Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consistent assimilation of multiple data streams in a carbon cycle data assimilation system

Abstract. Data assimilation methods provide a rigorous statistical framework for constraining parametric uncertainty in land surface models (LSMs), which in turn helps to improve their predictive capability and to identify areas in which the representation of physical processes is inadequate. The increase in the number of available datasets in recent years allows us to address different aspects of the model at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. However, combining data streams in a DA system is not a trivial task. In this study we highlight some of the challenges surrounding multiple data stream assimilation for the carbon cycle component of LSMs. We give particular consideration to the assumptions associated with the type of inversion algorithm that are typically used when optimising global LSMs – namely, Gaussian error distributions and linearity in the model dynamics. We explore the effect of biases and inconsistencies between the observations and the model (resulting in non-Gaussian error distributions), and we examine the difference between a simultaneous assimilation (in which all data streams are included in one optimisation) and a step-wise approach (in which each data stream is assimilated sequentially) in the presence of non-linear model dynamics. In addition, we perform a preliminary investigation into the impact of correlated errors between two data streams for two cases, both when the correlated observation errors are included in the prior observation error covariance matrix, and when the correlated errors are ignored. We demonstrate these challenges by assimilating synthetic observations into two simple models: the first a simplified version of the carbon cycle processes represented in many LSMs and the second a non-linear toy model. Finally, we provide some perspectives and advice to other land surface modellers wishing to use multiple data streams to constrain their model parameters.
Microbial risk assessment for urban pluvial flooding

Public health risks of urban pluvial flooding have so far received little attention in technical discussions. In this paper, the results of pathogen measurements in the sewer system of Utrecht and an urban flooding experiment are presented and used in an application of Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment, an existing risk analysis method for the quantification of infection probabilities. This method uses ingested doses of pathogenic organisms for the calculation of infection probabilities. Ingested dose estimations are based on pathogen measurements. These samples have been analysed for concentrations of Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Dose-response relations from literature are used to calculate infection probabilities for flood events. The results show that mean probabilities of obtaining a Campylobacter or Giardia infection as a result of contact with urban flood water are 2.8% and 0.6% per event respectively for adults and at least 5.7% and 1.0% per event for children, respectively. Infection probabilities for Cryptosporidium are about 1000 times lower than for Giardia. The infection probabilities found indicate that the health risk of urban flooding is higher than that of swimming in recreational freshwater environments, based on a comparison to the values for ‘acceptable risk’ as defined by the WHO for bathing water.
The Case for Curation: The Relevance of Digest and Citator Results in Westlaw and Lexis

Humans and machines are both involved in the creation of legal research resources. For legal information retrieval systems, the human-curated finding aid is being overtaken by the computer algorithm. But human-curated finding aids still exist. One of them is the West Key Number system. The Key Number system's headnote classification of case law, started back in the nineteenth century, was and is the creation of humans. The retrospective headnote classification of the cases in Lexis's case databases, started in 1999, was created primarily—although not exclusively—with computer algorithms. So how do these two very different systems deal with a similar headnote from the same case, when they link the headnote to the digest and citator functions in their respective databases? This article continues the author's investigation into this question, looking at the relevance of results from digest and citator searches run on matching headnotes in Westlaw and Lexis for ninety important federal and state cases, to see how each system performs. For digests, where the results are curated and a human has made a judgment about the meaning of a case and placed it in a classification system, humans still have an advantage. For citators, where algorithm is battling algorithm to find relevant results, it is a matter of the better algorithm winning. But neither algorithm is doing a very good job of finding all the relevant results; the overlap between the two citator systems is not that large. The lesson for researchers: Know how your legal research system was created; what involvement, if any, humans had in the curation of the system; and what a researcher can and cannot expect from the system being used.
Drying Characteristics and Kinetics of Bitter leave (Vernonia amygdalina) and Scent leave (Ocimum gratissimum)

The effect of temperature on drying of bitter leave and scent leave was studied, using laboratory moisture content analyzer, at temperatures of 50 o C, 60 o C, 70 o C and 80 o C. The falling rate phenomenon was observed for both bitter leave and scent leave. The thin layer drying models were fitted to the experimental moisture ratio data. Among the mathematical models investigated, the Page model described better the drying behavior of bitter leaves and scent leaves with highest R 2 and lower x 2 values. The determined effective moisture diffusivity (D eff ) values showed the temperature dependency both materials. Effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 8.437 x 10 -15 to 2.96 x 10 -13 m 2 /s for bitter leave and 8.65 x 10 -14 to 4.51 x 10 -13 m 2 /s for scent leave with increase in temperature. Hence, the Arrhenius equation was employed to ascertain activation energy for the different samples dried. Activation energies of 53.55kJ/mol and 110kJ/mol for bitter leave and scent leave were obtained respectively. Keywords: drying, kinetics, bitter leave, scent leave, effective moisture diffusivity
Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Nulliparous Iranian Mothers: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

BackgroundAlthough exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is highly emphasized by the experts, nulliparous women do not adhere to this behavior at a desirable level. Since it seems that mothers’ beliefs and values play an important role in their adherence to these behaviors, the present study, aimed to perform a careful analysis of the behavior and evaluation of factors associated with the EBF in nulliparous women referring to healthcare centers in Bushehr using theory of planned behavior.Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional study, which was conducted on 400 nulliparous mothers with children less than six-months who referred to healthcare centers in Bushehr, Iran. Stratified random-sample was used and data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and were later analyzed using statistical tests, including Pearson, Spearman, linear regression and logistic regression in SPSS version 22.0 Software.ResultsThe results showed that 62.5% of infants were exclusively breast-fed. Variables such as infant' gender, father's occupation and type of pregnancy were significantly related with EBF behavior. Constructs, including attitude (P< 0. 001, r=0.295), subjective norms (P< 0. 001, r=0.376) and perceived behavioral control (P< 0. 001, r=514) were significantly correlated with the EBF intention. Subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention predicted 13.8% changes in mothers' breastfeeding behavior.Conclusion The theory of planned behavior is an appropriate framework to identify factors associated with the EBF behavior among nulliparous Iranian mothers. Therefore, designing interventions based on this theory seems to have the potential to improve the EBF practice.
The chief executive: A breed apart

This study tested the theory that the characteristics of British chief executives would be different from that of the subordinate top management team from which they emanated. The study focused upon variations in experiences over three sets of variables: corporate influences; e.g. tenure, mobility, functional experience, international exposure; domestic influences; e.g. education, family influence; and their self-concept; e.g. aspiration levels, executive success traits. Substantial differences emerged between the two groups across all sets of variables, particularly within the corporate category.
TEACHING AIRCRAFT DESIGN:A CASE STUDY ON AN ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE CAPSTONE FINAL YEAR PROJECT

The effectiveness of aerospace design engineering education has received a great deal of anecdotal feedback from its stakeholders. The aerospace industry, the Canadian government, the University, and the enrolled engineering students have expressed customer needs and expectations of design engineering training. While numerous curriculum reform initiatives have been developed and implemented, their impact has not yet been studied quantitatively. This paper proposes to use a theoretical model on design creativity, the statistical Q methodology, and an aerospace undergraduate capstone team case study to develop a tool for the quantitative evaluation for the effectiveness of aerospace design engineering education.
Effect of different beta-glucan preparation pretreatments on fortified bread quality

One of the substances that could enhance bakery products in their functionality is beta-glucan. This is a polysaccharide that can be found in cereals, like oats and barley (Wang et al., 2016). Beta-glucan’s health benefits were proved by the European Food Safety Authority (2011) with claims that beta-glucan is recognized as an agent that could lower the blood cholesterol and postprandial glucose response. Moreover, the lowering of LDL cholesterol levels was documented as well
Constructal tree-shaped designs for self-cooling

In this paper, we show how a plate which is subjected to a heating load can be kept under an allowable temperature. Vascular channels in which coolant fluid flows have been embedded in the plate. Two types of vascular channel designs were compared: radial and tree-shaped. The effects of channel design on the thermal performance for different volume fractions (the fluid volume over the solid volume) are documented. Changing the design from radial to tree-shaped designs decreases the order of pressure drop. Hence increase in the order of the convection coefficient is achieved. However, treeshaped designs do not bath the entire domain. Therefore, we have inserted additional branches at the uncooled regions. Then, we have compared the peak temperatures of radial, traditional tree-shaped and improved tree-shaped designs. The effect of design on the maximum temperature shows that there should be an optimum design for a distinct set of boundary conditions, and this design should be varied as the boundary conditions change. This result is in accord with the constructal law, i.e. the shape should be varied in order to minimize resistances to the flows.
Galaxy merging and number vs. apparent magnitude relation for the universe with a time-decaying cosmological term

Aims. An attempt is made to constrain the values of the cosmological parameters together with the galaxy merging factor η on the basis of a comparison between the observed galaxy number counts vs. their apparent magnitudes relation ($N{-}m$ relation) with those theoretically constructed for the universe with a time-decaying cosmological term Λ . Methods. We assume that the galaxy number density evolution can be represented sufficiently well by a function of the redshift z of the form $\phi^\ast(z)\propto (1+z)^\eta$. Three variations of the cosmological term with time τ are considered, (1) $\Lambda\propto \tau^{-l}$, (2) $\Lambda \propto a^{-m}$ with a being the scale factor, and (3) $\Lambda \propto H^n$ with H the Hubble parameter. The optimum ranges for the decaying parameters ( l , m , and n ), the density parameters $\Omega_{\Lambda,0}$ and $\Omega_{{\rm m},0}$, as well as T mg (the timescale for the merger of a pair of galaxies) and the redshift z mg for the first onset of galaxy merger are sought based on statistical analysis using likelihood functions given by $\chi^2$ evaluations. Results. In the case of the type I models, for instance, we find that $l=0.75^{+0.55}_{-0.75}$, T mg = 0.3 Gyr, $z_{\rm mg}=3$, $\Omega_{\Lambda,0}=0.71^{+0.17}_{-0.09}$ and $\Omega_{{\rm m},0}=0.29^{+0.09}_{-0.17}$, from which a cosmic age of $17.2^{+1.3}_{-1.2}$ Gyr results. These model parameters lead to $\eta=1.73^{+0.14}_{-0.07}$. As a consistency check, we have also carried out computations of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) spectrum, and have made comparisons with WMAP measurements. We found that it is necessary to somewhat modify the parameter values obtained above on account of the high sensitivity of η to the value of T mg . The final model that was found to account for both the observed $N{-}m$ relation and the WMAP measurements of the CMBR spectrum is as follows: $z_{\rm mg}=3.0$, $T_{\rm mg}=0.2$ Gyr, $l=0.04$, ${\Omega_{\Lambda,0}}=0.77$, $\eta =2.2269$. The age of this model universe is 14.6 Gyr, which is still sufficiently high to cope with the “new” cosmic age problem.
Did the Market Signal Impending Problems at Northern Rock? An Analysis of Four Financial Instruments

The academic literature has regularly argued that market discipline can support regulatory authority mechanisms in ensuring banking sector stability. This includes, amongst other things, using forward-looking market prices to identify those credit institutions that are most at risk of failure. The paper's key aim is to analyse whether market investors signalled potential problems at Northern Rock in advance of the bank announcing that it had negotiated emergency lending facilities at the Bank of England in September 2007. A further aim of the paper is to examine the signalling qualities of four financial market instruments (credit default swap spreads, subordinated debt spreads, implied volatility from options prices and equity measures of bank risk) so as to explore both the relative and individual qualities of each. Therefore, the paper's findings contribute to the market discipline literature on using market data to identify bank risk-taking and enhancing supervisory monitoring. Our analysis suggests that private market participants did signal impending financial problems at Northern Rock. These findings lend some empirical support to proposals for the supervisory authorities to use market information more extensively to improve the identification of troubled banks. The paper identifies equities as providing the timeliest and clearest signals of bank condition, whilst structural factors appear to hamper the signalling qualities of subordinated debt spreads and credit default swap spreads. The paper also introduces idiosyncratic implied volatility as a potentially useful early warning metric for supervisory authorities to observe.
PHREE of Phish : The Effect of Anti-Phishing Training on the Ability of Users to Identify Phishing Emails

The aim of this thesis was to develop and test a new anti-phishing training based on what has been learned from previous research. According to relevant literature an effective anti-phishing training has a repetitive, game-based, embedded design in which text is kept simple and short by using a cartoon format. The content of an effective training contains cues to identify phishing emails and phishing URLs, and a solution for uncertain situations. Based on these characteristics ‘PHREE’, a new anti-phishing training, was developed and tested in a pilot experiment with 36 participants randomly divided over a control group (no training) and an experimental group (PHREE). Results indicate that PHREE training improved the ability of users to identify emails (as phishing or legitimate), from 68% correct before training to 86% correct after training. Training especially enhanced the ability of users to recognize phishing emails, from 52% correct before training to 92% correct after training. Users retained this ability for at least one week and trained users performed significantly better than untrained users. Overall these results strongly support the use of PHREE as a human-oriented solution for phishing. Future research is needed to determine the effect of PHREE in a real-world (corporate) setting.
Active CDS Trading and Managers’ Voluntary Disclosure

We investigate how the development of the credit default swap (CDS) market affects firms’ voluntary disclosure choices. The CDS market has been criticized, inter alia, for (i) its vulnerability to insider trading by informed lenders who trade on borrowers’ private information, and (ii) the reduction in lenders’ monitoring efficiency due to their ability to shed credit risk exposure via CDSs. Consistent with voluntary disclosure theory, we predict that informed trading by lenders and the consequent threat of private information revelation in the spreads of actively traded CDSs will pressure managers to enhance their voluntary disclosures to mitigate the risks associated with non-disclosure. Further, the reduction in lender monitoring will lead shareholders to intensify their own monitoring efforts and demand increased voluntary disclosures from managers. Consistent with these predictions, we find that managers are more likely to issue earnings forecasts and to forecast more frequently when their firms have actively traded CDSs. Our results also suggest that liquid CDSs discipline managers to disclose bad news earnings forecasts, despite their career- and wealth-related incentives to withhold adverse information. In addition to disclosure via management forecasts, we document that liquid CDSs also enhance disclosure via firm-initiated press releases. Our findings suggest that the allegedly negative attributes of the CDS market could result in a positive externality for capital markets by eliciting enhanced voluntary disclosures and thus contribute to a richer information environment.
Structural Embeddedness and Contractual Relationships of Chain Stores and Their Suppliers in Russian Emerging Markets

The core idea of the paper is to put the social embeddedness of economic phenomena as a key concept in economic sociology at the heart of empirical research. The author stresses the importance of taking into account the temporal dimension of market exchange. It is shown that the continuation of exchange relationships can be considered as a proxy for social embeddedness. The paper focuses on the contractual relationships of retail chains and their suppliers, which have been dramatically changed since the emergence of modern chain stores in Russia. The aim is to reveal to what extent contractual relationships between retailers and suppliers are structurally embedded and which factors are conducive to a greater degree of structural embeddedness of retailer-supplier relationships in emerging Russian markets. Based on Baker, Faulkner, and Fisher’s theory of the continuation of markets ties, the presented paper focuses on the influence of power, institutional forces, and competition. The paper is based on a survey of retailers and their suppliers in five Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, and Tyumen. In 2010 questionnaires were collected from 257 managers of supplying companies and 255 retail managers from the above cities. Quantitative data was enriched with 30 in-depth interviews with suppliers and retailers in 2008. It is shown that both retailers and suppliers tend to maintain long-lasting relationships with a majority of partners. However, retailers and suppliers are prone to follow different models. Power turns out to be meaningful for retailers, while institutional forces appear to be of much more special importance for suppliers. Retailers exercise organizational power to destabilize market ties with counterparts. Suppliers use relational selection criteria and specific investments to attach relationships with exchange partners. The significant factors conducive to the prevalence of the embedded ties in the market are organizational power, relational criteria of business partner selection, specific investments, length of service in retailing, and the tenure length of managers in a given company, sector, and geographic location
Capital consumption: The transition to sustainable consumption and production in London

How can London reduce its consumption based carbon dioxide emissions by 90% by 2050? The Capital Consumption report has modelled one scenario, based on expert research, to show how this can be achieved in the city. This paper will present the findings of the report. Capital consumption aims to create an evidence base on the climate impacts of consumption in London, to provide a better understanding of the scale and breadth of action needed across all sectors to put London on a more sustainable footing, and to identify key opportunities for London to take effective action. The research is informative for anyone interested in sustainability and could be applied to other cities and regions. The report has the following characteristics:  It models consumption based CO2 emissions and so takes into account the embodied carbon emissions of items consumed in London but manufactured elsewhere - such as consumer goods, construction materials and food  It is London-specific and identifies opportunities for city-level action to catalyse change  It considers CO2 savings through changes in both consumption and production  It uses a carbon budgeting approach to define the desired reduction pathway The measures modelled in the report are stretching and ambitious, they are unlikely to be achieved by action only within London. As the supply chains and policy contexts influencing consumption in London are global in scope, responsibility for bringing about the measures must be shared between governments at all levels, businesses and consumers.
Variational approach to MHD stagnation flow of nanofluid towards permeable stretching sheet

Received: 7 January 2017 Accepted: 2 February 2018 Governing Principle of Dissipative Processes proposed by Gyarmati for non-equilibrium thermodynamics has been employed to obtain the variational solution of steady, laminar, magnetohydrodynamic stagnation flow of a nanofluid over a non-isothermal stretching sheet with Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects when the flow is controlled by suction/injection. The velocity, temperature and concentration fields inside their boundary layers are approximated by polynomial functions which are satisfied by the boundary conditions. The variational principle is formulated, and Euler-Lagrange equations of the principle are reduced to simple polynomial equations in terms of momentum, thermal and concentration boundary layer thicknesses. The temperature, concentration profiles, skin friction, heat and mass transfer effects are analyzed for various values of velocity ratio parameter , suction/injection parameter H, magnetic parameter , Prandtl number Pr, wall temperature parameter n, Lewis number Le, Brownian motion parameter Nb and thermophoresis parameter Nt. The obtained results are compared with numerical solutions, and the order of accuracy is remarkable.