Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advances in Handling Small Radiocarbon Samples at the Laboratoire de Mesure du Carbone 14 in Saclay, France

The Artemis accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facility, installed in 2003 in Saclay, France, is devoted to radiocarbon measurements. Samples are submitted by scientists in the fields of Quaternary geology, environmental sciences, and archaeology. The entire preparation process, originally optimized for samples with about 1 mg of carbon, has been tested in recent years for samples with a lower carbon content. In particular, we prepared and measured carbonate and organic background and reference samples ranging in mass from 0.01 to 1 mg C. These tests helped define our protocol's practical limits and determine necessary improvements. Furthermore, our experiments demonstrated that satisfactory graphitization yields (80% and higher) and low background values can be obtained with samples down to 0.2 mg of carbon. For handling smaller samples, we developed a specific process. We tested smaller reactors (5 mL in volume) and adapted the reduction parameters (H2 pressure and temperature) accordingly. We also tested the effect of a chemical water trap on graphitization yields and 14C results. This paper presents in detail the aforementioned developments and reports the 14C results obtained for background and standard small samples prepared with the modified reactors.
Control of Interfacial Stresses in Beams Strengthened with Prestressed CFRP Laminates

The outstanding mechanical properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP), such as high strength-to-weight ratio, high modulus of elasticity, high corrosion resistance and durability have made them suitable for strengthening applications. High capacity of CFRP laminates may not be completely used due to weakness of the adhesive joint used to bond the laminate to the structure. To use CFRP laminates more efficiently, prestressing might be applied to the laminate before bonding. Although prestressing has several advantages and improves the structural behavior of the strengthened member, a major problem with this strengthening scheme is the very high interfacial stresses which are built up at the end of the laminate. One way to deal with the problem is to clamp the laminate using mechanical anchors which often are made of steel plates. There are, however, couple of problems involved in using mechanical anchors such as high cost of manufacturing, installation and inspection, corrosion risk and durability and making fatigue prone points in steel structures due to drilling. Increasing demands on strengthening technique incorporating prestressing necessitate new techniques for controlling the interfacial stresses in the bonded joint without using mechanical anchors. In this paper, possible techniques to reduce the magnitude of the interfacial stresses along the bond line have been investigated. The methods include changing the geometric and mechanical properties of the strengthening components and modifying the distribution of interfacial stresses along the bond line. FE-analysis has been used to examine the effectiveness of each technique. It has been shown that using step prestressing method is the most effective one and by that interfacial stresses might be reduced by a factor of ten, which in many cases allows using high initial presressing forces in the laminate without the need to use mechanical anchors.
Non-linearities in exchange rate pass-through: Evidence from smooth transition models

This paper examines the presence of non-linear mechanism in the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to CPI inflation for 12 euro area (EA) countries. Using smooth transition regression (STR) model, we explore the existence of non-linearities with respect to the inflation environment. We find strong evidence that pass-through respond non-linearly to inflation level for 8 out of 12 EA countries, that is, the transmission of exchange rate is higher when inflation rate surpass some threshold. Our results provide a broad support to the hypothesis suggested by Taylor (2000) that ERPT is decreasing in a lower and more stable inflation environment.
Phase IB Study of Vemurafenib in Combination with Irinotecan and Cetuximab in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with BRAF(V600E) Mutation

In vitro, EGFR inhibition, combined with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib, causes synergistic cytotoxicity for BRAFV600E metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), further augmented by irinotecan. The safety and efficacy of vemurafenib, irinotecan, and cetuximab in BRAF-mutated malignancies are not defined. In this 3+3 phase I study, patients with BRAFV600E advanced solid cancers received cetuximab and irinotecan with escalating doses of vemurafenib. Nineteen patients (18 with mCRC, 1 with appendiceal cancer) were enrolled. Three patients experienced doselimiting toxicities. The maximum tolerated dose of vemurafenib was 960 mg twice daily. Six of 17 evaluable patients (35%) achieved a radiographic response by RECIST 1.1 criteria, consistent with in vivo models demonstrating tumor regressions with the triplet regimen. Median progression-free survival was 7.7 months. BRAFV600E cfDNA trends correlated with radiographic changes, and Corresponding author: David Hong, dshong@mdanderson.org, 1400 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 438, Houston, TX 77030; phone: (713) 792-2121. *Denotes equal contribution Conflicts of Interests: All other authors declare no competing interests. Contributions DSH, VKM, BEO, and SK designed the study. DSH and SK supervised the conduct of the study. DSH, FJ, SF, MJO, SPP, VS, BK, AT, DF, IS, FMB, and SK recruited patients onto the study and provided relevant data. DSH, VKM, AVS, FJ, JB, HH, JA, and GT collected and assembled the data. VKM did the statistical analysis. DSH, VKM, AVS, FJ, HH, JA, GT, NS, RL, and SK analyzed and interpreted the data. DSH, VKM, and SK wrote the original report, and all authors revised the report and approved the final version. HHS Public Access Author manuscript Cancer Discov. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 December 01. Published in final edited form as: Cancer Discov. 2016 December ; 6(12): 1352–1365. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.CD-16-0050. A uhor M anscript
PREVALENCE OF VISUAL MORBIDITY IN URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN WESTERN INDIA

Background and objectives: Pediatric ophthalmology is not yet well established as a separate subspecialty in India in most eye care programs. Six percent to seven percent children aged 10-14 years have problems with their eyesight affecting their learning in India. Present cross-sectional study assesses prevalence and pattern of eye diseases among school-going children aged 6-14 years. Material and Methods: Three schools from each of the ten wards of the city were selected by simple random sampling method. Then, 60 children in the age group of 6-14 years from each of the selected school were selected with simple random sampling. In all we studied 1722 children. All children received eye examination by an Ophthalmology Resident. Results: The overall prevalence of various eye problems in the school children on examination was 14.8%. Refractive error was found to be the commonest ocular morbidity (78%), followed by squint (5%) and Vitamin A deficiency (4%) amongst the ones having morbidity. Conclusion and Recommendation: As Refractive error was found to be the primary ocular morbidity, it is concluded that school children can be helped by regular eye checkups, for most conditions are easily treatable if not fully preventable.
RELATIVE TOXICITY OF DIFFERENT INSECTICIDES AGAINST WHITEFLY, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) AND BLACK THRIPS, Caliothrips indicus ON NM-92 MUNG BEAN, Vigna radiata (L.)

The efficacy of four different insecticides viz., Imicon (imidacloprid) 25 WP @ 200 gm/acre. Pride (buprofezin) 25 WP ((I) 600 gm/acre. Digital (fenpropathrin) 20 EC @ 250 rnl/acre and Taophos (quinalphos) 25 EC @ 250 ml/acre, was tested against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and Black thrips, Caliothrips indicus on Mung bean. Vigna radiata (L.), All the insecticides; tested, were found to be effective against whitefly and some were effective against black thrips. On numerical basis. however, a spray of Irnicon 25 WP @ 200 gm/acre was found to be most effective both for whitetly and black thrips.
High-temperature thin-catalytic gate devices for combustion emissions control

4H- and 6H-SiC Schottky diodes responding down to 5 ppm of NO and NO2 gases at temperatures up to 450oC were fabricated. Upon exposure to gas, the forward current of the devices changes due to variations in the Schottky barrier height. For NO gas, the response follows a simple Langmuir adsorption model. Device parameters were evaluated from linear conductance/current versus conductance plots, with improved accuracy. The linearity of these plots is an indication that the devices are not being affected by interfacial oxide layers or pinning of the Fermi level. 4H-SiC devices showed slightly superior stability and sensitivity for this application.
Why Consumers Buy Lottery Tickets When the Sun Goes Down on Them.The Depleting Nature of Weather Induced Bad Moods.

We propose that weather conditions can influence consumers’ engagement in lottery play. A longitudinal study on the extent of lottery play in Belgium shows that lottery expenditures are indeed higher after reduced exposure to sunshine, even after controlling for people’s inertia, time-varying characteristics of the game, and deterministic seasonal components. The results of a first laboratory study are consistent with these findings, and establish a link between lottery play and negative mood. Subsequent experiments provide evidence that depletion due to active mood regulation attempts, rather than mood repair, is the underlying process for the link between bad weather and lottery play.
Peroxy radical observations over West Africa during the AMMA 2006 campaign: Photochemical activity in episodes of formation of convective systems on the basis of radical measurements

This paper describes peroxy radical concentration data obtained using an airborne Peroxy Radical Chemical Amplifier instrument during its recent deployment as part of a large scale aircraft campaign over the African continent. During the campaign, the aircraft platform encountered several large convective systems that transported peroxy radical sources and sinks from the boundary layer to the free troposphere in
In vitro evaluation of antioxidant activities of free and bound phenolic compounds from Posidonia oceanica (l.) Delile leaves

The contents of phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins were determined in FPC and BPC extracted from Posidonia oceanica leaves. High phenolic content was obtained in both FPC and BPC (328.00 and 407 mg/g, respectively). Flavonoids were mainly detected in BPC (94.4 mg quercetin equivalent/g). However, the amount of flavonoids in FPC was 2 times lower. The amount of proanthocyanidins was slightly higher in FPC than in BPC (93 versus 73 mg catechin equivalent/g). The highest DPPH and O2− scavenging activities (IC50 = 10.71 µg/ml and 27.93 µg/ml, respectively) and highest reducing power (IC50 = 9.4 µg/ml) were found in BPC. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation was detected in FPC, as measured by the ferric thiocyanate (IC50 = 2.08 µg/ml) and the β-carotene-linoleic acid (IC50 = 33.33 µg/ml) assays. Noteworthy, we observed low Fe++–chelation and OH-scavenging activity in both FPC and BPC extracts. These findings indicated that, P. oceanica leaves could be used as a natural preservative ingredient in food and/or added to fish and marine products to prevent lipid peroxidation. Key words: Posidonia oceanica, natural antioxidant, phenolic compounds, Mediterranean Sea.
Employing a Cooperative Learning Technique as a Means to Promote Iranian EFL Learner’s Critical Thinking

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of learning together model of cooperative learning on Iranian EFL learners’ and high and low achievers’ critical thinking ability. To this end, a total of 52 students out of a population of 60 English language learners from Simin Language School in Karaj were selected, through a Preliminary English Test (PET), and randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control. Prior to the treatment, a critical thinking questionnaire as a pretest was administered to the students of both groups. Then a 10- session treatment was conducted to the participants in the experimental group according to the dynamics of the learning together model of cooperative learning. Finally, a posttest of critical thinking questionnaire was provided to both groups. An independent samples t-test was run to compare the mean scores of both groups along with a two-way ANCOVA to investigate the effect of achievement level of the participants on the posttest of critical thinking. The obtained results revealed that the null hypotheses were all rejected, concluding that the learning together model of cooperative learning had a significant effect on the improvement of critical thinking skills of Iranian EFL learners. More significantly, there was a significant difference between the high and low achievers in the groups in terms of their critical thinking mean scores, meaning that in both the experimental and control group, the high proficiency achievers enjoyed higher critical thinking ability.
Assessing the extent of diversity among noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) genotypes of Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

The extent of morphological variation among extant noni (Morinda citrifolia: Rubiaceae) genotypes was assessed using 58 polymorphic traits. A total of 39 mature noni trees were sampled from five sites within the vicinity of Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. Cluster analysis identified five homogenous clusters, and was able to separate the three known botanical varieties namely, M. citrifolia var. citrifolia, M. citrifolia var. bracteata and M. citrifolia var. potteri as distinct morphotypes. Ordination of the data revealed traits such as young shoot pigmentation, stem diameter, angle of insertion of primary branch on main stem, stipule shape, heterostyly, occurrence of pistillate florets, fruit shape, occurrence of floral bracts, fruit width, and peduncle positioning at maturity as having greater contributions to the observed variation. Although the genetic nature of these traits is yet to be elucidated, occurrence of floral bract and fruit branching were observed to be transitional between the botanical varieties, and may shed light on their origins. The 58 descriptor states showed varying levels of polymorphism, however, the significant (P<0.01) correlations observed between numerous traits provide an element of caution in the development of a descriptor list, particularly when considering stability of the traits and the sample size. The results obtained in this study provided useful information for the standardisation of the developed descriptor list comprising of 49 polymorphic descriptor states, and for future diversity studies in noni.
Creativity Under Fire: The Effects of Competition on Creative Production

Abstract Though fundamental to innovation and essential to many industries and occupations, individual creativity has received limited attention as an economic behavior and has historically proven difficult to study. This paper studies the incentive effects of competition on individuals' creative production. Using a sample of commercial logo design competitions and a novel, content-based measure of originality, I find that intensifying competition induces agents to produce original, untested ideas over tweaking their earlier work, but heavy competition drives them to stop investing altogether. The results yield lessons for the management of creative workers and the implementation of competitive procurement mechanisms for innovation.
Effects of atmospheric ammonia enrichment and nitrogen status on the growth of maize

Enhanced atmospheric ammonia (NH3) concentration could impact growth of crops. The effect of atmospheric NH3 in combination with nitrogen‐deprived and ‐sufficient supply (ND and NS, respectively) on growth of maize plants (Zea mays L.) was investigated. Plants were exposed to 0 and 1000 nL L−1 NH3 for 50 days in open‐top chambers (OTCs). At different growing stages after injecting NH3, elevated NH3 significantly increased plant height, leaf area per plant and shoot biomass (total biomass) in the nitrogen‐deprived plants in 2006 and 2007, but the corresponding values in the nitrogen‐sufficient plants remained the same or slightly decreased. The values for net photosynthesis rate (Pn ) and relative content of chlorophyll (SPAD value) increased with NH3 enhancement both in the presence and absence of nitrogen in nutrient solution, but the increment of Pn and SPAD value in nitrogen‐deprived plants was two times higher than that of the nitrogen‐sufficient plants in each year. The shoot: root ratio (S/R) for maize first decreased and then rose during the growing season. At 50 days after injecting NH3, the S/R in the ND‐1000 plants was significantly higher than that in the ND‐0 plants in both years. Under these conditions, increased growth was observed, and it was concluded that the effect of atmospheric NH3 on maize could be mainly due to the shoot growth response.
impact of electricity storage on CO 2 emissions in power systems with high penetrations of wind power : a case-study of Ireland

This article studies the impact on CO2 emissions of electrical storage systems in power systems with high penetrations of wind generation. Using the Irish All-Island power system as a case-study, data on the observed dispatch of each large generator for the years 2008 to 2012 was used to estimate a marginal emissions factor of 0.547 kgCO2/kWh. Selected storage operation scenarios were used to estimate storage emissions factors – the carbon emissions impact associated with each unit of storage energy used. The results show that carbon emissions increase in the short-run for all storage technologies when consistently operated in ‘peak shaving and trough filling’ modes, and indicate that this should also be true for the GB and US power systems. Carbon emissions increase when storage is operated in ‘wind balancing’ mode, but reduce when storage is operated to reduce wind power curtailment, as in this case wind power operates on the margin. For power systems where wind is curtailed to maintain system stability, the results show that energy storage technologies that provide synthetic inertia achieve considerably greater carbon reductions. The results highlight a tension for policy makers and investors in storage, as scenarios based on the operation of storage for economic gains increase emissions, while those that decrease emissions are unlikely to be economically favourable. While some scenarios indicate storage increases emissions in the short-run, these should be considered alongside long-run assessments, which indicate that energy storage is essential to the secure operation of a fossil fuel-free grid.
Spring 6-2010 RFID Technology Adoption in New Zealand ’ s Supply Chains : A Case Study Approach

The reasons for reluctance or hesitation in deploying radio frequency identification for supply chain management (RFID/SC) may rely upon firms’ ability to innovate. This paper presents the findings of a study of adoption of RFID in New Zealand’s supply chains. Three ability factors were found to be important in the adoption of the technology: Compatibility, Facilitating Condition, and Readiness. This study argues that applying these factors to the firm and its environment helps to evaluate the issues surrounding the firm’s ability to innovate. For example, it was found that RFID was simply not suitable in some business scenarios; RFID technology was not compatible with some existing supply chain applications; it was perceived there was little support for the deployment of RFID at various points in a supply chain; and supply chain partners were waiting for each other to deploy or initiate RFID. This paper follows on a previous survey on the uptake of RFID in New Zealand’s supply chains and discusses some of the challenges that firms face when evaluating the use of RFID/SC. We found some relationships between adoption factors that are worth pursuing. For example, it was found that Compatibility, Facilitating Condition, and Readiness are key “ability” factors affecting RFID adoption.
Identification of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus isolate detected in Lithuania

Sugar beet plants with rhizomania symptoms in their roots were detected in the central region of Lithuania. The study was undertaken to ascertain the possible presence of beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) in the rootlets. DAS-ELISA, lateral flow tests, electron microscopy and mechanical transmission to indicator plantsconfirmed the presence of BNYVV. BNYVV was detected in leaf tissue of indicator plants with local lesions, and products of the expected size were amplified by RT-PCR, immunocapture RT-PCR (IC-RT-PCR) and nested PCR (nPCR) (500 bp for RT-PCR and 326 bp for nPCR). This is the second location where the presence of BNYVV quarantine pathogen in Lithuania has been proved.
SDSS-IV MaNGA: pattern speeds of barred galaxies

The MaNGA project has obtained IFU data for several thousand nearby galaxies, including barred galaxies. With the two dimensional spectral and kinematic information provided by IFUs, we can measure the pattern speed of a barred galaxy, which determines the bar dynamics. We apply the non-parametric method proposed by Tremaine \& Weinberg to estimate the bar pattern speed for 53 barred galaxies, making this the largest sample studied so far in this way. Our sample is selected from the MaNGA first public data release as part of SDSS Data Release 13 according mainly to the axis ratio and position angle difference between the bar and disc, while kinematic data is from the later SDSS Data Release 14. We have used both the photometric position angle from the photometric image and the kinematic position angle from the stellar velocity map to derive the pattern speed. Combining three independent bar length measurements and the circular velocity from Jeans Anisotropic modelling (JAM), we also determine the dimensionless ratio $\cal{R}$ of the corotation radius to the bar length. We find that the galaxy's position angle is the main uncertainty in determining the bar pattern speed. The kinematic position angle leads to fewer ultrafast bars than the photometric position angle, and this could be due to the method of measuring the kinematic position angle. We study the dependence of $\cal{R}$ values on galaxy properties such as the dark matter fraction from JAM modelling and the stellar age and metallicity from stellar population synthesis (SPS). A positive correlation between the bar length and bar strength is found: the longer the bar, the stronger the bar. However, no other significant correlations are found. This may result from errors in deriving the $\cal{R}$ values or from the complex formation and slowdown processes of galactic bars.
Social Relationships, Prosocial Behaviour, and Perceived Social Support in Students From Boarding Schools

Social development may vary depending on contextual factors, such as attending a day school or a boarding school. The present study compares students from these school types with regard to the achievement of specific social goals, perceived social support, and reported prosocial behaviour. A sample of 701 students was examined. Students from boarding schools reported higher success in gaining autonomy from parents and forming romantic relationships than students from day schools. However, adolescents from day schools reported higher levels of peer-group integration than students from boarding schools. Compared with students from day schools, students from boarding schools perceived more support from their teachers, but less support from their parents. No difference in prosocial behaviour was found between the two groups. We conclude that some students from boarding schools need support in gaining access to a peer group. In addition, measures are suggested for promoting parental support of students from boarding schools.