Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the aerosol optical properties and size distribution retrieved by sun photometer with in situ measurements at midlatitude

Aerosols influence the Earth radiative budget through scattering and absorption of solar radiation. Several methods are used to investigate aerosol properties and thus quantify their direct and indirect impacts on climate. At the Puy de Dome station, continuous high-altitude near-surface in situ measurements and low-altitude ground-based remote sensing atmospheric column measurements give the opportunity to compare the aerosol extinction measured with both methods over a 1-year period. To our knowledge, it is the first time that such a comparison is realised with continuous measurements of a high-altitude site during a long-term period. This comparison addresses to which extent near-surface in situ measurements are representative of the whole atmospheric column, the aerosol mixing layer (ML) or the free troposphere (FT). In particular, the impact of multi-aerosol layers events detected using lidar backscatter profiles is analysed. A good correlation between in situ aerosol extinction coefficient and aerosol optical depth (AOD) measured by the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometer is observed with a correlation coefficient around 0.80, indicating that the in situ measurements station is representative of the overall atmospheric column. After filtering for multi-layer cases and correcting for each layer optical contribution (ML and FT), the atmospheric structure seems to be the main factor influencing the comparison between the two measurement techniques. When the site lies in the ML, the in situ extinction represents 45 % of the sun photometer ML extinction while when the site lies within the FT, the in situ extinction is more than 2 times higher than the FT sun pho-tometer extinction. Moreover, the assumption of a decreasing linear vertical aerosol profile in the whole atmosphere has been tested, significantly improving the instrumental agreement. Remote sensing retrievals of the aerosol particle size distributions (PSDs) from the sun photometer observations are then compared to the near-surface in situ measurements, at dry and at ambient relative humidities. When in situ measurements are considered at dry state, the in situ fine mode diameters are 44 % higher than the sun-photometer-retrieved diameters and in situ volume concentrations are 20 % lower than those of the sun-photometer-retrieved fine mode concentration. Using a parameterised hygroscopic growth factor applied to aerosol diameters, the difference between in situ and retrieved diameters grows larger. Coarse mode in situ diameters and concentrations show a good correlation with retrieved PSDs from remote sensing.
Natal dispersal, interactions among siblings and intrasexual competition

According to the classical model of a polygynous mating system, male-biased dispersal is a consequence of inbreeding avoidance and sexual asymmetries in competition. However, kin cooperation can change the costs and benefits of dispersal to each sex and may also select for philopatry in females. Here, we report from an experimental study designed to tease apart the effects of competition, cooperation, and inbreeding avoidance on natal dispersal in juvenile root voles (Microtus oeconomus). We manipulated the presence of opposite-sex littermates and tested how interactions among siblings influence dispersal and sexual maturation. We also manipulated the juvenile sex ratio to compare the strength of intrasexual versus intersexual competition. Natal dispersal was unrelated to the juvenile sex ratio, females aggregated in space, and there was a consistent spatial overlap among sisters. Males dispersed more in the absence of their sisters, resulting in stronger spatial segregation between sexes, than in the presence of their sisters. Thus, natal dispersal did not reduce the risks of interactions with siblings and intrasexual competition. We suggest that kin clusters in females function as a defense against aggressive or infanticidal behavior by unfamiliar males. Copyright 2006.
Effects of Peer Tutoring on the Academic Achievement of Students in the Subject of Biology at Secondary Level

The present study is aimed at analyzing the effects of peer tutoring on the academic achievement of students in the subject of biology at secondary level. The objectives of the study were: (1) To find out the effects of peer tutoring on the academic achievement of students in the subject of biology; and (2) To examine the effects of peer tutoring with respect to knowledge, comprehension and application levels in cognitive domain of Bloom Taxonomy. All 433,405 male students at secondary level of 10th grade of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the population of the study. Forty students were taken as the sample of the study from the Allied National Software Institute (ANSI) Mardan. The Posttest-Only Equivalent Group Design was used. The data collected from pretest and posttest were analyzed through an independent sample t-test. It was found that the mean score of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group. It was concluded that peer tutoring enhanced the academic achievement of students in the experimental group significantly as compared to the control group; hence, it was an effective method of instruction for teaching biology at secondary level. It was suggested that peer tutoring may be incorporated along with other teaching methodologies for the subject of biology and it may be given due consideration in all teacher education practices in the country.
Structural system identification by utilizing transmissibility coherence from limited measured data

System identification performs as a core issue in structural dynamic analysis. In this study, transmissibility coherence is introduced for system identification with recalling the existing techniques based on transmissibility. Unlike previous approaches that require four-point measurement, the proposed methodology in this study only requires two-point measurement. The merit behind this approach is that the transmissibility coherence can be employed to estimate the subtraction of transmissibility between two reference points, by using auto- and cross-spectrum analysis. Verification using experimental data proves the feasibility of the proposed technique.
Separation of phenol from bio-oil produced from pyrolysis of agricultural wastes

The aim of this study was to separate phenol from Bio-Oil obtained from the pyrolysis of agricultural wastes (BAW). The BAW was obtained in one step catalytic pyrolysis in which temperature of the reactor was kept at 30°C and then increased up to 900°C. After pyrolysis, the BAW was distillated and analyzed by Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection (GC × GC/TOFMS) Where BAW showed the presence of more than 120 other important compounds and phenol. After detection, phenol was separated by solvent extraction method, where Ethyl ether (C4H10O), Caustic soda (NaOH) and Hydrochloric acid (HCl) were used to separate phenol from BAW and then Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was done to confirm the recovery of phenol.
Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in patients affected by exacerbation of mild to moderate COPD at stage I-II of GOLD classification

Introduction: Little information exists about the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admitted for acute exacerbation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of DVT in COPD patients, using complete venous ultrasonography (US) as a screening tool. Material and methods: One hundred patients with mild to moderate COPD admitted for exacerbation were consecutively included. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, chest radiography, electrocardiogram, spirometry, blood gases, laboratory testing, and complete venous US to detect DVT. Results: Overall 6 (6%) DVT were detected. Three (3%) were proximal, 3 (3%) affected the distal veins. Five out of the 6 patients with DVT were symptomatic. All patients with DVT received anticoagulant treatment for 3-6 months. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that subjects with exacerbation of mild to moderate COPD are at low risk of DVT.
In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells into cardiac-like and neuronal-like cells

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cell lines with the capacity of self-renewal and a broad differentiation plasticity. They are isolated from preimplantation embryos and can be cultured in vitro for long time without losing their pluripotency. Embryonic stem cells can also differentiate in vitro with the proper combination of growth and differentiation factors, cells will differentiate into more advanced stages of embryogenesis generating different adult cell type. In the present study, we induced the in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (line R1) into cardiomyocytes and neuronal cells. These differentiations were evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to verify presence of tissue-specific markers.
A New High-Performance Bridge Structure for 4-to-2 Compressor using CMOS and CNFET Technology

In this paper, a new high-speed and energy efficient 4-to-2 compressor cell was presented using carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNFETs). CNFET is very suitable for high-frequency and lowvoltage applications. In addition, in this paper several conventional and state-of-the-art 4-to-2 compressor cells are surveyed and compared. In order to evaluate the proposed designs, computer simulations are carried out using 32nm-CMOS and 32nm-CNFET technologies. Simulations are conducted using various low voltage power supplies, different temperatures, frequencies and load capacitors. Results of simulation demonstrate predominance of the proposed design in terms of power consumption, delay, and power-delay product (PDP) compared to other 4-to-2 compressor cells and they confirm that the proposed design is the fastest 4-to-2 compressor in various working circumstances.
Hydrothermal characteristics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) flour during cooking into ‘fura’

The effects of hydration times (HT) (1, 3.5 and 6 h) and cooking times (CT) (20, 40, and 60 min) on the thermal characteristics of cooked pearl millet flour (CPMF) was investigated. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms depicted two separate endothermic transitions identified as starch gelatinisation (29 to 30°C) and disruption of the starch-lipid complexes (90 to 120°C). The onset (
Predicting the performance of teams in systems

The paper describes the development of a tool to predict the success of a team executing a system process. It is expected to be used by systems engineers in initial stages of systems design, when concepts are still fluid, including the team(s) who are expected to be operators within the system. Currently, the tool is undergoing verification and validation; to date, the tool predicts well and shows promise. An unexpected finding is that the tool creates an a priori case for Human Factors Integration in projects, to reduce the probability of substandard operational performance.
Understanding the spectral and timing behaviour of a newly discovered transient X-ray pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124

We present the results obtained from timing and spectral studies of the newly discovered accreting X-ray binary pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 using a NuSTAR observation in 2017 October at a flux level of ~280 mCrab. Pulsations at 9.85423(5) s were detected in the X-ray light curves of the pulsar. Pulse profiles of the pulsar were found to be strongly energy dependent. A broad profile at lower energies was found to evolve into a double peaked profile in $\ge$30keV. The 3-79 keV continuum spectrum of the pulsar was well described with a negative and positive exponential cutoff or high energy cutoff power law models modified with a hot blackbody at $\sim$3 keV. An iron emission line was also detected at 6.4 keV in the source spectrum. We did not find any signature of cyclotron absorption line in our study. Results obtained from phase-resolved and time-resolved spectroscopy are discussed in the paper.
Calculation of Transition in Adverse Pressure Gradient Flow by Conditioned Equations

Conditionally averaged Navier-Stokes equations are used to describe transitional flow in adverse pressure gradient combined with a transport equation for the intermittency factor γ. A transport equation developped in earlier work has been modified to eliminate the use of a distance along a streamline. An extension of the correlations is proposed to determine the spot growth parameter in adverse pressure gradient. This approach is verified against flows over a flat plate with an elliptical leading edge.Copyright © 1996 by ASME
New models of local democracies - a comparative assessment of democratic citizen advisory panels

Following the search for novel ways of reinvigorating local democracy, there has been a mushrooming literature based on descriptive single case studies, in which pros and cons of the specific case has been presented. Less attention, if any, has been paid to actually comparing the institutional settings of the different models for bringing citizens (back) in local policy-making. This paper compares three Danish case studies of new modes of integrating citizens’ views in local public policy. The three cases are based on different institutional network approaches to reinvigorating local democracy following the amalgamation reform of municipalities in 2007. The first model is based on coupling with existing representative institutions as well as with local public service providers, while the second and third models represent more traditional modes of citizens involvement through local neighbourhood councils. The chief question asked in the paper is both how ‘successful’ they are in terms of approximating certain democratic criteria, and subsequently, whether these three different approaches raise certain normative issues. The study is based on qualitative studies of the three Danish local councils of Holbaek, Vordingborg and Silkeborg.
Advancing Scholarly Leadership by Forming a Community of Scholars

Campus leadership at a satellite campus of a large national university took a research approach to solve the workplace problem of increased scholarship requirements for practitioner faculty. The Community of Scholars Action Research Project was developed as a faculty engagement and professional development initiative. The goals and objectives for the action research project were to engage practitioner faculty in research and scholarship, to provide faculty development opportunities, to raise the academic profile of practitioner faculty and to identify potential impact on student outcomes. Through the processes of research, exploration, and application of leadership theoretical frameworks, the concept of a potentially new leadership profile, scholarly leader, emerged.
An Evaluation of Management Perspectives of Sustainability Reporting in the Nigerian Oil Industry

Purpose: This article investigates the perspectives of managers involved in sustainability reporting in the Nigerian oil industry. Design/Methodology: The article adopts a survey methodology in its approach to conduct this investigation. The survey employed a structured interview to investigate five themes built around the motivation for sustainability reporting within these organizations, hierarchical responsibility for sustainability reporting, the organizations objectives relative to the welfare of the people within the communities it operates in, policies in place to rejuvenate the damaged environment resulting from it’s operations and finally how sufficient in monetary terms is the company’s effort to wipe out its operational footprint. Findings: The data gathered was analysed qualitatively under these various themes. The general view emerging amongst the vast majority of the managers interviewed was that oil companies operating within the region have a key social responsibility and disclosure role to play but that it remains the role of the Nigerian Federal Government to provide the institutional framework around which the development of the region is to be hinged. Research Implications: More research is required in the area of CSR and CSD in developing/emerging markets to understand the link between weak institutional frameworks and voluntary CSR and CSD. Originality/Value: This article contributes to CSR and CSD literature in broad terms and in specific terms to the literature on sustainable operations in developing/emerging markets. The originality is based on the fact that it explores manager’s perspectives in a developing/emerging market.
Morphological and mineralogical analysis of East Candor Chasma in Valles Marineris on Mars

MARINERIS ON MARS. L. Le Deit, D. Mège, O. Bourgeois, S. Le Mouélic, C. Sotin, N. Mangold, E. Hauber, A. Gendrin, J.-P. Bibring, Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique UMR-CNRS 6112, Université de Nantes, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, 2 chemin de la Houssinière BP 92208, 44322 Nantes Cedex 3, France (laetitia.ledeit@univ-nantes.fr), IDES, UMR 8148, CNRS et Université Paris-Sud, Bat. 509, 91405 ORSAY Cedex, France, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany, Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris 11, Bâtiment 121, 91405 Orsay Campus, France.
HPM effects on electronic components and the importance of this knowledge in evaluation of system susceptibility

Electronic components have been investigated considering HPM effects. This includes the nature and types of effects and also how the parameters (power, frequency etc.) of the microwave radiation will influence the effects. We also looked at differences in susceptibility between different component types, technologies, manufacturers, different samples of the same type, technology and manufacturing etc. The results show that this knowledge is important for testing and assessing system susceptibility.
CHANGES IN POST-HARVEST QUALITY OF PEPPERMINT (Mentha x piperita L.) UNDER REFRIGERATION ABSTRACT

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of low temperatures on the postharvest physiology of peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.). Its behavior while stored at two temperatures (6 and 10 °C) compared to a control at room temperature (20 ±2 °C) was studied. A completely randomized experimental design with 4 replications was used. Respiration rate (RR), ethylene production (EP), weight loss (WL), total chlorophyll (TC), carotenoids (C) and titratable acidity (TA) were determined. A hedonic evaluation was performed (external appearance, color scale, yellowing, the development of bad odors, leaf abscission and rots). Results show that the refrigeration treatments (6 and 10 °C) maintained RR and EP with values of between 2.57 and 6.65 mL CO2 . kg-1.h-1 and 0.04 and 0.27 μL C2H4 . kg-1.h-1, respectively. WL decreased by 50 % and TC and C were preserved. Cooling enabled maintaining RR and EP without significant changes. Additionally, reduced changes were observed in WL, TC, C, TA and external quality traits required for marketing peppermint. ADDITIONAL
Quality and Productivity Initiatives: Experiences by Companies of South of Brazil

Strongly influenced by the globalization of the economy, competition for the dispute of a share of the market is forcing companies to meet increasingly greater requirements such as management systems setting-up and other initiatives to improve quality and productivity. A research made with firms in the region of Serra Gaucha (Brazil) points out to how companies are reacting to this phenomenon as well as the diversified results that were obtained with the implementation of various systems, programs, tools or methods. The preferred initiatives are the more common ones and those which have been already implemented by other firms, while the more complex and advanced initiatives are restricted to a few companies. The resulting success from the implementation of some initiative in a firm tends to happen again in others firms, and the same is true for failures as well.
Developing a multidisciplinary process view on IFC standardization

The industry foundation classes (IFC) file format is one of the most complex and ambitious IT standardization projects currently being undertaken in any industry, focusing on the development of an open and neutral standard for exchanging building model data. Scientific literature related to the IFC standard has dominantly been technical so far; research looking at the IFC standard from an industry standardization perspective could offer valuable new knowledge for both theory and practice. This paper proposes the use of IT standardization and IT adoption theories, supported by studies done within construction IT, to lay a theoretical foundation for further empirical analysis of the standardization process of the IFC file format.
Reinforcement Learning Based Energy Management Algorithm for Smart Energy Buildings

A smart grid facilitates more effective energy management of an electrical grid system. Because both energy consumption and associated building operation costs are increasing rapidly around the world, the need for flexible and cost-effective management of the energy used by buildings in a smart grid environment is increasing. In this paper, we consider an energy management system for a smart energy building connected to an external grid (utility) as well as distributed energy resources including a renewable energy source, energy storage system, and vehicle-to-grid station. First, the energy management system is modeled using a Markov decision process that completely describes the state, action, transition probability, and rewards of the system. Subsequently, a reinforcement-learning-based energy management algorithm is proposed to reduce the operation energy costs of the target smart energy building under unknown future information. The results of numerical simulation based on the data measured in real environments show that the proposed energy management algorithm gradually reduces energy costs via learning processes compared to other random and non-learning-based algorithms.