Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of depolarization temperature of (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-based lead-free piezoceramics

The depolarization temperature Td of piezoelectric materials is an important figure of merit for their application at elevated temperatures. Until now, there are several methods proposed in the literature to determine the depolarization temperature of piezoelectrics, which are based on different physical origins. Their validity and inter-correlation have not been clearly manifested. This paper applies the definition of depolarization temperature as the temperature of the steepest decrease of remanent polarization and evaluates currently used methods, both in terms of this definition and practical applicability. For the investigations, the lead-free piezoceramics (1–y)(Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3–xBi1/2K1/2TiO3)−yK0.5Na0. 5NbO3 in a wide compositional range were chosen. Results were then compared to those for BaTiO3 and a commercial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-based material as references. Thermally stimulated depolarization current and in situ temperature-dependent piezoelectric coefficient d33 are recommended to determine Td according to the proposed definition. Methods based on inflection point of the real part of permittivity or the peak in dielectric loss give consistently higher temperature values.
Strategic Behavior , Truthfulness and Optimality of Waiting Option in the Duopoly Forecasting Announcement Market 1

In this paper, we discuss the possibility of strategic behavior and truthful reporting in a two players’ announcement game when there is a cost for getting information. First we show that the best strategy of each player is to announce the observed signal truthfully if the announcement is made simultaneously. Second we show that if the order of announcement is given exogenously, the player who moves first reports her information truthfully always. But the optimal strategies of the player who moves later depends on the information cost, the belief in the information quality and payoffs. These can be explained by three factors, the incentive to be differentiated, negative effect of the information cost and the blame-sharing effect. Also we discuss what is a good scheme to induce the subsequent player to observe her signal and announce truthfully. Finally, we discuss about the welfare of using the waiting option in an endogenous ordering. We show that player can be better off in terms of ex-ante compared to the simultaneous announcement case even if she uses the waiting option for delaying her decision. This is a interesting result because the possibility of waiting option is usually understood as a main reason to make player worse-off compared to the simultaneous movement case. The conditions under which each player can be better off or worse off from using the option are explained. Finally the results of the experiments that support our model are denoted. Some assertions in this paper can be used as an alternative explanation for the phenomenon of the coincidence or discrepancy in the sovereign credit rating or corporate credit rating market by professional analysts and the reputation markets. JEL Classification: C72, D83, L13. L84
In vitro transfection of HSC-T6 cells with a novel poly(ethyleneimine) biscarbamate conjugate

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a critical role in the fibrogenesis of liver, so they are the target cells of antifibrotic therapy. There is an increasing need for safe and effective nonviral gene delivery systems. Here, we report that gene transfer and transfection efficiency in HSC-T6 can be enhanced by the use of a novel poly(ethyleneimine) biscarbamate conjugate (PEIC) with a low molecular weight. When added to a DNA solution, PEIC condensed DNA at a w/w ratio above 1 to15 form 153 to 247 nm polyplexes with -1.18 to 22.86 mV in zeta potential. PEIC was able to effectively protect condensed DNA from DNase I degradation. Our results showed that the uptake of plasmid DNA by HSC-T6 cells depended on the N/P ratios. Treatment with PEIC at an N/P ratio of 7/1 was most effective, increasing the uptake of plasmid DNA in HSC-T6 cells by 4.5 -fold relative to PEI (branched 25 kDa), 45-fold relative to Lipofectamine 2000, and 20-fold relative to FuGENE™6 , respectively. Collectively, these results indicate that PEIC at the optimal N/P ratio might be used to safely enhance gene delivery and transfection of HSC-T6. Key words: Poly (ethylene imine) biscarbamate conjugate (PEIC), transfection; cytotoxicity, gene delivery, hepatic stellate cells.
Although drought intensity increases aflatoxin contamination, drought tolerance does not lead to less aflatoxin contamination

Drought stress is known to increase aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and establishing a possible relationship between drought tolerance and resistance to aflatoxin contamination could contribute to a more efficient selection of aflatoxin-resistant genotypes. In recent work, the reference collection of groundnut had been assessed across seasons varying for drought intensity, i.e. two moderate temperature (rainy season) and two high temperature (dry season) experiments under well-watered (WW) and water stress (WS) conditions (Hamidou et al., 2012, 2013). Here aflatoxin concentration (AC) in seeds is measured in these trials, first for possibly identifying germplasm with low aflatoxin concentrations and second for investigating possible relationships between aflatoxin concentration and drought tolerance. Drought stress intensity increased aflatoxin concentration in seeds and higher aflatoxin contamination was observed under combined drought and high temperature conditions than under drought alone. No germplasm with lower AC than resistant check (55-437) were found. Aflatoxin contamination showed very high GxE interactions, which suggest that selection for resistance to aflatoxin contamination must be specific to environment. Across trials, using means for each environment, there was a clear positive relationship between the aflatoxin concentration and the grain yield reduction due to drought, indicating that a higher drought severity led to higher aflatoxin concentration. However, within trial, the same relationships applied to individual genotypes, or to cohorts of tolerant/sensitive genotypes, were not significant. The major conclusion of this work is that while drought intensity did increase the level of aflatoxin contamination, as expected and previously reported, there seemed to be no direct relationship between tolerance to drought and aflatoxin concentration, suggesting that the mechanisms of drought tolerance and aflatoxin contamination are likely not common. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Algorithms to Reconstruct the Target Dna from Its Spectrum Connected at Some Level

In order to sequence a target DNA, it is first cleaved into many shorter overlapping fragments by restriction enzymes. Then each such a short fragment is identified as a letter string over the alphabet {A,C,G,T}called a read fragment. We call the set of all read fragments which covers the target DNA a spectrum. It is believe that the shortest superstring of its spectrum outlines very well the target DNA. Unfortunately, the problem of finding the shortest superstring for any given set of strings S is NP-hard. However, in the biologically meaningful cases, the problem needn’t be so hard. An observation is that it is not convincible that two read fragments consisting of several hundred letters, which come from consecutive locations on the target DNA, have only overlap of several letters. From this observation, one may reasonably assume that strings in the spectrum have enough overlap (connectivity). A class of important instances satisfying this assumption are those whose spectrum is from DNA array. Based on this assumption and another about repeat, the main result in the presented paper is: if the spectrum S of a target DNA is substring-free and connected at level t , and the target DNA has no repeats of size t or larger, then there exist an algorithm to reconstruct the target DNA in O( S ) .
Identification and toxigenic potential of a cyanobacterial strain (Stigomena sp.)

Cyanobacteria are well known for their production of a multitude of highly toxic substances. The genus Stigomena is regarded as good candidates for producing biologically active secondary metabolites, which are highly toxic to humans and other animals. The carcass of a dog was found at the shore of Lake Ali-Abad, Iran. Biomass from the discovery site appeared to be of cyanobacterial nature. We identified the strain as freshwater bloom-forming representative of the Stigomena genus on the basis of its 16S rRNA sequence. It carried the mcyE gene, as well as a potential cryptic hassallidin gene cluster. These results suggest that microcystin-induced liver damage may have significantly contributed to the death of the dog. This case is thus the first reported incident of potential microcystin intoxication in a dog in Iran.
Nonlinear models of Brazilian sheep in adjustment of growth curves

Paz C.C. P., Venturini G.C. , Contini E. , Costa R.L. D. , Lameirinha L.P., Quirino C.R. (2018): Nonlinear models of Brazilian sheep in adjustment of growth curves. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 63, 331–338. Growth curves of the Morada Nova sheep males and females were described using nonlinear models and the relationships between body weight and thoracic circumference were evaluated. Altogether 1516 repeated measures of body weight and thoracic circumference of the Morada Nova sheep (668 males and 848 females) taken since birth till 730 days of age were used. The Brody, Richards, von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, and Logistic models have been tested. The Fisher’s test (F) was used to verify the differences (P < 0.05) in growth curves between males and females. The Gompertz model presented a significant difference (P < 0.001) for growth curve parameters between males (asymptotic weight (A) = 40.5 kg and maturing rate (k) = 0.0043 kg/day) and females (A = 36.44 kg and k = 0.0028 kg/day). The relationships between body weight and thoracic circumference presented R2 above 0.7 and a high significance (P < 0.0001) for all categories, showing that the thoracic circumference may be a good indicator of body weight. In addition, a significant effect (P < 0.05) of the relationship between thoracic circumference and prediction of animal’s body weight was verified using the models of linear, quadratic, and cubic regression. Among the models studied, the Gompertz model presented the best fit and biological interpretation. Furthermore, the Gompertz model indicated the need to separate animals by sex in order to properly meet nutritional requirements and determine adequate slaughter age. Thoracic circumference can be used to predict animal body weight with a high accuracy.
Sample biochemical methane potential from the digestion of domestic mixed sewage sludge in batch tests

Biochemical methane potential (BMP) is a standard test to assess the biogas (including methane) production from the anaerobic digestion of any organic waste. In many anaerobic digestions of sewage sludge, the inoculum to substrate ratio and mixing were variable to take into consideration for efficient performance. However, the organic content in sewage sludge varied due to the composition of the raw wastewater being treated and the treatment condition. This study is focused on the methane production from the digestion of domestic mixed sewage sludge in the batch reactor at different organic contents. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) was conducted at the inoculum to substrate ratio (I/S) ratio of 2:0, each with different organic content. On the termination day of the BMP assay, the sample from each BMP reactor was tested for pH, and alkalinity to determine the status of the anaerobic process. Results showed that the anaerobic process was stable since the pH remained in the pH range which is suitable for the anaerobic process to take place. The anaerobic process was also confirmed stabled as indicated by low value (< 0.3) of intermediate alkalinity to partial alkalinity ratio (IA/PA). The ultimate methane yield was 588.3 ml CH 4 /g VS at the organic content of 0.52 and 1244.5 ml CH 4 /g VS at the organic content of 0.68 respectively. For the organic content of 0.68, the maximum methane production rate constant was 13.97 mL CH 4 /g VS /hr. For the case of lower organic content, the maximum methane production rate constant was 6.41 mL CH 4 /g VS /hr. However, the lag phase of the methane yield curve for both organic content was less than one (1) day, showing the good biodegradability of domestic mixed sewage sludge.
Current patterns, habitat discontinuities and population genetic structure: the case of the kelp Laminaria digitata in the English Channel

Laminaria digitata is the dominant species of the dense, continuous kelp stands in the English Channel and on the Atlantic coasts of France, where it is harvested for its high quality algi- nates. However, in spite of its ecological and economic importance, our knowledge of the level and organisation of genetic diversity in this species is scant. Here, using comprehensive hierarchical sampling and 7 microsatellite loci, we explored the roles of dispersal strategies, current regimes and habitat discontinuities in shaping genetic structure of L. digitata populations. Our results show that continuous, non-fragmented forests of L. digitata were genetically differentiated at distances greater than 10 km, despite the absence of clear population boundaries. Furthermore, a pattern of isolation- by-distance indicated that gene flow occurred preferentially among adjacent populations following a stepping-stone model. In addition, we analysed the direction of migration using assignment tests and found that currents appeared to play a minor role in orienting gene flow, except in the Gulf of Saint Malo gyre. In contrast, habitat discontinuities were found to accentuate genetic differentiation and resulted in reduced genetic variation of isolated stands. In the context of a potential over-exploitation of kelp stands in Brittany, this study suggests that the existence of neighbouring populations can be vital to maintaining high levels of gene flow and thus, genetic diversity in this species.
The Impact of the Navrongo Community Health and Family Planning Project on Child Mortality, 1993-2000

This paper reports on the child mortality impact of the Navrongo Community Health and Family Planning Project (CHFP). The CHFP, launched in rural northern Ghana in 1995, is an ongoing four-celled experimental trial of primary health and family planning service delivery strategies. As in much of rural sub-Saharan Africa, high levels of child mortality persist despite investment in primary health care services. In the comparison area, mortality remained fairly constant over the observation period. Offering convenient, village-based paramedical services was associated with a pronounced improvement in child survival. Community involvement and training of a local health volunteer – the “Community-Based Health Worker” model – was associated with increased mortality in early childhood. A combination of both strategies produced no net effect on mortality. Research on cause of death, morbidity, and health-seeking behavior are needed to further elucidate these results.
Explaining the fall of the skill wage premium in Spain (

The main purpose of this work is to document the driven forces of the fall in the wage skill premium (WSP) in Spain in the last two decades. We show that the increase of occupational mismatch helps to explain the downward trend in university returns since the mid-80s. In the second part of the 90s and during the last decade, the decrease of labor market experience and firm tenure among well-matched workers, due to the extensive use of temporary contracts, also contributes to explain the fall of the WSP.
Training Background and Early Retirement

Several studies show that employees with firm-specific skills are more likely to be covered by employer-sponsored pension schemes than workers with general skills. Therefore it can be expected that workers with firm-specific skills retire earlier. This paper tests this prediction using US data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Older Men. We find that workers who participated in firm-specific training in their early careers retire earlier than workers with a general training background. This indicates that shared investments in firm-specific training are embedded in implicit contracts that induce early retirement. The results remain robust when controlling for technological change and work commitment.
STRATEGIC REFERENCE POINT THEORY

How can executives achieve a match between expected external environmental conditions and internal organizational capabilities that facilitates improved performance? This paper argues that a firm's choice of ‘reference points’ can help achieve strategic alignment capable of yielding improved performance and potentially even a sustainable competitive advantage. Building upon prospect theory and other relevant theoretical perspectives, the strategic reference point (SRP) matrix is developed. A firm's SRP consists of three dimensions: internal capability, external conditions, and time. A theory is developed which posits an optimal SRP structure, and propositions are offered which articulate the expected relationships between the SRP, strategic choice behavior, and firm performance. The paper closes with some suggestions for using strategic reference points in both research and practice.
Organic thin film transistors using a liquid crystalline palladium phthalocyanine as active layer

70 nm thick solution-processed films of a palladium phthalocyanine (PdPc6) derivative bearing eight hexyl (–C6H13) chains at non-peripheral positions have been employed as active layers in the fabrication of bottom-gate bottom-contact organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) deposited on highly doped p-type Si (110) substrates with SiO2 gate dielectric. The dependence of the transistor electrical performance upon the mesophase behavior of the PdPc6 films has been investigated by measuring the output and transfer characteristics of the OTFT having its active layer ex situ vacuum annealed at temperatures between 500 °C and 200 °C. A clear correlation between the annealing temperature and the threshold voltage and carrier mobility of the transistors, and the transition temperatures extracted from the differential scanning calorimetric curves for bulk materials has been established. This direct relation has been obtained by means of a compact electrical model in which the contact effects are taken into account. The precise determination of the contact-voltage drain-current curves allows for obtaining such a relation.70 nm thick solution-processed films of a palladium phthalocyanine (PdPc6) derivative bearing eight hexyl (–C6H13) chains at non-peripheral positions have been employed as active layers in the fabrication of bottom-gate bottom-contact organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) deposited on highly doped p-type Si (110) substrates with SiO2 gate dielectric. The dependence of the transistor electrical performance upon the mesophase behavior of the PdPc6 films has been investigated by measuring the output and transfer characteristics of the OTFT having its active layer ex situ vacuum annealed at temperatures between 500 °C and 200 °C. A clear correlation between the annealing temperature and the threshold voltage and carrier mobility of the transistors, and the transition temperatures extracted from the differential scanning calorimetric curves for bulk materials has been established. This direct relation has been obtained by means of a compact electrical model in which the contact effects are taken into account.
Identifying and addressing equivocal trouble in understanding within classroom interaction

Maintaining intersubjectivity is crucial for accomplishing coordinated social action. Although conversational repair is a recognised defence of intersubjectivity and routinely used to address ostensible sources of trouble in social interaction, it is less clear how people address more equivocal trouble. This study uses conversation analysis to examine preschool classroom interaction, focusing on practices used to identify and address such trouble. Repair is found to be a recurrent frontline practice for addressing equivocal trouble, occasioning space for further information that might enable identifying a specific trouble source. Where further information is forthcoming, a range of strategies are subsequently employed to address the trouble. Where this is not possible or does not succeed, a secondary option is to progress a broader activity-in-progress. This allows for the possibility of another opportunity to identify and address the trouble. Given that misunderstandings can jeopardise interactants’ ability to mutually accomplish courses of action, these practices defend intersubjectivity against the threat of equivocal trouble.
Reciprocal Dumping with Bertrand Competition

This paper examines if international trade can reduce total welfare in an international oligopoly with differentiated goods. We show that welfare is a U-shaped function in the transport cost as long as trade occurs in equilibrium. With a Cournot duopoly trade can reduce welfare compared to autarchy for any degree of product differentiation. Under Bertrand competition we show that trade may reduce welfare compared to autarchy, if firms produce sufficiently close substitutes and the autarchy equilibrium is sufficiently competitive. Otherwise it can not.
Disease and Demography in the Americas: The Subject as Seen through the Book

The impact of European contact on Native American health and demography is now perhaps a more popular subject than ever before. An examination of the recent compilation, Disease and Demography in the Americas, reveals some of the shortcomings of research in this field, including ineffective borrowing of methodology and data. In the study of Native American health and depopulation, an excessive emphasis on being scientific - in particular on quantification and narrowly defined research problems - is reflected in a disregard for the larger sociopolitical and historical contexts of the phenomena under consideration, and of the research itself. This disregard both compromises and impoverishes the study of contact in the Americas.
Evaluation of arctic broadband surface radiation measurements

Abstract. The Arctic is a challenging environment for making in-situ surface radiation measurements. A standard suite of radiation sensors is typically designed to measure incoming and outgoing shortwave (SW) and thermal infrared, or longwave (LW), radiation. Enhancements may include various sensors for measuring irradiance in narrower bandwidths. Many solar radiation/thermal infrared flux sensors utilize protective glass domes and some are mounted on complex mechanical platforms (solar trackers) that keep sensors and shading devices trained on the sun along its diurnal path. High quality measurements require striking a balance between locating stations in a pristine undisturbed setting free of artificial blockage (such as from buildings and towers) and providing accessibility to allow operators to clean and maintain the instruments. Three significant sources of erroneous data in the Arctic include solar tracker malfunctions, rime/frost/snow deposition on the protective glass domes of the radiometers and operational problems due to limited operator access in extreme weather conditions. In this study, comparisons are made between the global and component sum (direct [vertical component] + diffuse) SW measurements. The difference between these two quantities (that theoretically should be zero) is used to illustrate the magnitude and seasonality of arctic radiation flux measurement problems. The problem of rime/frost/snow deposition is investigated in more detail for one case study utilizing both SW and LW measurements. Solutions to these operational problems that utilize measurement redundancy, more sophisticated heating and ventilation strategies and a more systematic program of operational support and subsequent data quality protocols are proposed.