Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anharmonicity and Spectra–Structure Correlations in MIR and NIR Spectra of Crystalline Menadione (Vitamin K3)

Mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectra of crystalline menadione (vitamin K3) were measured and analyzed with aid of quantum chemical calculations. The calculations were carried out using the harmonic approach for the periodic model of crystal lattice and the anharmonic DVPT2 calculations applied for the single molecule model. The theoretical spectra accurately reconstructed the experimental ones permitting for reliable assignment of the MIR and NIR bands. For the first time, a detailed analysis of the NIR spectrum of a molecular system based on a naphthoquinone moiety was performed to elucidate the relationship between the chemical structure of menadione and the origin of the overtones and combination bands. In addition, the importance of these bands during interpretation of the MIR spectrum was demonstrated. The overtones and combination bands contribute to 46.4% of the total intensity of menadione in the range of 3600–2600 cm−1. Evidently, these bands play a key role in shaping of the C-H stretching region of MIR spectrum. We have shown also that the spectral regions without fundamentals may provide valuable structural information. For example, the theoretical calculations reliably reconstructed numerous overtones and combination bands in the 4000–3600 and 2800–1800 cm−1 ranges. These results, provide a comprehensive origin of the fundamentals, overtones and combination bands in the NIR and MIR spectra of menadione, and the relationship of these spectral features with the molecular structure.
A new nonlinear model of EMI-induced distortion phenomena in feedback CMOS operational amplifiers

This paper deals with distortion phenomena induced by radio-frequency interference (RFI) in analog integrated circuits and it concentrates on the effects induced by RFI on the operation of feedback CMOS operational amplifiers (opamps). In particular, the paper describes a new nonlinear model, which makes possible the prediction of upset in the opamp output nominal signal when RFI is superimposed on the input nominal signals. Such a model can be employed when the transistors of the input differential pair are driven by RFI either in strong or weak nonlinear operation. Results of experimental tests performed on a Miller CMOS opamp connected in the voltage follower configuration are presented and compared with model predictions.
Opposing Immune-Metabolic Signature in Visceral Versus Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Patients with Adenocarcinoma of the Oesophagus and the Oesophagogastric Junction

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is an exemplar model of obesity-associated cancer. Previous work in our group has demonstrated that overweight/obese OAC patients have better responses to neoadjuvant therapy, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Unravelling the immune–metabolic signatures of adipose tissue may provide insight for this observation. We hypothesised that different metabolic pathways predominate in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and inflammatory secretions will differ between the fat depots. Real-time ex vivo metabolic profiles of VAT and SAT from 12 OAC patients were analysed. These samples were screened for the secretion of 54 inflammatory mediators, and data were correlated with patient body composition. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) was significantly higher in VAT when compared to SAT. OXPHOS was significantly higher in the SAT of patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment. VEGF-A, VEGF-C, P1GF, Flt-1, bFGF, IL-15, IL-16, IL-17A, CRP, SAA, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-2, IL-13, IFN-γ, and MIP-1β secretions were significantly higher from VAT than SAT. Higher levels of bFGF, Eotaxin-3, and TNF-α were secreted from the VAT of obese patients, while higher levels of IL-23 and TARC were secreted from the SAT of obese patients. The angiogenic factors, bFGF and VEGF-C, correlated with visceral fat area. Levels of OXPHOS are higher in VAT than SAT. Angiogenic, vascular injury and inflammatory cytokines are elevated in VAT versus SAT, indicating that VAT may promote inflammation, linked to regulating treatment response.
Evaluation of Sleep Habits, Generalized Anxiety, Perceived Stress, and Research Outputs Among Postgraduate Research Students in Hong Kong During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Purpose The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on sleep hygiene, anxiety levels, perceived stress, and research output among postgraduate research students in Hong Kong. Methods An online survey was developed and distributed to Hong Kong postgraduate research students. The sleep hygiene, anxiety levels, and perceived stress during the outbreak of COVID-19 were assessed. Questions about COVID-19’s impact on research outputs were asked. Results A total of 108 (response rate, 72%) full-time postgraduate students (PhD, 64%; M Phil, 8%; and Masters, 28%) participated. Approximately 83% of students reported poor sleep hygiene. Similarly, nearly 76% of students reported mild to severe levels of self-perceived anxiety levels. Most of the respondents (89%) expressed a moderate level of perceived stress. Sleep hygiene scores were moderately associated with anxiety levels (r = 0.384, p < 0.01) and perceived stress scores (r = 0.423, p < 0.01). Perceived stress was strongly correlated with anxiety levels (r = 0.601, p < 0.01). A hierarchical regression analysis revealed a significant association between respondents’ ethnicity (B = −0.923, p = 0.003), past medical history (such as hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders) (B = 1.112, p = 0.005), or poor sleep hygiene (B = 0.259, p = 0.000) and high levels of perceived stress. Additionally, prior medical history (such as hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders) (B = 1.957, p = 0.001) and poor sleep hygiene (B = 0.312, p = 0.000) were found to be strongly related to anxiety levels among postgraduate research students. Conclusion This is the first study that highlights poor sleep hygiene, moderate-to-severe levels of anxiety, and perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in postgraduate research students in Hong Kong. These findings will help educators to prepare strategies to alleviate the stress and psychological problems in postgraduate students.
Collection Responsibility Choice for Competing E-Tailing Supply Chains With Consumer Returns

For implementing consumer returns policy in e-tailing, to whom consumers should return their purchases is a crucial operations decision. We develop game models of competing e-tailing supply chains to study how price competition, channel structure of competitor, and consumer returns policy affect collection responsibility scenario. There are two collection responsibility scenarios: manufacturer collection and electronic retailer (e-tailer) collection. We find that in the common e-tailer setting, the channel collection efficiency and existence of the fixed cost are important for the manufacturer to decide whether to accept the e-tailer's transfer of collection responsibility; if manufacturer collection is optimal for a manufacturer, then it is a win-win scenario for both the manufacturer and the e-tailer, i.e., they are better off using manufacturer collection. If e-tailer collection has higher channel efficiency than manufacturer collection, then e-tailer collection is chosen; otherwise, in the presence of fixed cost, we show that 1) both manufacturers collect returned products if market scale is large, the e-tailer collects them if market scale is small; otherwise, different collection responsibility scenarios are used; 2) price competition accounts for the coexistence of different scenarios and reduces the range of manufacturer collection; 3) the channel structure of competitor can reverse the effect of price competition degree on collection responsibility; and 4) the manufacturer with higher restocking fee has a smaller incentive to collect returns products.
Wireless Structural Health Monitoring Using MEMS

So far, the inspection of building structures and especially of bridges is mainly done visually. Therefore, the condition of the structure is examined from the surface and the interpretation and assessment is based on the experience of the expert. However, the main purpose of monitoring civil structures is not to substitute visual inspection. Continuous structural health monitoring should provide data from the inside of a structure to better understand its structural performance and to predict its durability and remaining life time. Monitoring should render objective data and observable alterations in the structure continuously, which cannot be done by visual inspection. More detailed information is needed with respect to different exposure due to dynamic and static loads and also temperature and moisture. Today mainly wired monitoring systems are used to monitor structures, which are relatively expensive and time consuming to install. In this paper the basic principle of a wireless monitoring system equipped with MEMS sensors is presented, which can be easily installed at different structures. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are small integrated devices or systems that combine electrical and mechanical components. A wireless monitoring sensor network equipped with such MEMS could be produced with a very low budget and becomes very efficient. This permits a wide area of applications not only in civil engineering. With respect to different applications relevant properties of a wireless monitoring system are described. In detail network configuration, power consumption, data acquisition and data aggregation, signal analysis and data reduction as well as reliability and robustness are discussed.
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF GEOGRAPHY AND AGE IN DIALECT VOCABULARY — COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF 250 YEARS OF LANGUAGE CHANGE —

In this paper, we analyze long-term changes in dialect vocabulary. By analyzing the age difference of 140 years and the regional difference of 27 survey points, we will examine historical change and geographical spread over the 250 years since the compilation of a dialect glossary. First, we present the distribution of eight representative words according to the traditional method of linguistic geography. After that, we present comprehensive maps and graphs of the entire 406 words in order to grasp the general pattern of regional and age differences. Furthermore, multivariate analysis (MCA) is applied and the meanings of the axes produced by it are analyzed for the dimension of person (respondent) and the dimension of word (vocabulary). In the dimension of person, the magnitude of the age difference was confirmed in the data as a whole. Before WWII there was a large regional difference, but now the age difference has become larger. It was possible to demonstrate the double concentric distribution, that is, a regional concentric distribution under the national concentric distribution. In the dimension of word, the process of standardization and the regression of antiquated forms were confirmed. From pre-modern times to the present, most of the words show a process of disappearance, but some dialectal forms continue to ** Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 3-11-1, Asahicho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8534 Japan; Fukushima University, 1, Kanayagawa, Fukushima-city 960-1296 Japan. ©Universitat de Barcelona Fumio INOUE & Yasushi HANZAWA 98 increase even today. The words that match the colloquial and slang in Tokyo are expected to survive. In conclusion, this study will contribute to the expansion and development of dialectometry.
Approaches to encapsulation of flexible CIGS cells

Thin-film solar cells based on CIGS are being considered for large scale power plants as well as building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications. Past studies indicate that CIGS cells degrade rapidly when exposed to moisture. As a result, an effective approach to encapsulation is required for CIGS cells to satisfy the international standard IEC 61646. CIGS modules fabricated for use in large power plants can be encapsulated with glass sheets on the top and bottom surfaces and can be effectively sealed around the edges. In the case of BIPV applications, however, it is desirable to utilize CIGS cells grown on flexible substrates, both for purposes of achieving reduced weight and for cases involving non-flat surfaces. For these cases, approaches to encapsulation must be compatible with the flexible substrate requirement. Even in the case of large power plants, the glass-to-glass approach to encapsulation may eventually be considered too costly. We are investigating encapsulation of flexible CIGS cells by lamination. Sheets of PET or PEN coated with multilayer barrier coatings are used to laminate the flexible cells. Results are discussed for laminated cells from two CIGS manufacturers. In both cases, the cell efficiency decreases less than 10% after 1000 hours of exposure to an environment of 85°C/85%RH. This paper discusses these two approaches, and reviews results for uncoated cells and mini-modules fabricated by the former Shell Solar Industries (SSI).
Effects of Natural and Manual Cleaning on Photovoltaic Output

Photovoltaic arrays are known to suffer power efficiency losses over time due to accumulation of natural dirt and dust. The importance of cleaning in order to maintain efficiencies and the significance of natural cleaning by rainfall have not been widely studied in different climates. Monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic panels located in Portland, Oregon, were evaluated for the effects of natural soiling on power output and correlated with efficiencies after manual cleaning or natural rainfall. The masses of particulates on each panel were measured when cleaning the panels, and the effects of the manual cleaning and natural cleaning by rainfall were compared. In order to distinguish possible causes for the losses in efficiency, thermal effects of soiling were also studied. During a 17-day rain-free period in July and Aug. 2011, natural particulate deposition was measured at 0.85 g/m2, which led to a power output about 4% lower than a nominally identical clean panel. A single natural rainfall event was sufficient to clean the panel to a level that restored power output to within 1% of the manually cleaned panel. Natural particulate deposition at that level did not detectably affect panel temperature, suggesting that the power losses were due to optical scattering effects rather than temperature effects. Artificially managed temperature adjustments did significantly affect power output, consistent with the expected temperature effects for monocrystalline silicon. Given the effectiveness of natural rainfall in cleaning the panels, appropriate protocols for maintaining optimum efficiencies can be determined for different climate situations.
Lightning-induced voltage on an overhead wire dependent on ground conductivity

Lightning-induced voltage waveforms on an overhead wire are analyzed by solving the Telegrapher's equation, in combination with numerical calculations of electric fields from return stroke currents as inducing sources. Based on an equivalent circuit newly developed for an explanation of this method, the roles of the vertical and horizontal electric fields in generating the induced voltage are studied, respectively. By numerical calculations, it is pointed out that the crest value of the lightning-induced voltage waveform at the end of the line is greatly affected by the ground conductivity and the lightning striking points. The accuracy of the computed results is ensured by comparison with the experimental results obtained from a geometrical model on a finitely conducting ground. >
SELF-EFFICACY AND ATTITUDE AS PREDICTORS OF MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

This study determined the relationship of self-efficacy, attitude, and performance in mathematics of senior high school students. Specifically, the study (a) described the level of mathematics self-efficacy of studentrespondents in terms of mastery experience, vicarious experience-peers, vicarious experience-adults, social persuasions, and physiological state, (b) characterized the attitude of the student-respondents towards mathematics in terms of anxiety, confidence, enjoyment, and benefits/value, (c) described the mathematics performance of the respondents, (d) determined the significant relationship between self-efficacy, attitude, and mathematics performance of the respondents, and (e) determined the predictors of students mathematics performance. Simple random sampling was used in identifying the 229 samples from three (3) public secondary schools offering senior high school in the Tablas Island. The researchers used the validated Self-Efficacy and Attitude towards Mathematics questionnaire. It was found out that the student-respondents have moderate mathematics self-efficacy in mastery experience, vicarious experience-peers, vicarious experience-adults, social persuasions, and physiological state. It was also found out that there was a high level of attitude towards mathematics in terms of benefits/value and moderate level of attitude towards mathematics in terms of anxiety, confidence, and enjoyment. Majority of the student-respondents did not meet the expectations in terms of mathematics performance, but a significant percentage of the group was average in the acceptable range of rating as significant relationship exists between self-efficacy, attitude and mathematics performance. The study revealed that the mathematics performance was predicted by variables such as vicarious experience-adults, benefits/value, anxiety, and vicarious experience-peers.
Mechanical properties of composite materials with integrated embedded sensor networks

We present efforts to develop structural composite materials which include networks of embedded sensors with decision-making capabilities that extend the functionality of the composite materials to be information-aware. The next generation of structural systems will include the capability to acquire, process, and if necessary respond to structural or other types of information. We present work related to the development of embedded arrays of miniature electronic-based microsensors within a structural composite materials, such as GFRP. Although the scale and power consumption of such devices continues to decrease while increasing the functionality, the size of these devices remain large relative the typical scale of the reinforcing fibers and the interlayer spacing. Therefore, the question of the impact of those devices on the various mechanical properties is relevant and important. We present work on characterizing some of those effects in specific systems where sensors, or suitable dummy sensors, are arrayed with ~1 cm spacing between elements. The typical size of the microelectronic sensing element is ~1 mm, and here is orthorhombic. Of particular importance are the effects of inclusion of such devices on strength or fatigue properties of the base composite. Our work seeks to characterize these effects for 1 and 2 dimensional arrays lying in planes normal to the thickness direction in laminated composites. We also seek to isolate the effects due to the sensing elements and the required interconnections that represent the power-carrying and data communications capabilities of the embedded network.
Wide-angle Image Analysis for Sky Luminance Measurement

Abstract A sky scanner is an important tool for measuring sky luminance and establishing daylight conditions of a location. However, it is expensive, difficult to set-up and the process is time consuming. Digital imaging with wide-angle lenses can be a cost and time effective alternative to sky scanners. The use of photographic techniques in luminance measurement is not new and CCD (charged couple device)/vidicon based still and video camera luminance meters have been previously developed for different tasks. Among the camera systems developed for daylight measurement only a few have concentrated on entire sky luminance measurement. As a part of ongoing research on digital camera calibration for sky luminance measurement, this paper investigates a procedure to determine the distortion that occurs in two-dimensional fisheye images from sky scanner aperture angles. The artificial sky at the University of Sydney is used for the experiments. Digital images are captured using a fisheye lens, following the 145-part CIE standard sky segmentation. The digital images are analysed, then converted to image filters to extract RGB (Red, Green and Blue) values from a coloured image of the sky for luminance calculation.
Attitudes Toward the Past, Present, and Future: Associations With Self-Reported Academic Outcomes in Academically Talented Adolescents

The Adolescent and Adult Time Inventory–Time Attitude Scales (AATI-TA) were used to examine the association between time attitudes and self-reported academic and social–emotional outcomes in 967 academically talented adolescents (M age = 14.27, SD = 1.42) attending a summer educational program. The AATI-TA consists of six subscales assessing positive and negative attitudes toward the past, present, and future. Bivariate associations between AATI-TA subscales scores and outcomes were small. Cluster analyses of AATI-TA scores yielded several profiles, labeled Pessimists, Negatives, Ambivalents, and Positives. Students with Positive and Ambivalent profiles reported greater course enjoyment, higher perceived academic rank, and higher expected summer GPA than their peers with the Negative profile, even though the groups did not differ on how challenging they perceived the courses to be, time spent on homework, and studying. In keeping with previous research using the AATI-TA, Positives reported the most favorable outcomes, Negatives the least, and Ambivalent and Pessimistic adolescents fell between these two groups. Future research on time attitudes should include measures of actual academic performance.
Beyond Conventional Classroom Learning: Linking Emotions and Self-Efficacy to Academic Achievement and Satisfaction with Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examined the impact of online learning on students’ mental well-being, distress, anxiety, academic achievement and satisfaction with online learning. A total of 915 undergraduates in Malaysia and Indonesia responded to the Google Classroom Evaluation survey. Results indicated that students’ mental well-being was negatively impacted by financial difficulties, concern that their physical health may suffer due to exposure to Covid-19, and a lack of motivation for online learning. Analysis of emotional factors revealed distress and feelings of nervousness when classes were conducted online. Overall, participants were satisfied with the online learning experience, as was evident from the academic achievement in courses conducted with above average CGPA. Multiple regression analysis indicated that distress, anxiety and self-efficacy in online learning were significant predictors of satisfaction with online learning, with self-efficacy in online learning making the largest contribution. However, academic achievement was not a significant predictor of satisfaction with online learning. It is recommended that higher learning institutions provide counselling, behavioral adaptations and study techniques to support students in managing their distress and anxiety surrounding online learning, which is anticipated to continue throughout 2021 due to the increase in virus cases.
Nonlinear Biasing Resistors for Microwave Tunnel-Diode Oscillators (Correspondence)

By using a nonlinear rather than a linear stabilizing resistor in tunnel-diode oscillator and amplifier circuits, the dc power dissipation in the resistor may be reduced by a factor of 3 for typical germanium tunnel diodes, and by a factor of 6 for typical gallium arsenide tunnel diodes. At the same time ac loading by the resistor is reduced. Such nonlinear stabilizing resistors may consist of reverse- or forward-biased heavily doped pn junctions.