Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective Online cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (iCBT-I) provides scalable access to psychological interventions; however, the effectiveness of these courses during COVID-19 has not been examined. This study investigated the uptake and potential effectiveness of iCBT-I during the first 10 months of the pandemic in Australia (March- December 2020) and compared outcomes in the year prior. Method Two thousand six hundred and ninety-four adults commenced a four-lesson iCBT-I course (1,883 during the pandemic; 811 in the year before). Measures of insomnia and psychological distress were administered pre-, mid- and post-treatment. Results In the COVID-19 period, we observed a 140% increase in monthly course registrations compared to the year prior (with a peak increase of 257% from April-June 2020). Insomnia symptom severity was marginally lower for the during-COVID group compared to the pre-COVID group, although levels of psychological distress were similar. Before and during COVID-19, iCBT-I was associated with large effect size reductions in insomnia symptom severity (gs = .86–1.09) and small effect size improvements in psychological distress and wellbeing (gs = 0.34–0.41). Conclusion iCBT-I uptake substantially increased during the pandemic; treatment outcomes were similar. The findings demonstrate the scalability and potential effectiveness of iCBT-I. Key Points What is already known about this topic: Insomnia is a significant public health issue. Internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT) is effective in reducing insomnia symptom severity. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on mental health with higher estimated rates of insomnia during the pandemic. What this topic adds: Uptake of an online insomnia course increased by >180% during COVID-19. The course was associated with large effect size reductions in insomnia symptoms. Results highlight the utility and scalability of digital mental health services.
Regulation of iron-uptake systems in Vibrio vulnificus, a ferrophilic bacterium

Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative ferrophilic bacterium that causes necrotizing wound infections and fatal septicemia, which mainly occur in patients with elevated levels of iron in serum or tissue, despite the presence of well-developed bacterial multiple iron-uptake systems (IUSs). These IUSs play important roles in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus infections and are primarily regulated at the transcriptional level by a ferric uptake regulator called Fur responding to iron availability and their own specific regulators. Recent studies have shown that the IUSs are also controlled by other global regulators, including cyclic AMP-receptor protein responding to carbon availability and SmcR, a master regulator of the quorum-sensing system responding to bacterial density. This review presents an update on this sophisticated regulation of IUSs in V. vulnificus.
ZnO/ZnS (hetero)structures: ab initio investigations of polytypic behavior of mixed ZnO and ZnS compounds

The range of feasible ZnO/ZnS polytypes has been explored, predicting alternative structural arrangements compared with previously suggested or observed structural forms of ZnO/ZnS compounds, including bulk crystal structures, various nanostructures, heterostructures and heterojunctions. All calculations were performed ab initio using density functional theory–local density approximation and hybrid Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof functionals. Specifically, pure ZnO and ZnS compounds and mixed ZnO1–x S x compounds (x = 0.20, 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, 0.60, 0.66 and 0.75) are investigated and a multitude of possible stable polytypes for ZnO/ZnS compounds creating new possibilities for synthesis of new materials with improved physical and chemical properties are identified.
Effects of Inert and Energetic Nanoparticles on Burning Liquid Ethanol Droplets

ABSTRACT The effect of nanoscale energetic aluminum (nAl) and inert silicon dioxide (nSiO2) particulate additives on ethanol droplet combustion was studied under atmospheric conditions. Three different types of droplet experiments were performed to study the influence of the experiment itself on combustion behavior. Simultaneous visible and intensified ultraviolet (UV) images were taken to determine the burning rate constant (K) as well as flame dynamics via OH* chemiluminescence imaging. The addition of nAl appeared to yield a systematic increase in K, by up to 13%, and increasing loading concentrations led to changes in droplet combustion dynamics. Flow instabilities, including liquid jetting and altered droplet deformation, were observed, creating unsteady combustion when the nAl-laden droplet was continuously fed via a quartz capillary. In contrast, the addition of nSiO2 showed relatively small changes in K, possibly only as large an increase as 5%, with a lack of consistent trends for increasing nSiO2 concentration for different fuel delivery methods, in part due to the formation of large residual shell-like structures in the later stages of combustion. A simple droplet combustion model suggests that possible enhancement mechanisms for K are related to alterations in thermal conductivity as well as flame temperature with the nAl additive. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of particulate residue revealed further differences in morphology and residue constituents after combustion.
Unexpected Insights about Cation-Exchange on Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Effect on Their Magnetic Behavior

Tuning the magnetic behavior of nanoparticles via the control of their features has always been challenging because these features are mostly intertwined. In the last years, a novel synthetic approach based on cation-exchange has been reported, and one of its main advantages is to maintain the shape and size of nanoparticles. However, such a synthetic strategy has been seldom applied to iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, where the substitution of iron with diverse transition element cations was described as occurring in their whole volume. Surprisingly, we found results quite discordant from the few ones so far published in exploiting again this approach. We show here that it unavoidably leads to core/shell structures with only the shell undergoing the cation-exchange. Moreover, the starting phase of iron oxide strongly dictates the number of iron cations that could be replaced: if it is structurally free of vacancies, like magnetite, the maximum amount of exchanged cations is low and only affects the nan.
A priori risk-informed approach to ensure the compliance with discharge limits for liquid radioactive effluent to be discharged from APR 1400

ABSTRACT In order to develop a methodology to guarantee the conformance to operational discharge limits for liquid effluent from a NPP at an early stage of design, a risk-informed approach was proposed and its applicability was verified for APR 1400. Existing methodology to calculate risk-based detection limit for a single radionuclide was improved by incorporating a new model to derive more realistic pathway dose factors. A new simple expression was also proposed to adjust risk-based detection limits for multiple radionuclides mixture if necessary. In addition, a new procedure to warrant the compliance with discharge limits by controlling detection limits of only a few principal radionuclides was established in accordance with risk-informed concept. Through case studies for APR 1400 to be commissioned at a hypothetical site, it was shown that calculated pathway dose factors are more realistic for majority of radionuclides. It also turns out that neither present detection limits nor unadjusted risk-based detection limits can be justified when the radionuclide composition is unknown, however further adjustment of detection limits or increasing additional dilution factor resolves the problem. Finally, ten principal radionuclides were identified and shown to be enough for liquid effluent control at APR 1400 from a risk-informed point of view.
Autonomy of English Language Learners: A Scoping Review of Research and Practice

Learner autonomy is a vibrant and diverse field. In its approximately 40-year history, it has drawn liberally on theoretical constructs and research methodologies from other disciplines. In turn, it has contributed to the field of applied linguistics by drawing attention to the fundamental importance of understanding the language learner as an active agent in the learning process. To understand the role of autonomy in, and its connections with other areas of study, it is important to ask how it has been conceptualised and operationalised. In addition, given its elusive and amorphous nature, it is timely to ask if and how (the development of) learner autonomy has been evaluated. In this paper we conducted a scoping review, or a systematic and comprehensive literature review, of 61 empirical studies in this field. The results show a rich array of conceptualisations and numerous operationalisations, in addition to a somewhat limited use of evaluations. We draw from this a number of implications for research. In particular, we encourage learner autonomy researchers to make explicit their theoretical frameworks, extend their investigation to the role of language learning beyond the classroom in promoting learner autonomy, and diversify their use of research methods.
Single–molecule conductance measurements : Correlations between chemical design and electronic properties

This thesis is about measurements of the electrical properties of different families of molecules. The research was focused on fundamental questions of charge transport in organic molecules. With this aim, experiments were performed to shed light on the underlying transport mechanisms. For example, an important ingredient of the work concerned the understanding of quantum interference effects in transport. On the other hand, several bio-inspired molecules were tested as electrical components revealing, for example, that with a certain chemical design a single-curcuminoid molecule act as a switch.
Comparative Real-time Assessment of Particulate Matter Emissions in Rice Husk Combustion

Biomass combustion is the most traditional method for its utilization to obtain heat energy as a global source. However, combustion of biomass fuels has been associated with air pollution and emission of toxic pollutants such as particulates, if sufficient appropriate technology was not used. This study focuses on the comparative assessment of particulate matter (PM) of 10, 4, 2.5 and 1.0 μm. Real-time measurement of particulate matter was conducted in laboratory scale, using a Dust-track II aerosol counter and a Yamato F100 fixed bed combustion chamber, attached with a fabricated heat exchanger for reducing the temperature of the exhaust point for sampling. Combustion experiment was conducted for 3 min duration for each 1 g sample of rice husk for each temperature category (600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 °C). A mean value of 5 tests for each of the temperature category was carried out. Maximum PM10 mass concentration was recorded at 600 °C and 1000 °C as 150.0 mg/m3 and 71.53 mg/m3 respectively, compared to 121.6 mg/m3 and 87.6 mg/m3 of PM2.5. However, PM2.5 mass concentration for temperatures of 700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C, was apparently higher than that of PM10.
Exploring low molecular weight molecules produced by hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) and their use as anti-inflammatory agents

The dog hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum is an experimental model for human hookworm. Relying on the ancient association of hookworms and their host and guided by the observations of the "Old friend's Theory" these parasites may be a valuable source for therapeutic discovery. This thesis is designed to study the small molecules produced by the adult hookworm with particular emphasis on identifying molecules with anti-inflammatory potential using experimental techniques not applied to any helminth previously. To achieve this primary, aim the small molecular component of hookworm excretory/secretory fluid was extracted and separated. These fractions were separated using the small molecule techniques commonly employed in the study of ethnobotanicals. These extracts were tested in a mouse chemical colitis model known to exhibit Th1/Th17 responses, Th2 type hypertrophy, and innate immune response. This model is employed here as a broad-based bioactivity screen for immunomodulatory potential. Using these combined techniques, it was possible to identify several small molecule fractions exhibit a protective effect in TNBS mouse model of intestinal inflammation. These fractions have the potential to reveal therapeutic candidates for inflammatory disease. During this study it was also possible to characterise the small molecule secretome of A. caninum using gas chromatography/ mass spectroscopy. This characterisation has been able to describe over 300 features never described for A. caninum. The majority of the molecules have no currently described immunomodulatory activity. This includes low-molecular weight molecules hereto undescribed. In addition to this, a number of metabolites were identified, and these could be assigned to the described pathways of the human hookworm Necator americanus. It was possible to demonstrate that the small molecule milieu produced by adult dog hookworm is complex. Dog hookworm excretory/secretory material contains small molecule components that when administered to mice can prevent chemical colitis. These molecules present a novel pool of small molecules that have the potential to be used to treat inflammatory disease.
EFFECT OF LEVERAGE, GROWTH, FIRM SIZE, DIVIDEND POLICY, AND INTEREST RATE ON COMPANY VALUE

The purpose of this study is to determine influence of Leverage, Growth, Firm Size, Dividend Policy and Interest rate on the value of the company of construction and building sub-sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the observation period 2014 - 2020. The research sample in this study consists of 7 companies determined by conducting purposive sampling. In this study, uses secondary data from financial statements were reported by construction and building sub-sector companies. Research methods uses descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using the Random Effect Model. The results showed that Leverage and Interest Rate have a significant positive effect, Firm Size has a negative and significant effect. While the Growth and Dividend Policy has no effect on the value of the company.
Bioinspired Hydrogel Electrospun Fibers for Spinal Cord Regeneration

Fully simulating the components and microstructures of soft tissue is a challenge for its functional regeneration. A new aligned hydrogel microfiber scaffold for spinal cord regeneration is constructed with photocrosslinked gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and electrospinning technology. The directional porous hydrogel fibrous scaffold consistent with nerve axons is vital to guide cell migration and axon extension. The GelMA hydrogel electrospun fibers soak up water more than six times their weight, with a lower Young's modulus, providing a favorable survival and metabolic environment for neuronal cells. GelMA fibers further demonstrate higher antinestin, anti‐Tuj‐1, antisynaptophysin, and anti‐CD31 gene expression in neural stem cells, neuronal cells, synapses, and vascular endothelial cells, respectively. In contrast, anti‐GFAP and anti‐CS56 labeled astrocytes and glial scars of GelMA fibers are shown to be present in a lesser extent compared with gelatin fibers. The soft bionic scaffold constructed with electrospun GelMA hydrogel fibers not only facilitates the migration of neural stem cells and induces their differentiation into neuronal cells, but also inhibits the glial scar formation and promotes angiogenesis. Moreover, the scaffold with a high degree of elasticity can resist deformation without the protection of a bony spinal canal. The bioinspired aligned hydrogel microfiber proves to be efficient and versatile in triggering functional regeneration of the spinal cord.
Lupus disks with faint CO isotopologues: low gas/dust or high carbon depletion?

Abstract With the advent of ALMA, complete surveys of gas and dust in protoplanetary disks are being carried out in different star forming regions. In particular, continuum emission is used to trace the large (mm-sized) dust grains and CO isotopologues are observed in order to trace the bulk of the gas. The attempt is to simultaneously constrain the gas and dust disk mass as well as the gas/dust mass ratio. In this work the observations from the Lupus disk survey have been analyzed with thermo-chemical disk models, including radiative transfer, CO isotope-selective processes and freeze-out. We find that CO-based gas masses are very low, often smaller than 1MJ. Moreover, gas/dust mass ratios are much lower than value of 100 found in the ISM, being mainly between 1 and 10. This result can be interpreted either as rapid loss of gas, or as a chemical effect removing carbon from CO and locking it into more complex molecules or in larger bodies. Current data cannot distinguish between the two scenarios (except for sources with detected HD lines), but future observations of e.g. [CI] and hydrocarbon lines will help to calibrate CO-based gas masses and to constrain disk gas masses.
Molecular Modeling of CO2 and n-Octane in Solubility Process and α-Quartz Nanoslit

After primary and secondary oil recovery, CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has become one of the most mentioned technologies in tertiary oil recovery. Since the oil is confined in an unconventional reservoir, the interfacial properties of CO2 and oil are different from in conventional reservoirs, and play a key role in CO2 EOR. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the interfacial properties, such as interfacial tension, minimum miscibility pressure (MMP), and CO2 solubility. The vanishing interfacial tension method is used to get the MMP (~10.8 MPa at 343.15 K) which is in agreement with the reported experimental data, quantitatively. Meanwhile, the diffusion coefficients of CO2 and n-octane under different pressures are calculated to show that the diffusion is mainly improved at the interface. Furthermore, the displacement efficiency and molecular orientation in α-quartz nanoslit under different CO2 injection ratios have been evaluated. After CO2 injection, the adsorbed n-octane molecules are found to be displaced from surface by the injected CO2 and, then, the orientation of n-octane becomes more random, which indicates that and CO2 can enhance the oil recovery and weaken the interaction between n-octane and α-quartz surface. The injection ratio of CO2 to n-octane is around 3:1, which could achieve the optimal displacement efficiency.
Preliminary Concentration of Skim Latex and Its Wastewater Use Plate Sheet Microfiltration

Skim latex is a by–product of the concentrated latex factory. In this study, plate sheet membrane and cross–flow microfiltration (MF) experiments on skim latex and its wastewater were carried out to initially identify the performance of membrane separation. The series of MF experiments were conducted by using a nitrocellulose plate sheet membrane with a pore size of 0.1 μm and 0.45 μm at the pressures driven at 0.5 and 1 bar. The skim latex, skim latex diluted with water and skim rubber wastewater were tested by membrane separation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic polymer were also added to the skim latex and used to combine it with the membrane. The results implied that filtration of skim rubber wastewater with a 0.45 μm membrane at 1 bar pressure gave the highest flux of 152.6 l/m 2 –hr while the skim latex gave the highest flux of only 1.4 l/m 2 –hr. When SDS and cationic polymer at 8 mg/l were added to the skim latex and tested, the highest flux was observed to increase as 2.1 and 2.8 l/m 2 –hr, respectively. When skim latex diluted with 5 and 10 times the amount of water was tested, the highest flux was determined to be 13.9 and 20.8 l/m 2 –hr, respectively. Using MF to filtrate the skim latex gave 48% SCOD removal. This result reflects that the MF system might be an alternative technology applied in the concentrated latex factory, especially to the rubber skim process.
Learning opportunities experienced by mathematics teachers: unveiling actions and role of the teacher educator during a formative process

Context: One of the research challenges related at the professional learning of mathematics teachers is to understand the importance of the role and actions of the teacher educator during a formative process. Objective: This research seeks to understand what the role was and how the actions of the teacher educator took place, in a process of continuing education with teachers of basic education, about the teaching of patterns and regularities, with a view to providing learning opportunities to the teachers involved. Design: It is a qualitative-interpretative study aligned to an intervention research. Settings and Participants: We developed the research in a formative process involving 33 mathematics teachers and future teachers, and 3 teacher educators. Data collection: We use data from audio and video recordings of planning and enacting of the formative process, and protocols from teachers’ tasks and planning from teacher educators. Results: We found that teacher educators, since planning the formative process, sought to provide opportunities for participating teachers professional learning, since he/she structured the process through professional learning tasks, using videos of mathematics lessons to highlight the classroom practice, as well as encourage discussions among teachers about patterns and regularities in and for the teaching of algebra. Conclusions: We identified that teacher educators played a mediating role in the orchestration of the discussions and an articulator between mathematics and didactics, thus providing opportunities for professional development and the learning of teaching algebra.
Utilization of some non-edible oil for biodiesel production

In this work, the production of biodiesel from four sources of non-edible oils, namely jatropha, animal fat, waste vegetable oil and castor oil was carried out. It was done using an acid esterification process followed by alkali transesterification in the laboratory. Subsequently the physicochemical properties for four blends B100, B80, B50 and B20 were determined to establish their adherence to the ASTM standard for biodiesel. The percentage yields of the biodiesel from jatropha, animal fats, waste vegetable oil and castor oil were 98, 85, 95 and 90 % respectively. Highest density value was 0.8870g/cm 3 for jatropha (B100), while lowest density of 0.8502 g/cm 3 /cm 3 was obtained from animal fats (B20). The highest value of flash point was 179oC for jatropha (B100), while the lowest flash point was 102 o C for animal fats (B20). Viscosity values ranged from 5.254mm 2 /s for animal fats (B100) to 2.891mm 2 /s for castor oil (B20), the lowest pour point was -9 o C for castor oil (B20), while the highest pour point was 15 o C for animal fats (B100). All the physicochemical properties examined in this study were within the ASTM standard range apart from the flash point for animal (B20) which was below the standard range. Keywords : non-edible oil, Jatropha, biodiesel, Alternative fuel, physio-chemical properties