Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The wideband backend at the MDSCC in Robledo - A new facility for radio astronomy at Q- and K-bands

Context. The antennas of NASA’s Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) in Robledo de Chavela are available as single-dish radio astronomical facilities during a sign ificant percentage of their operational time. Current instr umentation includes two antennas of 70 and 34 m in diameter, equipped with dual-polarization receivers in K (18 ‐ 26 GHz) and Q (38 ‐ 50 GHz) bands, respectively. Until mid-2011, the only backend available in MDSCC was a single spectral autocorrelator, which provides bandwidths from 2 to 16 MHz. The limited bandwidth available with this autocorrelator seriously limited the science one could carry out at Robledo. Aims. We have developed and built a new wideband backend for the Robledo antennas, with the objectives (1) to optimize the available time and enhance the effi ciency of radio astronomy in MDSCC; and (2) to tackle new scientific cases impossible to that were investigated with the existing autocorrelator. Methods. The features required for the new backend include (1) a broad instantaneous bandwidth of at least 1.5 GHz; (2) high-quality and stable baselines, with small variations in frequency al ong the whole band; (3) easy upgradability; and (4) usability for at least the antennas that host the K- and Q-band receivers. Results. The backend consists of an intermediate frequency (IF) processor, a fast Fourier transform spectrometer (FFTS), and the software that interfaces and manages the events among the observing program, antenna control, the IF processor, the FFTS operation, and data recording. The whole system was end-to-end assembled in August 2011, at the start of commissioning activities, and the results are reported in this paper. Frequency tunings and li ne intensities are stable over hours, even when using different synthesizers and IF channels; no aliasing effects have been measured, and the rejection of the image sideband was characterized. Conclusions. The new wideband backend fulfills the requirements and makes better use of the available time for radio astronomy, which opens new possibilities to potential users. The first s etup provides 1.5 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth in a single polarization, using 8192 channels and a frequency resolution of 212 kHz; upgrades under way include a second FFTS card, and two high-resolution cores providing 100 MHz and 500 MHz of bandwidth, and 16384 channels. These upgrades will permit simultaneous observations of the two polarizations with instantaneous bandwidths from 100 MHz to 3 GHz, and spectral resolutions from 7 to 212 kHz.
Serum osteocalcin and urinary free deoxypyridinoline as potential risk factors in predicting the prevalence of bone trauma among the post-menopausal Chinese women

This study was designed to understand whether the post-menopausal Chinese women (n=175) receiving tablet containing vitamin D (500 IU) and calcium (500 mg) had lower incidence of bone fracture compared to the post-menopausal Chinese women ((n=175) receiving a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein (milk, cheese, and yogurt, soybeans, spinach, fish including fatty fish, cheese, egg). This study assessed whether the levels of serum osteocalcin and urinary free deoxypyridinoline could be used as predictors of early bone trauma during post-menopausal period. After randomization, subjects were followed-up for up to 3 years to capture required data. The results suggested that therapeutic intervention (vitamin D and calcium) does not predict bone fracture among the post-menopausal Chinese women. However, correlation analysis revealed that the decreased level of serum osteocalcin and urinary free deoxypyridinoline were associated with higher incidence of fracture. The results suggest that the low level of serum osteocalcin and urinary free deoxypyridinoline cause increase susceptibility of fracture among the post-menopausal Chinese women.
Real Risk-Free Rate, the Central Bank, and Stock Market Bubbles

The central bank acts as a social planner, and adjusts the real risk-free rate of return to correct any mispricing in the stock market so that the emergence of positive or negative bubbles is avoided. The analysis shows that the central bank must raise the risk-free rate in the case of a positive bubble, and vice versa. Moreover, the central bank should intervene in the stock market even if it does not have perfect information about the bubble. This is because the sequential dividend yields in the pricing equations are stationary. Thus, even the delayed reaction of the central bank prevents the fundamental value and the equilibrium price from drifting apart for extended periods.
Performance Improvement of STBC OFDM MC-CDMA with Phase Matrix in Different Channel Models

In this paper, an improvement of space-time, block-coded (STBC) multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) system using phase matrix in multipath fading channel is proposed, and the performance of the system is analyzed. The bit error rates BER numerical results show that the better performance of the STBC-MC-CDMA system with phase matrix can be achieved when comparing with system without using phase matrix. As a result, it can be seen from the proposed technique that a high performance improvement was obtained over the conventional MC-CDMA, where the Bit Error Rate (BER) is mainly reduced under different channel characteristics for frequency selective fading and the AWGN channel. Keywords: STBC, MC-CDMA, OFDM, IFFT, FFT, Phase matrix.
Swimming kinematics and efficiency of entangled North Atlantic right whales

Marine mammals are streamlined for efficient movement in their relatively viscous fluid environment and are able to alter their kinematics (i.e. fluke stroke frequency, amplitude, or both) in response to changes in force balance. Entanglement in fishing gear adds significant drag and buoyant forces that can impact swimming behaviors across a range of timescales. We deployed biologging tags during the disentanglement of 2 North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis to (1) examine how their kinematics changed in response to drag and buoyancy from entanglement in fishing gear, and (2) calculate resultant changes in swimming efficiency for one individual. We observed variable responses in dive behavior, but neither whale appeared to exploit added buoyancy to reduce energy expenditure. While some of the observed changes in behavior were individually specific, some swimming kinematics were consistently modulated in response to high drag and buoyancy associated with entangling gear, affecting thrust production. In high drag and buoyancy conditions, fluke strokes were significantly shorter and more variable in shape, and gliding was less frequent. Thrust and efficiency significantly differed among dive phases. Disentanglement reduced thrust coefficients ~4-fold, leading to 1.2 to 1.8-fold lower power (W). Ideal propulsive efficiency was significantly lower when entangled, though we detected no difference in observed propulsive efficiency between the conditions. Similar to carrying heavy objects or changing shoes, we present another condition where animals perceive unique movement constraints over seconds to minutes and develop compensatory strategies, altering their movement accordingly.
A REVIEW OF DEGRADATION PROPERTIES OF Mg BASED BIODEGRADABLE IMPLANTS

Magnesium-based implants have the potential to serve as biocompatible, osteoconductive, and biodegradable implants for load-bearing applications of bone tissue. These implants would be temporarily needed to provide mechanical support during the healing process of injured or pathological tissue. Moreover, the metallic implants, such as pins, screws, and plates for repairing the defects, have to be removed by a second surgery after the bone tissue was healed. Since, the repeated surgery will increases the morbidity and health costs, then, the use
Preliminary data on chronic effects of ultraviolet radiation on the growth of some phytoplankton species of the Beagle Channel, Argentina

Serious concerns exist that the thinning of stratospheric ozone and the resulting enhancement in the solar UVB radiation, may impair marine primary productivity. Also, UVB may alter food web dynamics and food availability for higher trophic levels in marine ecosystems inducing changes in phytoplankton species composition. The main goal of this study was to examine the responses of different species of marine phytoplankton to solar UVR. Specifically, we compared the UV sensitivity of a phytoplankton natural community isolated from the Beagle Channel (54°52´S, 68°18´W, Ushuaia, Argentina), as well as the response of two taxa which were isolated from that community (i.e., a pennate diatom, Navicula sp., and a phytoflagellate pertaining to the Class Cryptophyceae) to UV radiation. Exposure to UVB or UVA radiation treatments had no significant effects (p > 0.05) on exponential growth rate in Navicula sp. However, when the phytoflagellate [Class Cryptophyceae] was exposed to UVB, the growth rate in the exponential phase was inhibited significantly (p < 0.01) compared with the PAR control. Marked changes in the relative abundance of the main taxonomic groups were observed in the community cultures: the relative abundance of phytoflagellates was significantly lower after exposure to the UVB treatment than after exposure to the PAR treatment (p < 0.05). However, the percentage of centric diatoms increased significantly (p < 0.05) when they were exposed to UVB. The growth rate at the end of the exponential phase of growth of the community was inhibited significantly (p < 0.01) when the algae were exposed to UVB and UVA.
Testing for Balance Sheet Effec ts in Emerging Market Countries

This paper tests the presence of balance sheets effects and analyzes the implications for exchange rate policies in emerging markets. The results reveal that the emerging market bond index (EMBI) is negatively related to the banks. foreign currency leverage, and that these banks. foreign currency exposures are relatively unhedged. Panel SVAR methods using EMBI instead of advanced country lending rates find, contrary to the literature, that the amplitude of output responses to foreign interest rate shocks are smaller under relatively fixed regimes. The findings are robust to the local projections method of obtaining impulse responses, using country specific and GARCH-SVAR models.
Post-processing subtraction image of T1-weighted from T2-weighted image: evaluation of theoretical signal intensity and comparison with STIR image

Poster: "ECR 2015 / C-1925 / Post-processing subtraction image of T1-weighted from T2-weighted image: evaluation of theoretical signal intensity and comparison with STIR image" by: "M. Nakadate, Y. Machida, Y. Iwasa, Y. Kitazume, U. Tateishi; Tokyo/JP"
Fluorinated Polymers as Smart Materials for Advanced Biomedical Applications

Fluorinated polymers constitute a unique class of materials that exhibit a combination of suitable properties for a wide range of applications, which mainly arise from their outstanding chemical resistance, thermal stability, low friction coefficients and electrical properties. Furthermore, those presenting stimuli-responsive properties have found widespread industrial and commercial applications, based on their ability to change in a controlled fashion one or more of their physicochemical properties, in response to single or multiple external stimuli such as light, temperature, electrical and magnetic fields, pH and/or biological signals. In particular, some fluorinated polymers have been intensively investigated and applied due to their piezoelectric, pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties in biomedical applications including controlled drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, microfluidic and artificial muscle actuators, among others. This review summarizes the main characteristics, microstructures and biomedical applications of electroactive fluorinated polymers.
hen yield gaps are poverty traps : The paradigm of ecological intensification in frican smallholder agriculture

Yield gaps are pervasive in African smallholder agriculture, and are large for almost all crops in all regions. There is consensus that poor soil fertility and nutrient availability are the major biophysical limitations to agricultural production in the continent. We identify two major yield gaps: (1) the gap between actual yields (YA) and the water-limited yield potential (Yw), which is the maximum yield achievable under rainfed conditions without irrigation if soil water capture and storage is optimal and nutrient constraints are released, and (2) The gap between YA, and a locally attainable yield (YL) which corresponds to the water and nutrient-limited yields that can be measured in the most productive fields of resource endowed farmers in a community. Estimates of these two yield gaps are given for major crops, together with a framework for how yield gaps can be estimated in a pragmatic way for different farming systems. The paradigm of ecological intensification which focuses on yield potential, soil quality and precision agriculture is explored for the African context. Our analysis suggests that smallholder farmers are unable to benefit
Porphyrins Порфирины Photosensitizers Based on Bacteriopurpurinimide Derivatives and Silica Nanoparticles : Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

aMoscow Technological University, 119571 Moscow, Russia bSemenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia cPlekhanov Russian University of Economics, 117997 Moscow, Russia dEmanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia eLomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Chemistry, 119991 Moscow, Russia fNational University of Science and Technology MISiS, 119991 Moscow, Russia @Corresponding author E-mail: avlobanov@mail.ru
Voting at Non-Precinct Polling Places: A Review and Research Agenda

Non-precinct voting includes in-person early voting and a variety of mail-in/absentee modes of voting (see Cemenska et al., 2009). In-person early voting allows voters to ballot at any number of locations days or weeks before Election Day. Mail-in voting allows voters to request or receive an unsolicited ballot in the mail that they can return on or before Election Day by mail. A newer mode of non-precinct voting is the Election Day vote center, which allows voters to cast their ballots at any number of voting places on Election Day. Common to all modes of nonprecinct voting is either the opportunity to vote before Election Day and/or to vote at any number of locations rather than just one polling place proximate to the voter’s residence. The latter feature of both in-person early voting and vote centers provides voters with places at which to vote that are more convenient and central towhere they work, shop, attend school and travel. Similarly, in-person early and mail-in voting provides voters with the added convenience of voting days, or even weeks before Election Day. The expectation, if not the promise, of nonprecinct voting was greater voter participation particularly among traditionally under represented voters (i.e., the young, racial and ethnic minorities). To date the evidence to support this expectation has been scant and modest at best. Few researchers have found that any form of non-precinct voting has had a significant or large effect on voter turnout (Berinsky, 2005; Berinsky, Burns & Traugott, 2001; Stein & Garcia-Monet, 1997; Stein, 1998; Neeley & Richardson, 2001; Karp & Banducci, 2000; 2001; Gronke et al., 2007; Kousser & Mullin, 2007; Hanmer & Traugott, 2004; Southwell, 2000). To say that turnout has not increased substantially does not mean that alternative methods of voting are wholly unutilized in favor of traditional precinct voting. Rather, these alternative methods of voting are primarily used by individuals who are already likely to vote. Between the 2000 and 2008 Presidential elections the proportion of votes cast outside of a precinct location rose from 20% to 30%, an astounding increase when we consider that only 31 of 50 states have either in-person early voting and/or Election Day vote centers. Non-precinct voting rates were even lower (under 10%) in 1992 (McDonald, 2008). This growth in the demand for non-precinct voting begs the question: why has this happened? If nonprecinct voting has an insignificant or marginal effect on voter participation, what other effects, intended or unintended, has non-precinct voting had on the conduct of campaigns, elections, and on governance?
Origins and Dynamics of the 90-Day and 30–60-Day Variations in the Equatorial Indian Ocean

Abstract Sea level observations in the equatorial Indian Ocean show a dominant spectral peak at 90 days and secondary peaks at 30–60 days over an intraseasonal period (20–90 days). A detailed investigation of the origins and dynamics of these variations is carried out using an ocean general circulation model, namely, the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Two parallel experiments are performed in the tropical Indian Ocean basin for the period 1988–2001: one is forced by NCEP 3-day mean forcing fields together with the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) pentad precipitation, and the other is forced by monthly mean fields. To help to understand the role played by the wind-driven equatorial wave dynamics, a linear continuously stratified ocean model is also used. Both the observed and modeled 90-day sea level anomaly fields and HYCOM surface current clearly show equatorial Kelvin and first-meridional-mode Rossby wave structures that are forced by the 90-day winds. The.
Different patterns of labour market integration by migration motivation in Europe : the role of individual decisions

We study whether individual decisions to invest in the host country, such as taking up training, improving language skills, or naturalisat on explain differences in labour market integration between migrants depending on their ini tial motivation. We use cross-national European data from the 2008 ad-hoc module of the la bour force survey and use an estimated dependent variable to analyse migrant gaps in labou r market participation, employment, occupational status and employment precariousness. Non-economic migrants, and especially refugees, are less well integrated than economic mi grants, but these differences diminish over time due to different rates of and returns to inves tments in host-country human capital. Pre-peer review version of final paper
Magnetohydrodynamic and radiation effects on stagnation-point flow of nanofluid towards a nonlinear stretching sheet

Magnetohydrodynamic and radiation effects on stagnation-point flow of nanofluid towards a nonlinear stretching sheet under the assumption of a small magnetic Reynolds number have been studied. Sheet is stretched with a power law velocity in the presence of a non-uniform magnetic field B(x) applied in a transverse direction. A nonlinear problem is modelled using the modified Bernoulli's equation for an electrically conducting fluid. Appropriate similarity transformations are used to reduce the governing nonlinear partial differential equations into a system of ordinary differential equations. These equations subjected to the boundary conditions are solved numerically by using the Keller-box method. Numerical results are plotted and discussed for pertinent flow parameters. A comparison with previous results in literature is also provided. The boundary layers are found shortened when free stream velocity is greater than stretching velocity.
Coyote Predation Effects on White-Tailed Deer Fawns

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are a relatively new predator to the southeastern United States, and may be negatively impacting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter, deer) populations. Our objectives were to evaluate the impacts of coyotes on deer fawns by assessing deer fawn survival and cause-specific mortality, and gain an understanding of factors affecting fawn survival and coyote predation. We captured and radio collared 30 fawns in the Red Hills region of Florida and Georgia, USA (2012-2013). Fawns were monitored for 12 weeks for survival and cause-specific mortality, and we quantified habitat and environmental characteristics of birth sites. Predation (n = 19; 95%) was the leading cause of fawn mortality (n = 20; 67%), with coyote predation (n = 14; 74%) being the most important type of predation. Survival rates for all fawns were greater (P = 0.048) where coyotes were removed compared to non-removal sites, with 50% and 25% of fawns surviving to 12 weeks on coyote-removal and non-removal sites, respectively. Survival rates of fawns ultimately predated by coyotes were greater (P = 0.096) on coyote-removal than non-removal sites, with 40% and 50% of fawns predated by coyotes within 12 weeks on coyote-removal and non-removal sites, respectively. Survival of all fawns and those predated by coyotes was lower when fawns were born at sites with greater hardwood basal area, total basal area, and canopy closure; and survival improved if born in or near hardwood, natural pine, and managed (planted) pine cover types. Increased canopy cover within 10 m of the birth site was selected by adult females for birth sites of all fawns and those that were predated by coyotes. Compared with fawns that lived, all dying fawns and those predated by coyotes had less shrub cover within 5 m and less grass cover at and within 10 m of the birth site. Coyote removal increased fawn daily survival rates, and habitat played a role in fawn survival.
Designing flexible cropping patterns in zones with high constraints: examples from Burkina Faso

The cotton zone of Burkina Faso is characterised by high constraints, thus farmers develop flexible cropping patterns allowing them to face economic and climatic risks. These strategies are a combination of different sources of flexibility (relational, structural, operational, and external). The characterization of these strategies is the first step to design innovative cropping patterns able to cope with the specificity of the environment.
Frequency offset correction for space-time block coded OFDM systems based on maximum likelihood estimation

This paper discusses the maximum likelihood (ML) frequency offset estimation and subsequent correction for a space-time block coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (STBC-OFDM) system. Carrier frequency offset in OFDM system destroys the orthogonality between subcarriers resulting in performance deterioration. Also, it considerably reduces the diversity gain for STBC. Accurate frequency offset estimation and subsequent correction will significantly improve the performance of a STBC-OFDM system. This paper proposes an averaging approach for frequency offset estimation. The proposed scheme has been simulated with parameters in conformity with WLAN standards in a Rayleigh fading environment. Simulation results show that after the frequency offset correction, the STBC system may acquire the same level of performance as the system that possesses perfect frequency synchronization.
Product design in latecomer firms: Case of Turkish medical device industry

Medical devices is a new and developing market in Turkey. However, it is dominated by import trade products. Although there is an increasing number of Turkish producers, they face certain problems about global competition in the local market. In this study, focuses on the latecomer characteristics of medical devices industry in Turkey an its influence on design of Made in Turkey (MiT) medical devices. For this purpose, firstly the Turkish medical device industry was analyzed through sector reports. Then, an interview study was conducted with 12 medical device retailers to understand general perception on medical devices produced in Turkey regarding the market and design related issues. The results suggest that, although general image of MiT medical devices improves, at the time being the influence of latecomer characteristics on design can be sensed in this industry.