Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power-Law and Long-Memory Characteristics of the Atmospheric General Circulation

The question of which statistical model best describes internal climate variability on interannual and longer time scales is essential to the ability to predict such variables and detect periodicities and trends in them. For over 30 yr the dominant model for background climate variability has been the autoregressive model of the first order (AR1). However, recent research has shown that some aspects of climate variability are best described by a ‘‘long memory’’ or ‘‘power-law’’ model. Such a model fits a temporal spectrum to a single power-law function, which thereby accumulates more power at lower frequencies than an AR1 fit. In this study, several power-law model estimators are applied to global temperature data from reanalysis products. The methods employed (the detrended fluctuation analysis, Geweke‐Porter-Hudak estimator, Gaussian semiparametric estimator, and multitapered versions of the last two) agree well for pure power-law stochastic processes. However, for the observed temperature record, the power-law fits are sensitive to the choice of frequency range and the intrinsic filtering properties of the methods. The observational results converge once frequency ranges are made consistent and the lowest frequencies are included, and once several climate signals have been filtered. Two robust results emerge from the analysis: first, that the tropical circulation features relatively large power-law exponents that connect to the zonal-mean extratropical circulation; and second, that the subtropical lower stratosphere exhibits power-law behavior that is volcanically forced.
Towards achieving the quality of life in the management of zakat distribution to the rightful recipients (the poor and needy)

Zakat is an Islamic institution anchored within the Islamic economic system to cater for the Muslims’ social welfare. One of the primary objectives of zakat is to eradicate poverty among Muslims. Furthermore, the institution of zakat has been given the responsibility to ensure that the rightful recipients (the asnaf), mainly the poor and needy could attain a minimum quality of life from the zakat received. To ensure that such quality of life is possible, a more proactive mechanism for zakat distribution is a must. The form of mechanism could come in the form of monetary capital and equipment to help recipients improve their standard of living. The premise for this research is that a more self-sustained mechanism of zakat distribution could become the most effective tool that guarantees better quality of life for the beneficiaries. The maslahah approach introduced by al Ghazali and al Syatibi will dictate the level of minimum standard of living for the poor and needy. The measurement for wellbeing (al hajiyyat) which is the minimum standard for quality of life is in tandem with Maslow’s human development theory which posits the level of comfort living as a quality living for people in general. In relation to this, the Maqasid al Syariah in zakat jurisprudence will be achieved if the recipient views the gift of zakat as benefitting them when they attain the level of comfort in their life.
Post harvest management of the pests and some important diseases of the fruits.

A wide variety of fungal and bacterial pathogens cause post-harvest disease in fruits and vegetables. Some of these infect produce before harvest and then remain quiescent until conditions are more favourable for disease development after harvest. Other pathogens infect produce 1 Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2 School of Life Sciences, RCPGD, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, S. Africa. * Corresponding Author: mohajer.ae@gmail.com 2 Recent Trends in Post Harvest Technology and Management during and after harvest through surface injuries. In the development of strategies for post-harvest disease control, it is imperative to take a step back and consider the production and post-harvest handling systems in their entirety. Traditionally fungicides have played a central role in postharvest disease control. However, trends towards reduced chemical usage in horticulture are forcing the development of new strategies. This provides an exciting challenge for the 21st century. The objectives of this chapter are: i) to maintain the good quality of the produce grown so that the produce can be competitive in the various market places i.e. local or overseas; and ii) to reduce loss in quantity or volume and in the qualitative or nutritive value of the produce.
Acting on Media: Influencing, Shaping and (Re)Configuring the Fabric of Everyday Life

Computerization, digitalization and datafication are by far no neutral or self-dependent occurrences. They are, to a large degree, co-determined by heterogeneous actors who reflect about, construct, configure, manipulate or even control media. The contributors to this issue put the spotlight on these actors and investigate how they influence, shape and (re)configure broader social constellations. Instead of exploring what people do with media , the articles focus on the many ways individuals, civil society initiatives, corporations and social movements act on media . The notion of acting on media denotes the efforts of a wide range of actors to take an active part in the molding of media organizations, infrastructures and technologies that are part of the fabric of everyday life. Therefore, by conceptualizing acting on media as a form of political action, the issue aims to contribute to ongoing discussions on the media practice paradigm.
Exploring the spectroscopic properties of relic radiogalaxies

From an optical spectroscopic survey of 3CR radiogalaxies (RGs) with z<0.3, we discovered three objects characterized by an extremely low level of gas excitation and a large deficit of line emission with respect to RGs of similar radio luminosity. We interpreted these objects as relic active galactic nuclei (AGN), i.e., sources observed after a large drop in their nuclear activity. We here present new spectroscopic observations for these three galaxies and for a group of “candidate” relics. None of the candidates can be convincingly confirmed. From the new data for the three relics, we estimate the density of the line-emitting gas. This enables us to explore the temporal evolution of the line ratios after the AGN “death”. The characteristic timescale is the light-crossing time of the emission line region, a few �10 3 years, too short to correspond to a substantial population of relic RGs. Additional mechanisms of gas ionization, such as “relic shocks” from their past high power phase or stellar sources, should also be considered to account for the spectroscopic properties of the relic RGs. Relic RGs appear to be a mixed bag of sources in different phases of evolution, including AGN recently (�10 4 years ago) quenched, galaxies that have been inactive for at least �10 6 years, and objects caught during the transition from a powerful RG to a low power FR I source.
A-2012-6 Methods for Network Abstraction

We propose network abstraction as a research area. It is motivated by the growth of networks in many areas of life. Consider, for instance, networks of thousands of genes, millions of people, or billions of web pages. They are too large to be directly analyzed by users. The aim of network abstraction is to summarize a large network as a smaller one. An abstracted network can then help users to see the overall topology of a large network, or to understand the connections of distant nodes. The general network abstraction task is: given a large network, transform it into a smaller one, which contains in some well-specified sense the most relevant information. In this thesis, we analyze this research area and propose methods to solve some instances of the problem. The methods also provide different trade-offs between the graph quality and simplicity, as well as between result quality and efficiency. More specifically, we propose two approaches to abstracting a network. The first one is to simplify a weighted network by removing edges under the constraint that distances between all pairs of nodes are preserved. We first empirically show that a number of edges can be removed from real biological networks without losing any graph connectivity. We next relax the constraint of fully preserving original graph connectivity, extend lossless network simplification to lossy network simplification, and demonstrate that many more edges can be removed with little loss of quality.
Exploring c onnections : Reflections on m other - t ongue e ducation in p ostcolonial Uganda

Mother - tongue (MT) education in Uganda , like in many ot her countries , is a highly contentious subject. A plethora of problems plague MT education and all are similar to th os e mentioned in more than six decades of research and evaluations on the topic from numerous countries across the world. Based on fieldwork conducted in four primary schools in the Rakai district of Uganda, this paper attempts to demystify and critically theori s e practices and ideologies of language in education . This study is i nflected by the theoretical work of Tollefson (1991) , particularl y his challenging remark that “language is built into the economic and social structure of society so deeply that its fundamental importance seems only natural . [ … ] F or this reason, language policies are often seen as expressions of natural, common - sense a ssumptions about language in society” ( Tollefson 1991:2) . This paper therefore sets out to surpass the mere cataloguing of problems bedevilling MT education in Uganda by proposing an account of their possible genesis. Through an examination of dysfunctiona l state and government structures, the role of linguistic ideology as well as the distribution of symbolic and material wealth, it is herein argued that there should be a shift from the structural - functional model , where policies are considered bodies of d iscourse that should , or that fail to , be implemented. It is proposed rather that the education system mirrors a wider societal concern in which colonial legacies are miserably reproduced in postcolonial Ugandan structures.
Modulating Effect of Black Plastic Mulch on the Environment, Growth and Yield of Cassava in a Derived Savanna Belt of Nigeria

Summary The modulating effect of black plastic mulch on the crop growing environment, crop growth and yield of two improved cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties (TMS 30572 and TMS 4(2) 1425) bred by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) was studied in a soil described as Typic Paleustult at the Faculty farm of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a derived savanna belt of Nigeria. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Results show that black plastic mulch influenced a 100% weed control in the plots mulched and raised the morning (09.00 GMT) soil temperature to 46%. Moisture evaporation was effectively controlled as water vapour condensed beneath the plastic mulch and fell back as droplets into the soil. The fresh root tuber yield of the cassava varieties was increased to 40.7% (TMS 30572) and 48% (TMS 4(2) 1425) while the leaf area increased from 292.5 cm 2 to 572.8 cm 2 in TMS 30572 and from 266.9 cm 2 to 428.5 cm 2 in TMS 4(2) 1425 by the plastic mulch. Generally, all growth and yield parameters measured were significantly (P> 0.05) improved by the application of black plastic mulch. Resume
Weighted ICP Algorithm for Alignment of Stars from Scanned Astronomical Photographic Plates

Given the coarse celestial coordinates of the centre of a plate scan and the field of view, we are looking for a mapping between the stars extracted from the image and the stars from a catalogue, where the stars from both sources are represented by their stellar magnitudes and coordinates, relatively to the image centre. In a previous work we demonstrated the application of Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm for the alignment problem where stars were represented only by their geometrical coordinates. ICP leads to translation and rotation of the initial points - a correction required for one set of stars to fit over the other. This paper extends the previous work by demonstrating significant improvement of ICP by using the stellar magnitudes as point weights. The improvement consists of great decrease of the iteration count until convergence, which helps in the case of highly “misaligned” initial states. The essential aspects of the ICP method like noise tolerance of false or missing stars are still in charge.
Occurrence of Cytospora castanae sp . nov . , associated with perennial cankers of Castanea sativa

The Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) population in India is confined to the northern part of the country, which is continuously destroyed by natural (diseases/pests) and anthropogenic disturbances. Chestnut diseases like cankers and blight are mainly caused by fungi. Attempts were made to isolate the important fungal pathogen of chestnut trees. We isolated fungal isolates from samples of infected chestnut trees, which are confirmed as a new species of the genus Cytospora, family Valsaceae, with unique morphological and molecular characters. The initial identification of the fungus was based on morphological characters, and later confirmed by molecular studies. The phylogeny of the fungus was determined by rDNA-based phylogenetic markers ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacers) with the help of phylogenetic tools and were used for molecular identification and differentiation of the fungus. Phylogenetic analysis of the unknown fungus showed isolates reside in a clade separate from other species of genus Cytospora. Cytospora castanae sp. nov., therefore, is a new species of the genus Cytospora, witnessed by its morphological and molecular characters.
Sexual Size and Shape Dimorphism in an Agamid Lizard, Japalura swinhonis (Squamata: Lacertilia: Agamidae)

Chi-Yun Kuo, Yu-Teh Lin, and Yao-Sung Lin (2009) Sexual size and shape dimorphism in an agamid lizard, Japalura swinhonis (Squamata: Lacertilia: Agamidae). Zoological Studies 48(3): 351-361. Sexual dimorphism in size and shape is a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom. Sexual dimorphism in morphology can be explained in proximate (growth pattern/sampling effects) and ultimate (evolutionary payoffs) contexts. There are 3 mutually non-exclusive hypotheses for the evolution of sexual dimorphism: fecundity advantage, intersexual resource partitioning, and sexual selection, each of which can make specific predictions regarding a lizard’s morphology. In this study, we describe sexual dimorphism in size and shape in an agamid lizard, Japalura swinhonis, with discussions from both proximate and ultimate perspectives. The results showed that all body parts of males were larger than those of females. After the effect of body size was accounted for, males had proportionately longer and wider heads, and shorter limbs and body length. Sexual shape dimorphism can be proximately explained by different growth patterns between the 2 sexes. We found a correlation between morphology and perch habitat, but not between morphology and diet since the 2 sexes exhibited extensive dietary overlap. Our results rejected the resource partitioning hypothesis and provided support for the fecundity advantage hypothesis as the underlying mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in J. swinhonis. http://zoolstud.sinica. edu.tw/Journals/48.3/351.pdf
Competitive strategy and business environment influencing performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Manufacturing sector: The case study of manufacturing firms in Mucheke light industry

As an important participant in the Zimbabwean economy, Small and Medium Enterprises are confronted with the task of keeping themselves competitive, which concern their survival and future growth. The research seeks to investigate the competitive strategy and business environment influencing the Zimbabwean SMEs in Mucheke light industry. The research adopted the qualitative research paradigm of which the descriptive survey design, (Babbie, 1997), was employed. The population of study included the SMEs in the Mucheke light industries. Purposive sampling technique was used as a way of conducting only the information rich cases. The findings of the research are that cost, differentiation and innovation strategy are the key competitive strategies used by SMEs. The environment is harsh to the competitive advantage of the SMEs in the form of legal/government, political, economic and social factors. The research recommended that the SMEs make use of strategic alliances (SA) to cover multiple markets, manage the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and government to relax regulations on the SMEs. Key words: Competition, Strategy, Business environment and SMEs
Government regulations and stakeholders entrepreneurial orientation in achieving organizational performance: An empirical study on private hospitals in Indonesia

Article history: Received: July 28, 2018 Received in revised format: August 30, 2018 Accepted: September 26, 2018 Available online: September 26, 2018 The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of institutional environment as government regulation and managers’ capabilities to maintain the relationship between the stakeholder networks and the entrepreneurial orientation within the context of the hospital industry in Indonesia. The results of data analysis from 105 small and medium private hospitals in the Jakarta city and surrounding areas show that the hospital entrepreneurial orientation was significantly influenced by government policies reflected by the legal certainty and bureaucratic attitudes that assist the implementation of the policies. Besides, it is proven that management capabilities to establish the relationships with many stakeholders, consisting of all existing partners and employees, also affect the growth of entrepreneurial orientation. Finally, the performance of the hospital is proven to be significantly influenced by the entrepreneurial orientation directly and also mediated by business model innovation. The results of this study become paradoxical because it is different from the opinion that the healthcare industry would not have accepted the concept of entrepreneurship.
Cost recovery of isolated microgrids in sub- Saharan Africa: causalities and

The study examines cost recovery problems in off-grid electrification projects in sub- Saharan Africa. The long term success of isolated microgrid projects is analysed with a System Dynamics approach to consider socio-technical and economic factors. A supply and demand perspective of a microgrid-village system is used to describe feedback mechanisms and map them in a Causal Loop Diagram. Furthermore, a study visit in Mozambique was conducted to interview actors and visit microgrid projects. The data obtained from the study visit is used to strengthen assumptions on causalities in the model. In the analysis, the qualitative model is used to describe that loads from commercial activity can have positive effects on typical evening peaks. They can lead to higher capacity utilization and higher chances for cost recovery. Commercial activity from agriculture is seen as a promising sector to strengthen customer’s solvency, if adequate finance to local entrepreneurs is provided. Considerable from a microgrid perspective is that local operators need the capabilities to operate loads in microgrids. Moreover, the definition of prerequisites for a successful implementation of a microgrid project sums up project experiences drawn from the literature and study visit.
Selection and Estimation Optimality in High Dimensions with the TWIN Penalty

We introduce a novel class of variable selection penalties called TWIN, which provides sensible data-adaptive penalization. Under a linear sparsity regime and random Gaussian designs we show that penalties in the TWIN class have a high probability of selecting the correct model and furthermore result in minimax optimal estimators. The general shape of penalty functions in the TWIN class is the key ingredient to its desirable properties and results in improved theoretical and empirical performance over existing penalties. In this work we introduce two examples of TWIN penalties that admit simple and efficient coordinate descent algorithms, making TWIN practical in large data settings. We demonstrate in challenging and realistic simulation settings with high correlations between active and inactive variables that TWIN has high power in variable selection while controlling the number of false discoveries, outperforming standard penalties.
A Caching Algorithm for Information Centric Network Using Fuzzy Logic

The internet today has evolved from information superhighway to a household necessity that offers more than just information. Nowadays, the internet serves a lot of purpose. It is a tool for not just information but entertainment that offers music, graphics and videos that is available for downloading or streaming. It has also evolved to be a medium of communication that offers a global link from people around the globe. From emails, short message services and even voice communication, the internet has all of these to offer. The former information superhighway is today a social media platform that is open to all ages to all variety of users. With this development, it is logical to think that the current internet network scheme should also be subjected to evolution. The emerging Information Centric Network is quite a good fit to the future of internet. The idea to be concerned to the content that is to be accessed more than the identity of the one accessing the content is tailor-fit to the current application of internet. In a nutshell, ICN requires node with caching functionality. An effective caching algorithm is a great help to attain the very purpose of ICN which is to come up with an efficient network. Meanwhile, fuzzy logic, which has proven to be effective in control or optimization applications, can also be applied in improving caching functionality of ICN. This paper explores the application of fuzzy logic to the caching algorithm that can be used to further improve current information centric networks. The results were obtained from hypothetical data because this is just to prove that fuzzy logic can be applied in the caching dynamics of Information Centric Network.
Analysis of Density of Sintered Iron Powder Component Using the Response Surface Method

The continued growth of ferrous powder metallurgy in automobile and others engineering application is largely de-pendent on the development of higher density materials and improved mechanical properties. Since density is a predominant factor in the performance of powder metallurgy components, it has been primarily considered for the present investigation. An experimental investigation have been undertaken in order to understand the variation of density with respect to the variation of process parameters viz., compaction load, sinter temperature and sintering time. The relation among the various process parameters with density has been observed. A mathematical model has been developed using second order response surface model (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) considering the above mentioned process parameters. The developed mathematical model would help in predicting the variation in density with the change in the level of different parameters influencing the density variation. This model also can be useful for setting of optimum value of the parameters for achieving the target density.