Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlling photonic spin Hall effect in graphene-dielectric structure by optical pumping

The photonic spin Hall effect (SHE) provides an effective way to manipulate the spin-polarized photons. However, the spin-dependent splitting is very tiny due to the weak spin–orbit coupling, and previous investigations for enhancing this phenomenon have some serious limitations (e.g. inconvenient to tune, inadequate attention in terahertz region). Therefore, controlling and enhancing the photonic SHE in a flexible way is highly desirable, especially for terahertz region. In this contribution, we propose a method to manipulate the photonic SHE by taking advantage of tunable optical properties of graphene via weak optical pumping. We find that photonic SHE of graphene-dielectric structure in terahertz region is quite sensitive to the pumping power. The spin shift for H polarized incident beam can reach its upper limitation under the optimal pumping power, which is related to the zero value of the real part of graphene conductivity. These findings may provide a new degree of freedom for the design of tunable spin-based photonic devices in the future.
Structured Packing PerformanceExperimental Evaluation of Two Predictive Models

A comprehensive total reflux distillation study of sheet metal structured packings was carried out with the cyclohexane/n-heptane test mixture. The experiments covered a wide range of pressures, two corrugation angles, two surface areas, and two surface designs. Experimental results include pressure drop, capacity, and mass-transfer efficiency. The database generated has been used to evaluate generalized performance models developed independently at The University of Texas Separations Research Program (SRP model)) and at Delft University of Technology (Delft model). This paper reports the experimental results and compares them with predictions from the two models. Deviations of predictions from measurements are discussed in terms of likely contacting mechanisms in the packed bed.
Bracts and basal leaves in Hacquetia epipactis differ in their spectral signatures

Hacquetia epipactis is an understorey species that develops leaves, flowers, and fruits before the canopy layer closes. Its umbels are supported by green bracts. We examined the functional traits of these bracts and basal leaves for specimens, sampled at two altitudes. In this view, their specific leaf/bract area, biochemical, and optical properties were analysed over the course of their development in order to detect differences and changes in both structures. For lowland specimens, specific bract area decreased with age. An increase in UV-absorbing compounds over time was found for both locations. These were negatively related to reflectance in the UV range for basal leaves, whereas for bracts UV reflectance increased with age. We observed an increase in photosynthetic pigment contents during the development of bracts/basal leaves, which resulted in increased absorbance of photosynthetically active radiation for specimens from both altitudes. Detrended correspondence analysis plot based on the reflectance of bracts/basal leaves showed clustering of samples from different age classes with no respect to location. Redundancy analysis revealed high importance of bract/basal leaf biochemistry in explaining reflectance. UV-B- and UV-A-absorbing compounds explained 13% and 8% each, carotenoids 9%, while anthocyanins and chlorophylls explained additional 4% of the reflectance spectra variability. Bracts and basal leaves displayed similar contents of photosynthetic pigments, which indicates their important photosynthetic function for both structures. The development of bracts/basal leaves showed greater influence on the examined parameters in comparison to altitude.
How do open source app developers perceive API changes related to Android battery optimization? An empirical study

There is an increasing interest shown by researchers and developers in reducing the battery consumption of Android applications. Recently, the battery optimization features such as doze mode, app standby, background execution limits, and background location limits were introduced in the form of API changes. According to the API changes, application developers have to change their source code to manage the behavioral changes caused by operating system limitations. These battery optimization features are evolving rapidly, and the apps show unexpected behaviors until updating the source code. Also, developers find it difficult to cope with the changes. Therefore, there is a need to understand the behavioral changes, application developer's perceptions, and response patterns on the API changes to plan upcoming battery optimization features. In this article, we have collected the relevant GitHub issues from 225 open‐source Android repositories and performed a thematic analysis of collected data. This study analyzes the 391 related issues to answer three research questions. This study's important finding is that developers often post issues related to delayed app notifications, inconsistent background location updates, and suspended background tasks, and so on. We found that library developers are showing a quick response to API changes compared with application developers.
Oxidation of silicon nanowires

Silicon nanowires have received attention for nanoscale electronic devices and chemical and biological sensors. The thermal oxide grown on the silicon nanowires could be used in a variety of devices, so the oxidation of the silicon nanowires is investigated in this work. Silicon nanowires with an average radius of 37nm were grown for these experiments using the vapor-liquid-solid technique with Au to mediate the growth. Etching of the Au tips from the silicon nanowires was performed prior to oxidation to avoid local accelerated oxidation at the nanowire tip. Oxidation was performed at 700°C for 1–121h and at 650 and 750°C for 4h in O2, and the oxidized nanowires were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Depending on the conditions for oxidation, an oxide shell as thin as 6nm was observed, or the entire nanowire was oxidized. The kinetics of oxidation differ from those of a planar silicon wafer and are discussed in this work.
Application of Spatial Supporting Construction as an Effective Method for Stabilising a Landslide

Buttresses constitute a spatial supporting construction (SSC) that can convey large loads coming from the pressure of unstable soil on deeper, more stable layers to make it safer with respect to the load-bearing capacity. They make the counteraction against the pressure, which initiates sliding when the forces to move the landslide body, not balanced by the internal frictional forces in the soil. Some specific features of known construction elements were used in the buttress, such as sheet pile walls and drilled piles. Although beneficial in this case, the specific shape of the axis of the wall made from piles and sheets formed a wave created from circle sections (in plan view). Thus, a stable steel buttress was formed. The interaction of the buttress with the soil mass pressure over it, which stabilises the landslide mass, was considered. To further strengthen the buttress, a reinforced concrete slab was added on the upper edge of the thin walls of sheets and piles, thereby integrating and stiffening the whole structure. The application of the concrete slab enabled the use of the stabilisation role of additional forces (become from its weight and above laysoil)to stabilise the buttress. The results of this study achieved a substantial stabilising effect, increasing maximal forces reacting against the pressure of the unstable soil block. Assumptions madeand the applied calculations confirm thestability of the buttress (by increasing the stability of the whole slump block of landslide) are described. Two cases are presented to illustrate the stabilisation and control of movement in which the block body moves along inadvance of the determined slip surface.
Multiscale Simulation of the Formation of Platinum-Particles on Alumina Nanoparticles in a Spray Flame Experiment

Platinum decorated alumina particles have the potential of being a highly (cost-)effective catalyst. The particles are synthesized from platinum(II) acetylacetonate dissolved in a mixture of isopropanol and acetic acid with dispersed alumina carriers. The process is simulated by means of large eddy simulation with reaction kinetics and aerosol dynamics modeling. A two mixture fraction approach for tabulated chemistry with a thickened flame model is used to consider the complex reaction kinetics of the solvent spray combustion. Diffusion is described followings Ficks law with a unity Lewis number for the gas phase species, whereas the particle diffusion coefficients are calculated according to the kinetic theory. An extended model for aerosol dynamics, capable of predicting deposition rate and surface particle growth, is derived from the classical sectional technique. The simulations are compared and validated with product particle characteristics obtained from the experimental observations. Distributions for different locations within the simulation domain show the evolution of particle sizes deposited on the alumina particle surface, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the composite particles are shown in comparison to 3D particles ballistically reconstructed from simulation data. The ratio of deposited platinum on the alumina carrier particles and the mean diameters of the deposited particles are in good agreement with the experimental observation. Overall, the new method has demonstrated to be suitable for simulating the particle decoration process.
Sexual Attitudes, Religious Commitment, and Sexual Risk Behaviours among College-Aged Women

ABSTRACT Sexual double standards tend to marginalize women and restrict their sexual expression in comparison to men. Sexual attitudes can heavily influence women’s propensity to engage in sexual risk behaviours. One’s sexual attitudes, whether more conservative or liberal have been shown to influence differing experiences of power and assertiveness in sexual relationships. Religiosity is often linked to an individual’s sexual decision-making and practices. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine if sexual attitudes meditated the relationship between women’s religious commitment and their sexual risk behaviours while in college. The study consisted of 155 college-aged women (ages 18–25) who completed an online survey. The results suggested that religious commitment was significantly related to sexual risk behaviours. Additionally, sexual attitudes did not mediate the relationship between religious commitment and sexual risk behaviours. These findings provide researchers with relevant information about women’s sexual attitudes and their corresponding behaviours. This study adds to the literature by focusing on the relationship between college-aged women’s sexual practices and their religiosity.
IDENTIFICATION AND CORRELATION OF A NOVEL SIADENOVIRUS IN A FLOCK OF BUDGERIGARS (MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATES) INFECTED WITH SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract: A flock of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates) was purchased from a licensed breeder and quarantined at a zoologic facility within the United States in 2016. Following 82 deaths within the flock, the remaining 66 birds were depopulated because of ongoing clinical salmonellosis despite treatment. Gross necropsy was performed on all 66 birds. Histopathologic examination was performed on 10 birds identified with gross lesions and 10 birds without. Pathologic findings were most often observed in the liver, kidney, and spleen. Lesions noted in the livers and spleens were consistent with published reports of salmonellosis in psittacine species. Multisystemic changes associated with septicemia were not noted, most likely because of antibiotic intervention before euthanasia. Of the 20 budgerigars evaluated by histopathology, six had large basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies within tubular epithelia in a portion of the kidneys. Electronic microscopy, next-generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses were used to identify and categorize the identified virus as a novel siadenovirus strain BuAdV-1 USA-IA43444-2016. The strain was 99% similar to budgerigar adenovirus 1 (BuAdV-1), previously reported in Japan, and to a psittacine adenovirus 5 recently identified in a U.S. cockatiel. Salmonella typhimurium carriers were identified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial culture and compared with viral carriers identified via PCR. Inclusion bodies and Salmonella detection were significant in birds with gross lesions versus those without; however, there was no correlation between budgerigars positive with siadenovirus by PCR and concurrent Salmonella infection. Identifying subclinical siadenovirus strain BuAdV-1 USA-IA43444-2016 infection in this flock significantly differs from a previous report of clinical illness in five budgerigars resulting in death caused by BuAdV-1 in Japan. S. typhimurium remains a significant pathogen in budgerigars, and zoonotic concerns prompted depopulation to mitigate the public health risks of this flock.
Incorporation of Omega-3 on an Extruded Snack with Golden Flaxseed

This study evaluates the incorporation of alpha-linolenic acid (LNA, 18:3n-3) through the golden flaxseed in snacks' formulations with and without seasoning. Snacks with different formulations presented significant differences (P < 0.05) in their proximate composition, mainly for total lipids and moisture content. Regarding the fatty acids profile, six different fatty acids were found: 16:0, 18:0, 18:1n-9, 18:1n-7, 18:2n-6 (LA) and 18:3n-3. The majority fatty acid was 18:2n-6 (LA) due to the predominance of corn in the products formulation. The incorporation of 18:3n-3 was observed, and this fatty acid was not affected by the extrusion temperature during the processing or the storage time. The results of sensory evaluation indicated that the product developed with addition of golden flaxseed had mild acceptance among the panelists. Thus, it was concluded that the addition of flaxseed is feasible for the nutritional enrichment of corn snacks.
TV adverts, materialism, and children’s self-esteem: The role of socio-economic status

Levels of debt and poor mental health are at an all-time high among UK families, while the gap between rich and poor has also widened. Exposure and susceptibility to advertising, belief that purchased products will lead to happiness (materialism), and poor mental well-being have been shown to be linked in previous research, but the role of children’s socio-economic status has seldom been taken into account. A greater understanding of the effects of this dynamic among those without the ready money to purchase highly advertised and desired products is important, particularly given the connections with children’s low self-esteem. This study aimed to (1) quantify differences in TV advertising exposure, materialism, and self-esteem between deprived and affluent children, (2) measure differences in susceptibility to the effect of TV advertising exposure on materialism between deprived and affluent children, and (3) measure differences in susceptibility to the effect of materialism on self-esteem between deprived and affluent children. It was found that children from deprived backgrounds were more materialistic than children from affluent homes, and that this was the result of both higher exposure to advertising and higher belief in the credibility of advertising. At the same time, we found that children from affluent backgrounds were more susceptible to advertising’s reinforcing effect on materialism, whereas children from deprived background were more susceptible to materialism’s detrimental effect on self-esteem. Two different dynamics appear to be at play in the two groups. This adds a new dimension to our understanding of the role of advertising in a society with high levels of inequality.
Relationships between immune gene expression and circulating cytokine levels in wild house mice

Abstract Quantitative PCR (qPCR) has been commonly used to measure gene expression in a number of research contexts, but the measured RNA concentrations do not always represent the concentrations of active proteins which they encode. This can be due to transcriptional regulation or post‐translational modifications, or localization of immune environments, as can occur during infection. However, in studies using free‐living non‐model species, such as in ecoimmunological research, qPCR may be the only available option to measure a parameter of interest, and so understanding the quantitative link between gene expression and associated effector protein levels is vital. Here, we use qPCR to measure concentrations of RNA from mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and spleen tissue, and multiplex ELISA of blood serum to measure circulating cytokine concentrations in a wild population of a model species, Mus musculus domesticus. Few significant correlations were found between gene expression levels and circulating cytokines of the same immune genes or proteins, or related functional groups. Where significant correlations were observed, these were most frequently within the measured tissue (i.e., the expression levels of genes measured from spleen tissue were more likely to correlate with each other rather than with genes measured from MLN tissue, or with cytokine concentrations measured from blood). Potential reasons for discrepancies between measures including differences in decay rates and transcriptional regulation networks are discussed. We highlight the relative usefulness of different measures under different research questions and consider what might be inferred from immune assays.
Freshness Monitoring of Packaged Vegetables

Smart packaging is an emerging technology that has a great potential in solving conventional food packaging problems and in meeting the evolving packaged vegetables market needs. The advantages of using such a system lies in extending the shelf life of products, ensuring the safety and the compliance of these packages while reducing the food waste; hence, lessening the negative environmental impacts. Many new concepts were developed to serve this purpose, especially in the meat and fish industry with less focus on fruits and vegetables. However, making use of these evolving technologies in packaging of vegetables will yield in many positive outcomes. In this review, we discuss the new technologies and approaches used, or have the potential to be used, in smart packaging of vegetables. We describe the technical aspects and the commercial applications of the techniques used to monitor the quality and the freshness of vegetables. Factors affecting the freshness and the spoilage of vegetables are summarized. Then, some of the technologies used in smart packaging such as sensors, indicators, and data carriers that are integrated with sensors, to monitor and provide a dynamic output about the quality and safety of the packaged produce are discussed. Comparison between various intelligent systems is provided followed by a brief review of active packaging systems. Finally, challenges, legal aspects, and limitations facing this smart packaging industry are discussed together with outlook and future improvements.
Recursive Effects to Study Feature-Based Capabilities in Supply Chain Management

This paper explores the benefits that firms obtain when investing in feature-based capabilities. We investigate the external pressures when deciding their feature-based strategy. In addition, we analyze the consumers’ customization options and the needs for facilitators to mitigate the negative effects of excessive features. We assess the influence of feature-based capabilities on performance and search for an economically feasible loop that feature-based capabilities might entail. This latter is carried out by investigating the recursive effects in structural equation modeling. Our findings reveal that feature-based capabilities entail an economically feasible loop through competitors and supply chain partners but not also through facilitators and operational performance.
Gendered Tweets: Computational Text Analysis of Gender Differences in Political Discussion on Twitter

Politics is an area that is traditionally believed to be gender divided. According to intergroup communication theory, this gender-salient context might cause differences in political communications between genders. Moreover, the internet and social media, which creates a computer-mediated interactive context, might also impact the traditional gender discrepancies in political discourse. This study used Twitter trace-data and computational text analysis to examine such suppositions. By analyzing over one million tweets, we found that compared to men, women generally had a stronger sense of group awareness and cohesion and showed a desire to promote their tweets while avoiding addressing other users in political discussions. Women also focused on family- and home-related issues more than men did. These findings suggest that Twitter is not an ideal public sphere where differences and inequalities are eliminated, but it might be a counter-public sphere that promotes the voices and increases the publicity of marginalized groups.
In dogs with congestive heart failure, is torasemide superior to furosemide as a first line diuretic treatment?

PICO question In dogs with congestive heart failure, does the use of torasemide as a first line diuretic result in a superior survival time when compared to furosemide? Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Five studies were critically appraised, they were all prospective randomised controlled trials Strength of evidence Moderate Outcomes reported There is currently a lack of studies looking at comparing furosemide directly with torasemide in patients with congestive heart failure. There are many similarly drawn conclusions from the studies: torasemide is not inferior to furosemide in the treatment of CHF, torasemide is comparable to furosemide at one tenth the dose (or less) and that torasemide may be more effective at diuresis than furosemide with a prolonged duration of action Conclusion There is currently no clear and obvious benefit for the use of torasemide, over furosemide, as a first line diuretic for dogs with congestive heart failure How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision-making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.