Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of concrete cracking during accelerated corrosion tests in reinforced concrete

Cracking of reinforced concrete can occur in certain environments due to rebar corrosion. The oxide layer growing around the bars introduces a pressure which may be enough to lead to the fracture of concrete. To study such an effect, the results of accelerated corrosion tests and finite ele- ment simulations are combined in this work. In previous works, a numerical model for the expansive layer, called expansive joint element , was programmed by the authors to reproduce the effect of the oxide over the concrete. In that model, the expansion of the oxide layer in stress free conditions is simulated as an uniform expansion perpendicular to the steel surface. The cracking of concrete is simulated by means of finite elements with an embedded adaptable cohesive crack that follow the standard cohesive model. In the present work, further accelerated tests with imposed constant cur- rent have been carried out on the same type of specimens tested in previous works (with an embedded steel tube), while measuring, among other things, the main-crack mouth opening. Then, the tests have been numerically simulated using the expansive joint element and the tube as the corroding electrode (rather than a bar). As a result of the comparison of numerical and experimental results, both for the crack mouth opening and the crack pattern, new insight is gained into the behavior of the oxide layer. In particular, quantitative assessment of the oxide expansion relation is deduced from the ex- periments, and a narrower interval for the shear stiffness of the oxide layer is obtained, which could not be achieved using bars as the corroding element, because in that case the numerical results were insensitive to the shear stiffness of the oxide layer within many orders of magnitude
Technology Shocks and Monetary Policy in an Estimated Sticky Price Model of the Euro Area

In this paper, we seek to characterize the dynamic effects of permanent technology shocks and the way in which European monetary authorities reacted to these shocks over the past two decades. To do so, we develop an augmented sticky price-sticky wage model of the business cycle, which is estimated by minimizing the distance between theoretical, dynamic responses of key variables to a permanent technology shock and their structural VAR counterparts. In a second step, we conduct a counterfactual experiment consisting to compare these responses with the outcome of the optimal monetary policy. A significant discrepancy emerges between these responses, suggesting the European monetary authorities might not have responded optimally to permanent technology shocks.
Cytotoxic effect of triptolide on LPS-treated macrophages through sustained phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and apoptosis

Triptolide induced the death of cells of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- treated macrophage-like cell line J774.1/JA-4 cells through apoptosis but not through activation during incubation at 37oC for 4 h. This phenomenon was dependent on the dose and the time of addition of triptolide; and prior or simultaneous addition to LPS was needed, suggesting mal-regulation of LPS-signaling cascades. LPS rapidly induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase, JNK and Erk1/2 within 15 min of its addition, and then dephosphorylation of them followed by 60 min. However, the addition of triptolide, but not endothall, inhibited this dephosphorylation of phospho-p38 and phosphor-JNK in these cells, suggesting that MKP-1 was involved in the dephosphorylation of these phosphoproteins. Triptolide inhibited the synthesis of MKP-1 mRNA and protein induced by LPS. Compared with our previous studies, where a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), induced rapid apoptotic cell death in LPS-treated macrophages through sustained phosphorylation of p38, triptolide seemed to induce cell death of LPS-treated macrophages by inhibition of MKP-1 induction.
Continuity and change of cohabitation in Mexico: Same as before or different anew

Background: Mexico experienced a boom in cohabitation during the 2000s, which has sparked a debate about whether the nature of cohabitation has changed along with its increasing overall rates and diffusion to diverse social groups. Objective: We examine continuity and change in the dynamics of cohabitation in Mexico to address whether it has largely hewed to prior patterns or taken on new forms. Methods: We analyze the marital histories of 99,387 female respondents in the 2009 National Survey of Demographic Dynamics using multistate event-history techniques. Results: Mexico's cohabitation boom of the 2000s was driven by cohorts born after 1975, whose cohabiting unions are less likely to transition to marriage than those formed by earlier cohorts. However, the tendency of cohabiters to marry is greater among the higher educated. Conclusions: Cohabitation in Mexico used to be rare, concentrated among less-educated women, and mostly a prelude to marriage. As it became more common in the 2000s it also took on at least two distinct patterns. Among the less educated, cohabitation became a common union-formation option, shifting to a longer-term substitute for marriage. Cohabitation also grew, from a lower baseline, among the upper educated; but for them, it is usually a short stage, either transitioning to marriage or ending in separation. Contribution: Our findings contribute to the literature on international family change by providing an additional case study, different in geographical and cultural setting, of the global rise of cohabitation.
A Multicase Comparative Assessment of the Ensemble Kalman Filter for Assimilation of Radar Observations. Part I: Storm-Scale Analyses

Abstract The effectiveness of the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) for assimilating radar observations at convective scales is investigated for cases whose behaviors span supercellular, linear, and multicellular organization. The parallel EnKF algorithm of the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) is used for data assimilation, while the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model is employed as a simplified cloud model at 2-km horizontal grid spacing. In each case, reflectivity and radial velocity measurements are utilized from a single Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) within the U.S. operational network. Observations are assimilated every 2 min for a duration of 60 min and correction of folded radial velocities occurs within the EnKF. Initial ensemble uncertainty includes random perturbations to the horizontal wind components of the initial environmental sounding. The EnKF performs effectively and with robust results across all the cases. Over the first 18–30 min of assimilation, the .
Crude toxin extract from culture filtrate of Phomopsis azadirachtae infecting neem and its phytotoxicity.

Die-back disease of neem caused by Phomopsis azadirachtae is presently a major devastating disease of neem resulting in almost 100% loss of fruit prodn. and drastic redn. in evergreen canopy. The crude phytotoxin of P. azadirachtae was extd. from culture filtrate using methanol and chloroform. TLC revealed the presence of four compds. in the crude phytotoxin on exposure to UV. The bioassay of the crude phytotoxin against neem seed resulted in complete inhibition of seed germination at both 500 and 1000 ppm of ext. A progressive decrease in the neem callus growth on exposure to increasing toxin concn. along with necrosis of tissues at higher concns. of toxin was obsd. These results suggest the presence of toxic compds. in the culture filtrate of P.azadirachtae. [on SciFinder(R)]
Competition, Innovation and the Effect of Knowledge Accumulation

The question this paper addresses is how the market structure evolves due to innovative activities when firms' level of technological competence is valuable for more than one project. The focus of the work is the analysis of the effect of learning- by-doing and organizational forgetting in R&D on firms' incentives to innovate. I develop a dynamic step by step innovation model with history dependency. Firms can accumulate knowledge by investing in R&D. As a benchmark I show that without knowledge accumulation the leader's R&D effort increases with the gap as she is trying to avoid competition in the future. When firms gain experience by performing R&D the resulting effect of knowledge induces technological leaders to rest on their laurels which allows followers to catch up. Contrary to the benchmark case, the leader's innovation effort declines with the lead. This causes an equilibrium where the incentives to innovate are highest when competition is most intense.
Revised and updated catalogue of Byurakan-IRAS stars

Context. Five lists of late-type stars were published in Astrophysics in 1997–2001, found in the First Byurakan Survey low-dispersion spectroscopic plates as optical identifications of unidentified IRAS sources. These identifications were carried out in the region with δ> +61 ◦ and |b| > 15 ◦ with a surface of 1504 deg 2 . As a result, the catalogue of the Byurakan-IRAS Stars (BIS) was compiled. Its preliminary version has been available at the CDS since 2003. Aims. We revised and updated the BIS catalogue with the new data from recently published optical and infrared catalogues to give access to all available data and make further comparative studies of the properties of these objects possible. Methods. We made cross-correlations of the BIS catalogue with the MAPS, USNO-B1.0, and 2MASS, added updated SIMBAD data for the BIS objects, and provided accurate DSS1 and DSS2 positions and revised photometry. We also checked the objects for proper motion and variability. A refined classification from low-dispersion spectra in the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) was carried out. Results. The revised and updated catalogue of 276 Byurakan-IRAS stars (BIS) is presented. Conclusions. The BIS catalogue can be used to study a complete sample of IRAS-selected stars and to investigate individual objects.
AMMI Analysis of Wheat Substitution Lines for Detecting Genes Controlling Adaptability

To locate the genes controlling adaptability in bread wheat using AMMI (additive main effect and multiplicative interaction) model, twenty-one substitution lines derived from the parents Chinese Spring (recipient) and Chayan (donor) were used in a randomized complete block design with three replications in three different environments in the Agricultural College of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. The results of AMMI analysis indicated significant differences among all sources of variation except AMMI2. AMMI1 explained that 84% of the variability related to genotype × environment interaction. The chromosomes 7A, 2B, 3A, 7D and 4B had the highest grain yield, and chromosomes 4D, 2A, 4A and 5A lowest. AMMI stability value (ASV) ranked chromosomes 5B > 3B > 3A > 6A as the most stable, and 2A > 4A > 7A as unstable. AMMI1 biplot analysis revealed that Chromosomes 3B, 5B and 5D had high stability and medium mean grain yield, whereas the chromosome with both low yield and stability were 2A, 4A, 5A and 4D. The chromosomes 3A, 4B, 7D followed by 2B, were identified as chromosomes with both high yield and stability performance in different environments. Chromosomes 2A and 4A with large AMMI1 score also showed specific adaptability with environment E2, chromosomes 5A and 4D with environment E3, while chromosome 7A with environment E1. The findings indicated that most of the genes controlling adaptability were located on chromosomes 3A in A genome, 4B and 2B in B genome and 7D in D genome, and also chromosomes 2A, 4A, 5A and 4D carried the genes controlling specific adaptability to water stress condition, while the genes responsible for adaptation to irrigated condition were located on chromosome 7A
Duration Dependence and Change-Points in the Likelihood of Credit Booms Ending

Whether the likelihood of a credit boom ending is dependent on its age or not, or whether the respective behavior is smooth or bumpy are important issues to which the economic literature has not given attention yet. This paper tries to fill that gap, exploring those issues with a proper duration analysis. Credit booms are identified considering two criteria well established in the literature: (i) the Mendoza-Terrones criteria and (ii) and the Gourinchas-Valdes-Landarretche criteria. A continuous-time Weibull duration model is employed over a group of 71 countries for the period 1975q1-2010q4 to investigate whether credit booms are duration dependent or not. The findings show that the likelihood of credit booms ending increases over their duration and that these events have become longer over the past decades. In addition, the paper extends the baseline Weibull duration model in order to allow for change-points in the duration dependence parameter. The empirical findings support the presence of a change-point: increasing positive duration dependence is observed in booms that last less than eight to ten quarters, but it becomes decreasing or even irrelevant for longer events. Analogous results are found for those credit boom episodes that are followed by systemic banking crisis (bad credit booms). The findings also show that credit booms are, on average, longer in industrial than in developing countries.
Words that shake traders ☆ The stock market's reaction to central bank communication in real time

This paper investigates the effects of Federal Reserve's decisions and statements on U.S. stock and volatility indices (Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ 100, S&P 500, and VIX) using a high-frequency event-study analysis. I find that both the surprise component of policy actions and official communication have statistically significant and economically relevant effects on equity indices, with statements having a much greater explanatory power of the reaction of stock prices to monetary policy. For instance, around 90% of the explainable variation in S&P 500 is due to the surprise component of Fed's statements. This paper also shows that equity indices tend to incorporate FOMC monetary surprises within 40 min from the announcement release. Finally, I ﬁ nd that these results are robust along several dimensions. In particular, I consider different estimators, such as the Generalized Empirical Likelihood, and I extend the sample to include the recent period of heightened ﬁ nancial stress. This sensitivity analysis corroborates that central bank communication about its future policy intentions is a key driver of stock returns.
Benthic-pelagic exchange of microalgae at a tidal flat. 2. Taxonomic analysis

Benthic-pelagic exchange of diatoms over a tidal cycle has been examined using a combination of field measurements and annular flume experiments. The relative contribution of benthic and planktonic species to water-column abundance and biomass has been estimated using taxonomic counts, and cell volume to carbon conversions. In June, peaks in chlorophyll a (chl a) biomass occurred either side of the high-water slack period, which corresponded with increased abundance of benthic diatoms, as well as the large centric diatom Coscinodiscus spp. In numerical terms, benthic diatoms accounted for, on average, 15 to 42% of total diatom abundance over the flood-ebb period, while Coscinodiscus spp. accounted for 12 to 17% in June and 3% in late August. Because of the large size of planktonic forms (e.g., Coscinodiscus spp., Rhizosolenia spp., Biddulphia spp.) compared with the small benthic Nitzschia and Navicula species, the contribution of benthic diatoms was significantly lower in terms of biomass. The average contribution of benthic diatoms to total diatom carbon was <1% in June, but up to 25% in late August. In contrast, the relative contribution of Coscinodiscus spp. was ~90% in June and 73 to 80% in late August. The flume experiments confirmed that, in addition to increased benthic abundance in response to stepwise increases in current velocity, the large centric diatom Coscinodiscus spp. was also resuspended from sediments at high current velocities. At low current velocities, these cells rapidly sank to the seabed, the rate probably enhanced by deposition of sand grains out of the water column. Ecological implications related to water-column biomass and production, macro-infauna diet, and composition of benthic chl a are discussed.
STUDENT VOICE IN SCHOOL REFORM: REFRAMING STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS

ABSTRACT. This article examines a student group's two-pronged strategy to build partnerships with teachers at a U.S. high school. Through "teacher-focused" activities, students became aware of teachers' perspectives; "student-focused" activities allowed teachers to learn from students. The article also considers the organizational contexts that enabled this symbiotic strategy to take hold, activities that do not attack classroom practice, buffering group activities from external threats and building bridges with teachers in the school, and supporting the adult advisors who support the group. LA VOIX DES ELEVES DANS LA REFORME SCOLAIRE: RESTRUCTURATION DES RAPPORTS ENTRE ELEVES ET PROFESSEURS RESUME. Cet article analyse la double strategie utilisee par un groupe d'eleves gour etablir des partenariats avec les professeurs dans une ecole secondaire des Etats-Unis. Par le biais d'activites «axees sur les professeurs», les eleves prennent conscience des points de vue de ces derniers; les activites «axees sur les eleves» permettent pour leur part aux professeurs de s'instruire sur leurs eleves. L'article envisage egalement les contextes organisationnels qui permettent a cette strategie symbiotique de prendre appui. Ces activites ne veulent pas attaquer les pratiques de classe, mais veulent amortir les menaces exterieures au groupe, construire des ponts entre les enseignants de l'ecole et supporter les conseillers adultes qui interagissent avec le groupe.
An Observational Study of Clinical Features of Scrub Typhus

*1 Post Graduate, Department of Pediatrics, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Chidambaram 2 Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Chidambaram Abstract Objectives: Scrub typhus is a mite borne disease caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi. Because of the unpredictability and difficulty in diagnosis, it can sometimes be serious in pediatric age groups and fatality rate is as high as 30-35%. The aim of this study is to know the various clinical manifestations of scrub typhus in different pediatric age groups. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the children admitted in pediatric ward/pediatric ICU of our hospital with a total of 50 cases diagnosed positive for scrub typhus by ELISA. Result: The study includes a total of 50 cases. Of these, 84% (42 cases) were from rural areas while 16% (8 cases) were urban. 56% (28 cases) were males and 44% (22 cases) were females. 54% (27 cases) were from school going age group (6-12 yrs). Among these cases, fever was seen in all children (100%) followed by hepatosplenomegaly (82%), eschar (76%), lymphadenopathy (60%), rash(26%), abdominal distension(6%), edema (4%) and seizures(2%).
The Effect of Sample Size on the Functioning of the Mantel-Haenszel Statistic

The Mantel-Haenszel (MH) procedure has become one of the most popular procedures for detecting differential item functioning. Valid results with relatively small numbers of examinees are one of the advantages typically attributed to this procedure. In this study, examinee item responses were simulated to contain differentially functioning items, and then were analyzed at five sample sizes to compare detection rates. Results showed the MH procedure missed 25 to 30% of the differentially functioning items when groups of 2000 were used. When 500 or fewer examinees were retained in each group, more than 50% of the differentially functioning items were missed. The items most likely to be undetected were those which were most difficult, those with a small difference in item difficulty between the two groups, and poorly discriminating items.
TARGETED ADVERTISING: THE ROLE OF SUBSCRIBER CHARACTERISTICS IN MEDIA MARKETS*

This paper seeks to establish the importance of targeted advertising in media markets. Using zip-code level circulation for US daily newspapers, I show that newspapers facing more competition have lower circulation prices but higher advertising prices than similar newspapers facing little or no competition. I explain this by showing that newspapers in more competitive markets are better able to segment readers according to their location and demographics. This leads to greater homogeneity in the characteristics of subscribers and raises advertisers' willingness to pay for such readers. The results imply a substantial benefit to advertisers and media firms from targeted advertising.
What Do We Know About Social Entrepreneurship: An Analysis of Empirical Research

Despite the growing attention to social entrepreneurship as a scholarly field of research, it is still in a stage of infancy. Research in the past two decades has been primarily dedicated to establishing a conceptual foundation, which has resulted in a considerable stream of conceptual papers. Empirical articles have gradually appeared since the turn of the century. Although they are still outnumbered by conceptual articles, empirical articles are of considerable significance for the evolution of social entrepreneurship as a field of scientific inquiry. The purpose of this paper is to gauge the current state of empirical research in the field by reviewing 31 empirical research studies on social entrepreneurship, classifying them along four dimensions and summarising research findings for each of these dimensions. To serve this purpose in a meaningful fashion requires discriminating between different perspectives on social entrepreneurship. Hence, four different schools of thought are presented, and the articles in our sample are classified accordingly.
Farmers' Evaluation of NERICA Rice Varieties and Adoption Determinants in Nigeria

Farmers' evaluation and analysis of the factors determining the adoption of improved farm technology are essential to elicit what varietals characteristics motivate farmers to adopt or reject improved varieties and the technology. The main objective of the study was to elicit farmers' criteria for selecting rice varieties and the factors determining adoption of NERICA varieties in the study areas. The data used for this study were collected from 600 farmers in Ekiti, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Ogun, Ondo, and Taraba States of Nigeria through farming household survey conducted from August to September 2009. The main instruments for data collection were well-structured questionnaires administered in each state. This study utilized descriptive statistics, such as means, frequency and percentages; and Tobit regression model were used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that field days attendance was very low in the study areas and was similar across states; and this may limit their participation in exchange of ideas and in sharing of knowledge and experience of improved technology. The small farm size and subsequently low output could adversely affect rice production in the country and thus prevent the country from attaining self-sufficiency in rice production. Farmers grow an assortment of both local and improved rice varieties and the most important criteria across the states were high yield, tillering and logging resistance. There was progressive increase in the proportion of land given to NERICA rice cultivation since 2004. This suggests that there is increase in the adoption rate of NERICA varieties across states. Level of formal education, farm size, access to credit, rice income, farm income and level of awareness of NERICA varieties positively and significantly determined NERICA rice adoption. Base on these, we recommend that government should aim at policies geared towards providing incentives to encourage all stakeholders to improve productivity in rice production. Incentives, such as provision of micro credit and implementation of subsidy on inputs like fertilizer and seed, would go a long way in boosting rice production in the study area.