Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying uncertainty in mean earthquake interevent times for a finite sample

Seismic activity is routinely quantified using means in event rate or interevent time. Standard estimates of the error on such mean values implicitly assume that the events used to calculate the mean are independent. However, earthquakes can be triggered by other events and are thus not necessarily independent. As a result, the errors on mean earthquake interevent times do not exhibit Gaussian convergence with increasing sample size according to the central limit theorem. In this paper we investigate how the errors decay with sample size in real earthquake catalogues and how the nature of this convergence varies with the spatial extent of the region under investigation. We demonstrate that the errors in mean interevent times, as a function of sample size, are well estimated by defining an effective sample size, using the autocorrelation function to estimate the number of pieces of independent data that exist in samples of different length. This allows us to accurately project error estimates from finite natural earthquake catalogues into the future and promotes a definition of stability wherein the autocorrelation function is not varying in time. The technique is easy to apply, and we suggest that it is routinely applied to define errors on mean interevent times as part of seismic hazard assessment studies. This is particularly important for studies that utilize small catalogue subsets (fewer than ∼1000 events) in time‐dependent or high spatial resolution (e.g., for catastrophe modeling) hazard assessment.
PARENTING INTERVENTIONS FOR EMPOWERING EMOTIONALLY- INTELLIGENT PARENTS: A PROPOSED STUDY TO PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN SELANGOR

Background: Parents play a crucial role in establishing later patterns of emotional, cognitive and social functioning in children. Parenting practices affect children in various ways, for instance, children’s behaviour, school achievement and emotional intelligence. One of the best ways to empower parenting practices is through parenting intervention program. In doing so, theories usually are employed as guidance. Examples of the theories used are Behavioural Change Theories and Attachment Theory. Behaviour-based parenting intervention focuses on changing parenting behaviours that lead to a change in children behaviours. Whilst, Attachment-based or emotion-based parenting focuses on changing children behaviour by regulating parents’ and children’s emotion. From Islamic perspective, Muslim believed that Prophet Muhammad salallahu alaihi wasallam (s.a.w) is the best role model for parenting. Therefore, this paper is aimed to develop an Islamic Parenting Program which holistically covers all domains of well-being, namely physical, emotional, behavioural and spiritual. Materials and Methods: This paper is designed to propose a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) of development, implementation and assessment of a parenting intervention module among parents in empowering their parenting practices. This parenting intervention module, called Prophetic Parenting Program, will be developed based on Quran and Hadith which is components of Behavioural Change and Attachment Theory in parenting issues. All parents (muslims and non-muslims) from selected preschools will be assigned to intervention or control group. Parents from intervention group will receive Prophetic Parenting Program whilst parents from control group will be receive General Parenting Program. Data will be collected from the parents by using questionnaire for three times; pre-intervention (Time1), post-intervention (Time 2) and at follow-up, six months later (Time 3). Data will be analysed by using SPSS to assess the impact of intervention across Time1, Time2 and Time 3 on parent outcome variables. Expected Result: Prophetic Parenting is expected to have better result as compared to other general parenting program in empowering parenting practices. Prophetic parenting is a return to the virtuous and honourable principles of the best way of life. Conclusion: If proven effective, Prophetic Parenting intervention module could be a useful tool to educate parents in future. Keywords: Parenting Practices, Intervention, Randomized Control Trial, Preschool Children
Post Knowledge Economy Employees Efficacy in Public Sector Organization

This research paper intended to examine affirmative linkage between knowledge-based- economy IT Equipped Organization and IT Skilled Employee and Employee Efficacy (ability to produce targeted results) through research application on administrative employees of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur. Point behind idea is to uncover the traces of economic shift from industrial to knowledge based, its occurrence at especially far- reaching area and to explore its impact. Moreover, the underlying research is an attempt to investigate the impact of knowledge-economy in terms of information technology equipped organization (ITEO) and information technology skilled employees (ITSE) in public sector. The core center of attention is to trace affirmative linkage between Knowledge-Economy on Employee-Efficacy. However, fact showed that, various public sector organizations in Southern Sindh have adopted information technology and have switched to knowledge based systems. We have witnessed that, Information-Technology usage and adoptability is increasing with exceptional lick at SALU however, management efforts are slow paced and sensitized to implement IT system.
Genomic fingerprints analysis of coagulase-positive and negative Staphylococci isolated from patients with bacteremia by repetitive sequence based PCR method

Staphylococci are important organisms involved in many infections, including bacteremia or septicemia. Repetitive sequence‐based PCR (rep-PCR) is a useful method for detection of staphylococcal DNA fingerprint patterns, especially when the origins of these organisms are unknown. Staphylococcal positive blood cultures were collected from patients with bacteremia hospitalized in four hospitals. The patients who had two positive blood cultures out of three samples were considered as subjects. After isolation of staphylococci on blood agar medium, the species of isolates were determined by standard biochemical tests. DNA was extracted from bacterial cells and genomic fragments were amplified by rep-PCR. Furthermore, relationship of strains was determined based on the similarities between DNA fingerprints by using Jaccards coefficient. In this survey, 88 cases of bacteremia caused by coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus (36 cases), and coagulase negative strains (52 cases), were studied. Extracted DNA from staphylococcal isolates generated multiple fingerprints in sizes ranging between 600(61%) and 2642 bp (87.5%) by rep-PCR method. The fingerprint patterns of S. aureus (33 strains), S. epidermidis (32 strains) and S. lugdunensis (7 strains) were 31, 30 and 7 types, respectively. This study demonstrated only a few of Staphylococci strains that displayed similarity or that are closely related in the DNA fingerprint patterns. We concluded that rep-PCR is a rapid, simple and suitable method for epidemiological studies. The results of our study also showed that most of Staphylococci isolated from bacteremic patients produced "different" genomic fingerprint patterns by rep-PCR and so, at present study, dissemination source of infection is different.
Morphometric and genetic assessment of the Cynoscion guatucupa population structure from Buenos Aires coast, Argentine Sea

This study analyzed the morphometric, microsatellite loci and mitochondrial control region variation of the striped weakfish from two feeding and spawning grounds in the coastal area of Buenos Aires province. The characterization of the body shape proved to be different between sites. Genetic structure analysis showed that the main source of genetic variation was within populations rather than among populations and low genetic differentiation was observed between sites. The striped weakfish inhabiting the coastal areas of Buenos Aires would exhibit two management units in agreement with other fishes studied in both areas.
Nomenclature Change for Cataloguers and the Future of Cataloguing

This paper examines nomenclature change for cataloguers and the future of cataloguing. Cataloguers are a valuable subset of the library professionals that provide critical but behind the scene services to libraries and the users. Even in this time of change it seems hard to imagine that even with cataloguing there has been an evolution. This evolution is changing the job profile of cataloguers thereby bringing along with it nomenclature change. There is therefore no question that the art of cataloguing and the role of its practitioners are evolving. The study finds out that the term cataloguer is changing to catalinkers, metaloguers or even making them information ninjas. The paper concludes that cataloguing will remain a part of the library but may be called something different to better describe what it does. The importance of cataloguing will neither fade nor will their skills set thrown away. Keywords: Cataloguers, Cataloguing, Nomenclature Change, Catalinker, Metadata Librarian, Metaloguer, Telecataloguing, Information Ninja.
The influence of stand density on the structure of harvestmen communities (Opiliones) in a submountain beech forest

Abstract Modification of forest stand density by thinning is a common silvicultural practice implemented in management of production forests. However, changes in the stand density can entail considerable changes to the present forest environment and communities. The current knowledge about the effect of stand density modification on the local animal communities is based mainly on the flagship groups such as carabid beetles or birds. We focused our study on harvestmen. We explored how the stand density influences species composition of this species communities in submountain beech forests. The study was conducted in the Kováčovská dolina valley (Kremnické vrchy Mts, Central Slovakia) in 1997 and 1998, the method used was pitfall trapping. In total, 9 harvestmen species from 5 families were recorded. Prior to our research, the forest stands at the study locality were subject to thinning interventions the intensity of which influenced the structure of the local harvestmen communities. The most pronounced was the effect of very intensive thinning with stand density reduced below 0.5. From the recorded species, four preferred forest stands with lower stand density (Lophopilio palpinalis, Oligolophus tridens, Nemastoma lugubre, Trogulus nepaeformis), two species (Platybunus bucephalus, Dicranolasma scabrum) preferred forest stands with higher stand density. Generalization of the observed pattern requires to explore a wider spectrum of beech forests.
Integration of Earth observation and in-situ data for landscape change analysis. A case study of an area affected by a bauxite residue spill in Veszprem province, Hungary

Satellite imagery can provide consistent information measuring the extent and the impact of disasters; however, it might provide only limited information in the context of socioeconomic aspects. The aim of the present research is to prospect the combination of two approaches – one that focuses on the physical state of the land surface – obtained through the land cover classification of satellite imagery – and another that describes socio-cultural aspects – mapping landscape perception using participatory GIS. The case study site is an area in Veszprem province, Hungary which was heavily affected by a caustic “red mud” spill caused by a dam failure of a bauxite sludge reservoir in October 2010. The remotely sensed data used are multitemporal and multi-sensor images (including ASTER, GeoEye, IKONOS and MODIS) dating from before, during and after the accident. The land cover change detection analysis was performed based on an image classification using relatively new algorithms such as Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF). The results were then compared. There could no significant differences be found between the results of SVM and RF classifiers. The extent of the spill and changes of the settlement structure in the village of Devecser could be mapped based on the classifications, though the comparison of results derived from different EO data in terms of spectral and spatial resolution posed a challenge. Findings in literature on ways of integrating these results with participatory GIS methods imply several methods for mapping social aspects are suitable to be used jointly and combined with the change detection maps. (Next to the incorporation of additional methods such as object based classification) the integration of qualitative ground truth may improve and explain the results of a landscape change analysis and provides additional information on local landscape change and processes present after a disaster occurs.
Barriers and Facilitators to Chlorine Tablet Distribution and Use in Emergencies: A Qualitative Assessment

Chlorine tablets are commonly distributed for household water treatment in emergencies. However, confirmed use after distribution ranges widely (from 7–87%), which raises concerns about chlorine tablet effectiveness, as measured by acceptance and appropriate use. To investigate chlorine tablet effectiveness, we conducted nine key informant interviews (KIIs) on tablet distribution in emergencies in general, five KIIs on chlorine taste and odor acceptance and rejection specifically, and a literature review on chlorine taste and odor concerns. We found: (1) chlorine tablets are regarded as one of the most effective water treatment methods and are often considered appropriate in emergency response, (2) dosing confusion and taste and odor rejection are perceived as the main problems limiting effectiveness, and (3) the primary solutions suggested for these problems were social and behavioral. We recommend that social and behavioral scientists are routinely integrated into chlorine tablet programming to improve user feedback and behavioral interventions for chlorine tablet promotion in emergencies. We also suggest that more research is conducted on chlorine taste and odor rejection in vulnerable populations, and that improved guidance is developed to facilitate intra-agency coordination and select, promote, and monitor tablets appropriate for each context.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Catalytic Materials for Environmental Protection

Tatiana Ivanova Atomic Layer Deposition of Catalytic Materials for Environmental Protection Lappeenranta 2019 78 pages Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis 859 Diss. Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT ISBN 978-952-335-384-8, ISBN 978-952-335-385-5 (PDF), ISSN-L 1456-4491, ISSN 14564491 The reduction of toxic pollutants emitted by human activities to ambient air is an important issue nowadays. The technological approach to this problem is the development of different oxidation techniques together with catalytic materials, which can convert toxic emission products to safe compounds. Current methods for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts which fully control the structure, size and composition are limited. The atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique can create catalytic thin films with precise thickness and structure control even on complex substrates. The present work describes the development of TiO2, CeO2 and Ag-doped CeO2 catalytic thin films deposited by ALD in order to find their capacity for the decomposition of toluene and soot. TiO2 catalytic films with different thicknesses were grown to investigate their nucleation delay and changes in their polycrystalline structure and the impact of these on their photocatalytic properties. It was shown that porous glass filters coated by TiO2 in combination with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor could decompose toluene at a concentration of 2450 ppm with the specific input energy (SIE) of 336 J/l. In CeO2 studies it was found that a deposition temperature of 300 °C changes the structural properties of the catalytic thin films. The combination of small crystallites, larger clusters and the existence of Ce 3+ in CeO2 catalytic films showed 100% soot decomposition at 450°C under loose contact mode. The doping of CeO2 with Ag in the ratio of CeO2:Ag = 10:1 by ALD reduced the soot decomposition temperature to 390°C. It was proposed that Ag + sites could promote oxygen species and reduce the Ce ions in stoichiometric CeO2 from Ce 4+ to Ce 3+ . Most catalytic thin films prepared by ALD showed good durability after repetitive tests of soot decomposition.
Atomic structure and energy distribution of collapsed carbon nanotubes of different chiralities

For carbon nanotubes of sufficiently large diameter at sufficiently low temperature, due to the action of the van der Waals forces, the ground state is a bilayer graphene with closed edges, the so-called collapsed configuration. Molecular dynamics simulation of collapsed carbon nanotubes is performed. The effect of length, diameter, and chirality of the nanotubes on their properties is investigated. It is shown that collapsed nanotubes after relaxation have rippled structure which is strongly dependent on the nanotube chirality. The structural properties are studied by calculating the radial distribution function and energy distribution along various regions in the collapsed carbon nanotubes.
Performance of Beams Made of Low-cost Self-compacting Concrete in an Aggressive Environment

Self-Compacting Concrete mixes (SCC) incorporating silica fume, fly ash and dolomite powder were used in casting two groups of beams. The beams in one group were stored in an open environment, while those in the other group were subjected to salt attack and successive wet/drying cycles. The beams were stored for about one year under a sustained load. The structural performance of the stored beams was evaluated by testing the specimens under four-point loading until failure. The results indicated that the low-cost SCC mixes showed comparable structural behavior with respect to the corresponding control mixes in a normal environment. Different SCC mixes in a corrosive environment yielded a different structural performance, depending on the composition of the fillers.
Developing diets for collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) from locally available food resources in Bahia, Brazil

The collared peccary has the ability to handle a large amount of roughage in its diet. Such a characteristic represents an attractive asset since the species could utilize byproducts of human food and farm production that have little current outlet. In order to improve the economic viability of collared peccary farming, this study concentrated on the reduction of costs through the establishment of diets based on locally available foodstuff resources. We identified 20 foodstuffs potentially useful for feeding collared peccaries, and their specific nutritional content and digestibility coefficients were determined by chemical and in vivo digestibility analysis, respectively. We determined the preference order and voluntary consumption of some of these foods. We used six pen-raised adult collared peccaries and six metabolism chambers. With the data on voluntary intake and digestibility, and the nutritional requirements found in the literature we established four experimental diets for collared peccary, two for reproductive animals and two for growing individuals.
Analysis of Selected Aspects of Students’ Performance and Satisfaction in a Moodle-Based E-Learning System Environment

Background:The use of e-learning techniques in higher education is becoming ever more frequent. In some institutions, e-learning has completely replaced the traditional teaching methods, while in others it supplements classical courses.Materials and methods:The paper presents a study conducted in a member institution of the University of Ljubljana that provides public administration programmes. We analysed the relationship between the proportion of the course implemented in the Moodle e-learning platform and students’ performance on one hand and their satisfaction on the other.Results:The empirical findings reveal a positive correlation for both elements. The results can help decision-makers learn more about how to enhance students’ success and satisfaction using an e-learning platform.Conclusions:The results of our study indicate that the implementation of blended learning with a LMS platform Moodle at the Faculty of Administration resulted in a statistically significant increase in students’ effectiveness, measured by the average grade and the average number of admissions to the exams.
A New Method of Harmonic Current Extraction for Shunt Active Power Filters

Application of active power filters (APFs) towards the ever increasing problem of harmonic distortion in industrial power system, due to nonlinear loads, has become a reliable and flexible alternative. In this paper, a new method of harmonic current extraction based on charge balance principle, for shunt active power filter towards mitigation of harmonics and maintaining unity power factor both under steady state and transient operating conditions, is presented. This method involves simple mathematical calculations devoid of any iterative estimation process, so as to facilitate easy hardware implementation for industrial use. Finally simulation results for a comparative study between the proposed method and the popularly used Instantaneous PQ theory (IPQT) method is presented which reveals improved performance of the former with respect to performance, theoretical simplicity and required computation for improvement in power quality.
Immunomodulatory, Antioxidant potential and phytochemical study of some wild berries of North-Western Himalayan region: A Comparative study

In this study, the comparative analysis of some wild edible berries viz., Berberis lycium, Duchesnea indica, Rubus fruticosus, Viburnum grandiflorum and Ziziphus jujube were made for immunomodulatory, antioxidant and phytochemicals activities. Methanol extracts of Rubus fruticosus fruit, Berberis lycium leaves and Viburnum grandiflorum fruit demonstrated promising antioxidant potential as compared to Ziziphus jujube and Duchesnea indica. Immunomodulatory studies for these extracts were also determined by evaluating Humoral antibody (Hab) and Delayed type hypersensitivity response (DTH) in immune suppressed mice. It was found that methanol extracts of Rubus fruticosus fruit, Berberis lycium leaves, Viburnum grandiflorum fruit have considerable enhancing effect on Humoral antibody and DTH response as compared to Duchesnea indica leaves and Ziziphus jujube fruit. The results depicted that Rubus fruticosus, Berberis lycium, and Viburnum grandiflorum exhibited relatively better antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential than Ziziphus jujube and Duchesnea indica. Future experimentation on this species could explore their chemical compositions for better understanding of their biological activities.