Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation of mode conversion process from upper-hybrid waves to LO-mode waves in the vicinity of the plasmapause

Abstract. In order to clarify the role of the mode conversion process in the generation mechanism of LO-mode waves in the equatorial region of the plasmasphere, we have investigated the linear mode conversion process among upper-hybrid-resonance (UHR)-mode, Z-mode and LO-mode waves by a numerical simulation solving Maxwell's equations and the equation of motion of a cold electron fluid. The wave coupling process occurring in the cold magnetized plasma are examined in detail. In order to give a realistic initial plasma condition in the numerical experiments, we use initial parameters inferred from observation data obtained around the generation region of LO-mode waves obtained by the Akebono satellite. A density gradient is estimated from the observed UHR frequency, and wave normal angles are estimated from the dispersion relation of cold plasma by comparing observed wave electric fields. Then, we perform numerical experiments of mode conversion processes using the density gradient of background plasma and the wave normal angle of incident upper hybrid mode waves determined from the observation results. We found that the characteristics of reproduced LO-mode waves in each simulation run are consistent with observations.
Good Governance: Pakistan's Economic Growth and Worldwide Governance Indicators

It is generally perceived that an Economy will experience rapid growth provided following Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) are in positive direction i.e. political instability is low, mechanisms for voice and accountability exists, control of corruption subsists and the rule of law prevails. The study aims at exploring relationship between aforementioned WGI indicators and economic growth (GDP) using estimates related to Pakistan, provided by World Bank. Moreover, researchers attempt to identify which of the WGI indicators under consideration contribute most towards economic growth. A quantitative research strategy has been adopted and statistical tools (Spearman’s rho correlation and regression) have been used to test the hypotheses that researchers developed using available literature. The study concludes that out of the four dimensions of good governance, political stability contributes highly towards economic growth.
Ptyctodontid fishes (Vertebrata, Placodermi) from the Late Devonian Gogo Formation, Western Australia, with a revision of the European genus Ctenurella Ørvig, 1960

A new, almost complete specimen of the ptyctodontid placoderm Campbellodus decipiens Miles et Young, 1977 enables description of the skull roof, trunk shield, visceral skeleton, pelvic girdle, dermal scale cover, and parts of the vertebral column. A new reconstruction of the head shield of Ctenurella gladbachensis Orvig, 1960 from Bergisch-Gladbach permits this taxon to be generically defined from the Gogo species previously referred to that genus. The Gogo form is here referred to Austroptyctodus n.g. A new specimen of Austroptyctodus gardineri Miles et Young, 1977, together with new observations of Chelyophorus verneuili Agassiz, 1844 and Ctenurella gladbachensis Orvig, 1960, shows new information for the endocranium, the hyoid arch and visceral skeleton, identifying the previously identified metapterygoid elements as paired nasal bones. The large visceral skeleton bone posterior to the jaw joint in ptyctodontids is here identified as an elongated interhyal.
Urban Aquaculture: Producer Perceptions and Practices in Lagos State, Nigeria

The dramatic growth of cities coupled with incessant migration emanating from rural-urban drift in Nigeria has brought with it a new challenge-widespread and increasing urban food insecurity, malnutrition as well as poverty. Many of the anti-poverty reforms have traditionally targeted rural areas, which were presumed to have been worse off than urban areas. But the problems of poor city dwellers have become more pressing, including the issues of how the urban poor earn their livelihoods and the ways in which this affects key indicators of human welfare, such as food security and nutrition. This report discusses urban aquaculture in Lagos State, Nigeria. The project focused solely on fish culture and endeavored to determine producer perception and practices in existing ponds. Physical, social and economic constraints to fish culture in urban areas are presented in addition to impact of aquaculture in the urban area.
Testing the generalizability of the bankruptcy prediction models of Altman, Ohlson and Zmijewski for Dutch listed and large non-listed firms

Bankruptcy and bankruptcy prediction is a very actual subject in the news and academic literature. The problem of the bankruptcy prediction models is the generalizability of the models because they there are developed with a specific sample. In the original studies, the sample included firms in a specific industry and a specific time period. The goal of this study is to test the generalizability of bankruptcy prediction models to industries and periods outside of those in the original samples. In the literature of bankruptcy prediction the models of Altman (1968), Ohlson (1980), and Zmijewski (1984) are the most cited ones that are based on accounting variables. These bankruptcy prediction models use different explanatory variables and statistical techniques. Therefore, the predictive power of these bankruptcy prediction models differ. I re-estimate these bankruptcy prediction models using an estimation sample which covers the period 2008-2010 and validate the models with another sample which covers the period 2011-2012. There are 15 bankrupt and 476 non-bankrupt firm included in the estimation sample. For the validation sample there are 14 bankrupt and 326 non-bankrupt firms included. All these firms are Dutch listed and large non-listed firms. Firstly, I test the bankruptcy prediction models with their original statistical technique. Secondly, to examine the role of the accounting ratios, I test all the bankruptcy prediction models with the logit regression. When the original statistical techniques are used, the accuracy rates for the models of Altman (1968), Ohlson (1980), and Zmijewski (1984) are respectively 80.6%, 93.8%, and 95.3%. At first sight it looks like the model of Zmijewski (1984) has the highest predictive power. But the model of Zmijewski (1984) predicted 0% of the bankrupt firms correctly and 99.4% of the non-bankrupt correctly. The accuracy rates for the models of Altman (1968), Ohlson (1980), and Zmijewski (1984) models are respectively 49.1%, 93.8%, and 87.7% when the logit regression is used. At first sight it looks like the model of Ohlson (1980) has the highest predictive power. But the same applies for the model of Ohlson (1980) as for the results of the model of Zmijewski (1984). The model of Ohlson (1980) is the most accurate when all the models use the same statistical technique. This implies that the explanatory variables of this model are the best predictors of the likelihood of bankruptcy. In conclusion, practitioners should use the bankruptcy prediction models of Altman (1968), Ohlson (1980), and Zmijewski (1984) cautiously because the frequency of Type I errors is high (Ohlson [1980] and Zmijewski [1984]) or the accuracy rate is low (Altman [1986]). To use these models in practice, I recommend to re-estimate the coefficients of the bankruptcy prediction models with a specific and bigger sample to improve the predictive power.
Genetic Progress From 50 Years of Smooth Bromegrass Breeding

The first documentation of breeding smooth bromegrass was the single cycle of mass selection practiced by Since its introduction from Eurasia, smooth bromegrass (Bromus two Kansas farmers in the early 1900s to produce the inermis Leyss.) has become an important cool-season forage grass in cultivar Achenbach from “the tallest, best-filled, and North America. The objective of this study was to document breeding progress in smooth bromegrass between 1942 and 1995 in North Amer- lightest colored plants” (Vogel et al., 1996). Although ica. Thirty cultivars or experimental populations were tested at up to there were sporadic breeding efforts at several experiseven sites in the eastern and central USA, with a range of soil types ment stations in the 1910s and 1920s, formal breeding and climates. There have been small genetic changes in forage yield, did not begin in earnest until the late 1930s and early brown leafspot resistance [caused by Pyrenophora bromi (Died) 1940s. This coincided with the widespread value and Drechs. ], in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and neutral deter- popularity of smooth bromegrass for revegetation of gent fiber (NDF) concentration. Brown leafspot resistance increased drought-damaged grasslands and marginal croplands gradually, averaging 0.21 units decade2 1 . Mean forage yield did not throughout the Great Plains and midwestern regions. change for cultivars developed after 1942, but was 0.54 Mg ha2 1 (7.2%) The initial breeding efforts in smooth bromegrass imhigher for the post-1942 group than in ‘Lincoln’, a direct representative provement capitalized largely on existing natural variaof smooth bromegrass introduced into North America. Selection for increased IVDMD led to an average increase in IVDMD o f9gk g 21 tion among introduced germplasm sources that had be(1.4%), an increase in forage yield of 0.33 Mg ha 21 (5.0%), and a come naturalized land races (Casler and Carlson, 1995). decrease in NDF of 2 8gk g 21 (21.2%) in the post-1942 group . The Many of the cultivars released in the 1940s consisted of slow rate of progress for smooth bromegrass forage yield is due to increases from seed production fields that had consisits complex polyploid inheritance, emphasis on traits other than forage tently given rise to high-yielding forage production yield, and relatively little concentrated attention from public and fields. Of these cultivars, Lincoln was the most widelyprivate breeders. grown, presumably due to its superior performance in regional trials (Thomas et al., 1958). Fifty-five years later, Lincoln remains the most widely grown smooth S
Computer simulation of photoinduced molecular motion and reactivity

The use of the computer to simulate light induced chemical processes has given access to a detailed description of the molecular motion and mechanism underlying the reactivity of organic and bio-organic chromophores. Thus, different computational strategies and tools can now be operated like "virtual spectrometers" to characterize the photoinduced molecular deformation and reactivity of a given chromophore. Furthermore, a systematic computer investigation of a wide range of photochemical organic reactions during the last decade, has lead to novel concepts that allow the chemist to formulate the mecha- nism of a photochemical reaction in a rigorous way and with a language which is familiar to chemists. In this review we will revise some basic mechanistic concepts which have emerged in the novel field of computational photochemistry. These comprise the concept of conical intersection funnels, photochemical paths, path branching and selectivity. Recent work in the field of biological photoreceptors has demonstrated that computational chemistry can be successfully applied to photobiological problems. Here we will revise the results of the photoisomerization path mapping of the protonated Schiff base of retinal, the chromophore of rhodopsinproteins. These studies have produced the "two-state two-mode model" which provides a descrip- tion of the photon-induced molecular motion in the isolated retinal chromophore. Such model represents a substan tial revisionof the previous models for the primary even t invisioninan imals an d light driven proton-pumping in halobacteriae.
The Determinants of Voting Behaviour: Evidences from the 2015 Elections in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study identified the determinants of voting behavior of electorates in the year 2015 general election in Oyo State, Nigeria. This was done with a view to ascertain whether gender, age and personal ideology affected the voting behavior of the electorates in the election process. The study which is a survey generated its primary data through the administration of questionnaire on 640 randomly selected electorates from 3 randomly selected local government in Oyo State, Nigeria. The retrieved data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in the form of means, standard deviation, t-test and multiple regression.The results revealed that age (β = 0.158; t = 4.051; P 0.05) did not directly predict the voting behavior of the electorates. This implied that there was no significant difference between the voting behavior of the male and female electorates (t = -1.488; P >0.05). The study concluded that the Nigerian government needs to harness efforts in educating her citizenry on the essence of voting as a civic duty which should not be affected by age, or gender. This would improve the personal ideology of the electorates to the level that guarantees sustenance of democracy.
Bacterial mediated amelioration of drought stress in drought tolerant and susceptible cultivars of rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

In the present study, plant growth promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) strains Pseudomonas fluorescence strain P2, Pseudomonas jessenii R62, Pseudomonas synxantha R81, Bacillus cereus BSB 38 (14B), Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus strainYB3 and strain YB5 were tested for their role in enhancing plant growth and induction of stress related enzymes in Sahbhagi (drought tolerance) and IR-64 (drought sensitive) cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different level of drought stress. PGPRs, P. jessenii, R62, P. synxantha, R81 were used as one consortium similarly A. nitroguajacolicus strainYB3 and strain YB5 were used as other consortia. Most of the PGPR inoculated plants showed enhanced growth as compared to uninoculated plants under all the level of drought stress. Quantitative analyses of antioxidant enzymes indicated that majority of the PGPRs inoculated plants in both varieties showed higher proline content, higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and lower level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) in leaves at all the level of drought stress. The study suggests that PGPRs alleviates oxidative damage in rice plants grown under drought by improving plant growth and activating antioxidant defense systems, thereby improving stability of membranes in plant cells. This study provides evidence for a beneficial effect of PGPRs application in enhancing drought tolerance of rice under water deficit conditions. Key words: Plant growth promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR), plant growth promotion, drought stress, antioxidant, rice.
HOW TO ELIMINATE ADVERSE SELECTION ACTION ? COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON CREDIT EVALUATION SYSTEM AND GUARANTEE SYSTEM

Compared to the traditional market, the e-commerce transaction still could not get rid of information asymmetry between the online sellers and online buyers. Adverse selection actions brought by information asymmetry have negative impact on e-marketing and reduce the efficiency of the online transaction. Now website such as TAOBAO (http://www.taobao.com) are seeking ways to reduce adverse selection action. Widely used approaches are credit scoring system and guarantee system. This paper takes transaction data from U disk market in TAOBAO as samples and analyzes the role of credit scoring system and guarantee system in Chinese e-commerce market. The results showed that the credit scoring system and guarantee system can effectively counteract negative effect from the adverse selection actions. Although the credit scoring system has a significant impact on transaction volume; guarantee system has greater impact on the trading volume than the credit scoring systems. In addition, relationship between the guarantee system and credit scoring system are not substitutes but complement for each other. In the case of the existence of the guarantee system, online consumers’ purchase for online goods options is still subject to the impact of the credit scoring system. The paper proposes thoughts to improve credit scoring system and guarantee systems to promote the efficiency of e-marketing in China.
Smart Banking: User Characteristics and Their Effects on the Usage of Emerging Banking Applications

This paper analyzes the requirements of users of different generations with regard to future e-banking systems. An empirical study was conducted to verify six previously formulated hypotheses. The results show that the acceptance of such systems highly depends on factors such as age, gender and general technical affinity. It turned out that most of the older people are not yet willing to use such systems at all – independent of specific system characteristics. Additionally, it is more likely that men will use smart banking systems than women and that technical affinity has a positive influence on the general usage intention.
The Impact of Ownership Structure on Wage Intensity in Japanese Corporations

The authors studied the effect of ownership structure on human capital investments as indicated by wage intensity, defined as the ratio of expenditure on employee wages to sales, in a sample of 996 Japanese manufacturing firms during their economic recession of 1998-2002. They found that domestic shareholders, with interests beyond financial considerations, enhance wage intensity, especially when performance is low, and thereby safeguard human capital investments. Foreign shareholders with sole interest in financial returns have an opposite effect; they reduce wage intensity when firm performance is low.
Coupling between surface ozone and leaf area index in a chemical transport model: strength of feedback and implications for ozone air quality and vegetation health

Abstract. Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant that substantially harms vegetation and is also strongly dependent on various vegetation-mediated processes. The interdependence between ozone and vegetation may constitute feedback mechanisms that can alter ozone concentration itself but have not been considered in most studies to date. In this study we examine the importance of dynamic coupling between surface ozone and leaf area index (LAI) in shaping ozone air quality and vegetation. We first implement an empirical scheme for ozone damage on vegetation in the Community Land Model (CLM) and simulate the steady-state responses of LAI to long-term exposure to a range of prescribed ozone levels (from 0 to 100 ppb). We find that most plant functional types suffer a substantial decline in LAI as ozone level increases. Based on the CLM-simulated results, we develop and implement in the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model a parameterization that computes fractional changes in monthly LAI as a function of local mean ozone levels. By forcing LAI to respond to ozone concentrations on a monthly timescale, the model simulates ozone–LAI coupling dynamically via biogeochemical processes including biogenic volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and dry deposition, without the complication from meteorological changes. We find that ozone-induced damage on LAI can lead to changes in ozone concentrations by −1.8 to +3 ppb in boreal summer, with a corresponding ozone feedback factor of −0.1 to +0.6 that represents an overall self-amplifying effect from ozone–LAI coupling. Substantially higher simulated ozone due to strong positive feedbacks is found in most tropical forests, mainly due to the ozone-induced reductions in LAI and dry deposition velocity, whereas reduced isoprene emission plays a lesser role in these low-NOx environments. In high-NOx regions such as the eastern US, Europe, and China, however, the feedback effect is much weaker and even negative in some regions, reflecting the compensating effects of reduced dry deposition and reduced isoprene emission (which reduces ozone in high-NOx environments). In remote, low-LAI regions, including most of the Southern Hemisphere, the ozone feedback is generally slightly negative due to the reduced transport of NOx–VOC reaction products that serve as NOx reservoirs. This study represents the first step to accounting for dynamic ozone–vegetation coupling in a chemical transport model with ramifications for a more realistic joint assessment of ozone air quality and ecosystem health.
Effects of Hydrological Flow Regime on Sediment-water Interface and Water Column Nitrogen Dynamics in a Great Lakes Coastal Wetland (Old Woman Creek, Lake Erie)

ABSTRACT Sediment-water interface nitrogen (N) transformations and water column ammonium cycling rates were measured along a stream to lake gradient at three sites within Old Woman Creek (OWC) and one near-shore Lake Erie site during two hydrological regimes: one with open flow to the lake after a rain event (July 2003), and another with a sand barrier blocking flow (July 2004). Net N2 effluxes in OWC at all times and at the near-shore Lake Erie site in July 2003 suggest that sediments are a N sink via denitrification. Observed dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) may counteract some of this N removal, particularly when the creek mouth is closed. Upstream, a closed creek mouth led to higher sediment oxygen demand, net N2 flux, potential DNRA, and potential denitrification rates. The lake site exhibited lower rates of these processes with the creek mouth closed except denitrification potential, which was unchanged. Denitrification in OWC appeared to drive N limitation in the lower wet-land when the sand barrier was blocking flow to the lake. Higher potential versus in situ denitrification estimates imply that water column NO3− limits and drives denitrification in OWC. Water column to sediment regeneration ratios suggest that sediment recycling may drive primary production in the OWC interior when the creek mouth is closed and new N inputs from runoff are absent, but more data are needed to confirm these apparent trends. Overall, hydrological regime in OWC appeared to have a greater impact on sediment N processes than on water column cycling.
Real Exchange Rate Behavior: The Recent Float from the Perspective of the Past Two Centuries

Using annual data spanning two centuries for dollar-sterling and franc-sterling real exchange rates, we find strong evidence of mean-reverting real exchange rate behavior. Using simple, stationary, autoregressive models estimated on prefloat data, we easily outperform nonstationary real exchange rate models in dynamic forecasting exercises over the recent float. Such stationary univariate equations explain 60-80 percent of the in-sample variation in real exchange rates, although the degree of short-run persistence may be high. The econometric estimates imply a half-life of shocks to the real exchange rate of about 6 years for dollar-sterling and a little under 3 years for franc-sterling.
Credit Courses on University Teaching for Graduate Students in Canadian Universities

The results of a national survey of credit courses on university teaching and learning for graduate students in Canadian universities are reported. Six uni- versities offer these semester length credit courses. All of these courses are available to all graduate students, but limited resources severely restrict the numbers who can actually take the courses. Half of the credit courses are spon- sored by faculties of graduate studies. A range of benefits of these courses and suggested factors to consider in initiating similar courses are noted.