Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NDACC/SAOZ UV-visible total ozone measurements: improved retrieval and comparison with correlative ground-based and satellite observations

Abstract. Accurate long-term monitoring of total ozone is one of the most important requirements for identifying possible natural or anthropogenic changes in the composition of the stratosphere. For this purpose, the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) UV-visible Working Group has made recommendations for improving and homogenizing the retrieval of total ozone columns from twilight zenith-sky visible spectrometers. These instruments, deployed all over the world in about 35 stations, allow measuring total ozone twice daily with limited sensitivity to stratospheric temperature and cloud cover. The NDACC recommendations address both the DOAS spectral parameters and the calculation of air mass factors (AMF) needed for the conversion of O 3 slant column densities into vertical column amounts. The most important improvement is the use of O 3 AMF look-up tables calculated using the TOMS V8 (TV8) O 3 profile climatology, that allows accounting for the dependence of the O 3 AMF on the seasonal and latitudinal variations of the O 3 vertical distribution. To investigate their impact on the retrieved ozone columns, the recommendations have been applied to measurements from the NDACC/SAOZ (Systeme d'Analyse par Observation Zenithale) network. The revised SAOZ ozone data from eight stations deployed at all latitudes have been compared to TOMS, GOME-GDP4, SCIAMACHY-TOSOMI, SCIAMACHY-OL3, OMI-TOMS, and OMI-DOAS satellite overpass observations, as well as to those of collocated Dobson and Brewer instruments at Observatoire de Haute Provence (44° N, 5.5° E) and Sodankyla (67° N, 27° E), respectively. A significantly better agreement is obtained between SAOZ and correlative reference ground-based measurements after applying the new O 3 AMFs. However, systematic seasonal differences between SAOZ and satellite instruments remain. These are shown to mainly originate from (i) a possible problem in the satellite retrieval algorithms in dealing with the temperature dependence of the ozone cross-sections in the UV and the solar zenith angle (SZA) dependence, (ii) zonal modulations and seasonal variations of tropospheric ozone columns not accounted for in the TV8 profile climatology, and (iii) uncertainty on the stratospheric ozone profiles at high latitude in the winter in the TV8 climatology. For those measurements mostly sensitive to stratospheric temperature like TOMS, OMI-TOMS, Dobson and Brewer, or to SZA like SCIAMACHY-TOSOMI, the application of temperature and SZA corrections results in the almost complete removal of the seasonal difference with SAOZ, improving significantly the consistency between all ground-based and satellite total ozone observations.
The Role Of Macroeconomic Stability In The Finance-Growth Nexus Threshold Regression Approach

The purpose of this research paper is to analyse the link between Finance and Growth (or Development) and, in particular, if this link is variable in respect to the variations of “Macroeconomic Stability”. This topic has been studied by many authors without any definite conclusion being reached. This work considers the theoretical and the empirical problem in two ways: first, the evolution of the empirical literature, and a new empirical perspective to analyze that link. The research presented here attempts to answer this question using threshold methodology. It confirms previous analysis in respect to non-linearity of the relationship between finance and growth in international comparisons. The use of two different threshold variables confirms the complexity of this link and also the different mechanisms of transmission that operate inside different groups of countries. The use of the bank’s liquidity reserve ratio as a “stability” indicator suggests that probably the link between wealth and stability is not always enjoyed.
A C-level flare observed in an arch filament system: reconnection between pre-existing and emerging field lines?

Context. Observations show that solar flares are often caused by the emergence of new magnetic flux from subphotospheric layers and by the interaction of the rising field lines with the ambient magnetic field. In this framework, recent theoretical models of magnetic flux emergence have investigated the effectiveness of magnetic reconnection as a function of the old and new flux system relative orientations. Aims. We aim to compare phenomena that occurred in an active region, before and during a small flare, with the effects of magnetic reconnection between nearly parallel magnetic field lines, foreseen by these models. Methods. We analyzed high resolution photospheric and chromospheric data acquired during a coordinated observational campaign performed with the THEMIS telescope in IPM mode, as well as MDI magnetograms and TRACE 1600 and 171 A images, to investigate the dynamics and the magnetic configuration of the active region hosting the flare. Results. An emerging arch filament system (AFS) was observed in the area between the two main sunspots: it showed typical upward motion at the arch tops and plasma downward motion at the footpoints. A C-level flare, characterized by a factor of 3 peak enhancement in the GOES X-ray emission with respect to the pre-event background, occurred in this zone, where the configuration of the emerging magnetic field lines showed a small ( ∼ $12^{\circ}$) relative inclination with respect to the old flux system. Conclusions. In an active region (age ≥ 6 days) a new magnetic flux bundle emerged between the two main polarity spots. It gave rise to the formation of pores in the photosphere and to an AFS in the chromosphere. The interaction between the new and the pre-existing field lines, characterized by a small relative inclination, might have caused a weak reconnection process and given rise to the C-level flare. This result is in broad agreement with numerical simulations predicting very limited reconnection when the two flux systems have an almost parallel orientation.
Science and mathematics teachers' core teaching conceptions and their implications for engaging in cross-curricular innovations

Previous studies have found core teaching conceptions (CTCs) to influence teachers’ actions, i.e. how they engage with new teaching practices (e.g. Lotter, Harwood, & Bonner, 2007). This study explores typical CTCs and their subject specific nature in a sample of teachers from physics, biology, and mathematics in Danish upper secondary school. Teachers’ CTCs were investigated through their essay responses to a set of open core questions, administered through a web-platform. Results demonstrate that teachers’ CTCs come in subject specific flavours, encompassing their purpose for teaching the subject, their conceptions of teaching and learning, and their conceptions of interdisciplinary teaching. It is argued that such differences shape teachers’ engagement with new cross-curricular innovations in the Danish context. Assessing and addressing typical and personal CTCs are found to be crucial to a successful implementation of current reform-initiatives, for teacher training, and for self-regulated professional development among teachers.
Crustal Structure below the Valley of Mexico Estimated from Receiver Functions

Abstract Receiver functions (RFs) from two permanent stations (CUIG and ZAIG) of the Mexican broadband network were calculated to infer the crustal structure at both sites. The data were stacked to allow uncertainty estimations and inverted using two global optimization algorithms: simulated annealing and genetic algorithms. Strong and systematic azimuthal dependence was observed in the stacked functions at CUIG site, which is located in the Mexican volcanic belt (MVB). Assuming a one-dimensional five-layer model per azimuthal stack, these variations were explained with the same upper crustal structure including a superficial ∼2 km-thick low-velocity layer associated with the MVB and a well-defined Conrad interface around 15 km depth, different depths for the Moho discontinuity, and variations in both the S -wave velocity and Poisson’s ratio for the upper mantle. Our inversion of observed RFs at CUIG and theoretical considerations suggest an eastward crustal thickening of at least 5 km below the Valley of Mexico. We tested the sensitivity of the modeling procedure by applying it to the recordings at ZAIG station. In this case, no azimuthal dependence was noticed in the stacked functions. After a simultaneous inversion of three different azimuthal stacks, a single four-layer model satisfactorily explained all data, thus revealing a flat one-dimensional crustal model below the Mexican Mesa Central, where ZAIG station is located. These results support the resolution and robustness of the applied method at both sites.
Rotator nozzles more uniform than spray nozzles on center-pivot sprinklers

In a comparison of Rotator and spray sprinklers on center-pivot sprinkler machines, uniformity of applied water was higher for the Rotator sprinklers. Under wind conditions, uniformity increased for the spray sprinklers and decreased for the Rotator sprinklers. Modifications to the sprinkler spacing are recommended when using the Rotator sprinklers.
Developmental changes in habitat associations of tropical trees

1 Recent studies have documented local‐scale associations between tree species and topographic and edaphic habitat types in forests worldwide. To determine whether such associations form at early life stages, we compared species’ positive associations with five habitat types (high plateau, low plateau, slope, streamside, and swamp) at two life stages for 80 tree and shrub species in a Panamanian lowland forest. 2 Nineteen significant, positive habitat associations were detected at the small tree stage (seedlings and saplings ≥ 20 cm tall and < 1 cm d.b.h.), and 18 at the large tree stage (individuals ≥ 1 cm d.b.h.), according to results of torus‐translation randomization tests. The majority of species did not show consistent associations at the two stages. Of the 30 species significantly associated with a habitat, only five were associated with the same habitat at both stages. Overall, more species were associated with the wetter slope habitat at the large tree stage compared with the small tree stage. 3 For a subset of species, we examined the relationship between observed habitat associations and seed dispersal and seedling establishment patterns by using species‐specific seed dispersal kernels to predict seed rain into each habitat. 4 Two‐thirds of species associated with a habitat at the large tree stage had higher predicted seed densities in the associated habitat relative to other habitat types, indicating that limited seed dispersal acts to reinforce habitat associations for most species. In contrast, only one‐third of the species associated with a habitat at the large tree stage showed evidence of higher seedling establishment rates in the associated habitat compared with other habitats, and an equal number of species appeared to have lower rates of establishment in the habitat that large trees of the species were associated with. 5 Overall, our results indicate that habitat associations of large trees typically do not form at early life stages. Rather, many species appear to exhibit different ecological habitat preferences across life stages. Future studies of species’ habitat associations should therefore include multiple life stages in order to detect developmental shifts in ecological preferences.
The Perception of Students and Teachers on the Integration Programme of Students with Visual Impairment in Secondary Schools: A Case of Ainamoi Sub County, Kericho County, Kenya

The significance of blindness for a child’s development depends on many variable factors. A blind child who does not suffer from additional disabilities, who is well cared for by parents and is helped to compensate for his sensory loss is able to develop very much as others do. Different people have different perceptions on disability and for this case visual impairment. This study sought to establish the perception of students and teachers on the integration programme of students with visual impairment in secondary schools. The study was carried out in Ainamoi sub county, Kericho County, Kenya. A case study design method was used. The data collecting techniques included questionnaires, focus group discussion and document analysis. A total of 200 respondents participated in the study and data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings revealed that majority of the students had a positive perception of the policy of integration. This is attributed to the fact that some visually impaired students actually excel in class far much better than their sighted peers. However, those who negated this view cited a number of challenges that are experienced by the visually impaired students. Nonetheless, the teachers differ significantly with the student perception and attitudes towards the policy of integration. The reasons given are enormous and it emanates right from the fact that majority of them had not only been sensitized but that they do not have the required skills to handle the students who are visually impaired.
The magnetic canopy above light bridges

An analysis of high-resolution Stokes observations of two light bridges in active region NOAA 8990 is presented. The observations were recorded with the La Palma Stokes Polarimeter attached to the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope. The stratification over the solar atmosphere of different physical parameters is retrieved from these data using the Stokes inversion based on response functions (SIR). Our results confirm previous observations of features such as the decrease in magnetic field strength and the increase in inclination in the light bridges. We also confirm a temperature increase in these structures with respect to the surrounding umbrae. The maps of the magnetic field strength and of the orientation of the magnetic field vector indicate the presence of a canopy structure above the light bridges. We derive the vertical component of electric current density (Jz) from the configuration of the magnetic field. The increased temperature found in the upper layers is studied in the context of the proposed canopy topology and could also explain the recently observed chromospheric heating processes found above light bridges.
Corporate Life-Cycle Dynamics of Cash Holdings

This paper shows that the corporate life-cycle is an important dimension for the dynamics and valuations of cash holdings. Our results indicate that firms’ cash policies are markedly interacted with their strategy choices. While firms in early stages and post-maturity stages hold large amounts of cash, cash ratios decrease when firms move towards maturity. Much of this variation in cash holdings is attributable to a changing demand function for cash over the different life-cycle stages. Trade-off and pecking order motives are of different importance for cash policies dependent on a firm’s life-cycle stage. An additional dollar in cash is highly valuable for introduction and growth firms, while a dollar in cash adds, on average, less than a dollar in market value for firms in later life-cycle stages, most likely due to increasing agency problems. Most of the dynamics in cash holdings are observed at life-cycle transition points rather than during the different life-cycle stages. Finally, the secular trend in cash holdings seems strongly attributable to increases in cash in the introduction and the decline stage.
Sustained Attention and Its Relationship to Fluid Intelligence and Working Memory in Children

Understanding individual differences in intelligence remains an interesting research question, even with more than a century of empirical research and large numbers of models and theories. We know that working memory (WM) is able to explain substantial amounts of variance in fluid intelligence in both children and adults, but we also know that it is not the only predictor of intelligence. There are many other information-processing mechanisms that have been studied. Results in adult samples seem to indicate that sustained attention—the ability to maintain attention on a specific task over an extended period of time—is strongly related to fluid intelligence. There is little research on this topic in childhood, but the available data seems to converge with results from adult samples. The aim of the present study was to assess sustained attention and its relationship to fluid intelligence and WM in children. Additionally, we wanted to explore whether sustained attention contributes to the prediction of intelligence over and above WM. A sample of 125 ten-year olds was assessed using tests of fluid intelligence, sustained attention and WM. The results showed that, as expected, WM and fluid intelligence were significantly related. Surprisingly however, sustained attention was not related to fluid intelligence or WM. Using results from previous studies and theoretical considerations, we concluded that sustained attention may not be directly related to fluid intelligence in childhood, but rather that it may be a more distal factor influencing information processing in more unstructured learning situations and hence impacting academic achievement.
Effect of harvest period on the quality of storage roots and protein content of the leaves in five cassava cultivars (Manihot esculenta, Crantz)

The effect of harvest period on the quality of storage roots and leaves of cassava cultivars was determined in an experiment carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications in a split plot scheme, with five cultivars in the plots and ten harvest times in the subplots. The IAC 13 cultivar had the highest rate of dry matter accumulation in the storage roots and the Mico cultivar the lowest. The period of least dry matter content in the storage roots occurred later for the Fecula Branca, Mico and IAC 14 cultivars, and the minimum starch content in the storage roots occurred later for the Fecula Branca and Mico cultivars. In general, the IAC 13, IAC 14 and Fecula Branca cultivars had higher dry matter content in the storage roots, while higher starch content in the dry and fresh matter were obtained in the Fecula Branca cultivar. The crude protein content in the leaves decreased as the plant aged.
Microstructure and Hardness of Cold Work Vanadis 6 Steel after Subzero Treatment at −140°C

The microstructure, phase constitution, and hardness of Cr-V ledeburitic tool steel Vanadis 6 subjected to subzero treatment at −140°C and for different soaking times have been investigated. The light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction have been used for microstructural investigations. The hardness has been evaluated by the Vickers method. The obtained results assist to draw that subzero treatment reduces the retained austenite amount and increases the population density of carbides, compared to conventional heat treatment. The extent of decrease in the retained austenite amount makes around 85%, and the increase in population density of small globular carbides was approximately fivefold. High compressive stresses were identified in the retained austenite, and their values follow the increase in carbide count. This makes a serious support to the theory explaining the formation of “extra” carbides as a by-product of more complete martensitic transformation. As a result of the mentioned microstructural changes, the material hardness increased from 875 ± 16 HV 10 up to 954.6 ± 14 HV 10 for conventionally quenched and SZT steels, respectively.
A Microbiological and Nutritional Evaluation of the West African Dried Meat Product, Kilishi

The quality attributes of Kilishi, a West African dried meat product were studied over an eight week storage period comparing traditional production and packaging systems with a potassium sorbate treatment system and simple modern packaging. Changes in chemical composition and microbiological counts are reported. Moisture and water activity results indicated that the experimental Kilishi was sufficiently dried to minimise microbial growth. Fat oxidation levels measured by free fatty acids (FFA) (%) on extracted fats were unacceptably high (>1.2-2.1%) and may be a reflection of the quality of the groundnut and its oil in the ingredients. Processing of beef into Kilishi appears to lead to a decrease in mineral availability. Results suggest that treatment of Kilishi with 10% (w/v) potassium sorbate confers a degree of protection of the product from mould contamination. Aflatoxin levels far exceeded all established safe limits and are thought to be due to the use of pre-contaminated groundnut, as mould growth levels in Kilishi were very low. The Journal of Food Technology in Africa Volume 6 No.4, 2001, pp. 126-129 KEY WORDS: aflatoxins, dried meat, food preservative, kilishi, potassium sorbate.
The Evaluation of the Factors Influence the Access to Debt Financing by Tanzanian SMEs

The primary objective of this study was to test the determinants of factor(s) impacts access to debt financing by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The research evaluates the extent on how the firm and the owner-manager factors impact upon the firms’ access to debt financing were evaluated. This study was conducted in 2012, based on a survey of 164 Tanzanian firms. The appropriateness and the support of the determinant factors impact SMEs’ access to external debt financing were empirically analyzed. The research design was quantitative in nature involving testing various hypotheses and theories about the associations between perceived constructs. Study results were then compared with factual indicator data subjected to multiple regression and correlation analysis. The results of the regression analysis comply with other researches conducted in previous studies in relation to factors impact access to debt financing. These empirical findings provide among the factors influence access of debt financing by SMEs in Tanzania include: firms management’s education, experiences of industry and business operations; furthermore, firm’s location, industry, size, age, incorporation, and availability of collateral and business information are noticeable factors that impact firm’s access to debt financing. The significances of the factors and their impacts have been addressed and reported in the study. Recommendations are made for owner-managers acquiring better management skills and qualifications to improve their managerial capabilities, experience and also, to adjust with financial institutions’ requirements for them to access debt finances effortlessly. For government, implementation of appropriate strategic planning, education, training and government support to the SME sector. Keywords: Debt financing, Firm characteristics, Owner-manager characteristic,; Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Tanzania