Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Andean grasslands are as productive as tropical cloud forests

We aim to assess net primary productivity (NPP) and carbon cycling in Andean tropical alpine grasslands (puna) and compare it with NPP of tropical montane cloud forests. We ask the following questions: (1) how do NPP and soil respiration of grasslands vary over the seasonal cycle? (2) how do burning and grazing affect puna productivity? (3) if the montane forest expands into the puna, what will be the resulting change in productivity? The study sites are located at the South-eastern Peruvian Andes; one grassland site and the forest sites are in Wayqecha biological station, and another grassland site in Manu National Park. At each grassland site, we selected a burnt and an unburnt area, installed unfenced and fenced transects in each area, and monitored above-ground productivity (NPPAG), below-ground productivity (NPPBG) and soil respiration (Rs) for 2 yr. In the forest, we monitored NPPAG, NPPBG and Rs for 2–4 yr. Grassland NPP varied between 4.6 ± 0.25 (disturbed areas) to 15.3 ± 0.9 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 (undisturbed areas) and cloud forest NPP was between 7.05 ± 0.39 and 8.0 ± 0.47 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, while soil carbon stocks were in the range of 126 ± 22 to 285 ± 31 Mg C ha−1. There were no significant differences on NPP between the puna and forest sites. The most undisturbed site had significantly higher NPP than other grassland sites, but no differences were found when relating grazing and fire at other sites. There were lower residence times of above-ground biomass compared to below-ground biomass. There was a strong seasonal signal on grassland NPPAG and NPPBG, with a shift on allocation at the beginning of the austral summer. High elevation tropical grasslands can be as productive as adjacent cloud forests, but have very different carbon cycling and retention properties than cloud forests.
Comparison of various pipelined and non-pipelined SCL 8051 ALUs

This paper describes the development of an 8-bit SCL 8051 ALU with two versions: SCL 8051 ALU with nsleep and sleep signals and SCL 8051 ALU without nsleep. Both versions have combinational logic (C/L), registers, and completion components, which all utilize slept gates. Both three-stage pipelined and non-pipelined designs were examined for both versions. The four designs were compared in terms of area, speed, leakage power, average power and energy per operation. The SCL 8051 ALU without nsleep is smaller and faster, but it has greater leakage power. It also has lower average power, and less energy consumption than the SCL 8051 ALU with both nsleep and sleep signals. The pipelined SCL 8051 ALU is bigger, slower, and has larger leakage power, average power and energy consumption than the non-pipelined SCL 8051 ALU. This thesis is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council.
Analysis of a power MOSFET switching process

This paper considers the switching dynamics of a power MOSFET using fourth order equivalent circuit for the different regions of operation. In contrast to the standard approach, reducing the investigated circuit to second order is not made, which helps to keep the detailed dynamics in the final waveforms. The governing equations for the different stages during turn on and off are written in state space form. Using this approach, the obtained waveforms are plotted for both the turn on and turn off process. Finally, a discussion is made about the way to implement some of the more obvious discrepancies between the used MOSFET equivalent circuits and the physical device. Aнализ на превключването при силови МОС транзистори (Владимир Димитров). В статията са разгледани етапите на превключване на силов МОС транзистор в схема с два източника на енергия. На базата на еквивалентни схеми за всеки епап са записани описващите процеса диференциални уравниея, като за разлика от съществуващи изследвания не са пренебрегнати ефектите свеждащи динамиката до втори ред. Получените времедиаграми са показани, и са отбелязани основните разлики между времедиаграмите и реално наблюдаваните процеси.
Soft Power of Massive Open Online Courses: New Age of Digital Diplomacy

The article addresses the issue of massive open online courses (MOOCs) which are based on the topics of humanities, social sciences and liberal arts. MOOCs developers promote them as the means of open and accessible education. Such courses target at the global audience and they can be efficient in dissemination of knowledge worldwide. Such courses have the capability of becoming a powerful tool for the emerging digital diplomacy. MOOCs can significantly increase the soft power of a political actor: state or non-state.
Title Non-uniformly weighted sampling for faster localized two-dimensional correlated spectroscopy of the brain in vivo Permalink

Two-dimensional localized correlated spectroscopy (2D L-COSY) offers greater spectral dispersion than conventional one-dimensional (1D) MRS techniques, yet long acquisition times and limited postprocessing support have slowed its clinical adoption. Improving acquisition efficiency and developing versatile post-processing techniques can bolster the clinical viability of 2DMRS. The purpose of this study was to implement a non-uniformly weighted sampling (NUWS) scheme for faster acquisition of 2D-MRS. A NUWS 2D L-COSY sequence was developed for 7T whole-body MRI. A phantom containing metabolites commonly observed in the brain at physiological concentrations was scanned ten times with both the NUWS scheme of 12:48 duration and a 17:04 constant eight-average sequence using a 32-channel head coil. 2D L-COSY spectra were also acquired from the occipital lobe of four healthy volunteers using both the proposed NUWS and the conventional uniformly-averaged L-COSY sequence. The NUWS 2D L-COSY sequence facilitated 25% shorter acquisition time while maintaining comparable SNR in humans (+0.3%) and phantom studies (+6.0%) compared to uniform averaging. NUWS schemes successfully demonstrated improved efficiency of L-COSY, by facilitating a reduction in scan time without affecting signal quality. 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"LEARNING-BY-PRODUCING" IN THE FASHION VALUE CHAIN

The know-how and experience (“learning-by-doing and learning-by-producing”) is critical in the traditional industries. The Portuguese fashion industry has many SMEs with a long experience working in private label regime to other European companies. The process followed by Procalcado shows the importance of the “CEO vision” and “corporate strategy” to acquire new equipment and technology, qualifying the workers to develop new products based in these new investments, and prepare the resources to launch the concept and the brands to the right market.
The effect of inter-ethnic cultural relationships on universalism in Iran

Iran is a multi-ethnic society. The quality and quantity of relationships between ethnic groups can be regarded as one of the crucial aspects of its integration and cohesion. This paper argues that cultural relationships and exchange of ideas and values among various ethnic groups in Iran gradually leads to the formation of universal values, norms and the broadening of an intellectual viewpoint. This paper reports the results of a survey study conducted on eight ethnic groups in Iran. It illustrates that cultural relationships between ethnic groups promote universalism amongst different ethnic minorities. This study examines the hypothesis that “an increase of inter-ethnic cultural relationships leads to the development of universalism”. Meanwhile, discrimination and ethnocentrism will be especially regarded as prerequisites for establishing inter-ethnic cultural relationships. Key words: Inter-ethnic relationships, universalism, particularism, multi-ethnic society, ethnicity, intra-ethnic relationships.
Temperature variability in the nearshore benthic boundary layer of Lake Opeongo is due to wind- driven upwelling events

A major source of temperature variation in nearshore and benthic regions of stratified lakes is due to wind-driven tilting of the thermocline. The maximum displacement of the thermocline depends upon the wind forcing, stratification, and basin morphometry; combined these three-dimensional physical parameters give the dimensionless lake number (LN). We find that the deflection of the thermocline across the length of the basin (Δh*) is correlated to the temporally averaged LN as Δh*/2h1 = 0.37LN–1, where h1 is the depth of the thermocline. We report field observations from Lake Opeongo (Ontario, Canada) showing that during large vertical movements of the thermocline, there are unstable temperature gradients in the benthic layer, as measured by the occurrence of temperature inversions on our thermistor strings. High-frequency waves interacting with the benthic boundary are most likely causing the temperature inversions. Measurements at two shallow slopes of S = 1% and 4%, show that inversions only occur when.
ANALELE ŞTIINŢIFICE ALE UNIVERSITĂŢII „ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA” DIN IAŞI

The reform process of the National Bank of Romania has started sixteen years ago since the communist regime was eliminated. The perspectives of Romania’s EU accession enforced this process and the NBR accounted performances in targeting its objectives. In this study we underline the challenges and consequences of Romanian central bank reform. In spite of a central bank independence, sometimes between monetary and fiscal polices there are no correlation. That’s why we propose the multiannual budgeting as a correspondent in fiscal policy for inflation targeting monetary policy framework. Also we assess the consequences of Basel II implementation for Romanian banking system and, especially NBR responsibilities.
Abstract SYNAPTOPODIN-2 ISOFORM A AND D EXPRESSION IN HT-29 COLON ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS

SYNAPTOPODIN-2 ISOFORM A AND D EXPRESSION IN HT-29 COLON ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS by Kelli A. Shortt June, 2013 Director of Thesis/Dissertation: Dr. Jean-Luc Scemama & Dr. Margit Schmidt DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY Synaptopodin-2 is a largely unfolded actin-binding protein that also possesses the characteristics of a hub protein. Synaptopodin-2 has other known binding partners such as filamin and ∝-actinin (Weins, et al. 2001 and Linemann, et al. 2010), as well as zyxin and integrin-linked kinase (Yu, et al. 2006 and 2011). Previous research has shown that synaptopodin-2 promotes the rapid polymerization of actin (Chalovich and Schroeter, 2010). Cell migration, adhesion, division, and development depend on the dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and evidence for actin-binding proteins playing tumorigenic roles in human cancers is increasingly accruing. Specifically, synaptopodin-2 has been suggested to act as a tumor suppressor in prostate and bladder cancer where loss of expression by deletion or hypermethylation leads to an increased rate of invasiveness (Lin et al., 2001 and Cebrian et al., 2008). In contrast to evidence supporting the tumor suppressor role of synaptopodin-2, a tumor activator role has also been proposed in which the over-expression of synaptopodin-2 in human endothelial kidney and mouse myoblast cells increased its invasiveness (Van Impe, et al. 2003). We hypothesize that the localization of synaptopodin-2 isoforms affects their function within HT-29 cells. As previous researchers have found synaptopodin-2 to act as a tumor suppressor when in the nucleus and a tumor activator when in the cytoplasm in prostate cancer cells, we expected to find similar results with a colon cancer cell line. Using isoform-specific GFP fusion ! proteins, the role of synaptopodin-2 was studied in HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. While five isoforms of synaptopodin-2 have been reported (Chalovich and Schroeter, 2010), little is known about the function of these individual isoforms. This work provides evidence for the existence of two cytoplasmic isoforms of synaptopodin-2. We also observed that these synaptopodin-2 isoforms remain cytoplasmic after differentiation, in contrast to a nuclear isoform that translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm after differentiation in multiple cell lines. Ultimately, this research does not support the previous notion that synaptopodin-2 acts as a tumor suppressor in the nucleus and a tumor activator in the cytoplasm, but rather provides evidence that the effects of synaptopodin-2 are isoform dependent.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TOOLS TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT

The objective of the contribution is to point out the broad range of environmental policy tools, which can be used to protect environment. These tools include: standards, financial and economic tools having the form of environmental payments, emissions trading and voluntary agreements. Differences in implemented tools generate different economic efficiency and environmental effectiveness. Environmental taxes stimulate polluters to reduce emissions in cases when costs of their reduction are lower than the environmental tax they are obliged to pay. The stimulation function of environmental taxes needs to be continuously evaluated so that it does not prevent the flexibility of polluters in looking for cost-effective ways of reduction of the burden on environment. The practice of environmental policy tools implementation confirms that environmental protection solely in the form of environmental taxes is rare. Environmental taxes are normally enforced in combination with other environmental policy tools, which include standards, custom duties as well as voluntary tools. Voluntary tools are characterised as voluntary activities of polluters. They include environmental management systems and others.
The Effect of Teaching Emotional Intelligence (EI) Items onJob Related Stress in Physicians and Nurses Working inICU Wards in Hospitals, Yerevan, Armenia

Background: Intensive care units (ICUs) are known as stressful environments. However, the conditions in which stressors may affect health professionals’ performance and well-being and the conditions that potentially lead to impaired performance and staff’s psychological distress are not well understood. Emotional intelligence, an essential factor responsible for determining success in life and psychological well-being, seems to play an important role in shaping the interaction between individuals and their work environment. The emotional dimension (personal) is the concept of multi-dimensional intelligence, it is also necessary for physicians and nurses to learn how to view and understand people’s behavior, attitudes, interpersonal skills and potential. Individuals who have these characteristics are said to be “emotionally intelligent. ” Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the effects of emotional intelligence education items on job related stress in physicians and nurses working in intensive care units in hospitals in Yerevan, Armenia. Method: A cross interventional, pre-post, case and control group design was used and inferential study design was implemented, with 150 registered hospitals physicians and nurses, who were widely distributed. Results: A sample of 106 participants (18.7% of men and 31.3% of women in case and control group), representing various human service professions (physicians, nurses) was eligible for the study. The mean age of the participants was 33.19 years in case group (SD = 6.44), and 31.6 in control group (SD = 6.04), and the employment period was 8.2 years (SD = 7.34) in case group and 5.57 years (SD = 4.02) in control group. The results confirmed an essential, very strong, role of emotional intelligence in perceiving occupational stress and preventing physicians and nurses from negative health outcomes. Conclusion: Results showed that physicians and nurses experienced high level of stress. The level of stress experienced at work by this occupational case was higher than control group. The ability to effectively deal with emotions and emotional intelligence in the workplace assists employees in coping with occupational stress. Therefore, it should be developed in stress managing trainings. Emotional intelligence items education decreased situational and personal anxiety of physicians and nurses in case group more than those in control group.
Current Status and Future Prospects of Organic Cereal Production in the World

The aim of organic agriculture is production of high quality food, which will contribute to human health, nature protection and conservation of the overall ecosystem. Globally, cereals are the most organically grown crop (3.3 million ha). The greatest production takes place on the European continent. The most cultivated species are as follows: wheat, maize, rice, barley, oat, sorghum, millet, triticale and buckwheat. China and USA are global leaders in cereal production in the organic system. Organic cereal production in the Republic of Serbia has a primary role and is performed on the area of 4251.94 ha. The majority of this production is done in the region of Vojvodina. According to obtained scientific results, nutritive value, and especially with a view to the status and requirements of the market, cereal production is extremely actual. Moreover, due to unlimited possibilities and market requirements, cereal production is a great challenge to agricultural producers.
Innovation Studies Utrecht ( ISU ) Working Paper Series A Framework for Interactive Learning in Emerging Technologies

Innovation is an interactive learning process which is of special interest for emerging technologies in which complex complementary knowledge from heterogeneous stakeholders is combined. In the emerging phase of technology development a lot of knowledge is tacit and can only be transferred face-to-face. At the same time a shared vision between stakeholders is being formed that acts as a driver for innovation. Although the importance of interactive learning is widely acknowledged, an adequate framework for studying interactive learning processes in emerging technologies is still missing. Therefore we formulated the leading research question: How to understand and conceptualize interactive learning in the context of emerging technologies? We did not only take the outcome of interactive learning into account, but also focused on opening the black box of the interactive learning process. We developed a framework based on characteristic elements of the interactive learning process in emerging technologies (i.e. prime mover, intermediaries, network formation and knowledge flows), influencing conditions (geographical, cognitive, regulatory, cultural and organisational proximity), and the outcome of the interactive learning process (single-loop and double-loop, tacit and codified knowledge). Clarifying examples are taken from the empirical field of the development of novel food products (functional foods).
Structural Change and Union Transformation

Analysis of the role of structural change in labor movement revitalization is presented as part of a multicountry comparative project. There are two interrelated causal chains that explain successful union restructuring. First, there must be sufficient environmental pressure to overcome institutional inertia. Second, unions J need a clearly articulated vision that provides a basis for strategic decision making. Three viable motivations for restructuring are identified: aggressive, defensive, and strategic. Aggressive restructuring strengthens union leadership; defensive restructuring attempts to stabilize the union to assure survival. If the restructuring is merely aggressive or merely defensive, however, it will not contribute to a net increase in membership or power. Strategic restructuring involves substantial organizational change and promises to augment union power and contribute to renewal. This conceptual framework is presented in the context of comparative analysis designed to assess whether restructuring is essential for union revitalization.
Efficiency of the benthic filter: Biological control of the emission of dissolved methane from sediments containing shallow gas hydrates at Hydrate Ridge

In marine sedimentary environments, microbial methanotrophy represents an important sink for methane before it leaves the seafloor and enters the water column. Using benthic observatories in conjunction with numerical modeling of pore water gradients, we investigated seabed methane emission rates at cold seep sites with underlying gas hydrates at Hydrate Ridge, Cascadia margin. Measurements were conducted at three characteristic sites which have variable fluid flow and sulfide flux and sustain distinct chemosynthetic communities. In sediments covered with microbial mats of Beggiatoa, seabed methane efflux ranges from 1.9 to 11.5 mmol m−2 d−1. At these sites of relatively high advective flow, total oxygen uptake was very fast, yielding rates of up to 53.4 mmol m−2 d−1. In sediments populated by colonies with clams of the genus Calyptogena and characterized by low advective flow, seabed methane emission was 0.6 mmol m−2 d−1, whereas average total oxygen uptake amounted to only 3.7 mmol m−2 d−1. The efficiency of methane consumption at microbial mat and clam field sites was 66 and 83%, respectively. Our measurements indicate a high potential capacity of aerobic methane oxidation in the benthic boundary layer. This layer potentially restrains seabed methane emission when anaerobic methane oxidation in the sediment becomes saturated or when methane is bypassing the sediment matrix along fractures and channels.
Effect of Fermentation and Roasting on the Physicochemical Properties of Weaning Food Produced from Blends of Sorghum and Soybean

This study investigated the effect of fermentation and roasting on the physicochemical properties of weaning foods produced from blends of sorghum and soybean. Sorghum and soybean were fermented, roasted and fermented/ roasted, then milled into flours. Untreated sorghum and soybean flours were also produced and serve as the control. A portion of sorghum was malted and milled to obtain malted sorghum flour of which 5% was added to each sample except the control samples. Weaning foods were prepared in the following ratios: (75:20:5), (65:30:5) and (55:40:5) of sorghum:soybean:malt for the treated samples and the control samples contained (80:20), (70:30) and (60:40) of sorghum:soybean. The physicochemical properties of the weaning food blends were determined. Moisture ranged from 5.16 to 8.03%, crude protein 11.43 to 26.72%, crude fat 5.19 to 8.03%, ash 0.91 to 2.72%, crude fibre 0.30 to 1.16% and carbohydrate 57.14 to 71.40%. The buck density ranged from 0.68 to 0.76 g/ml, viscosity 561.33 to 1065 mPas, dispersibility 63.33 to 72.67%, wettability 11.55 to 46.54s, Water absorption capacity (WAC) 8.00 to 8.41 ml/g and gelation temperature 71.00 to 77.67°C. Fermented samples showed a least gelation capacity compared to roasted, fermented/roasted and untreated samples. Fermentation and roasting used in this study showed that the processing methods had marked effect on the physicochemical properties of the weaning foods produced. Thus, its recommendation for domestic processing of weaning foods.
Aalborg Universitet Robust Droop Control of Grid-Connected Inverters

The use of distributed generation in microgrid systems is becoming a popular way to provide a reliable source of electricity to critical loads. Droop control techniques are used in power systems for the synchronization of grid-connected inverters by local measurements of active and reactive powers. Despite the benefits of distributed generation, the drawback is that large grid-side impedance steps can cause a system to become unstable. A robust control method based on disturbance observer is proposed in this paper. When the proposed robust controller is utilized, closed loop performance remains nearly nominal throughout the whole operation range. Simulation results confirm theoretical issues.