Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some Natural and Anthropogenic Mercury Sources and Applications

As mercury presents high toxicity and is of great concern when dealing with protection of human health, mercury pollution related issues are the main subject of this work. At first, two general themes are discussed, namely: I) Mercury: highlights of physicochemical and biogeochemical properties of interest and of the main natural and anthropogenic metal sources; and II) Biogeochemical cycling of mercury in the water column of natural waters. Secondly, a case study performed in Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) during the last 10 years will be presented, focusing on water column processes. Ria de Aveiro is a coastal lagoon, located along the Atlantic Ocean on the north-western coast of Portugal, which was subjected to a discharge of an effluent rich in mercury from a chlor-alkali industry, during more than five decades. In the last seventeen years, the industry changed its technology and the discharge of anthropogenic mercury diminished considerably. However, the dissolved total and reactive mercury concentrations, as well as the total mercury contents determined in the suspended particulate matter, obtained in a particular area of Ria de Aveiro, namely Largo do Laranjo, during the years of 1997 to 2000, are still high in comparison to other locals located world wide. In Largo do Laranjo water column, mercury does not show a conservative behavior, due to the inexistence of a linear relationship between the dissolved total mercury concentrations and salinity. Owing to this, mercury behavior is variable and seems to result from a mixture of different phenomena. One of the most important factors that affect the dissolved mercury behavior is the dissolved organic matter, as a significant correlation is found between both parameters (r=0.788). The mercury partition evaluation performed in Largo do Laranjo water column shows that in both tide conditions, the dissolved and particulate fractions are Elsa C.D. Ramalhosa, Maria Eduarda Pereira and Armando C. Duarte 42 important for mercury transport and distribution in Largo do Laranjo. However, mercury is more closely associated with the particulate phase (58 to 77%) than with the dissolved fraction. Moreover, this case study also allows verifying that Largo do Laranjo still is a mercury source to the rest of Ria de Aveiro, as the estimated annual mean quantities of mercury that are transported in the dissolved and particulate fractions from the end of Largo do Laranjo, namely Cais do Chegado, to seaward are of 38 and 60 kg, respectively.
The vegeTaTion and florisTics of The nkhuhlu exclosures , kruger naTional Park

The need to conduct research on the impact of elephant on the environment prompted the construction of exclosures along two of the most important rivers in the Kruger National Park. Scientific research on these exclosures along the Sabie and Letaba rivers addresses how patterns of spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the riparian zone are affected by fire, flood and herbivory. To further assist this research programme, a vegetation survey was conducted at the Nkhuhlu exclosure site along the Sabie River to classify and map the vegetation of the area. This will provide baseline data to assess future changes in vegetation and floristic patterns due to small-scale environmental factors created by the presence/absence of herbivory and fire. Phytosociological data were analysed to identify plant communities and subsequent mapping units. Five plant communities, ten sub-communities and four variants were recognised and described in relation to prevailing soil forms. Differences in species richness, diversity and community structure of the plant communities are clearly articulated.
Symmetric , gated , ballistic rings as tunable electron interferometers

In the present work we investigate the coherent electron transport in a symmetrically designed ballistic ring uniformly covered by a top metal gate. We nd that as the Fermi energy is varied, the phase of Aharonov–Bohm (AB) oscillations near zero magnetic eld switches between 0 and . It seems unlikely that this behaviour can be explained by some accidental asymmetry in the structures. We give a qualitative explanation of our results using a model where the ring is considered to be weakly coupled to the leads and the conductance is calculated on the basis of an exact energy spectrum of an ideal ring. This model predicts that a variation of the phase of AB oscillations with gate voltage may be observed in a symmetrical ring. 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 73.23. −b; 73.23. Ad
The cultural eutrophication of Lac la Biche, Alberta, Canada: a paleoecological study

A multiproxy paleoecological investigation of Lac la Biche, a large boreal lake in northeastern Alberta, Canada, revealed that the lake was eutrophic before European settlement but has undergone additional cultural eutrophication in the past 30 to 50 years. Annual fluxes to sediments of phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, and inorganic sediments have in- creased with time. A declining N-P ratio has increasingly favored nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Increased deposition of microbial pigments and diatom frustules and a recent shift in diatom species also indicate increasing eutrophication. Bio- genic silica increased with time, but there is no evidence of a near-surface decline that would indicate silica limitation. Stable isotopes suggest that an increasing proportion of carbon deposited in sediments is of in-lake origin, indicating in- creased productivity. In the basin nearest the town of Lac La Biche, an increase in d 15 N followed the construction of the sewage treatment plant, but more recently, decreased d 15 N in both basins suggests that nitrogen fixation has become a more important source of nitrogen. Despite documented damage to the fishery of the lake, zooplankton fossils do not show evidence of a strong trophic cascade. The study illustrates the power of a multiproxy approach in obtaining reliable paleolimnological conclusions.
Mapping snow depth in alpine terrain with unmanned aerial systems (UASs): potential and limitations

Abstract. Detailed information on the spatiotemporal snow depth distribution is a crucial input for numerous applications in hydrology, climatology, ecology and avalanche research. Today, snow depth distribution is usually estimated by combining point measurements from weather stations or observers in the field with spatial interpolation algorithms. However, even a dense measurement network like the one in Switzerland, with more than one measurement station per 10 km2 on average, is not able to capture the large spatial variability of snow depth present in alpine terrain. Remote sensing methods, such as laser scanning or digital photogrammetry, have recently been successfully applied to map snow depth variability at local and regional scales. However, in most countries such data acquisition is costly if manned airplanes are involved. The effectiveness of ground-based measurements on the other hand is often hindered by occlusions, due to the complex terrain or acute viewing angles. In this paper, we investigate the application of unmanned aerial systems (UASs), in combination with structure-from-motion photogrammetry, to map snow depth distribution. Compared to manual measurements, such systems are relatively cost-effective and can be applied very flexibly to cover terrain not accessible from the ground. In this study, we map snow depth at two different locations: (a) a sheltered location at the bottom of the Fluela valley (1900 m a.s.l.) and (b) an exposed location on a peak (2500 m a.s.l.) in the ski resort Jakobshorn, both in the vicinity of Davos, Switzerland. At the first test site, we monitor the ablation on three different dates. We validate the photogrammetric snow depth maps using simultaneously acquired manual snow depth measurements. The resulting snow depth values have a root mean square error (RMSE) of less than 0.07 to 0.15 m on meadows and rocks and a RMSE of less than 0.30 m on sections covered by bushes or tall grass, compared to manual probe measurements. This new measurement technology opens the door for efficient, flexible, repeatable and cost-effective snow depth monitoring over areas of several hectares for various applications, if the national and regional regulations permit the application of UASs.
Predicting the Financial Distress of Non-Banking Companies Listed on the Palestine Exchange (PEX)

The Palestine economy is prone to challenges arising from turmoil. The nature of its socio-political climate makes it important for investors to critically review the going-concern status of the companies they invest in. Therefore the purpose of this study was to determine the likelihood of non-banking companies on the PEX of going into bankruptcy. The research used data from the financial report of 41 non-banking companies on the PEX grouped in categories of Industry (12), Insurance (7), Investment (10) and Services (12). The reports were for the year ended 2014. Altman’s Z-Score model was used to classify the companies in the various levels of financial position – safe, grey and distress. The study showed that a total of 52% of the total non-banking companies were in financial distress, 24% were in the grey zone and 24% in the safe zone. A sector-by-sector analysis showed that insurance companies were the most likely to file for bankruptcy, then services, investment and industry in that order.
CASE STUDY OF ASIAN DUST EVENT ON MARCH 19-25, 2010 AND ITS IMPACT ON THE MARGINAL SEA OF CHINA

This study analyzes the most severe dust event in Taiwan in the last 20 years. The dust event occurred from March 19 to 25, 2010, with PM10 (particular matter less than 10 μm) reaching a maximum beyond 1200 μg m^(-3), and dust accounting for over 90% of the concentrations in Taiwan. The severe event originated from Mongolia on March 19, and the widespread dust moves southeastward toward Taiwan, with a thickness of 1 to 2 km near the ground. The concentrated dust layer can enhance phytoplankton bloom due to deposition of crustal nutrients, including iron. Over the marginal sea of China, the total deposition of soluble iron is estimated to be about 3926 μg m^(-2) during the event, and the chlorophyll-a concentrations over the East China Sea are enhanced by an average of approximately 0.6 mg m^(-3) and 1.5 mg m^(-3) in the first and second weeks, respectively, after the dust passage.
Assessment of macro and micro minerals status of milch animals for developing area specific mineral mixture for Bharatpur District of Rajasthan

A study was conducted in Bharatpur district (tropical zone) of Rajasthan, to assess the prevalence of macro and micro-minerals deficiency in animals, by analyzing feed and fodder samples (n=240) at random from various locations. The calcium content (0.14%) was low in concentrate ingredients, except mustard cake (0.74%). Phosphorus content (0.45%) in concentrates was higher in comparison to roughages. The average calcium content in straws (0.34%) was higher in comparison to phosphorus (0.10%). The calcium and phosphorus content in green berseem were 1.33 and 0.31 per cent, respectively. The magnesium content in feedstuffs was adequate (0.38%) to meet the requirement of large ruminants (0.20%). The feed ingredients of the surveyed area were rich in potassium content (1.55%), whereas, sodium content was consistently low in dry roughages (0.14%) and concentrate ingredients (0.064%). The sulphur content was low in crop residues (0.13%), whereas, concentrate feed ingredients (0.18%) were better source of sulphur. Cobalt was occasionally deficient in the diet of animals. However, iron and manganese contents were adequate in the diet of animals, with traditional feeding system. The average copper content was low in straws (5.40 ppm), moderate in green fodders (9.68 ppm) and concentrate ingredients (9.87 ppm). Molybdenum content in feeds was within safe limit (average level<1.25 ppm). Selenium content in most of the feeds and fodder samples was adequate (0.61 ppm) and its supplementation in the diet was not necessary. Zinc was acutely deficient in most of the feedstuffs (average level<26.30 ppm) and needed to be supplemented in the ration of animals for proper productive and reproductive functions. It was apparent from the present study that the feeds and fodders available in tropical zone of Rajasthan may not meet the requirements for calcium, phosphorus, sodium, sulphur, zinc, copper and cobalt in order to sustain a milk production of ∼8 kg/day. Hence, it is necessary to supplement these minerals in the ration by formulating area specific mineral mixture.
Towards Sustainable Public Transport for Disabled People in Nigerian Cities

The detrimental impacts of the poor public transport services in Nigeria suggest the need to investigate the mobility situations and livelihoods of disabled people in Nigeria. This paper focused on the tendency of the disabled people to be restricted to certain areas, travel in company of relatives that provides assistance where needed and expose to travel difficulties. Analysis reveals that, determinants of traveling in company of relatives differs by the extent or severity of the physical disability, travel environment, available modes, distance, purpose of travel and cost of travel. The paper also examined whether disabled people traveling in company of relatives are faced or involved in transport externalities. Findings shows that, immobility of disabled people in developing countries particularly Nigeria, have resultant effect on the general livelihoods of this group. This paper suggested the need to review and retool the operational pattern of public transportation services and the planning as well as implementation of friendly travel environmental policy. It also calls for an holistic approach towards the provision of sustainable mobility for the physically- challenged in developing countries- Nigeria.
Sparse Representation Classification Based on Flexible Patches Sampling of Superpixels for Hyperspectral Images

Aiming at solving the difficulty of modeling on spatial coherence, complete feature extraction, and sparse representation in hyperspectral image classification, a joint sparse representation classification method is investigated by flexible patches sampling of superpixels. First, the principal component analysis and total variation diffusion are employed to form the pseudo color image for simplifying superpixels computing with (simple linear iterative clustering) SLIC model. Then, we design a joint sparse recovery model by sampling overcomplete patches of superpixels to estimate joint sparse characteristics of test pixel, which are carried out on the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm. At last, the pixel is labeled according to the minimum distance constraint for final classification based on the joint sparse coefficients and structured dictionary. Experiments conducted on two real hyperspectral datasets show the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed method.
MINIMAL LOSS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY AND NO INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN BLUEFLAG IRIS (IRIS VERSICOLOR) ON ISLANDS IN THE BAY OF FUNDY

Isolated island plant populations founded by few individuals are often characterized by decreased genetic variation and increased inbreeding. Our aim was to measure population genetic diversity and inbreeding depression in blueflag iris (Iris versicolor L., Iridaceae), a native allotetraploid, on islands in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Hand-pollination experiments (inbreeding, within-site outbreeding, between-island outbreeding) on Kent Island, New Brunswick, revealed no evidence for inbreeding depression across a broad array of morphological, physiological, and life-history traits. Leaf tissue samples collected from three mainland sites and 10 islands in the Bay of Fundy and genotyped using three microsatellite primer pairs showed that island populations were less genetically diverse than mainland populations. Island populations were genetically distinct from each other, indicating a bottleneck effect associated with colonization and continued isolation. Nonetheless, substantial genetic variation was mainta.
Inferring past land use-induced changes in surface albedo from satellite observations: a useful tool to evaluate model simulations

Regional cooling resulting from increases in surface albedo has been identified in several studies as the main biogeophysical effect of past land use-induced land cover changes (LCC) on climate. However, the amplitude of this effect remains quite uncertain due to, among other factors, (a) uncertainties in the extent of historical LCC and, (b) differences in the way various models simulate surface albedo and more specifically its dependency on vegetation type and snow cover. We derived monthly albedo climatologies for croplands and four other land cover types from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite observations. We then reconstructed the changes in surface albedo between preindustrial times and present-day by combining these climatologies with the land cover maps of 1870 and 1992 used by seven land surface models (LSMs) in the context of the LUCID ("Land Use and Climate: identification of robust Impacts") intercomparison project. These reconstructions show surface albedo increases larger than 10% (absolute) in winter, and larger than 2% in summer between 1870 and 1992 over areas that experienced intense deforestation in the northern temperate regions. The historical surface albedo changes estimated with MODIS data were then compared to those simulated by the various climate models participating in LUCID. The inter-model mean albedo response to LCC shows a similar spatial and seasonal pattern to the one resulting from the MODIS-based reconstructions, that is, larger albedo increases in winter than in summer, driven by the presence of snow. However, individual models show significant differences between the simulated albedo changes and the corresponding reconstructions, despite the fact that land cover change maps are the same. Our analyses suggest that the primary reason for those discrepancies is how LSMs parameterize albedo. Another reason, of secondary importance, results from differences in their simulated snow extent. Our methodology is a useful tool not only to infer observations-based historical changes in land surface variables impacted by LCC, but also to point out deficiencies of the models. We therefore suggest that it could be more widely developed and used in conjunction with other tools in order to evaluate LSMs.
Reading the wind: how middle managers assess the context for selling issues to top managers

Issue selling is an important mechanism for creating change initiatives in organizations. This paper presents two studies that examine what middle managers think about as they decide whether or not to sell strategic issues to top management. In Study 1 middle managers identify themes that indicate a favorable or unfavorable context for issue selling. Top management’s willingness to listen and a supportive culture were the most often named contributors to context favorability, while fear of negative consequences, downsizing conditions and uncertainty were thought to signal that a context was unfavorable for issue selling. Study 2 identifies factors that middle managers associate with image risk in the context of issue selling. Violating norms for issue selling, selling in a politically vulnerable way and having a distant relationship with top management were regarded as major contributors to a middle manager’s level of image risk. Both studies enrich our understanding of the social psychological mechanisms that undergird the strategic change process. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the gasification potential of rice husk samples from Brazil and Thailand

RESUMO – This work aimed at comparing the gasification potential of rice husk samples from Brazil (CAZ1) and Thailand (CAZ2). The pyrolysis step was performed in two pyrolysis reactors under different conditions. The product yields were determined and related to the pyrolysis conditions applied. The biomass and rice husk chars were characterized and overall char combustion and gasification reactivities were measured by thermogravimetry in synthetic air and in CO2, respectively. The differences in samples properties play important roles in the thermochemical conversion steps. These differences may reflect local variations of the agricultural growing conditions, as noticed between the two rice husk samples studied, being the Thai rice husk char more reactive than the Brazilian one both in air and CO2 gasification.
A model-data comparison of the Last Glacial Maximum surface temperature changes

Abstract. Over the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ~ 21 ka BP), the presence of vast Northern Hemisphere ice-sheets caused abrupt changes in surface topography and background climatic state. While the ice-sheet extent is well known, several conflicting ice-sheet topography reconstructions suggest that there is uncertainty in this boundary condition. The terrestrial and sea surface temperature (SST) of the LGM as simulated with six different Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) reconstructions in a fully coupled Earth System Model (COSMOS) have been compared with the subfossil pollen and plant macrofossil based and marine temperature proxies reconstruction. The terrestrial reconstruction shows a similar pattern and in good agreement with model data. The SST proxy dataset comprises a global compilation of planktonic foraminifera, diatoms, radiolarian, dinocyst, alkenones and planktonic foraminifera Mg / Ca-derived SST estimates. Significant mismatches between modeled and reconstructed SST have been observed. Among the six LIS reconstructions, Tarasov’s LIS reconstruction shows the highest correlation with reconstructed terrestrial and SST. In the case of radiolarian, Mg / Ca, diatoms and foraminifera show a positive correlation while dinocyst and alkenones show very low and negative correlation with the model. Dinocyst-based SST records are much warmer than reconstructed by other proxies as well as Pre-industrial (PI) temperature. However, there are large discrepancies between model temperatures and temperature recorded by different proxies. Eight different PMIP3 models also compared with temperature proxies reconstruction which show mismatches with the proxy records might be due to misinterpreted and/or biased proxy records. Therefore, it has been speculated that considering different habitat depths and growing seasons of the planktonic organisms used for SST reconstruction could provide a better agreement of proxy data with model results on a regional scale. Moreover, it can reduce model-data misfits. It is found that shifting in the habitat depth and living season can remove parts of the observed model-data mismatches in SST anomalies.
Lattice Approximation Methods for American Type Options

Lattice approximation methods based on binomial, trinomial and skeleton approximations for rewards of American type options are studied. Pay-o functions are general possibly discontinuous functions. Underlying log-price processes are assumed to be random walks. These processes are approximated by log-price processes given by random walks with discrete distributions of jumps. Backward recurrence algorithms for computing of reward functions for approximating logprice processes are given. Conditions of convergence for reward functions of approximating log-price process to the corresponding limiting reward functions are presented. These approximation algorithms and their rates of convergence are numerically tested for log-price processes represented by Gaussian and compound Gaussian random walks. Comparison of the above approximation methods is made.