Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NiO nanostructure by RF sputtering for gas sensing applications

ABSTRACT A nanostructured thin film of NiO with thickness (1250 ± 30) nm was synthesized using the RF-reactive planer magnetron sputtering technique over a cleaned glass substrate. Structural analysis of the nanostructured NiO films was conducted utilising the XRD method, and the films were found to have a polycrystalline nature with a preferred (200) plane reflection at the angle 2θ equal to 43. 35ᵒ. The optical measurement for NiO thin films manifested the transmittance, the energy band gap and the absorption coefficient in the ultraviolet and visible regions. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to analyses the surface morphology of the NiO thin film sample. The ability of nanostructured NiO thin films to sense different NO2 gas concentrations in terms of the time working was studied and reported. The nanostructured NiO film had better sensitivity at the gas ratio of 350 ppm and the operating temperature 150ᵒC.
Density Functional Theory Study of Li3VO4-δ

The large intrinsic band gap of Li3VO4 hinders its potential application as anode material for lithium ion batteries. Here, we perform first-principles calculations to investigate structural relaxation, formation energy, surface energy and electronic structure. The O vacancy in the Li3VO4-(110) surface can enhance charge transfer and to improve the electron conductivity. This work indicates that Li3VO4-δ would be a potential anode material for batteries due to greater electron conductivity than the pristine Li3VO4.
Evidence-based medicine is it working?

There is a considerable gap between what is known from research and what is done in practice. Part of the problem is not knowing and part is not doing. The "not knowing" arises from our information overload, e.g., over 1,500 studies and 55 randomised trials - are added to MEDLINE each day. The "not doing" can be broken down into several steps between valid research publishing and improved patients outcomes: awareness, acceptance, applicability, availability and ability, remembering at the appropriate time, getting patient agreement, and finally adherence to agreed treatments. At each step there is some "leakage". Addressing these leakages to navigating and using best (evidence-based) practice needs a multifaceted "solution". This will require sophisticated computerised evidence delivery systems at the point of care. However, to fuel these systems we need better (and continually updated) guidelines, syntheses, and systematic reviews of evidence. The "not doing" gap arise because of the limits of human memory, which we need to acknowledge.
Spectroscopic and morphological study of graphene nanoplatelets thin films on Si/SiO2 substrates

In recent years, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have emerged as innovative materials to be exploited for several applications. Nevertheless, the optical properties of GNPs thin films have not been studied yet. In this study, an exfoliation synthesized GNPs dispersion was dip-coated on Si/SiO2 substrates and GNPs thin films were studied by means of Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (VASE) in the [300–1000] nm wavelength range. Ellipsometry data was analyzed using a set of Gaussian oscillators. Moreover, the morphological and structural properties were investigated by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy. Our results indicate that GNPs thin films have a lower optical density in comparison to other graphene related materials films.
Research and Development in Carbon Fibers and Advanced High-Performance Composites Supply Chain in Europe: A Roadmap for Challenges and the Industrial Uptake

Structural materials, typically based on metal, have been gradually substituted by high-performance composites based on carbon fibers, embedded in a polymer matrix, due to their potential to provide lighter, stronger, and more durable solutions. In the last decades, the composites industry has witnessed a sustained growth, especially due to diffusion of these materials in key markets, such as the construction, wind energy, aeronautics, and automobile sectors. Carbon fibers are, by far, the most widely used fiber in high-performance applications. This important technology has huge potential for the future and it is expected to have a significant impact in the manufacturing industry within Europe and, therefore, coordination and strategic roadmapping actions are required. To lead a further drive to develop the potential of composites into new sectors, it is important to establish strategic roadmapping actions, including the development of business and cost models, supply chains implementation, and development, suitability for high volume markets and addressing technology management. Europe already has a vibrant and competitive composites industry that is supported by several research centers, but for its positioning in a forefront position in this technology, further challenges are still required to be addressed.
Transport and assembly of colloids in liquid crystals

Les particules dispersades en un cristall liquid nematic (CLN), tambe anomenats col·loides nematics, son avui dia sistemes experimentals estudiats en el camp de la “Soft Matter”. En aquest escenari, les interaccions i forces entre particules col·loidals es troben en equilibri, aixi, l’elasticitat governa les interaccions entre particules. Mes enlla, l’aplicacio d’un camp electric altern dona lloc a un escenari totalment diferent, on el sistema es troba fora d’equilibri, i aixi, nous conceptes fisics poden sorgir. Els col·loides nematics es poden propulsar sota l’accio d’un camp electric, el qual permet escenaris on els col·loides son dirigits. Breument, el moviment de les particules es degut a l’aparicio de fluxos electroosmotics al voltant de les particules. El trencament de la simetria dels fluxos a banda i banda de la particula indueix una propulsio neta. En aquest manuscrit es mostra des de l’estudi del transport d’una particula individual en termes de modes de transport fins a l’estudi de moviments col·loidals col·lectius. L’estudi d’una particula individual s’ha dut a terme sota l’accio de dos mecanismes diferents de propulsio, el de sedimentacio-difusio i la “Liquid Crystal-Enabled Electrokinetics”. Per altra banda, prenent avantatge de la ultima hem pogut auto-assemblar centenars de particules formant clusters amb una distribucio radial inhomogenia de la densitat de particules. Per entendre aquest tipus de clusters hem desenvolupat un model teoric i el Dr. Arthur Straube ha realitzat simulacions que concorden tant qualitativa, com quantitativament amb les tendencies experimentals. Finalment, hem estudiat el fet de traslladar un eixam de particules, pero tambe el fet de posar-li obstacles per on hagi de passar. Per concloure, aquest treball no nomes augmenta el coneixement general de particules micro-metriques dispersades en CLNs, pero serveix com a eina per iniciar-se i explorar el moviment dirigit de col·loides dispersat en aquests.
Energy harvesting and vibration reduction analysis on cantilever piezoelectric double vibration absorber (CPDVA) mechanism

The CPDVA (Cantilever Piezoelectric Double Vibration Absorber) is a mechanism that combines the working principles of DVA and energy harvesting to reduce vibration while generating electrical energy. The working principle of CPDVA uses two masses as an absorber of the vibration system ie main absorber mass and piezoelectric mass. The CPDVA mechamism is designed to get the vibration reduction value at the first natural frequency (36.544rad/s) of system. The simulation results show the optimum value can be achieved if the design of CPDVA mechanism using piezoelctric as much as 4000 pieces. Because, by using 4000 piezoelectric on the CPDVA mechanism, the highest reduction value and electrical power can be achieved.
Photostabilizing Efficiency of Acrylic-based Bamboo Exterior Coatings Combining Benzotriazole and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can degrade and discolor bamboo; thus, coatings to protect it from UV exposure are required, especially for outdoor use. Benzotriazole (BTZ) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (NZnO) are organic and inorganic UV absorbers commonly used in UV shielding coatings. This study investigated the photostabilizing efficiency of acrylic-based bamboo exterior coatings using a combination of BTZ and NZnO. Different film formulations covering bamboo substrates were irradiated with artificial UV light for 500 h to accelerate aging. The UV-shielding effect on bamboo beneath various films was determined by CIELAB color space and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The film effectiveness was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, wettability, UV-vis spectroscopy, and FTIR-attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. Films containing BTZ provided higher resistance to photodegradation and more effectively inhibited photodiscoloration of the bamboo substrates than those prepared solely with NZnO. After 500 h of UV irradiation, the BTZ–NZnO film containing 2 wt % BTZ and 1 wt % NZnO showed the best coating performance. Strong synergistic effects were detected in the BTZ–NZnO coatings, particularly for the 2:1 ratio formulation. This study also demonstrated the potential of combining BTZ and NZnO as additives for developing stable, effective UV-shielding bamboo exterior coatings for outdoor applications.
Calculating the process of straightening low-stiff cylindrical parts by cross-rolling with smooth plates

To restore the shape of curved low-stiff cylindrical parts such as shafts and axles, the process of straightening by transverse bending is considered with subsequent hardening by the method of surface plastic deformation based on the transverse rolling of the cylindrical part with flat plates. The stress states of parts during editing are determined using the Ansys Workbench software package. The results of the distribution of the intensity of operating voltages and residual stresses over the cross section of the cylinder, depending on the absolute compression, are presented. The process in question can be implemented without the use of environmentally hazardous lubricating cooling technological means, which makes it possible to attribute it in the future to one of the types of green mechanical processing technologies.
Educational Theories and Learning Analytics: From Data to Knowledge The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Citation (APA) Wong, J., Baars, M. , de Koning, B. , van der Zee, T. , Davis, D. J., Khalil, M. , Houben, G-J., & Paas, F. (2019). Educational Theories and Learning Analytics: From Data to Knowledge: The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts. In D. Ifenthaler, D-K. Mah, & J. Y-K. Yau (Eds.), Utilizing Learning Analytics to Support Study Success (pp. 3-25). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64792-0_1
A Grain Boundary Regulates the Friction Behaviors between Graphene and a Gold Substrate

The nanofriction of graphene is critical for its broad applications as a lubricant and in flexible electronics. Herein, using a Au substrate as an example, we have investigated the effect of the grain boundary on the nanofriction of graphene by means of molecular dynamics simulations. We have systematically examined the coupling effects of the grain boundary with different mechanical pressures, velocities, temperatures, contact areas, and relative rotation angles on nanofriction. It is revealed that grain boundaries could reduce the friction between graphene and the gold substrate with a small deformation of the latter. Large lateral forces were observed under severe deformation around the grain boundary. The fluctuation of lateral forces was bigger on surfaces with grain boundaries than that on single-crystal surfaces. Friction forces induced by the armchair grain boundaries was smaller than those by the zigzag grain boundaries.
Thin Film Transistor

The special issue is "Thin Film Transistor". There are eight contributed papers. They focus on organic thin film transistors, fluorinated oligothiophenes transistors, surface treated or hydrogen effect on oxide-semiconductor-based thin film transistors, and their corresponding application in flat panel displays and optical detecting. The present special issue on “Thin Film Transistor” can be considered as a status report reviewing the progress that has been made recently on thin film transistor technology. These papers can provide the readers with more research information and corresponding application potential about Thin Film Transistors.
A 12.8-Gb/s Daisy Chain-Based Downlink I/F Employing Spectrally Compressed Multi-Band Multiplexing for High-Bandwidth, Large-Capacity Storage Systems

Toward the aim of realizing high-bandwidth, large-capacity nand flash memory-based storage systems, this paper presents a novel daisy-chain downlink interface (I/F) between a controller and a large number of nand packages. The daisy-chain I/F employs a tapered-bandwidth architecture with bridge-by-bridge data extraction based on a proposed spectrally compressed multi-band multiplexing (SCM2) technique to achieve low power consumption. By using the proposed downlink I/F, a nand controller can handle 32 low-cost nand packages while achieving 12.8-Gb/s throughput using two data wires. The fabricated prototype downlink I/F achieved a bit error rate (BER) of 10−12 with power consumption of 252.1 mW for the transmitter and 375.7 mW for all four receivers together.
Thermal treatment and deposition of alumina in metallic microchannels

The objective of this work is the generation of a suitable surface, in microchannels of AISI 304 stainless steel for the manufacture of a microreactor, which ensures the anchoring of the active phase. The novelty of the work lies in achieving stabilization layer to work in different environments. The roughness generation was carried out by thermal treatment and passivation via alumina deposition by the impregnation method. The characterization was made with SEM–EDX and confocal microscope images. In a humid atmosphere, the generated surface showed high roughness with the presence of multiple filaments of iron oxide. Dilution of the suspension favoured the stability of the formed film.
Three-dimensional numerical model of internal erosion

Abstract The purpose of this study concerns the establishment of three-dimensional numerical simulation of the coupling between fluid flow and internal erosion within a porous medium. In order to properly investigate suffusion process in porous media, we present a finite volumes method using explicit scheme for solving advection–dispersion–deposition equation on three-dimensional grids. The accuracy and the robustness of the proposed finite volume method are assessed by means of various numerical test cases and validated by the adjustment of experimental results.
High stability multiwavelength random erbium-doped fiber laser with a reflecting-filter of six-superimposed fiber-Bragg-gratings

For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a high stability half-open cavity multiwavelength random erbium-doped fiber laser (MW-REDFL) using distributed Rayleigh backscattering feedback in a 2 km long single-mode fiber together with a reflecting comb-filter of six-superimposed fiber-Bragg-gratings (6SI-FBG) was demonstrated experimentally. We achieved six lasing wavelength-channels at ∼2 nm spacing, with a maximum peak power difference of ≤0.930 dB for all six channels and a peak power fluctuation of ≤1.101 dB for each lasing channel in a 80 min time span, a wavelength fluctuation of ≤0.032 nm for each lasing channel in an experimental time of >1.5 h, and an output power fluctuation of ≤0.05 dB in a 4 h time span at the pump power of either 100 mW or 200 mW. At the frequencies larger than 100 kHz, the relative intensity noises of six-wavelength lasing output are −125 dB/Hz and −120 dB/Hz for pump powers of 100 mW and 200 mW, respectively. The performances threshold as low as 23.51 mW and slope efficiency as high as 10.99% of our MW-REDFL were also achieved. Better performance could be further obtained with good temperature compensation and vibration isolation packaging for practical applications.
Mimicking of Human Body Electrical Characteristic for Easier Translation of Plasma Biomedical Studies to Clinical Applications

Nonthermal plasma (NTP) medical applications are now well established but the translation from <italic>in vitro</italic> plasma effects to <italic>in vivo</italic> effects remains far from being intuitive. Among various possible reasons, the translation may be disturbed by a loose control over the electrical characteristics of the different targets (e.g., cell culture dish, animal models) met during the development process, a parameter generally neglected and often unmentioned in papers. The aim of this article is to raise consciousness on how target electrical parameters (e.g., conductivity, electric potential <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\dots $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) play a major role in determining plasma treatment conditions. This effect is of particular relevance in plasma medicine where we move from treating small <italic>in vitro</italic> samples to humans, passing by animal models. The plasma conditions on targets with different electrical characteristics are compared by means of electrical measurements, optical emission spectroscopy, and basic liquid analysis. Commonly tested <italic>in vitro</italic> targets induce the generation of a plasma significantly different from that produced in contact with a human body. We demonstrate how by means of a basic and easy to implement electrical circuit it is possible to “compensate” the electrical differences between <italic>in vitro</italic> models, mice and human body and in such a way to reach more reproducible treatment conditions between <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> targets. The proposed method for the control of the target electrical parameters could greatly favor the transition from <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> models to patients for many plasma devices developed for biomedical applications.
“Should I stay or should I go?” : first semester students’ experiences in a tertiary institution in New Zealand

i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii TABLE OF CONTENTS v TABLE OF FIGURES ix CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1 Statement of concern 1 Personal experience and interest 1 Context 3 Overview and methodology 5 Thesis Outline 7 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 9 Introduction 9 Retention and success in the New Zealand context 9 Benefits of retention and success 11 Cost of non-completion 12 Student diversity 12 Cultural capital 14 Theories underpinning retention and success 15 Tinto’s theory 16 A new way forward 18 Factors of retention and success 19 Student success 19 Pre-entry preparation 20 Finance, employment and family commitments 21 Relationships with others 22 Learning communities 23 Student engagement 24 Teaching and Learning 26 Persistence 27 Motivation 28 Conclusion 29 CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY 31
High Temperature Oxidation Behaviors of CrNx and Cr-Si-N Thin Films at 1000 °C

The high temperature oxidation performance of nitride thin films has become an important issue when they are used as protective coatings on dry cutting tools or on die casting molds. In this study, the high temperature oxidation behaviors of CrNx and Cr-Si-N thin films were investigated at 1000 °C for 6 h in ambient air. The CrNx and Cr-Si-N thin films were prepared by a bipolar asymmetric pulsed direct-current (DC) magnetron sputtering system. Cr-Si-N films with silicon content ranging from 3.9 to 12.2 at. % were deposited by adjusting the Si target power. A thermogravimeter was adopted to study the oxidation kinetics of thin films. The weight gains were measured to calculate the parabolic rate constants of thin films. X-ray diffraction, X-ray mapping, and Auger electron spectroscopy were employed to study the microstructure and elemental redistributions of oxidized thin films. The as-deposited CrNx and Cr-Si-N thin films consisted of CrN and Cr2N mixed phases. The faceted Cr2O3 surface oxides, porous inner oxide layer, and oxygen-containing CrSi2 phases were found for the CrN film after oxidation test. On the other hand, the Cr-Si-N film containing 12.2 at. % Si showed a dense surface oxide layer and a thick and compact nitride layer, which indicates its best oxidation resistance. The high temperature oxidation resistance of Cr-Si-N thin films was improved by increasing Si content, due to the amorphous matrix contained nanocomposite microstructure and the formation of amorphous silicon oxide to retard the diffusion paths of oxygen, chromium, silicon, and nitrogen. The lowest parabolic rate constant of 1.48 × 10–2 mg2/cm4/h was obtained for the 12.2 at. % Si contained Cr-Si-N thin films, which provided the best oxidation resistance at 1000 °C for 6 h in this work. It should be noted that the residual tensile stress of thin film had a detrimental effect on the adhesion property during the oxidation test.
Towards a Framework of Literature Review Process in Support of Information Systems Research

This paper introduces an initial effort towards developing a framework for writing an effective literature review. The target audience for the framework are novice IS researchers or other researchers who are constantly struggling with the development of an effective literature-based foundation for the proposed research. The proposed framework follows the systematic data processing approach comprised of three major stages: 1) inputs (literature gathering and screening), 2) processing (Blooms Taxonomy), and 3) outputs (writing the review). This paper provides the rationale for developing a solid literature review and addresses the central stage, processing the literature. The paper concludes by providing arguments for the value of an effective literature review as well as implications for future work in this proposed framework.
Injectable and Conductive Granular Hydrogels for 3D Printing and Electroactive Tissue Support

Conductive hydrogels are attractive to mimic electrophysiological environments of biological tissues and toward therapeutic applications. Injectable and conductive hydrogels are of particular interest for applications in 3D printing or for direct injection into tissues; however, current approaches to add conductivity to hydrogels are insufficient, leading to poor gelation, brittle properties, or insufficient conductivity. Here, an approach is developed using the jamming of microgels to form injectable granular hydrogels, where i) hydrogel microparticles (i.e., microgels) are formed with water‐in‐oil emulsions on microfluidics, ii) microgels are modified via an in situ metal reduction process, and iii) the microgels are jammed into a solid, permitting easy extrusion from a syringe. Due to the presence of metal nanoparticles at the jammed interface with high surface area in this unique design, the granular hydrogels have greater conductivity than non‐particle (i.e., bulk) hydrogels treated similarly or granular hydrogels either without metal nanoparticles or containing encapsulated nanoparticles. The conductivity of the granular hydrogels is easily modified through mixing conductive and non‐conductive microgels during fabrication and they can be applied to the 3D printing of lattices and to bridge muscle defects. The versatility of this conductive granular hydrogel will permit numerous applications where conductive materials are needed.
Using of the Static Var Compensator of the Ultra-High Power Electric Arc Furnace for Supporting of Electrical Power System’s Stability and Increasing Reliability of Factory Power Supply

The paper includes main information about the static var compensators which work at the electric arc furnaces’ electric power supply systems. As an example of SVC 330 Mvar for the EAF-250 of CJSC “MMK Metalurji” (Iskenderun, Turkey), possibility of use of the SVC for voltage drops decreasing in 34.5 kV power grid and increasing power plants’ synchronous generators stability are considered.