Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VALIDATION OF FEST-WB, A CONTINUOUS WATER BALANCE DISTRIBUTED MODEL FOR FLOOD SIMULATION

The distributed event based hydrological model FEST, that adopts the classical SCS-CN method for abstractions, was extended for continuous simulation. The new FEST-WB model makes use of a simplified local water and energy balance scheme, accounting for soil, vegetation and atmosphere interactions, to provide Antecedent Moisture Condition (AMC) at rainfall beginning. In this work, particular care is focused on the understanding of the role that the AMC of soil plays in the run-off formation and on the flood hydrograph definition. The use of the FEST-WB model is analysed and the comparison between the two approaches showed that the ‘water balance’ approach, while needing calibration, gets more reliable showing that the simple estimation methods (based on antecedent precipitation) adopted in eventbased simulations often proved to be inadequate. The problem of flood forecasting, and in general of the catchment response to heavy rainfall, is still an open field in hydrological researches. Moreover the growing impact of floods on human activities highlights the need of an urgent and deep analysis of numerical models able to forecast these phenomena as well as severe tests based on historical events. In the last 30 years, starting from the first studies by Freeze & Harlan (1969), research activities focused on the importance of the time-space variability both of the soil characteristics and of the rainfall field combined with the processes governing catchment response to precipitation. The so-called distributed approach has become very common in the research field but it is still not widely diffused in the applications and in the operational tasks. Furthermore in flood hydrology event based models are often preferred, thanks to their simple schemes, to complete models, nevertheless the antecedent soil moisture conditions play a crucial role in the run-off formation and on the flood hydrograph definition (Montaldo et al., 2007). A good estimate of the soil moisture field and of its spatial variability still presents significant uncertainties so that the simple estimation methods adopted in event-based simulations often proved to be inadequate while direct observations of soil moisture are still far to be reliable for non point estimations. An interesting state-of-the-art method for soil moisture assessment is based on the numerical simulation of the local water balance representing water and energy fluxes between soil, vegetation and atmosphere. In this paper, the evaluation of a forecasting operational system based on a
International evidence on real estate securities as an inflation hedge

The current study investigates whether real estate securities continue to act as a perverse inflation hedge in foreign countries given security design differences. Both a stationary and a nonstationary risk free rate are alternatively used in conjunction with the methodology of Fama and Schwert (1977) and also the methodology of Geske and Roll (1983) to investigate this question. Real estate securities provide a worse hedge against inflation relative to common stocks in some countries and are comparable to stocks in other countries. Also, evidence supports the reverse causality model of Geske-Roll.
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a physical activity loyalty scheme for behaviour change maintenance : a cluster randomised controlled

Background: Increasing physical activity in the workplace can provide employee physical and mental health benefits, and employer economic benefits through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. The workplace is an opportune setting to encourage habitual activity. However, there is limited evidence on effective behaviour change interventions that lead to maintained physical activity. This study aims to address this gap and help build the necessary evidence base for effective, and cost-effective, workplace interventions. Methods/design: This cluster randomised control trial will recruit 776 office-based employees from public sector organisations in Belfast and Lisburn city centres, Northern Ireland. Participants will be randomly allocated by cluster to either the Intervention Group or Control Group (waiting list control). The 6-month intervention consists of rewards (retail vouchers, based on similar principles to high street loyalty cards), feedback and other evidence-based behaviour change techniques. Sensors situated in the vicinity of participating workplaces will promote and monitor minutes of physical activity undertaken by participants. Both groups will complete all outcome measures. The primary outcome is steps per day recorded using a pedometer (Yamax Digiwalker CW-701) for 7 consecutive days at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Secondary outcomes include health, mental wellbeing, quality of life, work absenteeism and presenteeism, and use of healthcare resources. Process measures will assess intervention “dose”, website usage, and intervention fidelity. An economic evaluation will be conducted from the National Health Service, employer and retailer perspective using both a cost-utility and cost-effectiveness framework. The inclusion of a discrete choice experiment will further generate values for a cost-benefit analysis. Participant focus groups will explore who the intervention worked for and why, and interviews with retailers will elucidate their views on the sustainability of a public health focused loyalty card scheme. Discussion: The study is designed to maximise the potential for roll-out in similar settings, by engaging the public sector and business community in designing and delivering the intervention. We have developed a sustainable business model using a ‘points’ based loyalty platform, whereby local businesses ‘sponsor’ the incentive (retail vouchers) in return for increased footfall to their business. Trial registration: ISRCTN17975376 (Registered 19/09/2014).
Environmental Conditions-based Analysis of Energy Harvesting Systems for Wireless Sensor Networks

The increasing efficiency of ultra-low-power electronic components and the growing market of energy harvesters have together led to an increasing number of self-sufficient energy harvesting applications in a wide array of fields. The goal of this work is the development of a methodology for determining the amount of ambient and harvestable energy available in various environments. The developed methodology can be used to help facilitate the design of energy autarkic systems utilizing energy harvesting techniques. This paper describes the methodology and an example application, which takes the form of an energy autarkic wireless sensor network applied in a typical office environment.
Can diffusive shock acceleration in supernova remnants account for high-energy galactic cosmic rays?

Diffusive shock acceleration at the outer front of expanding supernova remnants has provided by far the most popular model for the origin of galactic cosmic rays, and has been the subject of intensive theoretical investigation. But several problems loomed at high energies? how to explain the smooth continuation of the cosmic-ray spectrum far beyond 1014 eV, the very low level of TeV gamma-ray emission from several supernova remnants, and the very low anisotropy of cosmic rays (seeming to conflict with the short trapping times needed to convert a E? 2 source spectrum into the observed E? 2.7 spectrum of cosmic rays). However, recent work on the cosmic ray spectrum (especially at KASCADE) strongly indicates that about half of the flux does turn down rather sharply near 3 ? 1015 V rigidity, with a distinct tail extending to just beyond 1017 V rigidity; whilst a plausible description (Bell and Lucek) of the level of self-generated magnetic fields at the shock fronts of young supernova remnants implies that many SNRs in varying environments might very well generate spectra extending smoothly to just this 'knee' position, and a portion of the exploding red supergiants could extend the spectrum approximately as needed. At low energies, recent progress in relating cosmic ray compositional details to modified shock structure also adds weight to the belief that the model is working on the right lines, converting energy into cosmic rays very efficiently where injection can occur. The low level of TeV gamma-ray flux from many young SNRs is a serious challenge, though it may relate to variations in particle injection efficiency with time. The clear detection of TeV gamma rays from SNRs has now just begun, and predictions of a characteristic curved particle spectrum give a target for new tests by TeV observations. However, the isotropy seriously challenges the assumed cosmic-ray trapping time and hence the shape of the spectrum of particles released from SNRs. There is otherwise enough convergence of model and observation to encourage belief that the outline of the model is right, but there remains the possibility that the spectral shape of particles actually released is not as previously predicted.
Spatiotemporal distributions of rare bacterioplankton populations indicate adaptive strategies in the oligotrophic ocean

Spatiotemporal distributions of rare microbial taxa were examined in 384 samples from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site, in the northwestern Sargasso Sea. Sequences were partitioned into 6 mutually exclusive sets based on abundance (abundant, rare, and very rare) and frequency of detection (frequent and infrequent). Analyses of variance for taxa that were frequently present, across all levels of abundance, demonstrated environmental filtering, indicating that gradients in environmental factors, such as season and depth, drive community assembly for rare taxa, as they do for abundant taxa. All abundant nodal taxonomic units (NTUs) had spatiotemporal periods of rarity, providing a clear demonstration of the role of fluctuating reproductive success in population dynamics, and the role of rare populations as seed banks. An inverse relationship between the number of rare taxa and physical stratification indicates that transport by mixing drives increased community diversity throughout most of the year. Populations of selected copiotrophic taxa varied in episodic patterns that were not tightly entrained to season and depth, indicating that these populations are not governed by the same rules of community assembly that apply to most other taxa and may be adapted to exploit infrequent, unknown disturbances. Overall, the findings support the perspective that the success of most rare populations was driven by the same fundamental patterns of spatiotemporal variation that drove the success of dominant populations, but also indicate potentially important roles for transport by mixing and atypical life histories in determination of community composition.
What Is the Scenario of the Rest of Atopic Diseases ?

Health systems and investigators worldwide have been asking themselves for many years whether the prevalence of atopic illnesses has been increasing continuously. It is mandatory to consider studies using comparable methods to validate these results. The Aberdeen study considered the presence of asthma diagnosis, wheezing, eczema, and rhinitis between the decades of 1960 and 1990, showing a significant increase in all of them, not attributable to a diagnosis fashion but to a truly change in prevalence, using the same methodology in two time points in 25 years [1]. In this population and throughout these years, the proportion of wheezing increased from 10% to almost double, diagnosis of asthma from 4% to 10%, rhinitis from 3% to almost four times, and eczema from 5% to more than double. All these variables increased particularly noticeable in boys.
High Biomass Sorghum as a Potential Raw Material for Biohydrogen Production: A Preliminary Evaluation

Six high biomass sorghum lines (IS 22868, IS 27206, IS 15957, IS 16529, ICSV 93046 and CSH 22SS were evaluated for their potential as a substrate material for biohydrogen production by anaerobic fermentation using methanogens deactivated cow dung based mixed microbial consortia. The data revealed that all selected high biomass sorghum lines differed significantly for candidate biomass traits as well as for biomass composition. The high biomass lines, IS 27206 and IS 22868 recorded higher stalk and stover yield compared to others. Least biomass yield (stalk and stover) was noticed with ICSV 93046. The lignin content is low in IS 27206 and IS 15957. Highest biohydrogen yield was observed in IS 27206 followed by IS 22868 and ICSV 93046. The lignin content is negatively correlated with biohydrogen production.
Major Depression with Delusional Prevalence and Fixation in Neurotransmitters

Making a differential diagnosis between schizoaffective disorder with major depressive episode and paranoid schizophrenia is difficult. The patient is at the threshold of neurotic versus psychotic, the intensity of ideation phenomenon being very high and specific to both disorders, it is required an assessment based on life and disorder history information, but also the emotional presence of the patient in the clinical interview. In this case study we suggest a literature comparison but also an evaluation profile of the disorder, marked by a psychiatric illness in which the person shows both affective symptoms (depressive or maniac) and symptoms of schizophrenia (such as delusions, hallucinations). Hypothesis: symptoms of the patient are oscillating between paranoid elements (paranoid schizophrenia) and affective elements (schizoaffective disorder). These oscillations are based on a fragile Ego structure with cognitive rigidity. The study outlines an immature-dependent personality profile, based on interpretativity, with passive-aggressive elements, hypersensitivity, psychotic operation and through psychotic elements manifested in the past (auditory hallucinations, as voices). Also, the basis of the transfer and counter-transference elements identified, the emotional resonance is low, with a risk of psychotic decompensation. Conclusions: Depressive schizoaffective disorder is characterized by presence of both depressive and schizophrenia symptoms in the same time period. Depressive symptoms includes: depressed mood, reduced interest, sluggishness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, feelings of despair. During the same episode are present symptoms of schizophrenia: hallucinations, delusions of control, state of hyper-vigilance, delusions injury. Clinical examination cannot be a chance encounter because the history of mental suffering tight interfere with subject's essential history in that it creates a gap and that subjectivity psychiatric symptoms inferred immense emotional and personal participation of the subject.
Estonia ’ s potential growth revisited Estonia ’ s potential growth revisited

There have been several data revisions to output statistics in Estonia during the past six years as methodologies have been harmonised. These changes are significant enough to require corrections to the earlier understanding of Estonia’s potential economic growth rate. In this paper the latest data vintage from 2009 is used to estimate Estonia’s potential output growth and output gap. The production function approach that has been used shows that the gap varies quite extensively, ranging from –8% in 1999 to +8% in 2007, while the average potential growth rate in 1997–2009 was around 6%. The macro model simulations expect the potential growth rate to fall in the future. The fall in the marginal productivity of production inputs makes growth slow to about 4–5% in the next five years, if there are no additional shocks to the economy.
Antioxidant effects of strawberry fruits at two phenological stages

Background & Aim: Strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) is a plant belonging to the Rosaceae family with medicinal properties, including antioxidant activity. The present study aimed at investigating the antioxidant properties of strawberry. Experimental method: To examine the antioxidant effect, fruit extracts at two phonological stages of growth (ripe and unripe strawberry) were prepared. In addition, four different solvents, including 80% ethanol, 80% methanol, acetone and distilled water were used for the preparation of plant extracts. In total, eight different plant extracts were prepared and their properties comparatively studied. To study the antioxidant effect, potassium ferricyanide and reducing power determination method were used. Results & Discussion: Results indicated that strawberry fruit had antioxidant effects in both of two stages. That is due to the presence of the higher pigments and phenolic compounds in ripe fruit than unripe fruit. Recommended applications/industries: The results of present indicated the red fruit had the highest antioxidant activity.
3D Head Orientation Estimation and Expression Influence Minimization using Characteristic Points of Face

The method of minimization face expression influence for evaluation of head orientation in space is proposed and investigated. In our previous works 18 characteristic face points were selected for the head orientation evaluation. It is difficult to track all 18 points in real time. It was found by way of mathematical simulation that number of points 7 is optimal number for head orientation tracking. The points were selected at the face places which obtain minimal changes because of face expression. Mathematical simulation helped to establish that errors for head rotations could reach value 13 degrees (for surprised expression), and mean error is about 6-8 degrees. After correction of face specific points coordinates by mean value of change caused by face expression the errors were reduced until range 0.1-0.3 degrees. Intervals of possible errors for every expression and some head orientation angles were calculated. The method was tested using CMU PIE database of face images. The obtained interval for head orientation angles errors is 1.5-2.8. The correspondence of 78-90% was obtained between results of experimental errors and results of mathematical simulation. Ill. 6, bibl. 7 (in English; summaries in English, Russian and Lithuanian).
A Discriminant Analysis Model of Alaskan Biomes Based on Spatial Climatic and Environmental Data

Classification of high-latitude landscapes into their appropriate biomes is important for many climate and global change-related issues. Unfortunately, large-scale, high-spatial-resolution observations of plant assemblages associated with these regions are generally unavailable, so accurate modeling of plant assemblages and biome boundaries is often needed. We built different discriminant analysis models and used them to “convert” various combinations of spatial climatic data (surface temperature and precipitation) and spatial environmental data (topography, soil, permafrost) into a biome-level map of Alaska. Five biomes (alpine tundra and ice fi elds, Arctic tundra, shrublands, boreal forest, and coastal rainforest) and one biome transition zone are modeled. Mean annual values of climatic variables were less useful than their annual extrema in this context. A quadratic discriminant analysis, combined with climate, topography, permafrost, and soil information, produced the most accurate Alaskan biome classification (skill = 74% when compared to independent data). The multivariate alteration detection transformation was used to identify Climatic Transition Zones (CTZs) with large interannual variability, and hence, less climatic consistency than other parts of Alaska. Biome classification was the least accurate in the CTZs, leading to the conclusion that large interannual climatic variability does not favor a unique biome. We interpret the CTZs as “transition biome areas” or ecotones between the five “core biomes” cited above. Both disturbance events (e.g., fires and subsequent plant succession sequences) and the partial intersection of the environmental variables used to characterize Alaskan biomes further complicate biome classification. Alaskan results obtained from the data-driven quadratic discriminant model compare favorably (based on Kappa statistics) with those produced by an equilibrium-based biome model for regions of Canada ecologically similar to the biomes we studied in Alaska. Climatic statistics are provided for each biome studied.
Using Vignettes to Explore Reality and Values With Young People

There seems to be relatively little scholarship on the use of vignettes in qualitative research, despite their long-time application in these approaches. They appear to be a helpful tool for framing complex or sensitive topics, but there is also some disagreement as to what vignettes are and what they can/should be used for. In this article, we briefly review the literature on vignettes, identifying issues in what are often overly specific definitions and prescriptions for their use. Much of the literature focuses on the use of vignettes prior to data collection, or on the findings obtained in projects utilizing them. There is little to no consideration of how they are chosen/designed or the kind/s of data they help to produce. We will therefore focus on the choice, application, and participant responses to two vignettes from separate research projects that were undertaken to explore, in different ways, reality and values with young people.
Modular arithmetic of free subgroups

Abstract Denote by ƒλ (G ) the number of free subgroups of index λmG , where mG is the least common multiple of the orders of the finite subgroups in G. The present paper develops a general theory for the p-divisibility of ƒλ (G ), where p is a prime dividing mG . Among other things, we obtain an explicit combinatorial description of ƒλ (G ) modulo p, leading to an optimal generalisation of Stothers’ explicit formula for the parity of ƒλ (PSL2 (ℤ)).
Measuring and Modeling of P- and S-Wave Velocities on Crustal Rocks: A Key for the Interpretation of Seismic Reflection and Refraction Data

Lithologic interpretations of the earth crust from seismic wave velocities are non-unique so that inferences about composition can not be drawn. In order to evaluate how elastic properties of rock materials are controlled by lithology at in situ pressures and temperatures, compressional (Vp), shear wave velocities (Vs) and velocity anisotropy of crustal rocks were measured at conditions of greater depth. The first part deals with the interdependence of elastic wave propagation and the physical and lithological parameters. In the second part data from laboratory seismic measurements and theoretical calculations are used to interpret (1) a shallow seismic reflection line (SE Finland) and (2) a refraction profile of a deep crust (Central China). The comparison of the calculated velocities with the experimentally-derived in situ velocities of the Finnish crustal rocks give hints that microcracks have an important bearing on the in situ seismic velocities, velocity anisotropy and the reflectivity observed at relative shallow depth. The coupling of the experimentally-derived in situ velocities of P- and S-wave and corresponding Poisson's ratios of relevant exhumed high-grade metamorphic crustal rocks from Central China with respective data from seismic refraction profiling provided a key for the lithologic interpretation of a deep seismic crustal structure.
EXTREMAL SKEW ENERGY OF DIGRAPHS WITH NO EVEN CYCLES

Let D be a digraph with skew-adjacency matrix S(D). Then the skew energy of D is defined as the sum of the norms of all eigenvalues of S(D). Denote by On the class of digraphs of order n with no even cycles, and by On,m the class of digraphs in On with m arcs. In this paper, we first give the minimal skew energy digraphs in On and On,m with n − 1 ≤ m ≤ 3 2 (n − 1). Then we determine the maximal skew energy digraphs in On,n and On,n+1, and in the latter case we assume that n is even.