Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Boosting the Electrocatalytic Activity of Nickel-Iron Layered Double Hydroxide for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction byTerephthalic Acid

The development of a new type of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst to reduce the energy loss in the process of water electrolysis is of great significance to the realization of the industrialization of hydrogen energy storage. Herein, we report the catalysts of NiFe double-layer hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) mixed with different equivalent terephthalic acid (TPA), synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The catalyst synthesized with the use of the precursor solution containing one equivalent of TPA shows the best performance with the current density of 2 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 270 mV, the Tafel slope of 40 mV dec−1, and excellent stable electrocatalytic performance for OER. These catalysts were characterized in a variety of methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), and Raman spectrum proved the presence of TPA in the catalysts. The lamellar structure and the uniform distribution of Ni and Fe in the catalysts were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). In X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of NiFe-LDH with and without TPA, the changes in the peak positions of Ni and Fe spectra indicate strong electronic interactions between TPA and Ni and Fe atoms. These results suggest that a certain amount of TPA can boost catalytic activity.
Simulation of Static Tyre–Pavement Interaction Using Two FE Models of Different Complexity

The aim of this research study was to analyse the approaches for establishing a spatial model of a radial truck tyre, based on the finite element method, in order to perform a realistic analysis of static as well as dynamic tyre–pavement interactions. A complex rubber tyre model having a large number of elements was formulated combining current state-of-the-art modelling techniques and, from that model, a simplified model having a smaller number of elements was derived. The complex model proved to be useful only for static loading, because of its high computational demand, while the simplified model proved to be also suitable for dynamic modelling. The two tyre models having different numbers of elements were compared by analysing the contact areas and stresses. Our results indicate that the basic idea of not changing material characteristics while simplifying the model, rebuilding only the carcass using composite shell elements, did not prove to be a satisfactory direction. The results given by the simplified model do not describe the behaviour of the radial tyre well but, rather, describe the behaviour of the diagonal tyre, regarding contact areas and stresses. On the contrary, when analysing stresses and strains in the road pavement structure, the two finite element models provided similar results in practice. Based on our comparison calculations, applying the average contact pressure q at analysis points at a 5–8 cm depth, the contact behaviour of the finite element tyre model can be used in any elastic-layer theory-based software.
Ethnic Diversity and Financial Performance of Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Co-Operative Societies in Nairobi County, Kenya

Purpose: The DT-SACCOs have proved to be important in the development and growth of both individuals and economies. However, the overall financial performance of DT-SACCOs in Kenya has not been impressive. Between 2014 and 2018, there was general decline in return on assets and return on equity of DT-SACCOs. The average return on assets was 2.51% in 2014 and 2.25% in 2018. The average return on equity was 33.09% in 2014 and 21.89% in 2018. The study examined the effect of ethnic diversity on financial performance of Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Nairobi County. Design/Methodology/Approach: Agency theory, stakeholder theory and resource dependence theory guided this study. Explanatory and correlational research designs were used. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted. Findings: Ethnic diversity was found to insignificantly predict return on assets (β2 = -.158; p > 0.05) and return on equity (β2 = -.800; p > 0.05). Implications/Originality/Value: The study concluded that ethnic diversity of board members negatively and insignificantly affects financial performance.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Nonlinear Controller for Untripped Rollover Prevention of an 8-dof Vehicle Dynamic Model

The pareto optimal controller design on a two-track vehicle dynamic model with 8-degrees of freedom considering two simultaneous conflicting objective functions has been made in order to prevent the rollover phenomena. In this regard, the requisiteness of trading off among the conflicting requirements of vehicle dynamic control results in utilizing multi-objective optimization techniques. More effectively, a multi-objective uniform-diversity genetic algorithm (MUGA) with a diversity preserving mechanism known as the ε-elimination algorithm has been used to optimize multi input multi output (MIMO) sliding mode controller. The most important conflicting objective functions that have been considered for minimization in this study are, control effort and vehicle roll angle, correspondingly. Finally, The comparison of the obtained results with those in the literature demonstrates that the strategy employed cause remarkable improvement in rollover prevention and maneuverability.
Spindle cell tumor with thymus-like differentiation masquerading as a papillary carcinoma of thyroid gland

Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE) is an indolent malignant thyroid tumor seen in children, adolescents, and young adults showing thymic or related branchial pouch differentiation. The tumors are composed of spindle cells along with focal epithelial component and glandular formations. We herein report a case of SETTLE with a follow-up period of 20 years.
Stability of Paracetamol Instant Jelly for Reconstitution: Impact of Packaging, Temperature and Humidity

The stability of the medicinal product is a major concern in the pharmaceutical industry and health authorities, whose goal is to guarantee that drugs are delivered to patients without loss of therapeutic properties. This study aims to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions and packaging on the stability of paracetamol instant jelly sachets based on both chemical and physical stability. The paracetamol instant jelly was packaged in plastic sachets (packaging 1) and sealed aluminium bags in screw-capped amber glass bottles (packaging 2), which were stored in real-time and accelerated stability chambers for 3 months. Samples were taken out from the chambers and were characterised for appearance, moisture content, texture, viscosity, in vitro drug release, paracetamol content, and 4-aminophenol level at different time points. The real-time storage condition at a lower temperature maintained the stability of the paracetamol instant jelly, while the accelerated condition led to a significant change in the formulation properties. In addition, the proper packaging of paracetamol instant jelly maintained the paracetamol’s stability, regardless of environmental conditions, for three months. The results show that the environmental conditions and packaging play a significant role in maintaining paracetamol instant jelly stability.
A Strong and Robust Skeleton-Based Gait Recognition Method with Gait Periodicity Priors

Gait recognition aims to identify people by their walking patterns. Normal human walking is a periodic movement, however, existing gait recognition methods rarely make use of gait periodicity. In this paper, we propose the gait Periodicity-inspired Temporal feature Pyramid aggregator (PTP), which introduces gait periodicity priors into gait feature extraction, resulting in a strong and robust skeleton-based gait recognition method called CycleGait. Specifically, inspired by gait periodicity, PTP adopts multiple parallel temporal convolution operators with pyramid temporal kernel sizes to extract temporal gait features. Then, PTP cooperates with the spatial Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) to form the GCN-PTP network. CycleGait uses this network to extract spatio-temporal gait features from a sequence of skeleton coordinates. In addition, to improve CycleGait's robustness and performance, we feed more gait samples with various gait cycles into CycleGait with the plug-and-play Irregular Pace Converter (IPC), which can automatically convert normal pace into irregular and reasonable paces. Extensive experiments conducted on the CASIA-B dataset and OG RGB+D dataset show that CycleGait has excellent performance in various complex scenarios, namely, cross-view and cross-walking conditions, and becomes one of the best SOTA methods, which not only outperforms the best preexisting gait recognition methods by a large margin but also exhibits a significant level of robustness.
Rigidity Percolation in Disordered 3D Rod Systems

In composite materials composed of soft polymer matrix and stiff, high-aspect-ratio particles, the composite undergoes a transition in mechanical strength when the inclusion phase surpasses a critical density. This phenomenon (rheological or mechanical percolation) is well-known to occur in many composites at a critical density that exceeds the conductivity percolation threshold. Conductivity percolation occurs as a consequence of contact percolation, which refers to the conducting particles' formation of a connected component that spans the composite. Rheological percolation, however, has evaded a complete theoretical explanation and predictive description. A natural hypothesis is that rheological percolation arises due to rigidity percolation, whereby a rigid component of inclusions spans the composite. We model composites as random isotropic dispersions of soft-core rods, and study rigidity percolation in such systems. Building on previous results for two-dimensional systems, we develop an approximate algorithm that identifies spanning rigid components through iteratively identifying and compressing provably rigid motifs -- equivalently, decomposing giant rigid components into rigid assemblies of successively smaller rigid components. We apply this algorithm to random rod systems to estimate a rigidity percolation threshold and explore its dependence on rod aspect ratio. We show that this transition point, like the contact percolation transition point, scales inversely with the average (aspect ratio-dependent) rod excluded volume. However, the scaling of the rigidity percolation threshold, unlike the contact percolation scaling, is valid for relatively low aspect ratio. Moreover, the critical rod contact number is constant for aspect ratio above some relatively low value; and lies below the prediction from Maxwell's isostatic condition.
Does It Count? Pre-School Children’s Spontaneous Focusing on Numerosity and Their Development of Arithmetical Skills at School

Background: Children’s spontaneous focusing on numerosity (SFON) is related to numerical skills. This study aimed to examine (1) the developmental trajectory of SFON and (2) the interrelations between SFON and early numerical skills at pre-school as well as their influence on arithmetical skills at school. Method: Overall, 1868 German pre-school children were repeatedly assessed until second grade. Nonverbal intelligence, visual attention, visuospatial working memory, SFON and numerical skills were assessed at age five (M = 63 months, Time 1) and age six (M = 72 months, Time 2), and arithmetic was assessed at second grade (M = 95 months, Time 3). Results: SFON increased significantly during pre-school. Path analyses revealed interrelations between SFON and several numerical skills, except number knowledge. Magnitude estimation and basic calculation skills (Time 1 and Time 2), and to a small degree number knowledge (Time 2), contributed directly to arithmetic in second grade. The connection between SFON and arithmetic was fully mediated by magnitude estimation and calculation skills at pre-school. Conclusion: Our results indicate that SFON first and foremost influences deeper understanding of numerical concepts at pre-school and—in contrast to previous findings –affects only indirectly children’s arithmetical development at school.
Seroprevalence of sheeppox and goatpox virus in Asia and African continent: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Scientometrics)

Background and Aim: Two endemic capripox infectious diseases, sheeppox (SP) and goatpox (GP) are common in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Sheep and goats, in general, are considered current assets of small and marginal farmers and have significant economic value in terms of meat, wool, and skin/hide production. Sheep and goat populations in India total 148.88 million and 74.26 million, respectively. Capripox caused US$ 2.3 million (Indian Rupee [INR] 105 million) in economic damages in Maharashtra (India) alone, and it took over 6 years for a flock to recover from the outbreak. The projected yearly loss at the national level is US$ 27.47 million (INR 1250 million). As a result, Capripox diseases put small and marginal farmers under much financial strain. The present study estimates the seroprevalence of SP and GP diseases in the Asian and African continents using systematic review and meta-analysis. The results of the study will help researchers and policymakers to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of the disease and its burden. In addition, the results are also helpful to design and implement location-specific prevention and eradication measures against these diseases. Materials and Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines of Cochran collaborations were used for systematic review and subsequently meta-analysis were used. The literature was collected from various databases. Initial search string resulted in more than nine thousand articles for the period 2000 to 2020 using the different combinations of keywords and Boolean operators (or not) asterisk* and quotation marks. Out of 9398 papers, 80 studies were chosen for complete test reviews and quality bias evaluation using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 21 articles were used for the meta-analysis. The statistical study employed fixed effects and random effects models using R. Results: Seroprevalence of SP and GP was calculated using studies with a cumulative sample size of 4352, out of which sheep and goats’ samples together contribute 48%, followed by sheep (32%) and goat (21%). The result of the meta-regression revealed that detection techniques had a significant impact on the overall effect size at 5% level (Qm=14.12). Subgroup analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with samples was further grouped into two categories based on the median, and it revealed that 62% of samples used PCR as a detecting test followed by group-II. Conclusion: From the study, it is concluded that SP and GP diseases are highly prevalent; hence, effective vaccines, proper education to farmers through extension activity, and transboundary disease movement restriction are necessary for the control and eradication of the disease.
Effect and Mechanisms of Quercetin for Experimental Focal Cerebral Ischemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is mainly extracted from tea, onions, and apples. It has the underlying neuroprotective effect on experimental ischemic stroke. A systematic review and meta-analysis were used to assess quercetin's efficacy and possible mechanisms in treating focal cerebral ischemia. Compared with the control group, twelve studies reported a remarkable function of quercetin in improving the neurological function score (NFS) (P < 0.05), and twelve studies reported a significant effect on reducing infarct volume (P < 0.05). Moreover, two and three studies showed that quercetin could alleviate blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and brain water content, respectively. The mechanisms of quercetin against focal cerebral ischemia are diverse, involving antioxidation, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammation, and calcium overload reduction. On the whole, the present study suggested that quercetin can exert a protective effect on experimental ischemic stroke. Although the effect size may be overestimated because of the quality of studies and possible publication bias, these results indicated that quercetin might be a promising neuroprotective agent for human ischemic stroke. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD 42021275656.
Discrete Element Bonded-Block Models for Detailed Analysis of Masonry

A detailed modelling approach to represent masonry at the meso-scale is proposed, based on the discrete element method, considering the nonlinear behavior of the joints and the units. The fracture of units is represented by the bonded-block concept, in which a random network of potential cracks is created, allowing the progressive development of failure mechanisms. For simplicity, only the 2D case is presented, but the extension to 3D is straightforward. A key component of the proposed model is a framework for a joint or interface constitutive model, including the post-peak softening range, taking into account the experimental fracture energies. In this model, the softening curves in tension or shear are defined by piecewise linear segments, calibrated to reproduce the most common masonry constitutive models. The essential issues involved in the application of bonded-block models to masonry are examined, namely the block shape, either Voronoi polygons or triangles; size; deformability; and the influence of the main constitutive parameters. Uniaxial compression tests are analyzed in detail. The simulation of a well-known experiment of a brick panel under shear shows the good performance of the proposed approach. The investigation results demonstrate the model’s capabilities and provide guidelines for its application.
Multi-body and Nonlinear dynamics of Planetary Gear Drivetrains Considering Bearing Clearance and Acoustics

Planetary gearboxes generate considerable noise and vibration due to high bearing loads and nonlinear dynamic behaviors. Excessive vibration leads to gear tooth and bearing failures. Despite of archival gearbox research, there are a few research aspects that are not fully-developed. They are: 1) tooth wedging (tight tooth mesh) and its connection with planet bearing failures; 2) nonlinear dynamics of planetary gears with bearing clearance; 3) stiffness determination of rolling element bearings; and 4) multi-body gearbox modeling linking gearbox vibration and noise radiation. Analyzing dynamic bearing and tooth loads of planetary gears is essential to improve gearbox reliability. Chapter 2 focuses on tooth wedging in wind turbine drivetrains, which is a potential source for gearbox failures. Lumped-parameter and finite element/contact mechanics models of planetary gears with tooth wedging, gravity, aerodynamic excitations, and mesh stiffness variation are developed to compute dynamic bearing or tooth forces. Tooth wedging elevates planet bearing forces and disrupts load sharing. A method to quantify tooth wedging is developed and verified. Bearing clearance in planetary gears introduces nonlinear behaviors and bifurcations, which have not been investigated in the past. In Chapter 3, numerical integration and harmonic balance are applied to the analytical model, while Newmark method is used for the finite element model. Floquet theory determines solution stability. Complicated nonlinear effects, coexisting solutions, bifurcations, and chaos are
Stereopsis, Aniseikonia, and Associated Symptoms in Patients with Bilateral Pseudophakia with and without Anisometropia: A Comparative Study

Objectives: The study aimed to compare stereopsis, aniseikonia, and associated symptoms in bilateral pseudophakia with and without anisometropia. Methods: Patients with senile cataracts, previously scheduled for phacoemulsification with an IOL implant in both eyes were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups: control group (n = 69) with an interocular post-surgical refraction difference in Spherical Equivalent (SE) < 1.0 D and anisometropia group (n = 42) with an interocular post-surgical difference in SE ≥ 1.00 D. Aniseikonia was evaluated by Aniseikonia Inspector TM 3 and stereopsis by Randot ® Stereotest. Ten symptoms related to aniseikonia were evaluated with a questionnaire. Statistical evaluation of data included models of univariate, multivariate, and regression analyses. Results: Cataract surgery-induced aniseikonia was 0.64% ± 1.41% in control group and 0.62% ± 1.76% in anisometropia group with an insignificant difference (p = 0.766). Measured stereoacuity was 1.95 ± 0.17 log10 seconds of arc in the control group and
The Splicing of the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Genuine Activator MICU1 Is Driven by RBFOX2 Splicing Factor during Myogenic Differentiation

Alternative splicing, the process by which exons within a pre-mRNA transcript are differentially joined or skipped, is crucial in skeletal muscle since it is required both during myogenesis and in post-natal life to reprogram the transcripts of contractile proteins, metabolic enzymes, and transcription factors in functionally distinct muscle fiber types. The importance of such events is underlined by the numerosity of pathological conditions caused by alternative splicing aberrations. Importantly, many skeletal muscle Ca2+ homeostasis genes are also regulated by alternative splicing mechanisms, among which is the Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter (MCU) genuine activator MICU1 which regulates MCU opening upon cell stimulation. We have previously shown that murine skeletal muscle MICU1 is subjected to alternative splicing, thereby generating a splice variant—which was named MICU1.1—that confers unique properties to the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and ensuring sufficient ATP production for muscle contraction. Here we extended the analysis of MICU1 alternative splicing to human tissues, finding two additional splicing variants that were characterized by their ability to regulate mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Furthermore, we found that MICU1 alternative splicing is induced during myogenesis by the splicing factor RBFOX2. These results highlight the complexity of the alternative splicing mechanisms in skeletal muscle and the regulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ among tissues.