Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
¹⁰Be in polar ice cores and ¹⁴C in tree rings: separation of production and system effects, comparison with past climate changes and implications for solar physics

Understanding the Sun’s magnetic activity is important because of its impact on the Earth’s environment. The sunspot record since 1610 shows irregular 11-year cycles of activity; they are modulated on longer timescales and were interrupted by the Maunder minimum in the 17th century. Recent activity has been abnormally high for at least 8 cycles: is this grand maximum likely to terminate soon or even to be followed by another (Maunder-like) grand minimum? Cosmogenic radionuclides stored in natural archives such as Be in ice cores and C in tree rings have proven to be very useful in reconstructing past solar activity, and changes in the geomagnetic field intensity over many millennia. At present, this is the only method to extend the records of solar activity proxies beyond the instrumental period. To answer the previous questions we use, as a measure of the Sun’s open magnetic field, a composite record of the solar modulation potential φ, reconstructed principally from the record of cosmogenic Be abundances in the GRIP ice core from Greenland. However, the cosmogenic radionuclide signal contains also a climate component introduced by the transport of the radionuclides from the atmosphere to the archive where they are stored. In order to employ cosmogenic radionuclides in astrophysical or climate studies, first these two components must be separated. Fortunately, theory shows that the response of Be and C systems to climate variations is very different. Thus comparing both radionuclides makes it possible to distinguish between climate induced variations and solar/geomagnetic ones. In this work, we apply PCA (Principal Component Analysis) to Be from ice cores as well as to C from tree rings in order to isolate and remove the climate effects in the records. In this way Be and C become much better tools for climate as well as for astrophysical applications, for instance in form of solar modulation potential φ. The φ composite used in this work extends back for almost 10,000 years, showing many grand maxima and grand minima. We carry out a statistical analysis of this record and calculate the life expectancy of the current grand maximum. We find that it is only expected to last for a further 15– 36 years, and we therefore predict a decline in solar activity within the next two or three cycles. In addition, we also estimate the probability that the current grand maximum will be followed by a (Maunder-like) grand minimum. The spectral analysis of the solar modulation potential φ reveals strong modulation at well defined periods, namely ∼ 2200, 980 and 200. Comparison of the afore mentioned open-flux proxies with sunspots, points to the existence of a magnetic threshold below which, the sunspots do not reach the solar surface. We suggest two separate full dynamos operating in two separate layers. The possible decoupling between both dynamos could be the explanation for activity minima such as the Maunder minimum. Starting in 2004, hence, 2019-2040 A.D.
Feminist and Queer Approaches to Education for Spatial Citizenship

This contribution suggests that Feminist and Queer Studies, and more explicitly Feminist and Queer cartographies, may contribute widely to an education for Spatial Citizenship, aiming at participation and empowerment. Based on basic competence dimensions of Spatial Citizenship education, the paper explores existing theoretical and empirical work for technical and methodological skills, reflexive geo-media use, and practices of communication and participation. The evidence is systematized in order to suggest a Research Agenda, as well as to provide an overview of educational approaches that may be readily translated to secondary school use.
Cultural Capital, Agency, and Voice: Literacy Practices of Middle School English Language Learners

Grounded in cultural capital and agency theory, this study examines two middle school English language learners’ (ELLs) participatory behaviors in literacy practices in the U.S. classroom. A closer examination of the ELLs’ participatory behaviors through their authentic voices is important to understand the studentst literacy development. The purpose of the article is to report on classroom contexts and dynamics where the sixth grade Russian ELLs portray and position themselves while acquiring English literacy skills as new cultural capital. The data sources include formal and informal interviews, classroom observations, and artifacts, including reading and writing projects. Findings suggest that, despite the students’ similar background of race, native language, age, gender, and year of U.S. schooling experience, the difference in literacy practice participation was conspicuous. Classroom dynamics that focus on monoculturalism or multiculturalism appear to affect the ELLs’ different participatory behaviors and their positioning. The implication of the study is that, instead of lumping the middle school ELLs as one homogeneous group based on their similar backgrounds, educators need to pay more attention to their individual differences. It also offers educators a cultural and social space where they can activate their cultural capital and agency through the literacy activities that invite ELLs’ voices into the classroom
Fuzzy Color Image Segmentation using Watershed Transform

In this paper, we present a segmentation technique which joins a multi-scale texture based approach and a fuzzy segmentation method using the color gradient of Di Zenzo. Thus maps of homogeneous texture patterns are enhanced by edge localization. A topographic distance is used to calculate membership degrees to each region. Both lead to segmentation using a step of watershed flooding, with few parameters to set. Moreover computation complexity has been reduced to allow treatments of images in full size and colors. 
Salinity increased vitamins concentration in Amaranthus cruentus leaves

Salt stress is one of the major environmental constraints limiting agricultural productivity and influencing the concentration of bioactive compounds of vegetables. In this study, the effect of NaCl salt stress on nutrient contents of leaves in a cultivar of amaranth, an important leafy vegetable cultivated in some tropical regions worldwide, was evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a screen house at Center for Agricultural Research of Agonkanmey, Benin Republic as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Three weeks old plants were subjected in pots containing a mixture of potting soil and sand, to three concentrations (0, 30 and 90 mM) of NaCl by irrigation every two days. Nutrient contents in leaves were determined at maturity, after four weeks of stress, using standards methods. Proteins, total sugars, reducing sugars, lipids, potassium, calcium, vitamins C and B3 contents were not significantly affected by NaCl. Iron content increased significantly only at 30 mM NaCl but vitamins A, B1 and B2 contents increased significantly with increase in NaCl concentration. Thus, salt stress did not reduce nutritional values of this amaranth cultivar but improved its leaves nutritional quality by increasing vitamins A, B1 and B2 content. Key words: Amaranth, NaCl, proteins, lipids, sugars, mineral, vitamins.
Fabrication and Characterization of PCBM:P3HT Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells Doped with Germanium Phthalocyanine or Germanium Naphthalocyanine

[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester: poly (3-hexylthiophene) bulk heterojunction solar cells doped with germanium phthalocyanine or germanium naphthalocyanine were fabricated and characterized. Photovoltaic properties of the solar cells with inverted structures were investigated by optical absorption, current density-voltage characteristic and incident photon to current conversion efficiency. These germanium phthalocyanine and germanium naphthalocyanine blended as the third component absorbed light with wavelength longer than 700 nm. Morphology of solar cells was investigated by atomic force microscopy, and energy levels of the solar cells were discussed for power conversion efficiency.
Assessment of conservative weighting scheme in simulating chemical vapour deposition with trace species

Low‐pressure or ultra‐high vacuum chemical vapour deposition often involves important trace species in both gas‐phase and surface reactions. The conservative weighting scheme (J. Thermophys. Heat Transfer 1996; 10(4) : 579) has been used to deal with the trace species often involved in some non‐reactive physical processes, which is otherwise considered computationally impossible using the conventional DSMC method. This conservative weighting scheme (CWS) improves greatly the statistical uncertainties by decreasing the weighting factors of trace‐species particles and ensures the conservation of both momentum and energy between two colliding particles with large difference of weighting factors. This CWS is further extended to treat reactive processes for gas‐phase and surface reactions with trace species, which is called extended conservative weighting scheme (ECWS). A single‐cell equilibrium simulation is performed for verifying both the CWS and ECWS in treating trace species. The results of using CWS show that it is most efficient and accurate for weight ratio (trace to non‐trace) equal to or less than 0.01 for flows with two and three species. The results of a single‐cell simulation using ECWS for gas‐phase reaction and surface reactions show that only ECWS can produce acceptable results with reasonable computational time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An international study of the psychometric properties of the Hofstede Values Survey Module 1994 : a comparison of individual and country/province level results

Hofstede’s Values Survey Module has been the basis for much cross-cultural and cross-national research in the workplace, but little information about its psychometric properties has been available. This study provides internal consistency (coefficient alpha) statistics from samples representing 23 nations/provinces. Across both English and translated versions, internal consistencies tended to be poor, and in the majority of cases failed to achieve even a liberal criterion of 0.60. Even when data were aggregated by sample coefficient alphas were poor for all but long-term orientation. At the participant level, long-term orientation and individualism had marginal internal consistencies, whereas power distance, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance subscales had inadequate internal consistencies. A replication of Hofstede’s ecological factor analysis failed to support the five subscales. It is suggested that the construct validity of these scales is suspect, and that they should be used with caution. Le Module d’Enquete sur les Valeurs d’Hofstede a` e´te´ a` la base de nombreuses recherches inter-culturelles et multi-nationales sur le lieu de travail alors que peu d’informations sur ses qualite´s psychome´triques e´taient disponibles. Cette e´tude fournit des statistiques cohe´rentes (coefficient alpha) a` partir d’e´chantillons repre´sentant 23 nations ou re´gions. Dans les versions anglaises et dans les traductions, la cohe´rence interne est plutot me´diocre n’arrivant pas a` atteindre le coefficient de 0.60, en cotant large. Meme quand les donne´es e´taient regroupe´es en agre´gats par e´chantillon, les coefficients alpha e´taient me´diocres sauf en ce qui concerne l’orientation vers le long terme. Au niveau du participant, les orientations vers le long terme et l’individualisme avaient une cohe´rence interne marginale tandis que des sous e´chelles sur la distance hie´rarchique, la masculinite´ et le controle de l’incertitude en pre´sentaient de plus fortes.
Efficiency Barriers to the Consolidation of the European Financial Services Industry

Cross-border consolidation of financial institutions within Europe has been relatively limited, possibly reflecting efficiency barriers to operating across borders, including distance; differences in language, culture, currency, and regulatory/supervisory structures; and explicit or implicit rules against foreign competitors. EU policies such as the Single Market Programme and European Monetary Union attenuate some but not all of these barriers. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that these barriers offset most of any potential efficiency gains from cross-border consolidation. Banks headquartered in other EU nations have slightly lower average measured efficiency than domestic banks and non-EU-based foreign banks.
Annual intercrops: an alternative pathway for sustainable agriculture.

Intercropping, the agricultural practice of cultivating two or more crops in the same space at the same time, is an old and commonly used cropping practice which aims to match efficiently crop demands to the available growth resources and labor. The most common advantage of intercropping is the production of greater yield on a given piece of land by making more efficient use of the available growth resources using a mixture of crops of different rooting ability, canopy structure, height, and nutrient requirements based on the complementary utilization of growth resources by the component crops. Moreover, intercropping improves soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation with the use of legumes, increases soil conservation through greater ground cover than sole cropping, and provides better lodging resistance for crops susceptible to lodging than when grown in monoculture. Intercrops often reduce pest incidence and improve forage quality by increasing crude protein yield of forage. Intercropping provides insurance against crop failure or against unstable market prices for a given commodity, especially in areas subject to extreme weather conditions such as frost, drought, and flood. Thus, it offers greater financial stability than sole cropping, which makes the system particularly suitable for labor-intensive small farms. Besides, intercropping allows lower inputs through reduced fertilizer and pesticide requirements, thus minimizing environmental impacts of agriculture. However, intercropping has some disadvantages such as the selection of the appropriate crop species and the appropriate sowing densities, including extra work in preparing and planting the seed mixture and also extra work during crop management practices, including harvest. The selection of an appropriate intercropping system for each case is quite complex as the success of intercropping systems depend much on the interactions between the component species, the available management practices, and the environmental conditions. Plant breeding can contribute determinedly to increase of productivity of intercropping systems by investigating and exploiting the genetic variability to intercrop adaptation. This paper provides an overall view and evaluation of annual intercropping, summarizing its main advantages supported by a number of key examples from the literature which point out its great value in the context of sustainable agriculture.
Relationship Between Teachers’ Motivation Teaching HIV/ADS Education And Students’ Knowledge And Attitude Towards Sexual Behaviour In Secondary Schools In Coast Region, Kenya

Education plays an important role in curbing the spread of HIV and AIDS among the youth. However, there is little known how teachers’ motivation in teaching HIV/AIDS education affects students’ knowledge and attitudes towards sexual behaviour. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between teachers’ level of motivation in teaching HIV/AIDS education and students’ knowledge and attitude towards sexual behaviour in secondary schools in the Coast Region of Kenya. The study used descriptive survey research design. Proportional, purposive and random sampling methods were used to choose the participants. The samples comprised 421 respondents of which 33 were teachers and 388 students in 13 secondary schools. Questionnaires, document analysis and interview schedule were used to collect the data. Reliability coefficients of the instruments were 0.8 for both teachers and students. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The descriptive statistics that were used were frequencies and percentage. Chi-squire statistics was used to test the hypothesis in the study. The hypothesis testing was done at α = 0.05 level of significance. The data collected in this study was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme version 20.0. The findings showed that there is a relationship between teachers’ level of motivation in teaching of HIV/AIDS education and students’ knowledge and attitudes towards sexual behaviour. It further revealed that majority of Form 4 students had negative attitude towards sexual behaviour. The study recommends that the Teachers Service Commission and other stakeholders should motivate teachers who teach HIV/AIDS education in secondary schools.
Machine Learning Elman Technique for Predicting Shelf Life of Burfi

Elman artificial neural network single and multilayer computerized models were developed for predicting the shelf life of burfi stored at 30o C. The experimental data of the product relating to moisture, titratable acidity, free fatty acids, tyrosine, and peroxide value were taken as input variables, and overall acceptability score as output variable for developing the models. Bayesian regularization algorithm was applied as training algorithm for neural network. Transfer function for hidden layers was tangent sigmoid; while for output layer it was pure linear function. Elman model with a combination of 5101 and 5771 performed exceedingly well for predicting the shelf life of burfi.
On the feeding of copepods on Thalassiosira partheneia from the Northwest African upwelling area

Copepod feeding on the colony-building diatom Thalassiosira partheneia was studied in spring 1975 in the Northwest African upwelling area. Healthy, whole colonies of T. partheneia (diameter 1 cm) were offered as food as well as single cells (diameter 9 pm) after disintegration of the colonies. In addition, comparative experiments were carried out with the dinoflagellate Scrjppsiella trochoidea. None of the 13 copepod species studied was able to feed on the entire colony. However, feeding on single cells after disintegration of the colonies was found for 4 copepod species studied. The actual quantity of food intake ranged from 14.7 to 124.0 % body carbon per day. The lowest values were obtained for Calanus helgolandicus, the highest for Temora stylifera
Federation Account Allocation in Nigeria: Implication for Growth

This paper considers whether there is statistical growth evidence of federal government allocation share, state governments’ allocation share, and state governments’ internally generated revenue in Nigeria. Time-series data going back to 1970 was used. After studying the time-series properties of these variables for stationarity, a dynamic model was estimated. The regression result suggests that, in the long run, growth can be influenced positively by the share of the federal government allocation and the state governments’ internally generated revenue. In the contrary, result suggests that state governments’ allocation share has negative impact on economic. Keywords: Growth; Government; Revenue; dynamic model; correlation
Math Information Retrieval using a Text Search Engine

Combining text and mathematics when searching in a corpus with extensive mathematical notation remains an open problem. Recent results for math information retrieval systems on the math and text retrieval task at NTCIR-12, for example, show room for improvement, even though formula retrieval appears to be fairly successful. This thesis explores how to adapt the state-of-the-art BM25 text ranking method to work well when searching for math and text together. Symbol layout trees are used to represent math formulas, and features are extracted from the trees, which are then used as search terms for BM25. This thesis explores various features of symbol layout trees and explores their effects on retrieval performance. Based on the results, a set of features are recommended that can be used effectively in a conventional text-based retrieval engine. The feature set is validated using various NTCIR math only benchmarks. Various proximity measures show math and text are closer in documents deemed relevant than documents deemed non-relevant for NTCIR queries. Therefore it would seem that proximity could improve ranking for math information retrieval systems when searching for both math and text. Nevertheless, two attempts to include proximity when scoring matches were unsuccessful in improving retrieval effectiveness. Finally, the BM25 ranking of both math and text using the feature set designed for formula retrieval is validated by various NTCIR math and text benchmarks.
HERSCHEL SURVEY OF GALACTIC OH+, H2O+, AND H3O+: PROBING THE MOLECULAR HYDROGEN FRACTION AND COSMIC-RAY IONIZATION RATE

In diffuse interstellar clouds the chemistry that leads to the formation of the oxygen-bearing ions OH+, H2O+, and H3O+ begins with the ionization of atomic hydrogen by cosmic rays, and continues through subsequent hydrogen abstraction reactions involving H2. Given these reaction pathways, the observed abundances of these molecules are useful in constraining both the total cosmic-ray ionization rate of atomic hydrogen (ζH) and molecular hydrogen fraction (). We present observations targeting transitions of OH+, H2O+, and H3O+ made with the Herschel Space Observatory along 20 Galactic sight lines toward bright submillimeter continuum sources. Both OH+ and H2O+ are detected in absorption in multiple velocity components along every sight line, but H3O+ is only detected along 7 sight lines. From the molecular abundances we compute in multiple distinct components along each line of sight, and find a Gaussian distribution with mean and standard deviation 0.042 ± 0.018. This confirms previous findings that OH+ and H2O+ primarily reside in gas with low H2 fractions. We also infer ζH throughout our sample, and find a lognormal distribution with mean log (ζH) = −15.75 (ζH = 1.78 × 10−16 s−1) and standard deviation 0.29 for gas within the Galactic disk, but outside of the Galactic center. This is in good agreement with the mean and distribution of cosmic-ray ionization rates previously inferred from H observations. Ionization rates in the Galactic center tend to be 10–100 times larger than found in the Galactic disk, also in accord with prior studies.
SRoL - Web-based Resources for Languages and Language Technology e-Learning

The SRoL Web-based spoken language repository and tool collection in- cludes thousands of voice recordings grouped on sections like "Basic sounds of the Romanian language", "Emotional voices", "Specific language processes", "Patho- logical voices", "Comparison of natural and synthetic speech", "Gnathophonics and gnathosonics". The recordings are annotated and documented according to propri- etary methodology and protocols. Moreover, we included on the site extended docu- mentation on the Romanian language, on speech technology, and on tools, produced by the SRoL team, for voice analysis. The resources are a part of the CLARIN Euro- pean Network for Language Resources. The resources and tools are useful in virtual learning for phonetics of the Romanian language, speech technology, and medical subjects related to voice. We report on several applications in language learning and voice technology classes. Here, we emphasize the utilization of the SRoL resources