Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of forest fire danger using automatic weather stations and MODIS TERRA satellite datasets for the state Madhya Pradesh, India

Forest fires are the most frequently occurred phenomenon during summer seasons in the state Madhya Pradesh. Monitoring and assessment of forest fires are the crucial steps in effective forest fire management. Forest fire danger estimation helps the disaster management authorities to take necessary mitigation measures for minimizing the losses and to evacuate the local people. Fire danger rating systems predict the fire danger based on the meteorological station parameters and ground datasets. McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is the most popularly used fire danger rating systems using in the country Australia. This index requires large amount of ground datasets for the computation of drought parameter. In India, it is very difficult to compute the drought parameter due to the unavailability of instruments and man power. In the present research, McArthur Fire Danger Index was modified by inducing Normalized multiband drought index (NMDI) that was generated from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) TERRA surface reflectance product MOD09GA as a substitute for fuel availability parameter. To test the robustness of modified FFDI, the research was carried out on Madhya Pradesh state for the assessment of forest fire danger. The results obtained from modified McArthur fire danger index were validated by using MODIS active fire hot spot location data (MOD14) and achieved an overall accuracy of 82%. The research concludes that modified FFDI can be used for assessing the forest fire danger in case of unavailability of fuel availability data for a particular forest.
Variation in stem mortality rates determines patterns of above‐ground biomass in Amazonian forests: implications for dynamic global vegetation models

Understanding the processes that determine above‐ground biomass (AGB) in Amazonian forests is important for predicting the sensitivity of these ecosystems to environmental change and for designing and evaluating dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs). AGB is determined by inputs from woody productivity [woody net primary productivity (NPP)] and the rate at which carbon is lost through tree mortality. Here, we test whether two direct metrics of tree mortality (the absolute rate of woody biomass loss and the rate of stem mortality) and/or woody NPP, control variation in AGB among 167 plots in intact forest across Amazonia. We then compare these relationships and the observed variation in AGB and woody NPP with the predictions of four DGVMs. The observations show that stem mortality rates, rather than absolute rates of woody biomass loss, are the most important predictor of AGB, which is consistent with the importance of stand size structure for determining spatial variation in AGB. The relationship between stem mortality rates and AGB varies among different regions of Amazonia, indicating that variation in wood density and height/diameter relationships also influences AGB. In contrast to previous findings, we find that woody NPP is not correlated with stem mortality rates and is weakly positively correlated with AGB. Across the four models, basin‐wide average AGB is similar to the mean of the observations. However, the models consistently overestimate woody NPP and poorly represent the spatial patterns of both AGB and woody NPP estimated using plot data. In marked contrast to the observations, DGVMs typically show strong positive relationships between woody NPP and AGB. Resolving these differences will require incorporating forest size structure, mechanistic models of stem mortality and variation in functional composition in DGVMs.
The Demand for Automobiles

La demande d'automobiles. Dans une perspective d'analyse microdconomique, un aspect important de la demande d'automobiles concerne le fait que pour toute periode, il y a absence d'achats de la part d'un grand nombre d'unites de consommation. I1 s'agit la d'une caract6ristique dont il faut tenir compte dans la mise au point d'un mod6le th6orique approprid du comportement des consommateurs ; aussi, dans l1'laboration d'un mod'ele empirique qui permette d'analyser des donnees qui reflitent cette caract6ristique. Dans le mod6le thdorique choisi, les auteurs presentent 1e choix auquel lVunite de consommation fait face comme un probleme de programmation non-lineaire comportant plusieurs periodes. Le mod6le permet de voir pourquoi les consommateurs n'adaptent pas leurs stocks de fagon continue, et pourquoi ils ne possWdent qu'un petit nombre d'automobiles. Dans la section empirique, les auteurs etudient diffdrents aspects du comportement des consommateurs quant 'a la possession d'automobiles, a l'aide des donn6es sous forme de coupes intertemporelles. Ils font d'abord l'examen des effets des variables independantes sur les variations des stocks d'automobiles, a l'aide d'une technique qui est une generalisation A plusieurs dimensions du modble lineaire ( logit . Les formes des variations sont supposees 8tre l'une ou l'autre des suivantes: (1) aucune variation; (2) vente d'une auto ; (3) remplacement d'une auto et (4) achat d'une auto additionnelle* Le meme modele a servi i studier les effets des variables sur le nombre d'autos possdd6es par les consomnateurs. Certains autres aspects du comportement des consommateurs ont aussi 6t e'tudies empiriquement, a savoir: (1) les effets des variables sur les depenses, en supposant qu'il y a des remplacements ou des additions aux stocks, et (2) les effets de ces variables sur la valeur des stocks. Les modMles choisis ont donn6 des r6sultats interessants quant a l'explication du nivean des stocks d'autos et de leurs changements. Les resultats indiquent aussi que les probabilit6s que l'une ou l'autre des formes de variations se r6alise dependent de fagon significative des variables inddpendantes, et sont diff6rentes d'une forme A une autre. Les auteurs ont aussi obtenu de bons re'sultats avec leurs modMles, en ce qui concerne les montants qui correspondent aux differentes formes de choix. Dans le cas des variables associees au statut socio-6conomique des consommateurs, on observe g6nralement ce qui dtait prdvu quant aux signes des coefficients significatifs. Il apparait que le revenu disponible joue un r6le beaucoup plus important que les actifs liquides. La qualit6 des resultats obtenus A partir des modM4es varie jusqu'& un certain point suivant les ann6es. On ne sait pas si cela correspond & des changements des fonctions d'utilit6, ou A des imperfections quant A la specification des modMles.
Nuclear DEAF-1-related (NUDR) Protein Contains a Novel DNA Binding Domain and Represses Transcription of the Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 Promoter*

Nuclear DEAF-1-related (NUDR) protein is a novel transcriptional regulator with sequence similarity to developmental and oncogenic proteins. NUDR protein deletions were used to localize the DNA binding domain between amino acids 167 and 368, and site-specific DNA photocross-linking indicated at least two sites of protein-DNA contact within this domain. The DNA binding domain contains a proline-rich region and a region with similarity to a Myc-type helix-loop-helix domain but does not include the zinc finger motif at the C terminus. Deoxyribonuclease I protection assays confirmed the presence of multiple NUDR binding motifs (TTC(C/G)G) in the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1) promoter and also in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of hNUDR cDNA. NUDR produced a 65–70% repression of the hnRNP A2/B1 promoter activity, and NUDR binding motifs in the 5′-UTR were found to mediate this repression. NUDR-dependent repression was also observed when the 5′-UTR of NUDR was placed onto a heterologous thymidine kinase promoter in an analogous 5′-UTR position but not when placed upstream of transcription initiation. These results suggest that NUDR may regulate the in vivo expression of hnRNP A2/B1 and NUDR genes and imply that inactivation of NUDR could contribute to the overexpression of hnRNP A2/B1 observed in some human cancers.
Optimization of SiC-based H5 and Conergy-NPC transformerless PV inverters

The transformerless DC/AC inverters are critical components in the rapidly growing market of grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) applications. Also, the SiC-based power semiconductors are capable to operate reliably at high operating temperature and switches frequency levels. In this paper, a new design technique is presented for optimizing the switching frequency and structure of the LCL-type output filter in transformerless H5 and Conergy-NPC PV inverters, which employ SiC-type power devices. The design optimization results demonstrate that the optimized SiC-based PV inverters are more effective in terms of energy production than their non-optimized and Si-based counterparts. Reducing the market price of SiC-type power semiconductors enables to design optimized PV inverters with a lower cost of energy than that of PV inverters employing Si technology, thus maximizing the economic profitability of the PV system.
Free trade agreements and equity market integration: the case of the US and Jordan

This study is aimed mainly to examine the impact of the US–Jordan Free Trade Agreement (UJFTA) on the degree of equity market's linkage. This issue is carried out through an asymmetric version of the Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) model of Engle (2002) and developed by Sheppard (2002), which allows for asymmetries in both volatilities and conditional correlations. The empirical evidence suggests that the UJFTA has indeed increased substantially and significantly the linkages of the Jordanian capital market with the US equity markets. These results strongly support the argument that the direct trade flows is one of the most important determinant of cross-country linkages in equity markets.
Marriage Promotion Policies and Regional Differences in Marriage

Existing studies on marriage have highlighted the importance of paying attention to local characteristics, but few Japanese studies have been conducted on marriage, taking regional differences into account. This article examines the factors that influence marriage using data from localities across Japan with an eye toward identifying regional differences, and analyzes the effects of marriage promotion policies in depopulated localities. The results of a basic analysis and regression analysis reveal the following. First, the ever-married ratios among men and women vary significantly depending on the level of urbanization where they live, but the male employment rate has a positive correlation with male marriage while the male-female ratio has a negative correlation with male marriage and a positive correlation with female marriage. Second, the results confirmed that prefectural differences in marriage cannot be explained by factors such as the level of urbanization, the male-female ratio, or employment conditions. However, this study was not able to identify the factors that explain these findings. Third, the results revealed that marriage promotion policies in depopulated localities have a greater effect on the marriage of females than of males.
Two-stage time-hopping sequences with zero correlation zone for quasi-synchronous THSS-UWB systems

We propose a novel time-hopping (TH) sequences design algorithm for quasi-synchronous time-hopping spread spectrum ultra wideband (THSS-UWB). Based on this algorithm, a new family of two-stage TH sequences with zero correlation zone (ZCZ) is constructed. THSS-UWB systems employing the proposed two-stage ZCZ TH sequences can be without multiple-access interference (MAI) and be more tolerant to the multipath problem when the shifts between sequences are in the range of the ZCZ.
Detecting mental disorder in juvenile detainees: who receives services.

OBJECTIVES We determined whether or not juvenile detainees with major mental disorders received treatment, and the variables that predicted who received services. METHODS Our sample was 1829 randomly selected juvenile detainees taking part in the Northwestern Juvenile Project. To determine need for mental health services, independent interviewers administered the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and rated functional impairment using the Child Global Assessment Scale. Records on service provision were obtained from the juvenile justice and public health systems. RESULTS Among detainees who had major mental disorders and associated functional impairments, 15.4% received treatment in the detention center and 8.1% received treatment in the community by the time of case disposition or 6 months, whichever came first. Significantly more girls than boys were detected and treated. Receiving treatment was predicted by clinical variables (having a major mental disorder or reported treatment history or suicidal behavior) and demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS The challenge to public health is to provide accessible, innovative, and effective treatments to juvenile detainees, a population that is often beyond the reach of traditional services.
Effects of Category Learning on Neural Sensitivity to Non-native Phonetic Categories

Categorical perception, an increased sensitivity to between- compared with within-category contrasts, is a stable property of native speech perception that emerges as language matures. Although recent research suggests that categorical responses to speech sounds can be found in left prefrontal as well as temporo-parietal areas, it is unclear how the neural system develops heightened sensitivity to between-category contrasts. In the current study, two groups of adult participants were trained to categorize speech sounds taken from a dental/retroflex/velar continuum according to two different boundary locations. Behavioral results suggest that for successful learners, categorization training led to increased discrimination accuracy for between-category contrasts with no concomitant increase for within-category contrasts. Neural responses to the learned category schemes were measured using a short-interval habituation design during fMRI scanning. Whereas both inferior frontal and temporal regions showed sensitivity to phonetic contrasts sampled from the continuum, only the bilateral middle frontal gyri exhibited a pattern consistent with encoding of the learned category scheme. Taken together, these results support a view in which top–down information about category membership may reshape perceptual sensitivities via attention or executive mechanisms in the frontal lobes.
Evidence on the Three-Factor and Characteristics Models: Korea

We apply the Fama-French test to the three-factor model in the Korean stock market-an emerging stock market. We find that the three-factor model is rejected in our full sample period and in most subperiods, contrasting with the findings in most developed countries. In the few subperiods where the three-factor model is not rejected by the Fama-French test, we find that the Daniel-Titman test of the three-factor against the characteristics model is inconclusive. We find that the factor loadings are unstable in the Korean stock market, which could explain the rejection of the three-factor model and the inconclusive results of the Daniel-Titman test.
Harvest History and Current Densities of the Pearl Oyster Pinctada mazatlanica (Bivalvia: Pteriidae) in Las Perlas and Coiba Archipelagos, Panama

Abstract Four hundred years of commercial harvest of the oyster Pinctada mazatlanica in Pacific Panama were characterized by historical collapses and recoveries that finally ended in the 1940s; oyster populations have not recovered since then. This study provides a baseline and meta-analysis of current P. mazatlanica densities in Las Perlas and Coiba Archipelagos. We compared the oyster densities in relation to substrates and depths at 103 sampled sites using randomization techniques. Mean oyster density per site ranged from 2.8–238.9 ind·ha−1 in Las Perlas and 6.0–263.9 ind·ha−1 in Coiba. These values are one to three orders of magnitude lower than those reported for La Paz, Baja California (3,000–12,000 ind·ha−1) and Costa Rica (24,200 ind·ha−1) in recent times. Substrates within the archipelagos were diverse. We found an increasing trend of density variance when regressing log-transformed densities against substrates ordered according their increasing availability of hard surfaces. In Coiba, densities in substrates including rocks plus corals and sand were statistically lower in shallow than in deep waters, probably caused by harvest. The highest densities in Las Perlas occurred southeast of Del Rey and western Saboga islands. In Coiba, we found the highest densities in Ranchería Island and on the westernmost side of Coiba and Jicarón Islands. These data will help to define the environmental framework within which future research on this important species must be conducted and can be used to improve plans to address its management and conservation.
Recent Advances in Default Swap Valuation

Valuing credit risk sensitive instruments is one of the major growth areas in derivatives research. Two main approaches are being thoroughly explored. Merton's „structural” approach models the stochastic evolution of total firm value, and default occurs if firm value hits a prespecified lower bound. In the „reduced form” approach, default is a random exogenous event, typically modeled as a Poisson process. The latter camp contains a variety of models that appear to handle the important parameters, jump intensity, the recovery rate in case of default, and riskless interest rates, very differently. In this article, Cheng presents a straightforward synthesis of the reduced form credit risk modeling framework and proves that the major existing models can all be seen as special cases of his general approach. This is extremely useful, both because it leads to a general valuation method, and also simply because it shows that the different existing models should all produce the same results with respect to such things as default probabilities implied by market prices for vulnerable instruments.
International Fish Wars: The Strategic Roles for Fleet Licensing and Effort Subsidies

Abstract This article examines the problem of noncooperative international fishing by analyzing the strategic rent-shifting roles for such well-known national management policies as fleet licensing and effort subsidies. It is shown that the noncooperative equilibrium in each policy takes the form of a prisoner's dilemma with dissipated rents in the fishery. It is also shown that strategic effort subsidies can only lead to incomplete rent dissipation but strategic fleet licensing can lead to complete rent dissipation. The models developed in this article may help to provide an explanation for the persistence of large and excessively subsidized national fleets that exploit depleted international fish stocks.
EIS Information: Use and Quality Determinants

This article reports on the findings of research investigating the influence of information quality on EIS information use, as well as the possible impact of ease of use, user involvement, IS maturity, and system sophistication on EIS information quality. To test the research hypotheses, data was collected from 216 UK-based executives. A structural equation modeling SEM technique for data analysis and model measurement was applied. Information quality was found to influence EIS information use. Also, ease of use, user involvement, the IS integration dimension of IS maturity, and EIS sophistication were found to influence executives' perception of information quality. Further findings, limitations, implications for researchers, and practitioners are discussed.
Partitioned List Decoding of Polar Codes: Analysis and Improvement of Finite Length Performance

Polar codes represent one of the major recent breakthroughs in coding theory and, because of their attractive features, they have been selected for the incoming 5G standard. As such, a lot of attention has been devoted to the development of decoding algorithms with good error performance and efficient hardware implementation. One of the leading candidates in this regard is represented by successive-cancellation list (SCL) decoding. However, its hardware implementation requires a large amount of memory. Recently, a partitioned SCL (PSCL) decoder has been proposed to significantly reduce the memory consumption [1]. In this paper, we examine the paradigm of PSCL decoding from both theoretical and practical standpoints: (i) by changing the construction of the code, we are able to improve the performance at no additional computational, latency or memory cost, (ii) we present an optimal scheme to allocate cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs), and (iii) we provide an upper bound on the list size that allows MAP performance.
Preferences and Values for Forests and Wetlands: A Comparison of Farmers, Environmentalists, and the General Public in Australia

ABSTRACT Over the past decades, a trend toward environmental concern has been measured in general population samples. Natural resource management is a complex area in which multiple stakeholders compete for their different views to be heard. Different entities and natural areas must also compete with each other for access to resources such as funding for research and management. This paper describes the natural area management preferences of three samples (general public, environmentalists and farmers) based upon their intrinsic and instrumental values. A cluster analysis of the combined sample shows that while some clusters indicated strong and opposing management preferences, most respondents indicated a mid-range position. Respondents from all samples held the same level of conservation or use preferences regardless of whether the area was a forest or a wetland, but some differences were shown towards endangered species.
Body mass index and periodontal infection in a sample of non-smoking older individuals.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the association between BMI and periodontal infection in a sample of non-smoking individuals aged 75 years or older. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study sample included 157 non-smoking dentate persons (110 women, 47 men, mean age 80.6 years) belonging to the Geriatric Multidisciplinary Strategy for the Good Care of Older People study in Kuopio, Finland. The data were gathered by interview together with geriatric and oral clinical examination. The outcome variable was the number of teeth with periodontal pockets measuring 4 mm or more in depth. Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS After adjustment for confounding factors, the relative risk for the number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets (≥4 mm) was 0.7 (CI: 0.6-0.9) among those with a BMI 25-29.99 and 1.1 (CI: 0.8-1.4) among those with a BMI ≥30, compared with those having a BMI <25. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, including small sample size, possibility of confounding and other biases, the results do not provide evidence that elevated body weight would be a risk for periodontal infection among older people.
Computational Approaches to Bargaining and Choice

The theory of computation and automata has occasionally aroused some interest among political scientists. The article outlines some early applications, although the main emphasis is on the most recent ones. We concentrate on the applications to bargaining and negotiation procedures. It is argued that many existing bargaining procedures can be essentially improved by resorting to cryptographic protocols.