Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On modeling the Southern Ocean Phytoplankton Functional Types

Abstract. This study highlights recent advances and challenges of applying coupled physical-biogeochemical modeling for investigating the distribution of the key phytoplankton groups in the Southern Ocean, an area of strong interest for understanding biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functioning under present climate change. Our simulations of the phenology of various Phytoplankton Functional Types (PFTs) are based on a version of the Darwin biogeochemical model coupled to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) general circulation model (Darwin-MITgcm). The ecological module version was adapted for the Southern Ocean by: 1) improving coccolithophores abundance relative to the original model by introducing a high affinity for nutrients and an ability to escape grazing control for coccolithophores; 2) including two different (small vs. large) size classes of diatoms; and 3) accounting for two distinct life stages for Phaeocystis (single cell vs. colonial). This new model configuration describes best the competition and co-occurrence of the PFTs in the Southern Ocean. It improves significantly relative to an older version the agreement of the simulated abundance of the coccolithophores and diatoms with in situ scanning electron microscopy observations in the Subantarctic Zone as well as with in situ diatoms and haptophytes (including coccolithophores and Phaeocystis) chlorophyll a concentrations within the Patagonian Shelf and along the Western Antarctic Peninsula obtained by diagnostic pigment analysis. The modeled Southern Ocean PFT dominance also agrees well with satellite-based PFT information.
A Community Based Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in the Elderly Population of Bengaluru South

Background: Globally the quality of life (QOL) among the elderly is deteriorating. Therefore, it should be considered as an important aspect to improve their health and wellbeing. Objectives: To assess the quality of life of elderly population in Bengaluru South. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 400 elderly subjects residing in South of Bengaluru for a period of 6 months. Their QOL was assessed by using WHOQOL-BREF instrument. Socio-demographic factors and morbidities were collected using a specially designed questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 16. The difference between the mean scores was tested using independent sample t test and ANOVA. Results: A majority, 54.75%, of study participants were in the age group of 60-69 years. The mean scores of physical, psychological, social and environmental domains was found to be 48.60, 51.26, 48.37 and 59.66 respectively. Hypertension and vision impairment were the most prevalent ailment. The QOL was significantly lower among subjects with advancing age, with no formal education and those who were staying without a partner. Female subjects were having lower QOL than males. Those with musculoskeletal disorders and hearing impairment had significantly lower QOL. Conclusion: Ageing is something which cannot be prevented from happening, however one should overcome this through certain versatile activities like social and family support, frequent health examinations, legal security and unique schemes for elderly which helps them to improve their QOL.
Observational Evidence for Two Modes of Coupling Between Sea Surface Temperatures, Tropospheric Temperature Profile, and Shortwave Cloud Radiative Effect in the Tropics

Tropical average shortwave cloud radiative effect (SWCRE) anomalies observed by CERES/EBAF v4 are explained by observed average sea surface temperature ( SST‾ ) and the difference between the warmest 30% where deep convection occurs and SST‾(SST# ). Observed tropospheric temperatures show variations in boundary layer capping strength over time consistent with the evolution of SST#. The CERES/EBAF v4 data confirm that associated cloud fraction changes over the colder waters dominate SWCRE. This observational evidence for the “pattern effect” noted in General Circulation Model simulations suggests that SST# captures much of this effect. The observed sensitivities (dSWCRE/d SST‾≈1.8 W·m−2·K−1, dSWCRE/dSST#≈−4.8W·m−2·K−1) largely reflect El Niño–Southern Oscillation. As El Niño develops, SST‾ increases and SST# decreases (both increasing SWCRE). Only after the El Niño peak, SST# increases and SWCRE decreases. SST# is also relevant for the tropical temperature trend profile controversy and the discrepancy between observed and modeled equatorial Pacific SST trends. Causality and implications for future climates are discussed.
Effect of Sprayer Nozzle Selection on Improving Weed Control by Maister Power Herbicide and Maize Crop Productivity

During the last three decades pre-emergence soil acting herbicides were used widely for weed control in maize, but for the role of some of them in environmental pollution, world tended to use new chemical group as post emergence herbicides at reduced rates to limit herbicide inputs in environment as alternatives to such mentioned herbicides. For this reason two field experiments were conducted at Mallawy agriculture research station – El-Minia Governorate, Egypt, during 2014 and 2015 summer seasons, to evaluate three spray volumes using two nozzle types and four Maister power as a new post emergence herbicide rates to control weeds in maize field and their effects on maize productivity. Each experiment included twenty four combination treatments arranged in split-split plot design where spray three volumes i.e. 200, 150, 100 litre/faddan were located in the main plots, two nozzle type i.e. TK1 and flat fan nozzles were located in sub-plots and three Maister power herbicide rates i.e. 500 as recommended rate and reduced rates of 400 and 300 cc/faddan as reduced rates as well as untreated check were located in sub sub-plots. The main findings showed that spray Maister power herbicide by 150 L/faddan water carrier is good from view point of total annual weed control which were reduced by 11.2 and 12 % in 2014 and 2015 seasons, respectively, as compared with 200L/faddan. Spray volume can be increased to 200 L water/faddan in case of grassy weeds dominance in flora composition which existedin experimental fields without any harmful effect on maize plants. TK1 nozzle is preferable than flat fan nozzle type which characterized by its good distribution of herbicide spray solution droplets which reflected in improving weed control by 21.6 and 6.6% and increasing maize grain yield per faddan by 3.5 and 7.87% in 2014 and 2015 seasons, respectively, than the case of flat fan nozzle. Using Maister power at reduced rate of 400 cc/faddan was equal with 500cc/faddan without any significant difference in their control of annual weeds or maize productivity in case of the dominance of Xanthium strumarium L. , Euphorbia geniculata L. , Corchorus olitorius L. and Portulaca oleracea L. as annual broad–leaved weeds. Echinochola colonum L.and Brachiaria reptans as annual grassy weed species. The correlation between weeds and maize yield (ardab/faddan) as well as its components was negative. Thus, the final conclusion indicated that the best alternative for weed control in maize by spraying Maister power herbicide at rate of 400 cc/faddan with 150 L/faddan spray volume. Using TK1 nozzle can improve the efficacy of herbicide application to reduce its rate as compared with recommended rate of this herbicide and, cost and decreasing environmental pollution.
Effects of Exterior Insulation on Moisture Performance of Wood-Frame Walls in the Pacific Northwest: Measurements and Hygrothermal Modeling

Continuous exterior insulation on above-grade walls is becoming more common in many parts of North America. It is generally accepted that exterior insulation provides advantages for energy performance, by reducing thermal bridging, and for moisture performance, by warming the wood structural members, thereby reducing the potential for wintertime moisture accumulation. However, the effects of vapor-tight rigid foam insulation on the drying capability of the wall systems are not fully understood. In this study, temperature and moisture conditions in north-facing and south-facing wall assemblies with vapor-open and vapor-tight exterior insulation were monitored in a natural exposure test facility in the Marine 4 Climate Zone over a two-year period. The wall assemblies included interior gypsum board with latex primer and paint, 2×4 framing with nominal R-13 batt insulation, 11 mm (7/16 in.) oriented strand board, nominal R-5 exterior insulation, and white-color vinyl siding. Exterior insulation was either extruded polystyrene or mineral wool. Measurements and hygrothermal simulations indicated that walls with extruded polystyrene and mineral wool exterior insulation in north and south orientations perform similarly. Moisture content in wood framing and oriented strand board were within safe levels.
Why Life Speeds Up as You Get Older : How Memory Shapes Our Past

retirement is scattered throughout different chapters. What the editors could have done is commission a separate chapter about the history of mandatory retirement in order to offer the necessary background to readers who know little about the issue. As the book stands, the reader can only find crucial historical data by browsing through several chapters. The same remark applies to the comparative insights present through the volume. Several authors refer to Quebec, Manitoba, and the United States to explain how the abolition of mandatory retirement could affect personal behaviour and economic performance in Canada. Considering this, the editors would have been well advised to commission a chapter on Quebec and/or Manitoba and, perhaps, a chapter on the United States and the other countries (i.e., Australia and New Zealand) that have outlawed mandatory retirement. Such systematic comparative analysis could have shed important light on the economic, legal, and social issues discussed in the book.
Experimenting with modified extruded seed pellets for large scale mine rehabilitation

Current methods of mine rehabilitation have a high failure rate at the seedling emergence stage due to the limited availability of topsoil and the low water holding capacity of alternative growth media such as waste materials and tailings. Extruded seed pellets, formed by extruding soil mixtures and seeds into pellets, can potentially increase soil water availability through enhanced soil-seed contact and improve seedling emergence in arid systems. I tested a modified extruded seed pelleting method in a three-factor field experiment in a purpose-built mine rehabilitation research facility in the Pilbara region of northwest Western Australia. The aims of the experiment were to assess (i) native seedling emergence and establishment from modified extruded seed pellets and; ii) the physico-chemical and microbiological changes that occur with seedling emergence from pellets. I tested three native plant species and the experimental factors were pellet soil mixtures, with or without Triodia pungens biomass as an organic amendment and rainfall regimes. Results suggests trade-offs among responses. Pellets made with a 50:50 blend of topsoil and waste material had the highest seedling emergence, while 100 % topsoil pellets had lower emergence probably because of hardsetting. Triodia pungens survived to the end of the experiment but Indigofera monophylla and Acacia inaequilatera did not. Adding Triodia biomass amendment inhibited Triodia seedling emergence but increased soil microbial activity and could therefore stimulate recovery of soil function. Pellets preserved seed viability and topsoil microbial communities during the growing season and therefore show potential as a means to inoculate rehabilitation sites with both seeds and microbes. Overall, modified extruded 50:50 seed pellets show promise for rehabilitation of keystone species Triodia and beneficially, make use of ‘waste’ material. Further research is needed to improve pelleting methodology for other species, and to test the applicability of the method at scale, in this and other arid land ecosystems.
Field survey and evacuation behaviour during the 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami

ABSTRACT On the 22nd of December 2018 the shorelines of Sunda Strait, Indonesia, were hit by tsunami waves generated by the flank collapse of the Anak Krakatau volcano. The authors conducted a field survey of the affected areas in both Sumatra and Java islands to collect information on tsunami inundation and run-up heights, damage patterns at each coastal community, and the evacuation behaviour and tsunami awareness of the affected people. The survey results showed that in Sumatra island inundation heights of more than 4 m were measured along the coastline that was situated to the north-north-east of Anak Krakatau, while less than 4 m were measured along the north-western direction. Inundation heights of over 10 m were measured at Cipenyu Beach (Pandeglang Regency) in Java island (south-south-eastern direction from Anak Krakatau). A questionnaire survey conducted by the authors revealed residents’ perception of danger and evacuation patterns during the event. The results indicate the importance of having an operational tsunami warning system in Sunda Strait and the establishment of an appropriate evacuation plan so that residents can start evacuation immediately and reach a safe place without facing severe congestion along evacuation routes.
Understanding the rehabilitation needs of persons living with a lower limb amputation in rural areas of the OR Tambo district of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

ii DECLARATION.v DEDICATION.vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.vii TABLE OF CONTENTS.viii LIST OF TABLES.xiii LIST OF FIGURES.xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.xiv CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND.1 1.
Requirement-based Software Testing With the UML: A Systematic Mapping Study

Our goal is to determine the current state of the art in requirement based testing in a UML context. We combined an automated search in digital libraries with a manual search in related journal and conference venues. The search resulted in about 1,300 papers. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, we selected 100 papers as our final set of primary studies. Classification results based on several criteria lead us to interesting observations such as: A small proportion of the primary studies evaluate techniques through experiments and one-third of the techniques are simply illustrated with an example; More advanced selection criteria exist in literature than those used in primary studies. KeywordsRequirement based testing; systematic mapping study; model driven development; requirement engineering; Unified Modeling Language.
A local segmentation parameter optimization approach for mapping heterogeneous urban environments using VHR imagery

Mapping large heterogeneous urban areas using object-based image analysis (OBIA) remains challenging, especially with respect to the segmentation process. This could be explained both by the complex arrangement of heterogeneous land-cover classes and by the high diversity of urban patterns which can be encountered throughout the scene. In this context, using a single segmentation parameter to obtain satisfying segmentation results for the whole scene can be impossible. Nonetheless, it is possible to subdivide the whole city into smaller local zones, rather homogeneous according to their urban pattern. These zones can then be used to optimize the segmentation parameter locally, instead of using the whole image or a single representative spatial subset. This paper assesses the contribution of a local approach for the optimization of segmentation parameter compared to a global approach. Ouagadougou, located in sub-Saharan Africa, is used as case studies. First, the whole scene is segmented using a single globally optimized segmentation parameter. Second, the city is subdivided into 283 local zones, homogeneous in terms of building size and building density. Each local zone is then segmented using a locally optimized segmentation parameter. Unsupervised segmentation parameter optimization (USPO), relying on an optimization function which tends to maximize both intra-object homogeneity and inter-object heterogeneity, is used to select the segmentation parameter automatically for both approaches. Finally, a land-use/land-cover classification is performed using the Random Forest (RF) classifier. The results reveal that the local approach outperforms the global one, especially by limiting confusions between buildings and their bare-soil neighbors.
Differences in assigning probabilities to coastal inundation hazard estimators: Event versus response approaches

Coastal flood risk assessment requires a reliable estimation of the frequency of inundation hazards, that is, characterising the hazard magnitude and assigning a probability of occurrence. In this work we analyse the uncertainty introduced in the assessment associated to the method to assign the probability of occurrence to coastal flood hazards. To this end we have compared the use of two general methods, the response and the event approaches. Different procedures are used to characterise coastal inundation hazards depending on the analysis scale and data availability. Thus, a range of possibilities has been analysed, from simple estimators such as run‐up to modelled flood‐prone areas. The analysis has been performed for all wave and water level conditions around the Spanish coast. The results show that the differences between the methods are location‐dependent, and thus, determined by the exposure to wave and water level conditions. When using the event approach, the run‐up or total water level (with good correlation between waves and surge) distributions reasonably approximate those of the response approach with low associated uncertainty. When the assessment aims to output overtopping discharges or inundation maps, observed differences suggest that the event approach would produce misleading conclusions in inundation‐related coastal management and decision‐making.
A Simple and Strong Convolutional-Attention Network for Irregular Text Recognition

Reading irregular scene text of arbitrary shape in natural images is still a challenging problem, despite the progress made recently. Many existing approaches incorporate sophisticated network structures to handle various shapes, use extra annotations for stronger supervision, or employ hard-to-train recurrent neural networks for sequence modeling. In this work, we propose a simple yet robust approach for scene text recognition. With no need to convert input images to sequence representations, we directly connect two-dimensional CNN features to an attention-based sequence decoder. As no recurrent module is adopted, our model can be trained in parallel. It achieves 1.7× to 10× acceleration to backward pass and 1.4× to 9× acceleration to forward pass, compared with the RNN counterparts. The proposed model is trained with only wordlevel annotations. With this simple design, our method achieves state-of-the-art or competitive recognition performance on the evaluated regular and irregular scene text benchmark datasets.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Petroleum Stations Worker’s towards Adverse Health Effects of their Activities, Khartoum State, Sudan (2013-2015)

Considerable attention has been subjected towards the hazards of petroleum station activities and their expected impacts on health and environment. This study involved 15 fuels station and 99 workers in Khartoum State, Sudan. Three cities were selected for the study, including Greater Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdurman. The aims the current study is to assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice (KAP) of workers involved in petroleum station’s activities towards the expected adverse health effects of their activities. The study adopted scientific methods for data collection, including specific questionnaire targeting the workers and a check list regarding the safety measures of the selected fuel stations. The collected data were analyzed by using the SPSS-Software version (17). The obtained results revealed that, more than 90% of the workers weren’t having pre- or periodic medical examinations, and their commitments towards wearing safety shoes and uniform were 8% and 75%, respectively. Also, the results showed that 87% of the selected petroleum stations having orientation and emergency training, while 91.3% and 95.7% haven’t got Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Measurement Reports (EMR), respectively. Furthermore, the workplace environment observational assessment explained that 86.6% of the selected petroleum stations were inadequate.
Subglacial hydrology of the Fennoscandian and Barents Sea ice sheets

Subglacial hydrology modulates how ice sheets flow, respond to climate, and deliver meltwater, sediment and nutrients to proglacial and marine environments. Here, we investigate the development of subglacial lakes and drainage networks beneath the Fennoscandian and Barents Sea ice sheets over the Late Weichselian. Utilizing an established coupled climate/ice flow model, we calculate high-resolution, spatio-temporal changes in subglacial hydraulic potential from ice sheet build-up (~37 ka BP) to complete deglaciation (~10 ka BP). Our analysis predicts up to 3500 potential subglacial lakes, the largest of which was 658 km2, and over 70% of which had surface areas <10 km2, comparable with subglacial lakesize distributions beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Asynchronous evolution of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet into the flatter relief of northeast Europe affected patterns of subglacial drainage, with up to 100 km3 more water impounded within subglacial lakes during ice build-up compared to retreat. Furthermore, we observe frequent fill/drain cycles within clusters of subglacial lakes at the onset zones and margins of ice streams that would have affected their dynamics. Our results resonate with mapping of large subglacial channel networks indicative of high-discharge meltwater drainage through the Gulf of Bothnia and central Barents Sea. By tracking the migration of meltwater drainage outlets during deglaciation, we constrain locations most susceptible to focussed discharge, including the western continental shelf-break where subglacial sediment delivery led to the development of major troughmouth fans. Maps of hydraulic potential minima that persist throughout the Late Weichselian reveal potential sites for preserved subglacial lake sediments, thereby defining useful targets for further fieldinvestigation. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.