Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model Function for Wind Speed Retrieval from SARAL-AltiKa Radar Altimeter Backscatter: Case Studies with TOPEX and JASON Data

In this article, a forward model is developed for estimation of the microwave nadir-viewing radar backscatter of a sea surface at C-, Ku- and Ka-bands during clear sky conditions. The forward simulations are carried out based on electromagnetic field theory of stratified media under various conditions like, sea surface temperature, salinity and wind. This theoretical basis is tested as a model function for retrieval of oceanic wind speed from the radar backscatter measurements from earlier or existing altimeters such as TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-2 during non-raining conditions. Results show that the present model provides a better agreement with real altimeter data for wind speed retrieval at Ku-band. Moreover, a multiple regression approach is utilized to find the underlying relationship between radar backscatter and wind speed at Ka-band that could be possibly utilized for the retrieval of oceanic wind speed from the AltiKa radar measurements onboard the recently launched Satellite with Argos and AltiKa (SARAL).
Evidence for wind‐pumping of air‐sea gas exchange based on direct measurements of CO2 fluxes

In a series of measurements of CO2 flux over the sea the mean flux was near zero, even though the surface water had substantially higher partial pressure of CO2 than the air. Hourly variations in wind speed were well correlated with the flux, suggesting that a wind-driven process, such as wave breaking and downward mixing of bubbles, may drive additional CO2 into the water as the wind speed increases. The traditional model of air-sea gas flux as a function of sea-air partial pressure difference was modified to include downward pumping by wind. We conclude that the flux of nonatmospheric gases such as radon does not serve as a complete model for the two-way surface flux of atmospheric constituents such as CO2.
A Study of the Correlation between Students’ Moodle Log for Content and the Other Forms of Engagement on Moodle for a Mandatory Pre-Degree English Course

This study investigates students’ Moodle log on content on LLFXX Moodle page and correlates it with the students’ Moodle logs for the other forms of engagement (instructor, other learners, assessments and feedback from assessments). 80 students from a mandatory English language course at pre-degree level at the USP participated in the research. These students were enrolled in LLFXX in Blended mode at the Laucala campus in the Fiji Islands. Data on students’ Moodle logs were extracted from LLFXX Moodle page and were analysed using the SPSS software. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to find the correlation between students’ Moodle log on content on LLFXX Moodle page and their academic achievements. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient test was used to find the p value and r value to determine the statistically significant bivariate association and strength of association between students’ Moodle log on content and the other forms of engagement on LLFXX Moodle page. The findings reflect the importance of content and engagement with content. It also emphasises the need to be vigilant with the quality and quantity of content placed on the course Moodle page.
Impacts of Climate Warming and Nitrogen Deposition on Alpine Plankton in Lake and Pond Habitats: an In Vitro Experiment

ABSTRACT The combined effects of multiple ecological stressors determine the net impact of global change on environmentally sensitive alpine and polar environments. For example, climate warming and nitrogen deposition both increasingly affect ecosystems at high elevations. We hypothesized that the net impact of warming and nitrogen on alpine plankton differs between consumers and producers because of the greater environmental sensitivity of higher trophic levels. Also, we expected that habitat conditions would mediate the responses of plankton to these two stressors as sediments function as ecological buffers against environmental change. These hypotheses were tested in a growth chamber by applying temperature (8 vs. 15°C) and nitrogen (200 vs. 1000 µg N L−1) treatments to a planktonic alpine community in the presence and absence of sediments obtained from Pipit Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta. A significant nitrogen-temperature interaction affected phytoplankton abundance because the positive effect of fertilization depended on warming. Warming also amplified the effect of nitrogen on herbivores while suppressing the fecundity of omnivores. The presence of sediments suppressed the positive effect of warming on herbivores, but stimulated omnivores. The observed prevalence of non-additive effects highlights the strong potential for global change causing future ecological surprises in alpine environments.
Electromagnetic profiling interpretation across vertical faults and dikes

When a vertical fault or dike scatters a normally incident TE‐mode plane wave, the horizontal components of the electric and the magnetic fields vary along the direction perpendicular to the strike. This scattering is also responsible for the formation of a vertical component of the magnetic field, which also varies along the direction perpendicular to the strike. Analysis of the lateral variations of the field components permits the identification of the type of geological structure, either fault or dike, as well as an estimate of the position of the geological contacts and the electrical conductivity of each medium. Previous exact analytical solutions have shown that two Fourier cosine integrals can express each field component. A series of functions specified for each model represent the kernel of each integral. From the field components obtained from the first non‐zero term of each series, we calculated the following functions: the dip angle and the ellipticity of the vertical polarization ellipse in a plane perpendicular to the strike of the structure, and the azimuth and the ellipticity of the horizontal ellipse. We established master‐curves of these functions for the interpretation of vertical faults and dikes for the polarization ellipsoid, for instance VLF or audio‐frequency methods. This representation has as variable the induction number , and as parameters σ2/σ1 and , where a denotes the half‐thickness of the dike. The interpretation procedure using curve fitting is possible because the induction number is represented on a logarithmic scale. This procedure represents an important step before automatic interpretation is carried out. Two case histories using field data illustrate the effectiveness of the procedure and the type of quantitative interpretation obtained from it.
CNXResNet: A Light-weight Backbone based on PP-YOLOE for Drone-captured Scenarios

Aerial target recognition has important applications in traffic monitoring and forest fire, etc. which have been significantly developed with deep convolutional neural networks. However, aerial target recognition is currently facing several challenges, among which the method for small target recognition is much behind practical demands, even though many models such as feature pyramid network (FPN) and U-Net have been proposed for this purpose. YOLO and its variant versions are the most successful models to detect and recognize small- and largescale targets. PP-YOLOE is one excellent model among YOLO versions, which combines FPN and efficient squeeze-excitation (ESE) to solve large-scale object detection and recognition. However, these existing methods have not demonstrated their good performance in small object detection and recognition. In this paper, We propose a new backbone network called CNXResNet using the backbone architecture of PP-YOLOE with ConvNext V2 Block as the core module and further introduce the style translation idea into the PP-YOLOE model to improve the detection and recognition performance of the small objects. Our experiments on the VisDrone2019 dataset show that the improved model performs better but has fewer parameters. At an input scale of $640 \times 640$, the improved model improves 2.9% mAP@. 5 over PP-YOLOE-l, on the small target detection, the mAP is improved by 3.1%.
Generally Genius: A Generals.io Agent Development and Data Collection Framework

We present an agent development and data collection framework for Generals.io (GIO)--a real-time strategy game with imperfect information in which players attempt to gain control of opponents' starting positions within a 2D grid world. The framework provides event-based communication amongst several modules implemented as microservices, enabling real-time data collection from GIO's streaming data. Its modular design facilitates rapid bot development and testing, while the emphasis on data collection makes it easy to analyze agent performance. We use this framework in a case study of a top-performing GIO agent called Flobot. Our analysis demonstrates that Flobot's performance varies based on its starting position. Based on the analysis performed with our framework, we propose a modification to Flobot's pathfinding algorithm. Statistical tests show that the new algorithm results in a significant reduction in performance variance.
Expressive Response Curves: Testing Expressive Game Feel with A

Designing AI models for expressive character behavior is a considerable challenge. Such models represent a massive possibility space of individual behaviors and sequences of different character expressions. Iterating on designs of such models is complex because the possibility spaces they afford are challenging to understand in their entirety and map intuitively onto a meaningful experience for a user. Automated playtesting has primarily been focused on the physical spaces of game levels and the ability of AI players to enact personas and complete tasks within those levels. However, core principles of automated playtesting can be applied to expressive models to expose information about their expressive possibility space. We propose a new approach to automated playtesting for AI character behaviors: Expressive Response Curves (ERC). ERC allows us to map specific actions taken by a player to perform a particular expression to understand the affordances of an expressive possibility space. We present a case study applying ERC to Puppitor rulesets. We show that using this method we can compile paths through Puppitor rulesets to map them and further understand the nature of the expressive spaces afforded by the system. We argue that by using ERC, it is possible to give designers more nuanced information and guidance to create better and more expressive AI characters.
PCSK-9 Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have been approved to treat dyslipidaemia. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the most efficient PCSK9 therapies that target PCSK9 for secondary prevention in subjects at high risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. Thus, this study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of anti-PCSK9 antibodies in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive review of the available literature was done to identify RCTs that compared the use of PCSK9 inhibitors coupled with placebo or ezetimibe for the secondary prevention of CV events in patients on statin-background therapy. All-cause mortality was the major efficacy endpoint, while severe adverse events were the key safety outcome. A random effects model was used, and data were presented as risk ratio (RR) or risk difference with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). The heterogeneity of the publications was determined using Cochran’s Q test, and publication bias was visually examined using funnel plots. All the chosen studies’ quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklists for Studies created by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Forty-one studies (76,304 patients: 49,086 on evolocumab, and 27,218 on alirocumab) were included, and their years of publication spanned from 2010 to 2023. Overall, no significant differences were observed in CV and all-cause mortality between PCSK9 inhibitors and controls. However, alirocumab use was linked to a reduced risk of all-cause death compared to control, but not evolocumab. Each of the drugs, evolocumab and alirocumab, significantly reduced the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), coronary revascularization, and ischemic stroke. In comparison to the control therapy, the risk of major detrimental sequelae was significantly reduced by alirocumab therapy in the subgroup analysis of each PCSK9 inhibitor, whereas evolocumab treatment did not demonstrate significant differences (RR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.72-1.04; evolocumab: RR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.87-1.11). Both evolocumab and alirocumab are well-tolerated, safe medications that significantly lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.
Relation between surface topography and sea-salt snow chemistry from Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica

Previous studies on Antarctic snow have estab- lished an unambiguous correlation between variability of sea-salt records and site specific features like elevation and proximity to the sea. On the other hand, variations of Cl /Na + ratios in snow have been attributed to the reac- tion mechanisms involving atmospheric acids. In the present study, the annual records of Na + , Cl and SO 2 were in- vestigated using snow cores along a 180 km coast to inland transect in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Ex- ceptionally high Na + concentrations and large variations in Cl /Na + ratios were observed up to 50 km ( 1100 m eleva- tion) of the transect. The steepest slope in the entire transect (49.3 m km 1 ) was between 20 and 30 km and the sea-salt records in snow from this area revealed extensive modifica- tions, with Cl /Na + ratios as low as 0.2. Statistical analy- sis showed a strong association between the slope and varia- tions in Cl /Na + ratios along the transect (r = 0.676, 99 % confidence level). While distance from the coast accounted for some variability, the altitude by itself has no significant control over the sea-salt ion variability. However, the steep slopes influence the deposition of sea-salt aerosols in snow. The wind redistribution of snow due to the steep slopes on the coastal escarpment increases the concentration of Na + , resulting in a low Cl /Na + ratios. We propose that the slope variations in the coastal regions of Antarctica could signifi- cantly influence the sea-salt chemistry of snow.
MOLECULAR STUDY TO SOME FUNGI ISOLATED FROM PHONE COVER AND IT'S USERS

60 samples were randomly isolated 30 samples from the cover of a mobile phone and 30 samples from the finger of its users for people from the city of Mosul - Iraq, most of them are pioneers of life sciences, College of Science, University of Mosul, with a ratio of 15 females and 15 males of different ages, occupation, region, type of device, number of hours of use, and the last date taken. Washing the hands and the user's hand, right or left. The results showed that the cover of the mobile device of a female student in the Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, University of Mosul, at the age of 27 years, was contaminated with the fungus Chaetomium globosum, which grew on PDA medium.it was also noticed that the finger of the mobile device was contaminated by a female student in the Department of life Sciences College of sciences, University of Mosul,28 years old with The yeast Meyerozyma caribbica, and these two samples were recorded in the Gen Bank of the National Center for Biotechnology Information NCBI, the fungus was recorded as Chaetomium globosum B-M1 and given an identification number LC723824.1, while the yeast Meyerozyma caribbica was recorded as Meyerozyma caribbica B-M2 and with definition number is LC723825, . By studying the genetic distance and affinity tree of the fungus Chaetomium globosum B-M1 it was observed that it was identical (2.283), while the affinity ratio with the Chinese one was (2.582) and it was genetically far from the Iranian isolate by (2.852). As for the American isolate, there was genetic divergence with the Iraqi local isolate by (3326.), while it was found from the tree of distance and genetic affinity for the yeast Meyerozyma caribbica B-M2 that it was identical by ( 0.001) with its Japanese counterpart and was genetically far from the Australian isolate by (2.086) . As for the Italian and Dutch isolates there was a genetic divergence with the Iraqi local isolate by (2.304).
Estimation of parameters of the transient storage model by means of multi-layer perceptron neural networks / Estimation des paramètres du modèle de transport TSM au moyen de réseaux de neurones perceptrons multi-couches

Abstract The transient storage model of the transport of solutes in rivers may be used as a warning mechanism, when the values of its three parameters are known. It requires expensive and time-consuming tracer tests to be performed, as no reliable empirical formulae have been developed so far. In this paper the parameters of the transient storage model were evaluated by means of multi-layer perceptron artificial neural networks (ANN), using easily accessible hydraulic and morphometric data as inputs. The major obstacle was the scarcity of available data. For comparison purposes, the ANNs were trained by three optimization techniques, namely the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and two global approaches (much less popular in hydrological sciences): particle swarm optimization and differential evolution. Some minor modifications in these procedures, enabling the neural networks to avoid overfitting, were proposed. The ANNs revealed their superiority over available empirical formulae and the linear regression method applied to the same data sets, and performed similarly to the nonlinear multi-variable robust minimum covariance determinant method. Differential evolution appeared to be the most reliable among the optimization approaches investigated.
Hysteretic and Scanning Behaviors of Water Vapor Sorption in Hardened Cement Pastes

Water in the multiscale porous microstructure of cement-based materials is closely related to multiple deterioration processes, hence significantly influences the durability of concrete structures in atmospheric environment. Water vapor sorption is the key tool for characterizing the hygroscopic properties of cement-based materials, also a promising technique for exploring their nanopore structures. The significant hysteresis between different sorption branches is stemmed from the complexity of interconnecting pore system and concurrence of different physical phenomena. In this study, the hysteretic and scanning behaviors of water vapor sorption in hardened cement pastes are measured with a dynamic vapor sorption instrument, and investigated to provide new insights into the path-dependency of sorption behaviors on humidity history and resolve the overall sorption hysteresis into contributions from different phenomena.
Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Using StoreHub and Majoo: A Comparative Study between Malaysia and Indonesia

Management information systems can facilitate the work of cafe and restaurant businesses. StoreHub and Majoo are cloud-based systems for Point of Sales (POS) in Malaysia and Indonesia. Both systems provide features that can be used to increase business effectiveness for MSMEs. The purpose of this research is to analyze and compare the acceptance factors of StoreHub and Majoo using the UTAUT modification method. The research was conducted quantitatively by distributing questionnaires using a Google form to 200 restaurant and cafe employees in Selangor, Malaysia and South Tangerang, Indonesia. The construct of modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model with extended variables; perceived security and initial trust that will influence behavioral intentions. The findings indicated that facilitating conditions, perceived security and initial trust significantly influence the behavioral intention to use StoreHub and Majoo. In Majoo, social influence and performance expectancy moderating age also significantly influence behavioral intention. Indonesian users are influenced by positive testimonials from other Majoo users and age also affects the performance of using Majoo.
Energy Prices, Taxes and Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Taxes levied on the carbon content of fuels (carbon taxes) are being considered in many OECD countries as a possible policy instrument to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This paper first reviews the policy response in Member countries to the threat of global warming. It then discusses the link between carbon emission intensities and current energy prices, touching also on the relative price effects of current energy policies and the implicit carbon taxes reflected in present energy taxation for different fuels. Finally, the likely size of carbon taxes and associated tax revenue is illustrated by simulations of OECD's GREEN model for equiproportionate emission cuts and a global permit trading system . Dans la plupart des pays de l'OCDE on-considere les taxes percues sur les combustibles en fonction de leur teneur en carbone (les taxes sur le carbone) comme un des moyens de reduire les emissions de dioxyde de carbone. Ce document passe en revue les reactions de politique economique des pays Membres face a la menace d'un rechauffement planetaire. Il etudie ensuite le lien entre les prix courants de l'energie et l'intensite des emissions de carbone ainsi que les effets des politiques energetiques sur les prix relatifs. Les effets de prix relatifs sont mis en evidence en calculant des taxes implicites sur le carbone qui refletent le systeme actuel de taxation de l'energie pour differents combustibles, Enfin le montant probable des taxes sur le carbone et des taxes sur le revenu qui y sont associees est illustre par des simulations du modele GREEN de l'OCDE concernant des reductions equiproportionnelles d'emissions et un systeme global d'echanges de droits d'emissions .
Market Imperfections and Employment

This working paper addresses the question whether imperfect competition in product markets contributes substantially to the level and persistence of unemployment in modern industrial economies. In section I, the paper documents the available empirical research of the origin and extent of product market power held by firms due to market imperfections. The implications for employment are then explored through transmission of such power into the labour market through wages (section 2) and output reduction from pricing above marginal cost or wage levels below marginal revenue product (section 3). The role for such product market power in the macroeconomic analysis of unemployment is also explored in section 3, but little evidence of the importance on the macro level is available.The paper thus assesses the extent of product market imperfections and their importance in wage setting. It concludes that product market imperfections are widespread and although large deviations of price .