Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fracture Analysis of 3D Interface Corners between Two Dissimilar Anisotropic Elastic Materials 三維度界面接角之破裂分析

Interface corners may appear within many objects in our daily lives such as the electronic devices and the components of the automobile. The mismatch of material properties usually causes failure initiation and propagation near the interface corners. When we hope to analyze a case realistically, the inherent three-dimensional properties, i.e., geometries and material properties, are unable to be avoided. Stress intensity factors (SIF) are important parameters to predict fracture within the tested body. In this paper, proper definitions and computing methods of SIF of 3D interface corners between two dissimilar anisotropic elastic materials are reviewed and discussed. Two numerical examples are presented for validating these reviewed works.
Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of malachite green adsorption on alumina

The present study concerns the optimization of the parameters involved in the adsorption process of malachite green (MG) onto commercial alumina (Al2O3). The effect of temperature, pH, contact time (ta) and initial concentration (C0) of adsorbate on adsorbed amount was studied. It has been found that the retention rate of MG, by a mass m = 0.1 g of Al2O3, is optimal by adopting the following experimental parameters: pH = 7, C0 = 8×10 -5 M and ta = 2 h. The adsorption capacities (qt), obtained at different adsorption temperatures (25, 30 and 40 °C), are respectively equal to 13.49, 13.61 and 13.64 mg/g. The modelling of the experimental results showed that the adsorption kinetics of MG on Al2O3 follow pseudo-second-order kinetics at the temperatures studied, while the Langmuir model describes the adsorption isotherms.The thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption reaction of MG on Al2O3 is spontaneous (G° < 0) and endothermic (H° > 0). The characterization of surface of alumina by FTIR, XRD and DTA/TGA, before and after its contact with MG, made it possible to elucidate the nature of the interactions between MG andAl2O3. Received 9 Jan 2017 Revised 21 Mar 2017 Accepted 22Mar 2017
Diapause Response of Laboratory Reared and Native Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae)

ABSTRACT Inconsistencies among results of previous studies on the induction of adult diapause in the western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus Knight, could be either attributed to differences in the criteria being applied to assess diapause status or to differences in the sources of the bugs. To determine the cause of variation and to refine the criteria used to define diapause status, we obtained eggs from adults collected from the field and from long-term laboratory colonies. Concurrent experiments were conducted at two locations. L. hesperus were reared from egg to adulthood under photophases of either 10 or 14 h and at a constant temperature (26.6°C, Shafter, CA; 27.5°C, Maricopa, AZ). Adults were dissected at 10-d posteclosion to measure diapause status using both stringent and relaxed morphological criteria. Under both sets of criteria, offspring of field caught parents were more likely to enter diapause with short day exposure than those offspring from stock colonies. The relaxed criteria appeared appropriate for distinguishing diapause in males, whose reproductive organs can appear undeveloped after mating, although the stringent criteria appeared appropriate for females. Additional analyses were conducted to determine whether extended laboratory rearing influenced other behavioral or physiological traits. Bugs from stock colonies were more likely to mate, and to oviposit as virgins, than were bugs originating from the field. The results demonstrate a pronounced effect of colony rearing on L. hesperus physiology and behavior, and also have led to refinement of the criteria used to assess diapause status.
Consumer Preferences for Labels Disclosing the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides: Evidence from Experimental Auctions

Neonicotinoid pesticide use in the U.S. ornamental horticulture industry continues to capture attention due to the potential health risks to pollinator insects. While several retailers have announced mandatory labeling policies for plants treated with neonicotinoids, little is known about how individual consumers react to a firm’s disclosure of neonicotinoid use in production and the extent to which this additional information is valued. Here, a laboratory experiment assessed consumers’ preferences for environmentally friendly production practices focusing on neonicotinoid labeling. Despite broad consumer unfamiliarity with neonicotinoids, results show consumers have differentiated preferences for neonicotinoidrelated labels and information disclosure.
Effects of Salinity on Leaf δ13C in Three Dominant Mangrove Species along Salinity Gradients in an Estuarine Wetland, Southeast China

Abstract Many previous studies demonstrate that carbon stable isotope composition (usually expressed as isotopic ratio, δ13C) can reflect the integrated response of physiological processes to environment, but little is known of the variation in δ13C of mangrove plants as affected by salinity, especially in response to long term saline environment. The variation in δ13C of three dominant mangroves growing in long-term saline environments in the field was assessed. Mature leaves of Avicennia marina (Forsk) Vierh. , Kandelia candel (L.) Duce. , and Aegiceras corniculatum Blanco. were collected at seven sample sites covering seven salinity levels (14.07%–19.83%) at a natural mangrove wetland located in southeast China. The δ13C values varied from −31.46% to −27.33‰ with increasing salinity, reflecting the typical C3 pathway of CO2 fixation. The δ13C was positively related to salinity in K. candel and A. marina, and the reverse was observed in A. corniculatum, even though the correlations were not statistically significant for A. corniculatum and A. marina. The mean δ13C at high salinity was, in descending order, K. candel > A. marina > A. corniculatum. It is concluded that responses of δ13C to salinity is species-dependent and assessment of carbon isotopic composition is helpful for evaluating the salt tolerance of mangrove species, but it should be used with caution when comparing the salt tolerance between different species, particularly when they have the different patterns of δ13C in response to salinity.
Ground Motion, Pore Water Pressure and SFSI Monitoring at NEES Permanently Instrumented Field Sites

--As part of the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), two permanently instrumented field sites for monitoring ground motion, pore water pressure generation, ground deformation, and soilfoundation-structure interaction (SFSI), were added to the NEES equipment portfolio. The sites are the Wildlife Liquefaction Array (WLA) and the Garner Valley Downhole Array (GVDA); both are located in highly seismic areas of the southern California; both have histories of monitored earthquake responses; both are underlain by liquefiable layers; and both have been well characterized. To engender ground deformation, the WLA site is adjacent to a 3-m high bank of the Alamo River. A reconfigurable, steel-framed structure has been constructed at the GVDA site and instrumented with sensors in the structure, foundation, and underlying soil. These field sites will monitor responses generated by earthquakes and by active experiments using shakers. These sites will provide beds for testing of new in-situ characterization techniques and for development of new sensor technologies. Telepresence and teleparticipation capabilities will provide opportunities for collaborative research and educational interaction. The continuous streaming of data to the NEES data repository, ANSS, and local networks will provide ready access to the collected data. Keywords---Earthquakes, structures, foundations, interaction, instrumentation, liquefaction
Requirements Don’t Increase Household Driving

A major concern with addressing the negative externalities of gasoline consumption by regulating fuel economy, rather than increasing fuel taxes, is that households respond by driving more. This paper exploits a discrete threshold in the eligibility for Cash for Clunkers to show that fuel economy restrictions lead households to purchase vehicles that have lower cost-per-mile, but are also smaller and lower-performance. Whereas the former effect can increase driving, the latter effect can reduce it. Results indicate these households do not drive more, suggesting that behavioral responses do not necessarily undermine the effectiveness of fuel economy restrictions at reducing gasoline
DETECTION AND BIODIVERSITY OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC CUCUMOVIRUS. CONCLUSIONS FROM A RINGTEST OF EUROPEAN UNION COST 823 (NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE PHYTODIAGNOSIS)

SUMMARY The detectability and biodiversity of 44 isolates of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), one isolate of peanut stunt virus (PSV) and one of tomato aspermy virus (TAV), all cucumoviruses, were compared by RT-PCR, variants of ELISA using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (Pabs and Mabs) and host plant reactions. The comparisons were made during a Ringtest on zucchini viruses held at the Istituto di Fitovirologia Applicata, CNR, Torino, Italy, in October 1996 in the framework of the European Union action COST-823 «New technologies to improve phytodiagnosis». The isolates originated from 9 European countries, America, Asia and Australia and their natural hosts were mainly cucurbits. Some of the isolates had been characterized previously. RT-PCR with primers specific for CMV RNA 3 followed by digestion with MspI allowed the classification of 19 isolates within subgroup I (S-I) and 13 in subgroup II (S-II). Three distinct and different S-I-like patterns were found for 8 isolates, while 3 isolates displayed a new pattern called S nonI-nonII. PSV, TAV and one isolate were not amplified with this primer set. Three RNA 2-based sets of primers, specific for S-I, SII or both, substantiated the above results. In DAS ELISA Pabs produced against S-I detected most of CMV isolates, but not PSV and TAV, whereas Pabs produced against S-II isolates detected mainly those. In ACP ELISA, two Pabs detected all the cucumoviruses tested. In TAS ELISA, 7 Mabs reacted with most of the isolates and none of them reacted with PSV and TAV. Two Mabs were specific for S-I and two for S-II, confirming the PCR results.
Lockdown Accounting

Abstract We use an accounting framework to evaluate the aggregate impact of a common lockdown policy for 85 countries. We find that poorer countries devote more labor to essential activities that are unaffected by the lockdown, while richer countries can more easily substitute non-essential employment with work from home. The lockdown generates an employment response that is U-shaped in income: it drops by 32% in the poorest quintile of the distribution, by 36% in the middle quintile, and by 31% in the richest quintile. Annualized GDP declines by 39% in the bottom three quintiles and by 31% in the richest quintile. Agriculture, an essential sector, is key in sustaining employment and economic activity in poorer countries.
The Lure Effect, Tadpole Tail Shape, and the Target of Dragonfly Strikes

Abstract Tadpoles of many species develop enlarged tail fins in the presence of insect predators, but the function of this response is not known. Because large tails do not improve swimming performance, we tested the hypothesis that the tail attracts predator strikes away from the more vulnerable head and body region. We first confirmed the assumption that attacks to the tail are less dangerous: Living tadpoles escaped from dragonfly larvae only 10% of the time when the strike landed on the head and body but 29.4% of the time when struck on the tail. We then constructed model tadpoles having four tail shapes: normal, predator-induced, and 50% shallower and 50% deeper than normal. The models were presented to dragonflies and the location at which the insect's labium struck the model was noted. Models having the predator-induced tail sustained 16% fewer strikes to the head and body than did models with the noninduced tail, lending credibility to the hypothesis that the tail acts as a lure. Models with an unnaturally large tail were attacked more often on the body than was the predator-induced model, which may create stabilizing selection on tail shape.
Metadiscourse in Corporate Press Releases

Companies issue press releases in an attempt to communicate news about themselves to the public and the business world. Corporate press releases thus occupy the middle ground between business discourses and newspaper articles. This study reports the distribution of metadiscourse markers in corporate press releases based on the comparison between corporate press releases corpus and business news report corpus. It is found that there are less interactive metadiscourse markers in corporate press releases mainly due to the lower normalized frequency of transitions and evidentials, and that more interactional metadiscourse markers are employed in corporate press releases, especially attitudes, self mentions and engagement markers. The results reveal that corporate press releases emphasize more on writer-reader interaction, aiming to promote the company and build positive corporate image.
Bacillus subtilis Soj (ParA): The involvement of DNA binding and dynamic localization in plasmid partitioning

Soj (ParA) from Bacillus subtilis has been shown to display dynamic localization (Marston and Errington, 1999; Quisel et al., 1999). To better understand the behavior of Soj and the requirements for this behavior, the localization of GFP-Soj was studied in E. coli. GFP-Soj colocalized with the nucleoid in E. coli and oscillated from one end of the cell to the other on the DNA on a timescale of minutes, as in B. subtilis. Localization of Soj to the nucleoid was independent of Spo0J or parS, but movement was dependent on both. As we previously reported, expression of GFP-Soj in E. coli resulted in disruption of nucleoid morphology and chromosome segregation defects. These problems were not apparent when Spo0J was present, with or without parS. Notably, the requirements for oscillation in E. coli are the same as the requirements for plasmid stabilization by this system in E. coli as reported by Yamaichi and Niki (Yamaichi and Niki, 2000). These results suggest that the movement of Soj may be linked to its role in plasmid and perhaps chromosome segregation.
Occurrence of Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone in Corn based Food Products

Mycotoxins contaminated food products are emerging as a major food safety concern throughout the world. The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrence of zearalenone and Aflatoxin B1 mycotoxins in corn based food products which are commercially available across Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. As maize is a good source of dietary fibre, which serves as a quality energy product for human consumption. Abundant availability of maize to the humans, makes a major food consumption through various food products. Considering the above impact, this study was conducted for 30 samples for aflatoxin B1 detection and 40 samples for Zearalenone, comprising 10 samples of corn chips, 10 Samples of corn flakes and 10 samples of processed and dried corn for Aflatoxin B1 and 20 samples for Zearalenone which are sold commercially as corn based food products in Chennai, India. The study using Romer’s all-purpose method was carried out for extraction of Aflatoxin B1 and similarly multi toxin method was used for extraction of Zearalenone from various corn products and were detected by HPTLC (High performance thin layer chromatography) technique. Outcome of this study reveals, the presence of aflatoxin B1 in food samples was nearly 30%, ranging from 5 μg/kg to 48.54 μg/kg and zearalenone were found in about 35% of the total samples, ranging from a minimum of 33 μg/kg to maximum limit of 218 μg/kg. About 10% of the sample were detected Aflatoxin B1, exceeding the EU limits, similarly 15% of the sample detected Zearalenone exceeding the EU legal limits. Thus, Mycotoxins contaminated food products remains as a food safety concern which is emerging throughout the world, thus this study focus on the levels of toxins present in corn based food products present in the market .
A CFD STUDY OF UCAV 1303 BASELINE MODEL AT CRUISE MACH NUMBERS

This paper furnishes further computed results for the unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) 1303 baseline model to be compared against the measurements provided by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), UK. The subsonic/transonic computation fluid dynamics (CFD) computations were performed using both NPARC and FLOWer codes with Mach numbers M = 0.35 and 0.85 and a selection of angles of attack ranging from α = 2.0 to 18 degrees with Reynolds numbers based on a mean aerodynamic chord (MAC) of ReMAC = 4.1×10 and 7.2×10. Comparisons between computed results were best at lower angles of attack.
NARRATIVAS SOBRE VIVÊNCIAS E REFLEXÕES EM TORNO DA HOMOPARENTALIDADE: UM ESTUDO PORTUGUÊS NARRATIVES ABOUT EXPERIENCES AND REFLECTIONS AROUND SAME-SEX PARENTING: A PORTUGUESE STUDY NARRATIVAS SOBRE EXPERIENCIAS Y REFLEXIONES EN TORNO A LA HOMOPARENTALIDAD: UN ESTUDIO PORTUGUÉS

Introduction: In Portugal, despite recent changes in the legal system, the social recognition of same-sex parenting remains difficult. In addition, research on this topic is still in a process of affirmation and has focused primarily on social attitudes, being fundamental to know and understand the perspective of the families themselves. Objectives: Identify perspectives and experiences related to same-sex parenting. Methods: Seven lesbians and one gay man who were mothers/father in the context of a previous heterosexual relationship (n = 2) or in a planned lesbian family (n = 6) were interviewed. Their accounts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: A view of increased responsibility in parenting emerged in the analysis, translated both in the reflection on and the management of external challenges, namely in parenting practices and in the construction of meaning directed to validate and affirm the family in the social context. Conclusion: The results contribute to a deeper understanding of experiences surrounding same-sex parenting in the Portuguese context, namely the internal and external resources the participants mobilize in order to adapt to the experienced/anticipated adversity. Implications for both families and professionals who work in this area are presented.
Range expansion of the North American alien amphipod Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939 (Crustacea: Gammaridae) in Brittany, France

Abstract Since the first observation in September 2005 of Gammarus tigrinus in Brittany (Western France), the species’ range has expanded slowly. By September 2008, the range of G. tigrinus expanded > 63.6 km to the North and 60.4 km to the West of that observed in 2005. G. tigrinus is thought to be responsible for the replacement of native Gammarus pulex . The relatively slow expansion rate of G. tigrinus in Brittany may result from either a low frequency of ship traffic, a known vector for the species, or from the species’ slow acclimatisation to brackish waters. A number of simulated invasion scenarios are presented for the future dispersal of G. tigrinus in Brittany. Key words : invasion, non-native species, colonization velocity, ship traffic, freshwater, Western Europe The first record in Europe of the North American amphipod Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939, a native of the east coast of (Bousfield 1958; van Maren 1978), was from the British Islands in 1931 (Sexton 1939). However the species probably arrived in Europe earlier (Hynes 1955) via ballast water exchanges in estuaries during the First World War by ships from the east coast of North America. The dispersal of
Production of Calcium Phosphate Compounds from Cockle Shell

The present work reports the synthesis of bioactive calcium phosphate from cockle shell via the combination of calcination and hydrothermal process. The raw cockle shells were pre-treated with 30 % of hydrogen peroxide for 4 days to eliminate the impurities. Afterward, the dried cockle shells were crushed and calcined at various temperatures ranging from 300 to 1100 °C. Subsequently, the calcined powders underwent hydrothermal process in di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate and distilled water at pH of 10.5 for 30 minutes. Lastly, the hydrothermal treated powders were dried in oven at 50 °C for 3 days. The results showed that the mixture of aragonite, calcite, hydroxyapatite, and calcium hydroxide was successfully synthesized at a calcination temperature of 900 °C and 1100 °C. In addition, the nanorods in the length of 80-300 nm were formed. The findings of this work indicate that the cockle shell could be transformed into valuable bioactive materials for biomedical applications.
Effectiveness of Malaria Intervention Programmes among Patent Medicine Vendors: A Systematic Review

Poor diagnosis, treatment and prevention practices had characterised Patent Medicine Vendor (PMV) activities in malaria control despite expectations on their contributions to check the menace. Interventions reversing this situation reduces disease burden and legitimise PMV inclusion in basic healthcare delivery. This study seeks to identify and review studies addressing this priority problem. Steps outlined in PRISMA guidelines were adopted to search and conduct reviews via electronic databases. Randomized trials with intervention effects on PMVs were considered and thirteen articles were ultimately reviewed and narratively evaluated. Analysis of search outputs identified intervention types, methods used, sample sizes, intervention periods, knowledge, attitude and practice variables, other outcomes and listing of priority systematic review topics, using pre-determined criteria. All reviewed studies were found to be effective despite adopting different intervention approaches. Furthermore, identifying and prioritizing reviews greatly improves future malaria interventions and results thereof, thereby maximising opportunities to deliver appropriate and evidence-based healthcare.
Enzymatic Metabolism of Nitrogen in Leaves and Roots of Creeping Bentgrass under Nitrogen Deficiency Conditions

Low nitrogen (N) rates are recommended for creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) putting greens to prevent excessive shoot growth and potential nitrate leaching, but low N rates could lead to N deficiency, which induces leaf senescence. This study was conducted to examine the effects of N deficiency on two enzymes involved in organic N metabolism as well as amino acid (AA) and soluble protein (SP) contents in both young and old leaves and roots of creeping bentgrass. Creeping bentgrass plants (cv. Penncross) were grown in a nutrient solution containing either 6 mM nitrate (+N plants) or zero N (-N plants), and each of the two treatments had four replicate pots. Young leaves on upper portions of the stolons and old leaves on lower portions of the stolons were separated and sampled at 14, 21, and 28 days of treatment, and roots were sampled at 28 days. Nitrogen deficiency increased glutamine synthetase (GS) transferase activity in all three tissues and at all three dates and GS biosynthetic activity in young leaves at all three dates. Prolonged N deficiency at 21 and 28 days increased glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) deamination and amination activities in old leaves. In the roots, N deficiency at 28 days increased GS transferase activity but decreased GDH deamination activity. The N deficiency decreased AA content in all three tissues and at all three dates and SP content in young leaves at all three dates and in old leaves at 21 and 28 days. Decreasing organic N reserves in AA and SP and increasing GS and GDH activities in senescing leaves may be adaptive responses to N deficiency.