Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delicate modulation of mixed conducting properties of PEDOT:PSS via crosslinking with polyvinyl alcohol

Despite possible toxicity issues, chemical reduction or non-polarizable electrodes incorporated with highly reactive chemical species have been utilized to control the operational characteristics of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) for bioelectronic interfacing applications. In this study, we demonstrate that crosslinking between highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and biocompatible nonconductive polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) effectively modulates the mixed conducting properties of PEDOT:PSS. The PEDOT:PSS–PVA films prepared by simple PEDOT:PSS and PVA blending at various ratios, spin-coating, crosslinking, and sulfuric acid treatment were comprehensively studied using optical spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and electrical/electrochemical device characterizations. With PVA contents up to 20 wt. %, the resultant PEDOT:PSS–PVA-based OECTs showed a linear threshold voltage shift with a marginal loss of transconductance, suggesting an effective modulation of the peak transconductance gate voltage. Furthermore, the PVA content also affects the ion transport dynamics, which is related to the crystallite size and ionic functional group density in the PEDOT:PSS–PVA system. The detailed mechanism of delicately controlled mixed conduction in the PEDOT:PSS–PVA system is proposed from the perspective of structure-property relations.
Density functional study of excess Fe in Fe1+xTe: Magnetism and doping

The electronic and magnetic properties of the excess Fe in iron telluride ${\text{Fe}}_{(1+x)}\text{Te}$ are studied by density functional calculations. We find that the excess Fe occurs with valence near ${\text{Fe}}^{+}$ and thus provides electron doping of approximately one carrier per Fe, and furthermore that the excess Fe is strongly magnetic. Thus it will provide local moments that interact with the plane Fe magnetism, and these are expected to persist in phases where the magnetism of the planes is destroyed, for example, by pressure or doping. The results are discussed in the context of superconductivity.
Implementing a Unit Commitment Power Market Model in FICO Xpress-Mosel

Starting from a basic Unit Commitment problem as published in [Carri\'on2006], we develop a fully functional, running implementation for Xpress Mosel, useable in power market modeling. The constraints of the model are discussed in details and solutions to left open implementation problems are presented, guidelines on how to handle data input (from both, databases and Excel), as well as data output (to Excel) are given.
Efficacy of Repeated Applications of Bacteriophages on Salmonella enterica-Infected Alfalfa Sprouts during Germination

Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica is one of the leading pathogens for foodborne outbreaks in a multitude of food commodities, including alfalfa sprouts, which are commonly consumed raw. The food industry has commonly used chlorinated washes, but such methods may not be perceived as natural; this can be a detriment as a large portion of sprouts are designated for the organic market. A natural and affordable antimicrobial method that has been acquiring popularity is the use of bacteriophages. This study compared the efficacy of repeated daily applications and a single application of two separate bacteriophage cocktails (SE14, SE20, SF6 and SE14, SF5, SF6) against four Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) strains on germinating alfalfa sprout seeds from days 0 to 7. The results show S. Enteritidis to be the most susceptible to both cocktails with ~2.5 log CFU/mL decrease on day 0 with cocktail SE14, SF5, and SF6. S. enterica populations on all strains continued to grow even with repeated daily bacteriophage applications but in a significantly decreased rate (p < 0.05) compared with a single bacteriophage application. The extent of the reduction was dependent on the S. enterica strain, but the results do show benefits to using repeated bacteriophage applications during sprout germination to reduce S. enterica populations compared with a single bacteriophage application.
Relationship between Depression with Physical Activity and Obesity in Older Diabetes Patients: Inflammation as a Mediator

Obesity and physical activity (PA) may affect inflammation and are also related to depression. This study aimed to explore the association between depression, obesity, and PA in older diabetes patients mediated by inflammation. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 197 elderly diabetes patients (≥65 y/o). Participants were interviewed to gather demographic and lifestyle data. Assessment of depression was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was used as a marker of inflammation. Participants with a body mass index (kg/m2) ≥ 27 were considered to be obese. Our data indicated that among all participants with (n = 57) and without (n = 140) depression, older diabetes patients with depression had a lower intake of energy and protein and a lower prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption than those without depression (p < 0.05). We also found that inflammation may be a partial mediator in the relationship between obesity and depression, and a significant mediator between PA and depression. Additionally, a regression model of obesity and PA showed that PA was a significant predictor of inflammation. However, the association between obesity and inflammation was not significant. When obesity, PA, and inflammation were included in a regression model together, inflammation significantly predicted depression (OR = 4.18, p = 0.004). The association between obesity and depression was also significant (OR = 2.45, p = 0.038). However, the association between PA and depression was not significant, and the mediating effect of inflammation was significant according to the Sobel test (z = −2.01, p = 0.045). In conclusion, the beneficial effects of PA may lower levels of inflammation produced by obesity, thus reducing inflammatory effects that may be related to depression. Overall, inflammation may mediate the relationship between depression and PA in older diabetes patients.
The Use of Binaural Based Spatial Audio in the Reduction of Auditory Hypersensitivity in Autistic Young People

Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are characterised as experiencing impairments in social-emotional interaction and communication, alongside frequently displaying repetitive behaviours and interests. Further to this, they are often described as experiencing difficulties in processing sensory information, with particular prevalence within the auditory modality. Provoked by common environmental sounds, auditory hypersensitivity can result in self-regulatory fear responses. Rather than a physiological pain reaction, literature suggests that these hypersensitivities are resulting through irrational fear of the sounds. This investigation evaluates the use of binaural based spatial audio as a rendering technique for delivering realistic simulations of averse stimuli within a virtual reality (VR) exposure based computer game intervention for auditory hypersensitivity in autism. Over multiple experimental sessions, 20 autistic participants experiencing auditory hypersensitivity were exposed to either spatial audio or stereo renders of target stimuli during the intervention. Measurements of self-reported emotions displayed significant reductions in associated negative emotional reactions to target stimuli for all participants. However, significant improvements were experienced by those listening to spatial audio simulations. Moreover, tracked voluntary interactions with exposure based game-mechanics increased as the study progressed. Providing further evidence of increased tolerance towards averse auditory stimuli.
DEUS Full Observable {\Lambda}CDM Universe Simulation: the numerical challenge

We have performed the first-ever numerical N- body simulation of the full observable universe (DEUS "Dark Energy Universe Simulation" FUR "Full Universe Run"). This has evolved 550 billion particles on an Adaptive Mesh Refinement grid with more than two trillion computing points along the entire evolutionary history of the universe and across 6 order of magnitudes length scales, from the size of the Milky Way to that of the whole observable universe. To date, this is the largest and most advanced cosmological simulation ever run. It provides unique information on the formation and evolution of the largest structure in the universe and an exceptional support to future observational programs dedicated to mapping the distribution of matter and galaxies in the universe. The simulation has run on 4752 (of 5040) thin nodes of BULL supercomputer CURIE, using more than 300 TB of memory for 10 million hours of computing time. About 50 PBytes of data were generated throughout the run. Using an advanced and innovative reduction workflow the amount of useful stored data has been reduced to 500 TBytes.
TMD factorization and the gluon distribution in high energy QCD

This paper is a part of a series of works where we in detail examine the concept of Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD), or k_T, factorization, which is frequently encountered in the literature and is widely used in the phenomenological applications of QCD at very high energies. We address the question of what exactly factorization is, as it is meant in different contexts and formalisms, and we compare the formalisms to each other. We clarify some basic concepts regarding factorization and how it exactly is applied in high energy QCD, and we make important notes on some key and fundamental points that are often overlooked. We offer an extensive analysis of single inclusive particle production, and we analyze the TMD gluon distribution that plays a pivotal role in high energy QCD.
Real earnings management and capital structure: Does environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance matter?

Abstract This paper examines the impact of real earnings management (REM) on the capital structure of listed firms across ASEAN countries using the fixed effects panel data estimator for the period 2014–2019. Prior literature has focused primarily on aggregate real earnings management, overlooking the disaggregated sources of EM from real activities. It also investigates the role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on the impact of REM on leverage. We find that REM has a significant positive effect on leverage. It also finds that REM sourced from abnormal production costs and abnormal discretionary expenses have positive impacts on leverage. In contrast, abnormal cash flows from operating activities do not significantly influence leverage. On the role of ESG performance, we find that REM significantly and positively affects leverage in firms with low ESG performance and across ESG pillar scores. However, REM does not affect leverage in high- ESG performing firms, except for the governance pillar score. This suggests that ASEAN firms exhibit weak corporate governance as sustainable behaviours may not reduce the agency cost of debt. Our results are robust to a battery of tests. Our results have implications for the stakeholder theory in that it attenuates the agency costs of earnings manipulations.
Cytoplasm, Cytosol and Cytoskeleton

The Endomembrane system is the system that deals with all tiny organelles present in the cell. The cytoskeleton and cytosol are structural elements that help provide the cell with its structure. The cytoplasm is everything in the cell except for the cytoskeleton and membrane-bound organelles. The cytoskeleton is composed of protein filaments and is found throughout the inside of a eukaryotic cell. The cytosol is the main component of the cytoplasm, it is the fluid that fills the inside of the cell. Both the structures like the cytoskeleton, and cytosol, are “filler” structures that do not contain essential biological molecules but perform structural functions within a cell. The part of the cell referred to as cytoplasm is slightly different in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In eukaryotic cells, which have a nucleus, the cytoplasm is everything between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope. In prokaryotes, which lack a nucleus, cytoplasm simply means everything found inside the plasma membrane.
AGN Outflow Shocks on Bonnor–Ebert Spheres

Feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and subsequent jet cocoons and outflow bubbles can have a significant impact on star formation in the host galaxy. To investigate feedback physics on small scales, we perform hydrodynamic simulations of realistically fast AGN winds striking Bonnor–Ebert spheres and examine gravitational collapse and ablation. We test AGN wind velocities ranging from 300 to 3000 km s−1 and wind densities ranging from 0.5 to 10 mp cm−3. We include heating and cooling of low- and high-temperature gas, self-gravity, and spatially correlated perturbations in the shock, with a maximum resolution of 0.01 pc. We find that the ram pressure is the most important factor that determines the fate of the cloud. High ram pressure winds increase fragmentation and decrease the star formation rate, but they also cause star formation to occur on a much shorter timescale and with increased velocities of the newly formed stars. We find a threshold ram pressure of ∼2 × 10−8 dyn cm−2 above which stars are not formed because the resulting clumps have internal velocities large enough to prevent collapse. Our results indicate that simultaneous positive and negative feedback will be possible in a single galaxy, as AGN wind parameters will vary with location within a galaxy.
App gamificada para el aprendizaje activo de ecuaciones lineales

La matemática como una materia indispensable para crear competencias para el futuro, requiere un adecuado aprendizaje. El presente estudio analiza la gamificación como una estrategia para el aprendizaje activo de ecuaciones lineales; realizado mediante un diseño cuasiexperimental aplicando un enfoque mixto; se realizó un pretest para identificar conocimientos previos; se aplicó una app gamificada para el aprendizaje activo de ecuaciones lineales; y, finalmente, mediante un postest y grupo focal, se evaluó de qué manera el uso de la gamificación como estrategia didáctica pudo aportar al aprendizaje de ecuaciones lineales. Mediante la app gamificada los estudiantes sienten curiosidad y motivación, con ganas de aprender; sin embargo, la app gamificada no aportó de forma significativa al aprendizaje de ecuaciones lineales, evidenciando que por sí solo el recurso tecnológico no genera conocimiento en los estudiantes, debiéndose tomar en cuenta principalmente el enfoque pedagógico del docente como gestor del conocimiento.
Virtual Platform Acceleration through Userspace Host Execution

Today’s complex HW/SW systems require functional verification of the target software as early as possible. Full system simulators, so-called Virtual Platforms (VPs), are the standard tools for this. However, increasing complexity of simulation targets has led to simulation performance issues. When already using state-of-the-art simulation infrastructure, simulation speed can be improved through host execution. Here, parts of the target software are executed natively on the simulation host.In this work, a novel approach to host execution is proposed. We argue that only hardware-dependent components of the target software should be executed on the VP, such as operating system kernels, hypervisors, trusted execution environments and device drivers. Only these components require the amount of detail offered by the VP. Test stimuli for these components are provided by higher level user space software that should be executed on the host for improved performance. By dividing the target software into these parts, average speedups of 2x are demonstrated in our case study.
Stress-Tuned Optical Transitions in Layered 1T-MX2 (M=Hf, Zr, Sn; X=S, Se) Crystals

Optical measurements under externally applied stresses allow us to study the materials’ electronic structure by comparing the pressure evolution of optical peaks obtained from experiments and theoretical calculations. We examine the stress-induced changes in electronic structure for the thermodynamically stable 1T polytype of selected MX2 compounds (M=Hf, Zr, Sn; X=S, Se), using the density functional theory. We demonstrate that considered 1T-MX2 materials are semiconducting with indirect character of the band gap, irrespective to the employed pressure as predicted using modified Becke–Johnson potential. We determine energies of direct interband transitions between bands extrema and in band-nesting regions close to Fermi level. Generally, the studied transitions are optically active, exhibiting in-plane polarization of light. Finally, we quantify their energy trends under external hydrostatic, uniaxial, and biaxial stresses by determining the linear pressure coefficients. Generally, negative pressure coefficients are obtained implying the narrowing of the band gap. The semiconducting-to-metal transition are predicted under hydrostatic pressure. We discuss these trends in terms of orbital composition of involved electronic bands. In addition, we demonstrate that the measured pressure coefficients of HfS2 and HfSe2 absorption edges are in perfect agreement with our predictions. Comprehensive and easy-to-interpret tables containing the optical features are provided to form the basis for assignation of optical peaks in future measurements.
Design and Implementation of an Ultrasonic Flowmeter Based on the Cross-Correlation Method

Ultrasonic flowmeters play an important role in industrial production, aerospace and other fields. In this paper, a high-precision ultrasonic flowmeter based on the cross-correlation method is designed, and the commercial finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6 is used to simulate the propagation process of ultrasonic waves during flow measurement, and the implementation process of the cross-correlation algorithm is simulated by Python language. The flowmeter adopts the cross-correlation algorithm to improve the measurement accuracy of ultrasonic time of flight and adopts the method of combining FPGA and an embedded microprocessor to improve operation efficiency. In order to verify the performance of the flowmeter, we tested the flowmeter on the National Institute of Metrology and the self-built test platform, using the still water dragging method, the dynamic volume method and the field comparison method, respectively. The results show that the flowmeter has the ability to test the flow under the condition of high flow velocity (26 m/s) and a pipe diameter in the range of DN6~DN1600, that the absolute value of the relative indication error does not exceed 0.815% and that the repeatability does not exceed 0.150%. The designed ultrasonic flowmeter has high measurement accuracy, good repeatability, strong stability and a wide application range.
Investigation of Performance Degradation in 600-V HD-GITs Under Power Cycling Tests

Hybrid drain-embedded gate injection transistors (HD-GITs) are one of the most promising technologies for normally-OFF operation. However, the relevant reliability research is relatively lacking. In this article, comprehensive results of degradation performance in 600-V HD-GITs are presented. First, the thermomechanical stress is applied to the device under test (DUT) through an accelerated power cycling test (PCT) setup. Then, thermal and electrical parameters shift under the PCTs are monitored periodically by the PCT setup and the curve tracer. As can be seen from the measurement results, as the PCT progresses, the device not only exhibits package-level degradation, but chip-level degradation also occurs gradually. Notably, leakage current that increases with degradation appears to be a potential choice for lifetime modeling. Finally, the state-of-the-art failure analysis (FA) techniques, such as emission microscopy (EMMI), scanning electron microscope (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) cutting, and others, are performed. The results of FAs validated the monitoring data, and the root cause of the degradation of the thermal resistance and electrical parameters was eventually confirmed as the solder degradation and the structural damage of the source and gate. Such an investigation can serve as a valuable reference for the reliability of GaN power devices.
Observation of light echoes around very young stars

Aims. The goal of the paper is to present new results on light echoes from young stellar objects. Methods. Broad band CCD images were obtained over three months at one-to-two week intervals for the field of NGC 6726, using the large field-of-view remotely-operated telescope on top of Cerro Burek. Results. We detected scattered light echoes around two young, low-amplitude, irregular variable stars. Observations revealed not just one, but multiple light echoes from brightness pulses of the T Tauri star S CrA and the Herbig Ae/Be star R CrA. Analysis of S CrA’s recurring echoes suggests that the star is located 138 ± 16 pc from Earth, making these the closest echoes ever detected. The environment that scatters the stellar light from S CrA is compatible with an incomplete dust shell or an inclined torus some 10 000 AU
Multilevel Multi-Output Bidirectional Buck-Boost AC-DC Converter with Improved Power Quality

Different AC-DC topologies are employed for various battery charging applications. The development of the AC-DC converters is imperative with the shift towards developing sustainable technologies. This paper presents a transformer-less, multi-output, five level AC-DC converter with buck-boost features offering a wider voltage range with improved power quality. Different voltage levels are produced at the input terminals of the proposed converter thereby minimising the harmonic content of the voltage waveform that would impact the harmonics present in the grid current, thus enhancing the input power factor. Additionally reduced switching frequency of the converter results in lowering switching losses. The presented design is simulated by using MATLAB software and the results related to steady state and dynamic state generating and regulating output voltages according a set reference are presented.
When DSA Meets SWIPT: A Joint Power Allocation and Time Splitting Scheme Based on Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning

Dynamic spectrum access (DSA) and simultaneously wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) are two promising approaches to address the spectrum and energy supply problems. However, most existing works studied these two techniques separately, and how to effectively realize them simultaneously is non-trivial, because the power allocation of DSA and time splitting of SWIPT will influence both data transmission and energy harvesting performance. Hence, a sophisticated joint design is necessary, which, however, is challenging considering the uncertain dynamic spectrum environment. In this paper, we propose a joint power allocation and time splitting scheme to facilitate devices to implement both DSA and SWIPT simultaneously, which aims at maximizing the long-term throughput while ensuring the interference limitation and energy supply requirements. Considering the environmental uncertainty, we develop a multi-agent deep reinforcement learning solution to make each device autonomously select the best decision that could optimize the whole network performance based on its local observations. Simulation results have shown the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.