Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying relationships between video observations of cold-water coral cover and seafloor features in Rockall Trough, west of Ireland

Cold-water coral distributions are only partially understood even in the most well- studied areas. This is partly due to the only recent development of appropriate technology, and partly to the high cost and time associated with coral mapping, particularly in deep water. One way to opti- mise mapping is to develop predictive habitat models as proxies for the actual distribution of corals. These models may provide objective criteria for the selection of prioritised coral mapping areas. In this study, we quantified the relationship between observed cold-water coral distribution and terrain attributes as an important step in developing predictive habitat models. We estimated deep-water coral percentage cover from remotely operated vehicle video and demonstrate how such data can be used to examine quantitative relations between coral cover and terrain parameters (slope, aspect, rugosity and bathymetric position index) derived from ship-borne multibeam swath acoustic data. We show that, at carbonate mound provinces within sites on the Irish margin, coral abundance is corre- lated with terrain that is strongly sloping and irregular to a varying degree, depending on spatial scale. It is likely that terrain variations influence the hydrodynamic setting, resulting in a varying food supply. A similar approach may be applicable for other fauna in a variety of benthic environ- ments.
Fast swaption pricing under the market model with a square-root volatility process

In this paper we study a correlation-based LIBOR market model with a square-root volatility process. This model captures downward volatility skews through taking negative correlations between forward rates and the multiplier. An approximate pricing formula is developed for swaptions, and the formula is implemented via fast Fourier transform. Numerical results on pricing accuracy are presented, which strongly support the approximations made in deriving the formula. ‡In the literature both ‘skew’ and ‘smirk’ are used to name a slanted smile.
Questions of Formation of Territories of Traditional Environmental Management

In the given article we analyze the notion of «a territory of traditional environmental management» (TTEM), consider social-economic and legal problems of the TTEM conception. The authors suggest certain approaches to solution of present problems of the concept of the territory of traditional environmental management, which are based on TTEM criteria, on stages of TTEM realization and on a complex substantiation of TTEM. Our approach to definition of borders and the character of usage should correspond to the following conditions or criteria of determination, which can be formulated the following way: The criterion of «necessary sufficiency» of the territory’s size, its natural resources reserves and etc. in order to provide a normal ecological balance of combined components of the feeding landscape on the given territory sector. The most important condition of the given criteria fulfillment is drawing TTEM borders along the natural geographic lines of the given territory (for example, rivers, streams, water-partings and so on.). The criterion of «functional legal capacity» of the system of traditional household keeping. The size of the territory must optimally correspond to the demands of the settled traditional household activity and must have a necessary margin of safety in case of its load being increased, for example, because of its population growth. Correspondingly, the territory in Siberian and the Far East taiga zones will be of one size, it will be of another size in forest tundra, and of a third size in tundra and mountain tundra, thereat increasing while going from south to north. The criterion of «rational independence» of management structures from the activity of the authorized state organ of power and economic organizations. Here, the optimal way out can be to form a coordinating organ (the board of TTEM management) out of representatives of the local administration, economic organizations and population (clans); this board will coordinate their activity concerning the territory usage and management together with the TTEM Administration, which head is appointed in coordination with the Authorized Representative of the native population.
Some Aspects of Thunderstorm over India during Pre-Monsoon Season: A Preliminary Report-I

Thunderstorm, resulting from vigorous convective activity, is one of the most magnificent weather phenomena in the earth’s atmosphere. The severe thunderstorms associated with thunder squall, hail storm, tornado, flash flood and lightning cause extensive damage and losses to lives and property. A common feature of the weather during the pre-monsoon season over the Indian region is the outburst of severe local convective storms. This paper presents on the aspects of the realized significant weather phenomena thunderstorm, which is supported through the analyses of thermodynamic instability indices based on the radiosonde and rawinsonde (RS/RW) ascent products from India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the pre-monsoon season for different identified cities of SAARC STORM project region of India. Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) images and Skew-T diagrams are also analyzed which support the thunderstorm activities in different locations of India. The convective available potential energy (CAPE) and convective inhibition (CIN) energy show the favorable conditions for the thunderstorm to occur in some of the identified stations; however, due to physiographic uniqueness of Indian subcontinent, the values of CAPE, CIN and other thermodynamic parameters show different values in different stations. Moreover, the variation in threshold values of CAPE in different regions makes thunderstorm forecasting difficult which may add uncertainty to loss estimation for risk assessment. A simple outline on thunderstorm risk assessment model development steps are also highlighted as a future work for the quantification of losses, so that the likely probability of occurrences of events with their frequency, location, severity and extent of losses can be modeled and accessed ahead of time for the betterment of the society.
Habitat mapping and monitoring in Alpine regions using multi-temporal RapidEye data

In this work we investigated the potential of multi-temporal RapidEye data to map and monitor habitats in Alpine regions. Support vector machine classifier was employed to map different land-cover types using four RapidEye images. Results showed that the classifier mapped the different types with high accuracy (85%). The land-cover types were subsequently reclassified into habitat types using a spatial kernel approach. Findings suggest that the inclusion of solar radiation layers in the classification procedure as well as the use of multi-temporal images improves the classification accuracy by 4% and 10%, respectively. The last step of our methodology involved the assessment of the conservation status of the habitat types. The assessment was based on the area coverage of shrubs and trees of specific habitats as an indicator for poor quality. Our analysis showed that 92% of the habitats were characterized by outstanding conservation status.
Genetic analysis of autoimmune and metabolic traits in chickens

Studying how changes in DNA affect organisms and gene functions, can give us an increased understanding of the genetic regulation of diseases and metabolic traits. Chickens and other farm animals have long been used as a tool to study human diseases and other complex traits since they provide an excellent opportunity to study these traits in a controlled environment. In this thesis I have applied new statistical methods to experimental data from two outbred chicken crosses to investigate the genetic architecture and regulation of autoimmune and metabolic traits. The first cross was generated from two chicken lines divergently selected for high and low body weight and was used to study how a four-QTL network affects metabolic traits (papers I-III). The second cross was generated to study the genetic regulation of autoimmune systemic sclerosis (paper IV). Our explorations of the effects of the four-QTL network on other metabolic traits indicate that the major contribution of the network is to increase body size through an overall increase in growth of all organs rather than by changing the relative size of different components. To be able to study the networks affect on metabolic traits further, we first generated and analysed an advanced intercross line to narrow down the regions. Once the regions were fine mapped, we designed and generated a so called introgression line. Three of the fine mapped QTL were transferred (introgressed) from the low weight line into a high weight line background. This introgression line can be used to further investigate the QTL network. In the second cross, three suggestive autosomal susceptibility QTL were mapped in the chicken genome, with several orthologues of human systemic sclerosis candidate genes located within two of these loci. We also observed less disease in females with a W chromosome inherited from the diseased founder line.
Simulation of wet oxidation of silicon based on the interfacial silicon emission model and comparison with dry oxidation

Silicon oxidation in wet ambients is simulated based on the interfacial silicon emission model and is compared with dry oxidation in terms of the silicon-atom emission. The silicon emission model enables the simulation of wet oxidation to be done using the oxidant self-diffusivity in the oxide with a single activation energy. The amount of silicon emission from the interface during wet oxidation is smaller than that during dry oxidation. The small emission rate for wet oxidation is responsible for the insignificant initial oxidation enhancement and the linear pressure dependence of the oxidation rate observed in wet oxidation. Using a unified set of parameters, the whole range of oxide thickness is fitted for both (100) and (111) substrates in a wide range of oxidation temperatures (800 °C–1200 °C) and pressures (1–20 atm).
Properties of Galactic B[e] supergiants. I. CI Camelopardalis

We present a study of the high-resolution (R = 60 000) optical spectrum of the B[e] supergiant CI Cam obtained 4 years after its all-wavelength outburst. The profiles of most of the emission lines show a triple-peaked structure, an effect previously not observed. The Na i D-lines clearly have 2 interstellar absorption components, suggesting that the system is most probably located within the Perseus arm at a distance of <3 kpc. Uncertainties of the distance toward the object, its luminosity, and physical parameters of the circumstellar disk are discussed. Simple observational tests are suggested to clarify these issues.
Solar primary and secondary ionization at Saturn

[1] Solar EUV and soft X-ray photons are a prime source of energy upon Saturn's upper atmosphere. In particular, they represent a significant source of ionization yielding the creation of an ionosphere, a region probed by the Cassini Radio Science Subsystem (RSS) experiment. During the past decade the only ionization process modeled at Saturn under solar illumination has been photoionization. We present the first detailed calculation of the ionization rate by suprathermal electrons (photoelectrons and their secondaries), applied to Saturn using realistic solar flux and neutral atmospheric input. The energy degradation model, describing the absorption of solar photons and the transport of suprathermal electrons, is self-consistently coupled with an ionospheric model providing the electron and ion densities and temperatures. The coupled model is applied to equinox conditions at 30°N latitude. We assess and compare the photoionization and electron-impact ionization rates. We discuss their sensitivity with solar flux models as well as solar activity. We find that the secondary production rate affects not only the bottom side of the ionosphere, as previously predicted, but also the main ionospheric peak. The electron density is increased by up to 30% at the peak with a decrease in the peak altitude by several hundreds of kilometers around local noon. Above the homopause, the largest increase in electron density is found after sunrise below the ionospheric peak. Finally, we compare the energy degradation of photoelectrons with auroral electrons and discuss the relevance of this study to the interpretation of observations by the Cassini RSS and Cassini Plasma Science/Electron Spectrometer instruments.
EXTENDING TAM WITH SOCIAL NORM TO MODEL STUDENTS' INTENTIONS TO ADOPT ICT

This study seeks to investigate problems associated with students' acceptance of information and communication technology (ICT) at tertiary institutions. An extension of the Technology Acceptance Model( TAM) with subjective norm was employed by the researchers to examine the effect of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and social norm on students’ intention to accept and use ICT provided for learning and research at a university. A total of 500 questionnaires were administered to students from Methodist University College Ghana, with 259 returned recording 51.8% return rate. SPSS 16 and AMOS 20 and Excel 2007 were used to analyze the data collected. Structural Equation Modeling was used to appraise the measurement and structure model. Social norm (SN) (β=0.84, p <.05) significantly predicts perceived ease of use (PEOU) and afterward PEOU( β=0.74, p<.05) also significantly predicts perceived usefulness (PU). However, the effect of PEOU, PU and SN on behavioural intention (BI) is insignificant. The effect of BI (β=.16, p <.05) significantly predicts use behaviour (UB). Overall, the model accounted for 37. % of the variance in intention to use ICT among student .
Solving forward-looking models of cross-country adjustment within the euro area

This article introduces and applies two refinements to the algorithm of solving rational expectations models of a currency union. Firstly, building upon Klein (2000), it generalizes the standard methods of solving rational expectations models to the case of time-varying nonstochastic parameters, recurring in a finite cycle. Such a specification occurs in a simple stylized New Keynesian model of the euro area after a joint introduction of (i) rotation in the ECB Governing Council (as constituted by the Treaty of Nice) and (ii) home bias in the interest rate decisions preferred by its members. Secondly, we apply the method of Christiano (2002) to solve the model with heterogenous information sets. This is justified if we argue that the information set of domestic economic agents in a currency union is home-biased (i.e. foreign shocks enter only with a lag). Both methods of solution are illustrated with simulation results.
A procedure for evaluating feedback mechanisms in coupled atmosphere/ocean climate models

To understand inter‐model differences in long‐term simulations of climate change, as exist between coupled atmosphere/ocean general circulation models, it is necessary to first understand climate feedback mechanisms that operate within each of the various models. With this goal in mind, we have employed an 1870 to 1989 simulation, with prescribed increases in greenhouse gases, that was performed using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate System Model Version 1, as a vehicle for determining two feedback processes operating within that model. These are cloud feedback and snow/ice albedo feedback. A prerequisite to evaluating feedback mechanisms is to first evaluate the direct radiative forcing, caused by the increasing greenhouse gases, which produces global warming by the model, and a procedure for doing this is presented. Cloud feedback is then evaluated by referencing the model's change in global‐mean cloud‐radiative forcing to the direct greenhouse‐gas induced radiative forcing, and a comparable procedure is employed to determine snow/ice albedo feedback. This model produces a moderately strong negative cloud feedback and a modest positive snow/ice albedo feedback. But the main purpose of this study is to provide a reasonably simple procedure for determining both cloud feedback and snow/ice albedo feedback within coupled atmosphere/ocean GCMs.
Rock-Cutting Performance Experimental Research of Particle Water Jet Based on Orthogonal Experimental Method

Particle Impact Drilling is an efficient drilling technology for deep-well hard formation which cuts rock mainly by high-speed spherical particle impacting rock with the help of hydraulic action and mechanical action. In order to determine main influence factors and their order of priority, the orthogonal experiment was designed and the experimental data was analyzed with both the general method and the variance method. The analysis indicates that the order of priority of the main influence factors of particle water jet rock-cutting performance is pump pressure ps, impacting range S, particle mass concentration ω, confining pressure P and particle diameter dp. Moreover, ps is highly important and S and ω are important. In addition, high ps, moderate S, moderate ω, moderate dp and low P could effectively promote particle water jet to impact and cut rocks. Key words: Deep hard formation; Particle impact drilling; Particle water jet; Rock-cutting performance; Orthogonal experiment method; Analysis of variance
Subclinical mastitis in dairy camels in Algeria: Comparison of screening tests

The aim of the present study was to determine a threshold values and to assess the effectiveness of four indirect tests for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy camels comparing with bacteriological culture. One hundred fifty three milk samples from 17 lactating camels were subjected to bacteriological culture, where 84 milk samples were positive, 47 were negative and 22 samples were considered as contaminated. A total of 131 milk samples were screened by pH, electrical conductivity (EC), California mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC). The good combination of sensitivity and specificity were obtained with a threshold of 6.55, 7.2 mS/cm, score trace was considered as CMT (+) and 240 000 cells/ml for the four tests, respectively. The sensitivity of the SCC, pH, EC and CMT was 72.61, 66.66, 47.61 and 39.28 %; the specificity 70.21, 38.02, 59.57 and 72.34 %; percentage accuracy 71.75, 51.14, 51.90 and 51.14 %; and positive predictive value 81.33, 47.61, 67.79 and 71.73 %, respectively. The SCC was significantly correlated with bacteriological culture (r = 0.415, p CMT > EC > pH). In conclusion, the results suggest that the SCC was the most accurate, reliable, diagnostic method compared to other tests used in this study after cultural isolation for the detection of subclinical mastitis in dairy camel under field conditions.
Implementing an authentic research project on eastern coyotes at an urban high school

The need for inquiry oriented authentic activities is imperative to engage high school students in the active inv olvement and associated learning of science. Herein, we describe our experience of involving high school students in the process of studying wild coyotes in and around the communities where they live. We found that many became aware and familiar with the program but few participated to the point of being contributing members of the scientific community. To make this project sustainable in the long-run three important things must happen: one, there must be reliable point person (such as a graduate student) who can focus on the ecology side of the coyote project while others can focus on the educational components of the collaboration; two, mechanisms must be put in place to provide incentives for participants; and three, funding must be reliable and substantial over time.
Magnitude and Trends of High-elevation Cloud Water Pollutant Concentrations and Modeled Deposition Fluxes

Cloud water samples, LWC (Liquid Water Content) and meteorological data were collected at the Clingmans Dome, Tennessee, high-elevation site in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the warm season from 1994 through 2011. This paper presents results from 2000 through the conclusion of the study in 2011. Samples were analyzed for SO4, NO3, NH4 and H. These measurements were supplemented by measurements of ambient air and precipitation concentrations to estimate dry and wet deposition. Cloud water concentrations, LWC, cloud frequency, various meteorological measurements and information on nearby forest canopy were used to model cloud water deposition to gauge trends in deposition. Total deposition was calculated as the sum of cloud, dry and wet deposition estimates. Concentrations and deposition fluxes declined over the study period. The decreases in cloud water SO4 and NO3 concentrations were 40 percent and 26 percent, respectively. Three-year mean SO4 and NO3 deposition rates decreased by 71 percent and 70 percent, respectively. Trends in concentrations and depositions were comparable with trends in SO2 and NOx emissions from Tennessee Valley Authority power plants and aggregated emission reductions from electric generating units in adjacent states. Back trajectories were simulated with the HYSPLIT model and aggregated over cloud sampling periods from 2000 through 2007 and 2009 through 2011. Trajectories during periods with high H concentrations traveled over local EGU (Electric Generating Unit) emission sources in Tennessee and Kentucky to the Ohio River Valley, Alabama and Georgia with the conclusion that these source regions contributed to acidic cloud water deposition at Clingmans Dome. This work was supported by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Valley Authority with infrastructure support provided by the National Park Service.
Actuator fault diagnosis of singular delayed LPV systems with inexact measured parameters via PI unknown input observer

In this study, actuator fault diagnosis of singular delayed linear parameter varying (SDLPV) systems is considered. The considered system has a time-varying state delay and its matrices are dependent on some parameters that are measurable online. It is assumed that the measured parameters are inexact due to the existence of noise in real situations. The system with inexact measured parameters is converted to an uncertain system. Actuator fault diagnosis is carried out based on fault size estimation. For this purpose, the system is transformed to a polytopic representation and then a polytopic proportional integral unknown input observer (PI-UIO) is designed. The proposed observer provides simultaneous state and actuator fault estimation while attenuating, in the H ∞ sense, the effects of input disturbance, output noise and the uncertainty caused by inexact measured parameters. The design procedure of PI-UIO is formulated as a convex optimisation problem with a set of Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) constraints in the vertices of the parameter domain, guaranteeing robust exponential convergence of the PI-UIO. The efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated with an electrical circuit example modelled as an SDLPV system.