Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Satellite-tracking of Northern Pintail Anas acuta

We fitted Northern Pintail Anas acuta in Japan with satellite transmitters and monitored their spring migration movements relative to locations where the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus in 2008. Pintails were assumed not to be infected with the H5N1 virus at the time they were marked because capture occurred between 2 and 5 months before reported outbreaks of the virus in Japan. We assessed spatial and temporal overlap between marked birds and occurrence of the virus and tracked Pintails after they departed outbreak locations. Eight of 66 (12.1%) Northern Pintails marked with satellite transmitters used wetlands in Japan where the H5N1 virus was detected in Whooper Swans. Apparent survival did not differ between Pintails that used H5N1 sites and those that did not. However, the proportion of Pintails that migrated from Japan was significantly lower among birds that used H5N1 sites compared with those that did not (0.50 vs. 0.79). Northern Pintails were present at the H5N1 sites from 1 to 88 days, with five birds present at the sites from 0 to 7 days prior to detection of the virus in Swans. The six Pintails observed to depart H5N1 sites did so within 2–77 days of the reported outbreaks and moved between 6 and 1200 km within 4 days of departure. Four Pintails migrated to eastern Russia. After their departure from outbreak sites, Northern Pintails made long-distance migrations within the period when newly infected ducks would shed the H5N1 virus. This supports a hypothesized mechanism by which a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus could be spread by migratory birds.
Aalborg Universitet A Millimeter-Wave Gain Filtering Transmitarray AntennaDesign Usinga Hybrid-Lens

This letter proposes a millimeter-wave gain filtering transmitarray (TA) antenna using a hybrid-lens. The hybrid-lens is incorporated by a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity bandpass filter and a dielectric lens. The dielectric lens serving as a phase shifter is seamlessly coated on the SIW bandpass filter to achieve a co-designed architecture. The proposed hybrid-lens unit cell (UC) is required to not only fulfill the desired phase shifts but also maintain a stable bandpass response, simultaneously. Therefore, the specific shape of the dielectric lens UC must be optimized to minimize its impacts on the bandpass response of the original SIW bandpass filter as much as possible to ensure the filtering performance of the proposed hybrid-lens UC. After some optimizations, the dielectric lens UC based on the air-perforated dielectric square post (APDSP) is determined finally. The simulated results show that the bandpass responses of the hybrid-lens UC are still maintained when the profile of the APDSP-based dielectric lens UC is varied to satisfy a full phase-cycle (2π). The proposed hybrid-lens UCs are arranged reasonably to construct a TA antenna to fulfill the high-gain and gain filtering performance. The simulated and measured results are consistent, revealing the proposed TA antenna has a gain of 25.5 dBi at 35 GHz, and a bandpass gain filtering response over 30 to 40 GHz.
Improving Template-Based Nanomanufacturing of Carbon Nanotube Arrays Via Polishing Wet Etching Method

2 Acknowledgements . 3 1.0 Introduction . 6 2.0 Literature Review . 10 2.1 Gene Therapy . 10 2.2 Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membranes . 18 2.2.1 Manufacturing . 18 2.2.2 Characterization . 21 2.3 CNT Array Manufacturing Method . 26 2.3. 1 Annealing . 26 2.3. 2 Chemical Vapor Deposition . 27 2.3. 3 Mechanical Polishing . 28 2.3. 4 Wet Etching . 35 3.0 Research Objectives . 37 4.0 Experimental Methods. 38 4.1 Annealing: Materials, Tooling and Process Description . 38 4.2 Chemical Vapor Deposition: Materials, Tooling and Process Description . 39 4.3 Mechanical Polishing: Materials, Tooling and Process Description . 39 4.4 Wet Etching: Materials, Tooling and Process Description . 41
FPGA Implementation of Non-binary LDPC Decoder using Stochastic Computation

Low density parity check (LDPC) codes, a class of linear block code has the superior performance closer to the Shannon&apos;s limit. Non-binary LDPC (NB-LDPC) is an extension of the binary LDPC, works on the higher order Galois field. The design of efficient hardware architecture for the NB-LDPC code depends on various factors like input message format, code length, kind of modulation and the type of channel. Non-Binary LDPC codes are designed with the better performance metrics using stochastic computation. The increased computation complexity of the NB-LDPC put forth the major challenge on the hardware realization of the decoder architecture. This paper presents the design of efficient hardware architecture for NB-LDPC decoder based on stochastic computation. The designed architecture
The link between sustainability and absorptive capacities : the case of the electric car in Renault 1430

Sustainability or sustainable development are the buzzwords of the last decade. Scientists, politicians and civil society organizations call for attention and stress that the population today demands more than our planet can deliver in terms of resources. This trend demands radical rethinking regarding the way society lives, consumes and produces. Here, we focus on what the demand for sustainability implies for corporations regarding the urge to redesign or produce new more sustainable products. Herein, we focus on electric cars, which is the result of sustainable processes and initiatives in the car industry. The case of Renault illustrates how the firm based its sustainable strategy on its absorptive capacities. By formalizing on an explicit layer through the label ECO2, Renault has been able to communicate its sustainable implicit knowledge. As a learning organization, it did not only develop the necessary knowledge to anticipate future changes, but it also created the dynamic capabilities to adapt once the expected changes occurred. Our findings show that sustainable knowledge creation, acquisition, combination, and exploitation is a 2-way process: inside-out and outside-in between the firm and its environment. In the chicken and egg dilemma, who came first? The electric car of Renault illustrates this process, and therefore represents an appropriate setting to explore these dynamic processes. Electric vehicles express and result from (1) environmental requirements, and (2) Renault’s overall strategy, including its sustainable development strategy and its absorptive capacity.
Multi-view Anatomical Animal Landmark Localization using Deep Feature Regression

—For animal locomotion analysis, biological experts have to evaluate an immense amount of recorded image data. The time-consuming annotation of important anatomical landmarks has to be done in every single recorded image to analyze different gaits or types of movement. In this paper, we introduce a method to reduce this effort by automating the annotation process with a minimum level of expert interaction. In contrast to recent approaches based on Augmented Active Appearance Models, our approach can deal with tracking single anatomical landmarks in non-cyclic locomotion sequences. Additionally, our approach is independent of anatomical knowledge. We evaluate our method on a variety of datasets and show that we achieve a performance comparable to that of biological experts.
A Fast Gridless Sparse Method for Robust DOA Estimation in the Presence of Gain-phase Errors

– A new gridless sparse method (GLSM) is proposed to estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) and gain-phase errors simultaneously for a uniform linear array (ULA). We convert angular space to frequency space and establish a data model in the frequency domain. First, the cost function based on the covariance fitting criterion is transformed into a semidefinite programming (SDP) problem to estimate DOA and noise variance without previous calibration information. Second, gain errors are calculated by the estimated noise variance and the covariance matrix. Third, phase errors are obtained by decomposition of the covariance matrix, which has been pre-processed by a space smoothing technique. Finally, DOA estimation is improved further after the array errors are fully calibrated. Compared with traditional methods, the proposed method is robust to correlations of signal sources, and parameters are estimated without joint iteration. Moreover, there is no need for discrete grid points in the angular space, which results in grid mismatches and computation loads, so the proposed method is more accurate and faster. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Production Model of Virtual Reality Learning Environments ?

Learning environments integrate multiple technology platforms allowing people to meet learning objectives through available content, resources, and integrated services. Learning environments allow users to cover learning objectives in diﬀerent subject areas, such as social skills development, health, etc. This article presents a development model of Learning Environments through Virtual Reality (VR). This model incorporates new forms of interaction for learning, such as immersion in simulated scenarios that support users in attaining learning objectives. A VR tour of a university is presented as a case study, where distinct users, such as teachers, students, and general public interact with content, resources available and services to achieve the speciﬁc learning objectives.
CALIBRA: Mitigating the impact of ionospheric scintillation on Precise Point Positioning in Brazil

The current increase in solar activity occurs at a time when our reliance on high-precision GNSS applications has reached unprecedented proportions. The perturbations caused in the ionosphere by such solar activity pose a major threat to these applications, in particular in equatorial regions such as Brazil where high exposure to solar-induced disturbances comes with a high reliance on precise GNSS applications in a number of key areas such as in the oil and gas industry. Mitigating the impact of severe ionosphere disturbance on high-precision positioning is the main goal of the FP7 CALIBRA project, which first results are discussed in this paper. We focus on the impact of scintillations, one of the most forthcoming disturbances, on real time precise point positioning (PPP). A simple and effective mitigation approach is discussed and shown to significantly increase the resilience of PPP applications to scintillations.
Response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) to differential pruning under greenhouse

Sustainable cucumber production requires optimized agronomic practices that are adaptive to changing climates as well as enhanced crop yield and fruit quality. Commercial Greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effect of differential pruning on the growth and yield of cucumber in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of two hybrid cucumber varieties (Sirana F1 and Marketer) and four pruning regimes (No pruning, pruning at 4, 5 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS). These were laid out in Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance shows that pruning regime significantly (P<0.05) influenced plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, days to physiological maturity, unit fruit weight (kg) and total yield. Further, pruning at 4 WAS resulted in better growth in terms of plant height and the number of leaves per plant which ultimately enhances yield. Delayed pruning at 5 WAS resulted in the highest yield (14 tons ha-1) which coincides with the period when leaves, side branches, and profuse flowers can be efficiently pruned for better yield and fruit quality. In conclusion, for better growth and yield in hybrid cucumber varieties under greenhouse conditions, pruning should be delayed until 4th to 6th weeks after sowing. Key words: Pruning regime, cucumber, yield, variety.
Design of Low-Profile Wire Antennas Over an AMC Using FVTD

The design of wire antennas is considered using the Finite-Volume Time-Domain (FVTD) technique, which can accommodate thin wires arbitrarily oriented in the mesh. One purpose of this research is the investigation of the properties of specific finite electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structures, such as an artificial magnetic conducting (AMC) ground plane, for creating low-profile antennas. Both PEC and resistively-loaded thin-wire dipole antennas are placed above AMC structures having a thickness as low as (or 12mm for the 1GHz half-wavelength dipole considered here). Antenna patterns and bandwidth results are shown. These antennas are of interest for their potential use in a wideband microwave tomography (MWT) system being developed for biomedical imaging.
Key Components of Learning Environments in Creating a Positive Flipped Classroom Course Experience

This study focused on higher education and learning environments within the context of the flipped classroom (FC) approach. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study aimed to identify how the various components of the learning environment affected higher education students’ ( N =414) positive learning experience in FC courses. The results highlighted that students with different levels of satisfaction with the FC courses differed significantly in terms of their perspectives regarding the guidance received in the FC study method, teaching aimed at understanding, teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge, the creation and maintenance of a safe course atmosphere for learning, support from peers and teachers, and the use of technology in learning. The findings offer valuable insights into what creates a positive learning experience in a university course incorporating the FC approach and how this experience can be supported by both the teacher’s personal actions and the institutional training. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.18. 13.4
ELM-ANFIS BASED CONTROLLER FOR PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE TO GRID INTEGRATION

In this paper, the authors propose adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) algorithm, based on extreme learning machine (ELM) concepts for designing a controller for electric vehicle to grid (V2G) integration. First, learning speed and accuracy of the proposed algorithm is checked and second the transient response of the ELM-ANFIS (e-ANFIS) based controller is analyzed. The proposed new learning technique overcomes the slow learning speed of the conventional ANFIS algorithm without sacrificing the generalization capability. Thus, even with an involvement of a large number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), a control technique for their charge and discharge pattern can be easily designed. To study the computational performance and transient response of the e-ANFIS based controller, it is compared with conventional ANFIS based controller. To implement the vehicle to grid integration concept, IEEE 33 bus radial distribution system is modelled in MATLAB environment.
A Novel Interface for the Explanation of Group Recommendations using Augmented Reality

This paper describes our novel approach that applies Augmented Reality (AR) for the explanation of recommendations in the movie domain. Our goal is to use augmented reality in order to explain the recommendation of a movie either to a single user or a group of friends that are creating a joint plan. The presented system reuses our past results in group recommendation and AR to include explanation capabilities in a mobile scenario where users can receive situated recommendations (in a bus stop or in front of a movie marquee)
International Journal of Instruction

This study examines the effect of the demonstration method on students’ achievement in financial accounting in Gombe state, Nigeria. A sequential explanatory mixed-method design is used where 120 students from six randomly selected schools participated in the study. The students are equally divided into two groups, namely, experimental (i.e., demonstration method) and control group (i.e., conventional approach). Four (4) students participate in the interview. A Financial Accounting Achievement Test (FAAT) is used as an instrument for data collection. The results indicate that at the pre-test stage, there is no significant difference between the achievement of students who are assigned to the demonstration method and that of those who are assigned to the conventional method. The result suggests that the two groups are equal in terms of their achievement at the initial stage. Nonetheless, a significant difference in the financial accounting achievement of students who are exposed to the demonstration method and that of those who are exposed to the conventional method is found at the post-test stage. Specifically, the finding suggests that the demonstration approach is an effective approach to improve the achievement of financial accounting students in secondary school.
Changes on aortic diameter and number of Endothelin-B receptor in aortic endothelium of diabetes mellitus rat model after exercise

Background : Incidence and prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) were increased in recent years in various parts of the world. Diabetes mellitus had microvascular and macrovascular complications. Those complications of DM occurred due to vascular disorders. The complications include the decrease of endothelin B receptor (ETB) and reduce on blood vessels diameter. In vitro studies indicate shear stress can increase expression of ETB receptors on the endothelium. ETB receptors in endothelium have vasodilatation activity. Shear stress increases in physical exercise. Physical exercise known may improve ETB receptor number and also increase the diameter of blood vessels. Objective : This study aims to know the changes of aortic diameter and the number of ETB receptor expression in the aortic endothelium of DM rat model after exercise. Methods : This study is an experimental research design with a post-test only control group to measure the diameter of the aorta and ETB receptor expression in the aortic endothelium. Rat model of DM obtained by injecting streptozotocin 35mg/kgwb intra peritoneal Sprague Dawley male rats aged 11-12 weeks. Rats were divided into two groups, one group received regular physical exercise and other group without regular physical exercise. Physical exercise routine using a special treadmill for rat, low - moderate intensity, frequency 5x/week, for 9 weeks, with a week of adaptation using a speed of 5 m/min for 10 minutes, followed 8 weeks later using a gradual rise velocity of 5 m/min to 20 m/min for 60 minutes. Rat aortic diameter was measured by using a microscope optilab. Endothelin B receptor expression was calculated by the percentage of the ETB receptor in aortic endothelium which has been stained with immunohistochemical staining. Results : The mean results for the aortic lumen diameter in non-exercise group rat is 913.73 ± 62.08 ? m, and 1066.73 ± 28.58 ? m in exercise group (p value is 0.033). After immunohistochemistry staining for ETB, the results for non-exercise group is 49.37 ± 5.64 %, while for the exercise group the ETB receptors is 78.42 ± 5.84 % (p value is 0.006). Conclusion : There was an increasing of ETB receptor number and aortic diameter of DM rat model after regular physical exercise compared with the group of DM rat model without regular physical exercise. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(3) 2016 p.381-384
Bullying and Discrimination Experiences among Korean-American Junior High School Students

The incidence of bullying experiences has increased dramatically in recent decades and with little research on Korean-Americans. The goal of this study was to examine the experiences of six to eight grade Korean-Americans and to explore the relationships between bullying, discrimination, depression, and ethnic composition of the school, as set forth by Shin, D'Antonio, Son, Kim, and Park (2011). Path analyses for the victims, bystanders, bullies, and bully-victim combination, respectively, revealed several key findings and differences between middle school and high school. Taken together with Shin et al. (2011), these results suggest that as adolescents grow older, the ethnicity of the individuals or the ethnic composition of the schools may be more influential in the bullying experience.
Internet-based e-Media and Consumer Attitudes: An empirical Internet-based e-Media and Consumer Attitudes: An empirical Research Research

This paper empirically explores the attributes associated with Internet-based e-media using the survey data collected from the consumers in Hong Kong. It has been found that perceived convenience, user-friendly interface, contents, efficiency and image significantly influence perceived usefulness of Internet-based e-media. In addition, self-efficacy and design characteristics are positively associated with perceived ease of use of Internet-based e-media. Moreover, these attributes together with subjective norms considerably explain consumer attitudes and intentions to use Internet-based e-media. The findings have practically useful implications for managing Internet-based e-media and developing new media in different contexts
The state of the world's midwifery: a universal pathway, a woman's right to health

The State of the World’s Midwifery (SoWMy) 2014 presents findings on midwifery from 73 low and middle-income countries. The report, produced by UNFPA, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the World Health Organization (WHO) and several other partners, shows the progress and trends that have taken place since the inaugural 2011 edition, and also identifies the barriers and challenges to future progress. The report focuses on the urgent need to improve the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of midwifery services. Despite a steady drop in maternal and newborn deaths since 1990, hundreds of thousands of women and newborns continue to die each year during pregnancy and childbirth: An estimated 289,000 women and about 3 million newborn babies died in 2013 alone. The vast majority lost their lives due to complications and illnesses that could have been prevented with proper antenatal care and the presence of a skilled midwife during delivery.
Packed Distillation Column Process for the Separation of Bio- Ethanol Fuel: Efficiencies and Interaction Coefficients Prediction

Globally, the world attention has drifted toward environmental sustainable development of their countries. This has called for several measures to reduce the emissions generated into the atmosphere. One of such is the blending of ethanol and gasoline for the use of motor vehicles. The blend of both mixtures is known to improve the octane index. However, the problem of recovery of ethanol from the fermentation broth involves distillation of the dilute aqueous alcohol to its azeotrope. This is the basis for the study in addition to generating parameter of interaction coefficients. Through multiple regression for use in physical property prediction models at various temperatures. The study also investigated the process packed distillation column by comparing the efficiency results of conventional packing system (the high and low voidage packing) and the modification of the column to accommodate multiple packing (combinations of both low and high voidage packing). The results showed that efficiencies of the combinations are better than that of the conventional high voidage packing but slightly lower compared to the conventional low-voidage packing. We conclude by suggesting that firm processes involving the use of distillation techniques can be modified to accommodate combination of multiple packing for optimum efficiency. This invariably makes the firm that use this approach more efficient andprofitable.
Examining the Relationship Between Value Propositions and Scaling Value for New Companies

The objective of this paper is to examine the extant value proposition literature and put forward our beliefs about how value propositions relate to scaling new company value rapidly. We conceptualize the management of the value proposition-scaling relationships as being like the management of part-whole relationships (Van de Ven, 1986), wherein value propositions are the parts and scaling company value is the whole.