Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climatology and changes in cloud cover in the area of the Black, Caspian, and Aral seas (1991–2010): a comparison of surface observations with satellite and reanalysis products

This article presents a climatology of total cloud cover (TCC) in the area of the three inland Eurasian seas (Black, Caspian, and Aral Sea). Analyses are performed on the basis of 20 years of data (1991–2010), collected from almost 200 ground stations. Average TCC is 49%, with broad spatial and seasonal variability: minimum TCC values are found in summer and to the southeast, whereas maximum values correspond to winter and to the northwest. For the whole area, linear trend analyses show that TCC did not vary during the study period. We only detected a statistically significant positive trend (+1.2% decade−1) in autumn. We obtained different results for the regions delimited by means of a principal component analysis: a clear decrease, both for the annual, spring, and summer series, was detected for the south of Black Sea, while increasing TCC was found for the annual, autumn, and winter series in the north Caucasus and the west and north of Black Sea. We also analysed the TCC data from global gridded products, including satellite projects [International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP), Pathfinder Atmospheres Extended (PATMOS‐x), cLoud, Albedo & Radiation (CLARA)], reanalyses [ERA‐interim, National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy (NCEP/DOE), Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA)], and surface observations [Climatic Research Unit (CRU)]. Although all these products capture the seasonal evolution over the study area, they differ substantially both among them and in relation to the ground observations: reanalyses produce much lower values of TCC, while ISCCP and CLARA provide a summer minimum that is too high. Trend analyses applied to these data generally showed a decrease in TCC; only CRU and NCEP/DOE tally with the ground data as regards the absence of overall trends. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies presenting trends of other variables such as sunshine duration, diurnal temperature range, or precipitation; we also discuss the connections with changes in synoptic patterns and environmental changes, in particular in the Aral Sea region.
An Alternative Process for Silicon Nanowire Fabrication with SPL and Wet Etching System

Silicon nanowire fabrication of nanoscale dimensions on a single-crystal silicon surface by scanning probe lithography (SPL) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) aqueous wet etching system has proven to be adequate technological processes. Using SPL directly to define patterns on a single-crystal silicon surface showed that the linewidth of ∼50 nm can be further shrunk to -20 nm with KOH wet etching and orientation-dependent etching (ODE) processes on (110)-oriented silicon samples. In addition, this lithography technique also showed a great ability to define patterns on fluorocarbon mask layers. This method performed the fine linewidth of silicon nanowires around 20 nm by operating with lower applied voltages and higher scanning speeds (shorter exposure time) with SPL and ODE techniques and KOH wet etching on (100)-oriented silicon samples. These alternative processes provide the capability to fabricate nanoscale structures with high reliability and repeatablility for applications in the nanofields.
Land conservation in Kenya: The role of property rights

Land conservation technologies are known to play an important role in improving farm incomes. For this reason substantial investments have been made in research to improve agricultural technologies in various parts of the world, from the development of new crop varieties to new practices of land management. The present study responds to the paucity of literature on determinants of land conservation practices in Kenya. The study builds on the few existing studies in this area and explores the impact of land rights and assets among other factors on adoption of soil conservation practices. The study further tests for Boserup’s hypothesis and the evolutionary theory of land rights using both descriptive and econometric procedures. Primary data from households in a semi-arid district in Kenya are used to achieve the study objectives. Random effects probits are used to derive the parametric estimates of our models. The findings are that property right regimes and assets affect both the decision to conserve land and the type of conservation practices used by farmers. The results further suggest a positive correlation between land tenure security and population density, thus supporting Boserup’s hypothesis as well as the evolutionary land rights theory. We also find that the poor are less likely to adopt land conservation practices than the non-poor. Education, available biomass, market development and location of the farm are also found to be important determinants of adoption. These findings call for pursuit of both short-term and long-term policy measures that offer incentives for land conservation through government initiatives and involvement of local communities. The recommended policy measures include enhanced security of tenure, targeted programmes for poverty alleviation, improved access to education, and development of social and physical infrastructure.
The relationship between the effective tax rate and the nominal rate

The main goal of this investigation is to understand the relationship between the nominal rate and the effective tax rate and to evaluate if the differences between them depend on the value of the nominal rate. Based on a sample of 1,530 companies from 5 countries members of the European Union (Denmark, Slovenia, Finland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom) there’s evidence that the effective tax rate is positively related to the nominal rate. The effective tax rate was calculated through the ratio between the value of the tax paid over the result before tax. When the nominal tax rate increases, the effective rate increases equally but with a slower growth. This relationship is softened if we take into account the value of the nominal tax rate, which shows that companies have the ability to manage the results in order to increase savings in tax.
Comparative study of three species of Malvatheca (Bombacoideae and Malvoideae (Malvaceae sensu lato)using Morphological, Anatomical and RAPD-PCR analyses.

Bombacoideae and Malvoideae are two subfamilies belong to family Malvaceae sensu lato (s. l.). These two subfamilies had long been problematic at the taxonomical level. Moreover, some genera have not been adequately sampled for sufficiently variable molecular markers. In this work, we selected three species (Bombax ceiba, Ceiba pentandra and Ceiba speciosa) that are related to Bombacoideae and Malvoideae. They were mainly selected because they are commonly present in Egypt, and exhibit high medicinal values and contain cotton Silk fiber in their fruits which is valuable in fabric industry. In this study, we compared these three plants from the taxonomical point of view as an initial step to determine their characteristic features, and investigated their genomic DNA banding patterns using randomly amplified bands (RAPD- PCR). This was done not only to determine the phylogenetic relationships but also to find new molecular markers that will help in their specific characterization.
Deconstructing the Consumption Function: New Tools and Old Problems

In this paper, we analyse anew the relationship between aggregate income and consumption in the United Kingdom. Our analysis entails a close examination of the structure of the data, for which we employ a variety of spectral methods which depend on the concepts of Fourier analysis. We discover that fluctuations in the rate of growth of consumption tend to precede similar fluctuations in income, which contradicts a common supposition. We also highlight the difficulty of uncovering from the aggregate data a structural equation representing the behaviour of consumers.
A Modern Approach of a Three Phase Four Wire Dstatcom for Power Quality Improvement Using T Connected Transformer

Three-phase four-wire distribution systems are facing severe power quality problems such as poor voltage regulation, high reactive power and harmonics current burden, load unbalancing, excessive neutral current, etc., due to various reasons such as single phase loads, nonlinear loads etc. A new topology of DSTATCOM (Distribution Static Compensator) is proposed in this paper in which a three phase three leg VSC (Voltage Source Converter) is Integrated with T connected transformer for nonlinear loads and is able to perform all the compensation required for three phase four wire system. The T-connected transformer connection mitigates the neutral current and the three-leg VSC compensates harmonic current, reactive power, and balances the load. Two single-phase transformers are connected in T-configuration for interfacing to a three-phase four-wire power distribution system and the required rating of the VSC is reduced. The DSTATCOM is tested for power factor correction and voltage regulation along with neutral current compensation, harmonic reduction, and balancing of nonlinear loads. The performance of the three-phase four-wire DSTATCOM is validated using MATLAB software with its Simulink and power system block set toolboxes.
Adoption of soil fertility management technologies in Malawi : impact of drought exposure

Soil fertility management (SFM) technologies may potentially protect against climate risks, reduce nutrient depletion and enhance food security. In this paper, we study impact of drought exposure on adoption and adoption intensity of SFM technologies, specifically, focusing on maize-legume intercropping and organic manure. The paper uses four-round panel data collected from six districts in Malawi over a period of nine years and we use correlated random effects models with a control function approach for data analysis. Results show an increase in adoption rates from 33% in 2006 to 76% in 2015 for maize-legume intercropping and from 30% (2006) to 53% (2015)for organic manure. Regression results reveal that exposure to early and late dry spells increases the likelihood of adoption and adoption intensity of maize-legume intercropping with late droughts also having a positive impact on adoption and adoption intensity of organic manure. We also find positive effects of fertilizer use intensity and fertilizer price on adoption and adoption intensity of both intercropping and organic manure.
What is the importance of social capital in Czech agriculture? An analysis of selected components.

The paper examines the role of social capital in czech agricultural sector. it is argued that social capital, just like economic capital, can be employed as a resource for the improvement of economic performance of agricultural enterprises. This hypothesis is tested on a sample of primary data and an analysis of the selected indicators of social capital is presented. These include personal social networks, membership in agricultural associations and access to sources of information. Following the results, it is argued that the presence of informal personal ties displays a stronger relationship to the entrepreneurial success than formal membership in agricultural associations. This outcome suggests a comparatively strong role of social capital in the dynamics of the sector.
Minority Language Maintenance: The Case of the Efik Language in South Eastern Nigeria

Language maintenance is a common feature amongst minority group and it is a phenomenon which will retard whole language shift for a minority language group. Language maintenance will only be possible if there is a high degree of contacts with a very influential language like English and conscious efforts by the language group itself. This paper examines the maintenance of the Efik language being a minority language in Nigeria, looking at the fact that the language is endangered. It takes into account some of the factors that lead to language endangerment worldwide and how to improve, standardize, revive, modernize its lexicon and ginger the Efik speakers. The Efik community of speakers have become bilingual over the years in the English language and are gradually shifting allegiance to English therefore losing their original heritage. We have used the ‘reversing language shift theory’ by Fishman (1991) as a framework to propose a checkmate to the extinction and the gradual shift the Efik language is experiencing. This paper highlights some preventive measures for the Efik language to be able to overcome the danger of losing domains in today’s flow of globalization.
Heat Transfer Related to Gas Hydrate Formation/Dissociation

Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline compounds comprised of small guest molecules, such as methane or other light hydrocarbons, which are trapped in cages of a hydrogen-bonded water framework. It has drawn attention in the gas and oil industry since 1930s because it was found that the formation of gas hydrates may block oil/gas pipelines (Sloan and Koh, 2007). However, with the gradual discovery of huge reserve of natural gas hydrates in the earth as well as the understanding of the peculiar properties of gas hydrates, more and more studies have focused on how to benefit from gas hydrates in recent decades. The most important aspect of gas hydrates research is attributed to the exploration and exploitation of natural gas hydrates. Additionally, people also try a lot in the development of novel technologies based on hydrates, such as separation of gas mixture via forming hydrates, storage of natural gas or hydrogen in the form of solid hydrates, and sequestration of CO2, etc. As the formation of gas hydrates is an exothermic process, heat transfer always accompanies hydrate formation or dissociation. The understanding of heat transfer mechanism is critical to the modeling of formation/dissociation kinetic process of gas hydrates, which favors the best exploitation of natural gas hydrates and the best design of reactor for hydrate production or decomposer for hydrate dissociation with respect to different kinds of hydrate application objects. In recent years, a variety of experimental and theoretical works focused on heat transfer involved in formation/dissociation of gas hydrates have been reported. They are summarized in this chapter accompanying presentation of our new work relevant to this topic. This chapter is organized as follows. In section 2, we present progresses in experimental measurement of the thermal conductivities of different kinds of gas hydrates, including pure gas hydrates and hydrate-bearing sediments. The achievements on mechanism and modeling of heat transfer occurring in the growth of hydrate film at the guest/water interface, as well as its influence upon the hydrate film growth rate are summarized in section 3. Our new experimental study on heat transfer in stirring or flowing hydrate system is given in section 4. Section 5 presents our recent work on the experimental and modeling studies on heat transfer in quiescent reactors for producing or decomposing big blocks of hydrates, and the formulation of the influence of heat transfer upon the hydrate formation/dissociation rate. In section 6, the mechanism of heat transfer in hydrate
Local wellposedness for the 2+1-dimensional monopole equation

The space-time monopole equation on $\R^{2+1}$ can be derived by a dimensional reduction of the anti-self-dual Yang Mills equations on $\R^{2+2}$. It can be also viewed as the hyperbolic analog of Bogomolny equations. We uncover null forms in the nonlinearities and employ optimal bilinear estimates in the framework of Wave-Sobolev spaces. As a result, we show the equation is locally wellposed in the Coulomb gauge for initial data sufficiently small in $H^s$ for $s>{1/4}$.
A new species of Lysmata (Crustacea, Decapoda, Hippolytidae) from Venezuela, southeastern Caribbean Sea

Lysmata udoi n. sp. , a new peppermint shrimp, is described from Venezuela, southeastern Caribbean Sea. All individuals were collected from dens of the toadfish Amphichthys criptocentrus (Valenciennes, 1837) in the subtidal zone. This new species can be distinguished from other closely related species of Lysmata by the number of teeth, length and shape of the rostrum, the relative length of the antennular peduncle, and the number of carpal articles of the second pereiopod. The color pattern is distinctive. The fourth abdominal segment almost lacks color, but bears a posterior red thin line with three short forward projections. Morphological and molecular characters demonstrate that L. udoi n. sp. is most closely related to the Gulf of Mexico L. boggessi Rhyne and Lin, 2006 and the Caribbean L. rafa Rhyne and Anker, 2007 and L. ankeri Rhyne and Lin, 2006. Field observations suggest that L. udoi n. sp. is a protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite, with a primary male phase followed by a simultaneous hermaphrodite phase.
H i Observations of Major-merger Pairs at z = 0: Atomic Gas and Star Formation

We present a study of the H i gas content of a large K-band-selected sample of 88 close major-merger pairs of galaxies (H-KPAIR) that were observed by Herschel. We obtained the 21 cm H i fine-structure emission-line data for a total of 70 pairs from this sample, by observing 58 pairs using the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and retrieving the H i data for an addition 12 pairs from the literature. In this H i sample, 34 pairs are spiral–spiral (S+S) pairs, and 36 are spiral–elliptical (S+E) pairs. Based on these data, we studied the H i-to-stellar mass ratio, the H i gas fraction, and the H i star formation efficiency (SFEH i = star-formation-rate/MH i) and searched for differences between S+S and S+E pairs, as well as between pairs with and without signs of merger/interaction. Our results showed that the mean H i-to-stellar mass ratio of spirals in these pairs is =7.6 ± 1.0%, consistent with the average H i gas fraction of spiral galaxies in general. The differences in the H i gas fraction between spirals in S+S and in S+E pairs, and between spirals in pairs with and without signs of merger/interaction, are insignificant (<1σ). On the other hand, the mean SFEH i of S+S pairs is ∼4.6× higher than that of S+E pairs. This difference is very significant (∼4σ) and is the main result of our study. There is no significant difference in the mean SFEH i between galaxies with and without signs of merger/interaction. The mean SFEH i of the whole pair sample is 10−9.55±0.09 yr−1, corresponding to a H i consumption time of 3.5 ± 0.7 Gyr.
Real Wages and Returns to Education in Kenyan manufacturing

Increase in real earnings is one way to improve employees’ welfare and private returns to education shape demand for education. Four waves of data drawn from surveys of Kenya’s manufacturing sector are used to explore changes in real earnings and to estimate returns to education. The semi-parametric quantile regression and least squares methods are used to estimate human capital earnings functions. The results suggest, that real hourly and monthly earnings increased by 5-6 per cent per year between 1993 and 2000. This occurred at the mean, median, lower quantile and upper quantile of the conditional earnings distribution. The marginal return to primary education stands at 4-5 per cent while that to secondary education is approximately 13 per cent. The return to university education is 26 per cent. However, there is variation in returns to education along the conditional earnings distribution. Although the standard finding that returns to education increase with education is replicated here, education has greater return for employees in the upper part of the distribution. Correspondence: Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, University of Goteborg, Box 640, 405 30, Goteborg, e-mail: Anthony.Wambugu@economics.gu. se + PhD student at the Department of Economics, University of Goteborg The data used in the paper are taken from surveys of Kenyan manufacturing firms. The surveys from 1993 to 1995 were part of the Regional Program on Enterprise Development (RPED) organised by the World Bank. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) funded the survey in 2000. I would like to thank Prof.Arne Bigsten and Dr. Mans Soderbom for availing the data and for comments on earlier versions of the paper. I also thank Dr. Francis Teal and Prof. Henry Ohlsson for their comments on earlier versions of the paper. Sten Dieden provided much help in using STATA and I thank him also.
Habits and Envy: What Drives the Consumption Behavior of U.S. Households? Evidence from PSID, 1999-2009

In this paper we estimate the relevance of habits versus interpersonal comparisons for the consumption behavior of U.S. households. We exploit information from the recently released consumption expenditure data of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) covering the time span from 1999 to 2009. We find that both habits, measured as lagged consumption, and envy motives, measured as reactions of consumption to consumption changes of households that are perceived to be richer, matter substantially. Hence, household consumption is not only determined by habit persistence but also by interpersonal comparisons. Most importantly, our estimations reveal that envy motives might play a much more prominent role for households' consumption choices than habits do.
CONTINUOUS CLUSTER CATEGORIES OF TYPE D

We construct continuous Frobenius categories of type D. The stable categories of these Frobenius categories are cluster categories which contain the standard cluster cat- egories of type Dn. When n = 1, maximal compatible sets of indecomposable objects are laminations of the punctured disk. Discrete laminations are clusters. This new construction is topological and it also gives an algebraic interpretation of the \tagged arcs" which occur in Schier's geometric description (16) of clusters of type Dn.
Amino acid profile of organically grown alternative agricultural products

Human nutrition recently has mainly focused on animal products; particularly processed products with large amounts of various synthetic additives. The benefit of fruits and vegetables for human health has been already shown and consumer interest in organic food products has increased. Therefore the main aim of this research work was to determine the amino acid content of the following organically grown raw alternative products: the pumpkins Cucurbita maxima Duchesne - 'Stofuntovaja', 'Bambino', 'Kroska'; Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne) Duchesne ex Poir. - 'Žemciužina'; Cucurbita pepo L. - 'Miranda', 'Golosemiannaja', 'Herakles' and Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus L.) - 'Swojecki', 'Rubik', 'Albik'. After harvest they were analyzed in order to estimate their amino acid composition. Amino acids were separated by the method of ion-exchange chromatography and detected photometrically with an automatic analyzer of amino acids Mikrotechna AAA 339. The amount of essential amino acids was highest in Jerusalem artichokes. The largest concentration of individual essential amino acids, depended on cultivar, was arginine 8.41 to 9.57 g kg -1 in Jerusalem artichokes; while in pumpkins this was leucine, which ranged from - 3.61.09 g kg -1 . The pumpkin 'Bambino' cv. had the highest content of all essential amino acids compared with other pumpkins. Jerusalem artichokes of the 'Albik' cv. were exceptionally high in amounts of nonessential glutamate and pumpkins of 'Golosemiannaja' cv. in aspartate amino acid, respectively 11.09 and 12.99 g kg -1 . The essential to total amino acids ratio is higher in Jerusalem artichoke tubers compared with pumpkin pulp.