Search Results (17)

This study addresses the problem of authorship attribution with a novel method for modeling writing style using dependency tree subtree parsing. This method exploits the syntactic information of sentences using mixed syntactic n-grams (mixed sn-grams). The method comprises an algorithm to generate mixed sn-grams by integrating words, POS tags, and dependency relation tags. The mixed sn-grams are used as style markers to feed Machine Learning methods such as a SVM. A comparative analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed mixed sn-grams method against homogeneous sn-grams with the PAN-CLEF 2012 and CCAT50 datasets. Experiments with PAN 2012 showed the potential of mixed sn-grams to model a writing style by outperforming homogeneous sn-grams. On the other hand, experiments with CCAT50 showed that training with mixed sn-grams improves accuracy over homogeneous sn-grams, with the POS-Word category showing the best result. The study’s results suggest that mixed sn-grams constitute effective stylistic markers for building a reliable writing style model, which machine learning algorithms can learn. Full article

This article reviews the topic of stannous fluoride as an anti-caries additive in toothpastes. It is based on a literature survey carried out using Science Direct, supplemented by information from PubMed. The keywords used were stannous fluoride, toothpaste, clinical effects, caries, hypersensitivity, gingival health, structure and aqueous solutions. The initial searches covered the period 2015–2024 and identified 57 references. Older references cited in these papers, and also papers already known to the author, were also included. The information thus obtained shows that stannous fluoride has three main effects, namely, reduction in the viability of the oral biofilm, increase in remineralisation of the hydroxyapatite tooth mineral and occlusion of dentinal tubules leading to reduced hypersensitivity. Stannous fluoride was shown to be the most effective of all the fluoride additives used in toothpastes. In much of the dental literature, this is attributed to the effects of Sn²⁺ ions. However, as has been shown extensively in the wider scientific literature, free Sn²⁺ ions do not occur in aqueous systems. Rather, the initial products of the dissolution of SnF₂ is undissociated, hydrated SnF₂ and SnF⁺ ions. These gradually exchange fluoride to form Sn(OH)₂ and Sn(OH)⁺. Their likely mechanism of action based on their toxicity towards oral micro-organisms and their interaction with hydroxyapatite is discussed. Full article

Nine glazed porcelain artifacts bearing the coat of arms of France, from King Louis XV tableware orders, were analysed at the laboratory or in their conservation secure room. Based on the experience acquired in the study of 18th century European and Chinese porcelain using mobile XRF (pXRF) and Raman microspectroscopy, a comparison of the impurities in the paste (Y, Rb, and Sr), the elements associated with cobalt in the blue overglaze (Bi, Mn, Zn, and As) and those present in the tin yellow and Naples yellow pigments (Sn, Sb, and Zn) highlights the use of different raw materials for some of these objects. Differences regarding the Ag content in the gold decorations also provide information. Raman identification of the different types of yellow pigment confirms the categorization. The results obtained on the Louis XV tableware are compared to those of “Chine de commande”, attributed to the same places and periods of production or recognized copies. The clustering of the quantitative comparison pXRF signals of the abovementioned elements and a consideration of the Raman parameters of the yellow pigments appear to be effective tools for object categorization to confirm or refute questions about the authenticity of objects. Full article

The unique electrical properties of silicon nitride have increased the applications in microelectronics, especially in the manufacture of integrated circuits. Silicon nitride is mainly used as a passivation barrier against water and sodium ion diffusion and as an electrical insulator between polysilicon layers in capacitors. The interface with different materials, like semiconductors and metals, through soldering may induce residual strains in the final assembly. Therefore, the dentification and quantification of strain becomes strategically important in optimizing processes to enhance the performance, duration, and reliability of devices. This work analyzes the thermomechanical local strain of semiconductor materials used to realize optoelectronic components. The strain induced in the β-Si₃N₄ chips by the soldering process performed with AuSn pre-formed on copper substrates is investigated by Raman spectroscopy in a temperature range of −50 to 180 °C. The variation in the position of the E_1g Raman peak allows the calculation of the local stress present in the active layer, from which the strain induced during the assembly process can be determined. The main reason for the strain is attributed to the differences in thermal expansion coefficients among the various materials involved, particularly between the chip, the interconnection material, and the substrate. Micro-Raman spectroscopy allows for the assessment of how different materials and assembly processes impact the strain, enabling more informed decisions to optimize the overall device structure. Full article

Studying the variation in vegetation types within the source region of the Yellow River (SRYR) is of great significance for understanding the response of vegetation to climate change and human activities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) permafrost. In order to understand the characteristics of the variation in vegetation associations in the SRYR under the influence of climate and human activities, two hyperspectral remote sensing images from HJ-1A in 2013 and OHS-3C in 2020 were used to extract the vegetation types located in the area south of Ngoring Lake, covering 437.11 km² in Maduo County, from the perspective of vegetation associations. Here, the hybrid spectral CNN (HybridSN) model, which is dependent on both spatial and spectral information, was used for vegetation association classifications. On this basis, the variations in vegetation associations from 2013 to 2020 were studied using the transition matrix, and the variation in noxious weeds across different altitude and slope gradients was analyzed. As an example, Thermopsis lanceolata’s spatial distribution pattern and diffusion mechanism were analyzed. The results showed that (1) in addition to noxious weeds, herbage such as Poa poophagorum, Stipa purpurea, Kobresia humilis, and Carex moorcroftii increased, indicating that the overall ecological environment tended to improve, which may be attributed mainly to the development of a warm and humid climate. (2) Most of the noxious weeds were located at low altitudes with an area increase in the 4250–4400 m altitude range and a decrease in the 4400–4500 m altitude range. More attention should be given to the fact that the noxious weeds area increased from 2.88 km² to 9.02 km² between 2013 and 2020, which was much faster than that of herbage and may threaten local livestock development. (3) The Thermopsis lanceolate association characterized by an aggregated distribution tended to spread along roads, herdsmen sites, and degraded swamps, which were mainly affected by human activities and swamp degradation. Full article

Semen parameters are unable to inform on the function or fertilizing capacity of the male gamete. Standardized methods are provided by the WHO but, the lower reference limits have reduced sensitivity to predict chances of conception. Subfertile men may be falsely classified as “normal” and a male factor contributing to genome instability may be overlooked. Semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), sperm chromatin maturity and stability, and sperm aneuploidy were assessed in fertile (F), subfertile normozoospermic (SN) and subfertile non-normozoospermic males (SN-N). Standardized assays employing flow cytometry were used to detect genome instability. Sperm DNA fragmentation did not differ significantly whether the semen samples were from a fertile (F), subfertile normozoospermic (SN) or subfertile non-normozoospermic male (SN-N). Chromatin decondensation was significantly reduced and hyperstability significantly increased in the SN group as compared to the F group. The frequency of diploidy was significantly different in the three study groups with significance between F and SN and between F and SN-N groups. Subfertile men with normal semen parameters are often excluded from extensive genetic testing. Genome instability might be an independent attribute of semen quality detecting problems not seen with semen analysis alone. Full article

The southwestern South China Block is one of the most important Sn polymetallic ore districts in the world, of which the Dulong Sn-Zn polymetallic deposit, closely related to Late Cretaceous granitic magmatism, contains 0.4 Mt Sn, 5.0 Mt Zn, 0.2 Mt Pb, and 7 Kt In, and is one of the largest Sn-Zn polymetallic deposits in this region. In this paper, on the basis of a 3D model of ore bodies established by the cut-off grade of the main ore-forming elements, the In grades were estimated by the ordinary Kriging method and the In-rich cells were extracted. The 3D models of strata, faults, granites, and granite porphyries in the mining area were established and assigned the attributes to the cells, which built buffer zones representing the influence space of the geological factors. The weight of evidence and artificial neural network methods were used to quantitatively evaluate the contribution of each geological factor to mineralization. The results show that the Neoproterozoic Xinzhai Formation (Pt₃x), fault (F₁), and Silurian granites (S₃L) have considerable control effects on the occurrence of In-rich ore bodies. The metallogenic predictions according to the spatial coupling relationship of each geological factor in 3D space were carried out, and then the 3D-space-prospecting target areas of In-rich ore bodies were delineated. In addition, the early geological maps and data information of the mining area were comprehensively integrated in 3D space. The feasibility of 3D quantitative metallogenic prediction based on the deposit model was explored by comparing the two methods, and then, the 3D-space prospecting target area was delineated. The ROC curve evaluation shows that the results of two methods have indicative value for prospecting. The modeling results may support its use for future deep prospecting and exploitation of the Dulong and other similar deposits. Full article

Two-terminal, non-volatile memory devices are the fundamental building blocks of memory-storage devices to store the required information, but their lack of flexibility limits their potential for biological applications. After the discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials, flexible memory devices are easy to build, because of their flexible nature. Here, we report on our flexible resistive-switching devices, composed of a bilayer tin-oxide/tungsten-ditelluride (SnO₂/WTe₂) heterostructure sandwiched between Ag (top) and Au (bottom) metal electrodes over a flexible PET substrate. The Ag/SnO₂/WTe₂/Au flexible devices exhibited highly stable resistive switching along with an excellent retention time. Triggering the device from a high-resistance state (HRS) to a low-resistance state (LRS) is attributed to Ag filament formation because of its diffusion. The conductive filament begins its development from the anode to the cathode, contrary to the formal electrochemical metallization theory. The bilayer structure of SnO₂/WTe₂ improved the endurance of the devices and reduced the switching voltage by up to 0.2 V compared to the single SnO₂ stacked devices. These flexible and low-power-consumption features may lead to the construction of a wearable memory device for data-storage purposes. Full article

This study was conducted to define detailed factors by combining the factors of SNS (social network services) information attributes and dual processing process theory and to investigate the relationship between customer satisfaction, brand attitude, and sustainable use intention. An empirical analysis was conducted using data collected from 361 participants who have experience in SNSs for searching for restaurant information. The major results are as follows: First, two intuitive SNS information attributes (reliability and liveliness) and two analytical attributes (usefulness and conciseness) have a significant positive influence on customer satisfaction to use an SNS. In particular, the reliability was the most significant antecedent of the SNS information attributes in this study. In addition, the current study verified the significant relationships among customer satisfaction, brand attitude, and sustainable use intention. Based on these research results, it was verified that SNS information characteristics are important attributes in eliciting customer satisfaction, attitude toward the brand, and sustainable use intention from customers. This study will contribute to providing various practical implications to establish valuable marketing strategies. Full article

The aim of the study was to develop the hydrogeochemical profiling of caves based on the elemental composition of water and silty soil samples and a multivariate statistical analysis. Major and trace elements, including rare earths, were determined in the water and soil samples. The general characteristics of water, anions content, inorganic and organic carbon fractions and nitrogen species (NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺) were also considered. The ANOVA—principal component analysis (PCA) and two-way joining analysis were applied on samples collected from Cloșani Cave, Romania. The ANOVA-PCA revealed that the hydrogeochemical characteristics of Ca²⁺-HCO₃⁻ water facies were described by five factors, the strongest being associated with water-carbonate rock interactions and the occurrence of Ca, Mg and HCO₃⁻ (43.4%). Although organic carbon fractions have a lower influence (20.1%) than inorganic ones on water characteristics, they are involved in the chemical processes of nitrogen and of the elements involved in redox processes (Fe, Mn, Cr and Sn). The seasonal variability of water characteristics, especially during the spring, was observed. The variability of silty soil samples was described by four principal components, the strongest influence being attributed to rare earth elements (52.2%). The ANOVA-PCA provided deeper information compared to Gibbs and Piper diagrams and the correlation analysis. Full article

In this work, a multi-electron transporting layer (ETL) for efficient perovskite solar cells is investigated. The multi-ETL consists of five conditions including SnO₂, SnO₂/SnO_x, TiO₂, TiO₂/SnO₂, and TiO₂/SnO₂/SnO_x. The best performance of PSC devices is found in the SnO₂/SnO_x double-layer and exhibits a power conversion efficiency equal to 18.39% higher than the device with a TiO₂ single-layer of 14.57%. This enhancement in efficiency can be attributed to a decrease in charge transport resistance (R_ct) and an increase in charge recombination resistance (R_rec). In addition, R_ct and R_rec can be used to explain the comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) between a PSC with a SnO₂/SnO_x double-layer and a PSC with a triple-layer, which is due to the compensation effect of R_ct and R_rec parameters. Therefore, R_ct and R_rec are good parameters to explain the efficiency enhancement in PSC. Thus, the R_ct and R_rec from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique is an easy and alternative way to obtain information to understand and characterize the multi-ETL on PSC. Full article

Along with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, beliefs in conspiracy theories are spreading within and across countries. This study aims to analyze predictors of beliefs in conspiracy theories. Because previous studies have emphasized only specific political, psychological, or structural factors or variables, this study constructs an integrated analytical model that includes all three factors. We analyze data from a large-scale survey of Koreans (N = 1525) and find several results. First, political, psychological, and structural factors influence beliefs in conspiracy theories. Second, when we examine the specific influences of the variables, we find that authoritarianism, support for minority parties, religiosity, trust in SNS (social networking services), perceived risk, anxiety, negative emotions, blame attribution, the quantity of information, health status, and health after COVID-19, all positively influence beliefs in conspiracy theories. Conversely, support for President Moon Jae-In’s government, Christianity, trust in the government, perceived control, analytic thinking, knowledge, the quality of information, and gender, all negatively impact these beliefs. Among the predictors, the quality of information, health status, support for President Moon Jae-In’s government, perceived risk, and anxiety have the most decisive impacts on beliefs in conspiracy theories. Full article

Social networking sites (SNSs) are now ubiquitous communities for constant online interpersonal interactions that trigger symmetric or asymmetric effects on our everyday life. Recent studies advocate in favor of the significant role that SNSs have in promoting well-being and, more importantly, in disseminating reliable information during a global crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the growing importance of SNSs to the global framework, the main purpose of this study is to empirically assess the link between the use of symmetric social networks such as Facebook, or asymmetric social networks, like Instagram, and the level of satisfaction, employing the methodology of structural equation modeling. The results of the research validate the hypothesis that SNS activities increase the level of satisfaction, and therefore, that there is a direct link between the number of posts and comments and the level of satisfaction. Furthermore, based on the reversible and significant link between the level of satisfaction and the importance attributed to SNSs, the main conclusion of the study is that the higher the importance of the SNS, the greater the level of dissatisfaction experienced by users. Also, public activities on social networks positively affect social network satisfaction, while private activities have a direct negative relationship with the importance of social networks. Full article

Magnetic properties of the sustainable Fe–Sn alloys are already known. However, there is lack of information in the field of Fe–Sn electrodeposition. In the present study, a novel Fe(III)–Sn(II) electrolyte with tartaric acid as a single complexing agent is introduced. The influence of the pH and the current density on the structural properties of the Fe–Sn deposit was studied. The stability of the electrolytes as a main attribute of sustainability was tested. The ferromagnetic phases Fe₅Sn₃ and Fe₃Sn were electrodeposited for the first time, and it was found that the mechanism of the Fe–Sn deposition changes from normal to anomalous at a pH value 3.0 and a current density of approximately 30 mA/cm². A possible reason for the anomalous deposition of Fe–Sn is the formation of Fe-hydroxides on the cathode surface. Two electrolyte stability windows exist: The first stability window is around a pH value of 1.8 where bimetallic Fe–Sn tartrate complexes were formed, and second one is around a pH value of 3.5 where most of the Sn ions were present in the form of [Sn(tart)₂]²⁻ and Fe in the form of [Fe(tart)]⁺ complexes. Full article

In recent years, users have increasingly focused on the privacy of social networking sites (SNS); users have reduced their self-disclosure intention. To attract users, SNS rely on active platforms that collect accurate user information, even though that information is supposed to be private. SNS marketers must understand the key elements for sustainable operation. This study aims to understand the influence of motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic) and self-disclosure on SNS through soft computing theories. First, based on a survey of 1108 users of SNS, this study used a dominance-based rough set approach to determine decision rules for self-disclosure intention on SNS. In addition, based on 11 social networking industry experts’ perspectives, this study validated the influence between the motivation attributes by using Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL). In this paper, the decision rules of users’ self-disclosure preference are presented, and the influences between motivation attributes are graphically depicted as a flow network graph. These findings can assist in addressing real-world decision problems, and can aid SNS marketers in anticipating, evaluating, and acting in accord with the self-disclosure motivations of SNS users. In this paper, practical and research implications are offered. Full article