Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface modification, heterojunctions, and other structures: composing metal oxide nanocrystals for chemical sensors

The modification of the surface reception properties of nanocrystalline structures is of great interest in environmental, catalysis and energy related applications. For instance, an oxide surface covered with a layer of another oxide opens the possibility of creating the nanosized counterparts of bulk catalytic systems. A relevant example is the TiO2-WO3, which is an active catalysts in a broad range of reactions. The chemical synthesis of the colloidal, nanocrystalline version of such system will first be exposed, by coupling suitable sol-gel chemistry with solvothermal processing. Then, the range of obtained structures will be discussed, ranging from WOx-surface modified TiO2 to TiO2-WO3 heterojunctions. The complex structural evolution of the materials will be discussed, depending on the W concentration. A summary of the acetone sensing properties of these systems will be shown. In particular, the surface activation of the otherwise almost inactive pure TiO2 by surface deposition of WO3-like layers will be highlighted. Addition of the smallest W concentration boosted the sensor response to values comparable to those of pure WO3, ranging over 2-3 orders of magnitude of conductance variation in presence of ethanol or acetone gases. Simple analysis of the sensing data will evidence that the combination of such nanocrystalline oxides results in catalytic activation effects, with exactly opposite trend, with respect to pure TiO2, of the activation energies and best responses.
Mathematical Model of Heterogeneous Electrochemical Capacitors and Calculation of Their Parameters

A mathematical model of heterogeneous electrochemical supercapacitors (HES) is proposed which makes it possible to develop capacitors with optimal designs and make calculations of their energy, capacity, and power parameters. Special attention is paid to the processes which occur in electrodes with double electric layer (DEL) of HES capacitors during their charge and discharge by different currents. It is demonstrated theoretically that in the efficiency of HES capacitors' operation, an important role is played by distribution of the potential along the thickness of electrodes with DEL. In order to build capacitors with improved parameters and optimal design, it is of paramount importance to take account of the type and value of conductivity of the material of the electrode with DEL and conductivity of the electrolyte in its pores. Analysis is performed to determine the efficiency of PbO 2 |H 2 SO 4 |C system capacitors' operation subject to thickness, conductivity, and specific capacitance of the electrode with DEL. It is established that energy and capacity parameters of the capacitors depend to a great extent on conductivity of their negative electrodes and electrolytes. It is demonstrated that there are different mechanisms of losses of energy and charge of the capacitors during their charge, discharge, and storage.
New crystal-chemical and structural data of dietrichite, ideally ZnAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O, a member of the halotrichite group

New crystal-chemical and structural data of a sample of dietrichite, ideally ZnAl 2 (SO 4)4 · 22H 2 O, from the pyrite mine of Boccheggiano, Grosseto, Italy, are reported. This sample, unlike holotype dietrichite, is very close to the ideal chemical composition, in fact combined ICP and thermogravimetry indicate a formula (Zn 0.98 Fe 0.07 )Al 1.91 (SO 4)0.03 · 21.88H 2 O based on 38O. The crystal structure has been refined by the Rietveld method on transmission X-ray powder diffraction data (R p = 4.13%, R wp = 5.44%, R B = 4.66%). Dietrichite is monoclinic P2 1 /c , Z = 4, a = 6.1757(2), b = 24.262(1), c = 21.206(1) A, β = 100.436(3)°. The structure of dietrichite consists of one ZnO(H 2 O) 5 octahedron, two independent Al(H 2 O) 6 octahedra, and four independent SO 4 tetrahedra per asymmetric unit. The only direct connection between polyhedra is by sharing of an oxygen atom, O(16), between S(4) and Zn. The structure contains 22 water molecules, 17 of which are octahedrally co-ordinated with Zn and Al cations whereas the remaining five molecules are only linked via hydrogen bonds to O or other H 2 O molecules. Hexagonal channels, running along [100], originate from a regular alternation of one ZnO(H 2 O) 5 octahedron, two Al(H 2 O) 6 octahedra, and three SO 4 tetrahedra. Within the structure two types of channels may be identified, the first one containing three and the second two H 2 O molecules. Band positions of the IR spectrum of dietrichite are consistent with those of reference data.
A New Method for Refined Recognition for Heart Disease Diagnosis Based on Deep Learning

The proper evaluation of heart health requires professional medical experience. Therefore, in clinical diagnosis practice, the development direction is to reduce the high dependence of the diagnosis process on medical experience and to more effectively improve the diagnosis efficiency and accuracy. Deep learning has made remarkable achievements in intelligent image analysis technology involved in the medical process. From the aspect of cardiac diagnosis, image analysis can extract more profound and abundant information than sequential electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Therefore, a new region recognition and diagnosis method model of a two-dimensional ECG (2D-ECG) signal based on an image format is proposed. This method can identify and diagnose each refined waveform in the cardiac conduction cycle reflected in the image format ECG signal, so as to realize the rapid and accurate positioning and visualization of the target recognition area and finally get the analysis results of specific diseases. The test results show that compared with the results obtained by a one-dimensional sequential ECG signal, the proposed model has higher average diagnostic accuracy (98.94%) and can assist doctors in disease diagnosis with better visualization effect.
Extracts of Peanut Skins as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: Methodology and Applications

Peanut skins are a waste product of the peanut processing industry with little commercial value. They are also significant sources of the polyphenolic compounds that are noted for their bioactivity. The extraction procedures for these compounds range from simple single solvent extracts to sophisticated separation schemes to isolate and identify the large range of compounds present. To take advantage of the bioactivities attributed to the polyphenols present, a range of products both edible and nonedible containing peanut skin extracts have been developed. This review presents the range of studies to date that are dedicated to extracting these compounds from peanut skins and their various applications.
Robust state estimation of electricity‐gas‐heat integrated energy system based on the bilinear transformations

A comprehensive energy system state estimation is of great signiﬁcance to promote efﬁcient, stable and reliable operation of the system. Based on coupling characteristics of electricity-gas-heat multi-energy ﬂow and bilinear transformation method, this paper proposes a robust state estimation method suitable for integrated energy systems. First, the state estimation models of electricity, gas and heat energy subsystems and coupling com-ponents are constructed. Then, by introducing pseudo state variables and intermediate variables, the nonlinear state estimation process is divided into four stages. Among them, the ﬁrst and third stages are solved by WLAV method and WLS method respectively, and the second and fourth stages are simple nonlinear transformation processes. Finally, the robust state estimation method is veriﬁed on a 40-node simulation example. The bilinear robust state estimation method proposed not only solves the difﬁculty of selecting initial values of heterogeneous networks and the problem of non-convergence of algorithms, but also can search and identify various types of bad data, and has high computational efﬁciency and good robustness.
Venoms as an adjunctive therapy for Parkinson’s disease: where are we now and where are we going?

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), are increasing in the aging population. Crucially, neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD is associated with chronic inflammation and glial activation. Besides this, bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, sensory alteration, and cognitive and psychiatric impairments are also present in PD. Currently, no pharmacologically effective treatment alters the progression of the disease. Discovery and development of new treatment strategies remains a focus for ongoing investigations. For example, one approach is cell therapy to prevent dopaminergic neuronal loss or to slow PD progression. The neuroprotective role of a diverse range of natural products, including venoms from bees, scorpions, snakes and lizards, are also being tested in preclinical PD models and in humans. The main findings from recent studies that have investigated venoms as therapeutic options for PD are summarized in this special report.
Study on the Mechanism of SCR NO by Mn-Ce/CNTs Catalyst at Low-Temperature

The prepared Mn-Ce/CNTs catalyst was tested with Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD) in this experiment. The adsorption – desorption of NO, NH3, O2 on the surface of catalyst were studied and the mechanism of SCR was analyzed. The conclusions were as follows: NH3was easily absorbed on the surface of Mn-Ce/CNTs catalyst for its significant competitive advantage; it can restrain the absorption of NO. The adsorption performance of NH3 on catalyst surface was far greater than NO. When NO, O2 adsorbed on the catalyst at the same time, the desorption amount of NO from catalyst significantly was less than the NO absorbed only. This shows that the O2 can promote the adsorption of NO on the catalyst in SCR system.
Luffa fibers as promising reinforcement for polymer composites: Mechanical characterization of NaOH treated and untreated dumbbell test-pieces with Weibull statistics

Different materials require specific test-piece dimensions and designations for their mechanical characterization, present either in ASTM, ISO, or DIN norms. Natural polymers or bio-fibers are materials that have lignocellulosic fibrils that can be mechanically characterized as single fibers, which tend to be bundles of thinner hollow fibrils. In this work, a new approach has been applied to the unique natural fiber Luffa cylindrica, also called loofah or scourer, as loofah dumbbell test-pieces (LDTs) similar in length to the Type IV ASTM D-638 samples for unreinforced or reinforced plastics. 60 LDTs of 120 mm and 40 mm in length and width respectively were cut by hand, with and without alkali treatment (aqueous 2%NaOH), in transversal and longitudinal directions, to be characterized using testing speeds of 1 mm/min and 50 mm/min, SEM, XRD, statistics, and Weibull analysis. The resultant force vs. elongation/stress vs. strain graphs revealed a high variability of LDTs, and mercerization was found to increase their mechanical resistance. SEM images confirmed a microtubular cellular structure, XRD exposed an increment in crystallinity after alkali treatment, and Weibull indicated the probability of failure in 10 samples per configuration.
Navigating Innovation Success through Projects. Role of CEO Transformational Leadership, Project Management Best Practices, and Project Management Technology Quotient

In an advancing project-based global economy, the ability to leverage innovation, and the adoption of disruptive technologies are critical for product and process innovation success. This study makes the initial attempt to examine the effects of CEO transformational leadership (CTL), project management best practices (PMBP), and project management technology quotient (PMTQ) on multi-dimensional innovation success. Drawing on data of 261 practitioners in the information and communications technology industry in South Korea, the hypothesized relationships were tested using higher-order partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study finds supportive evidence on the positive effects of CTL, PMBP, and PMTQ on innovation success. Moreover, PMBP and PMTQ demonstrated a significant moderating influence on the relationship between CTL and innovation success. Besides the development and validation of a new PMTQ scale, the study findings offer novel theoretical predictions, methodological contributions, and implications for practitioners to mitigate the challenges of successful innovations.
Polysaccharides Based Novel and Controlled Released Multiparticulate Systems for Colon-specific Delivery: Contemporary Scenario and Future Prospects

In our noble pharmaceutical field, polysaccharides were become an indispensable part during dosage form development for the last few decades. The matrix polysaccharides that were utilizing for dosage form were mostly hydrophilic in nature that gets swell and form a viscous gel-like mass upon contact with dissolution fluids or gastrointestinal fluids. The polymeric properties were successfully exploited in the development of novel polyelectrolyte complexes based multiparticulate delivery systems based on ionic gelation techniques. These complex systems have awaken as an emerging need to deliver the drug(s) into the target site of action for possible controlling and sustaining the drug release properties and thereby affecting the pharmacological responses other than those traditional dosage forms. Site-specific deliveries to the colon were confirmed for providing enzymatic digestion of those polysaccharides. Furthermore, in the present review, an attempt was made to describe the significance of the physicochemical properties of those polysaccharides for defining its possible mechanism of actions.
Emission Characteristics of Particulate Matter from Rural Household Biofuel Combustion in China

Field measurements in rural households were conducted in three Chinese municipalities/provinces (Beijing, Chongqing, and Henan) to determine the emission characteristics of particulate matter from biofuel combustion. The selected biofuel types and stove types are representative of local rural areas. Particle number concentration, size distribution, and mass size distribution were determined. Both the particle number and mass of these emissions were dominated by submicrometer particles. The emission factor of PM2.5 from combustion is between 1.80 and 7.00 g/kg of biofuel (dry basis) and 0.84−2.40 g/MJ of delivered energy and is averaged to 4.21 g/kg of biofuel (dry basis) and 1.46 g/MJ delivered energy. In this study, it appears that particle emissions can be correlated with combustion conditions and stove configuration. Particle emissions are the highest during the high power phase. Unfortunately, the more thermally efficient stove has higher per kilogram fuel particulate matter (PM) emissions than the le.
Mg3Sb2-based Zintl compound: a non-toxic, inexpensive and abundant thermoelectric material for power generation

The deployment of thermoelectric materials for deriving an enhanced figure of merit (ZT) for power generation in inexpensive, non-toxic and relatively abundant bulk homogeneous solid relies on the extent of achieving the “phonon-glass electron crystal” (PGEC) characteristics. Here, a proof of principal has been established experimentally in the present work for a Zintl compound of Mg3Sb2 and its derivative of isoelectronically Bi doped Bi; Mg3Sb2−xBix (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) alloys in Mg3Sb2. Single phase p-type Mg3Sb2 compounds, with Mg and Sb powders as starting materials, have been prepared directly by spark plasma sintering (SPS) in a one step process. The structural refinements of this hexagonal Zintl compound by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigation reveal that they are single phase devoid of any oxides or Sb precipitates. Transport measurements indicate low thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT = 0.26 at 750 K) for Mg3Sb2. However, an optimum doping of 0.2 at% with iso-electronic Bi ions at the Sb site enhances the ZT to 0.6 at 750 K, which is comparable with the present day industrial materials such as Bi based tellurides and selenides which are toxic. We note that the system becomes metal with carrier density exceeding 15 × 1020/cm3 for x ≥0.25. The substantial increase in ZT in Mg3Sb2−xBix (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) owes to a partial decoupling of the electronic and phonon subsystem, as expected for a Zintl phase compound. While the reduction in thermal conductivity in Mg3Sb2−xBix (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) accounts to mass fluctuations and grain boundary scattering, the enhancement in the electronic power-factor is attributed to the presence of heavy and light bands in its valence band structure. The latter has been confirmed by means of both X-ray photo electron spectroscopy studies and first-principles density functional based calculations. These measurements established that a high figure of merit can be achieved in this class of materials with appropriate doping. Further, relative abundance of the material ingredients combined with its one step synthesis leads to a cost effective production and less toxicity makes the material an environmentally benign system for thermoelectric power generation.
Progress toward resolving the attentional capture debate

ABSTRACT For over 25 years, researchers have debated whether physically salient stimuli capture attention in an automatic manner, independent of the observer’s goals, or whether the capture of attention depends on the match between a stimulus and the observer’s task set. Recent evidence suggests an intermediate position in which salient stimuli automatically produce a priority signal, but the capture of attention can be prevented via an inhibitory mechanism that suppresses the salient stimulus. Here, proponents from multiple sides of the debate describe how their original views have changed in light of recent research, as well as remaining areas of disagreement. These perspectives highlight some emerging areas of consensus and provide new directions for future research on attentional capture.
International Journal of Food Engineering Numerical Evaluation of the Non-Isothermal Method for Determination of Moisture Diffusivity

A non-isothermal (linearly increasing temperature) procedure was used to determine the moisture diffusivity in mass transfer as a function of temperature with the complex optimization method. The effects of heating rate and experimental errors on the prediction accuracy of the parameters in Arrhenius equation were evaluated through pseudo-experimental data randomly generated on the basis of simulation results. An optimum heating rate of 0.01 K/s was found at which the experimental error less than 15% has negligible effect on calculated liquid diffusivity.
Lack of Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Depression in Korean Adults: Analysis Based on the 2016 and 2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

Background: This study aims to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and depression in Korean adults using data from the 2016 and 2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). Methods: The total number of participants in the 7th period 1st year (2016) and 3rd year (2018) surveys of KNHANES was 16142. This study was conducted with 10,722 subjects who met the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome and responded to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Analysis of covariance was used to adjust the differences due to demographic factors, laboratory findings, and underlying diseases to understand the relationship between metabolic syndrome and PHQ-9 scores, if any. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was determined to be 25.6% in this study. The PHQ-9 scores with and without metabolic syndrome were 2.56 and 2.48, respectively, and there was no significant difference when the confounding variable was corrected (p=0.406). According to the analysis of each PHQ-9 item and metabolic syndrome, the results were not significant. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study conducted in Korean adults, no significant correlation was found between metabolic syndrome and depression.
Regulation of reproduction rate in terrestrial placental mammals

Mechanisms of regulation of reproduction are studied in a limited number of mammalian species, but these studies are extremely important for the conservation of rare animals. This study is a review of the data on reproductive biology of over 120 mammalian species. Four hierarchical levels of regulation of reproduction rate in mammalian females are identified: regulation of the number of embryos, regulation of the oestrous cycle, regulation of the number of females participating in reproduction, and regulation of reproduction rate at the population level. This classification makes it possible to draw a number of conclusions: (1) the mechanisms of reproductive regulation may be similar in distant taxonomic groups; (2) completely different regulatory mechanisms can be realized simultaneously in the same species at various levels; (3) the higher the level of regulation, the greater the number of individuals participating; (4) the nutritional factor is of integral importance and affects reproduction rate at all levels; (5) at the population level, the mechanism of anticipatory reproduction evolves, being a natural regulatory mechanism. The studies of reproductive restrictions in males may appear as a fruitful area for obtaining new data about regulation of reproduction rate in populations. The role of male reproductive activity in the regulation of reproduction seems highly underestimated.
GEM—Geologic Emissions of Methane, the missing source in the atmospheric methane budget

Central to any study of climate change is the development of an inventory that iden-tiﬁes and quantiﬁes natural and anthropogenic sources and sinks of greenhouse gases (GHG). Recent studies have demonstrated that geologic emissions of methane (GEM), although not considered in the inventories of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), are an important GHG source. Etiope and Klusman (Chemo-sphere (2002), 49, 777-789) documented that signiﬁcant amounts of methane, produced within the Earth crust, are released naturally into the atmosphere through faults and fractured rocks. Major GEMs are related to hydrocarbon production in sedimentary basins (biogenic and thermogenic methane), through continuous exhalation and eruptions from more than 1200 onshore and offshore mud volcanoes (MVs), through diffuse soil microseepage, and shallow marine seeps; secondarily, methane is released from geothermal and volcano-magmatic systems. Minor geologic sources are those related to natural exhalation from coal-bearing rocks (inﬂuenced by mining activities), degassing from crystalline basement and mantle. While marine seeps are studied since decades, methane ﬂux from MVs has been object of detailed measurements only starting from 2001, when hundreds of gas ﬂux measurements were performed from vents and soil in the main terrestrial MVs of Europe, in Romania and Italy (Etiope et al., Geoph. Res. Lett. (2003), 30, 1094, doi:10.1029/2002GL016287; and references therein). In 2003 gas ﬂux was measured in Azerbaijan, which hosts the world’s biggest MVs and densest MV population (Etiope et al., Geology (2004), in press). In all areas