Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a gravimetric geoid for New Zealand and a single national vertical datum

New Zealand, unlike most countries, does not have a single national vertical datum. Instead, twelve separate and poorly linked primary levelling networks tied to twelve different tide gauges are used. The current vertical datums are based on the false assumption that mean sea level, measured at the twelve tide gauges, corresponds to an equipotential surface. Due to the effects of longperiod tides and sea surface topography, offsets of up to 0.5 metres between vertical datums are possible. In addition, no regional geoid model is available for New Zealand. A consequence of the multiple vertical datums is that the gravity observations are downward continued to twelve different surfaces. This will cause the anomalies to be distorted, especially in the medium wavelengths, which will propagate into the geoid solution, meaning that the initial solution will not completely unify the datums. An iterative process to achieve a better unification is proposed. It is expected that this approach will be more successful than using a geoid model based on distorted gravity anomalies. The results of a regional gravimetric geoid computation using land based gravity observations, satellite altimetry and a global geopotential model are also presented.
How COVID-19 stole Christmas: How the pandemic shifted the calculus around social media Self-Disclosures ☆

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media use increased significantly, and news media also reported increased levels of social shaming for behaviors that were now deemed high-risk for spreading or contracting the virus. This study examines how this pandemic-afflicted environment changed what and how individuals dis- closed online during the 2020 holiday season. Using data collected at two time periods in December 2020 from Facebook and Instagram users, the data show that social calculus constructs comprise most of the significant predictors for online self-disclosure; evaluation apprehension is also a significant moderator. In a post-hoc analysis with 2019 disclosure data, this study finds that most of the significant predictors of behavior arise from privacy calculus, providing evidence of a shift in the salient predictors of online self-disclosure. The implications of this research to businesses and future research directions are discussed.
Defocused CO2 laser irradiation in the rehabilitation of horses

There is an increasing interest in the use of physical medicine in rehabilitation of animals. The main goal in rehabilitation is to regain best possible physical function after illness or injury, by use of different physical modalities. The aim of the present investigation was to study the photothermal effects of defocused CO2 laser irradiation on equine tissue, one modality used in the rehabilitation of horses. The thesis comprises studies on the effect of irradiation on temperature, blood flow, morphology, concentration of anti-inflammatory and pain modulating mediators, and finally, lameness due to traumatic arthritis of the fetlock joint. Three experimental studies revealed that defocused CO2 irradiation (91 J/cm2) causes a moderate to vigorous heating effect (3-6 ˚C) in superficial tissues, with a concomitant increase in blood flow, detected by Laser Doppler Flowmetry. Mild to severe dose-dependent morphological changes were detected in the skin after irradiation with doses ranging from therapeutic to near-surgical (91-450 J/cm2). A clinical study demonstrated a decrease in the degree of lameness in both groups of lame horses after irradiation. No statistical difference was detected between lame horses treated with laser or placebo, evaluated by conventional lameness examination and accelerometer technique. Nor was there a difference in the concentration of inflammatory mediators such as substance P and PGE2, or the endogeneous opioid Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe in synovia. A higher concentration of Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe was measured in sound horses compared to horses with traumatic arthritis. In conclusion, the present thesis reveals that irradiation with defocused CO2 laser causes a moderate to vigorous heating effect in superficial tissue, and a marked increase in blood flow. The increase in temperature was of such intensity that there is a potential risk of thermal injuries to the skin. The results also suggest that treatment with defocused CO2 laser is not statistically better than placebo at reducing the grade of lameness in horse with traumatic arthritis of the fetlock joint.
Forecasting upper atmospheric scalars advection using deep learning: an O 3 experiment

Weather forecast based on extrapolation methods is gathering a lot of attention due to the advance of artificial intelligence. Recent works on deep neural networks (CNN, RNN, LSTM, etc.) are enabling the development of spatiotemporal prediction models based on the analysis of historical time-series, images, and satellite data. In this paper, we focus on the use of deep learning for the forecast of stratospheric Ozone ( O 3 ), especially in the cases of exchanges between the polar vortex and mid-latitudes known as Ozone Secondary Events (OSE). Secondary effects of the Antarctic Ozone Hole are regularly observed above populated zones on South America, south of Africa, and New Zealand, resulting in abrupt reductions in the total ozone column of more than 10% and a consequent increase in UV radiation in densely populated areas. We study different OSE events from the literature, comparing real data with predictions from our model. We obtained interesting results and insights that may lead to accurate and fast prediction models to forecast stratospheric Ozone and the occurrence of OSE.
INFLUENCE OF ASSESSMENT-SUPPORTED INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL ON STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENT AND ABILITY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN OKE-ERO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

This study sought to find out effectiveness of Assessment-Supported Instructional Model (ASIM) on achievement and ability of English language students in Oke Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State. Quasi-experimental design was adopted in the study. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Two hundred students constituted the sample for the study. The experimental and control groups were taught topics in English language using ASIM and conventional methods respectively. English Language Achievement Test (ELAT) of 24 items was used for data collection. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while ANCOVA was used to test null hypotheses at p < 0.05. The findings showed, among others, that ASIM was more effective in enhancing students’ achievement in English language than the conventional methods of teaching. The high ability students also achieved more than the low ability students in the achievement. There was significant interaction effect between instructions and ability group in achievement as shown by the study. Consequently, recommendations such as adoption of the model and sensitization and training of the teachers on its importance and usage were forwarded.
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

The objective of this report is to investigate whether the growth rates in the levels of real output or income per capita of the states and territories of Australia converged between 1861 and 1992. After a brief introduction in chapter 1, chapter 2 presents a cursory review of modem growth theory beginning with the models of Harrod (1939) and Domar (1946). In chapter 3 the convergence regression equation of the Solow (1956) model is derived. Chapter 4 discusses sources of data on, and presents original estimates of, real GDP or income per capita in the states and territories of Australia for various years between 1861 and 1992. In chapter 5 the results of non linear regressions for various subperiods between 1861 and 1992 are presented, based on the convergence regression equation of chapter 3 and the data of chapter 4. Finally, in chapter 6, the results of chapter 5 are discussed and some concluding comments made. This report makes two original contributions. Firstly, in chapter 4, estimates are presented of real GDP per capita for various years between 1861 and 1992 for the colonies/states/territories of Australia. The data sources for these estimates are outlined and the methodology employed in their calculation is discussed in detail. It is believed to be the first time that such estimates have been calculated for Australia. The second contribution is to find, as is discussed in detail in chapters 5 and 6, that between 1861 and 1976 the colonies/states/territories of Australia displayed accelerating convergence, whereas between 197 6 and 1992 they displayed divergence in their real GDP or income per capita growth rates. Whilst this result may at first appear to be at odds with a number of recent papers on convergence amongst various samples of nations of the world, a more careful examination of that literature, discussed in chapter 6, reveals that Australia is perhaps not alone in experiencing recent economic divergence. This trend is consistent with the conclusions of the endogenous growth literature recently initiated by Romer (1986) and Lucas (1988). If it is indeed the case that the poorest states and territories of Australia are also the ones growing at the lowest rate then the models of endogenous growth may be more suited to
Land Prices Heading Skyward? An Analysis of Farmland Values across Tanzania

Although studies of the determinants of farmland prices are common in developed country settings, such analyses are extremely scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper offers a comprehensive examination of land values across Tanzania. Land prices rose significantly between 2008/09 and 2012/13, presenting a potential obstacle to land access for poor and aspiring farmers. A hedonic analysis reveals that indicators of agricultural potential, local population density, and access to markets/urban centers are all statistically significant determinants of land values in Tanzania. The paper concludes with a discussion of promising directions for future research on land values in SubSaharan Africa.
The effect of natural fracture heterogeneity on hydraulic fracture performance and seismic response in shale and coal formations

: Two 0.3 m × 0.3 m × 0.3 m cubic blocks of shale and coal were used for hydraulic fracturing experiments under true tri-axial stress conditions. The shale block used was highly homogeneous and without visible fractures, while the coal block contained a host of natural fractures. The mechanical and hydraulic properties of both rocks were characterized through multi-stage triaxial tests, Brazilian disk tests, and porosity and permeability measurements. A true tri-axial rock testing machine equipped with loading, pump and acoustic systems was used in the experiment. The acoustic system uses 48 transducers with active sources to repetitively generate and receive ultrasonic P/S wave pulses to reveal fracture initiation and growth. Before the experiment, initial seismic response of both blocks was recorded under hydrostatic stress conditions to characterize anisotropy and heterogeneity of the blocks as reference. Silicon oil was injected centrally into both blocks to create a hydrofracture under deviatoric stress conditions and the load, displacement, pump pressure and volume, and seismic response during the injection process were recorded. Results from two blocks are being compared in terms of hydrofracture geometry and seismic features.
Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Engineering

Foreword.Preface. 1. Fundamental Logic and the Definition of Engineering Tasks.Three Types of Inference.Engineering Tasks.A Model of Information and Tasks.Another Task Definition.The Five Orders of Ignorance.Summary. References.Exercises. 2. Complexity.Program Execution Time versus Task Size.Big Oh Notation.Practical Methods for Determining the Complexity of Algorithms.P, NP and NP-completeness.Summary. Reference.Further Reading.Exercises. 3. Data Structures.Introduction. Definitions.Derived Data Types.Abstract Data Types.Conceptual Structural Design of Buildings.Summary.Further Reading.Exercises. 4. Object Representation and Reasoning.Introduction. Grouping Data and Methods.Definitions and Basic Concepts.Important Characteristics of Objects.Applications outside Programming.An Object-O riented Design Methodology.Summary. References.Further Reading.Exercises. 5. Database Concepts.Introduction. Basic Concepts.Relational Database Systems.Relational Database Design.Transaction Processing.Other Types of Database.Summary. Reference.Further Reading.Exercises. 6. Computational Mechanics.Introduction. From Physical Equations to Practical Systems.Methods for Finding Solutions.Issues in Computer-Aided Engineering.Summary. Reference.Further Reading.Exercises. 7. Constraint-Based Reasoning.Introduction. Terminology.Constraint-Solving Methods.Reasoning with Constraints on Discrete Variables.Reasoning with Constraints on Continuous Variables.Summary. Reference.8. Optimization and Search.Introduction. Basic Concepts.Classification of Methods.Deterministic Optimization and Search.Stochastic Methods.A Closer Look at Genetic Algorithms.Summary of Methods.References.Further Reading.Exercises. 9. Knowledge Systems for Decision Support.Introduction. Important Characteristics of Knowledge Systems.Representation of Knowledge.Reasoning with Knowledge.Importance of the User Interface.Maintenance of Knowledge.Model-Based Reasoning.Case-Based Reasoning.Summary. Reference.Further Reading.10. Machine Learning.Introduction. Improving with Experience.Formalizing the Learning Task.Learning Algorithms.A Closer Look at Artificial Neural Networks.Summary. References.Further Reading.Exercises. 11. Geometric Modelling.Introduction. Engineering Applications.Mathematical Models for Representing Geometry.Representing Complex Solids.Applications. Summary.Further Reading.12. Computer Graphics.Introduction. Tasks of Computer Graphics.Display Devices.Representing Graphics.The Graphics Pipeline.Interactive Graphics.Summary.Further Reading.13. Distributed Applications and the Web.Introduction. Examples of Client-Server Applications.Distinctive Features of C/S Systems.Client-Server System Design.Advantages of Client-Server Systems.Developing Client-Server Applications.The World Wide Web.Peer-to-Peer Networks.Agent Technology.Summary. Reference.Further Reading.Index.
Nutrient status and planktonic nitrogen fixation in Lake Victoria, Africa

Eutrophication of Lake Victoria is attributable to the burgeoning human population in its watershed. The lake is expenencing increasing anthropogenic P h d s from expanding urban, agricultural and industrial development. Paieolimnological and nutrient status indicators indicate excess P on a system scale. Excessive P has stimulated phytoplankton biomass and promoted blooms of N-fixing cyanobacteria. High a l p l biomass provides organic matter that contributes to extensive oxygen depletion in hypolimnetic waters during the stratified penod. Low oxygen concentrations cause a complex suite of direct and indirect impacts including loss of aquatic animals and changes in nutrient cycling. Anoxia may be contributing to fish kills upon upwelling in Lake Victoria, and dso causes release of materials bound to the bottom sediments including P. This release of nutrients reinforces eutrophication during periods of deeper and stronger mixing when dissolved nutrients are redistributed in the water column. Data from this study suggest two patterns controlling nutnent status and phytoplankton biomass production in the surface waters of Lake Victoria. The first is seasonal alteration of N and P limitation and undenvater light. Circumstantial evidence indicates that thermal stratification led to better light conditions for increased phytoplankton biomass, and increased P and N deficiency. Higher light during stratification compensated for and lessened effects of N deficiency and hence maintained higher algal biomass. Destratification and deeper mixing led to low underwater irradiance and reduced algal biomass and nutnent limitation. Entrainment of nutrientrich hypolimnetic waters with low algal biomass reduces the potential for nutnent limitation during periods of stronger and deep mixing. A second pattern controlling
Effect of Manuring Techniques on Soil Health, Yield and Economics of Maize–Wheat Cropping System under UKP Command

Rice – Rice is the predominant cropping system being adopted by the farmers’ long back in upper krishna and tunga bhadra projects being the largest irrigation projects in Karnataka. At present, the system being practiced is creating lot of problems with International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 02 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Algebraic Deadlock Avoidance Policies for Sequential Resource Allocation Systems

As many contemporary technological applications move to operational modes of more extensive and flexible automation, there is a rising need to design and control the underlying resource allocation not only for efficiency, but also for logical correctness and internal consistency. The material presented in this chapter offers a unifying and comprehensive treatment of a class of policies that have been proposed as an effective and efficient solution to this emerging class of logical control problems.
Improving Information Security Training: An Intercultural Perspective

To ensure successful compliance with information security (InfoSec) policy and standards, organisations must harmonise their InfoSec training programmes with the national culture of the local workforce. A successful InfoSec policy must demonstrate the value of security, not just the requirement for security. We conducted a quantitative study of 177 professionals across 35 national cultures to investigate whether national culture influences InfoSec training and best practices using Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions. Our findings indicate that training programmes should more directly address the variances in perception of InfoSec across cultures. These training programmes should also reflect the significance of the organisation’s InfoSec policies in the context of the local employee, while maintaining unified corporate governance. By increasing training comprehension, organisations can reduce security incidents resulting from unintentional policy violations and, in turn, avoid costly remediation efforts.
Blending human and artificial intelligence to support Autistic children’s social communication skills

This article examines the educational efficacy of a learning environment in which children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) engage in social interactions with an artificially intelligent (AI) virtual agent and where a human practitioner acts in support of the interactions. A multi-site intervention study in schools across the UK was conducted with 29 children with ASC and learning difficulties, aged 4–14 years old. For reasons related to data completeness and amount of exposure to the AI environment, data for 15 children was included in the analysis. The analysis revealed a significant increase in the proportion of social responses made by ASC children to human practitioners. The number of initiations made to human practitioners and to the virtual agent by the ASC children also increased numerically over the course of the sessions. How-ever, due to large individual differences within the ASC group, this did not reach significance. Although no evidence of transfer to the real-world post-test was shown, anecdotal evidence of classroom transfer was reported. The work presented in this article offers an important contribution to the growing body of research in the context of AI technology design and use for autism intervention in real school contexts. Specifically, the work highlights key methodological challenges and opportunities in this area by leveraging interdisciplinary insights in a way that (i) bridges between educational interventions and intelligent technology design practices, (ii) considers the design of technology as well as the design of its use (context and procedures) on par with one another, and (iii) includes design contributions from different stakeholders, including children with and without ASC diagnosis, educational practitioners, and researchers.
BIODIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF FREE-LIVING NEMATODE COMMUNITIES IN BA LAI RIVER,

Nematode communities in Ba Lai river, Ben Tre provi nce were investigated in September of 2015 (eight stations from estuary to u pstream). The results showed that the nematode communities have characterized by high den sity and biodiversity, providing useful information of nematode assemblages in freshwater h abitas, in particular inland river. Also the results indicated that the distribution of nematode communities in Ba Lai river was strongly discriminated between in and outside of dam with tw o groups. The Ba Lai dam may be reasons for cause the nematodes distribution discontinuity. Present study is a pioneering attempt to record the impact of the dam on benthic invertebr ate in Viet Nam.
Microbial Community Composition and Activities Across Northern Peatlands

Northern peatlands are large repositories of carbon and little is known about the effect the microbial community has on carbon mineralization rates, and there is concern that a loss of microbial diversity due to environmental change may lead to reduced ecosystem functioning. Microbial communities vary among peatland types and abiotic variables such as temperature and pH have a large influence on carbon dioxide production, but distinguishing between abiotic controls and the role of microbial community structure has proved challenging. Microbial activity and community composition was characterized in three peatlands within the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario. Similar dominant microbial taxa were observed at all three peatlands despite differences in nutrient content and substrate quality and geographic location. In contrast, microbial activity differed among the sites, indicating that it is influenced by the quality of the peat substrate and the presence of microbial inhibitors. A series of reciprocal field and laboratory transplant experiments were conducted at a rich and poor fen near White River, Ontario to more explicitly distinguish between the abiotic and microbial controls on carbon mineralization. The effect of transplantation differed between the laboratory and field studies and when viewed individually could lead to different interpretations
Effects of soil temperature on some soil properties and plant growth

Soil constitutes a major storage for heat, acting as a reservoir of energy during the day and source of heat to the surface at night. The soil stores energy during the warm season and releases it to air during the cold season Geiger et al. [1]. The temperature of the soil depends on the ratio of the energy absorbed to that lost from the soil. It fluctuates annually and daily, affected mainly by variations in air temperature and solar radiation. [2]. Soil temperature is one of the important factors that influence soil properties processes involved in plant growth. It governs the soil physical, chemical and biological processes (Buchan, 2001). It also influences the interspheric processes of gas exchange between the atmosphere and the soil Lehnert [3]. The amount of radiation received by the soil affects soil temperature (Haskel et al. 2010), biological processes such as; seed germination, seedling emergence, plant root growth and the availability of nutrients Probert [4]. The temperature of the soil alters the rate of organic matter decomposition and the mineralization of different organic materials in the soil (Davidson & Janssens, 2006). Soil temperature also affects soil water retention, transmission and availability to plants.