Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sea Surface Temperature and Salinity Reconstruction from Geochemical Tracers of a Massive Coral in the Persian Gulf

The δ18O, δ13C, and strontium/calcium (Sr/Ca)-record was measured from a 7-year old Platygyrasinensis coral located offshore Larak Island in the Persian Gulf at a resolution of 22 samples/year. An increasedsampling resolution of 55 samples/year over two annual cycles was also compared with the 22 sampleresolution to evaluate the effectiveness of the sampling procedure. The resulting data exhibited identicalresults between the two methods. By means of previously reported equations, Sr/Ca-derived sea surfacetemperatures (SST) ranged between 17 to 30 °C, with an average of 24.7 °C. The inter-annual variability in thePlatygyra sinensis indicated a significant correlation with COADS data. In addition, the relation between theδ18O in Platygyra sinensis coral and the Sr/Ca-estimated SST data was assessed. Subtracting the Sr/Ca-basedSST values from the δ18O of the coral, the δ18O of water was calculated. These data were then used to constructranges of sea surface salinity (SSS) in the region.
New Labour and the Ideological Fantasy of the Good Citizen

his paper will seek to demonstrate how New Labour's incorporation of a particular substantive notion of citizenship, within their public discourse, has been a factor in sustaining their electoral success, by gaining popular support and legitimacy, due to their particular ideological discursive construction of the bad citizen. It is argued this discursive construction manipulates, within a significant part of the electorate, a pre-ideological enjoyment that is structured in fan- tasy.
Oomycete Diseases

The most important oomycete forest pathogens comprise two genera: Pythium and the formidable genus Phytophthora, whose name appropriately means ‘plant destroyer’. Pythium spp. cause seed and root rots and dampingoff diseases that thwart seedling establishment, and have been implicated in helping to drive forest diversity patterns through increased disease pressures on seedlings closest to their mother tree (Janzen, 1970; Connell, 1971). In contrast, Phytophthora spp. can cause disease at every life stage of forest trees, from root to crown, and from trunk cankers to foliar blights (Erwin and Ribeiro, 1996). They are remarkably flexible and effective pathogens with an unusual genetic architecture that may favour the rapid evolution of pathogenicity (Jiang et al., 2008; Raffaele et al., 2010; Seidl et al., 2011). Outbreaks of disease caused by Phytophthora spp. (especially when they have been introduced to new systems) have been documented with dramatic, and sometimes disastrous, effects since the mid 1800s. European and North American chestnuts (Castanea spp.) began dramatic declines from chestnut ink disease, a root rot caused
Plenary lecture 2: cosmology, holography, the brain and the quantum vacuum

Cosmology, as a science, started at the beginning of the last century with the advent of the Einstein cosmological equations. Based on these equations, the present main stream cosmological model is the well known big-bang (this name unwillingly coined by Fred Hoyle many years ago). Relatively recent additions to this model have been inflation, dark matter and dark energy. This talk presents a smoothly behaved new cosmological model that mainly takes into account the "dark" part of the Universe. We consider it as the background frame, the substrate, of what we see. The inclusion of the holographic principle clarifies the entropy problem that we also apply to the human brain. We take it as an engineering information center. Finally, the inclusion of the quantum vacuum in this scene creates an important challenge, an opportunity for future research in the knowledge of the Universe.
Uncertainty Quantification in Imaging: When Convex Optimization Meets Bayesian Analysis

We propose to perform Bayesian uncertainty quantification via convex optimization tools (BUQO), in the context of high dimensional inverse problems. We quantify the uncertainty associated with particular structures appearing in the maximum a posteriori estimate, obtained from a log-concave Bayesian model. A hypothesis test is defined, where the null hypothesis represents the non-existence of the structure of interest in the true image. To determine if this null hypothesis is rejected, we use the data and prior knowledge. Computing such test in the context of imaging problem is often intractable due to the high dimensionality involved. In this work, we propose to leverage probability concentration phenomena and the underlying convex geometry to formulate the Bayesian hypothesis test as a convex minimization problem. This problem is subsequently solved using a proximal primal-dual algorithm. The proposed method is applied to astronomical radio-interferometric imaging.
Features of Calculation Schemes and Methods for Design of Wind Turbine Foundations for Arctic Conditions

Currently, the issue of energy saving of isolated power consumers, supplied by the systems, based on renewable energy sources and hybrid systems, is relevant. A significant part of this consumer category is located in the Arctic regions, with permafrost grounds. The problem of wind power plant construction in such conditions is connected with the foundation design on the permafrost soils. There is a significant native experience in civil and industrial design and construction, which is reflected in the corresponding regulations. However, a wind power plant with a permafrost foundation differs from permafrost-based civil and industrial buildings in terms of mechanical loading and composition efforts. The construction of the wind power plant with a permafrost foundation has a number of peculiarities, associated with the specific loads, transferred from the installation on the basis of: presence of a complex dynamic and fluctuating loads on the rotation of the wind turbine and the nacelle and wind gusts; rotation coordinates efforts related to the orientation of the nacelle to the wind; availability of temporary loads of wind turbine icing on the construction. This paper is dedicated to the accounting of this specificity for the design of the foundation loads for the wind power plant on permafrost, as well as the justification of the selected solution.
Investigating turbulent particulate channel flow with interface-resolved DNS

We have conducted a DNS study of dilute turbulent particulate flow in a vertical plane channel, considering up to 8192 finite-size rigid particles with numerically resolved phase interfaces. The particle diameter corresponds to approximately 9 wall units and their terminal Reynolds number is set to 136. The fluid flow with bulk Reynolds number 2700 is directed upward, which maintains the particles suspended upon average. Two different density ratios were simulated, varying by a factor of 4.5. The corresponding Stokes numbers of the two particles were O(10) in the near-wall region and O(1) in the outer flow. We have observed the formation of large-scale elongated streak-like structures with streamwise dimensions of the order of 8 channel half-widths and cross-stream dimensions of the order of one half-width. At the same time, we have found no evidence of significant formation of particle clusters, which suggests that the large structures are due to an intrinsic instability of the flow, triggered by the presence of the particles. It was found that the mean flow velocity profile tends towards a concave shape, and the turbulence intensity as well as the normal stress anisotropy are strongly increased. The effect of varying the Stokes number while keeping the buoyancy, particle size and volume fraction constant was relatively weak.
From hope to crisis and back again? A critical history of the global CBNRM narrative

SUMMARY Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) has been on the ascendancy for several decades and plays a leading role in conservation strategies worldwide. Arriving out of a desire to rectify the human costs associated with coercive conservation, CBNRM sought to return the stewardship of biodiversity and natural resources to local communities through participation, empowerment and decentralization. Today, however, scholars and practitioners suggest that CBNRM is experiencing a crisis of identity and purpose, with even the most positive examples experiencing only fleeting success due to major deficiencies. Six case studies from around the world offer a history of how and why the global CBNRM narrative has unfolded over time and space. While CBNRM emerged with promise and hope, it often ended in less than ideal outcomes when institutionalized and reconfigured in design and practice. Nevertheless, despite the current crisis, there is scope for refocusing on the original ideals of CBNRM: ensuring social justice, material well-being and environmental integrity.
Food Security C oncept , C ondition and T rends in Georgia

The concept of Food security cannot be considered under the context of a single country or even an entire region. This is the global one and requires a global attitude. Many international organizations coordinate and pay attention to the food security issues, especially in the developing countries, where this problem more or less exists. Agriculture represents a significant segment of the economy of Georgia. Development of secure food for domestic consumption or export trade relies on uniform food policies and procedures that are consistently enforced by government agencies. The major objective of this article is to represent the current condition of food security in Georgia, identify main obstacles, show relationship between the economic factors and food production, to assess the future development trends and to show the number and proportion of undernourished persons, improve availability and quality of relevant food security information. This article presents a suite of food security indicators including in the Millennium Development Goal Indicator 5 on the prevalence of undernourishment at the national and sub national levels. The summarized findings cover a wide range of food security statistics which provide the analytical background for identifying and locating the food insecure population. It can be concluded from the findings that Georgia has a moderate level of undernourishment.
Analyzing ZVS Soft Switching Using Single Phase Shift Control Strategy of Dual Active Bridge Isolated DC-DC Converters

This paper mainly focus on realizing ZVS soft switching of dual active bridge isolated converters (DAB) using single phase shift control strategy. Firstly, an exact theoretical analysis and mathematical mode of single phase shift (SPS) is built and simulated. Then according to the working principle of SPS, the process of ZVS switching in dead-time mode can be built. Through detailed analysis, it can obtain conditions of ZVS soft switching. The simulation result verify the ZVS soft switching can be realized when the conditions fulfilled. Finally, a simple experiment bench is set up to validate the theoretical analysis.
Exploiting Wireless Channel State Information Structures Beyond Linear Correlations: A Deep Learning Approach

Knowledge of information about the propagation channel in which a wireless system operates enables better, more efficient approaches for signal transmissions. Therefore, channel state information (CSI) plays a pivotal role in the system performance. The importance of CSI is in fact growing in the upcoming 5G and beyond systems, for example, for the implementation of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). However, the acquisition of timely and accurate CSI has long been considered a major issue, and becomes increasingly challenging due to the need for obtaining CSI of many antenna elements in massive MIMO systems. To cope with this challenge, existing works mainly focus on exploiting linear structures of CSI, such as CSI correlations in the spatial domain, to achieve dimensionality reduction. In this article, we first systematically review the state of the art on CSI structure exploitation. We then extend to seek deeper structures that enable remote CSI inference wherein a data-driven deep neural network (DNN) approach is necessary due to model inadequacy. We develop specific DNN designs suitable for CSI data. Case studies are provided to demonstrate great potential in this direction for future performance enhancement.
The Growth Implication of Trade Liberalization in West Africa

This study empirically investigates the growth implication of trade liberalization in twelve West African (WA) countries using time series data for the period of 1970-2011. Relying on a Vector error correction model (VECM), our result indicates that trade orientation (trade policy variable) investment rate and exports shocks have significant positive impact on growth in 8 out of 12 WA economies. This suggests that it is possible to stimulate economic growth in some African countries through an outward-looking strategy of export expansion. We, thus, conclude that WA economies can vigorously pursue trade liberalization in order to enhance their growth performance. The caveat is that this would require a refocusing of domestic production capacity to commodity lines that overlap those of the trading partners, especially those of the OECD nations, so as to be able to garner the benefits derivable from liberal trade policy.
Inter Limb Asymmetry in Athletic Groin Pain and Rugby Union Players

This study compared levels of inter limb asymmetry between field sports players with athletic groin pain (n=15) and international rugby union players (n=15). Three dimensional kinematics and kinetics were recorded for the single leg drop landing and side cut movement. A series of t-tests identified significantly (p<0.05) greater asymmetry in hip abduction-adduction moments for the rugby union group during the single leg drop landing task. All other variables were non-significantly different between the groups examined. These results suggest that asymmetry may not be an important factor in the examination of athletic groin pain. Future studies should investigate if asymmetrical abduction-adduction hip moments are a risk factor for injury in rugby union.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Intermittently Flooded (Dambo) Rice under Different Tillage Practices in Chiota Smallholder Farming Area of Zimbabwe

Agriculture is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases. Rice production has been identified as one of the major sources of greenhouse gases, especially methane. However, data on the contributions of rice towards greenhouse gas emissions in tropical Africa are limited. In Zimbabwe, as in most of Sub-Saharan Africa, there are very few studies that have explored greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural lands. This study reports the first dataset on greenhouse gas emissions from intermittently flooded rice paddies in Zimbabwe. The objective of this study was to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from dambo rice under different tillage treatments, which were conventional tillage, no tillage, tied ridges, tied fallows, and mulching. Average soil nitrous oxide emissions were 5.9, 0.2, 5.4, 5.2 and 7.8 μg·m-2·hr-1 for tied fallows, conventional tillage, tied ridges, mulching and no tillage respectively. Average methane emission was 0.35 mg·m-2·hr-1 and maximum as 1.62 mg·m-2·hr-1. Average methane emissions for the different tillage systems were 0.20, 0.18, 0.45, 0.52 and 0.38 mg·m-2·hr-1 for tied fallows, conventional tillage, tied ridges, mulching and no tillage respectively. Carbon dioxide emissions were 98.1, 56.0, 69.9, 94.8 and 95.5 mg·m-2·hr-1 for tied fallows, conventional tillage, tied ridges, mulching and no tillage respectively. The estimated emissions per 150 day cropping season were 1.4, 3.6 and 0.6 kg·ha-1 for methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide respectively. We concluded that intermittently saturated dambo rice Paddys are a potential source of greenhouse gases which is important to global greenhouse gas budgets, thus, they deserve more careful study.
Haptical feedback on interactive tabletops

The sense of touch plays a significant role in our everyday life, thus, it seems necessary to adapt its principles to the field of human computer interaction. Haptic displays are an important and fast developing field of research. Concentrating on haptical feedback on interactive tabletops this paper provides a useful overview and summary of recent researches and developments. Embedded in a brief overview of the fundamentals of haptics, state of the art technology is presented. Since these fundamentals are not completely understood, most of the presented devices are tailored to specific areas of application. In order to this the critical reflection is an integral part of this paper. Explicitly mentioned and analysed is the use of haptical feedback on interactive tabletops in the field of education and collaboration. Scientific requirements and inevitable developments are outlined.
Crecimiento y convergencia económica: Una revisión para Colombia /

En este articulo se realiza una exploracion y exposicion teorica – empirica de los enfoques que han dado origen al debate contemporaneo del crecimiento y la convergencia economica, asi como los principales resultados obtenidos a partir de las distintas aplicaciones empiricas para Colombia. Si bien, en los trabajos aplicados al contexto colombiano los resultados son ambiguos respecto al proceso de convergencia economica; se observa en la mayoria de ellos la presencia de una convergencia condicionada que se acentua mas con la dinamica de unos clubes de convergencia regional al interior del pais. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de definir una politica de estado orientada a corregir las enormes disparidades observadas en el ingreso per capita entre los departamentos de Colombia. ****** In this paper a theoretical and empirical exploration and exposition is made on the diverse approaches which have engendered the contemporaneous debate on economic growth and convergence, as well as the main results stemming from diverse empirical applications in Colombia. While it is true that applied works dealing with the Colombian case show ambiguous results with regards the economic convergence process, in most of them there appears to be a conditional convergence which is more pronounced with the dynamism of certain regional convergence clubs inside the country. These results highlight the need for a definition of state policies aimed at correcting the huge existing disparities in per capita income among the Colombian departments
Prevalence of Bovine Liver Abscess in Karbala Province in Iraq

Liver abscesses considered a major economic problem and there exists very less information in association with liver abscesses in bovine. Although studies in several countries have reported on the incidence of bovine liver abscesses at abattoirs, few surveys have identified the etiology and pathological characteristics of liver abscesses. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of liver abscesses in cattle in Karbala province in Iraq, during the interval which extended from July 2014 to April 2016, the livers of 125 animals in both sexes aged from 1st to 8th years were slaughtered in at the Karbala abattoir, the prevalence of liver abscess was high in cattle aged four years (24%) while Sexes of animals were showed highly significant differences prevalence was high in female (68%) than male (32%). Also the gross evaluation of hepatic lesion according to liver abscess score showed high prevalence of score (A+) (70%) while the histopathological examinations of abscessed liver were observed abscess foci surrounding by the pyogenic membrane.
Fusion of EEG and fMRI via Soft Coupled Tensor Decompositions

Data fusion refers to the joint analysis of multiple datasets which provide complementary views of the same task. In this paper, the problem of jointly analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data is considered. Analyzing both EEG and fMRI measurements is highly beneficial for studying brain function because these modalities have complementary spatiotemporal resolutions: EEG offers good temporal resolution while fMRI offers good spatial resolution. The fusion methods reported so far ignore the underlying multi-way nature of the data in at least one of the modalities and/or rely on very strong assumptions concerning the relation among the respective data sets. In this paper, these two points are addressed by adopting tensor models for both modalities and by following a soft coupling approach to implement the fused analysis. To cope with the subject variability in EEG, the PARAFAC2 model is adopted. The results obtained are compared against those of Parallel ICA and hard coupling alternatives in both simulated and real data. Our results confirm the superiority of tensorial methods over methods based on ICA. In scenarios that do not meet the assumptions underlying hard coupling, the advantage of soft coupled decompositions is clearly demonstrated.
Seasonal and age changes in the weight of internal organs of shrews

Dokonano analizy zmienności wzglednych i absolutnych ciezarow dziewieciu narządow wewnetrznych ryjowki aksamitnej, Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758, w aspekcie indywidualnym, wiekowym i sezonowym. Liczny material (n=655 okazow), z trzech kolejnych generacji 1960/1961 - 1963/1964, pochodzil z jednego terenu - Bialowieskiego Parku Narodowego. Narządy byly wazone w stanie świezym i odnoszone do ciezaru ciala brutto.
Researches of Interaction of Actors with Use Fuzzy Hypergraph and Cognitive Modeling

In the real work for the organization of effective communication of the actors belonging to any industry it is offered to use the graph-hypergraph paradigm and also fuzzy cognitive modeling in the conditions of illegibility of input data. The generalized scheme of transition from fuzzy model of interaction of actors in the form of the hypergraph to the fuzzy cognitive model presented in the form of the weighed oriented graph is considered. The topological analysis of fuzzy model of interaction of actors on the basis of calculation of metric characteristics (radius, the center and diameter of structure) which allow to estimate quality of structure of model and elements from the position of the general system approach is carried out. For obtaining information on implicit mutual influences between tops the analysis of structure of the fuzzy cognitive model based on calculation of the key system indicators (consonance of influence of tops, the dissonance of influence of tops, influence of tops at each other, impact of tops on model and vice versa and also extent of influence), the managed tops allowing to allocate exerting the greatest impact on the main tops was carried out and to evaluate extent of this influence. The received results will allow to increase validity of decision making when determining the possibility of distribution of information between actors, being in different social networks in the conditions of fuzzy input data.