Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Upper tropospheric humidity and cirrus geometrical and optical thickness: Relationships inferred from 1 year of collocated AIRS and CALIPSO data

Profiles of relative humidity with respect to ice (RHice) determined from spaceborne passive remote sensing suffer a lack of vertical and spatial resolutions. RHice distributions show dry biases compared to in situ observations because geometrically thin moist layers are integrated within coarser vertical resolutions, a direct effect being the underestimation of ice supersaturation (RHice > 100%) occurrence. Collocated data from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) provide the opportunity to investigate relationships between RHice and geometrical thickness and optical depth of high clouds near the tropopause. “Apparent” optical depths are derived for single-layer high clouds from CALIPSO. By comparing these “apparent” optical depths to cloud infrared emissivities derived from AIRS the multiple scattering contribution is estimated and the optical depths are corrected. Mean RHice increases with cloud geometrical thickness but remains low compared to 100% except for very vertically extended clouds. Optically thicker clouds show on average larger geometrical thickness and larger relative humidity than optically thinner clouds. However, for a comparable geometrical thickness, optically thinner clouds are on average slightly more humid. This study concludes that cloud geometrical thickness has a greater influence than cloud optical depth on RHice integrated within a coarse vertical resolution. Limitations of AIRS humidity observations regarding the detection of ice supersaturation are discussed.
Loughborough University Institutional Repository An exploration of Volunteered Geographic Information stakeholders

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has huge potential for influencing the use of geographic information systems. However, there is a wide range of individuals involved in this process, each with their own motivations for contributing and using volunteered data. This paper investigates the range of stakeholders involved with VGI, their relationships and the main tensions and issues involved. The research was based on a series of detailed interviews and theory-driven coding of data. From this, a Rich Picture (Monk, Howard 1998) was developed to graphically present and relate stakeholder relationship information. The findings have implications for how stakeholder groups may be described, and how VGI can lead to enhanced products and services.
Comparison between two di ff erent pretreatment technologies of rice straw fi bers prior to fi berboard manufacturing : Twin-screw extrusion and digestion plus de fi bration

The present work compares two different pretreatment technologies, i.e. twin-screw extrusion, and steaming digestion plus defibration, for producing a thermo-mechanical pulp from rice straw for fiberboard manufacturing. Five liquid/solid ratios from 0.43 to 1.02 were tested for twin-screw extrusion pretreatment, while liquid/solid ratios from 4 to 6 were used for digestion pretreatment. Energy consumption, and characteristics of the extrudates (twin-screw extrusion) and pulps (digestion) (including fiber morphology, chemical composition, thermal properties, apparent and tapped densities, as well as color) were the analyzed parameters for the resulting lignocellulosic fibers. The results showed that liquid/solid ratio had influence on energy consumption of the equipment for both defibrating methods For the twin-screw extrusion method, a lower liquid/solid ratio required more energy while for the digestion plus defibration the effect was the opposite. The corresponding total specific energy consumption ranged from 0.668 kW h/kg to 0.946 kW h/kg dry matter for twin-screw extrusion, and from 6.176 kW h/kg to 8.52 kW h/kg dry matter for digestion plus defibration. Thus, the pulping method consumed about nine times more energy than that of the twin-screw extrusion. In addition, for twinscrew extrusion, the liquid/solid ratio did not have a substantial effect on fiber characteristics with similar chemical compositions and thermal properties. For twin-screw extrusion, the energy consumption was 37% reduced when the liquid/solid ratio was increased from 0.43 to 1.02. Instead, for digestion plus defibration, the energy increase was 38% when the liquid/solid ratio increased from 4 to 6.
MIMO performance of today's metal-covered handset

—This paper discusses on the evolution of smart-phones in recent years and its effects on antenna performance. Up-to-date design framework is introduced, and comparison of recent metal-rim antennas is presented. Especially, the paper analyzes further the MIMO performance of a recently published realistic metal-covered handset design with LTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi antennas. The designed antennas cover frequency bands 704–960MHz, 1.56–1.61GHz, 1.71–2.69GHz, 2.4–2.484GHz, and 5.15–5.875GHz. New results on multiplexing efﬁciency and ergodic capacity are presented. In very challenging design environment, the design shows good performance despite the modest matching levels and efﬁciencies.
Spin-transfer torque in magnetic tunnel junctions

We present a theoretical study of the spin-transfer torque vector and the tunneling magnetoresistance TMR for symmetric magnetic tunnel junctions MTJ using the single-band tight-binding model and the nonequilibrium Keldysh formalism. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the effect of band filling and exchange splitting of the FM leads on the bias behavior of the spin-transfer component, T, in the plane containing the magnetizations of the two magnetic layers, and the fieldlike component, T, perpendicular to this plane. We demonstrate that both components of the spin torque and the TMR can exhibit a wide range of interesting and unusual bias behavior. We show that TV satisfies an expression involving the difference in spin currents between the ferromagnetic FM and antiferromagnetic AF configurations, which is general and independent of the details of the electronic structure. The spin current for the FM AF alignment is shown to have a linear quadratic bias dependence, whose origin lies in the symmetric asymmetric nature of the barrier. On the other hand, the bias dependence of T is quadratic with d 2 T /dV 2 0, and it can change sign at finite bias. Finally, we show that the exchange splitting and band filling have a large effect on the bias dependence of the TMR.
The implementation of e-learning with team builder at vocational high schools

This research is aimed at: (1) producing an appropriate e-learning for English language studies in vocational high school, (2) evaluating the suitability of the developed e-learning in terms of appropriateness, accuracy and clarity, screen presentation and design, and appropriateness of the team builder module aspect, and (3) evaluating the effectiveness of the e-learning in practical application. This research and development (R&D) study used Alessi and Trollip’s model rearranged following ADDIE model, where the development of instruction followed Dick and Carey’s model and the need assessment procedures were adapted from Lee & Owens. Overall appropriateness and quality of the e-learning from alpha testing is ‘very appropriate’ and from beta testing is ‘excellent’. Alpha testing reveals that, the Team Builder Module is ‘very appropriate’ and beta testing reveals that, its overall quality is ‘excellent’. The e-learning is highly effective. The average score of the students raises 3.82 points (or 42.44%) in the post-test from pre-test score. The minimum score of the post-test (i.e. 8) is more than the maximum score of the pre-test (i.e. 7), so it is concluded that the use of e-learning does not deteriorate the performance of the students, but improves their performance.
The influence of predators, competitors, and habitat on the use of water sources by a small desert carnivore

Free water can in ﬂ uence the ecology of desert species. While the use of free water is in ﬂ uenced by physiological factors (e.g., species-speci ﬁ c water requirements, moisture in forage, temperature), non-physiological factors, such as habitat characteristics and interspeci ﬁ c interactions, are also important. In fact, for species of concern, interspeci ﬁ c interactions and habitat can be important factors in ﬂ uencing their spatial and temporal use of the landscape and its resources. The kit fox ( Vulpes macrotis ) is a small carnivore considered to be a species of concern over much of its range, and two of the most important conservation challenges it faces are related to (1) habitat and (2) predation/competition by intraguild species. Our objective was to determine the in ﬂ uence of habitat characteristics, predators (bobcats [ Lynx rufus ], coyotes [ Canis latrans ]), and potential competitors (badgers [ Taxidea taxus ], gray foxes [ Urocyon cinereoargenteus ]) on the use of water by kit foxes. From June to September 2010 – 2012, we used remote cameras to monitor carnivores at 63 water sources in the Mojave Desert. We used zero-in ﬂ ated mixed-effects models and a two-stage model selection analysis to evaluate the in ﬂ uence of habitat, predators, and competitors on spatial visits to water by kit foxes. We also assessed temporal avoidance of intraguild predators and competitors by kit foxes at water sources using a coef ﬁ cient of overlap. We found that visual obscurity, overhead canopy cover, badgers, and coyotes in ﬂ uenced spatial visits of kit foxes. In addition, kit foxes exhibited strong temporal overlap with badgers and bobcats, moderate temporal overlap with gray foxes, and weak temporal overlap with coyotes. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the spatial and temporal use of water sources by kit foxes is dynamic, depending on habitat characteristics and the activity of intraguild predators and competitors.
Beyond guidance: It’s time to focus on the consequences of attentional capture

ABSTRACT Attentional capture is assumed to automatically trigger attentional engagement, which gates working memory access. However, recent studies show that engagement is not a necessary outcome of capture and can be disrupted by manipulations that leave capture intact. In this commentary, I suggest that these findings have important implications for the capture debate. Mainly, they suggest that capture may have different consequences under different conditions. Moreover, they caution against interpreting the absence of evidence for engagement as evidence that capture did not occur. Finally, they open the door to future investigation about factors that determine and modulate engagement, independently from capture.
A joint replenishment policy with individual control and constant size orders

We consider inventory systems with multiple items under stochastic demand and jointly incurred order setup costs. The problem is to determine the replenishment policy that minimises the total expected ordering, inventory holding, and backordering costs–the so-called stochastic joint replenishment problem. In particular, we study the settings in which order setup costs reflect the transportation costs and have a step-wise cost structure, each step corresponding to an additional transportation vehicle. For this setting, we propose a new policy that we call the (s, 𝒬) policy, under which a replenishment order of constant size 𝒬 is triggered whenever the inventory position of one of the items drops to its reorder point s. The replenishment order is allocated to multiple items so that the inventory positions are equalised as much as possible. The policy is designed for settings in which backorder and setup costs are high, as it allows the items to independently trigger replenishment orders and fully exploits the economies of scale by consistently ordering the same quantity. A numerical study is conducted to show that the proposed (s, 𝒬) policy outperforms the well-known (𝒬, S) policy when backorder costs are high and lead times are small.
A Simulation Model As A Lean Tool To Improve Patient Flow And Utilization of Resources In Kenya ’ s Public Hospitals : A Case Study of The Outpatient Department of Nyeri County Referral Hospital

Simulation model is descriptive in nature, and mimics characteristics of a real system offering a better understanding of the system performance. However, over the years, it has been adopted in hospitals for improving healthcare processes and optimizing resources, but it has not been linked directly to the concept of lean management. Despite public hospitals in Kenya focusing on improving structures, communication technologies and adopting modern medical equipment, they have lagged behind in improving patients’ preferences in relation to the care pathway processes and utilization of the available resources effectively. This paper reviews lean concept in healthcare, and how simulation can be adopted as a lean tool to improve patient flow in Kenya’s public hospitals using the case study of a public hospital. The main waste identified in the care pathway was long patient waiting times, where often, patients at consultation room one waited for 0.94hrs, while for the pediatric room, the patient waiting time was as long as 0.64 hrs before they could consult the clinical officers. In the laboratory, patients tended to wait for a period of 0.66 hrs before being tested. To address these shortcomings, several processes were re-engineered using simulation model with a view of optimizing patient flow processes and utilization of available resource. The re-engineered processes included centralization of cash payment points, adoption of adjustable a capacity system for clinical officers, and addition of more resources at specific cash payment points, which were linked to long waiting times. Moreover, re-engineering was proposed for the filtering rooms and the laboratory to improve the patient flow.
On differences of heat semigroups

We describe some results on pointwise inequalities for generalized Schr6dinger (or absorption/excitation or heat) semigroup. For these inequalities we use a kind of generalized Brownian bridge measure. The main topic of the present paper are some results on heat semigroup differences consisting of trace class or Hilbert-Schmidt operators. As an application stability results of essential and/or absolutely continuous spectra of quantum-mechanical Hamiltonians are obtained.
Phase-Matching Quantum Key Distribution

Quantum key distribution allows remote parties to generate information-theoretic secure keys. The bottleneck throttling its real-life applications lies in the limited communication distance and key generation speed, due to the fact that the information carrier can be easily lost in the channel. For all the current implementations, the key rate is bounded by the channel transmission probability, $\eta$. Rather surprisingly, by matching the phases of two coherent states and encoding the key information into the common phase, this linear key-rate constraint can be overcome---the secure key rate scales with the square root of the transmission probability, $O(\sqrt{\eta})$, as proposed in twin-field quantum key distribution [Nature (London) 557, 400 (2018)]. To achieve this, we develop an optical-mode-based security proof that is different from the conventional qubit-based security proofs. Furthermore, the proposed scheme is measurement device independent, i.e., it is immune to all possible detection attacks. The simulation result shows that the key rate can even exceed the transmission probability $\eta$ between two communication parties. In addition, we apply phase postcompensation to devise a practical version of the scheme without phase locking, which makes the proposed scheme feasible with the current technology. This means that quantum key distribution can enjoy both sides of the world---practicality and security.
Transport effects on the vertical distribution of tropospheric ozone over the tropical marine regions surrounding India

The measurements of vertical distribution of ozone have been made over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea in spring 2006 during a cruise campaign, namely, the Integrated Campaign for Aerosol, Gases and Radiation Budget. The average tropospheric columnar ozone (TCO) values are found to be 36.1 ± 6.9 Dobson unit (DU) and 41.7 ± 5.0 DU over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, respectively. In contrast to TCO, ozone mixing ratios are higher by about 10 ppbv in the lower 3 km over the Bay of Bengal due to Indo Gangetic outflow above the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Major contribution in the higher TCO value over the Arabian Sea is, possibly, by stratospheric intrusion when ozone in the upper troposphere is higher by about 20 ppbv. The lowest columnar ozone content of 22.4 DU was observed on 30 March in the central Bay of Bengal due to convective activity resulting into lower ozone throughout the troposphere, except between 6 and 10 km altitude. These near simultaneous ozone observations over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea in spring season have revealed the role of regional and long‐range transport and local dynamics on the vertical distribution of ozone over these tropical marine regions.
Impact of Algerian date palm pollen aqueous extract on epididymal and ejaculated rabbit sperm motility during in vitro incubation

Abstract Date palm pollen (DPP) has been widely tested in vitro in preservation of spermatozoa of different farm animals except in rabbits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of various concentrations (20, 40, 80 mg/mL) of DPP aqueous extract on epididymal and ejaculated rabbit spermatozoa during in vitro incubation at 37 °C during 120 min. NaCl Pollen Extender (NPE) and TRIS Base Extender (TPE) were respectively used in epididymal and ejaculated sperm preservation. Sperm motility parameters were objectively analysed by a Computer Aided Sperm Analyser (CASA). The results revealed that in epididymal sperm at 0 minute, sperm motility showed significant higher values (p ≤ 0.05) for all doses of DPP in comparison to the control group. After 30, 60 and 120 min, the motility rate was higher (p > .05) in all the experimental groups compared to the control. Concerning velocity traits (VCL and VAP), and trajectories parameters (LIN, ALH, BCF), the doses of 40 mg/mL and 80 mg/mL showed the highest values than Control. In ejaculated samples, the motility rate at 0 minute improved only with the dose of 80 mg/mL and DPP showed protective effect at all doses (20, 40, 80 mg/mL) up to 60 min of incubation. DPP enhanced spermatozoa velocity (VCL and VAP) and the trajectory of sperm (LIN, ALH, BCF) even from 20 mg/mL at any points of storage. In conclusion, aqueous extract of date palm pollen is a suitable supplement to the extender for rabbit sperm by protecting and improving sperm motility parameters. HIGHLIGHTS The addition of DPP extract improves the quality of epididymal and ejaculated rabbit sperm. The extender supplemented with 80 mg/mL of DPP in NPE has a beneficial effect on kinetic traits of epididymal sperm. Nevertheless, in TPE extender, 20 mg/mL of DPP was enough to improve sperm motility traits in ejaculated rabbit semen.
The Effect of Service Recovery Strategies on Satisfaction with the Recovery: The Mediating Role of Distributive Justice

The aim of this study was to test the effect of the Service Recovery Strategies on the Satisfaction with the Recovery, as well as testing the effect of Service Recovery Strategies on Distributive Justice. The study also aimed to identify the effect of Distributive Justice on the Satisfaction with the Recovery, as well as the test of the mediation role of Distributive Justice in the relationship between Service Recovery Strategies and the Satisfaction with the Recovery. The study was applied to a sample of (354) customers of the Internet companies in Egypt. Data analyzed using the SPSS program Data, as well as the AMOS program to test the quality of compatibility between data collected and theoretical data, and the Structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses of the study. The results of the study showed that, there is a positive significant effect of some Service Recovery strategies and Distributive Justice on the Satisfaction with the Recovery. Also, there is a positive significant effect of some Service Recovery strategies on Distributive Justice. The study also found that the Distributive Justice mediated in the relationship between the Service Recovery Strategies and the Satisfaction with the Recovery. Based on these results was presented a set of recommendations, as well as suggest some future studies relevant to the subject of the study.
Using Wikipedia to develop language resources: WordNet 3.0 in Catalan and Spanish

Digithum, no. 14 (May, 2012) | ISSN 1575-2275 A scientific e-journal published by the Arts and Humanities Department Abstract We describe the state of the art in the use of Wikipedia for natural language processing tasks and also describe three applications of our own that enrich a powerful language resource: WordNet version 3.0 in Catalan and Spanish. Researchers have for many years sought applications that would take account of world knowledge in a more or less structured way, as this kind of knowledge has proven to be crucial to satisfactorily solving certain language processing tasks. Wikipedia may be the answer to the provision of this kind of information, as it is constantly updated and access is free.
Developing the SMEs' Innovative Capacity Using a Big Data Approach

This paper investigates the means by which Big Data could be a viable option for innovative SMEs. In the first part, in order to identify specific patterns involving the dynamics of SMEs’ overall performances and the main sources of information for product and process innovation, we used the data collected from more than 1.700 enterprises from Romania. In the second part, we focused on Big Data software solutions that could help SMEs to develop their innovative capacity. Therefore, we have identified seven software solutions that meet SMEs’ expectations and specific requirements (InsightSquared, Canopy Labs, Radius, QualtricsLabs, Sylectus, Swipelyand Google Analytics) and analyzed them from a three-dimension perspective: Data Sources, Departments and Sectors. Our paper ends with conclusions concerning (a) the availability and affordability of Big Data software and (b) the specific premises needed for a better diffusion of Big Data usage in SMEs’ innovative processes, such as the availability of data sources, the needed awareness among shareholders, managers and other stakeholders and the existence of proper human resources with specific knowledge, skills and competencies.
Using the Hereditary Substitution Function in Normalization Proofs

This paper summarizes the use of the hereditary substitution function due to K. Watkins et al., in proofs of normalization for typed λ-calculi. We prove normalization for three different type theories. The first system analyzed is the Simply Typed λ-Calculus (STLC). Then we extend STLC with predicative polymorphism called Stratified System F (SSF) which was studied by D. Leivant. Finally, we show how to prove normalization of Stratified System F due to J. Girard, by using the normalization results for STLC and SSF. We also point out several new properties of the hereditary substitution function and a critical general property, semantic inversion, which is required for the normalization proof method using hereditary substitution.