Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entropy based assessment and palmer drought severity index of drought analysis

Drought is one of the most important natural events. Evaluation of drought is of great importance because it is influential in many areas like water resources projects and agricultural production; it has various social and economical consequences and it is closely related to the economy, health, psychology and commerce of the society. To be able to take precautions against the dangers of drought, knowledge and monitoring of the parameters of drought is first required. In the present study, the drought problem was investigated in the Central Anatolian Region in Turkey. The data of 13 stations having long term precipitation and temperature observations operated by The Turkish State Meteorological Service (DMI) were evaluated. The objective of this research was to examine and forecast the extent of droughts in the Central Anatolian Region. For this purpose, palmer drought severity index method was used for the drought analysis. On the other hand, the applicability of entropy method for the analysis of drought was also investigated in this study. The results of the study contributed to the determination of drought parameters for the Central Anatolian Region and consequently the lack of information and data on this subject was completed. In this study, a new classification was made for entropy based drought analysis. The results of the present study show that entropy method can be used in the analysis of drought.
IDENTIFYING HIGH-REDSHIFT GAMMA-RAY BURSTS WITH RATIR

We present a template-fitting algorithm for determining photometric redshifts, zphot, of candidate high-redshift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Using afterglow photometry, obtained by the Reionization and Transients InfraRed (RATIR) camera, this algorithm accounts for the intrinsic GRB afterglow spectral energy distribution, host dust extinction, and the effect of neutral hydrogen (local and cosmological) along the line of sight. We present the results obtained by this algorithm and the RATIR photometry of GRB 130606A, finding a range of best-fit solutions, 5.6 < zphot < 6.0, for models of several host dust extinction laws (none, the Milky Way, Large Magellanic Clouds, and Small Magellanic Clouds), consistent with spectroscopic measurements of the redshift of this GRB. Using simulated RATIR photometry, we find that our algorithm provides precise measures of zphot in the ranges of 4 < zphot ≲ 8 and 9 < zphot < 10 and can robustly determine when zphot > 4. Further testing highlights the required caution in cases of highly dust-extincted host galaxies. These tests also show that our algorithm does not erroneously find zphot < 4 when zsim > 4, thereby minimizing false negatives and allowing us to rapidly identify all potential high-redshift events.
Variation in Milk Yield, Contents and Incomes According to Somatic Cell Count in a Large Dairy Goat Population

Between 2009 and 2014, 758,382 monthly test-day records were obtained from 65,056 Murciano-Granadina goats in 132 Spanish dairy flocks. Variables measured were somatic cell count (SCC), milk yield and fat and protein percentages; means were 5.78log10 cells/ml, 2.04 L/day, 5.37% and 3.67%, respectively. Significant effects of year, herd test date, season, parity, month of lactation, litter size and covariables milk yield, fat and protein contents were evidenced on SCC. The regression slopes were negative for milk yield an d positive for fat and protein content, thus pointing out that high SCC in milk were associated with low milk yield and high contents. A second ANOVA was built to evaluate the evolution of test-day variables as SCC level increased within lactation. The percentages estimated in losses of milk yield for SCC levels 1 million cells/ml, 2 million cells/ml, 3 million cells/ml and >7 million cells/ml were 11.4%, 19.5%, 24.2% and 35.7%, respectively. Milk contents gains were also quantified. Milk incomes per goat and day (according to current payment system) revealed important economic losses (from 9.5% to 31.6%) for abovementioned SCC levels. Results emphasize the importance of SCC as a limiting factor for milk incomes in dairy goats.
Trapping and manipulation of individual nanoparticles in a planar Paul trap

Visualisation and manipulation of nanoscale matter is one of the main and current challenges in nanosciences. To this aim, different techniques have been recently developed to non-invasively trap and manipulate nano-specimens, like nanoparticles or molecules. However, operating in air or vacuum still remains very challenging since most approaches are limited to a liquid environment. In this letter, we design and characterise a planar Paul trap optimised to trap and manipulate individual charged nanoparticles. This configuration offers competitive capabilities to manipulate nano-specimens in air or vacuum, including in-plane integration, high trap confinement along with dynamical trap reconfiguration, pointing towards applications in the field of levitated optomechanics.
Jugulotympanic paragangliomas in southern Finland

Treatment of jugulotympanic paragangliomas (JTPGLs) remains challenging with no clear guidelines for management or follow-up. The aim of this retrospective case-note study was to assess long-term results of operatively and conservatively managed JTPGLs between years 1974–2013. A total of 36 patients with JTPGLs were identified. Clinical characteristics and management outcomes of patients were reviewed. Data were extracted on demographics, symptoms, timing of diagnosis, tumor location and size, embolization, and management, including preand post-operative imaging, analysis of operative techniques, and follow-up. Pulsatile tinnitus and hearing loss were the most common presenting symptoms. Thirtyfour (94 %) patients were treated with primary surgical therapy and two (6 %) with radiotherapy. The surgical approaches included endaural approach for Fisch Class A tumors and a variety of approaches for Fisch Class B-D tumors with an increasing predilection for function-preserving surgery. Eight (24 %) patients received subtotal resection. Five (15 %) patients had a local recurrence within 10 years after primary surgery. Two (6 %) patients suffered a permanent cranial nerve (CN) deficit after primary surgery. We advocate radical surgery when tumor resection is possible without compromising CNs. Functionpreserving surgery with at least a 10-year follow-up for Fisch Class B–D tumors should be considered if CNs are in danger.
Analysis of hubs and authorities on the web

Ranking tens of thousands of retrieved webpages for a user query on a internet search engine so that most informative (authoritative) or popular (hub) webpages are on the top 10 or 20 is an key information retrieval technology. Kleinberg's HITS algorithm represents a major advance in relevance ranking algorithms. It explores the reinforcing interplay between authority and hub webpages on a particular topic by taking into account the structure of the web graphs formed by the hyperlinks bewteen the webpages. In this paper, we give a detailed analysis of the HITS algorithm using a unique combination of matrix algebra and probabilistic analysis. In particular, we show that in the avarage case the ranking given by the HITS algorithm is the same as the ranking obtained by using in-bound and out-bound hyperlink counts. Using web graphs of different sizes, we also provide experimental results to illustrate our analysis.
INTO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM PROTEASES OF ARGIOPE AURANT 1 A ( ARANEAE : ARANEIDAE ) , HEMOLYTIC AGENTS OF SPIDER VENOMS , AND THE ROLE OF BOTH IN NECROTIC ARACHNIDISM

Necrotic arachnidism, or tissue necrosis following spider bites is a widespread problem. Knowledge of the exact mechanism that produces such lesions is still incomplete. Here I have examined spider digestive fluid proteases and spider venom enzymes (e.g., sphingomyelinase D and phospholipase A2) for their potential to cause necrotic lesions, as both are thought to be primary agents. The digestive fluid of Argiope aurantia was examined for its ability to cleave a variety of extra-cellular matrix proteins, including collagen, elastin, and fibronectin. Having confirmed that the fluid has collagenases, the digestive fluid was injected into the skin of rabbits to observe whether it would cause necrotic lesions. It did not. The data do not support the suggestions that spider digestive collagenases have a primary role in spider bite necrosis. In an effort to design a simple, inexpensive screening method for identifying spiders with necrotizing venoms, venom gland homogenates of a variety of spider species were examined for their ability to cause hemolysis. Those venoms that were positive were further examined for the presence of sphingomyelinase D, and the ability to evoke necrotic lesions in the skin of rabbits. Of 45 species examined, only the venom of Loxosceles reclusa and Cheiracanthium mildei caused hemolysis. Unlike L. reclusa venom, however, C. mildei venom did not possess sphingomyelinase D nor did it cause necrotic lesions in the skin of rabbits. In an effort to determine the hemolytic agent in C. mildei venom, I found evidence for a phospholipase A2. Through a combination of ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, ultracentrifugation, and electrophoresis, an attempt was made to isolate several digestive fluid proteases, and seine protease inhibitors in milligram quantities from the digestive fluid of Argiope aurantia . The proteases, however, eluted anomalously during the size exclusion chromatography and ultracentrifugation trials. I have hypothesized that spider proteases can undergo a reversible aggregation to account for this behavior. I was able to isolate several proteases in quantities sufficient for N-terminal amino acid sequences. These data revealed that spider proteases are related to astacins and meprins, which are in the astacin family of metalloproteases.
Supply Function Competition in Electricity Markets with Flexible, Inflexible, and Variable Generation

In this paper we study the supply function competition between power-generation firms with different levels of flexibility. Inflexible firms produce power at a constant rate over an operating horizon, while flexible firms can adjust their output to meet the fluctuations in electricity demand. Both types of firms compete in an electricity market by submitting supply functions to a system operator, who solves an optimal dispatch problem to determine the production level for each firm and the corresponding market price. We study how firms’ (in)flexibility affects their equilibrium behavior and the market price. We also analyze the impact of variable generation (such as wind and solar power) on the equilibrium, with the focus on the effects of the amount of variable generation, its priority in dispatch, and the productionbased subsidies. We find that the classic supply function equilibrium model overestimates the intensity of the market competition, and even more so as more variable generation is introduced into the system. The policy of economically curtailing variable generation intensifies the market competition, reduces price volatility, and improves the system’s overall efficiency. Moreover, we show that these benefits are most significant in the absence of the production-based subsidies.
Dynamics of anisotropies close to a cosmological bounce in quantum gravity

We study the dynamics of perturbations representing deviations from perfect isotropy in the context of the emergent cosmology obtained from the group field theory formalism for quantum gravity. Working in the mean field approximation of the group field theory formulation of the Lorentzian EPRL model, we derive the equations of motion for such perturbations to first order. We then study these equations around a specific simple isotropic background, characterised by the fundamental representation of SU(2), and in the regime of the effective cosmological dynamics corresponding to the bouncing region replacing the classical singularity, well approximated by the free GFT dynamics. In this particular example, we identify a region in the parameter space of the model such that perturbations can be large at the bounce but become negligible away from it, i.e. when the background enters the non-linear regime. We also study the departures from perfect isotropy by introducing specific quantities, such as the surface-area-to-volume ratio and the effective volume per quantum, which make them quantitative.
A Mixture Model and K-Means Cluster Approaches to Fish Production in Commercial Quantity in Nigeria.

The paper uses the methods of mixture model and K- means cluster to determine the number of states that can be grouped in production of fish in large quantity for foreign market and other for local consumption. The estimation of parameters was done using maximum likelihood by means of the EM algorithm for the finite mixture model. The data used was extracted from the Annual Abstract of Statistics of National Bureau of Statistics. The results show that only one state produces an average of 72,628.89 metric tons of fish that can be considered for export purpose, while others produce below average of 72,628.89 metric tons for internal consumption. The result obtained from K-means cluster is unstable therefore the finite mixture model outperform the K- means cluster.
Clinical observation on the application of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: This study aimed to determine the clinical effect of arterial chemoembolization transcatheter (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation during the clinical treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: A total of 82 patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma were selected as experimental subjects. These patients received treatment at our hospital from May 2015 to January 2017. Digital parity method was used to divide patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma into two groups. For the control group (41 patients), TACE was adopted for the clinical treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma. For the observation group (41 patients), TACE combined with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) was utilized. Finally, the two groups of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma were compared in terms of disease treatment effect, treatment satisfaction, liver-function-related indicator, and immune function. Results: The total effective rate of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma in the observation group (97.56%) exhibited significant improvement compared with that of patients in the control group (65.85%) (P<0.05). The treatment satisfaction of patients in the observation group (97.56%) was significantly higher than that of patients in the control group (68.29%) (P<0.05). Furthermore, the liverfunction- related index of patients in the observation group displayed significant improvement compared with that of patients in the control group (P<0.05). The immune function of patients in the observation group also showed significant improvement compared with that of patients in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: During the clinical treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma, TACE combined with RFA for clinical treatment can improve the treatment efficacy, immune function, and liver function index of patients, thereby improving the prognostic ability of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma.
KAJIAN PENGARUH DUA METODE PEMURNIAN TERHADAP KERJERNIHAN DAN KADAR PATCHOULI ALCOHOL MINYAK NILAM (PATCHOULY OIL) ASAL SUMEDANG

Indonesia merupakan penghasil minyak nilam dunia yang paling tinggi, akan tetapi nilai jual minyak nilam terutama minyak nilam dari Sumedang mempunyai harga jual yang rendah. Hal ini disebabkan karena mutu terutama kejernihan dan kadar PA yang belum memenuhi preferensi konsumen. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari pengaruh pemurnian secara kimia dan secara fisik terhadap kejernihan dan kadar PA minyak nilam. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode eksperimental dengan analisis deskriptif. Pemurnian secara kimia dengan menggunakan asam sitrat (1% dan 2%), bentonit (2,5% dan 5%) dan campuraan asam sitrat (1%) dengan natrium sitrat (1% dan 2,5%), sedangkan pemurnian secara fisik dilakukan dengan redestilasi. Percobaan dilakukan sebanyak tiga kali ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa proses pemurnian dapat meningkatkan mutu minyak nilam terutama kejernihan. Minyak nilam yang tadinya berwarna kuning buram ke coklatan menjadi menjadi kuning terang. Pemurnian minyak juga dapat meningkatkan kadar PA jika menggunakan metode redestilasi dan penggunaan asam sitrat dan natrium sitrat dari kadar PA 29% menjadi 30%. Kata kunci: minyak nilam, pemurnian kimia, pemurnian fisik, kejernihan, kandungan PA
CAPITAL BUDGETING TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED BY SELECTED SOUTH AFRICAN STATE-OWNED COMPANIES

An analysis of the prior literature revealed few studies on the capital budgeting practices of stateowned companies (SOCs). The goal of this study was therefore to investigate the capital budgeting techniques employed by decision-makers in South African state-owned companies. The results indicated that the NPV and IRR techniques were used by 43% of respondents (the NPV was slightly more popular). WACC emerged as the preferred discount rate for capital budgeting purposes. In considering project risk, state-owned companies seem to prefer sensitivity analysis. It is thus recommended that academics emphasise the importance of NPV as a primary capital budgeting technique.
Development and production of Non Evaporable Getter coatings for the vacuum chambers of the 3 GeV storage ring of MAX IV

MAX IV is presently under construction at Lund, Sweden, and the first beam for the production of synchrotron radiation is expected to circulate in 2016. The whole set of 3 GeV ring beam pipes is coated with Ti-Zr-V Non Evaporable Getter (NEG) thin film in order to fulfil the average pressure requirement of 1×10-9 mbar, despite the compact magnet layout and the large aspect ratio of the vacuum chambers. In this work, we present the optimizations of the coating process performed at CERN to coat different geometries and mechanical assembling used for the MAX IV vacuum chambers; the morphology of the thin films is analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy; the composition and thickness is measured by Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis; the activation of the NEG thin film is monitored by X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy; the vacuum performance of the coated beam pipes is evaluated by the measurement of hydrogen sticking coefficient. The results of the coating production characterization for the 84 units coated at CERN are presented. (Less)
Variability in the structure of epiphytic assemblages of Posidonia oceanica in relation to 1 human interferences in the Gulf of Gabes , Tunisia 2 3 4 5

1 In this study we evaluate whether the pattern of spatial variability of the macro-epiphytes 2 assemblages of leaves of Posidonia oceanica differed in relation to anthropogenic 3 interference in the Gulf of Gabes (southern coast of Tunisia). A hierarchical sampling design 4 was used to compare epiphytic assemblages at 5m depth in terms of abundance and spatial 5 variability at disturbed and control locations. The results indicate that the biomass and mean 6 percentage cover decreased at locations near the point of sewage outlet in comparison to 7 control locations. These losses were related to the distance from the source of disturbance. 8 This study revealed that the diversity is reduced in disturbed locations by the loss of biomass 9 and the mean percentage cover , explained by means of a multiple-stressor model which plays 10 an important role in the macro-epiphytes setting. It is urgent to propose the best management 11 plans to save the remaining P. oceanica meadow in the Gulf of Gabes and its associated 12 epiphytes. 13 14 15
Modeling diffraction from an edge between surfaces with different materials

In this paper we present the measured data of the diffraction of one single edge. The data consists of cases where the surfaces, forming a diffractive edge, are covered with highly absorptive material. The measured results show that the effect of absorptive material in surfaces does not change the diffraction phenomenon prominently. This fact allows us to suggest that in several practical room acoustics design problems the effect of material absorption in edge diffraction might be neglected.
Forgive but not Forget: The Behavior of Relationship Banks When Firms are in Distress

Do relationship banks help firms in distress? Combining a survey-based measure of relationship lending with unique credit registry data, I examine the effect of relationship lending on loan performance. I find that the same firm in the same time period is more likely to become delinquent on a relationship-based loan relative to a transaction-based loan. Higher delinquencies do not, however, result in more defaults or less loan recoveries for relationship banks when loans mature relative to transactional banks. Conditional on past delinquencies, relationship banks are more likely to offer follow-up financing and extract rents. Consistent with theory, relationship banks tolerate temporarily bad results, yet extract rents and secure future business in return. The paper provides new empirical evidence for rent extraction by relationship banks that have been lenient to distressed firms in the past.
The influence of visual perception on responses towards real-world environments and application towards design

Experience of the built-environment is said to be dependent on visual perception and the physical properties of space. Scene and environmental preference research suggests that particular visual features greatly influence one's response to their environment. Typically, environments which are informative and allow an individual to gain further knowledge about their surroundings are preferred. Although such findings could be applied to the design process, it is first necessary to develop a way in which to accurately and objectively describe visual properties within an environment. Recently, it has been proposed that isovist analysis could be employed to describe built-environments. In two experiments, we examine whether or not isovist analysis can capture experience of real-world environments. In experiment 1, we demonstrate that isovist analysis can be employed to describe experience within a controlled, real-world, laboratory environment. In experiment 2, we employed post-occupancy examination of a student centre to examine the robustness of isovist analysis and whether it would capture experience of a complex, real-world environment. The results of experiment 2 suggest that isovist analysis could capture certain experiences, such as spaciousness, but failed to capture other responses. Regression analysis suggests that a large number of variables predicted experience, including previous experience with the building and the presence of other individuals. This suggests that experience of real-world, complex environments cannot be captured by the visual properties alone, instead various factors influence experience. Implications towards the design process are discussed.