Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Statistics 2011 Analyzing climate effects on agriculture in time and space

Climate in its spatial and temporal variability is one of the major drivers determining agricultural productivity in a region. In order to develop long-term agricultural policies, planners need to understand the likely impacts of climate change on agricultural suitability zones. In this paper we present a flexible approach for the spatiotemporal evaluation and analysis of climate suitability for different crops. First results of a case study application, aiming at investigating how climate suitability for grain maize production in Switzerland varies in time and space and may shift with climate change, are discussed. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of [name organizer]
Convergence to equilibrium for linear Fokker-Planck equations

In this note, we investigate the spectral analysis and long time asymptotic convergence of semigroups associated to discrete, fractional and classical Fokker-Planck equations in some regime where the corresponding operators are close. We successively deal with the discrete and the classical Fokker-Planck model and the fractional and the classical Fokker-Planck model. In each case, we present results of uniform convergence to equilibrium based on perturbation and/or enlargement arguments and obtained in collaboration with S. Mischler in [7].
Influence of phase-diversity image reconstruction techniques on circular polarization asymmetries

Full Stokes filter-polarimeters are key instruments for investigating the rapid evolution of magnetic structures on the solar surface. To this end, the image quality is routinely improved using a-posteriori image reconstruction methods. We analyze the robustness of circular polarization asymmetries to phase-diversity image reconstruction techniques. We use snapshots of magneto-hydrodynamical simulations carried out with different initial conditions to synthesize spectra of the magnetically sensitive Fe I line at 5250.2 A. We degrade the synthetic profiles spatially and spectrally to simulate observations with the IMaX full Stokes filter-polarimeter. We also simulate the focused/defocused pairs of images used by the phase-diversity algorithm for reconstruction and the polarimetric modulation scheme. We assume that standard optimization methods are able to infer the projection of the wavefront on the Zernike polynomials with 10% precision. We also consider the less favorable case of 25% precision. We obtain reconstructed monochromatic modulated images that are later demodulated and compared with the original maps. Although asymmetries are often difficult to define in the quiet Sun due to the complexity of the Stokes V profiles, we show how asymmetries are degraded with spatial and spectral smearing. The results indicate that, although image reconstruction techniques reduce the spatial smearing, they can modify the asymmetries of the profiles, mainly caused by the appearance of spatially-correlated noise.
Short- and Long-Run Tests of the Expectations Hypothesis: The Portuguese Case

The purpose of this paper is to test both short- and long-run implications of the (rational) expectations hypothesis of the term structure of interest rates using Portuguese data for the interbank money market. The results support only a very weak, long-run or “asymptotic” version of the hypothesis, and broadly agree with previous (but separate) evidence for other countries. Empirical evidence supports the cointegration of Portuguese rates and the “puzzle” well known in the literature: although its forecasts of future short-term rates are in the correct direction, the spread between longer and shorter rates fails to forecast future longer rates. Further short-run implications of the hypothesis in terms of the predictive ability of the spread are also clearly rejected, even for the more stable period which emerged in the middle nineties.
Innovation outcomes of South African new technology-based firms : a contribution to the debate on the performance of science park firms

Science parks are often established to drive regional economic growth, especially in countries with emerging economies. However, mixed findings on the innovation outcomes of science park firms are reported in the literature. This study systematically identifies innovation outputs used in the science park literature and argues: (a) that firms generate different outcomes at various stages of the innovation process; and (b) that their use is a possible explanation for the mixed findings reported in the field. This paper combines a knowledge production function approach, modeling knowledge transfers and spillover flowing to new technology-based firms (NTBFs) in the emerging South African economy with innovation outcomes, which are measured by using a multi-dimensional construct. The estimations produce non-consistent and non-systematic results across different dimensions of innovation outcomes, implying that results are outcome indicator specific and that it makes sense to distinguish multiple indicators of innovation outcomes referring to different phases in a firm’s innovation process.
Results from a global survey of contact lens-wearer satisfaction with OPTI-FREE ® PureMoist ® Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution

Purpose: The objective of the study reported here was to obtain information on acceptance and satisfaction with OPTI-FREE ® PureMoist ® Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS) from contact lens wearers globally. Methods: Eligible contact lens wearers provided baseline demographic and lens-wear-regimen information, and advised their ocular dryness/discomfort level and current lens-wear experience. Volunteers received OPTI-FREE PureMoist MPDS and a survey consisting of ten statements about the trial solution. Volunteers were instructed to use the solution daily and to complete the survey after 2 weeks of use. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on data from the entire group, from the subset of respondents reporting ocular dryness and/or discomfort at trial initiation (symptomatic subgroup), and from each geographic region. Results: Volunteers from nine countries returned 10,610 surveys, in which 50% of respondents classified themselves as having ocular dryness/discomfort. Lens comfort and visual performance responses from the total population and the symptomatic subgroup were significantly more positive after 2 weeks of OPTI-FREE PureMoist use than at baseline, irrespective of the habitual lens-care solution. In the USA, Southeast Asia, and Europe, 14% to 20% more respondents reported that their contact lenses provided all-day comfort after 2 weeks of OPTI-FREE PureMoist use compared with baseline ( P , 0.0001). Australia reported 31% more patients with all-day comfort after OPTI-FREE PureMoist use ( P , 0.0001). Approximately four out of five respondents from both populations reported their intent to continue using OPTI-FREE PureMoist. Globally, 39% of all respondents and 58% of symptomatic respondents experienced reduced end-of-day dryness with their contact lenses after use of OPTI-FREE PureMoist ( P , 0.0001). Conclusion: Results from this large survey indicate that respondents globally viewed OPTI-FREE PureMoist MPDS favorably, suggesting improved comfort and reduced end-of-day dryness with this solution compared with their habitual solutions. Most individuals planned to continue using OPTI-FREE PureMoist, suggesting that it may provide additional benefit over their habitual solutions.
Substrates in the development of a sports turfgrass Tifton 419

Bermuda grass are the most widely used today in high performance sports fields, the cultivar “Tifton 419” is widely indicated for installation in these areas, however, there is no official a recommendation in the literature of the best substrate for the implantation of this species, and research is needed to meet this demand. In this way, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of substrates in the development of the “Tifton 419” sporting lawn. The experiment was conducted in field with grass carpets implanted in black plastic containers (volume 8.46 L), in a completely randomized design with five substrates and 12 replicates, with treatments: soil (100%), medium sand (100%), soil (50%) + medium sand (50%), soil (33%) + medium sand (33%) + organic compost (33%) and medium sand (50%) + organic compost (50%). Macro and microporosity, total porosity, density, chlorophyll content (a + b) and fresh and dry leaf mass were evaluated. The results showed that there was influence of the substrate on the development of the turfgrass, with the medium sand (50%) + organic compost (50%) presenting greater increases of fresh and dry mass (1.09 and 0.44 kg m-2), which may lead to higher maintenance costs of the cut, and soil (33%) + medium sand (33%) + organic compost (33%) presented good results of the analyzes performed, being the one recommended for the development of the cultivar “Tifton 419” in sports fields.
Piero Sraffa and 'the true object of economics': the role of the unpublished manuscripts

This Special Issue is concerned with the work of Piero Sraffa and with recent developments in its interpretation, occasioned by the opening of the Sraffa Archives in late 1993.1 It brings together some of the contributions to a workshop on this theme that was sponsored by the Cambridge Journal of Economics and held in July 2010 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Piero Sraffa's major work, Production of Commodities by Means of Commodities (PCMC). The original workshop on 'New Perspectives on the work of Piero Sraffa' was aimed at Sraffa scholars who had taken the opportunity to engage with materials in the Sraffa Archives and who were interested in exploring their potential for revisiting and placing PCMC in the wider context of ongoing debates on economic philosophy, economic theory and economic policy. As is usually the case, not all presentations made at the workshop were advanced for consideration in this Special Issue, nor could all invitees attend. Heinz Kurz, as Chief Editor of the Sraffa Archives, agreed to present his view on the relevance of the Sraffa Archives to research on Sraffa and to comment on contributions at the workshop, as well as on their final versions submitted for publication in this Special Issue. Kurz's contribution to this Special Issue was, thus, written in the short time available between the receipt of final versions and publication deadlines. We are indebted to him for his cooperation in the preparation of this Special Issue. We are especially grateful for his patience in the time taken to bring this project to publication.
Removal of Chromium from a Tannery Wastewater by Using a Maghemite Nanoparticles

This study investigates the applicability of maghemite nanoparticles (MNPs) for the removal of total chromium (TCr) from the tannery wastewater (TWW). The MNPs of 122 nm were synthesized using a co-precipitation method and characterized by Nanometer particle size analysis (NANOPHOX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Batch experiments were carried out for the removal of TCr from the TWW by MNPs. The effects of dosage of MNPs, pH, initial concentration and contact time on TCr removal were investigated. Maximum removal efficiency of TCr in the TWW was achieved 96.7% at optimum condition (pH 2, MNPs dose was 0,5g/L, initial concentration of TCr was 33,2 mg/L, 40minute) at room temperature. It is observed that the best efficiency in removing major physico-chemical parameters (TCr, SS, COD, sulfide and turbidity) in the TWW, which are well below the standard prescribed limits for МNS 6561: 2015.Thus the study suggests that the treatment with MNPs could be promising to reduce pollutants from the other TWW.
The Evolution of an Impact-generated Partially Vaporized Circumplanetary Disk

We have performed a two-phase fluid numerical simulation of the evolution of a partially vaporized circumplanetary disk. In the giant-impact hypothesis, gravitational instability is crucial for the moon-forming process. It causes outward transportation of disk material beyond the Roche radius, where the disk material can accrete into a moon. There are two possible modes of gravitational instability: one is the instability of the melt-vapor mixture following disk cooling, and the other is the instability of the equatorial melt layer formed by sedimentation in the disk. In this paper, we examine the latter possibility, which has been poorly understood. The major results obtained are as follows: (1) The sedimentation of melt droplets occurs in about 10-2 yr, which is much faster than the disk cooling (~100 yr). (2) The gravitational instability of the melt layer occurs when the gas fraction is below the critical value (~0.7). When the gas fraction exceeds the critical value, neither type of gravitational instability occurs. These results suggest that the constituent of the melt layer is transported beyond the Roche radius much faster than the disk cooling unless the gas fraction is extremely high. As a consequence, a volatile-poor moon is expected to be formed while the disk still remains hot.
Parent Empowerment? Collective action and inaction in education

Abstract The aims of this paper are two‐fold. First, to examine the concept of ‘empowerment’ in more detail, and to analyse contrasting perspectives to the ‘empowerment’ of parents, which have informed developments at a national and local level, primarily in the UK, but also in the US and elsewhere. Second, to illustrate, by drawing on empirical data, the limited impact these approaches have upon a group of working class parents in London. The first approach is exemplified by social democratic initiatives which define ‘empowerment’ as a strengthening of the role of parent‐as‐citizen, through mechanisms designed to encourage the closer involvement of parents in the planning and delivery of local education services. The second definition of empowerment is contained within the Conservative Party's emphasis on promoting the role of the parent‐as‐consumer, especially through policies claiming to enhance parental choice of school. A third approach, supported by the ‘new centrists’, emphasises the responsibility.
Placental Development in the Sheep and its Relation to Fetal Development: A qualitative and quantitative anatomic and histologic study

A quantitative macroscopic and microscopic investigation was performed upon the placenta of the sheep. Macroscopic data were obtained from 235 cases of single pregnancy, 285 cases of twin pregnancy, 45 cases of triplet pregnancy, and from one case of quadrulet pregnancy. Macroscopic data obtained include: weight of the uterine horns, weight of the fetal membranes, weight of the total cotyledonary mass, and weight of the fetus. Microscopic data were mainly obtained from twin pregnancies (about 30 placentas in each of the nine age groups, group I being excluded from this investigation). The following microscopic data were calculated: vascularization of the caruncles (being the maternal component), degree of branching of the villi, total villous surface, vascularization of the villi, and total villous blood volume.
Scalar and axial quasinormal modes of massive static phantom wormholes

We study the quasinormal modes for scalar, axial and radial perturbations of massive static spherically symmetric wormholes supported by a phantom scalar field, calculating the modes directly and employing the WKB approximation. The spectrum of the quasinormal modes is compared with the spectrum of Schwarzschild black holes. For fixed multipole number $l$ and large mass $M$ the wormhole modes approach their black hole counterparts as $1/M$.
Characterisation of the Galactic thin disc with CoRoT targets

Aims. We use kinematical and chemical properties of 754 CoRoT stars to characterise the stellar populations of the Milky Way disc in three beams close the Galactic plane. Methods. From the atmospheric parameters derived in Gazzano et al. (2010, AA but not for the most inner bin 7−8 kpc, probably because of the uncertainties in the abundances), which could be interpreted as radial migration evidence. We also measured a radial metallicity gradient value of −0.097±0.015 dex kpc −1 with giant stars, and −0.053 ± 0.015 dex kpc −1 with dwarfs. Finally, we identified metal-rich stars with peculiar, high [α/Fe] values in the directions pointing to the inner part of the Galaxy Applying the same methodology to the planet-hosting stars detected by CoRoT shows that they mainly belong to the thin disc population with normal chemical and kinematical properties.
P o S ( N L S 1 ) 0 5 1 Global eVLBI observations of the radio loud NLS 1 PMN J 0948 + 0022

Marcello Giroletti∗a, Z. Paragib,c, H. Bignalld , A. Doie, L. Foschini f , K. É. Gabányig,c, C. Reynoldsd aINAF Istituto di Radioastronomia, via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna (Italy) E-mail: giroletti@ira.inaf. it bJoint Institute for VLBI in Europe, Postbus 2, 7990 AA Dwingeloo, The Netherlands cMTA Research Group for Physical Geodesy and Geodynamics, H-1585 Budapest, Hungary dCurtin Institute for Radio Astronomy, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA 6845, Australia eInstitute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-8510, Japan f INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, I-23807 Merate, Italy gFOMI Satellite Geodetic Observatory, Budapest, P.O. Box 585, 1592 Hungary
A cognitive model of recurrent nightmares

Nightmares are a prevalent mental disorder resulting in disturbed sleep, distress, and impairment in daily functioning. Elaborating on previous theoretical models for anxiety disorders, sleep disorders and dreaming, this study introduces a cognitive model of recurrent nightmares, the central element of which concerns representation of the nightmare’s repetitive storyline in the memory as a script. It is suggested that activation of this script during REM sleep results in a replay of the nightmare, and that activation occurs through perceived similarity between dream elements and the nightmare script. The model proposes a central role for cognitive processes in the persistence of nightmares over time. The success of cognitive-behavioural treatments is explained and clinical implications are discussed.
The Impact of Farm Credit in Pakistan

Both informal and formal loans matter in agriculture. However, formal lenders provide many more production loans than informal lenders, often at a cost (mostly loan default cost) higher than what they can recover. For example, the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP), providing about 90% of formal loans in rural areas, incurs high loan default costs. Yet, like other governments, the Government of Pakistan supports the formal scheme on the grounds that lending to agriculture is a high risk activity because of covariate risk. Hence, such policies are often based on a market failure argument. As farm credit schemes are subsidised, policy makers must know if these schemes are worth supporting. Using a recent large household survey data from rural Pakistan (Rural Financial Market Studies or RFMS), we have attempted to estimate the effectiveness of the ADBP as a credit delivery institution. A two-stage method that takes the endogeneity of borrowing into account is used to estimate credit impact. Results reveal that ADBP contributes to household welfare and that its impact is higher for smallholders than for large holders. Nevertheless, large holders receive the bulk of ADBP finance. The ADBP is, thus, not a cost-effective institution in delivering rural finance. Its cost-effectiveness can be improved by reducing its loan default cost and partially by targeting smallholders in agriculture where credit yields better results.
Cost Function and Optimal Boundaries for a Two-level Inventory System with Information Sharing and Two Identical Retailers

In this paper, we consider a two-echelon inventory system with a central warehouse and two identical retailers employing information sharing. Transportation times to each retailer and the warehouse are constant. Retailers face independent Poisson demand and apply continuous review policy, -policy. The warehouse initiates with m batches (of given size ) and places an order to an outside supplier when a retailer’s inventory position reaches , where is the inventory position considered by central warehouse and is a non-negative constant. So far, an approximate cost function as well as exact analysis of system for only one retailer has been proposed. However, the derivation of the exact value of the expected total cost of this system for more than one retailer, is still an open question. This paper attempts to meet this challenge and derive the exact cost function for two retailers. To achieve this purpose, we resort to conditional probability to split the problem into two simpler problems then we obtain the exact expected total cost of the system.
International aid corruption and fiscal behavior policy

The Okada & Samreth (2012, EL) and Asongu (2012, EB; 2013, EEL) debate on ‘the effect of foreign aid on corruption’ has had an important influence in policy and academic circles. This paper provides a unifying framework by using investment and fiscal behavior transmission channels in 53 African countries for the period 1996-2010. The richness of the dataset enables us to disaggregate countries into 16 panels depicting fundamental characteristics of corruption based on wealth-effects, legal origins, openness to sea, petroleum-exporting, regional proximity and religious domination. Findings unite the two streams of the debate and broadly suggest that while the ‘government’s final consumption expenditure’ channel is consistent with the latter author, the investment and tax effort channels are in line with the former authors. Justifications for the nexuses are provided. Policy implications on how to use foreign aid constraints in managing fiscal behavior as means of reducing (increasing) corruption (corruption-control) are discussed.
The exploratory dyad that plays together stays together: Parent play, attachment, and non-obvious object properties

The Exploratory Dyad That Plays Together Stays Together: Parent Play, Attachment, and Non-obvious Object Properties. (May 2010) Tracy Rebecca Smith, B.S.; M.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Teresa G. Wilcox Many developmental changes occur across the first year of life, including areas of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. One challenge of developmental research is to understand the complex set of factors that influence behavior within and across these domains of functioning and change. The present research attempts to illuminate the effects that parent relationships and interactions have on infants‟ ability to explore non-obvious object properties during free play. In our findings, the role of attachment, parents‟ actions on objects, parental sensitivity during play, and synchronous interaction all related to an increase in infants‟ object exploration when playing alone versus playing with a parent. These parent relationship and interaction factors affected infants‟ exploration differently at 6 months than 12 months. Overall, relational factors appeared of greater important for infants‟ more thorough object exploration than simply parents‟ actions on objects. The social context was important for the cognitive outcome of infants‟ object exploration.