Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climate Change Risks and Food Security in Bangladesh

1. Introduction 2. Vulnerability to Climate Risks 3. Future Climate Scenarios 4. Future Flood Hydrology 5. Future Crop Performance 6. Economy-Wide Impacts of Climate Risks 7. Adaptation Options in the Agriculture Sector 8. The Way Forward - Turning Ideas to Action Annexes: Annex 1 - Using DSSAT to Model Adaptation Impacts Annex 2 - A Simple Economy-Wide CGE Model Annex 3 - Constructing the Social Accounting Matrix for Bangladesh Index
CHARACTERIZATION OF GROUND WATER FLOW FROM SPRING DISCHARGE IN A CRYSTALLINE ROCK ENVIRONMENT 1

ABSTRACT: Recent investigations describing the hydrogeology of the Blue Ridge Province of Virginia suggest the occurrence of multiple aquifers and flow paths that may be responsible for the variable flow behavior of springs and seeps appearing throughout the region. Deep, confined aquifers associated with ubiquitous faults and shallow, variably confined saprolite aquifers may contribute water to spring outlets resulting in significantly different quantities of discharge and water quality. Multiple analyses are required to adequately identify the flow paths to springs. In this investigation, hydrograph analyses, surface electrical resistivity surveys, aquifer tests, and nitrate concentrations are used in conjunction with previously reported analyses from borehole logs and age dating of ground water to identify two distinct flow paths. Results indicate that base flow occurs from a deep fault zone aquifer and such discharge can be maintained even during prolonged periods of drought, while increased discharge identified on hydrograph peaks suggests the occurrence of rapid flow through the saprolite aquifer within a radius of about 25 meters of the spring orifice. Springflow hydrograph analysis is suitable for rapid characterization of flow paths leading to spring outlets. Rapid characterization is important for evaluation of potential water quality problems arising from contamination of shallow and deep aquifers and for evaluation of water resource susceptibility to drought. The techniques evaluated here are suitable for use in other locations in fractured crystalline rock environments.
Magnetic local time and latitude dependence of amplitude of the main impulse (MI) of geomagnetic sudden commencements and its seasonal variation

[1] The magnetic local time and latitude dependence of amplitude of the main impulse (MI) of geomagnetic sudden commencements (SCs) and its seasonal variation have been investigated using high time resolution (1–3 sec) geomagnetic data in the latitudinal range 27–70 degrees for the period 1996–2010. The daytime distribution of the SC-MI amplitude in the sub-auroral and middle latitudes (35–60 degrees) is similar to the DP-2 type geomagnetic variation which shows negative and positive changes in the morning and afternoon, respectively. The magnetic field variation is reversed around the magnetic latitude of 63–65 degrees. This suggests that a pair of field-aligned currents (FACs), resembling the region-1 (R-1) FACs, is located near the magnetic latitude of 63–65 degrees. The nighttime SC amplitude is enhanced significantly in the low and middle latitudes (27–60 degrees). The enhancement is due to the magnetic effect produced by the SC-MI FACs. In the nighttime auroral latitude (63–65 degrees), the SC amplitude decreases steeply due to the enhanced westward auroral electrojet associated with the compression of the magnetosphere. The size of the diurnal variation tends to increase significantly during the summer, compared with that during the winter. This seasonal variation suggests that the DP-2 type ionospheric currents (ICs) and FACs generated during the SC-MI phase are intensified by increased ionospheric conductivities during the summer. It can be concluded that the large-scale MI current system in the ionosphere and magnetosphere is voltage generator.
Textural Measurements for Retinal Image Analysis

This thesis present research work conducted in the field of retina image analysis. More specifically, the work is directed at the application of texture analysis technique for the segmentation of common retinal landmark and for retina image classification. The main challenge in this research is in identifying the suitable texture measurement for retina images. In this research we proposed the used of texture measurement based on Binary Robust Independent Elementary Features (BRIEF). BRIEF measure texture by performing an intensity comparison in a local image patch, thus it is very fast to compute and tolerant to any monotonic increase or decrease of image intensities, which makes the descriptor invariant to illumination. The performance of BRIEF as texture measurement is first shown in an experiment involving texture classification and segmentation using common texture datasets. The result demonstrates good performance from BRIEF in this experiment. BRIEF is next used in two applications of retinal image analysis, namely optic disc segmentation and glaucoma classification. In the former, we proposed the used of pixel classification using BRIEF as textural features and circular template matching to segment the optic disc. In addition, an extension of BRIEF called Rotation Invariant BRIEF (OBRIEF) is later proposed to improve the segmentation result. For glaucoma classification, we described two approaches for glaucoma classification using BRIEF/OBRIEF features. The first is based on determination of cup to disc ratio (CDR) and the second is classification using image features i.e. BRIEF features. Overall, our preliminary results on using BRIEF as texture measurement for retinal image analysis are encouraging and demonstrate that it has the potential to be used in retina image analysis.
The Manufacturing Sector in the South: Status and Recent Trends

Manufacturing has been in decline throughout most of the U.S., following a pattern seen in most industrialized economies. The southeastern states were once an exception to this trajectory due to factors such as lower costs and business-friendly policies; many domestic and international firms continue to establish operations across the region. At the same time, most states in the South are experiencing an overall decrease in manufacturing employment as production is increasingly relocated offshore. This paper provides a brief examination of the manufacturing sector across the South, including employment and production trends. Many southern states still retain aboveaverage concentrations of manufacturing. Overall employment in this sector is decreasing, yet value-added from manufacturing shows signs of increase and perhaps suggests an industrial transition, especially in many key subsectors. These potential shifts raise questions about sustainable regional economic development.
Very Low Frequency Seismo-Acoustic Noise Below the Sea Floor (0.2-10 Hz).

Abstract : In this thesis, the sources and propagation of sub-seafloor microseismic noise between 0.2 and 10 Hz are investigated. There are two fundamental interface wave modes for noise propagation in the crust: the Stoneley and pseudo-Rayleigh wave. In soft bottoms only the Stoneley interface wave can exist. Longer wavelength noise propagates as Rayleigh and Stoneley modes of the ocean+crust waveguide. During the Low Frequency Acoustic Seismic Experiment (LFASE) a borehole array (SEABASS) was deployed in the Blake Bahama Basin in DSDP Hole 534B. The 0.3Hz microseism peak is nearly invariant with depth at a level of 65 and 75 dB rel 1 (nmls2)2) 1Hz for the vertical and horizontal components respectively. At 100 m depth, the mean microseismic noise levels above 0.7Hz are 10dB and 15-20dB quieter for the vertical and horizontal components respectively. Higher modes in the spectra show narrow bandwidth depth variability in the noise field. Particle motion analysis further verifies that noise propagates through the array as Rayleigh/Stoneley waves. Numerical modeling for hard and soft bottom environments shows that heterogeneities on the order of a seismic wavelength radiate energy into the water column and convert acoustic waves in the water into small wavelength Stoneley waves observed at the borehole.
Satellite remote sensing for detailed landslide inventories using change detection and image fusion

The availability of high spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing systems may be accompanied by changes in techniques for applying the data if appropriate data processing methodologies can be demonstrated. Landslide monitoring, which requires large areas to be surveyed at a detailed level, has previously been unsatisfactory due to its reliance on air photograph interpretation. This study demonstrates the synergistic use of medium resolution, multitemporal Satellite pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT) XS, and fine resolution IKONOS images for landslide inventories. The post‐classification comparison method of change detection using the Maximum Likelihood classifier with SPOT XS images was able to detect approximately 70% of landslides, the main omissions being those smaller than approximately half a pixel wide. The visual quality of images obtained from Pan‐sharpening of IKONOS images was comparable to that obtainable from 1 : 10 000 scale air photographs, enabling detailed interpretation of landslides and associated environmental features. A methodology combining the two levels of survey is proposed for regional scale landslide monitoring.
High-spectral resolution data for determining leaf water content in Eucalyptus species: leaf level experiments

Laboratory measurements of the spectral reflectance of six Eucalyptus species were carried out over the 400–2500 nm range using a spectroradiometer. The relationship between leaf spectral reflectance and water content was investigated to determine the best bands for predicting water content of leaves. Water availability is a critical factor in plant survival and development and water stress is one of the most common limitations of primary productivity. Estimation of water content of forests is an important component of fire modelling as it determines the likelihood and intensities of fire. For raw reflectance spectra, strong correlations were observed at 1175 nm and 1650 nm. For the first derivative of reflectance spectra, high correlations were obtained at 940 nm, 1000 nm and 2100 nm. It is suggested that the first derivative spectra is more reliable for the remote estimation of leaf water content as it is highly correlated with leaf water content and insensitive to differences in leaf structure. Statistically significant correlations were obtained for all species in the 2050–2090 nm region of the first derivative spectra, suggesting that this region could be used to develop a general index for remote estimation of water content in a mixed forest environment.
Effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid Training in Sweden. A Randomized Controlled Trial with a Six-Month and Two-Year Follow-Up

Background According to a recent report from the European Brain Council and the European Colleague of Neuropsychopharmacology the one year prevalence of some kind of mental disorder is around 27% among the adult population in Europe. Research has shown a lack of mental health literacy in the population in general and it is thus important to find ways to improve the public's knowledge and skills to provide first hand support to people with mental disorders. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training program that has shown positive changes in knowledge and helping behavior. This study investigates if MHFA training in a Swedish context provides a sustained improvement in knowledge about mental disorders, a better ability to be helpful in contacts with people who are ill and if it changes attitudes in a positive direction. Methods and Findings The introduction of the training program was made in accordance with the constructor's instructions. Participants were mainly public sector employees from a county in the west of Sweden. The study was a randomized controlled trial with an experiment group (n = 199) and a control group (n = 207) placed on a waiting list during a 6-month follow-up. A two-year follow-up was conducted for participants (n = 155) from both the intervention and waiting list group who had completed the training and during the follow-up been in contact with persons with mental disorders. The intervention group improved in knowledge as well as in confidence in providing help for someone in need. The two-year follow-up showed that the improvements were to a great extent maintained. Conclusions Mental Health First Aid might raise the level of awareness of mental disorders and have an influence on the number of people who can receive professional treatment for their problems.
Relative Contributions of the Indian Ocean and Local SST Anomalies to the Maintenance of the Western North Pacific Anomalous Anticyclone during the El Niño Decaying Summer

Abstract To investigate the relative role of the cold SST anomaly (SSTA) in the western North Pacific (WNP) or Indian Ocean basin mode (IOBM) in maintaining an anomalous anticyclone over the western North Pacific (WNPAC) during the El Nino decaying summer, a suite of numerical experiments is performed using an atmospheric general circulation model, ECHAM4. In sensitive experiments, the El Nino composite SSTA is specified in either the WNP or the tropical Indian Ocean, while the climatological SST is specified elsewhere. The results indicate that the WNPAC is maintained by the combined effects of the local forcing of the negative SSTA in the WNP and the remote forcing from the IOBM. The former (latter) contribution gradually weakens (enhances) from June to August. The negative SSTA in the WNP is crucial for the maintenance of the WNPAC in early summer. However, because of a negative air–sea feedback, the negative SSTA gradually decays, as does the local forcing effect. Enhanced local convection associated .
Ratchet Effect in Import Prices – Inflation Rate Nexus

This study examined the existence of the ratchet effect in the import price-inflation rate nexus for advanced (high-income) and emerging (middle-income) countries. The study used monthly data from 1980M01 to 2019M07 and compared the potential of the dummy variable-based asymmetric model with that of the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model in modelling the ratchet effect. The result showed that the ratchet effect exists in the import price-inflation rate nexus for high-income and middle-income countries. This suggests that the issue of imported inflation and ratchet effect is country-specific. The significance of the ratchet effect in these countries implies that maintaining a (symmetric) rule-based counter-cyclical monetary policy when dealing with import price shocks would be inefficient, and can make monetary policy harm the economy in the medium to the long term. It is, therefore, recommended that each country should examine the existence or otherwise of ratchet in her import price - inflation rate nexus to determine whether it should adopt a symmetric or an asymmetric rule-based counter-cyclical monetary policy against import price shocks to avoid harming the economy through the implementation of an inefficient monetary policy.
Crystal Structure of Natural Non‐metamict Ti‐ and Fe2+‐rich Chevkinite‐(Ce)

Abstract The crystal structure of non‐metamict Ti‐ and Fe2+‐rich chevkinite‐(Ce) has been redetermined with the single‐crystal sample collected from Bayan Obo, Inner Mongolia, China. The chemical formula of the sample is Ce4Fe2Ti3Si4O22. The crystals are monoclinic with the unit cell parameters a = 13.4656(15) Å, b = 5.7356(6) Å, c = 11.0977(12) Å, β 100.636(2)°, V = 842.39(16) Å3 and Z = 2. The structures of Ti‐ and Fe2+‐rich chevkinite‐(Ce) were refined with space groups P21/a and C2/m. Least‐squares refinement results show that both structural models of Ti‐ and Fe2+‐rich chevkinite‐(Ce) are very good, R[F2>2σ(F2)] =0.027 with P21/a and [F2>2σ(F2)] =0.021 with C2/m. In order to illustrate the relationship between the two space groups P21/a and C2/m, the distribution of diffraction intensities was inspected. Pseudo extinction was found, i.e., reflections with h+k=2n are systematically strong, while those with h+k=2n+1 are weak. By neglecting the systematically weak (h+k=2n+1) reflections the space group becomes C2/m. There is a mirror plane in the C2/m perpendicular to the b axis. However, oxygen atoms in the P21/a model are of a symmetrical relationship with the corresponding pseudo mirror plane. It is concluded that the crystal structure of non‐metamict Ti‐ and Fe2+‐rich chevkinite‐(Ce) is a superstructure with the space group of P21/a, which is of pseudo symmetry corresponding to the space group C2/m.
From rift to drift: Mantle melting during continental breakup

Volcanic rifted margins show a temporal evolution in igneous crustal thickness and thus provide additional insights into mantle dynamics compared to the steady state situation at mid‐ocean ridges. Although details between different provinces vary, volcanic rifted margins generally show a short‐lived pulse of extreme magmatism that quickly abates to a steady state mid‐ocean ridge. The generation of thick igneous crust at volcanic rifted margins requires either melting of hot mantle material to higher degrees than observed at mid‐ocean ridges or melting of larger amounts of mantle material than would be the case for plate‐driven upwelling. To assess under what conditions buoyantly driven upwelling or small‐scale convection at rifting plate boundaries is important, a fluid dynamical model with non‐Newtonian viscosity that includes the feedback from melting on the physical properties of the mantle is developed. To generate a pulse of high magmatic production requires a viscosity and density structure that also leads to excessive fluctuations in magmatic productivity or a sustained high productivity that continues long after breakup. A viscosity increase due to dehydration caused by melting effectively suppresses buoyant upwelling above the depth to the dry solidus, thereby restricting shallow flow to plate‐driven upwelling. While this stabilizes the time dependence and forces the productivity to values consistent with mid‐ocean ridge accretion, it does so at the expense of eliminating the breakup instability. Models that assume an abrupt change in prerift lithospheric thickness suffer from the same deficits. However, including a sublithospheric hot layer leads to a model that can predict the temporal evolution of igneous crustal thickness observed in refraction seismic data from the southeast Greenland volcanic rifted margin.
Deep‐sea coral record of human impact on watershed quality in the Mississippi River Basin

One of the greatest drivers of historical nutrient and sediment transport into the Gulf of Mexico is the unprecedented scale and intensity of land use change in the Mississippi River Basin. These landscape changes are linked to enhanced fluxes of carbon and nitrogen pollution from the Mississippi River, and persistent eutrophication and hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Increased terrestrial runoff is one hypothesis for recent enrichment in bulk nitrogen isotope (δ15N) values, a tracer for nutrient source, observed in a Gulf of Mexico deep‐sea coral record. However, unambiguously linking anthropogenic land use change to whole scale shifts in downstream Gulf of Mexico biogeochemical cycles is difficult. Here we present a novel approach, coupling a new tracer of agro‐industrialization to a multiproxy record of nutrient loading in long‐lived deep‐sea corals collected in the Gulf of Mexico. We found that coral bulk δ15N values are enriched over the last 150–200 years relative to the last millennia, and compound‐specific amino acid δ15N data indicate a strong increase in baseline δ15N of nitrate as the primary cause. Coral rhenium (Re) values are also strongly elevated during this period, suggesting that 34% of Re is of anthropogenic origin, consistent with Re enrichment in major world rivers. However, there are no pre‐anthropogenic measurements of Re to confirm this observation. For the first time, an unprecedented record of natural and anthropogenic Re variability is documented through coral Re records. Taken together, these novel proxies link upstream changes in water quality to impacts on the deep‐sea coral ecosystem.
Examining Theories which Support Online Learning: Ideas for a New Integrated Model

A number of quality theories have been utilized to provide a framework or background for studies of online learning and instruction. While many of these theories have been useful, several have been modified as new technologies have been invented and adopted in schools. This paper examines some of the most prominent theories of online learning and hypothesizes a new model which better integrates many of the most recent technologies and understandings of how people learn in online environments.
Zinc gallate (ZnGa 2 O 4 ) epitaxial thin films: determination of optical properties and bandgap estimation using spectroscopic ellipsometry

: Electronic grade ZnGa 2 O 4 epitaxial thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition and investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Their thickness, roughness and optical properties were determined using a Multiple Sample Analysis based approach by the regression analysis of optical model and measured data. These samples were then compared to samples which had undergone ion etching, and it was observed that etching time up to four minutes had no discernible impact on its optical properties. Line shape analysis of resulting absorption coefficient dispersion revealed that ZnGa 2 O 4 exhibited both direct and indirect interband transitions. The modified Cody formalism was employed to determine their optical bandgaps. These values were found to be in good agreement with values obtained using other popular bandgap extrapolation procedures.
2016) Systematic review of pre-operative exercise in colorectal cancer patients. Techniques in Coloproctology, 20 (2). pp. 81-89. ISSN

Purpose The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence for exercise interventions prior to surgery for colorectal cancer resection. The evidence for use of exercise to improve physical fitness and surgical outcomes is as yet unknown. Method A systematic search was performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and BNI databases for studies involving pre-operative exercise in colorectal cancer patients. Results Eight studies were included in the review. There is evidence that pre-operative exercise improves functional fitness, and to a lesser extent objectively measurable cardio-respiratory fitness prior to colorectal cancer resection. There is no clear evidence at present that this improvement in fitness translates into reduced peri-operative risk or improved post-operative outcomes. Current studies are limited by risk of bias. Conclusions This review highlights the common difficulty in transferring promising results in a research setting, into significant improvements in the clinical arena. Future research should focus on which type of exercise is most likely to maximise patient adherence and improvements in cardio-respiratory fitness. Ultimately, adequately powered, randomised controlled trials are needed to investigate if pre-operative exercise improves post-operative morbidity and mortality.