Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ordered LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode in Bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolyte: Importance of the Cathode–Electrolyte Interphase

The high voltage (4.7 V vs. Li+ /Li) spinel lithium nickel manganese oxide (LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 , LNMO) is a promising candidate for the next-generation of lithium ion batteries due to its high energy density, low cost and environmental impact. However, poor cycling performance at high cutoff potentials limits its commercialization. Herein, hollow structured LNMO is synergistically paired with an ionic liquid electrolyte, 1M lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) in N-propyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (Pyr1,3 FSI) to achieve stable cycling performance and improved rate capability. The optimized cathode-electrolyte system exhibits extended cycling performance (>85% capacity retention after 300 cycles) and high rate performance (106.2mAhg–1 at 5C) even at an elevated temperature of 65 ◦C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and spatially resolved x-ray fluorescence analyses confirm the formation of a robust, LiF-rich cathode electrolyte interphase. This study presents a comprehensive design strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of high-voltage cathode materials.
Investigating of Primary School Teacher Candidates’ Mathematics Teaching Performance According to Peer Assessments: Example of Teaching Practice

The aim of this research is to examine developments of primary school teacher candidates’ mathematics teaching performance according to peer assessment. Primary school teacher candidates practiced teaching skills within the scope of the Teaching Practice. This research is a longitudinal study. The research’s study group has fifty-eight primary school teacher candidates. According to the results of the research, peers rated primary school teacher candidates’ final mathematics teaching performance higher than their first mathematics teaching performance. According to the peer assessment, primary school teacher candidates' mathematics teaching performance has improved over time. Accordingly, a significant difference was found in the first (preparation for lesson and lesson association) and second (teaching process) sub-dimensions of the scale when first mathematics teaching performance scores controlled. The source of the difference between peer assessment scores regarding first and second sub-dimensions of the scale can be said the number of teaching practices in mathematics. The primary school teacher candidates who practiced 2 times in mathematics got lower scores in the first and second sub-dimensions than those who practiced 3 and 4 times. According the result, primary school teacher candidates should practice at least 3 times in order to ensure their development “preparation for lesson and lesson association” and “teaching process” for mathematics teaching performance.
The Impact of Political Uncertainty on Asset Prices: The Case of the United Kingdom's EU Membership Referendum

How did expectations of the outcome of the United Kingdom's (UK) referendum on European Union (EU) membership in 2016 affect prices in financial markets? We study this using high frequency data from betting and financial markets. We find that a one percentage point increase in the probability of "Leave" result caused British stocks (FTSE All-Share) to decline by 0.004 percent, and the Pound to depreciate by 0.006 percent against the euro. We find negative and significant effects for most sub-sectors, and negative spill-overs to other EU member countries. We show that the differential impact across sectors and countries can be explained by differences in the trade exposures.
Investigating the Anticancer Activity and Characterization of Bioactive Constituents of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss through In Vitro and In Silico Approaches in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line

Resistance to chemotherapy and recurrence are major hurdles to treating hormone receptor-negative breast cancer. The crude extract and natural products obtained from medicinal plants are believed to be multitargeted and possess less toxicity as compared to synthetic compounds. The aerial parts and roots of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss were used to prepare the crude extracts in solvents of different polarities. Human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and MDA-MB-231), liver carcinoma (HepG2), and nontumorigenic cells of human origin (human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)) were treated with a serial dilution of crude extracts obtained from the aerial and roots of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss. The methanol extract of the shoots exhibited a higher level of cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells than against any other cancer and nontumorigenic cells lines. Six new compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry analysis in the shoots extract of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss, and 2-Tridecen-1-ol was one of the major compounds that represent more than 35% of the extract. M-phase inducer phosphases 1 and 2 (CDC 25A and B) were identified as the specific protein target for 2-Tridecen-1-ol by the Swiss protein target prediction tool. In silico molecular docking showed the binding of 2-Tridecen-1-ol with CDC 25 B with a higher binding energy as compared to CDC 25A. The possible molecular mechanism of anticancer activity of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer is through inhibition of M-phase inducer phosphatases 1 and 2 via 2-Tridecen-1-ol. Further investigations in breast cancer models are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss and 2-Tridecen-1-ol as an efficient remedy with a possibly less toxic approach to treat triple-negative breast cancer.
Explaining the reform of the Europarties’ selection procedures for Spitzenkandidaten

ABSTRACT This article examines how Europarties selected lead candidates (Spitzenkandidaten) for the 2019 European Parliament elections, and investigates why these parties changed or did not change their procedural processes compared with the 2014 election. As external and internal factors incentivized Europarties to democratize their selections, the main hypothesis expects more inclusive procedures in 2019. The empirical analysis examines seven parties – EPP, PES, ALDE, EGP, PEL, ACRE and EFA – based on sixteen interviews with high-ranking party officials, internal party documents, and party websites. By leveraging analytical frameworks for the analysis of national parties we first provide a detailed account of these Europarties’ selection procedures and subsequently present crucial factors explaining reforms (or lack thereof). The results show that mainly intra-party dissent hampered large democratic reforms. Our findings contribute to scholarly understanding of intra-party decision-making in Europarties, and have important consequences for the role of Europarties in future democratizing efforts of the EU.
Proactive Evaluation: The Program Stress Test

Intervention programs are open systems that must withstand the disturbances of the environments in which they are implemented if they are to thrive. Stakeholders can benefit from proactive insights related to potential program malfunction or failure. Evaluators have not developed approaches to serve this preventive function. This study proposes the program stress test as a holistic, preventive approach to program evaluation, aiming to identify vulnerable areas at risk of failure, and to suggest preventive strategies. The stress test can be used in the planning stage of a program (called ex-ante stress test), or during the implementation stage (called ex-post stress test). This study illustrates an ex-post test. The authors introduce its concept, methodology, research steps, and application to a student retention program, including findings of structural and functional issues, as well as solutions proposed by participants. The authors call the evaluators’ attention to the need to expand the traditional scope of evaluation, to include future-focused assessments.
A Calibration Approach to Solve Inconsistency Problem in Palmprint Acquisition System

Inconsistency among different acquisition devices severely affects the performance of palmprint recognition systems. When the same palm is enrolled by one capture device and verified by another device, the inconsistency between the two devices may lead to recognition failure. The installation of camera and the setting of lighting are two main reasons for inconsistency problem in palmprint recognition systems. In this article, we proposed a calibration approach for the inconsistency problem regarding palmprint acquisition devices. Our calibration approach includes image quality assessment, rectification and normalization. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is effective, decreasing the equal error rate (EER) of palmprint recognition from 0.653% to 0.627%.
Calcium Phosphate Coating on Titanium by RF Magnetron Sputtering

In this chapter, the authors discuss the fabrication and properties of calcium phosphate coatings on titanium (Ti) by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. First, they address the necessity of surface modification of metallic biomaterials and the effectiveness of calcium phosphate coating. Next, they briefly review the processes used in the application of calcium phosphate coatings and present the effect of sputtering parameters on the phase and deposition rates of these coatings. Finally, the chapter discusses the performance of amorphous and crystalline (oxyapatite) calcium phosphate coatings on Ti based on in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
Determination of Hydroquinone with a Carbon Nanotube/Polyurethane Resin Composite Electrode

ABSTRACT A new composite electrode based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and a polyurethane resin was evaluated using potassium ferricyanide and hydroquinone as probes. The device was used for the determination of hydroquinone in a cosmetic formulation. The effect of using multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphite mixtures in various proportions was also investigated. Cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron micrography were used for characterization of electrode compositions. Hydroquinone was determined using a 60% (m/m) multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polyurethane resin electrode by differential pulse voltammetry with a linear dynamic range from 0.05 to 1.12 m mol L−1 and a limit of detection of 12 µ mol L−1. The analysis of commercial cosmetic formulation was performed by differential pulse voltammetry and high-performance liquid chromatography as a comparison method. The results for both procedures agreed at the 95% confidence level according to Student’s t-test. The reported electrode was mechanically robust and provided reproducible results.
The missing Myopus: plugging the gaps in Late Pleistocene small mammal identification in western Europe with geometric morphometrics

Lemmus and Myopus are two lemming species with distinct habitat requirements but which show very similar dental morphologies. They are thus extremely difficult to distinguish from one another in the fossil record on the basis of their dental remains, leading to poor understanding of the palaeobiogeographical evolution of Myopus as well as inaccurate palaeoenvrionmental reconstructions. Currently, the presence of Myopus in the fossil register from the Pleistocene is still debated and no firm occurrence of this lemming in western Europe has yet been confirmed for the Late Pleistocene. In this paper, we used geometric morphometrics on modern material to establish morphological differences between Lemmus and Myopus teeth (first lower and third upper molars). Morphological data were then used to build a robust linear discriminant model able to confidently classify isolated teeth of these two genera, and finally, linear discriminant models were used on fossil remains of Lemmus/Myopus from two Late Pleistocene archaeological/palaeontological sites (Grotte des Gorges and Gully Cave). This study demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of Myopus schisticolor in west European Late Pleistocene sites between the end of Marine Isotope Stage 3 and the beginning of the Holocene, during climatic events that favoured the development of taiga forest of birch and pine in these regions.
Compared with Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio (MHR) and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR),Neutrophil to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio (NHR) is more Valuable in the Inflammatory Process of Parkinson's Disease

Background: Inflammatory response plays an important role in the pathologic process and prognosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated the relationship between the neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein ratio (NHR),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR),and monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) on the prediction of PD and its course and severity.Methods: Patients with Parkinson's disease were selected (n=101) and divided into three groups according to the onset cycle:<6 years (n=64),6-10 years (n=23) and > 10 years(n=14). And according to Hoehn and Yahr classification: 1~2.5 is the early stage (n=55);Grades 3~5 are divided into two groups (n=46). In addition, healthy subjects (n=97) matched with the above pd patients in the same period were selected as the control group.In this way, the influence of NHR, NLR, MHR and other indicators on corresponding groups is evaluated.Results: Neutrophils, NHR and NLR in PD group were significantly higher than those in control group. nevertheless, lymphocyte, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and hemoglobin were significantly lower than those in the control group. Multi-factor logistic regression analysis indicated that NHR (odds ratio (OR)=1.456,95%CI:1.007~2.104,P=0.046) and NLR(OR=1.663,95%CI:1.101~2.513,P=0.016) were risk factors for Parkinson's disease, while MHR had no significant correlation with Parkinson's disease. The AUC(area under the ROC curve) of PD predicted by NHR and NLR were 0.648(95%CI:0.572~0.724,P=0.0003) and 0.718 (95%CI:0.646~0.790,P<0.0001),respectively, and the critical values for optimal diagnosis were3.104×109/mmol and 1.939×109/mmol. Spearman analysis showed that NHR was significantly negatively correlated with the course of disease.Conclusions: In summary, NHR not only has strong predictive value for PD disease, but also is closely related to the course of disease. NHR levels may be better predictors of long-term clinical outcomes in PD patients than MHR and NLR.
Analysis of the effect of an obstacle on the wind energy potential

Assessment of the wind energy potential for a given site requires a primitive evaluation of wind speed for a specified period of time. Wind speed distribution depends on the type of air flow in the atmospheric boundary layer and varies as function of the altitude and the site topography. It is also affected by the presence of obstacles, the curvature radius of obstacle, the roughness of the ground and temperature. In this study, circular motion of the atmosphere that is induced by the existence of an obstacle having the form of a hill is investigated by using a 2D model. The hill profile was approximated by a half-ellipse curve. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was performed for the turbulent air flow modelled by the Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the K- e turbulence model. To solve the equations, COMSOL software that is based on the finite element method was used. The obtained results were compared to those of a flat ground without obstacles. A noticeable modification of the available wind energy resulted for a wind turbine which is placed downwards of a hill like obstacle.
Selección organizacional: resiliencia y desempeño de las pymes en la era de la COVID-19

This article aimed to analyze the current perspective of SMEs facing the COVID-19 crisis, as well as to analyze the impact of organizational resilience on their performance during the critical phase. To test the hypotheses, a cross-sectional study was performed through a sample of 112 SMEs attendants in two Latin American countries (Mexico and Chile). The methods performed were descriptive data analysis, bivariate correlation, and artificial neural network. The results show the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on companies; furthermore, the results support the positive relationship and impact of resilience on SMEs performance.
New Acetylene‐Bridged 9,10‐Conjugated Anthracene Sensitizers: Application in Outdoor and Indoor Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

In this report, a pivotal improvement in the performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells has been achieved, thus taking it one step closer toward the commercialization. Through the stepwise modification on the anthracene‐based organic sensitizers, the alteration of alkyl to alkoxy chain and incorporation of electron deficient moieties in the new sensitizing dyes TY3, TY4, and TY6 are found to play a significant role in the efficiency enhancement. The dye TY6, when tested under 1 sun (AM 1.5G) illumination, is found to exhibit the best efficiency of 8.08% in the series reported here. Taking it further, sensitizer TY6 achieves a milestone by displaying an efficiency of 28.56% when tested under T5 fluorescent illumination of 6000 lux and 20.72% under same illuminance from a commercial light emitting diode light source. Such an excellent performance can be attributed to its outstanding J SC and V OC, which are characteristic properties of these anthracene dyes.
Implementation of the McMaster Model in Family Therapy: Effects on Family Function in Married Couples

Objective: Family function is one of the main effective factors on stability of the family. Family therapy can promote family function and performances. This study aimed to assess the effects of family therapy on family function among couples in Yazd province (Iran) based on the McMaster model. Method : The research population was selected from volunteer couples in Yazd in 2017 who were invited by publicity announcement to participate in this research. Finally, 40 couples were selected and randomly divided into 2 intervention and control groups. Participants answered to the demographic and Family Assessment Device (FAD) questionnaires. The acquired information was analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics and SPSS 21 software. Results: The outcomes showed significant differences between the intervention and control groups in problem-solving (p = 0.01), communication (p < 0.0001), emotional responsiveness (p = 0.01), emotional involvement (p < 0.0001), and general function (p = 0.04). The roles and behavior control domains were improved after the intervention in 2 groups, but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: Family therapy based on McMaster model can promote the skills of problem- solving, family communication, emotional responsiveness, emotional involvement, and general function in couples. Healthy family functioning is a substantial domain of concern for mental health specialists who provide family interventions. Our findings enhance considerably to family professionals’ knowledge about patterns of family function in Iranian families.
Trajectory planning and tracking control of unmanned ground vehicle leading by motion virtual leader on expressway

Formation driving can effectively solve the problem of driving efﬁciency and safety of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) on expressways. This study introduces a trajectory planning and tracking control method from initial position to its motion virtual leader in formation driving. In order to reduce the disturbance to the surrounding UGVs, trajectory planning is divided into two stages: steady speed tracking stage and parameter value matching stage. A tracking controller combined with a trajectory planner is designed to track the reference trajectory accurately. To ensure calculation speed and accuracy, a nonlinear model-predictive control model is used in the trajectory planner, and the tracking controller is based on the linear time-varying model-predictive control (LTV MPC) model. Simu-lations are carried out with Carsim and MATLAB/Simulink, and the simulation results and comparative analysis show that the planned trajectory is feasible and can effectively avoid static and moving obstacles. Compared with the Stanley controller, the LTV MPC controller has the advantages of faster convergence speed, better stability and accurately tracking.
Covid-19 on Twitter: an analysis of risk communication with visuals

Background: In a pandemic, when timely and clear communication is important, visuals on social media can help citizens quickly find and understand health risk information. In recognition of visuality and social media’s value during a crisis, we investigated popular Covid-19 risk communication with visuals posted on the platform Twitter. Looking at tweet authors, their use of graphics, the preventative messages, and risk framing, our objective was to determine how visual communication on Twitter promoted WHO Covid-19 health recommendations.Methods: We sourced Twitter’s 500 most retweeted Covid-19 messages for each month from January - October 2020 using Crowdbreaks. Included tweets had to have visuals, be in English, come from verified accounts, and contain at least one of the keywords ‘covid19', 'coronavirus', 'corona', or 'covid’. Following a retrospective approach, we then performed a qualitative content analysis of the tweets’ text and visuals. Results: Most of the tweets analysed came from influencers - individuals with many followers (51%), followed by media companies (30%), and health and government institutions (15%). At the start of the pandemic, the latter two were most prevalent. Analysis of visual formats showed that photographs were most common, and the majority of tweets combined them with other graphic types (55%). 68% of tweets had text in their visual, 42% of all visuals were animated, and 26% included a URL. ‘Stay home’ and ‘wear a mask’ were the most frequently communicated Covid-19 preventative measures. 70% of tweets used risk framing (emphasising health gains or loss), and 32% had tones of critique.Conclusion: This study found that the most retweeted Covid-19 preventative measures with visuals mostly came from individuals, showing that health and government organisations were not alone in promoting preventative measures on Twitter. This stresses the important role individuals play in the dissemination of information using social media during a health crisis. The finding that more tweets used health loss framing, often combined with the emotive medium of photographs, raises concerns about persuasive tactics feeding on fear. Future research is needed to better understand this approach's consequences and its impact on public perceptions and behaviours.