Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing the two-dimensional cascades of vorticity and a passive scalar

We compare two-dimensional vorticity and passive scalar cascades seen as a gradient enhancement process. Our criteria are based on conditional averages of the first and second Lagrangian derivatives of vorticity and passive scalar gradients in relation to the local flow geometry. In order to interpret these criteria, transient properties are derived for random vorticity and scalar fields, showing that the second-order Lagrangian derivatives of vorticity and passive scalar gradients may behave differently. Cascades obtained in numerical simulations of decaying and forced incompressible turbulence are analysed. First-order analysis reveals that the direct cascade in elliptic domains is more efficient than previously suspected. While several first-order diagnostics collapse to a single curve for vorticity and passive scalars, second-order diagnostics consistently show that the vorticity gradient exhibits faster temporal fluctuations than the passive scalar gradient, a property which we anticipate qualitatively in the study of random fields.
USING BOOKS IN ADDRESSING THE SOCIO-EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT

The lack of communication skills in children with hearing impairment poses difficulties in the detection and management of their socio-emotional issues. Unaddressed, these could negatively impact school performance. In search for possible interventions, an exploratory research used mixed methods to look into the use of books and read aloud activities using sign language. It sought to establish: 1. How the teachers select books for relevance, conduct the reading sessions, elicit responses from the hearing impaired children and process their issues; and 2. How the children with hearing impairment benefit from such activity. Of thirty (30) teachers surveyed, six (6) had previous training in therapeutic interventions and were using book therapy at the time of the study. Critical purposive sampling, the teachers were selected as respondents in case studies, along with six (6) hearing impaired children who were experiencing communication, anxiety and self-concept issues. The study employed a triangulation of the following methods: in-depth interviews and non-participant class observation of read aloud activities. Findings suggests that: 1. Reading material selection takes into consideration hearing impairment and the presenting socio-emotional issues of the students; 2. Books are low cost effective therapy tool, but locally produced ones depicting Filipino characters are hard to come by; 3. Read aloud activities are enhanced by the use of art activity and role playing, allowing the students to express themselves in variety of ways; and 4. Discussion allows the students to express how they relate with the characters, understand their issues better and works towards problem solving. The writing of books depicting Filipino characters and the conduct of more researches on the topic are recommended.
Robust features of future climate change impacts on sorghum yields in West Africa

West Africa is highly vulnerable to climate hazards and better quantification and understanding of the impact of climate change on crop yields are urgently needed. Here we provide an assessment of near-term climate change impacts on sorghum yields in West Africa and account for uncertainties both in future climate scenarios and in crop models. Towards this goal, we use simulations of nine bias-corrected CMIP5 climate models and two crop models (SARRA-H and APSIM) to evaluate the robustness of projected crop yield impacts in this area. In broad agreement with the full CMIP5 ensemble, our subset of bias-corrected climate models projects a mean warming of +2.8 °C in the decades of 2031–2060 compared to a baseline of 1961–1990 and a robust change in rainfall in West Africa with less rain in the Western part of the Sahel (Senegal, South-West Mali) and more rain in Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, South-West Niger). Projected rainfall deficits are concentrated in early monsoon season in the Western part of the Sahel while positive rainfall changes are found in late monsoon season all over the Sahel, suggesting a shift in the seasonality of the monsoon. In response to such climate change, but without accounting for direct crop responses to CO2, mean crop yield decreases by about 16–20% and year-to-year variability increases in the Western part of the Sahel, while the eastern domain sees much milder impacts. Such differences in climate and impacts projections between the Western and Eastern parts of the Sahel are highly consistent across the climate and crop models used in this study. We investigate the robustness of impacts for different choices of cultivars, nutrient treatments, and crop responses to CO2. Adverse impacts on mean yield and yield variability are lowest for modern cultivars, as their short and nearly fixed growth cycle appears to be more resilient to the seasonality shift of the monsoon, thus suggesting shorter season varieties could be considered a potential adaptation to ongoing climate changes. Easing nitrogen stress via increasing fertilizer inputs would increase absolute yields, but also make the crops more responsive to climate stresses, thus enhancing the negative impacts of climate change in a relative sense. Finally, CO2 fertilization would significantly offset the negative climate impacts on sorghum yields by about 10%, with drier regions experiencing the largest benefits, though the net impacts of climate change remain negative even after accounting for CO2.
Structure of calcite–aqueous NaCl solution interfaces from ambient to elevated temperatures

The presence of adsorbed ions on calcite surfaces can signi ﬁ cantly a ﬀ ect the adsorption and desorption of organic molecules, which is critical for oil recovery and biomineralization. In this study, the structure of calcite – arti ﬁ cial seawater interfaces from 25 to 80 °C was experimentally and theoretically investigated by surface X – ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations, respectively. The small di ﬀ erence in the CTR scattering pro ﬁ les at di ﬀ erent temperatures could be attributed to the relaxed outermost calcite surface. The electron density pro ﬁ le of the NaCl solution (0.5 mol/kg) exhibits peaks near the calcite surfaces. The two peaks closest to the surface can be interpreted as adsorbed water molecules, inner – sphere Na + complexes, and inner – and outer – sphere Cl − complexes. Thus, the adsorbed Cl − formed two peaks near the calcite ’ s surface, while Na + formed a single peak as an inner – sphere complex. It should be noted that there was no strong covalent bond between these inner – sphere complexes and the calcite surface. These structural di ﬀ erences between adsorbed cations and anions could be explained by the balance of the interactions between the surface Ca 2+ and CO 32 − , adsorbed ions, and the surrounding water molecules. The presence of inner – sphere Cl − complexes destabilizes surface Ca 2+ , whereas Na + has an insigni ﬁ cant e ﬀ ect on the structure of surface CO 32 − . Adding a small amount (0.045 mol/kg) of Mg 2+ and SO 42 − appears to enhance the relaxation of the interfacial structure.
The EXPERF Scale: A Cross-National Generalized Export Performance Measure

10 Understanding the determinants of export performance is important for researchers as well as international marketing practitioners. Yet, there has been a lack of consensus with regard to the concept of export performance and its measurement. In addition, there has been no attempt to develop a generalized measure of export performance that can be applied to across cultures. Zou, Taylor, and Osland's research is aimed at developing a cross-culturally generalized scale, the EXPERF scale, for conceptualizing and measuring export performance. Drawing on prior literature, the authors hypothesize that the EXPERF scale has three major dimensions: (1) financial export performance; (2) strategic export performance; and (3) perceived export success. Each of these dimensions is associated with a major way in which managers assess the level of success attained by an export venture. The financial dimension of the scale captures the fact that many managers assess an export venture's success based on measures such as sales level, growth, and profitability. The strategic dimension reflects managers' consideration of long-run factors such as the venture's impact on the firms' competitiveness, strategic position, and global market share. Finally, the export success dimension captures the managers' assessment of the overall success of the venture in terms of level of satisfaction, perceptions of success, and whether or not the venture has lived up to expectations.
Spatiotemporal Changes of Reference Evapotranspiration in Mongolia during 1980–2006

Reference evapotranspiration (RET) plays an important role in the terrestrial hydrological cycle. Applying the Penman-Monteith method, the RET over Mongolia was estimated from 1980 to 2006. The changing trends and magnitude of RET were detected by the Mann-Kendall test and Theil-Sen’s slope methods. Meanwhile, aridity indices were estimated using two different indices. The impacts of meteorological variables on RET were assessed through sensitive analysis by comparing the resulting RETs from artificially disturbed meteorological variables. The results indicated that the RET for 16 stations in Mongolia showed an increasing trend, particularly in the center and south. The calculated RET was higher than precipitation, which means severe droughts in Mongolia. The spatial patterns of RET are significantly influenced by climatic conditions as well as characteristics of the underlying surface (e.g., elevation and vegetation). The mean annual RET decreased from the south to the north, owing to sparse vegetation in the south of Mongolia. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the changes of RET were strongly affected by air temperature and relative humidity.
FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF SYNTHETIC JETS DEPENDING ON EXIT CONFIGURATION

Flow characteristics of synthetic jets have been computationally investigated for different exit configurations under a cross flow condition. The exit configuration of a synthetic jet substantially affects the process of vortex generation and evolution, which eventually determines the mechanism of jet momentum transport. Two types of exit configurations were considered: one is a conventional rectangular exit, and the other is a series of circular holes. The interactions of synthetic jets with a freestream were performed by analyzing the vortical structure characteristics. The effectiveness of flow control was evaluated by examining the behavior of the wall shear stress. Through various comparisons, it was observed that the exit configuration should be regarded as an important design parameter, and the circular exit provides better performance than the rectangular exit in terms of sustainable vortical structure and flow control capability.
A technique for face recognition based on image registration

This thesis presents a technique for face recognition that is based on image registration. The image registration technique is based on finding a set of feature points in the two images and using these feature points for registration. This is done in four steps. In the first, images are filtered with the Mexican hat wavelet to obtain the feature point locations. In the second, the Zernike moments of neighbourhoods around the feature points are calculated and compared in the third step to establish correspondence between feature points in the two images and in the fourth the transformation parameters between images are obtained using an iterative least squares technique. The face recognition technique consists of three parts, a training part, an image registration part and a post-processing part. During training a set of images are chosen as the training images and the Zernike moments for the feature points of the training images are obtained and stored. In the registration part, the transformation parameters to register the training images with the images under consideration are obtained. In the post-processing, these transformation parameters are used to determine whether a valid match is found or not. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using various face databases and it is compared with the performance of existing techniques. Results indicate that the proposed technique gives excellent results for face recognition in conditions of varying pose, illumination, background and scale. These results are comparable to other well known face recognition techniques.
Towards a country-wide mapping & monitoring of formal and informal settlements in South Africa. Pilot-study in cooperation with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

This report describes a pilot study that is carried out jointly by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). The pilot study aims at develop a robust methodology for the automated mapping of settlements, formal and informal, in the entire territory of South Africa. It relies on the methodology for automated settlement mapping, also known as Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL), developed by the JRC and the high resolution satellite data holdings acquired by SANSA. Amongst other uses it aims at supporting the National Department of Human Settlement (NDHS) in its implementation of the Upgrading Informal Settlements Programme (UISP) with the objective of eventually upgrading all informal settlements in the country. The presentation of the results of this pilot study focusses on the Gauteng area, the cities of Durban and Rustenburg as well as a rural area in the Limpopo province. It is planned to release the wallto wall data set of the settlements of South Africa of 2012 in the second half of 2015. Table of
INCREASING MILLABLE CANE YIELD OF SWEET SORGHUM THROUGH ALTERED NITROGEN, POPULATION LEVEL AND PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS SPRAY

Sweet sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor) has the potential to become a multipurpose feedstock for large-scale ethanol production from stem juice, cellulose/hemicellulose from stalks, and starch from grain. Maximizing the feedstock yield is the first step for large-scale production of ethanol. Feedstock yield in sweet sorghum can be improved by various nitrogen levels, spacing and plant growth regulators. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the responses of sweet sorghum to nitrogen levels (60, 120 and 180 kg N ha -1 ), populations (21.7, 10.9 and 7.2 plants m -2 ), plant growth regulators (Naphthalene acetic acid; NAA 40 ppm and salicylic acid 200 ppm) and pollen sterilants spray (ethrel 200 ppm, p-coumaric acid 400 ppm and deheading) on millable stalk yield and brix value. Increased millable stalk yield was observed in 120 kg N ha -1 . However, maximum brix value was recorded in 180 kg N ha -1 . Increased millable stalk yield and brix value (%) was recorded in 7.2 plants m -2 and it could be due to less competition between the plants for the resources. Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) application increased brix, sucrose content and theoretical ethanol yield compared to control and it could be due to enhanced sugar mobilization from the leaf to the stem. Ethrel 200 ppm sprayed plants had higher stem girth, millable stalk yield, brix value and sucrose content and this may be due to increased pollen sterility percentage. The study revealed population of 7.2 plants m -2 , nitrogen level of 120 kg N ha -1 , NAA 40 ppm spray at booting stage and ethrel 200 ppm spray at anthesis stage resulted in higher millable stalk yield and brix value.
Iron Deficiency Tolerance at Leaf Level in Medicago ciliaris Plants

Iron deficiency is an important environmental factor restricting plant productivity. Selecting tolerant genotypes is one of the possible ways to solve this problem. Many studies reported the effects of Fe deficiency on photosynthesis and anti-oxidative defense system. Yet, there is little information available on the use of these attributes as selective criteria. In the present study, we aim to determine some physiological and biochemical traits conferring Fe deficiency tolerance at leaf level in two lines of Medicago ciliaris. Our results showed that Fe deprivation had a lowering effect on photosynthesis (chlorophyll, photosynthetic electron transport activity and chlorophyll fluorescence) in both lines studied. However, the sensitive line TN8.7 was more affected. Hydrogen peroxide concentration was negatively correlated with the activities of antioxidant enzymes and with the concentration of some non-enzymatic antioxidant. The tolerant line TN11.11 was characterized by a more efficient antioxidant defense system in comparison with the sensitive line TN8.7. The main conclusion of this study is that photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system could be used as physiological and biochemical indicators of Fe deficiency tolerance in Medicago ciliaris plants.
Morphodynamic signatures of braiding mechanisms as expressed through change in sediment storage in a gravel‐bed river

Previous flume‐based research on braided channels has revealed four classic mechanisms that produce braiding: central bar development, chute cutoff, lobe dissection, and transverse bar conversion. The importance of these braiding mechanisms relative to other morphodynamic mechanisms in shaping braided rivers has not yet been investigated in the field. Here we exploit repeat topographic surveys of the braided River Feshie (UK) to explore the morphodynamic signatures of different mechanisms of change in sediment storage. Our results indicate that, when combined, the four classic braiding mechanisms do indeed account for the majority of volumetric change in storage in the study reach (61% total). Chute cutoff, traditionally thought of as an erosional braiding mechanism, appears to be the most common braiding mechanism in the study river, but was more the result of deposition during the construction of diagonal bars than it was the erosion of the chute. Three of the four classic mechanisms appeared to be largely net aggradational in nature, whereas secondary mechanisms (including bank erosion, channel incision, and bar sculpting) were primarily net erosional. Although the role of readily erodible banks in facilitating braiding is often conceptualized, we show that bank erosion is as or more important a mechanism in changes in sediment storage than most of the braiding mechanisms, and is the most important “secondary” mechanism (17% of total change). The results of this study provide one of the first field tests of the relative importance of braiding mechanisms observed in flume settings.
Rage Against the Machine: Who is the Independent Voter?

Abstract One particular type of minor candidate outside of the party circle is the independent. Perhaps the most exceptional feature of the Irish political (party) system, the persistence and significance of independents have exceeded that of many minor parties. This presence is pretty unusual in most liberal democracies, where independents are seen as irrelevant at best, and a menace at worst. This article assesses the support bases of these candidates. Beginning with aggregate data, it details where independents have experienced success and the consistency (or lack) of their vote. Using individual‐level data, the nature of the independent voter is determined. It is found that there are few social bases to such a vote. Localism, personalism and protest are significant factors, but an independent vote is more of an expression of apathy towards parties rather than a specific antipathy.
Heteroskedasticity-Robust Tests in Regression Directions

We develop simple procedures to test for omitted variables and perform other tests in regression directions, which are asymptotically valid in the presence of heteroskedasticity of unknown form. We examine the asymptotic behaviour of these tests, and use Edgeworth approximations to study their approximate finite-sample performance. We also present results from several Monte Carlo experiments, which suggest that one family of these tests should always be used in preference to the other.
Heavy Metals Concentration in Four Commercially Valuable Marine Edible Fish Species from Parangipettai Coast, South East Coast of India

Concentrations of Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), Zinc (Zn) and Aluminium(Al) were determined in four edible part of the marine fish species (Nematolosa nasus, Aleper para, Atropus atropus and Parastromateus niger) from Parangipettai Coast, south east coast of India in September 2008 to understand the toxicity of such heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Concentrations of the heavy metals in examined fish species ranged as follows: Cr 0.65-0.92; Cd 0.18-0.54; Cu 0.12-0.31; Fe 24.1-50.3; Mg 0.54-1.21; Mn 0.31-1.20; Ni 0.38-1.54; Co 0.05-0.28; Zn 14.1-33.5 and Al 14.1-33.5μg/g. Cd concentration increases gradually as weight and length of the fish increases. Heavy metals in the edible parts of the investigated fish were in the permissible safety levels for human uses.
Effects of compatibilizer and nanolayered silicate on physical and mechanical properties of PP/bagasse composites

Bagasse, an agricultural waste, was investigated for wood plastic nanocomposite production. The incorporation of nanolayered silicate has been considered in recent years for improving the properties of thermoplastic composite. In this study a composite of polypropylene (PP) and bagasse fiber (BF), with different concentrations of nanoclay and maleic anhydride (MA) as compatibilizer, were fabricated by injection molding. Then physical and mechanical properties of the composites were tested according to ASTM standards. The results indicated that tensile modulus and flexural strength increased with an increase in clay loading; however, impact strength and water absorption decreased with an increase in nanolayered silicates. The degree of nanoclay dispersion in PP/BF composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The morphological study showed that the intercalation morphology in nanocomposite samples and d-spacing of layers increased with an increase in clay content. The effect of compatibilizer was positive in terms of enhancing the properties of composites. The maximum physical and mechanical properties of samples were achieved with 3% nanolayered silicates and 2% coupling agent.
COUPLING EFFECTS IN THE EXCITATIONS BY AN EXTERNAL ELECTRON BEAM NEAR CLOSE PARTICLES

The energy-loss experienced by swift scanning transmisson electron microscopy electrons is calculated for a target constituted by two spherical particles in the framework of dielectric theory, using bispherical coordinates. Deviations from the behavior of the isolated sphere are investigated. The coupling between close particles and its effects on the energy-loss spectrum is found to depend significantly on the electron trajectory and target situation ~particle size and interparticle distance ! Excitations above the planar surface plasmon energy are found to be the dominant contribution to the loss spectrum for trajectories between the two spheres, while low-energy excitations, under those of the isolated sphere, appear for trajectories out of that region. The different possibilities are analyzed and compared with experimental results for aluminum particles and provisions of recent effective medium theories. The inelastic part of the induced electric field around the spheres is also studied showing a very important localization of the excitation in the space between both particles, even for trajectories outside that region. The expressions obtained are available for any local dielectric function. @S0163-1829~97! 04435-4#