Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strong foreshock signal preceding the L'Aquila (Italy) earthquake ( M w 6.3) of 6 April 2009

We used the earthquake catalogue of INGV ex- tending from 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2009 to detect sig- nificant changes before and after the 6 April 2009 L'Aquila mainshock (Mw=6.3) in the seismicity rate, r (events/day), and in b-value. The statistical z-test and Utsu-test were ap- plied to identify significant changes. From the beginning of 2006 up to the end of October 2008 the activity was relatively stable and remained in the state of background seismicity (r=1.14, b=1.09). From 28 October 2008 up to 26 March 2009, r increased significantly to 2.52 indicat- ing weak foreshock sequence; the b-value did not changed significantly. The weak foreshock sequence was spatially distributed within the entire seismogenic area. In the last 10 days before the mainshock, strong foreshock signal be- came evident in space (dense epicenter concentration in the hanging-wall of the Paganica fault), in time (drastic increase of r to 21.70 events/day) and in size (b-value dropped sig- nificantly to 0.68). The significantly high seismicity rate and the low b-value in the entire foreshock sequence make a sub- stantial difference from the background seismicity. Also, the b-value of the strong foreshock stage (last 10 days before mainshock) was significantly lower than that in the after- shock sequence. Our results indicate the important value of the foreshock sequences for the prediction of the mainshock.
A HARMONIC SECRET SHARING AND PERMUTATION BASED DOCUMENT IMAGE AUTHENTICATION

In this paper, we are presenting blind authentication method which is based on harmonic secret sharing technique and permutation with data repair capability and error localization for document image and verification of its owner, with the use of the PNG image. We are generating a block based authentication from document image, and transform it into several shares using the Shamir secret sharing scheme, and embedding these shares into an alpha channel plane. The alpha channel plane is permuted with secret key and combined with the original image to form a PNG image. In the process of document image authentication, if the authentication signal computed from the current block content does not match the one extracted from the shares embedded in the alpha channel plane, a document image block localize as tamper block ,then a repairing process is implement else a document image block is authentic. In the repairing process a reverse Shamir technique is implementing for each tampered block after collecting any two or more shares from unmarked blocks. Also, owner verification process is implementing based on the secret key used for the permutation.
The role of fixed-dose combinations in the treatment of hypertension — expert opinion

Katedra i Klinika Chorób Wewnętrznych, Nadciśnienia Tętniczego i Angiologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego Katedra i Klinika Nadciśnienia Tętniczego i Diabetologii Gdańskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego Katedra i Klinika Hipertensjologii, Angiologii i Chorób Wewnętrznych Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu I Katedra i Klinika Kardiologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego
The Dynamics of Interacting Swarms

Swarms are self-organized dynamical coupled agents which evolve from simple rules of communication. They are ubiquitous in nature, and be- coming more prominent in defense applications. Here we report on a preliminary study of swarm collisions for a swarm model in which each agent is self-propelling but globally communicates with other agents. We generalize previous models by investigating the interacting dynamics when delay is introduced to the communicating agents. One of our major find- ings is that interacting swarms are far less likely to flock cohesively if they are coupled with delay. In addition, parameter ranges based on coupling strength, incidence angle of collision, and delay change dramatically for other swarm interactions which result in flocking, milling, and scattering.
A comprehensive study on floc characterization and coagulant performance of natural 1 Cassia obtusifolia seed gum in treatment of raw pulp and paper mill effluent 2 3

13 The pulp and paper industry generates 30-180 m of wastewater per ton of manufactured pulp 14 and 20-70 m of wastewater per ton of manufactured paper and paperboard. Coagulation process 15 is widely applied as a pre-treatment or primary treatment to remove suspended solids from 16 industrial effluent including pulp and paper mill effluent (PPME). Nevertheless, the use of 17 inorganic coagulants, such as alum, poses deleterious environmental impacts and risks to living 18 organisms include low biodegradability, increase of metal content in discharged effluent, 19 generation of toxic sludge. In view of this, the present study investigated the potential use of 20 natural Cassia obtusifolia seed gum in treatment of raw and undiluted PPME through 21 coagulation process. Recommended conditions (pH 5, 0.75 g/L dosage, 10 rpm and 10 min slow22 mixing, and 1 min settling time) allowed C. obtusifolia gum removed high total suspended solids 23 and chemical oxygen demand up to 86.9 and 36.2%, respectively. Findings from the present 24 study showed that the coagulation efficiency using C. obtusifolia gum was comparable to alum. 25 Also, C. obtusifolia gum, alum, and their flocs were shown to have distinctive features when 26 characterized. The difference in peak occurrence from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy 27 analysis indicated that the mechanism of floc formation using C. obtusifolia gum and alum 28 differed. Besides that, dissimilar thermal decomposition stages were observed for C. obtusifolia 29 gum and alum through thermogravimetric analysis. Scanning electron microscope images 30 showed that flocs formed using C. obtusifolia gum was highly fibrous-like and aggregate, 31 whereas irregularly-shaped and aggregate for alum. In conclusion, C. obtusifolia gum could be 32 served as a promising alternative to alum as a natural coagulant in treatment of PPME. 33
Convergence properties of many parallel servers under power-of-D load balancing

We consider a system of N queues with decentralized load balancing such as power-of-D strategies(where D may depend on N) and generic scheduling disciplines. To measure the dependence of the queues, we use the clan of ancestors, a technique coming from interacting particle systems. Relying in that analysis we prove quantitative estimates on the queues correlations implying propagation of chaos for systems with Markovian arrivals and general service time distribution. This solves the conjecture posed by Bramsom et. al. in [*] concerning the asymptotic independence of the servers in the case of processor sharing policy. We then proceed to prove asymptotic insensitivity in the stationary regime for a wide class of scheduling disciplines and obtain speed of convergence estimates for light tailed service distribution. [*] M. BRAMSON, Y. LU AND B. PRABHAKAR, Asymptotic independence of queues under randomized load balancing, Queueing Syst. , 71:247-292, 2012.
Plethora of Coexisting Topological Band Degeneracies in Nonsymmorphic Molecular Crystal OsOF$_5$

In band theory of solids, degeneracies manifest themselves as point, line, and surface objects. The topological nature of band degeneracies has recently been appreciated since the recognition of gapless topological quantum phases of matter. Based on first-principles calculations, we report the topological semimetal phase in osmium oxyhalide OsOF$_5$ that exhibits zero-dimensional Weyl points, one-dimensional nodal lines, and two-dimensional nodal surfaces. The semimetal phase is ensured by the electron filling constraint while band degeneracies of various dimensionalities are protected by the nonsymmorphic crystalline symmetries. Focusing on two nodal loops crossing the Fermi level, we demonstrate their topological protection by $\pi$ Berry phase and describe the drumhead surface states topologically connected by nontrivial $\mathbb{Z}_2$ index. Our prediction highlights OsOF$_5$ as a unique topological material in which a rich variety of topological degeneracies exists in a narrow energy range close to the Fermi level owing to the molecular crystal structure of this material.
Height growth, shoot elongation and branch development of young Quercus petraea grown under different levels of resource availability

Des chenes sessiles âges de 2 ans ont ete installes dans des conditions d'alimentation hydrique et minerale contrastees, dans une experimentation en milieu semi-controle. La croissance et la branchaison des plants apres deux ans ont ete evaluees. Un grand nombre d'arbres ont presente un developpement important des branches laterales et des rejets se developpant depuis le collet du plant. L'allongement des rameaux etait frequemment reparti entre plusieurs tiges, et les plants ont souvent montre des changements de dominance entre les differentes tiges. Le taux de mortalite des bourgeons apicaux etait de 20 % par an. L'amelioration de la disponibilite des ressources a induit un plus fort allongement annuel des rameaux, en augmentant le nombre de vagues de croissance effectuees dans l'annee, ainsi que le nombre et la longueur des entre-noeuds produits lors de chaque vague de croissance. En revanche, la disponibilite des ressources a eu un effet negatif sur la forme des plants, et les plants places dans les meilleures conditions ont montre des changements de dominance plus frequents.
Value Delivery of Information Technology Investment: A Conceptual Framework

Organizations, be it private or public, are making huge spending on information technology (IT). These spending, whether for productivity or strategic reasons, become the fundamentals and tools on how organizations evaluate their IT investment. Evaluating every investment, before and after being made, is very crucial for organizations in determining successful decision that has or will be set. Especially when decision to invest is onset, the expectation of values or benefits from the investment become substantial to arrive at such decision to invest. This study reviews and analyzes eight pertinent studies that model IT investment values and benefits and propose a model to describe the value delivery of an IT investment evaluation. Based on two-staged filtration method, 110 variables are narrowed and converge into 23 variables which categorized into five factors. In this paper, the five factors of IT investments value delivery are discussed which are financial, operational, organizational, strategic, and service. in IT are reflected in the organization"s strategic planning for competitiveness and survival. Strategically, implementation of IT is wisely made to align with business processes, therefore to increase firm performance (8). These reasons, whether productivity or strategic gains, become the fundamentals and tools on how organizations evaluate their IT investment. Reasons are translated into justification which formulated into IT investment evaluations. Evaluating every investment, before and after being made, is very crucial for organizations in determining successful decision that has or will be set. When worth of investment is identified, values or returns from the investment will be established. This paper seeks to identify the values that IT investment delivers to the organization. IT investment values delivery based on a conceptual model is developed. The discussion of the elements was based on the common ground shared among several IT evaluation models from the literature. The review has resulted in a proposed value delivery model.
Psychological and interpersonal distress among patients with substance use disorders: Are these factors associated with continued drug use and do they change during treatment?

Aim: This study aimed to test whether self-efficacy, interpersonal problems and psychological distress are significantly associated with substance use and if the factors associated with substance use are the same factors that are subject to change in treatment for patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Methods: The sample consisted of 346 respondents, sampled from 16 treatment facilities for SUD treatment in Norway. Results and conclusions: Self-efficacy, interpersonal problems (sum-score and subscales) and psychological distress (sum-scale and subscales) were significantly associated with substance use. Clinical implications: The results suggest a gap between factors associated with substance use problems and factors that are subject to change in treatment.
Particle-in-cell simulation of Buneman instability beyond quasilinear saturation

Spatio-temporal evolution of Buneman instability has been followed numerically till its quasilinear quenching and beyond, using an in-house developed electrostatic 1D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation code. For different initial drift velocities and for a wide range of electron to ion mass ratios, the growth rate obtained from simulation agrees well with the numerical solution of the fourth order dispersion relation. Quasi-linear saturation of Buneman instability occurs when the ratio of electrostatic field energy density to initial electron drift kinetic energy density reaches up to a constant value, which, as predicted by Hirose [Plasma Phys. 20, 481 (1978)], is independent of initial electron drift velocity but varies with the electron to ion mass ratio (m/M) as ≈(m/M)1/3. This result stands verified in our simulations. The growth of the instability beyond the first saturation (quasilinear saturation) till its final saturation [Ishihara et al., PRL 44, 1404 (1980)] follows an algebraic scaling with tim.
Soil Moisture Measurement for Ecological and Hydrological Watershed‐Scale Observatories: A Review

At the watershed scale, soil moisture is the major control for rainfall–runoff response, especially where saturation excess runoff processes dominate. From the ecological point of view, the pools of soil moisture are fundamental ecosystem resources providing the transpirable water for plants. In drylands particularly, soil moisture is one of the major controls on the structure, function, and diversity in ecosystems. In terms of the global hydrological cycle, the overall quantity of soil moisture is small, ∼0.05%; however, its importance to the global energy balance and the distribution of precipitation far outweighs its physical amount. In soils it governs microbial activity that affects important biogeochemical processes such as nitrification and CO2 production via respiration. During the past 20 years, technology has advanced considerably, with the development of different electrical sensors for determining soil moisture at a point. However, modeling of watersheds requires areal averages. As a result, point measurements and modeling grid cell data requirements are generally incommensurate. We review advances in sensor technology, particularly emerging geophysical methods and distributed sensors, aimed at bridging this gap. We consider some of the data analysis methods for upscaling from a point to give an areal average. Finally, we conclude by offering a vision for future research, listing many of the current scientific and technical challenges.
Financial and Real Latent factors in Forecasting Economic Time Series

In this paper we want to assess the impact of real and financial variables in estimating smoothed GDP. We implement the generalized dynamic factor model, on which Eurocoin indicator is based. We can assess that the impact of real and financial variables in estimating smoothed GDP, during the structural break in 2008, shows that the role of real data as industrial production, foreign trade, employment indexes, becomes particularly relevant in relation to that concerning financial data as money supply, spreads.
Application research of local binary pattern in fabric color card image retrieval

The aim of this work is to find the best local binary pattern for describing a given texture in order to meet the needs of effectiveness in the domain of fabric color card image retrieval. Firstly, four different local binary pattern (LBP) descriptors are introduced. We are conducted in-depth research on four local binary patterns, including conventional LBP, rotation invariant LBP, uniform pattern LBP and rotation invariant uniform patterns LBP. Secondly, texture feature extraction algorithms based on the four LBP descriptors are designed and a corresponding approach to retrieving the fabric color card images is proposed by using local binary pattern. The proposed retrieval algorithm is used for finding k-nearest neighborhoods that match each tested image. Finally, the proposed retrieval approaches based on four different LBP modes are tested and compared on the public image texture data sets and the real fabric color card data set in details. By analyzing the experimental results, we select an approach that performs well on the real fabric color card data set, which can satisfy the actual need of fabric color card retrieval.
Interactive comment on “ A comparison of the chemical sinks of atmospheric organics in the gas and aqueous phase ” by S . A . Epstein and

are derived, the danger is that the resulting photolysis rates are so unrealistcally high that the whole treatment does not lead to reliable data to judge wether solution phase processes are comparable to gas phase processes with regrad to their efficiency. I find this approach too simplistic and the authors should at least use reasonable estimates of the effective solution phase quantum yields in question rather than applying the current crude approximation. Please search literature for solution phase quantum yields, conceptual treatments and estimations for effective quantum yields.
Trade, Production, and Protection Database, 1976-2004

The database described in this article provides researchers with a broad set of data on trade, production, and protection for 28 manufacturing sectors at the three-digit level of the international standard industrial classification. The database covers up to 100 developing and developed countries over the period 1976-2004, but data availability varies by country and year. The trade, production, and protection database includes annual data on trade flows (exports and imports), domestic production (output, value added, employment), and trade protection (tariffs and nontariff barriers) for up to 100 countries over the period 1976-2004. The main contribution of this database is that it merges data from different sources in a common industry classification.
Cosmographic reconstruction of $f(\mathcal{T})$ cosmology

A cosmographic reconstruction of $f(\mathcal T)$ models is here revised in a model independent way by fixing observational bounds on the most relevant terms of the $f(\mathcal T)$ Taylor expansion. We relate the $f(\mathcal T)$ models and their derivatives to the cosmographic parameters and then adopt a Monte Carlo analysis. The experimental bounds are thus independent of the choice of a particular $f(\mathcal T)$ model. The advantage of such an analysis lies on constraining the dynamics of the universe by reconstructing the form of $f(\mathcal T)$, without any further assumptions apart from the validity of the cosmological principle and the analyticity of the $f(\mathcal T)$ function. The main result is to fix model independent cosmographic constraints on the functional form of $f(\mathcal T)$ which are compatible with the theoretical predictions. Furthermore, we infer a phenomenological expression for $f(\mathcal T)$, compatible with the current cosmographic bounds and show that small deviations are expected from a constant $f(\mathcal T)$ term, indicating that the equation of state of dark energy could slightly evolve from the one of the $\Lambda$CDM model.
The puzzling radio source in the cool core cluster A2626

We report on new VLA radio observations performed at 1.4 GHz and 4.8 GHz with unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution (∼1 arcsec) of the cool core cluster A 2626, which is known to possess a radio mini-halo at its center. The most unusual features of A 2626 are two elongated radio features detected in previous observations to the north and south, having morphologies not common to the typical jet-lobe structures in cool cores. In our new sensitive images the two elongated features appears clearly as bright radio arcs, and we discover the presence of a new arc to the west. These radio arcs are not detected at 4.8 GHz, implying a steep (α > 1) spectrum, and their origin is puzzling. After subtractin g the flux density contributed by these discrete features from the total flux measu red at low resolution, we estimate a residual 18.0± 1.8 mJy flux density of diffuse radio emission at 1.4 GHz. We there fore confirm the detection of diffuse radio emission, which appea rs distinct from the discrete radio arcs embedded in it. Although its radio power is lower (1.4× 10 23 W Hz −1 ) than previously known, the diffuse emission may still be classified as a radio mini-halo.
Tree diameter growth for three successional stages of Tropical Dry Forest in Minas Gerais, Brazil

he tropical dry forests of Brazil are classified as the most threatened and disturbed ecosystems in the country. We estimate the diameter growth in three successional stages in the Mata Seca State Park, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, through annual measurement of all individuals with more than 5 cm of diameter at breast height in 18 permanent plots (6 plots for each succession stage) in the early, intermediate, and late successional stages, over a period of 5 years (2006-2011). With this information the annual diameter increments for each individual were calculated to determine the diameter increments per stage, plot, and diameter class. The results show the following annual increments for each stage of succession: early (5.02 mm/year), intermediate (2.55 mm/year), and late (1.91 mm/year). We found high similarity in incremental growth between the plots in the intermediate and late stages. The greatest increments in the early stage was in the 15-20 cm diameter class, in the intermediate stage in the 30-35 cm class, and in the late stage in the 45-50 cm class. The dominant species with the highest increments were Myracrodruon urundeuva (9.33 mm/year) and Mimosa hostilis (10.35 mm/year). Species with lower increments were mostly those of the late stage. The high diameter increment in the early stage and the differences we observed between stages were associated with species composition and biophysical factors that regulate the growth and structure of each forest.
Chilling privation during dormancy period and carbohydrate mobilization in Japanese pear trees

The flower bud abortion is one of the main problems that limit commercial pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) production in the southern region of Brazil. Insufficient chilling during the dormancy period is known as the main factor of this problem. One of the hypotheses to explain this problem is that the starch mobilization and carbohydrate fluxes to the buds are impeded when mild temperatures occurred during winter. This study compared the total soluble sugars (TSS) and reducing sugars (RS) concentrations, the cell wall acid invertase (CWAI EC 3.2.1.26) and sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS EC 2.4.1.14) activities in wood of branches and floral buds of Japanese pear trees cv. Housui, grafted on Pyrus calleryana and submitted to chilling conditions during the dormancy period. Treatments were: (i) natural conditions; (ii) continuous artificial chilling; (iii) alternating temperatures, and (iv) total chilling privation. TSS and RS contents, as well as CWAI and SPS activities in tissues of branches that received insufficient chilling were lower than those that received sufficient chilling during winter. The starch concentration was superior in wood tissues of branches kept under chilling privation. The chilling privation disturbs carbohydrate mobilization in pear trees, reducing the sucrose synthesis capacity in wood tissues (source) and sucrose importation by the floral buds (sink).