Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Integration in the EuroMed: Current Status and Review of Studies

This article draws a picture of the current status of the liberalization process in the Euro-Mediterranean region, and reviews existing studies of this process. Economic integration among the South-Med countries (SMCs) has started in the middle 1990s through intra-regional agreements (GAFTA, Agadir Agreement) and bilateral agreements with the EU. Econometric studies using gravity models generally found important trade creation effects for intra-regional trade, but smaller and asymmetric effects from EU-Med agreements, with an increase of export flows from the EU but no increase of flows in the other direction. Simulations with CGE models shows the main sources of gains (trade creation) and of losses (trade diversion, terms of trade) for SMCs. Studies also suggest that a dismantling of non-tariff barriers and of barriers in services trade could yield substantial gains for SMCs. A table with existing agreements and a picture of economic flows in the region can be found in the annex.
Olfactory Discrimination Deficits in A53T Alpha-Synuclein Transgenic Mice at 3 Months

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a kind of typical neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, clinical studies have showed that deficits in olfactory and cognitive functions precede motor-symptoms in PD. However, the mechanisms of olfactory discrimination deficits in early stage of PD is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the characteristics of olfactory deficits in A53T transgenic mice and test the possible mechanisms involved. By the elevated plus maze and bedding test, we showed that A53T transgenic mice at 3 months exhibit no hyperactivity behavior. Olfactory discrimination test indicated wild-type mice spent more time in old bedding than in new bedding during 5 min test (*P<0.05). However, the A53T transgenic mice could not distinguish between the old bedding and the new bedding at 3 months. In the fine odor discrimination test, we found that as the ratio [+] (Mango juice) to [-] (Almond juice) of odor components declined in task, the correct olfactory discriminations per trial session (%) reduced in A53T transgenic mice and wild type controls. There was no difference between two groups at the ratio of [+] 100:0 to [-] 0:100. However, at the ratio of [+] 60:40 to [-] 40:60, the correct olfactory discriminations per trial session (%) was significantly higher in control group. Rota-rod test indicated that A53T transgenic mice had no motor disorders. These findings reinforce the notion that the olfactory deficits occurred in early phase of PD, prior to motor disorder.
Implementation of conifer somatic embryogenesis in clonal forestry: technical requirements and deployment considerations

Cloning of trees using somatic embryogenesis (SE) could have a major impact on tree breeding and commercial plantation forestry. In conjunction with cryopreservation, SE offers an opportunity to develop highly valuable clone lines. Commercial deployment of such geneti- cally tested clone lines in forestry will dramatically increase forest productivity over any available conventional tree improvement techniques. However, sufficient technical advances must be made to use SE in clonal forestry. Progress in SE techniques and genetic stability of clones is re- viewed, using white spruce (Picea glauca) and eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) as model species. There are several other issues in implemen- ting clonal forestry. The main concern is managing clonal plantations for optimal genetic gain and diversity. The issues and considerations for selecting appropriate numbers of clones and deployment strategies are discussed. A clonal deployment strategy using a "mixture of clones and seedlings" is proposed for eastern Canada. somatic embryogenesis / cryopreservation / genetic stability / clonal forestry / tree improvement
Urban Heat Island Assessment for a Tropical Urban Airshed in India

There has been paucity of field campaigns in India in past few decades on the urban heat island intensities (UHI). Remote sensing observations provide useful information on urban heat island intensities and hotspots as supplement or proxy to in-situ surface based measurements. A case study has been undertaken to assess and compare the UHI and hotspots based on in-situ measurements and remote sensing observations as the later method can be used as a proxy in absence of in-situ measurements both spatially and temporally. Capital of India, megacity Delhi has grown by leaps and bounds during past 2 - 3 decades and strongly represents tropical climatic conditions where such studies and field campaigns are practically non-existent. Thus, a field campaign was undertaken during summer, 2008 named DELHI-I (Delhi Experiments to Learn Heat Island Intensity-I) in this megacity. Urban heat island effects were found to be most dominant in areas of dense built up infrastructure and at commercial centers. The heat island intensity (UHI) was observed to be higher in magnitude both during afternoon hours and night hours (maximum up to 8.3? C) similar to some recent studies. The three high ranking urban heat island locations in the city are within commercial and/or densely populated areas. The results of this field campaign when compared with MODIS-Terra data of land surface temperature revealed that UHI hotspots are comparable only during nighttime. During daytime, similar comparison was less satisfactory. Further, available relationship of maximum UHI with population data is applied for the current measurements and discussed in the context of maximum UHI of various other countries.
Adaptive Design of Color Filter Arrays by using the Frequency Domain Approach

In digital color imaging, the image is obtained by a single sensor which is extend over by a color filter array (CFA), in every pixel only single color component has to measure by using single sensor. Demosaicking is the procedure of rebuild the complete color image from a raw image. So the CFA can be effected by irreversible visual artifacts, the quality of the demosaicked images is decisive for the CFA and demosaicking algorithm. Providentially, to control these issues the CFA design in frequency domain allocates a theoretical approach. Basically, in the frequency domain all conventional methods there is an involvement of human beings. In this paper, we are introducing adaptive design of CFA in the frequency domain. In this method the mosaicked images mainly depends on the frequency structure representation. To present the frequency structure candidates we are using a multi-objective optimization, by using this overlapping between the mosaicked frequency image components with the CFA is minimized. In the constrained optimization problem each candidate parameters are optimized. The technique used to solve the optimization problem is alternating direction method (ADM). Arbitrary frequency structure is the application of parameter optimization method, including the conjugate replicas of chrominance components. The advantages of the proposed method for the benchmark images are shown in experimental results. In the future work, bilateral filter is used to improve the performance as well as quality of an image with increased SNR value.
Structural regularities in 2M1 dioctahedral micas: The structure modeling approach

Abstract An improved algorithm has been elaborated for computing atomic coordinates in K-dioctahedral micas-2M1 from the experimental data on cation composition and unit-cell parameters. The structure modeling procedure is based on regression equations relating the structural features and chemical composition of micas that were obtained from the analysis of published data on 27 refined structures of dioctahedral micas of various compositions including 20 K-dioctahedral micas-2M1, 3 paragonites-2M1, 2 margarites-2M1, and 2 celadonites-1M. The empirical relationships accurately describe the observed structural distortions in dioctahedral micas, such as tetrahedral tilt and rotation, tetrahedral elongation, octahedral flattening, hydroxyl depression, etc. The majority of the regressions have r2 > 0.8 and p-values <0.05, which means that the results are statistically significant. The predicted structural parameters are used to calculate the atomic coordinates for K-dioctahedral micas-2M1 with disordered distribution of tetrahedral and octahedral cations. The estimated standard deviations (e.s.d.) for modeled atomic coordinates vary for different atomic positions and range from 0.0001 to 0.003 (fractional units); the e.s. d. values for structural characteristics obtained from the calculated atomic coordinates are 0.002-0.007 Å for mean and individual tetrahedral bond and edge lengths, 0.004-0.013 Å for mean and individual octahedral bond and edge lengths, 0.013-0.015 Å for K-O distances, and 0.5° for the tetrahedral ditrigonal rotation angle. Computation of atomic coordinates for additional three dioctahedral mica-2M1 structures that were not included in the derivation of the empirical structure-composition relationships used in the algorithm yielded close agreement between the modeled and observed structural characteristics. The structure modeling algorithm can be used as an inexpensive and express method for evaluation of fine structural features in large collections of K-dioctahedral mica samples of diverse compositions.
Title Divergent Paths of Mobile Innovation : Development of Mobile Music Businesses in Japan and Korea

This paper examines how mobile music businesses have been developed in Japan and Korea, two counties that have led the world in creating and developing the mobile music industry. We pay attention to the music copyright institution as a “reverse salient,” which we argue has played an important role to determine the direction and timing of mobile music innovation in the two countries.
Variation in southwestern hospital charges for pulmonary and critical care DRGs

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released nationwide data on hospital charges and CMS payments for the top 100 diseaserelated groups (DRG). Data obtained from the CMS website was examined for 23 common pulmonary and critical care DRG charges and payments to hospitals in the Southwest United States (Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado). Similar to nationwide trends, charges vastly exceeded payments and varied widely. Normalizing the data to the state average for each DRG, the percent over/under the state average revealed a negative correlation between charges and payments. Urban hospitals billed more but did not receive significantly higher payments. Hospitals that were primary hospitals for residencies did not bill significantly more but did receive higher payments. These data demonstrate that charges and payments for respiratory and critical care DRGs in the Southwest mirror nationwide trends in large overcharges.
Recent evolution in Baltic Fucus vesiculosus: reduced tolerance to emersion stresses compared to intertidal (North Sea) populations

The Baltic is a young, brackish and non-tidal sea, supporting an impoverished marine flora compared with adjacent open coastal areas. Populations of the normally intertidal brown alga Fucus vesiculosus L. are permanently submerged in the Baltic. We tested the hypothesis that these populations have evolved a reduced ability to withstand water-stresses caused by aerial exposure (desiccation and freezing), relative to adjacent intertidal populations in the North Sea. Desiccation and freezing tolerance were compared using chlorophyll fluorescence to monitor photosynthetic sta- tus during stress and recovery. To control for the influence of growth salinity on stress tolerance, the experimental material consisted of either adult algae cross-acclimated at Baltic and North Sea salin- ities (6.5 and 20 to 24 practical salinity units (psu), respectively), or juveniles from both populations grown in the Baltic from embryos (submersed, 6.5 psu). Baltic algae were less able to recover maxi- mum photochemical yield (Fv/Fm) after freezing at -15°C than North Sea algae, and neither acclima- tion (adults) or growth salinity (juveniles) accounted for between-population differences. During des- iccation at 5°C, differences in the response of variable fluorescence (Fv), as well as in initial fluorescence (F0) and Fv during recovery, indicated that impaired photoprotective processes may con- tribute to the inability of Baltic algae to fully recover Fv/Fm after stress, in contrast to North Sea algae which displayed dynamic and rapidly recoverable reductions of Fv/Fm. Subsequent desiccation experiments during the summer (at 25°C) showed that, relative to North Sea algae, the effective pho- tochemical yield (ΔF/Fm') of Baltic algae started to decline at lower tissue-water content (TWC) and recovered less completely after a return to seawater. A critical TWC of ca 10% for Baltic populations was identified, below which ΔF/Fm' did not fully recover. In addition, Baltic algae were less able to regain initial TWC during recovery. These results indicate that, in ca 7500 yr since the recruitment of the present marine flora to the Baltic, F. vesiculosus has evolved reduced tolerance to emersion stresses compared to adjacent intertidal populations.
Meteorological drought prediction of marathwada subdivision based on hydro-climatic inputs using genetic programming

ABSTRACT Prediction of droughts plays a very significant role in planning utilization of water resources of a region and deciding mitigation plans for the upcoming season. Predicting of droughts happens to be a difficult task due to inherent complexities in modeling climatic systems. The paucity of rainfall results in meteorological drought further leads to agricultural drought and hydrologic drought. Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns show marked influence on Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall. Hence, signals obtained from the large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns in form of their indices are used for the development of drought prediction models in this work. Signals of two atmospheric circulation patterns viz. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation (EQUINOO) are used for prediction of meteorological drought for Marathwada meteorological subdivision of India. AI tool ‘Genetic Programming’ (GP) is advantageously used to establish the complex nonlinear relationship between Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI-5) as drought index and ENSO index, EQUINOO index and monthly anomaly rainfall. The good correlation coefficients 0.867 and 0.801 for training and testing, respectively, for one month lead time predictions. Two months and three month lead time prediction models also give reasonably good correlation coefficients 0.758, 0.632 and 0.679, 0.487 for training and testing, respectively.
River water quality in the northern sugarcane-producing regions of South Africa and implications for irrigation: a scoping study

Sustainable cultivation of crops under irrigation requires water of appropriate quality, especially with regards to salinity and sodicity. Agriculture can impact negatively on water quality, often through the export of nutrients (particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) from the root zone, resulting in eutrophication of surface water and pollution of groundwater. Sugarcane is the major irrigated crop with regards to area cultivated in the Crocodile, Komati-Lomati and Pongola River catchments. Increasing demand for and use of water resources in these catchments has led to concerns about deterioration in water quality. In this study, chemical water quality data obtained from the South African Department of Water Affairs was used to assess the quality of river water in the above catchments. Electrical conductivity (EC) data show an increase in salt concentration along the river course as a result of various anthropogenic activities in the catchment. Irrigators located further downstream will therefore generally have to pay more attention to the quality of their irrigation water and on-farm salinity management. For the lower parts of the Komati-Lomati and Pongola River catchments, hazards due to sodicity will also need attention. Interestingly, acidifying effects of mine water drainage are potentially being countered by high salt input from agricultural return flow. Nutrient enrichment was evident at many of the river sampling points. Increasing salt, sodicity, N and P over time for most of the rivers studied is also a concern that requires action to ensure the sustainability of irrigation activities in these catchments. More intensive monitoring, including measurement of organic N and P fractions, is recommended to improve understanding of the contribution of different anthropogenic activities to river water pollution and to develop effective mitigation strategies.
PETROGRAPHY, MINERALOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE IGHREM DIABASE DYKE (ANTI-ATLAS, SOUTHERN MOROCCO)

The Ighrem dyke is one of the two great doleritic dykes of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) occurring in the Anti-Atlas Ranges (Southern Morocco). Its chemical composition corresponds to quartz-normative tholeiites showing, away from the dyke’s borders, an increase in the Si, Zr and Ce and a decrease in the Fe2O3, Ti O2 and Nb contents respectively. The bulk chemical compositions, together with those from pyroxenes, substantiate the character of continental tholeiites for the rocks forming the dyke. Trace element ratios Zr/Nb = 12 to 17 and (La/Ce)N ~ 1.29 are indicative of an enriched mantle source akin to that of the E-MORB. Fractional crystallisation is the main mechanism of differentiation for these rocks and their final geochemical signature is due to the contribution of crustal contamination and secondary hydrothermal alterations.
FIVE JAKOBSONIAN PRINCIPLES OF POETICS

The painter Degas lamented the effort it took hinl to write poetry although he was "full of ideas". "Poetry is not made of ideas, my dear Degas," Mallarme replied, "but of words" (Yalery 1965: 1324). A more striking confirmation of the conception of poetry as propounded by Roman lakobson is hardly conceivable. Slovo a slovesnost was the title of the bulletin published by the Cercle linguistique de Prague. The use of the Russian term for literature, slovesnost, an abstractive with the root slovo ('word') in combination with this same root slovo, was meant to point out the radical connection between language-for which slovo was understood to be a synecdochic designation-and poetrylliterature and, in conse­ quence, between linguistics and poetics/theory of literature. This explains lakobson's descriptive rendition 'Word and Yerbal Art', of the title he had also originally suggested for the Prague bulletin. He uses this same expression 'verbal art' with conspicuous, indeed offensive insistence in several headings of his poetic analyses. 'Yerbal art' as weIl as the French art verbal are already becoming lakobsonian neologisms in literary studies. 'Yerbal art' is a program. lakobson takes the language of the poet seriously. His approach to poetry is the approach of the linguist. There are, in the main, five principles upon which this linguistic conception of poetry is based. 1.
Effects of experimental warming on biodiversity depend on ecosystem type and local species composition

Climatic warming is a primary driver of change in ecosystems worldwide. Here, we synthesize responses of species richness and evenness from 187 experimental warming studies in a quantitative meta-analysis. We asked 1) whether effects of warming on diversity were detectable and consistent across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, 2) if effects on diversity correlated with intensity, duration, and experimental unit size of temperature change manipulations, and 3) whether these experimental effects on diversity interacted with ecosystem types. Using multilevel mixed linear models and model averaging, we also tested the relative importance of variables that described uncontrolled environmental variation and attributes of experimental units. Overall, experimental warming reduced richness across ecosystems (mean log-response ratio = –0.091, 95% bootstrapped CI: –0.13, –0.05) representing an 8.9% decline relative to ambient temperature treatments. Richness did not change in response to warming in freshwater systems, but was more strongly negative in terrestrial (–11.8%) and marine (–10.5%) experiments. In contrast, warming impacts on evenness were neutral overall and in aquatic systems, but weakly negative on land (7.6%). Intensity and duration of experimental warming did not explain variation in diversity responses, but negative effects on richness were stronger in smaller experimental units, particularly in marine systems. Model-averaged parameter estimation confirmed these main effects while accounting for variation in latitude, ambient temperature at the sites of manipulations, venue (field versus lab), community trophic type, and whether experiments were open or closed to colonization. These analyses synthesize extensive experimental evidence showing declines in local richness with increased temperature, particularly in terrestrial and marine communities. However, the more variable effects of warming on evenness were better explained by the random effect of site identity, suggesting that effects on species’ relative abundances were contingent on local species composition.
Measuring the point spread function of a light microscope

Methods are described to measure the impulse response, or point spread function (PSF), of a light microscope. The new methods compare favorably to those used by others, which are shown to be flawed. The new methods measure a three-dimensional point target in both fluorescence and brightfield microscopy using K6hler illumination. The results closely match theoretical predictions. Simple theory does not capture all of the behavior of the microscope. A qualitative extension to the theory is given to explain discrepancies between measurements and theoretical predictions that occur in some operating regimes of the microscope. Thesis Supervisor: Dennis Freeman Title: Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering
Portable computing devices with wireless communication interfaces such as PDAs or smart phones led to the emerging of applications and services that support communication and collaboration among mobile users

Portable computing devices with wireless communication interfaces such as PDAs or smart phones led to the emerging of applications and services that support communication and collaboration among mobile users. In this paper we focus on the collaborative applications that allow a group of users, geographically distributed, to work together. In particular a teleconferencing system is an example of a collaborative application where remote users may interact to accomplish a common goal. Therefore, the teleconference owner may initiate a session, which is then joined and left dynamically by the involved group members. The teleconferencing collaborative system over a mobile network provides tools for communication between group members while allowing them to share information and collaborate with each other. Collaboration in a mobile condition poses new challenges, such as host mobility, limited device resources, and intermittent connectivity. The group members are frequently opposed to disconnections during the collaboration session. A user might become temporarily unavailable even though he or she is still engaged in the collaboration session. The contribution of this paper is two fold. First we describe a formal specification of a teleconferencing system over a mobile network. This specification allowed us to define a set of important properties of the teleconferencing system dynamic behaviour. Second we formalize these properties using LTL logic while distinguishing between the required properties for the floor control and those related to the mobility requirements.