Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterisation of tin sulphide thin films

Stannous sulphide (SnS) thin films have been synthesised using two different solutions. The solutions were prepared by the dilution of SnCl2 and thiourea in distilled water and methanol separately. The effects of solvents and deposition time on the properties of the prepared thin films are investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the variation of the solvent and the deposition durations alters the structure of the prepared films. The films analysis by scanning electron microscope showed that the SnS films prepared with methanol are more dense and smooth than the SnS films prepared with distilled water. The resistivity depends on the used solvent and their growth duration. The elemental composition of the films deposited during 30 min with methanol indicate that SnS is quasi-stoichiometric, while those prepared with distilled water are slightly Sn rich. We have also found that the films deposited with distilled water are n-type, whereas those prepared with methanol are p-type.
Research report Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated synaptic potentials in rat

In the neocortex, fast excitatory synaptic transmission can typically be blocked by using excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptor antagonists. In recordings from layer II / III neocortical pyramidal neurons, we observed an evoked excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) or current (EPSC) in the presence of EAA receptor antagonists (40‐100 mM D-APV120 mM CNQX, or 5 mM kynurenic acid) plus the GABA -receptor antagonist bicuculline (BIC, 20 mM). This EAA-antagonist resistant EPSC was observed in about 70% of A neurons tested. It had a duration of approximately 20 ms and an amplitude of 61.566. 8 pA at 270 mV (n535). The EAA-antagonist resistant EPSC current‐voltage relation was linear and reversed near 0 mV (n523). The nonselective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonists dihydro-b-erythroidine (DHbE, 100 mM) or mecamylamine (50 mM) reduced EPSC amplitudes by 42 (n520) and 33% (n59), respectively. EPSC kinetics were not significantly changed by either antagonist. Bath application of 10 mM neostigmine, a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, prolonged the EPSC decay time. EAA-antagonist resistant EPSCs were observed in the presence of antagonists of metabotropic glutamate, serotonergic (5-HT ) and purinergic (P2) receptors. The EAA-antagonist resistant EPSC appears 3 to be due in part to activation of postsynaptic nAChRs. These results suggest the existence of functional synaptic nAChRs on pyramidal neurons in rat neocortex. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Theme: Neurotransmitters, modulators, transporters, and receptors Topic: Acetycholine receptors: nicotinic
Research on early weak structural damage detection of aeroengine intershaft bearing based on acoustic emission technology

Until now, there is no effective method to detect the early weak structural damage of the aero engine intershaft bearing. In this article, an online method based on acoustic emission technology is used to detect the early weak structural damage of aeroengine intershaft bearing. The combination of maximum correlated kurtosis deconvolution and bandpass filter is proposed to enhance and denoise fault characteristic signals of the aero engine intershaft bearing. The Hilbert envelope demodulation is used to extracting the bear fault characteristic frequency. Under aeroengine working conditions, the experiment of an intershaft bearing with outer ring fault is carried out. The result shows that bearing outer ring fault characteristic frequency and bearing vibration frequencies clearly appear in the envelope spectrum of the acoustic emission signal. Therefore, online detection of early weak structure damage of aeroengine intershaft bearing is realized by acoustic emission technology under the background of strong noise.
Synthesis and Growth Stimulant Properties of 2-Acetyl-3,7-dimethyl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-one Derivatives

A convenient, accessible, and high yield method for preparing of 6-methyl-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydropyrimidin-4(1H)-one (1) by treatment of acetoacetic acid ethyl ester with thiourea in sodium methylate was developed. The alkylation of the latter with 3-chloro-pentane-2,4-dione and further regioselective cyclization of intermediate compound (2) in high yield afforded 2-acetyl-3,7-dimethyl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-one (3). The halogenation and some transformations of synthesized thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine (3) due to its ketone group were carried out to obtain the corresponding carboxamide, carbothioamide, sulfonohydrazide, and oxime and its alkylated derivatives (5). At preliminary biological studies the synthesized compounds have shown growth stimulant properties. The activity of four of them was higher than 70%, compared with heteroauxin.
Wavelet Transform based Multiple Image Watermarking Technique

In satellite communication the information’s like frequency, Polarization, Data format, Timing information are need to be protected for secure communication. Digital watermarking is the technique which provides secure way of communication in which the secret information or watermark can be transmitted safely. Wavelet Transform is playing an increasingly important role in watermarking due to its good spatial-frequency characteristics, and its wide applications in the image and video coding standards. In this work a novel Hybrid Steerable Pyramid with Discrete Wavelet Transform (SP+DWT) based multiple watermarking is attempted for colour images. In order to increase the robustness of the algorithm Arnold transform and Fibonacci transform based image scrambler is applied to watermarks before embedding in to cover image. The performance of the proposed scheme is validated for various attacks, such as Gaussian noise, Salt & Pepper Noise, Rotation, Translation and Speckle Noise. The proposed method is withstood for all the noise attacks and the performance of the proposed algorithm is measured using Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Normalized Correlation (NC) and Similarity Measure (SM). Pearson Independent component Analysis (ICA) is applied at the receiving end to extract watermarks from the input image. To analyse the inclusion of image scrambler the results of proposed algorithm is compared with same algorithm without image scrambler applied. The performance of proposed technique is also compared with other wavelet transforms like Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT) and Integer Wavelet Transform (IWT). Simulation results such as PSNR,NC,SM shows that hybrid SP+DWT based watermarking technique and extraction using Pearson ICA results in high imperceptible, better security and robustness, when compared to DWT, WPT and IWT based watermarking and extraction using Pearson ICA.
Characteristics of Clouds and Raindrop Size Distribution in Xinjiang, Using Cloud Radar Datasets and a Disdrometer

Observation data from March to May 2020 of the Ka-band millimeter-wave cloud radar and disdrometer, located in Xinjiang, a typical arid region of China, were used to study the diurnal variation of clouds and precipitation, raindrop size distribution (DSD), and the physical parameters of raindrops. The results showed that there are conspicuous diurnal changes in clouds and precipitation. There is a decreasing trend of the cloud base height (CBH) from 05:00 to 19:00 CST (China Standard Time, UTC +8) and a rising trend of CBHs from 20:00 to 04:00 CST. The cloud top height (CTH) and the cloud thickness show a rising trend from 03:00 to 05:00 CST, 12:00 to 14:00 CST, and 20:00 to 01:00 CST. The diurnal variation of clouds is mainly driven by wind and temperature closely related to the topography of the study area. There are three apparent precipitation periods during the day, namely, 02:00–09:00 CST, 12:00 CST, and 17:00–21:00 CST. The changes in the physical parameters of raindrops are more drastic and evident with a lower CBH, lower CTH, and higher number of cloud layers from 12:00 to 21:00 CST than other times, which are closely related to day-to-day variations of systems moving through, and incoming solar radiation and the mountain–valley wind circulation caused by the trumpet-shaped topography that opens to the west played a secondary role. The DSD is in agreement with a normalized gamma distribution, and the value of the shape factor μ is significantly different from the fixed μ value in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The rain in arid Xinjiang had a higher concentration of raindrops and a smaller average raindrop diameter than the rain in other humid regions of the Central and Southeast Asian continent. In the Z−R (radar reflectivity–rain rate) relationship, Z=249R1.20 is derived for stratiform rain, and it is significantly different from humid regions. Using Z/Dm (mass–weighted mean diameter) and R, a new empirical relationship Z/Dm=214R1.20 is established, and improvement is obtained in rain retrieval by using the Z/Dm−R relation relative to the conventional Z−R relation. Additionally, the Nt−R, Dm−R, Nw−R, and Nt−Nw relationships with larger differences from humid regions are established by fitting the power-law equations. These results are useful for improving the data parameters of microphysical processes of WRF and the accuracy of quantitative precipitation estimation in arid regions.
Feedback loop reasoning in physiological contexts

ABSTRACT Feedback loop reasoning is an essential part of systems thinking, which includes the analysis and description of system behaviour and regulative measures. In feedback loops, every change can simultaneously represent a cause and an effect. Research on reasoning in feedback loops is limited to investigating students’ existing mental models. This thinking-aloud study extends insight to the field by providing causal loop diagrams to examine reasoning related to feedback loops. High school students (N = 30, 14–16 years) analysed system behaviours and regulative measures based on the regulation of blood glucose. We developed a category system examining students’ prior knowledge and different reasoning patterns (general feedback loop reasoning, reversing cause-effect relationships, and explanations of equilibrium). Our results indicate that students consider direct, or direct and incomplete indirect cause-effect relationships. However, their response patterns vary depending on different task types (system behaviour, regulative measures, and complex system behaviour). Regarding equilibrium, most students explained it through opposing external factors, while only a few considered feedback loop mechanisms that maintain equilibrium. Therefore, we would recommend that teachers distinguish between the hidden dynamics of regulative processes and the visible maintenance of stable conditions by using appropriate external representations to explain phenomena such as equilibrium.
Surface Properties of Hydrotalcite-Based Zn(Mg)Al Oxides and Their Catalytic Activity in Aldol Condensation of Furfural with Acetone

Basic mixed oxides MgAl, ZnMgAl, and ZnAl were successfully prepared from hydrotalcite precursors synthesized by urea method. Materials with the same molar ratio (M2+/Al3+) = 2 were studied to describe the influence of Mg/Zn ratio on their physicochemical properties. Materials were tested as catalysts of the aldol condensation of furfural with acetone. For samples with similar particle sizes and surface BET areas, the varying catalytic activity was related to the different acidobasic properties. Higher furfural conversion and selectivity to longer carbon chain F2Ac product was observed for samples with higher total amount of basic sites. More specifically, it correlated with the population of Me2+–O2– pairs that represented dominant type of basic sites in all studied catalysts. At the same Al loading, Mg2Al mixed oxide exhibited higher specific surface area, higher total amount of basic sites and higher amount of acid sites than Zn2Al oxide.
The Genetic Ablation of TNF-α Attenuates Wnt-Signaling and Adiposity in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

A chronic low-grade inflammation is considered as a consequence of obesity, and linked with multiple complications. However, it is under-investigated how inflammatory cytokines mediate adipogenesis. This study investigated the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) on adipogenes is over high-fat diet feeding. Three groups of wild type or TNF-α-/mice with the same C57BL/6 genetic background were utilized in this study: wild type fed with a low-fat diet (WT-LFD), wild type fed with a high-fat diet (WT-HFD), and TNF-α-/fed with a HFD (TNF-HFD). After 16-wk feeding, inflammatory cytokine, Wnt pathway and adipogenesis-related genes were analyzed. HFD feeding increased body weight in both WTHFD and TNF-HFD groups, but genetic ablation of TNF-α attenuated HFD-induced obesity. In visceral adipose tissues, HFD elevated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, indicated by decreased phospho-GSK3β and active β-catenin, two key components within the Wnt pathway, and dysregulated adipogenesis, indicated by reduced PPARγ/CEBPα expressions. Whereas, the deletion of TNF-α suppressed Wnt-signaling, and restored expressions of adipogenes is-related genes, which were otherwise decreased in the HFD-induced obese animals. These findings demonstrated a critical role of TNF-α in the regulation of Wnt-signaling and adiposity in mice over a HFD feeding, indicating HFD-induced adipocyte dysfunction could be mitigated by targeting TNF-α and Wnt-signaling.
Assessing the Emotional Intelligence (EI) among Dental Students in Chennai — A Cross Sectional Study

The signi(cid:976)icance of emotional intelligence (EI) in the prosperous act of medical (cid:976)ield has been very much entrenched. However, attempts to investigate the alike in India, especially in dentist and medical professionals, are insuf-(cid:976)icient. Hence the present study aimed to assess the emotional intelligence among dental students in Chennai. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 177 interns in dental colleges in Chennai. Schutte et al Emotional Intelligence scale was used to measure the EI of the study participants. The emotional intelligence score ranges from 33 to 165, greater scores represent-ing greater EI. Frequency and percentage distribution of the scores were cal-culated. Independent t-test was done to analyse the difference in EI scores among the participants. The EI ranges among the study participants with a mean of 123.9 and standard deviation of 12.4. Mean score was highest among the perception of emotion and managing own emotion domain when compared with other domains. The present study revealed, there was no much remarkable differences in the overall EI score among male and female participants and it was found to be statistically insigni(cid:976)icant. More consideration towards the improvement of emotional intelligence among students by dental professional, pay way to betterment of educational and clinical presentation.
Synthesis and Characterization of Porphyrin and Formazan Dyes as Potential PDT Sensitizers

ORMOND, ALEXANDRA BORISOVNA. Synthesis and Characterization of Porphyrin and Formazan Dyes as Potential PDT Sensitizers. (Under the direction of Dr. Harold S. Freeman.) Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes a combination of photosensitizer, light, and molecular oxygen to treat cancers and skin diseases by generating reactive oxygen species that interact with and destroy diseased tissue. Visible light is used to activate the photosensitizer, with wavelengths of light emitting close to the red region preferred for deeper tissue penetration. Tetrapyrrolic chromogens such as Photofrin® dominate photosensitizers employed in PDT, but the difficulties associated with their preparation and low yields render them less than ideal synthetic targets. Meso-substituted porphyrins of the tetrakis(hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin system were among the first compounds to show higher potency and bioavailability than Photofrin®. While currently available porphyrins have high singlet oxygen generating efficiencies, there remains a need for PDT sensitizers that exhibit a strong absorption in the red part of the visible region, effectively accumulate in the tumor tissue, possess low dark toxicity, are quickly and easily delivered to the tumor site, and are eliminated from the body upon completion of treatment. Part 1 of this investigation involved the synthesis and spectral properties of porphyrins containing methylsulfonamide and trifluoromethylacetamide groups as bioisosteric replacements for hydroxyl groups in traditional meso-substituted phenylporphyrins as an approach to enhancing the elimination of sensitizer following PDT treatment. This family of new compounds included porphyrins having heterocyclic rings in place of phenyl groups in the meso-position. Among the 10 porphyrin derivatives, the highest singlet oxygen generation yields were obtained from P-6 having metamethylsulfonamidophenyl group in the meso-position, and from P-9 and P-10 having heterocyclic substituents at the meso-position (ΦΔ = 0.62 – 0.65). The highest λmax values were 646 – 670 nm, fluorescence quantum yields (Φf) were 0.01 – 0.18, and fluorescence lifetimes (τf) were ~ 2 – 12 ns. In addition, Log P values suggested that P-6 would be more readily eliminated from the body than the hydroxyl-substituted counterpart.
Governance, Nature’s Contributions to People, and Investing in Conservation Influence the Valuation of Urban Green Areas

There is little information concerning how people in the Global South perceive the benefits and costs associated with urban green areas. There is even less information on how governance influences the way people value these highly complex socio-ecological systems. We used semi-structured surveys, statistical analyses, and econometrics to explore the perceptions of users regarding governance and the benefits and costs, or Ecosystem Services (ES) and Ecosystem Disservices (ED), provided by Neotropical green areas and their willingness to invest, or not, for their conservation. The study area was the El Salitre sub-watershed in Bogota, Colombia, and 10 different sites representative of its wetlands, parks, green areas, and socioeconomic contexts. Using a context-specific approach and methods, we identified the most important benefits and costs of green areas and the influence of governance on how people valued these. Our modelling shows that air quality and biodiversity were highly important benefits, while water regulation was the least important; despite the sub-watershed’s acute problems with stormwater runoff. In terms of costs, the feeling of insecurity due to crime was related to poor levels of maintenance and infrastructure in the studied green areas. Perceived transparency, corruption, and performance of government institutions influenced people’s Unwillingness to Invest (UTI) in green space conservation. Results show that socioeconomic backgrounds, government performance, and environmental education will play a role in the value or importance people place on the benefits, costs, and UTI in conservation efforts in urban green areas. Similarly, care is warranted when directly applying frameworks and typologies developed in high income countries (i.e., ES) to the unique realities of cities in the Global South. Accordingly, alternative frameworks such as Nature’s Contributions to People is promising.
The functional role of anthocyanins in leaves

38 Introduction 38 Materials and methods 40 Plant material 40 Leaf optical properties 40 Pigment assay 41 Histological distribution of anthocyanins 41 Results 42 Discussion 53 Chapter 4 – Protection from photoinhibition and photooxidation: the shielding effects of anthocyanin 55 Abstract 55 Introduction 56 Materials and methods 58 Plant material 58 Optical properties and spectral distribution of radiation 59 Pigment assay 59 Chloroplast isolation 60 Estimation of chloroplast frequencies 60 Light response curves and recovery from photoinhibition 60 Superoxide production 61 Results 62 Anthocyanin accumulation 62
Gender diversity in firms

This paper explores the recent efforts by the corporate world and public policy to increase the number of women in leadership positions in the workplace. We review and empirically evaluate the ‘business case’ for gender equality, showing some evidence in favour of it. Despite the evidence and growing support, progress towards more diversity in leadership positions has been slow. We study the importance of supply-side constraints, as well as the main diversity policies (gender quotas, mentoring and network programmes, diversity training to change firm culture, and family friendly policies) that have been implemented. We focus on the effectiveness of these policies, their shortcomings, as well as potential future steps that could help guide policy.
Protective effects of hexane fraction of Costus afer leaves against sodium arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male albino wistar rats

Arsenite is a toxic metallic pollutant known to cause hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic injuries. Costus afer ker Gawl is an indigenous medicinal plant used as therapy for numerous tissue disorders. Thus, this study investigated the protective potential of C. afer hexane leaf fraction (CALhF) on sodium arsenite-induced hepatic and renal injuries in albino rats. Twenty-five male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each. Group 1: rats administered orally with 0.5 ml of 0.9% saline; Group 2: untreated rats with induced toxicity by 5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) sodium arsenite (i.p.); Group 3: rats with sodium arseniteinduced toxicity and treated with 10 mg/kg b.w. silymarin (hepatoprotective drug); Group 4 and 5: rats with sodium arsenite-induced toxicity and treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. CALHF, respectively. CALHF was orally administered daily, while sodium arsenite was administered every 48 hours for 14 days. Thereafter, rats were sacrificed, blood was collected to estimate hepatic and nephrotic functions. Hepatic and renal function tests showed that 100 and 200 mg/kg CALHF and 10 mg/kg silymarin treated animals had significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and urea levels, when compared with those of untreated animals. C. afer hexane leaf fraction exhibited hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects against sodium arsenite induced toxicity in rats.
Thermal Simulation Flow and Thermal Closure Methodology in High-Performance VLSI/SOC Design

This paper describes our thermal simulation flow and thermal closure methodology based on one high-performance VLSI/SOC chip. Thermal simulation results help the design team to evaluate the cooling technology and verify the highest temperature on the chip. The developed flow is based on PowerDC tool from Cadence Design Systems to automate steps based on one configure file. We discuss more details about the tool, the configure file and power density file that are critical to the accuracy of simulation results. The general thermal closure methodology and engineering teams involved in the process are described in the paper with experimental results based on the high-performance SOC chip.