Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The recent decline of Montastraea annularis (complex) coral populations in western Curaçao: a cause for concern?

Shallow leeward reefs off the western end of Curacao are dominated by extensive populations of M. annularis (complex). These species are larger in size (mean= 66 cm diameter) than all other species, with few small colonies ( 10 cm observed within transects, and most exhibited low levels of partial mortality (mean=22.5%). These species were less abundant (38% of all colonies) in 2005. Partial mortality among live colonies of M. annularis and M. faveolata increased by 85% (mean = 42% partial mortality) and numerous dead colonies of M. faveolata and M. annularis were observed; M. franksi colonies were generally in excellent condition (14% partial tissue mortality). A high prevalence of coral diseases (3-30%) was documented among M. annularis and M. faveolata , while all other species were less frequently affected. Yellow band disease (YBD) emerged shortly after the 1995 bleaching event, and rapidly spread throughout all depths, with the highest prevalence between 1997-1999. YBD caused slow rates of mortality (≤1 cm/month), but multiple focal lesions appeared on individual colonies, and these progressively radiated outward as they killed the colonies. By 2005, 44% of the tagged corals were dead; the remainder exhibited active YBD infections (21%) or were in remission (31.6%) but were missing on average >90% of their tissue. Although the incidence of YBD has declined since 2000, white plague (WP) prevalence was unusually high (4-12%) in 2001 and 2005, with affected colonies exhibiting recent mortality of up to 70%. Dead Montastraea spp. surfaces are being colonized by other corals, including poritids, agaricids, and other faviids, while recruits of M. annularis (complex) are absent. If diseases and other biotic stressors persist on these reefs, M. annularis and M. faveolata populations may undergo a decline similar to that observed in the 1980s among Caribbean acroporids. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 45- 58. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.
Role of Phytoecdysteroids in Insect Pest Management: A Review

Background and Objective: Climate change influence crops through its effects on the growing, development and yield. Research on climate change risk in staple food crops has been implemented in South Sumatra, Indonesia. The objective of this study was to assess level of climate change risk in staple food crops production (paddy, corn and soybean). Materials and Methods: This study used data of temperature, rainfall, sea level rise, hythergraph, irrigation, production of staple food crops and farmer’s socio-economic. Methods of this study were descriptive explanatory that using risks-vulnerability conceptual framework and risks were a function hazard and vulnerability. Results: The results of this study indicate that staple food crops were vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, indicated by hazards such as decreasing production of paddy, corn and soybean due to air temperature increase and rainfall change. Some areas of South Sumatra experienced the high risk of decreasing production of staple food crops. Generally, South Sumatera had decreasing wetland of paddy, upland paddy, corn and soybean production, respectively with an average 9.44, 22.00, 10.7 and 10.10% per year. Conclusion: South Sumatera Indonesia experienced the high risk of decreasing production of staple food crops due to climate change and had potency to disrupt food security in Indonesia.
Design and Development of Biometrics Secure Person Detection System for E-Passport using Cryptographic Security Protocols

The biometric passports are to prevent the illegal entry of traveler into a specific country and limit the use of counterfeit documents by more accurate identification of an individual. This IC chip is integrated into the cover of a passport, called a biometric passport. Biometric Passports have been introduced in many countries to improve the security in Inspection Systems and enhance procedures and systems that prevent identity and passport fraud. The electronic passport is the privacy and security risks that arise by embedding with biometric technology. The goal of the adoption of the biometric passport is not only to expedite processing at border crossings, but also to increase security. Policymakers have put their faith in the technological promise of biometric identification because absolute identification could eliminate mismatched computer records and stolen identities.
Modeling Hepatocellular Toxicity of Enavatuzumab, a Humanized Anti-TweakR Antibody

In a Phase 1 clinical study, treatment with enavatuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to TweakR, resulted in liver toxicity in a subset of patients. The objective of this current study was to evaluate the ability of preclinical studies to predict liver toxicity in humans. Enavatuzumab was evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys, where serum liver enzyme and cytokine levels were measured and histopathology of the liver was performed. TweakR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in healthy human liver and in liver tissues from cancer patients. Enavatuzumab was also evaluated in vitro for its impact on human hepatocytes when cultured both alone and with immune cells. Enavatuzumab-treated cynomolgus monkeys exhibited liver enzyme elevations only at the highest dose level (100 mg/kg) and few cytokines were elevated after dosing. Bile duct hyperplasia was observed in the liver but appeared to be partially reversible. Compared with healthy liver, liver tissues from cancer patients exhibited marked elevation of TweakR expression, which was associated with immune cell infiltration. Enavatuzumab treatment of cultured hepatocytes, both in the presence and absence of immune cells resulted in increased cytokine release, but only in the co-cultures were liver enzymes elevated. These results suggest that due to differences in liver architecture between healthy humans and cancer patients, studies in healthy non-human primates may underestimate the potential for liver toxicity in human cancer patients. The use of additional in vitro assays in conjunction with in vivo studies may better predict the potential impact of a therapeutic agent on the liver in clinical studies.
Investigation into Mechanical, Thermal, Flame-Retardant Properties of Wood Fiber Reinforced Ultra-High-Density Fiberboards

The demand has grown in many fields for materials that are eco-friendly and sustainably developed. In this study, several formulations of novel wood fiber reinforced ultra-high-density fiberboards (UHDFs) using resol-type phenolic resin (RTPR) as binders were manufactured for application in decorative building facades. The inﬂuences of the various formulations on water resistance and the mechanical, thermal, and fire-resistant properties were systematically examined. All formulations of the UHDFs exhibited better water resistance, internal bonding, and fire resistance as the RTPR content and density increased. To better evaluate mechanical properties, the microstructure of the UHDFs was observed using scanning electron microscopy. After optimization of hot-pressing conditions, UHDFs with excellent mechanical properties of approximately 7.2 GPa, 85.9 MPa, and 5.4 MPa for bending modulus, bending strength, and internal bonding, respectively, were achieved. Good water and flame resistance were also achieved, which makes these materials competitive with other commercial products.
The trouble with foster care: the impact of stressful 'events' on foster carers

The article draws on the first stages of a large-scale longitudinal study into foster care with 'looked after' children. It uses data supplied by 950 foster carers in response to a postal questionnaire designed to document the proportions who had experienced one or more of six potentially stressful 'events': breakdowns or disruptions, allegations, relationship with birth parents, family tensions, 'tug of love' cases, and other disagree ments with social services. The article uses carers' comments to describe their reaction to the 'events'. It then examines the relationship between the 'events' and measures of carer stress, satisfaction with fostering, and intentions to continue fostering. Overall, two-thirds of the sample had experienced one or more of these 'events' and these were associated with a measure of mental ill-health and with attitudes towards continuing fostering.
On Convergence of the Alternating Projection Method for Matrix Completion and Sparse Recovery Problems

In this paper, we study the convergence of Alternating Projection (AP) algorithm for the matrix completion and compressed sensing problems. We also present computational evidence for the excellent performance of the algorithm. Also, in the last section, we prove using algebraic-geometric techniques that, fixing the known positions, if a rank r matrix can be completed in finitely many ways using one given set of known entries, then, for almost all set of known entries, the matrix can be only completed into a rank r matrix in finitely many ways.
A Simulation Set-up to Observe the Effects of the Emotional Factor on Capital Markets

The study surveyed 74 student subjects from a major public university in the southern United States in a capital market experiment. This study investigates the link between profitability and the individual emotions present at the time of the experiment among managers and investors. This study is motivated by the shareholder and manager mechanism simulating a real market environment, where the individual self-reported emotions on a survey are analyzed by a least square regression analysis from the perspective of investors and managers.
EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS IN THE ABC COUNTRIES OF LATIN AMERICA: THE VOTERS' DILEMMA AND DEMOCRATIC STABILITY

Scholars have argued that three institutional characteristics lead to policy ineffectiveness and instability in presidential regime s: general institutional incentives of presidentialism (Linz 1990 1994; Suarez 1982; Blondel and Suarez 1981); presidents with strong legislative powers (Shugart and Carey 1992; Siavelis 1997); and coalition dynamics in multiparty presidential regimes (Mainwaring 1993; Valenzuela 1995; Jones 1995). The paper explains the paradoxical result that with the recent re -democratization in the ABC countries of Latin America, legislatures have delegated greater power to executives who rule with coalition governments, yet democracy has proven more resilient. A model of electoral competition which incorporates the strategic dilemmas which confront the individual voter demonstrates that under some conditions of voter choice, electoral competition pits legislators aga inst executives in a fight over mutually exclusive constituent support. Under other conditions, electoral competition merely alters the balance between collective and particularistic goods preferred by executives and legislators. The degree of divergence in electoral incentives between the two branches explains the delegation choices and their impact on democratic stability. The model is tested by examining legislative delegation and policy reform in Argentina, Brazil and Chile in the post - War and current democratic regimes.
Future global tropospheric ozone changes and impact on European air quality

A global chemistry climate model is used in conjunction with a regional chemistry‐transport model dedicated to air quality studies to investigate the impact of anthropogenic emission changes, under several scenarios, on western European summertime surface O3 levels in 2030. The implementation of presently decided emission control legislation in the individual countries worldwide leads to a geographically heterogeneous impact on summertime surface O3 levels over Europe. A decrease of the averaged O3 mixing ratio reaching −3 ppbv is predicted in southern areas whereas an increase reaching up 4 ppbv is calculated in northwestern Europe. The benefit of European emission control measures is found to be significantly counterbalanced by increasing global O3 levels and subsequent long range transport since both are of the same magnitude (up to 4 ppbv) but opposite in sign. However, the net effect of both global and European emission changes is a significant decrease of O3 extreme episodes during summertime.
The Hafele-Keating experiment, velocity and length interval transformations and resolution of the Ehrenfest paradox

A relativistic analysis based on the paths, in a non-rotating frame comoving with the centroid of the Earth, of clocks carried by aircraft circumnavigating the Earth in different directions, as in the Hafele- Keating experiment, predicts time differences between airborne and Earth- bound clocks at variance with the results of the experiment. The latter imply new relativistic velocity transformations differing from the conventional ones. These transformations demonstrate in turn the invariance of length intervals on the surface of the rotating Earth and so resolve the Ehrenfest paradox for this case.
Situating Communicative Planning Theory: Context, Power, and Knowledge

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to an emerging body of critique of communicative planning theory (CPT). The critiques in the paper are grounded in analysis of situated planning practice in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, where planners were ‘feeling their way towards’ democratising planning practice in line with the normative dimensions of CPT. Two critiques are offered. Both are fundamentally concerned with power and the tendency of CPT to operate as if the workings of power can be temporarily suspended through communicative planning practice to produce new consensual planning discourses. First, it is argued that CPT pays insufficient attention to the practical context of power in which planning is practised, thereby assuming away, rather than engaging with, the politics-laden and power-laden interests that infiltrate planning practice. Second, it is argued that CPT abstracts planners from their positioning in a nexus of power, knowledge, and rationality which validates expert forms of knowing/reasoning/valuing, and thus underestimates the challenges of asserting alternative forms. The paper concludes with a suggestion that any theory aiming at the democratisation of planning practice will need to depart from an orientation to consensus, a defining feature of CPT, and instead account for the irreducible nature of power and difference.
Geoffroea decorticans for Biofuels: A Promising Feedstock

In this work, chanar (Geoffroea decorticans) fruit is evaluated as a potential feedstock for biodiesel and biomass pellets production with reference to some relevant properties. The fatty acid profile of this oil (83% unsaturated acids) is found to be comparable to similar seed oils which have been attempted for biodiesel production. As a result, the methyl esters (biodiesel) obtained from this oil exhibits high quality properties. Chanar biodiesel quality meets all other biodiesel international standards (ASTM D6751 and EN 14214). Moreover, the husk that surrounds the kernel showed a high potential for usage as densified solid fuels. The results demonstrate that chanar husks pellets have a higher calorific value when compared with other biomass pellets, typically, approximately 21 MJ kg−1 with 1.8% of ashes (which is equivalent to that obtained from the combustion of pellets produced from forest wastes). This study indicates that chanar can be used as a multipurpose energy crop in semiarid regions for biodiesel and densified solid fuels (pellets) production.
The accounting standardization system in Portugal and its first-time adoption effects in the olive and cork tree cultures

This study examines the quantitative impact of the first-time adoption of the Portuguese Accounting Standardization System on individual annual reports of Portuguese unlisted companies in the cork and olive tree culture sector. Findings indicate that the items which showed significant changes in the transition from the previous accounting frame of reference to the Portuguese Accounting Standardization System are mainly those regarding to biological assets, inventories, liabilities, current ratio, and return on assets. The adoption of the Portuguese Accounting Standardization System has led generally to less conservative accounting practices, indicating that characteristics of code-law countries such as cultural aspects and country enforcement regimes did not influence the adoption of IAS/IFRS-based accounting standards by Portuguese unlisted companies in the cork and olive tree culture sectors.
Effects of Explosive Type Strength Training on Selected Physical and Technical Performance Characteristics in Middle Distance Running - a Case Report

Abstract Introduction. Distance running performance is a simple function of developing high speeds and maintaining this speed as long as possible. Thus a correct running technique becomes an important component of performance. Technique is effective if the competitor can reach a better performance result with the same or lower energy consumption. The purpose of this investigation was to examine a six weeks application explosive type strength training on lower extremities power and maximum speed performance improvement in order to facilitate running technique in sub-elite male middle-distance runner. Material and methods. A sub-elite runner performed twice a week special exercises and running drills. He completed a pre and post-training jumping (SJ, CMJ, standing long jump, standing five jump) and speed (20 m from standing and flying start) field tests. For kinematical analysis, a video (SIMI Motion System) of a 10 m sprint from a 20 m flying start was collected. Results. Improvement occurred in all measurements but strong changes were evident in the 10 m from 20 flying start and in stride frequency from 3.90 to 4.01 Hz, due to decreasing of ground contact time from 160 to 156 ms. No strong evidence in the participant's running technique changes. Conclusion. This proved that six weeks of dynamic type strength program seems to improve neuromuscular characteristics of running speed and explosive power and no changes in running technique.
Force-free state in superconducting single crystal and angular-dependent vortex helical instability

2H-NbSe2 single crystals present intrinsic low pinning values. Therefore, they are ideal materials to explore fundamental properties of vortex lattice behavior. (V, I) characteristics are the experimental probes we have used to capture the dissipation mechanisms in a rectangular shape 2H-NbSe2 single crystal. Particularly, we have studied dissipation behavior with magnetic fields applied in the plane of the crystal and parallel to the injected currents, i.e. in the forcefree state where the vortex helical instability governs the vortex dynamics. In this regime, we have found that voltage dissipation follows an exponential dependence. Moreover, this exponential dependence can be observed for in-plane magnetic fields applied up to 40 off the current direction, which implies that the vortex helical instability plays a role promoting dissipation even out of the force-free configuration.
Ramsey-comb spectroscopy: Theory and signal analysis

We recently demonstrated that the spectroscopic accuracy and resolution of optical frequency combs can be obtained from a series of Ramsey-like measurements using only two amplified frequency comb pulses at variable delays. In this work we present a comprehensive analytical framework of this Ramsey-comb method in both time and frequency domains. It is shown that as opposed to traditional forms of spectroscopy, the signal analysis can be performed purely in the time domain, based on the temporal phases of the individual Ramsey signals. We give a detailed description of the robust fitting algorithm relying solely on this phase information and discuss special features such as an insensitivity to (transition-independent) spectral line-broadening mechanisms and constant phase shifts, e.g., due to the ac Stark effect from the excitation pulses themselves. The precision and resolution of the Ramsey-comb fitting method is assessed via numerical simulations, including cases of transition-dependent broadening mechanisms and phase shifts. © 2014 American Physical Society.
The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering MATRIX FACTORIZATION METHOD FOR LAGRE

Recommendation system is a very popular topic in recent years. It’s very efficient to utilize machine learning algorithms to improve the performance of recommendation systems. In this thesis, the Matrix Factorization (MF) is discussed including its basic model and some extensions: regularized MF and neighbor based MF. The process of processing data and effort to improve the process are also presented.
The neutral temperature in the ionospheric dynamo region and the ionospheric F region density during Wenchuan and Pingtung Doublet earthquakes

Abstract. One of the possible candidates which modifies the ionosphere before large earthquake is electric field. We presume that the electric field associated with large earthquakes is generated in the ionosphere dynamo region (100–120 km). This paper tries to identify the evidence of the contribution of the neutral atmosphere in the dynamo region. The relationship between the critical frequency at the F2 peak (foF2) and the height profile of the neutral atmosphere temperature was studied for two large earthquakes: Wenchuan, 2008 and Pingtung Doublet, 2006. It is found that the wave amplitude of the vertical wavelength 20–30 km which is usually superposed on the height profile of the neutral atmosphere temperature enhances when the foF2 increases. The correlation between the wave amplitude and foF2 is found better along a longitudinal direction than along latitude direction.
Retrieval of Heterogeneous Services in C2 NIWA Repository

Centrum Doskonalości Naukowej Infrastruktury Wytwarzania Aplikacji (CD NIWA). Projekt wspolfinansowany z Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Innowacyjna Gospodarka. „Dotacje na innowacje” Politechnika Gdanska, ul. Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk
Does fertilizer use respond to rainfall variability? Panel data evidence from Ethiopia

In this paper we use farmers' actual experiences with changes in rainfall levels and their responses to these changes to assess if patterns of fertilizer use are responsive to changes in rainfall patterns. Using plot and farm level panel data from the central Highlands of Ethiopia matched with corresponding village level rainfall data; results show that both the current year’s decision to adopt and the intensity of fertilizer adoption is positively associated with higher rainfall levels experienced in the previous year. Furthermore, we find a concave relationship between previous season rainfall levels and fertilizer adoption, indicating that too much rainfall discourages adoption. Abundant rainfall in the previous year could depict relaxed liquidity constraints and increased affordability of fertilizer, which makes rainfall availability critical in severely credit constrained environments. In light of similar existing literature, the major contribution of the study is its use of plot level panel data, which permits us to investigate the importance of plot characteristics in fertilizer adoption decisions.