Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Characterization of Hydrosilylated Polypropylene: Contact Angle Measurement and Atomic Force Microscopy

In this study, axisymmetric drop shape analysis-profile (ADSA-P) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to study the surface features of polypropylene (PP) and hydrosilylated polypropylene (SPP). Static and dynamic contact angles were measured using ADSA-P. Water permeability was calculated from the results of static contact angle measurements. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to obtain permeability using ADSA-P. The water permeability and wettability of PP are greater than those of SPP. Surface free energy was calculated by the equation of state theory and other methods, and the influence of surface roughness on surface free energy was taken into consideration and incorporated into the calculation. Topographic images of the sample surfaces were obtained using AFM. Compared to PP, the SPP surface shows larger but smoother peaks. Calculated results show that SPP has a lower surface free energy than PP. The surfaces of both PP and SPP can be modeled as a homogeneous but rough surface.
The Effects of Tyrosine-Protein Kinase Kit on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a multifactorial chronic pulmonary disorder which complicates multiple pulmonary hypertensions in preterm infants. At present, there are no effective prevention or treatment options for BPD in clinical practice. Tyrosine-Protein Kinase Kit (KIT) serves an important role in regulating cell proliferation, hematopoiesis and stem cell maintenance. In the present study, the protective role of overexpression of KIT in BPD was investigated. The candidate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with BPD and healthy controls were screened using bioinformatics. A neonatal BPD mouse model was established under a hyperoxic environment and KIT overexpressing cells were intravenously injected into the mice, followed by evaluation of the effects on respiratory system resistance, pulmonary development and remodeling. Bioinformatics analysis showed that KIT was down regulated in patients with BPD, and a protein-protein interaction network was created using the Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighboring Genes database, which indicated that KIT was associated with known disease-related genes and regulated VEGF expression. In neonatal BPD mice, KIT exhibits significant protective affects and may thus serve as a candidate therapeutic target for treatment of patients with BPD treatment.
Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of Global Citizenship Education in the Social Studies Curriculum

This qualitative case study sought to gain insights into the perceptions of pre-service teachers on global citizenship education in social studies. Twenty students were purposively selected for this study. Data from multiple sources, including open-ended semi-structured focus group interviews, classroom observations, discussion posts, and essay questions, were analyzed. The findings of this study indicated that teachers should incorporate global citizenship into their courses for students to become culturally sensitive and gain an awareness of global issues. As global citizens, students should possess the tools and resources to advocate for social justice, unity, and equity. Their knowledge of historical and current events, viewed through critical and analytical lenses, would expose the unjust/just and unfavorable/favorable outcomes and activities.
Efficient transcription-coupled chromatin accessibility mapping in situ

Chromatin accessibility mapping is a powerful approach to identify potential regulatory elements. In the popular ATAC-seq method, Tn5 transposase inserts sequencing adapters into accessible DNA (‘tagmentation’). CUT&Tag is a tagmentation-based epigenomic profiling method in which antibody tethering of Tn5 to a chromatin epitope of interest profiles specific chromatin features in small samples and single cells. Here we show that by simply modifying the tagmentation conditions for histone H3K4me2/3 CUT&Tag, antibody-tethered tagmentation of accessible DNA sites is redirected to produce accessible DNA maps that are indistinguishable from the best ATAC-seq maps. Thus, DNA accessibility maps can be produced in parallel with CUT&Tag maps of other epitopes with all steps from nuclei to amplified sequencing-ready libraries performed in single PCR tubes in the laboratory or on a home workbench. As H3K4 methylation is produced by transcription at promoters and enhancers, our method identifies transcription-coupled accessible regulatory sites.
The Trend Premium Around the World: Evidence from the Stock Market

This paper studies the predictive power of the trend strategy in the international stock market. Using data from 49 markets, we find that a trend signal exploiting the short-, intermediate-, and long-term price information can predict stock returns cross-sectionally in the international market. The significance of the trend strategy is associated with market-level characteristics such as macroeconomic conditions, culture, and the information environment. The trend premium is more pronounced in markets with a more advanced macroeconomic status, a higher level of information uncertainty and individualism, and better accessibility to foreign investors. Nevertheless, the trend strategy only outperforms the momentum strategy in a relatively short horizon.
AcceleDent Aura does not influence treatment duration or number of visits

Abstract Background Many techniques and appliances claim to reduce orthodontic treatment time, one of which is micro-vibration applied by the AcceleDent Aura appliance. Objectives The purpose of this study was to report compliance with AcceleDent Aura and to assess any effect on treatment duration, number of visits and bond failures. Methods Forty Class II adolescent subjects were randomly assigned to use the AcceleDent Aura appliance or no AcceleDent Aura device during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances involving maxillary premolar extractions. Compliance was recorded by the AcceleDent Aura appliance and reported for the first 13 months. Overall treatment duration, the number of visits and number of bond failures were also recorded. Results AcceleDent compliance reduced over time from a mean 77.8% usage at the start to a mean of 39.5% by the thirteenth month. There was no difference in the number of bond failures between groups (p = 0.54) and there was no evidence that the use of the Acceledent Aura appliance influenced treatment duration (p = 0.26) or the number of visits (p = 0.56). Conclusions The AcceleDent Aura appliance had no significant effect on treatment duration, number of visits or the number of bond failures. Compliance with the appliance waned significantly over time.
OPC hydration with highly alkaline solutions

Hydration of an ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with highly concentrated alkaline solutions has been carried out. Two different alkaline solutions were used: NaOH (10 M) and Na2CO3 (3·8 M). Mineralogical composition of the compounds formed after hydration process were determined by FTIR; XRD; DTA/TG. Soluble salts in water and in methanol–salicyclic acid were extracted and the amount of sodium fixed by the CSH gel was deduced. The main conclusion of this work is that if high concentration of NaOH is present in the hydrating solution, CSH gel breakdown is produced. Additionally, it has been showed that gypsum reacts with sodium producing Na2SO4. Finally, in the carbonation process a calcium±sodium carbonate is formed.
Phase solubility diagrams of cocrystals are explained by solubility product and solution complexation

The purpose of this work was to develop a mathematical model that describes the solubility of cocrystals by taking into consideration the equilibria between cocrystal, cocrystal components, and solution complexes. These models are applied to the phase diagrams of carbamazepine/nicotinamide (CBZ/NCT) cocrystal in organic solvents. The CBZ/NCT (1:1) cocrystal solubility was measured by suspending cocrystal in solutions of varying nicotinamide concentrations in ethanol, 2-propanol, or ethyl acetate. Results show that the solubility of the cocrystal decreases with increasing nicotinamide concentration. Mathematical models demonstrate that (1) the solubility of a cocrystal AB is described by the solubility product of cocrystal components and by solution complexation constants, (2) these equilibrium constants can be determined from solubility methods, and (3) graphical representation of the cocrystal solubility dependence on ligand concentration will serve as a diagnostic tool for the stoichiometry of solution .
N2O emissions from a cultivated mollisol: optimal time of day for sampling and the role of soil temperature

The correct use of closed field chambers to determine N2O emissions requires defining the time of day that best represents the daily mean N2O flux. A short-term field experiment was carried out on a Mollisol soil, on which annual crops were grown under no-till management in the Pampa Ondulada of Argentina. The N2O emission rates were measured every 3 h for three consecutive days. Fluxes ranged from 62.58 to 145.99 ∝g N-N2O m-2 h-1 (average of five field chambers) and were negatively related (R2 = 0.34, p < 0.01) to topsoil temperature (14 - 20 oC). N2O emission rates measured between 9:00 and 12:00 am presented a high relationship to daily mean N2O flux (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.01), showing that, in the study region, sampling in the mornings is preferable for GHG.
Modern approach to the diagnosis of normal tension glaucoma taking into account the features of its pathogenesis

Normal tension glaucoma was isolated as a separate clinical form of primary open-angle glaucoma at the end of the 20th century. In the article, various points of view on the development of this most difficultly diagnosed variety of glaucoma, as well as modern concepts of the pathogenesis of normal tension glaucoma which determine the strategy of a new approach to its diagnosis, are reviewed in the historical aspect.
Square wave voltammetry at the dropping mercury electrode: Experimental

Abstract : Experimental verification of earlier theoretical work for square wave voltammetry at the dropping mercury electrode is given. Experiments using ferric oxalate and cadmium (II) in HC1 confirm excellent agreement with theory. Experimental peak heights and peak widths are found to be within 2% of calculated results. An example of trace analysis using square wave voltammetry at the dme is presented. The technique is shown to have the same order of sensitivity as differential pulse polarography but is much faster to perform. A detection limit for cadmium in 0.1 M HC1 for the system used here was 7 x 10 to the minus 8th power M.
Highly Emissive and Color‐Tunable CuInS2‐Based Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Off‐Stoichiometry Effects and Improved Electroluminescence Performance

The off‐stoichiometry effects and gram‐scale production of luminescent CuInS2‐based semiconductor nanocrystals, as well as their application in electroluminescence devices are reported. The crystal structures and optical properties of CuInS2 nanocrystals can be significantly influenced by controlling their [Cu]/[In] molar ratio. A simple model adapted from the bulk materials is proposed to explain their off‐stoichiometry effects. Highly emissive and color‐tunable CuInS2‐based NCs are prepared by a combination of [Cu]/[In] molar ratio optimization, ZnS shell coating, and CuInS2–ZnS alloying. The method is simple, hassle‐free, and easily scalable to fabricate tens of grams of nanocrystal powders with photoluminescence quantum yields up to around 65%. Furthermore, the performance of high‐quality CuInS2‐based NCs in electroluminescence devices is examined. These devices have lower turn‐on voltages of around 5 V, brighter luminance up to approximately 2100 cd m−2 and improved injection efficiency of around 0.3 lm W−1 (at 100 cd m−2) in comparison to recent reports.
Feasibility, Usability, and Enjoyment of a Home-Based Exercise Program Delivered via an Exercise App for Musculoskeletal Health in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Short-term Prospective Pilot Study

Background Many older adults choose and prefer to exercise at home, but to attain the greatest benefits, the correct type and dose of exercise should be prescribed and adherence maintained. Advances in digital health technologies now provide the opportunity for exercise professionals to deliver and monitor personalized, evidence-based exercise programs to anyone at any time. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and enjoyment of a web-based exercise prescription app as a platform for exercise professionals to remotely deliver and monitor an individually tailored, home-based multicomponent exercise program (delivered through tablet computers) to older adults living independently in the community. Methods This was an 8-week, prospective single-arm pilot study in 20 adults aged ≥65 years living independently in the community: 10 owned a tablet computer (tablet owners) and 10 did not own tablets (tablet nonowners). All participants were prescribed a home-based, muscle strengthening, weight-bearing impact and challenging balance/mobility program (3 days/week) using a commercial exercise prescription app on a tablet computer. Study endpoints were feasibility (retention, adherence, adverse events), usability (System Usability Scale), physical activity enjoyment (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale), changes in lower extremity function (Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]), and level of physical activity (questionnaire). Process measures related to the participants' experiences and perceptions of the exercise program and web-based app were also included. Results A total of 19 participants (mean age, 70 years) completed the study (19/20, 95%), and mean adherence to the exercise program was 84% (95% CI 70%-97%). There were 2 minor adverse events in 2 participants from 401 completed sessions. Mean weekly walking time increased by 78 minutes (95% CI 0-156, P=.049) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time by 41 minutes (95% CI –8 to 90, P=.09). For SPPB scores, there was a 0.3 point (95% CI –0.1 to 0.7, P=.17) modest sized (effect size, d=0.42) improvement after 8 weeks. Mean (SD) system usability was high (86 [10] with 100 best imaginable). There was no change in the overall physical activity enjoyment scores after 8 weeks, but participants reported that they enjoyed using the web-based exercise app and the exercise program (median score 4 on a 5-point Likert scale). For all measures, there were no differences between previous tablet owners and nonowners. Conclusions This pilot feasibility study indicates that it is safe and feasible for community-dwelling older adults to participate in a home-based, multicomponent exercise program targeting musculoskeletal health and function that was delivered and monitored remotely by exercise professionals using a tablet-based exercise prescription app.
Investigation of the Effect of Gestational Hypertension on Neonatal Hemoglobin in Selected Hospitals in Qom, Iran

Article type: Original article Background and Aim: Gestational hypertension is one of the most important disorders during pregnancy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of gestational hypertension on neonatal hemoglobin in the selected hospitals in Qom in 2017. Materials and Methods: The cohort retrospective study was conducted on 100 women who had referred to selected hospitals in Qom. They were divided into two groups so that women with gestational hypertension were allocated to the case group (n=50) while normotensive women were allocated to the control group (n=50) group. Finally, the hemoglobin levels of neonates in the two groups were compared. Results: The mean level of hemoglobin in neonates born to mothers with gestational hypertension (17.3 gr/dl) was significantly higher than the control group (14.65 gr/dl), which remained significant after regrouping the mothers based on their demographic and gestational characteristics. Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of gestational hypertension and its dangerous side effects in infants, it is necessary to pay attention to screening programs and laboratory tests of pregnant mothers to prevent an unusual increase in hemoglobin levels of infants and reduce pregnancy complications. Article History: Received: 19 February 2020 Revised: 09 May 2020 Accepted: 18 May 2020
Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Application of N, P, K Fertilizer on the Growth and Nitrogen Fixation of Field-Grown Chinese Milk Vetch

Abstract A South Korean variety of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.) was grown with or without the inoculation of Rhizobium (R. sp., NOKO-703 strain) and basal application of N, P, K, Mg fertilizer. Plant dry matter yield ranged from 4.3 to 6.0 tonnes/ha at 192 d after cultivation. With Rhizobium inoculation, the dry matter and N, P, K accumulation increased by 31.6, 28.9, 31.5, and 4.2% respectively. The application of P, K, and Mg (80 kg P2O5, 70 kg K2O, 10 kg Mg/ha) to the inoculated plants promoted N accumulation significantly but failed to increase both the dry matter yield and P or K accumulation. Additional application of N (50 kg N/ha) to the above treatment also did not increase the plant dry matter yield but increased the N accumulation by 13.2%. Nodule N2 fixation (ARA) was remarkably enhanced by both the Rhizobium inoculation and fertilizer application, particularly at the early stage of plant growth. The largest number of nodules and highest values of nodule dry weight and nodule ARA.
Dimension selection criteria for predictor envelopes in Univariate Regression

THESIS: Dimension Selection Criteria For Predictor Envelopes in Univariate Regression STUDENT: Sam Bales DEGREE: Master of Science COLLEGE: Science and Humanities DATE: May 2020 PAGES: 34 Ordinary Least Squares is a ubiquitous multivariate statistical technique. Predictor envelopes have the potential to result in multifold gains in efficiency over OLS. Envelopes achieve these gains by partitioning the variability of the predictions into material and immaterial portions to the response. This requires the estimation of a subspace the predictor covariance matrix, and specifying the correct subspace dimension is critical for performance. Selecting too large of an envelope prevents the modeler from taking full advantage of the efficiency gains, and estimating too small of an envelope can result in biased estimates. Thus, three dimension selection criteria–Akaike’s Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and Likelihood Ratio Testing (LRT)— listed in order of most conservative (largest subspace) to least conservative (smallest subspace) were investigated via a simulation study and a data application. The simulation study was designed to answer two main questions: when do predictor envelopes offer advantages over OLS, and in those situations, what is the best dimension selection criteria to use. Simulation results indicate that envelopes offer advantages when predictor variance is low, response variation is high, in small sample sizes, and when the predictors are not normally distributed. Moreover, when envelopes offer advantages over OLS, LRT is the best dimension selection criterion. Intuition about when envelopes will offer advantages can be based on a preliminary analysis of the predictors and the correlation structure of the model. Predictor envelopes were applied to Fama-Macbeth regression for 1 estimating the risk premia for financial securities, resulting in an average decrease in the standard error of estimated coefficients by 50X.
TMS cortical mapping of multiple muscles: absolute and relative test-retest reliability

Abstract The spatial accuracy of TMS may be as small as a few millimeters. Despite such great potential, navigated TMS (nTMS) mapping is still underused for the assessment of motor plasticity, particularly in clinical settings. Here we investigate the within-limb somatotopy gradient as well as absolute and relative reliability of three hand muscle cortical representations (MCRs) using a comprehensive grid-based sulcus-informed nTMS motor mapping. We enrolled 22 young healthy male volunteers. Two nTMS mapping sessions were separated by 5-10 days. Motor evoked potentials were obtained from abductor pollicis brevis (APB), abductor digiti minimi, and extensor digitorum communis. In addition to individual MRI-based analysis, we studied MNI normalized MCRs. For the reliability assessment, we calculated intra-class correlation and the smallest detectable change. Our results revealed a somatotopy gradient reflected by APB MCR having the most lateral location. Reliability analysis showed that the commonly used metrics of MCRs, such as areas, volumes, centers of gravity (COGs), and hotspots had a high relative and low absolute reliability for all three muscles. For within-limb TMS somatotopy, the most common metrics such as the shifts between MCR COGs and hotspots had poor relative reliability. However, overlaps between different muscle MCRs were highly reliable. We thus provide novel evidence that inter-muscle MCR interaction can be reliably traced using MCR overlaps while shifts between the COGs and hotspots of different MCRs are not suitable for this purpose. Our results have implications for the interpretation of nTMS motor mapping results in healthy subjects and patients with neurological conditions.
MUHASEBE VE FİNANS İNCELEMELERİ DERGİSİ EARNINGS MANAGEMENT AND CULTURAL TIGHTNESS–LOOSENESS: INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE

This cross-national interdisciplinary research paper empirically investigates the association between cultural tightness–looseness and earnings manipulations. The analyses, which are based on panel-corrected standard errors method, indicate that cultural tightness–looseness, together with investor protection, future–time reference, capital market importance and economic development plays a critical role in shaping financial reporting choices. More specifically, this study finds that the opportunistic manipulations of reported accounting figures are less frequent in tight nations than in loose ones. The results of this study suggest that cultural tightness–looseness is an important explanatory variable that should be considered in future international comparative studies on earnings management behavior. Implications of the results for mitigating earnings management are presented
Attracting the Sharks: Corporate Innovation and Securities Class Action Lawsuits

This paper provides novel evidence suggesting that securities class action lawsuits, a central pillar of the U.S. litigation and corporate governance system, can constitute an obstacle to valuable corporate innovation. We first establish that valuable innovation output makes firms particularly vulnerable to costly low-quality class action litigation. Exploiting judge turnover in federal courts, we then show that changes in class action litigation risk affect the value and number of patents filed, suggesting firms take into account that risk in their innovation decisions. A new perspective we provide is that innovation success, not only innovation failure, can increase firms’ securities class action litigation risk. This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance.