Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A generic method for hydrological drought identification across different climate regions

The identification of hydrological drought at global scale has received considerable attention during the last decade. However, climate-induced variation in runoff across the world makes such analyses rather complicated. This especially holds for the drier regions of the world (both cold and warm), where, for a considerable period of time, zero runoff can be observed. In the current paper, we present a method that enables to identify drought at global scale across climate regimes in a consistent manner. The method combines the characteristics of the classical variable threshold level method that is best applicable in regions with non-zero runoff most of the time, and the consecutive dry days (period) method that is better suited for areas where zero runoff occurs. The newly presented method allows a drought in periods with runoff to continue in the following period without runoff. The method is demonstrated by identifying droughts from discharge observations of four rivers situated within different climate regimes, as well as from simulated runoff data at global scale obtained from an ensemble of five different land surface models. The identified drought events obtained by the new approach are compared to those resulting from application of the variable threshold level method or the consecutive dry period method separately. Results show that, in general, for drier regions, the threshold level method overestimates drought duration, because zero runoff periods are included in a drought, according to the definition used within this method. The consecutive dry period method underestimates drought occurrence, since it cannot identify droughts for periods with runoff. The developed method especially shows its relevance in transitional areas, because, in wetter regions, results are identical to the classical threshold level method. By combining both methods, the new method is able to identify single drought events that occur during positive and zero runoff periods, leading to a more realistic global drought characterization, especially within drier environments.
Germination, Growth and Yield Performance of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Under Gamma Irradiation Stress

Abstract Gamma irradiation is a widely manipulated mutation breeding approach in agriculture for producing crops with desired agronomic traits. The technique is particularly advantageous to conventional breeding methods because of minimal labor and time requirement. Under laboratory and field experiments during 2013, seeds of Linum usitatissimum L. were irradiated with 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 krad of gamma irradiation doses from Co-60 source for evaluating their effects on germination, seedling survival, radicle and plumule lengths, vegetative growth and productivity. It was noted that radiation doses caused significant changes in the studied traits of test plant. Germination, radicle and plumule lengths in lab study while shoot length, number of leaves and leaf area, number of fruits plant−1, number of seeds fruit−1, husk weight fruit−1, number of branches plant−1, fresh and dry biomass and moisture content of shoots under pot culture varied significantly under the applied radiation stress. In general, radiation doses up to 8 kr had stimulatory effects on the studied parameters while doses exceeding 8 kr negatively influenced germination, growth and productive attributes of flax. Results observed both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of the irradiation doses. The study suggests that radiation doses above 32 krad induced lethal effects on general growth of flax.
Parity anomaly of bound states and optical properties in semiconductor superlattices with structural defects

We investigate the property of the bound states with an infinite number of classical turning points in the semiconductor superlattices (SL's) with the double-barrier and double-well structural defects. The anomalous parity sequence of these bound states violating the conventional parity rule is predicted. A physical mechanism on the origin of the bound states in the structural defect SL's, different from the mechanism addressed in the previous literature, is proposed. Based upon it, the parity anomaly can be interpreted very well. In addition, we also study the property of the optical transition in this system, for instance, the evaluation of the optical transition probability from the bound states to the bound states, from the bound states to the delocalized scattering states, and from the scattering states to other scattering states, in detail.
International Comparative Domain Analysis in Knowledge Organization Research Topics in Four Countries - Brazil, South Korea, Spain and the United States

This study aims to identify and compare the domains of knowledge organization from four countries: Brazil, South Korea, Spain and the United States. Four researchers from diverse backgrounds study investigate knowledge organization (KO) on an international scale using domain analysis of keywords from journal articles. Each country selected two journals in LIS and evaluated each article to find those related to KO. The findings show there are some similarity in an international level and difference in a national level of knowledge organization domain. 21 overlapped topics across four countries have been identified. In addition, the findings show some examples of unique research topics of KO domain from each country. This international comparative domain analysis study can contribute to promote academic communication amongst KO researchers and bring more international collaborative research opportunities.
Iodometric determination of the ascorbic acid (Vitamin c) content of some fruits consumed in a university community in Nigeria

The ascorbic acid content of seven different fruits –grapefruit, lime, orange, tangerine, banana, pawpaw and pineapple was determined by iodine titration, in order to know which fruit would best supply the ascorbic acid need for the body. Results showed that tangerine had the highest value of ascorbic acid, 98.851mg/100mL followed by pawpaw, 90.041mg/100g, orange, 75.000mg/100mL, grape, 70.345mg/100mL, lime, 44.138mg/100mL and banana 17.356mg/100g, with pineapple having the least value of 14.036mg/100g. It therefore follows that tangerine would supply more ascorbic acid per serving, for body need compared to the other six fruits. In fact, the percent daily value (%DV) of ascorbic acid in tangerine is more than twice that of lime, and more than seven times that of pineapple.
The free-living amoeba Willaertia magna , is particularly resistant to infection by the pathogenic bacteria Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaire’s disease, is well characterized as a bacteria surviving and developing, almost exclusively, as intracellular parasite within freshwater protozoa. Several species of protozoa and ciliae have been shown to support the growth of the pathogenic bacteria. In the present study, we report for the first time the behaviour of the protozoan Willaertia magna towards L. pneumophila and compared it with Acanthamoeba castellanii and Hartmannella vermiformis, two known L. pneumophila permissive protozoa. The results show that Willaertia amoebas displayed the ability to internalize the pathogenic bacteria but at a different extent when compared to other species. Surprisingly, and at the opposite of the other two amoebic species, coculture experiments showed that Willaertia magna inhibited the growth and the development of L. pneumophila and that it was resistant to bacterial induced cytotoxicity. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the formation of replicative phagosomes observed within Acanthamoeba sp. and Hartmannella sp. is deficient in Willaertia sp. These observations describing for the first time the occurrence of a protozoan species that display resistance towards the bacteria L. pneumophila, shed new light on a cellular model that may provide useful information on the mechanisms underlying bacterial infection and show that among free-living amoebas, the different species are not equally permissive to L. pneumophila. Key-words: Willaertia magna, Legionella pneumophila, free-living amoebas, protozoabacterial interactions.
Perceptions about the ISO 9000 (2000) quality system standard revision and its value: the Dutch experience

The aim of the research reported in this paper is to assess the relative value of the 2000 version of the ISO 9000 series of quality management system standards in comparison to the 1994 version. 773 organisations in the Netherlands which have all been certified to the ISO 9000 standard were surveyed (a response rate of 21.4%) and of these only 22 had not yet converted to the 2000 version of the standard. Amongst the major findings are an overall positive perception of the value of the ISO 9000 (2000) quality system standard and a consistently higher appreciation of the 2000 version compared to the 1994 version.
Comparative Study of Different Brands of Alprazolam

Benzodizapenes are the most widely used anxiolytic drug. They have largely replaced barbiturates and meprobamate in the treatment of Anxiety because they are safer and more effective. Alprazolam belongs to this class of drugs, it is used for the treatment of the anxiety symptoms of panic disorders.Present study deals with a brief overview of the comparative study of different brands of Alprazolam tablets according to Pharmacopeia (BP) & United States Pharmacopeia (USP) . for this reason.3 differen brands of Alprazolam 0.5 mg tablets have been evaluated using quality control test of thickness, hardness, weight variation and friability to assess that whether these 3 brands are pharmaceutically equivalent.
Beef consumption and consumers knowledge on meat quality in Maroua in the Far North of Cameroon

The objective of this study was to determine beef consumption and evaluate the knowledge of consumers on meat quality in Maroua city in the Far North Region of Cameroon. To achieve this, 202 households selected using a gripped map and random selection method were surveyed. The cookers or cooks were surveyed and observed in each household. During this survey, the pieces of beef, as cuts before cooking, were weighted and the quantity of beef consumed per person was calculated. The influence of socio economic and demographic factors related to consumer (religion, age, monthly income, number of person in the household and district) on beef consumption was also evaluated. Overall, 96% of the surveyed households consumed meat and among them, 98% eat beef. Beef is consumed the most (72%), followed by goat (21%), sheep (5%), chicken (1%) and pork (1%). In majority of the beef-eating households (39%), cattle meat was eaten two or three times per week. In addition, a person consumed 133.25 ± 33.49 g of beef per day and this consumption rate was affected by the age, monthly income and the district position. During the evaluation of consumer’s knowledge on meat quality, color and tenderness were found to be the most important factors for consumers. These findings suggest that meat consumption in the livestock production area in Cameroon is very important as it is higher than that observed in the whole Cameroon and in Africa. Thus Cameroonian government should focus on improving meat consumption in consumption zones. Key words: Beef, consumer, consumption, household, meat.
Bacterial hopanoids from pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFMs) and from green plant surfaces

Six strains of pink-pigmented facultatively methylotrophic bacteria (PPFMs) isolated from phylloplane surfaces of different plants were analysed for the presence of triterpenoids of the hopane series. All of the cultures produced hopanoids in abundant quantities and contained the same compounds as the type strain of Methylobacterium organophilum: diplopterol, 2β-methyldiplopterol, bacteriohopanetetrol, a tetrol glycoside and two tetrol ethers. The presence of a guanidinium group on the carbapseudopentose moiety of one of these ethers and/or of 2β-methyldiplopterol seems to be restricted to the genus Methylobacterium. Small amounts of bacteriohopanepolyols were detected in three of seven plants studied. Since no bacterial C35 hopanoids have been reported in eukaryotes, we believe they are probably derived from eubacterial epibionts present on the phylloplane surfaces, the most numerous of which are Methylobacterium spp.
Forecasting Inflation and Economic Growth of Pakistan by Using Two Time Series Methods

Forecasting of time series is important subject in macroeconomics. We use two time series methods. One of the most simple and basic method for forecasting time series is decomposition. Decomposing the time series means breaking the time series into four components, i.e., trend, cycle, seasonal and irregular. The second method is based on ARIMA model. In this paper we forecast the macroeconomic variables CPI, and LSM for period July 2013 to September 2013, based on decomposition of actual series of these variables and ARIMA model for monthly series from July 2008 to June 2013. We compare the out-of-sample forecast of two methods based on the mean absolute deviation (MAD) & sum of square of errors (SSE) and decide on which method provides the best forecasting accuracy which policy makers can rely on in forecasting inflation (CPI) and Economic growth (LSM).
The Risk-Adjusted Performance of US Buyouts

This paper assesses the risk-adjusted performance of US buyouts. It provides evidence for a significant outperformance of this asset class compared to a mimicking portfolio of equally risky levered investments in the S&P 500 Index. It draws on a unique and proprietary set of data on 199 US buyout fund investments between 1984 and 2004. For each of them we determine a public market equivalent that matches it with respect to its timing and its systematic risk. The regression of the buyout internal rates of return on the internal rates of return of the mimicking portfolio yields, after a correction for selection bias in our data, a positive and statistically significant alpha. Our sensitivity analyses highlight the importance of a comprehensive risk-adjustment that considers operating risk and leverage risk for an accurate assessment of buyout performance. The analyses further confirm the notion that buyout investors choose industries with low operating risks, make use of financial leverage when advantageously, and transfer an important portion of the transaction risks to the lenders.
GOBERNANZA PARA EL DESARROLLO.pmd

Revista EAN No.59 en ro-abril 2007 p. 99-120 Este artículo fue entregado el 20 de noviembre de 2006 y su publicación aprobada por el Comité Editorial el 11 de diciembre de 2006. ________ El artículo comienza con un análisis de la situación de la actividad turística de la Comunidad Andina, con el objeto de mostrar, tanto su potencialidad, como algunas de sus limitaciones más importantes. Como organismo con competencias para la cooperación en terceros países, la UE se estudia desde la perspectiva de las relaciones que ha venido manteniendo con la CAN. Finalmente, este artículo presenta a la gobernanza como un nuevo reto, como una serie de postulados ligados a la cooperación y colaboración entre agentes turísticos, que la Unión Europea puede introducir en sus estrategias de ayuda a la Comunidad Andina, de manera que, aplicados a programas específicos de cooperación, fomenten en esta región el turismo como instrumento al servicio del desarrollo sostenible y la cohesión social.
Organizational Learning Supported by Machine Learning Models Coupled with General Explanation Methods: A Case of B2B Sales Forecasting

Abstract Background and Purpose: The process of business to business (B2B) sales forecasting is a complex decision-making process. There are many approaches to support this process, but mainly it is still based on the subjective judgment of a decision-maker. The problem of B2B sales forecasting can be modeled as a classification problem. However, top performing machine learning (ML) models are black boxes and do not support transparent reasoning. The purpose of this research is to develop an organizational model using ML model coupled with general explanation methods. The goal is to support the decision-maker in the process of B2B sales forecasting. Design/Methodology/Approach: Participatory approach of action design research was used to promote acceptance of the model among users. ML model was built following CRISP-DM methodology and utilizes R software environment. Results: ML model was developed in several design cycles involving users. It was evaluated in the company for several months. Results suggest that based on the explanations of the ML model predictions the users’ forecasts improved. Furthermore, when the users embrace the proposed ML model and its explanations, they change their initial beliefs, make more accurate B2B sales predictions and detect other features of the process, not included in the ML model. Conclusions: The proposed model promotes understanding, foster debate and validation of existing beliefs, and thus contributes to single and double-loop learning. Active participation of the users in the process of development, validation, and implementation has shown to be beneficial in creating trust and promotes acceptance in practice.
Pandora's Box Opened Wide: UAVs Carrying Genetic Weapons

Abstract : A recent Rand report on chemical and biological weapons (CBW) identifies unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) as a feasible CBW delivery means by potential adversaries like North Korea. With significant concern regarding the ability to defend against a delivery vehicle several meters in size, imagine the difficulty in defending against a future scenario involving swarms of micro UAVs (MAVs) carrying genetic weapons with the potential to create powerful and precise political, economical, and military effects from a tiny payload. With a motivation towards avoiding technological surprise, this paper notes emerging trends in several technology areas that collectively point towards this possibility. In particular, biomimetics, micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and nanotechnology offer great promise in enabling feasible MAVs as delivery platforms, while these same technologies along with genetic research may enable the packaging of powerful and precise weaponry (potentially target-specific) in a microscopic payload that could be carried by these MAVs. The MAV/genetic weapon combination may offer a capability with enough power, precision, discrimination, and military utility to challenge the notion of all biological weapons being considered weapons of mass destruction (WMD), thus widening their potential use. This paper begins with a discussion of general technological themes and the law of unintended consequences. themes that are continually reinforced as specific enabling technologies are encountered throughout the essay. Subsequent sections build on this foundation by investigating several technology challenges specific to the hypothetical threat system, MAVs carrying genetic weapons. The paper concludes with a discussion of existing or potential responses and offers recommendations on technologies and information the U.S. should seek to ban, delay or control.
Systemic Study of Aerosol Loading and Retentionover Praia-Cape Verde: Satellite and GroundObservation Analysis

The situation in Praia may be critical at the moment because of its current aerosol loading and retention. In this study we obtained 14-year (2000-13) data set from satellite and ground observation from a multi-angle imaging spectro-radiometer (MISR) and an aerosol robotic network (AERONET). The analytic and statistical techniques were used to investigate the aerosol loading and retention over Praia-Cape Verde. The average annual aerosol retention over the study area increased by 18%. The highest aerosol retention rate of 39% was recorded in 2010. The aerosol loading was found to be higher between December to February. Since the ventilation over Praia is low, aerosol loading impact on the health and welfare of life forms may be threatened. The study also suggested other sectors of the economy that can be affected by the increased aerosol loading over Praia.
Aalborg Universitet New Results in Rate-Distortion Optimized Parametric Audio Coding

In this paper, we summarize some recently published methods and results in parametric audio coding. These are all based on rate-distortion optimized coding using a perceptual distortion measure. We summarize how a number of well-known computationally e cient methods for incorporating perception in sinusoidal parameter estimation relate to minimizing this perceptual distortion measure. Then a number of methods for parametric coding of transients are compared and results of listening tests are presented. Finally, we show how the complexity of rate-distortion optimized audio coding can be reduced by rate-distortion estimation.
INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING IN REGIONAL POLICY-MAKING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development has become a popular concept among regional and urban authorities. Originally a purely ecological concept, it has been extended to include economic and social aspects. At the same time the concept has political and ideological loading that has instigated different standpoints among policy-makers, interest organisations and other community interests. This paper has a specific aim, namely to examine how local development authorities build institutional capital for sustainable development. It does so in the context of the formulation of Agenda 21 by the city authorities in Göteborg, Sweden
La crise des subprime : lectures d’une crise multiscalaire

Dans un premier temps, on definit quelques instruments bancaires et financiers essentiel, dont on developpe le role dans la crise des subprime. On se concentre ensuite sur des lectures de la crise des subprime qui font reference. Relire conjointement les ouvrages de R.J. Shiller, J.E. Stiglitz et M.B. Aalbers permet de mieux faire apparaitre les clivages theoriques qui sous-tendent l’interpretation d’un objet aussi extraordinairement complexe.
An Enhanced Bulk-Driven Folded-Cascode Amplifier in 0.18 µm CMOS Technology

A new configuration of Bulk-Driven Folded-Cascode (BDFC) amplifier is presented in this paper. Due to this modifying, significant improvement in differential DC-Gain (more than 11 dB) is achieved in compare to the conventional structure. Settling behavior of proposed amplifier is also improved and accuracy more than 8 bit for 500 mV voltage swing is obtained. Simulation results using HSPICE Environment are included which validate the theoretical analysis. The amplifier is designed using standard 0.18 μm CMOS triple-well (level 49) process with supply voltage of 1.2 V. The correct functionality of this configuration is verified from –50℃ to 100℃.
The Forecasting Ability of GARCH Models for the 2003-07 Crisis: Evidence from S&P500 Index Volatility

This article studies the ability of the GARCH family of models to accurately forecast the volatility of S&P500 stock index returns across the financial crisis that affected markets in 2003–07. We find the GJR-GARCH (1,1) model to be superior in its ability to forecast the volatility of the initial crisis period (2003– 06) compared to its realized volatility, which acts as a proxy for the actual. This model is then extended to make forecasts for the crisis period. We conclude that the model’s ability to forecast volatility across the crisis is not substantially affected, thus supporting the use of the GARCH family of models in forecasting volatility.