Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Observed North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Its Meridional Coherence and Ocean Bottom Pressure

AbstractAnalyses of meridional transport time series from the Rapid Climate Change–Meridional Overturning Circulation (RAPID MOC) array at 26°N and from Argo float and altimetry data at 41°N reveal that, at semiannual and longer time scales, the contribution from the western boundary dominates the variability of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), defined as the transport in the upper 1000 m of the ocean. Because the variability of the western boundary contribution is associated with a geostrophic overturning, it is reflected in independent estimates of transports from gradient of ocean bottom pressure (OBP) relative to and below 1000 m on the continental slope of the western boundary at three nominal latitudes (26°, 39°, and 42.5°N). Time series of western meridional transports relative to and below 1000 m derived from the OBP gradient, or equivalently derived from the transport shear profile, exhibit approximately the same phase relationship between 26° and 39°–42.5°N as the wes.
Seasonal Surface Drainage of Sloping Farmland: A Review of Its Hydrogeomorphic Impacts

The combination of runoff‐generating areas (saturated soils) and overland flow concentration in features such as drainage ditches makes sloping farmland vulnerable to soil erosion. The establishment of drainage ditches aims at draining the excess of water from the farmland, particularly in areas where soils are saturated in the rainy season. The hydrogeomorphic impacts on the farmland itself and on downstream areas need however also to be studied. Off site, downstream problems comprise higher peak discharges, leading to gully initiation, an increase in sediment load, and flooding problems. On‐site problems such as the development of the drainage ditches into (ephemeral) gullies are less documented, although they may be important, as illustrated in the Lake Tana Basin (Ethiopia). The similarities and interactions between ephemeral gully channels and drainage ditches have to be considered to better understand all effects of drainage. Drainage ditches are a potential source of conflict between farmers with different interests and power, as well as between upstream and downstream users. A case study on drainage ditches on sloping farmlands in the Lake Tana Basin showed that nine out of ten catchments had drainage densities by ditches ranging from 53 to 510 m ha−1. Drainage ditches were constructed with an average top width of 27 (±9) cm. A significant correlation was found between stone bund density (physical conservation structures) and ditch drainage density (R = −0·72), in line with the Ethiopian government's ban on drainage ditches in farmlands where stone bunds have been constructed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transient Climate Impacts for Scenarios of Aerosol Emissions from Asia: A Story of Coal versus Gas

AbstractFuel usage is an important driver of anthropogenic aerosol emissions. In Asia, it is possible that aerosol emissions may increase if business continues as usual, with economic growth driving an increase in coal burning. But it is also possible that emissions may decrease rapidly as a result of the widespread adoption of cleaner technologies or a shift toward noncoal fuels, such as natural gas. In this study, the transient climate impacts of two aerosol emissions scenarios are investigated: a representative concentration pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) control, which projects a decrease in anthropogenic aerosol emissions, and a scenario with enhanced anthropogenic aerosol emissions from Asia. A coupled atmosphere–ocean configuration of the Community Earth System Model (CESM), including the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5), is used. Three sets of initial conditions are used to produce a three-member ensemble for each scenario. Enhanced Asian aerosol emissions are found to exert a large cooling effe.
The origin of the first neutron star – neutron star merger

The first neutron star-neutron star (NS-NS) merger was discovered on August 17, 2017 through gravitational waves (GW170817) and followed with electromagnetic observations. This merger was detected in an old elliptical galaxy with no recent star formation. We perform a suite of numerical calculations to understand the formation mechanism of this merger. We probe three leading formation mechanisms of double compact objects: classical isolated binary star evolution, dynamical evolution in globular clusters, and nuclear cluster formation to test whether they are likely to produce NS-NS mergers in old host galaxies. Our simulations with optimistic assumptions show current NS-NS merger rates at the level of 10−2 yr−1 from binary stars, 5 × 10−5 yr−1 from globular clusters, and 10−5 yr−1 from nuclear clusters for all local elliptical galaxies (within 100 Mpc3). These models are thus in tension with the detection of GW170817 with an observed rate of 1.5−1.2+3.2 yr−1 (per 100 Mpc3; LIGO/Virgo 90% credible limits). Our results imply that either the detection of GW170817 by LIGO/Virgo at their current sensitivity in an elliptical galaxy is a statistical coincidence; that physics in at least one of our three models is incomplete in the context of the evolution of stars that can form NS-NS mergers; or that another very efficient (unknown) formation channel with a long delay time between star formation and merger is at play.
First records, rediscovery and compilation of deep-sea echinoderms in the middle and lower continental slope of the Mediterranean Sea

This study provides a compilation of all available information on deep-sea echinoderms from the middle and lower slopes of the Mediterranean Sea, with the aim of providing a unified source of information on the taxonomy of this group. Previous records of species are updated with new data obtained from 223 trawl hauls conducted in 11 cruises within the northwestern Mediterranean Sea between 800 m and 2845 m depth. Valid names, bathymetric ranges and geographic distributions are given for all species. The new data report, for the first time, the presence of the Atlantic echinoid Gracilechinus elegans (Duben and Koren, 1844) in the Mediterranean Sea. We also report the presence of the endemic holothurians Hedingia mediterranea (Bartolini Baldelli, 1914), dredged only once previously in 1914 in the Tyrrhenian Sea, and Penilpidia ludwigi (von Marenzeller, 1893), known previously only from three samples, two in the Aegean Sea and one in the Balearic Sea. Additionally, the deeper limits of the bathymetric distribution of four species have been expanded: the asteroid Ceramaster grenadensis (Perrier, 1881) to 2845 m; the echinoid Brissopsis lyrifera (Forbes, 1841) to 2250 m; and the holothurians Hedingia mediterranea and Holothuria (Panningothuria) forskali Delle Chiaje, 1823, to 1500 m and 850 m, respectively.
On the Group of All Homeomorphisms of a Manifold.

Introduction. It is shown in this paper that the identity component of the group G(M) of all homeomorphisms-of a closed manifold of dimension <3 is (1) simple in the algebraic sense; (2) equal to the group of deformations of M (i.e., the group of homeomorphisms of M isotopic to the identity homeomorphism); (3) open in G(M). The proofs for dimensions 2 and 3 are given separately; the proof for dimension 1, the circle, is not given here, but can be modeled after the proof for dimension 2. Theorem 9 of this paper (the main tool in obtaining the above results in the case n = 3) is very similar to a recent independent result of Kister appearing elsewhere in this journal (see also [1]). It is possible to deduce from the above results that the space of homeomorphisms of M is locally arcwise connected. However, since this is a quite special case of more general theorems of Hamstrom and Dyer [2 ] and Hamstrom [3], we omit the proof. It is also shown in this paper that if n ? 3, then the group of deformations of the sphere S. is of index 2 in G(Sn). Furthermore, we find a characterization of homeomorphisms of degree 1 on a closed orientable manifold M of dimension ? 3 which admits a homeomorphism of degree -1. Finally, we conclude as a corollary that if n<! 3, then two homeomorphisms of S. are isotopic if and only if they are homotopic. These two sets of results are related by the following fact. In showing the results of the first paragraph, we show that if M is a closed manifold of dimension _ 3, then a homeomorphism h of M is a deformation if and only if h=hi . hk where hi is a homeomorphism of M which is the identity outside some internal closed n-cell Fi in M, n =dim M (a closed cell is internal if it lies in an open cell; actually, we do not use all of the internal closed n-cells in M.) In showing the results of the second paragraph, we show that if M is a closed orientable manifold of dimension ? 3 which admits a homeomorphism of degree -1, then a homeomorphism h of M is of degree 1 if and only
Energetic particle injection, acceleration, and loss during the geomagnetic disturbances which upset Galaxy 15

[1] On 5 April 2010 a series of energetic electron injections, acceleration, and loss events appeared to induce an operational anomaly in the Galaxy 15 geosynchronous communications satellite. We describe the energetic electron precipitation conditions leading to the anomaly. A few hours prior to the anomaly electron acceleration at >0.6 MeV, and loss at >30 keV, were observed simultaneously. The acceleration took place in the region of the Galaxy 15 satellite on the nightside and the precipitation of electrons primarily on the dayside. The precipitation was confined to L-shells outside of the plasmapause and appeared to be driven by chorus waves via a weak diffusion process. An hour prior to the anomaly, a solar wind shock event generated a few minutes of 30–150 keV electron precipitation but only on the dayside, over a largeL-shell range (4.8 30 keV electron precipitation fluxes of 1.35 × 107 el cm−2 s−1 sr−1 were roughly the same level as other large substorm events previously analyzed, indicating either a sensitivity to the energetic electron environment prior to the event or that the satellite was in a vulnerable situation.
The basins of attraction of the global minimizers of the non-convex sparse spike estimation problem

The sparse spike estimation problem consists in estimating a number of off-the-grid impulsive sources from under-determined linear measurements. Information theoretic results ensure that the minimization of a non-convex functional is able to recover the spikes for adequately chosen measurements (deterministic or random). To solve this problem, methods inspired from the case of finite dimensional sparse estimation where a convex program is used have been proposed. Also greedy heuristics have shown nice practical results. However, little is known on the ideal non-convex minimization method. In this article, we study the shape of the global minimum of this non-convex functional: we give an explicit basin of attraction of the global minimum that shows that the non-convex problem becomes easier as the number of measurements grows. This has important consequences for methods involving descent algorithms (such as the greedy heuristic) and it gives insights for potential improvements of such descent methods.
Analyzing Regression-Discontinuity Designs With Multiple Assignment Variables

In a traditional regression-discontinuity design (RDD), units are assigned to treatment on the basis of a cutoff score and a continuous assignment variable. The treatment effect is measured at a single cutoff location along the assignment variable. This article introduces the multivariate regression-discontinuity design (MRDD), where multiple assignment variables and cutoffs may be used for treatment assignment. For an MRDD with two assignment variables, we show that the frontier average treatment effect can be decomposed into a weighted average of two univariate RDD effects. The article discusses four methods for estimating MRDD treatment effects and compares their relative performance in a Monte Carlo simulation study under different scenarios.
How Does Explicit Versus Implicit Risk Information Influence Adolescent Risk‐Taking Engagement?

Adolescents have been shown to be more likely to engage in risky behaviors in daily life. Many studies have indicated that adolescents could make advantageous choices when they receive explicit information but could fail to choose advantageously when they are not informed about risks. The current study aimed to examine the influence of explicit risk information (i.e., when risk information is directly available) versus implicit risk information (i.e., when risk information has to be learned from feedback) on risk-taking engagement, in order to clarify whether the enhanced risk-taking observed in decision making under ambiguity in adolescents results from either a greater exploration of ambiguous situations (i.e., a higher ambiguity tolerance) or a specific difficulty associated with learning based on previous choices' outcomes. Adolescents and young adults completed a new adaptation of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. They were required to accumulate as many points as possible by inflating balloons associated with variable break points and avoiding explosions. This adaptation involved a manipulation of the information level with two conditions, an " informed " condition and a " noninformed " condition, in which the participants had to learn the matching of colors with balloons' resistances based on feedback. The results demonstrated that providing explicit risk information allows adolescents to be as efficient as adults at the end of the game. In contrast, adolescents failed to adjust risk-taking to the balloon resistance in the noninformed condition. These findings critically suggest that this failure reflects a specific impairment of feedback-based learning ability but not a global excess of risk-taking during adolescence.
Linking Comprehensive Performance Assessment to the Balanced Scorecard: Evidence from Hertfordshire County Council

Over the course of the last twenty years there has been a growing academic interest in performance management, particularly in respect of the evolution of new techniques and their resulting impact. One important theoretical development has been the emergence of multidimensional performance measurement models that are potentially applicable within the public sector. Empirically, academic researchers are increasingly supporting the use of such models as a way of improving public sector management and the effectiveness of service provision (Mayston, 1985; Pollitt, 1986; Bates and Brignall, 1993; and Massey, 1999). This paper seeks to add to the literature by using both theoretical and empirical evidence to argue that CPA, the external inspection tool used by the Audit Commission to evaluate local authority performance management, is a version of the Balanced Scorecard which, when adapted for internal use, may have beneficial effects. After demonstrating the parallels between the CPA framework and Kaplan and Norton's public sector Balanced Scorecard (BSC), we use a case study of the BSC based performance management system in Hertfordshire County Council to demonstrate the empirical linkages between a local scorecard and CPA. We conclude that CPA is based upon the BSC and has the potential to serve as a springboard for the evolution of local authority performance management systems.
Gamifying the First Programming Class: Outcomes and Antecedents of Continued Engagement Intention

Gamification is applying games in non-game contexts. This study uses card game plays to gamify assessment activity in the first programming class. An experimental study with one-group and post-test are conducted to test the perceived usefulness of the gamifying evaluation method and verify the proposed research model, based on Expectation Confirmation Theory; IT Continuance Model. Students perceive the usefulness of gamifying take-home exams in terms of increasing understanding, problem solving, creativity, and confidence more than the traditional ones. This study provides empirical supports for the relationship between performance and satisfaction and the influence of satisfaction on continued engagement intention of the game plays in classroom settings. The results could be applied to relax students’ anxiety in the programming course's testing.
Biobased furandicarboxylic acids (FDCAs): effects of isomeric substitution on polyester synthesis and properties

In this study we present the application of different isomers of furandicarboxylic acid, or FDCA, obtained from agro-residues, in polyester synthesis. New polyesters based on 2,4-FDCA and 3,4-FDCA isomers with (linear) diols were thoroughly characterised and compared with their as-synthesised 2,5-FDCA analogues. All polymers were obtained by melt polycondensation of linear diols with FDCA dimethyl esters and exhibit molecular weights in the range Mw = 34000–65000 and polydispersities close to 2.0. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the new polyesters shows that they have comparable or even higher thermal stability compared to the 2,5-FDCA polyesters. Interestingly, the glass-transition temperatures (Tg) of 2,4-FDCA derived polyesters are similar to those of the 2,5-FDCA isomers. Both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analyses showed that 2,4-PEF is amorphous, while 2,5-PEF and 3,4-PEF are semi-crystalline materials.
Interfacial energies on quasicrystals

We consider nearest-neighbour ferromagnetic energies defined on a quasicrystal modeled following the so-called cut-and-project approach as a portion of a regular lattice contained in a possibly irrational stripe defined as a neighborhood of a k-dimensional subspace in an n-dimensional space. The overall properties of this system are described by an effective surface energy on a k-dimensional space obtained as Gamma-limit of the scaled discrete energies.
Flow invariance for nonlinear partial differential delay equations

Several fundamental results on existence, flow-invariance, regularity, and linearized stability of solutions to the nonlinear partial differential delay equation u(t) + Bu(t) ? F(u t ), t > 0, uo = ϕ, with B C X x X w-accretive, are developed for a general Banach space X. In contrast to existing results, with the history-response F globally defined and, at least, Lipschitz on bounded sets, the results are tailored for situations with F defined on (possibly) thin subsets of the initial-history space E only, and are applied to place several classes of population models in their natural L 1 ―setting. The main result solves the open problem of a subtangential condition for flow-invariance of solutions in the fully nonlinear case, paralleling those known for the cases of (a) no delay, (b) ordinary delay equations with B ≡ 0, and (c) the semilinear case.
On the systematic position of Leptodictyum mizushimae (Bryophyta)

Leptodictyum mizushimae (Sakurai) Kanda (= Hygrohypnum mizushimae Sakurai), a rare East Asiatic species, known from Japan, Kuril Islands and Kamchatka, is studied by three molecular markers, including nuclear ITS, chloroplastic rps4 and mitochondrial nad5, and all of them indicate its affinity with Climaciaceae, despite lacking morphological similarity: plants are not dendroid and stem lacks any paraphyllia-like structires. A new genus, Limnohypnum is described to accomodate this species. Morphological description and illustrations are provided.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: THE ROLE OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES DYSFUNCTION IN CONSTIPATION

Purpose: Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is a common cause of constipation. This dysfunction does not respond to current treatments of constipation. Thus, it is important to identify this type of dysfunction and the role of these muscles in constipation. The purpose of the present study was to review the previously published studies concerning the role of pelvic floor muscles dysfunction in constipation and related assessment methods.
Mechanisms of dimensionality reduction and decorrelation in deep neural networks

Deep neural networks are widely used in various domains. However, the nature of computations at each layer of the deep networks is far from being well understood. Increasing the interpretability of deep neural networks is thus important. Here, we construct a mean-field framework to understand how compact representations are developed across layers, not only in deterministic deep networks with random weights but also in generative deep networks where an unsupervised learning is carried out. Our theory shows that the deep computation implements a dimensionality reduction while maintaining a finite level of weak correlations between neurons for possible feature extraction. Mechanisms of dimensionality reduction and decorrelation are unified in the same framework. This work may pave the way for understanding how a sensory hierarchy works.
Factors influencing construction productivity in Afghanistan

As in many developing economies, productivity is an issue of particular importance in Afghanistan. This is considered as one of the strategic goals of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) to carry out the country's development cycle further than the post-conflict situation. There is a lack of sufficient research on construction productivity in Afghanistan, but going by the example of other countries it can be assumed that any effort directed to improving productivity will greatly enhance the country’s chances of realizing its strategic development goals. This paper describes a study conducted with the aim of identifying factors influencing construction productivity in Afghanistan. Data and information were collected through a structured questionnaire survey. Utilizing the relative importance index ranking techniques, the identified factors were prioritized for further detailed analyses. The result indicates the six most significant factors influencing construction productivity in Afghanistan are: Security (Crime, theft and disorder), Corruption, Poor Scheduling and Coordination, Construction method, Low quality of raw materials, and Payment delays. Based upon these findings, the paper recommends the key drivers for changing the productivity level in the Afghanistan construction industry
International Remittance Inflows and Household Welfare: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

The contribution of remittances income in mitigating poverty and income inequality in Nigeria has attracted very little attention in general. Very few studies have looked at the quantitative relationship between remittance inflows, poverty and income inequality in Nigeria even though it is now believed that total remittance inflows into Nigeria; exceed Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Overseas Development Assistant (ODA). Using poverty and Gini decomposable techniques, the study finds that household poverty declines across all the geopolitical zones, by sex and locality as a result of remittance inflows. For example, with remittances, household poverty falls from 0.35 to 0.30 in the South-South region, 0.27 to 0.22 in the South-East region and 0.43 to 0.36 in the South-West region. Poverty also declines from 0.67 to 0.60 in the North-Central region, 0.72 to 0.66 in the North-East and from 0.71 to 0.66 in the North-West regions. Similarly, in the Gini decomposition; the study finds that increase in remittances reduce income inequality more in urban areas (0.1) than in rural areas (0.02). For example, a 10% increase in remittances other things being equal, is associated with declines in the Gini coefficients of total income inequality of 0.02% in rural area and 0.1% in the urban area.