Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Biological Flora of Coastal Dunes and Wetlands: Panicum amarum S. Elliott and Panicum amarum S. Elliott var. amarulum (A.S. Hitchcock and M.A. Chase) P. Palmer

Abstract Panicum amarum S. Elliott var. amarum and P. amarum var. amarulum (A.S. Hitchcock & M.A. Chase) P. Palmer are New World tropical-, subtropical-, and temperate-zone rhizomatous varieties of a grass species that is important on coastal foredunes and primary dune topographic facets. Herein, we present a review of the biology of these important taxa. Panicum amarum has low freshwater moisture requirements, and it tolerates low nutrient levels, high sand temperature, and extensive sand coverage. Also known as bitter panic grass, it inhabits mobile and semistable dune systems, and it plays a significant role in trapping sand and building primary dunes. Panicum amarum quickly recolonizes coastlines where all vegetation has been removed by storm surges.
Evaluation of AODV, OLSR and ZRP Routing Protocols under Black hole attack

Mobile adhoc networks (MANETs) are extensively used in military and disaster management applications. The dynamic topology of MANETs allows nodes to join and leave the network at any point of time. This generic characteristic of MANET has rendered it vulnerable to security attacks. One of the most devastating attacks knows to MANET routing protocols is black hole attack. This paper focus on evaluation of MANET Routing Protocols like AODV, OLSR and ZRP with black hole attack and the parameters used for this study are packet delivery ratio, average throughput, and average end to end delay using NS2 to evaluate the behaviors of these protocols under the black hole attack .
Botanische Untersuchungen in der Rössener Siedlung Maastricht-Randwijck

In 1988 part of a Rossen settlement was excavated near Maastricht-Randwijck. The settlement was situated on the lower terrace of the river Maas and bordered an oxbow lake. Pits filled with domestic waste produced charcoal as well as carbonized fruits and seeds. The former river course was sampled for pollen analysis. The botanical data resemble rather well those published in connection with Rossen sites in the adjacent German Rhineland, despite the unusual lower terrace location. The traces of land settlement in the pollen record are the same, as are the remains of agricultural activities. These activities follow the pattern known from the preceding Bandkeramik culture, except where cereals are concerned. Rossen farmers grew raw wheat and raw barley as a main crop, and also the customary emmer and einkorn wheats. The introduction of new crops might represent an influence from France, possibly through Grosgartach.
Measurement and modelling of the directional scattering of light.

The quantum nature of light suggests that a photon can interact with matter in two primary ways. Firstly and perhaps more simply, the photon could be absorbed or secondly and more complex, it could be scattered into a new direction of propagation. The scattering process can be thought of as probabilistic, with a statistical distribution of possible new directions of travel with respect to the original. In the case of interaction with a small particle of matter, the probability distribution is referred to as the phase function. In the case of scattering at a surface interface between two bulk materials, the new direction of travel is distributed according to a function called the Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Function (BSDF). The BSDF depends on both the direction of arrival and the direction of scatter (hence bidirectional), the type of material and the condition of the surface as well as the wavelength of light. This work explores a number of areas related to the BSDF, with special attention to the e ects of random light scatter in high performance optical imaging systems such as space telescopes. These demanding imaging applications require optical components manufactured to very high standards with respect to shape, smoothness and cleanliness. This means that random scatter from the surfaces of these optical components must be controlled to very low levels. The measurement of very weak optical surface scatter is therefore a problem of particular interest. An interferometric technique has been proposed here for improving the quality of such measurements. The interference e ects produced in the image by this technique were analysed using Nijboer-Zernike di raction theory, leading to a journal publication in Current Applied Physics.
Coupled sea ice and climate variability from modern observations and proxy reconstructions

Coupled climate and sea ice variability in the Arctic was investigated using a combination of modern, historical and proxy observations. In the Canadian Arctic, operational sea ice charts were homogenized into a spatially and temporally consistent gridded dataset. A complete climatic analysis of this dataset revealed the presence of dominant modes of sea ice variability related to driving climate patterns and atmospheric circulation indices such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). On a hemispheric scale, the late-summer ice cover extent is decreasing at a much faster rate than the maximum winter ice cover. The disappearing perennial ice is partly replaced by seasonal ice, the areal extent of which has increased steadily over the last century. The enhanced seasonal sea ice freeze-thaw cycle is predicted to increase the salinity of surface waters over continental shelves, thereby enhancing haline convection and ventilation of the deeper Arctic Ocean. Coupled sea ice and climate proxies for the North Baffin Bay region were developed from an existing ice core from Devon Ice Cap and a new ice core from the Prince-of-Wales (POW) Icefield on Ellesmere Island. A sea-salt concentration record from the Devon ice core was found to relate with sea ice concentration in nearby Baffin Bay. The record was used to study past sea ice conditions in Baffin Bay over the last 200 years in relation with temperature proxies (melt %, 8lsO). Sea ice extent variations in northern Baffin Bay appear to be mostly dynamically driven, with sea ice decreasing when Nares Strait becomes congested with ice from the Arctic Ocean, and northerly winds advect ice from Baffin Bay southward. A new high-resolution melt record was developed using digital image analysis of the POW ice core. The record was used to show that melting affects the solid Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Image patch modeling in a light field

Author(s): Li, Zeyu | Advisor(s): Bajcsy, Ruzena | Abstract: Understanding image content is one of the ultimate goals of computer vision, and effectively and efficiently extracting features from images is a key component of all vision research. This thesis discusses methods related to an image-patch based approach to this feature analysis. Image-patch based methods have attracted a lot of interest for the analysis of a single images in application areas such as visual object recognition, image denoising, and super-resolution computation. The basic idea is to treat a single image as a collection of independent image patches, each of which can be encoded by, for example, a sparse coding model. The global characterization of that image is attained by aggregating the patch codes, which brings some level of shift-invariance and robustness to image noise and signal degradation. In this thesis, a new scheme, \textit{scene geometry-aware image-patch modeling}, based on the concept of a \textbf{patch-cube}, is proposed to model image patches in a light field, rather than in a single image. A light field is a collection of images all acquired at the same instant, providing a set of perspectives on the scene as though observing all of the light information that passes through a windowing portal (clearly with some discretization and sampling). The scene geometric information is implicitly incorporated in our modeling process, including depth and occlusion, without explicit knowledge of 3D scene structure. These extra constraints on the scene geometry empower our learned features to be less affected by image noise, lighting conditions, etc. As demonstration, we apply our method to joint image denoising and joint spatial/angular image super-resolution tasks, where its use of the light field will be seen to permit it to outperform its image-patch based counterparts. Here, a 2D camera array with small incremental baselines is used to capture the light field data, and this analysis is the majority of what we report. Additionally, working with real data from real light-field cameras, we present novel and highly effective methods for the calibration of these camera arrays.In common with the single-image model, learning a good "dictionary" plays a very important role in our work -- selecting an appropriate set of features that can provide succinct representations of a scene. Inspired by the success of the image patch-based method \cite{NGSingle}, we show that feature extraction for image patches is closely related to the low-rank kernel matrix approximation using the Nystrom method. The dictionary in sparse coding, or cluster centers in K-means clustering, are actually landmark points which can better capture the underlying higher-dimensional (manifold) structure of the data. Based upon this observation, our contribution is two fold: 1) an efficient algorithm to perform Kernel Principle Component Analysis feature extraction using landmark points, and 2) an alternative method for finding better landmark points based on \textit{Generalized Extreme Value distribution}s, GEV-Kmeans.
Seismic velocities in rock subjected to axial loading up to shear fracture

The P and S velocities along three mutually perpendicular directions are measured as a function of the axial load on specimens of Indiana limestone. The specimens are rectangular prisms, and variable axial load is applied in the vertical direction parallel to the long dimension (Z axis). A clamp is used to hold the specimen firmly along a transverse direction (Y axis). Piezoelectric transducers of the compressional and shear type are used for both transmitting and receiving the seismic signal and are mounted on opposite faces of the specimen so that seismic velocities can be measured along the three orthogonal directions (Z, Y, and X axes). Seismograms showing the arrivals of P and S waves are obtained while the axial load is increased in small increments until shear fracture takes place. An examination of seismograms shows that prior to rupture both P and S velocities decrease in all three directions but by quite different amounts. The ratio of P to S velocities, ξ, remains nearly constant along the Z axis, decreases somewhat along the Y axis, and drops considerably along the X axis. These results, interpreted as being due to prefailure dilatancy, provide qualitative information on the anisotropic behavior of ξ, an important premonitory indicator of earthquakes.
Openness, Imperfect Exchange Rate Pass-Through and Monetary Policy

This paper analyses the implications of imperfect exchange rate passthrough for optimal monetary policy in a linearised open-economy dynamic general equilibrium model calibrated to euro area data. Imperfect exchange rate pass through is modelled by assuming sticky import price behaviour. The degree of domestic and import price stickiness is estimated by reproducing the empirical identified impulse response of a monetary policy and exchange rate shock conditional on the response of output, net trade and the exchange rate. It is shown that a central bank that wants to minimise the resource costs of staggered price setting will aim at minimising a weighted average of domestic and import price inflation.
The Use of Robust Estimators as Measures of Core Inflation

This paper examines robust estimators of core inflation for Belgian historical CPI data, and for euro area Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices. Evidence of fat tails in the cross-sections of price changes is provided by traditional measures, as well as by a robust measure of the tail weights that is not vulnerable to the masking phenomenon. Trimmed means are considered in the first instance. We introduce a new estimator where the optimal trimming percentage is the lowest percentage for which the hypothesis of normality of the trimmed samples cannot be rejected on the basis of the Jarque-Bera statistic. Two variants are considered, one with a constant and one with a time-varying optimal trimming percentage. The latter has a higher breakdown point. Symmetric and asymmetric trimming are considered as well. Another robust estimator, the one-step Huber-type skipped mean, which is less vulnerable to the masking phenomenon, is also examined. It is shown that the robust estimators outperform the traditional core inflation measures found in the literature. However, as traditional measures, they lag rather than lead observed inflation. This was particularly so in the 70s and the 80s when the oil price shocks had substantial second-round effects on Belgian inflation.
Design of a reconfigurable FFT processor using Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm

This paper describes the implementation of Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) in a 16-point Radix-4 Single Path Delay Feedback (R4SDF) pipelined Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processor in Verilog. The role of MOGA is to optimize the wordlength of the FFT coefficient and at the same time make sure the processor operates at acceptable Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). Reducing the wordlength of FFT coefficient will contribute to lower Switching Activity (SA), thus lower power consumption is required for the operation of FFT processor.
ECONOMIC GROWTH ∗.

Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect views of the Institute. * We thank seminar participants at DIW and the ECOMOD Conference, Istanbul 2003, for useful comments. We are also grateful to an anonymous referee for several excellent comments. This paper was written while both authors were visiting the Department of Macro and Forecasting at DIW Berlin (2002-2004). Hospitality from the Department of Macro Analysis and Forecasting at DIW is gratefully acknowledged. Abstract Can a growing welfare state induce a regime switch in the growth rate of an econ-omy? This paper constructs a dynamic political economy model of economic growth and the welfare state in which both variables are non-linearly related and jointly en-dogenous. Using a Markov switching framework over the period 1950-2001, we find that the structural decline in growth rates that several welfare state economies experienced during 1970-1975 are preceded by movements to a high welfare state regime. This suggests that expanding welfare state regimes are associated with low economic growth regimes, while contracting welfare state regimes are associated with high growth regimes. However, we also find that the structural decline in growth rates leads to a downward structural break in the welfare state for many welfare state economies. This suggests that declining growth regimes are associated with contracting welfare state regimes, as lower growth forces politicians to cut the size of the welfare state. We also report strong evidence that both expansion and contractions in the welfare state affects growth non-linearly. These results are able to characterize a predictable and general pattern of welfare state–growth evolution.
Draft Manuscript: Please do not cite or quote until published Serum Cotinine levels and Diabetes Mellitus in Never Smokers

Objective—The aim of the current study is to examine the association of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure evident by serum cotinine level, and diabetes mellitus in never smokers. Previous studies suggest that active tobacco cigarette smoking is associated with diabetes mellitus risk. However it is not clear if the low-level “background” ETS exposure is associated with diabetes among never smokers. Methods—We present evidence from five independent replications based on the US nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) conducted 2003-12. Our exposure of interest is ETS exposure among never smokers, measured by serum cotinine levels (ng/mL), and our main outcome is diabetes mellitus assessed via self-reported physician-diagnosis, current use of insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic medications, plasma fasting glucose levels ≥126 mg/dL or glycohemoglobin levels ≥6.5%. The conceptual model encompassed age, sex, ethnic self-identification, education, poverty-income ratio, alcohol drinking, total cholesterol and body mass index. Results—In never smokers, higher serum cotinine levels were positively associated with diabetes mellitus (the meta-analytic summary estimate is 1.2, 95% CI=1.1, 1.2). This association was not evident among never smokers with cotinine levels below 3 ng/mL. Conclusions—These replications help sustain evidence of ETS-diabetes mellitus association, which might be explained by shared psychosocial characteristics Prospective studies with appropriate biomarkers are needed to further investigate this association.
Influência da temperatura no comportamento reológico da polpa de jabuticaba Influence of temperature on the rheological behavior of jaboticaba pulp

Abstract The steady state and dynamic rheological behavior of jaboticaba pulp was studied at different temperatures (5, 25, 45, 65 and 85 °C). Flow curves were obtained from 0 to 300 s –1 and the data were fitted to different models. The Herschel-Bulkley model showed the best fit (R 2 > 0.98) to the experimental data. Increasing the temperature caused a decrease in the consistency index (k) and a slight increase in the flow index (n). Oscillatory rheological measurements were taken in the viscoelastic region to obtain mechanical spectra. The storage modulus (G’) of samples stored at 5 °C was much higher than that recorded at other temperatures, indicating more intense particle interactions at this temperature, which contributed to strengthen the elastic network. At 45 °C, the jaboticaba pulp showed a distinct behavior, possibly indicating the beginning of gelation of the pulp’s natural pectin. Keywords: rheology; temperature; viscoelasticity; Myrciaria jaboticaba . Influencia da temperatura no comportamento reologico da polpa de jabuticaba
Water, soil and phosphorus loss with cattle slurry application to Oxisols under no-tillage and natural rainfall.

Milk dairy cattle production occurs in Paraná state, and the application to soils is an alternative for final disposal of the animal manure. This study aimed to evaluate the losses of soil, water and nutrients through runoff in a no-tillage system, under natural rainfall in a two soils with different doses of cattle slurry (0, 60, 120 and 180 m3/ha/yr). The experiment was carried out for two years in experimental areas being managed under no-till for over 12 years. The runoff was collected in 60 L containers after every rainfall event with occurrence of runoff. According to the data, 180 and 120 m3/ha/yr of cattle slurry are the best dose for the sandy clay loam and clay Oxisols, respectively, considering the two years of application, low slope (10%), low rainfall, and at least 10 days between the manure application and rainfall event. The flow-weighted average of dissolved, reactive phosphorus concentrations were above of the limit associated with eutrophication, indicating that even in unmanured no-till, the need for conservation practices to avoid the runoff for reach the water bodies.
Life During Growth

A remarkable diversity of indicators shows quality of life across nations to be positively associated with per capita income. At the same time, the changes in quality of life as income grows are surprisingly uneven. Either in levels or changes, moreover, the effect of exogenous shifts over time is surprisingly strong compared to growth effects. This paper reaches this conclusion with a panel dataset of 81 indicators covering up to 4 time periods (1960, 1970, 1980, and 1990). The indicators cover 7 subjects: (1) individual rights and democracy, (2) political instability and war, (3) education, (4) health, (5) transport and communications, (6) inequality across class and gender, and (7) “bads. ” With a SUR estimator in levels, income per capita has an impact on the quality of life that is significant, positive, and more important than exogenous shifts for 32 out of 81 indicators. With a fixed effects estimator, growth has an impact on the quality of life that is significant, positive, and more important than exogenous shifts for 10 out of 81 indicators. With a first-differences IV estimator, growth has a causal impact on the quality of life that is significant, positive, and more important than exogenous shifts for 6 out of 69 quality of life indicators. The conclusion speculates about such explanations for the pattern of results as: (1) the long and variable lags that may come between growth and changes in the quality of life, and (2) the possibility that global socioeconomic progress is more important than home country growth for many quality of life indicators. 1 I acknowledge assistance on data collection and organization from a fortuitous succession of two hardworking research assistants, Peter Niessen and Giuseppe Iarossi. An unpublished literature survey by Peter Niessen was helpful as well. I have benefitted from comments of participants at the Poverty-EnvironmentGrowth Workshop at the World Bank including discussants Andrew Steer and Tom Tietenburg and from participants in seminars at the World Bank, George Washington, Harvard, MIT, NYU, Syracuse, the University of Virginia, and the NBER small-group meeting on Growth. Comments from and/or discussions with two anonymous referees, Joshua Aizenman, Ken Chomitz, Richard Easterlin, Raquel Fernandez, Jan Gunning, Dean Jamison, Ross Levine, Norman Loayza, Aart Kraay, Paul Krugman, Martin Ravallion, Jakob Svennson, and Jaume Ventura were extremely helpful. I am most grateful of all to Lant Pritchett, who contributed several rounds of trenchant criticisms. None of these generous commentators should be held responsible for any errors. The views expressed here are those of the author and not of the World Bank or its member governments. The data and full text for this paper are available on the web page http://www.worldbank. org/html/prdmg/grthweb/growth_t. htm