Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regional impacts of the westerly winds on Southern Ocean mode and intermediate water subduction

Subduction processes in the Southern Ocean transfer oxygen, heat, and anthropogenic carbon into the ocean interior. The future response of upper-ocean subduction, in the Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW) and Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) classes, is dependent on the evolution of the combined surface buoyancy forcing and overlying westerly wind stress. Here, the recently observed pattern of a poleward intensification of the westerly winds is divided into its shift and increase components. SAMW and AAIW formation occurs in regional "hot spots" in deep mixed layer zones, primarily in the southeast Indian and Pacific. It is found that the mixed layer depth responds differently to wind stress perturbations across these regional formation zones. An increase only in the westerly winds in the Indian sector steepens isopycnals and increases the local circulation, driving deeper mixed layers and increased subduction. Conversely, in the same region, a poleward shift and poleward intensification of the westerly winds reduces heat loss and increases freshwater input, thus decreasing the mixed layer depth and consequently the associated SAMW and AAIW subduction. In the Pacific sector, all wind stress perturbations lead to increases in heat loss and decreases in freshwater input, resulting in a net increase in SAMW and AAIW subduction. Overall, the poleward shift in the westerly wind stress dominates the SAMWsubduction changes, rather than the increase in wind stress. The net decrease in SAMW subduction across all basins would likely decrease anthropogenic carbon sequestration; however, the net AAIWsubduction changes across the Southern Ocean are overall minor.
The Effects of Remittances on Poverty at the Household Level in Bolivia: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

In the last few years, Bolivia has experienced a growing migration phenomenon. Many household members migrate from their homes in order to look for better opportunities and to improve their household income. In this paper, we aim to explore the effects of remittances on Bolivian household poverty levels. We use micro data from the 2008 Household Survey, conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). We calculate propensity score matching estimators in order to address the potential bias due to heterogeneous factors in the sample. Then, we estimate the average treatment effect on the treated to compare the poverty level between households which receive and do not receive remittances. Results show that remittances have a positive effect on reducing urban households’ poverty level, whereas there is no effect on rural households’ poverty.
CYCLICAL LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT, SKILL LOSS,

Movements in long-term unemployment (LTU) exhibit a substantial cyclical component. I document a number of stylized facts and develop a business cycle model featuring labor market frictions and skill loss during unemployment to reproduce the findings in the data. I find that the skill loss mechanism helps to capture volatility patterns across macroeconomic variables, negative duration dependence, and the behavior of the LTU proportion among total unemployment around business cycle turning points. Optimal monetary policy in the presence of skill loss allows for a higher volatility of inflation after productivity shocks to reduce skill deterioration and mitigate consumption losses.
Comparative study of resistant starches and investigations of their application in starch-based products (bread and pasta)

in book of abstracts of national conference in Hungarian 22. Gelencsér T. : Rezisztens keményítővel kiegészített termékek vizsgálata. 330 scientific colloquium of the Central Food Research Institute (07 March, 2008, Budapest, Hungary) p. 9. Poster presentation in English 23. T. Gelencsér, A. Salgó: Cereal based low GI products (pasta and bread), Diogenes Consortium Meeting & Training (2-4 October, 2006, Mallorca, Spain) 24. T. Gelencsér, V. Gál, A. Salgó: Investigations of resistant starch enriched bread products. 4 International and the 6 Croatian Congress of Cereal Technologists “Flour-Bread '07” (24-27 October, 2007, Opatija, Croatia) 25. M. Hódsági, T. Gelencsér, A. Salgó: Investigations of resistant starches. Conference of PhD students (BME), Faculty of Chemical and Bioengineering (07 February, 2008, Budapest, Hungary)
Simulated pre-industrial climate in Bergen Climate Model (version 2): model description and large-scale circulation features

Abstract. The Bergen Climate Model (BCM) is a fully-coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea-ice model that provides state-of-the-art computer simulations of the Earth's past, present, and future climate. Here, a pre-industrial multi-century simulation with an updated version of BCM is described and compared to observational data. The model is run without any form of flux adjustments and is stable for several centuries. The simulated climate reproduces the general large-scale circulation in the atmosphere reasonably well, except for a positive bias in the high latitude sea level pressure distribution. Also, by introducing an updated turbulence scheme in the atmosphere model a persistent cold bias has been eliminated. For the ocean part, the model drifts in sea surface temperatures and salinities are considerably reduced compared to earlier versions of BCM. Improved conservation properties in the ocean model have contributed to this. Furthermore, by choosing a reference pressure at 2000 m and including thermobaric effects in the ocean model, a more realistic meridional overturning circulation is simulated in the Atlantic Ocean. The simulated sea-ice extent in the Northern Hemisphere is in general agreement with observational data except for summer where the extent is somewhat underestimated. In the Southern Hemisphere, large negative biases are found in the simulated sea-ice extent. This is partly related to problems with the mixed layer parametrization, causing the mixed layer in the Southern Ocean to be too deep, which in turn makes it hard to maintain a realistic sea-ice cover here. However, despite some problematic issues, the pre-industrial control simulation presented here should still be appropriate for climate change studies requiring multi-century simulations.
Q-learning Approach in the Context of Virtual Learning Environment

Reinforcement learning (RL) is learning what to do (how to map situations to actions) to maximize a numerical reward signal. Two characteristics: trial-and-error search and delayed reward are the two most important features of reinforcement learning. RL is different from supervised learning, the kind of learning studied in most current research in machine learning, statistical pattern recognition, and artificial neural networks. A learning problem can be solved by an intelligent agent in the context of reinforcement learning. In this case, to obtain a lot of reward, a reinforcement learning agent must prefer actions that it has tried in the past and found to be effective in producing reward. In our paper we present our investigation of Q-learning (Reinforcement Learning) in the context of Virtual Learning Environment.
Critical incidents as a structure promoting prospective secondary mathematics teachers' noticing

This study builds on the idea of using "critical incidents" as a tool for inquiry and reflection in the context of mathematics teacher education. The analysis was based on 22 prospective teachers' portfolios reporting and interpreting selected critical incidents on the basis of their observations of mathematics teaching conducted by other teachers and by themselves in the context of their field experiences. The critical incidents addressed a multiplicity of issues related to mathematics teaching and learning. Prospective teachers' noticing developed in terms of what and how they notice indicating a more relational way of conceptualizing mathematics teaching and learning.
Blind LDPC encoder identification

Nowadays, adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) techniques can facilitate flexible strategies subject to dynamic channel quality. The AMC transceivers select the most suitable coding and modulation mechanisms subject to the acquired channel information. Meanwhile, a control channel or a preamble is usually required to synchronously coordinate such changes between transmitters and receivers. On the other hand, low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes become more and more popular in recent years due to their promising capacityapproaching property. The broad range of variations in code rates and codeword lengths for LDPC codes makes them ideal candidates for future AMC transceivers. The blind encoder identification problem emerges when the underlying control channel is absent or the preamble is not allowed in AMC systems. It would be quite intriguing for one to build a blind encoder identification technique without spectrum-efficiency sacrifice. Therefore, in this thesis, we investigate blind LDPC encoder identification for AMC systems. Specifically, we would like to tackle the blind identification of binary LDPC codes (encoders) for binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) signals and nonbinary LDPC codes for quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM) signals. We propose a novel blind identification system which consists of three major components, namely expectation-maximization (EM) estimator for unknown parameters (signal amplitude, noise variance, and phase offset), log-likelihood ratio (LLR) estimator for syndrome a posteriori probabilities, and maximum average-LLR detector. Monte Carlo simulation results demonstrate that our proposed blind LDPC encoder identification scheme is very promising over different signal-to-noise ratio conditions.
In vitro selection of salt-tolerant Ailanthus altissimaSwingle

Salt-tolerant cell lines of Ailanthus altissima were selected from callus derived protoplasts. Murashige–Skoog (MS) liquid medium incorporated with various concentrations of NaCl was employed to enrich salt-tolerant A. altissima cell lines. Salt-resistant A. altissima cells were transferred on MS solid medium supplemented with 2.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), 0.5 μM benzyl adenine (BA) and various NaCl concentrations. The callus was cultured on MS medium containing NaCl for 5 months, to determine the survival rate as an index of salt tolerance. The measurement of growth parameters for salt-tolerant cells showed that the selected plant cell lines grew better than the unselected ones at all levels of NaCl tested. The salt-tolerant callus accumulated proline in correlation to the concentration of salts. Media supplemented with BA induced shoot differentiation of salt-resistant A. altissima cells.
The group composition of metal compounds in soil as an index of soil ecological state.

A system of indices for assessing the soil ecological state as based upon the group composition of heavy metal compounds in soils is proposed. The group composition of heavy metal were determined using combined fractionation including sequential and parallel extractions (1 N NH4Ac, pH 8; 1% EDTA in NH4Ac and 1 N HCl). It was shown that strongly bound compounds of Zn and Pb prevail in the original chernozem, mainly in silicates. Among mobile metal compounds, those specifically sorbed forms are predominant. At the additional input of Zn and Pb into the soil, the equilibrium in the system of metal compounds is shifted toward an increase in metal mobility. The analysis of the group composition of metal compounds was allowed to identify mechanisms of amendments effects on the metals mobility in soil and assess their efficiency. Application of chalk and glauconite leads to decreasing the Pb and Zn mobility.
Hardy spaces on compact Lie groups

Nous demontrons que l'espace de Hardy atomique H a p (G) d'un groupe de Lie connexe compact servi-simple peut etre caracterise par des operateurs maximaux associes aux noyaux de Poisson et de la chaleur si 0 n/p - (n + 1)/2 ou n = dim R (G), et, si p = 1, par des noyaux non differentiables satisfaisant une certaine propriete de Dini.
Evaluation of customer satisfaction with services of a micro-finance institution: Empirical evidence from Women Association for Social and Economic Gain customers in Togo

Nowadays, Microfinance industry is affected by competition leading to customers’ switching across MFIs (Microfinance Institution). Thus, MFIs are concerned about customer satisfaction and have to pay attention to understand their customers’ preferences to survive in a competitive environment. Using data from 353 Women Association for Social and Economic Gain customers in Togo, this study aimed to: (1) determine the main dimensions of financial services of the microfinance institution (2) determine the customer satisfaction level and (3) assess to what extent customer satisfaction is influenced by customers’ characteristics. Using factorial analysis, customer satisfaction index and ANOVA, we found that responsiveness remains the most important dimension in microfinance sector. Results reveal that customer’s branch, customer’s revenue and number of services accessed by customers strongly influence customer’s satisfaction. Results also indicate that the current customer satisfaction index at WAGES is equals to 71.2%. Key words: Microfinance customers’ satisfaction dimensions, customer satisfaction Index, customer’ characteristics influence, WAGES, Togo.
Incidence of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in the aetiology of Pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital

A total of 260 sputum samples were collected from patients showing clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. The sputum samples were collected and subjected to Gram’s stain, culture and biochemical reactions. Out of 260 samples collected 166 samples (64%) – showed no bacterial growth 60 samples (23%) – Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated 16 samples (6%) – Staphylococcus aureus were isolated 18 samples (7%) – Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated The patients‘ previous history among 166 samples collected which no bacterial growth had indicated that they already completed one or more courses of antibiotics. The commonest isolate found was klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Keywords: - Pneumonia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sputum
Analysis of fat content in multifidus muscle with chronic low back pain using MR spectroscopy

Poster: "ECR 2016 / C-0533 / Analysis of fat content in multifidus muscle with chronic low back pain using MR spectroscopy" by: "H. Takashima, T. Takebayashi, I. Ogon, R. Imamura, M. Yoshimoto, M. Yanagida, H. Shishido, Y. Akatsuka, T. Yamashita; Sapporo/JP"
Robust People Tracking and SHMM learning using SHMMs

For effective Human Robot Interaction (HRI), it is necessary for the robot to be aware of its human peers and be able to anticipate and predict their actions. This paper explores an improved strategy for people tracking using Sampled Hidden Markov Models (SHMM) for capturing common human motion patterns. Such an SHMM contains rich information about human spatial behavior and it can be learned online during robot operation. The proposed integration of people tracking and learning offers significant improvements to the outcomes when compared to existing techniques. Real world experiments that demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of the approach are presented.
Surface CO2 exchange in an intensively managed peat pasture

Aerodynamic measurements of CO2 (F) and latent heat ( λE) exchange were made in an intensively managed peat pasture during 2 consecutive years; the fetch was approximately 1.5 km. Sur- face conductance (gs) was calculated from the Penman-Monteith equation. F was split into a respiratory CO2 flux (Fr) and an assimilatory CO2 flux (Fa). Fr was non-linearly related to air temperature (Ta), revealing a distinct seasonal pattern in its value normalized to Ta. Fa was hyperbolically related to short-wave irradiance, the seasonal pattern of its maximum value compared to that of normalized Fr. Ta proved to be a major factor: Fa tended to maintain a positive response to Ta over much of the actual Ta range. Aerial vapour pressure deficit (D) was generally too low (<1 kPa) to have an effect on Fa.
Web Advertising Value and Students’ Attitude Towards Web Advertising

Internet has changed the type of relationship between advertisers, advertising agencies, the media and consumers. Rapid growth in Web Ad (WA) revenues indicates the viability of WA as an alternative to that of traditional media. This rapid expansion of advertising to web sites requires a better understanding about users' perceptions of Web Ads since attributes of the media can affect consumer attitudes towards advertising. Therefore, it has also become increasingly important for today's advertisers to create favorable attitudes towards their Websites. The aim of this research is to identify attitudes of Internet users towards web advertising. In other words, this study investigates the interrelationships between Web Advertising Value (WAV) and Attitude Towards Web Advertising (AWA). The antecedents of advertising value namely, irritation, informativeness, credibility, entertainment will also be incorporated. Data is collected from 413 students of Marmara University Faculty of Business Administration. Responses are evaluated via structural equation modelling which enables researchers to offer a model that explain consumer behavior in online environments. Keywords: Web advertising, web advertising value, consumer behavior, attitude towards web advertising, structural equation modelling.
Follicular dynamics of induced estrus of females from the Pantaneira breed

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of heifers from the Pantaneira breed in FTAI programs and characterize follicular dynamics after induced estrus synchronization programs. The pregnancy rate observed in an FTAI program (36,4%) followed by the AI of estrus return was 45.5%. The study of follicular dynamics revealed that females from this breed, on average, show ovulation 77 hours after the withdrawal of the progesterone device, being therefore later than in other bovine breeds. The results suggest that the late ovulation of the females submitted to estrus synchronization programs may negatively influence their pregnancy rates.
Assessment of Noah land surface model with various runoff parameterizations over a Tibetan river

Runoff parameterizations currently adopted by the (i) Noah‐MP model, (ii) Community Land Model (CLM), and (iii) CLM with variable infiltration capacity hydrology (CLM‐VIC) are incorporated into the structure of Noah land surface model, and the impact of these parameterizations on the runoff simulations is investigated for a Tibetan river. Four numerical experiments are conducted with the default Noah and three aforementioned runoff parameterizations. Each experiment is forced with the same set of atmospheric forcing, vegetation, and soil parameters. In addition, the Community Earth System Model database provides the maximum surface saturated area parameter for the Noah‐MP and CLM parameterizations. A single‐year recurrent spin‐up is adopted for the initialization of each model run to achieve equilibrium states. Comparison with discharge measurements shows that each runoff parameterization produces significant differences in the separation of total runoff into surface and subsurface components and that the soil water storage‐based parameterizations (Noah and CLM‐VIC) outperform the groundwater table‐based parameterizations (Noah‐MP and CLM) for the seasonally frozen and high‐altitude Tibetan river. A parameter sensitivity experiment illustrates that this underperformance of the groundwater table‐based parameterizations cannot be resolved through calibration. Further analyses demonstrate that the simulations of other surface water and energy budget components are insensitive to the selected runoff parameterizations, due to the strong control of the atmosphere on simulated land surface fluxes induced by the diurnal dependence of the roughness length for heat transfer and the large water retention capacity of the highly organic top soils over the plateau.
Effects of Localized Muscle Fatigue and Whole Body Fatigue on Postural Control during Single-Leg Stance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of localized muscle fatigue and whole body fatigue on postural control during single-leg stance after impairment induced by heel raise and the Harvard step test. Thirty-eight university students (19 men: age, 20.1±0.2 yrs; height, 175.0±5.23 cm; weight, 66.8±5.6 kg; body mass index, 21.8±1.7 kg/m2, 19 women: age, 20.6±1.1 yrs; height, 163.6±6.7 cm; weight, 58.8±4.6 kg; body mass index, 22.0±2.2 kg/m2) were participated in this study. Subjects performed a series of single-leg postural tasks prior to, following, and 24 hours after completing: heel raise or the Harvard step test. This study showed that the root mean squared distance and velocity in the anteroposterior and mediolateral planes of the center of pressure decreased significantly due to heel raise exercise-induced fatigue. Furthermore, the root mean squared distance in the anteroposterior and mediolateral planes, and the 95% confidence ellipse area of the center of pressure also decreased significantly 24 hours after completing the Harvard step test. In conclusion, this study showed that both heel raise exercise- and Harvard step exercise- induced fatigue affects postural control during single-leg stance in AP and ML planes. Furthermore, this study suggests that changes in the postural control strategy may have occurred after the fatigue protocols during single-leg stance. Also vision can attenuate the postural deficits associated with the fatigues. In order to clarify these results, further studies using other equipment and variables are necessary.
On the Design and Evaluation of XBotCore, a Cross-Robot Real-Time Software Framework

In this work we introduce XBotCore (\emph{Cross-Bot-Core}), a light-weight, Real-Time (RT) software platform for EtherCAT-based robots. XBotCore is open-source and is designed to be both a RT robot control framework and a software middleware. It satisfies hard RT requirements, while ensuring 1 kHz control loop even in complex Multi-Degree-Of-Freedom systems. It provides a simple and easy-to-use middleware Application Programming Interface (API), for both RT and non-RT control frameworks. This API is completely flexible with respect to the framework a user wants to utilize. Moreover it is possible to reuse the code written using XBotCore API with different robots (cross-robot feature). In this paper, the XBotCore design will be described and the experimental results on the humanoid robot WALK-MAN and on the bi-manual platform CENTAURO, both developed at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), will be presented.
Small Nerve Fibre Quantification in the Diagnosis of Diabetic Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy : Comparing Corneal Confocal Microscopy with Intraepidermal Nerve Fibre Density

1 Institute of Population Health, Centre for Imaging Science, University of Manchester, 2 Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.