Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of a Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method : Application of the EPA ’ s Level 1-2-3 Framework for method testing and refinement

Wetland rapid assessments have been gaining popularity for use in a variety of monitoring and assessment applications. Because rapid assessments rely on observable field indicators as surrogates for direct measures of condition, they must be calibrated and validated against independent measures of condition in order to establish their scientific defensibility. In this paper, we present as a case study of this process through the calibration and validation of the California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM). CRAM was validated in terms of its responsiveness to “good” vs. “poor” wetland condition, its ability to represent a range of conditions, internal redundancy between its component metrics, alternative models to integrate the metrics into overall scores, and in terms of reproducibility of results between independent assessment teams. As is often the case, an independent, concurrently collected measure of condition that directly reflects the same elements as the CRAM attributes was not available. Consequently, we took advantage of data from existing monitoring and assessment programs and demonstrated how they can be used for calibration and validation. Existing assessment data based on avian diversity, benthic macroinvertebrate indices, and plant community composition were used to calibrate CRAM. Results for riverine and estuarine wetlands indicate that CRAM is an effective tool for assessing general wetland condition based on its correspondence with multiple independent assessments of condition. Most CRAM attributes captured a range of wetland conditions. The one exception, Buffer and Landscape Context, was modified based on the calibration analysis to improve its representativeness. Several metric combination models were tested for each CRAM attribute, and in most cases the “neutral” model (i.e., a linear combination of metrics) was comparable to alternative models based on more complex computations. Reproducibility analysis revealed several problematic metrics where ambiguous language or metric construction led to high interteam error rates. Clarification of metric construction and inclusion of additional guidance rectified these problems and improved the overall average error between independent assessment teams to ±5%. This study demonstrated that when calibrated and validated, rapid assessment methods provide a reliable tool for assessing wetland condition. Such tools have potential application for general condition assessments, screening-level evaluations, and assessment of program performance.
Basic Study on Term of Warranty Liability for Window and Door Work Defect in Apartment Building

In Korea, as lawsuits surrounding the defects of apartments, which are the main housing of the people, are rapidly, it is becoming a social problem. Although the term of warranty liability is the exclusion period of the claim for defect repair, there is no basis for establishing related systems. Since the consequences of defect lawsuits vary greatly according to the term of warranty liability, it has very important meaning for business subject and division owner. Therefore, the definition and period setting for the term of warranty liability should be reasonable. In this study, as a result of reviewing the history of laws and regulations related to the term of warranty liability, any document of grounds could not be found. In addition, it is confirmed the limitations of the institutional aspect that it has never been able to present objective grounds once in several revisions. On the other hand, in order to supplement for this, this study analyzed the trend of defects occurring every year for window and door work defects of apartments. We investigated defects of window and door work in 177 apartment complexes, total of 125,816 households, and as a result of analysis, window and door work showed many defects occurring in the first and second year, and extremely few after the third year. On the other hand, there was a slight difference by the detailed construction type, but there was less variation than the finish work subjected in the previous study.
Remeasuring the ACS/WFC Absolute Gains

We measure the absolute gains of the ACS/WFC readout amplifiers for the first time since Servicing Mission 4 (SM4) in 2009. Due to effects now known to be present in post-SM4 ACS observations, but which were either unknown or not well-calibrated at the time, we also recalculate the absolute gains from the Servicing Mission Observatory Verification (SMOV) period immediately after SM4 using a subset of the original data. At the 95% confidence level, we find that the gains measured from data obtained in 2017 match those from SMOV data within the uncertainties.
Noise suppression using non-linear speech model

Noise suppression has been a long-standing problem in digital speech processing. For average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and stationary noise there are commercially available software products or equipment. Therefore, the subject of the recent research is the enhancement of noisy speech in case of non-stationary noise. The noise suppression algorithm, presented in this paper, is based on dimension-embedding, and separates speech from noise in the transformed domain. The algorithm has been tested on several noisy versions of a Hungarian sentence using three different noise-types and seven different SNRs. The gains achieved correspond to the published data.
EXTERNAL DEBT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT : POLICY IMPLICATIONS AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN NIGERIA

The study examined the impact of external debt on economic development and the policy implications for poverty reduction. It utilized secondary data from Nigeria statistical bulletins, IMF’s International Financial Statistics, World Bank’s International Debt Statistics and national accounts data. Based on the findings of the study, the Null hypotheses H01and H02 were rejected at 5 % level of significance. This implied existence of a relationship between external debt and economic development on the one hand and the existence of long run relationship between external debt and economic development on the other. This study concluded that the resultant effects of external debt on economic development in Nigeria are negative and significant. The implication is that debt is a burden and should be traded with caution. External borrowings if elected should be channelled towards productive investments that will generate returns that are sufficient enough to offset the debt when due. Given the rural poor direct access to productive assets like land, water rights, inputs, policies related to debt should take cognizance of this and implemented accordingly. This will lead to output growth and enhance income distribution which will in turn reduce poverty.
Interchange Crash Analysis by Type on Florida Highways

For the past decades many studies have focused on the operations and safety of limited access roadways. Most studies conducted were concerned with the general performance of the roadway segments and using interchanges as variables within the analysis. However, interchanges are significant elements with independent functionalities which are different from the basic segments of limited access roadways. There are different types of interchanges and in Florida these interchanges have been classified into nine types. The objective of this paper was to make an observation on the crash distributions for the different types of interchanges in Florida, compare the distributions among themselves and compare them with the total crashes that occurred from all interchanges. Another objective was to observe different variables that could affect crashes on the interchanges and perform a regression analysis to infer their effects on crashes. The comparison of the distributions showed that there are slight differences in the distributions and the regression analysis showed the effects of some the variables affect interchanges different from how they affect basic limited access segments.
Evaluation of serum extracellular vesicles as noninvasive diagnostic markers of glioma

Rationale: Glioma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in the central nervous system (CNS). The lack of reliable noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic methods is one of the main reasons for the high mortality of glioma. Serum has become a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of glioma because extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry molecular components from their parental cells. Methods: To detect EVs and perform molecular analysis of serum EVs, we established and optimized a microbead-assisted method based on flow cytometry and estimated the efficacy of EGFR protein expression and NLGN3 and PTTG1 mRNA in serum EVs from glioma patients (n=23) and healthy individuals (n=12). We evaluated the ability of EGFR+ EVs to differentiate high-grade and low-grade glioma patients and checked the correlation between EGFR in EVs and the ki-67 labeling index (LI) in the tumor tissue. Results: We demonstrated that EGFR+ EVs are effective diagnostic and prognostic markers of glioma. The expression of EGFR in serum EVs can accurately differentiate high-grade and low-grade glioma patients, and EGFR in EVs positively correlates with ki-67 LI in the tumor tissue. We also showed the potential of NLGN3 and PTTG1 mRNA in EVs for detecting glioma patients. Conclusions: We demonstrate that the protein expression of EGFR in serum EVs is an effective diagnostic marker of glioma. EGFR in EVs highly correlates with the malignancy of glioma. We also show the potential of NLGN3 and PTTG1 in EVs for detecting glioma. The optimized flow cytometry with the aid of microbead-based EV enrichment show its potential as a noninvasive method for the detection of glioma and will be beneficial to the management of glioma.
Flipping a PhD course using movies from a MOOC

In this article, we present the results from an attempt to utilize parts of a MOOC in a PhD course employing a Flipped Classroom approach to teaching and learning. Based on the student feedback and teacher experiences, we examine, how students perceived the combination of videos from a MOOC and active learning activities in the classroom. We discuss advantages and disadvantages that we observed with using videos that we have not recorded ourselves and assess which type of active learning was perceived as most useful by our students. The results show that the waste majority of students experienced the videos and learning activities as very useful for their learning. The group discussions in the practice sessions were most appreciated. The MOOC videos enabled students to engage with the video content at their own pace, even though they were partly perceived as to broad and unspecific. In sum, teachers and students experienced the course as highly rewarding, but also time consuming.
Egyptian Society for Joint Diseases and Arthritis The Egyptian Rheumatologist

ciety for 012.08. 00 Abstract Aim of the work: To identify the frequency of shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with dyspnea and study the clinical characteristics and differences in disease activity and damage. Patients and methods: The study included 47 SLE patients complaining of dyspnea. SLS was considered in those with exertional dyspnea, restrictive pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and elevated copula of the diaphragm. Full history taking, thorough clinical examination, laboratory and relevant radiological investigations were performed for all the patients. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) indices were compared. High resolution CT chest was performed for patients with radiological findings consistent with SLS. Results: The mean age of the patients was 29.43 ± 7.45 years, mean disease duration 5.18 ± 3.62 years. The SLS was present in 8 patients (17.02%). There was bilateral elevation of the diaphragm copulae in 25% of SLS patients and two had associated basal atelectatic bands. The serum uric acid was significantly higher in those with SLS while the 24 h urine protein was significantly lower and C4 normalized. The levels of SLEDAI and SLICC tended to be lower in those with SLS, yet there was no significant difference from those without. The demographic features, clinical and laboratory manifestations, disease activity and damage scores, PFTs and radiological findings of the SLE patients are presented. Conclusion: In SLE patients with dyspnea, SLS should be looked for as it is present in a high proportion of cases. 2012 Egyptian Society for Joint Diseases and Arthritis. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Fundamental frequency characteristics of esophageal and tracheoesophageal speech of Cantonese during speech and non-speech tasks

The study investigated the fundamental frequency (F0) from standard esophageal (SE) and tracheoesophageal (TE) speakers of Cantonese in speech and non-speech tasks, and compared the result with normal laryngeal (NL) speakers when they share different speech and air reservoir mechanism. 10 speakers in each group performed spontaneous speech and standard passage reading in speech tasks, and pitch scaling in non-speech tasks. PRAAT was used in F0 extraction. 1 SE data was excluded due to failure of F0 extraction. Results showed all speaker groups produced significantly higher mean F0 in pitch scaling than spontaneous speech task. Significant differences between SE, TE and NL speakers were only observed in pitch scaling task. Result suggested SE and TE speakers with good speech proficiency could produce a F0 higher than habitual speaking F0, which suggested prosody training in future vocal rehabilitation.
An Evaluation of Several Stall Models for Commercial Transport Training

Air carriers will use simulators to train pilots to recover from fully developed stalls. Flight simulator models will have to portray an airplane’s dynamics satisfactorily to achieve the associated training objectives. That imposes new simulator requirements. This study evaluated several full stall simulator models to meet those requirements. Three new stall models were tested in a Boeing 737-800 simulator. One model used the conventional approach by matching flight test data to within a tolerance. Another model did not rely on flight test data, but instead combined computational aerodynamics, scaled wind tunnel data, and expert opinion from a test pilot who had stalled the actual aircraft. The third model added a roll asymmetry to the unmodified simulator model as a simple way to possibly meet the training objectives. The test had two phases. In the first phase, test pilots who had stalled a 737 airplane evaluated the models by performing typical flight test stall maneuvers in the simulator. The second phase used airline pilots type-rated in the 737 but who had not stalled a 737 airplane. The airline pilots were placed in groups, and each group trained with one of the models. Each airline pilot was then checked on the model developed from flight data, which represented the truth model. The second phase also included a surprise stall scenario with each airline pilot having to recover from a stall using the model they would train with. The results revealed wide ranges in the subjective evaluations of the test pilots, as well as in the objective performance of the airline pilots across the models. However, many of the averages did not show significant differences. All airline pilots agreed or strongly agreed that they were surprised by the surprise stall scenario. In that scenario, less than one quarter of the airline pilots strictly followed the proper stall recovery procedure on which they had been briefed. Less than half maintained a nose-down input until the stall warning stopped. For situations when developing a stall model based on flight data is not practical, the alternative approach of developing a model based on computational aerodynamics, wind tunnel data, and subject expert opinion appears feasible.
BOLD-SEEDED AND SEED COAT COLOUR MUTATIONS IN GRASS PEA (Lathyrus sativus L.): ORIGIN, MORPHOLOGY, GENETIC CONTROL LINKAGE ANALYSIS

Three different types of mutations affecting coat colour were detected in gamma ray induced M two grass pea ( ‘BioR-231’. Seed size was larger in bold line than cultivars, while normal grey was modified to black in black seed coat mutant (BSCM) and whitish-yellow in whitish The BSM and BSCM exhibited high grain yield and low seed neurotoxin (ODAP) content, whereas WYSCM showed exuberance in vegetativ ODAP content. Among other agronomic desirable traits, BSM manifested erect growth habit and tolerance to seed shattering at maturity. The three mutants were true breeding for their respective traits in M analysis revealed digenic non while seed coat colour was governed by monogenic recessive gene with involvement of multiple alleles. Both bold seed coat colour muations were linked with with a flower colour locus, controlling blue colouration in petals of grass pea flower.
Performance of Hybrid Tomato as Influenced by Foliar Feeding of Water Soluble Fertilizers

Field experiments were conducted to find out the effect of foliar feeding of water soluble fertilizers on the growth, yield and quality of tomato hybrid (COTH 2). The experiments were laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments replicated thrice along with the control. Water soluble liquid fertilizers in different concentrations at 3/5 sprays was experimented along with the recommended dose of fertilizers. The results of the experiments revealed that among the different grades of water soluble fertilizers, foliar application of 5 sprays of NPK (19:19:19) recorded the tallest plants, highest fruit weight, fruits plant , fruit yield and -1 BC ratio. The same treatment also recorded better quality fruits with 4.46 Brix. 0
FRACTURE UNDER COMBINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STRESSES

This article addresses the influence of combined primary and secondary stresses on elasticplastic fracture. Although detailed finite element methods can be used to quantify the effects through calculation of J and for many years codes have provided simplified procedures for treating combined loading, this remains a topic of active research in order to provide improved guidance. Here, some of the underlying concepts and recent developments are discussed.
Detecting Deception in Client Inquiries : A Review and Implications for Future Research

Client inquiries provide a wealth of information to auditors throughout the audit process. Nevertheless, the interactive nature of client inquiries can leave auditors susceptible to client deception, and therefore requires that auditors exhibit professional skepticism in order to reduce the likelihood of being deceived. This article summarizes extant literature on deception as it relates to client inquiries and suggests avenues for future research. Professional skepticism, which accounting standards define as “an attitude that includes a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence,” is critical to the auditing profession (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board [PCAOB] 2010a, AU 230.07). In fact, SAS No. 1 (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA] 1997) specifies that professional skepticism is a requirement of due professional care (PCAOB 2010a, AU 230.07). Recent reports by the PCAOB indicate that audit deficiencies and audit failures are the result of a lack of professional skepticism (PCAOB 2008; 2012b), which implies that audit firms should endeavor to promote the use of professional skepticism by their personnel. The PCAOB further states that “while professional skepticism is important in all aspects of the audit, it is particularly important in those areas of the audit that involve significant judgment. ” Furthermore, the PCAOB asserts that “professional skepticism is also important as it relates to the auditor’s consideration of fraud in the audit” (PCAOB 2012b, 3-4). As
Fabrication and characterisation of rare earth doped optical fibres

The authors compare the properties of fibers with P co-doped cores to those with Ge and Al co-doped cores. Rare-earth doped fibers with various compositions have been fabricated and characterized. P co-doped fibers have significant advantages as amplifiers compared with other co-dopants. The excited state absorption is greatly reduced at the 1300-nm window in a P co-doped Nd/sup 3+/ fiber. Furthermore, the excited state absorption in Er/sup 3+/ doped fibers for 514.5-nm pumping is also significantly reduced. As a result, the largest gain yet reported (1.6 dB/mW) in such fiber using this pump wavelength was measured. The absorption, fluorescence and gain spectrum indicates that P co-doping offers improvements over conventional co-dopants such as Ge and Al.<<ETX>>
Convergence Club Empirics : Evidence from Indian States

The distribution dynamics of incomes across Indian states are examined using the entire income distribution. Unlike standard regression approaches this approach allows us to identify specific distributional characteristics such as polarisation and stratification. The period between 1965 to 1997 exhibits the formation of two convergence clubs: one at 50% and another at 125% of the national average income. Income disparities across the states declined over the sixties and then increased from the seventies to the nineties. Conditioning exercises reveal that the formation of the convergence clubs are associated with the disparate distribution of macroeconomic factors such as capital expenditure and fiscal deficits. In particular, capital expenditure, fiscal deficits and education expenditures are found to be associated with the formation of the upper convergence club.
Geophysicae Magnetosonic resonance in a dipole-like magnetosphere

A theory of resonant conversion of fast magnetosonic (FMS) waves into slow magnetosonic (SMS) oscillations in a magnetosphere with dipole-like magnetic field has been constructed. Monochromatic FMS waves are shown to drive standing (along magnetic field lines) SMS oscillations, narrowly localized across magnetic shells. The longitudinal and transverse structures, as well as spectrum of resonant SMS waves are determined. Frequencies of fundamental harmonics of standing SMS waves lie in the range of 0.1– 1 mHz, and are about two orders of magnitude lower than frequencies of similar Alfv́ en field line resonance harmonics. This difference makes an effective interaction between these MHD modes impossible. The amplitude of SMS oscillations rapidly decreases along the field lines from the magnetospheric equator towards the ionosphere. In this context, magnetospheric SMS oscillations cannot be observed on the ground, and the ionosphere does not play any role either in their generation or dissipation. The theory developed can be used to interpret the occurrence of compressional Pc5 waves in a quiet magnetosphere with a weak ring current.
IN-SITU CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION OF CRYOSAT-2 OBSERVATIONS OVER ARCTIC SEA ICE NORTH OF SVALBARD

CryoSat-2’s radar altimeter allows to observe the panArctic sea ice thickness up to 88°N on a monthly basis. However, calibration and validation are crucial to assess limitations and accuracy of the altimeter, and to better quantify the uncertainties involved in converting sea ice freeboard to thickness. We conducted four ship-based campaigns 2010-2012 to the pack ice north of Svalbard. Detailed in situ measurements of snow and ice thickness, freeboard, and snow stratigraphy and density were performed. The data were integrated with satellite data, airborne ice thickness observations, and aerial photography. Measurements from a Twin-Otter aircraft carrying a laser scanner and the CryoSat airborne simulator ASIRAS were obtained over one sea ice station. Here we discuss effects of snow properties on the penetration of the radar signal into the snow pack, along with in-situ, helicopter, and aircraft measurements for satellite calibration and validation purposes, based on results from two cruises in 2011.