Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A tree-ring perspective on temporal changes in the frequency and intensity of hydroclimatic extremes in the territory of the Czech Republic since 761 AD

Abstract. It is generally accepted that anthropogenic-induced climate change may affect the frequency and intensity of hydrological extremes, together with a variety of subsequent impacts on ecosystems and human society. Proxy records that are absolutely dated and annually resolved are indispensable to a better understanding of temporal changes in the occurrence of floods and droughts. This contribution presents a new data set of 3194 oak (Quercus spp.) ring width samples from living trees and historical timbers, collected across the Czech Republic. A composite tree-ring width (TRW) chronology is developed that best captures the high-frequency extremes over the past 1250 years. The temporal distribution of negative and positive extremes is regular with no indication of clustering. The highest number of negative extremes was found in the 19th century, while positive extremes were most frequent in the 12th century. The lowest number of negative and positive extremes occurred in the 18th and 13th centuries respectively. Negative and positive TRW extremes were compared with the instrumental measurements back to 1805 AD, with documentary-based temperature and precipitation reconstructions from 1804 to 1500, and with documentary evidence before 1500 AD. Negative TRW extremes coincided with above-average March–May and June–August temperature means and below-average precipitation totals. Positive extremes coincided with higher summer precipitation, while temperatures were mostly normal. Mean sea level pressure (SLP) over the European/North Atlantic sector suggested drought for the negative oak TRW extremes, whereas the positive extremes corresponded to wetter conditions overall. More consistent patterns of synoptic SLP were found for negative rather than for positive extremes. Reasons for the possible offset between the oak-based hydroclimatic extremes and their counterparts from meteorological observations and documentary evidence may be manifold and emphasize the need for multi-proxy approaches.
Explaining Police Bias

Although recent empirical research has shown that Blacks and Hispanics are consistently overrepresented among police stops, searches, and arrests, few criminologists have attempted to provide a theoretical explanation for the disparities reported in the research literature. This article proposes a theory of individual police behavior that is grounded in social— psychological research on stereotype formation and that assumes a nonmotivational but biased response to minority citizens by the police. Accordingly, stereotype formation and its consequences are largely unintentional and are driven by social conditioning and the illusory correlation phenomenon, which results in the overestimation of negative behaviors associated with minority group members. After specifying the theory, the article presents a research agenda for empirically testing and verifying its propositions.
PENGARUH HARGA, PRODUK, DISTRIBUSI DAN PROMOSI TERHADAP SIKAP KONSUMEN DAN MINAT BELI PENGGUNA MOBIL HONDA BRIO DI JABODETABEK

penelitian menunjukkan bahwa harga berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap sikap konsumen. Semakin tinggi harga, orang akan mempersiapkan jasa-jasa semakin tinggi, sehingga konsekuensinya akan meningkatkan nilai persepsi seseorang.Dengan demikian dengan adanya harga dapat membantu para pembeli untuk memutuskan cara mengalokasikan daya belinya pada berbagai jenis barang atau jasa
Physicochemical characterization of ffruit of different date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Pakistan

Thirty two date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties from the Date palm Research Station, Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan were examined for their approximate physico-chemical characterization for the fruit. All detections were made at khala, rutab and tamar stages (maturity) of fruit. Significant differences were recorded in the physical and chemical characteristics among varieties. The highest fruit weight (18.83 g) and pulp weight (18.68 g) was recorded in Dhakki at khalal stage. Maximum fruit length (2.22 cm) and width (0.77 cm) was recorded in Wahan Wali and Chohara, respectively. Pulp to fruit ratio of different varieties was found in the range of 77.81% (Neelum) to 96.56% (Dhakki) at tamar stage. For chemical properties; Hallawi-2 variety revealed higher TSS throughout the three developmental stages ranged 13.80, 26.78 and 29 %, followed by Khudrawi, 12.10, 25.68 and 27.10% at khalal, rutab and tamar stages, respectively. The moisture percentage was ranged from 61.3% (Zerdo) to 70.67% (Seib) on khalal stage. Total sugar contents ranged 30.93% (Hallawi-1) to 64.23% (Deglet Noor and Kozan Abad), reducing sugars 23.33% (Hillawi-1) to 56.93% (Deglet Noor) among different varieties at khalal to tamar stage. Our results showed that change in fruit size was mainly due to the variability in genetic makeup and growth conditions. Furthermore, our results showed that the variation of the chemical characterization was mainly depended on the variety and developmental stage.
Evaluation of Hydrological Parameters and Phytoplankton Diversity of Moolikulam Pond in Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu

Water, the most abundant and wonderful natural resource, especially the fresh water become a precious commodity today and its quality is threatened by numerous sources of pollution. Water quality is affected directly or indirectly by physico-chemical parameters. Ponds are fresh water bodies; either naturally formed or constructed and one among the major components of wetlands. Ponds have been used since time immemorial as a traditional source of water supply in India. In addition to that ponds have multifaceted uses including domestic utility, irrigation, fishery and they possess valuable resources that offer splendid services to the society and functioning of the environment. Phytoplankton studies and monitoring are also useful for control of the physico-chemical and biological conditions of water. However, the pond water are polluted mainly due to discharged waste water from residential areas, sewage outlets, solid wastes, detergents, automobile oil wastes, fishing facilities and agricultural pesticides from farmlands and also the most threatened habitats like the other wetland habitats on earth and therefore require proper management for the remaining ponds. The present study aimed to that analyze the hydrological parameters and monitor the phytoplankton diversity in Moolikulam fresh water bond of Tirunelveli Dist. Tamil nadu India. So fresh water resources need special care and attention to make it available sustainably for the present and future generations.
How do sucker-footed bats hold on, and why do they roost head-up?

Individuals of most bat species hang head-down by their toenails from rough surfaces, but Madagascar’s endemic sucker-footed bat (Myzopoda aurita) clings head-up to smooth leaves using specialized pads on its wrists and ankles. We investigated the adhesive performance of 28 individuals and found that attachment performance on brass was not affected by the presence or absence of a seal around the pad–surface interface. Furthermore, on smooth acrylic, the wrist pads were more than nine-fold weaker when lifted perpendicular to the surface than when pulled parallel to it. The unimportance of a seal and the difference in strength in those directions on a smooth surface are characteristic of wet adhesion, but not of suction. Thus, despite its name, the sucker-footed bat appears to adhere using wet adhesion. We observed that when wrist pads were pushed anteriorly, they unpeeled easily from the surface because of deformation of the pads. This most likely permits rapid detachment during crawling, but would also cause passive detachment if bats roosted head-down. This provides an ecomorphological explanation to the head-up roosting behaviour of these unique bats. The results obtained in the present study thus link morphology, behaviour, and roosting ecology for an enigmatic Malagasy endemic. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 99, 233–240. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: detachment – ecomorphology – head-up posture – Myzopoda – roosting posture – suction – Thyroptera – wet adhesion.
Energy and system-size dependence of two- and four-particle $v_2$ measurements in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and their implications on flow fluctuations and nonflow

We present STAR measurements of azimuthal anisotropy by means of the two- and four-particle cumulants $v_2$ ($v_2\{2\}$ and $v_2\{4\}$) for Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at center of mass energies $\sqrt{s_{_{\mathrm{NN}}}} = 62.4$ and 200 GeV. The difference between $v_2\{2\}^2$ and $v_2\{4\}^2$ is related to $v_{2}$ fluctuations ($\sigma_{v_2}$) and nonflow $(\delta_{2})$. We present an upper limit to $\sigma_{v_2}/v_{2}$. Following the assumption that eccentricity fluctuations $\sigma_{\epsilon}$ dominate $v_2$ fluctuations $\frac{\sigma_{v_2}}{v_2} \approx \frac{\sigma_{\epsilon}}{\epsilon}$ we deduce the nonflow implied for several models of eccentricity fluctuations that would be required for consistency with $v_2\{2\}$ and $v_2\{4\}$. We also present results on the ratio of $v_2$ to eccentricity.
Profitability of Horizontal Mergers in the Presence of Price Stickiness

In this paper, we investigate the pro…tability of horizontal mergers of …rms with price adjustments. We take a dierential game approach and both the open-loop as well as the closed-loop equlibria are considered. We show that the merger incentive is determined by how fast the price adapts to the equilibrium level.
Dispelling the myth of a value premium: contrary evidence of Malaysian crony capitalism

This paper contradicts the existence of a universal value anomaly by studying Malaysia, a country with a unique institutional setting. We investigate this counter-example to attribute the anomaly to: 1) the leverage effect of value firms; 2) the investment pattern of growth firms; 3) the economic environment. We find that the value premium cannot be ascribed solely to risk as it is time varying and dependent on the attributes of the companies. Our results illustrate that small cap value firms perform relatively well during favourable economic conditions. In contrast, large cap growth firms perform better than their counterparts (i.e., large cap value firms) in economic upturns as they are preferentially awarded projects to revive the nation's growth.
Source Apportionment of Rare Earth Elements in PM2.5 in a Southeast Coastal City of China

ABSTRACT In order to study the geochemical characteristics and sources of rare earth elements (REEs) in the PM2.5 in Quanzhou City, 116 PM2.5 samples were collected from three functional areas in the city during each season. The REE compositions and distribution patterns were then analyzed, together with ternary diagrams, to investigate the main provenance of these elements. Additionally, the sources of PM2.5 were traced using a diagram of the Nd isotope ratio versus REE characteristics. The concentrations of the total rare earth elements (ΣREE), total light rare earth elements (ΣLREE) and total heavy rare earth elements (ΣHREE) in the PM2.5 vary across both the four seasons (summer > spring > winter > autumn) and different functional areas (residential and industrial area > residential and commercial area > scenic area). There are significant correlations between ΣREE in the PM2.5 and the PM2.5 mass concentration in spring, summer and winter but none in autumn. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns in the PM2.5 and potential-source samples are all rightward inclined, with the enrichment of LREE relative to HREE, and display obvious negative Eu anomalies. Results of the La-Ce-Sm diagram demonstrate that the REEs in the PM2.5 of all functional areas are mainly derived from sources other than soil dust. The sources of REEs in the PM2.5 across the four seasons and the reasons for spatial differences in the REEs across various functional areas can be determined via the La-Ce-V ternary diagram. The diagram of 143Nd/144Nd versus LREE/HREE suggests that the levels of REEs in the PM2.5 in Quanzhou City are mainly affected by vehicle exhaust, followed by coal combustion and construction dust, and less influenced by soil dust and steelworks emissions.
The Effects of a Carbon Fiber Shoe Insole on Athletic Performance in Collegiate Athletes

Sports equipment such as athletic footwear is designed to prevent injury and/or improve performance. There is limited research about the effects of foot orthoses or shoe insoles on performance improvement via enhanced energetics. One possible solution to improve the energy storage and return of athletic footwear is to utilize a carbon fiber shoe insole (CFI) optimally tuned for the human body-footwear system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a CFI on athletic performance. Thirty-four (15 males, 19 females) collegiate athletes performed a vertical jump, a pro agility test, and a 10-yard sprint while wearing normal athletic footwear and footwear incorporating a CFI. Vertical jump height was measured using a commercial Vertec device; pro agility test and 10-yard sprint times were measured using a laser timing system. The use of a CFI resulted in significant improvements in the vertical jump (+2.5%, p = 0.012) and the 10-yard sprint (+1.5%, p = 0.020), but not in the pro agility test. These results demonstrated a CFI can enhance speed/acceleration and power in collegiate athletes. Individual anatomical and biomechanical differences may influence the appropriate CFI stiffness required for each athlete to achieve maximal performance in sports involving running, jumping, and change-of-direction.
Household Food Insecurity Coping Strategies in Bungoma County, Kenya

Fighting hunger in a changing world demands that we stay vigilant in the way we obtain and share information that is critical for designing and implementing hunger strategies. Lack of Food in any country in the world is of great concern. For a long time Kenya government has strived to be food sufficient but all in vain. Research reports indicate that fifteen million Kenyans are food insecure with three million in constant need of food relief. For many years, the Kenya Government has strived to achieve food security through implementation of projects and security initiatives across all counties, but Bungoma county residents are still food insecure. People in Bungoma used varying coping strategies to mitigate hunger but cases of insufficient food were many. The study was done in Bungoma County and it aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of food insecurity coping strategies used by households. Questionnaires, interview schedules and group discussions were used to collect data. The collected data was subjected to chi-square test analysis and ranked using Spearman rank order correlation. From the research, it was found that the coping strategies which people used were effective but not sufficient. Based on the findings, we recommend use of multidimensional Strategic approach to food insecurity and should involve all food security stakeholders to ensure sustainability.
Validity and Reliability of the 112-Mile Run-Walk as an Indicator of Aerobic Fitness in Children With Mental Retardation

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between V0,max and the 112-mile run-walk and the reliability of each in children with mental retardation (MR). Twenty-three children (13 boys, 10 girls) with mild or moderate MR participated in the study. Two maximal treadmill protocols with metabolic measurements and two 112-mile run-walk trials were randomly conducted on separate days. There was no difference between Trial 1 and Trial 2 for V0,max (28.2 vs. 29.6 ml . kg-' . min-I), maximal heart rate (175 vs. 177 bpm), or run-walk time (7.2 vs. 7.1 min). The test-retest correlations were r = . 90 for VO,max, r = . 81 for maximal heart rate, and r = . 96 for the 112-mile run-walk @ < . 05). The correlation between V0,max and the ID-mile run-walk was r = -. 60 0, < . 05). Adding body mass index to the model improved R to . 67 (SEE = 7.3). The 112-mile run-walk was a reliable test, but had questionable validity as an indicator of aerobic capacity in children with mild and moderate MR.
Toxicity of Insecticides to Frankliniella invasor (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract Mango cv. ‘Ataulfo’ is perhaps the most popular mango produced in Mexico. The presence of high densities of thrips in mango blossoms, mainly the species Frankliniella invasor Sakimura, has been linked to yield decline. Growers spray synthetic insecticides on a regular basis against thrips to reduce their numbers, but no studies on the effectiveness of these insecticides have been conducted. The present study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the toxicity of 4 insecticides commonly used by growers. Commercial formulations of spinosad, imidacloprid, malathion, and &agr;-cypermethrin were evaluated on adults of F. invasor under laboratory conditions. Six concentrations of each insecticide were assessed: 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000 ppm. Snap bean pods were submerged into the different concentrations of insecticides, dried on paper towels, and placed in a plastic container with the thrips adults. A completely randomized design with 10 replicates per treatment was performed. Probit analyses revealed that spinosad and &agr;-cypermethrin were the most toxic insecticides for F. invasor with estimated LC50 values of 0.413 and 0.636 ppm, respectively. No significant differences in toxicity were found between imidacloprid (LC50 = 23.013 ppm) and malathion (LC50 = 34.422 ppm). Mortality in control treatments (distilled water) was never higher than 14%. Our study suggests the use of spinosad and &agr;-cypermethrin as the best control for F. invasor. However, these results should be complemented with field evaluations before being recommended to mango growers.
Isolation of Aerobic Bacteria from Wounds of Diabetic Patients Undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Khartoum State

Isolation of Aerobic Bacteria from Wounds of Diabetic Patients Undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Khartoum State Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Amal Mubarak Hassan Mubarak, Nosiba Ahmed Hassan Hamed, and Ahmed Bakheet Abd Alla Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Medical Laboratory Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology 2Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology -College of Medical Laboratory Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology
The Economic Theory of Regulation after a Decade of Deregulation

WHAT HAS COME to be called the economic theory of regulation, or ET, began with an article by George Stigler in 1971.1 The most important element of this theory is its integration of the analysis of political behavior with the larger body of economic analysis. Politicians, like the rest of us, are presumed to be self-interested maximizers. This means that interest groups can influence the outcome of the regulatory process by providing financial or other support to politicians or regulators. Simultaneously with Stigler, Richard Posner provided an important critique, and several years later he gave the theory its grandiose name. The major theoretical development of the ET has been an article by Peltzman in 1976 and one by Gary Becker in 1983.2 By conventional measures the theory has been an academic success. In this paper I evaluate that success in light of the changes in regulatory institutions that have occurred since the ET's early development.
Expectancy Effects on Behavior Depend on Self-Regulatory Thought

Expectancy effects on behavior depend on whether relevant expectations are activated and used. When people contrast their fantasies about a positive future with negative aspects of impeding reality, a necessity to act is experienced that leads to the activation and use of expectations. When people only fantasize about a positive future or only ruminate about impeding reality, no necessity to act is experienced and expectations fail to be activated and used. In two experiments with different paradigms (a salience procedure and a reinterpretation procedure) and distinct fantasy themes (getting to know an attractive stranger and successfully combining work and family life), participants mentally contrasted a positive future with impeding reality, fantasized about a positive future, or ruminated about impeding reality. Expectations of success guided behavioral commitment towards fantasy realization only when a positive future was mentally contrasted with impeding reality. The findings have implications for th.
Academic Procrastination among College Students with Learning Disabilities: The Role of Positive and Negative Self-Oriented Perfectionism in Terms of Gender, Specialty and Grade.

The purpose of this study was three folds: to explore whether there were relationship between academic procrastination and positive and negative self-oriented perfectionism of college students with learning disabilities, the extent to which positive and negative self-oriented perfectionism of college students with learning disabilities predicts academic procrastination, and whether level of academic procrastination tendency among college students with learning disabilities differs according to demographic variables. The research is based on a convenience sample of 80 undergraduate students from a variety of departments at Zagazig Faculty of Education, Egypt. Findings indicated that there was a positive correlation between academic procrastination and Positive Self–Oriented Perfectionism, while no significant correlation was determined between academic procrastination and Negative Self –Oriented Perfectionism. According to the multiple linear regression analysis results, Positive Self –Oriented Perfectionism, and Negative Self –Oriented Perfectionism account for 22% of academic procrastination. Positive Self –Oriented Perfectionism made a positive contribution to the model, Negative Self –Oriented Perfectionism made no significant contribution, which indicated that The only significant predictor was Positive Self –Oriented Perfectionism. The independent t-test showed that undergraduates’ academic procrastination scores did not differ significantly according to gender. One-way ANOVA showed that undergraduates’ academic procrastination scores did not differ significantly according to grade. The independent t-test showed that undergraduates’ academic procrastination scores did not differ significantly according to Specialty.
Performance Comparison between Stereausis and Incoherent Wideband Music for Localization of Ground Vehicles

Abstract : In this paper we present experimental results company the incoherent wideband MUSIC (IWM) algorithm developed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the stereausis algorithm developed by the University of Maryland (UMD) for the purpose of performing acoustic direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of ground vehicles. We discuss the motivating factors behind the use of auditory-inspired techniques such as stereausis for performing localization namely robustness and low complexity. Robustness is important because the acoustic signatures of the ground vehicles can vary significantly under different environmental conditions. We know that a human with only two ears (sensors) can perform source separation and localization extremely well in complex environments (e.g., the cocktail party effect). Low complexity is important as well because the algorithm will be used in real-time unattended acoustic ground sensor applications. With the use of recently developed alphaVLSI cochlear chips, outputs from 128 auditory filter channels can be used for performing the stereausis algorithm in real time. For comparison we will use IWM as the baseline and compare the DOA results of stereausis to that of IWM. We show raw DOA results with respect to the GPS truth data of the ground vehicles and discuss issues such as accuracy robustness with respect to noise number of sensor elements computational complexity and algorithm implementation.