Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobility, multilocality and translocal development: changing livelihoods in the Karakoram

Abstract. The people of the Karakoram have broadened the basis of their livelihoods over the last two to three generations by diversifying their income sources and activities along sectoral and spatial lines. Formal education, off-farm income generation and professional employment in the cities complement and partly substitute local agricultural activities. Intensifying processes of mobility and migration have created translocal rural–urban livelihoods, straddling between various and often geographically distant places. Social ties in multilocal configurations of households, families and communities have established highly effective local-to-local connections, which directly interlink processes of change and development in different locations. This article traces in a historical analysis the specific interrelations of mobility dynamics, livelihood change and socio-economic development for the Wakhi community of Gojal in northern Pakistan and discusses the potential of translocal livelihoods to overcome local constraints and facilitate development in structurally disadvantaged regions.
Building active learning applications and opportunities into a distance-learning leadership course: Working paper series--09-07

This paper describes how the authors created an on-line leadership course that retained as much of the rich, interactive nature of the face-to-face version as possible. The seven "best practice" design criteria offered by Chickering and Reisser (1993) are discussed as they relate to specific course design and instructional requirements for instructor orientation, course management organization and tool use, community building as well as the development of thematic modules and their associated assignments. Student comments provided by a case study of the on-line course (Griffin, 2007) are provided that support the efficacy of this approach.
Can white spot syndrome virus be transmitted through the phytoplankton →rotifer →artemia →shrimp pathway?

The transmission of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in the aquatic environment by the pathway of phytoplankton through rotifer to artemia and shrimp was investigated. The phytoplankton Alexandrium tamarense and Alexandrium minutum were co-cultured with adult Fenneropenaeus chinensis infected with WSSV and were assayed by whole cell fluorescence in situ hybridization (WFISH) with probe specific for WSSV labeled with 5-carboxyfluoroscein at 5’-end to study whether they could carry WSSV. Then, the WSSV positive phytoplankton was exposed to the rotifer Brachionus urceu and was assayed by dot blot hybridization with digoxigenin labeled DNA probe. Further experiments were conducted to feed artemia Artemia franciscana with the WSSV positive rotifers and feed juvenile shrimps F. chinensis with the artemia. Our results showed that the pytoplankton were WSSV-positive after 24 h incubation. The dot-blot diagnosis revealed WSSV-positive results in the rotifers exposed to WSSV positive phytoplankton. The cumulative mortality of shrimp and dot blot diagnosis showed that the shrimp can be infected by the food chain of phytoplankton →rotifer →artemia →shrimp.
A COMPARlTlVE STUDY ON THE IN VlTRO HEPATIC METABOLISM OF RETlNOlC ACID USING DIFFERENT

All trans retinoic acid (RA), derived from the oxidative metabolism of dietary retinol (vitamin A) and 0 carotene, contributes to the growth and differentiation of mammalian epithelial tissues. RA is rapidly cleared from the plasma and sudenly metabolized in tissues. The increase of its biological potency through inhibition of its oxidative metabolism is consistent with this.This research is part of a study to develop novel compounds as inhibitors of retinoic acid metabolism that could have potential value as anticancer agent.The investigation was done to compare the in vitro metabolism of [ 3 ~ ] ~ ~ by hepatic microsomes from several common laboratory animal species. Also, the ability of ketaconazole to inhibit RA metabolism was examined.The species studied were male rat, male New Zealand white rabbit, male albino mouse, male Syrian hamster, male Dunkin hartley guinea pig and male nude mouse. The results revealed that km and Vmax were species dependent. Among the animals, rat liver appeared to be the most active in metabolizing RA. Inhibition of RA metbolism by ketoconazole (100pM) was very similar in the hepatic microsomes of all the species examine. Overall the results indicate that male rat hepatic microsomes represent a useful enzyme source for screening novel compounds as inhibitors of RA metabolism.
Parameter Estimation for Student-t ARCH Model using MDL Criterion

In this paper the student-t autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ARCH) model is considered and a new estimator for the coefficients of the ARCH model and the degree of freedom of the Student-t noise is proposed. ARCH models have been used in numerous applications to model the unpredictability and the strong dependence of the instantaneous variability of a time series on its own past. The usual approach for estimating the ARCH parameters is using QML estimator. This estimator is consistent and asymptotically efficient, but for limited data length it has poor efficiency. Simulation results show that the proposed method has better efficiency even in limited data length case. The price one should pay to obtain this performance is the increased computational load.
Nature and role of root exudates: Efficacy in bioremediation

Root exudate is one of the ways for plant communication to the neighboring plant and adjoining of microorganisms present in the rhizosphere of the root. The chemicals ingredients of the root exudates are specific to a particular plant species and also depend on the nearby biotic and abiotic environment. The chemical ingredient exuded by plant roots include amino acids, sugars, organic acids, vitamins, nucleotides, various other secondary metabolites and many other high molecular weight substances as primarily mucilage and some unidentified substances. Through the exudation of a wide variety of compounds, roots may regulate the soil microbial community in their immediate vicinity, cope with herbivores, encourage beneficial symbioses, change the chemical and physical properties of the soil and inhibit the growth of competing plant species. Root exudates mediate various positive and negative interactions like plant-plant and plant-microbe interactions. The present review has been undertaken to examine the possible role of root exudates on the removal of the polluted matter and nourishing the neighboring microorganisms present in the rhizosphere of the root. Key words : Rhizosphere, root exudates, bioremediation, rhizoremediation.
The Impact of Governance and Ownership Structure on Disclosure Patterns Transcending Major Regulatory Change in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent of voluntary disclosures between 2006 and 2009 that transcends major regulatory and governance changes in Malaysia and to assess the association between strength of corporate governance structure, and ownership structure on the extent of voluntary disclosures of Malaysian listed firms over that period. The average level of voluntary disclosure within the annual reports of sample firms increased over the two periods. Further, the extent of voluntary disclosure is significantly positively associated with strength of corporate governance structure in both 2006 and 2009. Firms with concentrated ownership structure are associated with more extensive voluntary disclosures. These findings highlight the importance of an effective governance regime and concentrated ownership structure in reducing information asymmetry and agency costs and thereby enhancing the level of voluntary disclosures. These findings also have practical implications for policy-makers, analysts, auditors and regulators in Malaysia as well as East Asian countries.
Biomedical monitoring of spaceflight participants during suborbital flights via agile architecture

As human spaceflight becomes a rapidly approaching reality, especially within the suborbital domain, measures must be implemented to monitor the mental and physiological well-being of vehicle operators and spaceflight participants (SFP). Vehicle operators remain better trained than SFP, this fact is amplified by the fact the cost prohibits majority of SFP to take multiple suborbital flights. Furthermore, current regulatory standards are insufficient to address SFP safety and medical standards. Due to the variations in commercial suborbital vehicle types, there will exist wide array of ascent and descent profiles. Even for a single vehicle type, the flight profile (i.e. climb angle, reentry trajectory, etc.) may vary flight-to-flight depending on the mission profile. Each commercial spaceflight enterprise may be constrained by multiple factors such as financial, vehicle design, vehicle-specific hardware, and other factors that limit the type of systems implemented. In light of the above, this paper shall propose adaptable system architecture for SFP biomedical monitoring that can be configured to multiple commercial suborbital vehicle types.
Variation in the strength of continental boundary currents determines continent‐wide connectivity in kelp

1. Determining the extent to which coastal oceanographic processes facilitate connectivity of marine organisms underpins our understanding of the ecology and evolution of marine communities. Continental boundary currents are a dominant physical influence on marine connectivity, but determining their effect has proved elusive because of difficulties in achieving replication of currents within the distribution of a single species.
A canonical cellular decomposition of the Teichmuller space of compact surfaces with boundary (Hyperbolic Spaces and Related Topics)

Using the Euclidean decomposition of the hyperbolic surface, R. C. Penner gave a canonical cellular decomposition of the decorated Teichmuller space of punctured surfaces, which is invariant by the action of the mapping class group. Adapting his method, we give a canonical cellular decomposition of the Teichmuller space of compact orientable surfaces with non-empty boundary.
Real-Time Forecasting with a Large, Mixed Frequency, Bayesian VAR

We assess point and density forecasts from a mixed-frequency vector autoregression (VAR) to obtain intra-quarter forecasts of output growth as new information becomes available. The econometric model is specified at the lowest sampling frequency; high frequency observations are treated as different economic series occurring at the low frequency. We impose restrictions on the VAR to account explicitly for the temporal ordering of the data releases. Because this type of data stacking results in a high-dimensional system, we rely on Bayesian shrinkage to mitigate parameter proliferation. The relative performance of the model is compared to forecasts from various time-series models and the Survey of Professional Forecaster's. We further illustrate the possible usefulness of our proposed VAR for causal analysis.
On the Design and Test of a Prototype of Biped Actuated by Shape Memory Alloys

In this paper the design of a biped robot actuated with Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) springs with minimum degrees of freedom is presented. SMA springs are a class of smart materials that are known for their high power to mass and volume ratios. It was shown that utilizing spring type of SMAs have many advantages as large deformation, smooth motion, silent and clean movement compared to ordinary type of actuators. In this work a Biped robot actuated through SMA springs with four DOFs is modeled and designed. Walking trajectory is generated validating the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) Criteria and the number of DOFs is modified accordingly. To verify the design, acomplete model of the biped actuated with SMA is modeled through computer simulation in MATLAB and Visual Nastaran. Finally to validate the results, a prototype is manufactured and tested. Experimental results showed reasonable agreement with simulation results.
Convolutional Noise PDF at the Convergence State of a Blind Adaptive Equalizer

In the literature, the convolutional noise obtained at the output of a blind adaptive equalizer, is often modeled as a Gaussian process during the latter stages of the deconvolution process where the process is close to optimality. However, up to now, no strong mathematical basis was given supporting this phenomenon. Furthermore, no closed-form or closed-form approximated expression is given that shows what are the constraints on the system’s parameters (equalizer’s tap-length, input signal statistics, channel power, chosen equalization method and step-size parameter) for which the assumption of a Gaussian model for the convolutional noise holds. In this paper, we consider the two independent quadrature carrier input case and type of blind adaptive equalizers where the error that is fed into the adaptive mechanism which updates the equalizer’s taps can be expressed as a polynomial function of the equalized output up to order three. We show based on strong mathematical basis that the convolutional noise pdf at the latter stages of the deconvolution process where the process is close to optimality, is approximately Gaussian if complying on some constraints depending on the step-size parameter, input constellation statistics, channel power, chosen equalization method and equalizer’s tap-length. Simulation results confirm our findings.
Structural and multiferroic properties of epitaxial γ-Fe2O3–BiFeO3/Bi3.25La0.75 Ti3O12 composite bi-layers

Multiferroic properties of γ-Fe2O3–BiFeO3/Bi3.25La0. 75Ti3O12 epitaxial composite bi-layers grown on SrRuO3/SrTiO3(1 1 1) are compared with the properties of single phase BiFeO3 and Bi3.25La0. 75Ti3O12 thin films. The composite bi-layers show well-saturated hysteresis loops with a low coercive field, a high fatigue resistance and high saturation magnetization. The insulating Bi3.25La0. 75Ti3O12 underlayer reduces significantly both the leakage current and the coercive field of the heterostructure (200 kV cm−1) at the expense of a lower polarization (20 µC cm−2), while the epitaxial γ-Fe2O3 secondary phase that develops within the relaxed epitaxial BiFeO3 matrix allowed for a high saturation magnetization.
A Framework on New Travel Demand Model Based on Potential Travelers and Surrounding Land Uses for Rapid Transit

One of the public transports is rapid transit, which provides the highest performance mode of urban transportation. Currently, existing rapid transit travel demand analysis from the service provider is based on ticketing data that contain information such as time travel, origin and destination; which is using trip based method. This method has its limitation such as the demand is for trip making rather than for activities as well as having spatial, temporal and demographic aggregation errors. It also failed to predict the travel demand when there is future development or growth in the surrounding area. Therefore, new method for modeling travel demand is needed. This paper proposes a framework of new model and analytics for travel demands of rapid transits based on big data of potential travelers and surrounding land uses. Land uses and transportation are interdependent. With this proposed concept, the accurate travel demand for rapid transit in the future will be met. Therefore, the rapid transit service will have excellence operation, which includes optimum frequency, punctuality and reliable service.
Culture Values Entrepreneurship and Growth

We integrate a social norm which associates status to accumulation of capital and consumption into a simple model of endogenous growth. We show that societies which place a greater weight of cultural values on stock of accumulated capital as opposed to consumption will experience fast growth. Our results are consistent with those obtained by Baumol (1990) in the context of entrepreneurship and by Fershtman and Weiss (1991).
Charge carrier velocity in graphene field-effect transistors

To extend the frequency range of transistors into the terahertz domain, new transistor technologies, materials, and device concepts must be continuously developed. The quality of the interface between the involved materials is a highly critical factor. The presence of impurities can degrade device performance and reliability. In this paper, we present a method that allows the study of the charge carrier velocity in a field-effect transistor vs impurity levels. The charge carrier velocity is found using high-frequency scattering parameter measurements followed by delay time analysis. The limiting factors of the saturation velocity and the effect of impurities are then analysed by applying analytical models of the field-dependent and phonon-limited carrier velocity. As an example, this method is applied to a top-gated graphene field-effect transistor (GFET). We find that the extracted saturation velocity is ca. 1.4×107 cm/s and is mainly limited by silicon oxide substrate phonons. Within the considered range of residual charge carrier concentrations, charged impurities do not limit the saturation velocity directly by the phonon mechanism. Instead, the impurities act as traps that emit charge carriers at high fields, preventing the current from saturation and thus limiting power gain of the GFETs. The method described in this work helps to better understand the influence of impurities and clarifies methods of further transistor development. High quality interfaces are required to achieve current saturation via velocity saturation in GFETs.To extend the frequency range of transistors into the terahertz domain, new transistor technologies, materials, and device concepts must be continuously developed. The quality of the interface between the involved materials is a highly critical factor. The presence of impurities can degrade device performance and reliability. In this paper, we present a method that allows the study of the charge carrier velocity in a field-effect transistor vs impurity levels. The charge carrier velocity is found using high-frequency scattering parameter measurements followed by delay time analysis. The limiting factors of the saturation velocity and the effect of impurities are then analysed by applying analytical models of the field-dependent and phonon-limited carrier velocity. As an example, this method is applied to a top-gated graphene field-effect transistor (GFET). We find that the extracted saturation velocity is ca. 1.4×107 cm/s and is mainly limited by silicon oxide substrate phonons. Within the considered ran.
MULTI-LAYER CRYSTALS OF METALLIC WIRES: ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSMISSION COEFFICIENT FOR OUTSIDE AND INSIDE EXCITATION

This paper proposes a new analysis of the transmission coefficient at normal incidence for 2-D periodic crystals (also called Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures), which are finite in the direction of wave-propagation and are composed of metallic wires. The crystal is considered as a set of parallel Partially Reflecting Surfaces (PRSs), whose transmission and reflection characteristics are obtained rigorously using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. The transmission coefficient of the EBG structure is then obtained by using a plane-wave cascading approach considering single mode interactions between PRSs. The accuracy of the results given by the hybrid method is assessed compared to those obtained directly by the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. The minima and maxima envelops and the resonance frequencies of the transmission coefficient are studied, with analytical expressions, for both, excitation from outside and excitation from inside. A discussion is also presented concerning the strength of the coefficient greater than one obtained when the plane-wave source is inside the EBG structure. In addition, by using a transmission line model, a normalized version for this coefficient is proposed, which considers the available power by the source.
Food Neophobia and Nutritional Outcomes in Primary School-Children

Food neophobia, unwillingness to try novel foods, is a personality trait that can influence children’s food preferences and consequently their food acceptance and consumption. The purpose of this study was to determine whether children with food neophobia have poor dietary and growth outcomes compared to non-neophobic children. Subjects were 332 primary school children from 6 randomly selected schools in the district of Hulu Selangor, Selangor. Parents and children were interviewed to obtain demographic, socio-economic, food neophobia and dietary intake information. The children were also measured for weights and heights. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square procedures were utilized for statistical data analysis. Children with food neophobia had higher intakes of energy and most nutrients than average and neophilic children. However, only the mean intakes of protein(p 55% but highest percentage(50.8%) with fat energy > 30%. For the three study groups, the mean number of servings for all food groups, except grain and cereal, did not meet the Food Pyramid recommendations. Neophobic children consumed significantly more numbers of servings from the meat group than average and neophilic groups(p < 0.01). All study groups had relatively low mean dietary diversity scores but neophobic children had the lowest score(0.67 ± 0.73) compared to the average(0.97 ± 0.72) and neophilic(1.98 ± 0.81) groups. Significant difference in mean dietary diversity scores were only observed between neophobic and neophilic children(p < 0.05). Higher percentages of neo-phobic children had low weight-for-height and were at-risk of overweight(p < 0.05). Nutrition practitioners need to understand children’s food preferences in their efforts to promote healthful diets for children. To improve children’s eating behaviors, parents may need the guidance and support from nutritionists and dietitians that are specific to their needs and their child’s situation.
THE INTERACTION BETWEEN DOPAMINE AND CARBON NANOTUBE: A DFT AND NBO APPROACH

The Density Functional Theory (DFT) and the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) calculations based method B3LYP/6-31G were carried out to study the interaction of Dopamine with carbon nanotube. The nanotube used in this study, includes 60 C atoms (6, 6) type. Relative and formation energies of compounds, Muliken charges, occupancy, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), the HOMO-LUMO band gap and the electronic chemical potential (μ) were calculated. The NBO analysis showed there is a hyperconjugative interaction between Oxygen and Nitrogen lone – pair electrons of dopamine and σ οr π orbitals of carbon atom of nanotube. Results indicated that the composite between nanotubes and the Ncentered dopamine is more stable than O1 centered dopamine and both of them are stable than the single agent.