Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of a class 100 clean room cabinet for electrothermal atomization AAS

A class 100 clean room laminar flow cabinet has been optimized with special emphasis to the particle emission characteristics of an electrothermal atomizer for atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETA-AAS). A fume extraction device, operating in counterflow to the cleaned laminar flow, ensures that class 100 conditions in the vicinity of the autosampler are maintained even if high loads of matrix such as metal salts are released from the furnace during the pyrolysis or atomization steps. Under these conditions, the excellent detection limit performance of modern graphite furnace AAS can be obtained even for elements such as Ca, Fe or Zn, where fluctuation of the blank rather than shot noise are usually limiting the detection power. When optimized flow conditions are selected, the exhaust from the furnace is removed almost exclusively while only clean uncontaminated air is entering into the laboratory. This helps to protect the personnel and the laboratory environment from hazardous acidic fumes, solvents, and particulate metal salts.
Structural and Functional Variations of the Macrobenthic Community of the Adige Basin along the River Continuum

Since the publication of the River Continuum Concept (RCC), the capacity of the longitudinal dimension to predict the distribution of species and ecological functions in river networks was discussed by different river theories. The taxonomic structures and functional attributes of macrobenthic communities were investigated along the river continuum in the river Adige network (Northern Italy), with the aim to test the reliability of RCC theory and clarify the relation between structural and functional features in lotic systems. Distance from the spring was found to be most representative proxy among environmental parameters. The analysis highlighted the decrease of biodiversity levels along the river continuum. The decrease of taxonomic diversity corresponded to the loss in functional richness. The abundances of predator and walker taxa, as well as semelparous organisms, declined along the longitudinal gradient, suggesting variations in community complexity and granulometry. Regression models also depicted the presence of disturbed communities in the central section of the basin, where intensive agricultural activities occur, that affected environmental gradients. Overall, results offered evidences that the river continuum may predict macrobenthic community structures in terms of taxonomic diversity, thus confirming the general validity of RCC. Nonetheless, the functional analysis did not provide equally clear evidences to support the theory. After four decades from its postulation, the RCC is still a reliable model to predict the general macroinvertebrates distribution. However, community functions may respond to a number of local factors not considered in RCC, which could find a declination in other theories. The relations between structural and functional features confirmed to be complex and sensitive to disturbances and local conditions.
Response to “Comment on the Paper “Characteristic Time Scales of Decadal to Centennial Changes in Global Surface Temperatures Over the Past 150 years” by Y. Cuypers, F. Codron, and M. Crepon”

We thank the authors (hereafter referred to as CCC) for providing us an opportunity to clarify some points of our original paper. CCC list in their abstract three “key points”that we respond to in this Reply. The first comment is the central one and the most developed. It deals mainly with discussion of features of methods of spectral analysis, mainly SSA. We have quoted the sub‐parts of that comment as items 1a to 1k. The replies to comments/key points 2 and 3 are shorter. We disagree with most of the comments by CCC and explain why. We conclude that we have successfully countered CCC's criticism and shown many of their points to be unsubstantiated. The main problem seems to reside in differences concerning the literature on Singular Spectral Analysis and our use of it. Much of our response to the comments can be found in textbooks and review papers on SSA and time series analysis; we quote extensively, both in our original paper and in this response to CCC, Golyandina and Zhigljavsky (2013).
Design for Additive Manufacturing: Tool Review and a Case Study

This paper aims to collect in a structured manner different computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools especially developed for additive manufacturing (AM) that maximize the capabilities of this technology regarding product development. The flexibility of the AM process allows the manufacture of highly complex shapes that are not possible to produce by any other existing technology. This fact enables the use of some existing design tools like topology optimization that has already existed for decades and is used in limited cases, together with other novel developments like lattice design tools. These two technologies or design approaches demand a highly flexible manufacturing system to be applied and could not be used before, due to the conventional industrial process limitations. In this paper, these technologies will be described and combined together with other generic or specific design tools, introducing the study case of an additive manufactured mechanical design of a bicycle stem.
Electron dynamics in radio frequency magnetron sputtering argon discharges with a dielectric target

We demonstrate a self-consistent and complete description of electron dynamics in a typical electropositive radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RFMS) argon discharge with a dielectric target. The electron dynamics, including the electron power absorption dynamics in one radio frequency (RF) period, is studied via a fully kinetic 2d3v particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision (PIC/MCC) electrostatic simulation. The interplay between the fundamental plasma parameters is analyzed through their spatiotemporal dynamics. Due to the influence of magnetic trap on the electron transport, a spatially dependent charging that perturbs the electric potential is observed on the dielectric target surface, resulting in a spatially dependent ion energy distribution along the target surface. The E × B drift-to-discharge current ratio is in approximate agreement with Bohm diffusion. The electron power absorption can be primarily decoupled into the positive Ohmic power absorption in the bulk plasma region and the negative pressure-induced power absorption near the target surface. Ohmic power absorption is the dominant electron power absorption mechanism, mostly contributed by the azimuthal electron current. The power absorption due to electron inertial effects is negligible on time-average. Both the maximum power absorption and dissipation of electrons appear in the bulk plasma region during the second half of the RF period, implying a strong electron trapping in magnetron discharges. The contribution of secondary electrons is negligible under typical RFMS discharge conditions.
MEDIASI SIKAP PENGGUNA DAN KEMANFAATAN DALAM MANAJEMEN SISTEM INFORMASI DAERAH

The purpose of this study to test the mediation effect of user attitudes and benefits in regional information system management. One of the prerequisites for improving transparency and accountability of state financial management (central and regional) is to reform the presentation of financial statements, i.e. the government should be able to provide all relevant financial information honestly and openly to the public. Research is a quantitative research with survey method in SKPD in the Provincial Government of South Sumatra numbering 127. Data is processed with the help of WarpPLS. Based on the results of the analysis, the user attitude is able to mediate the relationship between the ease of the user to the management of regional information systems and the usefulness of being able to mediate the relationship of ease of users to the management of regional information systems
In vitro propagation and antioxidant potential of Berberis asiatica from Western Himalaya

Abstract An in vitro propagation protocol has been developed for Berberis asiatica, an important Himalayan medicinal shrub. Significantly higher in vitro seed germination (50%) was obtained in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA). MS medium containing 1.0 µM BA and 0.1 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) yielded maximum callus induction percentage (100%) from in-vitro grown leaf explants. Maximum shoot proliferation (100%) was obtained when callus was transferred to MS medium containing 2.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM IAA or 6.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM NAA. The maximum rooting percentage (70%) and root number per shoot (2.36) were recorded in ½ MS containing 0.05 µM IAA. Rooted shoots when transferred to potting medium containing vermiculite, soil, and sand (1:1:1) resulted in 65% survival. The phytochemical analysis of leaf samples of tissue culture-raised plants showed significantly higher alkaloids (berberine and palmatine) content than the leaf samples collected from the wild (mother plant). A similar trend was also observed in studied antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. Therefore, micropropagation of B. asiatica can be promoted for harnessing its potential as a source of berberine and natural antioxidants. This may help to reduce the pressure on the natural populations of the species.
What influences real estate volatility in Hong Kong? An ARMA-GARCH approach

PurposeThis paper aims to examine real estate price volatility in Hong Kong. Monthly data on housing, offices, retail and factories in Hong Kong were analyzed from February 1993 to February 2019 to test whether volatility clusters are present in the real estate market. Real estate price determinants were also investigated.Design/methodology/approachAutoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity–Lagrange multiplier test is used to examine the volatility clustering effects in these four kinds of real estate. An autoregressive and moving average model–generalized auto regressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model was used to identify real estate price volatility determinants in Hong Kong.FindingsThere was volatility clustering in all four kinds of real estate. Determinants of price volatility vary among different types of real estate. In general, housing volatility in Hong Kong is influenced primarily by the foreign exchange rate (both RMB and USD), whereas commercial real estate is largely influenced by unemployment. The results of the exponential GARCH model show that there were no asymmetric effects in the Hong Kong real estate market.Research limitations/implicationsThis volatility pattern has important implications for investors and policymakers. Residential and commercial real estate have different volatility determinants; investors may benefit from this when building a portfolio. The analysis and results are limited by the lack of data on real estate price determinants.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first study that evaluates volatility in the Hong Kong real estate market using the GARCH class model. Also, this paper is the first to investigate commercial real estate price determinants.
A simple model for 2-D upconversion of incoherent light

We present a simple theoretical model for 2 dimensional (2-D) image up-conversion of incoherent light. While image upconversion has been known for more than 40 years, the technology has been hindered by very low conversion quantum efficiency (~10 -7 ). We show that our implementation compared to previous work can result in a feasible system: Using intracavity upconversion and Quasi Phase Matching (QPM) nonlinear materials provide increased conversion efficiency. Using a QPM crystal and choosing the wavelengths so the first order term in the phasematch wavelength acceptance vanishes, results in very large wavelength acceptance. This work describes how the bandwidth acceptance can be predicted and designed. This gives promise of a new way to make infrared imaging devices with tunable spectral sensitivity.
Degradation of Bisphenol a Using Horseradish Peroxidase Immobilized on Fe-based MOFs

In this study, we synthesized a water-stable Fe-based metal-organic framework, MIL-88B (Fe) by a solvothermal method, and for the first time, MIL-88B (Fe)/HRP composite was prepared for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase on MIL-88B (Fe) using covalent fixation method. The material was characterized via XRD, FTIR, TG, and SEM methods. The results showed that the composite could remove bisphenol A quickly and efficiently by adding the hydrophilic agent polyethylene glycol, with the removal rate of BPA up to 99.2% within 1 hour. In addition, the initial concentration of bisphenol A, the dosage of the immobilized enzyme and the amount of H2O2 added had a great influence on the degradation efficiency. It was found that immobilized HRP could be reused, and its storage stability and thermal stability were better than free HRP. These show that immobilized enzymes have a broad application prospect in waste-water treatment.
Galvanic Sensor for Detecting Corrosion during Acid Cleaning of Magnetite in Steam Boilers

A simple galvanic sensor was developed to determine the onset of iron corrosion under conditions similar to those used for removing the iron oxide (magnetite) layer from steam boilers with a hy-drochloric acid solution. Since the potentials of magnetite and iron are different, the initiation of the dissolution of the magnetite layer without corroding the base metal can be determined by moni-toring the potential of a sensor made of magnetite layers of different thicknesses that can be placed directly on the iron surface. Moreover, the time at which the addition of corrosion inhibitors is required to protect the base metal can be specified using this sensor. It has been shown that the time required for the iron base metal to start was dependent on the magnetite layer thickness in the sensor. With this sensor, the onset of the steel corrosion during the cleaning can be detected in re-al-time which makes the oxide removal process less harmful to the base metal.
How to constrain warm dark matter with the Lyman-α forest

The flux power spectrum (FPS) of the high-resolution Lyman-α forest data exhibits suppression at small scales. The origin of this suppression can be due to long-sought warm dark matter (WDM) or to thermal effects, related to the largely unknown reionization history of the Universe. Previous works explored a specific class of reionization histories that exhibit sufficiently strong thermal suppression and leave little room for WDM interpretation. In this work, we choose a different class of reionization histories, fully compatible with available data on evolution of reionization, but much colder than the reionization histories used by previous authors in determining the nature of dark matter, thus leaving the broadest room for the WDM interpretation of the suppression in the FPS. We find that WDM thermal relics with masses below 1.9 keV (95 per cent CL) would produce a suppression at scales that are larger than observed maximum of the FPS, independently of assumptions about thermal effects. This WDM mass is significantly lower than previously claimed bounds, demonstrating the level of systematic uncertainty of the Lyman-α forest method, due to the previous modelling. We also discuss how this uncertainty may affect also data at large scales measured by eBOSS(Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey).
Whistlers in the Plasmasphere

We study packages of VLF whistler‐mode waves observed by the Van Allen Probes satellites in the equatorial plasmasphere. We demonstrate that the main mechanism providing localization of these waves inside relatively broad (>1 RE across the ambient magnetic field) magnetospheric regions is a combined effect of the transverse gradients in the plasma density and the ambient magnetic field. The criterion for the wave trapping by these gradients is the same as for the wave trapping inside a high‐density duct with a symmetric, Gaussian‐like profile of the density in the uniform magnetic field. This criterion can be used to determine the parallel wavelength of the wave with a known frequency trapped by the density and magnetic field inhomogeneities with known parameters. The developed theoretical approach demonstrates a good, quantitative agreement with the observations. The analytical results have been confirmed with comprehensive, time‐dependent simulations of the electron‐MHD model.
Prevalence of common mental concerns and service utilization among international students studying in the U.S. 

ABSTRACT An estimated one million international students are enrolled in U.S. universities. However, little was known about the landscape of their mental health and help-seeking behaviors. Drawing from a large national university student sample (N = 228,421, 8.49% non-U.S. citizen) from the Healthy Minds Study, data indicated the rates of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, eating disorder, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidal ideation were 27.4%, 20.0%, 26.4%, 17.2%, and 8.8% respectively among international students, with high inter-country variabilities. Contrary to our expectations, there is no strong and consistent evidence suggesting international students were at higher risk for common mental health concerns compared to domestic students. However, among students who were screened positive for these mental health disorders (n = 96,567), there was a significant difference between service utilization rates for international students and domestic students (32.0% vs. 49.8%), even after controlling for gender, age, socioeconomic status, perceived need for help, mental health stigma, and using informal support. Our results highlight the urgency for addressing mental health concerns and equitable mental health care among international students.
The Smicronychini of southern Africa (Coleoptera, Curculionidae): Review of the tribe and description of 12 new species

This study reviews the species of the tribe Smicronychini Seidlitz, 1891 found in southern Africa. In total, 18 species are recognized in this region, 12 of them being described as new (Sharpia madibai sp. nov., Afrosmicronyx cycnii sp. nov., A. louwi sp. nov., A. marshalli sp. nov., A. nebulosipennis sp. nov., Smicronyx pseudocoecus sp. nov., S. australis sp. nov., S. drakensbergensis sp. nov., S. gracilipes sp. nov., S. paucisquamis sp. nov., S. san sp. nov., S. similis sp. nov.). The following genera and species are newly reported from this area: Afrosmicronyx Hustache, 1935; Sharpia Tournier, 1873; Smicronyx pauperculus Wollaston, 1864; S. albosquamosus Wollaston, 1854 and S. namibicus Haran, 2018. New host plant taxa and plant associations for the tribe are reported among the families Gentianaceae Juss. , Orobanchaceae Vent. and Convolvulaceae Juss. A key to species and images of the habitus of adults and male genitalia are provided.
$H_{\infty }$ State Estimation for Coupled Stochastic Complex Networks With Periodical Communication Protocol and Intermittent Nonlinearity Switching

In this paper, an <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\infty }$</tex-math></inline-formula> estimation approach is given for an array of coupled stochastic complex networks with intermittent nonlinearity switching. A set of binary random variables are adopted to characterize the intermittent switching behavior of the involved nonlinearities. To effectively alleviate data collisions and save energy, the Round-Robin protocol is utilized to curb network congestions in data communication. For the coupled stochastic complex networks, we design a protocol-based <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\infty}$</tex-math></inline-formula> estimator that not only resists stochastic disturbances, but also ensures the exponential mean square stability of the desired error system under a given disturbance attenuation level. With the help of the Lyapunov stability and convex optimization theories, sufficient conditions are provided for the expected estimator. Simulations are provided to illustrate the reasonability of our <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\infty }$</tex-math></inline-formula> approach.
Liquiritin from Glycirrhyza Glabra L (Fabaceae) - a Natural Derived Drug, as a Potential Inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2

Novel Corona virus-2 (Covid-19) is spreading and causing major damage around the globe and constantly increasing daily. There is a prerequisite of expeditious development of safe and efficient drugs for such a contagious disease. In this regard, utilization of a computational approach with an aim to provide potential enzyme inhibitors derived from natural resources will give a providential therapy. The present study investigated one of the promising plants namely Glycyrrhiza glabra L. It has various medicinal properties viz. anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-demulcent, expectorant, etc. In-Silico Analysis of liquiritin against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was carried out using Autodock 4.2. 6 and results were compared with presently prescribed drugs i.e. dexamethasone, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin. The binding energy of liquiritin was found to be -6.62 kcal/mol. It shows presence of hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction with six active residues THR26, GLY143, CYS145, HIS 164, GLU166, and GLN189. Comparative studies investigated that dexamethasone, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin have four (THR26, GLY143, CYS145, GLU166), three (CYS145, GLU166, GLN189), four (GLY143, CYS145, HIS 164, GLN189) and two (GLU166, GLN189) identical active residues, respectively. The present study recommended liquiritin as a potential candidate against SARS-CoV-2 as it is naturally derived and has tremendous traditional usage against various diseases. However, in-vitro and in-vivo studies are required to prove its efficacy.
Needs Assessment of Grade 8 Instructional Materials in Teaching Filipino: A Phenomenology

Instructional materials are the tools used to educate learners and help the teaching-learning process be more effective and meaningful. However, teachers face problems regarding sources of information or materials to be used in instruction especially those teaching in public schools. Using a qualitative single-case study design, this study aims to determine the available instructional materials used by the Filipino Subject Teacher in a National High School which was identified by the City Division to be one of the low performing schools in the city based on the National Achievement Test 2016. This study will use purposive sampling and the use of semi-structured interviews as it links to Instructional Design Theory that worries how the student is going to learn and not more than what the student is going to learn. Results of this study could provide necessary assistance or school intervention for teachers teaching Filipino subject.