Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nano-Carbon on Water Holding Capacity in a Sandy Soil of the Loess Plateau

The poor water retention capacity of sandy soils commonly aggregate soil erosion and ecological environment on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Due to its strong capacity for absorption and large specific surface area, the use of nanocarbon made of coconut shell as a soil amendment that could improve water retention was investigated. Soil column experiments were conducted in which a layer of nanocarbon mixed well with the soil was formed at a depth of 20 cm below the soil surface. Four different nanocarbon contents by weight (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1%) and five thicknesses of the nanocarbon- soil mixture layer ranging from 1 to 5 cm were considered. Cumulative infiltration and soil water content distributions were determined when water was added to soil columns. Soil Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC) were obtained using the centrifuge method. The principal results showed that the infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration increased with the increases of nanocarbon contents, to the thicknesses of the nano carbon-soil mixture layer. Soil water contents that below the soil-nano carbon layer decreased sharply. Both the Brooks-Corey and van Genuchten models could describe well the SWCC of the disturbed sandy soil with various nano carbon contents. Both the saturated water content (θs), residual water content (θr) and empirical parameter (α) increased with increasing nano carbon content, while the pore-size distribution parameter (n) decreased. The available soil water contents were efficiently increased with the increase in nanocarbon contents.
Large-Scale Characteristics of Wideband MIMO Channel in Rural Macro Environments

TAbstractT— Based on the experimental results obtained from the extensive wideband MIMO channel measurements at 2.38, 3.705 and 5.25GHz in Line-Of-Sight (LOS) rural macro environments, the empirical Path Loss (PL) model is proposed for the IMTAdvanced systems. PL exponent, intercept, frequency dependent factor and standard deviation of Shadow Fading (SF) are obtained by using the Least Square (LS) method. It is found that the frequency dependent factor well reflects the measured PL at each carrier frequency. We investigate the frequency dependence of SF. It is found that the statistics of SF component are not dependent on frequency.
A p-Channel Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor Charge Pump for Low Supply Voltages

In this paper, we propose a positive two-phase p-channel metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (PMOSFET) charge pump with two auxiliary clocks to boost the gate biases of the switching transistors for low-supply-voltage applications. Owing to the effective boosting of the overdrive voltage of the charge transfer transistors, the proposed four-stage charge pump has high driving capacity and achieves a voltage gain of more than 90% with no load at a supply voltage of 1 V. The proposed charge pump was implemented using 0.18 µm standard complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (CMOSFET) technology in an area of approximately 0.205 mm2. The measurement results agree well with the simulated data, such as the simulated and measured output voltages without load reaching 8.6 and 8.28 V at a supply voltage of 1.8 V, as well as those with a 60 µA loading current producing 6.2 and 6 V at a frequency of 10 MHz, respectively.
A new look at the effect of the determinants of government institutions: A cross-sectional analysis

Many papers have found mixed results in studying the relationship between institutional quality and some of its determinants, namely openness to trade, GDP per capita and economic globalization. This paper reexamines the relationship between government institutions and these factors. The main findings in this paper is that the three factors have a threshold effect on institutional quality. Specifically, there exists a significant nonlinear relationship between three measures of government institutions (government efficiency, political stability and the rule of law) and trade. Moreover, GDP per capita has a significant nonlinear effect on government effectiveness, political stability, regulatory quality, rule of law and control of corruption. Finally, there is a significant nonlinear relationship between each of the six measures of institutional quality and globalization. Some of the findings are robust to controlling for average IQ levels and regional grouping of countries while others are not. Specifically, the results show that the nonlinear relationship was robust only two measures of institutional quality both for trade and GDP per capita. Accounting for the level of IQ revealed a significant nonlinear relationship between Voice and Accountability and both trade and GDP per capita.
Sensing Trending Topics in Twitter for Greater Jakarta Area

Information and communication technology grows so fast nowadays, especially related to the internet. Twitter is one of internet applications that produce a large amount of textual data called tweets. The tweets may represent real-world situation discussed in a community. Therefore, Twitter can be an important media for urban monitoring. The ability to monitor the situations may guide local government to respond quickly or make public policy. Topic detection is an important automatic tool to understand the tweets, for example, using non-negative matrix factorization. In this paper, we conducted a study to implement Twitter as a media for the urban monitoring in Jakarta and its surrounding areas called Greater Jakarta . Firstly, we analyze the accuracy of the detected topics in term of their interpretability level. Next, we visualize the trend of the topics to identify popular topics easily. Our simulations show that the topic detection methods can extract topics in a certain level of accuracy and draw the trends such that the topic monitoring can be conducted easily.
L2 Acquisition of Russian Outer Aspect

It is often reported in the Russian pedagogical literature that the Russian aspectual system represents a particular challenge for second language (L2) learners. In this paper, I report the results of an experiment which demonstrate that English native speakers acquiring Russian as a second language can attain native-like competence in the domain of Russian outer aspect. On one hand, these findings serve as counterexamples to the claim that appears in the Russian pedagogical literature. On the other hand, they support Schwartz and Sprouse’s (1996) Full Transfer Full Access Hypothesis, which I adopt as my working hypothesis. Before describing the experiment that I conducted, I will briefly discuss some peculiarities of the Russian aspectual system and present the syntactic analysis of English and Russian outer aspect.
Board Functions and Firm Performance: A Review and Directions for Future Research

This study provides a framework depicting the evolution of studies on the functions of boards of directors and their impact on firm performance. Four theories-legalistic, strategic choice, agency, and stewardship theory-are linked to describe the relationships in the evolution process underlying this phenomenon. From this review, directions for future research are identified.
The impact of (unconditional) cash transfers on school enrollment: Evidence from Ecuador

This paper presents evidence about the impact on school enrollment of a program in Ecuador that gives cash transfers to the 40 percent poorest families. The evaluation design consists of a randomized experiment for families around the first quintile of the poverty index and of a regression discontinuity design for families around the second quintile of this index, which is the program’s eligibility threshold. This allows us to compare results from two different credible identification methods, and to investigate whether the impact varies with families’ poverty level. Around the first quintile of the poverty index the impact is positive while it is equal to zero around the second quintile. This suggests that for the poorest families the program lifts a credit constraint while this is not the case for families close to the eligibility threshold.
Controls of mantle plumes and lithospheric folding on modes of intraplate continental tectonics: Differences and similarities

SUMMARY Mantle plume activity and lithospheric folding by far-field stresses exerted from plate boundaries are two important end-members as mechanisms for continental intraplate deformation. The topographic expression of mantle plume impingement on continental lithosphere and lithospheric folding has some striking similarities. Observations from a number of areas in Europe’s intraplate lithosphere demonstrate that these mechanisms commonly interact in space and time. We present the results of thermomechanical modelling addressing the role of factors such as the presence of a hot upper mantle, the spatial dimensions of the plume and the time constants involved in the temporal succession of plume activity and lithospheric folding by stress accumulation in intraplate continental lithosphere. The results demonstrate that both the processes, plume–lithosphere interactions and folding may interact resulting either in strong amplification, attenuation or modification of their surface expression. These inferences are compatible with a number of key observations on the nature and the temporal succession of topography evolution in the Alpine foreland, the Pannonian Basin, the Scandinavian continental margin and the Iberian Peninsula.
Enhanced leakage current properties of Ni-doped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films driven by modified band edge state

1% Ni-doped barium strontium titanate (BST) thin film deposited at room temperature reveals the significantly enhanced leakage current performance which is extraordinarily effective for low temperature applications. Significant leakage current suppression of >2 orders was achieved for electric fields from 0.25 to 2 MV/cm in Pt/Ni-doped BST/Pt metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor cells compared to undoped BST. For Ni doping at the 1% level, the spectral dependence of (i) the imaginary part of the complex dielectric constant, e2, obtained from the rotating compensator enhanced spectroscopic ellipsometry and (ii) OK1 absorption spectra obtained from synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy shows significant differences (0.26±0.15 eV) in the conduction band edge trap depth relative to undoped BST. The valence band (VB) edge x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals the Fermi energy level downshift of 0.4 eV for Ni-doped BST toward the VB edge. There is a direct correlation between these changes in band edge states of BST thin films with Ni doping and the improved electrical performance in MIM capacitors led by the qualitatively different charge injection mechanism. The proposed transition metal doping process and analysis approach provide a pathway for charge injection control driven by band edge state changes in other perovskite oxides for low temperature (i.e., room temperature) applications.1% Ni-doped barium strontium titanate (BST) thin film deposited at room temperature reveals the significantly enhanced leakage current performance which is extraordinarily effective for low temperature applications. Significant leakage current suppression of >2 orders was achieved for electric fields from 0.25 to 2 MV/cm in Pt/Ni-doped BST/Pt metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor cells compared to undoped BST. For Ni doping at the 1% level, the spectral dependence of (i) the imaginary part of the complex dielectric constant, e2, obtained from the rotating compensator enhanced spectroscopic ellipsometry and (ii) OK1 absorption spectra obtained from synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy shows significant differences (0.26±0.15 eV) in the conduction band edge trap depth relative to undoped BST. The valence band (VB) edge x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals the Fermi energy level downshift of 0.4 eV for Ni-doped BST toward the VB edge. There is a direct correlation between these changes in b.
Check-list of the pycnogonids from Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters: zoogeographic implications

Abstract This study contains the current list of the austral pycnogonids together with details of their depth range and distribution. To date 264 species have been recorded, accounting for 19.6% of the 1344 species recorded worldwide. One hundred and eight species are endemic to Antarctic waters, 62 to the sub-Antarctic, 63 are common in both regions, and 55 are circumpolar. The richest genus is Nymphon, with 67 species and the richest area is the Scotia Sea. Comparing species lists between the years 2000 and 2007 shows that increased expeditions with more sampling has increased the circumpolarity of species and decreased zonal endemicity. The benthic insular refuge hypothesis is proposed as an explanation for the southern distribution of the present pycnogonid fauna, with an origin in the Scotia Arc.
Development and evaluation of pedotransfer functions for saturated hydraulic conductivity of seasonally impounded clay soils

Data on hydraulic properties of soils are often not available. Hence, pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are used to estimate hydraulic properties of soils. PTFs formulate a relationship between basic soil properties and property of interest (mostly any hydraulic property). Little information is available on the hydraulic properties of clay soils that are impounded by water for the entire monsoon season (known as 'HaveJi') in large tracts of Madhya Pradesh. This study was conducted to calibrate and evaluate PTFs to predict saturated hydraulic conduCtivity (K,) using basic soil properties. Global PTF 'Rosetta' was also eva1uated fcir'its validity in predicting Ks of the 'Haveli' soils. Available data on the 'Haveli' sods was used for the analysis. It included information on particle-size distribution, bulk density and water retention characteristics. PTFs were calibrated using regression as well as artificial neural networks. Imprecise estimates of Ks indicated that the calibrated PTFs were not reliable. However, excluding the samples with unusually low field capacity «0.3 m 3 m· 3 ) despite clay content (> 50%) resulted in PTFs that performed with precision. Estimates of Ks obtained by implementing hierarchical rules in generic PTF 'Rosetta' were poor in precision but improved with inclusion of field capacity and permanent wilting point as predictor variables. The. study indicated limitations of calibrated as well as generic PTFs in predicting saturated hydraulic conductivity.
The effect of 9-cis-retionic acid on expression of GRIM-1 in KM mouse bone cancer tissue

Interferon/retinoic acid combined with induction of apoptosis related genes (genes associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality and GRIMs) is a new apoptosis-related gene family, which is a group of novel cell death regulators with IFN-β combined RA induced expression. In this study, the effects of 9- cis-retinoic acid (RA) on expression of gene associated with retinoid-interferon mortality-1 (GRIM-1) in KM mouse bone cancer tissue were investigated. The transplantable models of bone cancer in KM mice were established to study inhibitory effects of 9-cis-RA against tumor. Immunohistochemical technique was used to analyze the expression of GRIM-1 in KM mouse cancer tissue. The results showed that 9- cis-RA was able to inhibit the growth of bone cancer on mouse at a dose of 650 mg/kg. The expression of GRIM-1 was declined in the mice treated with 9-cis-RA. 9-cis-RA has a significant antitumor effect in vitro. The mechanisms of 9-cis-RA on tumor might associate with down regulating expression of GRIM-1. There was no significant change in the transcriptional level of GRIM-1 in control bone tissue after 9-cis-RA treatment for 24 h. The transcription level of GRIM-1 in bone cancer tissues significantly increased.
Experiences of psychosocial and programme-related barriers to recovery in lifestyle interventions for noncommunicable diseases

Background: The majority of global deaths are due to noncommunicable diseases, largely preventable and treatable utilising behavioural interventions. Objectives: The study investigated patients’ experiences of a lifestyle intervention programme for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and the influence that psychosocial and programme-related barriers had on patients’ ability to improve their well-being. Methods: Fourteen patients with NCDs were interviewed before and on completion of a 12-week lifestyle intervention programme at a sports and exercise medicine clinic. Thematic analysis techniques were used to analyse interview data. Results: Patients described their experiences of NCDs diagnosis as traumatic, and their own relationship with their bodies and with the disorder(s) to be vulnerable and significantly challenging. Professional incompetence and unethical treatment were included as barriers to recovery. Barriers specifically relating to the programme included scheduling, as well as the online assessment component. Those reporting more premorbid psychosocial barriers were more likely to experience current complications, whether disease- or treatment-related, often emphasising the negative influence of programme and professional-related problems. Conclusion: Qualitative methodologies enabled the study to yield clinically relevant insights with respect to patients with NCDs. Accounting for the trauma and vulnerability experienced by this cohort may assist in the development of more patient-centred interventions and sustainable secondary prevention of NCDs.
Approximate accuracy of dairy cattle evaluation from multiple lactation random regression model for Polish Black-and-White cattle *

A method is described to obtain approximate reliabilities for breeding values calculated with a multiple-lactation random regression test day model. The method was based on a concept of an equivalent number of progeny for animals with records, which is further used to derive reliabilities for related animals. The procedure accounted for the size of contemporary groups. Approximate reliabilities were calculated for estimated breeding values of the average milk yield in the first three lactations, using the data of daily milk yield of Polish Black-and-White cows in randomly selected herds. Results of approximation were analysed by comparison with corresponding exact reliabilities, obtained from the inverse of the coefficients matrix of the mixed model equations. High correlation of 0.98 for bulls between reliabilities from both methods and very low computer requirements facilitate the implementation of the approximate method into a routine genetic evaluation procedure.
A semi-discrete Boltzmann equation based on a finite volume scheme

In this work we consider the classical non-linear Boltzmann equation, where the unknown is the distribution function $f$, which depends on the time $t$, the vector $\mathbf{x}$ (the position of a molecule) and its velocity $\mathbf{\xi}$. From the Boltzmann equation we derive a semi-discrete model, which consists in a set of partial differential equations in time and space. The new unknowns are two moments of the distribution function $f$ and, according to a finite volume scheme, integrals of $f$ with respect to the velocity $\mathbf{\xi}$, over bounded and open sets. We do not introduce any approximation for the partial derivatives with respect to $\mathbf{x}$ and the time $t$. We also propose the use of truncated octahedra as bounded domains of integration. This reduces both the computing complexity and the number of the constant numerical coefficients arising from the collision operator. All the numerical parameters can be obtained by means of numerical quadrature.
Effect of Extrusion Pretreatment on Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Miscanthus for the Purpose of Ethanol Production

Lignocellulosic biomass can be converted to energy via several routes. One of them is hydrolysis to sugars with subsequent transformation to fuels and chemicals. Due to the crystalline structure of lignocellulose, pretreatment is a prerequisite to achieving increased enzymatic hydrolysis’ rates. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum extrusion operating conditions for glucose and xylose production from Miscanthus. Extrusion was conducted in a high shear extruder (single screw type) with compression ratio 3:1. Barrel temperature and screw speed, along with sample moisture content and particle size were the parameters evaluated using Response surface methodology (RSM). Conversion rate to glucose and xylose was monitored after enzymatic hydrolysis with low enzyme loadings (5 FPU g-1 of cellulase complex and 18 CBU g-1 of B-glucosidase). The optimum conditions for the glucose production (3.63 g L-1) were: barrel temperature 150 °C, screw speed 2.5 Hz, moisture content 20% and particle size 2 mm; the optimum conditions for the xylose production (0.78 g L-1) were: barrel temperature 150 °C, screw speed 1.67 Hz, moisture content 15% and particle size 2 mm. Hence, under controlled conditions, extrusion resulted in better digestibility of Miscanthus and as such it can be utilized as a source of glucose and xylose in ethanol production.
THE ISOGEOMETRIC VARIATIONAL MULTISCALE METHOD FOR LAMINAR INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW

We present an application of the variational multiscale methodology to the com- putation of concentric annular pipe flow. Isogeometric analysis is utilized for higher order ap- proximation of the solution using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) functions. The ability of NURBS to exactly represent curved geometries makes NURBS- based isogeometric analysis attractive for the application to the flow through the curved channel.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and academic adaptation among gifted and non-gifted student

The purpose of This article was to identifying the relationship between the Emotional Intelligences and Academic adaptation differences between gifted and non-gifted students. To achieve that, sample consists of (684), (253) students from King Second Abdullah School for Gifted students, and (431) students from public school. The researcher used Bar-On Inventory which consists of (60) item. And the Social academic adaptation scale which Consist of (33) items. The findings indicated that: - That there is a positive relationship (positive correlation) between the school social adaptation scale and the emotional intelligence scale. And contrarily, and the higher relationship appears in the Relationship with colleagues. - There is a positive relationship between all school social adaptation dimensions and all emotional intelligence dimensions, and the higher relationship appears between the Relationship with colleagues and the General Mood, then the Relationship with colleagues and Interpersonal competence, then between the General Mood and the Relationship with administration, then between the Relationship with colleagues and Adaptability.
Interactive comment on “Assimilation of Pseudo-Tree-Ring-Width observations into an Atmospheric General Circulation Model” by Walter Acevedo et al

My major comment for this paper is that while the language is very concise and direct, it is perhaps too concise; many sections of the paper leave the reader wanting more detail or are a bit confusing because they are so brief. For example, in the introduction, I felt as if I didn’t have a clear grasp on what new problem the authors were looking to solve, existing gaps in the literature, and how they addressed these in a novel way.
The probabilistic generation of characteristic urban structure

Background Many urban layout patterns – especially certain kinds of traditional ‘unplanned’ patterns – are often interpreted as being ‘amorphous’, ‘chaotic’ or ‘formless’ (Marshall, 2005). Such patterns are often seen not only to be intrinsically without structure, or of an unfathomably complex structure, but are also seen as not requiring explanation, since they may be written off as ‘formless’ or ‘random’. This lack of attention did not matter in the era when Modernist town planning was in the ascendancy, because the focus was on creating new, rational layouts with definite prescribed structures.