Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the wet tropospheric correction for altimetry in coastal regions

In order to correct the altimeter range for tropospheric humidity, a Microwave Radiometer is added to altimetry missions (Envisat/MWR, Jason/JMR, TOPEX-Poseidon/TMR). Over open ocean, the combination altimeter/radiometer is satisfactory. This is not the case in coastal zones, where the signal coming from the surrounding land surfaces contaminates the radiometer measurement and makes the humidity retrieval method unsuitable. In this paper, a radiometer simulator is built. This simulator is used to perform sensitivity tests and to evaluate the current methods to retrieve the wet tropospheric correction in transition areas. After examining simple corrections, we evaluated the feasibility and performances of a method which proposes to take into account the land surface effect in the brightness temperature estimation.
Valine in diets for juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): growth performance, chemical composition, blood parameters and skeletal muscle development

Valine belongs to the group of branched-chain amino acids, has an important structural role and is primarily deposited as body protein. The present study evaluated the effects of valine in diets of juvenile Nile tilapia. A total of 216 juveniles with weight of 21.40 ± 0.42 g and length of 10.07 ± 1.00 cm were distributed into 18 aquarium in a completely randomized design with six treatments and three replicates. Six diets containing 24.30% digestible protein, 3,100 kcal/kg digestible energy, and increasing valine levels (0.54; 0.63; 0.72; 0.81; 0.90; 0.99%) were prepared. The following factors were evaluated: performance, chemical composition, blood hematological and biochemical, and skeletal muscle development. Differences were observed in productive performance between treatments for weight gain, daily weight gain and apparent feed conversion, where inclusion levels from 0.81% to 0.99% provide better performances. According to the equation of quadratic regression, the inclusion of 0.86% of valine provided greater weight gain. Regarding the hematological and biochemical parameters, there were differences among the treatments for hemoglobin, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Not difference was observed for the chemical composition and muscle fiber growth. It is recommended the inclusion of 0.86% of valine in the diet of juveniles of Nile tilapia because it provides greater weight gain.
Automated high-throughput proteome and phosphoproteome analysis using paramagnetic bead technology

Recent developments in proteomics have enabled signaling studies where >10,000 phosphosites can be routinely identified and quantified. Yet, current analyses are limited in throughput, reproducibility, and robustness, hampering experiments that involve multiple perturbations, such as those needed to map kinase-substrate relationships, capture pathway crosstalks, and network inference analysis. To address these challenges, we introduce rapid-robotic-phosphoproteomics (R2-P2), an end-to-end automated method that uses magnetic particles to process protein extracts to deliver mass spectrometry-ready phosphopeptides. R2-P2 is robust, versatile, high-throughput, and achieves higher sensitivity than classical protocols. To showcase the method, we applied it, in combination with data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, to study signaling dynamics in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in yeast. Our results reveal broad and specific signaling events along the mating, the high-osmolarity glycerol, and the invasive growth branches of the MAPK pathway, with robust phosphorylation of downstream regulatory proteins and transcription factors. Our method facilitates large-scale signaling studies involving hundreds of perturbations opening the door to systems-level studies aiming to capture signaling complexity.
Verfahren zur computerunterstützten Inhaltsanalyse in der Kommunikationswissenschaft

Die manuelle Inhaltsanalyse ist trotz der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung auch heute noch die zentrale Erhebungsmethode in der Kommunikationswissenschaft. Obschon automatische Verfahren gunstiger und effizienter waren, wird nur ungern auf die Lesekompetenz und Verlasslichkeit menschlicher Codierer verzichtet. Wahrend diese Entscheidung in vielen Fallen durchaus Sinn macht, muss sie jedoch nicht bedeuten, dass auf die Unterstutzung durch Computer verzichtet werden muss. In dieser Dissertation wird der Forschungsprozess einer Inhaltsanalyse systematisch aufgearbeitet, um aufzuzeigen, an welchen Punkten geeignete automatische Verfahren auch in einer manuellen Inhaltsanalyse gewinnbringend eingesetzt werden konnen. Von der Planung uber die Textakquise, Codebucherstellung und Administration der manuellen Erhebung bis hin zur Aufbereitung der gewonnenen Daten, gibt es Moglichkeiten einer Computerunterstutzung. Auch wenn die meisten Codierentscheidungen dabei noch immer von Menschen getroffen werden, kann die Arbeit der Codierer und des Forschers durch geeignete Programme deutlich erleichtert werden. Neben der konzeptionellen Aufarbeitung computerunterstutzter Inhaltsanalysen enthalt diese anwendungsorientierte kumulative Dissertation vier Beitrage mit konkreten Anwendungsfallen und drei eigens entwickelte Programme. In spite of recent progress in digitalization and automation, manual content analyses remain the most important method for data collection in communication science. While automated analyses are more efficient, human coders possess the ability to understand and interpret complex texts and are considered indispensable in most content analysis projects. The decision for manual coding, however, does not imply that computers are obsolete in the research process. This thesis systematically outlines the research process of content analyses to demonstrate opportunities for the inclusion of computers in manual content analyses. Appropriate programs may, for example, be used for the acquisition of texts, the conception of code books, the administration of the manual coding process, or data preparation. While the coding decisions are still made by human coders, many other steps in the process of a content analysis are best left to efficient algorithms. The cumulative dissertation has a pragmatic perspective and is composed of a systematic overview on computer-assisted content analysis, four papers on concrete applications, and original software.
Estimation du stock de carbone organique dans les plantations de Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. des forêts classées de Pahou et de Ouèdo au Sud du Bénin

etude vise a determiner le stock de carbone organique dans les plantations de Acacia auriculiformis des forets classees (Ouedo et Pahou) afin d’apprehender leur contribution a l’attenuation des changements climatiques. La methodologie d'estimation du carbone est basee sur les recommandations faites par l'IPCC et celle de FAO ainsi que des equations allometriques. Les donnees climatiques ont ete collectees a la station meteorologique d’Agonkanme. Selon les differents compartiments, les resultats revelent que le stock de carbone est plus eleve dans le tronc : 78,17%; les branches : 19,50% et les feuilles: 2,33%. Le potentiel de sequestration du carbone du sol varie entre 31,46% et 70,99% en fonction des types de sol. Les stocks de carbone eleves sont obtenus dans la plantation de 2,5 ans sur sol hydromorphe a Pahou (106,23 ± 38,39 tC/ha) contre 77,77 ± 5,47 tC/ha pour celle de 2 ans sur sol ferralitique a Ouedo. Il y a une correlation fortement negative et significative (r = - 0,931, P < 0,001) entre la temperature et le stock de carbone. Les fortes temperatures observees sont le resultat de la faible sequestration de carbone et vice-versa. Mots cles : Sequestration de carbone, essences exotiques, attenuation des changements climatiques, English Title : Benin Estimation of the organic carbon’s stock in the plantations of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. of the classified forests of Pahou and Ouedo in the South of Benin The reduction by trees of carbon dioxide is an important ecosystem activity. The present study aimed at assessing the organic carbon stock in the plantations of Acacia auriculiformis of the classified forests of Ouedo and Pahou in order to better understanding their contribution to mitigating climate changes. The method described by IPCC (2007), FAO (2002) associated with allometrics equations were used for the carbon stock estimation. The climate datas used, were collected at the Meteorological Station of Agonkanme. According to the different components of trees, results shown that the trunk has the highest rate of carbon stock: 78.17%; branches: 19.50% and leaves: 2.33%. The potential of soil carbon’s sequestration varies between 31.46% and 70.99% depending on soil types. The high-level stocks of carbon are obtained in 2.5 years old on a hydromorphic soil plantation in Pahou (106.23 ± 38.39 tC / ha) compared with 77.77 ± 5.47 tC / ha from the 2 years old plantation on a ferralitic soil in Ouedo. There is a high negative and significant correlation (r = - 0.931, P <0.001) between temperature and carbon’s stock. The high temperatures observed are the result of low carbon’s sequestration. Keywords : Carbon sequestration, exotic species, climate change mitigation, Benin.
Analysis of Factors Influencing the Efficiency of Acupuncture in Tinnitus Patients

An effective acupuncture treatment must comprehend the influence of various factors, but studies in this aspect remain limited. This study aimed to identify relevant factors and search for the best practical method of acupuncture for patients with tinnitus. The study was a retrospective review of patients' data with a prospective design who had subjective idiopathic tinnitus and received acupuncture between May 2012 and August 2017. Patients' demographics, tinnitus characteristics, previous diseases, underlying diseases, oral habits, audiograms, acupuncture sessions, and acupoints were recorded and analyzed. A visual analog scale (VASloudness) was used for measuring the loudness of tinnitus, and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI-I) was used for assessing the suffering of patients. Good treatment responses in patients were defined as the magnitude of change from the baseline VASloudness for ≥ 30% plus CGI-I ≤ 3 points. In total, 107 patients were enrolled. Most factors were not significantly associated with the treatment effectiveness of acupuncture in tinnitus patients. Only the combination of acupoints and the number of acupuncture sessions reached statistically significant differences. Further analyzing these two factors, we confirmed that the combination of periauricular and distal acupuncture and 17 to 24 acupuncture sessions contributed to a considerably better outcome. This result would serve as a reference for clinical acupuncturists to select an appropriate acupuncture strategy in the treatment of tinnitus.
A P2P Architecture for Social Networking

Social networking systems are usually huge centralized systems owned by a single company. However, this solution has many drawbacks (e.g., lack of privacy, lack of anonymity, risks of censorship, and operating costs). This chapter proposes a novel P2P system that leverages existing, widespread, and stable technologies such as DHTs and BitTorrent. In particular, it introduces a key-based identity system and a model of social relations for distributing content efficiently among interested readers. The proposed system, called Blogracy, is a micro-blogging social networking system focused on (1) anonymity and resilience to censorship, (2) authenticatable content, and (3) semantic interoperability using activity streams. This chapter presents the model and the implementation of the Blogracy system, discusses the experimentations to study its behavior, and presents their results regarding (1) communication delays for some simulations of node churn, (2) delays measured in test operations over PlanetLab in direct communication, and (3) through the I2P anonymizing network.
A 77 GHz 90 nm CMOS transceiver for FMCW radar applications

The fisrt 77 GHz frequency modulated continuos wave (FMCW) radar transceiver IC with an accurate FMCW signal generator using a 90 nm CMOS process is presented. To realize accurate FMCW radar system in CMOS, a PLL synthesizer that is able to output linear FMCW frequency is applied. Measured radar performances, output spectrum and distance of a target, show the transceiver achieves a fundamental function for radar applications.
Executive Coherence in Iranian Pluralistic Agricultural Extension and Advisory System

The performance of a pluralistic extension and advisory system is strongly influenced by the presence of multidisciplinary professional actors and their executive interactions for synergistic achievements in a balanced institutional framework. The specific purpose of this study was to explore the institutional boundary of Iranian pluralistic extension system and the extent to which the multiple providers interact with each other in implementation of related programs. A sequential mixed methods research was developed. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews, and were analyzed by theme analysis. Quantitative data were gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire and were analyzed by social network analysis. According to the qualitative findings, multiple service providers were classified into 21 distinctive institutional categories. Also, findings showed that the current executive network was not satisfactory in terms of institutional coherence, such that a few dominant providers were very influential in the center, while most of the others had little linkages and thus power at the margin of the extension network. Such a highly centralized network is unsustainable and vulnerable from different viewpoints and cannot fulfill the tasks expected from extension system in Iranian heterogeneous agriculture sector. In this regard, establishing a multisectoral institutional platform to focus on enhancing mutual coordination and combining collective actions is recommended as an important structural adjustment in the current extension system. To this end, facilitating roles of the public extension agency as the most influential actor of the existing extension network will be extremely significant.
Internal auditor communications: an experimental investigation of managerial perceptions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine potential determinants of management’s agreement with internal auditor recommendations of an interim assurance engagement. Design/methodology/approach The experiment involved a 2 × 2 × 2 design with internal auditor gender, mode of communication and root cause variables randomly assigned to 228 experienced managers. Findings When the internal auditor includes a root cause for an identified deficiency in an internal audit report, management perceptions of the quality of that report improve. The gender of the internal auditor who communicates the audit finding with management does not significantly impact management’s perceptions. Additionally, communicating the internal audit report via e-mail instead of videoconference results in improved managerial perceptions of the quality of the internal auditor. While improvements in perceptions of internal auditor quality lead to greater agreement with internal auditor recommendations, improvements in perceptions of report quality lead to greater implementation of internal-auditor-recommended remediation strategies. Research limitations/implications The operationalization of the manipulated variables of interest (communication mode, gender and root cause) may limit the generalizability of the study’s results. Practical implications The paper includes managerial implications for internal auditors’ choice of communication mode and inclusion of a root cause in interim internal audit reports. Originality/value This study provides evidence on the factors that could improve management’s perceptions of internal auditors’ work. The findings can help organizations, such as the Institute of Internal Auditors, to better understand how to address the needs of those who communicate with internal auditors.
Photon counting energy dispersive detector arrays for x-ray imaging

The development of an innovative detector technology for photon counting in X-ray imaging is reported. This new generation of detectors, based on pixellated cadmium telluride (CdTe) and cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) detector arrays electrically connected to application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for readout, will produce fast and highly efficient photon counting and energy dispersive x-ray imaging. There are a number of applications that can greatly benefit from these novel imagers including mammography, planar radiography, and computed tomography (CT). Systems based on this new detector technology can provide compositional analysis of tissue through spectroscopic x-ray imaging, significantly improve overall image quality, and may significantly reduced x-ray dose to the patient. Very high x-ray flux are utilized in many of these applications. For example, CT scanners can produce ~100 Mphotons/mm2/s in the unattenuated beam. High flux is required in order to collect sufficient photon statistics in the measurement of the transmitted flux (attenuated beam) during the very short time frame of a CT scan. This high count rate combined with a need for high detection efficiency requires the development of detector structures that can provide a response signal much faster than the transit time of carriers over the whole detector thickness. We have developed CdTe and CdZnTe detector array structures which are 3 mm thick with 16 x 16 pixels and a 1 mm pixel pitch. These structures, in the two different implementations presented here, utilize either a small pixel effect or a drift phenomenon. An energy resolution of 4.75% at 122 keV has been obtained with a 30 ns peaking time. An output rate of 6 x 106 counts per second per individual pixel has been obtained with ASIC readout electronics. Additionally, the first clinical CT images, taken with several of our prototype photon counting and energy dispersive detector modules, are shown.
Security in Wireless Network: Black Hole Attack Avoidance

Wireless networks are computer networks that are not connected by cables of any kind. The use of wireless network enables enterprises to avoid the costly process of introducing cables into buildings or as a connection between different equipment locations. Wireless networks are susceptible to many attacks. One such specific attack is a blackhole attack in which malicious node falsely claiming itself as having the fresh and shortest path to the destination. In this paper, we propose a method for avoiding blackhole attack without the constraint of special hardware and dependency on physical medium of wireless network. The proposed methods forms link disjoint multi-path during path discovery to provide greater path selection in order to avoid malicious nodes in the path using legitimacy table maintained by each node in the network. By making use of bell curve, Non-malicious nodes gradually isolate the blackhole nodes and avoid them while making path between source and destination.Various related works were also studied for knowing the related works which have been carried out in order to avoid blackhole attack in a network. They had some flaws too,which were overcome by the proposed system.Proposed system helps us in defending against the blackhole attack without any requirement of hardware and special detection node.
Toward Increased Professionalism in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language through Pre-service Trainee Teacher Mentoring in the United Arab Emirates

For a variety of reasons, both historical and sociological, the feasibility – as well as the very desirability – of mainstream teaching securing the status of a profession (in the sense of established professions such as law, medicine, architecture, and engineering) has long been questioned (e.g., Burbules and Densmore, 1991). If this is the case as regard regular, mainstream education, what then is the situation in relation to the subfield of teaching that is teaching English as a second or other language (TESOL)? Sadly, few if any would likely doubt that the field has so far failed to achieve the status of a recognized profession. There are numerous causes of this failure, though some especially salient reasons – less than stellar public perceptions of the fields of English as a second language/English as a foreign language, employment standards of the private sector, that is, the (in) famous English language teaching industry, the initial training and qualifications of those in the field, and discriminatory practices – will be highlighted in the following discussion. In addition, the second half of this paper draws and reflects on a trainee teacher mentoring scheme at a federally-sponsored institution of higher education in the United Arab Emirates – now sadly discontinued – which the author participated in for 3 years between 2011 and 2015, and which, it is argued, exemplified programs which can go some not inconsiderable way toward combatting a number of the obstacles currently preventing the field of TESOL achieving the status of a legitimate profession.
High pulse repetition frequency vector Doppler velocity measurements

Doppler ultrasound methods are extensively used for non-invasively measuring flow velocity in blood vessels. One of the main challenges that still need to be faced is achieving angle independent estimates, especially in presence of high speed flows. A dual beam vector Doppler method was introduced so far, in which one beam is devoted to estimate the flow direction, and the second one to perform velocity measurements with known Doppler angle. Since two consecutive transmission and reception events are needed for the two beams, the effective Doppler pulse repetition frequency is halved, thus facilitating the onset of aliasing when fast flow is investigated. In this work, the problem is overcome by using, on a linear array probe, one subaperture in transmission and two sub-apertures in reception. The new approach was implemented and tested in real-time on the ULA-OP 256 open platform, taking advantage of its parallel beamforming capabilities. In-vitro experiments confirm the fair repeatability performance of the method in angle independent measurements, while the in-vivo test shows that the assessment of peak velocities higher than 2 m/s is feasible, making the method suitable for the investigation of stenotic vessels.
The spatial spillover effects of haze pollution on inbound tourism: evidence from mid-eastern China

Abstract Although previous studies have paid much attention to the impact of haze on inbound tourism, there is little empirical research on intercity differences in the spatial effects of haze pollution. Using panel data on 174 prefecture-level cities in mid-eastern China from 1998 to 2016, this paper quantitatively explores the heterogeneity of the direct and spillover effects of haze on inbound tourism. The results show that both haze pollution and inbound tourism growth in mid-eastern China have apparent spatial autocorrelation and significant spatial spillover effects. From a regional perspective, the direct and spillover effects of haze on inbound tourism are –0.052 and –0.189, respectively. From a local perspective, the spatial spillover effects of haze gradually decrease from south to north. The existence of spatial heterogeneity in the direct and spillover effects of other determinants suggests that the haze control strategy must be approached as a systematic project. This study contributes to theory by highlighting the importance of considering the spillover effects and spatial heterogeneities among destinations when evaluating the relationship between haze pollution and inbound tourism. The results have implications for local governments desiring to prevent and control haze pollution and to effectively guide inbound tourists to achieve sustainable development of inbound tourism.