Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ecological restoration programs on dust concentrations in the North China Plain: a case study

Abstract. In recent decades, the Chinese government has made a great effort in initiating large-scale ecological restoration programs (ERPs) to reduce the dust concentrations in China, especially for dust storm episodes. Using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land cover product, the ERP-induced land cover changes are quantitatively evaluated in this study. Two obvious vegetation protective barriers arise throughout China from the southwest to the northeast, which are well known as the “Green Great Wall” (GGW). Both the grass GGW and forest GGW are located between the dust source region (DSR) and the densely populated North China Plain (NCP). To assess the effect of ERPs on dust concentrations, a regional transport/dust model (WRF-DUST, Weather Research and Forecast model with dust) is applied to investigate the evolution of dust plumes during a strong dust storm episode from 2 to 8 March 2016. The WRF-DUST model generally performs reasonably well in reproducing the temporal variations and spatial distributions of near-surface [PMC] (mass concentration of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 and 10 µ m) during the dust storm event. Sensitivity experiments have indicated that the ERP-induced GGWs help to reduce the dust concentration in the NCP, especially in BTH (Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei). When the dust storm is transported from the upwind DSR to the downwind NCP, the [PMC] reduction ranges from −5 to −15 % in the NCP, with a maximum reduction of −12.4 % ( −19.2 µ g m −3) in BTH and −7.6 % ( −10.1 µ g m −3) in the NCP. We find the dust plumes move up to the upper atmosphere and are transported from the upwind DSR to the downwind NCP, accompanied by dust decrease. During the episode, the forest GGW is nonsignificant in dust concentration control because it is of benefit for dry deposition and not for emission. Conversely, the grass GGW is beneficial in controlling dust erosion and is the dominant reason for [PMC] decrease in the NCP. Because the air pollution is severe in eastern China, especially in the NCP, and the contribution of dust episodes is significant, the reduction of dust concentrations will have important effects on severe air pollution. This study illustrates the considerable contribution of ERPs to the control of air pollution in China, especially in springtime.
The role of readers in writing development: writing students bringing their texts to the test

For over thirty years, writing has been portrayed in research literature as a way of problem solving (Moss 1975; Flower and Hayes 1977; Hayes and Flower 1979; Hayes 1989; Bryson et al., 1991). The translation of this idea to the educational field followed soon after (e.g., Berkenkotter 1982; Coe et al., 1983). In this chapter, we will discuss the usability in writing instruction of pretesting texts with real readers, a way to embody the often-omitted final stage of the problemsolving model: the implementation and evaluation of the problem ‘solution’ that is the written text. We focus on pretesting texts by writing students through reader observation instead of readers’ comments. We use observation as a means to collect feedback on the qualities of the text for the purpose of revision, enhancing the writer’s audience awareness as part of his/her writing expertise. In the problem-solving view of writing, the writer is supposed to solve a communicative problem by producing a text that fulfils the communicative needs of the writer and the reader (the task goal), thus making the communication effective. The writing task is a ‘problem’ insofar as it is not directly obvious for the writer what the qualities of the text should be or how he should arrive at such a text. The contribution of this line of research to writing education lies in the cognitive approach to instruction: an orientation on the writer’s mind, on writing processes and on the constituting strategic activities.
Genetic variability assessment in the genus Passiflora by SSR markers

The genus Passiflora encompasses many species that are endemic to the Brazilian territory, including some with economic value. Studies on genetic diversity in this genus are fundamental because they allow understanding genetic variability and distance. The present study aimed to determine the genetic variability and distances among 10 species of the genus Passiflora by using microsatellite markers (Simple Sequence Repeat, SSR). Twenty-eight heterologous microsatellite markers were tested, but only 12 were used in the diversity analysis because they amplified in at least 80% of the species. A clear separation was observed among the subgenuses studied, as well as wide variation among the accessions of Passiflora. This knowledge enables breeders to explore diversity and transfer favorable alleles found in wild species.
Prescribing pattern of antimicrobials and adverse drug reactions in children suffering from lower respiratory tract infection in tertiary care hospital

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections are leading cause of mortality in children in India. Further, indiscriminate use of antimicrobials has led to increased drug resistance and large number of adverse drug reactions (ADR). Therefore, aim of study was to study antimicrobial prescribing pattern and record incidence and causality assessment of ADRs in pediatric in-patients having lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Methods: In this prospective and observational study total of 300 children aged 2 months to 12 years suffering from LRTI and hospitalized for minimum 48 hrs duration were included. A descriptive analysis was carried out to determine frequency and combinations of antibiotics prescribed and causality and number of ADRs.Results: Out of 300 subjects, 70.3% of patients were males and 54.6% of cases with LRTI belonged to 2-6 months age group. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was ceftriaxone alone in 67 (22.3%) patients while ceftriaxone and amikacin was the most common 2 drug combination in 60 (20%) patients. Ceftriaxone, ampicillin and gentamicin was most common 3 drug combination in 7 (2.3%) patients. There were 49 cases (16.3%) of ADRs and maximum were in 2-6 months age group and ceftriaxone with amikacin was associated with maximum number 10 (20.4%) of cases. Diarrhoea was most frequent adverse effect associated with antibiotics in 36 (76.6%) cases.Conclusions: The use of cephalosporins (single or combination) are most commonly used drug and associated with maximum number of ADRs in 2-6 months male children with LRTI so clinicians should use them judiciously and rationally.
A DGSE Model to Assess the Post-Crisis Regulation of Universal Banks

The paper assesses the overall consistency and impact on both the financial sector and the real economy, of the numerous banking regulations that have been introduced in the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis. For this purpose, we develop, within a multi-period asset framework, a large scale DSGE model with a real and a financial sector. Universal banks grant credit but invest also in corporate and sovereign bonds. Small companies are financed through bank loans only, while large corporate can also issue bonds. The main findings of the paper are that: (i) the implementation of liquidity regulation which affects private consumption dynamics has a less persistent effect than solvency regulation that affects loan distribution as well as investment; (ii) the model assesses to what extent the Liquidity Coverage Ratio may induce banks to substitute sovereign bonds to business loans; (iii) liquidity and solvency regulations appear to be complementary; (iv) while the implementation of the LCR has qualitatively similar results as the NSFR, even if, quantitatively, the latter has a more mMarrakech_14oderate effect.
A Social Network Based Process to Minimize In-Group Biasedness During Requirement Engineering

Evolution of social networking services has prompted a huge impact on major facets beyond the daily life of mankind. The Internet-based social media platforms are aiding us in numerous domains including healthcare, education, business, and software development. Social networking, being a communication medium, has corroborated various software development activities, especially requirement engineering. It has helped in overcoming various shortcomings of the conventional requirement engineering approaches, such as selection of stakeholders and prioritization of stakeholders, and requirements using diverse techniques based on centrality measures. However, these techniques do not address the biasedness problem while identifying and prioritizing stakeholders. To rectify this problem, specifically the in-group bias, we propose a social network-based process. It combines hybrid centrality measure and power, legitimacy, urgency technique. To validate our methodology, a controlled experiment was performed on a sample set of stakeholders. It was observed from the results of the controlled trial that the group using the proposed social network-based process not only identified the stakeholders and their requirements more efficaciously but also prioritized the stakeholders significantly better than the group that did not use our proposed process. The results also demonstrate that the group using proposed social-network-based process was less biased as compared to the group with no social network-based framework.
Optimization of injection molding and solvent debinding parameters of stainless steel powder (SS316L) based feedstock for metal injection molding

In this study, injection molding parameters, including green strength, surface quality and green part density, were optimized using the L18 Taguchi orthogonal array. The L25 Taguchi method was used to optimize the green density of solvent debinding parameters. The feedstock consisted of stainless steel powder (SS316L), with powder loading fractions of 63, 63.5 and 64 v/o. The binder compositions used in the study were polyethelene glycol (PEG-73 wt. %), polymethyl methacrilate (PMMA-25 wt. %) and stearic acid (2 wt. %). The Taguchi method was used to optimize the injection parameters. The obtained optimum parameters were as follows: mold temperature of 65oC, injection temperature of 145oC, injection pressure of 650 bar, injection flow rate of 20 m3/s, holding time of 5 s and powder loading of 64% v/o. Analysis of variance results showed that mold temperature has the greatest influence in the production of good green part surface quality and that powder loading gave the best green part strength. Immersion time and temperature were used to optimize for solvent debinding parameters. By optimizing the solvent debinding parameters, an immersion temperature of 61oC and immersion time of 5 h produced the highest density which is the optimum value gain in this study.
On vortex rings around vortices: an optimal mechanism

Stable columnar vortices subject to hydrodynamic noise (e.g. turbulence) present recurrent behaviours, such as the systematic development of vortex rings at the periphery of the vortex core. This phenomenon lacks a comprehensive explanation, partly because it is not associated with an instability stricto sensu. The aim of the present paper is to identify the physical mechanism triggering this intrinsic feature of vortices using an optimal perturbation analysis as a tool of investigation. We find that the generation of vortex rings is linked to the intense and rapid amplification of specific disturbances in the form of azimuthal velocity streaks that eventually evolve into azimuthal vorticity rolls generated by the rotational part of the local Coriolis force. This evolution thus appears to follow a scenario opposite to the classical lift-up view, where rolls give rise to streaks.
What Do We Mean by Performativity in Organizational and Management Theory? The Uses and Abuses of Performativity

John Austin introduced the formulation ‘performative utterance’ in his 1962 book How to Do Things with Words. This term and the related concept of performativity have subsequently been interpreted in numerous ways by social scientists and philosophers such as Lyotard, Butler, Callon and Barad, leading to the coexistence of several foundational perspectives on performativity. This paper reviews and evaluates critically how organization and management theory (OMT) scholars have used these perspectives, and how the power of performativity has, or has not, stimulated new theory-building. In performing a historical and critical review of performativity in OMT, the authors’ analysis reveals the uses, abuses and under-uses of the concept by OMT scholars. It also reveals the lack of both organizational conceptualizations of performativity and analysis of how performativity is organized. Ultimately, the authors’ aim is to provoke a ‘performative turn’ in OMT by unleashing the power of the performativity concept to generate new and stronger organizational theories.
Regime shifts, trends and interannual variations of water level in Mirim Lagoon, southern Brazil

Long-term changes of water level in Mirim Lagoon, southern Brazil, are strongly associated with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, the relationship between the water lever record and the Southern Oscillation Index changed during the last century. Two different regimes are identified. The first regime (1912-58) is drier than the second (1958-2002). Shifts in variance and wavelet analyses suggest that the extreme floods of 1941 and the subsequent drought of 1943-45 were very unusual climatic events. The following years, from 1945 to 1963, appear to be a transition towards a new climatic state characterized by more frequent El Ninos. A positive trend for the entire period (> 1 m) was detected and is significant. The trend is apparently related to the higher frequency of ENSO warm events in the Pacific Ocean during the second half of the last century and references in literature report that this trend affects a wide region in subtropical South America. The record from Mirim Lagoon, spanning over 90 years, is a rare and very important indicator of long-term climatic variations and should be maintained and monitored in order to assess potential environmental changes.
Ethnic Networks and the Location Choice of Migrants in Europe

In this paper we analyse the role of ethnic networks in the location decision of migrants to the EU 15 at the regional level. Using a random parameters logit specification we find a substantially positive effect of ethnic networks on the location decision of migrants. The effect is, however, decreasing in network size. Furthermore, we find evidence of spatial spillovers in the effect of ethnic networks: ethnic networks in neighbouring regions significantly help to explain migrants' choice of target regions. The positive effects of ethnic networks thus also extend beyond regional and national borders. Analysing the trade-off between potential income and network size, we find that migrants would require a sizeable compensation for living in a region with a smaller ethnic network, especially when considering regions where only few previous migrants from the same country of origin are located.
Antihyperglycemic Activity and Standardization of the Bioactive Extract of Cleome droserifolia Growing in Egypt

Background: Cleome droserifolia herb is well known in the Egyptian folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. However, a standardized active extract of the herb was never prepared for incorporation into a pharmaceutical dosage form. Materials and Methods: Comparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatographic profi les were established in order to study the ethnopharmacological use of the antihyperglycemic herb using a validated reversed phaseHPLC method which was developed for standardization of the active aqueous extract. A biologically guided fractionation of the antihyperglycemic aqueous extract was carried out in vivo using alloxan induced diabetic rats. Results: The aqueous extract contained the highest percent of the total active fl avonol glycosides (78.20%) compared to the 70% and 50% ethanolic extracts (51.17 and 42.66%, respectively). The aqueous extract and its ethyl acetate fraction possessed the highest antihyperglycemic activities. A standard calibration curve, established for the major bioactive methoxylated fl avonol glycoside (kaempferol-4’-methoxy-3,7-dirhamnoside) at a concentration range of 44-174 μg/ml, showed good linearity with a correlation coeffi cient (R2) of 0.998. The recovery of the method was 100.5%. A high degree of precision (relative standard deviation values <5%) was achieved. The limits of detection and quantifi cation were 0.01 and 0.02 μg/ml, respectively, indicating the sensitivity of the method.Conclusion: The aqueous extract contained the highest percent of the total active fl avonol glycosides. The extract, standardized to contain not <1.5 ± 0.06% of kaempferol-4’-methoxy3,7-dirhamnoside, was tested at three different dose levels showing a 63.3% activity of that of metformin at100 mg/kg body weight. Furthermore, it raised the blood insulin level by 146.26% at this dose level.
Optimal Auction Design and Irrelevance of Private Information

We consider the problem of mechanism design by a principal who has private information. We point out a simple condition under which the privacy of the principal's information is irrelevant in the sense that the mechanism implemented by the principal coincides with the mechanism that would be optimal if the principal's information were publicly known. This condition is then used to show that the privacy of the principal's information is irrelevant in many environments with private values and quasi-linear preferences, including the Myerson's classical auction environments in which the seller is privately informed about her cost of selling. Our approach unifies results by Maskin and Tirole, Tan, Yilankaya, Skreta, and Balestrieri. We also provide an example of a classical principal-agent environment with private values and quasi-linear preferences where a privately informed principal can do better than when her information is public.
The Influence of Stator Material on the Power Density and Iron Loss of a High-Performace Starter-Generator for More Electric Aircraft

Maximizing the power density as well as efficiency are two of the main critical aspects for engineers who are designing electrical machines for aerospace applications. Iron losses have a significant impact on the total machine efficiency, thermal state and, eventually, on the final machine design. This impact becomes especially critical for high-frequency machines. Thereby a selection of optimal stator material which allows minimizing the total weight and iron losses is very important. This paper focuses on the comparison of cobalt-iron alloy and high-grade non-oriented silicon steel materials in terms of influence on the starter-generator iron losses and power density. Analytical and finite element models are used for calculation and optimization of the machine parameters. The optimization of starter-generator design is performed by using genetic-algorithm taking into account thermal state and the estimation of passive mass. The results of investigation allows for the selection of an optimal stator material based on the machine efficiency, power density as well as the cost considerations.
Evaluation of the Effect of Planting Distance and Harvesting Time on the Carotenoids and Phytochemicals of Selected Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Varieties

We evaluated the carotenoid profile and concentration (by HPLC) and the phytochemical content of two OFSP varieties (Umuspo 3 and Ex-Igbariam) planted at three distances (20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm) and harvested in two different periods (12th and 16th weeks after planting) respectively. Carotene contents of the outer peel and inner flesh of the sweet potato varieties were also determined. The results showed wide variation in the carotenoid and phytochemical content among the varieties at different planting spaces and harvest periods. Umuspo 3 planted at 20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm had significantly greater carotenoid concentration than Ex-Igbariam variety. The predominant carotenoid was β-carotene with highest concentration obtained from 40 cm planting distance (92.82µg/g) and 30 cm (80.97µg/g) for Umuspo 3. Ex-Igbariam at 30 cm planting distance contained 2. 51µg/g β-carotene when harvested after 16th weeks. Also the highest β-carotene concentration was from Umuspo 3 flesh sample planted 30 and 40 cm (409.45 and 441.15 mg/100g) and the peel for samples planted 30 and 40 cm (490.47 and 640.69 mg/100g, respectively) at the 12th week of harvest. Flavonoids were present in significant amounts (310.62mg/100g) in Umuspo 3 planted at 30 cm and harvested after 12th week while in total polyphenol, significant quantities of ≈42.12mg/100g was present in Ex-Igbariam spaced at 30 cm and 40 cm and harvested after 16th week. Provitamin A carotenoid was calculated and Umuspo 3 pro-vitamin A carotenoid was significantly higher (p< 0.05) with highest concentration (742.26 RE/100g) present in samples from 40 cm planting distance. The results showed that planting space and harvesting period had significant impact on the carotenoid and phytochemical concentrations of OFSP varieties. Planting distances of 30 and 40 cm are recommended for high carotenoid content in the two sweet potato varieties.
Engel curves and equivalence scales for Bangladesh

This paper examines the Engel curves for major expenditure categories in Bangladesh with a particular attention to their specifications. Our semi-parametric model indicates a quadratic Engel curve for most of the expenditure categories, including food, and thus provides additional evidence to the argument for a quadratic food Engel curve for developing countries. As household expenditure increases, expenditures on some food categories like protein and non-home-made food increase at a faster rate, resulting in a quadratic food Engel curve. Our analysis demonstrates that knowledge about the correct specification of the Engel curves has important implications for modeling household responses to the negative income shocks. Such knowledge can be particularly useful for the developing countries where governments aim to protect the low-income households from such shocks.
Pattern of Smartphone Use Among Clinical Medical Students of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos

Background: Mobile phones are one of the most common information access devices with almost 31% of the global population having access. Mobile phones are now in the hands of 2 billion people out of the 6.47 billion people on this planet. The knowledge on the pattern of use of mobile phones among students will shed more light on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of mobile phones so as to find ways of channeling the usage into being more beneficial and useful to the students. The aim is to determine the pattern of use of smartphones among clinical medical students in Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos. The study was a cross- sectional descriptive study among medical clinical students of BHUTH, Jos. The sampling method was consecutive sampling of all the students until sample size was obtained. A total of 134 questionnaires were distributed and all 134 were duly filled and returned. Results: The analyses of the pattern showed that majority of the students spend more than three hours on their phones per day. The commonest applications in use by the students include; Google play store, word documents and blogging applications. Thirteen (10.2% spends >20 hours) on academic sites, while (6.0% spends > 20hrs) on chatting sites, and (5.7% spends >20hrs) on social networking sites per week. A lot of students put their phone on vibration during lectures and there is a gender difference in the use of mobile phone. About one third of the students use their phones at night and most agreed that it is a form of distraction. The study concludes by recommending seminars on the appropriate use of mobile phone in the university.