Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Barotropic Response of the Mediterranean Sea Level to Atmospheric Pressure Forcing

An important characteristic of the Earth's atmosphere with direct impact on the marine environment and Earth's gravity field are the variations of the atmospheric pressure, as it often determines wind and weather patterns across the globe. Variations in atmospheric pressure and especially low atmospheric systems influence the values of radar altimeter sea level anomalies (SLA). This response of sea level is the Inverse Barometer (IB) correction given by altimeters within their geophysical data records. In this work, altimetric data sets from the satellite remote sensing mission of Jason-2 and their total inverse barometer corrections acquired by the on-board altimeters have been used for a period of fifty days. Atmospheric pressure data from the Live Access Server (LAS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are also implemented in order to study the variations in the sea level due to atmospheric pressure in Mediterranean Sea. Given the Jason-2 exact repeat period of ten days, the available data are used to examine the correlation between SLA variations and atmospheric forcing. Moreover, the IB correction (local and global) given by the altimeter is validated against the response of the sea level as well as its theoretical response. Additionally, a regional multiple regression analysis between sea level anomalies, the atmospheric pressure and wind speed components is carried out to model the barotropic response of the Mediterranean to atmospheric wind and pressure forcing. Finally, in order to investigate the IB effect in the frequency domain, a spectral transfer function has been computed through the Fourier transforms of sea level and pressure. At short scales of 10 days an agreement between the consecutive SLA records of the satellite is observed and the total IB correction given by the altimeter is closed to the expected one of the -1cm/hPa. In region with large discrepancies in air pressure the b1 coefficient is close to -1 cm/bar while in areas with stable air pressure the other coefficients tend to have large values. The transfer function of IB presents large values and discrepancies when air pressure gets the minmax values and values close to zero when the air pressure is stable.
Studies on Genetic Parameters for Quality Traits and Yield Components in Basmati Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice occupies about 23.3% of gross cropped area and contributes 43% of total food grain production and 46% of the total cereal production of the country. India ranks second in production next to China among the rice growing countries in the world. The systematic breeding programme involves the steps like creating genetic variability practicing selection and utilization of selected genotypes to evolve promising varieties. The development of high yielding rice cultivars is the main objective of any rice breeding programmes in the world.
Process Optimization for Extraction of Polyphenols from Avocado Seeds (Persea americana Mill.) Using Response Surface Methodology

At the present time, polyphenolic compounds have attracted great interest due to their roles in the prevention of degenerative diseases and have used as the input material for manufacturing functional foods, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Previous researches have revealed the avocado seed is rich source of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities; which they could be used as a source of potent natural ingredients and additives. In this study, extraction factors of polyphenols were optimized for recovery yield by using response surface methodology and the obtained polyphenol rich solution was encapsulated with different coating agents (Maltodextrin-MD and Gum Arabic-GA) as well as their mixtures. A Box-behnken design was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables including ethanol concentration (X1:35-65%, v/v), solvent to solid ratio (X2:8-12, v/w) and extraction time (X3:1.0-3.0 h). The result shown that the optimized extraction conditions were using ethanol concentration of 40% (v/v), ratio of solvent to solid at 12:1 and extraction time of 1.5 h. Under the conditions, the experimental recovery yield of polyphenols is 83.1% which is well matched with the predicted yield of 82.5%. Micro particle prepared by 20:80 of MD:GA ratio as coating agent can be selected for encapsulation of the polyphenolic compounds.
Towards a sustainable city: Gaborone Botswana.

This report discusses sustainable development the physical geography and the political social and economic development of Gaborone Botswana. Waste disposal and littering is becoming a major environmental problem. Solid waste disposal systems include land dumping and burning. Other environmental issues include the pollution of the River Notwane and the depletion of woodlands around Gaborone. Depletion of fuelwood arises from its importance as a source of fuel and its use for income generation. Forest species depletion is already evident. Gaborone has expanded city limits into agricultural lands including tribal land areas. The Government of Botswana and the mass media are addressing environmental concerns. In 1985 and 1990 the government established the National Conservation Strategy. The strategy seeks to increase effective management of natural resources use to maintain a coordinated effort between ministries and interest groups and to ensure resources for future generations. A National Conservation Advisory Board is the implementing agency. Sustainable development concerns are not yet prominent in local planning concerns. Initiatives lack community input in decision-making and ignore issues about access to basic needs. The concept of sustainable urban development is not fully incorporated into the nations planning practices. Four potential sustainable development criteria include quality of life the scale of nonrenewable resource use the scale and nature of nonreusable waste generation and waste disposal.
Emerging Computational Techniques for Jet Physics

Jets are the most copiously produced objects at the LHC and the subject of intense experimental and theoretical study. Improvements to our understanding and treatment of jets can have significant impact on the physics program of the LHC; however, various computational bottlenecks appear in this quest. Below we will discuss a few areas where such computational bottlenecks appear and identify emerging computational techniques that may be able to address them. We hope that this may challenge some assumptions about the computational demands of simulation, reconstruction, and analysis of LHC data when jets are involved. Probabilistic programming systems use the simulator directly during inference. They are integrated with the control flow of the event generator though they require a tractable joint likelihood. Thus, they offer both a natural way to improve the simulation efficiency, as well as the possibility of doing systematic fits to high-dimensional data by a more direct implementation of backpropagation.
Fruiting and Frugivory of Cornus canadensis in Boreal Forest in Newfoundland

The fate of fruits of bunchberry Cornus canadensis was monitored for three autumn seasons in boreal forest in Newfoundland. On average, 53% of the berries were removed while intact, 23% damaged by slugs and other invertebrates, 18% infected by microbes, 3% shrivelled, 1% fell to the ground and 2% remained intact until covered by snow. Observations and exclosure experiments showed that birds were major dispersers, rodents and shrews had negligible effects and hares or squirrels ate < 6% of the fruits. Most removals occurred in five-week periods, coinciding with the passage of migrant birds. Dispersers tended to avoid damaged or infected fruits: 92% of the dispersed fruits were intact when removed, 6% were damaged and 2% infected. The frequency of removals varied significantly between seasons and between plots, and was not correlated with the size of the berry crop in each plot. Frugivory within a boreal ecosystem is discussed.
Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Fruit Samples from Three Major Markets during the Wet Season in Enugu State

The effect of seasonal changes on heavy metals concentration in three commonly edible fruits in Enugu State was analyzed. Banana, pineapple and watermelon samples were collected during three rainy season months (June, July and August) from three markets in the three districts of Enugu state (Enugu North, Enugu West and Enugu East). Heavy metals evaluated during the study include lead, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, zinc and copper. Metals in the samples were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) at specific wave lengths and values reported in mg/kg. The result of the study showed the maximum and minimum values of heavy metals observed in all the samples were; 0.28 – 0.03 mg/kg, 0.22 – 0.01 mg/kg, 0.13 – 0.01 mg/kg, 0.64 – 0.33 mg/kg, 0.69 – 0.01 mg/kg and 13.88 – 1.42 mg/kg for lead, cadmium, nickel, cobalt, copper and zinc respectively. The quantity of metals in all the samples, on average, reduces as the rainy season month progresses. The order of heavy metal concentrations in the fruit samples from the markets were in the following decreasing order; Nsukka market> Ogbete market> Ezeagu market. Banana fruit showed the highest concentration of heavy metals while watermelon showed the least heavy metal concentration. Values obtained were compared to WHO maximum permissible limit for each metal. Environmental pollution should be prevented in market areas to avoid food poisoning from consumption of contaminated food.
Tree damage and recovery from Hurricane Hugo in Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico

Hurricane Hugo struck Puerto Rico on 18 September 1989 with maximum sustained winds of over 166 km/hr (Scatena & Larsen 1991) and caused severe defoliation of 56 percent of the trees in study plots at El Verde in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF). Some trees were uprooted (9%) or had trunks that snapped (11%), but overall mortality was low (7%). Damage was patchy on twenty 300 m2 plots with most damage occurring on north-facing sites. Tall trees and trees with large diameters were most likely to be uprooted, but successional status of trees was not a good predictor of the amount of damage the trees sustained. Recovery patterns varied among species but refoliation was rapid. Widespread sprouting and minimal breakage of large branches will probably lead to the recovery of most trees.
Temporal Adaptation and Performance of Daily Living Activities in Persons with Alzheimer's Disease

The purpose of this study was lo investigate the relationships between temporal adaptation and functional capacity in persons with Alzheimer's Disease. The relationships were examined through the administration of research . instruments designed to evaluate temporal orientation, organization and distortion, performance of activities of daily living (ADLs), and the severity of Alzheimer's ' Disease. The results demonstrated significant relationships between: (1) temporal adaptation and performance of ADLs: 2) temporal adaptation and severity of Alzheimer's Disease; and (3) the severity of Alzheimer's Disease and performance of ADLs. The findings suggested that as the Alzheimer's patient progresses through the course of the disease, temporal adaptation skills and performance of ADLs deteriorate progressively. The findings also suggested that temporal adaptation may predict ADL performance in persons with Alzheimer's Disease.
Dosage-Mortality Data on the Bollworm, Heliothis zea, and the Tobacco Budworm, Heliothis virescens, in Oklahoma

A relatively inexpensive, labor-saving method of rearing large numbers of bollworms, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworms, H. virescens (F.), was developed. Dosage-mortality data were obtained in the laboratory for both species from 3 locations in Oklahoma for DDT, Sevin® (now carbaryl), and Telodrin® (1,3,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-1,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoisobenzofuran). These data indicated that bollworms from the central part of the State were becoming resistant to DDT. Budworms were generally more tolerant than bollworms to all 3 insecticides; however, 1 strain of budworms was quite susceptible. Both species were extremely susceptible to Telodrin and showed relatively little, if any, resistance to Sevin.
MechanoBeat: Monitoring Interactions with Everyday Objects using 3D Printed Harmonic Oscillators and Ultra-Wideband Radar

In this paper we present MechanoBeat, a 3D printed mechanical tag that oscillates at a unique frequency upon user interaction. With the help of an ultra-wideband (UWB) radar array, MechanoBeat can unobtrusively monitor interactions with both stationary and mobile objects. MechanoBeat consists of small, scalable, and easy-to-install tags that do not require any batteries, silicon chips, or electronic components. Tags can be produced using commodity desktop 3D printers with cheap materials. We develop an efficient signal processing and deep learning method to locate and identify tags using only the signals reflected from the tag vibrations. MechanoBeat is capable of detecting simultaneous interactions with high accuracy, even in noisy environments. We leverage UWB radar signals' high penetration property to sense interactions behind walls in a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenario. A number of applications using MechanoBeat have been explored and the results have been presented in the paper.
Identification of linear B-cell determinants of pertussis toxin associated with the receptor recognition site of the S3 subunit

Receptor recognition of pertussis toxin is mediated by the B oligomer consisting of subunits S2, S3, 2xS4, and S5. One possible way to interfere with toxin action would be the inhibition of recognition and binding of the cellular receptor(s) by preformed toxin-directed antipeptide antibodies. A prerequisite for this approach is the localization of linear antigenic determinants followed by the identification of inhibitory epitopes. Anti-S2 peptide antibodies have been shown to inhibit binding of the holotoxin to in vitro model receptor systems. For the elucidation of linear antigenic and immunogenic determinants harbored in the S3 subunit, synthetic peptides corresponding to selected linear amino acid sequences of S3 have been prepared and used to raise peptide-specific antibodies in rabbits. All peptides elicited a strong homologous response. Four synthetic peptides reacting with anti-pertussis toxin antibodies (R36-51, R87-95, R134-150, and R147-160) have been identified. Seven synthetic peptides (R1-12, R12-23, R14-29m, R36-51, R95-107, R134-150, and R164-178) induced antibodies recognizing pertussis toxin. Thus, these segments correspond to linear antigenic determinants. Analogous to the S2 subunit, the N terminus of S3 proved to be immunorecessive in the native toxin. The highly homologous S2 subunit was only bound strongly in Western blotting (immunoblotting) by antiserum directed at peptide R164-178, which is identical in the S2 and S3 subunits. A weak recognition of S2 in Western blotting was observed with anti-R95-107 antiserum. The ability of affinity-purified anti-S3 peptide antibodies to interfere with pertussis toxin binding was investigated by hemagglutination of goose erythrocytes as a model receptor system for S3-mediated receptor recognition. Antipeptide antibodies directed at R1-12, R12-23, R14-29m, and R36-51 inhibited hemagglutination of goose erythrocytes. This indicates that the corresponding antigenic regions in the S3 subunit are associated with the formation of the receptor binding domain. Inhibition of B-oligomer-mediated pertussis toxin binding to cellular receptors by preformed antipeptide antibodies of sufficient affinity should not only block the detrimental effects of the S1 subunits, but also interfere with the mitogenic effects attributed to the B oligomer.
DO ISLAMIC BANKS CONTRIBUTE TO ECONOMIC GROWTH? EVIDENCE FROM THE GCC COUNTRIES

The purpose of this study is to examine the existing relationship between Islamic banks’ performance and economic growth in GCC countries. In this quest, this paper attempts to examine whether Islamic banks contribute to the economic growth. We develop a structural equation model to attest these links based on the evidence that Islamic finance contributes to higher levels of economic growth. As a measure of profitability, we include several determinants that are usually ignored in the literature; namely, size, liquidity, capital adequacy, credit risk, and expense management. The study covers Islamic banks operating in Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia over the period 2010-2017. We show a positive relationship between Islamic banks and economic growth, especially for the years immediately after the global financial crisis. In other words, Islamic banks performance have contributed to economic growth mainly during the period right after the financial crisis. Our findings represent a significant contribution to explaining how Islamic financial institutions’ activities induce economic growth. Our findings could grant the managers of the Islamic banks a better understanding on how their institutions could improve economic performance as it reduces the severity of the financial crisis by avoiding major weaknesses of the conventional banking system.
Effect of Hurricane Karl on a plant–ant network occurring in coastal Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract: We analysed the effect of a hurricane on a plant–ant network and on vegetation cover. Plant cover was sampled using linear sampling in several vegetation types: deciduous forest, a dry forest, sand dune pioneers, sand dune scrub, ecotone of freshwater marsh, deciduous forest and dune scrub, and mangrove forest. We sampled ant–plant interactions and vegetation cover before and after Hurricane Karl hitting (September 2010) the central coast of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The pre-hurricane network consisted of 16 plant and 25 ant species in 52 associations. The post-hurricane network consisted of 17 plant and 20 ant species in 56 associations. We found a significant decrease in the total linear cover of EFN-bearing plants between October 2009 (646 m, no hurricane effect) and October 2010 (393 m, after hurricane Karl) (total sample length 2025 m). Both networks were significantly nested (0.999 and 0.973, P < 0.001), suggesting that network topology remained similar. Our results show changes in several network characteristics and species proportions. The number of plant species that contributed to nestedness vs. idiosyncratic species did not differ significantly in the pre-hurricane network, while the number of plant species that contributed to nestedness vs. idiosyncratic species did differ significantly in the post-hurricane network. The number of ant species that contributed to nestedness vs. idiosyncratic species differed significantly in the pre-hurricane network, and also in the post-hurricane network. Differences in nestedness contributions of species before and after the hurricane reflect an alteration from a generalized, highly nested, more stable pre-disturbance network, to a more low-degree or specialized network (i.e. fewer interactions among generalist species, those species with the most associations). The maintenance of important core components of the network after a huge disturbance, suggests a short-term resilience typical of mutualistic networks.
Clonal growth in grassland perennials. I: Density and pattern-dependent competition between plants with different growth forms

(1) Bellis perennis and Prunella vulgaris are grassland perennials with contrasting growth forms. Clones of Bellis perennis have tightly aggregated rosettes (phalanx type) and vary little in size. Rosette populations grow logistically, probably regulated by change in birth rate. Branches of Prunella vulgaris are only loosely aggregated within clones (guerrilla type). The frequency distribution of clone sizes in P. vulgaris is hierarchical. Branch populations grow exponentially and exceed the equilibrium density before regulation, through increased death rate, occurs. (2) This pair of species was used to investigate competition between and within clones and between species as functions of growth form, planting pattern, and planting density. (3) No differences in intensity of competition within and between clones were found in either species. (4) Plants of P. vulgaris showed a more fugitive behaviour in mixed than in pure populations. (5) Competition was density-dependent; in mixtures of Bellis perennis and Prunella vulgaris the phalanx species was aggressive at high but suppressed at low densities and the guerrilla species was aggressive at low but suppressed at high densities. This outcome is caused by the differences in growth form of the two species. (6) Different planting patterns had little influence on the competitive relationship of the two species.
Resultatives and the architecture of event structure

The term resultatives, or more specifically what Halliday (1967) first called “resultative attributes”, refer to those constructions in which a result state is generally brought about by the action denoted by the verb (see Green 1972; Dowty 1979; Randall 1983; Simpson 1983; Hoekstra 1988; Nedjalkov 1988; Carrier & Randall 1992; Levin & Rappaport Hovav 1995; Washio 1997; Wunderlich 1997; Rappaport Hovav & Levin 2001; Broccias 2004; Embick 2004; Goldberg & Jackendoff 2004; Kratzer 2005; Wechsler 2005; Mateu 2012, i.a.). The result state is typically expressed by adjective (1-a) or prepositional phrases (1-b), but also by adverbs (1-c) and noun phrases (1-d). In resultative constructions, thus, the verb and the result phrase combine and form a complex predicate that can be (roughly) paraphrased as x causes y to become z by doing w, e.g. (1-a) can be paraphrased as John caused the table to become clean by wiping.
Hyperspectral (HSI) Oximetry Imaging for Burn Monitoring and early prediction of Burn severity Case samples for explanation of clinical use (HLI)

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a noncontact and noninvasive optical modality emerging the field of medical research and clinical practice. The goal of this white paper is to explain possibilities of this modality discussing results of a few case studies to determine the ability of HSI to discriminate burn wounds for degree of tissue damage. The hyperspectral image cubes were processed for microcirculatory parameters for false colour display of the parameters StO2, NIR Perfusion Index, THI, and TWI. The suggested image-processing scheme to microcirculatory perfusion parameters allowed mapping dynamic changes of spectral properties within the burn wounds over time. The results of the demonstrated clinical case studies give good support to findings of clinical research on Multispectral and Hyperspectral systems and gives first indication that calculated perfusion parameter images can help to discriminate burn injuries of varying severity. Using this more detailed physiological information, this modality may have relevance for further work to get a better understanding of burn severity and healing and to add more information than Laser Doppler imaging. More clinical experience and controlled studies about the comparison of both optical modalities and the possible advantage of early supportive information in the early burn status and for guidance of debridement procedure should be performed.