Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compact 2-port fractal monopole MIMO antenna with polarization diversity and high isolation

A compact 2-port multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna system with fractal shaped antenna elements of total size 17×40 mm2 is proposed for WiMax/WLAN applications. The physical separation between the antenna elements of the proposed system is 0. 15λ (λ being the free-space wavelength at 5.4 GHz). The two antenna elements are orthogonally placed and the MEMO system exhibits pattern diversity with high isolation, without additional structures for isolation improvement. The performance of the antenna is studied in terms of S-parameter, radiation pattern and envelope correlation coefficient. The measured results show that the relative bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 1.2 GHz (4.8 - 6 GHz) with S11 ≤ -10dB, S11 ≤ -20dB and envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) <; 0.01. The proposed MEMO system is believed to be a good candidate for high density packaged MIMO system.
Space use and resource selection by foraging Indiana bats at the northern edge of their distribution

Despite 4 decades of conservation concern, managing endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) populations remains a difficult wildlife resource issue facing natural resource managers in the eastern United States. After small signs of population recovery, the recent emer- gence of white-nose syndrome has led to concerns of local and/or regional extirpation of the spe- cies. Where Indiana bats persist, retaining high-quality foraging areas will be critical to meet physiological needs and ensure successful recruitment and overwinter survival. However, insight into foraging behavior has been lacking in the Northeast of the USA. We radio-tracked 12 Indiana bats over 2 summers at Fort Drum, New York, to evaluate factors influencing Indiana bat resource selection during night-time foraging. We found that foraging space use decreased 2% for every 100 m increase in distance to water and 6% for every 100 m away from the forest edge. This sug- gests high use of riparian areas in close proximity to forest and is somewhat consistent with the species' foraging ecology in the Midwest and upper South. Given the importance of providing access to high-quality foraging areas during the summer maternity season, Indiana bat conserva- tion at the northern extent of the species' range will be linked to retention of forested habitat in close proximity to riparian zones.
The influence of agricultural support on sale prices of french farmland: a comparison of different subsidies, accounting for the role of environmental and land regulations

We investigate the determinants of agricultural land price in several regions in France over the period 1994-2011 using individual plots transaction data, with a particular emphasis on agricultural subsidies and nitrate zoning regulations. We found a positive but relatively small capitalisation effect of the total subsidies per hectare. We found evidence that agricultural subsidies capitalised at least to some extent. However, the magnitude of such a capitalisation depends on the region considered, on the type of subsidy considered, and on the location of the plot in a nitrate surplus zone or not. Only land set-aside premiums significantly capitalise into land price, while single farm payments have a significant positive capitalisation impact only for plots located in a nitrate surplus zone.
Postnatal growth of the great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Aves: Phalacrocoracidae) in northeastern Mediterranean wetlands

Abstract Postnatal growth of nestling great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis was studied at two northeastern Mediterranean wetlands, the Lakes Kerkini and Mikri Prespa, northern Greece. A method for constructing growth curves from only two visits to bird colonies was used. Logistic growth parameters re-calculated from the logarithmic equation fitted well to the actual growth data of initial-final measurements of body mass, bill length, bill + head length, and tarsus length. Growth rates (K) did not significantly differ between colonies for all variables: body mass (0.205 and 0.206 day−1 at Lakes Kerkini and Mikri Prespa respectively), bill length (0.131 and 0.147 day−1), bill + head length (0.109 and 0.121 day−1) and tarsus length (0.201 and 0.215 day−1). Asymptotic values (A) did not significantly differ between colonies for body mass (2126.7 g and 2128.95 g) and bill length (70.57 and 68.83 mm) but did so for bill + head (147.89 and 151.51 mm) and tarsus length (75.42 and 71.31 mm). The inflection point (T) was similar for body mass (16.6 and 16.4 days) and tarsus length (7.9 and 7.1 days) but significantly different for bill (13 and 11.2 days) and bill + head length (12.2 and 11.1 days). Climatic conditions and food availability were not considered as factors greatly affecting the observed intercolony variation, and therefore other proximate and ultimate factors should be further examined. The proposed method is very helpful because growth curves can be constructed with the allocation of the smallest amount of time and effort, while at the same time keeping the disturbance of vulnerable breeding avian populations to the minimum level. Furthermore, and provided that other factors are controlled, this method could be used for the monitoring of the influence of spatial and temporal variation of ecological conditions on nestling growth.
Response of Two Chemotypes of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) Saplings to Colonization by Specialist Herbivores

Abstract Two chemotypes of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) saplings were planted in a common garden under 2 water treatments and exposed to either restricted or unrestricted herbivory from 2 insect herbivores. Chemotypes consisted of either a predominately E-nerolidol terpenoid complex or one that consisted primarily of viridiflorol; both types had influenced the performance or preference of both insect herbivores in laboratory studies. The densities of the 2 specialist herbivores Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Oxyops vitiosa Pascoe (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were monitored regularly as they colonized the plantings, as were plant responses like leaf abscission and tree height. Neither the chemotype nor the water treatments influenced the densities of B. melaleucae and O. vitiosa. Trees subjected to unrestricted herbivory shed more leaf biomass than those protected by insecticides from herbivory. There was no relationship between the amount of biomass shed via abscission and the density of either herbivore despite a significant correlation with a damage rating developed for O. vitiosa. There was a chemotype response to herbivory whereby more leaf biomass was shed by the E-nerolidol chemotype than by the viridiflorol chemotype when subjected to unrestricted herbivory. Tree height was influenced by herbivory but not chemotype or water, although there were separate 2-way interactions between all factors. Thus, despite equal herbivore pressure, the response of young M. quinquenervia trees to abiotic and biotic forces diverged at the plant variant level.
Climate regime of Asian glaciers revealed by GAMDAM glacier inventory

Abstract. Among meteorological elements, precipitation has a large spatial variability and less observation, particularly in high-mountain Asia, although precipitation in mountains is an important parameter for hydrological circulation. We estimated precipitation contributing to glacier mass at the median elevation of glaciers, which is presumed to be at equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) such that mass balance is zero at that elevation, by tuning adjustment parameters of precipitation. We also made comparisons between the median elevation of glaciers, including the effect of drifting snow and avalanche, and eliminated those local effects. Then, we could obtain the median elevation of glaciers depending only on climate to estimate glacier surface precipitation. The calculated precipitation contributing to glacier mass can elucidate that glaciers in arid high-mountain Asia receive less precipitation, while much precipitation makes a greater contribution to glacier mass in the Hindu Kush, the Himalayas, and the Hengduan Shan due to not only direct precipitation amount but also avalanche nourishment. We classified glaciers in high-mountain Asia into summer-accumulation type and winter-accumulation type using the summer-accumulation ratio and confirmed that summer-accumulation-type glaciers have a higher sensitivity than winter-accumulation-type glaciers.
Single and combined toxicity of copper and cadmium to H . vulgare growth and heavy metal bioaccumulation

The single and combined effects of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) (0.1-10 mg L) in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants grown in hydroponics are investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the interactive effect of the binary mixture of Cu and Cd to the growth of H. vulgare and accumulation of these metals by the plants. Single and combined metal treatment led to major effects in the growth of roots and shoots and dry weight of barley. Exposure to metals altered the content of photosynthetic pigments and caused lipid peroxidation. It was observed that combined effects of heavy metals to plants are endpoint and concentration depending. The binary mixture Cu+Cd exhibited additive or less than additive interaction for dry weight, root length and shoot height. Analysis of tissue metal concentrations showed that Cu and Cd were mainly accumulated in the roots and the combination of Cu+Cd had less than additive response of metal bioaccumulation in the leaves and roots.
Effects of Functional Feed Additives on Growth Influenced Hormones and Performance of Japanese Quails ( Coturnix japonica )

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of Protexin®, Fermacto® and its compounded effects on growth performance, visceral organs weight, insulin, thyroxin and growth hormone of Japanese quails. Growth performance with respect to body weight gain and visceral organs weight were recorded and then blood sampling were taken for analysis of serum hormones using ELISA technique. The analyzing of data in completely randomized design showed that consumption of each Fermacto® and Protexin®+Fermacto® caused elevation in feed intake and body weight (p<0.05). The gizzard weight in males fed Fermacto® was decreased and in females fed all additives, especially protexin® was elevated (p<0.05). Males and Females fed Fermacto® have lighter intestines weight than other additive groups (p<0.05). The heart weight in males fed additives were reduced and in females fed Protexin® were elevated (p<0.05). In males fed additives liver weight was lighter than control group (p<0.05). In females fed Fermacto® and Protexin® + Fermacto® liver weight was reduced (p<0.05). Insulin level increased (p<0.05) by feeding of Fermacto and Protexin®+ Fermacto® in female and males respectively. The level of thyroxin in females depressed by feed additive consumption (p<0.05). Growth hormone level was elevated by consuming of feed additives in female birds (p<0.05). It was concluded that consumption of each Fermacto® and Protexin®+ Fermacto® in quail's diet can improve growth performance values by increasing the feed intake and stimulating the insulin and growth hormone release.
Long-Term No-Tillage Direct Seeding Mode of Water-Saving and Drought-Resistance Rice with Double Low Rapeseed

To study the effects of long-term no-tillage direct seeding mode on crop yield and the soil physiochemical properties in a rice/rapeseed rotation system, a comparative experiment with a water-saving and drought-resistance rice (WDR) variety and double low rapeseed variety was conducted under no-tillage direct seeding mode (NTDS) and conventional tillage direct seeding mode (CTDS) for four years, using CTDS as the control. Compared with CTDS, the actual yield of WDR decreased by 8.10% at the first year, whereas the plant height, spikelet number per panicle, spikelet fertility, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, actual yield, and harvest index increased with no-tillage years, which led to the actual yield increase of 6.49% at the fourth year. Correlation analysis showed that the panicle length was significantly related to the actual yield of WDR. Compared with CTDS in terms of the soil properties, the pH of NTDS decreased every year, whereas the contents of soil organic matter and total N of the NTDS increased. The NTDS mode is propitious to improve the paddy soil fertility in the top layer (0-5 cm). In the top layer of the NTDS mode, the soil bulk decreased, whereas the contents of soil organic matter, total N, and available N increased. In the 5-20 cm layer of the NTDS mode, the soil bulk, contents of soil organic matter, and total N increased, whereas the available N and K decreased. In summary, NTDS increased the rice yield, and could improve the paddy soil fertility of the top layer.
GROWTH AND NODULATION OF LEUCAENA AND PROSOPIS SEEDLINGS IN SOIL PLUS TANNERY SLUDGE

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the growth and nodulation of Leucaena and Prosopis seedlings in soil plus tannery sludge. The study was conducted in a greenhouse, using bags containing soil plus tannery sludge. Seedlings of Leucaena and Prosopis inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp were used. Results were evaluated 90 days after plant emergency. The application of tannery sludge, in the rate of 11.250 kg per hectare significantly increased plant height, stem diameter, and above ground dry mass of Leucaena. Regarding Prosopis, there were no significant increases in these variables with tannery sludge application, except for aerial dry mass. No significant differences were seen between the treatments with sludge and inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. as to nodule number and dry mass. Tannery sludge evaluated in this work did not affect nodulation, besides favoring Leucaena and Prosopis seedling growth.
An Analysis of the Linkage of Pacific Subtropical Cells with the Recharge-Discharge Processes in ENSO Evolution

AbstractThe Simple Ocean Data Assimilation, version 2.2. 4 (SODA 2.2.4), analysis for the period of 1960–2010 is used to study the variability of Pacific subtropical cells (STCs) and its causal relation with tropical climate variability. Results show that the interior STC transport into the equatorial basin through 9°S and 9°N is well connected with equatorial sea surface temperature (SST) (9°S–9°N, 180°–90°W). The highest correlation at interannual time scales is contributed by the western interior STC transport within 160°E and 130°W. It is known that the ENSO recharge–discharge cycle experiences five stages: the recharging stage, recharged stage, warmest SST stage, discharging stage, and discharged stage. A correlation analysis of interior STC transport convergence, equatorial warm water volume (WWV), wind stress curl, and SST identifies the time intervals between the five stages, which are 8, 10, 2, and 8 months, respectively. A composite analysis for El Nino–developing and La Nina–developing events is.
Sorbitol-Induced Diabetic-Like Retinal Lesions in Rats: Microscopic Study

The present study investigated the sorbitol toxicity on the retinas of normal albino rats and founded by the light microscope that intra-peritoneal injection of Sorbitol (10-mg/kg-body weight per day) for 24 weeks produced similar diabetic like retinal lesions in these rats. The retinopathic effects of sorbitol injection affect retinal microvessels, pigment epithelium, neural retina and glial cells. Cytoplasmic vacuolation of the pigment epithelium and oedema of the neural retinal cells were evident. Microvascular abnormalities include thick-walled, elongated and dilated blood capillaries. The abnormal capillaries showed aneurysms and were occluded with deformed, fragmented, and adherent blood cells. Another finding was the pyknosis of glial cells. The present investigation concluded that sorbitol is toxic to the retinal tissue and it may play a role in the setup of diabetic retinopathy.
Implementation of monetary and macroprudential policies: a critical review

The emergence of macroprudential policies by Central Banks, as a means of promoting financial stability, has raised many questions regarding the interaction between them. Given the limited number of studies available, this paper sheds light on this issue by providing a critical and systematic review of the literature. The paper begins with a discussion of the trade-off between price stability and financial stability. We find that financial intermediation acts as the main channel in connecting monetary and macroprudential policies. We find that the theoretical and empirical studies are grouped around four main mechanisms in explaining this interaction: cost of funds, collateral constraint, financial intermediaries and payment systems. By examining these mechanisms, it is argued that monetary policy alone is not sufficient for maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability and macroprudential policies need to supplement monetary policy to achieve price and financial stability. We also find that the role of the exchange rate is critical in the implementation of monetary and macroprudential policies in emerging markets. Volatile capital flows pose another challenge for the implementation of monetary and macroprudential policies. The arrangement of monetary and macroprudential policies also varies across countries, depending on the challenges and institutional arrangements in a particular country. Consequently, a number of implications for theory, policy and practice are proposed.
The Significance of Prior Information in Bayesian Parametric Survival Models

The Bayesian approach gives the possibility of using in the research additional in- formation that is external to the sample. The primary objective of this paper is to analyse the im- pact of the prior information on the posterior distribution in Bayesian parametric survival models. In this work the exponential models and Weibull models with different prior distributions have been estimated and compared. The aim of this research is to investigate the determinants of unem- ployment duration. The models have been estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo method with Gibbs sampling.
Interactive comment on “ Hydrological response unit-based blowing snow modelling over an alpine ridge ” by

The application of (HRU) for drifting snow and hydrology appears to be novel from the presentation in the paper and it also appears that existing sub-modules have been developed and combined for the application presented here. However, the same authors have published a similar application [MacDonald et al., 2009] last year, which is neither referenced nor discussed in the current manuscript. Also similar concepts have been developed in the context of avalanche warning in France [Durand et al., 2001] and Switzerland [Lehning and Fierz, 2008], which could be discussed in this context. The paper is generally well written and has a clear structure. However, the paper lacks a clear science focus and it is not clear what we have learned from this application in particular when compared to the earlier publications by the same and other authors, which are only partly discussed.
Dwarf galaxies in the Perseus Cluster: further evidence for a disc origin for dwarf ellipticals

We present the results of a Keck-ESI (Echellette Spectrograph and Imager) spectroscopic study of six dwarf elliptical (dE) galaxies in the Perseus Cluster core, and confirm two dwarfs as cluster members for the first time. All six dEs follow the size–magnitude relation for dE/dSph galaxies. Central velocity dispersions are measured for three Perseus dwarfs in our sample, and all lie on the σ–luminosity relation for early-type, pressure-supported systems. We furthermore examine SA 0426-002, a unique dE in our sample with a bar-like morphology surrounded by low surface brightness wings/lobes (μB = 27 mag arcsec¯²). Given its morphology, velocity dispersion (σ₀ = 33.9 ± 6.1 km s⁻¹), velocity relative to the brightest cluster galaxy NGC 1275 (2711 km s⁻¹), size (Rₑ = 2.1 ± 0.10 kpc), and Sersic index ( ´ n = 1.2 ± 0.02), we hypothesize the dwarf has morphologically transformed from a low-mass disc to dE via harassment. The low surface brightness lobes can be explained as a ring feature, with the bar formation triggered by tidal interactions via speed encounters with Perseus Cluster members. Alongside spiral structure found in dEs in Fornax and Virgo, SA 0426-002 provides crucial evidence that a fraction of bright dEs have a disc infall origin, and are not part of the primordial cluster population.
STATE OF THE ART OF PARATRANSIT

This paper, authored by members of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Paratransit, defines paratransit as that public and private mass transportation in the spectrum between private autos and conventional transit. In practice, paratransit covers 2 broad areas: that required for public transit agencies to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and all other paratransit, including other demand-responsive services such as shared rides, taxicab, and livery services. The paper focuses on demographic aspects of use, the relationship between fixed-route transit and paratransit, size of the paratransit market and providers, service delivery, scheduling and dispatching, and labor, among others.
Competent Girls and Problematic Boys?

In this article, sex differences as they appear from a resource-oriented as opposed to a problem-oriented perspective are discussed. The data derive from two cross-sectional cohort studies and a sample of children referred to the helping services from roughly the same cohorts. The cohort children were 10 and 13 years old, and were in the fourth and seventh grade respectively. The cohorts came from a large eastern Norwegian municipality, consisting of about 500 children each. Data were collected from the children, their parents and teachers in questionnaire form. The referral study included 140 10- and 13-year-olds. The results portray the girls, particularly in the fourth grade, as the `competence winners', while the boys are most visible once the focus switches to problems and problem behaviour. This is in accordance with other, research-based findings. However, the sex differences were smaller from the children's own perspective than the adults', particularly the teachers'. A main concern in the discussion of these results is a `no win, no lose' perspective, pointing to areas of improvement for both sexes.
EFFECTS OF THE RECENT FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE DETERMINANTS OF BANK PROFITABILITY: CASE OF TURKISH BANKING INDUSTRY

Yasanan son finansal kriz dunyada bircok ulkenin finansal sistemleri uzerinde etkili olmustur. Gelismekte olan ekonomilerden olan Turkiye ekonomisi de bu krizden etkilenmistir, ancak sozkonusu krizin ozellikle bankacilik sektorune etkilerini inceleyen calismalarin sayisi kisitlidir. Bu nedenle, bu calismanin amaci son finansal krizin Turkiye’de faaliyet gosteren bankalarin karliliklarinin belirleyicileri uzerine etkisini saptamaktir. Analiz donemi Aralik 2003-Haziran 2012 donemini kapsamakta olup, bu donem kriz oncesi ve kriz sonrasi olmak uzere ikiye ayrilmistir. Kriz oncesi ve sonrasi donemlerde banka karliligini etkileyen faktorleri saptayabilmek uzere sistem GMM tahmincisi kullanilmistir. Sonuc olarak bulgular, Turk bankacilik sektorundeki bankalarin karliliklarinin son finansal krizden onemli olcu de etkilenmese de, krizin banka karliliginin belirleyicileri uzerinde birtakim etkileri oldugunu gostermektedir.