Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is there any Evidence for Regional Atmospheric 14C Offsets in the Southern Hemisphere?

Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) Tasmanian Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) decadal measurements for the interval AD 745–855 suggest a mean interhemispheric radiocarbon offset (20 ± 5 yr), which is considerably lower than the previously reported mean interhemispheric offset for the last 2 millennia (44 ± 17 yr). However, comparable University of Waikato (Wk) New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis) measurements show significantly higher values (56 ± 6 yr), suggesting the possibility of a temporary geographic (intrahemispheric) offset between Tasmania, Australia, and Northland, New Zealand, during at least 1 common time interval. Here, we report 9 new Wk Tasmanian Huon pine measurements from the decades showing the largest Huon/kauri difference. We show statistically indistinguishable Wk Huon and Wk kauri 14C ages, thus dispelling the suggestion of a 14C geographic offset between Tasmania and Northland.
Optimizing network calls by minimizing variance in data availability times

—Smart Nodes are intelligent components of sensor networks that perform data acquisition and treatment, by the virtualization of sensor instances. Smart Factories are an application domain in which dozens of these cyber-physical components are used, ﬂooding the network with messages. In this work, we present a methodology to reduce the number of calls a Smart Node makes to the network. We propose grouping individual communications within a Smart Node to reduce the number of calls is important to improve the efﬁciency of the process. The paper exposes and explains the Smart Node internal structure, formally describing the problem of minimizing the number of calls Smart Nodes make to Cloud Services, by means of a combinatorial Constraint Optimization Problem . Using two Constraint Satisfaction Solvers , we have addressed the problem using distinct approaches. Optimal and sub-optimal solutions for an actual problem instance have been found with both approaches. Furthermore, we present a comparison between both solvers in terms of computational efﬁciency and show the solution is feasible to apply in a real case scenario.
ZnO nanowire field-effect transistor and oxygen sensing property

Single-crystal ZnO nanowires are synthesized using a vapor trapping chemical vapor deposition method and configured as field-effect transistors. Electrical transport studies show n-type semiconducting behavior with a carrier concentration of ∼107cm−1 and an electron mobility of ∼17cm2∕Vs. The contact Schottky barrier between the Au/Ni electrode and nanowire is determined from the temperature dependence of the conductance. Thermionic emission is found to dominate the transport mechanism. The effect of oxygen adsorption on electron transport through the nanowires is investigated. The sensitivity to oxygen is demonstrated to be higher with smaller radii nanowires. Moreover, the oxygen detection sensitivity can be modulated by the gate voltage. These results indicate that ZnO holds high potential for nanoscale sensing applications.
Correlation of Disorder and Charge Transport in a Range of Indacenodithiophene‐Based Semiconducting Polymers

Over the past 25 years, various design motifs have emerged for the development of organic semiconductors for demanding applications in flexible organic light emitting diode display backplanes or even printed organic logic. Due to their large area uniformity paired with high charge carrier mobilities, conjugated polymers have attracted increasing attention in this respect. However, the performances delivered by current generation conjugated polymers still fall short of many industrial requirements demanding devices with ideal transistor characteristics and higher mobilities. The discovery of conjugated polymers with low energetic disorder, such as the indacenodithiophene‐based polymer indacenodithiophene‐co‐benzothiadiazole, represent an exciting opportunity to breach this chasm if these materials can be further optimized while maintaining their low disorder. Here, it is shown how both the charge transport properties as well as the energetic disorder are affected by tuning the molecular structure of a large range of indacenodithiophene‐based semiconducting polymer derivatives. This study allows to understand better the interplay between molecular design and structure of the polymer backbone and the degree of energetic disorder that governs the charge transport properties in thin polymer films.
PEAK BONE MASS MEASUREMENT IN IRANIAN HEALTHY POPULATION

Osteoporosis is a disabling disease characterized by compromised bone strength, which predisposes a pa- tient to increased risk of fracture. The aim of this study was evaluation the pattern of bone mass in Iranian healthy popula- tion. Methods: The study was performed between December 2000 and May 2001 on one thousand three healthy Iranian sub- jects who currently live in Tehran. They were selected randomly by cluster random sampling among men and women of 10-76 yr from 50 clusters. The volunteer people were referred to the Bone Mineral Density BMD unit of EMRC. The participants were recalled for three times and the response rate was 83%. BMD was measured by DXA using Lunar DPX- MD device. Results: Females achieved maximum lumbar BMD up to 25-35. Femur BMD maximized in 30 to 35 and after 45 the intensity of bone loss increased. Female peak bone mass in lumbar region was 1.19 ± 0.12 g/cm2and in femur was 1.02±0.12 g/cm2. Male peak bone mass in lumbar region occurred between ages 25-40 yr, Male's femur BMD maximized in 20-30. In male peak lumbar bone mass was 1.22±0.16 g/cm2 and femur was 1.08±0.15 g/cm2. Osteopenia was recog- nized in 50% and 48.8% of women above 50 in spine and total femur, respectively, however these percentages were 37.1% and 34.8% among male subjects. Conclusion: Iranian BMD values sufficiently different from other countries to warrant a separate reference sample with which to compare individuals for the purpose of diagnosing osteoporosis and osteopenia according to the WHO criteria.
Traveling Wave Solutions of Nonlinear Scalar Integral Differential Equations Arising from Synaptically Coupled Neuronal Networks

Consider the following nonlinear scalar integral differential equations arising from synaptically coupled neuronal networks. These model equations generalize many important nonlinear scalar integral differential equations aris ing from synaptically coupled neuronal networks. The kernel functions K and W represent synaptic couplings between neurons in synaptically coupled neuronal networks. The synaptic couplings can be very general, including not only pure excitations (modeled with nonnegative kernel functions), lateral inhibitions (modeled with Mexican hat kernel functions), lateral excitations (modeled with upside down Mexican hat kernel functions), but also synaptic couplings which may change sign for finitely many times or even infinitely many times. The function H = H(u − ) represents the Heaviside step function, which is defined by H(u − ) = 0 for all u . The functions and represent probability density functions defined on (0,1). The parameter c > 0 represents the speed of an action potential and the parameter > 0 represents a constant delay. In these equations, u = u(x, t) stands for the membrane potential of a neuron at position x and time t. The positive constants > 0 and > 0 represent synaptic rates. The positive constants > 0 and > 0 represent thresholds for excitation of neurons. The function f = f(u) represents the sodium currents in neuronal networks. The positive constant w 0 > 0 is to be given. The authors will establish the existence and stability of traveling wave solutions of these nonlinear scalar integral differential equations by coupling together speed index functions, stability index func tions (often called Evans functions, that is, complex analytic functions), implicit function theorem, intermediate value theorem, mean value theorem, global strong maximum principle for Evans func tions, linearized stability criterion and many other important techniques in dynamical systems. They will find sufficient conditions satisfied by the synaptic couplings, by the probability density functions, by the synaptic rate constants and by the thresholds so that the traveling wave solutions and their wave speeds exist, and the stability of the traveling wave solutions is true. The main results obtained in this paper greatly improve many previous results.
The importance of non-timber forest products in rural livelihood security and as safety nets: a review of evidence from South Africa

We review and synthesize recent South African work that examines the role and importance of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the daily lives of rural people in South Africa. The most commonly used such products are wild spinaches, fuelwood, wooden utensils edible fruits, grass hand-brushes, and twig hand-brushes, used by 85% or more of households. More than half the households investi- gated also make use of edible insects, wood for construction, bushmeat, wild honey and reeds for weaving. Individual households may exploit dozens of animal and plant species. The range in annual, direct-use values is large, from less than R1000 per house- hold per year to over R12 000. The value to rural households is manifest through a daily net function which represents a cost saving to the families involved and to the state, as well as through an emergency net, which serves as an insurance in times of misfor- tune, such as drought, disease, and unexpected economic hard- ship. The emergency net function has hardly been quantified in South Africa and internationally. Ad hoc trade in NTFPs is a common emergency net, which in some instances evolves into a permanent way of life. Financial returns from trade are variable, depending on resource type and hours worked, but are typically low. Despite the small cash incomes from trade, they provide an important contribution that complement the diverse livelihood strategies within a household, especially for the poorer sectors of rural society. Moreover, there are non-financial benefits of NTFP trade that are commonly overlooked.
Online Handwritten Chinese/Japanese Character Recognition

Handwritten character pattern recognition methods are generally divided into two types: online recognition and offline recognition [1]. Online recognition recognizes character patterns captured from a pen-based or touch-based input device where trajectories of pentip or finger-tip movements are recorded, while offline recognition recognizes character patterns captured from a scanner or a camera device as two dimensional images.
A Green Hybrid Power Plant using Photovoltaic and Wind Energy with Power Quality Improvement in Qatar

A major challenge to using wind as a source of power is that wind is intermittent. Wind energy cannot be stored, and not all winds can be harnessed to meet electricity demands. Therefore, this energy source should be used with other types of energy sources to provide a continuous and reliable electrical energy source. In this paper, a solar power plant with a solar tracker is selected to hybridize with the wind energy source. Using the sun tracker will increase the energy absorbed by the photovoltaic panels which in turn will increase the efficiency. A hybrid power plant using solar energy and a wind power plant will be designed, and the results will be used for implementation in a pilot plant which will advance knowledge and education. The efficiency of the power plant can be improved by using power electronics and electric energy storage. The power conditioning unit combines the electric energy from both the solar power plant and the wind power plant. The dc output energy of the hybrid power plant will be converted to ac and will be synchronized with the electric power grid by the power conditioning unit. The AC output will be generated and controlled by the power conditioning unit which has multiple benefits of both generation of electricity with high efficiency and improvement of electric power quality.
Group Pattern Mining Algorithm of Moving Objects' Uncertain Trajectories

Uncertain is inherent in moving object trajectories due to measurement errors or time-discretized sampling. Unfortunately, most previous research on trajec- tory pattern mining did not consider the uncertainty of trajectory data. This paper focuses on the uncertain group pattern mining, which is to find the moving objects that travel together. A novel concept, uncertain group pattern, is proposed, and then a two-step approach is introduced to deal with it. In the first step, the uncer- tain objects' similarities are computed according to their expected distances at each timestamp, and then the objects are clustered according to their spatial proximity. In the second step, a new algorithm to efficiently mining the uncertain group patterns is designed which captures the moving objects that move within the same clusters for certain timestamps that are possibly nonconsecutive. However the search space of group pattern is huge. In order to improve the mining efficiency, some pruning strate- gies are proposed to greatly reduce the search space. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed concepts and the efficiency of the approaches are validated by extensive experiments based on both real and synthetic trajectory datasets.
E-PLANE WAVEGUIDE BANDSTOP FILTER WITH DOUBLE SIDED PRINTED-CIRCUIT INSERT

In this paper a novel design of an E-plane bandstop waveguide filter with a double-sided printed-circuit insert is presented. Split-ring resonators are used as the resonating elements to obtain the bandstop response. The amplitude response of the waveguide resonator with a single resonating element on the insert is analyzed for various dimensions and positions of the split-ring resonator. The coupling between two resonators on the insert, in terms of their mutual distance, is considered as a next step to the filter design. Various positions of the resonators are considered, including the case with the resonators on the different sides of the insert, which is of interest for the proposed filter design. Finally, a third-order bandstop filter with a double-sided printed-circuit insert, operating in the X-frequency band, is introduced. The filter response is analyzed for various distances between the resonators and for various positions of the resonator printed on the other side of the insert. Proposed filter design is simple, providing for the accurate fabrication, miniaturization and possibility to relatively easy obtain multi-band response, using resonators with different resonant frequencies on the different sides of the insert.
Ultrastructure and origin of cytoplasmic multivesicular bodies induced by carnation italian ringspot virus

Summary Ultrastructural investigations of different hosts infected with the tombusvirus carnation Italian ringspot have shown that the multivesicular bodies typical of tombusvirus infections develop from modified mitochondria. Digestion with RNase in high- or low-salt medium demonstrated that multivesicular bodies contain RNA, some of which is double-stranded and, possibly, of viral origin. Cytochrome oxidase was identified in multivesicular bodies by cytochemical tests.
The Relationship between Self-Compassion and Academic Procrastination Being Mediated by Shame and Anxiety

This study was conducted to investigate the direct and indirect influences of self-compassion on procrastination among Assumption University students in Thailand. The sample consisted of 200 respondents (male: n=74, 37%; female: n=126, 63%) who voluntarily filled in the study’s survey questionnaire consisting of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Form Y) to measure anxiety; the Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS) to measure the level of academic procrastination; the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) to measure the level of self-compassion, and the Test of Self-Conscious Affect-3 (TOSCA-3) to measure the level of shame. Results from the path analysis indicated that the participants’ reported level of self-compassion was negatively associated with their level of academic procrastination; that is, the higher their level of self-compassion, the lower their reported level of academic procrastination. It was also found that self-compassion had a negative influence on the participants’ reported level of anxiety. Their reported level of self-compassion was not found to have any significant influence on their reported level of shame. Finally, neither shame nor anxiety had a significant influence on academic procrastination. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Physico-chemical Parameters of Honey From Melipona mondury Smith, 1863 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)

The physico-chemical properties of honey produced by the stingless bee Melipona mondury from Atlantic Forest in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil were evaluated. The evaluated characteristics included: water content, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity, water activity, ashes, diastase, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), reducing sugars and saccharose values. The honey samples showed mean values of 29.18% for moisture; 391.5 μS for electrical conductivity; pH of 4.06; 34.3 meq kg-1 for acidity; 0.73 for water activity; 0.18% for ashes; 4.05 (Goethe unit) for diastase; 1.60% for HMF; 65.42% for reducing sugars; and 2.14% of saccharose. Only the diastase activity was above the limits accepted by the Technical Regulation for Identity and Quality of Honey (Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Supplies). Most parameters are according to those reported in honeys from other species of stingless bees in Brazil.
Window-controlled CMP crosscorrelation analysis for surface waves in laterally heterogeneous media

CMP crosscorrelation (CMPCC) analysis of surface waves enhances lateral resolution of surface wave analyses. We found the technique of window-controlled CMPCC analysis, which applies two kinds of spatial windows to further improve the lateral resolution of CMPCC analysis. First, a spatial weighting function given by the number of crosscorrelation pairs is applied to CMPCC gathers. Because the number of crosscorrelation pairs is concentrated near the CMP, the lateral resolution in extracting dispersion curves on CMPs can be improved. Second, crosscorrelation pairs with longer receiver spacing are excluded to further improve lateral resolution. Although removing crosscorrelation pairs generally decreases the accuracy of phase velocity estimations, the required accuracy to estimate phase velocities is maintained by considering the wavenumber resolution defined for given receiver configurations. When applied to a synthetic data set simulating a laterally heterogeneous structure, window-controlled CMPCC analysis improved the retrieval of the lateral variation in local dispersion curves beneath each CMP. We also applied the method to field seismic data across a major fault. The window-controlled CMPCC analysis improved lateral variations of the inverted S-wave velocity structure without degrading the accuracy of S-wave velocity estimations. We discovered that window-controlled CMPCC analysis is effective in improving lateral resolution of dispersion curve estimations with respect to the original CMPCC analysis.
Geleneksel Olarak Üretilmiş İzmir Tulum Peynirinden Lactococcus lactis (Lactococcus lactis alttür lactis ve alttür cremoris) Suşlarının İzolasyonu, Fenotipik ve Moleküler Teknikler ile İdentifikasyonu

Bu calisma, starter kultur kullanilmadan geleneksel usullere gore uretilmis Izmir Tulum peynirinden birtakimfenotipik testler ve Polimeraz Zincir Reaksiyonu (PZR) kullanilarak laktokok cinsine ait starter bakterilerin izolasyonuamaciyla yapilmistir. Bu amacla, 90 adet peynir ornegi Aydin Ili ve cevresinden toplandi. Mikrobiyolojik ekimler,nalidiksik asit iceren M17 agarda yapildi. Bu besi yerinde ureyen mikroorganizma sayisinin 1,9 x 107– 2,1 x 108 kob/gduzeyleri arasinda degistigi gozlendi. Her bir peynir orneginden tipik ozellikleri gosteren bir koloni saflastirilarak basitbiyokimyasal testler uygulandi ve sonuc olarak 36 izolatin laktokok ozelligi gosterdigi tespit edildi. Daha sonra 90 adetizolatin hepsi lactis ve cremoris altturlerini belirlemek amaciyla altturlere ozgu primerler kullanilarak PZR teknigi ileanaliz edildi ve 18 izolatin laktis primeri ile ve 11 izolatin da kremoris primeri ile pozitif bant verdigi tespit edildi. Bastanfenotipik testler neticesinde laktokok ozelligi gosteren 17 izolat, gerek laktis primeri gerekse de kremoris primeri ilepozitif reaksiyon vermedi. Fenotipik testler sonucunda laktokok ozelligi gostermeyen 10 izolat ise laktis primeri ile pozitif bant vermis ve bu izolatlar atipik olarak adlandirildi. PZR teknigi sonucunda pozitif bant veren izolatlar, daha sonrakicalismalarda kullanalabilmek amaciyla koruyucu ajan olarak %15 gliserollu M17 broth iceren tuplerde –80oC’de saklandi
A Hand Goniometer For Ads Spectroradiometer: Application To Brdf Sentinel 2 Bands Over Urban Surfaces

A new hand goniometer based on open hardware and freeware has been developed in order to attach it to the ASD fiber optic and record the attitude of each measurement. The aim of the device is to support ASD measurements as a quality test and new, and fast, angle capability. Identify urban land cover is an important task for many purposes like vegetation planning, urban growth, illegal buildings and development plans. The Sentinel-2 spectral, spatial and temporal resolution makes it a powerful tool to distinguish between different land covers. This study tries to measure the reflectance of the main urban covers, and simulate the reflectance at Sentinel-2 level using a ASD spectroradiometer together with our goniometer. This information will be valuable to develop algorithms for monitoring urban land cover with the imagery that Sentinel-2 will provide. Reflectance measurements have been taken by means of an ASD spectroradiometer under different illumination and view angles measured by the developed goniometer. These angular measurements provide the information needed to calculate the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) by means of kriging methodology.
Do NeuroD Gene Polymorphisms Predict the Risk of Heroin Dependence or Mediate the Association between Personality Traits and Heroin Dependence

Abstract Objective:Heroin dependence (HD) affects brain development and is known to be heritable. The NeuroD gene encodes a neuroge nic differentiation factor, and its expression is essential for the development of the central nervous system. In this genetic case-control study, we aimed to investigate whether NeuroD gene polymorphisms associate with the occurrence of HD and the specific personality traits of patients with HD. Methods: 1107 unrelated participants (584 patients with HD and 523 controls) were recruited to the study The patients with HD were classified into six clinical subgroups based on their gender, duration, and age of onset to reduce heterogeneity. In total, 539 subjects completed the personality trait assessments. Results: We found a weak association between the NeuroD 1 rs16867467 locus and HD (p=0.048); this weak association was found only in the male (p=0.039) and late onset (p=0.047) HD subgroups. These findings could not be confirmed after haplotype analysis and Bonferroni corrections for multiple comparisons. Patients with HD had higher novelty seeking (NS) and harm avoidance (HA) scores than healthy subjects. However, none of the polymorphisms in the NeuroD gene affected the NS and HA scores in both patients and healthy subjects (p>0.05). A negative correlation was found between age and novelty seeking scores in both groups, suggesting novelty seeking personality trait as a risk factor for early-onset HD. Conclusion:This study suggests that the NeuroD gene may neither contribute to the risk of HD nor mediate the relationship between specific personality traits and HD.