Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The climatic effects of the direct injection of water vapour into the stratosphere by large volcanic eruptions

We describe a novel mechanism that can significantly lower the amplitude of the climatic response to certain large volcanic eruptions and examine its impact with a coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model. If sufficiently large amounts of water vapour enter the stratosphere, a climatically significant amount of water vapour can be left over in the lower stratosphere after the eruption, even after sulphate aerosol formation. This excess stratospheric humidity warms the tropospheric climate, and acts to balance the climatic cooling induced by the volcanic aerosol, especially because the humidity anomaly lasts for a period that is longer than the residence time of aerosol in the stratosphere. In particular, northern hemisphere high latitude cooling is reduced in magnitude. We discuss this mechanism in the context of the discrepancy between the observed and modelled cooling following the Krakatau eruption in 1883. We hypothesize that moist coignimbrite plumes caused by pyroclastic flows travelling over ocean rather than land, resulting from an eruption close enough to the ocean, might provide the additional source of stratospheric water vapour.
Streamer Inception from Ultra-Sharp Needles in Mineral Oil Based Nanofluids

Positive and negative streamer inception voltages from ultra-sharp needle tips (with tip radii below 0.5 μm) are measured in TiO2, SiO2, Al2O3, ZnO and C60 nanofluids. The experiments are performed at several concentrations of nanoparticles dispersed in mineral oil. It is found that nanoparticles influence positive and negative streamers in different ways. TiO2, SiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles increase the positive streamer inception voltage only, whilst ZnO and C60 nanoparticles augment the streamer inception voltages in both polarities. Using these results, the main hypotheses explaining the improvement in the dielectric strength of the host oil due to the presence of nanoparticles are analyzed. It is found that the water adsorption hypothesis of nanoparticles is consistent with the increments in the reported positive streamer inception voltages. It is also shown that the hypothesis of nanoparticles reducing the electron velocity by hopping transport mechanisms fails to explain the results obtained for negative streamers. Finally, the hypothesis of nanoparticles attaching electrons according to their charging characteristics is found to be consistent with the results hereby presented on negative streamers.
H(infini)-feedback design for linear systems subject to input saturation

In this paper, we study gain attenuation of linear systems subject to input saturation $\dot x=Ax+b\sg(u)$. In case there exists a family $\cal{K}$ of stabilizing feedback, we address the issue of estimating the infimum of $\gamma_k$, the gain of the output map $v\mapsto x_v$, defined for $k\in {\cal{K}}$, and where $x_v$ is the solution of $\dot x=Ax+b\sg(k(x)+v)$ starting at zero. For the 2D oscillator and double integrator, we explicitely determine an appropriate family $\cal{K}$ of stabilizing feedback and prove that the infimum over the gains is equal to zero.
Sustainability of Dairy Breeding Practices in Semi-arid Eastern Zone, Rajasthan

The breeding practices followed by the farmers affect the genetic potential of the animals and hence, have long-run implications for sustainability of dairy farming. With the use of low quality germplasm, the productive breeds are getting progressively diluted and face degeneration. Such a loss of animal genetic diversity puts in jeopardy the sustainability of animal husbandary and the ability of the sector to respond to the changing environmental conditions. The present study therefore examines the sustainability of dairy breeding practices followed by farmers in semi-arid eastern plain zone of Rajasthan based on primary data collected from 120 sample households of the zone. A composite index on 100 point scale was developed based on standardized scores assigned to each breeding practices as per their implications on sustainability. Results of the study showed that the livestock breeding practice were low sustainable in the zone as the average value of index was only 51 on the scale. The sustainability was comparatively higher on large farmers (value of index 55.47) as compared to small farmers (value of index 48.16). The breeding infrastructural facilities were poor in the study area. Study suggests for strengthening infrastructural facilities, extension facilities, vocational trainings particularly for farm women, etc. for improving the sustainability of breeding practices in the zone.
De-skilling Effects on Journalists: ICTs and the Labour Process of Taiwanese Newspaper Reporters

Abstract: Through in-depth interviews with Taiwanese newspaper workers, this paper illustrates the “de-skilling” effects of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on journalists. In recent years, Taiwanese reporters have experienced an increase in workload and an intensification of managerial control due to the introduction of new technologies in the newsroom. Using ICTs in the workplace consequently has harmed journalists’ working conditions and autonomy. Moreover, ICTs have led to a trivialization of reporting tasks and devaluation of reporters’ experience and knowledge. The degradation of reporting work resulting from the use of ICTs has enabled managers at Taiwanese newspapers to hire young employees to fill the jobs of experienced reporters and to reduce salary costs. Resume : En se fondant sur des entretiens en profondeur menes avec les employes de quotidiens taiwanais, cet article illustre la dequalification de journalistes causee par les technologies de communication et de l’information (TCIs). Depuis quelques annees, les reporters taiwanais ont subi une augmentation de leur charge de travail et du controle administratif exerce sur eux a la suite de l’introduction de nouvelles technologies dans les salles de nouvelles. Ainsi, les TCIs au travail ont porte atteinte aux conditions de travail et a l’autonomie des journalistes. En outre, les TCIs ont banalise les tâches des reporters et ont devalue leur experience et leur savoir. La degradation du travail journalistique resultant de l’introduction des TCIs a permis aux dirigeants des quotidiens taiwanais d’engager de jeunes employes a la place de reporters experimentes et de reduire les salaires.
Dynamics of the 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers around Cepheus A HW2

Context. The 6.7 GHz methanol maser is exclusively associated with high-mass star formation. However, it remains unclear what structures harbour the methanol masers. Cepheus A is one of the closest regions of massive star formation, making it an excellent candidate for detailed studies. Aims. We determine the dynamics of maser spots in the high-mass star-forming region Cepheus A in order to infer where and when the maser emission occurs. Methods. Very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers allows for mapping their spatial and velocity distribution. Phase-referencing is used to determine the astrometric positions of the maser emission, and multiepoch observations can reveal 3D motions. Results. The 6.7 GHz methanol masers are found in a filamentary structure over ∼1350 AU, straddling the waist of the radio jet HW2. The positions agree well with previous observations of both the 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers. The velocity field of the maser spots does not show any sign of rotation, but is instead consistent with an infall signature. The 12.2 GHz methanol masers are closely associated with the 6.7 GHz methanol masers, and the parallax that we derive confirms previous measurements. Conclusions. We show that the methanol maser emission very likely arises in a shock interface in the equatorial region of Cepheus A HW2 and presents a model in which the maser emission occurs between the infalling gas and the accretion disk/process.
Protective activity of the methanol extract of Usnea longissima against oxidative damage and genotoxicity caused by aflatoxin B_1 in vitro

To investigate the effects of methanol extracts obtained from Usnea longissima (UME) on the genotoxicity and oxidative stress of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in cultured human blood cells. Materials and methods: Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN) tests were used for estimation of genotoxic influences. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level were also measured to evaluate the antioxidative effect of UME. Results: In the SCE and MN test systems, it was observed that UME suppressed the mutagenic effects of AFB1. Furthermore, an increase of MDA level and a decrease of SOD and GPx activities were observed after AFB1 treatment. UME eliminated the genotoxicity of AFB1 and lipid peroxidation by increasing the level of antioxidant enzymes activities. Conclusion: It was shown here for the first time that UME modulates the adverse effects of AFB1 in human blood cells. The results of the present study have also clearly shown that UME has strong antioxidative and antigenotoxic effects, and the role of these enzymes on the mechanism of antigenotoxic activity may be due to its antioxidant potency.
SURVIVABLE OPTICAL NETWORK DESIGN WITH UNAMBIGUOUS SHARED RISK LINK GROUP FAILURE LOCALIZATION

The ever increasing thirst for bandwidth and the strict reliability and timing requirements of applications requires new network resilience methods in the fault management of optical backbone networks. It is particularly critical when an all-optical backbone is in place owing to its high data rate along each fiber and transparency in the data plane. In order to ensure an infrastructure of providing services requiring high Quality of Service (QoS), precise modeling of core optical mesh networks is crucial. For this purpose, the Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) concept is introduced for modeling physical and geographical dependency among seemingly unrelated link failures. There have been numerous studies showing various benefits of (1+1) dedicated protection, which is the widely deployed technology in current optical backbone. However, all of the methods seek the solution of the routing problem in a pre-defined form, which is rather inefficient to find the most flexible routing structure to the QoS needs of the customers. In the first part of this thesis, we introduce a mathematical model which generalizes all previously reported dedicated protection schemes, called Generalized Dedicated Protection (GDP). The routing solutions required to be resilient and robust against all failures in a list of SRLGs defined by the network operator for each QoS class based on operational premises. Based on the equipments available at the network nodes various aspects of the problem is investigated. To further generalize the GDP problem, the applicability of network coding is investigated, and shown to be efficient in practical scenarios. Owing to the mathematical operations required, network coding necessarily incurs some additional cost. However, the complexity of GDP with network coding is polynomial-time, thus, makes the proposed method for on-line routing possible. In the second part of this thesis, as the key point of rapid optical layer restoration, unambiguous failure localization using supervisory lightpaths in all-optical networks is discussed. Using the most flexible structures (called monitoring-trails), the M-trail Allocation Problem (MAP) is introduced in order to minimize the signaling complexity of failure localization. Sufficient conditions on code assignment for multi-link SRLGs are presented, which can be used in various research fields as the basis of algorithm design. The algorithms of the thesis covers various important application scenarios in the fault-management of all-optical networks, which were not addressed efficiently in the literature previously, i.e. unambiguously localizing SRLGs with heterogeneous number of links contained, including the node failure scenario. The impact of the results is demonstrated with publications in the most prestigious journals in our research field.
Conceptions of value as family resemblances

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider value as individual and experiential, based on the relationships between conceptions of value, rather than attempting to identify a common factor. The authors use the term “family” to represent the relationships between conceptions of value and provide a philosophical basis that underpins this. The authors also propose an appropriate method for researching value as family resemblances. Design/methodology/approach In this conceptual paper, the authors propose a new approach to understanding the nature of value in terms of family resemblances. In many marketing studies, value is described as being phenomenologically based, with an increasing number also emphasizing its experiential nature. Attempts to conceptualize value phenomenologically lead to tension between the search for an essence and the qualitatively different ways in which value is experienced by individuals. The authors propose phenomenography as a research approach that accommodates value based on differences rather than essences. Findings Recognizing that there is no necessary condition or essence by which value may be defined resolves the tension that has arisen from the simultaneous search for a common feature and the assertion that value is experientially created by individuals. The research also highlights that the nature of value may differ between people, time and place or some aspects of it may be the same. Regarding value in terms of family resemblances accommodates actors’ different conceptions of value. Phenomenography is an appropriate approach to operationalize conceptions of value in terms of family membership. Research limitations/implications Understanding value as a family, and using phenomenography as method, provides methodological clarity to a long-standing research issue. Using the approaches outlined in this study will enable empirical studies of the nature of value in any context to be conducted soundly and relatively quickly. It will also provide a more inclusive and holistic set of values based on the experiences of individuals. Practical implications The research provides important insights for practitioners through clearer conceptions of value. These include the ability to plan and deliver business outcomes that are more closely aligned with customer values. Understanding the conceptions of value experienced by actors in marketing, as determined through family resemblances, has clear implications for researchers and practitioners. Originality/value Understanding actors’ conceptions of value through the lens of family resemblances resolves a long-standing research issue. Using phenomenography as method is an approach seldom used in marketing that addresses the need for increased use of qualitative research in marketing.
The use of Common Duckweed (Lemna minor) in the treatment of wastewater from the washing of sisal fiber (Furcraea bedinghausii)

espanolUna de las principales fuentes de ingreso de muchas familias de diferentes regiones de Colombia es la produccion de fique (Furcraea bedinghausii), especificamente en el Departamento del Cauca, alrededor de 12000 familias se ocupan del cultivo del fique y se benefician del mismo. Actualmente solo el 4 % de la hoja de fique es utilizada, el 96% restante corresponde a jugos y bagazo. Entre sus procesos de transformacion se encuentra el lavado de la cabuya, actividad que contamina grandes volumenes de agua que finalmente llegan a una fuente de agua natural, para este caso especifico al rio las margaritas en Silvia - Cauca. En este contexto, el presente estudio propone una alternativa de solucion a este problema mediante el uso de la planta Lenteja de agua (Lemna minor). La evaluacion del nivel de eficiencia en el proceso de fitorremediacion a escala piloto se realizo mediante la caracterizacion de parametros fisico-quimicos como DBO5, DQO, SST, nitrogeno y fosforo en el agua. La variable considerada fue el tiempo de retencion hidraulica (TRH), la cual fue de 8 y 12 dias. Algunos resultados muestran que el porcentaje de remocion fue mas eficiente con un TRH de 8 dias, logrando valores para DQO y DBO5 de 79,6 % y 82.77 % respectivamente. EnglishThe production of sisal (Furcraea Bedinghausii) represents one of the main sources of income for many families in the different regions of Colombia. In the department of Cauca, around 12,000 families currently reap the rewards of sisal cultivation. Only 4% of the sisal leaf is actually used, the remaining 96% comprising juice and bagasse. Washing the harvested sisal is a stage in the transformation process that contaminates large volumes of water. This goes on to reach a natural water source, in this case the Las Margaritas river in Silvia, Cauca. With the above concern in mind, this study puts forward an alternative solution using Common duckweed (Lemna minor). Evaluation of the efficiency of the phytoremediation process on a pilot scale was carried out through the characterization of such physicochemical parameters as BOD5, COD, TSS, nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. The variable used was hydraulic retention times (HRT), which were eight and twelve days. Results suggest that percentage removal by Lemna minor was highest with a HRT of eight days, reaching values of 79.6 % and 82.77 % for COD and BOD5 respectively.
Fair Value versus Historical Cost: Which is actually more "Fair"?

Fair Value Accounting has been regarded by significant portion of academics and practitioners as a revolutionary approach to aid investors’ decision making abilities since it presents the current value of financial assets. Though proponents have long praised for the relevance strength, opponents of fair value have underlined the significant lack of reliability; therefore praised for historical cost accounting as a sound system constructed on robust pillars of prudence. With the more balanced structure of the Financial Accounting Standards Board on conservative versus fair value accounting issues, especially with the developments under FAS 155, FAS, and 157 to promote the use of mark-to-market, the financial world has shifted towards a more ‘subjective’ accounting. Even with the Enron case, having applied fair value has been linked with fraud. This paper discusses the ambiguous nature of fair value accounting and stresses the importance of historical cost accounting to avoid any potential future crisis.
Assessment of genetic diversity for quantitative traits in sunflower germplasm

Evaluating genetic diversity in germplasm resources is a prerequisite for any effective breeding program. In this context, an investigation was carried out for analyzing genetic diversity in a set of 18 sunflower lines, which were grown at Oilseeds Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan. Results demonstrated that mean squares were highly significantly different (P< 0.01) for days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, head diameter, seeds head-1, seed index and grain yield plant-1. It represents that studied sunflower germplasm tend to have useful genetic resources for further breeding programs. In respect to genetic distance, a number of pairs were identified, which possess wide as well as narrow genetic distance; hence these pairs may be utilized for heterosis and backcross breeding purpose, respectively. Principal component analysis depicted that first three components showed a very high percentage of genetic variance (91.60%), indicating a great amount of genetic diversity in studied germplasm. Considering cluster analysis, diverse parents have also been identified through different clusters, signifying their importance for upcoming hybridization programs in sunflower. Keywords: Genetic diversity; Sunflower; Cluster analysis; Quantitative traits http://dx.doi. org/10.19045/bspab.2017. 60022
Chronology, geochemistry, and petrology of a ferroan noritic anorthosite clast from Descartes breccia 67215: Clues to the age, origin, structure, and impact history of the lunar crust

Abstract— The petrology, major and trace element geochemistry, and Nd‐Ar‐Sr isotopic compositions of a ferroan noritic anorthosite clast from lunar breccia 67215 have been studied in order to improve our understanding of the composition, age, structure, and impact history of the lunar crust. The clast (designated 67215c) has an unusually well preserved igneous texture. Mineral compositions are consistent with classification of 67215c as a member of the ferroan anorthositic suite of lunar highlands rocks, but the texture and mineralogy show that it cooled more rapidly and at shallower depths than did more typical ferroan anorthosites (FANs). Incompatible trace element concentrations are enriched in 67215c relative to typical FANs, but diagnostic signatures such as Ti/Sm, Sc/Sm, plagiophile element ratios, and the lack of Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta fractionation show that this cannot be due to the addition of KREEP. Alternatively, 67215c may contain a greater fraction of trapped liquid than is commonly present in lunar FANs. 147Sm‐143Nd isotopic compositions of mineral separates from 67215c define an isochron age of 4.40 ± 0.11 Gyr with a near‐chondritic initial ε143Nd of +0.85 ± 0.53. The 40Ar‐39Ar composition of plagioclase from this clast records a post‐crystallization thermal event at 3.93 ± 0.08 Gyr, with the greatest contribution to the uncertainty in this age deriving from a poorly constrained correction for lunar atmosphere 40Ar. Rb‐Sr isotopic compositions are disturbed, probably by the same event recorded by the Ar isotopic compositions. Trace element compositions of FANs are consistent with crystallization from a moderately evolved magma ocean and do not support a highly depleted source composition such as that implied by the positive initial ε143Nd of the ferroan noritic anorthosite 62236. Alternatively, the Nd isotopic systematics of lunar FANs may have been subject to variable degrees of modification by impact metamorphism, with the plagioclase fraction being more strongly affected than the mafic phases. 147Sm‐143Nd isotopic compositions of mafic fractions from the 4 ferroan noritic anorthosites for which isotopic data exist (60025, 62236, 67016c, 67215c) define an age of 4.46 ± 0.04 Gyr, which may provide a robust estimate for the crystallization age of lunar ferroan anorthosites.