Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Plasticity Emulated with Lithium Lanthanum Titanate‐Based Memristive Devices: Habituation

Behavioral plasticity builds up an association between information and an appropriate behavioral response, enabling organisms to adjust their behaviors in response to stimulations from external environments. Habituation is the elementary and ubiquitous form of the behavioral plasticity. A direct emulation of the behavioral habituation with electronic devices is critical in neuromorphic computing. Herein, memristive devices based on a mixed conductor of lithium ions and electrons, lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO), are fabricated in a Pt/LLTO/Pt structure. Because the physical processes of lithium‐ion migration and polaron hopping in LLTO are similar to the two neuromorphic processes proposed in the dual‐process theory of habituation, the Pt/LLTO/Pt memristive device enables a direct emulation of the habituation in the behavioral plasticity. More importantly, the nine parametric definitions in neuroscience for habituation are realized. The successful emulation of behavioral habituation represents an advance in the hardware implementation of neuromorphic functionalities and may simplify the structure of memristor‐based artificial neural networks.
The importance of complete and high-quality genome sequences in Aspergillus niger research

The possibility to sequence the entire genome of an organism revolutionized the fields of biology and biotechnology. The first genome sequence of the important filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was obtained in 2007, 11 years after the release of the first eukaryotic genome sequence. From that moment, genomics of A. niger has seen major progresses, facilitated by the advances in the sequencing technologies and in the methodologies for gene function prediction. However, there are still challenges to face when trying to obtain complete genomes, equipped with all the repetitive sequences that they contain and without omitting the mitochondrial sequences. The aim of this perspective article is to discuss the current status of A. niger genomics and draw attention to the open challenges that the fungal community should address to move research of this important fungus forward.
Efficient Delay-Aware Task Scheduling for IoT Devices in Mobile Cloud Computing

The development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology depends on technologies such as high-efficiency storage and high computing power. Mobile cloud computing (MCC) technology will be an important foundation for the development of IoT. The efficient scheduling of tasks in IoT devices in MCC environment is challenging. The requirements for task scheduling in MCC are becoming more and more complex. As the core problem in MCC, task scheduling aims to allocate tasks reasonably, achieve optimal scheduling strategies, and complete tasks effectively. In this paper, efficient delay-aware task scheduling algorithm (EDTSA) is proposed, with the optimization goal of minimizing task running time. The matching of tasks and virtual machines is modeled as a bipartite graph. The problem is divided into multiple subproblems to solve the optimal solution separately. The combined solution is used as the initial solution of the local search algorithm. The efficiency of the local search depends on the quality and nature of the initial solution. We can generate multiple initial solutions according to different division criteria. The initial solution is the combination of the optimal solutions of the subproblems, so the quality of the initial solution has been greatly improved and generating multiple initial solutions according to the division can reduce the probability of falling into the local optimal solution. This algorithm also divides the neighborhood to reduce unnecessary searches. Finally, we verify the efficiency and practicability of the algorithm through experiments.
The effect of tone hyperarticulation in Cantonese infant-directed speech on toddlers’ word recognition in the second year of life

The acoustic properties of infant-directed speech (IDS) have been widely studied, but whether and how young learners’ language development benefits from individual properties remains to be confirmed. This study investigated whether toddlers’ word processing was affected by tone hyperarticulation in the IDS of a tone language. Nineteen- and 23-month-old Cantonese-learning toddlers completed a familiar word recognition task and were tested (a) in the hyperarticulated-tone (HT) condition in which the tonal distances were exaggerated, and (b) in the non-hyperarticulated-tone (NT) condition with smaller tonal distances that resembled those in adult-directed speech. The 19-month-old toddlers performed significantly better in the HT condition than in the NT condition, while the 23-month-olds performed comparably well in both conditions. These findings suggest that tone language learners’ word recognition can be facilitated by tone hyperarticulation in IDS, in the middle of the second year of life; as their language development proceeds, this facilitatory effect appears to largely diminish by the end of the second year of life.
Prospective Trial of Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio and Other Blood Counts as Biomarkers of Survival among Patients with High-Grade Soft Tissue Sarcomas Treated with Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin and Ifosfamide

Simple Summary Previous studies have reported an association between the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes circulating in blood and outcomes in patients with cancer. This study examined the association between lymphocyte and neutrophil counts and survival in a prospective trial of preoperative chemotherapy for high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas. A statistically significant association between overall survival was observed with the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Our results suggest that a balance between the lymphocyte count and the number of circulating myeloid cells that might suppress lymphocyte function may be predictive of survival in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas. Future research should examine the role of lymphocyte-myeloid cell balance in sarcoma biology. Abstract Several studies have reported an association between levels of circulating blood cells, in particular the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (absolute neutrophil count (ANC)/absolute lymphocyte count (ALC)) and outcomes in patients with cancer. In the current study, the association between lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and platelet counts and survival was examined in a prospective trial of preoperative pegylated-liposomal doxorubicin and ifosfamide for high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas. A statistically significant association between overall survival, but not progression free-survival, was observed with the ANC/ALC ratio at a cutoff value of ≥2 and a statistically significant trend using a cutoff of ≥5. Our results suggest that a balance between the lymphocyte count and the number of circulating myeloid cells that can suppress lymphocyte function may be predictive of survival in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas. Future research should therefore examine the role of lymphocyte-myeloid cell balance in sarcoma biology.
Resonant Pneumatic Tactile Sensing for Soft Grippers

Soft robots capable of dexterous manipulation can enable the exploration of extreme environments. Equipping these robots with tactile sensing is a challenge, as sensors must be flexible, stretchable, and robust to environmental conditions. We present a tactile sensor design with a pneumatically driven acoustic resonator, without electronics near from the end-effector. For applications to soft grippers, we measure the resonant frequency of a soft tube undergoing stretching and bending. A small hole along the resonant tube enables contact sensing and pretouch up to 2 mm away. We also measure resonant frequency for a rigid uni-axial force sensing probe. Grasping tasks utilize three sensing modalities of a soft gripper; finger pose, fingertip contact, and force in the palm all provide feedback for dexterous manipulation. We discuss and address in future work the effects of atmosphere and air flow rate on resonant frequency as well as limitations in signal processing of this sensor design.
Application of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) in Sustainable Agriculture: Advantages and Limitations

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are significant groups of probiotic organisms in fermented food and are generally considered safe. LAB regulate soil organic matter and the biochemical cycle, detoxify hazardous chemicals, and enhance plant health. They are found in decomposing plants, traditional fermented milk products, and normal human gastrointestinal and vaginal flora. Exploring LAB identified in unknown niches may lead to isolating unique species. However, their classification is quite complex, and they are adapted to high sugar concentrations and acidic environments. LAB strains are considered promising candidates for sustainable agriculture, and they promote soil health and fertility. Therefore, they have received much attention regarding sustainable agriculture. LAB metabolites promote plant growth and stimulate shoot and root growth. As fertilizers, LAB can promote biodegradation, accelerate the soil organic content, and produce organic acid and bacteriocin metabolites. However, LAB show an antagonistic effect against phytopathogens, inhibiting fungal and bacterial populations in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere. Several studies have proposed the LAB bioremediation efficiency and detoxification of heavy metals and mycotoxins. However, LAB genetic manipulation and metabolic engineered tools provide efficient cell factories tailor-made to produce beneficial industrial and agro-products. This review discusses lactic acid bacteria advantages and limitations in sustainable agricultural development.
In Vitro Activity of Water Extracts of Olive Oil against Planktonic Cells and Biofilm Formation of Arcobacter-like Species

Extra-virgin olive oils contain many bioactive substances that are phenolic compounds. The survival of Arcobacter-like strains in non-buffered (WEOO) and buffered (BEOO) extracts of olive oils were studied. Time kill curves of different strains were measured in the environment of olive oil extracts of different grades. The activity of the extracts was also monitored for biofilm formation using the Christensen method. In vitro results revealed that extra-virgin olive oil extracts exhibited the strongest antimicrobial effects, especially non-buffered extracts, which exhibited strain inhibition after only 5 min of exposure. The weakest inhibitory effects were observed for olive oil extracts. A decrease in biofilm formation was observed in the environment of higher WEOO concentrations, although at lower concentrations of extracts, increased biofilm formation occurred due to stress conditions. The dialdehydic forms of oleuropein derivatives, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol were the main compounds detected by HPLC-CoulArray. The results indicate that not all olive oils had a similar bactericidal effect, and that bioactivity primarily depended on the content of certain phenolic compounds.
THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN BANDUNG REGENCY: A STUDY ON KAMPUNG GAMIS– SOREANG

This study aims to analyze the development of tourism destinations in Kampung Gamis Soreang by studying the socio-material relationships that underlie the development process. This study employed a qualitative approach to answer the research objectives. The data collection techniques were carried out by interviews, field observations and document analysis to answer research questions. The sampling was done by purposive sampling involving the Bandung Regency government and the local community of Kampung Gamis. The analytical framework developed describes the socio-techno-economic interaction of the surrounding actors with Kampung Gamis to obtain possible outcomes. The findings showed that there are at least four main actors in the stakeholder analysis of the tourism destination of Kampung Gamis, Soreang District, Bandung Regency; they are the government, associations or local tourism communities, entrepreneurs, and the local community. There are also some identified potentials in the development of Kampung Gamis as Tourism Destinations and several important obstacles such as lack of experience of business actors in the tourism destination of Kampung Gamis. Finally, pattern of actor and network relations in Kampung Gamis Tourism Destinations development reflects how crucial the development of kampung gamis is.
Approaches for Modifying Oxide-Semiconductor Materials to Increase the Efficiency of Photocatalytic Water Splitting

The constant increase in the amount of energy consumed and environmental problems associated with the use of fossil fuels determine the relevance of the search for alternative and renewable energy sources. One of these is hydrogen gas, which can be produced by sunlight-driven photocatalytic water splitting. The decisive role in the efficiency of the process is played by the properties of the photocatalyst. Oxide materials are widely used as photocatalysts due to their appropriate band structure, high-enough photochemical stability and corrosion resistance. However, the bandgap, crystallinity and the surface morphology of oxide materials are subject to improvement. Apart from the properties of the photocatalyst, the parameters of the process influence the hydrogen-production efficiency. This paper outlines the key ways to improve the characteristics of oxide-semiconductor photocatalysts with the optimum parameters of photocatalytic water splitting.
Vital Nodes Study on Airway Network of Silk Road Economic Belt

In order to study the nodes importance of the aviation network of SREB (Silk Road Economic Belt), we construct the network (ANSREB) based on Graph Theory that focused on the actually situation of civil aviation transportation of SREB. We analyzed the evaluation algorithms for nodes importance, proposed the evaluation method for nodes importance of ANSREB; the quantized values of each node (Degree, Betweennesss, Closeness) are calculated with Pajek and traffic data, and determined TOP 20 critical nodes of the network on two different conditions respectively (without and within International routes). Then we contrasted and analyzed the reason that affects the ranking of those vital nodes, which has the character of highly concentration of business and dominant status.
The Recent Progress and the state-of-art applications of Perovskite Solar Cells

With the awareness of using clean and sustainable energy, the utilization of solar power is of great importance in human society. Following the trend, solar cells are required to have higher and higher power conversion efficiency. Contemporarily, perovskite materials, as a new type of materials for construction of solar cells, exhibits great potential to have high efficiency. This article focuses on the methods on improving power conversion efficiencies of perovskite solar cells and discusses the limitation of recent technologies and industrial applications, and the future prospect of perovskite solar cells. To be specific, all the methods are focusing on the selection of materials suitable for cells design, from CsSnI3 to lead-based organic materials, the efficiencies have increased significantly. The method of stacking perovskite solar cells to make tandem solar cells improved efficiencies among all the methods. Meanwhile, the toxicity, low stability and difficulties in large-scale application are the main limitations for perovskite solar cells. For the future studies, it is important to search for materials with low toxicity and high stability. The technology for improving efficiency of large-scale solar cells is also required. These results provide a guideline for the future study in perovskite solar cells.
Close entanglements: aligning the construction and finance industries

Abstract The construction industry has two major institutional supporters in (1) the sovereign state, whose political entities render affordable housing and the supply of credit a core component in modern statecraft, and (2) the finance industry, which rely on the construction industry for high-quality collateral in forms of real estate, and which also expand the stock of credit in the economy. In this finance capital creation role, the finance industry makes many construction industry projects realizable and attractive investment objects. Construction management scholarship has neither ignored nor understated governance issues, but closer attention should be given to the intimate relationships and co-dependencies across formal industry boundaries. The article stresses how the expansion of the securities industry has been a key mechanism for integrating construction and finance industries more closely, offering various joint benefits that materialize as both desirable and more cumbersome and unanticipated economic consequences. The article argues, however, that while securitization increased the stock of finance capital and the liquidity, the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 indicated that this new integration of construction finance and the state resulted in an unstable and risky nexus. That nexus has since been consolidated, but the open question is whether it has been stabilized.
Microscopic Simulation of the RF Performance of SiGe HBTs With Additional Uniaxial Mechanical Stress

A very detailed investigation of high-speed silicon–germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) showed an underestimation of the measured peak cutoff frequency by simulations with a hydrodynamic (HD) model. It was speculated that this might be due to a breakdown of the HD approximation or unknown additional mechanical stress. We repeated those simulations with the more fundamental Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) based on the same device model (doping profiles, 2-D geometry, parasitics, and so on) and obtained almost similar results showing that this failure was not due to a breakdown of the HD approximation. Since additional uniaxial stress along the direction of the lateral base has been shown to increase the cutoff frequency, we investigated this effect. We found by 2-D device simulations that the increase in the peak cutoff frequency is rather small, and at high stress levels, it even decreases, if the uniaxial stress is applied homogenously. This is due to the reduction of the conductivity of the highly doped collector layer by the stress. If the stress is limited to the intrinsic transistor, the increase in the cutoff frequency is monotonic with growing stress. On the other hand, the collector current for a given base–emitter voltage also increases with stress leading to an overestimation of the collector current compared with the measurements. If this increase is corrected by a slight decrease in the germanium profile, the gain in the peak cutoff frequency is lost. Thus, the underestimation of the peak cutoff frequency cannot be explained by an additional homogeneous uniaxial stress in the intrinsic transistor.
The effects of ERP-implementations on the non-financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Netherlands

: In this paper we try to assess the impact of ERP-implementations on the development of non-financial organizational performance, as described by Shang and Seddon (2002) and Eckartz et al. (2009). We assess this impact for Dutch small and medium-sized enterprises, using a small but unique dataset. Several aspects of the performance of organizations are compared before and after the introduction of an ERP-system, taking into account a three-year period, and controlling for several influential factors (like organizational size, financial health and sectoral differences). We conclude that by and large, organizational performance increased significantly more for organizations that implemented an ERP-system in the last three years than for organizations that did not implement such a system. We also conclude that organizations that implemented an ERP-system at most three years ago did not have significantly lower non-financial performance than organizations that did not implement such a system. Additional analyses suggest that we would oversell our results if we would claim that ERP-systems are the main or sole source of the effects found. Nevertheless, although limited to Dutch SMEs, our results contradict some of the views expressed in the ERP-literature.
Team-Member Role Characteristics as Predictors of Response Behavior on Team-Related Surveys

Although substantive research examining work teams continues to grow, methodological research examining the collection of team survey data lags behind substantive progress. To address this research gap, we test how individual and team characteristics affect one’s likelihood of completing a team survey. Using multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis of human resources information systems data and survey responses from 3,403 clinical staff within 900 multidisciplinary healthcare teams, we found that time dedicated to the team, leadership status, and team size relate to response behavior, with differential effects for men and women. We discuss implications for team research in real-world organizational contexts.
The Role of HRM Factors in Improving Performance Analysis of Local Government Financial Reports

The central government authorized the local government to manage its finances independently in the regional autonomy system. The local government system must be transparent and accountable. The Report on Local Government Finances is one of the government tools to accountable it. However, based on the audit report in 2017, the Local Government Finances the Government of Musirawas, South Sumatera, Indonesia found inaccuracy. The research aims to examine the factors that influence the quality of the Local Government Finance of the Government of Musirawas, South Sumatera, Indonesia. The number of respondents is 110 persons from the government apparatus who represent their working unit of the Finance Management in the Government of Mursirawas, South Sumatera, Indonesia. The research utilizes a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) method. The research results showed that the Performance quality of the LAPD in the Government of Musirawas, South Sumatra, Indonesia, is simultaneously influenced by the competency of the Apparatus human resources, motivation, and the local accounting system; partially, it was influenced by the apparatus human resource competency.
Retracted: Needs in emotional intelligence: the case of Moroccan pupils in the preparatory classes of primary education

This article will attempt to present a descriptive and exploratory study of the needs of Moroccan primary school pupils in emotional intelligence. The study was carried out in 3 school groups in Casablanca on a mixed population of 160 pupils and was spread out over a month. The used tools comprised interviews with survey filling to measure the degree of awareness of emotions on the part of these pupils and their teachers. Subsequently, the population was subjected to two tests respectively of impulses control and team spirit. The results showed the dominance of emotions on the behaviors of the student population studied, as well as the impact that a gradual integration of emotional intelligence would have on the Moroccan school curriculum.