Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconsideration of the Phylogenetic Position of Frontonia-related Peniculia (Ciliophora, Protozoa) Inferred from the Small Subunit Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequences

For a long time, the class Oligohymenophorea de Puytorac et al., 1974 has been morphologically characterized as a distinct and monophyletic assemblage. However, its relationship of some taxa, especially the Frontonia-related Peniculia have not been much concerned yet using molecular techniques. In this report, the SS rRNA genes for three congeners of Frontonia, namely F. lynmi, F. tchibisovae and F. didieri, were sequenced and characterized. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by means of Bayesian, neighbor-joining (NJ), least-squares (LS) and maximum parsimony (MP) to assess the inter-and intra-generic relationships of the class Oligohymenophorea. All trees show similar topologies with stable bootstrap support and indicate that: (1) four well known groups, i.e., Peritrichia, Hymenostomatia, Scuticociliatia and Peniculia are distinctly outlined within the class Oligohymenophorea; (2) members of Frontonia are likely more divergent, that is, morphotypes assigned into this genus based on traditional methods might belong to different assemblages, which hence conflicts with the separation of Apofrontonia from the family Frontoniidae, in which the genus Frontonia locates; (3) Apofrontonia always clusters with Paramecium and then groups with the closely related genus Frontonia. In contrast to investigations based on morphology and morphogenesis, the SS rRNA gene sequence determines that the well-outlined genus Frontonia appears to be a paraphyletic assemblage, in which the morphotype Frontonia didieri is more closely related to Apofrontonia than to its congeners.
Point-to-Point Comparison of Satellite and Ground-Based Cloud Properties at the ARM Southern Great Plains Central Facility

I. Genkova and C. N. Long Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, Washington P. Minnis National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia P. W. Heck Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin M. M. Khaiyer Analytical Services and Materials, Inc. Hampton, Virginia
The Malfunctioning of the Gulf Cooperation Council Single Market: Features, Causes and Remedies

Five years after its inception, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) single market is malfunctioning in a litany of ways: there remain restrictions on the movement of goods, capital and labor across political boundaries. This paper describes the GCC single market’s malfunctions. We also propose remedies, taking advantage of the single market experiences of, among others, the European Union. A key conclusion is that there is an absence of GCC supranational political institutions powerful enough to enforce rules, with the exception of the Supreme Council, which is itself not designed to deal with day-to-day issues such as enforcing a single market. Consequently, the GCC needs to alter its institutional structure if it wants the single market to operate correctly.
Metabolizable energy levels for semi-heavy laying hens at the second production cycle

This study was carried out to evaluate the energy levels in the diet to obtain better performance rates and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle. One hundred and eighty Bovans Goldline laying hens with 62 weeks of age were used during four 28-day periods. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four metabolizable energy levels (2,650, 2,725, 2,800, 2,875 and 2,950 kcal/kg), each with six replicates of six birds. The energy level of diet did not affect the weight of the egg, yolk, albumen and eggshell, the percentages of yolk, albumen and eggshell, yolk color and egg specific gravity. Feed intake, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs increased significantly with increasing levels of metabolizable energy. Feed intake decreased linearly as the energy level in the diet increased. The metabolizable energy levels showed a quadratic effect on egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs. The metabolizable energy level of 2,830 kcal/kg was the most appropriate to promote better performance and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle.
Coulomb effects in photoionization of H atoms irradiated by intense laser fields

We theoretically study the Coulomb effects on the photoionization processes of the H atom irradiated by the intense laser fields with circular and linear polarizations. For this purpose we represent the final continuum state by the Coulomb-Volkov state. Total ionization rates, photoelectron energy spectra, and angular distribution of photoelectrons are calculated and compared with those obtained using the Volkov state. We find that how much the Coulomb field influences the ionization dynamics depends on the momentum of photoelectrons, among which the photoelectron angular distributions in the linearly polarized laser field represent the most striking difference.
Advancing from opportunistic sexual recombination in sugarcane: lessons from tropical photoperiodic research.

Many tropical sugarcane improvement programs are constrained by opportunistic recombination among flowering parents, a consequence of variable and mediocre field flowering. Research conducted in a tropically sited, controlled-environment photoperiodic facility (PF) from 1991 to 1997 explored the interaction of environmental and management variables with the initiation process. Potted plants, primarily of nine selected cultivars, raised under controlled conditions, were subjected to a broad range of management and PF-imposed photoperiodic treatments. Most of the 17 experiments providing data were conducted sequentially. The commencement of initiation within three months from 1 April resulted in a high probability of obtaining excellent initiation (3 = 86%), largely a consequence of avoiding days with maxima >32"C. Initiation of plants directly from maintenance in long days was highly successful without use of pre-treatment regimes. Use of artificial sunsets and sunrises was superior to natural sunsets and artificial sunrises,. a consequence of photoperiodic precision and accuracy. A photoperiodic regime using an 11 h 05 min commencing night length, increasing by either 30 or 45 slnight, was near optimal. The role of plant nutrition requires further clarification. Research in a tropical-based PF has defined a minimalist PF regime that will have broad application in tropical and non-tropical programs.
Information Technology Conceptualization: Respective Contributions of Sociology and Information Systems

This article analyzes the different phases the Information Systems--Sociology relationship has gone through and points out some specific features of sociologists and Information Systems scientists in their conceptualization of Information Technology (IT). It shows that both academic fields develop more and more convergent theorizations. The first part is centered on an historical analysis of sociology itself. It shows the great comeback of the Object within the sociological field at the beginning of the 80s. Different models have been developed from the generalized kinds of sociology to those that have been focused on the social construction of the Object. These make up sociological groups, which we call "autonomous". The second part presents the sociological approaches used and worked out in the domain of Information Systems (IS). These are presented by means of three historical moments (causalist, actor-based and processual). For each of these stages the influence of sociologies, notably those that deal with the Object, is obvious and models are more or less "illuminated" by means of broader perspectives. In the third part, there is a discussion of ontological differences between the work of sociologists studying IS objects and the work of IS researchers drawing on sociologists' conceptual contributions. Lastly, it seems that if sociology and Information Systems sometimes diverge in the way they study sociotechnical systems, they converge gradually in their conceptualization of the IT artifact.
Maximum Likelihood Under Response Biased Sampling

Informative sampling occurs when the probability of inclusion in sample depends on the value of the survey response variable. Response or size biased sampling is a particular case of informative sampling where the inclusion probability is proportional to the value of this variable. In this paper we describe a general model for response biased sampling, which we call array sampling, and develop maximum likelihood and estimating equation theory appropriate to this situation. The Missing Information Principle (MIP) (Orchard and Woodbury, 1972) yields one (indirect) approach to likelihood based survey inference (Breckling et al 1994). Some have questioned its applicability in the case of informative sampling, because of the way it conditions on the given sample. In this paper we describe a direct approach and show that it and the MIP-based approach lead to identical results under array sampling. Comparison is made to the weighted likelihood based approach described in Krieger and Pfeffermann (1992). Extensions to the theory are also explored.
On Literature as a Teachable Object of Academic Knowledge

To Bill's teaching An important implication of the expansion of open and distance learning (ODL) methods in higher education has been the enhancement of the idea that educational relations at the level of university studies are in need of systematic reconsideration – that there is, in other words, a pressing issue of academic pedagogy. This issue cannot be effectively addressed independently of its historical and theoretical dimensions: we need to investigate changes that have marked the university institution as a whole in its recent history and examine how these changes have affected the nature of pedagogy in specific academic fields. This paper intends to discuss problems concerning the teaching of literature as an object of university studies. I will first consider the significance that was attributed to different forms of teaching in earlier phases of the development of the modern university, as compared to more recent developments. I will then examine how literature, as an object of university studies, has been changing along with the institution of the university. I will finally turn to particular challenges that literature presents to academic teaching today, especially when ODL is at issue. Tracing the history of the contemporary university institution, Bill Readings (1996) invites us to go back to debates that took place in early 19 th century Germany concerning the Prussian system of higher education and, more specifically, the status and function of the University of Berlin 1 . Eminent representatives of a largely idealist intelligentsia, indistinguishably philosophical and philological in its intellectual profile, formulated and discussed, at the time, general notions and specific recommendations that have since outlined the overall "idea" of the university as a core institution of Western modernity. This idea, according to Readings, has been the one of the modern "University of Culture". The term culture implies, of course, a reference to the European humanist tradition. It also refers us, however, to the notion
Modular Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel PV Inverter with Distributed MPPT for Grid-Connected Applications

Due to the possibility of providing energy with much less dependence on the fossil fuels, renew-competent energy sources, in specified sun photovoltaic (PV) conversion have received elevated acceptance and progress in latest times. Big benefits of PV panels comprise easy and trustworthy power production and suitability for disbursed iteration. In addition the costs for photovoltaic modules is drastically lowering. To comprehend this issue, a control plan with modulation compensation scheme is likewise proposed. An exploratory three-stage seven-level cascaded H-bridge inverter has been manufactured using nine H-bridge modules (three modules for each stage). Each H-bridge module is associated with a 185-W solar panel. Simulation results are introduced to confirm the practicality of the proposed approach.
The Effects of Unrecorded Assets and Information Disclosure on Future Earnings Response Coefficients

The purposes of this paper are to investigate the relationship between unrecorded assets, information disclosure, and future earnings response coefficients (FERC)and to compare the disclosure effects on the return-earnings relation for enterprises with different unrecorded assets. R&D intensity and Capital expenditures are used as proxies of unrecorded assets. The results show that the relationship between unrecorded assets and information transparency is significantly positive. Firms with higher unrecorded assets have higher FERC. In addition, compared to firms with less unrecorded assets, the firms with higher unrecorded assets how more sensitive moderating effects for earnings response coefficient (ERC) and future earnings response coefficient (FERC). The management implication of this paper suggests that firms with high R&D intensity or high capital expenditures could increase their information transparency to decrease the information asymmetry problems, and hence increase their enterprise value.
The dynamics of dairy land use change with respect to the milk quota regime

This article analyses the sequence of changes in land used for milk production on dairy farms before, during and towards the abolition of milk quotas. Using a unique dataset comprising farm level data of the Netherlands between 1971 and 2011 we estimate two duration models, analysing the time period between increases and decreases in dairy land use. The impact of milk quota, socio-economic, farm income and economic-political variables on the likelihood of a farm changing its land use are assessed. Results show that changes are highly farm specific, but that quota abolition will lead to a more dynamic dairy sector.
Relative abundance of adult female anopheline mosquitoes in Ugah, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

A study on the relative abundance of malaria vectors was investigated in Ugah, Nasarawa state, Nigeria between January and December 2004. A total of 2,276 mosquitoes were collected. The mosquitoes comprise three species - Anopheles gambiae sl, Anopheles funestus and Anopheles ardensis. Of the anophelines, Anopheles gambiae sl is the most abundant that is, 1087(47.76%) followed by Anopheles funestus and Anopheles ardensis with abundances of 863(37.92%) and 326(14.32%) respectively. Female anophelines were 1,670(73.37%). There was a significant difference in the relative abundance of mosquitoes with respect to season (P < 0.05). A number of factors (awareness, culture, proximity to water bodies) appear to be responsible for the abundance of the mosquitoes. The result suggests that concerted efforts should be made by stakeholders at reducing the abundance of malaria vectors in the rural areas in order to prevent outbreak. Key words: Relative abundance, mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae sl, Anopheles funestus, Anopheles ardensis.
Students' Perception Is the Instrument to Predict the Quality of Teachers in Higher Education: A Regression Analysis.

The main purpose of the paper was to study the students' perception towards teachers' depth of content knowledge, teachers' skill of using instructional strategies, diagnosis of learning difficulties and teachers' knowledge of students' understanding in relation to their professional health. The students' of different Indian Universities were the population of the study. Among them 2000 students and 500 University teachers from the population were the Selected sample of the study. All the samples were collected by following random sampling techniques. The present study was an survey by means of enquiring the present status of learners' perception of teachers' depth of content knowledge, teachers' skill of using instructional objective, diagnosis of learning difficulties and knowledge of students understanding as the instruments for professional health check up at University level. It indicated that there was a positive significant relationship between all the factors above. It was resulted that students' perception on these factors were the predictors of teachers' professional health check-up. Therefore, teachers should be aware and they should increase their overall depth of knowledge for the flexible teaching-learning process. It is necessary to conduct investigation regarding all teachers' depth of knowledge, Academic career and the relation with age and gender.
Nanotization, Characterization and In-Vitro Activity of Kushta-E-Qalai (Tin Calx): A Traditional Unani Medicine of India

The present study reports a novel method of preparation of kushta-e-qalai, a well-known Indian traditional drug of Unani system of medicine prepared from stannum. In this work the Tin calx (kushta-e-qalai) was prepared by laboratory method in order to develop a standard protocol both in terms of synthesis and its subsequent conversion to nanoscale termed as nanotization. The finished kushta-e-qalai was characterized using standard analytical techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). It was inferred that the kushta-e-qalai contains nano-particles of tin-oxide in the range of 20 to 40 nm. During the TLC examination of kushta-e-qalai a single spot was observed in a variety of solvents implying the complete conversion of stannum into its calx. The kushta-e-qalai was screened for its possible biological activity. The results obtained are indicative that the kushta-e-qalai possesses significant anti-bacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Corynebacterium xerosis. The LD50 of kushta-e-qalai was also analyzed by the graphical method of Miller and Tainter and was found to be 1250 mg/kg b.w.
Motor performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis after 8-week home exercise program

On patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) the muscle strength, gait and everyday activities performance capacity decreased, though patients care started many years before. Patients care includes supervised physio therapy sessions and home exercise performing. Research goal was to assess the improvement in patients with knee OA motor performance with home exercise program (HEP) 8-weeks before total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Hypothesis: 8-week HEP improve legs motor performance in patients with knee OA. Ten female patients with knee OA with the mean (±SE) age of 62.7±2.3 yrs; ten age- and gender-matched healthy controls with the mean (±SE) age of 62.6±1.1 yrs. Motor performance was assessed by isometric strength of the quadriceps femoris (QF) and hamstring (HM) muscles, gait, Five-Time-Sit-to-Stand (FTSTS) test and knee active range of motion (aROM) before and after 8-week HEP. Outcome was measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). After 8-week HEP, QF and HM isometric strength, knee aROM during flexion and the gait stride length for the involved leg increased (p<0.05) compared to pre-exercising level. The WOMAC score increased and FTSTS test time shortened (p<0.05) after 8-week HEP. Difference in measured parameters between the patients involved leg decreased as compared to uninvolved leg and controls. Study showed that after 8-week HEP improved involved leg thigh’s muscle strength, knee aROM, and stride length. Sit to stand test performance and patient’s self-assessed condition improved. In conclusion, HEP with at least 8 weeks should be recommended for patients with knee OA before TKA.
Population structuring in the monogonont rotifer Synchaeta pectinata: high genetic divergence on a small geographical scale

SUMMARY 1. Like many other zooplankton species, individual species of planktonic freshwater rotifers often possess a cosmopolitan distribution despite inhabiting isolated habitats (e.g. ponds or lakes) that present little opportunity for direct gene flow. This ‘everything is everywhere’ distribution is typically ascribed to aspects of the life history of these animals (heterogonic reproductive strategy) in combination with the high dispersal capabilities presented by a dormant stage (resting eggs). 2. Recent molecular analyses indicate the presence of strong population structuring in many rotifer species, including both phylogeographic structuring and the potential for cryptic speciation. Building on these studies, we investigated the intraspecific genetic structuring in the mitochondrial barcoding marker cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) among mid-European populations of the cosmopolitan rotifer Synchaeta pectinata (Rotifera, Monogononta). These data were analysed using a combination of phylogenetic analysis and haplotype networks as well as population-genetic methods to assess the degree of population and geographic structuring. 3. Gene flow among four neighbouring populations in north-west Germany (126 individuals; regional scale) and between them and a set of populations from northern Italy (an additional 48 individuals based on literature data; mid-European scale) was generally low. Paradoxically, however, higher genetic similarity occurred across the broader mid-European scale than within the regional scale. Nevertheless, no significant correlation with spatial distance was detected at the former scale, rejecting an isolation-by-distance model for population differentiation. 4. Most populations comprised several distinct haplotype clusters, each corresponding to ancient mitochondrial lineages of S. pectinata. Although it is common to infer cryptic speciation from results such as these, the pattern we observed can also arise through historical colonisation events and/or persistent founder effects (Monopolization hypothesis) and we present potential arguments against the default assumption that S. pectinata comprises a complex of cryptic species.
The Design of Multi-Band Antenna using a Backed Microstrip Line

Wireless communications have been developed widely and rapidly in the modern world, which leads to a great demand in designing compact, low-profile, and multiband antennas. To meet these requirements, compact high-performance multiband planar antennas with good radiation characteristics are needed. Recently many antennas with multiband characteristics have been designed for wireless applications [1-8]. Much effort has been spent on the research of such compact and multiband/wideband antennas [1]. A variety of compact multiband antennas have been developed so far, such as various kinds of printed monopole antennas [2-4], triangular-shaped meander monopole antenna [5], internal folded planar monopole antenna [6], and dual-band antenna with a backed microstrip line [7]. In this paper, we have proposed a multiband meander antenna with a backed microstrip line for mobile telecommunication systems (GSM, DCS, ISM, WiMAX). The proposed antenna consists of a meander line, U-shaped line, and a backed microstrip line. We have used meandering technique [6, 8] and U-shaped line to produce the GSM and DCS bands, respectively. A backed microstrip line technique [7] is used to produce the ISM & WiMAX band. Parametric studies and radiation characteristics for this antenna are presented. Ansoft high frequency structure simulator (HFSS) [9] is used to simulate the proposed antenna. Prototypes of the multiband antennas have been successfully implemented. The measured results of the fabricated prototype will be given and compared with the simulated results.