Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defining high-flow seasons using temporal streamflow patterns from a global model

Globally, flood catastrophes lead all natural hazards in terms of impacts on society, causing billions of dollars of damages annually. Here, a novel approach to defining high-flow seasons (3-month) globally is presented by identifying temporal patterns of streamflow. The main high-flow season is identified using a volume-based threshold technique and the PCR-GLOBWB model. In comparison with observations, 40 % (50 %) of locations at a station (sub-basin) scale have identical peak months and 81 % (89 %) are within 1 month, indicating fair agreement between modeled and observed high-flow seasons. Minor high-flow seasons are also defined for bi-modal flow regimes. Identified major and minor high-flow seasons together are found to well represent actual flood records from the Dartmouth Flood Observatory, further substantiating the model's ability to reproduce the appropriate high-flow season. These high-spatial-resolution high-flow seasons and associated performance metrics allow for an improved understanding of temporal characterization of streamflow and flood potential, causation, and management. This is especially attractive for regions with limited observations and/or little capacity to develop early warning flood systems.
The Impact of Price Subsidies on Child Health Care Use: Evaluation of the Indonesian Healthcard

Financial barriers to seeking care are frequently cited as one of the main causes of underutilization of child health care services. This paper estimates the impact of Indonesia's healthcard on health care use by children. Evaluation of the healthcard effect is complicated by the fact that card allocation was non-random. The analysis uses propensity score matching to control for systematic differences between treatment and control groups. A second potential source of bias is related to contemporaneous, exogenous influences on health care use unrelated to the healthcard itself. Using panel data collected prior to and after the introduction of the healthcard, a difference-in-differences estimator is constructed to eliminate the effects of exogenous changes over time. The author finds that although health care use declined for all children during the crisis years of 1997-2000, use of public sector outpatient services declined much less for children with healthcards. The protective effect of the healthcard on public sector use was concentrated among children aged 0-5 years. The healthcard had no significant impact on use of private sector services. The results highlight the need to provide adequate protection against the financial burden of health care costs, particularly during economic crises.
Venture financing of start-ups: A model of contract between VC fund and entrepreneur

Venture capital has become one of the main sources of innovation in the modern, global economy. It is not just a substitute for bank loans: it has proven to be a more efficient way of financing projects at different stages. On one hand, venture financing allows for projects with higher risk, which leads to the possibility of higher returns on investment. On the other hand, venture investors who usually have managerial experience often participate in governing the business, which certainly adds value to the enterprise. In this paper we establish the model of contract between the venture capital fund and the entrepreneur, focusing on probably the most important issue of this contract: the shares of the parties in the business. The shares in the company determine the distribution of the joint surplus. The expected joint profits are not just exogenously specified in the contract but are dependent on the behavioural variables of both parties at the stage of fulfilling the contract. We call the behavioural variable of the entrepreneur ‘effort’ and the one of the venture fund ‘advice’. The probability of the project’s success, and hence the expected joint revenues, are increased by these two. However, both kinds of effort are costly to the respective parties that have made them. Based on this fact we can elaborate the profit functions of both sides of the contract. Our model can be considered as a basis for specifying contracts concerning venture financing. It can provide the logic for how the equilibrium shares of entrepreneur and venture fund are obtained.
Effect of water supply on seed quality development in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris var.)

In order to determine the best developmental stage of three common bean cultivars (Talash, COS16 and Khomain) at which maximum seed quality is attained under different irrigation regimes (I1-irrigation after 60 mm, I2-irrigation after 80 mm and I3-irrigation after 100 mm evaporation from class A pan), a split plot experiment (using R.C.B. design) with 3 replications was conducted in 2004 at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture,Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran. Seeds were harvested at five day intervals in nine stages. Analysis of variance of the data indicated that maximum seed weight, percentages of viable seeds and normal seedlings, seedling dry weight and minimum electrical conductivity of seeds were not significantly different among seeds produced under different irrigation conditions. However, maximum seed weight and minimum electrical conductivity were significantly affected by the cultivars. Maximum seed weight of Khomain was significantly higher than that of Talash and COS16. The lowest and the highest minimum electrical conductivity were obtained for Khomain and Talash, respectively, but this was not significantly different between Khomain and COS16. Changes in seed quality during development and maturity showed that mass maturity and maximum seed vigor under I3 occurred earlier, compared to other two irrigation regimes. Mass maturity under I1 and I2 achieved at about 1270 degree-days after sowing for Talash and 1210 degree-days after sowing for COS16 and Khomain. Mass maturity of all cultivars under I3 occurred at about 1160 degree-days after sowing. Maximum quality of common bean seeds was attained some times after mass maturity, when seed moisture content was about 16-25%. Seed vigor of all treatments was reduced, as harvests delayed. Therefore, seed quality of pinto bean cultivars under different irrigation regimes coulde be improved, if seeds harvested slightly after mass maturity.
Quantifying the modern recharge of the “fossil” Sahara aquifers

[1] The North-Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS), one of the world's largest groundwater systems, shows an overall piezometric decline associated with increasing withdrawals. Estimating the recharge rate in such a semiarid system is challenging but crucial for sustainable water development. In this paper, the recharge of the NWSAS is estimated using a regional water budget based on GRACE terrestrial water storage monthly records, soil moisture from the GLDAS (a land data system that assimilates hydrological information), and groundwater pumping rates. A cumulated natural recharge rate of 1.40 ± 0.90 km3 yr−1is estimated for the two main aquifers. Our results suggest a renewal rate of about 40% which partly contradicts the premise that recharge in this area should be very low or even null. Aquifer depletion inferred from our analysis is consistent with observed piezometric head decline in the two main aquifers in the region. Annual recharge variations were also estimated and vary between 0 and 4.40 km3 yr−1for the period 2003–2010. These values correspond to a recharge between 0 and 6.75 mm yr−1 on the 650,000 km2of outcropping areas of the aquifers, which is consistent with the expected weak and sporadic recharge in this semiarid environment. These variations are also in line with annual rainfall variation with a lag time of about 1 year.
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of cassava leaf flour extract against injury induced by CCl4 in rats

In the present study, we assessed the effect of the cassava leaf flour (CLF) extract on the antioxidant activity and liver injury in rats. For the extract preparation, the CLF was kept under maceration in 50% ethanol at a 1:40 ratio (w/v) for 30 min. and then centrifuged at 2,500 x g for 15 min. The supernatant was collected and the precipitate was again subjected to the extraction process with 70% acetone, as described above; the supernatants were collected, rotoevaporated for removal of solvents and lyophilized to give the extract. The animals received intraperitoneal doses of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and daily doses of the extract by gavage. After the treatment, we tested the activity of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and lipid peroxidation, determining the concentration of albumin and serum protein, total lipids and liver histopathology. Treatment with the CLF extract was capable of inhibiting damage induced by CCl4, presenting a lower degree of steatosis. Protection was demonstrated by the lower activities of serum enzymes in liver damage, such as AST, ALT and GGT, low levels of lipid peroxidation and histopathological observation. These actions were attributed to phenolic compounds, such as gallic acid, gallocatechin, catechin and chlorogenic acid found in the CLF extract. Key words: Manihot esculenta, leaves, phenolic compounds, carbon tetrachloride, enzyme, lipid peroxidation.
The mysterious long-range transport of giant mineral dust particles

Strong winds, turbulence, convective uplift, and electric charge may keep giant particles aloft. Giant mineral dust particles (>75 μm in diameter) found far from their source have long puzzled scientists. These wind-blown particles affect the atmosphere’s radiation balance, clouds, and the ocean carbon cycle but are generally ignored in models. Here, we report new observations of individual giant Saharan dust particles of up to 450 μm in diameter sampled in air over the Atlantic Ocean at 2400 and 3500 km from the west African coast. Past research points to fast horizontal transport, turbulence, uplift in convective systems, and electrical levitation of particles as possible explanations for this fascinating phenomenon. We present a critical assessment of these mechanisms and propose several lines of research we deem promising to further advance our understanding and modeling.
Spatio-temporal changes in gut contents and stable isotopes in two deep Mediterranean pandalids: Influence on the reproductive cycle

The feeding habits of the 2 Plesionika species occurring around the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean) were examined. Samples were taken with a bottom trawl from depths between 247 and 752 m from August 2003 to June 2004 at 2 sites (Cabrera and Soller) off the island of Mallorca. Both species preferentially exploited mesopelagic resources but the shallower living P. heterocarpus, which inhabits the shelf-slope break, also consumed benthic organisms (e.g. poly- chaetes, bivalves, tanaids). Spatio-temporal changes were evident in the diet of the 2 pandalids. In P. heterocarpus, 2 seasonal groups were revealed by nMDS analysis, one summer-autumn, the other winter-spring. Differences in prey consumption were observed between Cabrera and Soller sam- ples, with a temporal shift in the dominance of some prey between the 2 areas. The diet of P. hetero- carpus was significantly correlated with geographical (e.g. latitude, depth), chemico-physical vari- ables (mainly those related to sediment characteristics) and biological features (e.g. maturity stages, sex) of the species. Correlation between percentage of mature females and caloric content of prey in the stomach did not show any clear seasonal pattern; also trophic level did not change throughout the year (δ 15 N = 7.87‰ ± 0.17). Temporal changes in diet composition were stronger in the deeper pan- dalid P. martia and strictly related to its reproductive pattern. Three groups were revealed by multi- variate analysis: (1) a summer group (August and September samples), (2) an autumn-winter group (November and February), characterized by high predation on gelatinous plankton, salps, hyperiids and pelagic molluscs and (3) a spring group, in which predation was directed to higher energy prey such as euphausiids and decapods. The higher percentage of mature females observed in spring was correlated with the increase in energy requirements in the pre-spawning period. Stable isotope analysis revealed a stronger seasonality for P. martia than for P. heterocarpus. An abrupt decrease in trophic level (δ 15 N) and an analogous enrichment in δ 13 C values were observed in February. This trend may be related to various factors, among others a higher consumption of refractory material (e.g. marine snow) in winter, when mesopelagic resources are scarcer, changes in the whole zoo- planktonic and suprabenthic communities due to phytodetritus input of low δ 15 N /high δ 13 C values,
Investigation of Unsteady/Quasi-Steady Scramjet Behavior using High-Speed Visualization Techniques

Experiments are carried out in the HEG (High Enthalpy Shock Tunnel Gottingen) wind-tunnel to obtain detailed measurements on the HyShot II scramjet configuration at equivalence ratios close to the incipient choking point at simulated 28-km altitude flight conditions. Diagnostic techniques include time-resolved pressure measurements and simultaneous high-speed schlieren and OH* chemiluminescence imaging. Similar to previous experiments at higher equivalence ratios, the onset of choking is signaled by the formation of an unsteady shock train that initially propagates up the duct. The shock motion then slows, however, and a quasi-steady topology develops with the shock lodged at a position that depends strongly on the equivalence ratio (the position lying further upstream for higher equivalence ratios). This topology persists until the conclusion of the steady test time. Based on these measurements, a value for the critical choking equivalence ratio, i.e., that at which the shock train first appears, in the range of 0.38-0.39 is determined. High-speed temperature sensitive paint measurements are also carried out on the model intake ramp to provide global information on the boundary-layer transition behavior.
MAGNETODYNAMIC FORMULATION RESOLVING EDDY-CURRENT EFFECTS IN THE YOKE AND THE SUPERCONDUCTIVE CABLE OF THE FAIR DIPOLE MAGNETS ∗

Transient 3D simulations are carried out for two types of superconductive dipole magnets. Eddy-current effects in the yoke are treated by homogenising the laminated iron composite whereas interstrand eddy-current effects are resolved by either a cable magnetization model or a cable eddy-current model. The simulations reveal the Joule losses in the magnets.
Substantial thinning of a major east Greenland outlet glacier

Aircraft laser‐altimeter surveys in 1993 and 1998 over Kangerdlugssuaq Glacier in east Greenland reveal thinning, over the 5‐year interim, of several meters for all surveyed areas within 70 km of the seaward ice front, rising to 50 meters in the final 5 km. Such rapid thinning is best explained by increased discharge velocities and associated creep thinning, most probably caused by enhanced lubrication of the glacier bed. The calving ice front over the past decade has occupied approximately the same location as in 1966. Velocity estimates for 1995/96 are about the same as those for 1966 and 1988, but significantly less than for 1999, suggesting that major thinning began after 1995.
Psychosocial Determinants of Longer Length of Stay on a Canadian Stroke Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

Objective: The relationship between availability of psychosocial resources and inpatient stroke rehabilitation length of stay (LOS) has been inadequately studied. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to identify psychosocial determinants that prolong LOS of patients in a stroke rehabilitation program. Methods: Patients admitted to a multidisciplinary inpatient stroke rehabilitation program in southern Ontario, Canada, were consecutively recruited from October 2008 to August 2010. Patients diagnosed as having had a cerebrovascular event resulting in neurological impairments that required intensive rehabilitation were eligible for the study. Independent variables included psychosocial (awaiting long-term care placement, poststroke depression, inadequate family support, limited access to community home care services), medical (comorbidity, medical complications), neurological (type and location of stroke, neurological deficits), and functional (Functional Independence Measure [FIM] score on admission and discharge, Modified Rankin Disability Scale score) factors. The main outcome measure was length of hospital stay (days). Results: A total of 117 patients were recruited. The mean and median LOS were 49.8 and 45 days respectively. Most patients (92.3%) were discharged home. On multivariate linear regression analysis, the significant determinants associated with longer LOS were awaiting long-term care placement (P<0.001), low admission FIM score (P=0.001), post-stroke depression (P=0.007), difficulties arising from inadequate family support (P=0.033), limited access to community home care services (P=0.035), and presence of medical complication(s) (P=0.039). These 6 factors, 4 of which were psychosocial, accounted for 48.8% of the total variance in LOS. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors were key determinants of longer LOS in addition to medical/neurological factors such as severity of stroke and medical complications. Health care systems must incorporate psychosocial information to a greater extent and recognize its fundamental role in rehabilitation outcomes.
Relation between Compressive Strength of Baked Clay Cubes and Cylinders

Reinforced Baked Clay (RBC) seems to be potential alternative of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) for construction of low cost houses. In order to utilize RBC as a construction material for buildings, it is necessary to understand compression behaviour of baked clay. In this paper, relation between cube crushing strength and cylinder strength of baked clay is presented. For this purpose, clay beams were cast in a mould and compacted at a pressure of 6 MPa. The clay beams were dried and fired in a kiln at a temperature of 900? C. Cubes of 150 mm size were sawed from a baked clay beam. Cylinders of 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height were cut, from another baked clay beam, using core cutter machine. Both the cubes and cylinders were tested for compressive strength in Universal Testing Machine. The results showed that the cube crushing strength of baked clay was 25 MPa and the ratio of the compressive strength of the cylinders and the cubes was found to be 0.6. Suggestions for improvement of compressive strength of baked clay cylinders are also discussed.
Studies on interspecific hybridization in Cyamopsis species

Reproductive characters of three species of Cyamopsis were studied to find out barriers to interspecific crosses between Cyamopsis tetragonoloba × Cyamopsis serrata and C. tetragonoloba × C. senegalensiswhich may serve as a stepping stone for development of extra early varieties of guar. Pollen grains of C. tetragonoloba and C. senegalensis showed more than 95% of viability while those of C. serrata had 87% viability. Nutritive requirement for in vitro germination of pollen revealed that pollen of C. tetragonoloba required 25% sucrose + 100 ppm boric acid + 300 ppm calcium nitrate while C. senegalensis pollen needed 35% sucrose with same basal medium. On the other hand, C. serrata pollen required 35% maltose + 6% PEG 6000 along with above dose of boric acid and calcium nitrate. Moreover, pollen germination in C. serrata was initiated after 30 h of incubation and its pollen tubes were slow growing attaining 174.7 µm length in 48 h. The length of style of C. tetragonoloba and C. serrata was nearly identical (2.6 mm) while C. senegalensispossessed longest style (3.8 mm). Interspecific hybridization between C. tetragonoloba x C. serrata was successful through the use of stub smeared with pollen germination medium (PGM) and as a consequence 10.43% of pod setting was observed. Colour and shape of hybrid seeds was similar to the female parent (C. tetragonoloba), hybrid plants showed early flowering just like male parent (C. serrata) whereas the plant height was intermediate between the two parents. Key words: Interspecific hybrids, pollen, in vitro germination, stub pollination, in vivo tube growth.
Audit firm size and quality: Does audit firm size influence audit quality in the Libyan oil industry?

This study examines the relation between size of audit firm and audit quality, and the choice of accrual measures for a large sample of firms. In relation to the impact of different sizes of audit firms on audit quality, a clear majority of oil companies and audit firms agreed that Big Four firms are superior to their non-Big Four counterparts in all of the reputation issues presented to them, and that the size of the audit firm is positively associated with audit quality. Such superiority is seen in terms of resources and audit technology, and the consequent motivation to perform as professionally as possible. A questionnaire was used to collect data. To confirm and support the questionnaire findings, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data used for this study were collected from two sources: the demand side (Libyan oil companies) and the supply side (audit firms working in Libya). The data for the Libyan oil companies were gathered from three different types of respondents: internal auditors, financial managers and accounts managers. For the audit firms, data were gathered from employees at all levels in the firm: managing partners, audit supervisors and auditors. Key words: Libya, audit quality, audit firm size, oil company, audit firms.
Stock Market Wealth, Private Saving, and the Current Account in the United States: Should We Worry?

The paper investigates by means of cointegration analysis whether the recently observed low levels of private saving and the current account balance in the United States are worrisome in the sense that they cannot be sufficiently explained by determinants which performed well in the past. Stock market wealth of private households is taken into account and turns out to be the main dampening factor of private saving during the nineties. Unlike the current account deficit, which reflects low saving, higher growth with respect to the rest of the world and the high dollar, private saving is much lower than predicted by the model in 1999.
Aspects of Moduli Stabilization in Type IIB String Theory

We review moduli stabilization in type IIB string theory compactification with fluxes. We focus on KKLT and Large Volume Scenario (LVS). We show that the predicted soft SUSY breaking terms in KKLT model are not phenomenological viable. In LVS, the following result for scalar mass, gaugino mass, and trilinear term is obtained: , which may account for Higgs mass limit if TeV. However, in this case, the relic abundance of the lightest neutralino cannot be consistent with the measured limits. We also study the cosmological consequences of moduli stabilization in both models. In particular, the associated inflation models such as racetrack inflation and Kahler inflation are analyzed. Finally, the problem of moduli destabilization and the effect of string moduli backreaction on the inflation models are discussed.