Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Segregation on the Dynamics of Noise-Free Social Impact Model of Opinion Formation Through Agent-Based Modeling

Knowing the current public opinion and predicting its trend using opinion formation models is very applicable. The social impact model of opinion formation is a discrete binary opinion model. It describes how interactions among individuals and sharing their opinions about a specific topic in a social network affect the dynamics of their opinions and form the opinion of society. The society could be an online social network. In this research, we considered the effect of segregation on opinion formation. Segregation is a phenomenon that happens due to homophily and is measured based upon network topology. Homophily is the tendency of individuals to interact with others who share similar traits. We used scale-free networks to model interactions between individuals. The social impact model includes a noise parameter, which is the stochastic part of the model, dealing with the inexplicable behavior of individuals and the effects of other influentials, e.g., mass media. Since this noise is a white noise with no bias toward any possible opinion, for simplicity, we assumed a noise-free social impact model, which is valid in equilibrium analysis we considered. The results reveal that with the same attributes for the individuals, the more segregated opinion group dominates the less segregated opinion group on average. Therefore, with the same population size and individual characteristics of both opinion groups, segregation is an overall influential factor for opinion formation. A more segregated opinion group attracts some individuals from the other group and becomes the majority opinion group of society in equilibrium.
Positive valence bias is associated with inverse frontoamygdalar connectivity and less depressive symptoms in developmentally mature children

Negativity bias is a core feature of depression and anxiety that is associated with dysfunctional frontoamygdalar connectivity, a pathway associated with emotion regulation. We used a valence bias task (ratings of emotional ambiguity) as a potential early indicator of depression risk and differences in frontoamygdalar connectivity. Previous work using this task has demonstrated that children have a more negative bias than adolescents/adults. We propose that this negativity bias in childhood is normative, but its persistence in adulthood may result from differences in the development of emotion regulation mechanisms, and may be associated with increased depressive symptoms. In this limited age range (6-13 years), we tested the moderating role of puberty on relationships between valence bias, depressive symptoms, and frontoamygdalar connectivity. Only in later puberty, a negative bias was associated with increased depressive symptoms and more positive (immature) frontoamygdalar connectivity, whereas a more positive bias was associated with more inverse (adult-like) connectivity suggestive of emotion regulation. These data suggest that with maturation, individual differences in emotion regulation circuitry support a positive valence bias and possibly a reduced risk for depression. Longitudinal work is necessary to determine the directionality of these effects and explore the influence of early life events. Research Highlights A more negative valence bias was associated with depression symptoms for children in later stages of puberty. For children in later stages of puberty, more inverse mPFC-amygdala connectivity was associated with a more positive valence bias. A negative valence bias may be a healthy part of emotional functioning at early developmental stages, but maintaining this negativity is associated with dysfunction. Development of frontoamygdala connections may be critical for the development of healthy emotional functioning
EXPLORING CONSUMER BEHAVIOR OF THAI MILLENNIALS TOWARDS BUYING CONSUMER ELECTRONICS ONLINE

Online shopping has gained popularity in various types of products. The main attraction for consumers to shop online is convenience. Consumers nowadays can save time and enjoy the ease of shopping over the internet for a wide variety of items instead of going to a conventional store. However, consumer electronics are perceived as expensive products and many customers need to experience it before purchase. Moreover, there are other factors such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived privacy and security of transactions, need for touch, electronic word of mouth which influence the purchase intention. The purpose of this study aimed to explore consumer behavior of Thai millennials towards buying consumer electronics online. The study was conducted on 200 Thai millennials, aged between 23 and 38 years old. The data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed by quantitative statistical methods. Independent sample T-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that there were different perception towards online purchase intention among consumers who have different gender and monthly income. Nevertheless, consumers with different age and educational level have indifferent opinion towards online purchase intention. Significantly, the study also found that consumer behavior in terms of perceived usefulness, perceived privacy and security of transaction, need for touch, and electronic word of mouth influenced online purchase intention at the statistically significant level as of 0.05. Keywords : Consumer Behavior, Thai Millennials, E-Commerce, Online Shopping
A comprehensive alpha coefficient algorithm (a second version)

An expression proposed by Lachance is suggested to correct for matrix effects in any system analysed by X-ray fluorescence. If, for any reason, an analyst does not wish to use the fundamental parameters approach, this expression is a good alternative, yielding accurate results. It is in agreement with the theory and uses influence coefficients calculated from equations containing fundamental parameters only. It is compared with three other expressions correcting for matrix effects and its accuracy is illustrated by calculations for some hypothetical specimens.
Conduction paths in Cu/amorphous-Ta2O5/Pt atomic switch: First-principles studies

We have examined the structure of Cu filaments in Cu/amorphous-Ta2O5 (a-Ta2O5)/Pt atomic switch from first principles. We have found that the Cu single atomic chains are unstable during the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and thus cannot work as conduction paths. On the other hand, Cu nanowires with various diameters are stable and can form conductive paths. In this case, the Cu-Cu bonding mainly contributes to the conductive, delocalized defect state. These make a sharp contrast with the case of single Cu chains in crystalline Ta2O5, which can be conductive paths through the alternant Cu-Ta bonding structure. A series of MD simulations suggest that even Cu nanowires with a diameter of 0.24 nm can work as conduction paths. The calculations of the transport properties of Cu/a-Ta2O5/Pt heterostructures with Cu nanowires between two electrodes further confirm the conductive nature of the Cu nanowires in the a-Ta2O5.
MethylStar: A fast and robust pipeline for high-throughput analysis of bulk or single-cell WGBS data

Summary : Whole-Genome Bisulﬁte Sequencing (WGBS) is a Next Generation Sequenc-2 ing (NGS) technique for measuring DNA methylation at base resolution. Recent drops in sequencing costs are beginning to enable high-throughput surveys of DNA methylation in large samples of individuals and/or single cells. These surveys can generate hundreds or even thousands of whole genome bisulﬁte sequencing (WGBS) datasets in a single study. The com-6 putational analysis of this data poses major challenges and creates unnecessary bottlenecks for biological interpretation. To oﬀer an eﬃcient analysis solution for such emerging data, we have developed MethylStar, a fast, stable and ﬂexible computational pipeline. MethylStar of-9 fers easy installation through a dockerized container with all preloaded dependencies and also features a user-friendly interface designed for experts/non-experts. We show that MethylStar outperforms existing tools/pipelines for bulk and single-cell WGBS analysis. Availability and implementation: MethylStar is distributed under GPL-3.0 license and source code is publicly available for download from github https://github.com/jlab-code/ MethylStar . Installation through a docker image is available from http://jlabdata.org/
Voltage-Assisted Magnetization Switching in Ultrathin Fe80Co20 Alloy Layers

Growing demands for the voltage-driven spintronic applications with ultralow-power consumption have led to new interest in exploring the voltage-induced magnetization switching in ferromagnetic metals. In this study, we observed a large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy change in Au(001)/ultrathin Fe80Co20(001)/MgO(001)/polyimide/indium tin oxide (ITO) junctions, and succeeded in realizing a clear switching of magnetic easy axis between in-plane and perpendicular directions. Furthermore, employing a perpendicularly magnetized film, voltage-induced magnetization switching in the perpendicular direction under the assistance of magnetic fields was demonstrated. These pioneering results may open a new window of electric-field controlled spintronics devices.
Coupling Chemical Modification and Immobilization to Improve the Catalytic Performance of Enzymes

Chemical modification and immobilization of enzymes have been usually considered unrelated tools to improve biocatalyst features. However, there are many examples where a chemically modified enzyme is finally used in an immobilized form, and that exemplifies how both tools may be complementary resulting in a synergism in the final results. In this review we present some of the strategies that may give that result. For example, the chemical modification of soluble enzymes may be used to improve their immobilization (reinforcing adsorption or improving multipoint covalent attachment), or just to improve enzyme stability and facilitate the selection of the immobilization conditions. Chemical modification of previously immobilized enzymes benefits from solid-phase chemistry due to the nature of enzymes (e.g., prevention of inactivation, aggregation, etc.). The use of different targets for chemical modifications with small molecules or multifunctional polymers are also discussed: intramolecular or intersubunit cross-linking, one-point modification, generation of artificial microenvironments, etc.
Flat Resistivity in θ-Phase Charge-Transfer Salts of Selenium-Containing TMET-TTP Derivatives

Two new tetrathiapentalene (TTP)-based donor molecules have been synthesized, in which two of the four sulfur atoms of the inner TTP-skeleton of TMET-TTP (2-[4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylide.
Genotype-Dependent Differential Responses of Three Forage Species to Calcium Supplement in Saline Conditions

ABSTRACT Salt toxicity comprises of osmotic and ionic components both of which can severely affect root and shoot growth. In many crop species, supplemental calcium (Ca) reduces the inhibition of growth typical of exposure to salt stress. The objective of this study was to compare whole plant growth and physiological responses to interactive effect of salinity and Ca level on three forage species [African millet (AM), tall wheat grass (TW), and perennial ryegrass (PR)] differing in tolerance to sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity. Plants were grown under glasshouse condition and supplied with nutrient solution containing 0, 100, and 250 mM NaCl supplemented with 0.5, 5, or 10 mM calcium chloride (CaCl2). Plant growth, ionic concentration, water relations, and solute (proline and glycinebetaine) concentrations of the plants were determined two weeks after the salinity treatments. At 100 mM NaCl, there was a moderate reduction in dry matter (DM) production of all three species. A drastic decrease in DM occurred at 250 mM NaCl. Supplemental Ca reduced the adverse effects of salinity on all three species. The TW showed higher shoot and root growth in 100 and 250 mM NaCl than AM and PR. It also showed the highest DM at 5 and 10 mM Ca supplement. The shoot and root DM of TW increased by about 45 and 15%, respectively compared to the control. Chemical analysis indicated that in TW, Ca restricted both uptake and transport of sodium (Na) from root to shoot. It also increased Ca and potassium (K) concentrations in both organs. The transport of K and Ca from root to shoot of AM and PR were decreased by NaCl, but were restored with increasing Ca in the medium. The opposite occurred for Na. In PR, more K uptake was observed in shoot at 250 mM NaCl with 10 mM Ca supplement. The sap osmotic potential (ΨS) was the highest in TW at 10 mM Ca in the presence of 250 mM NaCl. Contribution of various solutes to the difference in ΨS among the species from the control and 250 mM salt treatment differed greatly. Supplemental Ca induced decline in the leaf ΨS of TW which was predominately due to K, glycinebetaine, Na and proline accumulation. Addition of 10 mM Ca to the growth medium maintained a low Na and a high K level. Accumulation of glycinebetaine and proline in leaf contributed the NaCl tolerance of TW. The presented results suggest that supplement Ca, not only improved ionic relations but also induced plant ability in production of compatible solutes (glycinebetaine and proline) and osmotic adjustment. Accordingly, genotype dependent capacity could be found using supplemental Ca.
Electron microscopic studies of ferroelectric and ferroelastic Gd2(MoO4)3. I. General features of ferroelectric domain wall, antiphase boundary, and crystal defects

The ferroelectric domain structure and antiphase structure in Gd2(MoO4)3 crystals are studied by electron microscope, noting the contrast produced by the misorientation between the ferroelectric domains, by the moire technique and by the dark field technique of the superlattice reflections. Besides the ferroelectric domain walls (FDW's) of the (110) and (110) planes, an unexpected type of FDW's of the {111} planes is found particularly in the thin (110) crystals. The dark field micrographs of the superlattice reflections very clearly contrast the antiparallel domains, the antiphase boundary (APB), and the two sorts of FDW's having different shifts of the neighbouring lattices. The dark field contrast between the antiparallel domains due to the failure of Friedel's law is proved to be absent in Gd2(MoO4)3. Dislocations and Frank type dislocation loops of complex natures are observed. Es werden die ferroelektrische Domanenstruktur und die Antiphasenstruktur in Gd2(MoO4)3-Kristallen mit Elektronenmikroskopie untersucht, wobei der durch die Fehlorientierung zwischen den ferroelektrischen Domanen hervorgerufene Kontrast durch die Moire-Technik und Dunkelfeld-technik der Supergitterreflexion beobachtet wird. Neben den Wanden der ferroelektrischen Domanen (FDW) auf den (110)- und (110)-Ebenen, wird ein nicht erwarteter Typ von FDW auf den {111}-Ebenen, speziell in den dunnen (110)-Kristallen gefunden. Die Dunkelfeldmikragramme der Supergitterreflexionen kontrastieren sehr deutlich mit den antiparallelen Domanen, den Antiphasengrenzen (APW) und den beiden Sorten der FDW, die unterschiedliche Verschiebungen der Nachbargitter besitzen. Es wird gefunden, das der Dunkelfeldkontrast zwischen den antiparallelen Domanen, der durch das Versagen des Friedelschen Gesetzes hervorgerufen wird, in Gd2(MoO4)3 fehlt. Versetzungen und Frank-Versetzungsschleifen von komplexer Natur werden beobachtet.
Na-ion mobility in layered Na2FePO4F and olivine Na[Fe,Mn]PO4

The Na-ion battery is currently the focus of much research interest due to its cost advantages and the relative abundance of sodium as compared to lithium. Olivine NaMPO4 (M = Fe, Fe0.5Mn0.5, Mn) and layered Na2FePO4F are interesting materials that have been reported recently as attractive positive electrodes. Here, we report their Na-ion conduction behavior and intrinsic defect properties using atomistic simulation methods. In the olivines, Na ion migration is essentially restricted to the [010] direction along a curved trajectory, similar to that of LiMPO4, but with a lower migration energy (0.3 eV). However, Na/M antisite defects are also predicted to have a lower formation energy: the higher probability of tunnel occupation with a relatively immobile M2+ cation – along with a greater volume change on redox cycling – contributes to the poor electrochemical performance of the Na-olivine. Na+ ion conduction in Na2FePO4F is predicted to be two-dimensional (2D) in the interlayer plane with a similar low activation energy. The antisite formation energy is slightly higher; furthermore, antisite occupation would not be predicted to impede transport significantly owing to the 2D pathway. This factor, along with the much lower volume change on redox cycling, is undoubtedly responsible for the better electrochemical performance of the layered structure. Where volume change and structural effects do not incur impediments, Na-ion materials may present significant advantages over their Li counterparts.
Proton-conducting polymer electrolytes and their applications in solid supercapacitors: a review

Research on solid supercapacitors over the last few years has aimed to provide high performing and safely operating energy storage solutions for the fast growing application areas of consumer and micro-electronics, providing printable, flexible and wearable devices. Most of the reported research has leveraged proton conducting polymer electrolytes for electrochemical double layer capacitors and pseudo-capacitors. In this paper, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art solid supercapacitors enabled by proton-conducting polymer electrolytes. After a short overview of the types and configurations of solid supercapacitors, this review introduces proton-conducting polymers electrolytes and the mechanisms of proton conduction in a polymer matrix. Based on their chemistry, synthesizing method, and the nature of proton conduction, proton-conducting polymer electrolytes and the resultant supercapacitors are discussed in two categories: polymeric proton-conducting electrolytes and inorganic/polymer proton-conducting electrolytes. The performance and the technology gaps of the solid supercapacitors enabled by the presented polymer electrolytes are reviewed and compared. The review concludes with an outlook of future advancements required and the key research directions to achieving these.
Quantifying Plasticization and Melting Behavior of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) in Supercritical CO2 Utilizing a Linear Variable Differential Transformer

Supercritical CO2 plasticization of semicrystalline poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was investigated by measuring linear dilation as a function of temperature (75−130 °C) and pressure (138−670 bar) using a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). The robustness of the LVDT technique allows the study of CO2 plasticization at high temperatures (to Tm) and pressures. Experiments at constant temperature (varying pressure) and constant pressure (varying temperature) were performed. With constant temperature experiments below 100 °C, dilation increased up to 414 bar, while at higher pressures, the change of dilation with pressure attenuated. At higher temperatures (≥117 °C), dilation increased almost linearly with pressure through the experimental range. Constant pressure experiments were carried out to assess the effect of CO2 pressure on Tm. With increasing pressure, Tm decreased to a minimum of 135 °C at 483 bar (ΔTm = 23 °C). Above 483 bar, hydrostatic effects override plasticization and Tm increas.
Recognition by lipases of ω-hydroxyl macroinitiators for diblock copolymer synthesis

The mono-terminal hydroxyl groups of polybutadiene of varying chain length were studied as sites for initiation of lactone ring-opening polymerization by lipase catalysis. Novozyme-435 (immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B) was an effective catalyst for this acylation. Monohydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene with Mn of 2.6, 10, and 19 kg/mol efficiently initiated ω-pentadecalactone (PDL) and e-caprolactone (CL) polymerization in toluene at 55 °C to give polybutadiene-b-polypentadecalactone and polybutadiene-b-polycaprolactone, respectively. For example, monohydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene with Mn 2.6 kg/mol initiated PDL ring-opening polymerization (1:25, OH:PDL) and formed a product with Mn 9.6 kg/mol in 19 h with 17 mol % chains initiated by water and >90% initiator efficiency. This method circumvented previously published chemical methods that required a metal catalyst and strict exclusion of moisture. A fractionation method was developed to separate the oligomers and to reduce the homopolymer conta.
Seasonal variations of anhydrosugars in PM2.5 in the Pearl River Delta Region, China

Anhydrosugars including levoglucosan and mannosan are the most effective organic tracers for biomass burning aerosol in the atmosphere. In this study, to investigate the contribution of biomass burning emissions to the aerosol burden in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, China, 24-hour integrated PM2.5 samples were collected simultaneously at four locations, (i) Guangzhou (GZ), (ii) Zhaoqing (ZQ) in Guangdong province, (iii) Hok Tsui (HT) and (iv) Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PU) in Hong Kong, in four seasons between 2006 and 2007. Levoglucosan and mannosan, together with water-soluble inorganic ions and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), were determined to elucidate the seasonal and spatial variations in biomass burning contributions. The concentrations of levoglucosan and mannosan were on average 82.4±123 and 5.8±8.6 ng m−3, respectively. The WSOC concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 9.4 µg m−3, with an average of 2.1±1.6 µg m−3. The relative contributions of biomass burning emissions to OC were 33% in QZ, 12% in GZ, 4% at PU and 5% at HT, respectively, estimated by the measured levoglucosan to organic carbon ratio (LG/OC) relative to literature-derived LG/OC values. The contributions from biomass burning emissions were in general 1.7–2.8 times higher in winter than those in other seasons. Further, it was inferred from diagnostic tracer ratios that a significant fraction of biomass burning emissions was derived from burning of hard wood and likely also from field burning of agricultural residues, such as rice straw, in the PRD region. Our results highlight the contributions from biomass/biofuel burning activities on the regional aerosol budget in South China.
Chiral molecular recognition in polymer Langmuir-Blodgett films containing axially chiral binaphthyl groups

Axially chiral binaphthalene chromophores (BN) can be incorporated into polymer Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films as comonomers of N-alkylacrylamides which have an excellent ability to form stable monolayers and LB multilayers. The spreading behavior of the copolymers of (S)-2-methoxy-1,1'-binaphthalen-2'-yl methacrylate ((S)-MeBN) or (S)-2-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthalen-2'-yl methacrylate ((S)-HOBM) with N-decyl-(DA), dodecyl-(DDA), or tetradecylacrylamide (TDA) was investigated by a measurement of the surface pressure-area isotherms. The isotherms show that the copolymers, especially DDA copolymers, form a stable condensed monolayer on pure water and the axially chiral binaphthalene chromophore is dispersed uniformly, having its own surface area on water when the mole fraction of BN is less than ca. 20 mol%