Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Projection of future daily precipitation series and extreme events by using a multi-site statistical downscaling model over the great Montréal area, Québec, Canada

This study suggested strategies to project future precipitation series based on a multi-site hybrid SDM (statistical downscaling model), which can downscale precipitation series at multiple observation sites simultaneously by combining the multivariate multiple linear regression (MMLR) model and the stochastic randomization procedure. The hybrid SDM and future projection methodologies applied to 10 observation sites located in the great area of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Six future independent precipitation series were projected from six sets of future atmospheric predictors using three AOGCMs (Atmosphere-Ocean Global Climate Models, i.e. CGCM2, CGCM3, HadCM3) and three IPCC SRES emission scenarios (B2, A1B and A2). Downscaled climate change signals on wet/dry sequences and extreme indices of precipitation time series were evaluated over the future period from 2060 to 2099 with respect to the historical period from 1961 to 2000. The future scenarios of all three AOGCMs showed a consistent increase of 7.9-44.6% in winter while only those of HadCM3 and CGCM3 showed a decrease of 2.3-23.0% in summer compared to their historical values. Precipitation series of CGCM2 A2 and CGCM3 A2 scenarios yielded the largest increase in winter, while those of HadCM3 B2 and A2 scenarios yielded the largest decrease in summer for all statistics indices.
Soil microbial biomass dynamics and net nitrogen mineralization in northern hardwood ecosystems

Soil temperature, water potential, and substrate (C) availability are the primary constraints on microbial activity within soil and display substantial seasonal variation within northern deciduous forests. Following autumn litterfall, soil C availability is relatively high, and N should be assimilated by soil microorganisms to maintain or form new biomass. Conversely, N should be mineralized from microbial biomass during midsummer when C availability is relatively low and soil temperatures are high. Because N availability is directly controlled by microbial activity, we hypothesized that microbial biomass and net N mineralization are inversely related on a seasonal basis. To test this hypothesis, we studied the temporal relationship between microbial biomass (C and N) and rates of net N mineralization in two different northern hardwood ecosystems, one dominated by sugar maple (Acer sacchantm Marsh.) and basswood (Tilia americana L.) and the other by sugar maple and red oak (Quercus rubra L.). In situ buried bags were used to estimate net N mineralization and nitrification at monthly intervals for 1 yr. Microbial C and N contents of the incubated soil were determined using the chloroform fumigation-incubation method. Net N mineralization displayed marked seasonal variability, ranging from 35 to 115 mg N m~2 d ' during the growing season. In contrast, microbial biomass C and N were relatively constant throughout the year, averaging 112 g C m~2 and 17 g N m* 2. Neither microbial biomass (C or N) nor the change in microbial biomass between sampling dates were significantly inversely correlated with mean daily rates of net N mineralization . As such, our data do not support the idea that N availability is controlled by large seasonal fluctuations in soil microbial biomass. Rather, our results suggest that N availability is primarily controlled by changes in the turnover rate of microbial biomass such that a relatively constant pool is maintained through time. In addition, mean annual rates of net N mineralization and nitrification did not differ significantly from those previously measured by others in the same stands, suggesting that annual rates may be relatively consistent in climatically similar years.
Entrainment of bed material by Earth‐surface mass flows: Review and reformulation of depth‐integrated theory

Earth‐surface mass flows such as debris flows, rock avalanches, and dam‐break floods can grow greatly in size and destructive potential by entraining bed material they encounter. Increasing use of depth‐integrated mass and momentum conservation equations to model these erosive flows motivates a review of the underlying theory. Our review indicates that many existing models apply depth‐integrated conservation principles incorrectly, leading to spurious inferences about the role of mass and momentum exchanges at flow‐bed boundaries. Model discrepancies can be rectified by analyzing conservation of mass and momentum in a two‐layer system consisting of a moving upper layer and static lower layer. Our analysis shows that erosion or deposition rates at the interface between layers must, in general, satisfy three jump conditions. These conditions impose constraints on valid erosion formulas, and they help determine the correct forms of depth‐integrated conservation equations. Two of the three jump conditions are closely analogous to Rankine‐Hugoniot conditions that describe the behavior of shocks in compressible gasses, and the third jump condition describes shear traction discontinuities that necessarily exist across eroding boundaries. Grain‐fluid mixtures commonly behave as compressible materials as they undergo entrainment, because changes in bulk density occur as the mixtures mobilize and merge with an overriding flow. If no bulk density change occurs, then only the shear traction jump condition applies. Even for this special case, however, accurate formulation of depth‐integrated momentum equations requires a clear distinction between boundary shear tractions that exist in the presence or absence of bed erosion.
A simplified model of the water soluble organic component of atmospheric aerosols

The properties of atmospheric aerosol organic compounds are often simulated in models by arbitrarily choosing model compounds which have, in most cases, little contact with the physical reality. We propose here a procedure with which to derive a simplified model of the water soluble organic fraction of the atmospheric aerosol. Quantitative measurements of organic carbon concentration and proton concentration of the main functional groups contained in the aerosol water soluble organic compounds (WSOC) mixture are used to formulate a set of a few model compounds, representative of the whole WSOC mass, which can simulate in models the chemical and physical properties of aerosol WSOC.
On seasonality of stratomesospheric CO above midlatitudes: New insight from solar FTIR spectrometry at Zugspitze and Garmisch

A significant seasonality in stratomesospheric CO (24–100 km) above mid‐latitudes is derived from FTIR via a new regularization scheme. Half hourly means from the Zugspitze (47.42°N, 10.98°E, 2964 m a.s.l.) and nearby Garmisch (745 m a.s.l.) measurements show excellent agreement (R = 0.94, slope 0.91, standard deviation 12%). Mean seasonality of the Zugspitze series (1999–2008) shows a November–April enhancement (February maximum 3.63 × 1016 cm−2) and a summer background (1.64 × 1016 cm−2) which agrees with the WACCM model. Measured monthly means reveal a year‐to‐year variability of up to 32% (1‐sigma) in winter not reproduced by WACCM (R = −0.13). Frequency distributions of daily means are right skewed in winter due to enhancements by vortex air transport (1–3 days duration) which typically reflect CO levels of the vortex border and may even reach vortex‐center levels (≈300% of the multi‐annual monthly median).
The role of participatory transition design in mitigating erosion of participatory democracy

Democracies face increasing challenges, with technologies like social media exacerbating the erosion of democracy and bringing the question of how technology might be a remedy for eroding democracy. This article presents our efforts to discover new pathways for local, democratic engagements with or through technology design. Through design research education, we explored the challenges of participatory engagement with local initiatives over the past three years. The plurishop, a workshop-based approach, was a primary tool to surface synergies and tensions between different lines of inquiry and enabled critical reflections that shaped subsequent design decisions. We contribute by showcasing and discussing some examples of technology design processes that inquired into ways of supporting local initiatives. Furthermore, we suggest that participatory transition design of technology might be a feasible pathway toward fostering democratic politics of technology and, subsequently, offer support to democracy.
Age determination and growth-rate of redfish (Sebastes Sp.) from selected areas around Newfoundland

This paper represents part of a continuing study of the distribution and biology of marinus and mentella redfish in the Northwest Atlantic. Reported here are the results of age determinations from the otoliths of mentella redfish from 5 areas around Newfoundland - Hermitage Bay, Southwest Grand Bank, Flemish Cap, Gulf of St. Lawrence and Hamilton Inlet Bank; and marinus redfish from Flemish Cap and Hamilton Inlet Bank. -- The data from Hermitage Bay, in addition to providing information on the growth-rate of the redfish, have provided a means of appraising the basic method of age determination and it is concluded that the otolith method, as used here, is valid to ages of at least 10 years. -- Growth of both marinus and mentella redfish was found to be adequately represented by the inverse exponential equation, and the parameters of the von Bertalanffy form of this equation were obtained by a least squares fit to the mean length at age values for males and females from each area. -- The difference in growth-rate between the sexes was examined and it was found, as was expected, that the females showed a faster growth-rate than the males. -- An examination of the growth curves and growth-rates of mentella from different depth levels on Hamilton Inlet Bank indicated that a considerable difference in growth pattern exists between fish from the shallower and deeper depths, and that the fish of the latter habitat tend to remain separate from those of the former, at least during the period of active growth. -- Comparisons of the growth curves presented here with other published redfish growth curves reveal, in most cases, a basic agreement between workers using otoliths, and a disagreement between these workers and others who use scales for determining the age of redfish.
Vibratory polishing effects on passivity of 304L stainless steel surfaces

ABSTRACT Surface spectroscopy analysis and electrochemistry were applied to study the effects of surface preparation by vibratory polishing on the passivity of stainless steel 304L surfaces. Compared to grinding by traditional mechanical polishing, vibratory polishing promotes the enrichment of Cr(III) oxide and hydroxide species in the duplex chemical structure of the surface native oxide film by enhancing selective Fe oxidation and dissolution. As a result, spontaneous passivity, tested in aggressive sulphuric acid electrolyte, is enhanced. However, in the absence of enrichment in Mo(IV) and Mo(VI) species in the passive film, the Cr enrichment does not enhance passivity upon anodic polarisation nor increase the resistance to Cl-induced passivity breakdown and initiation of localised corrosion in accelerated testing conditions. The results provide comprehensive insight into the mechanisms underlying the passivity enhancement of stainless steel by surface engineering.
Initial boundary value problem of pseudo‐parabolic Kirchhoff equations with logarithmic nonlinearity

In this paper, we consider the initial boundary value problem for a pseudo‐parabolic Kirchhoff equation with logarithmic nonlinearity. Using the potential well method, we obtain a threshold result of global existence and finite‐time blow‐up for the weak solutions with initial energy J(u0)≤d$$ J\left({u}_0\right)\le d $$ . When the initial energy J(u0)>d$$ J\left({u}_0\right)&amp;gt;d $$ , we find another criterion for the vanishing solution and blow‐up solution. We also establish the decay rate of the global solution and estimate the life span of the blow‐up solution. Meanwhile, we study the existence of the ground state solution to the corresponding stationary problem.
The health-related microbial quality of drinking water from ground tanks, standpipes and community tankers at source and point-of-use in eThekwini Municipality : implications of storage containers, household demographics, socio-economic issues, hygiene and sanitation practices on drinking water qual

I Preface . II Declaration 1 – Plagiarism . III Abbreviations . IV List of SI units . V Table of contents . VI List of Figures . 1 List of Tables . 2 CHAPTER 1: RATIONALE OF THE STUDY . 3 1.1 Context . 3 1.2 Aims of this study . 7 1.3 Structure of dissertation . 7 1.4 Acknowledgement of data sources . 8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 9 2.1 Water supply systems in eThekwini Municipality, Durban: South Africa . 11 2.1.1 High-pressure taps . 12 2.1.2 Roof tank water delivery system . 13 2.1.3 Communal Standpipes (Standpipes) . 13 2.1.4 Ground tanks . 14 2.1. 5 Mobile Community water tankers (Community tankers) . 15 2.2 Sanitation systems in eThekwini Municipality, Durban: South Africa . 16 2.2.1 Ventilation improved pit latrines (VIP) . 16 2.2.2 Urine diversion toilets (UD toilets) . 17 2.3 Contamination of drinking water . 18 2.4 Water quality with microorganisms as indicators . 20 2.4. 1 Heterotrophic organisms . 21 2.4. 2 Total coliforms . 21 2.4. 3 Escherichia coli (E. coli) . 22 2.5 Water Quality physico-chemical parameters . 23 2.5. 1 pH . 23 2.5. 2 Temperature . 24 2.5. 3 Turbidity . 24 2.5. 4 Free and residual chlorine . 25 2.5. 5 Conductivity . 26 2.6 Waterborne diseases and health outcomes considered in this study . 27 2.6. 1 Vectors of water-associated disease . 27
Constraining aspherical structure with low-degree interaction coefficients: Application to uncoupled multiplets

The effect of even-order aspherical structure on displacement for each isolated multiplet in the Earth's seismic free oscillation spectrum can be represented by a discrete set of coefficients which characterize the interaction between singlets. Each interaction coefficient is linearly related to aspherical structure of a given harmonic degree and azimuthal order. Although interaction coefficients are nonlinearly related to displacement, they can be estimated iteratively by Newton's method, a technique that we call spectral fitting. We have applied spectral fitting to approximately 350 recordings taken from 18 large or deep events and have estimated the degrees 2 and 4 interaction coefficients for 38 low harmonic degree (≤9) multiplets. An error analysis, based on misfit, is also presented. These coefficients and errors provide linear constraints on aspherical structure and are tabulated for use in future inversions. The estimated coefficients partition naturally into two subsets: those for the 10 anomalous multiplets and those for the 28 multiplets dominantly sensitive to mantle heterogeneity. On average, the degree 4 coefficients lie below the error estimates, and we interpret only the degree 2 coefficients. The degree 2 coefficients for the mantle sensitive multiplets behave smoothly, within observational error, along low radial order dispersion branches (0S, 1S, 2S, 5S), indicating that a simple mantle model exists that will fit them. Comparison between the estimated interaction coefficients and those predicted by models expressed as perturbations to νs or νp is complicated by the necessity of assuming empirical scaling relationships between νs, νp, and ρ. The numerical values in these relationships are currently subject to debate, but in any reasonable case the degree 2 coefficients predicted from the models M84A and L02.56 of Dziewonski and Woodhouse agree qualitatively with the estimated coefficients. A wide range of mantle models will quantitatively fit the mantle sensitive coefficients, the fundamental mode coefficients computed from multiplet center frequency observations (0S20-0S40), and the geoid simultaneously. The characteristics of these models are strongly dependent on allowed model characteristics with trade-offs between volumetric and boundary perturbations being particularly important. In agreement with the results described in an earler paper using a different technique, the anomalous multiplets are dominated by degree 2, axisymmetric structure somewhere in the core. Inferences concerning the nature and location of this heterogeneity are also dependent upon the scaling relationships and constraints placed on mantle structure. Not surprisingly, the resolution of the cause of anomalous splitting awaits confidence in long-wavelength mantle models and more and different kinds of data.
Sensitivity of the modeled present‐day Greenland Ice Sheet to climatic forcing and spin‐up methods and its influence on future sea level projections

The accuracy of the modeled present‐day Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is crucial for future projections of GrIS changes. In this study, we present a detailed evaluation of the modeled present‐day GrIS sensitivity to different present‐day climatology data sets and spin‐up methods and further assess the influence of the modeled present‐day GrIS on future sea level projections. Our study demonstrates that with present‐day climatology data sets derived from the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO2), the modeled ice volume, area, and elevation of the GrIS agree substantially better with observations compared to simulations with present‐day climatology data sets from temperature parameterizations and ERA‐interim reanalysis. With transient spin‐up, the simulated rates of ice elevation changes for the 1993–2010 period are closer to observations than those with steady state spin‐up. These results indicate that the RACMO2 forcing and transient spin‐up may be preferable for use in the ice sheet model. Moreover, our results reveal that the present‐day climatology data sets and spin‐up methods affect future sea level projections. Using transient spin‐up, the ice sheet model estimates a range of 26 mm in projected sea level rise by 2098 under the A1B emissions scenario, due to different present‐day climatology data sets. Compared to the results with transient spin‐up, the estimated sea level rise by 2098 is reduced by 5–21 mm with steady state spin‐up. This discrepancy is attributed mainly to differences in ice thickness and ice velocity between the modeled present‐day GrIS with transient and steady state spin‐ups and the effect of paleoclimatic changes with transient spin‐up.
Statistical analysis of Pi2 pulsations inside and outside the plasmasphere observed by the polar orbiting DE-1 satellite

[1] We have statistically analyzed Pi2 pulsations, using the 6-second magnetic field data acquired by the polar orbiting DE-1 satellite (a perigee of about 500 km altitude and an apogee of about 3.6 RE altitude). From February 1983 to January 1991, 746 events were found in the H component of the geomagnetic field data from Kakioka or Hermanus, which were located near midnight at substorm onsets determined with the AL index. Out of these 746 events, 91 events had high coherence (>0.6) between DE-1 and ground stations. We examined the spatial distributions of the occurrence probability and the L dependence of the power ratio to the ground and phase difference. The following observational results are obtained: (1) There are many high-coherence events in the compressional component at high latitude as well as at low latitude on the nightside; (2) In the compressional component, the power ratio of DE-1 to ground stations has a weak peak around L ∼ 5 on the nigthside and flankside; and (3) the phase difference between DE-1 and ground stations is changed by ∼180° around L ∼ 5 on the nightside and flankside. Some high-coherence events were found in the compressional component in the polar region. We concluded Pi2 pulsations might be excited by plasmaspheric virtual resonance (PVR) mode, in which compressional waves are produced inside the plasmasphere and oscillate the ambient magnetic field at high latitude.
Inspecting sector-specific capital structure determinants: The case of Malaysian Shariah firms

This study is set to inspect sector-specific capital structure determinants for publicly listed Malaysian Shariah-tagged firms. For this purpose, a 17-year data sample set comprising 343 Shariah firms in Bursa Malaysia’s main market is constructed. The seven key determinants, namely fixed assets, non-debt tax shield, current assets, growth, return on equity, size, and earnings per share, are measured as capital structure determinants in relation to the debt-equity ratio. Deploying a Dynamic Panel Data Model via an efficient econometric assessor, i.e., Generalized Method of Moments, the investigation exposes that current and fixed assets are observed as the key significant sector-specific capital structure determinants for Malaysian Shariah-tagged firms. Also, the positive and significant lagged dependent variables of each studied sector indicate the presence of a targeted capital structure and Speed of Adjustment (SOA). The occurrence of SOA explains variations in the debt-equity choices of Malaysian Shariah firms at the sector level. The significant tangibility and liquidity in most sectors and the significant lagged dependent variables across all sectors directly suggest the significance of the dynamic theory of Trade-Off. As a whole, it is observed that the sector-level capital structure framing practices of Shariah-tagged firms are not similar. This study aims to investigate the optimal debt-equity mix for listed Malaysian Shariah-complaint enterprises operating in diverse sectors. The observed outcomes are the baseline for policymakers to formulate a better financing model that supports Malaysian Shariah firms to maintain a dynamic or targeted capital structure at all times.
Discussion of landslide self‐organized criticality and the initiation of debris flow

The study contains descriptions of landslides and debris flows in a small upland catchment in Taiwan between 1986 and 2004. This catchment, the Chushui Creek, is situated near the epicentre of the 1999 M7·6 Chi‐Chi earthquake. This is an area with high background erosion rate. The Chi‐Chi earthquake caused a sharp increase in the rate of mass wasting in the epicentral area, and the data presented in this study illustrates the geomorphic change associated with the earthquake. The measurements of the geometry of the trunk stream of the Chushui catchment also show its change due to the impact of a strong typhoon in 1996. Two channel reaches that were affected by separate debris flows during this event were identified. Each reach has three sections: scour, transfer and deposition. Cross profiles of these sections show a systematic change from V‐shaped bedrock channel in the scour areas to flat‐floored channel in the transfer and deposition areas. Debris flows also occurred on other occasions in this channel, and their frequency has increased since the 1999 earthquake. In addition, this study contains precise geographic and statistical descriptions of the landslides triggered by three typhoons and an earthquake that affected the catchment since 1996. The total landslide area is measured for different time intervals, and a marked increase in landslide incidence is found after the 1999 earthquake. Frequency–area plots of the 126 landslides in the catchment indicate a power‐law scaling with an exponent of about ‐1·5 of these quantities, as has been observed in other studies. We propose that a link exists between landslide frequency–area distributions and initialization of debris flow in the catchment. It may be classified as a self‐organized criticality process with a critical frequency–area distribution for the landslide population. In this case, the landslide frequency–area distribution is useful in quantifying the severity of the trigger and the contribution of landslides to debris flow. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.