Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards soft x-ray fluorescence measurements in the laboratory using a laser-produced plasma source and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor detector

With the advent of commercially available CMOS technology suitable for direct detection of photons in the soft X-ray range, new possibilities are opening up for the improvement and optimization of experiments requiring energy discrimination capabilities in this energy range. SDDs are widely used as energy-dispersive detectors, but they cannot be used with pulsed sources due to the overwhelming temporal photon density. Wavelength-dispersive solutions offer unmatched energy resolution, but suffer from low detection efficiency and a limited energy bandwidth which can be monitored. The use of common CCDs as energy-dispersive detectors in this energy range is limited by their energy resolution and especially their readout speed, which can result in significant experimental dead time and limits the usable frequency of pulsed sources. Therewhile, CMOS detectors with high energy resolution and high frame rates are an efficient, versatile and cost-effective alternative as detectors for pulsed sources. In this work we present the characterization of a commercially available, backside-illuminated CMOS detector regarding its energy resolution and quantum efficiency at the BESSY II synchrotron radiation facility with a well-known soft X-ray radiation source. Furthermore it is used in a proof of principle XRF measurement with a laboratory-based laser-plasma source.
Detection of Glucose Based on Gold & Silver Nanoparticles using Z-scan Technique

17 Acknowledgements . 18 Chapter 1: Introduction . 20 1.1 Aims . 21 Chapter 2: Diabetes . 23 2.1 Physiology and Pathophysiology . 23 2.2 Glucose Monitoring . 26 Chapter 3: Nanoparticles . 30 3.1 History . 30 3.2 Synthesis . 32 3.3 Nanoparticles Applications . 37 3.3.1 Applications in Diabetes . 37 3.3.2 Other Applications . 38 Chapter 4: Experimental Methods . 40 4.1 Synthesis . 40 4.1.1 Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles . 41 Green Synthesis . 41 Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using glucose and starch: . 41 Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using coffee and tea: . 41 Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using hibiscus: . 42 -
Game-Centred Study Using Eigenvector Centrality in High-Level Women’s Volleyball: Play Efficacy is Independent of Game Patterns… Or is it?

In sports, it is often assumed that distinct game patterns may influence the outcome of the play differently. However, a few articles about men’s volleyball have suggested that play efficacy may rely more on the quality of individual attack actions, and not on game patterns. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to scrutinize if and how game patterns influence play efficacy in high-level women’s volleyball. Eigenvector Centrality was assessed to integrate direct and indirect relationships between games actions. Thirteen matches from the women’s World Grand Prix’2015 were analysed (46 sets; 2,016 plays). Actions were categorized according to game complex (K0 to KV) and three levels of the efficacy of each play: error, continuity, and point. The results showed that play efficacy was independent of game patterns (the central pattern was non-ideal setting conditions in all complexes and preference for using slow attacks in the extremities of the net). There were, however, some regularities for each game complex. For example, while in KI to KIII, Zone 4 was the most used attack zone, in KIV and KV there was a complete inversion to Zone 2. Moreover, results revealed that women’s volleyball games are more predictable in relation to the play space (attack zones) while increasing the risk through enhanced game speed (attack tempo), in comparison with what studies in men’s volleyball have shown. Future studies should consider situational variables (e.g., match status, home vs away matches), and individual players’ actions should be considered in order to understand their relationships with team patterns better.
Cubing Fabrication/Costing and Machine Performance on African Fermented Condiment Quality Attributes Compared with Commercial Bouillon Types

Cubing machines in food processing have evolved over the years, which have made products like Star®, Knorr®, and Chicken® bouillon cubes become commercially available today, even in many parts of Africa. On the other hand, the fermented mesquite seed “okpeye” food condiment, traditionally produced by well-trained artisans and widely utilised in Nigeria, requires further product development in order to compete with bouillon cubes. Quality comparisons between the cubed “okpeye” condiment and commercially available bouillon cube products have not yet been reported. Therefore, cubing fabrication/costing and machine performance on African fermented “okpeye” condiment quality attributes, compared with commercial bouillon types, were done. The processing of mesquite seeds into the “okpeye” condiment resembled those of artisans. Bouillon cube products involved the Star®, Knorr®, and Chicken® types. Quality attributes involved proximate, micronutrient, phytochemical, and microbial aspects. Results showed that the throughput capacity of a cubing machine increased with an efficiency of 48 condiment cubes/min, forming properly without separation. Across all studied samples, the protein, ash, moisture, crude fat, crude fibre, and carbohydrate contents were in the range of 1.45–42.50%, 5.29–6.75%, 8.50–12.29%, 2.56–18.54%, 2.45–3.19%, and 18.16–25.56%, respectively. The protein, fat, moisture, calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese contents of “okpeye” condiment were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of bouillon cubes. Fair amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and E were found, with the “okpeye” condiment higher in vitamin E. Besides the flavonoids (0.12–0.18%), alkaloids (0.08–0.15%), saponins (0.19–0.55%), and tannins (0.69–0.93%) present, the microbial loads were similar (p > 0.05) across all samples. Indeed, the “okpeye” condiment can be cubed, and by quality attribute, it competes favourably, and very promising substitute to commercial bouillon cubes.
Revealing Charge Transport and Device Operations of Organic Ambipolar Transistors and Inverters by Four‐Probe Measurement

Detecting and understanding ambipolar charge accumulation and transport are essential for constructing ambipolar organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). However, it is difficult to determine carrier motion using general electrical tests. Here, the generalized gated four‐probe (G‐GFP) technique is extended to ambipolar transistors made of diketopyrrolopyrrole‐thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene copolymer (DPPT‐TT), and the motion of the internal carrier during operation is investigated. The evolution of the local potential is monitored in the channel to establish a clear and quantitative picture of accumulation and transport for two types of carriers during device operation. Both simulation and experimental results verify that G‐GFP is a suitable and accessible approach for extracting the device mobility of ambipolar transistors. An ambipolar device with a G‐GFP structure can function as a single‐OFET inverter, demonstrating that G‐GFP can serve as an effective tool for ambipolar transistor analysis, while simultaneously facilitating the implementation of logic functions.
Rupture and rupture repair in clinical supervision: some thoughts and steps along the way

ABSTRACT Ruptures have long been an issue of concern in the supervision literature: They have the potential to compromise, if not derail and destroy, the entirety of the supervision relationship. Two basic steps – opening up discussion about and collaboratively processing the rupture – have been identified as central to increasing the likelihood of successful repair. But beyond those two basic steps, what other steps might be involved in the rupture/repair process? Are there more specifics that can be offered about what happens in the rupture repair experience between supervisor and supervisee? Those questions are considered subsequently. I specifically (a) examine how the variables of frequency and severity potentially affect any rupture’s impact and repair possibilities, (b) identify withdrawal and confrontation markers of supervision rupture, along with supervisor rupture repair strategies, and (c) identify and describe a proposed six-step process, built upon a prerequisite pre-cognitive set of humility, by which rupture repair is facilitated.
Do green human resource management and self-efficacy facilitate green creativity? A study of luxury hotels and resorts

Abstract Employees’ green-oriented behavior can produce positive outcomes for sustainability in all sectors. However, the granularity of how such behaviors can be promoted is limited in the literature. Therefore, research explaining the effect of policies pursued by organizations and the effect of leadership on employee green-oriented behavior can be useful. This study addresses this need by drawing upon Social Cognitive Theory to examine the association of green human resource management (GHRM) with green creativity (GC). In addition, we examine the mediation effect of green self-efficacy (GSE) and the moderation effect of green transformational leadership (GTL) to provide robust insights into how organizations can motivate employees to generate innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The model is tested by analyzing multi-wave and multi-source data collected from luxury resorts and hotels. The findings confirm a positive association of GHRM with GC as well as the mediation effect of GSE on the association of GHRM and GC. However, the moderated mediation influence of GTL on the indirect effect of GHRM on GC is not supported. Our findings can help tourism organizations boost employees’ creativity, which, in turn, can support the use of green processes and help these organizations become better aligned with sustainable development goals.
Monitoring Item Performance With CUSUM Statistics in Continuous Testing

In many educational assessments, items are reused in different administrations throughout the life of the assessments. Ideally, a reused item should perform relatively similarly over time. In reality, an item may become easier with exposure, especially when item preknowledge has occurred. This article presents a novel cumulative sum procedure for detecting item preknowledge in continuous testing where data for each reused item may be obtained from small and varying sample sizes across administrations. Its performance is evaluated with simulations and analytical work. The approach is effective in detecting item preknowledge quickly with group size at least 10 and is easy to implement with varying item parameters. In addition, it is robust to the ability estimation error introduced in the simulations.
Electromagnetic shielding performance of copper and silver-plated hybrid yarn based multilayer fabrics in C & X band frequency range

In the present study, a strategic designing of multilayer shield was planned to enhance the multiple reflection phenomenon to achieve maximum absorption properties in microwave frequency (C & X band) range. Multi-layer EMR shields were developed using pure cotton fabric and conductive woven fabrics, incorporated with copper- based & silver-plated hybrid yarn. First of all, single layer fabrics were produced in five variants, nomenclature as L1A (pure cotton) L1B, L1C (copper-based hybrid yarn), LS1B and LS1C (silver plated hybrid yarn). These five variants were used to prepare four sets of double & triple layer fabric. In both double and triple layer composition, L1A fabric (pure cotton) was used as top layer followed by B and C series fabrics, containing copper and silver-plated hybrid yarn. The EMSE performance in C and X band frequency range of single layer, double layer and triple layers in terms of scattering parameters S11(reflectance) & S21 (transmittance) in vertical and horizontal wave polarization was studied. It was found that number of layers, layer composition, orientation of metallic yarn, frequency and EM wave polarization have significant influence on overall electromagnetic shielding effectiveness.
Flexible working practices and job-related anxiety: Examining the roles of trust in management and job autonomy

Although flexible working practices (FWPs) have been associated with positive individual outcomes, less is known about ‘how’ and ‘why’ such associations occur. Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory, this study examines the mediating and moderating processes which underpin the relationship between FWPs and job-related anxiety. The study’s hypotheses, proposing a moderated mediation model, are tested using data from Britain’s Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS) 2011. The results of generalised multilevel structural equation modelling (GMSEM) reveal that FWPs increase trust in management (TIM), which, in turn, decreases job-related anxiety. Furthermore, job autonomy moderates both the positive relationship between FWPs and TIM and the indirect relationship between FWPs and job anxiety through TIM, such that the mediated relationship becomes stronger when perceived autonomy is high. Our study encourages focusing on FWPs, as these stimulate perceptions of resource gain spiral, and the integrated influence of resources accumulated through such positive gain spirals promotes well-being.
Deep learning assisted heart arrhythmia detection

Heart arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm, is an extremely common heart affliction experienced by a large percent of the world’s population every day, mostly going unnoticed. However, if left unchecked for an extended period of time, it poses an inherent risk to human life. Advancements in technology have enabled us to leverage the awesome computational power of graphics processing units in parallel in order to derive solutions to real life medical issues, by analyzing tremendous amounts of data in a relatively short amount of time. Owing to their ability to parse huge amounts of data and quickly perform multiple complex computations in parallel, machine learning algorithms have repeatedly and consistently outperformed humans in tasks such as pattern recognition and data analysis. Through this research project, we seek to contribute to the medical field by implementing deep learning technology along with machine learning algorithms into a system which can detect heart arrhythmias from electrocardiogram (ECG) reports quickly and effectively.
Quantifying the Likelihood of Exceeding a Limit State via the Displacement-based Assessment Approach

ABSTRACT The displacement-based assessment procedure of Priestley and co-authors was formulated to provide either a pass-fail type of assessment or an indication of the likelihood of exceeding a selected limit state. To account for the effect of uncertainty in demand and capacity as part of the displacement-based assessment, it has also been shown that the SAC-FEMA approach can be adopted. In this work, the displacement-based assessment approach is improved by developing new relationships between intensity and inelastic displacement demand that permits the impact of multiple intensity levels on the likelihood of exceeding a limit state to be assessed contemporarily. The benefit of the new approach is illustrated by comparing the annual probability of exceeding key limit states as obtained through multi-stripe analyses with results obtained from the simplified approach. Results indicate that the simplified method performs reliably for the cases considered. Limitations with the new approach and future research needs are identified.
A new heuristic method for optimizing Y-branches using genetic algorithm with optimal dataset generated with particle swarm optimization

The Genetic Algorithm (GA) is one of the most popular heuristic methods due to its natural and fast implementation. However, at the same time, it has the disadvantage of poor optimization. To improve performance, it’s necessary avoid stuck in local maximums throught choosing proper methods and parameters that vary for each application. In photonic devices, although the GA has been recently used to optimize passive silicon Y-branches, its performance is still trailing behind other optimization algorithms based on swarms, for instance. In this work, we present a new three-part heuristic method for optimizing Y-branches. We used the Finite-difference Time-domain (FDTD) method and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to generate an optimal data set as initial population for the GA. Considering an adequate population model, we demonstrate improvement in the performance for the design of a Y-branch through the GA. Next, we used a variation of a gradient-based search method to fine-tune the final parameters to find the absolute maximum. As a result, we produced new non-intuitive Y-branch devices with on-chip areas smaller than 2µm2 and excess loss down to 0.05 dB @1550 nm for the TE mode. A complete study of fabrication feasibility and uv-lithography typical fabrication errors and its effects on the bandwidth will be shown at the time of the conference. Our method will be compared against other widely-used heuristic methods in photonic device design in terms of number of iterations.
A business model innovation process for tourism: findings from a literature review

ABSTRACT This paper reviews existing concepts and frameworks to propose a business model innovation process (BMIP) applicable to tourism businesses. A comprehensive literature review and content analysis is conducted by selecting, studying and coding applicable articles. The authors have reviewed 41 business model innovation (BMI) related papers, of which 14 are BMIP specific and four examine the phases of innovation in detail. Noting the lack of scholarly resolution about the most appropriate approach to business model innovation, the paper seeks to enhance current theories. A fifth and additional step is proposed to accommodate an essential extension of the existing model into the tourism context – continuous evaluation and improvement. The proposal offers business leaders the potential to benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the business model innovation process, including how to adapt to new conditions.
H3K27M and TERT promoter mutations are poor prognostic factors in surgical cases of adult thalamic high-grade glioma

Abstract Background Thalamic high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are rare tumors with a dismal prognosis. H3K27M and telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) mutations reportedly contribute to poor prognoses in HGG cases. We investigated the outcomes of surgically treated adult thalamic HGGs to evaluate the prognostic significance of H3K27M and TERTp mutations. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 25 adult patients with thalamic HGG who underwent maximum surgical resection from January 1997 to March 2020. The histological and molecular characteristics, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of the patients were compared. For molecular characteristics, target sequencing was used to determine the H3F3A, HIST1H3B, and TERTp mutations. Results H3K27M mutations were detected in 12/25 (48.0%) patients. TERTp mutations were not detected in H3K27M-mutant gliomas but were detected in 8/13 (61.5%) of H3 wild-type gliomas. Although it was not significant, H3K27M-mutant gliomas tended to have a shorter PFS (6.7 vs 13.1 months; P = .2928) and OS (22.8 vs 24.4 months; P = .2875) than H3 wild-type gliomas. Moreover, the prognosis of TERTp-mutant gliomas was as poor as that of H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Contrary, 5 gliomas harboring both H3 and TERTp wild-type showed a better median PFS (59.2 vs 6.4 months; P = .0456) and OS (71.8 vs 24.4 months; P = .1168) than those harboring H3K27M or TERTp mutations. Conclusions TERTp-mutant gliomas included in the H3 wild-type glioma group limited patient survival as they exhibited an aggressive course similar to H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Comprehensive molecular work-up for the H3 wild-type cases may further confirm this finding.
Stepwise regression of non-culprit lipid-rich plaque observed using serial near-infrared spectroscopy–intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomographic measurements after aggressive cholesterol-lowering treatment: a case report

Abstract Background Lipid-rich plaques (LRP) in the non-culprit lesions (NCL) in patients with the acute coronary syndrome may trigger lesion-related, adverse cardiovascular events. Aggressive lipid-lowering therapy may stabilize LRP; however, the times of stabilization remain undefined. Case summary A 60-year-old man presented with unstable angina. Coronary angiography revealed a severely stenotic lesion (culprit lesion) in the left descending artery, and another non-obstructive lesion in the distal left main trunk artery. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging showed LRP with a maximum lipid core burden index (LCBI)4mm of 422. Optical coherence tomographic (OCT) imaging showed the vulnerable plaque as a thin cap fibroatheroma with a thickness of 50 µm. We prescribed aggressive lipid-lowering treatment with a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, and serially observed this lesion for 24 months. The NIRS imaging showed that the LCBI gradually decreased over time (max LCBI4mm of 422, 417, 318, 265, and 106 conducted at index percutaneous coronary intervention, 3, 8, 12, and 24 months, respectively). As plaque regression and stabilization of high-risk LRP were observed, we promptly discontinued treatment with the PCSK9i inhibitor. Discussion During the long-term, 24-month, follow-up using serial NIRS–IVUS imaging, we observed the gradual decrease in LCBI over time, due to aggressive lipid-lowering therapy. Compared with the lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the stabilization of vulnerable plaques may require longer times of about 2 years. Evaluation of NCL-related adverse cardiac events by serial intravascular imaging over time, using NIRS–IVUS or OCT, may be warranted in such cases.
Age of onset, language dominance and dialectal variation: Catalan copula selection in locative contexts with (non-)eventive subjects

ABSTRACT Literature on early language acquisition has observed that age of onset of acquisition (AoA) is relevant for certain grammatical phenomena. Simultaneous bilinguals receive regular and extensive exposure to two languages from birth (Müller, 2009), whereas sequential child learners get in extensive contact to LB once the LA has developed to a certain degree (Meisel, J. M. [2013]. Sensitive phases in successive language acquisition: The Critical Period Hypothesis revisited. In C. Boeckx & K. Grohmann (Eds.), Handbook of biolinguistics (pp. 69–85). Cambridge University Press). Exposure to LB can take place early in childhood (eL2 learners, age 3;0) or starting with elementary school (cL2 learners, age 6;0). In this study, 34 participants were recruited from different Catalan-speaking regions and displayed different AoA-profiles (12 simultaneous, 13 eL2 and 9 cL2 learners) and different degrees of language dominance (17 balanced, 10 Spanish and 7 Catalan dominant). We conducted a Preference Task to examine Catalan copula selection in locative contexts with (non-)eventive subjects, since it may pattern differently in Catalan/Spanish: Both languages select ésser/ser for eventive subjects, non-eventive subjects take estar in Spanish but show variation in Catalan. Our study examines whether the factors AoA, language dominance or the speaker’s linguistic variety determine copula selection. In a nutshell, all speakers preferred ésser with eventive subjects. For non-eventive subjects, the results show that language dominance and speaker’s linguistic variety predict copula preference.