE2 than in NE1. The field strength at the tip of the needle electrode during the inception of the streamers leading to breakdown indicates that streamers in both oils are propagating in the slow mode. It is found that the temperature has a significant influence on the PDs ’ parameters for both fluids.
Modeling and Development of a Novel Quality of Service Prediction Model for Global System for Mobile Communications Network using Artificial Neural Networks

Quality of service (QoS) performance evaluation is an essential indicator in determining the efficiency of services rendered by an industry. Comparison of some key performance indicators with standard threshold values has been a major approach for determining QoS of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) in Nigeria. This comparative approach, which usually involves human involvement is prone to error. Thus, an automatic artificial neural network (ANN) predictive QoS model was developed in this study and presented in this paper. In carrying out the study, five key performance indicators (KPIs) data were collected from the GSM operator used. The collected KPIs parameters were used to develop a mathematical model that was transformed into the proposed automatic QoS predicted model using ANN. The developed QoS prediction model, when evaluated was found to be accurate and could perform favorably well when compared with the manual approach being used by the Nigerian Communications Commission. The developed automatic QoS prediction model for this study is thus suggested as a better replacement for the current manual method based on its accuracy and non-human involvement in predicting QoS of GSM network being investigated.
Response of Potentially Mineralizable Soil Nitrogen and Indices of Nitrogen Availability to Tillage System

Tillage practices may affect the active fraction of soil organic N. As part of a national project to examine soil management and environmental controls on the active fraction of organic N, this study examined the effects of no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems on the quantity of potentially mineralizable soil N (N 0 ) and mineralizable N pools, and the potential to detect changes in these pools using N availability indices. Preplant soil samples from the top 15 cm were collected from four long-term tillage experiments at Swift Current, SK; Woodslee, ON; L’Acadie, QC; and Agassiz, BC. Potentially mineralizable N was determined by aerobic incubation at 25°C and periodic leaching for 24 wk. The N 0 was greater under NT than under CT, but only at Swift Current. The labile and intermediate mineralizable N pools were signifi cantly higher under NT than under CT at three of the four sites. The stable mineralizable N pool and the mineralization rate coeffi cient (k) were greater under NT than under CT at only one of the four sites. Adoption of NT infl uenced the quality of the active organic N fraction at three sites, as indicated by an increased proportion of mineralizable N in the more labile N pools. Among tested indices of N availability, KCl-extractable NH 4 –N, NaOH-extractable N, Illinois Soil N Test, phosphate-borate buffer extractable N, and particulate organic C were most sensitive to tillage-induced changes in the active organic N fraction. Tillage-induced changes in the size and quality of the active organic N fraction may infl uence soil N supply and should be considered in optimizing fertilizer N management. Abbreviations: N 0 , potentially mineralizable nitrogen; NaHCO 3 –205, ultraviolet absorbance of sodium bicarbonate extract at 205 nm; NaHCO 3 –260, ultraviolet absorbance of sodium bicarbonate extract at 260 nm; CT, conventional tillage; ISNT, Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test for amino sugar nitrogen; MBC, microbial biomass carbon; NT, no-till; POM-C, particulate organic carbon; POM-N, particulate organic nitrogen; SOC, soil organic carbon; SON, soil organic nitrogen.
Generalized Sub-Query Fusion for Eliminating Redundant I/O from Big-Data Queries

SQL is the de-facto language for big-data analytics. Despite the cost of distributed SQL execution being dominated by disk and network I/O, we find that state-of-the-art optimizers produce plans that are not I/O optimal. For a significant fraction of queries (25% of popular benchmarks like TPCDS), a large amount of data is shuffled redundantly between different pairs of stages. The fundamental reason for this limitation is that optimizers do not have the right set of primitives to perform reasoning at the map-reduce level that can potentially identify and eliminate the redundant I/O. This paper proposes resin, an optimizer extension that adds first-class support for map-reduce reasoning. Resin uses a novel technique called Generalized Sub-Query Fusion that identifies sub-queries computing on overlapping data, and fuses them into the same map-reduce stages. The analysis is general; it does not require that the sub-queries be syntactically the same, nor are they required to produce the same output. Sub-query fusion allows resin to sometimes also eliminate expensive binary operations like Joins and Unions altogether for further gains. We have integrated resin into sparkSQL and evaluated it on TPCDS, a standard analytics benchmark suite. Our results demonstrate that the proposed optimizations apply to 40% of the queries and speed up a large fraction of them by 1.1-6x, reducing the overall execution time of the benchmark suite by 12%.
The influence of citrus orchard age on the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes

ABSTRACT A three-year survey of the ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) was undertaken on soils from citrus orchards of different ages to determine the influence of orchard age on the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes. The influence of mulch and irrigation method on the occurrence of EPN and EPF was also determined. Most of the isolates recovered (n = 810) were Beauveria sp. (87.88% of all isolates), followed by Metarhizium sp. (11.87% of all isolates). Only 0.24% of soil samples collected during this study tested positive for EPN. All EPN isolates recovered were Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. No significant differences in EPF occurrence were recorded between orchards under drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation. EPF occurrence was significantly lower (P = 0.016) in orchards covered by mulch (31.85% ± 2.07% occurrence) than in orchards with no covering (38.57% ± 1.57% occurrence). EPF occurrence of 40.33 ± 2.13% was highest in non-bearing orchards, followed by mature orchards (nine years or older) (36.76 ± 2.05% of samples) with the lowest EPF occurrence of 25.30 ± 2.02% reported in juvenile orchards (four to eight years old). Juvenile orchards sustain significantly less EPF than mature and non-bearing orchards because of the combined negative impact of less favourable environmental conditions (lower shade density) and fungicide applications.