Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transregional linkages in the north-eastern Atlantic- an 'end-to-end' analysis of pelagic ecosystems

This review examines interregional linkages and gives an overview perspective on marine ecosystem functioning in the north-eastern Atlantic. It is based on three of the 'systems' considered by the European Network of Excellence for Ocean Ecosystems Analysis (EUR-OC EANS was established in 2004 under the European Framework VI funding programme to promote integration of marine ecological research within Europe), the Arctic and Nordic Seas, North Atlantic shelf seas and North Atlantic. The three systems share common open boundaries and the transport of water, heat, nutrients and particulates across these boundaries modifies local processes. Consistent with the EUR-OC EANS concept of 'end-to-end' analyses of marine food webs, the review takes an integrated approach linking ocean physics, lower trophic levels and working up the food web to top predators such as marine mammals. We begin with an overview of the regions focusing on the major physical patterns and their implications for the microbial community, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and top predators. Human-induced links between the regional systems are then considered and finally possible changes in the regional linkages over the next century are discussed. Because of the scale of potential impacts of climate change, this issue is considered in a separate section. The review demonstrates that the functioning of the ecosystems in each of the regions cannot be considered in isolation and the role of the atmosphere and ocean currents in linking the North Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic shelf seas and the Arctic and Nordic Seas must be taken into account. Studying the North Atlantic and associated shelf seas as an integrated 'basin-scale' system will be a key challenge for the early twenty-first century. This requires a multinational approach that should lead to improved ecosystem-based approaches to conservation of natural resources, the maintenance of biodiversity, and a better understanding of the key role of the north-eastern Atlantic in the global carbon cycle.
Spectral Repeatability of a Hyperspectral System for Human Iris Imaging

The present study was conducted to evaluate the measuring performance of a prototype hyperspectral imaging system. This instrument was developed to measure the human iris spectral reflectance in vivo. Several previous works highlighted how changes in the iris pigmentation and morphology may provide an indication of the development and progression of certain eye pathologies. The use of hyperspectral imaging could aid physicians in the early detection of such diseases, by exploiting both the spatial and spectral features that this optical technique is able to collect. We evaluated the measurements repeatability from images acquired across 22 spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared range (480 - 900 nm), from 8 healthy volunteers. Moreover, we assessed the intra- and inter-session repeatability of the quantitative hyperspectral measurements. Repeatability was lower for darker irises and for wavelengths from 520 to 900nm. In particular, the coefficient of repeatability (95% of confidence interval) for measurements between sessions was ±10% and ±5% for dark and light irises, respectively. The within session repeatability was ±7.5% and ±4%, respectively. The obtained repeatability coefficients confirm the reliability and reproducibility of the hyperspectral data collected by our system.
Breakthrough in HAXPES Performance Combining Full-Field k-Imaging with Time-of-Flight Recording

We established a new approach to hard-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). The instrumental key feature is an increase of the dimensionality of the recording scheme from 2D to 3D. A high-energy momentum microscope can detect electrons with initial kinetic energies more than 6 keV with high angular resolution < 0.1{\deg}. The large k-space acceptance of the special objective lens allows for simultaneous full-field imaging of many Brillouin zones. Combined with time-of-flight parallel energy recording, this method yields maximum parallelization of data acquisition. In a pilot experiment at the new beamline P22 at PETRA III, Hamburg, count rates of more than $10^{6}$ counts per second in the d-band complex of transition metals established an unprecedented HAXPES recording speed. It was found that the concept of tomographic k-space mapping previously demonstrated in the soft X-ray regime works equally well in the hard X-ray range. Sharp valence band k-patterns of Re collected at an excitation energy of 6 keV correspond to direct transitions to the 28th repeated Brillouin zone. Given the high X-ray brilliance (1.1x$10^{13}$ hv/s in a spot of less than 20x15 $mu^{2}$), the 3D bulk Brillouin zone can be mapped in a few hours. X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) patterns with < 0.1{\deg} resolution are recorded within minutes. Previously unobserved fine details in the diffractograms reflect the large number of scatterers, several $10^{4}$ to $10^{6}$, depending on energy. The short photoelectron wavelength (an order of magnitude smaller than the interatomic distance) amplifies phase differences and makes hard X-ray XPD with high resolution a very sensitive structural tool. The high count rates pave the way towards spin-resolved HAXPES using an imaging spin filter.
Testing for Convergent Validity between Travel Cost and Contingent Valuation Estimates of Recreation Values in the Coorong, Australia

A number of studies valuing recreation have shown that the travel cost method (TCM) generates higher estimates of value than the contingent valuation method (CVM), even though the latter is commonly associated with potential problems of hypothetical and strategic bias. In this study, both methods have been used to estimate the recreational values associated with the Coorong on the Murray River in south-eastern Australia. Values per adult visitor per recreation day are estimated with the TCM at $149 and with the CVM at $116. A number of methodological and framing issues to explain these value differences are tested. In summary, while no single methodological or framing issue could be identified that would reconcile the difference between TCM and CVM values, it appears likely that there may be a combination of factors that drive the systematic variations in consumer surplus values. The evidence in this study suggests that the most important of these are likely to be the different decision points underpinning data collection and the consideration of substitute sites, strategic responses and the treatment of uncertain responses within the CVM.
FDI, Aid, Terrorism: Conditional Threshold Evidence from Developing Countries

We investigate how foreign aid dampens the effects of terrorism on FDI using interactive quantile regressions. The empirical evidence is based on 78 developing countries for the period 1984-2008. Bilateral and multilateral aid variables are used, while terrorism dynamics entail: domestic, unclear, transnational and total number of terrorist attacks. The following findings are established. First, while the effects of multilateral aid are consistently significant with positive threshold evidence, bilateral aid is only positively significant in bottom quantiles. Second, with the slight exception of transnational terrorism in bilateral aid regressions, the impacts of terrorism dynamics are unexpectedly positive, in: (i) bottoms quantiles with domestic terrorism and the 0.25th quantile with total terrorism, for bilateral aid regressions, and (ii) the 0.25th quantile with domestic terrorism and bottom quantiles of transnational terrorism, for multilateral aid regressions. Third, interactions between terrorism and foreign aid dynamics unexpectedly yield negative effects in: (i) bilateral aid and domestic terrorism in bottom quantiles and (ii) multilateral aid and domestic (transnational) terrorism in the 0.25th(bottom) quantile(s). The modifying threshold value of bilateral aid is higher than that of multilateral aid. Fourth, there is positive threshold evidence from GDP growth, infrastructural development and trade openness. Policy implications are discussed.
Earnings Management and Ownership Structure: Evidence from Nigeria

The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between ownership structure and earnings management in Nigeria. The pooled data design was employed in the study. The study employed the simple random sampling technique in selecting a sample size consisting of 10 commercial banks as at 2012. Secondary data retrieved from the audited financial statements of the banks for 2006-2010 were used for the study. The method of data analysis used was the multivariate regression technique based on the ordinary least squares assumptions. A series of diagnostic tests such as the variance inflation factor test, white heteroskedasticity test and the Breusch -Godfrey LM correlation test were also employed as diagnostic checks for the result. The ownership structure was disaggregated into insider ownership, institutional ownership and external block ownership respectively. The finding of the study revealed the existence of a positive and significant relationship between External block ownership (EXTBLH) and Earnings Management. The relationship between Insider Ownership (INSIDEROWN) and Earnings Management was also observed to be positive and statistically significant at 5% level. A positive relationship was also observed between Institutional Investors Ownership (INSTIIOWN) and Earnings Management However, the relationship is statistically insignificance at 5% level. The recommendation is that there is a need to focus on building effective corporate governance to mitigate the proclivity for earnings management in the banking sector. Key words; Earnings Management, Managerial Ownership, Institutional Ownership, External Block-Holders.
Spatio-temporal distribution of spionids ( Polychaeta-Spionidae ) in an estuarine system in south-central Chile Distribución espacio-temporal de los espiónidos ( Polychaeta-Spionidae ) en un sistema de estuarios del centro sur de Chile

This study is based on the identification and distribution of spionid polychaetes in relation to abiotic characteristics of the environment at the mouth of the Valdivia-Tornagaleones estuary in south-central Chile. Four samplings were carried out in 2005, in which eight species were identified including Aquilaspio peruana, Boccardia polybranchia, Carazziella carrascoi, Dipolydora socialis, Minuspio patagonica, Rhynchospio glutaea, Scolelepis quinquedentata and Spiophanes sp. As it is typical of other estuaries in south central Chile, spionids were an important component of the macroinfauna of the Valdivia estuary. The distribution of the Spionidae family in the system showed higher species richness in the outer reach of the estuary but higher abundance (number of specimens) at the inner reach. The distributional pattern of the polychaetes did not vary throughout the year, exhibiting strong spatial zonation with three significantly different assemblages. Minuspio patagonica, A. peruana and C. carrascoi contributed to the similarity between these three groups, as well as to the formation of a general component in the macroinfauna. Sedimentological and depth variables, as well as sedimentary organic material were only marginally related to the distribution of spionids. Results showed that bottom salinity was the environmental variable responsible for spatial differentiation of spionids in the three groups, which permit to differentiate the outer-reach species from those in the internal area of the estuary. The significant contribution of spionids to the total component of macroinfauna in the studied area shows that these species are a significant component of the estuarine and transition areas in the southwest Pacific coast.
Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E, zinc, and chromium supplementation on growth performance and hematological characteristics of broiler chickens

The study investigated the effect of supplementation of Vitamin E, Zn and Cr on growth performance and hematological characteristics of broiler chickens. The 240 day old Cobb 400 chicks were randomly distributed in eight groups consisting of 30 chicks in each. These chicks were kept on deep litter houses comprising of wood shavings. The supplementation of Vitamin E, zinc and chromium either individually or in combination improved the feed conversion ratio and body weight gain in broiler chicks. The body weight of broiler chickens at different age from day old to the 6th week were significantly different among treatments. The highest body weight was recorded in T8 groups. Heamoglobin, red blood corpuscles and white blood cells levels increased whereas heterophil: lymphocyte ratio statistically decreased with vitamin E, zinc or chromium supplemented groups either individually or in combinations.
Some Remarks on Feature Ranking Based Wrappers

One of the approaches to feature selection in discrimination or regression is learning models using various feature subsets and evaluating these subsets, basing on model quality criterion (so called wrappers). Heuristic or stochastic search techniques are applied for the choice of feature subsets. The most popular example is stepwise regression which applies hill- climbing. Alternative approach is that features are ranked according to some criterion and then nested models are learned and evaluated. The sophisticated tools of obtaining a feature rankings are tree based ensembles. In this paper we propose the competitive ranking which results in slightly lower classification error. In the empirical study metric and binary noisy variables will be considered. The comparison with a popular stepwise regression also will be given.
Understanding Ozone Concentrations During Weekdays and Weekends in the Urban Area of the City of Rio de Janeiro

In different cities around the world, higher ozone concentrations are observed during weekends for various reasons. This study aims to determine the causes of this effect in the city of Rio de Janeiro based on measurements obtained at three automatic air quality monitoring stations in the Bangu, Campo Grande and Iraja neighborhoods between 2012 and 2013. Variations in the solar radiation and hourly carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane hydrocarbons, ozone and particulate matter concentrations were determined. The Bangu station showed the lowest ozone concentration differences between the weekdays and weekends (8.9%) and recorded the highest ozone concentrations and largest number of exceedances. The low ozone consumption by nitrogen oxide resulted in the high ozone concentrations at the Bangu station. In addition, the volatile organic compounds (VOC)/nitrogen oxides (NOx) ratio for this station was evaluated for each day of the week between 6 and 9 AM, and the observed VOC/NOx ratios were higher at the Campo Grande and Iraja stations. We concluded that the weekend effect occurred at all three of the evaluated stations, with greater intensity at the Campo Grande and Iraja stations. The main cause of this weekend effect is the greater reductions in NO emissions over the weekends, which increase the VOC/NOx ratio.
Corporate Governance and Cash Holdings: A Comparative Analysis of Chinese and Indian Firms

In this study, we examine the impact of concentrated ownership on cash valuation and the level of cash holdings in firms the emerging nations of China and India. Agency theories suggest that firms with high levels of concentrated ownership are subject to greater extraction of private benefits from cash holdings. Our study utilizes Chinese firms data from 1993-2006 and Indian firms data from 2003-2006. We examine the relationship between firm valuation and cash holdings with different levels of governmental ownership concentration, family ownership levels and foreign ownership levels. Our findings show that Chinese firms with high levels of government ownership have larger cash holdings suggesting more opportunities for private benefits extraction thus leading to lower firm valuation. In contrast, we find that Indian firms with high level of family ownership have low cash holdings and record better performance. Chinese investors view governmental ownership as a determinant that reduces firm value. Indian investors see high levels of family ownership as a factor that enhances firm value. This study enhances the body of knowledge concerning the nature of cash holdings and firm value in emerging nations of China and India.
Syntenic relationship of loci for quantitative resistance to Pyricularia grisea in rice and barley.

Rice blast (Pyricularia grisea) is one of the most severe diseases of rice. A Baronesse/BCD47 DH barley population was used to determine the location of the blast resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) with different sources of blast pathogens (TH16, THL80, THL142 and THL222). Baronesse was highly resistant, whereas BCD47 was susceptible. The QTL mapped to the same linkage map position on chromosome 1H as the powdery mildew resistance locus Mla and an Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) k04320 corresponding to the barley gene 711N16.16 was obtained. Syntenic analysis corresponded to a region on rice chromosome 5. This region, including the bacterial blight resistance gene xa5, was demonstrated. These results indicated that a defined region on the short arm of the barley chromosome1H contains genes conferring quantitative resistance to multiple pathogen isolates.
A Single-Phase Doubly-Excited DC-AC Buck-Boost Converter Suitable for Feeding AC Loads from PV Systems

This paper presents a new topology for converting a DC voltage to an AC one. The proposed converter is excited from two separate DC supplies so the term "Doubly-Excited". The most important features of the proposed converter are the output voltage (AC Voltage) is lower or higher than the input one (DC Voltage), controllable voltage and frequency, and the output voltage and current are approximately sinusoidal which means low harmonics content. Also, the paper presents the simulation of the proposed converter in different modes of operation under control to show the effectiveness of the proposed control . Keywords: Boost, Control, DC-AC Converter, Design, Simulation.
What research says to the practitioner: Listening and Second Language Acquisition

The cartoon shows a small kitten, walking along a sidewalk, suddenly confronted by a huge, snarling dog. Walking directly up to the dog, the kitten looks him in the eye and says, "Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark, bark,! " As the dog calmly walks away, the kitten looks out of the frame of the cartoon and says to the reader, "It's always good to know a few words of dog. " Saying that the world is growing smaller is not only a cliche, but like so many cliches, it is absolutely true. Not only has communication and transportation put Americans into routine and frequent contact with other parts of the world, but the interdependence of the global economy has brought foreign visitors to North America in record numbers, has introduced us to our trading partners, and has reduced the isolation of cold war enemies from one another.
Is enlarging the market share the best strategy for maximizing profits

This paper determines the best market strategy that can enable a firm to maximize its profit. An advanced panel threshold regression model is employed to investigate the panel threshold effect of market share on firm profits among publicly traded Taiwan firms. The results confirm that the double threshold effect does exist between market share and profit. Some important policy implications emerge from the findings. Key words: Market share, profit, panel threshold regression model.
Predicted Templates: Learning-curve Based Template Projection for Keystroke Dynamics

Keystroke Dynamics (KD) as a biometric modality can provide authentication tools in many real-life applications, virtually at zero-cost on the client side, due to the reliance of these techniques on existing hardware, and their low computational expense. One promising application is the use of KD as a second factor in password-based authentication. A downside of the existing modeling methods is the assumption of stationary behavior from the clients. However, it is expected that humans show improvements in performing a specific task following practice. In this study, we propose methods for utilization of learning models in predicting the future behavior of the clients, even with little enrollment data, and generate predicted behavioral models that can be used in different classifiers. In our experiments, the predicted templates show a reduction in the average equal-errorrate (EER) consistently across different classifiers a benchmark dataset. A reduction of 20% is achieved on the best classifier. Given fewer enrollment data, the performance gain was shown to reach above 30%. Furthermore, we show that blind detection of attacks is possible, solely relying on the global learning curve, with an EER of 16%.
Real-time Vehicle Localization and Tracking Using Monocular Panomorph Panoramic Vision

This paper presents a feasibility analysis of the ORB-SLAM [1] for real-time vehicle localization and tracking using a monocular visual camera providing 360° panoramic views. This method described in [1] was initially designed and developed for conventional cameras, making use of a method for detection and tracking visual features and estimating the camera trajectory while reconstructing the environment. The accuracy of the tracking depends on the ability of this method to robustly detect and match sufficient visual features. This work aims to extend this method to large monocular round views using fish-eye-like cameras allowing an increase of visual features with the aim of improving localization robustness. The main challenge in using a standard fish-eye camera for generating panoramic views is the reduction of visual performance due to a potential higher distortion and lower spatial resolution compared to that using a standard camera lens. The objective of this research is to perform a feasibility analysis of a method combining a camera equipped with a panomorph lens to generate real-time panoramic views at minimal distortion and ORB-SLAM to robustly detect and track visual features for real-time camera localization and tracking. A quantitative evaluation is performed on a vehicle driving in an outdoor natural scene with the monocular panomorph camera mounted on-front and without any other additional sensors. The results with analysis and a concluding summary are included as well.