Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional evolution of Saharan dust transport towards Europe based on a 9-year EARLINET-optimized CALIPSO dataset

Abstract. In this study we use a new dust product developed using CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) observations and EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) measurements and methods to provide a 3-D multiyear analysis on the evolution of Saharan dust over North Africa and Europe. The product uses a CALIPSO L2 backscatter product corrected with a depolarization-based method to separate pure dust in external aerosol mixtures and a Saharan dust lidar ratio (LR) based on long-term EARLINET measurements to calculate the dust extinction profiles. The methodology is applied on a 9-year CALIPSO dataset (2007–2015) and the results are analyzed here to reveal for the first time the 3-D dust evolution and the seasonal patterns of dust over its transportation paths from the Sahara towards the Mediterranean and Continental Europe. During spring, the spatial distribution of dust shows a uniform pattern over the Sahara desert. The dust transport over the Mediterranean Sea results in mean dust optical depth (DOD) values up to 0.1. During summer, the dust activity is mostly shifted to the western part of the desert where mean DOD near the source is up to 0.6. Elevated dust plumes with mean extinction values between 10 and 75 Mm−1 are observed throughout the year at various heights between 2 and 6 km, extending up to latitudes of 40° N. Dust advection is identified even at latitudes of about 60° N, but this is due to rare events of episodic nature. Dust plumes of high DOD are also observed above the Balkans during the winter period and above northwest Europe during autumn at heights between 2 and 4 km, reaching mean extinction values up to 50 Mm−1. The dataset is considered unique with respect to its potential applications, including the evaluation of dust transport models and the estimation of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nuclei (IN) concentration profiles. Finally, the product can be used to study dust dynamics during transportation, since it is capable of revealing even fine dynamical features such as the particle uplifting and deposition on European mountainous ridges such as the Alps and Carpathian Mountains.
Improving Scalability Of Wireless Ad Hoc Networks Using MPR

(cid:151) Gupta and Kumar established that per node throughput capacity of wireless ad hoc networks with multi-pair unicast traf(cid:2)c scales as (cid:21) ( n ) = (cid:2)(1 = p n log n ) . Recent investigation of network coding ( NC ) and broadcasting has demonstrated that there is no increase in the throughput order of multi-pair unicast for wireless ad hoc networks. This paper investigates the throughput scalability of wireless ad hoc networks which allows multipacket reception ( MPR ) and successive interference cancelation ( SIC ) capabilities for all receiver nodes in the network. The result shows that we can improve the throughput capacity of random networks as (cid:2)( p log n=n ) with MPR using protocol model, a gain of (cid:2)(log n ) compared with earlier results 1 .
Reputation and Forecast Revisions: Evidence from the FOMC

This paper investigates how FOMC members revise their forecasts for key macroeconomic variables. Based on a new data set of forecasts from individual FOMC members between 1992 and 2000 it is shown that FOMC members intentionally overrevise their forecasts at the first revision and underrevise at the final revision date. This pattern of rationally biased forecasts is similar to that of private sector forecasters and is consistent with theories of reputation building among forecasters. The FOMC’s shift towards more transparency in 1994 had an impact on how members revised their forecasts and intensified the tendency to underrevise at the later stage of the forecasting process. The tendency to underrevise, i.e. to smooth forecast revisions, is particularly strong for nonvoting members of the committee.
Delayed Healing of Mucosal Injury in the Colon of Lead-Exposed Wistar Rats: A Biochemical and Histological Study

This research work was aimed at studying the impact of chronic lead exposure on healing of experimentally induced Colitis in Wistar rats. The results willincrease our understanding of the roles played by heavy metals toxicity in colitis disease initiation, progression and remission. Cases of environmental lead exposure and its effects on the health of humans and animals are becoming more noticeable globally. However, there is paucity of information on how chronic lead exposure interferes with healing of chemically-induced colitis in rats. Sixty male rats (80-100 g) were randomly and equally divided into control (tap water), low dose and high dose (Lead acetate, 100 ppm and 5,000 ppm respectively, p.o.) groups. Twenty weeks post- treatment, colitis was induced in the colon of the animals by injection of 6% Acetic acid solution via a modified Teflon cannula into the colon of the animals. Colitis (stool) scoring was done betweenin all groups. Histological slides were prepared on selected days. The results showed that in control animals, coltis healing was complete on day 12 compared to day 22 in treated animals. Inconclusion, exposure of rats to Lead delayed colitis healing, buttressing the fact that people with inflammatory bowel diseaseshould avoid Lead exposure.
Pulse and Direct Current Electrodeposition of Zinc Oxide Layers for Solar Cells with Extra Thin Absorbers

The feasibility of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured zinc oxide array pulse plating has been presented. An effect of the electrolyte composition, deposition regime and subsequent annealing on structure and optical properties of the electrodeposited ZnO layers has been approved by X-ray diffraction and spectrophotometric analysis. We have determined that for obtaining of ZnO arrays with strong (002) preferable growth orientation in the c-axis direction it is necessary to diminish adsorption of hydrogen and Cl-ions. It has been shown that such conditions are created in electrolyte that contains 0.05 M Zn(NO3)2 and 0.1 M NaNO3 during electrodeposition on FTO-coated glass substrates in pulse plating regime with rectangular impulses of cathode potential (20 ms on-time at Uon = -1.4 V and 30 ms off-time at Uoff = -0.8 V). Therefore, in this work we for the first time have demonstrated the successful growth of 1D ZnO nanostructures by pulse plating without using of templates. The novel electrodeposition technique gives possibilities for the manufacture of the ZnO arrays suitable for solar cells with extra thin absorbers.
Predictors of HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Attitude among Young Women ofNigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Adequate HIV/AIDS knowledge and positive attitude towards People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are very important and vanguards in averting and ending the epidemics. This study was aimed at assessing predictors of HIV/AIDS knowledge and acceptance attitude towards PLWHA among young women aged 15-24 of Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which used 2013 Nigeria and 2013-2014 DRC demographic health survey data, with a sample size of 14,619 in Nigeria and 7661 for DRC. SPSS Version 22 was employed to analyze chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. P-values of 0.05 were set up to show the statistical significance. Results: Awareness of the young women of Nigeria (91.1%) and DRC (90.6%) was universal. HIV/AIDS knowledge (33.6% Vs 9.8% respectively) and acceptance attitude towards PLWHA (28.4% vs. 3.2%, respectively) was low. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that age, residence, education, religion, marital status and wealth index were significant associates with HIV/AIDS knowledge. Similarly, age, education, religion, marital status, wealth index and HIV/AIDS knowledge showed significant associations with acceptance attitude towards PLWHA. After controlling the confounding variables, higher HIV/AIDS knowledge (OR 1.09, 95% C.I 1.01-1.17) and acceptance attitude towards PLWHA women (OR2.54, 95% C.I 2.17-2.98) was observed among young women in Nigeria than in DRC. Conclusion: Increased HIV/AIDS awareness was observed. However the level knowledge on HIV/AIDS and positive attitude towards PLWHA was very low. Hence educational intervention programs to increase the knowledge of the young women on the epidemic are highly needed.
Food Security and Climate Change: Role of Plant Genetic Resources of Minor Millets

Recent climate modeling findings regarding climate change in South Asia warn against the impact that predicted modifications in monsoon dynamics will create in the region by the end of this century, including fewer summer precipitations and longer breaks between rainy periods. Rice and wheat cultivation are expected to be affected in terms of cultivation patterns and yield reduction. Such a scenario calls for urgent and strategic interventions towards adaptive agricultural measures that while ensuring a continued food production to an ever growing population, will buffer populations against the threats of climate change. A great ally to that end is represented by the plant genetic resources of minor millets that are well suited to enhance resilience of local production systems and strengthen food and nutrition security, particularly among the rural poor. In case of India, the largest grower of minor millets in the world, the cultivation of these small-seeded millets, has declined steadily over the past few decades due to their lower economic competitiveness with major commodity cereals. Finger millet, kodo millet, foxtail millet, little millet, proso millet and barnyard millet, have a wide genetic adaptation and are able to grow successfully in diverse soils, varying rainfall regimes, diverse photoperiods and in marginal, arid and mountainous terrains where major cereals have low success. They have the potential to thrive with low inputs and can withstand severe edapho-climatic stresses, thus being the best candidates to replace commodities like wheat and rice in areas where such crops may gradually become less competitive due to climate change. These qualities are combined with excellent nutritional values and opportunities for strengthening income generation through value addition.
Bifurcation analysis of an agent-based model for predator–prey interactions

The Rosenzweig-MacArthur model is a set of ordinary di ﬀ erential equations (ODEs) that provides an aggregate description of the dynamics of a predator–prey system. When including an Allee e ﬀ ect on the prey, this model exhibits bistability and contains a pitchfork bifurcation, a Hopf bifurcation and a heteroclinic bifurcation. We develop an agent-based model (ABM) on a two-dimensional, square lattice that encompasses the key assumptions of the aggregate model. Although the two modelling approaches – ODE and ABM – di ﬀ er, both models exhibit similar bifurcation patterns. The ABM model’s behaviour is richer and it is analysed using advanced statistical methods. In particular, singular spectrum analysis is used to robustly locate the transition between apparently random, small-amplitude ﬂuctuations around a ﬁxed point and stable, large-amplitude oscillations. Critical slowing down of model trajectories anticipates the heteroclinic bifurcation. Systematic comparison between the ABM and the ODE models’ behaviour helps one understand the predator–prey system better; it provides guidance in model exploration and allows one to draw more robust conclusions on the nature of predator–prey interactions.
Determinants of Milk Value Addition by Farm Households in Jimma Zone of Southwestern Ethiopia

Value addition has a particular importance for dairy producers in that it enables processing into some less perishable products like butter and local cheese. The study was undertaken with the objective of identifying determinants of milk value addition by farm households in Jimma zone of southwestern Ethiopia. Using survey data from 238 dairy households and Tobit regression model, determinants of participation decision and level of participation were analyzed. The result indicated that age, education level of household head, number of children under age of six, access to labour force and extended shelf life were found to be determinant of participation in milk value addition. The finding implies that paying special attention for aged households will have positive effect on participation decision and expanding rural education and arranging mechanism for experience sharing among experienced and younger farmers would have a positive effect. Therefore expanding rural education and arranging social events to share experience among dairy farmers should be encouraged to enhance dairy value addition and providing training on proper management and utilization of labour force and on the way of adding value on their product by extending their shelf life without compromising the quality of the product is important for milk producers.
Evaluating the Adoption of Enterprise Applications by Small and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka

Adoption of information and communication technology has various factors’ influence; Enterprise Applications’ (EAs) adoption is not an exception. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that share around 80 percent of Sri Lankan economy also confront the same kind of influence from various factors. Although the adoption of EAs brings various advantages for such enterprises, many firms are reluctant to make adoption decision. Vendors of such applications would be willing to know about which factors to address to motivate these SMEs’ to adopt their applications. This study aims to delineate the factors influencing SMEs’ adoption of EAs. Many adoption models have been studied in many contexts by researchers; however, these studies address selected fragmented variables. In order to provide a holistic view of factors influencing such adoption by SMEs, this study used Technology, Organization and Environment (TOE) framework. Population for this study is from the North and the Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. Analysis revealed that technological, organizational and environmental factors significantly influence SMEs’ adoption of EA. Keywords: Small and Medium Enterprises, Enterprise Applications, Adoption, TOE Framework, Sri Lanka
Monoclonal Antibodies and Its Clinical Aspects Mohamadu

With the emergence of various developments in determining pathophysiology behind diseases, emergence of resistance against diseases and the need to design an effective treatment against most common infectious and non-infectious diseases, the need of developing more effective drug comes under the limelight. At present, more studies are being carried out on the utilization of monoclonal antibodies as successful therapeutic agents. This include conditions which affect livelihood of people, the most common an widespread diseases, infectious diseases caused by more virulent or drug-resistant microorganisms and viruses and also inherited diseases. Current review thus targets cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, hypercholesterolemia, ophthalmology and infectious diseases and briefly discusses the pathophysiology behind the mode of action of the therapeutic agents based on monoclonal antibodies and the benefits and drawbacks of such developed agents. This also focuses on the areas where studies can be carried out to determine effective use of monoclonal antibodies in the future to answer and treat major medical related issues. This review was done using the available literature on Monoclonal antibodies and its application through web and PubMed searches. According to our results, Monoclonal antibodies plays a major role as clinical and therapeutic agent in curing both communicable and non-communicable diseases. J Pharm Care 2017; 5(1-2): 29-36. jpc.tums. ac.ir ► Please cite this paper as: Shafras M, Rafeek R.A. M, Pant G. Monoclonal Antibodies and Its Clinical Aspects. J Pharm Care 2017; 5(1-2): 29-36.
Polar Bear ( Ursus maritimus ) Behavior near Icebreaker Operations in the Chukchi Sea, 1991

Increasing interactions of polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) with human activity, combined with impacts of climate change, are of critical concern for the conservation of the species. Our study quantifies and describes initial reactions and behaviors of polar bears observed from an icebreaker during summer 1991 at two exploratory drilling sites (near sites drilled in 2015) located in the Chukchi Sea 175 km and 312 km west of Barrow, Alaska. Polar bear behavior was described using continuous sampling of six predetermined focal group behavior states (walking, running, swimming, resting, feeding or foraging, unknown) and six behavioral reaction events (no reaction, walking away, running away, approaching, vigilance [i.e., watching], unknown). Forty-six bears in 34 groups were monitored from the Robert LeMeur (an Arctic Class 3 icebreaker) for periods of five minutes to 16.1 hours. Significantly more bear groups reacted to icebreaker presence (79%) than not (21%), but no relationship was found between their reactions and distance to or activity of the icebreaker. Reactions were generally brief; vigilance was the most commonly observed reaction, followed by walking or running away for short (< 5 minutes) periods and distances (< 500 m). Eleven percent of bear groups approached the vessel. No significant difference was found between reactions when cubs were present and those when cubs were absent. Despite the limited sample sizes, these findings are relevant to assessing potential impacts of resource development and shipping activities on polar bears, especially given the sparsity of such information in the face of growing human activity in the Arctic offshore areas. Overall, climate change is leading to longer and more extensive open-water seasons in the Arctic and therefore to increasing marine traffic—more vessels (including icebreakers) for a longer time each year over a wider area.
Morphological lodge of desi cotton (gossypium arboreum l.) genotypes and stage-manage by planting log under dry tropical prospect

Karim Jan, Muhammad Waseem, Dost Mohammad Baloch, Abdul Hameed Baloch, Mustajab A. Khan, Taimoor Khan, Muhammad Rashid, Qurban Ali Faculty of Agriculture, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Science, Uthal, Lasbela, Pakistan Department of Soil Science, Balochistan Agriculture College, Quetta, Pakistan Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Multi-scale occupancy estimation and modelling using multiple detection methods

Summary 1. Occupancy estimation and modelling based on detection‐nondetection data provide an effective way of exploring change in a species’ distribution across time and space in cases where the species is not always detected with certainty. Today, many monitoring programmes target multiple species, or life stages within a species, requiring the use of multiple detection methods. When multiple methods or devices are used at the same sample sites, animals can be detected by more than one method. 2. We develop occupancy models for multiple detection methods that permit simultaneous use of data from all methods for inference about method-specific detection probabilities. Moreover, the approach permits estimation of occupancy at two spatial scales: the larger scale corresponds to species’ use of a sample unit, whereas the smaller scale corresponds to presence of the species at the local sample station or site. 3. We apply the models to data collected on two different vertebrate species: striped skunks Mephitis mephitis and red salamanders Pseudotriton ruber . For striped skunks, large-scale occupancy estimates were consistent between two sampling seasons. Small-scale occupancy probabilities were slightly lower in the late winter/spring when skunks tend to conserve energy, and movements are limited to males in search of females for breeding. There was strong evidence of method-specific detection probabilities for skunks. As anticipated, large- and small-scale occupancy areas completely overlapped for red salamanders. The analyses provided weak evidence of method-specific detection probabilities for this species. 4. Synthesis and applications. Increasingly, many studies are utilizing multiple detection methods at sampling locations. The modelling approach presented here makes efficient use of detections from multiple methods to estimate occupancy probabilities at two spatial scales and to compare detection probabilities associated with different detection methods. The models can be viewed as another variation of Pollock’s robust design and may be applicable to a wide variety of scenarios where species occur in an area but are not always near the sampled locations. The estimation approach is likely to be especially useful in multispecies conservation programmes by providing efficient estimates using multiple detection devices and by providing device-specific detection probability estimates for use in survey design.
Exploring the Preservice Science Teachers ’ Written Argumentation Skills : the Global Climate Change

The pedagogical methods and techniques used in teacher training programs are important tools to graduate qualified teachers. Argumentation, which is known as evidence based scientific discussions, is one of the most widely used tools in national and international literature. The aim of the present study is to explore the quality of Preservice Science Teachers (PSTs) scientific reports those were written by using online course documents regarding the climate change issue. The qualitative research method guided the present study. The effects of climate change on the Earth were explored in four sub-dimensions which are; glacier melting, drought, disasters and immigrations, endangered species. In order to examine the PST’s nature of written argumentation, a rubric, developed by Kelly, Regev, and Prothero (2007), was used. The results of this study indicate that, PSTs’ written argumentation tends to improve. The current study provides an initial picture of the argumentation writing practices of PSTs.
Bio-Inspired Real-Time Prediction of Human Locomotion for Exoskeletal Robot Control

Human motion detection is of fundamental importance for control of human–robot coupled systems such as exoskeletal robots. Inertial measurement units have been widely used for this purpose, although delay is a major challenge for inertial measurement unit-based motion capture systems. In this paper, we use previous and current inertial measurement unit readings to predict human locomotion based on their kinematic properties. Human locomotion is a synergetic process of the musculoskeletal system characterized by smoothness, high nonlinearity, and quasi-periodicity. Takens’ reconstruction method can well characterize quasi-periodicity and nonlinear systems. With Takens’ reconstruction framework, we developed improving methods, including Gaussian coefficient weighting and offset correction (which is based on the smoothness of human locomotion), Kalman fusion with complementary joint data prediction and united source of historical embedding generation (which is synergy-inspired), and Kalman fusion with the Newton-based method with a velocity and acceleration high-gain observer (also based on smoothness). After thorough analysis of the parameters and the effect of these improving techniques, we propose a novel prediction method that possesses the combined advantages of parameter robustness, high accuracy, trajectory smoothness, zero dead time, and adaptability to irregularities. The proposed methods were tested and validated by experiments, and the real-time applicability in a human locomotion capture system was also validated.