Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cathodoluminescence studies of defects in coated boron nitride

Optical emission properties of boron nitride (BN) substrates, BN with alumina (Al2O3) coating, and thermally-annealed alumina-coated boron nitride (an-BN/Al2O3) were investigated under electron irradiation using cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. Tests were performed, temperatures ranging from ~100 K to ~300 K, with monoenergetic beams from 5 keV to 30 keV, and electron flux densities from 1 nA · cm−2 to 500 nA · cm−2. These experiments were conducted to identify the effects of coating and thermal annealing on the nature and occupation of defect states in different samples with BN substrates. Previous studies have shown that these treatments can limit the charging of BN substrates. Consequently, thorough investigations of electron trapping and recombination processes as a function of low temperature, dose and charging/discharge were performed in order to explain the differences of electrical behaviour and compare the CL spectra of the three different samples studied. Broad features associated with the BN and sharper features resulting from the annealed alumina coating were observed. Changes in the intensity, energy, and width of the features with sample treatments were observed. Different incident beam parameters were used to associate these features with specific types of defect states. The effects of charging, temperature- and dose-dependent conductivity, and thermal annealing and aging of the samples on the CL spectra were investigated. These were used to study defect creation and occupation and to understand the predominant physical mechanisms and main structural and chemical differences between these ceramic configurations.
On the reflection and shadow boundaries for a moving line source illumination

ABSTRACT This paper aims to investigate the effect of motion on the reflection and shadow boundaries which occur due to the illumination of a half-plane by a uniformly rectilinear moving infinitely long line source. It is shown that the zeros of the argument of the Fresnel integral function, which appears in the asymptotically uniform expression of the edge-diffracted field obtained through the saddle point technique, yield the time depending reflection and shadow boundaries. The numerical examples that show variations of the corresponding boundaries with respect to velocity at different time parameters are presented.
Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization and Experimental Expression Analysis of CNGC Gene Family in Gossypium

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGCs) are channel proteins for calcium ions, and have been reported to play important roles in regulating survival and environmental response of various plants. However, little is known about how the CNGC family works in Gossypium. In this study, 173 CNGC genes, which were identified from two diploid and five tetraploid Gossypium species, were classified into four groups by phylogenetic analysis. The collinearity results demonstrated that CNGC genes are integrally conservative among Gossypium species, but four gene losses and three simple translocations were detected, which is beneficial to analyzing the evolution of CNGCs in Gossypium. The various cis-acting regulatory elements in the CNGCs’ upstream sequences revealed their possible functions in responding to multiple stimuli such as hormonal changes and abiotic stresses. In addition, expression levels of 14 CNGC genes changed significantly after being treated with various hormones. The findings in this study will contribute to understanding the function of the CNGC family in cotton, and lay a foundation for unraveling the molecular mechanism of cotton plants’ response to hormonal changes.
Sensitivity of Supercell Simulations to Initial Condition Resolution

AbstractObservational and model resolution limitations currently preclude analysis of the smallest scales important to numerical prediction of convective storms. These missing scales can be recovered if the forecast model is integrated on a sufficiently fine grid, but not before errors are introduced that subsequently grow in scale and magnitude. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the impact of these initial-condition (IC) resolution errors on high-resolution forecasts of organized convection. This is done by comparing high-resolution supercell simulations generated using identical model settings but successively coarsened ICs. Consistent with the Warn-on-Forecast paradigm, the simulations are initialized with ongoing storms and integrated for 2 h. Both idealized and full-physics experiments are performed in order to examine how more realistic model settings modulate the error evolution.In all experiments, scales removed from the IC (wavelengths < 2, 4, 8, or 16 km) regenerate within 10–20.
Economical Olive Oil Production by Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses in Olive Fruit

The higher cost of oil extraction units and their shortage at the district level results in huge economic losses for olive farmers. Olive fruit harvesting and packing method for temporary storage and transportation cause major losses to the growers due to the reduction in the quality of olive oil. Poor economic returns from lower-quality olive oil result in financial losses to the growers. Fruit harvesting and packing method are major sources of fruit losses; hence the studies were designed to standardize commercial fruit harvesting and packing method to minimize the losses. The study was conducted at Buzdar Agricultural Farm, DG Khan. The fruit was packed in plastic bags (Conventional method) and perforated fruit baskets (Non-conventional method) for transportation from the olive orchard to the Oil Mill (Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal) for extraction of olive oil. Olive oil extraction machine Model (Pieralisi, Italy) and the first cold extraction were used for data collection. Minimum fruit damage of 1.14% was recorded in hand picking, and maximum fruit damage of 10.65% was recorded in stick beating. Maximum fruit rotting of 4.48% was recorded in stick beating, and minimum damage of 1.10% was recorded in the hand picking method. Oil recovery percentage was not affected by harvesting and packing methods; however, oil quality was highly affected by harvesting and packing methods, which resulted in economic returns from produced olive oil. Poor quality oil fetched minimum price as compared with premium quality olive oil, which resulted in financial losses to the grower.
Emergence of college students’ John Henryism during schoolwork: an exploratory study

Abstract John Henryism (JH), named after the American folk hero John Henry, is a construct characterised by a behavioural predisposition for high-effort coping with psychosocial stressors. While it has been rigorously studied in the health sciences, little empirical research has focused on how JH emerges within educational contexts, specifically during schoolwork. This exploratory study investigated factors related to JH—race/ethnicity, gender, first-generation college student status, and high-effort coping—on school-based cognitive and emotional engagement. Results revealed that high JH scores predicted positive cognitive and emotional momentary engagement, particularly for racial/ethnic minorities and first-generation college students. Furthermore, in comparing our subsample of first-generation females with our overall sample of female students, we learned that JH had a greater positive influence on first-generation females’ momentary engagement than on that of the overall sample of female students. Findings suggest that historically marginalised groups may regularly rely on JH to cope with systemic inequality in school activities.
Galaxies at high redshift and their evolution over cosmic time

disk. In order to resolve the issue, three possible mechanisms are suggested: magnetic field-rotation misalignment, turbulence, and non-idealMHD effects. Much work need to be done before anyone can say which, if any, of the solutions is it. Another paper mentions how there might be planets of 0.35M , 0.17 M and 0.26 M embedded in the treering-like3 protoplanetary disk of HL Tau at intervals of 13 AU, 33 AU and 69 AU, respectively. Although exist only in the modelling, these massive planets somewhat demonstrate that planet formation could take place as early as the first million years if not concurrently with the formation of the disk. Are star formation processes the same throughout the Universe or vary from one environment to another? It is difficult to answer since no consensus has been achieved with regard to the origin of the distribution of stellar masses in a population. A paper under topic number (3) concludes that the stellar initial mass function that describes it, despite being universally uniform may be different under extreme environments like the one in the inner parsec of the Milky Way. Readers who are curious to learn more about the debate on the universality of star formation processes can find the presentation slides here4 and since the IAU now digitises all the proceedings, all the papers can be perused – for free! – here.5
Experimental and Theoretical Radiative Lifetimes, Branching Fractions, Transition Probabilities, and Oscillator Strengths of Some Highly Excited Odd-parity Levels in Ir i

Radiative lifetimes of 62 odd-parity levels of Ir i in the energy range between 32513.43 and 58625.10 cm−1 were measured using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. The lifetime values obtained are in the range from 3.2 to 345 ns. To our best knowledge, 59 results are reported for the first time. These are compared to computed data deduced from a pseudo-relativistic Hartree–Fock model including core-polarization contributions. From the combination of the experimental lifetime measurements and branching fraction calculations, a new set of transition probabilities and oscillator strengths is derived for 134 Ir i spectral lines of astrophysical interest in the wavelength region from 205 to 418 nm.
Comparison of Quality of Life and Cosmetic Outcome of Latissimus Dorsi Mini-Flap With Breast Conservation Surgery Without Reconstruction

Purpose Latissimus dorsi mini-flap (LDMF) reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is a useful volume replacement technique when a large tumor is located in the upper or outer portion of the breast. However, few studies have reported the impact of LDMF on patients’ quality of life (QoL) and cosmesis compared with conventional BCS. Methods We identified patients who underwent BCS with or without LDMF between 2010 and 2020 at a single center. At least 1 year after surgery, we prospectively administered the BREAST-Q to assess QoL and obtained the patients’ breast photographs. The cosmetic outcome was assessed using four panels composed of physicians and the BCCT.core software. Results A total of 120 patients were enrolled, of whom 62 and 58 underwent LDMF or BCS only, respectively. The LDMF group had significantly larger tumors, shorter nipple-to-tumor distances in preoperative examinations, and larger resected breast volumes than did the BCS-only group (p < 0.001). The questionnaires revealed that QoL was poorer in the LDMF group, particularly in terms of the physical well-being score (40.9 vs. 20.1, p < 0.001). Notably, the level of patients’ cosmetic satisfaction with their breasts was comparable, and the cosmetic evaluation was assessed by panels and the BCCT.core software showed no differences between the groups. Conclusion Our results showed that cosmetic outcomes of performing LDMF are comparable to those of BCS alone while having the advantage of resecting larger volumes of breast tissue. Therefore, for those who strongly wish to preserve the cosmesis of their breasts, LDMF can be considered a favorable surgical option after the patient is oriented toward the potential for physical dysfunction after surgery.
Estimation of P(Y > X) for Weibull Distribution In the Presence of k Outliers

In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating R=P(Y<X), where Y has Weibull distribution with parameters β and α and X has Weibull distribution with parameters β and p in presence of k outliers, such that X and Y are independent. The moment, maximum likelihood and mixture estimators of R are derived with help of numerical technique. At the end, we conclude that mixture estimators are better than the maximum likelihood and moment estimators. Some of the previous results in the literatures can be achieved as special case of our results.
The shape and location of the sector boundary surface in the inner solar system. [Helios observations]

Simultaneous observations by Helios 1 and Helios 2 over four solar rotations, between January 20 and May 23, 1976, were used to determine the latitudinal dependence of the polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field within +- 7.23/sup 0/ of the solar equator and within 1 AU. The longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the sector boundary crossing are consistent with a warped sector boundary which extended from the sun to 1 AU and was inclined approx. =10/sup 0/ with respect to the heliographic equator. This is consistent with simultaneous Pioneer 11 observations, which showed unipolar fields at latitude approx. =16/sup 0/ at heliocentric distances greater than 3.5 AU. Two sectors were observed at southern latitudes; however, four sectors were observed at northern latitudes on two rotations, indicating a distortion from planarity of the sector boundary surface.
The new family of Fisher copulas to model upper tail dependence and radial asymmetry: Properties and application to high‐dimensional rainfall data

Joint precipitation data measured at a large number of stations typically show tail asymmetry and significant upper tail dependence. Unfortunately, many multivariate dependence models that are commonly used in large dimensions such as the normal and the Student copulas are radially symmetric, whereas the recently introduced chi‐square copula is asymmetric, but its tail dependence coefficients are null. In order to circumvent the limitations of the available models, the new family of Fisher copulas is introduced; it is shown that these dependence models are tail asymmetric and allow for upper tail dependence, among other characteristics. Two semiparametric strategies for parameter estimation in this class of copulas are proposed, and their efficiency in small and moderate sample sizes is investigated with the help of simulations. The usefulness of the parametric Fisher copula family is then illustrated on the modeling of the precipitation data observed at 105 stations within or close to the Aare river catchment in Switzerland.
Building the Family Nest: Pre-Marital Investments, Marriage Markets and Spousal Allocations

We develop a model of the household in which spousal incomes are determined by pre-marital investments, the marriage market is characterized by assortative matching, and endogenously-determined sharing rules form the basis of intra-household allocations. By incorporating pre-marital investments and spousal matching into the collective household model, we are able to identify the fundamental determinants of endogenously determined and maritally sustainable intra-marital sharing rules. In particular, we find that all sharing rules along the assortative order support unconditionally efficient outcomes where both pre-marital investments and intra-household allocations are efficient. The efficiency of both pre-marital choices and household allocations then enables us to show that, for each couple, the marriage market generates a unique and maritally sustainable sharing rule that is a function of the distribution of pre-marital endowments and the sex ratios in the market.
Evaluating the dynamic employment effects of training programs in East Germany using conditional difference-in-differences

Evaluating the Dynamic Employment Effects of Training Programs in East Germany Using Conditional Difference-in-Differences This study analyzes the employment effects of training in East Germany. We propose and apply an extension of the widely used conditional difference-in-differences evaluation method. Focusing on transition rates between nonemployment and employment we take into account that employment is a state dependent process. Our results indicate that using transition rates is more appropriate and informative than using unconditional employment rates as commonly done in the literature. Training as a first participation in a program of Active Labor Market Policies shows zero to small positive effects both on reemployment probabilities and on probabilities of remaining employed with notable variation over the different start dates of the program. JEL Classification: C14, C23, H43, J64, J68
Use of a bipolar vessel sealing device in canine orchiectomy

Bipolar vessel sealing (BVS) devices are being used increasingly in veterinary medicine. The objective was to determine whether the use of a BVS device in prescrotal open orchiectomy of dogs reduced surgical time, postoperative pain and surgical site complications compared to ligation with suture. Fifty medium to large breed dogs admitted for elective castration were randomly assigned to either the ligation or BVS groups. Duration of surgery, pain score at postoperative 15 minutes, 1, 2, and 24 hours, and surgical site swelling and bruising scores at 24 hours were compared. Duration of surgery was shorter (P˂0.001) in the BSV group (median 8.30; range 7.03 to 10.17 minutes) than the ligation group (median 10.18; range 7.47 to 12.33 minutes). There was a significant effect of age (r=0.458, P=0.021) and body weight (r=0.432, P=0.031) of the animal on the duration of surgery in the BVS group. Lower pain scores were observed in the BVS group at postoperative 15 minutes (P=0.001) and 1 hour (P=0.045). Pain scores were not different between groups at 2 hours and 24 hours (P˃0.05). The surgical site swelling score was lower (P=0.034) in the BVS group (0.24 ± 0.09) compared to the ligation group (0.72 ± 0.17). A lower bruising score (P=0.015) was observed in the BVS group (0.44 ± 0.13) than in the ligation group (1.16 ± 0.22). The use of BVS method was associated with significantly shorter surgery times and lower postoperative pain and surgical site complications than traditional ligation technique in canine open orchiectomy.
Antimutagenic and antioxidant activity of novel 4-substituted phenyl-2,2′-bichalcophenes and aza-analogs

Evaluation of the potential antimutagenic activities of new compounds by Ames assay has been of great interest for the development of novel therapeutics for many diseases including cancer. Ten novel bichalcophenes with in vitro and in vivo broad spectrum activities against various microbial strains were investigated throughout the present study for their cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimutagenic potential in a Salmonella reverse mutation assay system against sodium azide (NaN3) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). At nontoxic concentrations, all bichalcophenes alone or in combination with NaN3 (1 μg/plate) or B[a]P (20 μM) with S9 mix were not mutagenic. The bichalcophenes significantly reduced NaN3- and B[a]P-induced mutagenicity under pre-exposure and co-exposure conditions in a concentration-independent manner. However, the antimutagenic activity of bichalcophenes against B[a]P varied depending on the exposure regimen, being more effective under pre-exposure conditions. The antimutagenic activity was correlated with a high antioxidant activity that could promote the DNA repair system. Bichalcophenes are least likely to interfere with the microsomal bioactivation of B[a]P. Monocationic bichalcophenes were superior to the corresponding mononitriles as antimutagenic agents against both mutagens investigated, possibly due to the higher nucleophilic centers they have which could bind and protect the bacterial DNA. Three monocationic compounds were shown to have a strong anticancer activity against the 58 cell line. Based on the results of the present investigation, monocationic compounds (1, 4, and 5B) will be selected for further time consuming and costly chemoprevention studies in animal models.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PLASMA VITAMIN D LEVEL AND METASTASIS IN BREAST CANCER.

Background: Metastasis is the leading cause of death in breast cancer. Experimental study found anti-invasive and anti-metastatic effects of vitamin D in cancer cells, but epidemiological studies supporting the anti-invasive and anti-metastatic effects of vitamin D are still inconsistent. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of plasma vitamin D levels and metastasis in breast cancer patients. Methods: A descriptive observational cross sectional study was performed on 50 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at Adam Malik Hospital Medan. Plasma vitamin D levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Chest x-ray, liver ultrasonography and fine-needle biopsy were performed to find cancer cell rmetastasis. The relationship between plasma vitamin D levels and metastases was analyzed by unpaired t-test. RESULTS: The mean plasma vitamin D levels in patients with positive distant metastatis and in patients with negative distant metastases were 26.900 ± 10.165 ng / ml and 27.561 ± 8.467 ng / ml. There were no association between plasma level vitamin D and metastasis in this study.
Developmental Trajectory of Anticipation: Insights from Sequential Comparative Judgments

Reaction time (RT) is a critical measure of performance, and studying its distribution at the group or individual level provides useful information on the cognitive processes or strategies used to perform a task. In a previous study measuring RT in children and adults asked to compare two successive stimuli (quantities or words), we discovered that the group RT distribution was bimodal, with some subjects responding with a mean RT of around 1100 ms and others with a mean RT of around 500 ms. This bimodal distribution suggested two distinct response strategies, one reactive, the other anticipatory. In the present study, we tested whether subjects’ segregation into fast and slow responders (1) extended to other sequential comparative judgments (2) evolved from age 8 to adulthood, (3) could be linked to anticipation as assessed using computer modeling (4) stemmed from individual-specific strategies amenable to instruction. To test the first three predictions, we conducted a distributional and theoretical analysis of the RT of 158 subjects tested earlier using four different sequential comparative judgment tasks (numerosity, phonological, multiplication, subtraction). Group RT distributions were bimodal in all tasks, with the two strategies differing in speed and sometimes accuracy too. The fast strategy, which was rare or absent in 8- to 9-year-olds, steadily increased through childhood. Its frequency in adolescence remained, however, lower than in adulthood. A mixture model confirmed this developmental evolution, while a diffusion model corroborated the idea that the difference between the two strategies concerns anticipatory processes preceding decision processes. To test the fourth prediction, we conducted an online experiment where 236 participants made numerosity comparisons before and after an instruction favoring either reactive or anticipatory responses. The results provide out-of-the-lab evidence of the bimodal RT distribution associated with sequential comparisons and demonstrated that the proportions of fast vs. slow responders can be modulated simply by asking subjects to anticipate or not the future result of the comparison. Although anticipation of the future is as important for cognition as memory of the past, its evolution after the first year of life is much more poorly known. The present study is a step toward meeting this challenge. It also illustrates how analyzing individual RT distributions in addition to group RT distributions and using computational models can improve the assessment of decision making cognitive processes.