Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIGHER ORDER EMISSION MODEL STUDY OF BI-SINUSOIDAL SURFACE BRIGHTNESS TEMPERATURES

Models for microwave thermal emission from a rough surface are currently of interest due to the goal of improved sea surface wind vector retrievals from polarimetric brightness temperature measurements. Models based on either a small slope approximation or on a physical optics approach have been proposed and have shown some success in matching observations. Both of these models involve series solutions, but computation of higher order terms typically is difficult, particularly for multi-scale sea surface models. Knowledge of higher order term contributions, however, would assist in understanding the limitations of the low-order methods applied in practice. In this paper, higher order results from both the small slope and physical optics methods are studied and compared for a simple bi-sinusoidal surface model (i.e. height profile = A sin( 2πx Px ) sin( 2πy Py ), where Px and Py are the surface periods in the x and y directions, respectively). Results show both methods to provide good predictions for moderate slope "large scale" surfaces (i.e. periods large compared to the observing electromagnetic wavelength) when shadowing and multiple scattering effects are negligible, while only the small slope theory correctly predicts emission from "small scale" profiles. The influence of both shadowing and multiple scattering effects is examined, and the "binary" shadowing behavior used in the physical optics method is suggested as a source of larger errors observed as shadowing effects increase.
Combined sanger and ngs sequence analysis of the myostatin gene (mstn) in the Camelus dromedarius species

Different mutations have been identified in the myostatin gene (MSTN), some of which are responsible for protein inactivation and double muscling phenotype in mammals. So far, no extensive polymorphism survey has been carried out in Camelus dromedarius. We therefore performed a sequence analysis, adopting a combined strategy involving Sanger and next generation sequencing (NGS). Notably, 3.6 kb of the MSTN locus were Sanger sequenced in a population dataset including samples from Algeria (10), Tunisia (5), Egypt (9), Mauritania (5), Sudan (5) and Saudi Arabia (9). A further wholegenome dataset, including 7 C. dromedarius from Pakistan (1), Kenya (1), Saudi Arabia (3), Canary Islands (1) and Oman (1) were sequenced using the Illumina Hi-Seq 2000 technique at an average 15-fold coverage. Whole-genome NGS sequence data from 9 C. bactrianus and 7 C. ferus samples were also available for comparison. Overall, only four polymorphisms were detected, all of them were observed in intronic regions, corresponding to an average presence of one SNP per 1200 bps. Ten fixed sites were observed when comparing C. dromedarius MSTN sequences with those from C. bactrianus and C. ferus. The apparent low sequence diversity observed at the MSTN locus may reflect the peculiar evolutionary history of this species, with purifying selection and drift phenomena as the most likely acting forces. (Resume d'auteur)
Analyst Optimism in the Automotive Industry: A Post-Bailout Boost and Methodological Insights

This paper empirically investigates the impact of the government bailout on analysts' forecast optimism regardingfirms in the automotive industry. We compare the results fromM- and MM-robust methodologies to the results from OLS regression in an event study context and find that inferences change. When M- and MM-robust estimation methods are used to estimate the same model, the results for key control variables fall directly in line with those of similar previous studies. Furthermore, an analysis of residuals indicates that the application of M- and MMestimation methods pulls the main prediction equation towards the main sample data, suggesting a more rigorous fit. Based on robust methods, we observe changes in analyst optimism during the announcement period of the bailout, as evidenced by the significantly positive variable of interest. We support our empirical results with simulations and confirm significant improvements in estimation accuracy when robust regression methods are applied to the samples contaminated by outliers.
Gait Variations in Human Micro-Doppler

—Measurement of human gait variation is important for security applications such as the indication of unexpected loading due to concealed weapons. To observe humans safely, unobtrusively, and without privacy issues, radar provides one method to detect abnormal activity without using images. In this paper we focus on modeling the characteristics of human walking parameters in order to determine signature differences that are distinguishable and to determine the variability of normal walking to be compared to armed or loaded walking. We extract micro-Doppler from motion-captured human gait models and verify the models with radar measurements. We then vary the model to determine the extent of normal micro-Doppler variation in multiple dimensions of human gait. We also characterize the ability of radar to determine gender and suggest that alternative views to the frontal view may be more discriminative.
Review on Wind Turbine Blade Design Optimization and Materials

Wind energy source is the fastest growing energy source in the world. Wind energy is clean and renewable of energy. The important components in wind turbine are blade which produces electricity from wind. Blade which it capturing the energy from wind and also blade must have good strength and minimum mass. In this paper, a comprehensive review on fatigue life optimization, blade performance, blade materials, blade design ,fatigue performance are reviewed in this paper.
Modified Logarithmic Law for Velocity Distribution Subjected to Upward Seepage

A modified logarithmic law is derived to describe the velocity distribution in open-channel flow with an upward seepage. The derived function agrees well with the experimental measurements conducted in a laboratory flume. The roughness function included in the modified logarithmic law is found to be dependent on the boundary Reynolds number and the ratio of the seepage velocity to the shear velocity. With the integration of the modified logarithmic law, the bed-shear stress subjected to upward seepage can be computed based on the depth-averaged velocity, water depth, boundary roughness, and seepage velocity. Using this method, variations of the bed-shear stress over the seepage zone are studied. The results show that the bed-shear stress decreases rapidly from the leading section of the seepage zone and then increases gradually toward the downstream end of the seepage zone.
What are the determinants of the operational losses severity distribution ? A multivariate analysis based on a semiparametric approach.

In this paper, we analyse a database of around 41,000 operational losses from the European bank UniCredit. We investigate three kinds of covariates: firm-specific, fi- nancial and macroeconomic covariates and we study their relationship with the shape parameter of the severity distribution. To do so, we introduce a semiparametric approach to estimate the shape parameter of the severity distribution, conditionally to large sets of covariates. Relying on a single index assumption to perform a dimension reduction, this approach avoids the curse of dimensionality of pure multivariate nonparametric techniques as well as too restrictive parametric assumptions. We show that taking into account variables measuring the economic well being of the bank could cause the required Operational Value-at-Risk to vary drastically. Especially, high pre-tax ROE, efficiency ratio and stock price are associated with a low shape parameter of the severity distribution, whereas a high market volatility, leverage ratio and unemployment rate are associated with higher tail risks. Finally, we discuss the fact that the considered approach could be an interesting tool to improve the estimation of the parameters in a Loss Distribution Approach and to offer an interesting methodology to study capital requirements variations throughout scenario analyses.
Relationships between water transparency and abundance of Cynodontidae species in the Bananal floodplain, Mato Grosso, Brazil

The Cerrado in the Central Brazil is currently one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. As a result, the aquatic habitats in this biome also undergo great impacts. Alterations related to land-use change increase sediment loadings in rivers, streams and lakes, resulting in sedimentation and decrease in water transparency. Water transparency determines underwater visibility conditions, and as a consequence fish assemblages respond to spatial and temporal changes in this variable. This work aimed to examine the influence of transparency on the abundance and distribution of Cynodontidae species, a visually oriented predatory fish group. Fish sampling was conducted in 15 sites located between Mortes and Araguaia rivers in the Bananal floodplain, Mato Grosso State. Regression analysis between relative abundance of Cynodontidae (in number of individuals and biomass) and water transparency showed a positive and highly significant correlation, indicating that this group shows species-specific habitat affinities for clearer waters. These results suggest that the increase in water turbidity in this region can affect the patterns of abundance and distribution of the Cynodontidae species, as well as other visually oriented fishes.
Towards sustainable farming practices and food security: study about vulnerability of Finnish farms

The1 aim of this paper is to discuss food security in the context of sustainable farming practices in Finland. There are two research questions: 1) How are the Finnish farms vulnerable from the viewpoint of food security? 2) How could they increase their resilience for guaranteeing food security in the future? The paper is based on a qualitative study for which 15 Finnish food system specialists were interviewed in 2015. According to the results, three types of vulnerabilities are discovered: 1) market vulnerabilities, 2) continuity of farms, and 3) environment changes. For reducing vulnerabilities, the reevaluation of policy instruments is needed. At the same time, new knowledge and skills are needed for supporting the decision-making at the farm level.
A taxonomic study of Whitehead's torrent frog, Meristogenys whiteheadi, with descriptions of two new species (Amphibia: Ranidae)

The genus Meristogenys (Anura: Ranidae), endemic to Borneo, presents serious taxonomic problems despite being one of the commonest frogs in the mountainous regions of this island. We investigated molecular and morphological variations in Meristogenys whiteheadi (Boulenger, 1887) using larval and adult specimens from Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia). We found three allopatric lineages in this species. We regard each of these as a distinct species because they are separated by a large genetic distance, and do not form any monophyletic group. Their morphological characters indicate that the distributional range of M. whiteheadi s.s. is divided into two disjunct areas: Mt Kinabalu (northern Sabah) and northern Sarawak. The two other lineages occupy ranges between those of M. whiteheadi, and represent undescribed cryptic species. One of these, Meristogenys stigmachilus sp. nov., collected from the northern part of the Crocker Range, is distinguished from M. whiteheadi by black spots on the upper lip and dark dots scattered on the back. A second undescribed species, Meristogenys stenocephalus sp. nov., was collected mainly from the southern part of the Crocker Range, and is characterized by the large body size of males and a relatively narrow head. Meristogenys stenocephalus sp. nov. also differs from M. stigmachilus sp. nov. and M. whiteheadi in larval morphology, but larvae of the latter two cannot be differentiated morphologically. We discuss relative tibia length, a diagnostic specific characteristic in the genus Meristogenys, and the relationships between body size and sexual size dimorphism in this genus. Â© 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161, 157-183. Â© 2011 The Linnean Society of London.
Toxic and Potentially Toxic Phytoplankton in The Mussel and Fish Farms in The Transitional Area of Montenegrin Coast (South-Eastern Adriatic Sea)

The distribution of toxic and potentially toxic phytoplankton species in relation to environmental factors was investigated from November 2014 to April 2015 in Boka Kotorska Bay, in the south –eastern part of the Adriatic Sea. The RDA analysis of environmental parameters showed that the system is mostly temperature-driven. The phytoplankton community was mainly composed of diatoms and less with dinoflagellates. Pseudo-nitzschia was the dominant diatom, present in 88.40 % of samples, with a maximum (of 1.85 × 10 cells/l). Among toxic dinoflagellates, frequent were Dinophysis acuminata (with frequency of 33.33%), D. fortii (with frequency of 23.19%) and Prorocentrum cordatum (with frequency of 21.74%). The RDA analysis showed that diatoms correlated slightly positively with nutrients and negative correlation was recorded with temperature and salinity. Dinoflagellates showed strong positive association, indicating a positive correlation with oxygen concentration, chl a, SiO4 and NO3 concentrations and negative correlation with temperature and salinity.
Study of Quantitative Model for Maslow's View of Humanity Happiness

Maslow’s view of Humanity Happiness argues that people feel happy when their needs are satisfied in a certain level. For exploring the quantitative evaluation methods of humanity happiness, firstly, based on the theories of Humanity Happiness and Fuzzy Sets, the concept “need-satisfied membership” is proposed to describe subjective feelings of individual happiness quantitatively. Secondly, a comprehensive happiness membership indicator system is constructed. Its indicator weights can be computed based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. And then the individual comprehensive happiness can be analyzed quantitatively. Furthermore, the general happiness membership function model as a more scientific measurement method is proposed for quantitatively analyzing the happiness of specific people in specific areas.
A Non-Gaussian Pricing Model for Structured Products

The paper aims to reconstruct the empirical premia of the structured products with two underlying assets. We apply various models that differ in probability distributions of the underlying price processes. Pricing techniques, currently worldwide accepted, are based on the Black-Scholes model modifications with Gaussian distributions. Conventionally a correlation between underlying price processes is not considered. In order to achieve the overall objective the paper suggests a pricing model of structured products. The model considers a non-Gaussian realistic market framework for pricing the underlying assets and takes into account their correlation. The theoretical and methodological basis of our research is quantitative finance, evolutionary equations, dynamical systems and field theory. The paper presents an example of pricing a range of structured products. We find that the approach to the theoretical premium valuation of the complex financial instrument is interrelated bijectively with statistical properties of the underlying assets. In particular, the paper presents the effectiveness of our model with regard to the structured derivatives with the correlated assets that obey non-Gaussian distributions. The fair value of the structured product evaluated using our model outperforms estimates obtained by means of other methods as it allows lower fair price of the derivatives. The results of our research may be beneficial to academics, market participants including market analysts, risk-managers and developers of financial products. We have concluded that market participants carry extra costs due to the simple models of the structured products' fair value pricing they apply. The proposed model looks especially promising within the context of the complex derivatives market which growth has been accompanied by low liquidity and high premia, in the absence of a unique framework for pricing the structured products that would be consistent with financial market practice.
An investigation of the relationship between functional impairment and autistic traits in a clinical population

Aims: Based on theories of dimensionality and fractionation of the autistic triad, this study investigates the role of autistic traits in adaptive functioning. The suitability of current diagnostic thresholds and classification criteria are explored with particular interest in partial and mild sub-threshold autistic presentations. Method: Seventy-two young people (mean age = 11.03 years), referred for assessment at a specialist autism spectrum disorder (ASD) clinic were administered the Vinelands Adaptive Behaviour Scales; parent report and direct observational measures of autistic symptomatology; intelligence tests; and the Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised. Participants were initially compared according to diagnostic group. Correlational and regression models were then used to investigate relationships between IQ, autistic symptomatology and adaptive functioning. Results: Compared to population norms, adaptive functioning was impaired in all diagnostic groups. Compared to Asperger’s disorder (n=25) and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (n=10), the autistic disorder (n=24) and broader autism phenotype (n=13) groups showed the greatest difficulties. IQ and parent-reported reciprocal social interaction impairments were predictive of adaptive functioning difficulties in this clinical sample. Agreement between parent-report and direct observational measures of autistic symptomatology was low. Conclusion: Partial and sub threshold presentations show significant adaptive functioning disabilities at comparable levels to diagnoses with full triad of impairments. Further prospective studies are required to account for and explore intervention and longitudinal trajectories.
Structural Changes in Surface-Modified Polymers for Medical Applications

Biological properties of synthetic polymers can be improved by surface modiflcation with the use of liquid oxidizers. A resorbable biomedical polymer | poly(glycolide-co-"-caprolactone) (PGCL) was incubated in 0.1 M NaOH for 2, 6, 16, and 24 h, followed by excessive washing and drying in vacuum. Surface properties of the materials before and after modiflcation were evaluated: wettability by contact angle measurements, topography by atomic force microscopy, and chemical functions by infrared spectroscopy. Applied modiflcation improved wettability of PGCL due to creation of chemical oxygenated functionalities, and resulted in a slight alternation of the surface topography and roughness. In order to determine whether NaOH incubation caused structural changes in bulk of PGCL, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, difierential scanning calorimetry and viscosity measurements were performed. It was found that the ortho-positronium lifetime in PGCL declines as a function of modiflcation time. It suggests that NaOH incubation causes structural changes in PGCL not only on the surface but also in bulk.
Spontaneous gynogenesis in Wels catfish Silurus glanis L.

Abstract Spontaneous diploidization of the maternal chromosome set (SDM) in Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) was described. The gynogenetic progeny of Wels catfish were produced by the egg fertilization of UV-irradiated sperm of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The microsatellite DNA analysis and active nucleoli counting was applied for identification of gynogenetic progeny of Wels catfish.
Neither shaking nor stirring: a case study of reflexivity in Norwegian physical education teacher education

This paper examines the place of reflexivity in the ‘philosophies’ and practices of physical education (PE) teacher educators in Norway. Using a case study approach to one quite typical institution delivering physical education teacher education (PETE) in Norway, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 teacher educators. Analysis of the data generated by the study was inspired by the principles of grounded theory. Noteworthy among the findings was that the teacher educators viewed learning to teach PE in much the same way as they viewed PE itself—as an essentially practical process revolving around the teaching and coaching of sports skills. Consequently, there was little evidence that the teacher educators either engaged themselves or sought to develop in their students anything other than weaker forms of reflexivity; that is, focusing on the student teachers' development of their practical sporting and teaching skills. The discussion focuses on the contextual constraints—in the form of a combination of local and national contexts—that served to encourage the teacher educators at Nord University College to reproduce the kinds of (typically conservative) ideologies and practices in PETE that they were already habitually predisposed towards. In light of the evidence from this study, the paper concludes by reconsidering the claim that the rise of reflexivity as a dominant concept and a generic professional disposition has been one of the major trends in teacher education generally and PETE in particular.
Iwasawa Descent and Co-descent for Units modulo Circular Units

Abstract: Let F be a totally real abelian number field, F∞ = ∪n>0Fn its cyclotomic Zp-extension (p 6= 2), Γn = Gal(F∞/Fn). Let Bn be the ppart of the quotient Un/Cn of the units of Fn modulo circular units. We study descent and co-descent for the Iwasawa modules B∞ = lim −→n and Y∞ = lim ←−Bn; more precisely, using the Main Conjecture, we determine the kernels and cokernels of the natural maps Bn → (B∞)n and (Y∞)Γn → Bn in terms of some (module theoretic) invariants attached to F∞/F . We derive some consequences related to Greenberg’s conjecture.
Land Access and Household Food Security in Kpomassè District, Southern Benin: A Few Lessons for Smallholder Agriculture Interventions

Land remains a key asset in smallholder agriculture, and is expected to play a critical contribution to food security, still a major concern for decision makers. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between land access mechanisms and the food security situation of households in Kpomasse district (southern Benin). A survey was conducted among 150 farmers selected randomly in six villages across the district. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, access to land and food consumption patterns of the households. Data analysis encompassed a typology of households according to their access to land, by combining Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis. The level of household food security was assessed by computing the food consumption score. Three types of producers were identified based on their access to land. These were typified as “renters”, “borrowers” and “heirs”, representing 44%, 21%, and 35% of the sample, respectively. The average food consumption score ranged between 51.9 and 57.4, showing a satisfactory food intake for all types of households. The study suggests that secure modes of access to land might improve the food security status of households through increased assets. Also, there is a need of capacity building for farmers, in order to address the critical issue of the impoverishment of soil, through fertility management programs. The issue of access to credit is also an important policy matter.