Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Low Power Analog CMOS Vision Chip for Edge Detection Using Electronic Switches

An analog CMOS vision chip for edge detection with power consumption below 20 mW was designed by adopting electronic switches. An electronic switch separates the edge detection circuit into two parts: one is a logarithmic compression photocircuit, and the other is a signal processing circuit for edge detection. The electronic switch controls the connection between the two circuits. When the electronic switch is off, it can intercept the current flow through the signal processing circuit and restrict the magnitude of the current flow below several hundred nA. The estimated power consumption of the chip, with 128 × 128 pixels, was below 20 mW. The vision chip was designed using 0.25 µm 1‐poly 5‐metal standard full custom CMOS process technology.
Validation of a stem straightness scoring system for Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.)

Summary This study describes the refi nement and testing of a prototype scoring system for the visual assessment of stem straightness in Sitka spruce. The original system comprised a six-point scoring system from 1 (least straight) to 6 (straightest) based on an estimate of straight log lengths in the fi rst 6 m of the stem. A longer log length category and additional score were added to the system to increase relevance to industry practice. The use of aids to measurement to improve the objectivity and accuracy of the visual assessment was tested. A purely visual assessment was as accurate as the measurement tools and was considerably quicker and easier to complete. A study to establish appropriate sampling levels indicated that between 60 and 100 trees should be assessed to obtain an acceptable estimate of the median and interquartile range of straightness scores for a stand. An investigation of the relationship between stem straightness score and yield of logs of different quality suggested that the scoring system may be used to differentiate between stands of different log quality.
Subsurface chlorophyll maximum in August-September 1985 in the CLIMAX area of the North Pacific

The deep chlorophyll maxlmum (DCM) IS a widespread feature In the subtropical gyre of the North Paclflc In mid-August 1985 chlorophyll concentration increased In the DCM, then dechned over time at 95 to 110 m depth near 28"N 155"W During the higher chlorophyll perlod the DCM lay w~th in the top of the nitracline Later, as the chlorophyll concentratlon decllned and the DCM deepened, following the 24 9 slgma-t surface, the maxlmum was above the nitracllne The DCM was also a maxlmum In abundance of autotrophlc flagellates Particulate nltrogen was retained over time in the euphotic zone relative to particulate carbon and chlorophyll Phytoplankton growth rate at 90 to 110 m depth averaged 0 11 d' and phytoplankton carbon was about 10 pg I ' , about 50 % of the total paruculate carbon
INFLUENCE OF WATER CONTENT IN ETHANOL-WATER BLENDS ON THE PERFORMANCE AND EMISSIONS OF AN SI ENGINE

Ethanol is the most common alternative for conventi onal gasoline replacement in sparkignition engines. It holds multiple advantages over other renewable transportation technologies including energy density, distribution infrastructure compatibility and the possibility of efficiency improvement and pollutant emissions reduction. Most of the fuel grade ethanol is dehydrated to a minimum purity of 99,6 % before blending or direct use as fuel. As this process is the main energy consumer o f the fuel production, it is clear that a large cost reduction can be realized by dropping or decre asing this energy demand. It was investigated if hydrous ethanol is an interesting f uel for flex fuel vehicles where driving range is not of primary importance. Performance and engin e-out emissions of mixtures with 5% v/v, 10% v/v and 20% v/v water were compared to pure ethanol and gasoline on a 4 cylinder 1.8 l PFI production engine. TECHNICAL PAPER ‐
Post glacial readjustment , sea level variations , 1 subsidence and erosion along the Italian 2 coasts 3

8 Ongoing sea level variations and vertical land movements measured by tide gauges 9 and continuous GPS stations along the Italian coasts stem from several factors 10 acting on different spatiotemporal scales. Conversely to tectonics and anthropogenic 11 effects, which are characterized by a heterogeneous signal, the adjustment of solid 12 Earth and geoid to the melting of the late– Pleistocene ice sheets results in a smooth 13 long–wavelength pattern of sea level variation and vertical deformation across the 14 Mediterranean, mostly driven by the melt water load added to the basin. In this 15 work we define upper and lower bounds of the effects of glacial isostatic adjustment 16 (GIA) on current sea level variations and vertical ground movements along the 17 coasts of Italy. For plausible mantle viscosity profiles we explore to what extent the 18 spatial variability of observed rates may be attributed to delayed isostatic recovery 19 of both solid Earth and geoid. In addition, we show that long–wavelength patterns 20 of sea level change are tuned by the effects of GIA, and that coastal retreat in Italy 21 is broadly correlated with the expected ongoing rates of post–glacial sea level 22 variations. 23 ∗ Corresponding author. Istituto di Fisica, Università di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Via Santa Chiara n. 27, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy. Phone (Fax): +39 0722 303389 (99), email: giorgio.spada@gmail.com. Preprint submitted to BTGA 18 June 2008
Exceptional High Queen Production in the Brazilian Stingless Bee Plebeia remota

In Plebeia remota only a few gynes (young virgin queens) are usually reared per year. However, in two laboratory colonies an extraordinarily high number of gynes emerged within a short period of time. These gynes were significantly smaller than those produced in low numbers by other colonies. Morphometric characters and behaviour of the gynes were recorded. Possible reasons for the phenomenon of exceptional high gyne production are discussed.
Firm Heterogeneity and Exports in the Netherlands: Identifying Export Potential

Stimulating firms to become exporters is of interest to policy makers, as exporters are in general more productive than non-exporters. However, selecting high export potentials is difficult in practice. The contribution of this paper is to characterize and identify these (high) export potentials. According to the Melitz (2003) model, potential exporters have to be productive enough to overcome the entry costs of foreign markets. Once firms pass this productivity threshold, they all export. Empirical evidence, however, indicates that a substantial share of high-productive firms does not export. In this paper, we focus specifically on this group of high-productive non-exporters. We employ a large micro-dataset for Dutch firms both in services and manufacturing for 2010-2014. Our findings are threefold. First, high productivity is an important, but not a sufficient condition for exporting. Firm size (substitute for productivity), import status, and foreign ownership are also important. Second, firm location is crucial. A location in peripheral areas prevents high productive firms from exporting; especially a location in the Northern part of the Netherlands reduces the probability to export. Third, the manufacturing sector differs from the services sector. Given that the median exporter in our sample is a services firm; this sector should be included in export research.
Diversity and Abundance of Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea and Bacteria in Diverse Chinese Paddy Soils

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in three types of paddy soils of China before and after rice plantation were investigated by using an integrated approach including geochemistry, 454 pyrosequencing, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The abundances of AOA amoA gene were 1∼2 orders of magnitude higher than AOB amoA gene. The types of paddy soils had important impacts on the diversities of both AOA and AOB via clay mineralogy (smectite or illite-rich) and bioavailability of ammonium. The Nitrososphaera subcluster 5 and Nitrosopumilis cluster of AOA, and Nitrosomonas subcluster 5 and Nitrosospira subcluster 3 of AOB were well adapted to soils with high ammonium concentrations. AOA and AOB community structures were different before and after rice plantation, likely due to changes of pH and ammonium fertilization. The Nitrosospira subclusters 2 and 9 were well adapted to acidic paddy soils. However, the sensitivity of AOA and AOB community structures to these factors may be complicated by other geochemical conditions. The results of this study collectively demonstrated that multiple environmental factors, such as clay mineralogy, ammonium content and total organic carbon as well as soil pH, shaped AOA and AOB community structure and abundance.
A comparison between theoretical and solar Fe XII UV line intensity ratios

A new set of radiative and electron collisional data for Fe xii was presented in two earlier papers. In the present work, we derive level populations and theoretical line intensities for a range of plasma densities and temperatures. Observations of Fe xii lines obtained with the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph are analysed both as a check the quality of the new atomic data and to determine the electron density in active regions and the quiet Sun. The discrepancy between the electron density values determined from Fe xii line intensity ratios and those obtained from other ions is investigated.
Differential Fertility in Dairy Buffalo: Role of Thyroid and Blood Plasma Biochemical Milieu

Poor breeding efficiency remains one of the frustrating problems confronting the buffalo dairy industry (Ghuman et al. 2008). Initiation of ovarian cyclicity in post-pubertal and post-partum dairy animals and subsequently their ability to conceive are affected by nutrition status. Attainment of a critical level of body fat is important for the onset of puberty. This strongly suggests that there are links between the reproductive endocrine system and metabolic status of the animal (Schillo et al. 1992). During immediate postpartum period, metabolic changes induced by the difference in energy uptake and energy requirements may lead to negative energy balance, thus having repercussions on subsequent fertility (Jorritsma et al. 2003). Intriguingly, repercussions on ovarian cyclicity are not exhibited by all the buffaloes of comparable age, body condition, parity and lactation status (Dadarwal et al. 2009). It was suggested that the metabolic profile of dairy animals can reveal the reasons behind differential fertility (Jorritsma et al. 2003). Epidemiological studies have suggested the role of thyroid hormones in the onset of ovarian activity as thyroid hormones are part of the complex hormonal mechanism that regulates steroidogenesis in the ovary (Suriyasathaporn, 2000). The persistent interest in the information about the relation between metabolic status and reproductive performance from both farmers and veterinarians emphasizes upon The present study was conducted on buffaloes that were non-cycling (heifers, n=32; lactating, n=13) or cycling (heifers, n=11; lactating, n=27) and in the buffaloes that conceived (heifers; n=11; lactating, n=23) or failed to conceive (heifers, n=32; lactating, n=17) subsequent to artificial insemination. Plasma samples were analyzed for thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroid hormones, glucose, total proteins, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol and triglycerides. None of the plasma biochemicals were significantly different (P>0.05) between non-cycling or cycling and pregnant or non-pregnant buffaloes. However, noncycling and non-pregnant lactating buffaloes had lower (P<0.05) plasma concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroid hormones, respectively, compared to their counterparts. Thus, blood metabolite status is not the cause of differential fertility in buffaloes. However, a subtle thyroid activity in lactating buffaloes may have some impact on their fertility status.
Isotopic characterisation of CO2 sources during regional pollution events using isotopic and radiocarbon analysis

At the station Kollumerwaard (The Netherlands), for monitoring tracers in the troposphere, air is sampled in 16 containers for off-line 13 C, 18 O and 14 C isotopic analysis of CO 2 . The timing of the sampling is chosen such that CO 2 variations correlating with pollutants like CO and CH 4 are optimally covered. The 14 C measurements enable us to discriminate between biospheric and fossil fuel contributions to atmospheric CO 2 . The analysis of one series sampled on 23 November 1994 resolves the increased CO 2 mixing ratio into a purely biospheric component with a δ 13 C of (− 22.2 ± 1.5)‰, and a fossil component of up to 35 ppm with a δ 13 C of (− 34.1 ± 1.6)‰. Another series, recorded on 2 and 3 February 1995, shows a nearby emission of fossil CO 2 , methane and carbon monoxide, most likely due to the flaring of natural gas. Both events clearly indicate the importance of natural gas consumption in or in the vicinity of Holland. These experimental values can be compared with estimates of CO 2 emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and the corresponding δ 13 C values. The results for 18 O show the pronounced difference in behaviour between the O and C isotopes in atmospheric CO 2 , due to the fast isotopic exchange processes with (plant, soil or ocean) water. As a side result, the method produces the ratio CO: fossil CO 2 , a direct measure for combustion quality on a regional scale. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1996. 00013.x
Weak-consistency specification via visibility relaxation

Effective software specifications enable modular reasoning, allowing clients to establish program properties without knowing the details of module implementations. While some modules’ operations behave atomically, others admit weaker consistencies to increase performance. Consequently, since current methodologies do not capture the guarantees provided by operations of varying non-atomic consistencies, specifications are ineffective, forfeiting the ability to establish properties of programs that invoke non-atomic operations. In this work we develop a methodology for specifying software modules whose operations satisfy multiple distinct consistency levels. In particular, we develop a simple annotation language for specifying weakly-consistent operations via visibility relaxation, wherein annotations impose varying constraints on the visibility among operations. To integrate with modern software platforms, we identify a novel characterization of consistency called sequential happens-before consistency, which admits effective validation. Empirically, we demonstrate the efficacy of our approach by deriving and validating relaxed-visibility specifications for Java concurrent objects. Furthermore, we demonstrate an optimality of our annotation language, empirically, by establishing that even finer-grained languages do not capture stronger specifications for Java objects.
Effects of cultural cycle and nutrient solution electrical conductivity on plant growth, yield and fruit quality of ‘Friariello’ pepper grown in hydroponics

Amalfitano C. , Del Vacchio L. , Somma S. , Cuciniello A. , Caruso G. (2017): Effects of cultural cycle and nutrient solution electrical conductivity on plant growth, yield and fruit quality of ‘Friariello’ pepper grown in hydroponics. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 44: 91–98. ‘Friariello’ pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was grown with nutrient film technique (NFT) in order to evaluate the effects of four nutritive solutions, at electrical conductivities (EC) of 3.5, 3.8, 4.1, 4.4 mS/cm, in two cultural cycles (wintersummer versus spring-autumn) on growth, yield and fruit quality. In the winter-summer cycle, fruit yield was significantly higher than in the spring-autumn one. The 3.8 mS/m EC resulted in the highest yield in the winter-summer crops, whereas the 4.1 mS/m EC was the most effective under the spring-autumn cycle. Water consumption was 34% higher in winter-summer than in spring-autumn season. The 3.8 mS/m EC caused the highest water consumption, whereas a 25% reduction was recorded under 4.4 mS/cm. The macronutrients absorption was the highest with 3.8–4.1 mS/cm EC and the lowest with 3.5 mS/cm. Fruits harvested in late summer and berries obtained under 4.4 mS/cm EC mostly showed the best quality. The fruit ascorbic acid and α-carotene content was higher in late summer than in late spring and all fruit antioxidants attained the highest values with 4.4 mS/cm EC.
Group algebra extensions of depth one

A ring extension A B is said to have depth one if B is isomorphic to a direct summand of A n as an (A;A)-bimodule, for some positive integer n. We prove group-theoretic characterizations of this property in the case kH kG where H is a subgroup of a nite group G and k is a eld. Moreover, we determine when the source algebra of a block of kG with defect group P is a depth one extension of kP .
CagA + H . pylori Induces Akt 1 Phosphorylation and Inhibits Transcription of p 21 WAF 1 / CIP 1 and p 27 KIP 1 via PI 3 K / Akt 1 Pathway 1

This research was supported by a grant (2008ZZ06) from the National Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases of China. Correspondence should be addressed to Jie YAN, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Medical School, Zhejiang University, 388 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China. Tel: 86-571-88208297, Fax: 86-571-88208294, E-mail: Med_bp@zju.edu. cn 3 The co-first authors: Shu-Ping LI and Ai-Hua SUN contributed equally to this work. Biographical note of the first author: Shu-Ping LI, female, born in 1974, associate professor, majoring in pathogenesis of pathogenic microorganism. 0895-3988/2010 CN 11-2816/Q Copyright © 2010 by China CDC
ISSN 1835-9728

Choice experiments (CE – otherwise known as Choice Modelling) have become widespread as an approach to environmental valuation in Australia. There are, however, limited applications that have focused on the estimation of estuary values. Furthermore, none of the existing valuation studies have addressed catchment management changes in Tasmania. The CE study described in this report aims to elicit community preferences for natural resource management options in the George catchment in north-eastern Tasmania. The survey was administered in different sub-sample locations in Tasmania to assess the trade-offs respondents are willing to make between environmental attributes and costs. Catchment health attributes were the length of native riverside vegetation and the number of rare animal and plant species in the George catchment. The area of healthy seagrass beds in the Georges Bay was used as a measure of estuary condition. Results from mixed logit models show that respondents are, on average, willing to pay between $3.47 and $5.11 for a km increase in native riverside vegetation and between $7.10 and $12.42 per species for the protection of rare native plants and animals, ceteris paribus. The results are ambiguous about respondents’ preferences for estuary seagrass area. This study further shows significant differences between logit models when accounting for unobserved preference heterogeneity and repeated choices made by the same individual.
Paleoproterozoic Synkinematic Magnesian High-K Magmatism from the Tamkoro-Bossangoa Massif, along the Bossangoa-Bossembele Shear Zone in North-Western Central African Republic

The magnesian high-K calc-alkaline intrusive of the Tamkoro-Bossangoa Massif, North Western Central African Republic, were synkinematically emplaced in a sinistral strike-slip shear zone of Paleoproterozoic age. The rock sequences consist of orthogneisses with abundant coarse- to medium-grained quartz monzodiorite, quartz diorite and medium- to fine-grained biotite granite composition and cover a range of about 55 to 76 wt. -% SiO2. They display characteristics of shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline series. Quartz monzodiorite and quartz diorite are metaluminous, whereas granite is moderately peraluminous (1≤ A/CNK ≤ 1.1) and plot in the field of I-type granitoids. Major and trace element composition of the granitoids indicate that the source materials were derived from different crustal protoliths. Major and trace element composition are consistent with the magmatism which may have involved remelting of (1) a composite metagreywackes protolith in the upper crust and (2) amphibolitised high-K calc-alkaline basaltic andesites in the central domain of the NEFB (North Equatorial Fold Belt). SHRIMP zircon and titanite dating of granitic rocks gives a magmatic zircon and titanite age of 2069 ± 9.6 Ma and 2063 ± 28 Ma respectively, a metamorphic age of 500 Ma and 597 Ma. The plutonic rocks of Tamkoro-Bossangoa area resemble other Paleoproterozoic high-K calc-alkaline syntectonic plutons in western and central . They also display strong similarities with high-K calc-alkaline plutons of eastern and of the in NE Brazil.
What are the dominant features of rainfall leading to realistic large‐scale crop yield simulations in West Africa?

A large‐scale crop model is forced by a range of climate datasets over West Africa to test the sensitivity of simulated yields to errors in input rainfall. The model skill, defined as the correlation between observed and simulated yield anomalies over 1968–1990 at the country scale, is used for assessment. We show that there are two essential rainfall features for the model to skillfully simulate interannual yield variability at the country scale: cumulative annual variability and frequency. At such a scale, providing additional information on intraseasonal variability, such as the chronology of rain events, does not improve the model skill. We suggest that such information is relevant at smaller spatial scales but is not spatially consistent enough to impact large‐scale yield variability.
The Key Components of Job Satisfaction in Malaysian Water Utility Industry

Problem statement: This study aimed to examine the impacts of employee's rewards and employee's motivation on employee's job satisfactio n between public and private water utility organization in Malaysia. Approach: A total of 689 employees from both sectors partici pated. While hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to t est the relationship between employee's rewards, employee's motivation and employee's job satisfacti on, gap analysis was utilized to determine the significant differences on the levels of employee's rewards, employee's motivation and employee's job satisfaction between both sectors. Results: The result revealed that (1) employee's reward was positively related to motivation; and (2) both empl oyee's rewards and employee's motivation were found to had positive significant influences on emp loyees' job satisfaction. The t-test result reveale d that employees in public water utility organization scored significantly higher on the levels of employee's rewards, motivation and job satisfaction . Conclusion: The interesting findings showed that there are other factors than rewards and motivation involved in job satisfaction. However, motivation seems to give more impact to job satisfaction as co mpared to rewards for both organizations.