Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new output regulation using sliding-mode technique for a class of SISO linear time-varying systems

In this brief, we propose a new output regulator using the sliding-mode technique for a class of single-input single-output linear time- varying (LTV) systems. It is seen that a bounded -similarity-transforma- tion matrix is first designed, which is necessary for the transformed LTV system to retain the dynamical features of the original LTV system. The up- date law of the transformation matrix based on the eigenstructure-assign- ment technique is developed to guarantee the uniformly exponential con- vergence of the closed-loop dynamics on the sliding mode. A sliding-mode output regulator using only the output measurements is then designed to drive both the sliding variable and the system output to converge to zero in a finite time. A simulation example is given in support of the proposed scheme.
THE EFFECT OF FRAGMENTATION AND INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT ON CARABID BEETLES IN CONIFEROUS FOREST

We studied the effects of forest fragmentation an d management practices on carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in the Japanese red pine forests of Naju City, South Korea. A total of 2,058 carabid individuals, representing 15 speci es, were collected by pitfall trapping from May to September 2010 in three forest types: native forest (relatively undisturbed forest), managed forest (planted trees with clear-cutting of the herb layer ), and forest patch (fragmented forest). We showed that the different forest types differed significantly i n terms of their carabid assemblages. The managed f orest had the most distinct assemblage, with a lower spec ies richness and abundance than the other two fores t types. Although forest fragmentation did not signif icantly affect the species richness of carabid beet le assemblages, the abundance of some carabid beetles (forest specialists and large-sized species) was significantly altered by forest fragmentation and i ntensive forest management. Sub-tree layer and herb cover were the strongest environmental variables de termining the carabid assemblage composition. Forest fragmentation is an inevitable change in landscape structure, particularly in urbanized and pre-urban areas, and it constitutes a threat to biodiversity through landscape homogenization. Therefore, it is necessary to identify appropriate management practi ces, designed to minimize the damage caused by the loss and modification of natural habitats, together with maintenance and enhancement of the biodiversity in urban areas.
Large-scale, low-frequency oceanographic effects on kelp forest succession: a tale of two cohorts

Two catastrophic-scale storm disturbances of a giant kelp forest community were followed by very different oceanographic conditions, the warm. nutrient-stressed period of the 1982-1984 El Nino and the cold, nutrient-rich La Nina of 1988-1989. Here w e compare the fates of the 2 postdisturbance algal communities, or '2 cohorts', under condltions determined by large-scale, lowfrequency oceanographic events. Succession and population dynamics of the competitive dom~nan t kelp. Macrocystis pyrifera, and understory kelps, Pterygophora californlca and Laminaria farlowu, were followed a t 5 permanent sites in the Point Loma kelp forest near San Diego. California, USA. where kelps have been mapped quarterly since 1983. There was intense kelp recruitment after both disturbances. The different oceanographic cond~tions, however, strongly affected the population dynamlcs of M. pynfera and ~ t s competitive interactions with the lower standing species. Poor M pyrifera growth, canopy formation, and survival during the El Nino apparently allowed the persistence of understory populations. Extraordinary conditions for M. pyrifera growth during the La Niria were associated with the near extinction of understory populations. The number of stipes per plant and stipe dens~ty are indices of IM, pyr~fera growth and carrying capacity, respect~vely, which appear to be very senslt~ve to environmental condltions. The 2 cohorts exh~bl ted very different stipe patterns. In both cases, the anomalous oceanographic conditions lasted for about 2 yr after the disturbances, but the effects on kelp community structure persisted for the lives of the M. pyrifera cohorts, despite average or relatively poor conditions later In summary, these data suggest that large-scale, low-frequency oceanographic phenomena are important to kelp forest successional processes, population dynamics, and competitive interactions among kelp guilds
Automatic Multi-lingual Script Recognition Application

Document Image Analysis and Recognition (DIAR) technique is used to recognize text component and translate it into editable format. Scripts are a set of graphical representations used to express a particular writing system as well as subsets belonging to a particular writing system. The writing styles of more than one script family may then be adopted by one language, such as in the cases where the old Malay language (Jawi) adopts the Arabic script while the modern one adopts the Roman script. The seven major scripts used in this research are in handwritten style including Arabic, Devanagari, Hebrew, Thai, Greek, Cyrillic and Korean. Automatic Multi-lingual Script Recognition (AMSR) is one of the main challenges in DIAR domain. Currently, only few attempts have been made for automated script identification of off-line handwritten documents images. Most available AMSR applications only deal with printed documents and script types, and they neglect handwritten and multi-lingual documents. The objective of this study is to propose a multi-lingual AMSR framework. The research methodology consists of a proposed multilingual AMSR framework. The multilingual AMSR framework is tested on Multilingual-HW datasets, which contains more than seven international unconstraint handwritten scripts, using Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix and Local Binary Pattern. The average accuracy of both methods is about 97.01% and 85.29% respectively. This proposed multilingual AMSR is hoped to be beneficial to a group of community which requires automatic sorting multi-lingual documents. This research can also be extended to document forensic area or international relations agency to identify unknown native document.
How do more extreme rainfall regimes affect ecosystem fluxes in seasonally water-limited Northern Hemisphere temperate shrublands and forests?

How do more extreme rainfall regimes affect ecosystem fluxes in seasonally water-limited Northern Hemisphere temperate shrublands and forests? I. Ross, L. Misson1,†, S. Rambal, A. Arneth, R. L. Scott, A. Carrara, A. Cescatti, and L. Genesio CEFE-CNRS, 1919 route de Mende, 34000 Montpellier, France Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Lund University, Sweden Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research/Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany USDA ARS, SW Watershed Research Center, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA Fundación CEAM, Paterna 46980, Spain European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Ispra, Italy
HYDRAULICS OF CLEAR OVERFALL WEIRS WITH BOTTOM-OPENINGS

Many Fayoum Standard Weirs have been perforated by one, two or three pipes, to convey much water in downstream direction. Measurements of discharge with these structures are complicated due existence of the opening. In this research, an experimental study was carried out to investigate the flow over clear over fall weir with bottom opening. Nine weir models with different heights were tested in horizontal laboratory flume of 17 m length, 0.3 m width, and 0.5 m depth. Weir height is changed three times. For each one, the diameter of opening is changed three times. The downstream depth was changed to cover all the expected flow regimes of the pipe and the weir. These flow regimes are; free pipefree weir, submerged pipe-free weir and submerged pipe-submerged weir. The results of flow over weir with opening were compared with those of weir without opening having the same dimensions. It was found that there is a large deviation between them. Multiple regression equations based on energy principal and dimensional analysis theory were developed for computing discharge over clear over fall weir with bottom opening. Also, values of discharge coefficients were estimated for combined flow over the weir and through the pipe. Then the total discharge can be computed by multiplying the discharge coefficient by the summation of theoretical weir discharge plus theoretical orifice discharge. Equations for computing the discharge of combination are awarded.
AN EMPIRICIST FRAMEWORK FOR TQM IMPLEMENTATION IN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

As a management philosophy, total quality management (TQM) is implemented differently in firms. This study investigates the implementation level and the types of TQM practices adopted in construction companies. Eight elements had been identified from both organizational/management-and construction-related studies to represent the TQM spirit. These elements are top management leadership, customer management, people management, supplier management, quality information management, process management, organizational learning, and continual improvement. A questionnaire survey was conducted to solicit the implementation level of the identified TQM elements. The survey findings indicate that customer, process management, and top management leadership were implemented at a higher level than the remaining elements with quality information management implemented at the lowest level. Important practices that constitute each element were also identified. Based on the findings, we propose a TQM implementation framework for construction companies.
Characterisation of Jarosite, Fly Ash and Clay for their Possible Usage in the Construction Industry

In this paper, the mineralogical and physical characterisation of Jarosite, Clay and Fly ash was investigated. The XRD results revealed the presence of alacranite (AsS) and jarosite (K (Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6)) mineral phases in the hazardous jarosite, while clay was composed of Kaolinite (Al2Si2O5 (OH)4), Anatase (TiO2) and Quartz (SiO2). Furthermore, Fly ash contained phases Mullite (Al4.64Si1.36O9.68), Quartz (SiO2) and Calcium oxide silicate chloride (Ca2O2Si3Cl2). The XRF results confirmed that the Fly ash used is in class F (Hazardous material) . There were hazardous elements such as As and Pb in the Jarosite sample. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) revealed differences in surfaces morphology and EDS results were in agreement with the XRF analysis. The densities of the samples were 3.13 g/cm 3 , 2.67 g/cm 3 and 2.21 g/cm 3 for Jarosite, clay and Fly ash respectively. There was an increase in density with the increase of the percentage of Jarosite in the mixture whereas a decrease in density was noticed with the increase of Fly ash percentage in the mixture of Jarosite and clay.
An effective method to reduce the computing time of nonlinear time-stepping finite-element magnetic field computation

Time-stepping finite-element methods have been widely used to compute the magnetic field of electrical machines. Because the reluctivities of magnetic materials are nonlinear, the finite-element equations have to be solved iteratively. In this paper, an effective method for reducing the computing time of the Newton-Raphson method coupled with the incomplete Cholesky-conjugate gradient algorithm for solving time-stepping finite-element problems is presented. The proposed method is based on a proper prediction of some predefined error tolerances in the iteration processes at each time-stepping finite-element computation. The computational analysis on an induction motor shows that the proposed strategy can reduce the nominal computing time by as much as 50%.
Convert-to-Surrender Bonds: A Proposal of How to Reduce Risk-Taking Incentives in the Banking System

We argue that contingent convertible capital (CoCo-Bonds) might have perverse risk-taking incentives for banks (asset substitution problem) and discourage them from investing in positive NPV projects and issuing new equity in times of crisis (debt overhang problem). Whenever the conversion price is set too high - as in the case of the Lloyds CoCo-Bond issuance in November 2009 - a wealth transfer will take place at the time of conversion. This will exacerbate both the asset substitution problem and the debt overhang problem. We propose a new type of contingent convertible capital for banks - which we label Convert-to-Surrender Bonds (CoSu-Bonds) - which eliminates both the asset substitution and the debt overhang problem. CoSu-Bond convert into equity once the equity ratio falls below a certain threshold and CoSu-Bond holders take over the bank while equity holders are totally wiped out. This instrument makes equity holders naturally risk averse and gives incentives to equity holders to raise new equity and to invest also in slightly negative NPV projects in times of financial distress. Our instrument has a unique price if it is augmented by a simple option for old equity holders to issue equity if the trigger is hit, thereby circumventing the problem of multiple equilibria. We develop a tractable model to analyze risk-taking incentives in the banking sector and present a detailled analysis of the Lloyds CoCo-Bond issuance. We finally discuss several policy issues associated with this new instrument including robustness and unique equilibria.
The Presence of Compounds from the Personal Care Products Group in Swimming Pool Water

The global production of several thousands of Personal Care Products (PCPs) every year makes the release of PCPs to the environment an unavoidable by-product of a modernized lifestyle. Multiple studies have detected PCPs worldwide in various aquatic environments, including swimming pools. In the presented work, the concentrations of three selected compounds from the PCPs group were examined in 15 swimming pools with different functions. The aim of the study was to show the influence of various factors on the concentration levels of selected micropollutants. Two UV filters: BP-3 (oxybenzone), BP-8 (dioxybenzone) and one antioxidant BTH (dibutylhydroxytoluene) were selected for the research. The extraction of micropollutants from the swimming pool water matrix was carried out by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE). The extracts were analyzed using a gas chromatograph (GC) coupled to the mass detector (MS). BHT was the most common compound. Its concentration ranged from 3.8 ng/L to 5.5 ng/L. The most rarely occurring compound was BP-3. The concentration of this compound varied the most, from 18.5 ng/L to 1178.6 ng/L. BP-8 was present in 10 from 15 tested pools at the concentration level of 49.9–226.9 ng/L. The frequency of occurrence characterizing different micropollutants from PCPs group was higher in recreational pools than in sports pools. It was also observed that the applied water treatment technology may affect the presence of Personal Care Products in the swimming pool water. No impact of basic water quality parameters on the levels of tested pharmaceuticals has been shown in this research.
An Educational Data Mining Approach to Concept Map Construction for Web based Learning

This aim of this article is to study the use of Educational Data Mining (EDM) techniques in constructing concept maps for organizing knowledge in web based learning systems whereby studying their synergistic effects in enhancing learning. This article first provides a tutorial based introduction to EDM. The applicability of web based learning systems in enhancing the efficiency of EDM techniques in real time environment is investigated. Web based learning systems often use a tool for organizing knowledge. This article explores the use of one such tool called concept map for this purpose. The pioneering works by various researchers who proposed web based learning systems in personalized and collaborative environment in this arena are next presented. A set of parameters are proposed based on which personalized and collaborative learning applications may be generalized and their performances compared. It is found that personalized learning environment uses EDM techniques more exhaustively compared to collaborative learning for concept map construction in web based environment. This article can be used as a starting point for freshers who would like to use EDM techniques for concept map construction for web based learning purposes.
Pricing and Warranty Level Decisions for New and Remanufactured Short Life-Cycle Products

Remanufacturing has become more prominent as a recovery process to mitigate the massive disposal of short life-cycle product at its end-of-use. However, remanufactured product is often perceived to be inferior to new product, and it has lower value in consumer’s willingness to pay. To increase the perceived quality of the remanufactured product, manufacturer offers a warranty, since one of the three roles possessed in warranty is being a signal to product reliability. This paper studies the pricing decisions and warranty level decision for new and remanufactured products in a closed-loop supply chain consists of a manufacturer and a retailer. The optimization modeling is performed under Stackelberg game with manufacturer as the leader. We found that higher expansion effectiveness coefficient would increase the supply chain profit. Also, there is an interval of demand’s speed of change, where the total profit would be at its highest. The optimum warranty level can be achieved regardless the initial warranty level set at the beginning of retailer’s optimization. Furthermore, the remanufactured product’s wholesale and retail prices are influenced by the expansion effectiveness coefficient.
Maturity of the Warehousing function in Moroccan companies: a case study

In today’s competitive market environment, companies are continuously forced to improve their warehousing operations. To meet high performance goals, tools must be developed to improve efficiency in every aspect of warehousing function. In this paper, we propose a new approach to improve the performance of the warehousing function based on Maturity model, which may better identify, explain, assess and improve this critical function in a supply chain. The aim of this article is to validate the model developed by a case study in a Moroccan company by demonstrating its capacity of assessing the maturity of warehousing function and whether it can develop an improvement roadmap.
25. BIOGENIC CARBONATE PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION CHANGES BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MA FROM THE CEARA RISE, WESTERN EQUATORIAL ATLANTIC 1

This study presents carbonate concentration, accumulation, and preservation data for the middle to late Miocene (~5 - 10 Ma) to examine changes in carbonate sedimentation associated with surface productivity and dissolution at the Ceara Rise in the western equatorial Atlantic. Time series of magnetic susceptibility-based estimates of calcium carbonate concentration for Ceara Rise Sites 925, 928, and 929, which together form a transect that spans approximately 1500 m of water depth (3041 4356 m), show substantial changes in the depth gradient of calcium carbonate concentration between 5 and 10 Ma. The estimated carbonate concentrations at the shallow Site 925 were relatively high ( = 77.2%) throughout this whole time interval. Prior to about 5.5 Ma, only trace amounts of carbonate are preserved at the deep Site 929, indicating that the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) was close to or shallower than the depth of this site during most of the middle to late Miocene. To further examine these gradients, we generated carbonate concentration, accumulation, and foraminiferal preservation data for four representative time slices from Sites 925, 928, and 929. The results show that, during the late Miocene, the quasi-cyclic changes in carbonate concentration at shallow Site 925 can be attributed to either production or dilution by terrigenous material, depending on the interval. Calcium carbonate sedimentation at Site 925 averaged >20 g/m 2 /yr, more than twice the Holocene rates. The foraminiferal assemblage was extremely well preserved, and the sediment suxes resect carbonate rain rates to the seasoor. These high accumulation rates are comparable to the highest sediment trap-measured suxes of carbonate from the equatorial PaciÞc. In contrast, calcium carbonate at the deep sites is heavily dissolved and dissolution was the dominant control of concentration changes. This decrease resects a shoaling of the CCD, which coincides with a period of sea level rise. The results are not consistent with an increase of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) during the late Miocene, although further work is necessary to evaluate the relative contributions of NADW and southern component water at this site. x
Mobility and the Urban-Rural Continuum

In the past decades, we have witnessed the greatest increase in population in ‘urban areas’. What does this mean for mobility patterns? This paper seeks to address this issue for the Netherlands, a typical example of a low density urbanized area. In this paper Dutch mobility patterns of inhabitants of the urban-rural continuum are investigated, based on the Dutch mobility survey. We found that there is a clear effect of urbanisation on mobility. This is not so much in terms of total kilometres travelled, or total trips made, but especially in the division of trip lengths and mobility purposes. An increase in the number of urban inhabitants thus implies an increase in shorter trips. The ongoing urbanisation thereby offers new opportunities for the bicycle. Meeting these requirements will be one of the important challenges for the transport planners of the future.
Constraints and Challenges in Implementing Agricultural Extension Practices . The Case of North Gondar in Amhara Region , Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the countries on the African continent with highest agricultural potential. Its natural resources base is the foundation of any economic development, food security and other basic necessities of its people. Predominantly smallholder agriculture is the dominant sector of the national economy. The objective of the study is to examine constraints in addressing women farmers and rural youth and to assess constraints of extension system in promoting agricultural technologies to farmers in the study area. Primary and Secondary data was collected for the study purpose. In addition to respondents’ interview, focus group discussion, key informants interview and case studies were used for qualitative data analysis. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard devotions and percent was applied. For statistical tests, chi-square, T-test, Pearson and spearman’s correlation coefficient were employed. As a conclusion, the challenges of existing public agricultural extension service provision institutional, technological and technical and in terms of addressing cross-cutting issues such as environment and gender as theses have wider contexts to look into existing endogenous and exogenous constraints.