Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The late 1960s secular variation impulse, the eleven year magnetic variation and the electrical conductivity of the deep mantle

Summary. Annual mean values of geomagnetic field components from world observatories for the period 1947–77 are analysed in the hope of being able to separate true internal secular variation from remaining external effects. The simple representation of internal secular variation which is used (the fitting of low degree polynomials) is that used by Courtillot & Le Mouel (1976a) and advocated by Vestine and colleagues as early as 1947. The case of European observatories is treated in detail: the density of these observatories provides an excellent test for the method. Two major results come out of this study: 1 A large secular variation impulse is shown to have occurred over much of the northern hemisphere in the late 1960s. A very rough description of the impulse field is a supplementary westward rotation of parts of the outer core layers of approximately 0.1° yr−1. The impulse occurs in a very short time, certainly less than 4 yr. 2 The clean representation of internal secular variation allows in turn isolation of the solar-cycle related variation. The corresponding field is a meridional one; measurement of the amplitudes of the vertical and north components yields an estimate of the response of the conducting Earth to such long period signals. The modulus and phase of the response (i/e) are respectively 0.17 and 44°. The observation of the secular variation impulse provides constraints on deep mantle conductivity ‘from the bottom’, while the 11-yr response provides constraints ‘from the top’. It is found that conductivity does not exceed 100 Ω−1 m−1 in the mantle. A survey of possible conduction mechanisms and estimated values of associated parameters in the deep mantle suggest temperatures around 3500 K. However, physical parameters for the electronic semiconduction process are so uncertain that we may conversely use conductivity and temperature estimates to constrain, for example, the activation energy of lower mantle materials.
“Good” news from nowhere: imagining utopian sustainable accounting

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to attempt to provide a ray of hope, in the form of a Morris-style utopian dream of a sustainable world, as a basis for new forms of accounting and accountability in contemporary society. Design/methodology/approach - – The method is four-fold, weaving together an auto-ethnographic approach, a contextual dialogue between accounting academics and lobbyists, a Morris-inspired utopian metaphor and a stakeholder accountability event in the form of oral disclosures written as a song cycle. Findings - – Current efforts at integrated reporting are unlikely to change how large companies do business in order to address the risk of climate change in the short term. If the UN reports on climate change are correct, the authors need to take immediate action. The authors argue that, instead of waiting for climatic disaster to lead to a paradigm shift in corporate practice, “monetisation” of the costs of climate change is one way to encourage integrated thinking and sustainable business models. This relies on existing finance and accounting discourse to create a new “field of environmental visibility” which engenders environmental awareness on the part of the world’s companies and policy makers. Practical implications - – This utopian image may not appear a practicable, realistic solution to current problems but represents a starting point for optimism. It provides inspiration for policy makers to develop better forms of sustainability reporting, more suitable to the accelerating rates of climatic change. Originality/value - – To the authors’ knowledge this is the first attempt to develop Morris’s
Stable Marriage and its Relation to Other Combinatorial Problems : An Introduction to Algorithm Analysis

4. Selected Papers on Analysis of Algorithms by Donald E. Knuth. Review by Timothy H. McNicholl. This is a collection of papers by Donald Knuth on the Analysis of Algorithms. The papers take the reader through a large variety of mathematical techniques in a motivated way. Selected Papers in Discrete Mathematics by D. Knuth. Review by Carlos A.S. Oliveira. This book is a compilation of work published (plus some unpublished papers) by the author.
Structure des peuplements ligneux dans les plantations d’Acacia senegal (L.) Willd dans la zone de Dahra (Ferlo, Sénégal)

The present study gives an up-to-date inventory of natural woody stands in plantations of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd in Ferlo. It aims at determining the structure, specific composition and regeneration of woody stands in plantations of Acacia senegal. Four sites were retained for study: Acacia senegal plantations Ndodj 2001, Isra 1999, Boulal 2004 and Deali 2005, distributed along an increasing pluviometric gradient, with different topographic characteristics and protection status. Woody stands were characterized by dendrometric measurements. Woody plants belong to 12 species representing 10 genera and 7 families. The very high mortality rate observed on dunes would be linked to poor water availability. Regeneration appeared significant in hollows (Isra), especially concerning Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam and Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. It was also relatively important at Boulal where livestock is rather infrequent, as in Isra. On the other hand in Deali, regeneration was important at the top of the dunes with Calotropis procera Ait. and weak in hollows, areas frequented by the cattle. Compared to Ndodj, Boulal was characterized by a relatively high regeneration. This situation could be explained by the fact that Isra and Boulal are more protected than Deali which is much attended by the cattle. In Ndodj, we noted that plants are subject to attacks by termites what explains the high mortality rates observed in this site. Balanites aegyptiaca, Boscia senegalensis and Calotropis procera are at the origin of the increase of the number of individuals in the stand, whereas Acacia senegal shows a weak regeneration. This weak regeneration of Acacia senegal would be linked to the systematic gathering and collecting of fruits, abundantly used to feed domestic animals, but also at certain places to stripping and repetitive bleedings. As far as plant circumference and height are concerned, the observed distribution was unimodal for the shrub layer, except in hollows at Isra where it was bimodal in the shrubby as well as the arborescent layers. Field observations and obtained results show that floristic variability was more marked at Isra than at Deali (strong pressure of the cattle). The structure of the woody stand appeared strongly dependent on topography, moisture gradient and anthropic pressure
ANALYSIS OF STREET DUST FOR HEAVY METAL POLLUTANTS IN MUBI, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study is aimed at determining the elemental concentrations of heavy metal pollutants that may be present in street dust samples in Mubi, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Dust samples were collected in mechanical workshops (MWK), motor parks (MPK), market areas (MKA), roundabouts/highways (RHW) and residential areas (RDA). The dust samples were digested using aqua regia digestion method and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for the elemental analyses. The variation in concentration of most of the heavy metals determined from different sites decreases in an order represented as MWK >MPK >MKA >RHW > RDA. The heavy metals showed a variation that indicated that Fe >>> Zn >> Pb >> Cu >> Cd, Iron (Fe) had the highest concentration in all the sampling areas with range of 5330.50 ± 499. 80 − 24100.00 ± 968.20 μg/g. A lower value was observed for Cd with respective range of 0.59 ± 0.19 − 1.33 ± 0.36 μg/g. Cobalt and Selenium were not detected in all the samples. Statistical analysis by ANOVA and t-test showed a significant difference (P<0.05) between the elements determined. This suggested that, the heavy metal pollutants in street dust samples of Mubi did not originate from common anthropogenic sources because some heavy metals are soil derived. Probably automobile emission, welding of metal and exhaust from generators may be the major sources of the elements.
EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED DISEASE Modulation of Cytokine mRNA Expression in Pharyngeal Epithelial Samples obtained from Cattle Infected with Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus

A novel technique of endoscopical collection of small tissue samples was used to obtain sequential tissue samples from the dorsal soft palate (DSP) of individual cattle infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) at different phases of the infection. Levels of mRNA encoding interferon (IFN)-a and IFN-b as well as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-aweremeasured in these samples by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Expression of IFN-bmRNAwas significantly down-regulated in the biopsy samples harvested during the acute phase of infection, while there was no statistically significant effect on the expression of IFN-amRNA compared with baseline levels. In contrast, the mRNA encoding TNF-awas significantly up-regulated in samples collected during both acute and late (>28 days post infection) phases of infection. There were also significantly higher levels of TNF-a mRNA expressed in samples derived from animals that were identified subsequently as persistently infected FMDV-carriers. It was concluded that there was a significant difference in the host-response in the DSP of calves that were identified as persistently infected, subclinical carriers of FMDV. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Minimum wage setting practices in domestic work: an inter-state analysis

The aim of the study is to do a comparative analysis of the states that have notified minimum wages for domestic workers with a view to draw lessons from their experiences. The experiences of various states would help in delineating aspects of the law and its specificities that can make the intervention more meaningful. This would thus help in the formulation of best practices for wider application. Apart from these, the study also tried to capture broad outlines of the effect of statutory minimum wage intervention in terms of setting a wage floor and improving other conditions of work. Some broad issues of implementation such as a lack of awareness among various stake holders and specific enforcement issues are also discussed in the study. The reservations / concerns and suggestions of concerned stakeholders for effective formulation and enforcement of minimum wages taking into account the specific situation of the state as well the overall conditions of employment are also captured.
32. VERTICAL SEISMIC PROFILE AT SITE 765 AND SEISMIC REFLECTORS IN THE ARGO ABYSSAL PLAIN1

The first Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) vertical seismic profile (VSP) experiment in a thick sedimentary section was conducted at Site 765 to measure compressional wave velocities and to correlate drilling results with seismic data. Measurements were performed through the cased portion of the hole between 186 and 915 mbsf using both air-gun and water-gun sources. Average velocities for the air-gun source were 1.967 km/s (284-915 mbsf), 1.815 km/s (186-284 mbsf), and 1.633 km/s (seafloor to 186 mbsf, extrapolated). Separation of the wavefield into upgoing and downgoing components by f-k filtering plus deconvolution of the upgoing wavefield produced good VSP records and revealed reflectors that correlate well with seismic profiles. These data were used to correlate the drilling results (lithologic units) with the seismic sequences at the drill site, which will be used to extrapolate the drilling results regionally. A weak sub-basement reflection at approximately 600 m into basement may correspond to the contact between pillow basalts and sheet flows. A comparison between VSP velocities, laboratory measurements, and sonic logs shows generally good agreement below about 420 mbsf.
A review of snow manipulation experiments in Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems

Snow cover is one of the most important factors controlling microclimate and plant growing conditions for Arctic and alpine ecosystems. Climate change is altering snowfall regimes, which in turn influences snow cover and ultimately tundra plant communities. The interest in winter climate change and the number of experiments exploring the responses of alpine and Arctic ecosystems to changes in snow cover have been growing in recent years, but their outcomes are difficult to summarize because of the large variability in manipulation approaches, extents and measured response variables. In this review, we (1) compile the ecological publications on snow manipulation experiments, (2) classify the studies according to the climate scenarios they simulate and response variables they measure, (3) discuss the methods applied to manipulate snow cover, and (4) analyse and generalize the response in phenology, productivity and community composition by means of a meta-analysis. This meta-analysis shows that flowering phenology responded strongly to changes in the timing of snowmelt. The least responsive group of species were graminoids; however, they did show a decrease in productivity and abundance with experimentally increased snow covers. The species group with the greatest phenological response to snowmelt changes were the dwarf shrubs. Their abundance also increased in most long-term snow fence experiments, whereas species richness generally declined. We conclude that snow manipulation experiments can improve our understanding of recently observed ecosystem changes, and are an important component of climate change research.
1 Maintenance of Tree Diversity in Tropical Forests

Many tropical forests contain hundreds of tree species; some contain well over 1000. What are the mechanisms that allow such complex communities to persist over millennia? The question has no simple or agreed-upon answer; the only true answer is that we don’t know. Theoreticians have offered a great many suggestions, ten of which are listed in Table 1.1. The proposed mechanisms are extremely diverse. Some are based on abiotic processes, others on biotic processes. Some operate entirely via chance, whereas others depend on deterministic processes. For all these differences, the ten theories recall the Tower of Babel when considered collectively. Given the irreconcilable differences between some of them, it is highly unlikely that all of them are right. However, it is still possible that many of them contain a grain of truth, so it is best to keep an open mind until each can be tested with appropriate evidence. To attempt a rigorous test of ten theories in a single chapter would be presumptuous, if not tedious. Here our purpose will be to present data from a series of empirical studies undertaken in western Amazonian forests at a wide range of spatial scales. We shall then comment briefly on each of the theories in light of the data presented. Some of the results provide direct tests of one or another of the theories, whereas other results may serve to inform new theories as yet unborn. How do the processes that regulate tree species composition vary with spatial scale, from roughly 1 million square kilometres down to less than 1 m2? We shall begin to answer the question by examining patterns of species composition at the very largest spatial scale and then work down to smaller scales.
Formulation and production of multinutrient blocks for ruminants in the guinea savanna region of nigeria

A study on the production and utilization of multinutrient blocks using locally available feed resources was conducted at the Adamawa State University, Livestock Teaching and Research Farm Mubi. The cost of production hardness and compactness and utilization were evaluated as feed supplement to cattle and sheep during the dry and wet seasons. Two multinutrient blocks were developed using local ingredients, multinutrient blocks with molasses (MNBM) and multinutrient blocks without molasses (MNBW). The chemical compositions of MNBM were DM (94.5%), CP (12%), CF (16%), EE (8.5%), Ash (9%) and NFE (54.5%). The MNBW contains DM (95.4%), CP (13.5%), CF (18.0%), EE (6.5%), Ash (6%) and NFE (56%). The hardness at 15/30 days after moulding was 3.6kg/cm 2
Endocrine implications of obesity and bariatric surgery

Obesity is a highly prevalent disease in the world associated with the disorders of endocrine system. Recently, it may be concluded that the only effective treatment of obesity remains bariatric surgery. The aim of the review was to compare the concepts of appetite hormonal regulation, reasons of obesity development and bariatric procedures published over the last decade. The reviewed publications had been chosen on the base on: 1. reasons and endocrine consequences of obesity; 2. development of surgery methods from the first bariatric to present and future less aggressive procedures; 3. impact of surgery on the endocrine status of patient. The most serious endocrine disturbances during obesity are dysfunctions of hypothalamic circuits responsible for appetite regulation, insulin resistance, changes in hormones activity and abnormal activity of adipocytes hormones. The currently recommended bariatric surgeries are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding. Bariatric surgical procedures, particularly combination of restrictive and malabsorptive, decrease the body weight and eliminate several but not all components of metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: 1. Hunger and satiety are mediated by an interplay of nervous and endocrine signals. 2. Healthy adipose tissue secretion of adipokines is coordinated in an anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing and cardioprotective pattern. However, with increasing fat mass this secretion pattern is changed into a proinflammatory, insulin resistant, atherogenic and fatal systemic environment . 3. Bariatric surgery is not a solution of the obesity problem for everyone. 4. Long term postsurgical observations of the hormonal profile changes are necessary and should be obligatory. (Endokrynol Pol 2018; 69 (5): 574–586)
A grid‐based approach for simulating stream temperature

Applications of grid‐based systems are widespread in many areas of environmental analysis. In this study, the concept is adapted to the modeling of water temperature by integrating a macroscale hydrologic model, variable infiltration capacity (VIC), with a computationally efficient and accurate water temperature model. The hydrologic model has been applied to many river basins at scales from 0.0625° to 1.0°. The water temperature model, which uses a semi‐Lagrangian numerical scheme to solve the one‐dimensional, time‐dependent equations for thermal energy balance in advective river systems, has been applied and tested on segmented river systems in the Pacific Northwest. The state‐space structure of the water temperature model described in previous work is extended to include propagation of uncertainty. Model results focus on proof of concept by comparing statistics from a study of a test basin with results from other studies that have used either process models or statistical models to estimate water temperature. The results from this study compared favorably with those of selected case studies using data‐driven statistical models. The results for deterministic process models of water temperature were generally better than the grid‐based method, particularly for those models developed from site‐specific, data‐intensive studies. Biases in the results from the grid‐based system are attributed to heterogeneity in hydraulic characteristics and the method of estimating headwater temperatures.
The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy

C O P YR IG H T © 2 00 8 H A R V A R D B U SI N E SS S C H O O L P U B LI SH IN G C O R P O R A T IO N . A LL R IG H T S R E SE R V E D . You know that to sustain long-term profitability you must respond strategically to competition. And you naturally keep tabs on your established rivals . But as you scan the competitive arena, are you also looking beyond your direct competitors? As Porter explains in this update of his revolutionary 1979 HBR article, four additional competitive forces can hurt your prospective profits:
Toward an Energetically Consistent, Resolution Aware Parameterization of Ocean Mesoscale Eddies

A subgrid‐scale eddy parameterization is developed, which makes use of an explicit eddy kinetic energy budget and can be applied at both “non‐eddying” and “eddy‐permitting” resolutions. The subgrid‐scale eddies exchange energy with the resolved flow in both directions via a parameterization of baroclinic instability (based on the established formulation of Gent and McWilliams) and biharmonic and negative Laplacian viscosity terms. This formulation represents the turbulent cascades of energy and enstrophy consistent with our current understanding of the turbulent eddy energy cycle. At the same time, the approach is simple and general enough to be readily implemented in ocean climate models, without adding significant computational cost. The closure has been implemented in the Modular Ocean Model Version 6 and tested in the “Neverworld” configuration, which employs an idealized analytically defined topography designed as a testbed for mesoscale eddy parameterizations. The parameterization performs well over a range of resolutions, seamlessly connecting non‐eddying and eddy‐resolving regimes.
Does space finally matter? The position of New Economic Geography in Economic Journals

This paper presents an empirical analysis about the position new economic geography plays in economics. In a theoretical review we discuss recent developments in economics, like new trade theory, endogenous growth theory, and new economic geography and analyze their implications for spatial structure. The paper presents the basic components of these theories and points out their commonalties. This shows that all these theories are based on assumptions that lead to spatial structure, i.e. differences in the spatial allocation of economic activities. In the empirical investigation we use the Social Science Citation Index to analyze citations of seminal contributions in various types of journals and the rate with which geographical content appears in economic journals. As we show, spatial topics still play only a marginal role in economics. Economists it seems are still reluctant to accept the spatial implications of their own theoretical models.
Mrk 421, Mrk 501, and 1ES 1426+428 at 100 GeV with the CELESTE Cherenkov telescope

We have measured the gamma-ray fluxes of the blazars Mrk 421 and Mrk 501 in the energy range between 50 and 350 GeV (1.2 to 8.3 x 10^25 Hz). The detector, called CELESTE, used first 40, then 53 heliostats of the former solar facility "Themis" in the French Pyrenees to collect Cherenkov light generated in atmospheric particle cascades. The signal from Mrk 421 is often strong. We compare its flux with previously published multi-wavelength studies and infer that we are straddling the high energy peak of the spectral energy distribution. The signal from Mrk 501 in 2000 was weak (3.4 sigma). We obtain an upper limit on the flux from 1ES 1426+428 of less than half that of the Crab flux near 100 GeV. The data analysis and understanding of systematic biases have improved compared to previous work, increasing the detector's sensitivity.