Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water balance modeling of Upper Blue Nile catchments using a top-down approach

The water balances of twenty catchments in the Upper Blue Nile basin have been analyzed using a top-down modeling approach based on Budyko’s hypotheses. The objective of this study is to obtain better understanding of water balance dynamics of upper Blue Nile catchments on annual and monthly time scales and on a spatial scale of meso scale to large scale. The water balance analysis using a Budykotype curve at annual scale reveals that the aridity index does not exert a first order control in most of the catchments. This implies the need to increase model complexity to monthly time scale to include the effects of seasonal soil moisture dynamics. The dynamic water balance model used in this study predicts the direct runoff and other processes based on the limit concept; i.e. for dry environments since rainfall amount is small, the aridity index approaches to infinity or equivalently evaporation approaches rainfall and for wet environments where the rainfall amount is large, the aridity index approaches to zero and actual evaporation approaches the potential evaporation. The uncertainty of model parameters has been assessed using the GLUE (Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation) methodology. The results show that the majority of the parameters are reasonably well identifiable. However, the baseflow recession constant was poorly identifiable. Parameter uncertainty and model structural errors could be the reason for the poorly identifiable parameter. Moreover, a multi-objective model calibration strategy has been employed to emphasize the different aspects of the hydrographs on low and high flows. The model has been calibrated and validated against observed streamflow time series and it shows good performance for the twenty study catchments in the upper Blue Nile. During the calibration period (1995–2000) the Nash and Sutcliffe efficiency (ENS) for monthly flow prediction varied between 0.52 to 0.93 (dominated by high flows), while it varied between 0.32 to 0.90 using logarithms of flow series (indicating the goodness of low flow simulations). The model is parsimonious and it is suggested that the calibrated parameters could be used after some more regionalization efforts to predict monthly stream flows in ungauged catchments of the Upper Blue Nile basin, which is the vast majority of catchments in that region
THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF ACTINOLITE IN THE PREHNITE – PUMPELLYITE FACIES , SIERRA NEVADA

Jurassic metavolcanic rocks in the western Sierra Nevada, California, display widespread assemblages typical of the transition from the prehnite–pumpellyite to the greenschist facies. Actinolite first appears in the assemblage quartz + albite + chlorite + epidote + pumpellyite ± prehnite as an overgrowth on unaltered, relict grains of calcic clinopyroxene and as small acicular grains in chlorite. Chemographic and algebraic analysis of the mineral assemblages suggests that the appearance of actinolite is controlled by high-variance continuous reactions that produce actinolite + epidote at the expense of pumpellyite-(Mg) + minor chlorite. The data also suggest that the effective bulk composition of the metamorphic assemblage becomes more magnesian with increasing progress of the reactions. We suggest that this phenomenon is best explained by the irreversible consumption of relatively magnesian, relict igneous phases or altered groundmass as the reactions proceeded. Thus, both equilibrium and non-equilibrium phenomena play an important role in explaining the systematic evolution of mineral compositions in these low-grade rocks.
Effect of Plant Geometry on Growth and Yield of Corn in the Rice-Corn Cropping System

The rice-corn cropping system is increasing in Asia in response to increased demand of corn for feed. A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of plant geometry (row and plant to plant spacing: 50 × 20, 50 × 30, 75 × 20, and 75 × 30 cm) on growth and yield of corn. Plant height and leaf production per plant were not influenced by the plant geometry. Spacing, however, influenced leaf area, aboveground shoot biomass, and yield of corn per unit area. Highest leaf area, shoot biomass, and yield (8.2 t·ha-1) were produced by plants grown at 50 × 20 cm spacing. The results of this study suggest that narrow rows and plant to plant spacing may increase grain yield by increasing crop growth rates. Plant geometry could be modified to improve yield of corn in the rice-corn cropping system, and thereby increase productivity of the system.
Bending strength of cross laminated timber beams loaded in plane

Beams made of cross laminated timber (CLT) offer a comparatively high tensile strength perpendicular to the beam axis. The bending strength of CLT beams, however, is reduced by the proportion of transversal layers within a cross section. To study the bending strength of CLT beams in dependence of the cross sectional arrangement of the lamellae, a computational model for the simulation of bending tests was developed. The results obtained from the model show that due to strong homogenisation effects occurring in CLT beams, the reduction of the cross sectional area contributing to the bending strength is partly compensated by higher bending strengths. Therefore, CLT can be considered being a suitable alternative to glulam.
A modeling study of secondary organic aerosol formation from sesquiterpenes using the STOCHEM global chemistry and transport model

Sesquiterpenes are one of the precursors of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) which can be an important global sources of organic aerosol (OA). Updating the chemistry scheme in the global chemistry transport model by incorporating an oxidation mechanism for β‐caryophyllene (representing all sesquiterpenes), adding global sesquiterpene emissions of 29 Tg/yr, and revising global monoterpene emissions up to 162 Tg/yr [Guenther et al., 2012] led to an increase of SOA burden by 95% and SOA production rate by 106% relative to the base case described in Utembe et al. [2011]. Including the emissions of sesquiterpenes resulted in increase of SOA burden of 0.11 Tg and SOA production rate of 12.9 Tg/yr relative to the base case. The highest concentrations of sesquiterpene‐derived SOA (by up to 1.2 μg/m3) were found over central Africa and South America, the regions having high levels of biogenic emissions with significant biomass burning. In the updated model simulation, the multigeneration oxidation products from sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes transported above the boundary layer and condensed to the aerosol phase at higher altitude led to an increase of OA by up to 30% over the tropics and northern midlatitude to higher altitude. The model evaluation showed an underestimation of model OA mostly for the campaigns dominated by regional anthropogenic pollution. The increase of SOA production from sesquiterpenes reduced the discrepancies between modeled and observed OA concentrations over the remote and rural areas. The increase of SOA concentrations by up to 200% from preindustrial to present scenarios was found over the tropical oceans.
Pre-Weaning Performance of Lambs under Traditional System of Production in Northern Ghana

The study was carried out in three communities namely, Pekyi, Kokpong and Cheyohi in the Tolon Kumbungu District (TKD) to assess the growth performance of lambs kept under the traditional system of production. The parameters studied were birth weight, pre-weaning weight gain, ewe weight at birth, and pre-weaning ewe weight. Data was collected from 26 animals (14 lambs and 12 ewes) and analysed using anova, regression and graphs. The study lasted 12 weeks. Lambs had a mean birth weight of 1.6 kg, pre-weaning average weekly gain was 742 g and pre-weaning mean weight at 12 weeks was 10.7 kg. Mean birth weight (1.5 kg), mean pre-weaning weekly gain (730 g) and mean pre-weaning weight at 12 weeks (10.2 kg) of male lambs were lower than those of females which were 1.9 kg, 770 g and 11.2 kg respectively. Also single born male lambs had significantly higher birth weight (1.7 kg), pre-weaning average weekly gain (773 g) and pre-weaning weight at 12 weeks (11.1 kg) than female lambs which were 1.4 kg, 620 g and 9.3 kg respectively. With better management practices by the farmer, lambs under the traditional system could be improved greatly.
Doubly periodic non-homogeneous Poisson models for hurricane data

Non-homogeneous Poisson processes with periodic claim intensity rate have been proposed as claim counts in risk theory. Here a doubly periodic Poisson model with shortand long-term trends is studied. Beta-type intensity f unctions are presented as illustra tions. The likelihood function and the maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters are derived. Doubly periodic Poisson models are appropriate when the seasonality does not repeat exactly the same short-term pattern every year, but has a peak intensity that varies over a longer period. This reflects periodic environments like those forming hurricanes, in alternating El Niño/La Niña years. An application of the model to the data set o f Atlantic hurricanes affecting the United States (1899–2000) is discussed in detail. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The Compatibility of Geothermal Power Plants with Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems: The Case of the Cesine Wetland (Southern Italy)

The Cesine Wetland, located along the Adriatic coast, was recognized as a Wetland of International Interest and a National Natural Park. Managed by the “World Wide Fund for nature” (WWF), it is considered a groundwater dependent ecosystem which is affected by seawater intrusion. The site was selected to test the environmental compatibility of a low-enthalpy geothermal power plant (closed loop) operating in the aquifer saturated portion with purpose to improving the visitor centre. For this purpose, the long-lasting thermal impact on groundwater was assessed using a multi-methodological approach. The complex aquifer system was carefully studied with geological, hydrogeological and geochemical surveys, including chemical and isotopic laboratory analyses of surface water, groundwater and seawater. The isotopes δ18O, δD, δ11B, and 3H were useful to clarify the recharge contribution, the water mixing and the water age. All information was used to improve the conceptualization of the water system, including aquifers and the boundary conditions for a density driven numerical groundwater model. The purpose was to forecast anthropogenic thermal groundwater variations up to 10 years of plant working before the plant realization and to validate the solution after some working years. All results show the environmental compatibility notwithstanding the peculiar ecological environment.
Quantum approach to coupling classical and quantum dynamics

We present a consistent framework of coupled classical and quantum dynamics. Our result allows us to overcome severe limitations of previous phenomenological approaches, such as evolutions that do not preserve the positivity of quantum states or that allow one to activate quantum nonlocality for superluminal signaling. A ‘‘hybrid’’ quantum-classical density is introduced, and its evolution equation derived. The implications and applications of our result are numerous: it incorporates the back-reaction of quantum on classical variables, and it resolves fundamental problems encountered in standard mean-field theories, and remarkably, also in the quantum measurement process; i.e., the most controversial example of quantum-classical interaction is consistently described within our approach, leading to a theory of dynamical collapse. Opinions vary about the coexistence of and interaction between classical and quantum systems. In orthodox quantum theory, classical macrosystems and quantized microsystems coexist; their interaction is described asymmetrically. The influence of macrovariables upon microsystems is precisely taken into account as external forces. The backreaction of quantized microsystems upon classical macrosystems is largely ignored, except for detector variables which are typically sensitive to certain microvariables. The theory of this specific back-reaction, called measurement theory@1#, predicts the statistics of the final states after the interaction. However, the interpretation of quantized dynamics is exclusively based on this nondynamical model of back-reaction ~cf. collapse of the quantum state! ; without it we could not test the validity of quantized dynamics at all. Possibly, quantization extends to macrosystems, indeed the criteria of being macroscopic or microscopic are loosely if ever defined. Contrary to quantized microvariables, quantized macrovariables may have significant back-reactions on generic classical macrovariables as well. This becomes apparent in the widely used mean-field approximation@2# which, however, has several fundamental drawbacks @3#, as we shall recall in this paper. The measurement theory also describes back-reaction, but only for idealized detectors. In some attempts to define quantum gravity, matter and some fields are quantized, while other fields ~gravity in particular! are treated as classical, thus requiring a definite hybrid—i.e., a coupled classical and quantum—dynamics. Thus a general model of the backreaction is desirable. Such a theory would describe the ‘‘collapse’’ of the wave function dynamically @4#, would replace mean-field approximations in a systematic way @5‐7#, and could have deep implications for quantum cosmology. The first conceptual attempts @4‐6# were followed by ups and downs @8#, until severe limitations were clarified @9#. In this paper we use a straightforward transformation of the problem which automatically leads to a consistent model of hybrid dynamics.
Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Firms’ Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Firms Listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange

This study examines whether implementation of internal CG mechanisms have affected the performance of non-financial firms listed on the Saudi stock exchange “ Tadawul ”, since the implementation of Saudi CG code. A cross-sectional regression analysis is employed on a sample of 118 non-financial Saudi firms in 2014, to test the hypotheses set out in the study. Board characteristics assessed include, board size, board composition, board meetings and CEO duality. Ownership structures include managerial and concentrated ownership. The study's empirical findings show board size and CEO duality, are amongst those board characteristics with a positive influence on firm performance. In the case of the second internal mechanisms of CG ownership structures, the findings suggest only managerial ownership positively affects performance. The study findings conclude that CG structures differ in every country, as each has its own social and regulations situation. The study contributes to existing literature about the CG in Saudi Arabia by reviewing the impact of CG practices eight years after the CGC. It enhances understanding among practitioners of CG, and explains how it influences firm performance in Saudi.
A Tale of Two Spills: Novel Science and Policy Implications of an Emerging New Oil Spill Model

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil release posed the challenges of two types of spill: a familiar spill characterized by buoyant oil, fouling and killing organisms at the sea surface and eventually grounding on and damaging sensitive shoreline habitats, and a novel deepwater spill involving many unknowns. The subsurface retention of oil as finely dispersed droplets and emulsions, wellhead injection of dispersants, and deepwater retention of plumes of natural gas undergoing rapid microbial degradation were unprecedented and demanded the development of a new model for deepwater well blowouts that includes subsurface consequences. Existing governmental programs and policies had not anticipated this new theater of impacts, which thereby challenged decisionmaking on the spill response, on the assessment of natural resource damages, on the preparation for litigation to achieve compensation for public trust losses, and on restoration. Modification of laws and policies designed to protect and restore ocean resources is needed in order to accommodate oil drilling in the deep sea and other frontiers.
Motor skills of children with autistic spectrum disorder

The contribution contains results of a research of motor skills of children with autistic spectrum disorder. The group of children represents besides major triad of symptoms, also described difficulties in the field of motor skills. Our aim to find out what motor skills of these children are in comparison with intact population and what differences are found in individual motor items, i.e. in fine motor skills, gross motor skills and in balance. The data was gained with the use of standardized Movement Assessment Battery test for Children 2 (MABC-2). Objective testing of this group of children is relatively difficult. There were successfully tested 36 children with ASD during this phase of research. The research demonstrated evident motor disorder at 86% of children in the observed sample. Statistically significant were worse results in the field of fine motor skills compared to the results in gross motor skills and balance.
Prevalence of antibodies against Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydophila abortus in cattle in Poland. A preliminary report

In Poland bovine chlamydophilosis monitoring programmes have not been carried out during the last decade, therefore epidemiological status of the disease remains unrecognized. Animal movements observed recently, including international trade and import of livestock into Polish territory, support the necessity of serological surveillance of chlamydophilosis in a representative population of cattle in Poland. The aim of the study was to evaluate Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydophila abortus seroprevalence in a selected cattle population and comparative evaluation of serological techniques used in chlamydophilosis diagnostics (CFT, ELISA).
Evaluation of the effects of Leech Salivary Extract (LSE) on Haematological parameters in Rats

The effects of Leech Salivary Extract (LSE) on some haematological, immunological and organ weight parameters in rats, during a twenty eight days oral administration of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight doses, was investigated. LD50 and sub chronic toxicity was determined using standard methods. The oral LD50 was above 5000mg/kgbw. Oral administration of LSE (25mg/kgbw, 50mg/kgbw, 100mg/kgbw) for 28days had no signifi cant (p>0.05) effect on the differential white blood cells (lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils), red blood cell indices (RBC count, PCV, HB, platelets, MCHC and MCH), feed intake, body weight gain and relative organ weight of lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen and stomach of rats. However, the LSE evoked a signifi cant (p>0.05) increase in the level of MCV in treated rats compared to the control. These results, indicating low toxicity and no negative signifi cant effects of LSE on haemato-immunological indices in rats, suggest that the extract is safe for development and use as therapeutic for managing clinical conditions. Research Article Evaluation of the effects of Leech Salivary Extract (LSE) on Haematological parameters in Rats Hausatu Babayi1*, Ojo Olufunmilola Praise1, Labake Fadipe Ajoke2, Israel Kayode Olayemi3, Elisha Baba4 and Oladosun Oluwale Peter5 1Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger 2Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger 3Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger, State. 4Clinic, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Development, Idu-Abuja, Nigeria. 5Department of Microbiology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Development, Idu-Abuja, Nigeria *Address for Correspondence: Hausatu Babayi, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger, Tel: +2348033700406; Email: acadbabayi@yahoo.com Submitted: 09 January 2018 Approved: 18 January 2018 Published: 19 January 2018 Copyright: 2018 Babayi H, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Photoionization and heating of a supernova-driven turbulent interstellar medium

The diffuse ionized gas (DIG) in galaxies traces photoionization feedback from massive stars. Through three-dimensional photoionization simulations, we study the propagation of ionizing photons,photoionizationheatingandtheresultingdistributionofionizedandneutralgaswithin snapshots of magnetohydrodynamic simulations of a supernova-driven turbulent interstellar medium. We also investigate the impact of non-photoionization heating on observed optical emission line ratios. Inclusion of a heating term which scales less steeply with electron density than photoionization is required to produce diagnostic emission line ratios similar to those observed with the Wisconsin Hα Mapper. Once such heating terms have been included, we are also able to produce temperatures similar to those inferred from observations of the DIG, with temperatures increasing to above 15000 K at heights |z| 1 kpc. We find that ionizing photons travel through low-density regions close to the mid-plane of the simulations, while travelling through diffuse low-density regions at large heights. The majority of photons travel small distances (100 pc); however some travel kiloparsecs and ionize the DIG.
Dietary Characterization of Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides and Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus in Eastern Spain

This research deals with two insectivorous reedbed-nesting songbirds: the Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides and the Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus, breeding at the Marjal de Pego-Oliva (Valencia-Alicante, Spain). We studied the diet and prey selection of the two species and assessed the dietary differences between them. Diet composition was assessed by examining samples of regurgitated food obtained using apomorphine as an emetic. Prey availability was estimated through standardized invertebrate sampling. The diet of the two warblers was significantly different and included arthropods belonging to the orders Araneida, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, Mantodea and Orthoptera. The most frequently found prey were Araneida and Coleoptera in the diet of Savi's Warblers, and Hymenoptera and Coleoptera in the diet of Great Reed Warblers. Both species positively selected Araneida and Coleoptera and avoided Diptera, while for other arthropod taxa prey selection differed between the two warbler species.
Sublittoral meiobenthic assemblages from disturbed and non-disturbed sediments in the Balearics

SUMMARY: Qualitative and quantitative differences in species composition of meiobenthic communities illustrate the differences among various taxonomic assemblages in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean) analysed by means of multivariate analysis. Average densities ranged between 1000 and 4000 ind·10cm -2 , and are in the same range as previously reported from other shallow Mediterranean areas. The dominant meiofaunal taxa were Nematoda (range 40 to 75%), Turbellaria (5-47%) and Copepoda (2-14%), while other meiofaunal groups (Tardigrada and Rotifera) were only represented by approximately 5% of the total abundance. The dominant nematode families were Desmodoridae, Chromadoridae and Xyalidae. The meiofaunal communities showed little variation among locations. Moreover, small-scale heterogeneity does not seem to affect nematode distribution as shown by the high similarity between replicates in the multivariate analysis.