Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opportunities from low-resolution modelling of river morphology in remote parts of the world

Abstract. River morphodynamics are the result of a variety of processes, ranging from the typical small-scale of fluid mechanics (e.g. flow turbulence dissipation) to the large-scale of landscape evolution (e.g. fan deposition). However, problems inherent in the long-term modelling of large rivers derive from limited computational resources and the high level of process detail (i.e. spatial and temporal resolution). These modelling results depend on processes parameterization and calibrations based on detailed field data (e.g. initial morphology). Thus, for these cases, simplified tools are attractive. In this paper, a simplified 1-D approach is presented that is suited for modelling very large rivers. A synthetic description of the variations of cross-sections shapes is implemented on the basis of satellite images, typically also available for remote parts of the world. The model's flexibility is highlighted here by presenting two applications. In the first case, the model is used for analysing the long-term evolution of the lower Zambezi River (Africa) as it relates to the construction of two reservoirs for hydropower exploitation. In the second case, the same model is applied to study the evolution of the middle and lower Parana River (Argentina), particularly in the context of climate variability. In both cases, having only basic data for boundary and initial conditions, the 1-D model provides results that are in agreement with past studies and therefore shows potential to be used to assist sediment management at the watershed scale or at boundaries of more detailed models.
A Review of Models in Experimental Studies of Implicit Language Learning

The present review analyzes experimental research on implicit learning using linguistic stimuli, and proposes five key procedures of a framework for empirical studies of implicit learning. Our review begins with a brief overview of the current state of research on implicit learning, and then presents the procedures in detail: 1) choosing theoretical assumptions from psychology; 2) designing stimuli; 3) exposing subjects to information; 4) testing implicit learning; and 5) measuring subjects’ state of awareness. This framework is intended to assist researchers in designing experiments on implicit learning both more comprehensively and with fewer flaws.
Development of the method for testing of efficiency criterion of models of simple target operations

The problem of verification of indicators which are supposed to be used as criteria of efficiency of models of simple target operations is solved. For realization of such opportunity, it is offered to test the indicators on couples of reference models of simple target operations, the efficiency of which is calculated previously with the help of the developed technique and predictive indicator. Now more than one thousand indicators are developed, which the authors-developers define as efficiency indicators. As the criterion of efficiency is a global criterion of optimization, the indicator offered for the solution of optimization tasks has to provide an adequate assessment of efficiency of the optimized process in the whole range of management. This is particularly relevant for the automatic control systems. As a result of the research, it is established that the efficiency of target operations in some cases can be defined by using a method of a direct assessment of the process that is generated by the initial target operation. For this purpose, performance of a number of conditions is necessary: the studied target operation has to be simple; the compared operations have to be comparable relative to the starting investments; it is necessary to consider not only the data from the process generated by the cyclic performance of target operations, but also from the processes generated by the use of their target product. The received results allow revealing the indicators that can be used to solve the optimization problems by the criterion of efficiency. Such opportunity allows passing from a paradigm of process automation to full automation of management processes by the criterion of resource efficiency.
Estimation Bias and Inference in Overlapping Auto-regressions: Implications for the Target-Zone Literature

Samples with overlapping observations are used for the study of uncovered interest rate parity, the predictability of long run stock returns, and the credibility of exchange rate target zones. This paper quantifies the biases in parameter estimation and size distortions of hypothesis tests of overlapping linear and polynomial autoregressions, which have been used in target zone applications. We show that both estimation bias and size distortions generally depend on the amount of overlap, the sample size, and the autoregressive root of the data generating process. In particular, the estimates are biased in a way that makes it more likely that the predictions of the Bertola-Svensson-model will be supported. Size distortions of various tests also turn out to be substantial even when using a heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation consistent covariance matrix.
Geophysical Case Study of the Iso and New Insco Deposits, Québec, Canada, Part II: Modeling and Interpretation

MEGATEMII airborne electromagnetic data collected over the Iso and New Insco massive sulfide deposits have been modeled using three modeling packages. The EMQ package is a quick inversion tool which indicates that the Iso body is a dipping, plate-like body. The New Insco body is inferred to have a geometry somewhere between a dipping plate and a sphere. The Maxwell package was used to refine the properties of the plate-like body at Iso. The EMIGMA package was able to identify which parts of the New Insco orebody were more conductive. It was observed that the most conductive parts correspond to copper-rich zones and the next most conductive to pyrite-rich zones. The EMIGMA package was also used to show that a thick-prism model might be more appropriate for the New Insco orebody. Gravity modeling constrained by the known geology was successful in identifying the denser sulfide zones. The densest zones appear to be pyrite rich. Magnetic modeling identified diabase dikes. Over New Insco, a small magnetic anomaly was attributed to pyrrhotite-rich sulfides. There was only a weak magnetic anomaly over the Iso body, consistent with the nonmagnetic sulfides logged in the holes drilled at that location. © 2006 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. All rights reserved.
Student's psychological factors and science performance: does gender matter for Iranian Students

This study examined whether, self-efficacy, science self-efficacy, general self-concept, science self- concept, self-esteem, anxiety, and science anxiety can be considered as predictors for science performance. Also, this study explored the moderating effects of gender on the link between student's psychological factors with science performance among guidance school students. The participants in the study were 680 guidance school students, (317 male and 363 female, in the age 14 years old) at Tehran and Shahriar City, the province of Tehran, Iran. Five valid and reliable instruments were used to assess Self-concept Attribute Attitude Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, General Self-Efficacy, and Science Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and students' science performance which measured by the report school test. Descriptive statistics, multiple and hierarchical regression analysis were used to analyses the data. The result demonstrated that science performance be influenced by general self-concept and science self-concept. In addition, the moderating effect of gender on the relationship of general self-concept, science self-concept, self-efficacy, science self-efficacy, self- esteem, anxiety, and science anxiety with science performance was not established. (Sahranavard. M, Hassan . S.A., Elias. H. Abdullah, M.C.University Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):2069-2075) (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com.299
Magnetic fields of lunar multi‐ring impact basins

Abstract— We survey the magnetic fields of lunar multi‐ring impact basins using data from the electron reflectometer instrument on the Lunar Prospector spacecraft. As for smaller lunar craters, the primary signature is a magnetic low that extends to ˜1.5–2 basin radii, suggesting shock demagnetization of relatively soft crustal magnetization. A secondary signature, as for large terrestrial basins, is the presence of central magnetic anomalies, which may be due to thermal remanence in impact melt rocks and/or shock remanence in the central uplift. The radial extent of the anomalies may argue for the former possibility, but the latter or a combination of the two are also possible. Central anomaly fields are absent for the oldest pre‐Nectarian basins, increase to a peak in early Nectarian basins, and decrease to a low level for Imbrian basins. If basin‐associated anomalies provide a good indication of ambient magnetic fields when the basins formed, this suggests the existence of a “magnetic era” (possibly due to a lunar core dynamo) similar to that implied by paleointensity results from returned lunar samples. However, the central basin anomalies suggest that the fields peaked in early Nectarian times and were low in Imbrian times, while samples provide evidence for high fields in Nectarian and early Imbrian times.
Dextran-Conjugated Anti-Immunoglobulin Antibodies: A Powerful Tool for Studying B Cell Receptor-Mediated Signaling

Dextran-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) antibodies (anti-Igdex) consist of a high molecular weight dextran (~1-2 × 106 MW) to which multiple monoclonal anti-IgM or anti-IgD antibodies are covalently linked. These soluble conjugates have been used in a process of discovery, in extensive studies of in vitro polyclonal murine and human B cell activation, proliferation, Ig secretion and class switching, through signaling via multivalent cross-linking of B cell receptors (BCR) on the B cell surface, in the presence of a multiplicity of added stimuli. The cross-linking of the BCR in a multivalent fashion represents a more physiologic means, relative to using unconjugated bivalent anti-Ig, for studying the functional consequences of B cell encounter with specific antigens in vivo. This reflects either the repeating epitope nature of polysaccharides, or the display of a given intact protein in multiple copies on the surface of follicular dendritic cells, macrophages and dendritic cells where they are encountered by B cells.
Green composites of thermoplastic corn starch and recycled paper cellulose fibers

Ecological concerns have resulted in a renewed interest in environmental-friendly composites issues for sustainable development as a biodegradable renewable resource. In this work we used cellulose fibers from recycled newspaper as reinforcement for thermoplastic starch in order to improve its mechanical, thermal and water resistance properties. The composites were prepared from corn starch plasticized by glycerol (30% wt/wt of glycerol to starch) as matrix that was reinforced with micro-cellulose fibers, obtained from used newspaper, with fiber content ranging from 0 to 8% (wt/wt of fibers to matrix). Physical properties of composites were determined by mechanical tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, water absorption measurement and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that higher fibers content raised the tensile strength and elastic modulus up to 175% and 292%, respectively, when compared to the non-reinforced thermoplastic starch. The addition of the fibers improved the thermal resistance and decreased the water absorption up to 63%. Besides, scanning electron microscopy illustrated a good adhesion between matrix and fibers. These results indicated that thermoplastic starch reinforced with recycled newspaper cellulose fibers could be fruitfully used as commodity plastics being strong, cheap, abundant and recyclable.
Post-impact mechanical characterisation of E-glass/basalt woven fabric interply hybrid laminates

Post-impact properties of different configurations (symmetrical and non-symmetrical) of hybrid laminates including E-glass and basalt fibre composites, all with volume fraction of fibres equal to 0.38±0.02 and manufactured by RTM, have been studied. With this aim, interlaminar shear strength tests and four-point flexural tests of laminates impacted with different energies (0, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 J) have been performed. Acoustic emission (AE) localisation and AE evolution with applied flexural stress was studied to support impact damage characterisation, provided by SEM and transient ther- mography. The results indicate that a symmetrical configuration including E-glass fibre laminate as a core for basalt fibre laminate skins presents the most favourable degradation pattern, whilst intercalation of layers may bring to further improvement of the laminate properties, but also to more extended and complex damage patterns.
Knowledge and the politics of culture: An example from New Zealand’s higher education policy and practice

This paper examines how, and with what effect, the policies and practices of the Maori Tertiary Education Framework enact the legislative requirement that New Zealand universities acknowledge the Treaty of Waitangi. The existence of these policies is explained in terms of elite emergence within the retribalizing context of New Zealand’s cultural politics. A culturalist discourse justifies the bounded nature of the two socio-political entities – the revived tribes and the government – and creates privileging brokerage mechanisms within which the elite emerges as a result of its representative function. Two of these mechanisms are the production of indigenous knowledge and controls over research. The claim that indigenous knowledge is an ideology in support of the tribal elite is justified by theorizing a fundamental difference between disciplinary knowledge and social knowledge (i.e. culture). Accordingly, the inclusion of indigenous epistemology and methodologies into the university compromises academic freedom by institutionalizing cultural politics in the university.
Direct regeneration of sugarcane plantlets: a tool to unravel genetic heterogeneity.

A simple and efficient protocol for In vitro direct regeneration of shoot from immature leaf explants of sugarcane is reported. Three sugarcane clonal lines, viz., NIA-98, BL4 and NIA-2004 were studied for direct regeneration potential on different concentrations of plant growth regulators. Ten different media were used for direct regeneration studies. The best regeneration was observed on medium containing 4 mg/l IAA+ 1.0mg/lKin + 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D followed by media containing 4 mg/l IAA+ 0.5 mg/l Kin + 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D. The maximum rate of plantlet regeneration was recorded in clone NIA-98 while the minimum was in NIA-2004. Four different shoot elongation medium were used and best elongation rate were observed on medium containing 1.5 mg/l Kin + 1 mg/l NAA. Best root induction was observed when shoots were transferred on to media containing 1mg/l BAP and 60gm /l commercial sugar. The regenerated plants were transferred to jiffy pots and after weaning into the field for evaluation. Development of chlorophyll mutants confirms that direct regeneration cannot maintain genetic fidelity but could be considered as a good source of exploring existing aneuploidy. Agronomic data and SSR study also confirms the variation in the population
A Comparison of Two Averaging Techniques with an Application to Growth Empirics

Empirical growth research faces a high degree of model uncertainty. Apart from the neoclassical growth model, many new (endogenous) growth models have been proposed. This causes a lack of robustness of the parameter estimates and makes the determination of the key determinants of growth hazardous. The current paper deals with the fundamental issue of parameter estimation under model uncertainty, and compares the performance of various model averaging techniques. In particular, it contrasts Bayesian model averaging (BMA) - currently one of the standard methods used in growth empirics - with weighted-average least squares (WALS), a method that has not previously been applied in this context.
Factors driving university choice: a principal component analysis on Italian institutions

ABSTRACT When investigating students’ motivations to enrol in university, a wide range of elements related to the overall student experience should be taken into account. The current study moves from this point to analyse students’ choice factors from a survey completed by 27,504 students across 23 Italian institutions by means of a logistic principal component analysis. Results confirm the presence of multiple factors jointly influencing students’ choice, with geographical proximity, job opportunities in the region, university reputation and ease of access opposing one another. Aggregating results at the institutional level, students’ distribution proves to be highly heterogeneous across universities, which are selected for different contextual factors even within the same region. From this, a managerial tool is provided to position students’ population and derive strategic implications. This increases universities’ awareness and enables them to better focus on the main served population or to target a different one. Finally, policy considerations are reported.
Variation in Carotenoid Composition in Carrots during Storage and Cooking

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the carotenoid composition of carrots during storage and cooking. Analyses were conducted immediately after harvest and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after harvest. During the course of the storage, the carotenoid levels generally decreased, and this decrease was found to be greater during the first week for β-carotene (all-trans-β-carotene) and lutein, and during the second week for α-carotene. Additionally, the amount of the α- and β-carotenes in carrot leaves changed slightly within the first 2 weeks of harvest when stored at 4℃. Specifically, the level of lutein, the main component of carrot leaves, increased from 233.8±11.7 to 346.2±26.7 ㎍/g DW during the first 2 weeks. In addition, the change in carotenoid contents was observed during the home-processing of one Korean cultivar. Carrots fried in oil showed the highest amount of β-carotene (164.3±6.6 ㎍/g DW) and α-carotene (50.1±0.4 ㎍/g DW), while carrots that were prepared by sauteing, pressure-cooking in water and microwaving had the second highest levels. The greatest loss of in carotenoids occurred in response to boiling in water containing 1% NaCl, braising and baking. The content of lutein increased slightly after boiling in water containing 1% NaCl (9.3±0.4 ㎍/g DW), while a loss in lutein occurred after preparation using other home-processing methods. A cis-isomer of all-trans-β-carotene, 13-cis-β-carotene, was present in detectable amounts in all processed samples, but not in raw roots. Another isomer, 9-cis-β-carotene, was detected in carrots that were prepared by boiling, frying and pressure-cooking.
Cadmium Nanoparticle Induced Histological and Biochemical changes in Hepatopancreas of Mud Crab Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796)

Toxic effects of Cadmium nanoparticle (CdNP) (100 nm) on the hepatopancreas of mud crab Scylla olivacea was evaluated in this study. Crabs were exposed to different concentrations of CdNP (from 0 to 120 ppm/kg) for 8 d. The toxicity study revealed that LD50 values of both male and female of S. olivacea were 40 and 60 ppm/kg of crab on day 6. CdNP induced abnormal structural changes in the hepatopancreas such as extensive vacuolation, necrotic lamellar lesion formation and haemocytic infiltration. In addition, CdNP also induced antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT) which initially increased and subsequently decreased with increasing day of CdNP exposure.
Minimum variance importance sampling via Population Monte Carlo

Variance reduction has always been a central issue in Monte Carlo experiments. Population Monte Carlo can be used to this effect, in that a mixture of importance functions, called a D-kernel, can be iteratively optimized to achieve the minimum asymptotic variance for a function of interest among all possible mixtures. The implementation of this iterative scheme is illustrated for the computation of the price of a European option in the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross model. A Central Limit theorem as well as moderate deviations are established for the D-kernel Population Monte Carlo methodology.
Factors Associated With In-Hospital Death among Elderly Patients Sustaining a Traumatic Subdural Haemorrhage

Objective: To identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality amongst elderly patients with traumatic Subdural Haemorrhage [SDH], and to determine the association between mortality and exposure to anti-platelet/ anti-coagulant drugs at the time of injury. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients with SDH between August 2006 and January 2010. Clinical characteristics associated with death were determined using logistic regression. The association between death and use of anti-coagulant/anti-platelet drugs (asprin, clopidogrel, warfarin) was analysed using the Mantel-Haenszel test for trend, and further evaluated using logistic regression to control for confounding. Results: The most common injury mechanism was a fall from standing [67%], and 66% of all patients were on antiplatelet/anticoagulant medication. Patients who died were more severely injured, had a lower GCS on arrival, larger SDH with greater mass effect, and more associated intra-cranial traumatic pathologies. Mortality increased with the bleeding tendency of the anti-platelet/anti-coagulant drug, and the severity of the injury mechanism. In contrast, age, blood pressure, pre-morbid level of function, time from injury to arrival, operative management and the presence of a focal neurological deficit had no association with death. After controlling for confounding effects, warfarin use, the number of associated intra-cranial pathologies, injury severity score and degree of midline shift were found to be independent predictors of death. Taking an anti-platelet/ anti-coagulant drug was associated with death [p<0.05], the probability of which increased with potency of the anticoagulant/ anti-platelet drug [p<0.05]. After controlling for confounders this trend persisted, although only the association with warfarin remained statistically significant. Conclusion: In elderly patients sustaining a traumatic SDH, warfarin use, the number of associated intra-cranial pathologies, ISS and degree of midline shift were found to be predictive of death.