Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A fresh look at the heating mechanisms of the solar corona

Recently, using particle-in-cell simulations, i.e. in the kinetic plasma description, Tsiklauri et al and Génot et al reported on a discovery of a new mechanism of parallel electric field generation which results in electron acceleration. In this work we show that the parallel (to the uniform unperturbed magnetic field) electric field generation can be obtained in a much simpler framework using an ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) description, i.e. without resorting to complicated wave–particle interaction effects such as ion polarization drift and resulting space charge separation which seems to be an ultimate cause of the electron acceleration. In the ideal MHD the parallel (to the uniform unperturbed magnetic field) electric field appears due to fast magnetosonic waves which are generated by the interaction of weakly nonlinear Alfvén waves with transverse density inhomogeneity. Further, in the context of the coronal heating problem a new two-stage mechanism of the plasma heating is presented by putting emphasis firstly on the generation of parallel electric fields within ideal MHD description directly, rather than focusing on the enhanced dissipation mechanisms of the Alfvén waves and, secondly, dissipation of these parallel electric fields via kinetic effects. It is shown that for a single Alfvén wave harmonic with frequency ν = 7 Hz (which has longitudinal wavelength λA = 0.63 Mm for a putative Alfvén speed of 4328 km s−1), the generated parallel electric field could account for the 10% of the necessary coronal heating requirement. We conjecture that wide spectrum (10−4–103 Hz) Alfvén waves, based on an observationally constrained spectrum, could provide necessary coronal heating requirement. It is also shown that the amplitude of generated parallel electric field exceeds the Dreicer electric field by about four orders of magnitude, which implies realization of the runaway regime with the associated electron acceleration.
A time-varying approach to analysing fiscal policy and asset prices in South Africa

This paper studies the interplay of fiscal policy and asset prices in a time varying parameter VAR. Using South African data since 1966 we are able to study the dynamic shocks of both fiscal policy and asset prices on asset prices and fiscal policy. This enables us to isolate specific periods in time to understand the size and sign of the shocks. The results seem to suggest that at least two regimes exist in which expansionary fiscal policy affected asset prices. From the 1970's until 1990 fiscal expansions were associated with declining house and slightly increased stock prices. The majority of first decade of 2000 had asset prices increasing when fiscal policy expanded. On the other hand, increasing asset prices reduced deficits for the majority of the sample period, while the recent financial crises had a marked change on the way asset prices affect fiscal policy.
The theory of Realistic Mathematics Education as a theoretical framework for teaching low attainers in mathematics

This article recounts the process embarked on and reasons for selecting the theory of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) as the theoretical framework in a study carried out with low attaining learners. In the study an intervention for low attaining grade 8 mathematics learners was implemented in an attempt to improve the understanding of the participants with regard to place value, fractions and decimals, and to identify characteristics of this type of intervention and potential design principles that could be applied in similar interventions. In this article, the theoretical framework for the intervention is discussed and theoretical (rather than empirical) reasons for selecting the theory of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) for use with low attainers are put forward. From a literature review that looked at the teaching and learning of mathematics to learners who fall into the category of performing below the required standard, five common aspects emerged. Once these aspects had been identified, a theory in mathematics education was sought that encompassed these five aspects. The theory of RME was subsequently selected as the theoretical framework to drive the design and implementation of the intervention and is being suggested as a possible way forward for working with low attaining learners.
Do Surges in International Capital Inflows Influence the Likelihood of Banking Crises?

This article asks whether capital inflows bonanzas increase the probability of banking crises and whether this occurs through a lending boom mechanism. Results indicate that bonanzas more than triple the odds of a crisis, raising its probability to 14% (from an unconditional probability of 4%). This effect exists in the absence of a lending boom and is found in both net and gross inflows bonanzas. This effect is driven by portfolio‐equity and debt flows. While the effect of debt is channelled through excessive lending, the effect of portfolio‐equity flows is present even in the absence of a lending boom.
Formulation of Ceramic Water Filter Composition for the Treatment of Heavy Metals and Correction of Physiochemical Parameters in Household Water

The process of using ceramic water filter to remove contaminants and microbes in water processing is becoming more effective and popular among ceramists and homes in developing countries. However, ceramic filters are not known to treat heavy metals effectively. Therefore, this research work is targeted at developing ceramic water filter that is capable of removing heavy metals in water at household levels. The body composition is formulated with charcoal, saw dust, snail shell, glass cullet and clay so as to make it porous, remove microbes and treat heavy metals by adsorption process in the filter. The formulated bodies are shaped and fired to a temperature of (850oC - 900oC) and water is allowed to run through the material. Physiochemical and heavy metal test are conducted on the water and it is discovered that samples G and H have the highest flow rate and sample H is effective for the treatment of microbe and the removal of heavy metals in water with significant reduction in Zinc, Nickel, Manganese, Lead, Chromium and Copper. It also shows that the filter which is produced is effective for high correction of physiochemical parameters in household water treatment.
The time-course of talker-specificity and lexical competition effects during word learning

Three experiments examined the time-course of talker-specificity and lexical competition effects during spoken word learning. Talker-specificity effects depend on access to highly detailed lexical representations, whilst lexical competition may exploit more abstract representations. By tracking the time-courses of these effects concurrently we examined whether there was a common mechanism underlying their storage and retention. Talker-specificity effects on recognition of novel words were robust immediately after study and were generally stable over the course of a week. In contrast, lexical competition effects emerged only at delayed test points. This time-course dissociation supports a dual-system model of lexical processing in which episodic representations of new words are generated rapidly, but robust representations underlying lexical competition emerge only after a period of offline consolidation.
Seed germination and seedling emergence of three Artemisia species (Asteraceae) inhabiting desert sand dunes in China

Artemisia ordosica, A. arenaria and A. sphaerocephala are semi-shrubs inhabiting desert sand dunes in China and often used to rehabilitate desertified areas. Improvement of dune rehabilitation success by sowing requires better understanding of the processes involved in the control of seed germination and seedling emergence in these species. Thus, (1) effects of temperature, light and osmotica (polyethylene glycol-6000) on seed germination, and (2) effects of seed burial depth in sand and irrigation regime on seedling emergence, were studied under controlled conditions. Seeds of the three species required light for germination, and the light fluence needed for germination was dependent on temperature. Seedling emergence of the three species was maximal (70–94%) for seeds sown at a depth of 2.5 mm, and decreased with increasing seed burial depth when the pots were initially and subsequently treated with 16 mm and 3 mm irrigation at 1-d intervals. However, when the pots were initially and subsequently treated with 8 mm and 3 mm irrigation at 2-d intervals, seedling emergence was almost completely suppressed due to water deficiency in sand. It is suggested that the probability of seed germination and seedling emergence of the three species in the field is very limited, because the light requirement restricts seed germination to shallow sand layers where water is lost rapidly due to evaporation. Temperature appeared to have secondary effects on seed germination, by modifying the light sensitivity of seeds.
FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Machine and Vehicle Systems Understanding and prioritizing crash contributing factors Analyzing naturalistic driving data and self-reported crash data for car safety development

Real world data on driver behavior in normal driving and critical situations are essential for car safety development. Data collection and analysis methods that provide insight into the prevalence of crash contributing factors (e.g., drowsiness, distraction) and causation mechanisms are valuable when making priorities and selecting countermeasure principles. This thesis investigates different analysis methods applied to real world data from three sources: a crash mail survey, insurance claims, and naturalistic driving. Several analysis methods were investigated, including: adjusting for nonresponse in a crash mail survey, analyzing narratives provided by the involved road users in a crash, and investigating causation mechanisms based on video recordings of critical situations. Naturalistic driving data from whole trips were analyzed to investigate the influence of driving context (e.g., turning, other vehicles, speed) on drivers’ eye glance behavior and their exposure to visual-manual phone tasks. Insurance data proved useful for compensating for survey nonresponse bias related to crash types and driver demographics, while several crash contributing factors are likely to be underestimated in mail surveys due to issues regarding memory and social desirability. Narratives provided detailed additional information explaining why some of the crashes occurred. Video recordings of critical situations consistently revealed contributing factors related to drivers' visual behavior, the road environment, and the behavior of other road users, although drivers’ own thoughts and low vigilance were not identified. Naturalistic driving data collected continuously from whole trips were found to be an excellent source of information for studying normal driving behavior. Driving context influenced drivers’ eye glance behavior, task timing and overall propensity to engage in visual-manual phone tasks. In conclusion, no single source of real world data is sufficient on its own to prioritize crash types and contributing factors, and to select countermeasure principles. Future development should emphasize the analysis of large datasets from different sources, in order to provide insights into a wide range of crash contributing factors in different types of critical situations, including severe crashes.
Determinants of Dividend Policy: Evidence from Listed Firms in the African Stock Exchanges

The study demonstrates that much of the existing theoretical literature on dividend policy can be applied to the emerging capital markets of Africa. Using available financial data of listed firms in the 29 stock exchanges in Africa, the study finds similarities in the determinants of dividend policy in African firms with those in most developed economies. In particular, agency costs are found to be the most dominant determinant of dividend policy among African firms. The finding is non-synonymous with emerging capital markets which have a high concentration of private ownership and trading volumes. Agency cost theory may be important in both emerging and developed capital markets but the nature of the agency problem may be different in each case. Other factors such as level of market capitalisation, age and growth of firms, as well as profitability also play key roles in the dividend policy of listed African firms.
Student Non-attendence in Higher Education: a Phenomenon of Student Apathy or Poor Pedagogy

Non-attendance at university seems to be an on-going problem that appears to transcend country, university and discipline. One need only consult the literature on this subject to appreciate the magnitude of this phenomenon (Gump 2006; McCarey et al. 2006; Sharma et al. 2005; Nicholl and Timmins 2005; Hughes 2005; Hunter and Tetley 1999; Longhurst 1999). It is a phenomenon that is both intriguing and frustrating and yet there is very little evidence of university or governmental policy on it. It is generally accepted that university is a rite of passage for its students and is, therefore, as much about a ‘coming of age’ and the development of autonomous adults, as it is about training and ‘education’ per se (Bourgeois et al. 1999). This culture, therefore, does not embrace mandatory attendance. Consequently, policy on attendance is often non-existent and where it is considered, it certainly seems to vary not only from university to university but even from department to department (Cohn and Johnson 2006). Attendance does become an issue, however, where there is a ‘professional’ element to the programme, such as in nursing, for example, where a high ‘minimum’ attendance is stipulated (An Bord Altranais 2005). This leads to tensions between the professional and academic values. This assignment will attempt to explore the phenomenon that is non-attendance amongst university students from the students’ and academics’ perspectives. It will consider the implications of nonattendance and propose possible ways forward in an attempt to resolve the issue in a way that benefits both groups.
Potential Hazards Due To Misuse of Aluminium Phosphide in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Maize is a staple food in most African countries. One major factor mitigating against food production in Nigeria is pest infestation. Post-harvest losses pose critical constraint on food security. Insect pests are one of the major organisms that are responsible for reduction in quality, germination potential and quantity of maize grains/seeds in storage. The study was conducted in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Four local government areas (Giwa, Igabi, Kudan and Kaura) were selected at random from the state and from the each local government areas, two villages were selected at random. Fifty respondents were chosen at random from the two villages to make a total of 200 respondents in all. Information on the most commonly used maize preservative chemicals were obtained through structured questionnaires. The result of the survey indicated that the mean age ranged between 36-52%, modal age (42-60%), respondents with no formal education (8-44%), those with primary school education, quaranic education, secondary school and tertiary education ranged between 22-50%, 0-17%, 0-30%, and 20-25% respectively. Majority of the respondents are male (78-90%). The most commonly used maize storage pesticide was aluminium phosphide. Misuse of aluminium phosphide, a restricted pesticide in the study areas as case study seemed to be a serious issue since agricultural use of pesticides is left in the hands of illiterates. Key words: aluminium phosphide, maize, Nigeria, questionnaire, survey
Holiday Revelry and Legal Control of Fireworks: A Study of Neutralization in Two Normative Contexts

Over 40 years ago Sykes and Matza suggested that holidays create “circumstances” of “periodic anomie” in which adherence to the law may be suspended by otherwise conventional persons. No research to date has studied this argument. One holiday “circumstance” that may foster minor criminality is Independence Day in the United States and the associated use of consumer fireworks. This study reports on the results of a survey of 145 patrons at fireworks stores in two communities. Subjects were asked to indicate agreement with nine techniques of neutralization. Persons living in a community where fireworks had recently been criminalized reported higher levels of agreement with some neutralization measures than persons in a community where fireworks were legal. The study also found differences in age, degree of social attachments, and neutralization. The results are discussed in light of recent theorizing about accounts for deviant behavior (Scott and Lyman 1968; Lyman 2000; Fritche 2002) and the role of holidays in fostering deviance.
Using Deep Neural Networks to Learn Syntactic Agreement

We consider the extent to which different deep neural network (DNN) configurations can learn syntactic relations, by taking up Linzen et al.’s (2016) work on subject-verb agreement with LSTM RNNs. We test their methods on a much larger corpus than they used (a ⇠24 million example part of the WaCky corpus, instead of their ⇠1.35 million example corpus, both drawn from Wikipedia). We experiment with several different DNN architectures (LSTM RNNs, GRUs, and CNNs), and alternative parameter settings for these systems (vocabulary size, training to test ratio, number of layers, memory size, drop out rate, and lexical embedding dimension size). We also try out our own unsupervised DNN language model. Our results are broadly compatible with those that Linzen et al. report. However, we discovered some interesting, and in some cases, surprising features of DNNs and language models in their performance of the agreement learning task. In particular, we found that DNNs require large vocabularies to form substantive lexical embeddings in order to learn structural patterns. This finding has interesting consequences for our understanding of the way in which DNNs represent syntactic information. It suggests that DNNs learn syntactic patterns more efficiently through rich lexical embeddings, with semantic as well as syntactic cues, than from training on lexically impoverished strings that highlight structural patterns.
Variability of Heartwood Content in Plantation-Grown Eucalyptus Globulus Labill.

The heartwood content in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. was studied in 9-year-old trees from commercial pulpwood plantations in three sites in Portugal. Heartwood was present in all the trees and attained 60-75% of total tree height and approximately one-third of the total volume. Within the tree, heartwood decreased from the base upwards, on average representing 40%, 31%, 22%, and 10% of the cross-sectional area at, respectively, 5%, 25%, 35%, and 55% of total tree height. The heartwood: sapwood ratio at each position within the tree depended highly significantly on site and on the tree. The axial development of heartwood also showed an interaction with site and tree. A positive correlation was found between heartwood content and growth. Considering its negative impact in pulping, the heartwood of E. globulus should be considered in management and breeding programs.
Naturalistic Social Cognition: Empathic Accuracy in Mixed-Sex Dyads

The research paradigm that Ickes and his colleagues developed for the study of naturalistic social cognition was used to explore the phenomenon of empathic accuracy in the initial, unstructured interactions of 38 mixed-sex (male-female) dyads. The results indicated that an important aspect of empathic accuracy—content accuracy—could be measured reliably (a = .94) with the procedure used. The results further indicated that content accuracy was, to a large extent, an emergent product of social interaction processes occurring at the level of the dyad. Although many of the findings could be explained in informational terms, some significant motivational influences were observed as well. For example, content accuracy was influenced by the partner's physical attractiveness and, more generally, by the perceiver's apparent interest in the partner (as indexed by various thought/feeling measures). The individual difference variables of grade point average and selfmonitoring also predicted the subjects' levels of content accuracy; however, gender and self-report measures of empathic skills and empathic accuracy did not. If the study of subjective phenomena involving or occurring within a single conscious mind is the domain of mainstream cognitive psychology, it follows logically that the study of intersubjective phenomena involving or occurring between at least two conscious minds is the proper domain of cognitive social psychology (Ickes, Tooke, Stinson, Baker, & Bissonnette, 1988). The logic of this conclusion has been consensually validated by both present and past reviewers of social cognition research. For example, Markus and Zajonc (1985) ended their Handbook chapter on cognitive social psychology by stating that "the properties of social perception and social cognition that make them distinct are reciprocity and intersubjectivity" (p. 213). They noted that "many earlier authors, such as Mead (1934), Merleau-Ponty (1970), Asch, (1952), and Heider (1958)," have drawn essentially the same conclusion. In general, intersubjective phenomena can be characterized as those involving some form of interdependence between the contents or processes of at least two conscious minds (cf. Wegner, Giuliano, & Hertel, 1985). Given this definition, intersubjective phenomena are clearly not the most frequently studied phenomena in cognitive social psychology (Ickes et al., 1988). In most studies of human social cognition, researchers have not inquired how the contents and processes of one mind are interdependent with those of another. Instead, using as their models the studies conducted in more traditional areas of psychology, they have inquired how the contents and processes of
Interactive comment on “ Impact of precipitation and land biophysical variables on the simulated discharge of European and Mediterranean rivers ” by C .

1.1 [A clear upfront statement of the hypothesis and/or objectives is missing: the apparent objectives on page 5440 line 14-16 are too vague, though I ultimately think I found them more usefully expressed at the start of Section 2.4. Pls use that instead to better set the scene of the remainder and summarise those goals in the abstract also it would have really helped me understand the m/s the first time around. ]
BLACKBODY RADIATION FROM ISOLATED NEPTUNES

Recent analyses of the orbits of some Kuiper belt objects hypothesize the presence of an undiscovered Neptune-size planet at a very large separation from the Sun. The energy budget of Neptunes on such distant orbits is dominated by the internal heat released by their cooling rather than solar irradiation (making them effectively “isolated”). The blackbody radiation that these planets emit as they cool may provide the means for their detection. Here, we use an analytical toy model to study the cooling and radiation of isolated Neptunes. This model can translate a detection (or a null detection) to a constraint on the size and composition of the hypothesized “Planet Nine. ” Specifically, the thick gas atmosphere of Neptune-like planets serves as an insulating blanket that slows down their cooling. Therefore, a measurement of the blackbody temperature, T eff ∼ 50 K , at which a Neptune emits, can be used to estimate the mass of its atmosphere, M atm . Explicitly, we find the relation T eff ∝ M atm 1 / 12 . Despite this weak relation, a measurement of the flux at the Wien tail can constrain the atmospheric mass, at least to within a factor of a few, and provide useful limits to possible formation scenarios of these planets. Finally, we constrain the size and composition of Planet Nine by combining our model with the null results of recent all-sky surveys.