Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 2.4-GHz CMOS Differential Class-DE Rectifier With Coupled Inductors

In this article, we present a 2.4-GHz differential class-DE synchronous rectifier. First, we investigate zero-voltage switching (ZVS), zero-current switching (ZCS), and impedance matching requirements for the single-ended class-DE rectifier. Then, we propose a differential topology that achieves near-optimum ZVS, ZCS, and impedance matching with a reduced number of LC networks. We use a coupled inductor structure to reduce the cost overhead of the differential topology and discuss its design considerations. To maintain the ZVS/ZCS operation within a wide input power range, we employ an adaptive bias circuit to adjust the gate bias voltages with the input power. Additionally, we discuss the imperfections caused by load variation. The chip, fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS process, measures the peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 68.5% at a 9-dBm input power with a 250-Ω load resistance. The measured input power range when PCE > 40% is 16 dB.
Predicting the U.S. environmental protection agency’s criminal enforcement outcomes, 1983–2019

ABSTRACT Studies of environmental enforcement in the United States focus on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) civil enforcement actions. We develop a fuller understanding of why the agency enforces through analysis of how and why they use criminal enforcement. We build a comprehensive dataset on the history of the EPA’s criminal enforcement investigations and related prosecutions, 1983–2019. Through content analysis of the agency’s case summaries, we analyze 2,588 cases to explain criminal prosecution outcomes, contrasting organizational culture, transaction costs, and principal-agent explanations for agency behavior. We find that an agency culture focusing on deterrence and punishment of more serious crimes drives outcomes more than costs or pressure. Our findings inform the ongoing debate concerning why the EPA enforces the law and how its organizational prerogatives persist in complex political environments.
Home-Based Learning (HBL) Teacher Readiness Scale: Instrument Development and Demographic Analysis

The unprecedented disruption in education due to the COVID-19 pandemic has forced teachers worldwide to adapt to online teaching and the immediate implementation of home-based learning (HBL). However, little is known regarding teacher readiness for HBL. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop an instrument to measure teachers’ readiness for online teaching, which can provide feedback to guide policymakers and school leaders in planning strategic interventions and support for implementing HBL. This study aimed to refine and validate the HBL Teacher Readiness Scale and to ascertain the view of secondary school teachers on aspects of their readiness to implement HBL. A total of 931 from a population of 3826 secondary school teachers were selected using random sampling, from the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The validity and reliability of the HBL Teacher Readiness instrument were tested using exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis. As a result of the analysis, the scale remained at 26 items across four factors, namely efficacy in technology, attitude, perceived behaviour control, and subjective norms. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.94. Demographic analysis revealed that, overall, the in-service teachers’ level of readiness was at a high level across all dimensions, although the highest was in attitude and the lowest was in subjective norms. Based on this initial sample, the HBL Teacher Readiness Scale was shown to be a suitable instrument to measure teacher readiness for change in the context of the implementation of HBL, although further testing should be conducted on more diverse groups.
Fuzzy Iterative Learning Control for Batch Processes with Interval Time-Varying Delays

In this paper, a T-S model-based fuzzy delay-range-dependent iterative learning control (ILC) scheme is developed for highly nonlinear batch processes with interval time-varying delays. The two-dimensional (2D) T-S time-delay model is constructed to remedy the disadvantage that the overall linear model cannot sufficiently describe the nonlinear batch process. Then, exploiting the repetitive nature of batch processes, a 2D fuzzy delay-range-dependent iterative learning control is designed. The delay-range-dependent stabilization problem and H∞ control are studied by using 2D Lyapunov function under a 2D system framework. At the same time, the controller gain design is given and its gain can be obtained in terms of LMIs. A water tank is taken as a simulation case to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed fuzzy iterative learning control scheme.
New Data on the Headshield of Parayunnanolepis xitunensis (Placodermi, Antiarcha), with Comments on Nasal Capsules in Antiarchs

ABSTRACT The diversity in positions of nasal capsules has been well documented in various subgroups of placoderms or jawed stem gnathostomes. However, the condition in primitive antiarchs (i.e., the Yunnanolepidoidei) remains unclear, and the positional shift of nasal capsules in the Antiarcha has never been mentioned. Here we re-describe the headshield of Parayunnanolepis xitunensis, a yunnanolepidoid antiarch from the Lower Devonian of China, using X-ray computed tomography scanning. The study provides new anatomical details of the headshield including the sclerotic capsules, the visceral side of the rostral and pineal plates, and the dorsal profile of the endocranium. Parayunnanolepis xitunensis bears a pair of nasal capsules underlying the rostral plate between the eyes, resembling Romundina but differing from most euantiarchs, whose nasal capsules are encased in the preorbital recess in front of the eyes. A phylogenetic analysis based on a modified matrix indicates a stepwise forward migration of nasal capsules within antiarchs, accompanied by the innovation of the preorbital recess and the loss of the preorbital depression.
Potassium Sulphate Induces Resistance of Rice against the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne graminicola

Background Potassium (K), an important nutrient element, can improve the stress resistance/tolerance of crops. The application of K in resisting plant parasitic nematodes shows that the K treatment can effectively reduce the occurrence of nematode diseases and increase crop yield. However, data on K2SO4 induced rice resistance to Meloidogyne graminicola are still lacking. To evaluate rice resistance against M. graminicola induced by K2SO4 and to further clarify its mechanism is essential for the rational use of K fertilizer to ensure the safety of rice production.Results In this work, K2SO4 treatment effectively reduced the numbers of both galls and nematodes in rice roots, and delayed the development of nematodes to the adult stage. Rather than by affecting the attractiveness of roots to nematodes and the morphological phenotype of giant cells at feeding sites, such effect was achieved by rapidly stimulating hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation, increasing callose deposition. Meanwhile, such induced resistance required the active participation of the potassium channel OsAKT1 and the potassium transporter OsHAK5. The numbers of both galls and nematodes were higher in both gene deficient plants than that in the wild-type plants, and the K2SO4-induced resistance showed weaker in the defective plants than in the wild-type plants.Conclusions K2SO4 treatment effectively induces rice resistance to root-knot nematode M. graminicola. The mechanism of inducing resistance is to prime the basic defense of rice, up-regulating the expression of resistance-related genes and with the involvement of K+ channel and transporter. These laid a foundation for further study on the mechanism of rice to defense against root-knot nematodes and the effective use of potassium fertilizer to improve rice resistance against nematodes in the field.
Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Microbes from Rock Phosphate Mines and Their Potential Effect for Sustainable Agriculture

Continuous application of phosphate (P) mineral to soil renders apatite addition during each crop growing season which is of great concern from a sustainable agriculture viewpoint. Use of efficient phosphate solubilizing microbes (PSB) is one of the most effective ways to solubilize this apatite mineral in the soil. The current study targeted hydroxyapatite mines to explore, isolate and characterize efficient P solubilizers to solubilize apatite in the soil. Efficiency of isolated microbes to solubilize rock phosphate (hydroxyapatite) and tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACC) activity were tested. Identification and phylogenetic analysis of bacterial and fungal isolates were carried out by 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequence analyses, respectively. The isolated bacterial strains were identified as Staphylococcus sp. , Bacillus firmus, Bacillus safensis, and Bacillus licheniformis whereas fungal isolates were identified as Penicillium sp. and Penicillium oxalicum. Results showed that the impact of identified strains in combination with three phosphate fertilizers sources (compost, rock phosphate and diammonium phosphate (DAP)) was conspicuous on maize crop grown in pot. Both bacterial and fungal strains increased the P uptake by plants as well as recorded with higher available P in post-harvested soil. Penicillium sp. in combination with compost resulted in maximum P-uptake by plants and post-harvest soil P contents, compared to other combinations of P sources and bio-inoculants. Screening and application of efficient P solubilizers can be a better option to utilize the indigenous phosphate reserves of soil as well as organic amendments for sustainable agriculture.
Production of the forage halophyte Atriplex amnicola in metal‐contaminated soils

Clean‐up of contaminated soils is a costly and slow process that requires long periods of time to be effective. Therefore, direct use of contaminated sites with appropriate management is often likely to be a more efficient use of such land. Consequently, the production of safe animal forages from contaminated soils was the aim of this research. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the growth and elemental composition of river saltbush (Atriplex amnicola) grown on a metal‐contaminated soil. The soil was amended with compost at rates of 0, 15 and 30 t/ha to assess its role on plant growth and metal uptake. Compost application significantly (P < 0.05) increased biomass yield, crude protein (CP) and ash content of river saltbush; in contrast, it decreased the Zn and Pb concentrations in shoot tissues. When 30 t/ha of compost was added, the Pb concentrations in the stems and leaves decreased by 32 and 38%, respectively. Despite the large total and extractable content of metals in the studied soil, shoot concentrations of these metals in A. amnicola were always maintained below potentially toxic levels. The biomass material of A. amnicola had a high nutritive value compared to conventional forage crops and could safely be used as animal forage. This work demonstrates that an Atriplex spp, A. amnicola, has significant potential for use as a safe forage crop in the sustainable on‐site management of contaminated soils.
The Representation of Gender in a Textbook Entitled When English Rings a Bell

Abstract. Despite countless criticism that English textbooks contain gender biases, teachers still use textbooks in their teaching. This study investigated the representation of gender in an English textbook for junior high school level: When English Rings a Bell. Halliday’s transitivity system ( Halliday & Matthiessen, 2004 , 2014 ) is applied in this qualitative study to reveal how gender is represented. The result shows female characters dominate the roles of Participants. Regarding the types of Processes, the depictions of male and female characters are both significant in Relational processes; however, female characters are more frequently represented than male characters in other Processes. It is observed that both males and females are mostly attributed with positive personality adjectives. Only a few male characters are associated with negative traits. This study is expected to provide teachers and book authors with references of gender representations in the textbook so they can be aware of the imbalance and actively contribute to lessen this discrepancy. Keywords: Textbook, gender representation, English, ideology
A view through the lens of policy formulation: the struggle to formulate Swedish moose policy

ABSTRACT Policy formulation refers to how problems identified in the agenda-setting phase transform into government programs. As the process of designing policy alternatives expresses and allocates power among different interests, policy formulation affects both implementation and outcomes. This paper examines the Swedish moose policy of 2010, revealing that the policy portrays the issue of moose as an ecological problem, while motivations for adopting policy measures are largely described in economic terms. Because of this incongruity, the policy may not achieve its goals. Furthermore, implementation principles stemming from different design strategies clash in the attempt to incorporate both local and ecosystem-based levels of management into a single system, leaving the policy implementation with many uncertainties and tensions. To deliver the policy’s goal, the government could consider clarifying the operationalization of the ecosystem-based management approach and identifying the prerequisites necessary for building capacity, dealing with strong stakeholders, and ensuring fair representation of key actors. Future research should further explore the consequences of policy imbalances in relation to intended goals, the importance of understanding the rationales and design strategies underpinning implementation principles, and the need to discuss operationalization of EBM in relation to different types of objects of management and to issues of scale.
Cool-season lawn performance as influenced by ‘Microclover’ inclusion and supplemental nitrogen

Lawns require a steady supply of nitrogen (N) to maintain green color and seasonal shoot density. Excess N fertilization can lead to surface and groundwater contami-nation, suggesting a need for alternative turf fertilization strategies that reduce the reliance on frequent N applications. Grass-legume mixtures may be one solution since legumes, like white clover ( Trifolium repens L.), biologically fix atmospheric N and add it to the soil via mineralization. This field study evaluated the growth, appearance and persistence of a cool-season grass and grass-legume mixture containing a low growing Trifolium repens , ‘Microclover’ (MC) with and without supplemental N fertilization (0 vs. 98 kg N ha − 1 yr − 1 ) over two growing seasons. Turf with MC and receiving supplemental N produced the most dry matter yield (DMY) 15583 kg ha − 1 and the highest mean visual appearance. By contrast, unfertilized turf without MC produced the least DMY, 3815 kg ha − 1 , and the poorest appearance, which lacked vigor and was negatively affected by leaf blighting diseases. The unfertilized turf with MC produced moderate growth, results suggest that
Delight and Commitment—Revisiting the Satisfaction-Loyalty Link

Abstract The study investigates the role of customer delight and calculative commitment in mediating the satisfaction-loyalty link. It also investigates the role of perceived employee skills in strengthening the link between satisfaction, calculative commitment, and customer delight. Data were collected from retail banking customers who consider themselves overall satisfied with their bank. The study establishes the importance of generating customer delight and fostering affective commitment to strengthen the satisfaction-loyalty link and signposts the influence of the perceived skills (information sharing and expertise) of bank employees on the relationships between satisfaction, affective commitment, and customer delight in retail banking.
Institutional quality and the capital structure of microfinance institutions: the moderating role of board gender diversity

Abstract We test the effect of institutional quality on capital structure in the microfinance setting. In doing this, we rely on data from 532 microfinance institutions (MFIs) located in 73 countries dotted across the six microfinance regions in the world. We observe that institutional quality exhibits a robust negative and statistically significant relationship with capital structure in both the short and long run, implying that MFIs in countries with a better institutional environment are less likely to utilize more debt. Our moderation analysis furnishes us with evidence that the presence of women on the board of an MFI significantly moderates the relationship between institutional quality and its capital structure. We show that in the presence of more female representation on the boards of MFIs, the tendency of MFIs using less debt is higher.
The evolving path of CSR: toward business and society relationship

PurposeThis paper takes a critical look at the meaning of corporate social responsibility (CSR) based on the available literature on the subject matter. As CSR is an evolving concept both in meaning and practice, this study aims to highlight CSR actions of the world's six largest organizations (Google, Twitter, Amazon, Apple, ExxonMobil and Walmart). The purpose of choosing these organizations and their CSR adoption was to examine the business-society relationship and the role of key stakeholders in establishing this association.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined CSR through the case study approach and provides valuable insights by showing that CSR is a connecting link between business and society. Specifically, the authors took a crucial look at various contentious, often ambiguous definitions, theoretical framework, brief historical development, issues and controversies surrounding it, the role of CSR in community development and summing it up with the future direction and managerial implications.FindingsThis study observed that there are some developmental strategies taking place today which are relevant to the issue at stake, such as: contributing to the world economy, corporations donating or engaging in a wide range of philanthropic gestures now than ever and contributing to the beauty of the society by meeting rising community expectations.Originality/valueBy analyzing the worlds' 6 largest companies' CSR initiatives, this study provides valuable insights by showing that CSR is a connecting link between business and society and is based on win-win collaborations between civil society, business, investors and government. These companies' CSR initiatives have been mostly unexplored in past studies.
Effects of different barley grain preservation techniques on intake, growth and carcase traits of finishing dairy bulls fed grass silage-based rations

Abstract The effects of different barley grain preservation techniques on intake, growth and carcase traits of dairy bulls were determined in a feeding trial using 52 Holstein and 48 Nordic Red bulls which were allotted to four feeding treatments (five pens and 25 bulls per treatment). Spring barley was harvested with a conventional combine harvester and four different preservation techniques formed the four experimental treatments. Dry grain (DG) was dried to the targeted dry matter (DM) concentration of 870–880 g/kg and rolled within 7 days prior to feeding. High moisture grain treated with a formic acid-based additive (FA) was harvested and crimped on the targeted DM content of 700 g/kg. Low moisture grain treated with a urea-based additive (UR) and low moisture grain treated with a propionic acid-based additive (PA) were harvested and crimped on the targeted DM content of 800 g/kg. The bulls were fed with total mixed ration ad libitum. On DM basis, the diets included grass silage (500 g/kg), barley grain (485 g/kg) and a mineral–vitamin mixture (15 g/kg). Daily DM intake (DMI) and live weight gain were 6% higher when crimped grains were used instead of DG (P < 0.05). There were no observed significant differences in DMI, gain or carcase traits between high moisture and low moisture crimped grain treatments or between UR and PA. The current results show that producers have the option to vary grain preservation system without major changes to growth performance or carcase traits.
How COVID-19 affects individuals' food consumption behaviour: a consumer survey on attitudes and habits in Turkey

Purpose: After the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, its devastating effects began to be closely monitored all over the world The new order that emerged due to the fight against the virus soon began to affect all our habits and behaviours The fact that food consumption is vital for human well-being makes this an important area to investigate in terms of the impact of COVID-19 This research was carried out to investigate the changes in consumers' food consumption behaviour and habits during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors that explain these changes Design/methodology/approach: In line with the recommendations for social distancing under pandemic conditions, the empirical data were collected via computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) The participants were 1,023 individuals living in the major cities of the seven regions of Turkey An ordered probit regression model was used to estimate the attitudes related to the changes in food consumption behaviour and habits, and descriptive statistics are provided to show the current food consumption and purchase situation Findings: The results showed that the changes in food consumption behaviour and habits due to the pandemic were related to price increase concerns, stockpiling, awareness of food waste, safety and excessive, food access concerns, natural/organic food preferences and packaging of foods Moreover, the participants tended to prepare food at home and preferred food that was popular with other consumers Consumers mainly bought food from discount stores and local grocery stores and consumed fresh vegetables and fruits, animal-based products, cereals and pulses Originality/value: The current study contributes to knowledge regarding the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on food consumption behaviour by using a predictive model and provides behavioural estimations by using a countrywide questionnaire The results show that the pandemic affects food consumption routines and food perspective of consumers in various ways © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited