Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Duplicitous Double Binds: The Search for Womanhood in Zimbabwe.

My analysis seeks to elaborate on how religion, which came with colonialism, has been institutionalized, making the emancipation of women seem to focus on incremental gains within the existing framework of gender relations. In other words the talk-shop of women’s emancipation in the country is only a way to ease burdens within existing frames of gender relations rather than truly challenging the sexual division of labor on which this framework rests (Seidman, 1984, Bourdillon, 1972). Take for instance the education and income generating programs which are important for improving women’s economic positions. The approaches may alter the lives of women, but neither approach has changed the existing inequalities. Within the auspices of Christianity polygamy still exists, and cases of widows left penniless by their husbands’ families who under customary law inherit all property are still very rampant.
Drought adaptation ecophysiological mechanisms of two annual legumes on semi-arid Mediterranean grassland.

The drought adaptation of two annual legumes, Medicago minima (L.) Bartal and Onobrychis aequidentata (Sibth and Sm) D’Urv. , was studied at the H2O and CO2 efficient use level over the drought period investigating whether, besides the already known drought adaptation mechanism, annual legumes are dealing with drought by controlling stomatal and mesophyll conductance. O. aequidentata maintained higher leaf water potential and leaf hydraulic conductance than M. minima and consequently exhibited better water balance. The data revealed that these two legumes exhibit a completely different photosynthetic behavior. The photosynthetic rate in M. minima is mainly depended on stomatal conductance while in O. aequidentata seems to be depended both on stomatal and mesophyll conductance. O. aequidentata seems to be more efficient having significantly lower values of the ratio internal CO2 concentration to stomatal conductance at the same value of leaf water potential compared to M. minima. This verifies the higher values of mesophyll conductance and consequently the higher values of carboxylation efficiency. Each one of the two species has different traits to cope with the adverse environmental conditions. The differentiation of drought adaptation mechanisms seems to be a major key for co-existence of several plants of the same life form in Mediterranean grasslands.
Team identification and individual differentiation under social capital: Interactive effects on performance in RD teams

This study developed a complementary perspective in how team identification and individual differentiation interact to influence performance in RD whereas constraint adherence of R&D teams was highest when team members strongly identified with their work team and with themselves under a high level of cognitive or relational capital. Theoretical implications and suggestions for managers in R&D team settings are also discussed. Key words: Team identification, individual differentiation, social capital, innovation, constraint adherence, R&D team.
Improved Brain Tumor Detection Using Object Based Segmentation

This paper has focused on the brain tumor detection techniques. The brain tumor detection is a very important vision application in the medical field. This work has firstly presented a review on various well known techniques for automatic segmentation of heterogeneous image data that takes a step toward bridging the gap between bottom-up affinity-based segmentation methods and top-down generative model based approaches. The main objective of the work is to explore various techniques to detect brain tumor in an efficient way. It has been found that the most of existing methods has ignored the poor quality images like images with noise or poor brightness. Also the most of the existing work on tumor detection has neglected the use of object based segmentation. So to overcome the limitations of earlier work a new technique has been proposed in this research work. The technique has shown quite effective results than neural based tumor detection technique. The design and implementation of the proposed algorithm is done in MATLAB using image processing toolbox. The comparison has shown that the proposed technique has achieved up to 94 % accuracy which was 78 % in neural based technique. Also for high corrupted noisy images the proposed technique has shown quite effective results than the neural based tumor detection.
Dynamic Baseline Variables Predict Treatment Outcomes for Addiction Generally, and Smoking in Particular

Jayson J Spas*1, Thomas E Malloy1, Joseph S Rossi2, Andrea L Paiva2 1Rhode Island College, Department of Psychology, USA 2University of Rhode Island, Cancer Prevention Research Center, USA *Corresponding author: Jayson J Spas, PhD, MS, Rhode Island College, Department of Psychology, The Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Studies, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA, Tel: (401) 456-8418; Fax: (401) 456-8751; Email: jspas@ric.edu
Noise optimization using FIR Filter

In procedure to make a more reasonable and precise pulse handling framework using ModelSim is created. Simple framework consumes wide room for pulse handling. In this design using ModelSim innovation has supplanted this impediment. It has turned into a to a great degree savvy methods for offstacking computationally escalated advanced signal preparing calculations to enhance general framework execution. The digital-filter execution in Verilog, using the committed equipment assets can viably accomplish application-particular coordinated circuit (ASIC)like execution while lessening advancement time cost and dangers. A low-pass filter can be actualizing using Verilog HDL. MATLAB device with Verilog framework is most ideal approach to outline computerized framework. In plan of Finite Impulse Response (FIR) channel utilizing adder, coefficients and increase are utilized. Numerous Constant Multiplication (MCM) is the calculation which is utilized as a part of FIR planning to limit multifaceted nature of the circuit, expanded postponement and duplication utilizing huge range. These issues can be improved by utilizing new system known as digit-serial various steady augmentations. It decreases the manysided quality, postponement and area usage.
NATURE OF EQUILIBRIUM IN THE MARKET FOR TAXI SERVICES

This paper reports an investigation of the mechanism by which demand and supply are quilibrated in the regulated taxi market. A simple model is developed in which the demand for taxi trips, as measured by the passenger arrival rate, is a function of a set of exogenous variables, including fares, and of the endogenous variable, taxi availability, is developed. The profitability of taxi operations is determined by exogenous factors and by an endogenous variable, taxi utilization. The number of taxi vehicles supplied is determined by the profit function and by the industrial structure. Taxi availability, which is measured by expected waiting time, and utilization, which is measured by the expected proportion of time the vehicle is occupied, are determined by both the passenger arrival rate and the number of taxi operating. The complexity of the taxi market, particularly its spatial and temporal aspects, makes considerable idealization necessary for its analysis. Even the simple model developed here does not admit a closed form solution for its equilibrium conditions, thereby constraining the work to a numerical example. The most striking feature of the model is its demonstration that in the taxi market supply generates demand and vice versa since an exogenously caused increase in the number of taxis operating will decrease waiting times and thus increase the passenger arrival rate, which will increase the taxi occupancy rate and thus increase profits and, hence, the taxi supply. This supply-demand interaction can be explosive but eventually must damp out. /Author/
Application of SIFT algorithm in the sea ice image matching

In order to meet the needs of the marine development and maritime disaster reduction work, it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and forecasting of sea ice. Doing sea ice drift detection can provide accurate field data for the numerical prediction of North Sea and medium-range forecasts, which is an effective way to improve forecast accuracy and reducing ice disasters. Use feature point extraction algorithm and image matching algorithm to study the ice drift speed and direction extraction method, which is the preparation of sea ice drift monitoring technology research. In many image matching algorithms, SIFT algorithm has good scale invariance of rotation, spatial rotation invariance and strong matching ability. SIFT and its extension algorithm has been proved to be the robust in the same descriptor, which is currently a hot research at home and abroad. This paper introduces four main steps of the SIFT algorithm and its application in the sea ice image matching feature points.
Antiferroquadrupolar correlations in the quantum spin ice candidate Pr 2 Zr 2 O 7

We present an experimental study of the quantum spin ice candidate pyrochlore compound ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{2}{\mathrm{Zr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ by means of magnetization measurements, specific heat, and neutron scattering up to 12 T and down to 60 mK. When the field is applied along the $[111]$ and $[1\overline{1}0]$ directions, $\mathbf{k}=0$ field-induced structures settle in. We find that the ordered moment rises slowly, even at very low temperature, in agreement with macroscopic magnetization. Interestingly, for $H\ensuremath{\parallel}[1\overline{1}0]$, the ordered moment appears on the so-called $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ chains only. The spin excitation spectrum is essentially inelastic and consists in a broad flat mode centered at about 0.4 meV with a magnetic structure factor which resembles the spin ice pattern. For $H\ensuremath{\parallel}[1\overline{1}0]$ (at least up to 2.5 T), we find that a well-defined mode forms from this broad response, whose energy increases with $H$, in the same way as the temperature of the specific-heat anomaly. We finally discuss these results in the light of mean field calculations and propose an interpretation where quadrupolar interactions play a major role, overcoming the magnetic exchange. In this picture, the spin ice pattern appears shifted up to finite energy because of those interactions. We then propose a range of acceptable parameters for ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{2}{\mathrm{Zr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ that allow to reproduce several experimental features observed under field. With these parameters, the actual ground state of this material would be an antiferroquadrupolar liquid with spin-ice-like excitations.
Pika Response to Microhabitats on Niwot Ridge

Biodiversity is integral to healthy ecosystems, but is decreasing globally as climate changes. Indicator species like the American pika, Ochotona princeps, serve as a measure of ecosystem health and can suggest how other organisms might be impacted in the future. Pikas regulate their body temperature through behavioral changes, such as resting in cool sub-surface spaces between rocks. The range of pika occurrence has retracted from many lower elevation sites as temperatures increase; however, pikas persist in favorable microclimates and high elevations. This study compared the features of several pika territories in close proximity to understand why some remain occupied more than others. The recency or frequency of occupancy was compared to land cover, sub-surface temperatures, and pika thermoregulatory behavior. Grass cover was negatively correlated with recent pika occupation. Thermoregulation potential was defined as the sum of absolute differences in summertime temperatures near the surface and deep under the rocks, representing the range of temperatures accessible for a pika to shed heat. Thermoregulation potential exhibited a positive relationship with recent occupancy, while temperatures at shallow or deep sub-surface positions were no different across territories. Differences in the potential to support pika thermoregulatory behavior may thus be more important than absolute temperature. Climate-dependent pika behaviors did not vary significantly across territories, though trends were in the direction expected for behavioral thermoregulation. This study enhances our understanding of how animals’ territories in close proximity can vary in important ways, which can have implications in guiding human interventions as more taxa experience climate-related stress.
CORROSION AND BIODEGRADABILITY EVALUATION OF STRONTIUM SUBSTITUTED HYDROXYAPATITE COATING ON SURFACE TREATED AZ91 Mg ALLOY FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION

Magnesium alloy has attracted great attention as an orthopedic biodegradable implant material due to its close mechanical properties to natural bone and perfect biocompatibility. But the corrosion of magnesium alloy (AZ91 Mg alloy) in physiological solution limits their biomedical application. In the present work, surface treatment of AZ91 Mg alloy was performed in the mixed acid solution and bioactive strontium substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HAP) was electrodeposited on the surface treated AZ91 Mg alloy. The Sr-HAP coating was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and adhesion strength. The corrosion resistance of the electrodeposited SrHAP on the AZ91 Mg alloy in simulated body fluid (SBF) was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization studies. Hence, the Sr-HAP coated on surface treated AZ91Mg alloy is predicted to be the most suitable coating material for orthopedic implants.
General review of issues and perspectives for advanced copper interconnections using air gap as ultra-low K material

The present paper deals with the different techniques investigated in the whole microelectronics community to integrate air cavities, usually known as air gaps, in-between copper lines for advanced interconnects. The different integration processes were split into two categories, i.e. (i) using a non-conformal CVD deposition inside patterned trenches and (ii) by removing a sacrificial material using a specific technological operation. Advantages and drawbacks of the different approaches will be discussed, including integration issues, manufacturability, and electrical performances. The aim of the paper is to sensitize the BEOL community on these specific approaches that now appear attractive considering the electrical performances required for 45 nm and below technological nodes.
Inflation and corporate investment – a critical survey

The analysis of inflation’s effect on investment can contribute to a deeper understanding of the benefits of a monetary policy oriented towards price stability. It can also help conduct such a policy effectively. We begin with a review of conclusions about the inflation-investment relationship that can be drawn from traditional monetary models with exogenous growth and no market imperfections. As these conclusions are ambiguous, models of this type could lead economic decision-makers to fail to take proper account of inflation’s impact on investment. We then survey research which, contrary to monetary exogenous growth models, takes account of market imperfections such as the asymmetry of information, uncertainty and nominal rigidities in the tax system. The analysis of the significance of these imperfections for the direction and magnitude of the relationship between inflation and investment forms the bulk of the article. We highlight, on the one hand, the key assumptions of the particular theories (and whether they are in keeping with stylized facts), and, on the other hand, the difficulties that empirical research faces when trying to verify the conclusions from these theories. Finally, we offer some conclusions on the basis of the conducted survey.
Global State of Biodiversity and Loss

▪ Abstract Biodiversity, a central component of Earth's life support systems, is directly relevant to human societies. We examine the dimensions and nature of the Earth's terrestrial biodiversity and review the scientific facts concerning the rate of loss of biodiversity and the drivers of this loss. The estimate for the total number of species of eukaryotic organisms possible lies in the 5–15 million range, with a best guess of ∼7 million. Species diversity is unevenly distributed; the highest concentrations are in tropical ecosystems. Endemisms are concentrated in a few hotspots, which are in turn seriously threatened by habitat destruction—the most prominent driver of biodiversity loss. For the past 300 years, recorded extinctions for a few groups of organisms reveal rates of extinction at least several hundred times the rate expected on the basis of the geological record. The loss of biodiversity is the only truly irreversible global environmental change the Earth faces today.
Multiobjective suspension control problem

The paper describes a (controller) design problem in the field of suspension systems for transport vehicles. A ten degrees-of-freedom model for a tractor-semitrailer vehicle is presented, using parameters derived from a real vehicle, which should be used for design and verification purposes. Road disturbance models, for stochastic as well as for deterministic disturbances, are given for use in the controller design and for checking the controller by a representative road simulation. Specifications the controlled system should fulfil are formulated. The specifications follow from the goals of a suspension system and the restrictions its environment places on the range of certain variables. To meet the specifications, a multiobjective control design seems appropriate. A formulation is proposed that includes three norm based objectives. These are (1) /spl Hscr//sub 2/-norm minimization to optimize both driver and load comfort for stochastic road disturbances, (2) restricting the /spl Lscr//sub 1/-norm to prevent exceeding limits on designated variables and to reduce peak accelerations, and (3) bounding the /spl Hscr//spl infin/-norm to get robustness. Included in the problem formulation are realizability aspects related to power consumption, peak load, instrumentation, and controller implementation.
Development of simple sequence repeat markers for the plant pathogenic rust fungus Puccinia triticina

Eighteen polymorphic di- and trinucleotide simple sequence repeat markers were developed for the phytopathogenic rust fungus Puccinia triticina . The allelic diversity varied from two to nine alleles per locus. Levels of observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.095 to 0.952. Seven of the loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium ( P < 0.002) with 70% having levels of observed heterozygosity higher than expected heterozygosity. Null allele(s) were observed for locus PtSSR76 with a frequency of 9%. A preliminary screen of other cereal rust fungi ( P. coronata, P. graminis, P. recondita and P. striiformis ) indicated that these primer pairs are specific to P. triticina .
Towards the acoustic estimation of jellyfish abundance

Acoustic target strengths (TSs) of the 2 most common large medusae, Chrysaora hysoscella and Aequorea aequorea, in the northern Benguela (off Namibia) have previously been estimated (at 18, 38 and 120 kHz) from acoustic data collected in conjunction with trawl samples, using the 'comparison method'. These TS values may have been biased because the method took no account of acoustic backscatter from mesozooplankton. Here we report our efforts to improve upon these estimates, and to determine TS additionally at 200 kHz, by conducting additional sampling for mesozooplankton and fish larvae, and accounting for their likely contribution to the total backscatter. Published sound scattering models were used to predict the acoustic backscatter due to the observed numerical densities of mesozooplankton and fish larvae (solving the forward problem). Mean volume backscattering due to jellyfish alone was then inferred by subtracting the model-predicted values from the observed water-column total associated with jellyfish net samples. Zooplankton-corrected echo intensity/jellyfish density data pairs were in close agreement with linear relationships deter- mined previously from uncorrected data. Small sample sizes precluded recalculation of TS, but non- parametric pair-wise tests failed to detect any significant differences between echo intensities for jel- lyfish densities observed in the present study and echo intensities predicted for those densities by density-intensity relationships arising from the previous study. Previous linear density-intensity relationships had y-axis intercepts greater than zero. On the assumption that the positive intercepts were due to backscatter from unsampled mesozooplankton, new TS relationships were calculated from downward-adjusted density-intensity relationships. New values agreed closely with TS esti- mates determined elsewhere using single-target echo detection techniques. Given that estimates of jellyfish TS appear robust, it should now be feasible to identify jellyfish acoustically at sea and to assess their abundance, even in the presence of mixed mesozooplankton assemblages.
Lung-protective ventilation in intensive care unit and operation room : Tidal volume size, level of positive end-expiratory pressure and driving pressure

Several investigations have shown independent associations between three ventilator settings – tidal volume size, positive end–expiratory pressure (PEEP) and driving pressure – and outcomes in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is an increasing notion that similar associations may exist between these ventilation parameters and outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients without ARDS. Even in surgery patients, who usually receive mechanical ventilation for shorter periods of time than ICU patients, outcomes could depend on these three settings. The main aim of this thesis was to investigate associations between tidal volume size, PEEP and driving pressures, and outcomes in ICU patients without ARDS, patients receiving intraoperative ventilation, and patients receiving extracorporeal support as a rescue therapy for ARDS. We hypothesized that tidal volumes, PEEP and driving pressure are independently associated with outcomes in these groups of patients. The main findings are that three potentially modifiable ventilator settings – tidal volume, PEEP and driving pressure – have independent associations with diverse outcomes in ICU patients without ARDS, in surgery patients receiving intraoperative ventilation, and in ARDS patients under extracorporeal support. All these findings strongly support the idea that strategies aiming at optimization of these three settings could improve outcomes of patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support. We further suggest that one way to monitor the risk of damage caused by mechanical ventilation is to monitor the amount of energy transferred during mechanical ventilation. Finally, driving pressure itself is an important driver of the energy delivered by the ventilator to lung in each breath.