Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How climate model biases skew the distribution of iceberg meltwater

The discharge of icebergs into the polar oceans is expected to increase over the coming century, which raises the importance of accurate representations of icebergs in global climate models (GCMs) used for future projections. Here we analyze the prospects for interactive icebergs in GCMs by forcing an iceberg drift and decay model with circulation and temperature fields from (i) state‐of‐the‐art GCM output and (ii) an observational state estimate. The spread of meltwater is found to be smaller for the GCM than for the observational state estimate, despite a substantial high wind bias in the GCM—a bias that is similar to most current GCMs. We argue that this large‐scale reduction in the spread of meltwater occurs primarily due to localized differences in ocean currents, which may be related to the coarseness of the horizontal resolution in the GCM. The high wind bias in the GCM is shown to have relatively little impact on the meltwater distribution, despite Arctic iceberg drift typically being dominated by the wind forcing. We find that this is due to compensating effects between faster drift under stronger winds and larger wind‐driven wave erosion. These results may have implications for future changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation simulated with iceberg‐enabled GCMs.
The Influence of Three Teaching Methods on Undergraduate Physics Students' Group Work Skills

The purpose of this study is to compare the influence of three teaching methods, as represented by problem-based learning (PBL), the PBL with lecture method, and the conventional teaching on undergraduate physics students' group work skills among bachelor’s degree physics students. In this study, the preand post-test were done and the instruments were administered to the students for data collection. The actual sample size comprises of 122 students, who were selected randomly from the Physics Department, College of Education in Iraq. Overall, the statistical results rejected null hypothesis of this study. Thus, using the PBL without or with lecture method enhances the skills of the group work among the bachelor’s degree physics students, better than using the conventional teaching.
EFFECTS OF FIRE AND HERBIVORY ON THE STABILITY OF SAVANNA ECOSYSTEMS

Savanna ecosystems are characterized by the co-occurrence of trees and grass- es. In this paper, we argue that the balance between trees and grasses is, to a large extent, determined by the indirect interactive effects of herbivory and fire. These effects are based on the positive feedback between fuel load (grass biomass) and fire intensity. An increase in the level of grazing leads to reduced fuel load, which makes fire less intense and, thus, less damaging to trees and, consequently, results in an increase in woody vegetation. The system then switches from a state with trees and grasses to a state with solely trees. Similarly, browsers may enhance the effect of fire on trees because they reduce woody biomass, thus indirectly stimulating grass growth. This consequent increase in fuel load results in more intense fire and increased decline of biomass. The system then switches from a state with solely trees to a state with trees and grasses. We maintain that the interaction between fire and herbivory provides a mechanistic explanation for observed discontinuous changes in woody and grass biomass. This is an alternative for the soil degradation mechanism, in which there is a positive feedback between the amount of grass biomass and the amount of water that infiltrates into the soil. The soil degradation mechanism predicts no discontinuous chang- es, such as bush encroachment, on sandy soils. Such changes, however, are frequently ob- served. Therefore, the interactive effects of fire and herbivory provide a more plausible explanation for the occurrence of discontinuous changes in savanna ecosystems.
Migration-enhanced epitaxy of thin GaAsBi layers

Thin GaAsBi layers and bismide-based multiple quantum structures were grown by migration-enhanced epitaxy onto GaAs(100) substrates at 140–240 °C temperatures. The Bi content in GaAs, evaluated from high-resolution X-ray diffraction scans, varied from 2.5 to 10.3% depending on growth temperature, Bi and As atomic ratio as well as on the sequence of Ga, Bi, and As molecular supplies. The atomic force microscopy revealed a tendency of smoothening of the GaAsBi surface with substrate temperature decreasing. Transmission electron microscopy investigations evidenced high crystalline material quality of GaAsBi quantum wells and GaAs barriers.
Quasihomeomorphisms and lattice equivalent topological spaces

This paper deals with lattice-equivalence of topologica lspaces. We are concerned with two questions: the first one is when two topological spaces are lattice equivalent; the second one is what additional conditions have to be imposed on lattice equivalent spaces in order that they be homeomorphic. We give a contribution to the study of these questions. Many results of Thron [Lattice-equivalence of topological spaces, Duke Math. J. 29 (1962), 671-679] are recovered, clarified and commented.
Influence of Capital Structure on Leverage of Small and Medium Size Enterprises in Kenya

An extremely essential element for start-ups and growing businesses to achieve is the availability of capital. There are always obstacles for SMEs to raise sufficient external finance to meet their needs. In Kenya SMEs have high collapse rate. Researches on the SMEs capital structure clearly show that there is a massive difference between SMEs financing behavior and their large counterparts. Therefore the study seeks to find out whether the mortality of SMEs in Kenya is caused by Capital Structure on the leverage of the firm. The study variables include: firm size, firm profitability, firm age, firm risk and firm asset structure. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The study was conducted on the SMEs in Nairobi. The population comprises of 4300 SMEs. Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used to select the sample. The study grouped the population into the various sectors i.e. Manufacturing, Trading and Service sectors. From each sector the study used a proportion of 10% from each stratum to select 430 SMEs. Primary as well as secondary data was collected. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Secondary data was obtained from relevant literature review from studies, journals, magazines and the internet. The completed questionnaires was then tabulated, coded and processed by use of a computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation was used. Tables, pie charts, and graphs were used to present responses and facilitate comparison.
Foetal Ultrasound– A Study of Spina Bifida and Associated Anomalies in Rural Pregnant Women

Objective: To study the incidence and various types of associated anomalies and complications on obstetric ultrasound, in rural pregnant women. To reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality by early detection of these congenital neuroectodermal anomalies. To assist the obstetrician in taking decisions regarding the termination or continuation of the pregnancy in relation to the type of malformation and its prognosis. A prospective and retrospective study of spina bifida and its associated anomalies was done on 23,000 rural pregnant women coming to the Santhiram Medical College, Radiology Department for a routine obstetric scan. A total of 19 cases spina bifida were detected of which 2 cases were pure spina bifida without any complication, 14 cases had hydrocephalus and meningocele or myelomeningocele and 2 cases had meningocele without hydrocephalus. One case had anencephaly with an incidence of 1 per 1,111 cases. History of similar anomaly and intake of iron and folic acid tablets were noted. Ultrasound is an excellent modality for the diagnosis and characterisation of these neuroectodermal anomalies. Its multiplanar imaging property along with real-time image visualization makes it an excellent tool for the diagnosis and characterization of these anomalies. KEYWORDS: Congenital neuroectodermal anomalies, Spina bifida, Hydrocephalus, Meningocele, Myelomeningocele, Ultrasound, Anencephaly
Sustainable Business Practices and Stock Performance: A Study of BSE Greenex and its Constituents

This study aims at measuring performance of BSE Greenex vis-à-vis performances of BSE Sensex and BSE – 100 indices. The study also focuses on measuring performance of portfolio of constituents of BSE Greenex with the performances of the portfolio of their control companies, i.e. the companies which are comparable to the constituents of BSE Greenex but not part of the BSE Greenex. Six years monthly data from March 2012 to March 2018 were analyzed. The Sharpe’s, Treynor’s and Jenson’s performance indices are used for performance measurement of portfolios and indices. Statistical tests for equality of means and tests for paired differences were employed to test if the returns of both the portfolios differ significantly.The study found that performances of BSE Greenex and its constituent companies were not better than the performances of other indices and control companies.
Technical Note: The single particle soot photometer fails to reliably detect PALAS soot nanoparticles

Abstract. The single particle soot photometer (SP2) uses laser-induced incandescence (LII) for the measurement of atmospheric black carbon (BC) particles. The BC mass concentration is obtained by combining quantitative detection of BC mass in single particles with a counting efficiency of 100% above its lower detection limit. It is commonly accepted that a particle must contain at least several tenths of a femtogram BC in order to be detected by the SP2. Here we show the result that most BC particles from a PALAS spark discharge soot generator remain undetected by the SP2, even if their BC mass, as independently determined with an aerosol particle mass analyser (APM), is clearly above the typical lower detection limit of the SP2. Comparison of counting efficiency and effective density data of PALAS soot with flame generated soot (combustion aerosol standard burner, CAST), fullerene soot and carbon black particles (Cabot Regal 400R) reveals that particle morphology can affect the SP2's lower detection limit. PALAS soot particles are fractal-like agglomerates of very small primary particles with a low fractal dimension, resulting in a very low effective density. Such loosely packed particles behave like "the sum of individual primary particles" in the SP2's laser. Accordingly, most PALAS soot particles remain undetected as the SP2's laser intensity is insufficient to heat the primary particles to their vaporisation temperature because of their small size (Dpp ≈ 5–10 nm). Previous knowledge from pulsed laser-induced incandescence indicated that particle morphology might have an effect on the SP2's lower detection limit, however, an increase of the lower detection limit by a factor of ∼5–10, as reported here for PALAS soot, was not expected. In conclusion, the SP2's lower detection limit at a certain laser power depends primarily on the total BC mass per particle for compact particles with sufficiently high effective density. By contrast, the BC mass per primary particle mainly determines whether fractal-like particles with low fractal dimension and very small primary particles are detectable, while their total BC mass has only a minor influence. This effect shifts the lower detection limit to much higher BC mass, or makes them completely undetectable. Consequently, care has to be taken when using the SP2 in applications dealing with loosely packed particles that have very small primary particles as building blocks.
A Cough of Unknown Origin: An Often Serious, Unmet Clinical Problem

Coughing is a common symptom present in primary care. Results of epidemiologic surveys suggest that only a small fraction of patients with a cough seek medical care for this symptom. Typically, symptoms that have no identified cause such as the cough of unknown origin (CUO) is a serious clinical problem in internal medicine and is all too often connected to allergy backgrounds. Coughing in itself is a problem regardless of either a causative condition identified as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or gastroesophageal reflux, or its origin remains unknown. This article reviews our current understanding of the pathogenesis of coughing that characterizes a number of respiratory and non-respiratory diseases. A more in-depth knowledge in this field of international medicine is a condition for a more targeted clinical approach to the patient with CUO and helps contain health care costs while providing unquestionable benefits to the community. Finally, it is reported the most recent approach for the CUO’s treatment.
Liberalizing Foreign Trade in Developing Countries: The Lessons of Experience

The view that a liberal trade regime promotes economic growth and efficiency has won wide acceptance in recent years. The reason is simple. Many developing countries - for a variety of reasons, and in a variety of different circumstances - have successfully moved from highly restrictive trade regimes toward policies that cause fewer economic distortions. But although most economists now agree that trade liberalization works, until recently much less was known about the process through which a country makes the transition from a distorted trade regime toward a more liberal one. A recent study by the World Bank analyzed the course of liberalization in nineteen countries during thirty-six distinct episodes of reform. The study covered every attempt at significant trade reform undertaken by developing countries from World War II until as recently as 1984. This booklet summarizes the detailed results of the liberalization episodes which are presented by the authors of this booklet in a synthesis volume. This volume, one of a series of seven, also presents the formal testing of the various hypotheses and conclusions outlined in this booklet. The remaining sections of this booklet provide an account of the study's main findings.
A parametric study on RC existing buildings to compare different analysis methods considered in the European seismic code (EC8-3)

In the paper a parametric study on Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames representative of structural types widely present in the European building stock is carried out. Buildings designed only for vertical loads are considered, detailed adopting the simulated design procedure as described in (Masi, 2003) and introduced in the European code for the assessment and retrofitting of existing buildings (CEN, 2004). Structural types having different number of storeys (3 cases: 2, 4 and 8 storeys), presence and position of masonry infills (3 cases: bare, infilled and pilotis frames) are considered. The seismic response is evaluated by means of the linear and non-linear static analysis methods provided in the seismic code. The different performances obtained adopting different seismic action levels (4 cases: very low to high seismic zone), behaviour factors (4 cases, only for linear analysis), knowledge levels and confidence factors (3 cases), concrete strength (3 cases: 10, 18 and 28 MPa), are computed. The results are compared to understand the coherence of the analysis methods provided in the code, that is if they lead to equivalent results in respect of the limit states verification taking also into account the different complexity and accuracy of the adopted method. The role of some parameters on the performances is emphasized and an outline of the future developments of the study aimed at upgrading the current version of the code is provided.
Impact of Raindrop Characteristics on the Selective Detachment and Transport of Aggregate Fragments in the Loess Plateau of China

Soil aggregate breakdown and detachment due to raindrop splash cause crusting and interrill erosion. Although raindrop splash can cause the aggregate breakdown, this fundamental processes associated with the size of splashed raindrops and their distance interval remain unresolved. To determine the relations between splash raindrop size/distance and the soil aggregate detachment/transport in the Loess Plateau of China, simulated rainfalls were created by a self-designed raindrop generation device for six raindrop sizes (raindrop diameter, 2.67–5.45 mm) and five splash distances (range, 0–10 cm to 40–50 cm). The results showed that the relationship between the amount of splash detachment and the raindrop size increased in a positive linear trend (P < 0.05) and that the relationship between the amount of splash detachment and raindrop size was a significantly decreased exponential function (P < 0.05). A model was obtained to predict the amounts of splash detachment (M) for the raindrop sizes (D) and distance of splash detachment (S): M = 0. 741D⁴. ⁸⁴⁶ S⁻¹. ⁸²⁰ (P < 0.05; r² = 0.916). The size of the raindrop in a rainfall event was the direct driving force for the aggregate breakdown and dispersion: the greater the diameter of raindrops, the higher was the degree of aggregate breakdown and dispersion. The splash erosion for the aggregate fragment <0.053 mm was at a maximum with increases in raindrop diameter, which accounted for 33.46 to 72.02% of the total splash amount. The contents of microaggregate fragments of <0.25 mm were highest at each splash distance and accounted for 50.49 to 94.04% of the total splash amount. This showed that microaggregate dispersion and breakdown is important in soil surface sealing and pore clogging.
Production of Pouteria gardneriana (A. DC.) Radlk. seedlings on different substrates

The aim of this study was to evaluate growth characteristics, nutrition and seedling quality of guapeva produced on different substrates. The substrates used here included MecPlant®+rice husk (RH), fine vermiculite+subsoil+decomposed corn silage (FV+SB+DCS), and subsoil coarse sand composted cattle manure (SB+CS+CCM) at the ratios 7:3, 3:1:6, and 2:2:1, respectively, and FV+SB+RH at ratios 2:2:1 and 1:1:1; proportions are expressed on a volume basis. The following evaluations were performed 130 days after sowing: percentage of emerged seedlings; emergence speed index; stem length (SL), root collar diameter (RCD), number of leaves (NL), leaf area (LA), dry weight of the roots, stems and leaves and the whole plant; macro- and micronutrients in the leaves; ratios of SL and RCD (SL/RCD), SL and NL (SL/NL). A higher percentage of plants emerged and with greater vigor on the substrate MP+RH compared to SB+CS+CCM. The NL, LA, leaf dry weight and total plant dry weight were greater on the substrates that had DCS or CCM in their composition, but the other biometric characteristics were not affected by the different substrates. Substrates that had CCM or DCS also had the highest leaf concentrations of P, Ca, Mg, S and B. The foliar concentration of Mn was highest on the MP+RH substrate. The SL/RCD ratio was higher in the seedlings grown in substrates that included DCS and CCM in their composition, but these components yielded a lower R/S ratio. Overall, substrates with CCM and DCS favored guapeva seedling growth. Key words: Pouteria gardneriana (A. DC.) Radlk. , quality of seedlings, plant nutrition.
A Pattern Mining Approach for Identifying Identical Design Structures in Object Oriented Design Model

Object-oriented design patterns are frequently used in real-world applications. Detection of design patterns is essential for comprehension of the intent and design of a software project. This paper presents a graph approach for detecting design patterns. Our approach is based on searching input design patterns in the space of model graph of the source code by isomorphic sub graph search method. We developed a tool called DesPaD to apply our pattern detection approach in an automated-way. We successfully detected 23 GoF design patterns in the demo source code of the Applied Java Patterns book and also obtained encouraging results out of our experiments that we conducted on JUnit 3.8, JUnit 4.1 and Java AWT open source projects
Environmental Stressors: Is the Sperm Cell Vulnerable or Resilient?

The sperm is a unique cell, differing from other cells in physiology and function. It survives an arduous journey through male and female reproductive tracts, to ensure that an intact male genome reaches the site of fertilization. In addition, it has also been recognized to wield epigenetic control over early embryonic development. Environmental degradation over the past years has exposed the human sperm to myriads of toxicants which have adversely affected its structure and function. In correlation, there are reports of decline in sperm counts and fertility, although there is still no concrete evidence to substantiate these claims. Moreover population statistics in most developing nations do not conform to data of declining fertility. In addition there are certain researches, in agreement with our data of normal, fertile volunteers, which also suggest no change in semen characteristics or sperm numbers over the past three decades. These findings indicate that despite the barrage from environmental agents, spermatozoa have withstood the test of time and have emerged resilient. Hence, in addition to the manifold machinery that operate to protect the spermatozoa including toll-like receptors, anti-oxidants, heat shock proteins etc., there possibly exists an in-built, genetically programmed, population specific mechanism that reinforces its nuclear integrity to protect this cell from the onslaught of toxic influences. Research in this direction is underway at our laboratory and other research centers to delve into the enigma of sperm endurance.
Does the decline of red wood ants after clear-cutting favour epigeic arthropods?

In forest ecosystems in the temperate and boreal zones in Europe, red wood ants (RWA, Formica rufa group) have a significant affect as predators and competitors in communities of ground-dwelling arthropods. Therefore, the spatiotemporal distribution and abundance of RWA affect the distribution of many other species. The hypothesis that a reduction in the abundance of RWA in clear-cut areas enables other arthropods to increase in abundance was tested. The study was conducted in NW Poland in 2007 and 2008. A total of 276 1×1 m plots were sampled and 1,696 individuals recorded. The probability of the occurrence of RWA decreased significantly towards the center of clear-cut areas and increased with increasing plant cover. The frequency of Lasius platythorax, Formica fusca and spiders in the plots significantly increased towards the edge of a clear-cut area. Moreover, the occurrence of L. platythorax was negatively associated with the presence of RWA, while that of the Myrmica species was positively associated. The effect of the distance to the edge of a clear-cut area seems to be much more pronounced than the effect of RWA. This suggests that the arthropods studied prefer habitats close to the edge that are utilized by RWA than RWA-free sites located in the centre of clear-cut areas.