Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An improved method of night-time light saturation reduction based on EVI

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) night-time light (NTL) data have been widely applied to studies on anthropogenic activities and their interactions with the environment. Due to limitations of the OLS sensor, DMSP NTL data suffer from a saturation problem in central urban areas, which further affects studies based on nocturnal lights. Recently, the vegetation-adjusted NTL urban index (VANUI) has been developed based on the inverse correlation of vegetation and urban surfaces. Despite its simple implementation and ability to effectively increase variations in NTL data, VANUI does not perform well in certain rapidly growing cities. In this study, we propose a new index, denoted enhanced vegetation index (EVI)-adjusted NTL index (EANTLI), that was developed by reforming the VANUI algorithm and utilizing the EVI. Comparisons with radiance-calibrated NTL (RCNTL) and the new Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data for 15 cities worldwide show that EANTLI reduces saturation in urban cores and mitigates the blooming effect in suburban areas. EANTLI’s similarity to RCNTL and VIIRS is consistently higher than VANUI’s similarity to RCNTL and VIIRS in both spatial distribution and latitudinal transects. EANTLI also yields better results in the estimation of electric power consumption of 166 Chinese prefecture-level cities. In conclusion, EANTLI can effectively reduce NTL saturation in urban centres, thus presenting great potential for wide-range applications.
Observations of frequency-dependent S n propagation in Northern Tibet

SUMMARY We present new observations of the frequency-dependent propagation efficiency of the seismic phase Sn over the Tibetan Plateau. Our measurements are the ratio of the Sn amplitude to the Pg coda amplitude on Tibetan regional seismograms, and we map the lateral variation in the maximum and mean values of this ratio across the Plateau. Good path density and azimuthal coverage allow the area of Sn blockage identified by previous studies to be better constrained. An important result is that at low frequencies (∼0.2 Hz), Sn propagates efficiently over the entire Plateau, whereas at higher frequencies (∼ 1H z),Sn is blocked for a region of the northern Plateau. As we take measurements at higher frequencies, we find that the southern boundary of the region of inefficient propagation migrates to the south. The observation that low frequency Sn propagates efficiently across the whole Plateau suggests that at the length-scales sampled by these waves, the upper mantle has an overall positive shear velocity gradient, which could indicate that the high-velocity seismic lid, or seismic lithosphere, beneath Tibet is still intact, and has not delaminated as some researchers have previously proposed. The observation that high frequency Sn does not propagate beneath northern Tibet suggests that at the shorter length-scales sampled by the higher frequency waves, the upper mantle has a negative shear velocity gradient. This could indicate that at shallow depths the sub-Moho upper mantle is hot and may contain some melt.
Producing more rice with less water from irrigated systems

Over the past decade, we have witnessed a growing scarcity of and competition for water around the world. As the demand for water for domestic, municipal, industrial, and environmental purposes rises in the future, less water will be available for agriculture. But the potentials for new water resource development projects and expanding irrigated area are limited. We must therefore find ways to in-crease the productivity of water used for irrigation. This paper reviews the literature on irrigation efficiency and on the potential for increasing the productivity of water in rice-based systems. It identifies the reasons for the wide gap between water requirement and actual water input in irrigated rice production systems and discusses opportunities for bridging the gap both on-farm and at the system level. The potentials for water savings in rice production appear to be very large. But we do not know the degree to which various farm and system interventions will lead to sustainable water savings in the water basin until we can quantify the downstream impact of the interventions. Studies on the economic benefits and costs of alternative interventions are also lacking. Without this additional information, it will be difficult to identify the potential benefits and the most appropriate strategies for increasing irrigation water productivity in rice-based systems. This paper emphasizes the need for integrating various water-saving measures into practical models and for conducting holistic assessments of their impact within and outside irrigation systems in the water basin.
Identifying the ecotourist market using the core criteria of ecotourism: is there a true ecotourist that seeks nature, learning and sustainability?

Ecotourism can be defined by three core criteria: nature-based, learning and sustainability. Research aimed at identifying the ecotourist market has concentrated on motivations and activity related to the first two criteria. Although some research has considered ecological values, there is little evidence whether sustainability also has a role in ecotourist decision-making. This research aims to identify ecotourists based on the motivational and activity elements and then assess the pro-environment attitudes of those so identified as a measure of their support for sustainability, thus identifying the market by the three core criteria of ecotourism. A survey was undertaken of 243 visitors to Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia, prior to commencement of their visit. Results indicated that even on motivational and activity grounds the number of ecotourists was low but was even lower when their environmental attitudes were considered. Omitting the sustainability criterion from earlier studies may have resulted in an over-estimation of the size of the ecotourism market. This may account for a recent focus away from a distinct ecotourism segment and diversification of many ecotourism products. Other motivations may be just as important and tourists may not be concerned whether the ecotourism experience conforms to the three criteria of ecotourism.
Simulation of the interplay between resident and infiltrating water in partially saturated porous media

The interplay between resident water already in the subsurface environment (“old water”) and infiltrating water (“new water”) is examined. A smoothed particle hydrodynamics technique is used to simulate the interplay between old water and new water in a porous medium over a cycle of drainage of old water and infiltration of new water. The effect of varying the average pore size is investigated via the Bond number. Four parameters (maximal mixing amount, minimal average size of old water pockets, mixing value for which the number of old water pockets decreases, and amount of old water remaining in the system for long times) are found to be independent of the average pore size. However, the rate of change is always higher for larger pores. In particular, some old water remains in the system within stable water pockets even after infiltrating new water reaches steady state.
Permeability anisotropy and resistivity anisotropy of mechanically compressed mudrocks

Permeability anisotropy (the ratio of the horizontal to vertical permeability) develops in mudrocks at the macroscale due to heterogeneities such as layering and at the element scale (i.e., within a single homogeneous layer or unit) due to decreasing porosity and increasing platy particle alignment. This work describes new experimental methods and results from a laboratory program using cubic specimens to investigate the evolution of mudrock permeability and resistivity at the element scale. A systematic study analyzes the evolution of the permeability anisotropy and electrical resistivity anisotropy using resedimented Boston blue clay (RBBC) over a stress range of 0.4–40 MPa; additional measurements are presented for three other mudrocks within varying clay fraction and clay mineralogy within the stress range 1.2–10 MPa. The permeability anisotropy and the conductivity anisotropy (inverse of the resistivity anisotropy) of all four mudrocks studied ranges from 1 to 2.2 over the porosity range 0.55–0.30. A.
Multi‐centennial summer and winter precipitation variability in southern South America

We present the first spatially and temporally highly resolved gridded reconstruction of multi‐centennial precipitation variability for southern South America (SSA). A novel reconstruction approach of deriving 10,000 ensemble members based on varying predictor networks and methodological settings allows the identification of spatiotemporal changes in SSA precipitation and associated uncertainties. The summer and winter reconstructions back to AD 1498 and AD 1590, respectively, provide new evidence for multi‐centennial increase in summer precipitation and an opposing decrease in winter precipitation into the 20th century. The drying in winter is significant over large parts of SSA, whereas the patterns for summer, possibly representing convective rainfall, have displayed high spatial variability. The fact that such long‐term seasonal and spatial changes have occurred in the past, underlines the complex form that hydroclimatic variability might have in the future. This emphasizes the need for careful adaptation strategies as governments become attuned to the realities of climate change.
Building on Sinkholes: Design and Construction of Foundations in Karst Terrain

Based on over 50 years experience in geotechnical engineering, this book summarizes the mechanisms of sinkhole formation in limestone (or karst) terrain. The author also provides methods for overcoming sinkhole-related failures and for avoiding or minimizing future sinkhole collapses that impact on human activity. Professor Sowers also discusses site investigation, as well as the design and construction methods that are appropriate for building foundations in areas where sinkholes are likely to develop. It is written for engineers and geologists, in addition to other professionals who work together to solve sinkhole problems.
Geological Controls on Regional Subsurface Carbonate Cementation: An Isotopic-Paleohydrologic Investigation of Middle Jurassic Limestones in Central England: Chapter 14: DIAGENESIS, SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND CHANGES IN RELATIVE SEA LEVEL

Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) carbonate sediments deposited on the northern margins of the Wessex Basin and over the Central Midlands Platform were pervasively cemented by a single generation of sparry calcite cement. The nature and evolution of the hydrologic system responsible for the cementation has been investigated through integrating petrographic and isotopic data with regional tectonic, stratigraphic, and sedimentological information. The spar cements precipitated in a confined paleoaquifer, sourced by Early Cretaceous meteoric recharge, when tectonic uplift of the basin margins and concomitant fall in relative sea level generated the late Cimmerian unconformity. Isotopic data show that variable degrees of mixing of recharging groundwaters and marine-like pore fluids expelled updip from thick dewatering shales in the Wessex Basin took place during cementation. Consideration of the tectono-stratigraphic history of the basin and surrounding regions, together with diagenetic information from other carbonate formations, indicates that the overall hydrologic system lasted for a maximum of 20 m.y. and extended through much of the Middle and Late Jurassic over a large geographical area. In contrast, earlier, syndeposition l emergence did not provide the necessary conditions for development of extensive paleoaquifers, and did not generate pore filling cements. This study emphasizes links between basin evolution, basin geometry, subsurface hydrology, and cementation characteristics. Comparisons are drawn with published examples to highlight the importance of an integrated approach to regional diagenesis.
Stress Dependence of Sand Stiffness

SYNOPSIS The stress dependence of the Young's modulus of two sands was studied with a computer controlled triaxial apparatus, capable of giving reliable measurements of the stiffness even at very small strains"' 0.001 %. It was therefore possible to determine the Young's modulus of the sands for a wide strain range, from very small to very large, up to 20 %. The tested sands were: a uniform fine quartz sand not containing fines (Toyoura sand- TOS), and a well graded coarse to medium carbonatic, crushable sand containing about 2% of fines (Quiou sand - QS). The specimens were reconstituted in the laboratory at a given density by pluvial deposition. Two test series were performed: 1) compression loading triaxial tests, at a constant strain rate, on specimens consolidated at cr'vc =100 kPa and stress ratio K variable between Ko(NC) and 2.0 for TOS. For QS the consolidation stress ratio K ranged from Ko(NC) and 1.0. 2) compression loading triaxial tests, at a constant strain rate, on specimens of TOS consolidated at cr'hc = 100 kPa and K variable between Ko(NC) and 2.0. Specimens were prevalently normally - consolidated; however a few of them were subjected to mechanical overconsolidation or prestressing at constant K. The main conclusions obtained from the above experiments are:
Discrimination of conifer height, age and crown closure classes using Landsat-5 TM imagery in the Canadian Northwest Territories

Empirical relationships between forest stand attributes and Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper spectral response were developed in order to assess its informational value in support of forest inventory operations in the Northwest Territories. An existing large-area classification procedure, based on a supervised methodology, has been able to generate classes of white spruce and jack pine. Within individual forest species groups, spectral variability related to differences in crown closure, height and age is of interest to forest managers in the region. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy with which stands within the white spruce and jack pine classes could be further separated into two stand height classes (< 15 m and S 15 m), two age classes (< 100 years and S 100 years) and two crown closure classes (< 30% and S 30%) with a single (summer) Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) image. Discrimination generally improved with the addition of spectral texture measures where independently assessed accuracies ranged from 60 to 90%. A look-up table was devised for conifer-dominated areas (> 80% dominant species) which could subsequently be assigned for height, age and crown closure class values based on Landsat TM spectral response patterns.
Spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity and bulk density along a blanket peatland hillslope

This article presents the results of a field investigation of saturated hydraulic conductivity Ksat and bulk density (ρbd) in an Atlantic blanket bog in the southwest of Ireland. Starting at a peatland stream and moving along an uphill transect toward the peatland interior, ρbd and Ksat were examined at regular intervals. Saturated horizontal hydraulic conductivity (Khsat) and vertical (Kvsat) was estimated at two depths: 10–20 and 30–40 cm below the peat surface, whereas ρbd was estimated for the full profile. We consider two separate zones, one a riparian zone extending 10 m from the stream and a second zone in the bog interior. We found that the Ksat was higher (~10–5 m s–1) in the bog interior than that in the riparian zone (~10–6 m s–1), whereas the converse applied to bulk density, with lowest density (~0.055 g cm–3) at the interior and highest (~0.11 g cm–3) at the riparian zone. In general, we found Khsat to be approximately twice the Kvsat. These results support the idea that the lower Ksat at the margins control the hydrology of blanket peatlands. It is therefore important that the spatial variation of these two key properties be accommodated in hydrological models if the correct rainfall runoff characteristics are to be correctly modelled. Stream flow analysis over 3 years at the peatland catchment outlet showed that the stream runoff was composed of 8% base flow and 92% flood flow, suggesting that this blanket peatland is a source rather than a sink for floodwaters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tupilakosaur-Like Vertebrae in Bothriceps australis, an Australian Brachyopid Stereospondyl

ABSTRACT A new locality near the Permo-Triassic boundary in Tasmania, Australia, has yielded a number of specimens of the brachyopid stereospondyl, Bothriceps australis, whose provenance was unknown previously. An articulated diplospondylous vertebral column of a morphology typical only of the Tupilakosauridae was found at the same locality. Although the Brachyopidae and Tupilakosauridae have skulls of similar shape, most authors have regarded them as not closely related. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that the Brachyopidae and Tupilakosauridae are both members of the Stereospondyli but are not closely related, despite the remarkable similarity of the Bothriceps and tupilakosaur vertebral columns.
Role of payment for environmental services in improving livelihoods and promoting green economy: empirical evidence from a Himalayan watershed in Nepal

A lthough mountains are rich in natural resources and provide vital ecosystem services to the global community, mountain people are marginalised. As the ecosystem services they provide are mostly free of charge, they have no incentive to invest in the conservation. We examine the feasibility of improving their livelihoods through the sale of water services to downstream communities. Using hydro-meteorological data, we assessed the effects of forest conservation on water yield and estimated the value of water services to downstream communities. Results show that if a system of payment for ecosystem services is established, mountain communities can improve their livelihoods by converting their farmland into conservation areas. However, it will take 15 years to increase the water yield, which means that external assistance is required in early years. Policy measures are suggested to establish a market for ecosystem services to encourage upstream communities to take conservation measures. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/jepsl.v2i1. 5734 Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka Vol.2(1) 2013 1-12
The History and Geography of Human Genes

A key trap lock structure, which is designed to be operated so that outstanding keys, desired to be retrieved by building personnel, can be trapped in the lock after insertion and prior to intended door opening. The lock is designed such that the central bolt or cylinder member, upon being rotated by key through a predetermined arc, will, by it's catch element springing outwardly, engage a slot in the housing so that the cylinder member cannot be turned and the key cannot be retrieved. Thus, the unauthorized user must leave the key in the lock. Subsequently, maintenance or building personnel, by the means shown, can reload the catch element so that the cylinder member can be turned to the original position for insertion. Thereafter, appropriate means can be installed to retain the catch element in the non-catch, lock-operative position.
A 17 month climatology of the cloud condensation nuclei number concentration at the high alpine site Jungfraujoch

[1] Between May 2008 and September 2009 the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentration, NCCN, was measured at the high alpine site Jungfraujoch, which is located in the free troposphere most of the time. Measurements at 10 different supersaturations (0.12%–1.18%) were made using a CCN counter (CCNC). The monthly median NCCN values show a distinct seasonal variability with ∼5–12 times higher values in summer than in winter. The major part of this variation can be explained by the seasonal amplitude of total aerosol number concentration (∼4.5 times higher values in summer), but it is further amplified (factor of ∼1.1–2.6) by a shift of the particle number size distribution toward slightly larger sizes in summer. In contrast to the extensive properties, the monthly median of the critical dry diameter, above which the aerosols activate as CCN, does not show a seasonal cycle (relative standard deviations of the monthly median critical dry diameters at the different supersaturations are 4–9%) or substantial variability (relative standard deviations of individual data points at the different supersaturations are less than 18–37%). The mean CCN-derived hygroscopicity of the aerosol corresponds to a value of the hygroscopicity parameter κ of 0.20 (assuming a surface tension of pure water) with moderate supersaturation dependence. NCCN can be reliably predicted throughout the measurement period with knowledge of the above-mentioned averaged κ value and highly time-resolved (∼5 min) particle number size distribution data. The predicted NCCN was within 0.74 to 1.29 times the measured value during 80% of the time (94,499 data points in total at 10 different supersaturations).
Introduction to rural planning.

Part 1: Ruruality, Planning and Governance 1. Introduction 2. Rural Governance and Spatial Planning Part 2: The Rural Economy 3. Economic Change 4. The Farming Economy 5. New Economies Part 3: The Needs of Rural Communities 6. Community Change 7. Rural Housing: Demand, Supply, Affordability and the Market 8. Living in the Countryside Part 4: Environmental Change and Planning 9. A Changing Environment 10. A Differentiated Environment Part 5: Governance, Coordination and Integration 11. (Re) Positioning Rural Areas 12. Conclusions: Integrating Agendas, Coordinating Responses
The “Amsterdam Castle”: A Case Study of Wiggle Matching and the Proper Calibration Curve

We have performed a high-precision 14C wiggle-matching study on two oak beams from the “Castle of Amsterdam”. These beams are also dated by dendrochronology. Our two dating methods can only be made consistent using the recommended calibration curve (1986) instead of the revised one (1993).
User authentication schemes with pseudonymity for ubiquitous sensor network in NGN

Owing to the ubiquitous nature, ease of deployment, and wide range of potential applications, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have received a lot of attention recently. WSNs can be deployed in unattended environments; however, they have many challenges. It should be guaranteed that not only illegitimate users cannot login and access data in the network but also user privacy should be maintained. Since sensor nodes have limited computation power, storage, and energy, it is desirable for the authentication protocol to be simple and secure. In this paper, we propose two user authentication protocols that are variations of a recent strong‐password‐based solution. It uses one‐way hash functions and XOR operations to achieve lower computational and communication overheads. We have analyzed the performance of both the proposed authentication schemes in terms of various metrics. We have also provided security evaluation of the proposed protocols. Comparing with the previous schemes, our proposed schemes are more robust and provide better security. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.