Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoothing of PV power fluctuations by geographical dispersion

The quality and the reliability of the power generated by large grid‐connected photovoltaic (PV) plants are negatively affected by the source characteristic variability. This paper deals with the smoothing of power fluctuations because of geographical dispersion of PV systems. The fluctuation frequency and the maximum fluctuation registered at a PV plant ensemble are analyzed to study these effects. We propose an empirical expression to compare the fluctuation attenuation because of both the size and the number of PV plants grouped. The convolution of single PV plants frequency distribution functions has turned out to be a successful tool to statistically describe the behavior of an ensemble of PV plants and determine their maximum output fluctuation. Our work is based on experimental 1‐s data collected throughout 2009 from seven PV plants, 20 MWp in total, separated between 6 and 360 km. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitivity of simulated extent and future evolution of marine suboxia to mixing intensity

Geological and hydrographic records contain evidence of substantial past variations in the oxygenation of the global ocean. Numerical models predicts a future decrease of marine oxygen levels under global warming. Using a global biogeochemical‐climate model in which diapycnal mixing is parametrised as the sum of the regionally heterogenous tidal and homogenous background vertical mixing, we here show that simulated total oceanic oxygen content and the extent of marine suboxia are both sensitive to the strength of background vertical mixing. Eight otherwise identical configurations of the model were spun up under pre‐industrial conditions for different vertical diffusivities ranging from background values of 0.01 cm2/s to 0.5 cm2/s. This range corresponds to various observational estimates and to values currently used in numerical ocean circulation models. Whereas the simulated total oceanic oxygen content is larger for larger mixing intensities, the simulated suboxic volume displays a maximum at intermediate diffusivities of about 0.2 cm2/s. The intensity of vertical mixing also determines the evolution of suboxic areas under projected 21st century CO2 emissions: while all model configurations predict a decline in total oceanic oxygen, the simulated extent of marine suboxia shows a 21st century expansion only for mixing rates higher than 0.2 cm2/s, whereas the suboxic volume declines for lower mixing rates despite an overall loss of marine oxygen. Differences in the poorly constrained mixing parameterisation can thus lead to qualitatively different estimates about the future evolution of marine suboxia under projected climate change.
Application of Gamma irradiation in treatment of Waste Activated Sludge to Obtain Class a Biosolids

Problem statement: The main objective of the current study was invest igation of the possible application of Gamma irradiation for treat ment of the activated sludge generated wastewater treatment stations, to achieve the stand ard requirements in term of pathogens content. Approach: Activated sludge samples were collected from Riyadh wastewater plant and analyzed quantitatively for the presence of important bacter ial parameters including fecal coliforms and Salmonella spp. The collected samples were treated with variou s doses of Gamma irradiation and bacterial count wa s determined. Results: The results indicated that all tested sludge sampl es were positive for the presence of fecal coliforms and Salmonella spp, with different counts in different stages of wastewater treatment. The raw sludge showed to have the highest coliforms and Salmonella spp counts of 1.1◊10 8 and 2◊10 3 MPN g -1 dry sludge, respectively. Furthermore, coliforms a nd Salmonella spp were detected in final resulted sludge with count of 2.5◊10 7 and 6◊10 2 MPN g -1 dry sludge, respectively. It was found that treatm ent of samples with gamma irradiation was able to reduce t he fecal coliforms and Salmonella spp effectively and the reduction efficiency was increased by incre asing the irradiation dose. Fecal coliforms and Salmonella counts were reduced to less than 100 MPN g -1 dry sludge by exposing to 1.5 and 0.25 kGy respectively. Furthermore, Gamma radiation dose of 2.0 kGy was able to remove both fecal coliforms and Salomnell a spp completely. In addition, D 10 values were determined and was found to be 0.25 and 0.24 kGy for fecal coliforms and Salmonella spp. , respectively. Conclusion/Recommendations: The results indicating that the resulted activated slud ge generated from Riyadh wastewater plant are rich with important pathogens and therefore further treatment procedures are necessary to achieve the required standards, before any land application. Application of Gamma irradiation in treatment of the activated sludge showed to be a promising safe technology for this purpose.
Assessment of Heavy Metal in Soil due to Human Activities in Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia

An assessment was made on six different site soils based on human activities in Kangar. The concentrations of five heavy metals which are Cuprum (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) in these soils were investigated. S oil samples were collected starting from January 2012 to March 2012 by considering dry and wet seasons. The first three soil samplings were conducted in dry season, while the next three soil samplings were carried out in wet season. The samples were digested using standard wet digestion method and heavy metal concentrations were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS ). The study reveals that the concentrations of heavy metals studied in soils of wet market (WM), mechanic workshop (MW), dumping site (DS ), paddy field (PF), car wash (CW) and control site (CS ) in dry season were higher than those in wet season. The amount of Cu, Ni and Zn was highest in the top soil of MW during dry (623.7 mg/kg, 30.3 and 491.5 mg/kg respectively) and wet seasons (325.9 mg/kg, 17.2 mg/kg and 356.3 mg/kg respectively). The Pb content was highest in the top soil of CW during dry (833.3 mg/kg) and wet season (544.8 mg/kg). S lightly different with the concentration of Cd in soil of all sites due to the undetectable concentration of this heavy metal in dry season but traceable in wet season.
Einstein-Hilbert type action on spacetimes

The mixed gravitational field equations have been recently introduced for codimension one foliated manifolds, e.g. stably causal and globally hyperbolic spacetimes. These Euler–Lagrange equations for the total mixed scalar curvature (as analog of Einstein–Hilbert action) involve a new kind of Ricci curvature (called the mixed Ricci curvature). In the work, we derive Euler–Lagrange equations of the action for any spacetime, in fact, for a pseudo-Riemannian manifold endowed with a non-degenerate distribution. The obtained equations are presented in the classical form of Einstein field equation with the new Ricci type curvature instead of Ricci curvature.
Paleobiogeographic evolution and distribution of Carcharodontosauridae (Dinosauria, Theropoda) during the middle Cretaceous of North Africa

Over the last few decades, the systematics and evolution of carcharodontosaurids, a group of large predatory dinosaurs, from North Africa have been better understood mainly due the discovery of new species. We review this record here and discuss its importance for understanding the evolution and ecology of these dinosaurs. North Africa has one of the best records of carcharodontosaurid species. These species show dietary specializations and paleogeographic distributions similar to other top predatory theropods such as Abelisauridae and Spinosauridae. However, carcharodontosaurids have a wider distribution than other large theropods. The middle Cretaceous of North Africa was characterized by the niche overlap between large predators. This evidence increases our understanding of the evolution of Carcharodontosauridae in a highly competitive region, a conjuncture rarely reported for large top predators.
Study of genetic diversity in finger millet ( Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) using RAPD markers

Germplasm identification and characterization is an important link between conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. The present study was conducted to characterize the genetic diversity using twelve germplasm of finger millet including two of the same variety (VL-149) but from different regions. Three replica of each germplasm was amplified using seventeen random primers. A total of 113 distinct fragments ranging from 117 bp to 2621 bp were amplified. Of these, 70 (61.9%) were found to be polymorphic. A fingerprint for GPU-28 was obtained. Another fingerprint for genotype VL-315 was generated where two primers (T10S6, T20S4) could distinguish it from other genotypes either by absence or presence of an allele, respectively. In addition to this, another interesting allele which was absent in genotypes of high altitudes (VL-324, VL-315, and VL-149) was discovered. The lowest and highest polymorphisms were obtained within individuals belonging to genotypes OUAT-2 and VL-324. Nei’s analysis revealed the highest similarity between OUAT-2 and JWM-1 and the highest distance between BM-1 and VL-315. OUAT-2 and JWM-1, both white seeded germplasms, showed maximum closeness. The study helped in identifying the germplasm in a quick and reproducible manner and studying their relatedness.
Thermometry of quartz mylonites: Importance of dynamic recrystallization on Ti‐in‐quartz reequilibration

Quartz mylonites from the Tonale Fault Zone in the Alps (northern Italy) have been investigated by the Ti‐in‐quartz geothermometer (TitaniQ) in order to test its applicability to measure deformation temperatures. The eastern part of the Tonale Fault Zone was contact metamorphosed by the synkinematic intrusion of the Adamello pluton, forming an ∼800 m wide mylonitic shear zone, with a synkinematic temperature gradient from ∼280°C at the frictional‐viscous transition to ∼700°C at the pluton contact as derived from metamorphic mineral assemblages. Deformation microstructures from quartz mylonite samples, systematically collected across the mylonitic shear zone, display the entire range of dynamic recrystallization in quartz, which comprise bulging recrystallization (BLG), subgrain rotation recrystallization (SGR), and grain boundary migration recrystallization (GBM). TitaniQ geothermometry yields the near‐peak deformation temperature for quartz mylonites deformed at metamorphic temperatures above ∼540°C in the zone of GBM. However, for mylonites formed under lower temperatures in the zones of SGR and BLG, the preexisting Ti concentrations were not reset. It is suggested that this is due to the sluggish Ti volume diffusion rates below 500°C and the short duration of contact metamorphism and deformation. Even in the higher temperature samples the reequilibration of Ti‐in‐quartz content was achieved by grain boundary migration rather than by volume diffusion. Hence, our results show that GBM is crucial for the reequilibration of Ti‐in‐quartz, while quartz mylonites deformed by either BLG or SGR, which predominate in natural shear zones at greenschist facies metamorphic conditions, most likely yield inherited temperatures.
The Labour Party and the 'Politics of Englishness'

This thesis examines how the Labour Party has engaged with the so called ‘politics of Englishness’. It does so by considering the extent to which Englishness has been politicised and through discussion of the way in which the Labour Party has responded to it. An analytical framework based on politicisation and the importance of identity, governance and political conflict on it is used for this task. The thesis then considers the Labour Party’s relationship with the ‘politics of Englishness’ through analysis of primary data gathered from semi-structured interviews with leading national and local Labour politicians in England. This analysis enables the thesis to conclude by detailing the current state of the Labour’s relationship with the ‘politics of Englishness’ and allows it to consider how the party might engage with it in the future.
Sources and distribution of NO x in the upper troposphere at northern mid‐latitudes

A simple quasi-two-dimensional model is used to study the zonal distribution of NOx. The model includes vertical transport in the form of eddy diffusion and deep convection, zonal transport by a vertically uniform wind, and a simplified chemistry of NO, NO2, and HNO3. The NOx sources considered are surface emissions (mostly from the combustion of fossil fuel), lightning, aircraft emissions, and downward transport from the stratosphere. The model is applied to the latitude band of 40° to 50°N during the month of June; the contributions to the zonal NOx distribution from the individual sources and transport processes are investigated. The model predicted NOx concentration in the upper troposphere is dominated by air lofted from the polluted planetary boundary layer over the large industrial areas of eastern North America and Europe. Aircraft emissions are also important and contribute on average 30%. Stratospheric input is minor about 10%, less even than that by lightning. The model provides a clear indication of intercontinental transport Of NOx and HNO3 in the upper troposphere. Comparison of the modeled NO profiles over the western Atlantic with those measured during STRATOZ III in 1984 shows good agreement at all altitudes.
DNS in Botnets and Advanced Persistent Threats

Botnet and Advanced Persistent Threat malware remains a major challenge for cyber security. Communications between hosts infected by the malware and controllers for directing attacks, extruding data or updating the malware depend on reliable communications channels. As controllers need to change IP address in order to evade detection, DNS is commonly used to resolve the IP address of the controller domains. This paper is a preparatory study for a deeper analysis of features which can reliably identify the establishment of botnet and advanced persistent threat command and control channels. This is achieved by a review of major research, analysis of feature classes and identification of publicly available sources of benign and malware network traffic. Keywords—Domain Name System; botnet; advanced persistent threat; Domain Generation Algorithms; fast-flux
The savvy French consumer: a cross-cultural replication

While French consumers' adoption of broadband may slightly lag UK and Australian uptake, their adoption of various interactive technologies is rapidly increasing. The multi-dimensional 19-item consumer SAVVY scale helps to assess consumer competency – including technological sophistication, marketing literacy, and networking – and can be used for population profiling. The scale is applied to a sample of French consumers (in French language) and a sample of UK consumers (in English). The findings indicate translational equivalence for the French-language version, as well as good fit and reasonable stability of the scale in the French and UK replications. Thus the conceptual equivalence of "savvy" across cultures is supported. However, further analysis indicates that a parsimonious 10-item measurement model in the French context may be justified. The findings have implications for conceptualisation and assessment of consumer savvy across cultures. The implications for research and practice, as well as the study limitations, are discussed.
A Review on the Tensile Properties of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

This paper reviews the tensile properties of bamboo fiber reinforced polymer composites (BFRP). Environmentally friendly bamboo fibers have good mechanical properties, which make them suitable replacements for conventional fibers, such as glass and carbon, in composite materials. Better fiber and matrix interaction results in good interfacial adhesion between fiber/matrix and fewer voids in the composite. Several important factors improve matrix-fiber bonding and enhance the tensile properties of BFRP. Coupling agents, such as maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP), improve the adhesion of bamboo fibers in the polypropylene (PP) matrix. A high percentage of lignin content in bamboo fibers limits fiber separation, which leads to less matrix absorption between fibers. Steam explosion is the best extraction method for bamboo fibers, although an additional mechanically rubbing process is required for fiber separation. Generally, high fiber content results in good composite performance, but at a certain limit, the matrix does not adhere well with a saturated amount of fibers, and the composite tensile strength decreases. However, the tensile modulus of BFRP is not affected by excess fiber content. Hybridization of bamboo with conventional fibers increases the tensile strength of BFRP. The addition of micro/nano-sized bamboo fibrils into the carbon fabric composites slightly enhances composite strength.
Structural Fiscal Balances in Latin America and the Caribbean: New Dataset and Estimations

Over the past decade, an increasing number of countries have began anchoring their fiscal policy frameworks in terms of rules that target the cyclically adjusted or structural (as opposed to actual) balance in an effort to overcome problems of procyclicality and fiscal volatility. The logic for doing so is in principle compelling: rule-based fiscal policies allow automatic stabilizers to work freely during the cycle and help accumulate fiscal surplus in good times. However, the estimation of structural balances is subject to a number of methodological challenges, including the degree of estimation uncertainty. This paper presents a range of estimates of the structural budget balance and uses them to analyze the cyclical behavior of fiscal policy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Based on an original dataset comprising detailed fiscal information from 20 countries across the region between 1990 and 2012, the paper finds that the range of estimates can be large for some countries, especially those that derive substantial fiscal revenue from commodity-related activities. In addition, the evidence shows that on average, the region has followed a procyclical policy pattern: a 1 percent increase in the output gap is associated with up to a 0.66 percentage point deterioration in the structural primary balance. This pattern hides substantial regional heterogeneity: procyclicality is more marked in countries that face large terms of trade shocks, but it can be counteracted by higher institutional quality.
Assessment of Job Satisfaction among Faculty Members and its Relationship With Some Variables in Najran University

It is vital that colleges and universities monitor the satisfaction levels of their employees to secure high levels of their performance. The current study aimed to identify the impact of some variables (gender, Teaching experience and college type)on assessing the level of job satisfaction among faculty of Najran University. A survey was conducted in this study by a 23-item questionnaire, distributed to (262) male and female faculty members from various colleges. The questionnaire items distributed to four domains: Academic environment, salaries and financial support, psychological and social aspects, and interpersonal communication. The results showed a moderate degree of job satisfaction in general, and there are statistically significant differences due to (gender, teaching experience and college type), where the differences in favor of males, scientific colleges and more experienced.
Implementation of the World Class Commissioning Competencies: a survey and case-study evaluation

 In total 70/152 PCTs participated in the survey (46%)  Half of the PCTs had a formal process in place for disinvestment decisions  The use of analytical tools to aid commissioning was high. For example, 85% used programme budgeting data in priority setting. A similar proportion used predictive tools such as PARR and demand forecasting models.  Half reported difficulties recruiting high quality staff for commissioning positions and identified skills gaps as a barrier to effective commissioning  28% had used the Framework for Procuring External Support for Commissioners (FESC), the complexity of the process being a significant barrier to take-up .  64% agreed or strongly agreed that practice based commissioning clinicians were actively involved in commissioning. Where respondents strongly agreed that clinicians had an active role in commissioning this was in the form of leading and shaping priority setting and service re-design (examples included transforming community services; redesign of care pathways; disinvestment and decommissioning). It is however difficult to assess the depth and quality of engagement through a survey.  Further isssues identified were problems with access to robust information and the necessary skilled capacity for interpreting this; information asymmetry with providers and thus difficulty in challenging existing practices; and need for stronger engagement at general practice level.
The Impact of Cloud Computing Technology to Precast Supply Chain Management

Poor integrations and lack of collaboration are the major obstacles within the precast construction projects. In order to imp rove collaboration among precast supply chain stakeholders on the various phases of precast construction (planning, design, manufacturing, transportation, installation and construction), a system are needed for an effective communicat ion and accessing to up to date informat ion. This paper is aimed to exp lore the potential of the cloud co mputing technology as the construction collaboration tools for precast supply chain management. The research findings are established according to the study of comprehensive literature on info rmation technology, supply chain management and precast construction industry. Findings shows that the poor planning and scheduling, high cost of precast concrete components, the poor design, lack of arch itectural creativ ities, the poor production timing, large size and heavy precast components, wrong deliveries, poor on site coordination and collaboration, poor specialised contactors and lack o f good communicat ion among parties are the main barriers within the precast supply chain. These barriers within the precast supply chain phases may result to adverse consequences on the performance of precast project delivery. Hence, the cloud computing technology was found to have huge potential to provide efficient collaboration systems within the precast construction.
Population dynamics of the African river prawn, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, in Dawhenya Impoundment

Studies were conducted on the growth and mortality parameters, recruitment pattern, probability of capture, yield-per recruit, and present rate of exploitation of the African river prawn, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii from Dawhenya impoundment, Ghana. Estimation of the von Bertalanffy growth parameters gave; L∞ = 14.2 cm, K = 1.0 yr -1 , and to = -0.195 yr -1 with the growth performance index, Ф' of 2.303. From the linearised length-converted catch curve, total mortality, Z was 5.36 yr -1 . Natural mortality, M calculated from Pauly’s empirical formula was 2.20 yr -1 and fishing mortality, F calculated from Z - M was 3.16 yr -1 . From the mortality estimations, the present rate of exploitation, E calculated from F/Z was 0.59 indicating that, the species is on the verge of being over-exploited in the impoundment. Using the estimated value of the growth coefficient, K, the longevity was found to be about 3 yrs. Estimations from the probability of capture routines gave the length-at-first capture, Lc as 3.07 cm while the size distribution of the catches suggest two recruitment pulses in a year. It is therefore recommended that, the property right-based system for fisheries management should be implemented so that fishermen can cooperate in the management of the Macrobrachium fishery.