Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methods of estimating bed load transport rates applied to ephemeral streams

Bed load transport rates were calculated with different methods and measured in 37 straight ephemeral channels varying in width, slope, surface roughness, and flood flow characteristics. The methods of Diplas (1987), Samaga et al. (1986), Misri et al. (1984), and Proffitt & Sutherland (1983) are considered. None of the methods were satisfactory although the first methods proved relatively the best for the investigated channels. To improve the applicability of these methods in ephemeral channels, a modification which considers the effect of unsteady flow during flash floods is introduced. The modified methods produced satisfactory results in most of the investigated channels. Application des méthodes de calcul des moyennes de transport de fond dans les cours d'eau intermittents Résumé Le calcul des moyennes de charriage de fond a été fait utilisant différentes méthodes et leurs mesures ont été faites sur 37 lits de cours d'eau temporaires rectilignes et différents quant à la largeur, l'inclinaison et la rugosité des surfaces ainsi que les caractéristique de écoulement de crue. Les méthodes de Diplas (1987), Samaga et al. (1986), Misri et al. (1984), et Proffitt & Sutherland (1983) ont été prises en considération. Il été constaté ainsi, que tous les moyens utilisés n'ont abouti à aucun résultat acceptable. Les deux premieres méthodes ont abouti à un meilleur résultat quant à leurs applications sur les lits étudies. Pour une meilleure application de ces procédés sur les lits de cours d ' eau temporaires on a procédé à une modification de ces procédés en tenant compte de la variabilité très grande du débit pendant les crues violentes. Cette dernière modification a contribué à donner des résultats acceptables pour la plupart des cours d'eau étudiés.
PATH-PLANNING FOR AN AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT WITH CHAOTIC BEHAVIOUR

: This manuscript examines the path planning of an autonomous mobile robot with chaotic behaviour. The main question is what is the coverage of the environment in the autonomous generation of chaotic routes. The main problem with this type of chaotic trajectory is how to determine the control law, which allows to guarantee a good map coverage and at the same time to preserve the chaotic nature of the robot's movement.
Toxicity Tests of a Phytoestrogen- Rich Herb; Pueraria mirifica

A study to determine the toxicity of the powder and extract derived from the phytoestrogen-rich herb; Pueraria mirifica cultivar Wichai-III was carried out using a selection of animals and some human volunteers. The powder was used to determine the acute toxicity in mice with a 0.5 dilution criterion. It was found that the LD50 of the oral consumption of the powder was out of the range of 2,000 mg / kg b.w. A skin irritation test was performed on rabbits with 1 ml / head epidermal application. The rabbits showed no signs of irritation symptoms. A Draize test was performed on rabbits along with an eye irritation test. No irritation was observed up to the end of the 7 day of the test period. A skin irritation test was conducted on guinea pigs by applying GPMT to assess contact allergic response. It was scored as a no allergic response. The extract-treated skin showed no allergic response after UV-A irradiation during the photo-toxicity test on guinea pigs. The primary human skin test using an applied Draize test revealed no meaningful allergic response. From all established toxicity tests, it may be concluded that P. mirifica cultivar Wichai-III should be outside any significance acute toxicology range if orally consumed or should not cause any significance skin sensitization if topically applied.
Recovering astronomical images with deep neural network supported bispectrum processing

Bispectrum processing is a well-established tool for phase retrieval in speckle imaging. Recent advancements in image processing with neural networks imply great effectiveness with denoising, in-painting, and image recovery, suggesting that the application of a customized neural network to the bispectrum could improve the quality of the reconstructed phase. Motivated by this, we explore the application of deep neural networks to assist with and enhance the performance of a standard bispectrum phase retrieval algorithm.
Where the big bucks (will) come from – Implementing Product Line Engineering for Railway Rolling Stock

This paper presents a “mid‐term” return of experience form ALSTOM Rolling Stock on its implementation of Product Line Engineering (PLE). It describes the journey we have undertaken to implement PLE, the challenges we have had to face and the manner in which we are finding our way (most of the time deliberately, sometimes fortuitously) to define a profitable reuse strategy and to structure our approach on PLE. The paper also presents some encouraging intermediate results and concludes with the perspectives and the future challenges in our search for Product Line Systems Engineering excellence.
Antecedents of ‘Grey Divorces’ in Europe: The Role of Children and Grandchildren

So-called ‘grey divorces’ – i.e. voluntary union dissolutions after age 50 – have received growing attention in the press as well as non-academic discourse. Nonetheless, while there is a vast amount of research on the socio-demographic, health-related and economic consequences of divorce at older ages, few studies have analysed the trends and correlates of grey divorces. Moreover, these studies are largely limited to the United States. This paper aims to fill this gap using data from six waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We document the antecedents of divorce in later life across Europe, shedding light on a rare but demographically and sociologically interesting phenomenon. Our results show that the determinants of grey divorce largely do not differ from the classical antecedents of divorce early in life. However, we also detected and discuss a few determinants specific to grey divorces, such as the presence of children and grandchildren.
Illicit Financial Flows in Southern Africa: Exploring Implications for Socio- Economic Development

Vusi Gumede * Abstract This article views Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) as any illegal and corrupt practice done to acquire money without due process that is in line with international financial and trade regulatory frameworks. Based on this working definition, the article explores IFFs in the mining sectors in four countries (i.e. the Republics of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe) with a specific focus on socio-economic implications for communities in the mining or former mining areas. Measurement issues are also attempted. Indeed, IFFs have severe implications for the communities (as it is for countries). Although the results are mixed, regarding the quantification of IFFs in the mining sector, it is clear that IFFs have major negative effects on welfare and political stability. Estimates show high levels of IFFs through trade misinvoicing in all the four countries for the mining sector.
Bandwidth improvement of monopole antenna using π-shaped slot and conductor-backed plane

A novel design of small monopole antenna with enhan ced bandwidth property for ultrawideband (UWB) applications is presented. The anten na consists of an ordinary square radiating patch and a modified ground plane with π-shaped slot and conductor-backed plane. By cutting a π-shaped defected ground structure (DGS) and also by embedding a π-shaped conductor-backed plane in air gap distance, additional third and fourth resonances in 12 and 14.5 GHz are excited and much wider impedance bandwidth can be produced. By using these modified structures, the u sable upper frequency of the antenna is extended from 10.4 GHz to 15.1 GHz. Simulated an measured results show that the antenna design exhibits an operating bandwidth (S 11 ˂ -10 dB) from 2.89 to 15.1 GHz, which provides a wide usable fractional bandwidth o f more than 135%. The proposed antenna has an ordinary square radiating patch, the refor displays good omnidirectional radiation patterns even at higher frequencies. The ant nna configuration is simple, easy to fabricate and can be integrated into UWB systems .
Multidatabase Querying by Context 1

The overwhelming acceptance of the SQL standard [5] has curtailed continuing research work in relational database query languages. Since all commercial relational databases use SQL, there is little motivation for developing new query languages. Despite its widespread acceptance, SQL is not a perfect language. Complex database schema challenge even experienced database users during query formulation. As increasing numbers of less sophisticated users access numerous databases, their ability to construct queries diminishes. In this work, we overview a new query language developed in conjunction with our integration architecture for automatically integrating relational schema into a context view. A context view (CV) is a high-level view of database semantics that allows logically and physically transparent access to the underlying data source(s). By allowing the user to query by context and semantic connotation, a whole new level of query complexity arises. However, we demonstrate that the context view has similar properties as the Universal Relational Model and thus can benefit from associated algorithms and ideas. We demonstrate that high-level semantic queries on the CV can be systematically mapped to SQL queries that are rigorous enough for use in industrial systems and are compatible with existing systems.
Iron-Phosphorous Layers Deposited by Pulse Electrochemical Technique

Iron-phosphorous layers have been deposited by pulse electrochemical technique. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigations showed that the structures of the deposited layers changed from amorphous to nanocrystallites containing amorphous depending on the deposition parameters. The macroscopic properties of the deposited layers were affected by the deposition parameters, which influence both the chemical composition and the resulting structure in the layers. Electrochemical measurements indicated that the electrochemical activity is very sensitive to the structure of the layers. This can be explained in terms of the structural homogeneity, because grain boundaries could act as local electrochemically active sites.
Determination of empirical polarity parameters of the cellulose solvent N,N‐dimethylacetamide/LiCl by means of the solvatochromic technique

Empirical solvatochromic polarity parameters(α-, β-, and π * , AN and DN, as well as E T (30)-values) for cellulose,N,N -dimethylacetamide (DMA)/LiCl and cellulose dissolved in DMA/LiCl are presented. The following solvent polarity indicators were applied: 2,6-diphenyl-4-( 2,4,6-triphenyl-1- pyridinio ) -1-phenolate(1), bis( 4-N,N-dimethylamino) -benzophenone (MK, 2), iron(II) -di-cyano-bis(1,10) -phenanthroline, Fe(phen) 2 (CN) 2 , (3), and copper(II )-N,N,N',N' -tetramethyl-ethylendiamine-acetyl-acetonate tetraphenylborate/chloride/bromide (Cu(tmen)(acac) + X - (4). The solvatochromic shifts (ν max ) of the indicators 1,2,3, and 4 adsorbed to cellulose or dissolved in DMA/LiCl reflect the corresponding properties of the surrounding, the dipolarity/ polarizability (π * ), the hydrogen bond donating ability or Lewis acidity(α), and the hydrogen bond accepting ability or Lewis basicity (β), respectively. Any indicator employed is well characterized (r > 0.97) by a linear solvation energy relationship ( LSER ) taking the Kamlet and Taft parameter into account: ν max (indicator) = ν max.0 + sπ * + aα + bβ. Cellulose, DMA/LiCl, and the cellulose/DMA/LiCl solution approach a similar polarity with an E T (30) parameter about 52 to 53 kcal mol 1 . The hypothetical interaction strength parameter (acid-base interactions, dipolar-dipolar interactions) between cellulose and DMA/LiCl are calculated by means of the individual Kamlet-Taft parameters α, β, and π * of cellulose and DMA/LiCl via a multiparameter equation. The specific chloride/cellulose interaction plays a dominant role in the cellulose solvent DMA/LiCl. Comparison of the polarity parameters of DMA/LiCl with the polarity parameters of other mixtures-such as N,N-dimethyl- formamide/LiCl, DMA/NaCl, or DMA/LiBr-are presented as well.
The Role of Minority Shareholders in Private Companies

Evidence on the role of minority shareholders in private companies is very limited. Using hand collected data on private companies, I document evidence of excessive monitoring (or excessive influence) by minority shareholders in private corporations. I define excessive monitoring as the actual pressure by minority shareholders to influence firm decisions or the expectation of minority pressure by majority shareholders, thereby impacting efficient firm outcomes. I draw on a landmark judgment by the Texas Supreme Court in June 2014, which significantly curtailed minority shareholders’ influence in private firms. The judgment provides a natural experiment to examine how the reduced influence, brought on by the judgment, impacted the effectiveness of monitoring by minority shareholders and thereby impacted firm performance. My tests document improved firm performance after the ruling. This finding suggests that the influence that the minority shareholders had prior to the judgment, facilitated excessive monitoring of the majority shareholders. The reduced influence of minority, brought on by the judgment, provided the managers more freedom to run the firm efficiently. Further, by showing an increase in investments after the ruling, I document investments as a potential channel of monitoring by minority shareholders. The finding suggests risk aversion on the part of minority shareholders, who prefer to block risky but potentially value enhancing investments. In additional tests, I find that the impact of the ruling is more pronounced in companies with a higher likelihood of excessive monitoring by minority shareholders, e.g. poorly performing firms and small firms. This additional evidence corroborates my broad finding of over monitoring by minority shareholders. Very preliminary draft Please do not circulate without the consent of the author
Spread and volatility in spot and forward exchange rates

This paper is concerned with modeling the conditional heteroscedasticity of the prediction error of foreign exchange rates. As spot and forward rates are cointegrated we use a system of error correction models for mean prediction. To predict the variance we use a bivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model as a function of the spread. Using daily series for seven currencies, we find that unmodeled conditional heteroscedasticity by GARCH can generally be explained by the squared spread. This indicates that as the spread is bigger the exchange rates are more volatile. (JEL F31, C32).
Chlorophyll and Nitrogen Estimation Techniques: A Review

Chlorophyll and Nitrogen are related to each other. Estimating one will give content of other. Many techniques are invented to estimate these two. Remote sensing, hyperspectral data, multi spectral imaging data, vegetation indices, light absorbance technique are some of the estimation techniques. Some tools also used say, RapidEye, QuickBird, MODIS sensor, SPAD meter, CCM 200 meter. These techniques are divided in two categoriesNon destructive and Destructive. However, Image processing technique is proving to be effective among all these; which come under non destructive method. In this paper, some of these techniques are reviewed.
Acidification of aquatic systems: A critique of chemical approaches

The basic hypotheses are described that are required to develop chemical acidification models and their suitability for predicting anthropogenic acidification is considered. In addition, the ability to assess old chemical data is evaluated relative to the sampling containers and the analytical techniques that were used. Historical trends are especially considered. The discussion attempts to define a rigorous basis for the development of models and analysis and for the interpretation of pH and alkalinity data. Acidification models are based upon the electroneutrality condition and carbonic acid weathering. Whenever data are available, all major ions (Na/sup +/, K/sup +/, Ca/sup +2/, Mg/sup +2/) should be considered; (Ca/sup +2/) must be regarded as an approximate substitute for . sigma.z/sub i/(M/sub i/). 44 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.
Role of iron catalyst in fate of fuel nitrogen during coal pyrolysis

The fate of fuel nitrogen during the pyrolysis of brown and bituminous coals at 900 °C, in the presence of iron precipitated from FeCl3 solution, has been studied with a fluidized bed reactor. The catalysts at 0.2−0.7 wt % Fe promote N2 formation, whereas they lower nitrogen conversions to HCN, NH3, N-containing oil, tar, and char. The nitrogen distribution is not changed significantly by increasing iron loading. The effect of the iron on nitrogen distribution is larger with brown coal, the conversion to N2 being ≈50 and ≈20% for brown and bituminous coals, respectively. The size of iron particles is smaller in brown coal chars, which appears to lead to a larger catalytic effect. Comparison of nitrogen mass balances in the presence and in the absence of iron shows that N2 comes from not only volatile nitrogen but also char nitrogen. The X-ray diffraction measurements reveal the presence of graphitized carbon as well as cementite (Fe3C) in brown coal chars. These observations suggest that carbon atoms in t.
Exploring the Notion of a National Data Infrastructure and the Governance Issues Surrounding It

A national data infrastructure (NDI) provides data, data-related services and guidelines for the re-use of data as an easily accessible service to citizens as well as public and private organizations. As such, it allows the efficient sharing of data between providers and consumers, supports new business models, and is thus a key enabler for the digital economy, societal collaboration and political processes. The paper relates to an ongoing project, discusses prevailing concepts on (data) infrastructure development and proposes a classification scheme for conceptualizing national data infrastructures in a given context. The discussion in particular focuses on governance issues related to establishing and maintaining a national data infrastructure that goes beyond the focus on open government data.
Enthalpies of combustion and formation of fullerene C60

Abstract The standard molar energy of combustion of pure fullerene C 60 was measured using a static-bomb isoperibolic macrocalorimeter: Δ c U m o = − (25965 ± 12) kJ·mol −1 . This result was confirmed by recovery of carbon dioxide in the combustion products.
Impact of white mold control by fluazinam on soybean yield in the south of Paraná: Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Chemical control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can prevent infection and reduce the disease incidence and severity. Assessment of individual assay results may not provide reliable conclusions. Statistical techniques like meta-analysis, rarely adopted in phytopathology, may be useful. Basically, the technique quantitatively summarizes the results of several studies, weighting them according to their variability. Thus, published studies and technical reports provided by research entities were analyzed; they contained chemical treatment with the active ingredient fluazinam used in S. sclerotiorum control and its effect on soybean yield. Eighteen experiments were analyzed, totaling Tupich, F.L. B. ; Fantin, L.H. ; Silva, A.L. ; Canteri, M.G. Impact of white mold control by fluazinam on soybean yield in the south of Parana: Meta-analysis. Summa Phytopathologica, v.43, n.2, p.145-150, 2017. 50 data entries. The variable used for the random effects model was obtained based on the difference between the fungicide treatment and the control (without application). Meta-analytic estimate indicated an increase of 413.9 kg.ha
Isaac, the Illumina variant calling workflow

As the pace of implementing personalized medicine concepts increases, high-throughput variant calling on hundreds of individual genomes per day is a reality that will likely be faced by sequencing facilities across the country in the near future. While the scientific best practices for human variant calling workflows have been well defined, they also pose serious computational challenges at this high scale. Therefore, efforts in both academia and the private sector have focused on developing alternative workflows that may substantially reduce the computational cost per individual genome. iSAAC is an "ultra-fast" variant calling workflow, designed by Illumina, Inc, and is claimed to be six times faster than BWA-GATK, with comparable sensitivity and specificity. This report is an independent review of iSAAC, mainly focused on the accuracy of variant calls. We note that iSAAC is indeed quite fast, and provide some benchmarks on a few hardware architectures. The overall conclusion from our analysis is that the iSAAC workflow has undergone substantial improvement from version 01.14. 11.27 to iSAAC_2. 0. The call accuracy is especially high on NA12878, however exomes and genomic data outside the Platinum sets tend to have a high fraction of false positive calls. We did not manage to reproduce the 99% sensitivity and specificity reported in the Illumina whitepaper, however that might be improved with further tweaking of the options. This report includes the information about some of the command-line parameters and documentation.
SARS-CoV-2 shifting transmission dynamics and hidden reservoirs limited the efficacy of public health interventions in Italy

We investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in Italy, one of the countries hit hardest by the pandemic, using phylodynamic analysis of viral genetic and epidemiological data. We observed the co-circulation of at least 13 different SARS-CoV-2 lineages over time, which were linked to multiple importations and characterized by large transmission clusters concomitant with a high number of infections. Subsequent implementation of a three-phase nationwide lockdown strategy greatly reduced infection numbers and hospitalizations. Yet we present evidence of sustained viral spread among sporadic clusters acting as hidden reservoirs during summer 2020. Mathematical modelling shows that increased mobility among residents eventually catalyzed the coalescence of such clusters, thus driving up the number of infections and initiating a new epidemic wave. Our results suggest that the efficacy of public health interventions is, ultimately, limited by the size and structure of epidemic reservoirs, which may warrant prioritization during vaccine deployment.
New insights into silt density index and modified fouling index measurements

In order to investigate the accuracy and reproducibility of the parameters SDI (silt density index) and MFI (modified fouling index), tests in diverse conditions were performed: with three different types of filter holder, two microfilter pore sizes, with and without permeate spacer and with two foulants (alginate as organic foulant and silica flour as the particulate). Additionally the effect of pressure on fouling indices was analysed. It was concluded, that there is a need to define more boundary conditions in the ASTM standard (exact type of filter holder, exact type of membrane, start conditions) for the SDI to achieve a parameter with reliable and comparable values. But in comparison to MFI, SDI seems to be a more robust parameter for a use in practice pertaining to the influence of a feed pressure level and the effective membrane area. The MFI gives more insights in acting mechanisms and offers advantages for research. It shows a correlation to a concentration of particulate or organic foulants. Like the SDI, it is necessary to define and standardize exact boundary conditions for the MFI tests (classified by the use of MF, UF or NF filter media).