Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nickel oxide nanoparticles for efficient hole transport in p-i-n and n-i-p perovskite solar cells

Here, a low-temperature solution-processed nickel oxide (NiOx) thin film was first employed as a hole transport layer in both inverted (p-i-n) planar and regular (n-i-p) mesoscopic organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). In p-i-n PVSCs, the wetting properties, perovskite morphology, absorption and hole extraction process can be significantly enhanced with a suitable surface treatment, resulting in a significantly increased fill factor (from 0.684 to 0.742) and short circuit current density (from 16.73 to 20.66 mA cm−2). On the basis of the treated NiOx thin film, a promising power conversion efficiency of 15.9% with negligible hysteresis was obtained for inverted planar PVSCs, and 11.8% was obtained for the flexible devices. More importantly, the presynthesized NiOx can be directly deposited on the perovskite film as a top hole transport layer without decomposing the perovskite in n-i-p PVSCs. The resulting n-i-p device shows a five-fold improvement in power conversion efficiency when compared with a hole transport material free device, which indicates that this solution-processed NiOx is promising for all-inorganic charge selection layer based, stable and low cost PVSCs.
The Emergence of Dissociative Experiences as a Function of Perceived Stress Among University Students During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Background: The findings of previous literature showed that epidemics and the associated control measures can increase the level of stress experienced by people. The phenomenon of dissociation has been investigated by many studies, and some have found that stress and trauma may play a central role in its development. In our research study, we examined the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of students at the University of Debrecen in Hungary. We investigated whether or not the changes caused by the pandemic induced stress among students and whether or not it was accompanied by an increase in the number of dissociative experiences. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Debrecen in Hungary in the period April 30 - May 15, 2020, to assess levels of perceived stress as well as dissociative experiences among students at the time of the official nationwide lockdown. Our survey has adopted the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). A total of 1320 students have enrolled in our study. Results: Our results showed a high level of perceived stress among the students during the pandemic and lockdown. This elevation was found to have a significant correlation with the emergence of dissociative experiences among both the Hungarian and the international students. Also, these changes were significant among males and females and in all subscales. Female students’ levels of dissociative experiences were higher than of male students on all subscales and in both groups (Hungarian and international). Conclusion: According to our findings, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the quarantine situation increased the perceived stress level which has played a significant role in the development of dissociative experiences among the students. The increased frequency of dissociative experiences entails a higher risk to the appearance of dissociative disorders; thus, it is crucial to create a safety net for university students who are susceptible to high levels of stress.
The Asymptotic Stability of Caputo Fractional Order Switching Systems With Only Continuous Vector Field Functions

In this paper, a theorem with very weak conditions on vector field functions for asymptotic stability of Caputo fractional order switching systems is proposed. Based on Vainikko’s lemmas, the Caputo fractional derivative of a continuously differentiable and convex Lyapunov function, along trajectories of any Caputo fractional order switching systems with vector field function being only continuous, proves to be continuous and have a very useful estimation. This weakens the smoothness requirement on the vector field functions for fractional stability analysis from differentiability as in existing results to only continuity. Finally, the numerical implementation of a Caputo fractional order switching system with only continuous vector field function illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed theorem.
Effect of accelerated solvent extraction conditions on the isolation of bioactive compounds from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) seeds

This study focused to establish the optimal conditions of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), i.e., temperature, static extraction time and number of extraction cycles, for the isolation of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) seeds phenols and pigments using 96% ethanol as an extraction solvent. Hence, extraction conditions of temperature (80 and 110 °C), static extraction time (5 and 10 min) and number of extraction cycle (1, 2, 3 and 4) were varied. Obtained extracts were spectrophotometrically analyzed for the content of total phenols (TP), total chlorophylls (TCHL) and total carotenoids (TCAR). Applied extraction conditions had a significant (p<0.01) influence on the yields of analyzed compounds, except for static extraction time on TCAR (p=0.11). Based on the results of statistical analysis, the highest levels of TP and TCHL were achieved at the most invasive conditions (110 °C/10 min/4 cycles), while shorter period was sufficient to reach the highest TCAR yield (110 °C/5 min/3 cycles). In summary, ASE demonstrated to be effective extraction technique for the isolation of fennel seeds hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds.
Tracking Urban Expansion Using Random Forests for the Classification of Landsat Imagery (1986–2015) and Predicting Urban/Built-Up Areas for 2025: A Study of the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Kumasi is a nodal city and functions as the administrative and economic capital of the Ashanti region in Ghana. Rapid urbanization has been experienced inducing the transformation of various Land Use Land Cover (LULC) types into urban/built-up areas in Kumasi. This paper aims at tracking spatio-temporal LULC changes utilizing Landsat imagery from 1986, 2013 and 2015 of Kumasi. The unique contribution of this research is its focus on urban expansion analysis and the utilization of Random Forest (RF) Classifier for satellite image classification. Change detection, urban land modelling and urban expansion in the sub-metropolitan zones, buffers, density decay curve and correlation analysis were methodologies adopted for our study. The classifier yielded better accuracy compared to earlier works in Ghana. The evaluation of LULC changes indicated that urban/built-up areas are continually increasing at the expense of agricultural and forestlands. The urban/built-up areas occupied 4622.49 hectares (ha) (23.78%), 13,447.50 ha (69.18%) and 14,004.60 ha (72.05%) in 1986, 2013 and 2015, respectively of the 19,438 ha area of Kumasi. Projection indicated that urban/built-up areas will occupy 15,490 ha (79.70%) in 2025. The urban expansion was statistically significant. The results revealed the importance of spatial modeling for environmental management and city planning.
Development of a composite food using dephytinized grains through probiotic fermentation

Introduction and Aim: Over three billion people are malnourished globally, due to inconsistent supply of foods with essential nutrients due to presence of antinutrients in most plant foods. Phytic acid, an antinutrient in plant products binds to proteins and minerals, making them unavailable for absorption and leading to malnourishment. The present investigation aimed at screening of phytase producing probiotic strains that can reduce phytic acid content from commonly used cereals and pulses through fermentation and to develop a composite food. Methods and Materials: Probiotic strains were isolated from probiotic capsule, curd, fruits like apple, orange, tomato, grape, pomegranate and chikoo. The isolates were then screened for production of phytase on MRS medium containing calcium phytate along with a positive strain Lactobacillus plantarum. Results: Out of 13 strains only 2 strains were found positive for phytase (isolate 6 and 7). Preliminary biochemical studies indicated that the isolates are Lactobacillus spp. There was a considerable reduction in phytic acid content in rice, wheat, ragi, barley, green gram, horse gram, chickpea and soybean after fermentation. Lactobacillus plantarum reduced phytic acid (16.1- 90.02%) in all cereals and pulses used. However, isolate 6 could reduce 91.3% phytic acid in wheat which was significantly more than the positive control strain. A functional food was formulated using fermented cereals and pulses in the ratio 3:1 respectively. Conclusion: Both Lactobacillus plantarum and isolate 6 showed significant results in reducing phytic acid. However, their efficacy needs to be confirmed through in-vivo studies and also sensory evaluation for superior nutritional quality and safety of the formulation.
Comparative Study of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized via Wet Chemical and Green Chemistry approach

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) undergo a huge research exposure owing to their extraordinary properties and potential applications. Herein, we report a comparative study between Au NPs synthesized via wet chemical method (reduction using sodium citrate) and green chemistry (reduction using vigna radiata (green grams)). The prepared Au NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). UV-Visible spectrum of Au nanoparticles showed a peak around 534 nm in both the cases. Zeta Potential (ZP) values were 3.62 mV and -2.80 mV of Au nanoparticles prepared via wet chemical method and green chemistry approach respectively.
Pemelekan and Pengebugan: representation of the strengthening of social species of female and male gender through gangsing games

Gangsing in Pedawa village has the potential as a vehicle for the formation of social species of female and male genders. The purpose of this research is to find out the symbol and meaning contained in the games that represent the construction of gender social species. This research uses a qualitative approach. Data for this research are obtained from primary sources (interview and observation) and secondary sources (literature review). Descriptive analysis and critical analysis are used to answer the research question. Using Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutic theory in the context of gangsing as a social text, this research learns the meaning of life as a man and woman from the perspective of the Pedawa people. This research concerns language and symbols in the gangsing game. Gender symbols in gangsing are evident in the dimensions of language, shape and color, and game patterns. The meanings found in the game are persistence, strength, and satisfaction. The conclusion of research is that the patriarchal masculine elements are dominant in the game, obscuring feminine element. This research will have implications for strengthening understanding of gender construction sociocultural
The Effect of E-Learning Based Worksheet to Improve Problem Solving Ability of Senior High School Students

This research was conducted to determine the increase in problem solving abilities in senior high school students. This research method is experimental research, using 2 classes. Sampling using purposive sampling with certain considerations by knowing the conditions or situations under study. Modelling class and implementation class. Data collection used the pre-test and post-tests to determine the increase in students' problem-solving abilities. The results of the analysis using sign test analysis obtained from data collection show that in the modelling class the value of α = 0.003 is obtained. The implementation class gets a value of α = 0.001. The results of the analysis show α <0.05 that the modelling class has improved problem-solving abilities that are better for students after using the worksheet that has been developed compared to the implementation class.
Novel tools and challenges for jet physics in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC

Jet measurements in heavy-ion collisions have a unique challenge due to the large fluctuating background from the underlying event. Recent advances in background subtraction techniques will be discussed that have allowed inclusive jet measurements to be made to lower jet transverse momentum and larger jet resolution parameters than ever before at the LHC. Additionally, it can be challenging to find observables that are sensitive to the particular in-medium effects in which we are interested in order to study the quark-gluon plasma. Recent applications of novel jet substructure tools for heavy-ion collisions will be discussed that are shown to be sensitive to jet quenching effects along with improvements in background subtraction techniques for these jet substructure measurements. These new tools allow jet measurements in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC to be unfolded for detector and background effects such that they can be compared to various theoretical predictions to help us better understand jet quenching.
Modelling the effects of ozone concentration and pulse vaccination on seasonal influenza outbreaks in Gansu Province, China

Common air pollutants, such as ozone ( \begin{document}$ \rm{O}_{3} $\end{document} ), sulfur dioxide ( \begin{document}$ \rm{SO}_2 $\end{document} ) and nitrogen dioxide ( \begin{document}$ \rm{NO}_2 $\end{document} ), can affect the spread of influenza. We propose a new non-autonomous impulsive differential equation model with the effects of ozone and vaccination in this paper. First, the basic reproduction number of the impulsive system is obtained, and the global asymptotic stability of the disease-free periodic solution is proved. Furthermore, the uniform persistence of the system is demonstrated. Second, the unknown parameters of the ozone dynamics model are obtained by fitting the ozone concentration data by the least square method and Bootstrap. The MCMC algorithm is used to fit influenza data in Gansu Province to identify the most suitable parameter values of the system. The basic reproduction number \begin{document}$ R_{0} $\end{document} is estimated to be \begin{document}$ 1.2486 $\end{document} ( \begin{document}$ 95\%\rm{CI}:(1.2470, 1.2501) $\end{document} ). Then, a sensitivity analysis is performed on the system parameters. We find that the average annual incidence of seasonal influenza in Gansu Province is 31.3374 per 100,000 people. Influenza cases started to surge in 2016, rising by a factor of one and a half between 2014 and 2016, further increasing in 2019 (54.6909 per 100,000 population). The average incidence rate during the post-upsurge period (2017-2019) is one and a half times more than in the pre-upsurge period (2014-2016). In particular, we find that the peak ozone concentration appears 5–8 months in Gansu Province. A moderate negative correlation is seen between influenza cases and monthly ozone concentration (Pearson correlation coefficient: \begin{document}$ r $\end{document} = -0.4427). Finally, our results show that increasing the vaccination rate and appropriately increasing the ozone concentration can effectively prevent and control the spread of influenza.
A Mechanistic Model for Genome-Scale Estimations of Metabolic Activity

In the last decade, different omic technologies have experiences an exponential technological advancement. However, metabolomics has not followed a similarly vertiginous improving improvement and are far from genomics or transcriptomics in terms of throughput, cost and even accuracy. Therefore, genome-scale in-silico methodologies to estimate metabolic activities from genomic data constitute an active field. The solutions available fall into two extremes: those with few assumptions about the relationships among proteins and metabolites, which are easy-touse but less accurate and those that account for the complex relationships among molecules and proteins defined in the metabolic pathways, which are more accurate but require mathematical skills. Here, we introduce Metabolica, an algorithm that considers the complex functional relationships among all the molecules and proteins involved in the metabolic pathway analyzed but keeping an easy use that do not require of advanced mathematical skills. Metabolica has been implemented in a freely available software R package. The software inputs transcriptomic data and infers the activities of the reactions that produce the different metabolites in the pathway analyzed. An example shows how detected dysregulated metabolites in several cancers are related to patient survival.
Validating 3D face morphing towards improving pre-operative planning in facial reconstruction surgery

ABSTRACT Pre-traumatic/pathologic 3D facial imaging is rarely available to guide craniofacial reconstruction. This study aims to independently validate the regional accuracy of a 3D morphable model to estimate face shapes from 2D photographs for craniofacial surgical planning. 3D shape estimates were generated using the Basel Face Model (BFM 2017) from 2D photographs of 100 multi-racial subjects in the Binghamton University 3D Facial Expression database. Accuracy was evaluated by the per-vertex Euclidean distance between the shape estimate and the true 3D scan within defined facial regions. The 3D estimates’ average RMS distance error across all facial regions was 2.68 ± 0.97 mm, based on photos analysed with 10,000 iterations. The eyes, cheek, chin, forehead and mouth regions fit within ~2.5 mm from the true face shape, representing only marginal perceptible error. The nose and temple regions had lower accuracy (~3.1 mm) for all subjects. Significant differences in the nose region were dependent on race (Caucasian: 2.4 mm, East-Asian: 4.8 mm) and sex (Male: 2.5 mm, Female: 3.6 mm). On average, 3D face shape estimates using the BFM yielded clinically acceptable accuracy sufficient for use in planning to guide several craniofacial reconstruction regions. However, in individual cases, considerable errors exceeded clinical limits.
Exploring Spatially Varying Relationships Between Preterm Birth and Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Behavioral Factors in Georgia, USA Using Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression

Abstract Preterm birth (PTB) is an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality around the world. A good understanding of its associations with relevant factors is essential for an effective reduction in PTB risk. This study explores the spatially varying relationships between PTB and demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors in the state of Georgia, USA using Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression (GWLR). The results show the relationships between PTB and factors vary over space, and the spatial patterns in the varying relationships are related to the socioeconomic and urbanization characteristics of the communities where the births were located. For example, PTB has significant positive relationships with black mothers and single mothers, and significant negative relationships with maternal education in the majority of Georgia, but such relationships are insignificant in small portions of rural Georgia with low socioeconomic status (SES). PTB has significant positive relationships with maternal age and parity, and significant negative relationships with female births in small portions of Georgia, particularly in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, while in larger portions of rural Georgia with overall low SES, those relationships are not significant. Thus, health prevention and intervention policies should be tailored to address the locally important factors to reduce PTB risk.
Optimum collection and concentration strategies of hydrobionts excess biomass in biological surface water purifying technologies

The analysis of perspective collection and concentration technologies of excess biomass in the technologies of wastewater and surface water biological treatment with the use of aquatic organisms has been carried out. The scheme of a life cycle of the aquatic organisms in wastewater and surface water treatment technologies has been proposed. The analysis of technological approaches for biomass collection of three types: aquatic plants and macroalgae; aquatic plants with a developed root system and microalgae of aquatic organisms has been carried out. A strategy for concentrating microalgae has been proposed. The high efficiency of the coagulation-flocculation gravitational thickening method of freshwater microalgae suspensions of the Microcystis aeruginosa species has been confirmed in laboratory conditions.
Activation of the XBP1s/O-GlcNAcylation Pathway Improves Functional Outcome After Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation in Young and Aged Mice

ABSTRACT After cardiac arrest (CA) and resuscitation, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated in various organs including the brain. However, the role of the UPR in CA outcome remains largely unknown. One UPR branch involves spliced X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP1s). Notably, XBP1s, a transcriptional factor, can upregulate expression of specific enzymes related to glucose metabolism, and subsequently boost O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification (O-GlcNAcylation). The current study is focused on effects of the XBP1 UPR branch and its downstream O-GlcNAcylation on CA outcome. Using both loss-of-function and gain-of-function mouse genetic tools, we provide the first evidence that activation of the XBP1 UPR branch in the post-CA brain is neuroprotective. Specifically, neuron-specific Xbp1 knockout mice had worse CA outcome, while mice with neuron-specific expression of Xbp1s in the brain had better CA outcome. Since it has been shown that the protective role of the XBP1s signaling pathway under ischemic conditions is mediated by increasing O-GlcNAcylation, we then treated young mice with glucosamine, and found that functional deficits were mitigated on day 3 post CA. Finally, after confirming that glucosamine can boost O-GlcNAcylation in the aged brain, we subjected aged mice to 8 min CA, and then treated them with glucosamine. We found that glucosamine-treated aged mice performed significantly better in behavioral tests. Together, our data indicate that the XBP1s/O-GlcNAc pathway is a promising target for CA therapy.
A cohort study: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) in an Irish tertiary centre

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA) represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Approximately 10% of patients presenting with acute MI do not have obstructive coronary artery disease on coronary angiogram as confirmed in several large Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) registries. A diagnosis of MINOCA can be introduced in patients with consistent features of MI and demonstrated nonobstructive coronary artery disease. With increased utilisation of coronary angiograms and high sensitivity troponin, the identification of MINOCA is encountered more frequently. The long-term clinical outcome and prognosis of this subgroup is not well known or understood. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate patient demographics, diagnosis and the 12-month follow-up of 26 inpatients who presented with MINOCA in an Irish tertiary centre. The following inclusion criteria was used in the definition of MINOCA; elevated troponin biomarkers, clinical features of ischaemia (symptoms, ischaemic changes on electrocardiogram, new loss of viable myocardium or wall motion abnormality) evidence of intracoronary thrombus or a non-obstructive pattern angiographically. Acute myocarditis was the most common cause of MINOCA with unobstructive angiography in this cohort of patients. 15.3% (n=4) had a recurrent hospital admission with similar presentation within 12 months of the primary event. Establishing appropriate diagnosis and identifying patient risks is essential to ensure patients receive both preventative therapy and appropriate treatment.