Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preserving Habitat for Athene cunicularia floridana (Florida Burrowing Owl): Challenges and Solutions from Cape Coral, Florida, USA

Urban/suburban development generally results in a loss of native habitat and a concomitant decrease in biodiversity. However, for species able to adapt or adjust to human environments, such as Athene cunicularia (Burrowing Owl), potential exists to protect and preserve suitable habitat in developing areas, thus aiding in species preservation. In many areas, suburban lands represent the dominant available habitat for this species. Cape Coral, Florida, USA is a suburban community that currently contains 10–35% of the entire state-wide population of Florida Burrowing Owls—a state-listed threatened species—while also being one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. Thus, this city faces the challenge of protecting habitat for a threatened species within a framework of rapid development. Here we present the solutions employed by Cape Coral as an example for other suburban communities facing similar issues.
Variational Re ectance Estimation from Multiview Images

We tackle the problem of re ectance estimation from a set of multi-view images, assuming known geometry. The approach we put forward turns the input images into re ectance maps, through a robust variational method. The variational model comprises an image-driven delity term and a term which enforces consistency of the re ectance estimates with respect to each view. If illumination is xed across the views, then re ectance estimation remains under-constrained: a regularization term, which ensures piecewise-smoothness of the re ectance, is thus used. Re ectance is parameterized in the image domain, rather than on the surface, which makes the numerical solution much easier, by resorting to an alternating majorization-minimization approach. Experiments on both synthetic and real-world datasets are carried out to validate the proposed strategy.
Nonlinear pricing

A nonlinear pricing schedule refers to any pricing structure where the total charges payable by customers are not proportional to the quantity of their consumed services. We begin the chapter with a discussion of the broad applicability of nonlinear pricing schemes. We note that the primary factor for the use of such schemes is the heterogeneity of the customer base. Such heterogeneity of preferences leads customers to choose different pricing plans based on their expected demand. We describe past analytical and empirical research. Past analytical work is categorized based on whether it is in a monopoly setting or a more general oligopoly context. Most past research has found two-part tariffs to be optimal in many settings. More recent research has begun to investigate the limits of such optimality and when a more general pricing scheme can be optimal. In the summary of empirical research on multi-part tariffs, we note that while nonlinear pricing schemes are popular, any analysis of demand under such schemes is nontrivial. One important reason is the two-way relationship between price and consumption in multi-part tariffs – the pricing scheme infl uences consumption and the level of consumption determines the applicable per-unit price. We describe how researchers have addressed this and other such issues and then show a modeling framework that integrates all the issues. We end by discussing empirical generalizations, which also suggest some promising areas for future research.
ScienceDirect International Conference on Efficient & Sustainable Water Systems Management toward Worth Living Development , 2 nd EWaS 2016 Optimal Design of District Metering Areas

The search for optimal segmentations aimed at defining district metering areas (DMAs) is a challenging and crucial issue in the analysis, planning and management of water distribution networks (WDNs). The need to select optimal segmentations relates to a number of important technical reasons. Today, the most relevant one is the leakage management by means of pressure-control zones. This contribution proposes a novel two-steps strategy for DMAs planning. The strategy is based on the segmentation design as first step, to achieve a scenario of optimal locations of “conceptual cuts”; during the second step, these are the candidate for the location of (closed) gate valves or flow measurement devices that gave rise to district monitoring areas (DMAs). The segmentation step is performed solving a multi-objective optimization problem (i.e. WDN-oriented modularity maximization versus the number of “conceptual cuts” minimization). The second step accomplishes the real DMAs design by solving a three-objective optimization, i.e. the minimization of the background leakages versus the unsupplied customers demand versus the flow observations. This means that the procedure will search for a set of scenarios having a number of closed gate valves installed at the “conceptual cuts” that do not decrease the WDN hydraulic capacity below that necessary for a sufficient service to customers, while contemporarily reducing the background leakages. A pressure-driven modelling approach is used to predict background leakage reduction and the unsupplied customers demand. The procedure is explained on a benchmark network from literature, the Apulian network. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of the EWaS2 International Conference on Efficient & Sustainable Water Systems Management toward Worth Living Development.
Spanning Trees Crossing Few Barriers (Algorithm Engineering as a New Paradigm)

We consider the problem of finding low-cost spanning trees for sets of $n$ points in the plane, where the cost of a spanning tree is defined as the total number of intersections of tree edges with a given set of $m$ barriers. We obtain the following results: 1. if the barriers are possibly intersecting line segments, then there is always a spanning tree of cost $O( \min(m^{2}, m\sqrt{n}))$ ; 2. if the barriers are disjoint line segments, then there is always a spanning tree of cost $O(m)$ ; 3. if the barriers are disjoint fat objects, discs for example, then there is always a spanning tree of cost $O(n+m)$ . All our bounds are worst-case optimal.
Investigating the Topic Area Focus of PhD TEFL Dissertations at AAUGS

This paper aimed at exploring the standing of TEFL research in Jordan in terms of topic area of PhD dissertations awarded by Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies (AAUGS). The researchers scrutinized the topic area of all TEFL dissertations of AAUGS from 2003 till 2010 (82 dissertations) regarding their compliance with the technological, cultural, academic, pedagogical variables and challenges of the 21st Century. More precisely, the questions of the study were: 1) What are the major topic areas of Jordanian TEFL dissertations, considering Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies as an example? 2) What topic areas of TEFL dissertations at Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies are: over researched, satisfactorily researched, neglected areas or need more research? Is there is any statistically significant differences at α = 0.01 due to topic area? To answer these questions the researchers scanned almost all AAUGS PhD dissertations from 2003 till 2010 for the title and the abstract to be able to define the topic area. The findings of the study revealed that the focal point of most TEFL dissertations is on reading as an over-researched area and on writing (a separate and integrated skill) as satisfactorily researched areas while others considered either neglected or poorly researched areas.
Quantification of the dilute sedimentary soot phase : Implications for PAH speciation and bioavailability

Existing field data indicate that soot may significantly affect the environmental speciation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To expand hydrophobic partition models to include soot partitioning, we need to quantify fsc, the soot fraction of the solid matrix, and Ksc, the soot-carbon-normalized partition coefficient. To this end, we have developed a method that allows quantification of soot carbon in dilute and complex sedimentary matrices. Non-soot organic carbon is removed by thermal oxidation, and inorganic carbonates are removed by acidification, fol lowed by CHN elemental analysis of the residual soot carbon. The selectivity of the soot carbon method was confirmed in tests with matrices of known compostion. The soot quantification technique was applied to two sets of natural sediments, both previously analyzed for PAHs. The input histories of PAHs and soot recorded in a lacustrine sediment core followed the same general trends, and we thus infer a coupling between the two. Our measures of f.
POVMs and superoperators

In this talk, it was described how positive operator valued measures (POVMs) can be used to generalize our understanding of what a measurement actually is. The connection between ordinary POVMs and the more special, but also more familiar projection valued measures (PVMs) was discussed, and the important Neumark’s theorem was stated. Later, we discussed how POVMs (under the name of Kraus operators) are connected to the time evolution of some subsystem of a larger Hilbert space. This helped us to refine our understanding of the Schrödinger’s cat paradox.
Simple Algebraic Criteria for Asymptotic Stability of a Class of TS Fuzzy Time-Delay Switched Systems

This paper investigates the asymptotic stability of a class of TS fuzzy switched systems when an arbitrary switching strategy is adopted. The proposed method, applied to neutral and retarded-type systems, is based on the vector-norms approach. The idea consists in defining a common comparison system to all the fuzzy models. If this comparison system can be described by a state matrix that fulfills the properties of the opposite of an M-matrix, then we can conclude on the asymptotic stability of the initial system via simple algebraic delay-independent conditions.
Can Risk-Aversion Towards Fertilizer Explain Part of the Non-Adoption Puzzle for Hybrid Maize? Empirical Evidence from Malawi

This study investigates the linkage between attitudes towards risk and adoption. We empirically examine the relative risk premium related to fertilizer-use among 404 farmers from Malawi and examine the relationship between risk aversion on fertilizer-use and the adoption of hybrid maize. Results show that Malawian farmers exhibit absolute Arrow-Pratt risk aversion towards the use of fertilizer. The findings also reveal that risk aversion towards the use of fertilizer is strongly associated with low intensity of hybrid maize adoption and that other than the safety net programs, human and financial capital variables such as age, household size, land size and off-farm income can be helpful in explaining the non-adoption puzzle. While safety net programs such as the free input distribution increase the likelihood of adoption, they are associated with low adoption intensity for hybrid maize. A key lesson is that when considering promoting a technology, it is important to assess the profit distribution associated with the use of complementary inputs and its implications for risk preference among technology users in order to avoid formulating misguiding policies.
WELL-BEING AS CONCEPT IN PSYCHOLOGY OF LATVIA

The aim of the research is to analyze the psychological problems of the new generation in Latvia at the present moment. The currently existing psychological issues are inherited from the 20s and 30s of the previous century. In Latvia the topicality in the field of psychology has always been associated with a sound development of a physically-fitted, mentally-balanced as well as meaningful personality that might benefit society. Latvian psychological theories are based on the humanistic and philosophical approach that is based on the human ideas from the 90ies of 20th century. Such Latvian psychologists as Imants Plotnieks, Arija Karpova, Dzidra Meikšane and others researched the following topics: ’self-esteem’ ‚‘self-regulation“, ‘self-actualization“, ‘identity“ as well as “positive self-concept“. The scientific issue of this article is to compare and to analyze the two dimensions of the Latvian psychology history, i.e., firstly, what it is based on and, secondly, why the reason of a positive psychology concept is rooted in Latvian traditions. The methodology of the research is meta-analysis, qualitative-quantitative approach, and experimental design from three cases analyse. There are three cases analysed in this article- author of this article and students from Riga Teacher Training and Education management academy, all cases analysed well-being aspect resilience and positive intervention, but there is different aspect of resilience has been analysed in each example. There are some similar ideas from Latvian psychology history are comparing with temporary psychology of Latvia in this article, ideas – close and different with positive psychology as methodological branch of psychology. Key words: Latvian psychology history, optimism, well-being, resilience.
Epidemiologic Attributes and Virulence Profile of Salmonella Tennessee isolates from Infections associated with Peanut Butter National Outbreak

The multi-state outbreak of Salmonella serotype Tennessee infections associated with peanut butter during 2006-2007 was the first outbreak in the United States associated with this food vehicle. We investigated whether the outbreak-related strains had any distinct virulence attributes. We have analyzed 96 representative isolates from human and non-human sources from multiple states for attachment and invasion of caco-2 cell. In logistic regression analysis, we found that Salmonella Tennessee strains associated with the peanut butter outbreak were more likely to be highly invasive than strains from non-outbreak sources, OR 4.03 (95% CI 1.42, 11.41). Results from this study suggest that peanut butter could have provided an impetus for the expression of certain sets of virulence genes leading to the observed high level of invasiveness of the Salmonella Tennessee contaminants. The occurrence of this outbreak underscores the importance of hygienic practices in peanut butter manufacturing plants for the prevention of such mass contamination. Keywords: Salmonella Tennessee; peanut butter; newly emerging food vehicles for Salmonella ; risk factors for Salmonella Tennessee
LOCALIZED MONOCHROMATIC AND PULSED WAVES IN HYPERBOLIC METAMATERIALS

It is established in this article that a special class of metamaterials known as hyperbolic media allow the propagation of large classes of novel monochromatic and pulsed localized waves. Illustrative explicit solutions are given of \accelerating" oblique Airy beams, as well as nondifiracting and nondispersive spatiotemporally localized \all-speed" X-shaped and MacKinnon-type waves.
RAFAL: RANDOM FACED ACOUSTIC LENS USED TO MODEL INTERNAL WAVES EFFECTS ON UNDERWATER ACOUSTIC PROPAGATION

We present here an experimental protocol to reproduce the effects of linear internal waves (LIW) on acoustic wave propagation in a very controlled and reproducible manner. In fact, the experiment consists in propagating an ultrasonic wave through an acoustic lens presenting a plane input face and a randomly rough output face. The so-called RAFAL (Random Faced Acoustic Lens) was designed so that the roughness of the output face induce resulting acoustic pressure field featuring typical characteristics of propagation though LIW.To ensure representativeness of our model, we conducted analytical calculations leading to dimensionless parameters equivalent to the ones developed by Flatte (strength parameter Φ and diffraction parameter Λ). In our case, the strength parameter was calculated after evaluation of the phase of the average acoustic field propagated through the RAFALS, whereas our diffraction parameter was evaluated using the phase sensitivity kernel. On the other hand, we calculated the ratio of correlation length of the acoustic field to wavelength. Measurements were conducted on several RAFALS, corresponding to various realistic configurations. The regimes of saturation (full and partial) and unsaturation were explored. The results are presented in terms of order 2 (coherence function) and order 4 (intensity) statistics and demonstrate the accuracy of our experimental scheme with respect to real scale simulations and simplified theory. Other representations, such as phasors, also show a very meaningful behavior.
Studies in environmental, production and transport economics

Aquesta tesi de doctorat fa servir l'estadistica i el modelatge d'econometria per explorar, en termes empirics, tres questions sobre energia i economia ambiental. El primer estudi aborda la connexio energia-economia en una perspectiva amplia: emprant l'energia, dades d'ingressos i poblacio de 133 paisos durant quatre decades, proporciona un examen grafic de la intensitat energetica combinant analisis estatics i dinamics per avaluar la utilitat d'aquest popular indicador. L'us de 'Gapminder' permet la visualitzacio de quatre variables a la vegada per tal de donar a coneixer els patrons que caracteritzen les dades de l'energia i del PIB a llarg termini. Les conclusions de l'article responen negativament a la pregunta del titol. El segon estudi entra en la produccio. Amb un enfocament sobre les entrades, la capacitat de substitucio capital/energia s'investiga mitjancant la estimacio de la funcio de produccio del sector manufacturer de set paisos de la OECD. Utilitzant una especificacio de 'Translog' de quatre entrades, la substitucio de les entrades es quantificada per la elasticitat creuada de substitucio. Aquest tractament economic tradicional proporciona figures actualitzades sobre els limits tecnologics dins els quals els sistemes economics han d'operar durant temps d'escassetat d'energia, restriccions ambientals i volatilitat dels preus dels recursos. Una altra prova de que l'energia (barata) i materies primeres son entrades essencials per la produccio, tal com la coneixem i, per tant, que el mon no pot seguir avancant sense recursos naturals. L'ultim capitol tracta una questio urgent tant per la salut humana com pel medi ambient: les sempre creixents emissions del sector del transport, i focalitzant sobre vehicles de carretera. Despres d'estimar la demanda dels consumidors tant pels combustibles tradicionals i com pels eco-combustibles ampliament disponibles, i el gas liquat del petroli (GLP) i el meta, simulo els efectes d'introduir una taxa de carboni a Italia tant sobre l'eleccio de combustible/vehicle i com en les emissions. Els resultats indiquen una positiva resposta del consumidor cap al GLP i meta, dirigint-se cap a una significant reduccio del CO2; sent la difusio de la seva infraestructura de proveiment un factor essencial. Tots els estudis estan publicats a revistes cientifiques, i fan servir dades originals i verificables i procediments de calcul, per tal de contribuir sobre noves i rellevants idees.
First survey of Wolf-Rayet star populations over the full extension of nearby galaxies observed with CALIFA

The search of extragalactic regions with conspicuous presence of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars outside the Local Group is challenging task due to the difficulties in detecting their faint spectral features. In this exploratory work, we develop a methodology to perform an automated search of WR signatures through a pixel-by-pixel analysis of integral field spectroscopy (IFS) data belonging to the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area survey, CALIFA. This technique allowed us to build the first catalogue of Wolf-Rayet rich regions with spatially-resolved information, allowing to study the properties of these complexes in a 2D context. The detection technique is based on the identification of the blue WR bump (around He II 4686 {\AA}, mainly associated to nitrogen-rich WR stars, WN) and the red WR bump (around C IV 5808 {\AA} and associated to carbon-rich WR stars, WC) using a pixel-by-pixel analysis. We identified 44 WR-rich regions with blue bumps distributed in 25 galaxies of a total of 558. The red WR bump was identified only in 5 of those regions. We found that the majority of the galaxies hosting WR populations in our sample are involved in some kind of interaction process. Half of the host galaxies share some properties with gamma-ray burst (GRB) hosts where WR stars, as potential candidates to being the progenitors of GRBs, are found. We also compared the WR properties derived from the CALIFA data with stellar population synthesis models, and confirm that simple star models are generally not able to reproduce the observations. We conclude that other effects, such as the binary star channel (which could extend the WR phase up to 10 Myr), fast rotation or other physical processes that causes the loss of observed Lyman continuum photons, are very likely affecting the derived WR properties, and hence should be considered when modelling the evolution of massive stars.
Recent developments in Australian household debt Household

Household debt in Australia has risen to record levels in recent years with highly geared households also coming under increased stress due to deteriorating conditions in asset prices, incomes and interest rates. This paper assesses recent developments in household debt from macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives, and provides a research agenda to cast further light on the causes of burgeoning household debt.
Healthcare Utilization among Urban and Rural Households in Esera District: Comparative Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Health care seeking behaviour of households is influenced by individuals’ characteristics, type of diseases and access of health services. This study conducted to assess the health care seeking behavior and associated factors of urban and rural households for perceived morbidity in Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A comparative community based cross-sectional study was conducted among urban and rural households living in the Esera district, southwest Ethiopia. 377 head of households (119 urban and 258 rural dwellers), selected via simple random sampling technique after census, were the respondents. Healthcare seeking behavior on perceived illnesses of households of the district was assessed using a pretested structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, and binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to compare and identify independent predictors of health care seeking behavior. RESULTS: A total of 377 (119 urban and 258 rural) households were included in the analysis making a response rate of 95.7%. Health care seeking behavior was higher among urban households (80.7%) than rural households (48.1%). Being married and perceived severity of disease were significantly associated with health care seeking behavior of urban households. Health seeking behavior of rural households was statistically different with monthly income, perceived severity of disease, acute duration of disease and distance from health facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The overall health seeking behaviors of households for perceived illness was satisfactory, but urban households seek health care more than rural. Health seeking behavior of urban households differed in matrimonial status and severity of disease perception, whereas, of rural households differed in household monthly income, severity of disease perception, duration of disease and distance from health center. This cues to work on accessibility and promotion of health care on the majority of the population of the country.