Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of biomass burning, lightning, and convection on O3, CO, and NOy over the tropical Pacific and Australia in August–October 1998 and 1999

[1] In situ aircraft measurements of O3, CO, total reactive nitrogen (NOy), NO, and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) were made over the western Pacific Ocean and Australia during the Biomass Burning and Lightning Experiment (BIBLE) A and B conducted in August–October 1998 and 1999. Generally, similar features were seen in the BIBLE A and B data in the latitudinal variations of these species in the troposphere from 35°N to 28°S at longitudes of 120°–150°E. The focus of this paper is to describe the characteristics of air masses sampled at 15°N–10°S (tropical Pacific) and 10°S–28°S (over Australia). With the exception of occasional enhancements in reactive nitrogen seen over New Guinea associated with lightning activities, the tropical Pacific region is distinguished from the rest of the region by smaller concentrations of these trace species. This can be explained in terms of the absence of surface sources over the ocean, lack of stratospheric intrusion, and the preclusion of midlatitude air and air from the west due to active convection throughout the troposphere. The median O3, CO, NOy, and NO mixing ratios in tropical air above 4 km were about 15–20 parts per billion by volume (ppbv), 60–75 ppbv, 20–100 parts per trillion by volume (pptv), and 5–40 pptv, respectively. Data obtained from PEM-West A and B conducted in 1991 and 1994 showed similar latitudinal features, although the PEM-West A values were somewhat elevated due to dominating westerly winds in the lower troposphere associated with El Nino. Over Australia, the levels of O3, CO, NOy, NO, and NMHCs were elevated throughout the troposphere over those observed in the tropical Pacific both in 1998 and 1999. The effect from biomass burning that occurred in northern Australia was limited to within the boundary layer because of strong subsidence in the period. Analyses based on 14-day back trajectories identified free tropospheric air over Australia that originated from Indonesia, the Indian Ocean, Africa, and southern midlatitudes. The levels of O3, CO, NOy, and NMHCs in these air masses were much higher than those from the tropical Pacific due to their stronger sources from biomass burning and lightning. These values are compared with those obtained in the South Pacific during PEM-Tropics A. Effects of biomass burning and lightning are discussed as possible sources of O3 and its precursors in these air masses.
Neural Network Self-Tuning Control for a Piezoelectric Actuator

Piezoelectric actuators (PEA) have been widely used in the ultra-precision manufacturing fields. However, the hysteresis nonlinearity between the input voltage and the output displacement, which possesses the properties of rate dependency and multivalued mapping, seriously impedes the positioning accuracy of the PEA. This paper investigates a control methodology without the hysteresis model for PEA actuated nanopositioning systems, in which the inherent drawback generated by the hysteresis nonlinearity aggregates the control accuracy of the PEA. To address this problem, a neural network self-tuning control approach is proposed to realize the high accuracy tracking with respect to the system uncertainties and hysteresis nonlinearity of the PEA. First, the PEA is described as a nonlinear equation with two variables, which are unknown. Then, using the capabilities of super approximation and adaptive parameter adjustment, the neural network identifiers are used to approximate the two unknown variables automatically updated without any off-line identification, respectively. To verify the validity and effectiveness of the proposed control methodology, a series of experiments is executed on a commercial PEA product. The experimental results illustrate that the established neural network self-tuning control method is efficient in damping the hysteresis nonlinearity and enhancing the trajectory tracking property.
Changes in Snow Phenology from 1979 to 2016 over the Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia

Snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains (TS) is a major contributor to the water resources of the Central Asian region. Thus, changes in snow phenology over the TS have significant implications for regional water supplies and ecosystem services. However, the characteristics of changes in snow phenology and their influences on the climate are poorly understood throughout the entire TS due to the lack of in situ observations, limitations of optical remote sensing due to clouds, and decentralized political landscapes. Using passive microwave remote sensing snow data from 1979 to 2016 across the TS, this study investigates the spatiotemporal variations of snow phenology and their attributes and implications. The results show that the mean snow onset day (Do), snow end day (De), snow cover duration days (Dd), and maximum snow depth (SDmax) from 1979 to 2016 were the 78.2nd day of hydrological year (DOY), 222.4th DOY, 146.2 days, and 16.1 cm over the TS, respectively. Dd exhibited a spatial distribution of days with a temperature of <0 °C derived from meteorological station observations. Anomalies of snow phenology displayed the regional diversities over the TS, with shortened Dd in high-altitude regions and the Fergana Valley but increased Dd in the Ili Valley and upper reaches of the Chu and Aksu Rivers. Increased SDmax was exhibited in the central part of the TS, and decreased SDmax was observed in the western and eastern parts of the TS. Changes in Dd were dominated by earlier De, which was caused by increased melt-season temperatures (Tm). Earlier De with increased accumulation of seasonal precipitation (Pa) influenced the hydrological processes in the snowmelt recharge basin, increasing runoff and earlier peak runoff in the spring, which intensified the regional water crisis.
Higher Taxes on Less Elastic Goods? Evidence from German Municipalities

German municipalities have substantial autonomy in setting taxes on two distinct tax bases: business profits and property values. We use this setting and a two-step approach to explore whether implemented tax policy is consistent with the seminal inverse-elasticity rule. First, we estimate the tax elasticity of the two tax bases using event-study and generalized differences-in-differences methods based on the universe of municipalities in 1995-2010. Second, we compare the ratio of the observed tax rates for the two tax bases to the ratio of their estimated elasticities. We find that property is not very responsive to variation in tax rates, whereas business profits respond significantly. While this would suggest that property should be taxed at a higher rate, the data show that this not the case: most municipalities impose relatively higher rates on business profits. This suggests that municipality-level taxation in Germany is inconsistent with the inverse-elasticity rule. We provide suggestive evidence that this finding is explained by politician's imprecise expectations about revenue elasticities as well as re-election concerns.
Convergence ? : Inferences from Theoretical Models

This essay suggests that the convergence controversy may reflect, in part, differences in perception regarding the viable set of competing testable hypotheses generated by existing growth theories. It argues that in contrast to the prevailing wisdom, the traditional neoclassical growth paradigm generates the club convergence hypothesis as well as the conditional convergence hypothesis. Furthermore, the inclusion of empirically significant variables such as human capital, income distribution, and fertility in conventional growth models, along with capital markets imperfections, externalities, and non-convexities, strengthens the viability of club convergence as a competing hypothesis with conditional convergence.
Estimation of PMx Concentrations from Landsat 8 OLI Images Based on a Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network

The estimation of PMx (incl. PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations using satellite observations is of great significance for detecting environmental issues in many urban areas of north China. Recently, aerosol optical depth (AOD) data have been being used to estimate the PMx concentrations by implementing linear and/or nonlinear regression analysis methods. However, a lot of relevant research based on AOD published so far have demonstrated some limitations in estimating the spatial distribution of PMx concentrations with respect to estimation accuracy and spatial resolution. In this research, the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform is employed to obtain the band reflectance (BR) data of a large number of Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) remote sensing images. Combined with the meteorological, time parameter and the latitude and longitude zone (LLZ) method proposed in this article, a new BR (band reflectance)-PMx (incl. PM10 and PM2.5) model based on a multilayer perceptron neural network is constructed for the estimation of PMx concentrations directly from Landsat 8 OLI remote sensing images. This research used Beijing, China as the test area and the conducted experiments demonstrated that the BR-PMx model achieved satisfactory performances for the PMx-concentration estimations. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the BR-PM2.5 and BR-PM10 models reached 0.795 and 0.773, respectively, and the root mean square error (RMSE) reached 20.09 μg/m3 and 31.27 μg/m3. Meanwhile, the estimation results have been compared with the results calculated by Kriging interpolation at the same time point, and the spatial distribution is consistent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the proposed BR-PMx model provides a new promising method for acquiring accurate PMx concentrations for various cities of China.
Structural and Functional Annotation of Transposable Elements Revealed a Potential Regulation of Genes Involved in Rubber Biosynthesis by TE-Derived siRNA Interference in Hevea brasiliensis

The natural rubber biosynthetic pathway is well described in Hevea, although the final stages of rubber elongation are still poorly understood. Small Rubber Particle Proteins and Rubber Elongation Factors (SRPPs and REFs) are proteins with major function in rubber particle formation and stabilization. Their corresponding genes are clustered on a scaffold1222 of the reference genomic sequence of the Hevea brasiliensis genome. Apart from gene expression by transcriptomic analyses, to date, no deep analyses have been carried out for the genomic environment of SRPPs and REFs loci. By integrative analyses on transposable element annotation, small RNAs production and gene expression, we analysed their role in the control of the transcription of rubber biosynthetic genes. The first in-depth annotation of TEs (Transposable Elements) and their capacity to produce TE-derived siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) is presented, only possible in the Hevea brasiliensis clone PB 260 for which all data are available. We observed that 11% of genes are located near TEs and their presence may interfere in their transcription at both genetic and epigenetic level. We hypothesized that the genomic environment of rubber biosynthesis genes has been shaped by TE and TE-derived siRNAs with possible transcriptional interference on their gene expression. We discussed possible functionalization of TEs as enhancers and as donors of alternative transcription start sites in promoter sequences, possibly through the modelling of genetic and epigenetic landscapes.
Mismatch of Glucose Allocation between Different Life Functions in the Transition Period of Dairy Cows

Simple Summary The reasons for the development of diseases in the transition period of dairy cows are manifold and highly farm- and cow-specific. Nevertheless, links exist between the degree of negative energy balance (NEB) and disease susceptibility, which suggest a mutual adverse relationship between immune and productive functions. Glucose is the most essential fuel and precursor for both immune cells and mammary epithelial cells (MEC). While the delivery of glucose by the intermediary metabolism is not always able to keep up with whole-body demands, trade-offs between mammary and immune cells emerge. The prioritization of mammary supply during early lactation is a physiologic principle in all mammals. In contrast, tremendous increases in milk yield and the specific demand for glucose in high-yielding dairy cows resulting from decades of selection for milk production override the evolutionary principles of nutrient partitioning. Therefore, high-producing dairy cows face an increased risk of glucose shortages in their immune cells, particularly during early lactation. Abstract Immune cell functions such as phagocytosis and synthesis of immunometabolites, as well as immune cell survival, proliferation and differentiation, largely depend on an adequate availability of glucose by immune cells. During inflammation, the glucose demands of the immune system may increase to amounts similar to those required for high milk yields. Similar metabolic pathways are involved in the adaptation to both lactation and inflammation, including changes in the somatotropic axis and glucocorticoid response, as well as adipokine and cytokine release. They affect (i) cell growth, proliferation and activation, which determines the metabolic activity and thus the glucose demand of the respective cells; (ii) the overall availability of glucose through intake, mobilization and gluconeogenesis; and (iii) glucose uptake and utilization by different tissues. Metabolic adaptation to inflammation and milk synthesis is interconnected. An increased demand of one life function has an impact on the supply and utilization of glucose by competing life functions, including glucose receptor expression, blood flow and oxidation characteristics. In cows with high genetic merits for milk production, changes in the somatotropic axis affecting carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as well as immune functions are profound. The ability to cut down milk synthesis during periods when whole-body demand exceeds the supply is limited. Excessive mobilization and allocation of glucose to the mammary gland are likely to contribute considerably to peripartal immune dysfunction.
Leaders’ Trait Mindfulness and Transformational Leadership: The Mediating Roles of Leaders’ Positive Affect and Leadership Self-Efficacy

Long a focus of research on psychological well-being, mindfulness is now attracting empirical interest in the organisational sciences and we investigate whether and how leaders’ trait mindfulness is associated with transformational leadership. Drawing upon mindfulness and social learning theories, we hypothesise that leaders’ trait mindfulness is associated indirectly with transformational leadership and that leaders’ positive affect and leadership self-efficacy beliefs mediate this relationship. Using serial mediation procedures in PROCESS 3.0, multisource data from 183 leader-follower dyads showed that the effects of leaders’ trait mindfulness on transformational leadership were mediated by leaders’ positive affect and leadership self-efficacy beliefs, after controlling for leaders’ age and negative affect. Conceptual, methodological, and practical implications are discussed. Depuis longtemps un sujet des recherches sur le bien-être psychologique, le concept de la pleine conscience suscite maintenant l’intérêt de chercheurs empiriques dans les sciences de l’organisation. Nous cherchons à déterminer dans quelle mesure et de quelle façon la caractéristique de la pleine conscience chez les leaders serait associée au leadership transformationnel. En nous fondant sur les théories sur la pleine conscience et la socialisation, nous formulons l’hypothèse que la caractéristique de la pleine conscience chez les leaders est indirectement associée au leadership transformationnel, et que l’affect positif des leaders et les croyances d’auto-efficacité du leadership influent sur cette relation. Au moyen de procédures dans le PROCESS 3.0 pour l’analyse de l’effet, des données de multiples sources sur 183 dyades leader-adepte ont révélé que les effets de la caractéristique de pleine conscience des leaders sur le leadership transformationnel étaient influencés par l’affect positif des leaders et les croyances d’auto-efficacité du leadership, en ayant tenu compte de l’âge des leaders et de l’affect négatif. Les répercussions sur les plans des concepts, de la méthodologie et de la pratique sont mises en relief.
Therapeutic Effects of Anti-Inflammatory N-Acylhydrazones in the Resolution of Experimental Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases are caused by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which may or may not have a specific cause or pathogen. They affect millions of people around the world and there are still few effective treatments. The aim of this work is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the IKK-β inhibitor LASSBio-1524 and its three analogs, LASSBio-1760, LASSBio-1763, and LASSBio-1764, on mediator production and expression of inflammatory enzymes using experimental animal models of intestinal inflammatory diseases. Colitis was performed using two different models, which mimic Crohn disease (induced by dinitrobenzene acid) and ulcerative colitis (induced by sodium dextran sulfate) in mice. In both models, a therapeutic protocol with a daily dose of 1, 3, or 30 μmol/kg was performed. LASSBio-1524 and its three analogs reduced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-γ and increased secretion of IL-10, protecting gastrointestinal homeostasis. All compounds reduced macro- and microscopic colonic damage caused by experimental colitis and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression in the colon, as well as leukocytosis and anemia resulting from the disease. Our data may suggest LASSBio-1524 and its analogs (LASSBio-1760, LASSBio-1763, and LASSBio-1764) as promising candidates for new prototypes designed to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Three new N-acylhydrazones were synthetized as analogs of LASSBio-1524. All new substances were evaluated in dextran sulfate– and dinitrobenzene acid–induced colitis, with LASSBio-1760, LASSBio-1762, and LASSBio-1763 presenting a significant effect in both models of colitis without toxic effects. The new substances could be considered as a new prototype for the development of new anti-inflammatory treatments of colitis.
Levels of Hras codon 61 CAA to AAA mutation : response to 4-ABP-treatment and Pms 2-deficiency

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiencies result in increased frequencies of spontaneous mutation and tumor formation. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that a chemically-induced mutational response would be greater in a mouse with an MMR-deficiency than in the MMR-proficient mouse models commonly used to assay for chemical carcinogenicity. To accomplish this, the induction of H-ras codon 61 CAA! AAA mutation was examined in Pms2 knockout mice (Pms2 / , C57BL/6 background) and sibling wild-type mice (Pms2). Groups of five or six neonatal male mice were treated with 0.3 mmol 4aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) or the vehicle control, dimethylsulfoxide. Eight months after treatment, liver DNAs were isolated and analysed for levels of H-ras codon 61 CAA! AAA mutation using allele-specific competitive blocker-PCR. In Pms2-proficient and Pms2-deficient mice, 4-ABP treatment caused an increase in mutant fraction (MF) from 1.65 3 10 5 to 2.91 3 10 5 and from 3.40 3 10 5 to 4.703 10 , respectively. Pooling data from 4-ABPtreated and control mice, the 2-fold increase in MF observed in Pms2-deficient as compared with Pms2proficient mice was statistically significant (P 5 0.0207) and consistent with what has been reported previously in terms of induction of G:C! T:A mutation in a Pms2deficient background. Pooling data from both genotypes, the increase in H-ras MF in 4-ABP-treated mice, as compared with control mice, did not reach the 95% confidence level of statistical significance (P 5 0.0606). The 4-ABP treatment caused a 1.76-fold and 1.38-fold increase in average H-ras MF in Pms2-proficient and Pms2-deficient mice, respectively. Furthermore, the levels of induced mutation in Pms2-proficient and Pms2-deficient mice were nearly identical (1.26 3 10 5 and 1.30 3 10 , respectively). We conclude that Pms2-deficiency does not result in an amplification of the H-ras codon 61 CAA! AAA mutational response induced by 4-ABP.
The effect of stellar-mass black holes on the central kinematics of ω Cen: a cautionary tale for IMBH interpretations

The search for intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) in the centre of globular clusters is often based on the observation of a central cusp in the surface brightness profile and a rise towards the centre in the velocity dispersion profiles. Similar signatures, however, could result from other effects, that need to be taken into account in order to determine the presence (or the absence) of an IMBH in these stellar systems. Following our previous exploration of the role of radial anisotropy in shaping these observational signatures, we analyse here the effects produced by the presence of a population of centrally concentrated stellar-mass black holes. We fit dynamical models to ω Cen data, and we show that models with ~ 5% of their mass in black holes (consistent with ~ 100% retention fraction after natal kicks) can reproduce the data.When simultaneously considering both radial anisotropy and mass segregation, the bestfit model includes a smaller population of remnants, and a less extreme degree of anisotropy with respect to the models that include only one of these features. These results underline that before conclusions about putative IMBHs can be made, the effects of stellar-mass black holes and radial anisotropy need to be properly accounted for.
Monetary Aggregates and Monetary Policy in Peru

This paper investigates empirically the usefulness of monetary aggregates as information variables in the conduct of monetary policy. For this purpose, some recent advances on the topic were used, which include the analysis of both real-time and revised final data, and the application of Bayesian model averaging to allow for model uncertainty regarding the lag length and number of cointegrating relationships. In this paper, money is considered as an information variable for Wt (e.g. output or prices) if the following two criteria are satisfied: (i) Mt is strongly exogenous, and (ii) Mt Granger-causes Wt. Strong exogeneity is relevant because it validates conditional forecasting of Wt using monetary aggregates as conditioning variables. The results show no strong evidence supporting the usefulness of monetary aggregates as information variables for prices or output. However, this does not preclude their potential use as information variables for other macroeconomic targets such as financial stability.