Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disturbance of the Macroinvertebrate communities of bank-root biotope of a river in southern Nigeria

The impact of disturbance on the macroinvertebrate community was investigated in the biotope of a river catchment area. A total of 56 and 18 taxa were recorded at Stations 1 and 2, accounting for 71 and 29% individual organisms, respectively. Twelve taxa were common at both stations. Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) constituted the predominant group with the 46% density at the upstream biotope of Station 1, whereas, family Hydrobidae (Mollusca) dominated numerically the downstream Station 2. Data revealed that months of sampling at stations significantly influenced the occurrence and abundance of the major groups. Three distinct patterns of seasonal affiliation among the benthos were observed. Monthly variation in species diversity occurred. The macroinvertebrate community was affected by disturbances at the downstream bank-root biotope, limiting the occurrence of life forms to a few adaptable groups.
Antisocial Personality Disorder as a Risk Factor for Opioid Use: The Dual Mediating Roles of Antisocial Attitudes and Self-Control

Antisocial personality disorder is a risk factor for opioid use. There is a dearth of research which examines self-control and moral disengagement as potential mediators of this relationship. This study utilized data from the Pathways to Desistance study in analyses. Generalized structural equation modeling was utilized to test for mediation of the relationship between antisocial personality disorder and opioid use. Bootstrapped standard errors were computed so that a Clogg Z test could be estimated to determine if identified mediation effects significantly differed. Results indicated that a likely diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder increased risk for opioid use. Inclusion of moral disengagement and self-control into the model resulted in attenuation of this effect to non-significance and reduced the magnitude of the effect by around 45%. The contribution of both constructs to the total indirect effect did not significantly differ and only the total indirect effect was significant.
Examining the effect of reduced action capabilities on defensive anticipation in a 1-vs-1 task

ABSTRACT This study used small-sided games (SSGs) to induce fatigue and therefore, reduce the action capabilities of Varsity soccer players (n= 20). The aim was to examine the effect of compromised action capabilities on defensive movement response in a 1-vs-1 scenario. Action capabilities were assessed via countermovement jumps (CMJ), 5-m acceleration, 20-m sprint and a Change of Direction (COD) test. Defensive movement response was measured via a Soccer-Specific Anticipation Test (SSAT). Following SSGs, significant reductions were observed in jump (p=.04, d=.31), acceleration (p<.001, d=.98), and sprint (p<.001, d=.66) performance. Significantly, players tended to move earlier in the SSAT following SSGs (p=.049, d=.66). Furthermore, to examine the distinct effect of reductions in each action capability, players were categorised according to whether SSGs had a worthwhile change in CMJ, acceleration, sprint or COD performance. For each of the four measures, movements tended to be initiated earlier following SSGs, although pre-/post-SSGs differences were not significant (p =.08-.51), moderate to large effect sizes were shown (d=.56-.84). These findings intimate that compromised action capabilities influence the timing of the movement response of defensive players in 1-vs-1 situations.
Study of C3H5+ ion deposition on polystyrene and polyethylene surfaces using molecular dynamics simulations

Molecular dynamics simulations of ion deposition processes are used to study the deposition of C3H5+ ions on crystalline polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) surfaces at energies of 50 and 25 eV. For each system, 80 trajectories are carried out on pristine surfaces and the incident angle in every case is normal to the surface. The forces are determined using the reactive empirical bond order method developed by Tersoff and parametrized for hydrocarbons by Brenner, coupled to long-range Lennard–Jones potentials. The simulations predict that the ions deposited at 50 eV either dissociate and stick to the surface or remain on the surface intact in 98% of the trajectories on PS, and in 89% of the trajectories on PE. At 25 eV, the ions are deposited intact in 70% of the trajectories on PS and dissociate in only 3%. No dissociation of the incident ions is predicted to occur on PE at 25 eV. Rather, the ions scatter away in 90% of the trajectories. Consequently, ion deposition on PE at 25 eV is predicted to be v.
Convenient synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel 5-phenyldiazenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives

Abstract Reaction of N,2-diaryldiazene-1-carbohydrazonoyl chlorides 1, 2 with 2-((methylthio)-carbonthioyl)hydrazones 7, 12 and 18–21 in absolute ethanol at room temperature in the presence of triethylamine afforded the corresponding 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 10, 11, 13, 14 and 22–29. Stirring of N,2-diaryldiazene-1-carbohydrazonoyl chlorides 1–3 with thioanilides 31A–E in acetonitrile at room temperature in the presence of triethylamine gave the corresponding 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene derivatives 34–36. The structures of all new compounds 10, 11, 13, 14, 22–29 and 34–36 were identified by elemental analysis and spectral data. Some new synthesized compounds were studied against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the most potent compounds were 3-phenyl-5-(phenyldiazenyl)-2-((1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono)-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole (13c), 2-((1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono)-3-(p-tolyl)-5-(p-tolyldiazenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thia-diazole (14c) and 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-2-(3-(p-tolyl)-5-(p-tolyldiazenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)-acetonitrile (35C). Graphical Abstract
The Determinants of Insurance Firm’s Profitability in Tanzania: An Empirical Investigation

This paper sought to analyze some of the supposed determinants of profitability for insurance firms in Tanzania. Though the success of insurance companies has been linked to the accessibility of financial services by various scholars, yet the way profitability of companies influence success of firms has not been well explored. To undertake the study 10 insurance companies were involved out of 25 general insurance companies operating in Tanzania for 10 years from 2008 to 2017. The data was obtained from financial statements given on TIRA Report and some of them from documentary review. The paper carried out preliminary test of panel unit root to check for stationarity of variables. The appropriate fixed and random effect model test was employed to determine the fitness of the model using the Hausman specification test. Age of the firm found to be statistically influence profit of a company at 5% level while claims cost found to be statically significant at 1% level. Size of a company was found to have no significant contribution to the firms’ profitability. It is therefore recommended that the government and the regulator should smoothen rules, regulations and procedures so that penetration of insurance business to be high and also insurance company should have proper management of claims so that they can reduce expenses and increase profit of a company.
Colorimetric Measurement of Protein Stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R on Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis by Eluting with Formamide

(1986). Colorimetric Measurement of Protein Stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R on Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis by Eluting with Formamide. Agricultural and Biological Chemistry: Vol. 50, No. 7, pp. 1911-1912.
Ag ∕ Au Diffusion Wafer Bonding for Thin- GaN LED Fabrication

In this study we successfully demonstrate a method for Ag/Au diffusion wafer bonding. We were able to achieve a high-melting-point bonding interface at a relatively low bonding temperature of 150°C. The Ag/Au interdiffusion coefficient is defined against the Au content. Au atoms have a faster diffusion rate in the Ag matrix layer, which causes the Ag/Au interface to move toward the Au side over time. The use of this method of Ag/Au diffusion bonding makes the fabrication of high-power thin-GaN light-emitting diode chips on Si wafers a feasible possibility.
Towards green communication in 5G systems: Survey on beamforming concept

Connectivity in recent wireless communication is accessible anywhere because of the large footprints of both cellular and WiFi networks. Yet, the broadcasting in wireless technology increases the susceptibility of signals to contemporary challenges such as interference, fading, and distortion. In addition, the energy of signals is lost because of Doppler effects and scattering caused by the obstacles in the channel. The use of smaller base stations, exploitation of higher frequencies and millimetre waves, and the expansion towards massive multiple-input multiple-output makes beamforming one of the most important key technologies in ﬁfth generation (5G) systems. Besides the energy efﬁciency enhance-ments because of the narrower beamwidths, it reduces the broadcasting probability by adaptively steering the signals towards the targeted receivers while reducing the reception for nearby receiver, that is less interference. It also increases the energy efﬁciency of the signals because of the narrow beamwidth. In this work, the 5G technology challenges, two of the most known channel models, applications is brieﬂy received. The fundamentals of beamforming technology are also described and provide the necessary information to understand the technology.
Effects of Cognitive Distraction on Driver’s Stopping Behaviour: A Virtual Car Driving Simulator Study

Drivers are prone to distractions while driving, due to conversations they have with passengers on board, processing their thoughts or using their mobile phones. These distractions result in a mental workload that compromises driving safety and requires the implementation of risk compensatory behaviours. This study examines the effects of hands-free mobile phone conversations on young drivers’ stopping manoeuvres when a pedestrian enters a zebra crossing. A cohort of seventy-eight university students, aged 20-30 years old, performed a driving task in a virtual urban environment, by means of a virtual car driving simulator. They formed a control and an experimental group, balanced on age and IQ level. The control group was left free to drive without any imposed cognitive task. The experimental group was asked to drive while making a phone call that was planned to diminish the amount of cognitive resources allocated to the driving experience. For both groups, the analyses focused on a specific moment, i.e., while a child suddenly entered a zebra crossing from a sidewalk. Throughout the simulation, the intensity of the participants’ actions on the brake pedal, accelerator, and steering wheel were recorded with a time step of 250 ms. Before the virtual driving experiment, each participant completed a questionnaire on his/her daily driving style, involvement in road accidents, and general mobile phone usage even while driving. A mixed two-way ANOVA with Group as a between-subject factor (1. Control Group; 2. Experimental Group) and Gender (1. Male drivers; 2. Female drivers) as a within-subject factor was performed on the driving parameters as dependent variables. The results showed the presence of a significant difference for distracted and non-distracted drivers with the absence of gender-related differences across the two groups. Participants engaged in a hands-free phone-call while driving assumed lower initial speeds as an element of risk compensation and took the first action to stop at shorter distances from the pedestrian crossing. This suggests a delayed perception of the presence of the pedestrian. In addition, the fluctuation in speed after the distracted driver had released the accelerator pedal reached a statistical significance compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the distraction induced by the use of the mobile phone through the earphones may adversely affect driving behaviour and raise significant safety concerns.
Predicting the Intention of Sustainable Commuting among Chinese Commuters: The Role of Media and Morality

ABSTRACT In attempting to understand the media influence on the intention of sustainable commuting, this study integrated the media use and dependency theories and the norm activation model. Specifically, this study developed a research model that consists of online and offline environmental media use, media dependency, an awareness of consequences, the ascription of responsibility, personal norms, and the intention of sustainable commuting. Based on a quota sample of 1,264 commuters in China, this study found that online and offline environmental media use and media dependency were directly and indirectly associated with the intention of sustainable commuting. The indirect paths were mediated by an awareness of consequences, the ascription of responsibility, and personal norms. The implications of these findings were discussed.
Developing a student attendance app using QR codes: educational and practical considerations

: Recording student attendance in educational institutions is a tedious, manual process that is both time-consuming and error prone. We have developed an app to capture student attendance. During each class session, the students will point their device at a unique QR Code displayed on the teacher’s projector. Each student’s attendance will be recorded immediately on the learning-management system. The app has been developed for both Apple and Android platforms to enable attendance capture in all classroom settings; a module added to a home-grown learning-management system enables display of the appropriate QR Code for each class session. We conclude that it is possible to develop an app that records student attendance using QR codes and institutional information systems. Implemented efficiently, student attendance can be recorded accurately and effectively, saving class time. Overall user satisfaction with the system was high, demonstrating that information technology can positively drive and support change in medical education.
The binary oxide NiO-CuO nanocomposite based thick film sensor for the acute detection of Hydrogen Sulphide gas vapours

The present research deals with the synthesis of copper oxide and nickel oxide nanoparticles. The nano powder of both NiO-CuO was utilized to fabricate the thick films. Thick films fabricated by screen printing method on glass substrate. The ex-situ doping method was followed for mixing the concentration of nickel oxide in copper oxide lattice. Calculated stoichiometric amount of NiO was loaded during thick film synthesis of CuO. The structure morphology of prepared CuO-NiO nanocomposite thick films was confirmed from x-ray diffraction technique, which approves cubic and crystalline CuO-NiO binary nanocomposite. The surface characteristics of the prepared films investigated by scanning electron microscopy that shows homogeneous, porous CuO-NiO nanoparticles with varying dimensions. The prepared thick films of CuO-NiO nanoparticles were analysed for electrical parameter, that assured the prepared material has a semiconducting nature. Further, these thick films promoted for gas sensing interpretation of H2S gas at various temperature and varied gas concentration. Here exclusive reports for hydrogen sulphide gas are reported. The binary CuO-NiO was thoroughly investigated for hydrogen sulphide gas concentration from 50 ppm to 500 ppm at the different temperature. The binary oxide sensor is found to be very sensitive at room temperature and maximum sensitivity response was 75.01 % for H2S gas. Furthermore the response and recovery times are also reported for binary sensor in the present research. The sensor reproducibility cycle was performed for binary oxide sensor at hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S). Material Science Research India www.materialsciencejournal. org ISSN: 0973-3469, Vol.17, No.(3) 2020, Pg. 260-269 CONTACT Prashant Bhimrao Koli prashantkoli005@gmail.com Research Centre in Chemistry, Arts, Commerce and Science College, Nandgaon, Taluka-Nandgaon, DistrictNashik, (MH), India, Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Oriental Scientific Publishing Company This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License Doi: http://dx.doi. org10.13005/msri/170308 Article History Received: 5 October 2020 Accepted: 30 November 2020
Vortex phase masks of topological charge 4 and higher with diamond subwavelength gratings

High contrast imaging at small inner working angles can be achieved using a vector vortex coronagraph in the focal plane of the telescope providing a helical phase ramp with a singularity at its center. The form birefringence of full-diamond subwavelength gratings has proven to be well suited to manufacture such vortex phase masks for coronagraphic applications (Subwavelength Grating Vortex Coronagraph, SGVC). In the past years our group has developed and manufactured SGVCs of topological charge 2 (Annular Groove Phase Mask, AGPM) made of a concentric diamond subwavelength grating. For future applications including ELT-class telescopes in the near- to mid-infrared that will partly resolve nearby stars, it is however useful to increase the topological charge of the vortex. After shortly reviewing our previous attempts at optimizing the grating structure for SGVC of charge 4, we present the first laboratory results obtained with such devices. We then introduce and discuss more realistic simulations compared to prior studies using finite-difference time-domain methods. The quality of the simulation results obtained with the open source software MEEP for an AGPM is shown to be appropriate for developing and assessing the performance of future vortex phase masks. We therefore perform updated simulations for SGVC of charge 4 including various designs with straight and curved grating lines. We conclude with a perspective on the potential of metasurfaces and their applications to design novel vortex coronagraphs based on subwavelength structures.
Adsorption mechanism of the environmentally friendly insulating gas C5F10O and its main decomposition products on a Cu (1 1 1) surface

The perfluoroketone C5F10O, not only has good environmental compatibility, but also has excellent insulation properties and has the potential to replace SF6 in medium and low voltage switchgear. This paper focuses on the compatibility of C5F10O and its main decomposition products with the copper material inside the equipment and specifically constructs several adsorption models of C5F10O and its main decomposition products on a Cu (1 1 1) surface. The adsorption mechanism was studied from a system structure, electron density distribution and density of states perspective. The results showed that C5F10O mainly adsorbed chemically on the Cu surface through carbonyl oxygen atoms. Its maximum adsorption energy is −24.48 kcal mol−1, with electrons transferring from the copper surface to the adsorbed oxygen atom; and the adsorption energies of the main breakdown products CF4, C2F6, C3F8, C3F6, CF2O, C2F4O and CO2 with the surface are all less than −9.56 kcal mol−1. There is no obvious electron transfer between these decomposition gases and the copper surface, and thus, they belong to physical adsorption; while the adsorption energies of C3F6O, C2F4 and CO in the top, bridge and Hcc sites are respectively −9.661 kcal mol−1, −14.651 kcal mol−1 and −25.489 kcal mol−1, electrons on the copper surface transfer to the oxygen atom of C3F6O and carbon atoms of C2F4 and CO, forming stable chemical bonds, which belong to chemical adsorption. Through further analysis of the electron density of states, it is found that C5F10O and C3F6O bonded to the copper surface mainly by p orbitals on carbonyl oxygen atom and the pseudogaps are 3.2 eV and 2.5 eV. C2F4 and CO bonded to the copper surface by sp hybrid orbitals of carbon atoms, with a pseudogap of about 4 eV. Based on the above analysis, it can be seen that C5F10O and its main decomposition products C3F6O, C2F4 and CO have poor compatibility with metal copper.
Development of an optical photon counting imager using a monolithic Geiger APD array

We have developed a photo-sensor for an optical photon counting imager for astronomy with high timing resolution. We customize a Multi Pixel Photon Counter as a monolithic Geiger avalanche photodiode array with a pixel size of 100 micro-meter. The prototype model consists of 4x4 pixels. Excellent timing response is achieved as fast as an order of nanosecond. We evaluate the basic performance of the sensor and confirm the gain linearity, uniformity and low dark count rates. We observe the Crab pulsar using this system with a 35-cm telescope, and successfully detected periodic pulses with a frequency consistent with that reported by radio observatory.
Performance Effects of Internationalization: Contingency Theory Analysis of Russian Internationalized Firms

ABSTRACT The relationship between internationalization and performance has attracted researchers’ attention for more than 40 years, producing contradictory results. Research on emerging-market (EM) multinationals’ performance has not added much clarity to the issue. Although contingency theory is widely applied in management research to explain superior organizational performance as a direct result of a ‘fit’ between structure, strategy, and environment, there has been little effort in extending the notion of strategy-structure-environment fit to include internationalization. We address this limitation by offering a comprehensive analysis of Russian internationalized firms’ performance, which reflects the complexity of strategic and structural changes that Russian firms make during internationalization. We use survey data on 213 predominantly private and mature firms to examine whether the alignment of a multitude of strategic and structural choices in a specific context matters for subsequent performance. We apply a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and find several distinct types of ‘fit’ that positively affect Russian internationalized firms’ performance.
Combined Effects of Midlevel Dry Air and Vertical Wind Shear on Tropical Cyclone Development. Part II: Radial Ventilation

This study demonstrates how midlevel dry air and vertical wind shear (VWS) can modulate tropical cyclone (TC) development via radial ventilation. A suite of experiments was conducted with different combinations of initial midlevel moisture and VWS environments. Two radial ventilation structures are documented. The first structure is positioned in a similar region as rainband activity and downdraft ventilation (documented in Part I) between heights of 0 and 3 km. Parcels associated with this first structure transport low–equivalent potential temperature air inward and downward left of shear and upshear to suppress convection. The second structure is associated with the vertical tilt of the vortex and storm-relative flow between heights of 5 and 9 km. Parcels associated with this second structure transport low–relative humidity air inward upshear and right of shear to suppress convection. Altogether, the modulating effects of radial ventilation on TC development are the inward transport of low–equivalent potential temperature air, as well as low-level radial outflow upshear, which aid in reducing the areal extent of strong upward motions, thereby reducing the vertical mass flux in the inner core, and stunting TC development.