Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermonuclear Supernovae

The application of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) as distance indicators in cosmology calls for a sound understanding of these objects. Recent years have seen a brisk development of astrophysical models which explain SNe Ia as thermonuclear explosions of white dwarf stars. While the evolution of the progenitor is still uncertain, the explosion mechanism certainly involves the propagation of a thermonuclear flame through the white dwarf star. Three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations allowed to study a wide variety of possibilities involving subsonic flame propagation (deflagrations), flames accelerated by turbulence, and supersonic detonations. These possibilities lead to a variety of scenarios. I review the currently discussed approaches and present some recent results from simulations of the turbulent deflagration model and the delayed detonation model.
Effects of Moisture on Combustion of Live Wildland Forest Fuels

EFFECTS OF MOISTURE ON COMBUSTION OF LIVE WILDLAND FOREST FUELS Brent M. Pickett Department of Chemical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy Current operational wildland fire models are based on numerous correlations from experiments performed on dry (dead) fuel beds. However, experience has shown distinct differences in burning behaviors between dry and moist (live) fuels. To better understand these fundamental differences, an experiment was designed to use a flat-flame burner to simulate a moving fire front which heated and ignited a stationary, individual fuel sample. Samples included various U.S. species from the California chaparral, the intermountain west, and the southeastern regions. Temperature, mass, and video images were recorded throughout each experimental run from which numerous data values were obtained such as time to ignition, ignition temperature, flame height, time of flame duration, and mass release rates. Qualitative results showed various phenomena such as color change, bubbling, bursting, brand formation, and bending; these phenomena were species-dependent. Quantitative results showed differences in the ignition values (time, temperature, and mass) among species. It was observed that all moisture did not leave the interior of the sample at the time of ignition. Also, from the temperature history profiles, no plateau was observed at 100°C, but instead at 200-300°C. This indicates a need to treat evaporation differently than the classical combustion model. Samples were treated with solvents in attempt to extract the cuticle from the surface. These treated samples were compared to non-treated samples, though no significant combustion characteristics were observed. The time of color change for the treated samples varied significantly, indicating that the cuticle was indeed removed from the surface. Two-leaf configurations were developed and compared to determine combustion interactions between leaves. A second leaf was placed directly above the original leaf. Results showed that the time of flame duration of the upper leaf was significantly affected by the presence of the lower leaf. Causes for the prolonged flame were found to be the consumption of O2 by the lower leaf and the obstruction provided by the lower leaf, creating a wake effect which displaced hot gases from the flat-flame burner as well as entrained surrounding room temperature gas. A semi-physical model based on fluid dynamics and heat and mass transfer was developed that included the observed plateau at 200-300°C, rather than at 100°C; this was done for both the singleand two-leaf configurations. Another model using a statistical approach was produced which described the combustion of a bush that incorporated data obtained from the experimental results. Overall burning times and percentage of fuel consumption were obtained for various fuel loadings using this statistical model.
Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions

Each paper submitted must be accompanied by an abstract of 300 words or less to appear after the title. For Research Articles, the abstract should be suitable for use by abstracting journals and must include the following headings using the IMRAD format (specifically, INTRODUCTION, METHODS, RESULTS, DISCUSSION, using all uppercase letters followed by a colon and space), not exceeding 300 words. A list of 5 to 15 keywords or short phrases suitable for indexing terms should be typed at the bottom of the abstract page accompanying the manuscript. These terms will be printed with the paper following the abstract.
An Assessment of the Sustainable Uptake of Conservation Farming in Zimbabwe: Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 39

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a nonprofit, non-political organization that does innovative agricultural research and capacity building for sustainable development with a wide array of partners across the globe. ICRISAT’s mission is to help empower 600 million poor people to overcome hunger, poverty and a degraded environment in the dry tropics through better agriculture. ICRISAT belongs to the Alliance of Centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
Association among plasma 1,25(OH)2D, ratio of 1,25(OH)2D to 25(OH)D, and prostate cancer aggressiveness

African‐American (AA) men tend to present with more aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score >7) than European‐American (EA) men. Vitamin D and its metabolites are implicated in prostate cancer biology with vitamin D deficiency, indicated by its metabolite levels in serum or plasma, usually observed in AA men.
Alternative simulation of soil phosphorus for agricultural land uses in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model

Title of Document: ALTERNATIVE SIMULATION OF SOIL PHOSPHORUS FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND USES IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED MODEL Alisha Spears Mulkey, M.S., 2014 Directed By: Dr. Frank J. Coale, Professor Department of Environmental Science and Technology Current restoration efforts for the Chesapeake Bay watershed mandate reducing nutrient and sediment loads to receiving waters. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model (WSM) estimates loading; however, some WSM routines have not been updated to reflect recent research. This study’s objective was to improve the simulation of soil phosphorus dynamics by using an independent modeling tool (APLE) as an alternative to the current WSM approach. Identical assumptions of acreage, soil properties, nutrient management, and transport factors from the WSM were used as inputs to APLE. Outcomes represent revised estimates of phosphorus edge-of-field losses and estimates of change in soil labile phosphorus concentration. The modification resulted in a greater mean phosphorus loss estimate compared to the WSM, and a relationship between nutrient application, tillage, and soil phosphorus concentrations. Outcomes support APLE as an appropriate alternative model for simulating soil phosphorus dynamics, and for informing mitigation of soil phosphorus losses through best management practices. ALTERNATIVE SIMULATION OF SOIL PHOSPHORUS FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND USES IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED MODEL
Herpetofauna of two habitats in northeast Pulau Langkawi

Ten species of amphibians, four species of lizards and one species of snake were recorded from two habitats of northeast Pulau Langkawi, Kedah. These were amphibians - Bufo asper, B. melanostictus, Fejervarya limnocharis, Limnonectes blythi, L. malesianus, Microhyla berdmorei, Polypedates leucomystax, Rana chalconota, R. erythraea, R. hosii; lizards - Draco melanopogon, D. volan, Gekko gecko, Mabuya multifasciata; and snake - Chrysopelea paradisi.
Cherries for Sale: Export Networks and the Incidence of Cross-Border M&A

This paper develops a dynamic model of cross-border M&A activity. We show that foreign firms will be relatively more attracted to targets in the domestic country that had high productivity levels several years prior to acquisition, but then suffered a negative productivity shock (i.e., cherries for sale). With high ex ante productivity levels, target firms are able to invest in large export networks that are valuable to foreign multinationals because of locational differences and trade costs. Subsequently, domestic firms that experience reductions in productivity no longer find their established network as valuable to serve independently, increasing the surplus generated by a foreign acquisition. From the theory we derive a dynamic panel binary choice empirical model that uses predetermined export activity and the evolution of target firm productivity over time to predict cross-border M&A activity. Administrative data from French firms across 1999-2006 provide strong evidence that both the established export networks and productivity losses among target firms promote takeover by foreign multinationals.
Democracy and Prosperity

It is a widespread view that democracy and the advanced nation-state are in crisis, weakened by globalization and undermined by global capitalism, in turn explaining rising inequality and mounting populism. This book argues that this view is wrong: advanced democracies are resilient, and their enduring historical relationship with capitalism has been mutually beneficial. For all the chaos and upheaval over the past century—major wars, economic crises, massive social change, and technological revolutions—the book shows how democratic states continuously reinvent their economies through massive public investment in research and education, by imposing competitive product markets and cooperation in the workplace, and by securing macroeconomic discipline as the preconditions for innovation and the promotion of the advanced sectors of the economy. Critically, this investment has generated vast numbers of well-paying jobs for the middle classes and their children, focusing the aims of aspirational families, and in turn providing electoral support for parties. Gains at the top have also been shared with the middle (though not the bottom) through a large welfare state. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom on globalization, advanced capitalism is neither footloose nor unconstrained: it thrives under democracy precisely because it cannot subvert it. Populism, inequality, and poverty are indeed great scourges of our time, but these are failures of democracy and must be solved by democracy.
The Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a Recession

This paper analyzes the magnitude and sources of long-term earnings declines associated with graduating from college during a recession. Using a large longitudinal university-employer-employee dataset, we find that the cost of recessions for new graduates is substantial and unequal. Unlucky graduates suffer persistent earnings declines lasting ten years. They start to work for lower paying employers, and then partly recover through a gradual process of mobility toward better firms. We document that more advantaged graduates suffer less from graduating in recessions because they switch to better firms quickly, while earnings of less advantaged graduates can be permanently affected by cyclical downgrading. (JEL E32, I23, J22, J23, J31)
Empirical analysis of travel time reliability measures in urban expressway network

Travel time reliability has become more important in modern society as industrial society and households require just in time transport for business and private activities. The data collection system of traffic flow, on the other hand, has made it possible to hand large amounts of travel time data. This study considers the fundamental characteristics of travel time reliability measures using the traffic flow data in the Hanshin expressway network. These are then compared with the previously proposed traffic congestion measures, and the differences among several routes in the network are investigated. For the covering abstract see ITRD E140665.
Global diagnostics of the ionospheric perturbations related to the seismic activity using the VLF radio signals collected on the DEMETER satellite

The analysis of the VLF signals radiated by ground transmitters and received on board of the French DEMETER satellite, reveals a drop of the signals (scattering spot) connected with the occurrence of large earthquakes. The extension of the "scattering spots" zone is large enough (1000–5000 km) and, probably, it increases with the magnitude of the "relative" earthquake. A possible model to explain the phenomenology, based on the acoustic gravity waves and the ionosphere turbulence, is proposed. The method of diagnostics applied to this study has the advantage to be a global one due to the world wide location of the powerful VLF transmitters and of the satellite reception. However, a specific disadvantage exists because the method requires rather a long time period of analysis due to the large longitudinal displacements among the successive satellite orbits. At the moment, at least, one month seems to be necessary.
Aspects of complexity at Arslantepe

This doctoral research examines the multi-period site of Arslantepe (Malatya – South-eastern Turkey). It identifies archaeological evidence for social complexity within the site’s Late Chalcolithic (period VII in Arslantepe chronology) community and seeks to define the character and nature of this complexity. Craft specialisation and differential consumption is assessed through an analysis of the production and distribution of artefacts with a comparative analysis of the functional characteristics of monumental architecture and other buildings. A specific focus is placed on an analysis of the Arslantepe VII ceramic assemblage to investigate what this can tell us about the organisation of its production. The overarching aim is to assess the degree of economic centralisation and redistribution activities within Arslantepe’s developing socio-political organization. The evidence from Arslantepe is then reconsidered within the larger picture of 4th millennium Greater Mesopotamia, and wider debates on the formation of social complexity. A comparison of Arslantepe VII with contemporaneous sites in the region facilitates a revaluation of the interpretative models used to explain the emergence and development of complex forms of socio-political organization during the 4th millennium BC in Greater Mesopotamia.
The Dependence of Perceived Business Risks on the Size of SMEs

The issues of risk management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been analysed and discussed for a long time. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to concentrate on this field, especially in the Slovak Republic. SMEs are very sensitive to changes in the business environment which are always reflected in the quantitative characteristics of this sector in a certain time interval. According to various global surveys and studies, risk management represents a significant contribution to the increasing competitiveness of enterprises in changes of the business environment. The aim of this paper is to statistically assess the dependence of perceived key business risks of SMEs on their size in Slovakia based on own empirical research carried out in 2017. The contribution also includes an assessment of key risk sources and an evaluation of the survey results compared to the results of surveys taken last year. Based on the results, market, financial, economic and personnel risks comprise the four most important risks that negatively affect the business environment of SMEs. Dependence perceived by the SME entrepreneurs was found among market factors, personnel risks, and business size. No dependence was found among the financial, economic and business risks. The overall results of the empirical research point to the need and importance of addressing the assessment of key risks and their resources in SMEs in Slovakia. The goal of the paper is to highlight through a relevant study the need to apply risk management in the SMEs and to bring the results of the research in Slovakia closer to world trends.
Moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy and risk of fetal death.

BACKGROUND Controversies still exist regarding the existence of a 'safe' level of alcohol intake during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of fetal death (spontaneous abortion and stillbirth) according to maternal alcohol consumption in a large Danish pregnancy cohort. METHODS A cohort study carried out within the framework of the Danish National Birth Cohort. A total of the 92 719 participants enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort who provided information about lifestyle during first trimester of pregnancy were included in the study. Information about average weekly consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, smoking, coffee drinking, occupational status and reproductive history were obtained by means of computer-assisted telephone interviews. Pregnancy outcomes (spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, live birth and other pregnancy outcome) and gestational age at end of pregnancy were obtained through register linkage with the Civil Registration System and the National Discharge Registry. Data were analysed using Cox regression models, taking the varying gestational age at recruitment and time-dependent co-variables into account. RESULTS Fifty-five per cent of the participants abstained from alcohol drinking during pregnancy and only 2.2% reported four or more drinks per week. The adjusted hazard ratios for fetal death in first trimester were 1.66 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-1.92] and 2.82 (95% CI 2.27-3.49) for women who reported 2-3½; drinks per week and 4 or more drinks per week, respectively, and 1.57 (95% CI 1.30-1.90) and 1.73 (95% CI 1.24-2.41) for fetal death during pregnancy weeks 13-16. No increased risk was found for fetal death after 16 weeks of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Even low amounts of alcohol consumption during early pregnancy increased the risk of spontaneous abortion substantially. The results indicate that the fetus is particularly susceptible to alcohol exposure early in pregnancy.
Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) User’s Manual; Version 1.43 for Watershed Modeling System 6.1

Abstract : The need to simulate surface water flows in watersheds with diverse runoff production mechanisms has led to the development of the physically-based hydrologic model Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA). GSSHA is a reformulation and enhancement of the two-dimensional, physically based model CASC2D. The GSSHA model is capable of simulating stream flow generated by a variety of sources, including runoff due to infiltration excess and saturated sources areas and seeps, as well as direct interaction between streams and the saturated groundwater. The model employs mass-conserving solutions of partial differential equations. The hydrologic components are closely linked, assuring an overall mass balance. The model has been applied to a diverse variety of projects and has been proven useful for analysis of hydrologic and sedimentation processes, and can provide information needed for designed systems and the potential effects of projects, land-use change, environmental restoration, best management practices, climate change, and related issues. This manual describes the model formulation, model input, and provides information on the practice of hydrologic modeling with GSSHA, and hydrologic modeling in general.
Effect of smoke solution on performance of Pinus elliottii and P. taeda seed.

In recent years research has shown that exposing seed to smoke or smoke solutions results in increased germination of some, but not all the species tested. Tests showed that exposing seeds of some commercial crops to smoke increased early plant growth. The stimulatory effects of smoke were shown to benefit the germination of species regardless of whether or not fire played a part of the species ecological cycle. In commercial forest nurseries any method of increasing the recovery rate of seed presents opportunities for realising savings of related production costs. Greater recovery rates of genetically improved seed present opportunities for capturing more related growth in field operations. Improving efficiencies of seed recovery at an early point in the production chain have multiplied effects further on down the chain. Two species of pine, namely Pinus taeda and Pinus elliottii that do not generally present high rates of germination were selected to test if applications of smoke solution could increase germination or emergence rates by more than 5%. As seed of both species are known to respond positively to existing seed pre-treatments the effects of smoke needed to be tested in combination, and apart from the pre-treatments. A secondary aim of the study was to examine the effect of smoke on early plant growth. Attempts to optimizes the concentration of the smoke solution were not undertaken as part of this study, as a rinsing treatment, included in the trials, is known to remove any inhibitory effects of a high concentration of the smoke solution. Tests to determine the variability of the seedlots was carried out for statistical purposes. The interaction between smoke application and pre-treatments were tested, firstly in Petri dishes under controlled environmental conditions, and then in nursery trays under standard commercial nursery conditions for both species. The inclusion of smoke in combination with the target moisture stratification (TMS and rinse pre treatment) had a significantly positive effect on P. taeda in a controlled environment. The same combination did not yield a positive results when tested under nursery conditions. Recommendations are made regarding future tests to see if the beneficial combination found in the controlled environment could be replicated under
Economic valuation and optimisation of river barrier mitigation actions

Infrastructure, such as dams, weirs and culverts, disrupt the longitudinal connectivity of rivers, causing adverse impacts on fish and other species. This compromises the ability of river ecosystems to provide a range of services that contribute to human well-being. Improving fish passage at artificial barriers is an economic river restoration policy option that can improve the delivery of river ecosystem services provision. Whilst a number of methodologies exist to cost-effectively prioritize barriers for mitigation action, there is also now considerable interest in estimating the economic benefits of increased ecosystem service provision from investing in this activity. This is relevant in a number of policy contexts, including the Water Framework Directive in the EU. This thesis presents a novel bio-economic model that addresses the dual problem of prescribing cost optimal river barrier mitigation solutions whilst, simultaneously, estimating the social benefit of undertaking this activity. Minimal cost solutions are obtained for the problem of barrier mitigation decisions using a mixed integer linear program (MILP). The benefit from marginal improvements in river connectivity and fish species responses is then estimated using the Choice Experiment method. Incorporating these benefit estimates into the MILP generates the final bio-economic model. The specific advantage of this approach is it can readily inform cost benefit analysis of river barrier mitigation policy. The methods are demonstrated using the River Wey in South East England, containing over 650 artificial barriers, as a case study. For the case study, the benefits of investing in river barrier mitigation exceed costs at all budget levels, with the most socially efficient level of investment identified as approximately £30M.