Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Birth and Death of the MJO: An Observational Study

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), an equatorial wave type first noted in the early 1970s (Madden and Julian, 1971, 1994), involves multiscale cloud and precipitation processes and is manifested in numerous atmospheric variables. Despite decades of research, the combination of a poor representation of this tropical wave in most current general circulation models (GCMs) and a lack of comprehensive understanding of several of its mechanisms highlights the need for continued exploration of the MJO. This report focuses on the “birth” (approaching wet phase) and “death” (departing wet phase) of the MJO and their related precipitation, convective, and advective processes using a host of observational datasets. A number of studies have provided valuable insights into the structure and associated physical mechanisms of the MJO. In particular, the general characteristics and lifecycle of the wave as seen in a number of atmospheric variables have been researched [Hendon and Salby 1994 (HS94), DeMott and Rutledge 1998, Maloney and Hartmann 1998 (MH98), Meyers and Waliser 2003]. The convective and stratiform cloud and precipitation processes during the MJO wet phase have also been investigated [Lin and Johnson 1996a,b (LJ96a,b), Kikuchi and Takayabu 2004]. Several other studies have focused on the regional environment within which wave initiation occurs in the Indian Ocean and what related mechanisms are most important [Bladé and Hartmann 1993, Hu and Randall 1994, Kemball-Cook and Weare 2001 (K-CW01)]. Straub and Kiladis (2003; SK03) examined the structure of convectively-coupled Kelvin waves, a type of wave that closely resembles the MJO. The purpose of this study is to explore certain features of the MJO—particularly the approach and departure of the wet phase—using analyses of both single events and event composites based on hydrological data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). We focus on the cloud and advective processes, as gathered from reanalysis datasets, that are associated with an evolving MJO event. We will also compare our composite results with proposed wave instability theories, including wave-CISK, windinduced surface heat exchange (WISHE), stratiform instability, and the discharge-recharge mechanism. A novel aspect of this study is that it deals with the immediate and delayed drying processes following the
Practical approach to knowledge management implementation in historic buildings restoration

Article history: Received June 4, 2014 Accepted 29 October 2014 Available online November 1 2014 The aim of this investigation is to establish an applicable model for knowledge management implementation that works suitably in organizations involved in projects defined for a historic building such as restoration. Based on a peer review on general approaches in literature, some main improvement potentials are recognized to enable the model to meet with the especial objectives, which shall be considered in such projects. Content analysis was applied to ascertain the new presented model capabilities and improvement in each of three main core components of knowledge management implementation model including peoples, processes, and technologies. We came up with a new conceptual model named as Finger Frame Model with four individual tiers connected with an intelligent communication medium . It is concluded that three main components of KM block diagrams consist of knowledge identification, acquisition, and prevention are appropriately covered in basic tier. The other three components of inner cycle of KM basic diagram consist of using, development, and distribution are also covered in an interface between operators and basic tiers, which together with make lower frame of new presented model. The model is in a continuous improving stage considering self-monitoring processes in an individual tier with the same name, which is located in the upper frame. An upper layer named as goal tier is also located in top frame in which, the main quantitative goals of KM implementation in the project organization are considered. The conceptual diagrams as well as internal processes of each main tier are also presented and discussed. Based on the overall explanations, some main benefits and risks are highlighted for new presented model and outlooks are debated. The model is applied in a real case study and the results are compared with the previous knowledge management implementation model. The results show that the model works efficiently in projects organization related to the historic building restoration. Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 4 © 201 Historic building Restoration Knowledge Management (KM) Conceptual model KM inner and outer cycles
A development cycle of the forest with fir ( Abies alba Mill.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in its species composition in the Świętokrzyski National Park

The objectives of this study are to determine the progress of the development cycle of the forest taking into account untypical development periods caused by fir decline and recovery, and to compare the per cent participation of individual phases and periods of forest development in the Świeta Katarzyna and Świety Krzyz Forest Ranges of the Świetokrzyski National Park. The development stages, phases, and periods was determined in P 6 fields of the SINUS System of Information on Natural Environment. Tree age distribution, stand structure, volume increment tendency (an increasing or decreasing one), and also the radial increment of fir and beech, and the age of the stand upper story or upper layer were taken as criteria. Fir until about 1960 was characterized by more or less even growth while during 1960-1985 a strong increment collapse occurred, followed by its recovery since 1986. On the other hand, beech during the whole analysed period (1890-1994) did not exhibit any significant decrease in its radial increment. After taking into account the progress of diameter increment of fir and beech the hypothetical series of successive changes of stand phases, mainly caused by decline and then recovery of fir, were developed. Seven new development phases taking place during the periods of decline, recovery and transformation, and not occurring in typical KORPEĽ's (1982) development cycle, are described. New phases were found in 140 P 6 fields out of 206 analysed fields. It was proved on the basis of the fraction equality chi-squared test that there was no reason to reject a null hypothesis according to which the per cent participation of phases during the recovery period in the Świeta Katarzyna Forest Range is the same as in the Świety Krzyz Forest Range (χ 2 = 2.756; df = 3; p = 0.4308). The absence of significant difference between these two forest ranges indicates, among others, an extensive and strong process of fir decline in the analysed part of the Świetokrzyski National Park (in the Łysogory Mountain Range). In order to improve the description of the development phases of the forest during the periods of decline, recovery and transformation these studies should be continued, especially on permanent research plots.
A simplified method for obtaining high-purity perchlorate from groundwater for isotope analyses.

Investigations into the occurrence and origin of perchlorate (ClO{sub 4}{sup -}) found in groundwater from across North America have been sparse until recent years, and there is mounting evidence that natural formation mechanisms are important. New opportunities for identifying groundwater perchlorate and its origin have arisen with the utilization of improved detection methods and sampling techniques. Additionally, application of the forensic potential of isotopic measurements has begun to elucidate sources, potential formation mechanisms and natural attenuation processes. Procedures developed appear to be amenable to enable high precision stable isotopic analyses, as well as lower precision AMS analyses of {sup 36}Cl. Immediate work is in analyzing perchlorate isotope standards and developing full analytical accuracy and uncertainty expectations. Field samples have also been collected, and will be analyzed when final qa/qc samples are deemed acceptable.
Simulation of anisoplanatic imaging through optical turbulence using numerical wave propagation with new validation analysis

Abstract. We present a numerical wave propagation method for simulating imaging of an extended scene under anisoplanatic conditions. While isoplanatic simulation is relatively common, few tools are specifically designed for simulating the imaging of extended scenes under anisoplanatic conditions. We provide a complete description of the proposed simulation tool, including the wave propagation method used. Our approach computes an array of point spread functions (PSFs) for a two-dimensional grid on the object plane. The PSFs are then used in a spatially varying weighted sum operation, with an ideal image, to produce a simulated image with realistic optical turbulence degradation. The degradation includes spatially varying warping and blurring. To produce the PSF array, we generate a series of extended phase screens. Simulated point sources are numerically propagated from an array of positions on the object plane, through the phase screens, and ultimately to the focal plane of the simulated camera. Note that the optical path for each PSF will be different, and thus, pass through a different portion of the extended phase screens. These different paths give rise to a spatially varying PSF to produce anisoplanatic effects. We use a method for defining the individual phase screen statistics that we have not seen used in previous anisoplanatic simulations. We also present a validation analysis. In particular, we compare simulated outputs with the theoretical anisoplanatic tilt correlation and a derived differential tilt variance statistic. This is in addition to comparing the long- and short-exposure PSFs and isoplanatic angle. We believe this analysis represents the most thorough validation of an anisoplanatic simulation to date. The current work is also unique that we simulate and validate both constant and varying Cn2(z) profiles. Furthermore, we simulate sequences with both temporally independent and temporally correlated turbulence effects. Temporal correlation is introduced by generating even larger extended phase screens and translating this block of screens in front of the propagation area. Our validation analysis shows an excellent match between the simulation statistics and the theoretical predictions. Thus, we think this tool can be used effectively to study optical anisoplanatic turbulence and to aid in the development of image restoration methods.
Dissecting the compression of mortality in Switzerland, 1876-2005

This paper aims to examine changes in common longevity and variability of the adult life span, and attempts to answer whether or not the compression of mortality continues in Switzerland in the years 1876-2005. The results show that the negative relationships between the large increase in the adult modal age at death, observed at least from the 1920s, and the decrease in the standard deviation of the ages at deaths occurring above it, illustrate a significant compression of adult mortality. Typical adult longevity increased by about 10% during the last fifty years in Switzerland, and adult heterogeneity in the age at death decreased in the same proportion. This analysis has not found any evidence suggesting that we are approaching longevity limits in term of modal or even maximum life spans. It ascertains a slowdown in the reduction of adult heterogeneity in longevity, already observed in Japan and other low mortality countries.
Effect of Cooperatives on the Savings Behaviour of Members in Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

This paper assessed the effect of cooperative on the savings behavior of members. The study was carried out in Oyi LGA with data from 195 randomly selected members of credit cooperatives. Analysis of data was with descriptive statistical tools such as mean, tables, and frequency counts. Also a multiple regression model was utilized to assess determinants of savings behaviour. Results from the study show that cooperative membership impacted positively on the savings behavior of members. Findings show that older members had more savings than newer members. Although the marginal propensity to save (MPS) was a 9.3%, it was significant since it showed that rural dwellers were capable of saving in cash. Moreover most of these savings were made through the savings mechanism of cooperatives. Length of membership in cooperative was also found to be an important determinant of savings thus confirming that the older one is in the cooperative, the more he is likely to save. In line with the findings of the study, it is recommended among others for membership drive to attract more rural dwellers into the membership of cooperatives; and the need for credit cooperatives to convert to multipurpose cooperatives to enable them to be more involved in the economic activities of the members, like supply of farm inputs and agricultural marketing. Key words : Savings, savings behavior, rural areas, credit cooperatives, lifecycle hypothesis
Promising results using a simple rehabilitation program to treat partial ruptures in the Achilles midportion

Objectives: To assess the outcome of a conservative rehabilitation program in treating partial ruptures in the Achilles midportion. Materials and methods: Twenty-six consecutive recreational and elite-level athletes (22 men and 4 women) with an ultrasound and Doppler-verified partial rupture in the Achilles midportion were followed prospectively during treatments with heel lifts, modified activity level and avoidance of calf stretching exercises for 3 months. Clinical examination, ultrasound (US) with Colour Doppler (DP) examination and pain scores during rest and walking (VAS scores) were assessed at baseline and 3 months after instituted intervention. Patients were followed up by a telephone interview at 6 months. Results: At the 3 months follow-up, there were significantly reduced VAS scores at rest ( p = 0.018) and walking ( p = 0.014), and improvement in the US+DP findings in 25/26 patients. One patient required surgery due to ongoing pain during activity and no tendon healing on US+DP. The 6-month follow-up revealed that 25/26 patients were satisfied with the treatment result. Conclusion: A simple rehabilitation program seems successful at treating partial tears in the Achilles mid-portion.
GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES IN SOYBEAN SEEDS FOR RESISTANCE TO FIELD DETERIORATION : II . THE ROLE OF SEED COAT CHARACTERISTICS

Few studies have been considered the role of seed coat characteristics on resistance to preharvest deterioration. The objective of the study was to relate soybean seed coat characteristics with resistance to weathering. Eleven soybean genotypes were grown on November 2000 at the Agriculture Faculty Experimental Farm Bengkulu in a randomized complete block with three replications and subjected to (1) incubator weathering, (2) field weathering, (3) wet-bag weathering, and (4) unweathered seed as a control. Across black and yellow seeded genotypes, soybean with black seed coat showed less susceptible to all weathering treatments than that with yellow seed coat. Germination of all black seeded genotypes following incubator weathering was above 50% and remained above 50% after accelerated aging except for Merapi. Not all yellow seeded genotypes were susceptible to incubator weathering. There was a yellow seeded genotype such as Lumajang Brewok showing resistant to this stress. Germination, germination after accelerated aging and electrical conductivity following all weathering stresses were significantly correlated with lignin content in the seed coat except for germination following field weathering. The correlation coeffcients [r] ranged from 0.07 to 0.89 for germination, from 0.40 to 0.77 for germination after accelerated aging, and from -0.66 to 0.82 for electrical conductivity. Overall, genotypic differences in resistance to preharvest deterioration were influenced by seed coat color and seed coat lignin content.
Sociodemographic determinants of abnormal cervical cytology among HIV positive women in Nnewi, Nigeria

Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have a higher burden of premalignant lesion of the cervix. This may be influenced by their sociodemographic profile. To study the sociodemographic determinants of abnormal cervical cytology among HIV-positive women attending the adult HIV clinic in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria, the Pap smears of 110 HIV-positive women attending the adult HIV clinic at the hospital were evaluated for cytological abnormalities using the Bethesda system of classification. Data on sociodemographic factors were obtained with the aid of semi structured questionnaires. Epi info statistical package was used to analyze the data. Majority of the women were married (61.8%; n=68), traders (67.3%; n=74) and who had attained at least secondary education (85.5%; n=94). All of them were Christians. The mean age and parity were 37.7±9.5 years and 2.8±2.3, respectively. The mean CD4 count was 557.1± 26 cells/ml and 89.1% (n= 98) of the women were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The prevalence of cervical cytological abnormalities among the studied women was 28.2% (n=31). The mean age (35.4 vs. 38.9 years; p<0.05) was significantly lower among women with positive cervical cytological abnormalities and the prevalence of cytological abnormalities was significantly high among women aged 25 to 29 years (c2=9.30, p=0.05), traders (c2=10.7, p=0.03) and the Anglicans (c2=6.7, p=0.04). The prevalence rate was also the highest among women who were para 0-1 (36.6%), unemployed (100.0%), with no formal education (33.3%), and those who were separated from their husbands (100.0%), but these were not statistically significant. The prevalence of cervical cytological abnormalities among the HIV positive women attending the HIV clinic in NAUTH was high. Younger age, being a trader and Anglican Christian denomination were significantly associated with increased risk of premalignant lesions of the cervix. Key words: Cervical, cytological, premalignant lesions, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.
Asset Substitution and Debt Renegotiation

In a dynamic capital structure model we study whether asset substitution implies agency costs when the firm initially takes the substitution option into account. Asset substitution affects earnings in two directions: volatility increases and growth rate decreases. We show that substitution implies agency costs if volatility increases enough. In this case, debt renegotiation to avoid substitution mitigates the ex ante costs. However, debt renegotiation decreases the equity holders' ex post costs. Thus, with a modest volatility increase, debt renegotiation allows equity holders to extract concessions from creditors albeit asset substitution was not chosen for non-renegotiable debt. Hence, debt renegotiation need not improve ex ante firm value if asset substitution is allowed for.
Effect of workplace bullying on employee performance in the public sector

Workplace bullying presents a serious problem causing substantial damage to the employees, the organization and the society as a whole. The focus of this research is two-fold: to find out if workplace bullying exists in Uganda, and to examine its effects on employee performance. By using a questionnaire survey, data was collected from 180 public employees in Uganda. The results indicate that bullying is present in workplaces in Uganda and poses a serious problem for the respondents affecting their performances adversely. The research contributes to the literature on workplace bullying by developing a comprehensive framework that examines its existence and effect on employee performance. Policy and research implications are discussed.
Particle-physics constraints from the globular cluster M5: neutrino dipole moments ?

Stellar evolution is modified if energy is lost in a “dark channel” similar to neutrino emission. Comparing modified stellar evolution sequences with observations provides some of the most restrictive limits on axions and other hypothetical low-mass particles and on non-standard neutrino properties. In particular, a putative neutrino magnetic dipole moment enhances the plasmon decay process, postpones helium ignition in low-mass stars, and therefore extends the red giant branch (RGB) in globular clusters (GCs). The brightness of the tip of the RGB (TRGB) remains the most sensitive probe for and we revisit this argument from a modern perspective. Based on a large set of archival observations, we provide high-precision photometry for the Galactic GC M5 (NGC 5904) and carefully determine its TRGB position. On the theoretical side, we add the extra plasmon decay rate brought about by to the Princeton-Goddard-PUC (PGPUC) stellar evolution code. Di erent sources of uncertainty are critically examined. The main source of systematic uncertainty is the bolometric correction and the main statistical uncertainty derives from the distance modulus based on main-sequence fitting. (Other measures of distance, e.g., the brightness of RR Lyrae stars, are influenced by the energy loss that we wish to constrain.) The statistical uncertainty of the TRGB position relative to the brightest RGB star is less important because the RGB is well populated. We infer an absolute I-band brightness of MI = 4:17 0:13 mag for the TRGB compared with the theoretical prediction of 3:99 0:07 mag, in reasonable agreement with each other. A significant brightness increase caused by neutrino dipole moments is constrained such that < 2:6 10 12 B (68% CL), where B e=2me is the Bohr magneton, and < 4:5 10 12 B (95% CL). In these results, statistical and systematic errors have been combined in quadrature.
Effect of Cross Linker Concentration on Swelling Kinetics of a Synthesized Ternary Co-Polymer System

Summary: Using equal volumes of three monomers (acrylic acid, vinyl acetate and methyl acrylate), ternary co-polymers were synthesized with different concentrations of cross linker, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Benzoylperoxide was used as an initiator (concentration of 1% w/v) for the synthesis of hydrogel systems. A number of experiments were carried out to illustrate the swelling behavior of the gel with different concentrations of cross linker. The analysis of swelling data shows that the swelling phenomena is function of concentration of the cross linker used. Graphical and statistical analysis of diffusion exponents shows that the diffusion mechanism for water penetration into the synthesized gel system is controlled by concentration of the cross linker, i.e. n=no CC , where n is diffusion exponent, nο(=0.6548) is pre-exponential factor, CL(= -0.0345) is cross linker concentration sensitivity coefficient of the gel.