Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Multivariate Background Error Covariance on the WRF-3DVAR Assimilation for the Yellow Sea Fog Modeling

Numerical modeling of sea fog is highly sensitive to initial conditions, especially to moisture in the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). Data assimilation plays a vital role in the improvement of initial MABL moisture for sea fog modeling over the Yellow Sea. In this study, the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model and its three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) data assimilation module are employed for sea fog simulations. Two kinds of background error (BE) covariances with different control variables (CV) used in WRF-3DVAR, that is, CV5 and multivariate BE (CV6), are compared in detail by explorative case studies and a series of application experiments. Statistical verification metrics including probability of detection (POD) and equitable threat scores (ETS) of forecasted sea fog area are computed and compared for simulations with the implementations of CV5 and CV6 in the WRF-3DVAR system. The following is found: (1) there exists a dominant negative correlation between temperature and moisture in CV6 near the sea surface, which makes it possible to improve the initial moisture condition in the MABL by assimilation of observed temperature; (2) in general, the performance of the WRF-3DVAR assimilation with CV6 is distinctly better, and the results of 10 additional sea fog cases clearly suggest that CV6 is more suitable than CV5 for sea fog modeling. Compared to those with CV5, the average POD and ETS of forecasted sea fog area using 3DVAR with CV6 can be improved by 27.6% and 21.0%, respectively.
Gender-Based Violence among Pregnant Women Consulting at the Antenatal Care Unit of the Bamenda Regional Hospital

Background: Gender-based violence is violence against men and women in which the woman is more likely to be the victim. Globally, one in every four women is physically or sexually abused during pregnancy. The main objective was to study gender-based violence among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Bamenda Regional Hospital (BRH). Methods: We carried out a hospital-based cross-sectional study among 231 pregnant women at the antenatal care unit of the BRH from January to March 2018. The study included all women who gave a written informed consent. A questionnaire adapted from the WHO multi-country study was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, aspects of gender-based violence (GBV), and data for other associated factors were collected by face-to-face interview. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to compare frequencies. Student t-test was used to compare means. Binary logistic regression analysis and multivariate analysis were used to eliminate confounders. The level of statistical significance was set at p Results: A total of 56.3% (n = 130) of pregnant women involved in the study were found to be survivors of GBV. Psychological trauma, physical assault and sexual violence were found in 47.2%, 30.2% and 19.9% respectively. Depression and anxiety were the most frequent clinical manifestations. Only 37.7% of the survivors sought management. The factors statistically associated with the occurrence of GBV were: for physical violence a partner that smokes; for sexual violence a history of sexual assault on the survivor as a child, a primary level of education of the partner, and a partner that is alcoholic; for psychological violence a history of sexual assault on the survivor as a child, a primary level of education of the partner, and a partner that is alcoholic. After adjusting for confounders, having a partner with only a primary education had a statistically significant association [3.610 (1.431 - 9.091), p = 0.007] with the occurrence of GBV. Conclusion: GBV is a key health risk among pregnant women consulting at the ANC unit of the Bamenda Regional Hospital and proper education of the partner is primordial in its prevention.
Impact-induced desorption of large molecular structures from graphitic substrates

We use molecular dynamics computer simulation to show how the impact of a C60 molecule on a graphite surface can cause an acoustic wave across the surface of the substrate that is strong enough to desorb a neighbouring C60 molecule that has already been adsorbed. This could have potential implications for experimentalists attempting to grow fullerene-based structures on graphite-like materials using an energetic deposition technique. It suggests that unlike normal growth conditions, where sticking probabilities are the principle concern, an extra problem of deposition induced desorption may further slow a growth process.
Understanding the Influence of the Head Coach on Soccer Training Drills—An 8 Season Analysis

Soccer players perform a variety of training drills to develop the physical, technical and tactical qualities required for match-play. The role of coaches in prescribing training suggests that players may not always meet physical targets set by conditioning staff. To quantify the physical outputs elicited by different training drill types, 183 professional soccer players were monitored over 8 seasons using Microelectromechanical Systems during normal training, yielding 65,825 drill observations [362 ± 341 observations·player−1]. Linear mixed models assessed the influence of drill type, head coach and playing position on physical output. Drills lasted ~14 min, eliciting total distances and high speed running of ~1000 m and 40 m, respectively. Conditioning drills elicited substantially greater relative high-speed running [18.8 ± 27.2 m.min−1] and Sprint [3.5 ± 9.4 m.min−1] distances than all other drill types. The proportion of training drill types used and external outputs elicited per drill were affected by the head coach. Midfielders recorded the highest total distance [77.3 ± 36.1 m.min] and PlayerLoad™ [8.29 ± 3.54] of any playing position, whilst the lowest outputs were recorded by goalkeepers. This study provides reference data for practitioners when seeking to manipulate training prescription to achieve physical output targets whilst also meeting the team’s technical and tactical objectives.
The Geometry of a Randers Rotational Surface with an Arbitrary Direction Wind

In the present paper, we study the global behaviour of geodesics of a Randers metric, defined on Finsler surfaces of revolution, obtained as the solution of the Zermelo’s navigation problem. Our wind is not necessarily a Killing field. We apply our findings to the case of the topological cylinder R×S1 and describe in detail the geodesics behaviour, the conjugate and cut loci.
Towards the development of a cloud-based BIM platform and VR apps for complex heritage sites subject to the risk of flood and water level changes

3D acquisition methods and systems for totally or partially submerged cultural heritage (CH) allow the developments of methods able to integrate complex BIM projects for rivers, lakes, maritime structures and infrastructures with the world of Virtual Reality (VR) and BIM monitoring. Thanks to an open approach this paper shows the results obtained in the field of programming language for the development of an open-source BIM platform able to get e fusion between the application fields of BIM sensor, monitoring, historic building information modelling (HBIM) and VR. Several preliminary test results are reported in order to show the potential of the proposed method for multiple research case studies, and also proposing future perspectives and developments oriented to get a holistic, inclusive and unified platform able to manage complex scenarios accurately such heritage sites subject to the risk of flood and water level changes.
Dose-Dependent Differentiation of Gamma-Irradiated Hazelnut Samples by Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometrics

Gamma irradiation is used as a food preservation method. It is known that high-dose irradiation causes several structural and functional damages. Therefore, the detection of high-dose irradiated food samples is a critical issue in international trade. The objective of this work is to evaluate the potential of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the differentiation of γ-irradiated hazelnuts at higher doses (3 kGy and 10 kGy) from the lower (1.5 kGy) and nonirradiated ones using multivariate statistical analysis, namely, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). This study showed that high-dose irradiated hazelnut samples can be clearly differentiated from the low-dose irradiated samples using unsupervised methods based on the spectral differences. Furthermore, dose-dependent discrimination was also achieved. In conclusion, FTIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis has potential for the development of a reliable and fast methodology for separation of high-dose irradiated food samples.
ARCHITECTURE AND TRAINING ALGORITHM FOR NEURAL NETWORK TO RECOGNIZE VOICE SIGNALS

Context. Typically, interaction between user and mobile devices is realized by touchings. However, many situations, when to implement such interaction is too awkward or impossible, exist. For example, with some diseases of musculoskeletal system, motility of movements may be impaired. It leads to inability to use device efficiently. In that case, a task of looking for alternative ways of person-device interaction becomes relevant. Voice interface development can be one of the most prospective tasks in that way. Objective. The goal of the study is to develop a project of neural network architecture and internal components for voicecontrolled systems. Resulting interface have to be adapted for processing and recognition Ukrainian speech. Method. An approach, based on audio signal analyzing by sound wave shape and spectrogram, is used for making got via microphone data, appropriable for processing. Using neural network makes possible sounds classification by generated audio signal and information of its transcription. The neural network structure is completely adapted to peculiarities of Ukrainian phonetics. It takes into account the nature of the sound wave, generated during sound pronunciation, as well the number of sounds in Ukrainian phonetics. Results. Experiments were carried out aimed to choosing optimal neural network architecture and training sample dimension. The root-mean-square deviation of neural network error was used as the main criterion in assessing its effectiveness. A comparative analysis of effectiveness of the proposed neural network and existed on the market speech recognition tools showed improvement in the relative measures of recognition by 9.26%. Conclusions. Obtained in the research results can be used for full-featured voice interface implementation. Despite the fact that the work is focused on recognition Ukrainian speech, the proposed ideas can be used during developing transcribing services for other languages.
Chronic ocean noise and cetacean population models

Recent years have seen rapid development of tools and approaches to model population consequences of disturbance in several marine mammal populations from high-amplitude, acute sound sources. Ocean noise from shipping and other maritime activities is now recognized as a chronic, habitat-level stressor. In order to understand population consequences of chronic ocean noise to whales and their populations, advances are needed in several key areas, which are explored in this review. One tractable way to predict population-level consequences of noise-mediated disruption of feeding, which can include both behavioural responses and foraging opportunities lost due to acoustic masking. Masking may be defined as both the process and the amount by which the threshold of hearing of one sound is raised by the presence of another. Parameterising any such model requires information on sensitivity and vulnerability of large whales to ocean noise, in which sensitivity is the degree to which marine features respond to a stressor (e.g., behavioural responses to noise or proportional reduction in foraging efficiency due to masking), and vulnerability is the probability that whales are exposed noise to which they are sensitive. Efforts are underway to provide much-needed information on hearing sensitivity in baleen whales, the role of acoustic cues in foraging, and deriving links between long-term variability in prey availability and whale demography. As this information becomes available, we expect rapid advancement on modelling population consequences of acoustic masking in baleen whales, because those efforts can leverage substantial investments in statistical methodological approaches to model population consequences of disturbance. Pathways of effects other than via foraging disruption (e.g., stress hormones affecting reproduction or disease) are possible, but we illustrate potential ways to proceed based on this tractable approach, namely noise-mediated impacts on foraging. This report highlights case studies of local, national, international, and inter-governmental efforts to monitor and reduce the contribution of global shipping to ocean ambient noise. The following outlines approaches that can be used to assess the risk to baleen whale recovery of existing levels of ocean noise, and consequently, predict the benefits likely to arise from reducing chronic ocean noise.
Mineralization rate constants and their use for estimating nitrogen mineralization in some Canadian

There is a need to provide quantitative relationships that will allow agronomists to estimate accurately the nitrogen-supplying power of soils while taking into account both temperature and soil moisture variations. The procedure for estimating net nitrogen mineralization proposed by Stanford and co-workers was used to determine Arrhenius relationships between the rate constants (k) and absolute temperature (°K) for 33 virgin and cultivated Western Canadian prairie surface (0–15 cm) soils. There was no significant difference in Arrhenius relationship between soils within each soil zone; thus, a single average Arrhenius equation was calculated per soil zone. Average Q10 for the Brown chernozemic soils was 2.75, for the Dark Brown, thin Black and thick Black chernozems, 2.18, and for the Gray luvisols, 2.0. These Q10 values are as high or higher than those reported in other parts of the world and may be related to the degree of degradation of the soil organic matter in these various soils. Culture had no ma.
Controlled release of methyl salicylate by biosorbents delays the ripening of banana fruit

The efficiencies of rice flour (RF) and rice husk (RH) as agents of the controlled release of methyl salicylate (RF-MeSA and RH-MeSA, respectively) were investigated. The adsorption percentage of RH-MeSA was significantly higher (two-fold) than that of RF-MeSA owing to its higher specific surface area and total pore volume. However, both materials are classified as mesoporous materials. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that MeSA diffused toward the pores and covered the surfaces of RF and RH. A temperature increase from 25 °C to 40 °C and an increase in relative humidity from 75% to 95% stimulated the release of MeSA. The kinetically controlled release of RF-MeSA and RH-MeSA was in line with a Fickian diffusion mechanism. Both RF-MeSA and RH-MeSA significantly delayed the ripening of banana fruit compared to the control. The results indicate that RF and RH can be used as biosorbent materials for the adsorption and controlled release of MeSA without chemical and mechanical modification.
Lithiation of silicon via lithium Zintl-defect complexes from first principles

An extensive search for low-energy lithium defects in crystalline silicon using density-functional-theory methods and the ab initio random structure searching (AIRSS) method shows that the four-lithium-atom substitutional point defect is exceptionally stable. This defect consists of four lithium atoms with strong ionic bonds to the four under-coordinated atoms of a silicon vacancy defect, similar to the bonding of metal ions in Zintl phases. This complex is stable over a range of silicon environments, indicating that it may aid amorphization of crystalline silicon and form upon delithiation of the silicon anode of a Li-ion rechargeable battery.
Interannual and Interdecadal Variability of Atmospheric Water Vapor Transport in the Haihe River Basin

The seasonal mean atmospheric precipitable water and water vapor transport over the Haihe River Basin (HRB) in North China with a focus on their interannual to interdecadal variability, and then the relationships of the interannual and interdecadal variability of the water cycle over the HRB to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomena were investigated using the observational and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data. There was a strong interdecadal variability for the water cycle (such as precipitation and water vapor transport) over the region, with an abrupt change occurring mostly in the mid 1970s. The intensity of the East Asian summer monsoon largely affected the atmospheric water vapor transport. Generally, the net meridional convergence of the water vapor flux over the region was relatively large before 1965, and it declined gradually from then on with a further notable decrease since mid 1970s. Zonal water vapor transport was similar to meridional, but with a much smaller magnitude and no noteworthy turning in the mid 1970s. Results also suggested that the wind field played an important role in the water vapor transport over the HRB before the mid 1960s, and the interdecadal variability of the water cycle (precipitation, water vapor transport, etc.) in the summer was related to the PDO; however, interannual variation of the water vapor transport could also be related to the ENSO phenomena.
Effect of two rearing systems on quality of Cinta Senese sausages

Meat and fat of 24 Cinta Senese pigs were used to produce frankfurter-type sausages. The animals were raised in two rearing systems: i) fenced area with concentrate as exclusive feed (C, n=12) and ii) wood/pasture fenced area and grazing on natural available resources (acorn and herbaceous pasture) (P, n=12). Physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of the frankfurter-type sausages were assessed. Both sausages from C and P groups showed high fat content (> 23%) likely due to the high level of intramuscular fat of Cinta Senese meat. Frankfurter-type sausages obtained from P group had higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids and lower percentage of saturated fatty acids than the C group, probably due to the availability of grazing resources during the fattening period. However, in both types of sausages, the polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio was higher than the recommended lower limit of 0.40. Regarding the physical traits, differences between groups were found for the colour traits: P frankfurter-type sausages had lower lightness and higher redness and yellowness than C frankfurter-type sausages, likely due to the physical exercise associated to grazing activity of P animals. Texture parameters did not differ between groups for hardness and cohesiveness, whereas chewiness and springiness were higher in C than P samples. Feeding systems changed the perception of some sensorial properties, in particular taste and odour. Overall, Cinta Senese frankfurter-type sausages could represent an innovative product for local farms, allowing, in addition, the use of second-choice meat portions, once acquitted some improvements in the recipes.
Photosynthesis of formate from CO2 and water at 1% energy efficiency via copper iron oxide catalysis

Solar conversion of carbon dioxide and water to value-added chemicals remains a challenge. A number of solar-active catalysts have been reported, but they still suffer from low selectivity, poor energy efficiency, and instability, and fail to drive simultaneous water oxidation. Herein, we report CuFeO2 and CuO mixed p-type catalysts fabricated via widely employed electroplating of earth-abundant cupric and ferric ions followed by annealing under atmospheric air. The composite electrodes exhibited onset potentials at +0.9 V vs. RHE in CO2-purged bicarbonate solution and converted CO2 to formate with over 90% selectivity under simulated solar light (air mass 1.5, 100 mW cm−2). Wired CuFeO2/CuO photocathode and Pt anode couples produced formate for over 1 week at a solar-to-formate energy conversion efficiency of ∼1% (selectivity >90%) without any external bias while O2 was evolved from water. Isotopes and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses confirmed the simultaneous production of formate and O2 at the stand-alone couples.
Digital Transformation and Creation of an Agile Workforce: Exploring Company Initiatives and Employee Attitudes

Digital transformation is a much prevalent process being practiced in the different spheres of the business sectors. This transformational framework has been made possible by the extensive use of digital technologies. Nevertheless, companies are serious regarding the digital transformation process but hesitate in their stock of workers possessing digital abilities. The building up of dexterous teams is of paramount importance in achieving goals. In the research, there has been an examination of the techniques and methods used by select companies to encourage and develop their employees to become attuned with the digital transformation processes implemented. The author has also conducted an exploratory study to identify the sophisticated techniques used by most new companies on their workforce to upgrade their digital awareness and capabilities. Furthermore, in doing so, a model has been developed to sustain, evolve, and ultimately to transform the employees in the digital era.
Application of Compressed Sensing to Single Voxel J Resolved Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Simulation and In Vitro Results

Localized Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy is a non-invasive tool that offers insight into physiological status via signals arising from biological compounds. Unambiguous evaluation of said signals, however; is intrinsically limited by self interference through signal overlap. J Resolved Spectroscopy introduces an additional dimension to the measured signal which reduces overlap at the cost of increasing the scan duration. Compressed Sensing is a growing mathematical framework that asserts that under certain conditions, if a signal admits a sparse representation then it can be recovered from fewer measurements than required by classical signal theory. This framework has been successfully applied in high resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance experiments, justifying the investigation into its applicability in the realm of localized Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. The problem is addressed by optimizing the Compressed Sensing recovery on model spectra and evaluated in vitro through a parametric approach.