Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of fire on flow duration curves in Southern California shrubland watersheds

Wildfire is a common and natural cause of landcover change in Southern California. Wildfire has the potential to impact streamflow regimes through changes in plant evaporation and soil hydrophobicity. Streamflow regimes can be depicted through the use of the Flow Duration Curve (FDC). This study aimed to investigate the impact of fire on FDCs in four Southern California watersheds in the context of a paired watershed approach. Due to soil hydrophobicity and changes in plant evaporation, it was hypothesized that all FDC percentile flows would increase within the first five years after fire. Due to the rapid recovery of shrubland vegetation, it was hypothesized that the impact of fire on the FDC will decrease progressively with post-fire vegetation age within the first 10 years after fire. Two contrasting methods were utilized to assess the impact of fire on FDCs. The Regression Modeling Approach (RMA) consisted of developing a linear regression relationship between flow percentiles of watershed pairs during a pre-fire calibration period and then used to determine how flow percentiles change after the fire occurred. The Parametric Modeling Approach (PMA) utilized a mathematical expression to describe the observed FDC and tested the expressions' parameters for trends after the fire had occurred. The quality of model calibration for both methods was largely dependent on the shape of the observed FDC and the non-zero flow percentage (NZFP). Five years after fire, the RMA results showed FDC percentile flows from 8% to 100% increased in magnitude with the most significant increases from 8% to 35%. Ten years after fire, changes to FDC percentile flows persisted. The PMA resulted in statistically significant trends in one model parameter (representing NZFP) for two of the four test watersheds. Variations in model parameter values tended to follow variations in annual rainfall totals. After fire, NZFPs were consistently larger relative to prefire NZFPs with similar annual rainfall totals. The results from both methods demonstrated that the impacts of fire on the FDC persisted longer than hypothesized and that changes caused by reductions in plant evaporation were more important than those caused by soil hydrophobicity.
The credibility of fiscal policy and cost of public debt

This paper investigates the potential relationship between the credibility of fiscal policy and the cost of public debt. We analyze how a key component of fiscal governance, the ability of governments to commit the planned budget, affects the government borrowing cost. To test the hypothesis, we take the case in Indonesia over the period 2001-2013. Based on the quarterly data analysis, we found that the noncredible deficit rule tends to induce the interest rate. In contrast, the credible debt rule policy significantly reduces the borrowing cost for about 28 basis points. More interestingly, to reduce the interest cost burden of government debt, strengthening commitment to the fiscal rules is as effective as decreasing the size of debt. Those findings suggest that the credibility of fiscal policy matters to restore the fiscal burden in order to maintain fiscal sustainability in the long-run. Accordingly, improving the credibility of fiscal policy should be an integral part of the public sector reformation program in the country.
Education as Praxis: A Corporeal Hermeneutical Account

In common language, education is mostly understood as teaching. In this article, I would like to employ the hermeneutical philosophy of Merleau-Ponty to draw attention on that other etymological background of education: educere. Education as educere is about liberating or displacing our view instead of achieving a liberated view. In this sense, education does not refer to an immaterial relation of knowing or mastering (Erklaren), but to a relation of being (Verstehen). I hope to demonstrate Merleau-Ponty's philosophy of the body can make us attentive to the importance of this hermeneutical and praxical character of education. After all, his thinking very aptly describes our relation to the world in terms of a corporeal being rather than in terms of a cognitive or abstract knowing. His conception of corporeality and of our being to the world (etre-au-monde) deconstructs a mere formal and all too immaterial account of education.
The environmental dependence of the baryon acoustic peak in the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey CMASS sample

The environmental dependence of galaxy clustering encodes information about the physical processes governing the growth of cosmic structure. We analyze the baryon acoustic peak as a function of environment in the galaxy correlation function of the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey CMASS sample. Dividing the sample into three subsets by smoothed local overdensity, we detect acoustic peaks in the six separate auto-correlation and cross-correlation functions of the sub-samples. Fitting models to these correlation functions, calibrated by mock galaxy and dark matter catalogues, we find that the inferred distance scale is independent of environment, and consistent with the result of analyzing the combined sample. The shape of the baryon acoustic feature, and the accuracy of density-field reconstruction in the Zeldovich approximation, varies with environment. By up-weighting underdense regions and down-weighting overdense regions in their contribution to the full-sample correlation function, by up to 50%, we achieve a fractional improvement of a few per cent in the precision of baryon acoustic oscillation fits to the CMASS data and mock catalogues: the scatter in the preferred-scale fits to the ensemble of mocks improves from 1.45% to 1.34% (pre-reconstruction) and 1.03% to 1.00% (post-reconstruction). These results are consistent with the notion that the acoustic peak is sharper in underdense environments.
Can the Marine Ecosystem of a Posidonia oceanica Back-reef React and Defend Itself against the Spread of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea?

A back-reef of Posidonia oceanica (Santa Liberata, Orbetello, Italy) subject to degradation lost its typical mixed meadow of Cymodocea nodosa , Nanozostera noltii and Caulerpa prolifera and was colonised by the invasive chlorophycea Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea ( C. racemosa ) between 2003 and 2004. When the submerged flora behind the P. oceanica barrier reef was studied between 2005 and 2006, C. racemosa constituted 25% of the macroalgal biomass and showed high cover (>50%). Residual dead patches of the mixed meadow had been colonized by Penicillus capitatus . By 2011, C. racemosa had fallen to about 3% of total algal mass and its cover had also dropped (5-25%), while other typical species predominated: P. oceanica dead mattes were covered by thin dense mats of photophile species dominated by Jania rubens and Cladophora sp. Periodically, the latter produced balls that floated freely on the bottom. We compared the lists of phytobenthic flora for 2005, 2006 and 2011 by explorative correspondence analysis. The 2011 list showed a 27% increase in autochthonous species. The results suggest that the invasion of allochthonous fast-spreading C. racemosa may occur in degraded ecosystems after events that altered the original community. The community can recover through a succession of vegetation changes.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Summary of the II international consensus symposium on combined antiviral therapy and implications for future therapies : consensus statement

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IMPACT OF USING DIFFERENT MODELS IN PRACTICE - A CASE STUDY WITH THE SIMPLIFIED METHODS OF ISO 13790 STANDARD AND DETAILED MODELLING PROGRAMS

The updated ISO 13790 Standard is part of the new set of CEN Standards that supports the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirement for a general framework for calculation of the energy consumption of buildings. The Standard sets out procedures for space heating and cooling energy calculations, allowing the use of three different methods: a simplified monthly quasi-steady state method, a simple-hourly method and detailed simulation. This paper examines the implications of allowing different methods to be used for assessing the energy usage. The research method used was to undertake a comparison of the various methods applied to a common building specification, with parametric analyses of variations in this specification. The paper discusses differences in results for heating and cooling requirements between the simplified methods and when a detailed simulation program (ESP-r) is used with constrained (according to the Standard) inputs and with a number of unconstrained inputs. The case where two different detailed simulation programs (ESP-r and EnergyPlus) are used in practice for the same building is also included and conclusions are drawn regarding the practical use of different detailed modelling programs against the simplified methods, as well as against each other.
Mechanistic Insights into the Crystallization of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC)

Many organisms use amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) during crystalline calcium carbonate biomineralization, as a means to control particle shape/size and phase stability. Here, we present an in situ small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) study of the mechanisms and kinetics of ACC crystallization at rapid time scales (seconds). Combined with offline solid and solution characterization, we show that ACC crystallizes to vaterite via a three-stage process. First, hydrated and disordered ACC forms, then rapidly transforms to more ordered and dehydrated ACC; in conjunction with this, vaterite forms via a spherulitic growth mechanism. Second, when the supersaturation of the solution with respect to vaterite decreases sufficiently, the mechanism changes to ACC dissolution and vaterite crystal growth. The third stage is controlled by Ostwald ripening of the vaterite particles. Combining this information with previous studies, allowed us to develop a mechanistic understanding of the abiotic crystalliz.
A General Empirical Law of Public Budgets: A Comparative Analysis

We examine regularities and differences in public budgeting in comparative perspective. Budgets quantify collective political decisions made in response to incoming information, the preferences of decision makers, and the institutions that structure how decisions are made. We first establish that the distribution of budget changes in many Western democracies follows a non‐Gaussian distribution, the power function. This implies that budgets are highly incremental, yet occasionally are punctuated by large changes. This pattern holds regardless of the type of political system—parliamentary or presidential—and for level of government. By studying the power function's exponents we find systematic differences for budgetary increases versus decreases (the former are more punctuated) in most systems, and for levels of government (local governments are less punctuated). Finally, we show that differences among countries in the coefficients of the general budget law correspond to differences in formal institutional structures. While the general form of the law is probably dictated by the fundamental operations of human and organizational information processing, differences in the magnitudes of the law's basic parameters are country‐ and institution‐specific.
Edgeworth type expansions for transition densities of Markov chains converging to diffusions

We consider triangular arrays of Markov chains that converge weakly to a diffusion process. We prove Edgeworth-type expansions of order o(n 1 ), . 0, for transition densities. For this purpose we apply the paramatrix method to represent the transition density as a functional of densities of sums of independent and identically distributed variables. Then we apply Edgeworth expansions to the densities. The resulting series gives our Edgeworth-type expansion for the Markov chain transition density.
Parametric analysis of a phenomenological model for vortex-induced motions of monocolumn platforms

Phenomenological models are an important branch in VIV (Vortex-Induced Vibrations) and in VIM (Vortex-Induced Motions) studies to complement the results achieved via CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), as the latter tool is not presently a suitable tool for intense use in engineering analysis, due to high computer power requirements. A phenomenological model for evaluating the VIM on monocolumn platforms is presented and its results are compared with experimental ones. The main objective is to present a parametric analysis, focusing on the physical significance of the modifications in parameter values. The following parameters are varied: aspect ratio (L/D), structural damping (ξ), fluid damping (γ) and Strouhal number (S). The results are presented in terms of: non-dimensional amplitudes of motion (AX/D and AY/D), added mass coefficient (Ca) and periods of motion (TX and TY). The phenomenological model is based on a time-domain, two degree-of-freedom structural model coupled with van der Pol wake oscillators. The governing equations are solved through fourth-order Runge-Kutta schemes.
Luminous WISE-selected Obscured, Unobscured, and Red Quasars in Stripe 82

We present a spectroscopically complete sample of 147 infrared-color-selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) down to a 22 μm flux limit of 20 mJy over the ∼270 deg2 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Stripe 82 region. Most of these sources are in the QSO luminosity regime (Lbol ≳ 1012L⊙) and are found out to z ≃ 3. We classify the AGNs into three types, finding 57 blue, unobscured Type-1 (broad-lined) sources; 69 obscured, Type-2 (narrow-lined) sources; and 21 moderately reddened Type-1 sources (broad-lined and E(B − V) > 0.25). We study a subset of this sample in X-rays and analyze their obscuration to find that our spectroscopic classifications are in broad agreement with low, moderate, and large amounts of absorption for Type-1, red Type-1, and Type-2 AGNs, respectively. We also investigate how their X-ray luminosities correlate with other known bolometric luminosity indicators such as [O iii] line luminosity (L[O iii]) and infrared luminosity (L6μm). While the X-ray correlation with L[O iii] is consistent with previous findings, the most infrared-luminous sources appear to deviate from established relations such that they are either underluminous in X-rays or overluminous in the infrared. Finally, we examine the luminosity function evolution of our sample, and by AGN type, in combination with the complementary, infrared-selected, AGN sample of Lacy et al. (), spanning over two orders of magnitude in luminosity. We find that the two obscured populations evolve differently, with reddened Type-1 AGNs dominating the obscured AGN fraction (∼30%) for L5μm > 1045 erg s−1, while the fraction of Type-2 AGNs with L5μm < 1045 erg s−1 rises sharply from 40% to 80% of the overall AGN population.
Flexibility or polarization? Temporary employment and job tasks in Spain

The paper takes issue with demand-based interpretations of the consequences of deregulation through temporary employment in Spain. According to demand-based accounts, the introduction of temporary contracts has helped to generate and maintain a secondary segment in the Spanish labour market, in which specific product market conditions generate a need for highly flexible contracts to perform low-skilled tasks. In contrast to this view, the paper argues that partial deregulation has also had important segmenting consequences amongst Spanish professionals, despite the high levels of asset specificity and monitoring costs involved in their job tasks. Drawing on the analysis of the Spanish Labour Force Survey for the period 1987-1997, the paper presents empirical evidence that shows how, when introduced in a context of high unemployment and high dismissal costs for the permanent workforce, temporary contracts can generate a process of polarization of employment chances within both manual and professional occupations. The segmenting consequences of partial deregulation have, therefore, been more severe, pervasive and pernicious than it is acknowledged by demand-based accounts.
Studies of the cellular localization of the phenolic pungent principle of ginger, Zingiber officinale Roscoe

summary Examination of cryo-sections from mature rhizomes, immature rhizomes and adventitious roots of ginger, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, showed the presence of yellow-pigmented cells. There is a correlation between the number of pigrnenteci cells and the amount of [6]-gingerol, the main pungent principle in ginger, in these organs. It is also shown histochemically and microspectrophotometrically that the yellow cells contain, in addition to flavonoid-like compounds, possibly cureumin derivatives, phenolics and large amounts of lipid material. Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy also demonstrates the oil content of these cells. Therefore, it would appear that the site of accumulation of flavonoids, curcumin derivatives, phenolics including gingerol and the essential oils of this spice lies within the same cell type.
A Methodology for Determination of Resilient Modulus of Asphaltic Concrete

Resilient modulus, 𝑀 𝑅 , is an important parameter for designing pavements. However, its determination by resorting to cyclic triaxial tests is tedious and time consuming. Moreover, empirical relationships, correlating 𝑀 𝑅 to various other material properties (namely, California Bearing Ratio, CBR; Limerock Bearing Ratio, LBR; R-value and the Soil Support Value, SSV), give vast variation in the estimated results. With this in view, an electronic circuitry, which employs bender and extender elements (i.e., piezo-ceramic elements), was developed. Details of the circuitry and the testing methodology adopted for this purpose are presented in this paper. This methodology helps in determining the resilient modulus of the material quite precisely. Further, it is believed that this methodology would be quite useful to engineers and technologists for conducting quality check of the pavements, quite rapidly and easily.
Instrumental-Variable Estimation of Bangkok-Weather Effects in the Stock Exchange of Thailand

The incorrect fixed-effect assumption, missing-data problem, omitted-variable problem, and errors-in-variables (EIV) problem are estimation problems that are generally found in studies on weather effects on asset returns. This study proposes an approach that can address these problems simultaneously. The approach is demonstrated by revisiting the effects on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The sample shows daily data from 2 January 1991 to 30 December 2015. Artificial Hausman instrumental-variable regressions successfully improve the quality of the analyses for ordinary least squares regressions when significant EIV problems are identified and the regression results in a conflict. The study finds significant air pressure and rainfall effects and empirically shows that the temperature effects reported by previous studies were induced by the fixed-effect assumption and are therefore incorrect.
Coupled kinetic equations for fermions and bosons in the relaxation-time approximation

Kinetic equations for quarks and gluons are solved numerically in the relaxation time approximation for the case of one-dimensional boost-invariant geometry. Quarks are massive and described by the Fermi-Dirac statistics, while gluons are massless and obey Bose-Einstein statistics. The conservation laws for the baryon number, energy, and momentum lead to two Landau matching conditions which specify the coupling between the quark and gluon sectors and determine the proper-time dependence of the effective temperature and baryon chemical potential of the system. The numerical results illustrate how a non-equlibrium mixture of quarks and gluons approaches hydrodynamic regime described by the Navier-Stokes equations with appropriate forms of the kinetic coefficients. The shear viscosity of a mixture is the sum of the shear viscosities of quark and gluon components, while the bulk viscosity is given by the formula known for a gas of quarks, however, with the thermodynamic variables characterising the mixture. Thus, we find that massless gluons contribute in a non-trivial way to the bulk viscosity of a mixture, provided quarks are massive. We further observe the hydrodynamization effect which takes place earlier in the shear sector than in the bulk one. The numerical studies of the ratio of the longitudinal and transverse pressures show, to a good approximation, that it depends on the ratio of the relaxation and proper times only. This behaviour is connected with the existence of an attractor solution for conformal systems.
Why did the woman cross the road?: The effect of sexist humor on men’s rape proclivity

Previous research has shown that exposure to sexist (vs. non-sexist) humor results in more tolerance of sexist discrimination (Ford & Fergusson, 2004). In the current research, three studies investigated the effects of exposure to sexist humor on men’s rape proclivity. In Study 1, male students were exposed to either sexist or non-sexist jokes. Males exposed to sexist jokes reported higher levels of rape proclivity in comparison to males exposed to non-sexist jokes. Study 2 was an online study in which we replicated Study 1, but also measured male participants’ levels of hostile and benevolent sexism. Study 3 was a replication of Study 2, in which we controlled for the sexual content of the jokes. Overall, the results of Study 2 and Study 3 indicated that men who scored high (vs. low) on hostile sexism reported higher levels of rape proclivity after exposure to sexist versus non-sexist jokes. No such effects were obtained for benevolent sexism.