Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microwave Assisted Green Synthesis of Ag/AgO Nanocatalyst as An Efficient OER Catalyst in Neutral Media

The development of robust, stable and abundant materials that are operating under neutral conditions are of great importance for the electrocatalytic conversion of water to hydrogen using sunlight. Here, a robust and highly stable, silver oxide based electrocatalyst composite system for the efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) was presented. The developed Ag/AgO composite catalyst with a small (10-15 nm) and homogenous particle size distribution was fabricated using microwave synthesis. In the neutral media, the Ag/AgO electrocatalyst achieved 1 mA cm−2 current density at 600 mV overpotential, and exhibited a lower Tafel slope of 80 mV dec-1 compared to MnOx-based catalysts in the range of 450–600 mV. These values are comparable to those of the promising catalysts such as Mn, Co, Ni oxide based systems in the neutral media. The results showed that the developed electrocatalyst system based on Ag/AgO composite could be used in multi-layer electrocatalyst system designs. INTRODUCTION
Electron-Positron Pair Photoproduction in a Strong Magnetic Field Through the Polarization Cascade

The process of the e−e+ pair photoproduction in a strong magnetic field through the polarization cascade (the creation of an e−e+ pair from a single photon and its subsequent annihilation to a single photon) has been considered. The kinematics of the process is analyzed, and the expression for the general amplitude is obtained. A radiation correction to the process of pair creation at the lowest Landau levels by a single photon is found in the case where the energy of this photon is close to the threshold value. A comparison with the process of e−e+ pair production by one photon is made.
Fabrication of extracellular matrix-like membranes for loading piezoelectric nanoparticles

Piezoelectric ceramic nanomaterials have recently attracted attention in the biomedical field thanks to their interesting electrical properties in response to mechanical stimulation (and vice versa) combined with a good biocompatibility and the ability to promote the regeneration of electrically sensitive tissues. In tissue engineering approaches, in order to obtain smart scaffolds these materials must be combined with other biomaterials for processing through conventional as well as non-conventional technologies. In this work, a novel composite electrospun membrane was produced by combining extracellular matrix-like gelatin nanofibers with barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs). The electrospinning process was optimized to achieve a high BTNP load, reducing the formation of aggregates which could alter the morphology and stability of the membrane. A complete morphological, mechanical and chemical–physical characterization of the composite membranes was performed, confirming the integration of the BTNPs into the polymer fibers. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the developed membranes was assessed using a sarcoma osteogenic cell line (SaOS-2).
The Matched Reassigned Cross-Spectrogram for Phase Estimation

In this paper, the matched reassigned spectrogram is expanded into a novel matched phase reassignment (MPR) method based on the reassigned cross-spectrogram. It is shown that for two phase synchronized oscillating transient signals, the method gives perfect time-frequency (TF) localization. The MPR is thereby a TF local measure of phase synchronization and can also be used to measure phase difference between short transient signals. We explore the technique to measure the phase difference, and compare to commonly used phase estimators, for different types of disturbances. We also investigate the methods ability to classify phase synchronized and non-synchronized signals. Simulations show that the MPR method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods. An illustrative example of phase difference estimates of the electrical signals measured from the brain is included.
AVIAN LEUCOCYTE COUNTING USING THE HEMOCYTOMETER

Automated methods for counting leucocytes in avian blood are not available because of the presence of nucleated erythrocytes and thrombocytes. Therefore, total white blood cell counts are performed by hand using a hemocytometer. The Natt and Herrick and the Unopette methods are the most common stain and diluent preparations for this procedure. Replicate hemocytometer counts using these two methods were performed on blood from four birds of different species. Cells present in each square of the hemocytometer were counted. Counting cells in the corner, side, or center hemocytometer squares produced statistically equivalent results; counting four squares per chamber provided a result similar to that obtained by counting nine squares; and the Unopette method was more precise for hemocytometer counting than was the Natt and Herrick method. The Unopette method is easier to learn and perform but is an indirect process, utilizing the differential count from a stained smear. The Natt and Herrick method is a direct total count, but cell identi fication is more difficult.
A Basic Primer on Biotechnology

The complete set of genetic instructions for a living organism is contained in its genetic code, referred to as its genome. The genome for each organism differs by the number and size of chromosomes and the number of genes each contains. Each chromosome is composed of a single strand of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and specialized protein molecules (Figure 1a and Figure 1b). Coding regions called genes are along the DNA strand of each chromosome. Only specific regions of each chromosome code for genes. Alternate forms of genes in each organism account for the differences between individuals. Each DNA strand is composed of similar repeating units called nucleotides (Figure 1c). Four different nucleotide bases are present in DNA. They are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). The specific order of these bases in a gene coding region on the DNA strand specify exact genetic instructions.
ADVERTISING VALUE OF INSTAGRAM STORIES AND THE EFFECT ON MILLENNIAL’S ATTITUDE

This study begins to measure millennial consumer’s attitude of Instagram Stories ads on a sample of Denpasar & Badung Millennials. Collecting the data was using an online survey among 100 millennials. Hypothesizes were the antecedents on advertising value, which were informativeness, entertainment, irritation and credibility; the advertising value; and the last was the attitude towards the Instagram stories ads. The research model was estimated using Partial Least Squares. Results show Credibility and Entertainment were the strongest predictors, with Informativeness in third place. The irritation has a significant negative effect to the advertising value. This indicates the advertiser should create a credible and enjoyable visual to targeting the millennial. Millennials tend to ignore traditional advertising formats. Meanwhile, they are heavy users of Social Networking Sites, especially Instagram. This research presents the first empirical estimation of the Ducoffe model of Advertising Value in the Instagram stories, and the sample is Millenials in Denpasar and Badung (Indonesia). Our research results have relevant implications for brands targeting Millennials through Instagram stories ads.
Ferromagnetic shape memory Ni-Fe-Ga alloy foams for elastocaloric cooling

An efficient and clean solid-state cooling technique based on elastocaloric effect (eCE) has received great interests as a promising refrigeration technology for the last decade. The eCE materials release and absorb heat under the application/removal of uniaxial stress due to the stress-induced martensite transformation (MT). Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys have great potential to produce large eCE because they require low stress to drive the stress-induced MT. In this report, we employed replication casting technique to fabricate Ni-Fe-Ga alloy foams with NaAlO2 as space holder. The martensite transformation, superelasticity and compressive elastocaloric properties of the annealed foam were investigated. A completely reversible superelastic behavior with a total recovery strain of 3.3% was found at temperatures slightly higher than austenite finishing temperature. As a result, the foam exhibited an adiabatic temperature change (ΔTad) 3.4 K and large specific eCE strength |ΔT/Δσ| = 56.7 K GPa−1 under an external stress 60 MPa. The enhanced eCE properties of the foam over bulk alloys, and the large specific surface area for better heat exchange, imply that the present Ni-Fe-Ga foam has great application potential for room-temperature cooling.
Impact of Water Temperature Fluctuation on the Health Status and Reproduction in Female Oreochromis niloticus

This research designed monitoring effect of increased water temperature on female O. niloticus experimentally and survey. One hundred female O. niloticus from private farm divided into four groups: 1 st kept at room temperature (Control) and 3 kept at 30, 33 and 36 oC water temperatures respectively for 2 weeks. Two Survey groups collected from El monib at 27 oC (Control) and other at 36 oC water temperature. Experimental fish suffered of nervous manifestations, suffocation, detached scales, ulcers and tail rot. Postmortem lesions included unsymmetrical friable ovaries with autolysis. Females showed highly significant decrease in B.W. , WG, WH, IG, K condition, relative and absolute fecundity at all experimented groups. Survey females B.L. , B.W. , F.B.L. , F.B.W. , WG and IG showed high to moderate significant increase. Oppositely, F.O. W. , K condition and absolute fecundity copied moderate to high significant decrease. Among experimental groups, albumin (at 30 oC), glucose and testosterone increased highly significant whereas albumin at 33 & 36 oC and E2 at 36 oC showed highly significant decrease. Survey group registered highly significant increase in albumin, glucose and testosterone. Total proteins, globulins and E2 showed highly significant decrease. Ovaries affected by increased water temperature; worst lesions appeared in survey. Ovaries showed necrosis, clumping and perforation of the chorion, fragmentation of nucleus, or cystic atretic follicles. Liver showed swollen hepatic cells. Favorable water temperature for O. niloticus fish is 27 ± 2oC. Thus, it is recommended to use more aerators in fish ponds especially brood stocks or to be covered during summer season.
A Model-Ranking Approach for Estimation Based on Accelerated Degradation Test Data

Motivated by an accelerated degradation test (ADT) on the power gain of microwave power amplifiers, in this article we propose a model-ranking approach for the estimation of some important reliability characteristics. Different degradation models and statistical lifetime distributions are applied to model the data obtained from the ADT. We study the effect of model misspecification in estimating the reliability characteristics when the behavior of the degradation process and the underlying degradation-data-generating mechanism are unknown. We then propose a model-ranking approach with weighted estimation procedures when multiple candidate models are under consideration. Through a Monte Carlo simulation study, we show that the proposed approach is robust and insensitive to model misspecification. Finally, the ADT data from the motivating example are used to illustrate the proposed methodologies.
It’s not all about the money: narratives on emotions after a sudden death in family businesses

Abstract Emotions matter in businesses but have received little research attention. The socioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective is applied to gain a better understanding of the role of emotions in family businesses in the case of a sudden death of a key family and business person. The study contributes methodologically by applying a novel combination of case study and narratives of two families and their firms after experiencing a sudden death. The study contributes theoretically to the family business literature on emotions by providing a multilevel perspective and highlighting how the family business and the business family intertwine in a highly emotional situation, and to the SEW approach by offering a more nuanced understanding of the role emotions play over time. Emotions shape the decisions families make for the firm, but the firm also provides an emotional arena for family members to cope with their struggles. Employees are a part of the SEW considerations as families balance their moral obligation to protect the interests of non-family employees. To better cope with a crisis, family members should be well informed of or involved with the family firm even if they do not actively work there.
Wage Inequality and Lobbying: a directed technical change approach

We devise a generalized Directed Technical Change growth model in which firms spend resources in lobbying activity. As expected, the presence of lobbying distorts the skill premium and economic growth. Lobbying also contributes to a lower technological-knowledge bias toward the skill-sector and constitutes a possible explanation for the diverging empirical evidence on the relationship between the skill premium and the relative supply of skills. An increase in the relative lobbying power of the skilled intensive intermediate goods firms can lead to an increase or decrease in the skill premium, depending on the elasticity of substitution between the skilled and unskilled sectors. Lobbying also introduces possibility of a dual economy, with two different steady states, one characterized by low growth and another by high growth, depending on a threshold level of the lobbying power and on the elasticity of substitution. Quantitative exercises show that lobbying can indeed be quite important in distorting the skill premium and the economic growth.
The Switching of Trailing Limb Anticipatory Locomotor Adjustments is Uninfluenced by what the Leading Limb Does, but General Time Constraints Remain

Research shows a blend of bilateral influence and independence between leading and trailing limbs during obstacle avoidance. Recent research also shows time constraints in switching leading limb strategies. The present study aimed to understand the ability to switch anticipatory locomotor adjustments (ALAs) in the trailing limb. Ten healthy young adults (24 ± 3 years) were immersed in a virtual environment requiring them to plan and step over an obstacle that, for the trailing limb, could change to a platform, requiring a switch in locomotor strategies to become a leading limb to step onto a new surface. Such perturbations were provoked at either late planning or early execution of the initial trailing limb obstacle avoidance. Sagittal plane trailing limb kinematics, joint kinetics and energetics were measured along with electromyographic activity of key lower limb muscles. Repeated measures ANOVAs compared dependent variables across conditions. To adjust to the new environment, knee flexor power around toe-off decreased (p < 0.001) and hip flexor power increased (p < 0.001) for late planning phase perturbations, while there was only an increase in mid-swing hip flexor power (p < 0.05) during perturbations at execution. Findings showed no influence of the leading limb function on the ability to switch trailing limb ALAs during late planning. However, the trailing limb was also constrained for modifying ALAs once execution began, but on-going limb control strategies could be exploited in a reactive mode.
Genomic Context, Sequence Evolution, and Evolutionary Ecology of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Genes in the Red-billed Gull (Larus scopulinus)

Genomic organization of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) can profoundly influence gene function and multigene family evolution. Situated at the interface of individual genetic variation and the adaptive immune response, MHC class I and II loci are intensively studied for disease associations and used as markers of adaptive genetic variation in evolutionary ecology research. Genomic sequence of MHC-containing cosmid clones from the red-billed gull (Larus scopulinus, Charadriiformes: shorebirds, gulls, and allies) was obtained for comparative analysis of avian MHC evolution. MHCI polymorphism was further investigated using cDNA library screening and locus-specific genotyping protocols. This first information regarding MHC organization and MHCI variation in charadriiforms suggests a complex evolutionary history to MHC architecture in birds. Duplication of MHCIIα loci in tandem MHCIIα/β pairs and their proximity to MHC-region gene COL11A2 are similar to arrangements in nonavian vertebrates, and contrast with the “minimal essential” MHC of the chicken (Gallus gallus, Galliformes: gamebirds). MHCI–TAP2 organization is shared with Galloanserae (gamebirds + waterfowl), as is a proposed major classical function for this MHCI gene. In contrast, the placement of MHCI genes adjacent to sequence from chromosomes 3, 5, and 22 of the chicken and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata, Passeriformes: perching birds) indicates interchromosomal rearrangements in birds and the possible genomic dispersal of nonclassical MHCI genes in the red-billed gull. Screening for avian malaria, genetic parentage tests, and field data from red-billed gulls at Kaikoura Peninsula, New Zealand were combined with MHCI genotypes to investigate relationships with disease and reproduction. Plasmodium infection was confirmed in red-billed gulls, and breeding condition was negatively associated with malarial infection and positively related to variation at the putative major MHCI locus. A low rate of extrapair paternity was identified across thirteen breeding seasons. Partners without extrapair young (EPY) had greater MHCI dissimilarity than was expected by chance, whereas lower individual MHCI variation and elevated hatching failure existed for pairs with EPY. In addition to contributing to studies of MHC evolution, sexual selection, and disease dynamics in the New Zealand avifauna, this research will facilitate studies of MHC genes in related charadriiforms, many of which are of conservation concern.
Impact of Forest Plantation Development in Laos: A Dynamic General Equilibrium Analysis

: Over the past decade, the world has observed a major growth in the development of forest plantations. Despite the considerable number of studies that have been undertaken to examine the impact of forest plantation development, there has been relatively little investigation of the economic impact of plantations. Lao People’s Democratic Republic (hereafter Lao PDR or Laos) has implemented policies to expand plantations based on their contribution to economic development. This paper examines the economy-wide impact of forest plantation development in Laos using a recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model. Analysis focused on the Government of Laos’ forest policies to promote the development of forest plantation by the year 2020. Simulation results show that this forestry policy is likely to have a positive impact on the Lao economy by increasing the production of forestry and forestry related industries and by stimulating exports and household income. Impacts are more signiﬁcant for the forestry and forest-related sectors. Despite prompting a relatively higher growth in the production of various other industries, some undesirable impacts are also likely on sectors that do not have strong interactions with the forestry sector. The results also indicate that the government tax revenue is likely to experience some growth.
Towards Zero-Crosstalk-Margin Operation of Spectrally-Spatially Flexible Optical Networks using Heterogeneous Multicore Fibers

In spectrally-spatially flexible optical network (SS-FON), crosstalk (XT)-margin overprovisioning is unavoidable due to transmission reach granularity of modulation schemes. We show that heterogeneous multicore fibers of specific core designs can achieve zero-XT-margin. We also propose a core-type selection method to minimize XT-margin in SS-FONs.
Application of an Isolated Word Speech Recognition System in the Field of Mental Health Consultation: Development and Usability Study

Background Speech recognition is a technology that enables machines to understand human language. Objective In this study, speech recognition of isolated words from a small vocabulary was applied to the field of mental health counseling. Methods A software platform was used to establish a human-machine chat for psychological counselling. The software uses voice recognition technology to decode the user's voice information. The software system analyzes and processes the user's voice information according to many internal related databases, and then gives the user accurate feedback. For users who need psychological treatment, the system provides them with psychological education. Results The speech recognition system included features such as speech extraction, endpoint detection, feature value extraction, training data, and speech recognition. Conclusions The Hidden Markov Model was adopted, based on multithread programming under a VC2005 compilation environment, to realize the parallel operation of the algorithm and improve the efficiency of speech recognition. After the design was completed, simulation debugging was performed in the laboratory. The experimental results showed that the designed program met the basic requirements of a speech recognition system.
ECOLOGY OF MENIDIA MENIDIA LARVAE IN TWO TEMPERATE ESTUARINE LITTORAL HABITATS

The Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia) is one of the numerically most abundant fish species in estuaries along the East Coast of North America, but its ecology during the first two weeks post-hatch has not been described. Therefore ecological investigations into appropriate sampling methods, preferred habitats, feeding ecology and growth of these larvae will contribute valuable information to our knowledge base for this species. The upper reaches of two Rhode Island, USA, estuaries, with differing levels of anthropogenic inputs, were the study sites for this project. Previous studies have shown that during early spring M. menidia adults ripen for spawning by feeding exclusively on zooplankton. The zooplankton community in Upper Point Judith Pond (UPJP) is dominated by polychaete larvae, indicating a eutrophic environment, whereas the Upper Pettaquamscutt River (UPR) is dominated by crustaceans, indicating a relatively pristine environment. To assess and describe the habitat ecology of M. menidia larvae during their first two weeks of life in the littoral zone, four goals were set: (1) determine depth distribution of M. menidia larvae from both estuaries: (2) assess abundance and distribution of M. menidia larvae between estuaries; (3) compare feeding habits of the larvae in the two estuaries through gut content analysis; (4) compare growth of larvae in the two estuaries via age-length relationships based on otolith analysis. Of the four sampling devices used to collect larvae, the circular quadrat, which sampled the land-water interface, the aquarium net, which sampled water from 0.3 – 0.4 m depth, and the small plankton net, which sampled water from 0.4 – 0.5 m depth collected many larvae. A large plankton net, which sampled water > 1 m depth, did not. This indicates that M. menidia larvae can be found from the shoreline interface to 0.5 m depth. Analysis of collection data indicated a zero-inflated Poisson distribution, suggesting a patchy distribution of larvae in the field. Gut content of larvae between estuaries differed markedly, with 76.2% of the larval diet at UPR consisting of copepod eggs and 72.5% of that at UPJP consisting of copepod nauplii. The slopes of the age-length regressions of the larvae between estuaries were not significantly different, indicating that growth rates did not differ. These results provide new information on the feeding habits, growth, and distribution of M. menidia during its first two weeks of life in the field.