Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A tree‐ring width based drought reconstruction for southeastern China: links to Pacific Ocean climate variability

We present a drought reconstruction for southeastern China based on a tree‐ring width chronology of Cryptomeria fortunei developed from two sampling sites in central Fujian. A reconstruction of July–February drought variability, spanning AD 1855–2011, was developed by calibrating total tree‐ring width data with the self‐calibrating Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI). The reconstruction was verified against an independent data set, and accounts for 36% of the actual scPDSI variance during the period 1955–2011. Relatively dry intervals were reconstructed between AD 1859–1880, 1899–1911, 1927–1933, 1946–1959, 1964–1970 and 1987–1997. Relatively wet conditions prevailed during 1855–1858, 1881–1898, 1912–1926, 1934–1945, 1960–1963, 1971–1986 and 1998–2011. Comparisons between our scPDSI reconstruction and a moisture‐sensitive tree‐ring width record from Vietnam revealed consistencies between the two data sets, suggesting similar drought regimes. Spectral peaks of 2.2–6.4 years may be indicative of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity, as also suggested by the significant correlations with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern equatorial and southeastern Pacific Ocean and an extreme event analysis. The analysis of links between our scPDSI reconstruction and the large‐scale regional climatic variation shows that there is a relationship between regional drought variation and East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) intensity.
An Experimental Study for Delay-Independent State-Feedback Controller Design

Abstract In this study, a method for determining delay-independent stability zones of the general LTI dynamics with multiple delays against parametric uncertainties is presented. The method is utilized to design a delay-independent state-feedback controller and verified experimentally for a two-tank liquid level control system. The method is based on extended kronecker summation(EKS) to investigate controller parameter space for delay-independent stability(DIS) of the system. The main aim of the paper is recalling a new sufficient condition for determination of controller parameter space for DIS and presenting the application of methodology for a physical experimental case study.
Responses of Sameer Africa limited to changes in the external environment

vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION. 1 1.1 Background of the study. 1 1.1.1 Environment and the Organization. 1 1.1.2 Types of Responses. 3 1.2 History and Growth of the Tyre industry in Kenya. 6 1.2. 1 About Sameer Africa Limited. 7 1.3 Problem Statement. 8 1.3. 1 Objective of the study. 10 1.3. 2 Importance of the study. 10 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW. 11 2.
Bootstrap test for breaks of a regression model with dependent data

Abstract. The paper describes and examines a test for breaks in a nonparametric regression function with dependent errors. We show that after normalization the limit distribution of the test is a Gumbel distribution. However, as (a) the normalization constants are model dependent and difficult to estimate and (b) the rate of convergence of the finite sample distribution of the statistic to the asymptotic one is very slow, see Hall (1979), inferences based on the asymptotic distribution may be difficult to perform or not be very reliable. For those reasons, we describe and examine the bootstrap analogue of the test by mean of bootstrapping the model in the ”frequency domain”, showing its asymptotic validity under suitable regularity conditions.
QUERY RESPONSE TIME COMPARISON NOSQLDB MONGODB WITH SQLDB ORACLE

Penyimpanan data saat ini terdapat dua jenis yakni relational database dan non-relational database. Kedua jenis DBMS (Database Managemnet System) tersebut berbeda dalam berbagai aspek seperti per-formansi eksekusi query, scalability, reliability maupun struktur penyimpanan data. Kajian ini memiliki tujuan untuk mengetahui perbandingan performansi DBMS antara Oracle sebagai jenis relational data-base dan MongoDB sebagai jenis non-relational database dalam mengolah data terstruktur. Eksperimen dilakukan untuk mengetahui perbandingan performansi kedua DBMS tersebut untuk operasi insert, select, update dan delete dengan menggunakan query sederhana maupun kompleks pada database Northwind. Untuk mencapai tujuan eksperimen, 18 query yang terdiri dari 2 insert query, 10 select query, 2 update query dan 2 delete query dieksekusi. Query dieksekusi melalui sebuah aplikasi . Net yang dibangun sebagai perantara antara user dengan basis data. Eksperimen dilakukan pada tabel dengan atau tanpa relasi pada Oracle dan embedded atau bukan embedded dokumen pada MongoDB. Response time untuk setiap eksekusi query dibandingkan dengan menggunakan metode statistik. Eksperimen menunjukkan response time query untuk proses select, insert, dan update pada MongoDB lebih cepatdaripada Oracle. MongoDB lebih cepat 64.8 % untuk select query;MongoDB lebihcepat 72.8 % untuk insert query dan MongoDB lebih cepat 33.9 % untuk update query. Pada delete query, Oracle lebih cepat 96.8 % daripada MongoDB untuk table yang berelasi, tetapi MongoDB lebih cepat 83.8 % daripada Oracle untuk table yang tidak memiliki relasi.Untuk query kompleks dengan Map Reduce pada MongoDB lebih lambat 97.6% daripada kompleks query dengan aggregate function pada Oracle.
X-Shooter study of accretion in Chamaeleon I

We present the analysis of 34 new VLT/X-Shooter spectra of young stellar objects in the Chamaeleon I star forming region, together with four more spectra of stars in Taurus and two in Chamaeleon II. The broad wavelength coverage and accurate flux calibration of our spectra allow us to estimate stellar and accretion parameters for our targets by fitting the photospheric and accretion continuum emission from the Balmer continuum down to 700 nm. The dependence of accretion with stellar properties for this sample is consistent with previous results from the literature. The accretion rates for transitional disks are consistent with those of full disks in the same region. The spread of mass accretion rates at any given stellar mass is found to be smaller than in many studies, but is larger than that derived in the Lupus clouds using similar data and techniques. Differences in the stellar mass range and in the environmental conditions between our sample and that of Lupus may account for the discrepancy in scatter between Chamaeleon I and Lupus. Complete samples in Chamaeleon I and Lupus are needed to determine whether the difference in scatter of accretion rates and the lack of evolutionary trends are robust to sample selection.
Education and Productivity: Some New Evidence and Implications for Chile

We present new empirical evidence that the effects of human capital quality become more important as countries get closer to the World technology frontier. This finding has obvious implications for a country that is getting closer to the frontier, as Chile in the last 20 years. We also suggest several areas of policy reforms that can increase human capital quality, such as institutional reforms to simplify regulations and align different policy instruments; the development of institutions and policies to increase the quantity and quality of the provision of early childhood development and improve the coordination with primary education; reforms affecting the workings of markets that are key for educational production; and reforms aiming at linking in a better way the education sector with labor markets.
Genetic Parameters and Annual Trends for Birth and Weaning Weights of a Northeastern Thai Indigenous Cattle Line

Records of a Northeastern Thai indigenous cattle line population were used to estimate genetic parameters and annual trends for calf weights. The data set comprised records of 1,922 and 1,489 animals for birth and weaning weight, respectively born from 1993 to 2004. A bivariate analysis was carried out for variance and covariance components estimations using average information restricted maximum likelihood procedure. Average estimated breeding value and maternal breeding value of the animals born in 1993 were set to zero as a base group. Genetic trends of each trait were calculated by regressing average estimated breeding values and maternal breeding values on birth year of calves. Phenotypic trends for each trait were calculated by regressing the yearly adjusted weight on birth year of calves. The results revealed that the estimate of direct heritability, maternal heritability and maternal permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance for birth and weaning weight was 0.40, 0.14 and 0.04; 0.27, 0.05 and 0.23, respectively. Direct heritability was moderately heritable and genetic improvement through selection can be achieved. The estimate of phenotypic, direct genetic, maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental correlation between birth and weaning weight was 0.48, 0.65, 0.98 and 0.73, respectively. The phenotypic trend, genetic trends of estimated breeding value and maternal breeding value for birth weight was 0.18, 0.04 and 0.01 kg/year, respectively. The phenotypic trend, genetic trends of estimated breeding value and maternal breeding value for weaning weight was -1.36, 0.32 and 0.03 kg/year, respectively. As maternal genetic effect was considerably less important than direct genetic effect, selection for improved weaning weight of this Northeastern Thai indigenous cattle line can place more emphasis on the direct genetic effect.
Improvements in Shortwave Bulk Scattering and Absorption Models for the Remote Sensing of Ice Clouds

AbstractThis study summarizes recent improvements in the development of bulk scattering/absorption models at solar wavelengths. The approach combines microphysical measurements from various field campaigns with single-scattering properties for nine habits including droxtals, plates, solid/hollow columns, solid/hollow bullet rosettes, and several types of aggregates. Microphysical measurements are incorporated from a number of recent field campaigns in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. A set of 12 815 particle size distributions is used for which Tcld ≤ −40°C. The ice water content in the microphysical data spans six orders of magnitude. For evaluation, a library of ice-particle single-scattering properties is employed for 101 wavelengths between 0.4 and 2.24 μm. The library includes the full phase matrix as well as properties for smooth, moderately roughened, and severely roughened particles. Habit mixtures are developed for generalized cirrus, midlatitude cirrus, and deep tropical convection. Th.
The CCN Properties of 2-Methyltetrols and C3-C6 Polyols

The contribution of atmospheric aerosols to the climate and their control of cloud droplet activation and cloud optical properties is poorly understood [Forster et al., 2007]. Atmospheric observations have previously shown that organic matter are involved in cloud activation [Novakov and Penner, 1993; Liu et al., 1996; Rivera-Carpio, 1996; Matsumoto et al., 1997; Ishizaka and Adhikari, 2003; Moshida et al, 2006; Chang et al., 2007]. Organic compounds seem especially important in clean environments and were found to have a large contribution to the Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) numbers in marine regions and at a continental semi-rural site [Novakov and Penner, 1993; Rivera-Carpio, 1996; Matsumoto et al., 1997, Chang et al., 2007]. The presence of organic compounds was also necessary to account for the CCN numbers observed in the Amazon basin [Mircea et al., 2005]. A contribution of organic material to CCN could be especially critical in pristine regions where CCN numbers are limited by very low aerosol concentrations [e.g. Fitzgerald, 1991; Roberts et al., 2001].
Yield Stress of Bentonite Dispersions

We review the factors affecting the yield stress of water dispersions of the wonder material, bentonite. Despite the multitude of applications and its wide use in industry, we still do not have adequate models which enable the prediction of the yield stress of these dispersions, which will allow the manufacturing of fluids with made to order properties. Concentration increases the yield stress of these dispersions according to an approximate power of 3.0, but modeling suggests an exponent of 2.0. pH of the suspension gives maxima and minima; however the results are inconclusive regarding their location. The presence of electrolytes decreases the yield stress of these suspensions but a concrete model to predict the yield stress is yet to be found. Polymers increase the yield stress of the suspensions except at initial low concentrations where a decrease is observed due possibly to a liquefying effect. Very recent reported experimental observations show pictures of flexed bentonite particles in band-type structures in co-existence with isolated bentonite platelets. An analysis is presented which attempts to bring some additional light into the development of the yield stress of these bentonite dispersions.
High Open-Circuit Voltage Gain in Vertical InGaAs Channel Metal–Insulator–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor Using Heavily Doped Drain Region and Narrow Channel Mesa

We fabricated a vertical metal–insulator–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MISFET) with a heterostructure launcher and an undoped channel. Vertical MISFETs exhibit a high drain current density; however, their large output conductance is a disadvantage for the open-circuit voltage gain. In a previous study, a maximum voltage gain of 4.0 was found in a vertical MISFET with a heavily doped drain region and a 45-nm-wide channel mesa. The heavily doped drain region and a narrower channel width are effective in reducing the output conductance. In this study, we fabricated a device with the heavily doped drain region and a 23-nm-wide channel mesa structure. It was observed that the output conductance decreased from 120 to 57 mS/mm at a drain current density of 0.3 MA/cm2 with a narrower channel mesa. The maximum open-circuit voltage gain increased from 4.0 to 5.7.
Enabling Use of Dynamic Anonymization for Enhanced Security in Cloud

Cloud computing is a model that enables Convenient and On-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources where millions of users share an infrastructure. Privacy and Security are significant obstacle that is preventing the extensive adoption of the public cloud in the Industry. Researchers have developed privacy models such as k-anonymity, l-diversity, t-closeness. However, even though these privacy models are applied, an attacker may still be able to access some confidential data if same sensitive labels are used by a group of nodes. Publishing data about individuals without revealing sensitive information about them is an important problem. Data Anonymization is a method that makes data worthless to anyone except the owner of the data. It is one of the methods for transforming the data that it prevents identification of key information from an unauthorized person. We survey the existing methods of anonymization to protect sensitive information stored in cloud. Data can also be anonymized by using techniques such as, Hashing, Hiding, Permutation, Shifting, Truncation, Prefix-preserving, Enumeration, etc. We have implemented these methods also to see an anonymization effect and implemented a new method for anonymization.
Runoff Load Estimation Model for Dissolved Organic Carbon that Considers Soil and Hydrologic Processes in Forested Watersheds

Estimation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) runoff load in forested watersheds is important for the assessment of the global carbon cycle as well as for the local water quality control. A few process-based models previously proposed exhibited difficulties with the availability of input data and applicability to short time-scale rainfall-runoff processes in the Asian monsoon area. With the four years’ data from two nested study areas in Yamanashi, Japan, this study developed a new numerical model that consists of two processes for determining DOC loads. For the hydrologic process, a semi-distributed hydrological model (modified TOPMODEL) was installed. For the soil process, a wet-dry cycle was successfully simulated by an advection-diffusion and dissolution formulation. Finally, cumulative DOC loads were also successfully estimated during baseflow and stormflow periods separately, showing reasonable matching between the simulations and the observations for both study sites. Considering the storm periods, from 27% to 47% of high flows contributed to 50% of the total DOC load at the two monitoring areas, respectively. In essence, the proposed model was expected to identify and evaluate the importance of DOC production potentially linked with internal processes within forested river systems.
Editorial: Electromyography (EMG) Techniques for the Assessment and Rehabilitation of Motor Impairment Following Stroke

The nineteen papers of the research topic Electromyography (EMG) Techniques for the Assessment and Rehabilitation of Motor Impairment Following Stroke highlight a variety of ways that EMG may be used to better understand and treat stroke-induced brain damage. Seven papers addressed the impact of weekly training on EMG properties and function post-stroke, and one paper examined the effect of a robotic exoskeleton on gait during a single training session (Exercise/therapy interventions). Six of the seven training studies were concerned with upper limb function (one of which also assessed corticomuscular coupling), and one examined the effect of foot drop stimulator training. The six upper limb studies used a variety of training modalities includingWii-based upper limb therapy (two papers from one group), EMG-driven robotic devices with or without neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) (three papers), and traditional physical/occupational therapy (one paper). Another seven papers were focused on using EMG to examine motor impairment after stroke (Mechanisms of motor impairment). These included one study that addressed coupling between the index finger and thumb, whereas another addressed upper limb synergies during reaching. One paper examined EMG co-contraction during gait, and one addressed gait EMG during obstacle crossing. One group examined reticulospinal pathways during elbow flexor activity using startling acoustic stimulation. Another studied masticatory muscle activity following brainstem stroke. Finally, one group addressed coupling between the electroencephalogram (EEG) and EMG signals during upper limb movements. Four studies used novel EMG processing techniques to study motor control and impairment post-stroke (Novel EMG processing techniques). These included new approaches to intramuscular EMG decomposition, coherence of motor unit firing patterns from surface EMG, clustering index analysis of surface EMG, and pattern recognition from high density surface EMG.
AUTONOMOUSLY CONTROLLED PROCESSES - CHARACTERISATION OF COMPLEX PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Due to the increasing complexity of today’s logistic systems, new planning and control methods are necessary. Autonomously controlled processes are a possible solution to cope with these new requirements. In order to verify this thesis, the development of an evaluation system is necessary which measures the logistic objective achievement, the level of autonomous control and the level of complexity. Within this paper an adequate operationalisation of complexity in production systems is aspired. For this purpose a complexity cube is derived in order to characterize production systems regarding their level of complexity. The different types of complexity in this cube are represented by vectors which allow measurement and comparison of different types of complexity for different production systems. The application of the complexity cube is illustrated using an exemplary job shop manufacturing scenario.
Exploring video-based interactions around digital public displays to foster curiosity about science in schools

In this poster, we describe our initial steps towards understanding how digital public displays in schools can be utilized in order to foster students' curiosity towards scientific topics. More specically, this present work is part of an on-going research project (JuxtaLearn) that aims at provoking students' curiosity in science and technology through creative lmmaking and editing activities. In order to explore the design space concerning digital public displays for schools' contexts we conducted some initial workshops with science teachers in order to elicit their sensitivities towards possible features and interaction techniques, as well as to inquire about expectations and technology adoption.
Performance Evaluation of Some Private Sector Bank Sponsored Midcap Funds

The performance of few selected Midcap funds, HDFC, ICICI Prudential, Kotak Mahindra and Axis funds have been studied from their inception to the present financial year. The returns are compared with the market returns. The evaluation parameters Sharpe Index. Treynor Index, Jensen’s Alpha, Fama’s Measure and M have been computed for evaluation. Pearson correlation of these parameters is also reported.
Measured soil organic matter fractions can be related to pools in the RothC model

Understanding the response of soil organic carbon (SOC) to environmental and management factors is necessary for estimating the potential of soils to sequester atmospheric carbon. Changes over time in the amount and distribution of SOC fractions with different turnover rates can be estimated by means of soil SOC models such as RothC, which typically consider two to five SOC pools. Ideally, these pools should correspond to measurable SOC fractions. The aim of this study was to test the relationship between SOC pools used in RothC and fractions separated through a fractionation procedure. A total of 123 topsoil samples from agricultural sites (arable land, grassland and alpine pasture) across Switzerland were used. A combination of physical and chemical methods resulted in two sensitive (particulate organic matter and dissolved organic carbon), two slow (carbon associated to clay and silt or stabilized in aggregates) and one passive (oxidation‐resistant carbon) SOM fractions. These fractions were compared with the estimated equilibrium model pools when the corresponding soils were modelled with RothC. Analysis revealed strong correlations between SOC in measured fractions and modelled pools. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients varied between 0.82 for decomposable plant materials (DPM), 0.76 for resistant plant materials (RPM), 0.99 for humified organic matter (HUM) and biomass (BIO), and 0.73 for inert organic matter (IOM). The results show that the proposed fractionation procedure can be used with minor adaptations to identify measurable SOC fractions, which can be used to initialize and evaluate RothC for a wide range of site conditions.