Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Planar THz quasioptics

Two-dimensional (2D) quasioptical elements are demonstrated as guiding structures in the THz frequency regime. A planar polyethylene lens is incorporated in a parallel metal plate structure and is shown to focus guided THz radiation to a spot comparable to that expected for a three-dimensional (3D) optical element in free space. A 2D double-slit aperture is also demonstrated to diffract the incoming THz beam as expected for 3D. The spatial resolution of the measurement techniques employed is illustrated by the sharpness of the measured diffraction pattern.
Decoupled evolution of foliar freezing resistance, temperature niche and morphological leaf traits in Chilean Myrceugenia

Phylogenetic conservatism of tolerance to freezing temperatures has been cited to explain the tendency of plant lineages to grow in similar climates. However, there is little information about whether or not freezing resistance is conserved across phylogenies, and whether conservatism of physiological traits could explain conservatism of realized climatic niches. Here, we compared the phylogenetical lability of realized climatic niche, foliar freezing resistance and four morphological leaf traits that are generally considered to be adaptations to frost resistance in the Chilean species of Myrceugenia, which grows in a wide range of habitats. We estimated the predicted niche occupancy profiles with respect to minimum temperature (minT) of all species. We measured foliar freezing resistance (using chlorophyll fluorescence), leaf size, leaf mass per area (LMA), stomatal and trichome densities of 10 individuals per species. Finally, we estimated phylogenetic signal, and we performed independent contrast analyses among all variables. We found that both foliar freezing resistance and minT were subject to a significant phylogenetic signal, but the former had a stronger signal. We also detected a significant, but weak correlation between them (r = 0.49, Pone tail = 0.04). Morphological traits evolved independent of any phylogenetic effect. Synthesis. Our results show that freezing resistance evolved in association with temperature niche, but with some delay that could result from phylogenetic inertia. Our results also show that morphological leaf traits are more labile than realized climatic niche and frost tolerance and that the formers probably evolved in association with microhabitat preferences.
The role of organisational factors in combating tacit knowledge loss in organisations

Knowledge loss poses a challenge to organisations that wish to remain competitive. The meaning of knowledge that exists in the minds of people and its manifestation in organisations is examined to provide a framework for the investigation of organisational human input factors and strategic risks of knowledge loss. A theoretical model was developed that identifi es factors that would enhance knowledge retention, namely the identifi cation of whose knowledge and what type of knowledge is at risk of loss; the manifestation of knowledge behaviours (learning, knowing, creating, sharing, transferring and applying knowledge); behavioural enhancers at the individual, group and organisational levels; and the identifi cation of strategic risks of knowledge loss. Implementing a knowledge retention strategy taking these organisational factors into account would enhance knowledge retention.
Hydraulic–hydrologic model for water resources management of the Zambezi basin

The paper focuses on the development of the hydraulic–hydrological model used to simulate water resources management scenarios in the Zambezi River basin. The main challenges of the implementation of the model are the scarcity of continuous reliable discharge data and the significant influence of large floodplains. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool, a semi-distributed physically based continuous time model, was chosen as simulation tool. Given the complexity and the size of the basin under study, an automated calibration procedure was applied to optimize the relative error and the volume ratio at multiple stations. Using data derived from satellite observations, the model is first stabilized during two years, then calibrated over six years and finally validated over three years. The study evidences the importance of evaluating the model at different points of the basin and the complementarities between performance indicators.
Toxic Elements and Cereal Crops Effects and Strategies to Combat the Toxicities

the toxic element stress is one of the major abiotic stresses reducing crop production and yield in many parts of the world. Abiotic stresses such as element toxicity, drought, high temperature and salinity are the main constraints that decline the crop production in Asia and Africa. Among the toxic elements, iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), chromium, nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) known for their toxicity to plants if present in high concentrations. These elements have deleterious effects on crop growth and reduce productivity. Toxicity limits the root elongation that leads to inhibition of nutrient and water uptake; reduce leaf area, necrosis wilting and even plant death. Seed germination is more sensitive to toxicity than other growth stages. Toxicity hinders the plumule and radical growth in crops. The current work is reviewing to provide effective information on the toxicities of different toxic elements in food crops and plant growth and to understand the mechanisms that would help the plants to overcome the toxicity Keywords—crop; soil contamination; stress toxicity; seed germination; tolerance strategies;
THE EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF SNRI ( VENLAFAXINE AND DESVENLAFAXINE ) FOR THE TREATMENT OF VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS IN MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Vasomotor symptoms are the most troublesome problem among the symptoms of menopausal transition for which women seek treatment. Hormonal therapy is the most widely used and effective one but due to its adverse effects on long-term use, most women seek for alternative. Since the publication of Women’s Health Initiative report many health practioners and consumers seek for the alternative. The SSRI/SNRI are the first and the most effective alternative after hormone therapy and most widely studied among all alternatives. The objective of this review is to assess the effectivity and tolerability of SNRI (venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine) treatment for Vasomotor Symptoms.
Some Properties of the Point Optimal Invariant Test for the Constancy of Parameters

In this paper we consider the time-varying parameter model. Since there is no uniformly most powerful test for the constancy of parameters, the locally best invariant (LBI) test has often been considered in the literature, including the study by Nabeya and Tanaka (1988). We show the existence of the limiting distribution of the point optimal invariant (POI) test statistic when we can derive the limiting distribution of the LBI test statistic. We prove that the limiting characteristic function of the POI test statistic can be expressed using that of the LBI test statistic.
Customer Preferences for Restaurant Brands, Cuisine, and Food Court Configurations in Shopping Centers

An analysis of the mall restaurant preferences of a national sample of 1,737 U.S. residents sheds light on how to configure mall food service and demonstrates how local malls can determine what their particular market desires. The study tested demographic differences in relation to mall configurations and in relation to the types of food-service concepts that are in highest demand. Using customer choice analysis, this study asked respondents to choose among six mall food-service configurations, including one that had a large food court and one that had no food court at all. The most popular configuration combined a moderate-size food court with several casual and fast-casual restaurants. Least popular was the choice that had only table-service restaurants and no food court. The study also asked respondents to select their favorite mall restaurant concepts, with a particular eye to demographic differences in restaurant preferences. Since this is a national sample, it’s not surprising that familiar national QSR and casual-dining chains topped the list. However, certain demographic groups rated the QSRs as their favorites, while others were more favorable to tableservice concepts. Thus, as local and regional mall operators determine which restaurant concepts to offer in their malls, they should consider their customers’ demographics and preferences. With that analysis, malls can set the mix of local and national operators, QSR and table-service concepts, and the configuration of those restaurants in the mall.
Age-Depth Model of Lake Soppensee (Switzerland) Based on the High-Resolution 14C Chronology Compared with Varve Chronology

An age-depth model for laminated sediments of Lake Soppensee is constructed using radiocarbon ages of macrofossils and a depositional model of the OxCal v 4.1 program with the updated IntCal09 data set. The resulting calendar chronology is compared with the varve chronology that was built for this record in a previous study (Hajdas 1993); there is a very good agreement between the 2 approaches. This illustrates the potential of high-resolution 14C dating for construction of reliable, high-resolution calendar timescales for sedimentary records. Based on the age-depth model of this study, the Vasset/Killian tephra found in sediment of Soppensee dates to a calendar age of 9291–9412 cal BP (2-σ range) while the Lachersee tephra dates to 12,735–12,871 cal BP (2-σ range). Precise dating of the Late Glacial boundaries is possible with this chronology but requires more precise correlation between proxies and records than typically practiced.
Does symbolic and non-symbolic estimation ability predict mathematical achievement across primary school years?

The article presents the results of a longitudinal study of the association between number sense and success in learning mathematics in primary school. We analysed the data of 133 schoolchildren on two aspects of number sense related to the symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude estimation abilities and academic success in mathematics in third and fourth grade. The average age of schoolchildren during the first assessment was 9.82 ± 0.30; during the second assessment – 10.82 ± 0.30. For the analysis of interrelations, the cross-lagged method was used. It was shown that the reciprocal model best describes the data suggesting cross-lagged associations between number sense and the success in learning mathematics at primary school age. The results of the longitudinal analysis revealed differences in the relationship between the success in learning mathematics with the two aspects of number sense: academic success in third grade only predicted the indicator of number sense associated with the symbolic magnitude estimation ability in fourth grade. The differences in the age dynamics of the two aspects of number sense in primary school are also revealed: the indicator of number sense associated with the non-symbolic magnitude estimation ability was the most stable over time.
Teaching Practices and the Management of Student Motivation, Effort and Achievement

Student motivation is primordial for educational success. We develop a theoretical model in which a teacher manages student motivation through the choice of teaching practices. We show that only high-ability students can be motivated by extrinsically-oriented teaching practices. For low-ability or myopic students, intrinsically-oriented teaching practices are more effective in fostering student achievement. Furthermore, the choice of teaching practices depends on their relative costs, the teacher's objective function (utilitarian or Rawlsian), and the teacher's time preferences. We draw important policy implications regarding teacher effectiveness, the harmfulness of not tailoring teaching practices to student types, and how to limit student dropouts.
Positive youth development merits state investment

In the last three decades, positive youth development has emerged as the new paradigm for youth-related research and programming. The literature provides strong evidence that high-quality youth programs can have positive and significant effects. Positive youth development is strongly associated with three outcomes of particular public significance: improved school achievement and graduation rates, decreased incidence of risk behaviors and increased sense of personal efficacy and empathy. A strong economic case could be built for increasing public investment in positive youth development programs. What is needed now is more and better data, and measurable goals at the state level.
The Relationship between Current Account Deficits and Growth in Montenegro: ARDL Bounds Testing Approach

Abstract In this study, we investigate the relationship between current account deficits and growth in Montenegro by applying the bounds testing (ARDL) approach to co-integration for the period from the third quarter of 2011 to the last quarter of 2016. The bounds tests suggest that the variables of interest are bound together in the long run when growth is the dependent variable. The results also confirm a bidirectional long run and short run causal relationship between current account deficits and growth. The short run results mostly indicate a negative relationship between changes in the current account deficit GDP ratio and the GDP growth rate. This means that any increase of the value of independent variable (current account deficit GDP ratio) will result in decrease of the rate of GDP growth and vice versa. The long-run effect of the current account deficit to GDP ratio on GDP growth is positive. The constant (β0) is positive but also the (β1), meaning that with the increase of CAD GDP ratio of 1 measuring unit, the GDP growth rate would grow by 0,5459. This positive and tight correlation could be explained by overlapping structure of the constituents of CAD and the drivers of GDP growth (such as tourism, energy sector, agriculture etc.). The results offer new perspectives and insights for new policy aiming for sustainable economic growth of Montenegro.
On the existence of conformal measures

A general notion of conformal measure is introduced and some basic properties are studied. Sufficient conditions for the existence of these measures are obtained, using a general construction principle. The geometric properties of conformal measures relate equilibrium states and Hausdorff measures. This is shown for invariant subsets of S under expanding maps.
Effect of bedrock permeability on subsurface stormflow and the water balance of a trenched hillslope at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed, Georgia, USA

The effect of bedrock permeability on subsurface stormflow initiation and the hillslope water balance is poorly understood. Previous hillslope hydrological studies at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW), Georgia, USA, have assumed that the bedrock underlying the trenched hillslope is effectively impermeable. This paper presents a series of sprinkling experiments where we test the bedrock impermeability hypothesis at the PMRW. Specifically, we quantify the bedrock permeability effects on hillslope subsurface stormflow generation and the hillslope water balance at the PMRW. Five sprinkling experiments were performed by applying 882–1676 mm of rainfall over a ∼5·5 m × 12 m area on the lower hillslope during ∼8 days. In addition to water input and output captured at the trench, we measured transpiration in 14 trees on the slope to close the water balance. Of the 193 mm day−1 applied during the later part of the sprinkling experiments when soil moisture changes were small, <14 mm day−1 was collected at the trench and <4 mm day−1 was transpired by the trees, with residual bedrock leakage of >175 mm day−1 (91%). Bedrock moisture was measured at three locations downslope of the water collection system in the trench. Bedrock moisture responded quickly to precipitation in early spring. Peak tracer breakthrough in response to natural precipitation in the bedrock downslope from the trench was delayed only 2 days relative to peak tracer arrival in subsurface stormflow at the trench. Leakage to bedrock influences subsurface stormflow at the storm time‐scale and also the water balance of the hillslope. This has important implications for the age and geochemistry of the water and thus how one models this hillslope and watershed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic Parameterization of Precipitation in the ECHAM 6 General Circulation Model

The formation of precipitation is insufficiently represented in global circulation models. This may lead to the poor representation of precipitation occurrences, especially high precipitation rates are underrepresented. One process that is important for the formation of precipitation is the autoconversion. The calculation of the autoconversion rate is parameterized in the ECHAM6 climate model in dependence of the grid box mean liquid water content. This grid-box mean value of the liquid water content replaced using a statistical probability density function (PDF), which represents the sub-scale variability of the total water content. Integrating and inverting this PDF allows to obtain values for the cloud liquid water content by drawing random numbers from a uniform distribution. This approach were implemented in the ECHAM6 climate model and is evaluated. The use of the sub-scale liquid water content for the autoconversion rates increases the occurrence of high precipitation rates in autoconversion rate PDF compared to the basic parameterization. The occurrence of low precipitation rates is decreased using the new parameterization. This results leading to the conclusion that the used approach is able to improve the simulation precipitation representation in the model.
School effectiveness: Literature review

In this paper, the reader embarks on the first part of the review of school effectiveness research. The aim of the review is to offer a clearer picture on whether, which, and how much teacher and school variables impact student achievement, as there is currently no wider and accepted consensus on this matter, in spite of the wealth of various school effectiveness studies. An introduction is followed by a section on fragmented research paradigms. Four subsequent sections describe and critique findings from these paradigms, namely from student background, input-output, effective-schools, and instructional effectiveness studies. The paper concludes with the section on synthesis of findings, which implicate student background variables as the most important for student achievement, followed by instruction and teacher-related variables (in very poor developing countries, input-output factors are also relevant for student success). Subsequent paper will showcase more recent school effectiveness studies that use appropriate methodology and conceptual framework for identification of the most important school effectiveness factors.
Muscular Fitness and All-Cause Mortality: Prospective Observations

Background: The beneficial effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on mortality are well known; however, the relation of muscular fitness, specifically muscular strength and endurance, to mortality risk has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of the current study is to determine if a dose-response relation exists between muscular fitness and mortality after controlling for factors such as age and cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods: The study included 9105 men and women, 20–82 years of age, in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study who have completed at least one medical examination at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX between 1981 and 1989. The exam included a muscular fitness assessment, based on 1-min sit-up and 1-repetition maximal leg and bench press scores, and a maximal treadmill test. We conducted mortality follow-up through 1996 primarily using the National Death Index, with a total follow-up of 106,046 person-years. All-cause mortality rates were examined across low, moderate, and high muscular .
EFFECTS OF COASTAL VEGETATION SPECIES AND GROUND SLOPE ON STORM SURGE DISASTER MITIGATION

The coastline of Bangladesh is mostly exposed to extreme meteorological and hydrological conditions where cyclones and storm surges cause devastating effects including loss of human lives and destruction of properties. Coastal vegetation has been considered as a low-cost and natural protection to reduce the energy of current and surge. Present study explored the effectiveness of coastal vegetation against cyclonic storm surge based on species composition, forest width and near-shore run-up slope revealed by field investigations and numerical simulations. A calibrated hydrodynamic numerical model based on modified one-dimensional depth-averaged non-linear long wave differential equations was used to simulate the storm surge mitigation effected by the coastal vegetation. Considering two different types of coastal species, mangrove species, Rhizophora apiculata and beach species, Casuarina equisetifolia, numerical simulations were conducted to assess the effect of coastal forest on the storm surge mitigation. This analysis showed that double layers of wide vegetation belt (300 m) in the vertical direction with R. apiculata and C. equisetifolia on mild slope (1:500) exhibited a strong potential to decrease surge wave height and velocity. However, water depth reduction was low compared with flow velocity reduction. The maximum water depth and current velocity reduced to 1.4m (22% reduction) and 1.2m/s (49% reduction), respectively, behind the vegetation in comparison with the case without vegetation. Wide coastal vegetation belt with mild slope might be suitable for storm surge energy reduction; however, a doubling or tripling of forest width (from 100 m to 200 m or 300 m) did not produce two-fold or three-fold increase of wave reduction with negligible additional velocity reduction. For the same vegetation density the wave energy reduction by R. apiculata was not increased significantly compared to the C. equisetifolia. But young densely C. equisetifolia found more effective to reduce storm surge energy. The information would be of value to policy and decision makers for coastal landscape planning, rehabilitation and coastal resource management.
Comparing L 1 GPS with displacement transducers and accelerometers in monitoring applications of bridges Resumo

The Department of Transportation of São Carlos Engineering School, Brazil, has been researching about deflections monitoring of large structures, mainly bridges, with Global Positioning System (GPS), since year 2000. This work had technical support from researches of the Timber Wood Laboratory of Sao Carlos Engineering School and researches of the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, Canada. The experiments had the objective to compare the measurements of two geotechnical conventional instruments, displacement transducer and accelerometer, with L1 GPS receiver measurements. The evaluation with the displacement transducer was performed at a cable stayed timber bridge, measuring the amplitude and frequency of its dynamic displacements induced by the stepping of pedestrians. The comparison with the accelerometer consisted in applying a periodic vertical movement by means of an electro-mechanical device. GPS results were obtained by Phase Residual Method (PRM). As this method is not based on coordinate determination, it is very useful for measuring short-lived oscillations at millimeter level. The PRM is not susceptible to multipath-induced position errors (which can be up to several centimeters) and there are minimal satellite visibility constraints. By analyzing results with the different techniques, repeated tests results were obtained which indicate the precision and accuracy of GPS.