Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urban Land-Use Dynamics in the Niger Delta: The Case of Greater Port Harcourt Watershed

Cities in developing countries are urbanising at a rapid rate, resulting in substantial pressures on environmental systems. Among the main factors that lead to flooding, controlling land-use change offers the greatest scope for the management of risk. However, traditional analysis of a “from–to” change matrix is not adequate to provide information of all the land-use changes that occur in a watershed. In this study, an in-depth analysis of land-use change enabled us to quantify the bulk of the changes accumulating from swap changes in a tropical watershed. This study assessed the historical and future land-use/land-cover (LULC) dynamics in the River State region of the Niger Delta. Land-use classification and change detection analysis was conducted using multi-source (Landsat TM, ETM, polygon map, and hard copy) data of the study area for 1986, 1995, and 2003, and projected conditions in 2060. The key findings indicate that historical urbanisation was rapid; urban expansion could increase by 80% in 2060 due to planned urban development; and 95% of the conversions to urban land occurred chiefly at the expense of agricultural land. Urban land was dominated by net changes rather than swap changes, which in the future could amplify flood risk and have other severe implications for the watershed.
Information System Challenge on Performance Measurement Data in Indonesian Public Hospitals

According to Ministry of Internal Affairs Regulation [1], there are two sets of performance measurements data which apply to public hospitals as Local General Services Bodies (Badan Layanan Umum Daerah/BLUD): financial data and nonfinancial data on performance measurements. As public hospitals, public hospitals are owned by different levels of government that provide different levels of funding for the services offered by each hospital. There are differences in the scope of services due to the class of each hospital and each hospital’s strategic management. However, each public hospital has the ability and creativity to maintain quality in services and activities based on their own strategic management and governance as a Local General Services Body. The aim of this study is to understand the cycle of data collecting and reporting processes on performance measurement data in public hospitals. A qualitative approach and a multiple case study design are used to enable the exploration of the data gathering practices and processes on performance measurement data of the four public hospitals. Results show the four public hospitals use financial data (such as revenue growth, cost trends and financial statements), and non-financial data (such as administrative and clinical performance), to measure their performance. The four public hospitals in this study face similar difficulties in the collecting of financial data, such as in relation to the preparation of financial statements. On the other hand, each of the four public hospitals has well-developed abilities to processes non-financial data, such as coverage of health services, epidemic infectious diseases and the maternal mortality rate, in decision-making processes. Keywords— information, system, performance, measurement,
Rearrangements in steady vortex flows with circulation

It is shown that a steady two-dimensional flow, in which a finite vortex is in equilibrium with the irrotational flow past an obstacle, can be ontained as the solution of a variational problem in the class of rearrangements of a fixed function in L p . The main step is to establish a bound on the support of the vorticity. The advantage of this approach, as in the recent works of Burton, Benjamin, and Auchmuty, is that the profile function of the vorticity is determined by the rearrangement class in which solutions are sought
Coseismic displacements of the 14 November 2016 M w 7.8 Kaikoura, New Zealand, earthquake using the Planet optical cubesat constellation

Abstract. Satellite measurements of coseismic displacements are typically based on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry or amplitude tracking, or based on optical data such as from Landsat, Sentinel-2, SPOT, ASTER, very high-resolution satellites, or air photos. Here, we evaluate a new class of optical satellite images for this purpose – data from cubesats. More specific, we investigate the PlanetScope cubesat constellation for horizontal surface displacements by the 14 November 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikoura, New Zealand, earthquake. Single PlanetScope scenes are 2–4 m-resolution visible and near-infrared frame images of approximately 20–30 km × 9–15 km in size, acquired in continuous sequence along an orbit of approximately 375–475 km height. From single scenes or mosaics from before and after the earthquake, we observe surface displacements of up to almost 10 m and estimate matching accuracies from PlanetScope data between ±0.25 and ±0.7 pixels (∼ ±0.75 to ±2.0 m), depending on time interval and image product type. Thereby, the most optimistic accuracy estimate of ±0.25 pixels might actually be typical for the final, sun-synchronous, and near-polar-orbit PlanetScope constellation when unrectified data are used for matching. This accuracy, the daily revisit anticipated for the PlanetScope constellation for the entire land surface of Earth, and a number of other features, together offer new possibilities for investigating coseismic and other Earth surface displacements and managing related hazards and disasters, and complement existing SAR and optical methods. For comparison and for a better regional overview we also match the coseismic displacements by the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake using Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 data.
The transient response of global-mean precipitation to increasing carbon dioxide levels

The transient response of global-mean precipitation to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels of 1% yr − 1 is investigated in 13 fully coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) and compared to a period of stabilization. During the period of stabilization, when carbon dioxide levels are held constant at twice their unperturbed level and the climate left to warm, precipitation increases at a rate of ∼ 2.4% per unit of global-mean surface-air-temperature change in the AOGCMs. However, when carbon dioxide levels are increasing, precipitation increases at a smaller rate of ∼ 1.5% per unit of global-mean surface-air-temperature change. This difference can be understood by decomposing the precipitation response into an increase from the response to the global surface-temperature increase (and the climate feedbacks it induces), and a fast atmospheric response to the carbon dioxide radiative forcing that acts to decrease precipitation. According to the multi-model mean, stabilizing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide would lead to a greater rate of precipitation change per unit of global surface-temperature change.
Swarming modulatory effects of some amino acids on Proteus strains from Lagos, Nigeria

Swarming motility, a multicellular behaviour characterized by periodic concentric growth on solid media has severally been reported as a constraint in the clinical investigation of mixed- culture infections involving Proteus and as a requirement for virulence. While media are being formulated to restrain swarming in this organism, the roles played by amino acids in the biogenesis of swarming have not been fully clarified. The effects of 20 amino acids on swarming, extracellular protease activity, cellular RNA level and total protein concentration in 20 clinical Proteus strains from Lagos, Nigeria were investigated. At 0.5mM concentration, glutamine, serine, and methionine were the only amino acids found to enhance swarming motility on M9 minimal medium (7.1-11.3 mm), cause significant increases in protease activity (33.7-48.3 units/ml), total protein concentration (22.5-28.6 mg/ml) and cellular RNA concentration (192.8-264.7 g/ml) when compared to values obtained for other 17 amino acids (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the amino acid induced swarming in these strains was found to vary directly and significantly (P < 0.05) with protease activity and cellular RNA concentration. The exclusion of methionine, serine and glutamine when supplementing antiswarming media for clinical investigation of Proteus - associated polymicrobial infections in Nigeria is suggested.
Menelusur Ketimpangan Distribusi Pendapatan Kabupaten dan Kota

Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan merupakan provinsi dengan output (PDRB) terbesar. Namun disaat yang sama, distribusi pendapatan di Sulawesi Selatan justru semakin timpang. Dilihat dari gini ratio, berada pada ketimpangan yang cukup mengkhawatirkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh desentralisasi fiskal, aglomerasi, tingkat pengganguran terbuka, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia dan jumlah penduduk terhadap disparitas distribusi pendapatan di kabupaten/kota Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Analisis data menggunakan regresi panel dengan data time series selama 6 tahun dan data cross section 24 kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan selama periode penelitian 2010-2015, terjadi ketimpangan pembangunan yang tidak cukup signifikan berdasarkan Indeks Williamson, sedangkan menurut Indeks entropi Theil, ketimpangan pembangunan boleh dikatakan kecil yang berarti masih terjadinya pemerataan pembangunan setiap tahunnya selama periode pengamatan. Sebagai akibatnya tidak terbuktinya hipotesis Kuznets di Kabupaten/kota Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan yang mengatakan adanya kurva U terbalik. Variabel desentralisasi fiskal, aglomerasi, tingkat pengangguran terbuka, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia, dan jumlah penduduk, secara simultan berpengaruh terhadap disparitas distribusi pendapatan antar kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Desentralisasi fiskal dan aglomerasi tidak berpengaruh signifikan, sedangkan tingkat pengangguran terbuka, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia dan jumlah penduduk berpengaruh signifikan terhadap disparitas distribusi pendapatan antar kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Kata Kunci : Desentralisasi fiskal, Aglomerasi, Tingkat Pengganguran Terbuka, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia dan Jumlah Penduduk
How useful is growth literature for policies in the developing countries?

Growth literature has focused mainly on the long-term growth outcomes, but policy makers of the developing economies need rapid improvements in the short- to medium-term growth rates. In this article, we argue that this widening gap can be reduced by distinguishing between the short- to medium-term growth effects of policies from their long-run growth effects. With data from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, we show that an extended Solow (1956) model can narrow this gap. We find that the short to medium term growth effects of an increase in the investment ratio are quite significant and persist for up to 10 years.
Simultaneous satellite observations of IO and BrO over Antarctica

Abstract. This article reports on satellite observations of iodine monoxide (IO) and bromine monoxide (BrO). The region of interest is Antarctica in the time between spring and autumn. Both molecules, IO and BrO, are reactive halogen species and strongly influence tropospheric composition. As a result, a better understanding of their spatial distribution and temporal evolution is necessary to assess accurately their role in tropospheric chemistry. Especially in the case of IO, information on its present magnitude, spatial distribution patterns and source regions is still sparse. The present study is based on six years of SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY) data recorded in nadir viewing geometry. Multi-year averages of monthly mean IO columns are presented and compared to the distributions of BrO. Influences of the IO air mass factor and the IO absorption cross section temperature dependence on the absolute vertical columns are discussed. The long-term observations of IO and BrO columns yield new insight into the temporal and spatial variation of IO above the Antarctic region. The occurrence of IO on Antarctic sea ice in late spring (November) is discovered and presented. In addition, the comparison between IO and BrO distributions show many differences, which argues for different mechanisms and individual nature of the release of the two halogen oxide precursors. The state of the ecosystem, in particular the changing condition of the sea ice in late spring, is used to explain the observations of the IO behaviour over Antarctica and the differences between IO and BrO distributions.
Is there a 60‐year oscillation in global mean sea level?

We examine long tide gauge records in every ocean basin to examine whether a quasi 60‐year oscillation observed in global mean sea level (GMSL) reconstructions reflects a true global oscillation, or an artifact associated with a small number of gauges. We find that there is a significant oscillation with a period around 60‐years in the majority of the tide gauges examined during the 20th Century, and that it appears in every ocean basin. Averaging of tide gauges over regions shows that the phase and amplitude of the fluctuations are similar in the North Atlantic, western North Pacific, and Indian Oceans, while the signal is shifted by 10 years in the western South Pacific. The only sampled region with no apparent 60‐year fluctuation is the Central/Eastern North Pacific. The phase of the 60‐year oscillation found in the tide gauge records is such that sea level in the North Atlantic, western North Pacific, Indian Ocean, and western South Pacific has been increasing since 1985–1990. Although the tide gauge data are still too limited, both in time and space, to determine conclusively that there is a 60‐year oscillation in GMSL, the possibility should be considered when attempting to interpret the acceleration in the rate of global and regional mean sea level rise.
Intellectual Property Rights and the WTO: A Southern Perspective

1. Introduction 1.1. Forms of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) The concept of intellectual property is far from being a recent one. Even in the times of the Middle Ages, merchants were often granted exclusive rights to inventions via « letters of patent ». In fact, the modern patent system may be traced directly back to a statute passed in Venice in 1474. The most common forms of IPRs, currently in vogue, are the following: patents; copyrights; trademarks; trade secrets and plant breeders r.
Effects of Tidal Events on the Water Quality in the Merbok Estuary, Kedah, Malaysia

This study was carried out to observe effects of tidal events on the water quality parameters at Merbok estuary, Kedah, Malaysia. Twenty four hours sampling were conducted at Station 1, 2 and 3 from 12 th November (spring tide) to 3 rd December (neap tide) 2011 on weekly interval. Results showed that water quality parameters varied with the following ranges: temperature (26.10 - 30.7 ° C), pH (6.29 - 7.22), dissolved oxygen (0.65 - 5.48 mgL -1 ), salinity (0.50 – 35PSU), nitrate (0.037 - 0.647mgL -1 ), nitrite (0.09 - 0.36 mgL -1 ), ammonia – N (0.03 - 3.05 mgL -1 ), phosphate (0.03 - 0.10mgL -1 ). Kruskal Wallis H test showed that water quality parameters were significantly different among sampling stations (p<0.01). Mann-Whitney U test result showed that water quality parameters were significantly different between spring and neap tides (p<0.01) except temperature and nitrate. Parameters such as temperature, salinity, nitrate, ammonia – N and phosphate recorded higher in spring tide while, DO, pH and nitrite were higher in neap tide. J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 15-19 2015
Pathways to university: Enabling factors in construction management education in Australia

Past Australian and international research has shown that many students find transition and navigating pathways from vocational education to university difficult. This paper proposes a framework for evaluating the success of these pathways in construction management education. Students enrolled in undergraduate degree courses responded to a questionnaire on the nature of their experiences in vocational education and how this impacted on their decision to articulate to university. The survey covered a sample of three universities across Australia. The results showed that students generally had positive experiences, but that some pathways had better outcomes than others. Utilising an existing outreach-developed matrix the research identified three factors that were good measures of the success of pathways models. The paper concludes by suggesting that universities need a greater awareness of the impact of transition issues for their pathways students. This research is significant in that it considers pathways as an organised and systematic process, which is capable of being defined and measured.
The Influence of Spiritual Leadership on Spiritual Well-Being and Job Satisfaction: A Conceptual Framework

This study offers a conceptual framework which relates the influence of spiritual leadership on employees spiritual well-being and job satisfaction. Spiritual leadership is a relatively new concept in leadership literature. It aims to intrinsically motivate the leaders and the followers for their spiritual well-being. Job satisfaction is a critical concept with various antecedents and consequences. The situational and dispositional factors or the combination of both factors determine the level of satisfaction of the employees toward their job. How the leaders spiritual leadership influences employees spiritual well-being; and its relationship with the employees job satisfaction are discussed. The framework suggests that spiritual leadership is directly influences employees spiritual well-being and job satisfaction. It is also hypothesized that spiritual well-being is also directly influences job satisfaction and mediates the influence of spiritual leadership on job satisfaction.
Volcanic forcing for climate modeling: a new microphysics-based data set covering years 1600–present

Abstract. As the understanding and representation of the impacts of volcanic eruptions on climate have improved in the last decades, uncertainties in the stratospheric aerosol forcing from large eruptions are now linked not only to visible optical depth estimates on a global scale but also to details on the size, latitude and altitude distributions of the stratospheric aerosols. Based on our understanding of these uncertainties, we propose a new model-based approach to generating a volcanic forcing for general circulation model (GCM) and chemistry–climate model (CCM) simulations. This new volcanic forcing, covering the 1600–present period, uses an aerosol microphysical model to provide a realistic, physically consistent treatment of the stratospheric sulfate aerosols. Twenty-six eruptions were modeled individually using the latest available ice cores aerosol mass estimates and historical data on the latitude and date of eruptions. The evolution of aerosol spatial and size distribution after the sulfur dioxide discharge are hence characterized for each volcanic eruption. Large variations are seen in hemispheric partitioning and size distributions in relation to location/date of eruptions and injected SO2 masses. Results for recent eruptions show reasonable agreement with observations. By providing these new estimates of spatial distributions of shortwave and long-wave radiative perturbations, this volcanic forcing may help to better constrain the climate model responses to volcanic eruptions in the 1600–present period. The final data set consists of 3-D values (with constant longitude) of spectrally resolved extinction coefficients, single scattering albedos and asymmetry factors calculated for different wavelength bands upon request. Surface area densities for heterogeneous chemistry are also provided.
Comparative study of cord blood hematological profile of neonates born to mothers with and without pregnancy-induced hypertension: A prospective case–control study

Background: The neonates born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are prone to have abnormalities in their umbilical cord blood hematology. However, the exact pattern of the derangements and their clinical correlations has not been defined. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the hematological profile of cord blood of neonates born to mothers with and without PIH (gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia), and to evaluate short-term clinical outcomes in the two groups. Methods: A prospective case–control study was done on cord blood of 155 neonates born to mothers with PIH (cases) and compared with that of 155 neonates born to normotensive mothers (controls). 2 ml cord blood was collected at birth and was analyzed for - hemoglobin (Hb), various red cell indices including nucleated red blood cell (NRBC), reticulocyte count, total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), platelet count, and cord blood smear examination. The cases and controls were followed up during their hospital stay for the clinical outcome. Results: The mean red cell distribution width, NRBC, and reticulocyte count in cases were 14.64±2.14%, 11.18±2.33/100 white blood cells (WBCs) and 5.18±0.49% as compared with 11.84±0.78%, 4.32±1.32/100 WBCs, and 3.83±3.59% in controls (p 1 (1.64), with a significant increase in mortality as compared to controls. Conclusions: PIH increased the RR of sepsis (although not significantly) and mortality rate in the neonate, which can be related to cord blood hematological profile findings of leukopenia, absolute neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, and increased NRBC count.
Effects of an eccentric training programme on hamstring strain injuries in women football players

Summary Study aim: to test the hypothesis that an eccentric training programme applied on women football players would reduce the hamstring injury rate by improving thigh muscle balance and, particularly, hamstring strength. Material and methods: three football teams were recruited for this randomised controlled trial. They played in the first and second divisions in Spain. Players were randomised within clubs either to the intervention (eccentric exercises, n = 22) or control (control exercises, n = 21) groups, and randomisation was stratified according to previous history of thigh strains. The eccentric programme was divided into 3 phases, and each phase was composed of 7 weeks. Compliance level and all injuries were recorded throughout the season as well as training and game exposure times. Muscle strength and power of the lower extremities and flexibility of the hamstrings and lower back were measured before and after the intervention. Results: the risk for sustaining a hamstring strain (RSHS) was reduced by 81%. However, differences were not significant due to the low number of subjects (relative risk 0.19; 95% coefficient interval 0.02–1.50). The strength of the hamstrings decreased in both groups (p < 0.05), whereas sprint time was improved only in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the present findings suggest that a simple program of eccentric exercise could reduce RSHS.