Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical and Structural Properties of CVD-Graphene Oxidized Using KMnO4/H2SO4 Solution

We report the electrical properties of graphene grown via chemical vapor deposition (CVD-graphene) and oxidized using a KMnO4/dilute H2SO4 mixture. CVD-graphene was successfully oxidized without any pores or peeling off from the substrates. When the H2SO4 concentration was increased, the electrical resistance of the oxidized graphene (OG) increased. In particular, OG-20 shows a nonlinear current–voltage curve similar to that of a diode owing to direct tunneling through the interfaces between the nanosized sp2 and sp3 regions. The changes in electrical properties occurred because of structural evolution. As the H2SO4 concentration increased, the number of oxygen functional groups (epoxide/hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) in the OG increased. In addition, a reduction in the average distance between defects in the OG was determined using Raman spectroscopy. Oxidation using a KMnO4/dilute H2SO4 mixture results in CVD-graphene with modified electrical properties for graphene-based applications.
A quantitative study on Australian doctoral students’ perceptions of employability preparedness: how gender and age matter

ABSTRACT Twenty-first-century doctoral candidates face a consistently evolving employment landscape. This paper explores how gender and age influence doctoral students’ perceptions of employability preparedness provided by their higher education institution for future career pathways. A survey-based study (n = 222) was undertaken at a large regional Australian university to assess what employment pathways graduates intend to pursue, how prepared they feel for these pathways, and what strategies could be utilised to increase the effectiveness of doctoral training with a view to employability. Transition pedagogy is used as a lens to unpack and explore participants' perceptions about systems designed to support success. Key findings include (i) a surplus of candidates seeking academic careers; (ii) candidates reporting doctoral training inadequately prepares them for their preferred career path; and (iii) young males feeling most prepared by their doctoral programme and older females feeling the least prepared. We discuss how preparedness is not experienced equally, and how the conditions of higher education are constructed with assumptions of who a doctoral candidate is, with implications for who is most likely to benefit from it.
The playful project manager : a case study of theatre director Þorleifur Örn Arnarsson

This research’s objective is to determine if and what project management can gain from the theatre directing methods of Þorleifur Örn Arnarsson. A case study methodology was utilized in order to answer the research question. Þorleifur’s latest project, Njála, has received exceptional reviews for untraditional and creative interpretation of one of the most beloved Icelandic saga. A variety of methods were used in order to gather information about Þorleifur’s methods. Personal interviews, documentary series about Icelandic theatre productions, television interviews and the author’s personal experience of the show were utilized to reach a conclusion. Results of the research indicate that Þorleifur’s methods are worth sharing and that the field of project management can gain by incorporating his methodology. His modern ideas about the role of the director, his ability to build trust and motivate the project team, his ability to determine the appropriate division of labour, his emphasis on inspiring and sustaining a creative environment and his ability to give a project team full freedom to explore can really be an important addition to the field of project management.
Decision-making in smart manufacturing: A framework for performance measurement

ABSTRACT The deployment of smart manufacturing technologies like communication, computing, sensors, cyber-physical systems, simulation, and data sciences has enabled the operational transformations of the factory ecosystem. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the alterations commenced by the business due to smart manufacturing implementation. Smart Manufacturing Performance Measures (SMPMs) are used to evaluate operational transformations realized through digitalization of systems. However, there is no reported work focusing on the quantification of SMPMs. This study addresses the research gap by defining potential indicators to quantify SMPMs referred to as smart manufacturing performance indicators (SMPIs) identified through literature review methodology. The SMPIs are discussed in detail besides their mathematical expression advocated through in-depth literature study. Further, a conceptual framework for decision-making in smart manufacturing environment based on SMPIs is proposed. The conceptual framework provides guidelines to plan and select the preferred focused manufacturing output and the relevant set of SMPIs contributing to the outputs for expediting effective smart manufacturing implementation. The research findings are beneficial for the managers and consultants to gauge the potential structure of measurement that can be used to evaluate smart manufacturing systems’ performance.
Managing people in sport organizations : a strategic human resource management

1. Introduction 2. Managing Human Resources in Sport Organisations 3. Job Analysis and Design in Sport Organisations 4. Recruiting and selecting candidates in Sport Organisations 5. Orienting New Employee and Volunteers in Sport Organisations 6. Training and Development in Sport Organisations 7. Performance Management and Appraisal in Sport Organisations 8. Motivation and Reward Systems in Sport Organisations 9. Sport Organisations and Managing Outsourcing Arrangements 10. Sport Organisations and Succession management11. Sport Organisations and Diversity Management 12. Sport Organisations and Employee Relations 13. Managing Change and Future Challenges
Spatiotemporal variations of total suspended sediment concentrations in the Peace-Athabasca Delta during 2000 to 2020

Abstract. Total suspended sediments (TSS) are an important water quality indicator. The spatiotemporal distribution patterns of TSS concentrations in summer in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) remain unclear between 2000 and 2020. Among empirical and machine learning models, the random forest (RF) model exhibits the best performance for the PAD with a coefficient of determination, normalized root-means-square error, and relative root-mean-square error of 0.92, 7.51%, and 27.36%, respectively. Our study analyzes the spatiotemporal TSS distribution based on 21 years of Landsat remote sensing data and the RF model. The results showed that the TSS concentrations of the Peace River were elevated in 2000, 2016, 2019, and 2020. The long-term TSS concentration distribution in the PAD showed a decreasing trend from west to east, and the TSS concentrations ranged from 6 to 80 mg/L level and remained stable in Lake Athabasca during the investigated period. Moreover, 57.14% of the PAD area exhibited no significant change between 2000 and 2020. The results of our study provide detailed information for the local government on the TSS concentrations in the PAD.
Evaluation Methods of Interactive Effects of Collaborative English Learning in Colleges in Online Environment

The rapid development of modern teaching information technology, especially the application of modern information technology, represented by multimedia technology and Internet information technology in education, makes collaborative learning (CL) in an online environment more critical, and its evaluation issues are more prominent. This article aims to study the interactive effect of the evaluation method of college English CL in the online environment. This paper mainly analyzes the composition of cooperative learning, the effect evaluation function of online cooperative learning, the elements of interactive design, and other teaching activities on learning. Combining the experimental method and the questionnaire survey method, a class of non-English majors in a university is selected as the research object. All students perform English CL in an online environment, and we finally analyze the interactive effects of students’ CL based on the data obtained from pretests and questionnaires. The experimental results show that the interaction of teachers and students through the CL of online platforms has become closer.
In Silico Insights towards the Identification of SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 Helicase Druggable Pockets

The merging of distinct computational approaches has become a powerful strategy for discovering new biologically active compounds. By using molecular modeling, significant efforts have recently resulted in the development of new molecules, demonstrating high efficiency in reducing the replication of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. We have focused our interest on non-structural protein Nsp13 (NTPase/helicase), as a crucial protein, embedded in the replication–transcription complex (RTC), that controls the virus life cycle. To assist in the identification of the most druggable surfaces of Nsps13, we applied a combination of four computational tools: FTMap, SiteMap, Fpocket and LigandScout. These software packages explored the binding sites for different three-dimensional structures of RTC complexes (PDB codes: 6XEZ, 7CXM, 7CXN), thus, detecting several hot spots, that were clustered to obtain ensemble consensus sites, through a combination of four different approaches. The comparison of data provided new insights about putative druggable sites that might be employed for further docking simulations on druggable surfaces of Nsps13, in a scenario of repurposing drugs.
The Informational Role of Earnings Smoothing in Diversification

: This paper examines whether managers smooth earnings to affect information asymmetry upon diversification. Using a sample of firms listed in Taiwan Stock Exchange, the results show that earnings smoothing increases the positive association between industrial diversification and bid-ask spread but reduces the negative association between global diversification and bid-ask spread. Our results are robust with respect to alternative research methodology (3SLS), alternative proxy for information asymmetry (analyst following), refined measure of earnings smoothing (i.e., discretionary earnings smoothing) after controlling for leverage, negative earnings, and return on equity. Collectively, the evidence suggests that discretionary earnings smoothing conveys managers’ favorable information for firms with global diversification, but garbles managers’ unfavorable information for firms with industrial diversification.
Potential use of Janus structures in food applications

Janus surfaces present technological opportunities both for research and industry in which different chemical, physical and/or structural components need to coexist for a single purpose such as chemistry, textile and material science. Varying inorganic and organic (polymer-based) materials are conventionally used however, utilizing nature-derived polymers to fabricate Janus structures is a recent and attractive trend which makes them more applicable for bio-based treatments with environmental concerns. Particularly, promising applications of Janus structures as being surfactants, drug delivery and micro/nano encapsulation vehicles for biomedical purposes successfully forward the interest on Janus concept to the food related practices. Producing Janus structures from nature-derived and food grade polymers such as alginate, cellulose, chitosan, lipid nanocrystals, zein and some plant-proteins and their usage stronger emulsions with higher stabilities, biosensing or antimicrobial practices as well as bioactive delivery and release control might be considered as a new era for food processing industry.
Proton Beam Therapy in Managing Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Invasion

Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct invasion is well known for its poor survival outcome, and no definite treatment guideline has been suggested. This study analyzed the treatment outcome and toxicity of proton beam therapy in managing patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct invasion. After a median follow-up of 19.9 months, proton beam therapy provided an optimal in-field control rate for these patients. The overall survival results were comparable with surgical series. This study concluded that proton beam therapy offers desirable treatment outcomes with acceptable toxicities. Based on the results, proton beam therapy provides patients with another optimal alternative for treating this notorious subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct invasion is a rare and notorious subtype of HCC. This study included patients that had unresectable HCC with bile duct invasion and proton beam therapy between November 2015 and February 2021. Twenty patients fit the inclusion criteria. The median tumor size was 6.3 cm. Nine patients (45.0%) had major vascular invasions. All included patients received the radiation dose of 72.6 gray relative biological effectiveness due to the proximity of porta hepatis and tumor. The median follow-up time was 19.9 months. The median overall survival was 19.9 months among deceased patients. The 1-year cumulative local recurrence rates were 5.3%, with only two patients developing in-field failure. The 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 79.4% and 53.3%. The 1-year progression-free survival was 58.9%. Four patients developed radiation-induced liver disease. The 1-year cholangitis-free survival was 55.0%. Skin toxicity was the most common acute toxicity and rarely severe. Eight patients developed ≤ grade 3 gastrointestinal ulcers. Proton beam therapy offers desirable survival outcomes for unresectable HCC patients with bile duct invasion. Optimal local tumor control could also be obtained within acceptable toxicities.
The Estimation of Fatigue Damage in Aircraft Wing Structures

Summary A simple cumulative fatigue damage law is used to estimate the endurance of a number of typical structural components when subjected to the alternating wing loads encountered by an aircraft in flight. A method is developed to study the fatigue damage in terms of infinitesimally small intervals of alternating load and the corresponding fatigue strength. Recent gust data are used in conjunction with the complete fatigue strength diagrams of 13 simple components. The fatigue damage is studied for the ranges of altitude (i) up to 12,000 ft. , and (ii) above 30,000 ft. In each case it is found that the damage rate curve, which gives the intensity of fatigue damage at any gust velocity, takes a characteristic form, with a well-defined range of gust velocities giving the greatest fatigue damage. This leads to a simplification of the whole problem, and it is found, finally, that the life of the structure is governed—in so far as the cumulative law is correct—almost entirely by that gust velocity, which, when applied alone to the structure, gives an endurance of about two million cycles. The results of the survey are compared with the design criteria suggested by Walker and the lives estimated by Williams.
Estimation of Entropy for Log-Logistic Distribution under Progressive Type II Censoring

Entropy is a useful indicator of information content that has been used in a number of applications. The Log-Logistic (LL) distribution is a probability distribution that is often employed in survival analysis. This paper addresses the problem of estimating multiple entropy metrics for an LL distribution using progressive type II censoring. We derive formulas for six different types of entropy measurements. To obtain the estimators of the proposed entropy measures, the maximum likelihood approach is applied. Approximate confidence intervals are calculated for the entropy metrics under discussion. A numerical evaluation is performed using various censoring methods and sample sizes to characterize the behavior of estimator’s measures using relative biases, related mean squared errors, average interval lengths, and coverage probabilities. Numerical analysis revealed that the accuracy measures improve with sample size, and the suggested entropy estimates approach the genuine values as censoring levels decrease. Finally, an actual dataset was evaluated for demonstration purposes.
Multi-granularity Decomposition of Componentized Network Applications Based on Weighted Graph Clustering

With the development of mobile communication and network technology, smart network applications are experiencing explosive growth. These applications may consume different types of resources extensively, thus calling for the resource contribution from multiple nodes available in probably different network domains to meet the service quality requirements. Task decomposition is to set the functional components in an application in several groups to form subtasks, which can then be processed in different nodes. This paper focuses on the models and methods that decompose network applications composed of interdependent components into subtasks in different granularity. The proposed model characterizes factors that have important effects on the decomposition, such as dependency level, expected traffic, bandwidth, transmission delay between components, as well as node resources required by the components, and a density peak clustering (DPC) -based decomposition algorithm is proposed to achieve the multi-granularity decomposition. Simulation results validate the effect of the proposed approach on reducing the expected execution delay and balancing the computing resource demands of subtasks.
Antitumor Efficacy of EGFR-Targeted Recombinant Immunotoxin in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with more than 500,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Surgical resection, chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have been approved for HNSCC treatment. While a minority of patients experience dramatic long-lasting and favorable clinical responses, the majority of patients fail to achieve durable clinical responses. Thus, alternative options with improved beneficial response are urgently needed. In HNSCC, over 90% of tumors overexpress the cell surface epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We previously produced a humanized recombinant immunotoxin, hDT806, targeting tumor-specific overexpressed EGFR and/or the EGFRvIII mutant. Here, we set out to explore the effects and mechanisms of hDT806 in treating HNSCC in both in vitro and in vivo settings. We found that hDT806 exhibits a significant cytotoxicity in HNSCC through disrupting EGFR signaling, transcription inhibition, and inducing apoptosis and DNA damage. Abstract Over 90% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) overexpresses the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the EGFR-targeted monotherapy response rate only achieves 10–30% in HNSCC. Recombinant immunotoxin (RIT) often consists of an antibody targeting a tumor antigen and a toxin (e.g., diphtheria toxin [DT]) that kills cancer cells. We produced a humanized RIT, designated as hDT806, targeting overexpressed EGFR and investigated its effects in HNSCC. Distinct from the EGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib or antibody cetuximab, hDT806 effectively suppressed cell proliferation in the four HNSCC lines tested (JHU-011, -013, -022, and -029). In JHU-029 mouse xenograft models, hDT806 substantially reduced tumor growth. hDT806 decreased EGFR protein levels and disrupted the EGFR signaling downstream effectors, including MAPK/ERK1/2 and AKT, while increased proapoptotic proteins, such as p53, caspase-9, caspase-3, and the cleaved PAPR. The hDT806-induced apoptosis of HNSCC cells was corroborated by flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, hDT806 resulted in a drastic inhibition in RNA polymerase II carboxy-terminal domain phosphorylation critical for transcription and a significant increase in the γH2A. X level, a DNA damage marker. Thus, the direct disruption of EGFR signaling, transcription inhibition, DNA damage, as well as apoptosis induced by hDT806 may contribute to its antitumor efficacy in HNSCC.
Effects of long-term development and schooling expansion on the decline in homicide rates: Mexico from 1950 to 2005

ABSTRACT Based on a recently published historical crime database that shows an unequivocal reduction of homicides in Mexico from the 1950s up until 2005, this paper aims to examine the effect of development policies on homicide reduction in 20th century Mexico. This research presents a panel regression of homicide rates in all 32 Mexican states from 1950 to 2005. Our research shows that the increase in schooling years in Mexico is correlated with the decline in homicide rates. This decline happened despite inverse pressure from social disorganisation caused by unequal economic growth and youth bulges during the period examined. Consequently, the paper shows that sustained development policies can be a pacifying mechanism in a country that has experienced accelerated urban growth and other structural problems associated with crime since the beginning of the century.
Modeling and Analysis of FBV Movements for Automotive Driveshafts in the PPR Region

This research’s goal is to model and analyze the forced bending vibrating (FBV) movements for the elements of an automotive driveshaft using a perturbation technique, the asymptotic method approach (AMA), in the region of principal parametric resonance (PPR). The PPR region was chosen because the principal parametric resonance region is one of the essential resonance regions. The model of FBV movements for the automotive driveshaft (AD) considers the aspects of the following phenomena: geometric nonuniformity of the AD elements and shock excitation due to the road. To overcome the equations for the FBV movements of the AD elements, all inertia characteristics were reduced to the longitudinal ax of the midshaft using the variation of the geometric moments of inertia with the concurrent axis and Stener’s theorem. The midshaft of the AD was considered a Timoshenko simply supported beam with a concentrated mass at both ends and springs and dampers for linear and rotational movements at both ends. To determine the equations describing the FBV movements of the AD elements, Hamilton’s principle was used. After establishing the equations of motion for each AD element coupled with the specific boundary conditions, the amplitude and the phase angle were computed for stationary and nonstationary motion in the PPR region using the first order of the AMA, and the dynamic instability frontiers were determined based on the same equations. The dynamic behavior of the AD was investigated concerning the variation of the damping ratio and the variation of the parametric excitation coefficient. The AMA coupled with the model of FBV movements for the AD exhibits the future research directions for analyzing FBV movements for the AD in the regions of superharmonic resonances, subharmonic resonances, combination resonances, internal resonances, and simultaneous resonances. Additionally, the AMA can predict the endurance of the AD and design control of car damping systems.