Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crystallization depth beneath an oceanic detachment fault (ODP Hole 923A, Mid‐Atlantic Ridge)

Oceanic detachment faults are increasingly recognized as playing an integral role in the seafloor spreading process at slow and ultraslow spreading mid‐ocean ridges, with significant consequences for the architecture of the oceanic lithosphere. Although melt supply is considered to play a critical control on the formation and evolution of oceanic detachments, much less well understood is how melts and faults interact and influence each other. Few direct constraints on the locus and depth of melt emplacement in the vicinity of detachments are available. Gabbros drilled in ODP Hole 923A near the intersection of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge and the Kane transform fault (23°N; the MARK area) represent magmas emplaced into the footwall of such a detachment fault and unroofed by it. We here present U‐Pb zircon dates for these gabbros and associated diorite veins which, when combined with a tectonic reconstruction of the area, allow us to calculate the depths at which the melts crystallized. Th‐corrected single zircon U‐Pb dates from three samples range from 1.138 ± 0.062 to 1.213 ± 0.021 Ma. We find a crystallization depth of 6.4 +1.7/−1.3 km, and estimate that the melts parental to the gabbros were initially emplaced up to 1.5 km deeper, at <8 km below the seafloor. The tectonic reconstruction implies that the detachment fault responsible for the exposure of the sampled sequence likely crossed the ridge axis at depth, suggesting that melt emplacement into the footwall of oceanic detachment faults is an important process. The deep emplacement depth we find associated with “detachment mode” spreading at ∼1.2 Ma appears to be significantly greater than the depth of magma reservoirs during the current “magmatic mode” of spreading in the area, suggesting that the northern MARK segment preserves a recent switch between two temporally distinct modes of spreading with fundamentally different lithospheric architecture.
The distribution of urban land values: Evidence from market transactions

We analyze land values from market transactions across the United States. Across space, land values are distributed widely and almost log-normally. The strongest predictor of value per acre is lot size, followed by location, and then time. Urban and agricultural land markets appear unified after accounting for fixed conversion costs. Monocentric-city theory predicts how central land values depend on metro population and agricultural land values. Estimates using distance from center within metros are consistent with estimates using population across metros. They suggest land receives 7 percent of income and the cost elasticity of urban population is 4 percent of income. JEL Codes: D24, R1, R31, R52
The secondary history of Sutter's Mill CM carbonaceous chondrite based on water abundance and the structure of its organic matter from two clasts

Sutter's Mill is a regolith breccia composed of both heavily altered clasts and more reduced xenoliths. Here, we present a detailed investigation of fragments of SM18 and SM51. We have characterized the water content and the mineralogy by infrared (IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the structure of the organic compounds by Raman spectroscopy, to characterize the secondary history of the clasts, including aqueous alteration and thermal metamorphism. The three methods used in this study suggest that SM18 was significantly heated. The amount of water contained in phyllosilicates derived by TGA is estimated to be approximately 3.2 wt%. This value is quite low compared with other CM chondrites that typically range from 6 to 12 wt%. The infrared transmission spectra of SM18 show that the mineralogy of the sample is dominated by a mixture of phyllosilicate and olivine. SM18 shows an intense peak at 11.2 μm indicative of olivine (Fig. 1). If we compare SM18 with other CM and metamorphosed CM chondrites, it shows one of the most intense olivine signatures, and therefore a lower proportion of phyllosilicate minerals. The Raman results tend to support a short‐duration heating hypothesis. In the ID/IG versus FWHM‐D diagram, SM18 appears to be unusual compared to most CM samples, and close to the metamorphosed CM chondrites Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91008 and PCA 02012. In the case of SM51, infrared spectroscopy reveals that olivine is less abundant than in SM18 and the 10 μm silicate feature is more similar to that of moderately altered CM chondrites (like Murchison or Queen Alexandra Range [QUE] 97990). Raman spectroscopy does not clearly point to a heating event for SM51 in the ID/IG versus FWHM‐D diagram. However, TGA analysis suggests that SM51 was slightly dehydrated as the amount of water contained in phyllosilicates is approximately 3.7 wt%, which is higher than SM18, but still lower than phyllosilicate water contents in weakly altered CM chondrites. Altogether, these results confirm that fragments with different secondary histories are present within the Sutter's Mill fall. The dehydration that is clearly observed for SM18 is attributed to a short‐duration heating based on the similarity of its Raman spectra to that of PCA 91008. Because of the brecciated nature of Sutter's Mill and the presence of adjacent clasts with different thermal histories, impacts that can efficiently fragment and heat porous materials are the preferred heat source.
Patterns at Multi-Spatial Scales on Tropical Island Stream Insect Assemblages (Gorgona Island Natural National Park, Colombia, Tropical Eastern Pacific)

Tropical Eastern Pacific island streams (TEPis) differ from other neotropical streams in their rainy climate, mixed sedimentary-volcanic geology and faunal composition. Yet, their relationships between environ- mental characteristics and stream biota remain unexplored. We analyzed the environmental subject at three spa- tial scales using a fully nested sampling design (6 streams, 2 reaches within each stream, 2 habitats within each reach, and 4 replicates per habitat) on Gorgona Island (Colombia). Sampling was carried out in two months with contrasting rainfall during early 2009. We studied the spatial variation of assemblage composition and density along with 27 independent variables within two contrasting rainfall conditions. Five stream-scale variables, two reach-scale variables, and five habitat-scale variables were selected using a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). A partial CCA showed that the total variance explained was 13.98%, while stream- and habitat-scale variables explained the highest proportion of the variance (5.74 and 5.01%, respectively). Dissolved oxygen (as affected by rainfall), high-density use zone (a management category), and sedimentary geology were the best descriptors of insect assemblages. The two latter descriptors affected fine-scale variables such as total benthic organic matter and gravel substratum, respectively. A Nested ANOVA showed significant differences in total density and richness among streams and habitats, and significant differences between the two sampling months regardless of the spatial scale. The evenness showed a significant stream- and habitat-dependent temporal vari- ability. These results suggested that rainfall regime in Gorgona Island might be a driver of insect assemblage dynamics mediated by water chemistry and substratum properties. Spatial assemblage variability here is greater within habitats (among samples), and a minor fraction occurs at habitat- and stream-scales, while no longitudinal pattern was observed probably due to the short courses. Temporal variability should be further studied relative to rainfall and discharge regimes. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 1): 65-83. Epub 2014 February 01.
Financial Cycles with Heterogeneous Intermediaries

We develop a dynamic macroeconomic model with heterogeneous financial intermediaries and endogenous entry. Time-varying endogenous macroeconomic risk arises from the risk-shifting behaviour of the cross-section of financial intermediaries. When interest rates are high, a decrease in interest rates stimulates investment and decreases aggregate risk. In contrast, when they are low, further stimulus can increase financial instability while inducing a fall in the risk premium. In this case, there is a trade-off between stimulating the economy and financial stability. This provides a model of the risk-taking channel of monetary policy.
Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-30408: A potential inoculant for crops grown under rainfed conditions in the mountains

On-farm inoculation trials have been conducted to evaluate the potential of Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-30408 in respect of plant growth promotion, for two consecutive years, under rainfed conditions at a mountain location in the Indian Himalayan Re- gion (IHR). For this, one cereal (Oryza sativa) and two millets (Eleusine coracana and Echinochloa frumentacea), were used as test crops. Observations were recorded in terms of plant growth, yield, chlorophyll content, and root colonization by vari- ous groups of microorganisms. Positive influence of bacterial inoculation on all the three crops, statistically significant in case of most parameters examined as com- pared to untreated controls, was recorded in both the years. There was a significant increase in chlorophyll concentration in leaves of inoculated plants. While the bacte- rial inoculation stimulated the free living bacterial and actinomycetes populations in the rhizosphere, the fungal population was somewhat suppressed; indicative of the antifungal property of the inoculant. The treatment also enhanced the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), and the endophytes associated with the roots. In conclusion, the plant growth promotion, recorded as a result of microbial inocula- tion, is attributed to the microbial shift in the native microflora of the rhizosphere. Based on the results of this field study, B. subtilis NRRL B-30408 can be proposed as an efficient bioinoculant for the hill crops, grown under rainfed conditions of the mountain ecosystem. The main aim of this study was on farm demonstration of the microbe based technology with peoples' participation, with a view of adoption of the technology by the farmers.
Optimization of physico-chemical parameters for the extraction of flavonoids and phenolic components from the skin of Allium cepa

Allium cepa is the most common and richest natural source of flavonoids. In this study the extraction of flavonoids quercetin and rutin and the total phenolic compounds were carried out. Optimization of physico-chemical parameters namely effects of different solvents, different solvent percentages, soaking time, different amounts of sample (Skin of Allium cepa) and different pH were studied. For the extraction of quercetin, the optimum results were 80% (v/v), 1d, 1% (w/v) and pH 5.5 respectively. The highest quercetin and rutin concentration for optimized conditions were 185.309 μg/L and 124.69 μg/L respectively and it was found to be 19.412 mg/L for total phenolic content
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Research in Aotearoa New Zealand

The popularity of mindfulness as a therapeutic approach is growing. Inter national research has shown mindfulness to be an effective treatment for a wide range of physical and psychological conditions. Little research into mindfulness has been done in Aotearoa New Zealand. This report documents a locally conducted waitlist control study of the effectiveness of using MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction (MBSR) with chronic health conditions. Twenty-nine participants completed the eight-week course in MBSR and the outcomes indicated significant improvements in their physical and psychological health and wellbeing as a result of the training. The qualitative data were thematically analysed and are reported here. Key elements of mindfulness meditation are discussed and comparisons made between the leading mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches. The application of mindfulness techniques and attitudes, and their relevance to counsellors, is considered.
Summarising the 7 Dimensions of an Action-Oriented Framework for Video Games

This article summarises our Ph.D. thesis – an analytical view on the player-game relationship through the lens of an action-oriented framework, centred on fundamental entities defined as actors, entities through which action is enacted in the game and of which the player and the game system are a part of. With this in mind, the grounding principles of this framework are seeded in a transition of action into experience, based on communicational systems that structure the dynamic formation of networks of actors from which distinct behaviours emerge, which, in turn, promote the enactment of diverse sequences of events establishing narrative, which is a source of experience of the player. Chronology, responsiveness, thinking and actuation, transcoding, focus, depth, and traversal are the 7 dimensions we unveiled through the lens of this action-oriented framework. This work proposes that video games can be regarded as action-based artefacts and a call to awareness for game designers that when designing for action they are working with the foundations on which video games are built upon.
Bad prospects for the detection of giant stars’ tidal disruption: effect of the ambient medium on bound debris

Most massive galaxies are thought to contain a supermassive black hole in their centre surrounded by a tenuous gas environment, leading to no significant emission. In these quiescent galaxies, tidal disruption events represent a powerful detection method for the central black hole. Following the disruption, the stellar debris evolves into an elongated gas stream, which partly falls back towards the disruption site and accretes onto the black hole producing a luminous flare. Using an analytical treatment, we investigate the interaction between the debris stream and the gas environment of quiescent galaxies. Although we find dynamical effects to be negligible, we demonstrate that Kelvin-Helmholtz instability can lead to the dissolution of the stream into the ambient medium before it reaches the black hole, likely dimming the associated flare. This result is robust against the presence of a typical stellar magnetic field and fast cooling within the stream. Furthermore, we find this effect to be enhanced for disruptions involving more massive black holes and/or giant stars. Consequently, although disruptions of evolved stars have been proposed as a useful probe of black holes with masses $\gtrsim 10^8 \, M_{\odot}$, we argue that the associated flares are likely less luminous than expected.
In Vitro Effect of Zirconia and Zirconia Enriched Glass Fiber Composite Posts on Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Teeth

Objective: Despite the advantages of esthetic posts, lack of studies on their fracture resistance has limited their clinical use. This study aimed to compare the effect of two types of esthetic posts namely zirconia and zirconia enriched glass fiber composite posts on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth against compressive forces. Methods: This in vitro study was conducted on 20 mandibular premolar roots cut at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). The roots were endodontically treated and randomly divided into 2 groups of 10. After post space preparation, in group 1 zirconia posts (CosmoPost, Ivoclar, Liechtenstein) and in group 2 zirconia enriched glass fiber composite posts (Ice Light, Danville, USA) were cemented in the roots using a dual-cure resin cement (Panavia F 2.0, Kuraray, Japan) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The teeth were restored with composite resin cores (Lumiglass, RTD, France) using a prefabricated polyester matrix. After periodontal ligament (PDL) simulation by elastic polyether impression material (Impregum, 3M ESPE, USA), specimens were mounted in acrylic resin and subjected to 1195 Instron universal testing machine. Compressive load was applied at a 90° angle relative to the long axis of the teeth at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min until fracture. Since the data were normally distributed, t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The fracture resistance was 816.69 (120.89) N for zirconia posts and 843.76 (120.93) N for zirconia enriched glass fiber composite posts and these values were not significantly different (p=0.62). Fractures in group 2 were restorable. Conclusion: The fracture resistance of zirconia and zirconia enriched glass fiber composite posts was not significantly different and both types of posts can be successfully used.
CORRELATION AND ASSOCIATION MODELS FOR STUDYING MEASUREMENTS ON ORDINAL RELATIONS

This paper describes and illustrates correlation models (correspondence analysis and canonical correlation analysis) and association models for studying the order and spacing of categories of ordinal relational variables. Both correlation models and association models study departures from independence in two-way contingency tables. One result of fitting these models is the possibility of assignment of scores to the categories of the row andlor the column variables to reflect the relative spacing oJ these categories. If the model fitting is done using statistical procedures, then restricted versions of these models allow one to test hypotheses about the spacing, linearity, or equality of the categories. Correlation and association models are especially useful for studying discrete ordinal variables, which arise quite frequently in the social and behavioral sciences. We illustrate correlation and association models using two empirical examples in which respondents used ordered
Studies of the Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides with Dimethyl Ether

Dimethyl ether (DME) is one of the most energy-efficient and low CO2 emitting alternative fuels when produced from biomass. Similar to other vehicles with combustion engines, vehicles running on DME will most likely need after-treatment technologies for the reduction of NOx emissions to meet the most stringent upcoming legislations. One attractive technique would be selective catalytic reduction with DME as reducing agent (DME-SCR), which is in the focus of this thesis. The activity for NOx reduction with DME of several acidic catalysts was studied in a flow reactor and the accumulation and consumption of surface species was monitored in diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) and transmission FTIR spectroscopy experiments over γ-Al2O3. It was shown that dimethyl ether is a special reducing agent since it induces radical reactions in the presence of O2 and NO above 300 °C before the catalyst, with NO2 and CO as the main products. Despite the changed feed gas composition, activity tests with DME as reducing agent in the flow reactor over a zeolite H-ZSM 5 and a γ-Al2O3 catalyst resulted in 28 and 47 % NOx reduction, respectively. During DRIFT and transmission FTIR spectroscopy experiments, methoxy, formate, nitrate, nitrite, NCO and likely formohydroxamic acid and formaldehyde-like species were observed on the γ-Al2O3 surface. A reaction mechanism which explains the involvement of these species in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx was proposed. For DME-SCR over γ-Al2O3 it was shown in experiments where the occurrence of the gas phase reactions could be controlled independently of the catalyst temperature, that the formation of NO2 in the gas phase reactions boosts the activity for NOx reduction at 250 °C, probably due to a more efficient reaction with NCO surface species. In contrast, at 350 °C, lower activity for NOx reduction was observed in the presence than in the absence of gas phase reactions. This negative effect was explained by partial oxidation of DME in the gas phase reactions partly consuming the limiting reducing agent at 350 °C.
Evaluation of different methods of DNA extraction from semen of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls.

Microbes excreted in the semen of infected or carrier bulls can be disseminated to susceptible animals through artificial insemination. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been employed successfully to detect infectious agents in tissues and body fluids. PCR inhibitors present in the semen pose serious problems in detection of microorganisms by inhibiting the amplification of the target DNA template. These inhibitors need to be removed completely during DNA extraction to amplify the target sequences in semen by PCR. DNA was extracted using seven different protocols from semen of buffalo bulls, and the quantity and quality was evaluated spectrophotometrically. Chelex-100 and Qiagen modified methods for extraction of DNA from semen were found to be superior qualitatively as compared to the other methods. In the Qiagen modified protocol, the semen was treated with two extra buffers containing EDTA to chelate the metals. Additional treatment of semen with proteinase K was included to completely degrade cellular proteins. DNA extracted by the phenol-chloroform and CTAB methods yielded high value of residual RNA and other contaminants. The chelex-100 method has the potential advantage of requiring a smaller volume of semen to extract good quality of DNA.
Meat characteristics of chickens from an F1 cross of two improved Spanish breeds depending on slaughter age

The present study analysed the meat characteristics of i) improved Castellana Negra chickens slaughtered at 18 weeks (CN-18) and ii) F1 crossbred chickens from improved Castellana Negra hens and improved Penedesenca Negra cocks (CNPN) slaughtered at 12 weeks and 18 weeks of age (young and adult animals, respectively). Purebred and crossbred specimens were compared at similar weights (CN-18 and CNPN-12) and ages (CN-18 and CNPN-18). The protein content of the meat was similar for the three types of animals; heavier animals (CNPN-18) had more fat than those slaughtered at lower weights (CNPN-12 and CN-18). Adults had a higher saturated fatty acid content and the young CNPN chickens had more monounsaturated fatty acids than CN chickens. In the CNPN adults, less water was lost during cooking, which is directly related to the juiciness of the meat. With regard to sensory analysis, a darker colour was observed in the meat as much as the internal fat of adult animals, in addition to greater colour uniformity. The meat of young CNPN birds was juicier, whereas that of the CN chickens was more fibrous. Therefore, we conclude that meat from CNPN chickens presents chemical, physical, and sensorial characteristics that make these animals a genetic base for alternative poultry production.
Is there a future role for anti-TNF therapy in cardiovascular disease?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in tissue destruction, disability and increased mortality. The latter is chiefly explained by a substantial increase in cardiovascular morbidity. This observation is in line with increasing evidence, supporting the importance of inflammatory mechanisms in the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture often proceeding cardiovascular events in general. A key cytokine, both in the inflamed synovia and in several of the pathophysiological processes leading up to cardiovascular events, is tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Both experimental data and observational data from patients with RA treated with TNF blockers support that elimination or blocking of the TNF effect can reduce the progression of atherosclerosis and the risk for cardiovascular events. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of patients with acute coronary events develop new events during the first year, illustrating the need for improved therapies in this group. We think t.