Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of test conditions on the accuracy of laser flash measurements

The laser flash method (Parker et al, 1961 J. Appl. Phys. 32 1679-1684) is a well-known technique for the measurement of thermal diffusivity. The advantages of this non-contact measurement technique are, among others, easy sample preparation, fast measurement times, small sample dimensions, and high accuracy. The energy and shape of the laser pulse used for heating the front face of the sample can have a significant influence on the results. The influence of pulse length can be taken care of by an accurate pulse-length correction (Azumi and Takahaski, 1981 Rev. Sci. Instrum. 52 1411 -1413) based on the real shape of the laser pulse. It is shown here that, after the pulse-length correction, the thermal diffusivity is independent of the length of the employed laser pulse for samples with standard dimensions. On the other hand, the employed laser energy can have an influence on the results in the case of samples with strongly temperature-dependent thermal diffusivity. The influence of the pulse energy on the results for various kinds of carbon samples is investigated and a correction routine for its effect is presented.
Impact of Imputation, Reference Population Structure, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Panel Density on Accuracy of Genomic Evaluation in Purebred and Crossbred Populations

The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of genomic breeding values prediction with different marker densities before and after the imputation in the simulated purebred and crossbred populations based on different scenarios of reference population and methods of marker effects estimation. The simulated populations included two purebred populations (lines A and B) and two crossbred populations (Cross and Backcross). Three different scenarios on selection of animals in the reference set including: (1) A high relationship with validation population, (2) Random, and (3) High inbreeding rate, were evaluated for imputation of validation population with the densities of 5 and 50K to 777K single marker polymorphism. Then, the accuracy of breeding values estimation in the validation population before and after the imputation was calculated by ABLUP, GBLUP, and SSGBLUP methods in two heritability levels of 0.25 and 0.5. The results showed that the highest accuracy of breeding values prediction in the purebred populations was obtained by GBLUP method and in the scenario of related reference population with validation set. However, in the crossbred population for the trait with low heritability (h= 0.25), the highest accuracy of breeding values prediction in the weighting mechanism was equal to (λ=0.2). Also, results showed that in the scenario of related reference population selection when 50K panel was used for genotype imputation to 777K SNPs, the prediction accuracy of genomic breeding values increased. But, in most scenarios of random and inbred reference set selection, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of genomic breeding values prediction between 5K and 50K SNPs after genotype imputation to 777K.
By Force of Confidence: A Media-Based Approach to Asset Pricing

Casual observation suggests that Önancial practitioners resort to di§erent model speciÖcations than those populating the macro-Önance literature. We investigate whether there is an advantage in doing so by comparing the outcomes of the well-established long-run risk model of Bansal and Yaron (2004) with those obtained by a consumption-based model incorporating two popular notions in the Önancial sector. Namely, (i) the conventional wisdom ìconÖdence makes households feel richer, hence willing to consume moreî and (ii) the yearon-year convention to compute growth rates. The model features a recursive non-separable utility deÖned over two stochastic variables, consumption and consumer conÖdence. We Önd that the model compares favorably with Baron and Yansal (2004) in explaining the mean of the market return and the Örst two moments of the risk-free rate, whereas it falls short in rationalizing the Örst two moments of the price-dividend ratio and the volatility of the market return. JEL ClassiÖcation: G12, E21
Valorisation of apple peels.

The peels of processed apples can be recovered for further food applications. Limited information on the valorisation of this type of waste is available for cooking varieties, e.g. cv Bramleys Seedling. Extra cts from fresh or dried (oven -dried or freeze-dried) peels were obtained with solvents of different polarity (aqueous acetone or ethanol) and assayed for their total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity; their antiradical power was compared to herb extracts. The dried peels were also characterised as bulk powders by assessing their nutritional value and total phenolic content. High amounts of ascorbic acid (up to 4 mg/g, dry weight) and polyphenols (up to 27 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, dry weight) we re found in the peels, with the latter contributing significantly to the antioxidant capacity; the nutrient profile was low in protein (less than 10%, w/w) and total dietary fibre content (less than 40%, w/w). Higher yields of phenolic antioxidants were re covered with acetone from freeze-dried peels; the resulting extracts had equivalent antioxidant power to oregano leaves (Origanum vulgare L.). The combination of oven -drying/ethanol led to lower recovery yields of phenolic antioxidants; however, these cond itions could increase the feasibility of the extraction process, leading to antioxidant extracts with lower energy or cost input, and higher suitability for further food use. The recovery of phenolic antioxidants from the peels of processed apples could be a
Association of Mean Pressure Gradient, Pressure Half Time, Regurgitant Area, and Heart Rate with Mitral Valve Orifice Area Prior and Post Edge-To-Edge Mitral Valve Repair

Background: Mitral valve orifice area (MVOA) is a key parameter in edge-to-edge mitral valve repair. 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) assessment of MVOA is the gold standard. In clinical routine, mitral valve stenosis is frequently estimated by mean pressure gradient (MPG) and pressure half time (PHT), which are influenced by the degree of regurgitation and heart rate (HR). Objectives: We aimed to determine the association of MPG, PHT, regurgitant area, and HR with MVOA with mitral valve regurgitation in patients undergoing interventional mitral valve repair. Methods: TOE images from patients undergoing edge-to-edge mitral valve repair were evaluated. MVOA was measured from 3-dimensional volume datasets using multiplanar reformations. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the association of MPG and PHT with MVOA. Results: By implantation of 1.24 devices in 51 patients (aged 80±13years, 49%male), MVOA was reduced from 5.77±2. 17cm² to 2.96±1. 03cm². MVOA was modestly inversely correlated with MPG (r=-0.45, p<0.0001) and PHT (r=-0.56, p<0.0001). MPG (unadjusted Beta-estimate (95%CI):-0.99(-1.38--0.60), p<0.0001, r-square=0.20) and PHT (-1.23(-1.59--0.87), p<0.0001, r-square=0.31) were significantly associated with MVOA. Prediction of MVOA improved when combining the information of MPG, PHT, HR and regurgitant area (r-square=0.516). Conclusion: MPG and PHT modestly predict 3-dimensional MVOA. However, only combining the information of MPG and PHT with patient’s HR and regurgitation allows reliable prediction of MVOA.
Poly(l-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) Assembled Monolayers on Niobium Oxide Surfaces: A Quantitative Study of the Influence of Polymer Interfacial Architecture on Resistance to Protein Adsorption by ToF-SIMS and in Situ OWLS

Poly(l-lysine) grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG), a polycationic copolymer that is positively charged at neutral pH, spontaneously adsorbs from aqueous solution onto negatively charged surfaces, resulting in the formation of stable polymeric monolayers and rendering the surfaces protein-resistant to a degree related to the PEG surface density. A set of PLL-g-PEG polymers with different architectures was synthesized. The grafting ratio, g, of the polymer, defined as the ratio of the number of lysine monomers to the number of PEG side chains, was systematically varied between 2 and 23, and PEG molecular weights of 1, 2, and 5 kDa were used. The polymers were adsorbed onto niobium oxide-coated substrates, leading to highly different but well-controlled PEG surface densities with maximal values of 0.9, 0.5, and 0.3 chains/nm2 for the three PEG molecular weights, respectively. Time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used in conjunction with the in situ optical waveguide light.
Floral preferences for pollen by leaf cutter bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Bangalore, India

Understanding the floral preferences of solitary bee is sine qua non for enhancing the knowledge on beeflower association. Keeping this in mind, the present study was undertaken to assess the foraging preferences of leaf cutter bees belonging to the family Megachilidae. Floral species were identified by comparing the pollen samples (collected from the nest) with the reference pollen slides prepared beforehand. Further, with the help of scanning electron microscopic analysis (SEM), we written morphological description for all the pollen species collected from megachilid nests. The analysis of the pollen sample collected from 373 nests belonging to species revealed that, the bees preferentially foraged on the flowers of 18 species for pollen. Of this, majority (12 species) belonged to the family Fabaceae and accounted for more than 95 percent of the food provided to brood. The remaining species were from Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Convolvulaceae and Acanthaceae.
A review on the mechanics of inertial microfluidics

In a number of microfluidics-based systems where the Reynolds number is in an intermediate range, both viscosity and inertia are significant, and thus, plenty of interesting effects appear including inertial motion and secondary flow. In recent years, this rapidly expanding area of science has opened a new window of possibilities for micro-particle inertial focusing in high-throughput cellular separation and physiological fluids processing. Moreover, this science is applicable in bio-particle focusing in clinical diagnostics along with widespread applications in environmental cleanup. In this review, fundamental concepts governing the mechanics and physics of inertial microfluidics are discussed. Furthermore, recent mathematical frameworks and theoretical developments that have made this science what we know today are presented in detail. Finally, a number of possible futuristic promising directions in this novel field are proposed since, despite tremendous recent progress, this mainstream technology is still a nascent area of research.
Volatile Aroma Constituents of Three Labiatae Herbs Growing Wild in the Karakoram-Himalaya District and Their Antifungal Activity by Vapor Contact

Abstract Ethyl acetate extracts from the flowers and leaves of Perovskia ahrotanoides Karel. , Nepeta juncea Benth. and Thymus linearis Benth. growing wild at 2000–3500 m a.s. l. in the Karakoram-Himalaya district were analyzed by GC/MS. The majorvolatile constituents were 1,8-cineole (24.4–27.1%) and α-pinene (18.2–23.2%) for P. abrotanoides, and nepetalactone (71.8%) for N.juncea. Two chemotypes of T. linearis were found in different area, a thymol/carvacrol type in the areas of Hunza and Rupal Valley, and a geraniol/geranyl acetate type in the area of Rakaposhi Valley. Herbs and their major constituents of N.juncea and T. linearis showed potent antifungal activity by vapor contact, but those of P. abrotanoides showed no significant activity.
The Relationship between Ownership of Nursing Homes and their Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review

Introduction: The nursing home sector has been disproportionally affected by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and pandemic. Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to the virus, resulting in a high number of outbreaks and deaths. However, some nursing homes fared better than others; organisational characteristics to some extent may mediate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this literature review is to evaluate the relationship between ownership structure of nursing homes and their performance during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: A rapid literature review was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science. This literature review followed a systematic approach including a risk of bias assessment. Articles were selected based on a pre-defined set of PICOT criteria that included studies which compared for-profit nursing homes to non-profit and public nursing homes with regard to the effectiveness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, measured in terms of number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Results: In total, eighteen papers were included in this systematic review. The majority of papers found a significant relationship in the unadjusted statistics between ownership status and effectiveness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the adjusted figures paint a more nuanced picture. The relationship seems to be mediated by other organisational (e.g. size), process (e.g. access to personal protective equipment) and contextual factors (e.g. regional spread of COVID-19). Conclusion: Ownership matters, but mainly because of the underlying organisational, process and contextual factors. The policy implications of these findings are timely: policymakers can either disincentivise for-profit entities (or favour non-profit providers), or improve the regulation of underlying factors that relate to COVID-19 outcomes. Even as discussions are undertaken about the values that underlie the future of nursing home ownership, steps can be taken now within existing ownership structures to address the factors most closely associated with outcomes. In the short-term it is better to address these mediating factors, but for the long-term, this review is in keeping with previous literature suggesting policymakers should be wary of for-profit nursing homes.
A comparison of lead exposures in industrial “hot spots” in Jordan and Israel

The aim of this study was to compare two hot spots of lead (Pb) exposure in Israeli and Jordanian occupational settings. The study also sought to assess whether any differences in regulations and legislation regarding occupational health could be identified as a source of exposure disparities. Blood and hair specimens were collected from workers in a battery factory in Jordan and a secondary Pb smelter in Israel and compared. About 33% of the currently exposed group showed blood lead (BPb) levels above the internationally recommended concentration of 40 µg dL−1. Although the differences of BPb levels between Israel and Jordan were not statistically significant, average levels were lower in Jordan. Beyond the difference in the factory types, disparity in exposure levels might be explained due to a combination of proclivities of factory management, public policies, existing medical surveillance and insurance, as well as cultural differences. Results reveal that despite existing regulations and the growing attention that is dedicated to Pb and metal occupational exposures, there are still hot spots for Pb exposure in Israel and Jordan. The contrasting experience found in the current study raises the possibility that information and technology exchange between the two countries Israel and Jordan, may be beneficial for improving occupational health policy in these two neighboring countries.
Electronic structure of divacancy?hydrogen complexes in silicon

Divacancy–hydrogen complexes (V2H and V2H2) in Si are studied by ab initio modelling using large supercells. Here we pay special attention to their electronic structure, showing that these defects produce deep carrier traps. Calculated electrical gap levels indicate that V2H2 is an acceptor, whereas V2H is amphoteric, with levels close to those of the well known divacancy. Finally our results are compared with the available data from deep level transient spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments.
Temperature Dependence of Nearly Resonant Vibration → Vibration Energy Transfer in CO2 Mixtures

Laser‐excited vibrational fluorescence measurements have given rates for nearly resonant vibrational energy exchange between the asymmetric stretch of CO2 and the stretching vibrations of 13CO2, N2O, CO, and 15N2 as a function of temperature and of 13CO and D2 at room temperature. For molecules with vibrational transition dipole moments the energy transfer cross sections, σ vv, decrease rapidly with increasing vibrational energy discrepancy, ΔE. Their magnitudes at resonance are accurately fit by first order calculations using the transition—dipole interaction, but that theory underestimates σ vv for Δ E ≥ 66 cm−1, especially at low temperatures. At resonance, σ vv is inversely proportional to temperature. As ΔE increases, σ vv decreases less rapidly with temperature (13CO2, Δ E = 66 cm−1), becomes temperature‐insensitive (N2O, Δ E = 125 cm−1), and finally increases with temperature (12CO, Δ E = 206 cm−1). It appears that rotation—translation coupling terms in the intermolecular potential operate simultan.
Interfacial convection during evaporation of binary mixtures from porous obstacles

A novel experimental approach is proposed to investigate the influence of interfacial convection on liquid-side mass transfer. Specifically, a binary liquid mixture (water and isopropanol) is evaporated from a porous obstacle into inert gas (air). The change of liquid bulk molar fraction with changing amount of liquid (concentration curve) is observed. The porous obstacle is a plate with parallel planar gaps, or a packed bed of spherical particles, both completely filled with the liquid. Without interfacial convection, that is, for the undisturbed state of the system, the liquid is quiescent and evaporation should be nonselective. Consequently, measured selectivities not only prove the existence of interfacial convection, but also give the opportunity of evaluating liquid-side mass transfer coefficients and enhancement factors for the disturbed state of the system. This evaluation is conducted with the help of a one-dimensional model for mass and heat transfer. If applied to the undisturbed state of the system, the same model provides driving density and molar fraction differences in the form of Rayleigh and Marangoni numbers. It is shown that the extent of interfacial convection can be controlled by operating parameters such as the gas bulk temperature, whereas it also depends on structural parameters such as gap width or particle diameter. Thermally driven and molar fraction driven Rayleigh and Marangoni convection may coexist. With the described method much higher enhancement factors than ever previously reported could be detected. The dependency of such enhancement factors on the Rayleigh or Marangoni number is considerably stronger than reported in the literature. Some aspects concerning the consideration of liquid-side heat transfer or permeability and structure of the medium are discussed, and nonselective experiments corresponding to stable configurations are identified. First attempts toward correlation of the results are outlined, along with the potential of the method for future research. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Influence of HSiO1.5 Sol−Gel Polymer Structure and Composition on the Size and Luminescent Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals

We report the preparation of SiO2-embedded silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) from the thermal processing of sol−gel polymers derived from trichlorosilane (HSiCl3). Straightforward addition of water to HSiCl3 generates a cross-linked (HSiO1.5)n sol−gel polymer suitable for the generation of bulk quantities of SiO2-embedded Si-NCs. It is shown that structural differences between the present (HSiO1.5)n polymer and hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) result in controllable differences in the resulting oxide-embedded Si-NCs produced from these precursors. A polymer structure/NC size relationship is further delineated through the preparation and evaluation of methyl-modified (HSiO1.5)n(CH3SiO1.5)m (m ≪ n, m + n = 1) sol−gel copolymers, in which a low concentration of methyl groups acts as a polymer network modifier and influences the formation of Si-NCs during thermal processing. Si-NC size is readily tailored by controlled variations to peak processing temperature for (HSiO1.5)n and composition (n and m) for (HSiO1.5)n(.
Some responses of Chrysanthemum morifolium (cv.“hurricane”), grown as a year-round crop in a peat-sand substrate, to micronutrients and liming

The effects of a fritted micronutrient mixture on the growth and flowering of spray chrysanthemums (cv.“Hurricane”) were studied in relation to pH in a peatsand substrate (3:1 by volume). The treatments consisted of three rates of application of a fritted micronutrient mixture (0, 200, 500 g/m3) in factorial combination with four rates of liming (average pH values 4.2, 5.0, 6.3 and 7.1). Five successive crops were grown under conditions, including controlled day-length, used commercially for year-round chrysanthemum production. Bud initiation and development were greatly delayed in the absence of micro-nutrients, particularly at high pH, and some plants failed to flower. The proportion of marketable sprays was decreased by omission of micronutrients (P<0.001) and by liming (P<0.001), and those that were saleable were reduced in size. Omission of micronutrients decreased the numbers of flowers per spray (P<0.001). Plants grown without added micronutrients developed more leaves and bracts on their lateral shoots (P<0.001), particularly at high pH (6.3–7.1); the interaction between lime and micronutrients was significant at P<0.01. Leaf samples were analysed for micronutrient content (B, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn). Symptoms of boron deficiency (“quilling” of the petals) were recorded and shown to be significantly correlated with the boron content of the leaves (P<0.001). The copper content of plants grown without added micronutrients was well below the published critical level, and this deficiency is considered responsible for many of the effects observed.
THE PHARMACOLOGY OF ADRENERGIC NEURONAL RESPONSES IN THE CEREBRAL CORTEX: EVIDENCE FOR EXCITATORY α‐ AND INHIBITORY β‐RECEPTORS

1 The technique of microelectrophoresis was used to compare the actions of a range of adrenoceptor agonists on single cortical neurones in the rat anaesthetized with halothane. 2 Phenylephrine and methoxamine were exclusively excitatory, whereas salbutamol was entirely depressant. Noradrenaline and isoprenaline could evoke both excitatory and depressant responses. Lower doses of isoprenaline usually evoked depressions, whereas higher doses, on the same cell, evoked excitatory responses. 3 The α‐adrenoceptor blocking agents, phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine, reversibly antagonized excitatory responses to adrenoceptor agonists, without affecting depressant responses to adrenoceptor agonists or excitatory responses to acetylcholine. 4 The β‐adrenoceptor blocking agents, propranolol and sotalol, reversibly antagonized both depressant and excitatory responses to adrenoceptor agonists, without affecting responses to acetylcholine. When the effect of sotalol on excitatory and depressant responses to adrenoceptor agonists was compared on the same cell, the depressant responses could be selectively antagonized, without affecting the excitatory responses. 5 It is concluded that (a) responses of cortical neurones to adrenoceptor agonists are mediated by both α‐ and β‐receptors; (b) these α‐ and β‐receptors give rise to opposite effects: the α‐receptors being excitatory and the β‐receptors being inhibitory; and (c) responses of many neurones reflect the presence of both types of receptor.