Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The determinants of non-performing loans: an econometric case study of Guyana

The study attempts to ascertain the determinants of non-performing loans in the Guyanese banking sector using a panel dataset and a fixed effect model similar to Jimenez and Saurina (2005). Consistent with international evidence we find that the real effective exchange rate has a significant positive impact on non-performing loans. This indicates that whenever there is an appreciation in the local currency the non-performing loan portfolios of commercial banks are likely to be higher. Our empirical results show that GDP growth is inversely related to non-performing loans, suggesting that an improvement in the real economy translates into lower non-performing loans. We also find that banks which charge relatively higher interest rates and lend excessively are likely to incur higher levels of non-performing loans. However, contrary to previous studies, our evidence does not support the view that large banks are more effective in screening loan customers when compared to their smaller counterparts.
JSWA: An Improved Algorithm for Grid Workflow Scheduling using Ant Colony Optimization

In this paper we propose an improved algorithm for scheduling grid workflow by using ant colony optimization method. Ant colony optimization (ACO) is a meta-heuristic for combinatorial optimization problems. JSWA algorithm is measured by using parameters such as reliability, cost, request and acknowledgement time and bandwidth. Regarding the proposed algorithm and its comparison with scheduling algorithm, we have established a new competency through which the tasks are carried out by considering preference criterion parameters. To do so, there should be less time complexities in accessing tasks for the present algorithms compared with the proposed one. By implementing a technical method we could consider a system in which the efficiency and optimization are increased and finally the time needed for program performance is decreased by using the target function. Also we could estimate the real time of tasks' commute by calculating the commute time compared with the previous algorithms. The result is that JSWA is more efficient than the algorithms such as ACS and MOACO.
Simulating oxygen isotope ratios in tree ring cellulose using a dynamic global vegetation model

Abstract. Records of stable oxygen isotope ratios in tree rings are valuable tools to reconstruct past climatic conditions and investigate the response of trees to those conditions. So far the use of stable oxygen isotope signatures of tree rings has not been systematically evaluated in dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs). DGVMs integrate many hydrological and physiological processes and their application could improve proxy-model comparisons and the interpretation of oxygen isotope records. Here we present an approach to simulate leaf water and stem cellulose δ18O of trees using the LPX-Bern DGVM (LPX-Bern). Our results lie within a few per mil of measured tree ring δ18O of 31 different forest stands mainly located in Europe. Temporal means over the last 5 decades as well as interannual variations for a subset of sites in Switzerland are captured. A sensitivity analysis reveals that relative humidity, temperature, and the water isotope boundary conditions have the largest influence on simulated stem cellulose δ18O, followed by all climatic factors combined, whereas increasing atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen deposition exert no impact. We conclude that simulations with LPX-Bern are useful for investigating large-scale oxygen isotope patterns of tree ring cellulose to elucidate the importance of different environmental factors on isotope variations and therefore help to reduce uncertainties in the interpretation of δ18O of tree rings.
CCTV-Aided Accident Detection System on Four Lane Highway with Calogero-Moser System

도로변에 설치된 폐쇄회로 카메라를 통해 사고를 감지하여 교통사고 대책반에 전송하는 시스템이 연구되어 많은 성과를 거두고 있다. 더하여 고속도로에서는 고장으로 인한 정지차량이 차량의 흐름을 방해하는 것도 사고로 간주해야 하는 상황이 발생한다. 본 논문에서는 차량의 흐름을 각 차선 별로 모니터링하고 있다가 정지차량이나 사고로인한 차량흐름의 변화를 감지하여 이를 사고 대책반에 알리는 시스템을 소개한다. 각 차선 별 차량흐름은 레벨 스페이싱 곡선들로서 위치벡터에 대한 Wigner 분포를 이룬다. 여기에 해밀토니안 및 칼로게로 모제 시스템을 적용하면 각 레벨스페이싱 커브간의 간격에 대한 확률식을 얻게된다. 이 식으로부터 변동이 큰 이상 신호를 찾으면 사고상황과 잘 맞는다. 이것은 한 차선에 대한 이상 신호를 찾는 것과는 다르다. 전체적인 차량 흐름 속에서 찾아야만 사고를 감지하는 효과를 보기 때문이다. 각 차선 별 차량흐름을 모니터링 하는 과정에서 카메라의 특성상 차량의 그림자를 차량으로 오인하게 되면 사고감지에도 영향을 미친다. 이를 방지하기 위해 그림자를 제거하는 방법도 소개한다. 본 시스템의 평가를 위해 베이지안 네트워크 방법을 사용한 시스템과 비교하였다. 특별히 고장으로 인한 정지차량으로 생겨난 차량흐름의 변화를 사고로 인식하는 데는 본 시스템이 우수한 것으로 나타났다.
Visual processing skill barriers in students with Arabic as a first language

Many teachers in the Gulf would agree that students whose first language (L1) is Arabic struggle more with reading and writing than with listening and speaking. One little considered possible influence on this is the particular visual processing requirements of English. This article suggests why visual processing or visual cognition might be a particular difficulty for Arabic L1 students reading English. It offers a simple classroom checklist that may assist teachers to notice if visual processing strain could be affecting a student's attention, motivation and performance.
Nondegenerate monopole-mode two-dimensional photonic band gap laser

We propose and demonstrate photonic band gap lasing action from a nondegenerate monopole-mode, high-quality factor cavity. By optical pumping at room temperature, the monopole-mode laser is realized and identified from its mode shape, spectrum, and polarization. The monopole-mode laser shows nondegeneracy and genuine two-dimensional oscillation with incident threshold pump power less than 0.3 mW. This laser mode has a small modal volume of ∼4.5(λ/2nslab)3 and shows a quality factor of larger than 1900, estimated from the spectral linewidth below threshold.
Geographical displacement or diffusion of benefit around area based interventions? Evidence from the New Deal for Communities

Area-based interventions (ABIs) have been a popular policy approach since the 1960s at least in the UK context yet they are bedevilled by concerns that gains in the intervention area may be a result of displacement of problems to neighbouring areas. The arrival of the New Labour government in 1997 saw a surge in ‘localism’ of a variety of forms, including the innovative and intensive New Deal for Communities ABI. This paper presents findings of a national evaluation of the crime strand of the NDC Programme which focussed on assessing evidence of geographical displacement.
Heterogeneous uptake of ammonia and dimethylamine into sulfuric and oxalic acid particles

Abstract. Heterogeneous uptake is one of the major mechanisms governing the amounts of short-chain alkylamines and ammonia (NH3) in atmospheric particles. Molar ratios of aminium to ammonium ions detected in ambient aerosols often exceed typical gas phase ratios. The present study investigated the simultaneous uptake of dimethylamine (DMA) and NH3 into sulfuric and oxalic acid particles at gaseous DMA ∕ NH3 molar ratios of 0.1 and 0.5 at 10, 50 and 70 % relative humidity (RH). Single-gas uptake and co-uptake were conducted under identical conditions and compared. Results show that the particulate dimethyl-aminium/ammonium molar ratios (DMAH ∕ NH4) changed substantially during the uptake process, which was severely influenced by the extent of neutralisation and the particle phase state. In general, DMA uptake and NH3 uptake into concentrated H2SO4 droplets were initially similarly efficient, yielding DMAH ∕ NH4 ratios that were similar to DMA ∕ NH3 ratios. As the co-uptake continued, the DMAH ∕ NH4 gradually dropped due to a preferential uptake of NH3 into partially neutralised acidic droplets. At 50 % RH, once the sulfate droplets were neutralised, the stronger base DMA displaced some of the ammonium absorbed earlier, leading to DMAH ∕ NH4 ratios up to four times higher than the corresponding gas phase ratios. However, at 10 % RH, crystallisation of partially neutralised sulfate particles prevented further DMA uptake, while NH3 uptake continued and displaced DMAH+, forming almost pure ammonium sulfate. Displacement of DMAH+ by NH3 has also been observed in neutralised, solid oxalate particles. The results can explain why DMAH ∕ NH4 ratios in ambient liquid aerosols can be larger than DMA ∕ NH3, despite an excess of NH3 in the gas phase. An uptake of DMA to aerosols consisting of crystalline ammonium salts, however, is unlikely, even at comparable DMA and NH3 gas phase concentrations.
Understory Plants Regulate Soil Respiration through Changes in Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial C, N, and P Stoichiometry Following Afforestation

Soil respiration (SR) is an important process in the carbon cycle. However, the means by which changes in understory plant community traits affect this ecosystem process is still poorly understood. In this study, plant species surveys were conducted and soil samples were collected from forests dominated by black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), with a chronosequence of 15, 25, and 40 years (RP15, RP25, and RP40, respectively), and farmland (FL). Understory plant coverage, evenness, diversity, and richness were determined. We investigated soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), phosphorus (MBP), and stoichiometry (MBC:MBN, MBC:MBP, and MBN:MBP). Soil enzyme assays (catalase, saccharase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase), heterotrophic respiration (HR), and autotrophic respiration (AR) were measured. The results showed that plant coverage, plant richness index (R), evenness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity were higher in RP25 and RP40 than in RP15. SR, HR, and AR were significantly higher in the forested sites than in farmland, especially for SR, which was on average 360.7%, 249.6%, and 248.2% higher in RP40, RP25, and RP15, respectively. Meanwhile, catalase, saccharase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase activities and soil microbial C, N, P, and its stoichiometry were also higher after afforestation. Moreover, significant Pearson linear correlations between understory plants (coverage, evenness, diversity, and richness) and SR, HR, and AR were observed, with the strongest correlation observed between plant coverage and SR. This correlation largely depended on soil enzymes (i.e., catalase, saccharase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase), and soil microbial biomass C, N, and P contents and its stoichiometry, particularly urease activity and the MBC:MBP ratio. Therefore, we conclude that plant communities are drivers of soil respiration, and that changes in soil respiration are associated with shifts in soil enzyme activities and nutrient stoichiometry.
Porogenic Behavior of Water in High-Alumina Castable Structures

Direct casting is a processing method that can produce large parts of complex geometry. It uses dispersions of ceramic particles in water and a hydraulic binder for consolidation. Studies on castable structures have reported the generation of a significant fraction of pores due to the presence of water. This effect occurs because drying preserves part of the interparticle pores originally occupied by water. The fraction of pores obtained in these cases can reach levels higher than 50%, affecting the properties of the structure. However, the porogenic behavior of water in these materials was not investigated in depth. In this work, aqueous suspensions of calcined alumina and hydratable alumina (hydraulic binder) of different water contents (40–60 vol.%) were prepared in a paddler mixer. For compositions of lower (5–35 vol.%) or higher (66–80 vol.%) water amounts, casting and curing steps were assisted by external pressure and a rotating device, respectively, to produce homogeneous microstructures. The total porosity after drying was similar to the initial volumetric content of water in the compositions when side effects, such as sedimentation and air entrapment, were prevented. Below water content of 25 vol.%, particles packing flaws became the main pore generator and the hydroxylation reaction of the binder no longer occurred effectively.
MINIMIZATION OF THERMAL CRACKS OF ROLLS BY COOLING OPTIMIZATION

Roll surface during rolling is periodically loaded by thermally and mechanically inducted stresses. This paper describes the processes of roll cooling design and its optimisation. Knowledge of the cooling intensity of different types of the nozzles and their spray parameters forms the fundamentals applied for a design of the cooling system. Distribution of the cooling around the roll influences total heat balance and influences the intensity of thermal cyclic stresses as well. These stresses are inherent features of the rolling process but their magnitude can be modified. The most critical factor for thermal cracks is a tensile stress appeared in a roll surface layer in cooling area. The task can be divided into two parts – mechanical and thermal analysis. The thermal load on the roll is used for the computation of stress fields on the roll. The boundary conditions describing the cooling intensity are obtained from the laboratory measurements. The design of a cooling header continues with the analysis of the contact areas between the roll and the rolled material. Superposition of both loads, mechanical and thermal, provides information about stress-strain behaviour of the roll surface layer. The optimized design of the cooling minimizes elastic, in some cases even plastic, deformation of the material and provides a sufficient cooling in order to keep a reasonable temperature of the rolls.
Psychological treatments are as effective as pharmacotherapies in the treatment of adult depression: a summary from Randomized Clinical Trials and neuroscience evidence

Several hundred randomized controlled trials have tested the effects of psychological treatments of depression. Although most of these trials have focused on cognitive behavior therapies (Cuijpers et al., 2013; Furukawa et al., 2014), several other types of treatment have been found to be effective in the treatment of depression in dozens of randomized trials, including interpersonal psychotherapy (Churchill et al., 2010; Cuijpers, Donker, Weissman, Ravitz, & Cristea, 2016), behavioral activation (Ekers, Richards, & Gilbody, 2008; Shinohara et al., 2013), problem-solving treatment (Malouff, Thorsteinsson, & Schutte, 2007), life review therapy in older adults (Lan, Xiao, & Chen, 2017), non-directive counseling (Cuijpers et al., 2012), psychodynamic therapies (Driessen et al., 2015; Leichsenring & Rabung, 2008) and third wave therapies (Churchill et al., 2013). What has this large body of research shown about the effects of these therapies? In this Commentary we will give a brief overview of a series of meta-analyses of these randomized trials (Cuijpers, 2017). Because in routine practice most patients still receive antidepressant medication, while the majority of patients prefer psychotherapy (McHugh, Whitton, Peckham, Welge, & Otto, 2013), we will focus specifically on the comparative effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy evaluating the available randomized clinical trials. We also evaluate their comparative effects on brain activity. Given the relatively larger amount of studies on CBT most of the researches are related to this type of therapy. However, when we use the term psychological interventions, especially in meta-analysis it means that different approaches were considered. We will finish with some recommendations for future research.
What Is a Reference Site ? by Jamison

Many methods for estimating site response compare ground motions at sites of interest to a nearby rock site that is considered a "reference" motion. The critical assumption in these methods is that the surface-rock-site record (reference) is equivalent to the input motion at the base of the soil layers. Data collected in this study show that surface-rock sites can have a site response of their own, which could lead to an underestimation of the seismic hazard when these sites are used as reference sites. Data were collected from local and regional earthquakes on digital recorders, both at the surface and in boreholes, at two rock sites and one basin site in the San Jacinto mountains, southern California. The two rock sites, Keenwild and Pifion Flat, are located on granitic bedrock of the southern California peninsular ranges batholith. The basin site, Garner Valley, is an ancestral lake bed with watersaturated sediments, on top of a section of decomposed granite, which overlies the competent bedrock. Ground motion is recorded simultaneously at the surface and in the bedrock at all three sites. When the surface-rock sites are used as the reference site, i.e., the surface-rock motion is used as the input to the basin, the computed amplification underestimates the actual amplification at the basin site for frequencies above 2 to 5 Hz. This underestimation, by a factor of 2 to 4 depending on frequency and site, results from the rock sites having a site response of their own above the 2to 5-Hz frequencies. The near-surface weathering and cracking of the bedrock affects the recorded ground motions at frequencies of engineering interest, even at sites that appear to be located on competent crystalline rock. The bedrock borehole ground motion can be used as the reference motion, but the effect of the downgoing wave field and the resulting destructive interference must be considered. This destructive interference may produce pseudo-resonances in the spectral amplification estimates. If one is careful, the bedrock borehole ground motion can be considered a good reference site for seismic hazard analysis even at distances as large as 20 km from the soil site.
Interactive comment on “ Representing anthropogenic gross land use change , wood harvest and forest age dynamics in a global vegetation model ORCHIDEE-MICT ( r 4259 ) ”

This study touches on the issue of the representation of shifting cultivation in the dynamic vegetation model. The new model features including a better description on PFTs (plant function types) demography, wood harvest and shifting cultivation at a sub-grid scale. The behavior of the enhanced model was tested both at a small scale and at a regional scale over an old growth forest (Miombo/dry woodlands) in South Africa. The model result shows that the new development has a robust representation of shifting cultivation during a long-term simulation period and the carbon emission due to the land use change has been underestimated without the consideration of gross land use change (including shifting cultivation, age class PFT and wood harvest). The most important term for this net emission is contributed from the biomass burning due to shifting cultivation activities (the FInst term in Eq. (3)). The manuscript was written in a good shape with a detail model description and its experimental design, and the new model feature opens the opportunities for the scientific community to study the research issue such as the effects of shifting cultivation between different biomes on the climate from different soil types and climate zones.
High biomass production and starch accumulation in native green algal strains and cyanobacterial strains of Thailand.

Microalgae (including blue-green algae or cyanobacteria) have been actively studied regarding their potential to use as a future alternative renewable energy source due to the accumulation of starch in their biomass. The starch accumulated in microalgae can be hydrolyzed to organic acids by lactic acid bacteria prior to converting to hydrogen by photosynthetic bacteria through various pathways. The aims of the current study are to investigate the biomass production and starch accumulation in native strains of microalgal strains in Thailand. A total of 25 strains of microalgae comprising 14 strains of green algae and 11 strains of cyanobacteria were determined. Among these, a cyanobacteria strain, Nostoc sp. TISTR 8872 showed the best results in respect to biomass production of 0.26 g (DW)/l, while the highest starch accumulation was obtained from a cyanobacteria strain, N. muscurum TISTR 8871 of up to 32.97% starch. It is recommended that the time course of starch, protein and fatty acid accumulation in Nostoc sp. TISTR 8872 and N. muscurum TISTR 8871 cultivated in various kinds of media and wastewater should be further investigated.
Crane forwarder-control algorithm for automatic extension of prismatic link

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to develop and control the length of the extension boom for the automated heavy vehicles, especially in the areas of control systems and robotics. It provides a display screen where the parameter values of swivel arm angle lift arm angle, elbow arm angle and length of the extension boom can be configurable. To deduce which parameters we need to consider that are needed to be modified. Forwarder kinematics are taken into consideration for the building of the algorithm for the automatic prismatic link which is obtained from the Mat lab code. Then final results are tested on DSP system Crane Box.
Adsorption and native microbiota of an agricultural soil are involved in the removal of fluoranthene.

Several factors can influence the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from agricultural soils, such as the native microbiota, the physicochemical properties of the soil, soil management and addition of exogenous microorganisms. Nevertheless, the involvement of these factors has not been studied during fluoranthene removal at the microcosm level. In the present study, the effects of these factors were evaluated in microcosms composed of an organic agricultural soil (OAS-microcosm) and conventional agricultural soil (CAS-microcosm) contaminated with fluoranthene. According to their physicochemical properties, both soils were classified as silt loam. They had similar cation exchange capacities, water holding capacities and P-PO43-, but different pHs, electrical conductivities, and percentages of N, C, silt, clay and sand. Fluoranthene did not alter the native microbiota of the OASand CAS-microcosm because similar banding profiles were obtained in PCR-DGGE analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, and the total heterotrophic bacteria count as well as fluoranthene-degrading bacteria count were similar between microcosms with fluoranthene and their controls without fluoranthene. However, OASand CAS-microcosms showed higher respiratory activity than their controls (p<0.05). At the beginning of the degradation kinetics, OASand CAS-microcosms reached a higher percentage of fluoranthene removal than their abiotic counterparts (adsorption controls; p<0.05); towards the end of the degradation kinetics, no significant difference was observed between the OASand CAS-microcosms and their corresponding adsorption controls. The bioaugmentation assay using a fluoranthene-degrading bacterial consortium increased fluoranthene removal. This work showed that fluoranthene adsorption to soil and native microbiota of agricultural soils were involved in fluoranthene removal.