Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY SCHREYER HONORS COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND MECHANICS COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF COLD SPRAY, LASER-ASSISTED COLD SPRAY, AND DIRECT METAL LASER SINTERING OF TI-6AL-4V

Ti-6Al-4V is an α-β titanium alloy that continues to be widely used in the aerospace and medical industries due to its corrosion resistance and impressive strength-to-weight ratio. Ti6Al-4V’s high manufacturing time and cost make the alloy an excellent candidate for nearnet shape fabrication. However, fabrication processes often introduce thermal effects that transform the microstructure and degrade mechanical properties. Cold spray (CS) avoids such thermal effects by achieving bonding through kinetic energy. However, Ti-6Al-4V’s toughness limits particle deformation and leads to deposition porosity. This investigation examines the effects of several parameters on the coating microstructure and porosity, including driving gas selection, hot isostatic pressing, and laser-assisted cold spray (LACS). Furthermore, the porosity and microstructure of the CS and LACS specimens were compared to a Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) specimen. Ultimately, eight series of specimens were analyzed across a range of fabrication processes, parameters, and post-process conditions. The results provide a better understanding of the microstructure of sprayed and printed Ti-6Al-4V and form a foundation for future mechanical testing of these processes.
Studies of Influence of Moisture Content in Cellulose Fiber Cement Boards on Wave Parameters Using Non-Contact Ultrasound

The paper presents results of studies focused on evaluation of influence of moisture content of cellulose fiber cement boards using non-contact (air-coupled) ultrasonic technique. Cellulose fiber cement boards are relatively new ecological materials commonly used in architectural engineering for many external and internal applications such as buildings elevation or as walls and roofs covering materials. The theoretical studies of wave propagation in plates served to identification of the wave mode measured in the boards. Ultrasonic examinations were performed using Lamb waves. Independently, for the same boards the moisture content was evaluated by nondestructive testing using dielectric humidity measuring device. The obtained results confirmed applicability of the non-contact ultrasonic technique using Lamb waves to studies of cellulose fiber cement boards. It was observed high sensitivity of the method to the moisture content. Based on the obtained results one can conclude that following appropriate calibration, the method can be potentially applied as a tool for evaluation of moisture content in cellulose fiber cement boards.
Combination of entomopathogenic nematodes and chemical insecticides for controlling the onion thrips , Thrips tabaci ( Thysanoptera : Thripidae ) in the laboratory condition

M. KASHKOULI, N. POORJAVAD and J. KHAJEHALI 1,2, 3Former M.Sc. student, Assistant professors and Associate professors of Entomology, Respectively, Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran (Received: August 2015; Accepted: January 2017) Abstract Entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) combinations with other control agents are applied to obtain more desirable control of a pest by additive or synergistic effects on the pest mortality. In this study, the potential of EPNs (Steinernema carpocapsae, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) alone, chemical insecticides (imidacloprid, deltamethrin, and abamectin) alone, and EPN-insecticide combinations, against the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was investigated. In the first experiments, the effects of different concentrations of insecticides and EPNs on the thrips larvae were tested and the LC10 and LC30 values of insecticides were calculated. Then using a pretreatment bioassay, the thrips larvae were treated with the EPNs at two concentrations, 400 or 1000 infective juveniles (IJs) per cm, after they had been exposed to LC30 of abamectin (5.16 mg per litre (l), LC10 of imidacloprid (50.16 mg/l), or LC10 of deltamethrin (10.28 mg/l). Mortality percentages were recorded at different time intervals, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the EPNs utilization. Results showed that the sole application of EPNs caused less than 30% thrips mortality. The combination of H. bacteriophora and all insecticides interacted additively on the thrips mortality whereas imidacloprid treatment showed adverse effects on the efficacy of H. bacteriophora at 1000 IJs/cm. Additive and synergistic interactions resulted in combining insecticides with S. carpocapsae. These combinations gave mostly higher thrips mortality than with EPN alone and synergistic interactions were observed in S. carpocapsae application at 400 IJs/cm2 with imidacloprid and deltamethrin and also at 1000 IJs/cm with abamectin
Opening up to foreign competition : an analysis of Indian durable consumer goods industry

We examine the most likely strategy of product differentiation by newly entering multinational firms when market reforms begin in a developing economy. We argue that incumbents in a non-contestable protected market do not have the usual advantages of an incumbent as in a standard sequential entry model of contestable markets. In this context we use a model of vertical product differentiation to argue that a new entrant will choose a higher quality product and a higher price given the income distribution profile brought in by the market reforms. We test the propositions empirically on the basis of firm level panel data for five Indian durable consumer goods industries.
THE ROLE OF AN ILLIQUIDITY FACTOR IN THE PORTUGUESE STOCK MARKET

This study examines the role of illiquidity (proxied by the proportion of zero returns) as an additional risk factor in asset pricing. We use Portuguese monthly data, covering the period between January 1988 and December 2008. We compute an illiquidity factor using the Fama and French [Fama, E. F. , and K. R. French (1993), "Common risk factors in the returns on stocks and bonds", Journal of Financial Economics, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 3-56] procedure and analyze the performance of CAPM, Fama-French three-factor model and illiquidity-augmented versions of these models in explaining both the time-series and the cross-section of returns. Our results reveal that the effect of characteristic liquidity is subsumed by the models considered, but the risk of illiquidity is not priced in the Portuguese stock market.
Molecular chemistry and the missing mass problem in planetary nebulae

Context. Detections of molecular lines, mainly from H2 and CO, reveal molecular material in planetary nebulae. Observations of a variety of molecules suggest that the molecular composition in these objects differs from that found in interstellar clouds or in circumstellar envelopes. The success of the models, which are mostly devoted to explain molecular densities in specific planetary nebulae, is still partial however. Aims. The present study aims at identifying the influence of stellar and nebular properties on the molecular composition of planetary nebulae by means of chemical models. A comparison of theoretical results with those derived from the observations may provide clues to the conditions that favor the presence of a particular molecule. Methods. A self-consistent photoionization numerical code was adapted to simulate cold molecular regions beyond the ionized zone. The code was used to obtain a grid of models and the resulting column densities are compared with those inferred from observations. Results. Our models show that the inclusion of an incident flux of X-rays is required to explain the molecular composition derived for planetary nebulae. We also obtain a more accurate relation for the N(CO)/N(H2) ratio in these objects. Molecular masses obtained by previous works in the literature were then recalculated, showing that these masses can be underestimated by up to three orders of magnitude. We conclude that the problem of the missing mass in planetary nebulae can be solved by a more accurate calculation of the molecular mass.
Controlled synthesis of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode materials with superior electrochemical performance through urea-based solution combustion synthesis

High-voltage LiNi0.5Mn1. 5O4 cathode materials were synthesized using urea-based solution combustion synthesis combined with a calcination treatment. The morphology and particle size distribution of the products were considerably dependent on the amount of urea fuel. The electrochemical characterization illustrated that the sample that was produced with a fuel ratio of ϕ = 0.5 had a homogenous particle size distribution of approximately 8 μm, and showed the best cycling and rate performance. LiNi0.5Mn1. 5O4 with two different structures of disordered Fdm and ordered P4332 were obtained by controlling the calcination process. The samples, which were calcined at 800 °C with fast cooling, presented a disordered structure of Fdm, and the samples, which were calcined at 800 °C with slow cooling and reannealing at 600 °C, demonstrated an ordered structure of P4332. The sample with a disordered structure exhibited a better electrochemical performance than the sample with an ordered structure. The disordered sample produced at ϕ = 0.5 presented a discharge capacity of 130.73 mA h g−1 and a capacity retention of 98.43% after 100 cycles at 1 C. Even at a higher current rate of 3 C, the sample still showed a high discharge capacity of 117.79 mA h g−1 and a capacity retention efficiency of 97.63% after 300 cycles.
Determining Nutritional Barriers to Access to Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains in Older Americans

The University of the District of Columbia is a partner of the Northeast Hatch Multistate Research Collaborative. This research project, known as the UDC NE 1439, was designed as a pilot study to determine the barriers that prevented the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains among older adults in Wards 5, 7, and 8 in the District of Columbia (DC). The residents of these wards have been shown to have higher rates of chronic diseases. Data shows that Ward 7 has the highest rate of deaths due to diabetes. Furthermore, Wards 5, 7, and 8 have the highest percentage of hypertension and diabetes This project used a quantitative and qualitative survey instrument, which included 53 questions and/or statements using a Likert scale: demographics (8 questions); household information (2 questions); shopping habits (8 questions); eating habits, including the identity of the person who prepared meals in the home (21 questions); physical fitness (11 questions); and policy (3 questions). Ninety-six (96) older adults participated in the survey, with a gender distribution of 77% female (68 individuals), 22% male (24 individuals), and 1% not reported (1 individual). The racial distribution of the participants was 91% (87) African American, . 01% (one) Asian American, . 01% (one) Caucasian, . 01% (one) Native American, and . 03% (three) others/not reported. Additionally, according to the participants’ residency results, Ward 5 accounted for 23% of the participants (24 participants), Ward 7 for 38% (33 participants), and Ward 8 for 38% (33 participants). The participants’ average age was ≥ 56, (45 to 76 and over) and most were the primary financial supporters of their households and the primary grocery shoppers in their families. In conclusion, this project determined that access to fresh fruits and vegetables and travel time to a full-service grocer were less prominent barriers; this was an unexpected finding. Though the participants indicated sufficient access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, they lacked nutrition-based knowledge. Many of them viewed unfitting food choices as healthy. An intervention centered on nutrition education using food demonstrations and grocer tours would improve nutrition knowledge in this population. This offered these nutrition and dietetics research assistants with an opportunity to provide nutrition education to the population in question. Moreover, it presents an opportunity to extend nutrition education to all seniors across the Washington, DC region. KEYWORDS: Fruits; Vegetables; Whole Grains; Urban; Disease; African American; Health; Nutrition; Food Security; Food Desert, Senior Citizens
DNA damage by the cobalt (II) and zinc (II) complexes of tetraazamacrocyclic in Tetrahymena thermophila

Using the single cell gel electrophoresis method, the tetraazamacrocycle Zn(II) complex (Zn(II)-L) and the tetraazamacrocycle Co(II) complex (Co(II)-L) were investigated focusing on their DNA damage to Tetrahymena thermophila. When the cells were treated with the 0.05, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/ml Zn(II)-L, the tail length increased significantly, with 10.83, 11.56 and 11.87 m, respectively. With the dose of 0.5 mg/ml Zn(II)-L treatment, 45.5% cells distributed in grade 3. After treatment with the 0.05, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/ml Co(II)-L, the tail length of the cells also increased significantly, with the length of 15.64, 17.75 and 19.21 m, respectively. When treated with 0.5 mg/ml Co(II)-L, 98.1% cells showed tail and 75.6% cells distributed in grade 3. The results indicated that Co(II)-L induced a relatively high level of DNA damage in comparison with the level of damage induced by Zn(II)-L.
SO , YOU THINK BEING A TRADE UNION IS PLAIN SAILING ?

The survival of trade unions depends to a large extent on their ability to adapt to change in the economy on a macro level, and on their efficiency and effectiveness on the micro level. Their ability to survive resides in the loyalty and support of the rank and file and the extent to which the union fulfils its purpose in and outside the workplace. South African trade union members are, however, not always exposed to and perhaps not interested in the survival problems their trade union is experiencing. Job security and an income high enough to meet the basic needs of their families are their main concerns. Low economic growth, tough competition and the difficulties globalisation has brought to South Africa are some of the challenges facing trade unions. The success and survival of organisations in the private and public sector are also key factors in their own success and survival. Whether this “economic law” (the success of the trade union depends on the success of the employer) is understood by the typical trade union member is debatable. If indeed it is understood, a more cooperative approach towards management could be expected. However, adversarialism and sometimes arrogance in the workplace suggest that the extent to which this “economic law” is understood is questionable. Either the leadership of trade unions is misleading its supporters or trade union members are ill-informed about the consequences of low economic growth for the trade union’s ability to meet their expectations. Trade unions in South Africa are insensitive to changes at the macro level (the economy as a whole) and the micro level (activities on the shop floor). One of the consequences of this is that their future existence and their members’ job security are threatened. A further repercussion is that the trade unions are not seen as responsible role-players in the economy, thereby creating mistrust among job creators. The aim of this article is to highlight the problems currently facing trade unions, and to explore possible avenues for ensuring their survival.
S-Wave Attenuation Characteristics beneath the Vrancea Region in Romania: New Insights from the Inversion of Ground-Motion Spectra

The S -wave attenuation characteristics beneath the Vrancea region in Romania are analyzed from the spectra (frequency range 0.5–20 Hz) of more than 850 recordings at 43 accelerometric stations of 55 intermediate-depth earthquakes ( M 4.0–7.1) that occurred in the Vrancea seismogenic zone. The method commonly chosen for this type of investigation in the case of crustal earthquakes is the generalized inversion technique (GIT) (e.g., Andrews, 1986; Castro et al. , 1990). Yet the Vrancea dataset is entirely different from common crustal datasets. Because of the strong clustering of the hypocenters within a very small focal volume, there are only few crossing ray paths from sources to receivers. As a consequence, inhomogeneities in the attenuation properties are not averaged out, which leads to unphysical results if the standard GIT approach is adopted. The problem is discussed qualitatively by performing tests with synthetic data and solved quantitatively by adapting the GIT technique in view of these peculiarities. With the optimally adapted inversion scheme, it is possible to unravel differences in the attenuation characteristics between two (or more) sets of stations. The results show that the attenuation of seismic waves is roughly comparable in the low frequency range (<4–5 Hz) but stronger by up to an order of magnitude at higher frequencies within the Carpathian mountain arc as compared with the foreland area. Modeling this strongly frequency-dependent lateral variation of seismic attenuation by a significantly lower Q beneath Vrancea (1) provides a very good fit of observed strong-motion characteristics, (2) sheds new light on the distribution of intensities of the previous strong earthquakes, (3) will have strong implications for future hazard assessment, and (4) is fully compatible with structural models from deep seismic sounding, tomography, and teleseismic attenuation.
Maximum Power Angle (MPA) Based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Technique for Efficiency Optimization of Solar PV System

A novel maximum power angle (MPA) based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique is reported. In this technique, a graphical and mathematical approach based maximum power angle determination mechanism is adopted. On the I-V characteristic curve, the angle made from the intersection point of open circuit voltage (V OC ) and short circuit current (I SC ) with respect to the voltage (V) axis to the point of maximum power (MPP) is determined using the known parameters of the solar PV module. The proposed MPPT technique is able to minimize the dependency on various voltage and current sensor requirements, thereby the reduced requirement of hardware components. Due to this fact, the implementation cost of this technique is expected low and maintenance needs of such technique based MPPT system would be also minimized.
FSOL - a workflow for the detection of patient subgroups and affected molecular features in high-throughput omics data

In personalized medicine, one major goal is the identification of yet unknown patient subgroups with specific gene or protein expression. Different subgroups can indicate different molecular subtypes of a disease. These subtypes might correlate with disease progression, prognosis or therapy response, and the subgroup-specific genes or proteins are potential drug targets. Using high-throughput molecular data, the aim is to characterize the patient subgroup by identifying both the set of samples that shows a distinct expression pattern as well as the set of features that are affected. We present the new workflow FSOL for the identification of patient subgroups from two sample comparisons (e.g. healthy vs. diseased). First, a pre-filtering based on the univariate score FisherSum (FS) is applied to assess subgroup-specific expression of the features. FS outperforms competing methods in several settings. Second, the selected features are compared regarding the samples that form the affected subgroup. This step uses the OrderedList (OL) method that was originally developed for the comparison of result lists from gene expression studies. We compare our workflow FSOL to a reference workflow based on biclustering using real world and simulated data. On a leukemia data set, a true biological subgroup can be detected with higher stability by FSOL. On simulated data, FSOL shows higher sensitivity and accuracy compared to biclustering especially for small to moderate differences. The exploratory approach FSOL may help in identifying yet unknown mechanisms in pathologic processes and may assist in the generation of new research hypotheses.
Metagenomic Approaches for Investigating the Role of the Microbiome in Gut Health and Inflammatory Diseases

The human gut microbiota makes fundamental contributions to host metabolism and immune system. Therefore, perturbations in its composition, a process known as dysbiosis, have an important role in the development of several chronicle diseases, mainly intestinal inflamma - tory disorders. Culture-independent molecular methods are allowing scientific community to uncover substantive findings, thus giving a more detailed description of the human intesti - nal microbiota. This chapter presents a review on current metagenomic approaches, based on next-generation sequencing technologies, for investigating bacterial taxonomic classification and predictive function associated with the human gut in health and disease. In this context, we describe recent studies that have been trying to elucidate important alterations in micro- biome composition across individuals according to delivery mode, aging, diet and medica-tion that might be linked to susceptibility to immune-mediated diseases. A description of the main bacterial taxa and genes acting in dysbiosis during inflammation, focusing on chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer, is also explored in this chapter.
The Three Dimensions of Belief Differentiating Religions

What human being has been entangled seriously in could be the problems of religions. Some people are compliant or protestant to the religion itself, and also conflict with the other’s religion different from theirs. It is commented that the religions problems are induced by a variety of faith or belief internalized to person by person. So, this study attempted to analyze what differentiates religions as Christian (Catholic, Protestant), Buddhist, and Atheist, institutionalizing three dimensions as the continuation from God or from Human, the approach of God by faith or ration, and the purpose as material reword or spiritual satisfaction. The analysis showed the three dimensions are independent to estimate distances between pair of religions. Suggesting that belief works to influence on human life, this study confirms what makes various religions discriminated, and contributes to what should be regarded for resolution of religious conflict.
Genetics and Genomics of Lignification in Grass Cell Walls Based on Maize as Model Species

Grass lignins are made of guaiacyl and syringyl units together with minor amounts of p-hydroxyphenyl units. The specific association of p-coumaric (pCA) and ferulic (FA) acids to grass lignins has suspected important consequences on wall properties which are however, poorly understood. Genetic variation for lignin content, lignin structure, and p-coumaric and ferulic acid contents has been shown in normal maize, after an earlier description in brown-midrib (bm) mutants. QTL analyses for lignin-related traits have established that nearly 40 genomic regions are involved in maize variation of lignin content. For most of these locations, no candidate genes have been validated, or have been still defined. Whereas all steps of lignin biosynthesis have been presumably identified, little is known about the number of gene members encoding each enzymatic step and the role of each member in organ, stage and/or tissue specificity. Moreover, even if the lignin pathway has often been displayed as a metabolic grid, available results, especially in maize bm and genetically engineered plants, suggest that the hydroxylation/methylation steps at the aromatic C-3 position have a key role in controlling the flux to lignins. Recent studies of cell wall-related gene expression in young and silking maize plants also illustrated an unexpected diversity of genes with differential expression profiles, especially in bm mutants. Breeding maize and other grasses for phenolic structures more suitable for animal nutrition or energy production could now be considered a realistic goal by integrating new genomic-based knowledge on maize lignification.