Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coincident Mass Occurrence of Gelatinous Zooplankton in Northern Norway

In autumn 2015, several sources reported observations of large amounts of gelatinous material in a large north Norwegian fjord system, either caught when trawling for other organisms or fouling fishing gear. The responsible organism was identified as a physonect siphonophore, Nanomia cara, while a ctenophore, Beroe cucumis, and a hydromedusa, Modeeria rotunda, were also registered in high abundances on a couple of occasions. To document the phenomena, we have compiled a variety of data from concurrent fisheries surveys and local fishermen, including physical samples, trawl catch and acoustic data, photo and video evidence, and environmental data. Because of the gas-filled pneumatophore, characteristic for these types of siphonophores, acoustics provided detailed and unique insight to the horizontal and vertical distribution and potential abundances (~0.2-20 colonies∙m-3) of N. cara with the highest concentrations observed in the near bottom region at ~320 m depth in the study area. This suggests that these animals were retained and accumulated in the deep basins of the fjord system possibly blooming here because of favorable environmental conditions and potentially higher prey availability compared to the shallower shelf areas to the north. Few cues as to the origin and onset of the bloom were found, but it may have originated from locally resident siphonophores. The characteristics of the deep-water masses in the fjord basins were different compared to the deep water outside the fjord system, suggesting no recent deep-water import to the fjords. However, water-masses containing siphonophores (not necessarily very abundant), may have been additionally introduced to the fjords at intermediate depths, with the animals subsequently trapped in the deeper fjord basins. The simultaneous observations of abundant siphonophores, hydromedusae, and ctenophores in the Lyngen-Kvaenangen fjord system are intriguing, but difficult to provide a unified explanation for, as the organisms differ in their biology and ecology. Nanomia and Beroe spp. are holopelagic, while Modeeria rotunda has a benthic hydroid stage. The species also have different trophic ecologies and dietary preferences. Only by combining information from acoustics, trawling, genetics, and local fishermen, were the identity, abundance, and the vertical and horizontal distribution of the physonect siphonophore, Nanomia cara, established.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CRACK PROPAGATION ANALYSIS USING MESHLESS POINT COLLOCATION METHOD

This paper presents a meshless point collocation method for three-dimensional crack propagation. The meshless point collocation method is based on direct discretization of strong-form governing equations to achieve a truly meshless scheme that does not require mesh structures or a numerical integration procedure. These characteristics of the point collocation method enable the direction of an arbitrary crack propagation to be defined purely according to the fracture criterion of the mechanical model because node-wise topology can be easily transformed by the simple addition of nodes and polygonal surfaces. The main advantages of the presented method are that there is no need to consider the consistency between the mesh connectivity and continuity of fracture zone locations and that the crack propagation procedure is relatively simplified with no additional implementation features from numerical integration used in weak formulations. The constrained moving least squares approximation (C-MLS) is employed for meshless interpolation so that essential boundary conditions can easily be applied. A cohesive crack model is directly introduced in combination with the crack growth procedure to express the fracture of quasi-brittle materials such as concrete. The accuracy and robustness of the presented method were demonstrated through its application to several numerical examples.
Extratemporal surface EEG features do not preclude successful surgical outcomes in drug-resistant epilepsy patients with unitemporal MRI lesions

Of 47 patients with onset of intractable partial seizures and temporal lobe MRI lesions, subjected to presurgical evaluation and temporal lobe surgery, we identified eight (mean age: 24 years; range: 7–52 years) demonstrating surface interictal and/or ictal EEG features suggestive of an extratemporal localisation. All eight patients underwent surgery aiming to predominantly resect the lesion, without extending to the extratemporal region. The patients were prospectively followed (mean followup duration: 38 months; range: 12–66 months) and all achieved excellent postoperative seizure control. Extratemporal surface interictal/ictal EEG featureswere more often encountered in tumoural and focal cortical dysplasia cases, compared with medial temporal sclerosis cases, and were most frequently localised over frontopolar and suprasylvian-pericentral locations. We postulate that propagation of interictal/ictal activity from the epileptogenic region of the temporal lobe to extratemporal neocortical areas, perhaps utilising the temporal pole and insula as intermediary nodes of a common epileptogenic network, accounts for the presence of our cohort’s discordant lesion and EEG features.
Randomly correcting model errors in the ARPEGE-Climate v6.1 component of CNRM-CM: applications for seasonal forecasts

Abstract. Stochastic methods are increasingly used in global coupled model climate forecasting systems to account for model uncertainties. In this paper, we describe in more detail the stochastic dynamics technique introduced by Batte and Deque (2012) in the ARPEGE-Climate atmospheric model. We present new results with an updated version of CNRM-CM using ARPEGE-Climate v6.1, and show that the technique can be used both as a means of analyzing model error statistics and accounting for model inadequacies in a seasonal forecasting framework. The perturbations are designed as corrections of model drift errors estimated from a preliminary weakly nudged re-forecast run over an extended reference period of 34 boreal winter seasons. A detailed statistical analysis of these corrections is provided, and shows that they are mainly made of intra-month variance, thereby justifying their use as in-run perturbations of the model in seasonal forecasts. However, the interannual and systematic error correction terms cannot be neglected. Time correlation of the errors is limited, but some consistency is found between the errors of up to 3 consecutive days. These findings encourage us to test several settings of the random draws of perturbations in seasonal forecast mode. Perturbations are drawn randomly but consistently for all three prognostic variables perturbed. We explore the impact of using monthly mean perturbations throughout a given forecast month in a first ensemble re-forecast (SMM, for stochastic monthly means), and test the use of 5-day sequences of perturbations in a second ensemble re-forecast (S5D, for stochastic 5-day sequences). Both experiments are compared in the light of a REF reference ensemble with initial perturbations only. Results in terms of forecast quality are contrasted depending on the region and variable of interest, but very few areas exhibit a clear degradation of forecasting skill with the introduction of stochastic dynamics. We highlight some positive impacts of the method, mainly on Northern Hemisphere extra-tropics. The 500 hPa geopotential height bias is reduced, and improvements project onto the representation of North Atlantic weather regimes. A modest impact on ensemble spread is found over most regions, which suggests that this method could be complemented by other stochastic perturbation techniques in seasonal forecasting mode.
Factors influencing the retention of hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen in rime ice

Vertical transport of many atmospheric trace gases is modulated by retention in solid (ice phase) precipitation during the impaction and freezing (i.e., riming) of supercooled cloud droplets. Here we report field measurements of the concentrations of both hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and molecular oxygen (O 2 ) in rime ice. Gas retention efficiencies, defined as the ratio of the observed concentration divided by the equilibrium concentration predicted by Henry's law, are presented. Rime ice collections were conducted in a wind tunnel using 3.2- and 9.5-mm impaction cylinders. Velocities were varied between 9 and 20 m/s and ice substrate temperatures were colder than -3.5 °C. Averaged values of the retention efficiencies for H 2 O 2 and O 2 were 0.05 and 0.32, respectively. Also discussed are direct measurements of H 2 O 2 volatilization obtained by monitoring increases in gaseous H 2 O 2 associated with droplet impingement and freezing on an impaction grid placed upstream of a gas sampling inlet. The observed relationships between retention and the time interval between droplet impaction suggest that H 2 O 2 and O 2 are volatilized subsequent to droplet freezing and prior to burial by continued riming. A comparison of the timescales that are expected to govern retention indicates that solute diffusivities in the solidified droplets are ∼10 -12 m 2 s -1 .
Key Factors in Frame Building

In this article, the author focuses on the relationship between political actors and the mass media. The author uses media frames as dependent variables and investigates the factors that influence the presence and frequency of frames applied by journalists (the frames in “news media”). This has come to be known as frame building. The author argues that there are at least three important factors in frame building: power, the salience of the frames in the media input, and the multiplication effect of the minister. Using data from content analyses of campaign material and news media and from interviews with political actors, the author finds support that for frame presence, power is important. For frame frequency, the salience of the frames in the media input and the minister are crucial.
THE EFFECT OF SEVERAL ANTIBIOTICS ON LACTOCOCCUS GARVIEAE ISOLATED FROM JORDANIAN DAIRY PRODUCTS

This study investigated the antibiotic resistance profile of the L. garvieae isolated strains from Jordanian dairy products. Disk diffusion method was used. In particular, different antibiotics were tested against L. garvieae; the antibiotic disks were Trimethoprim (5 µg), Clindamycin (2 µg), Nitrofurantoin (300 µg), Erythromycin (15 µg), Ampicillin (15 µg), Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (1.25/23.75 µg Polymyxin B (300U) and Tetracycline (30 µg). The results indicated high and statistically significant effects of Trimethoprim, Nitrofurantoin and Trimethoprim/Sulfamthoxazole on L. garvieae. Trimethoprim had the greatest antimicrobial effect on L. garvieae strains. All of the strains were sensitive to this antibiotic. Trimethoprim showed 20 mm inhibition zone in some strains. On the other hand, there were no antibiotic effects of Clindamycin and Polymyxin B on L. garvieae. Slight and statistically insignificant effects were found of other tested antibiotics. The study recommended using Trimethoprim antibiotic against L. garvieae because it inhibited its growths in all isolated cultures.
Diagnostics of hypercortisolism - comparison between the clinical usefulness of salivary and serum cortisol measurements.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was the comparison of 24h urine free cortisol (UFC), serum cortisol at 11pm (SCM) and late-nightsalivary cortisol (LSC) in patients suspected for hypercortisolism, and an assessment of the usefulness of these measurements in diagnosingovert Cushing's (OCS) syndrome, pseudo Cushing's state (PCS) and subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 82 patients, of whom four patients had SCS, three OCS and eight PCS. For measurementsof LSC, the ELISA method was used, and for UFC and SCM determination, chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was used. RESULTS The highest correlation coefficient characterised LSC and SCM (r = 0.72). Area under curve (AUC) for SCM and LSC in receiveroperating characteristic (ROC) for OCS was: 0.86 v. 0.74; for PCS: 0.83 v. 0.70; and for SCS: 0.74 v. 0.79. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that LSC is more useful compared to SCM in diagnosing subclinical Cushing's syndrome. Moreover,LSC seems to be a valuable diagnostic criterion to distinguish pseudo Cushing's state. However, to obtain reliable cut-offs for LSC values,a larger group of hypercortisolic patients is needed.
The Effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act: A Quantitative Analysis

Abstract Population trends for 1095 species listed as threatened and endangered under the Endangered Species Act were correlated with the length of time the species were listed and the presence or absence of critical habitat and recovery plans. Species with critical habitat for two or more years were more than twice as likely to have an improving population trend in the late 1990s, and less than half as likely to be declining in the early 1990s, as species without. Species with dedicated recovery plans for two or more years were significantly more likely to be improving and less likely to be declining than species without. The proportion of species improving increased, and the proportion declining decreased, with increasing time listed throughout the 1990s, irrespective of critical habitat and recovery plans. On the basis of these results, we recommend increased funding for earlier listing of imperiled species and prompt provision of critical habitat and recovery plans.
Ocean mixed layer depth: A subsurface proxy of ocean‐atmosphere variability

A new criterion, based on the shallowest extreme curvature of near surface layer density or temperature profiles, is established for demarking the mixed layer depth, h mix. Using historical global hydrographic profile data, including conductivity-temperature-depth and expendable bathythermograph data obtained during World Ocean Circulation Experiment, its seasonal variability and monthly to interannual anomalies are computed. Unlike the more commonly used Δ criterion, the new criterion is able to deal with both different vertical resolutions of the data set and a large variety of observed stratification profiles. For about two thirds of the profiles our algorithm produces an h mix/c that is more reliable than the one of the Δ criterion. The uncertainty for h mix/c is ±5 m for high- (<5 m) and ±8 m for low- (<20 m) resolution profiles. A quality index, QImix, which compares the variance of a profile above h mix to the variance to a depth of 1.5 × h mix, shows that for the 70% of the profile data for which a clearly recognizable well-mixed zone exists near the surface, our criterion identifies the depth of the well-mixed zone in all cases. The standard deviation of anomalous monthly h mix/c is typically 20–70% of the long-term mean h mix/c . In the tropical Pacific the monthly mean anomalies of h mix/c are not well correlated with anomalies of sea surface temperature, which indicate that a variety of turbulent processes, other than surface heat fluxes, are important in the upper ocean there. Comparisons between observed h mix/c and Massachusetts Institute of Techonology/ocean general circulation model/Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean model simulated mixed layer depth indicate that the KPP algorithm captures in general a 30% smaller mixed layer depth than observed.
Periodic, Strict, and Quasi-Invariance in Linear Systems

This brief deals with shift invariance in linear systems (LSs), using a group theoretical approach. The group approach is necessary to obtain general definitions, which can be applied to continuous-time, discrete-time, multirate and also multidimensional LSs. Thus, a unique definition is given for periodic invariance and strict invariance (SI) and also for quasi-invariance (QI), a new concept, intermediate between periodic and SI. The importance of QI relies upon the fact that it is comprehensive of practically all multirate LSs
The Effect of Sales Tax Holidays on Household Consumption Patterns

Sales tax holidays (STHs) are the temporary suspension of state (and some local) sales taxes on selected retail items for a brief period of time. The policy has gained popularity in recent years, beginning in one state in 1997 and growing to twenty by 2008. Despite the increased frequency with which states use STHs, little research has been conducted to study how households respond to this temporary tax manipulation. Our paper offers the first household-level, microeconometric evaluation on the effect of STHs on household consumption patterns. We find that on STHs, households increase the number of clothing and shoes bought by over 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, relative to what they buy on average. Further, we find that this increase in consumption is limited to children’s apparel and that the wealthiest households and households consisting of married parents and young children have the largest, statistically significant response to STHs; for example, households with incomes over $70,000 increase the number of children’s clothing items purchased by 136 percent, while households that consist of married parents and young children increase the amount spent on children’s clothing and shoes by 117 percent and 295 percent, respectively.
Evaluation of nutrient excretion and retention in broilers submitted to different nutritional strategies

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of different nutritional strategies on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) balance and on copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) excretion in broilers during the periods of 1 to 21 days and 1 to 46 days of age. Four hundred male Cobb-500 broilers were used. A randomized block experimental design was applied, including five treatments with eight replicates of 10 birds each. A five-phase feeding program was adopted (1-8, 9-21, 22-33, 34-40 and 41-46 days of age). Treatments consisted of a control diet (C) with typical protein level and low amino acid supplementation; a reduced-protein diet supplemented with synthetic amino acids formulated on ideal protein concept (IP); C with phytase (C+PHY) supplementation; C with inorganic-organic mineral supplementation (C+MIN); and a diet formulated on ideal protein (IP) basis, and supplemented with phytase and organic and inorganic minerals (IP+PHY+MIN). IP and IP+PHY+MIN diets reduced nitrogen excretion in 13.6 and 13.1% respectively, and promoted the same nitrogen retention (g/bird) and retention efficiency as compared to the diet with typical crude protein level. C+PHY and IP+PHY+MIN reduced phosphorus, calcium and manganese excretion, and improved phosphorus retention. C+MIN and IP+PHY+MIN reduced manganese excretion, but did not influence copper or zinc excretion.
Ownership Structure, Financial Policy and Performance of the Firm: US Evidence

The objective of this article is to determine the interrelations between the ownership structure and the financial policy as well as the relationship between the managerial ownership and the performance of the firm. This study examines the relationship between the ownership structure and the performance when the managerial ownership is modeled as en endogenous variable. The regressions results show that all the shareholders regardless their types (manager, blockholder or institutional) do not tend to hold substantial ownership in the high levered firms because of the high bankruptcy risk. The non linear relationship between the managerial ownership and the performance of the firm strengthens the earlier US studies showing that some levels of the managerial ownership are not beneficial to the shareholders’ wealth. The results of the simultaneous equations show that the entrenched managers avoid the debt in order to escape the performance pressure and to protect their non diversifiable human capital.
An Improved Sibling Model for Forecasting Chum Salmon and Sockeye Salmon Abundance

Abstract The sibling model is often one of the best methods for calculating preseason forecasts of adult return abundance (recruits) for populations of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. This model forecasts abundance of a given age-class for a given year based on the abundance of the previous age-class in the previous year. When sibling relations fit historical data well, the sibling model generally performs better than other forecasting methods, such as stock–recruitment models. However, when sibling relations are weak, better forecasts are obtained by other models, such as naive models that simply use an historical average. We evaluated the performance of a hybrid model that used quantitative criteria for switching between a sibling model and a naive model when generating forecasts for 21 stocks of chum salmon O. keta and 37 stocks of sockeye salmon O. nerka in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Compared with the standard sibling model, the hybrid model reduced the root mean square error (RMSE) of forecasts.
Effects of Display Type on Performance in Virtual Environments.

Abstract : This research was conducted as part of a program to determine interface requirements for enabling dismounted soldiers to train in Virtual Environments (VEs). We compared different VE display devices in terms of their effects on task performance, skill acquisition, and side effects. Forty-eight college students completed a series of visual and psychomotor tasks, a subset of the Virtual Environment Performance Assessment Battery (VEPAB), using either a Head-mounted Display (HMD), a head-tracked boom-mounted display, or a standard computer monitor. Performance on vision tasks was sensitive to differences in display devices and to individual differences. Visual acuity scores were ordered according to estimates of the resolution of the displays, but were worse than what would he predicted from the resolution estimates. In comparison to real-world performance, distance and height estimation in the VEs varied greatly across participants, especially with the HMD. Motor tasks had high reliability, demonstrated small but significant practice effects, and were correlated with participants' use of computers and video games. Unexpectedly, even the standard monitor group showed a significant increase in simulator sickness scores. The VEPAB tasks should prove useful in the future when design tradeoffs must be made in the process of developing training system prototypes.
Wideband Reconfigurable Rolled Planar Monopole Antenna

A novel technique to reconfigure the frequency range of a planar monopole antenna is presented. By adjusting the degree of spiral tightness, a shift of the well-matched operating frequency range is achieved. The proposed antenna is capable of covering the frequencies in the range from 2.9 to 15 GHz, depending on the degree of spiral tightness. The antenna yields a high-efficiency across the full operating bandwidth. Radiation patterns show good omni-directional features in all primary cuts and remain relatively stable with the change of antenna configuration, so that it is a remarkable candidate for indoor or mobile applications where a large frequency range and omnidirectional radiation are required.