Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 725 yr cycle in the climate of central Africa during the late Holocene

High-resolution analyses of the chemical and stable isotope composition of endogenic calcite from Lake Edward, an equatorial rift lake in central Africa, reveal large oscillations in African climate and moisture balance over the past 5400 yr. These oscillations indicate a series of droughts from 4900 to 400 yr B.P. that define a drought period of ∼725 yr. This period may be correlated to variations in the Indian Ocean monsoons, as documented by similar periods in sea-surface salinity records from the northern Indian Ocean. The similarities in periodicity of the Lake Edward and Indian Ocean records may indicate that low-frequency variability within the Indian and Pacific Oceans dominates millennial-scale African moisture balance and the Holocene climate of the tropical Indian Ocean.
A cross‐national comparison of knowledge management practices

Purpose – A distinguishing feature of the successful “post‐Network Age” enterprise is its intrinsic entrepreneurial character that manifests itself in key organizational knowledge practices relating to organizational culture, processes, content and infrastructure. The purpose of this article is to explore organizational knowledge‐based practices.Design/methodology/approach – The article reports on the outcome of field research in which entrepreneurial firms in four geographic regions were analyzed with the help of a diagnostic research tool specifically developed for profiling organizational knowledge‐based practices. The diagnostic tool was applied in firms located in Silicon Valley in the USA, Singapore, The Netherlands and Israel.Findings – Key practices that were found to be common to leading‐edge firms in all regions included: a propensity for experimentation; collective sharing of knowledge, and collective decision making. The paper describes the research in terms of a cross‐cultural comparison of t.
Planetary waves and variability of the semidiurnal tide in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere over Esrange (68°N, 21°E) during winter

[1] The main features of the planetary waves and the variability of the semidiurnal tide with planetary wave periods observed by meteor radar over Esrange (68°N, 21 °E) have been investigated. The interval of 39 months covering continuous measurements from October 1999 to December 2002 has been examined. The planetary waves most frequently observed by meteor radar measurements in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (80-100 km) over Esrange are: 5-, 8- to 10-, 16-, and 23-day waves (the quasi-2-day wave is excluded in this study). They are strongly amplified in the winter. Some differences between high- and middle-latitude planetary waves notwithstanding, the 5-, 10-, and 16-day waves are most probably related to the well-known normal mode. There are some reasons to believe that the vertically upward propagating 23-day wave could be generated by solar forcing. The variability of the semidiurnal tide with periods of planetary waves has been thoroughly studied as well. It is found that in the winter when the planetary waves are significantly amplified, a very strong periodic variability of the semidiurnal tide is observed as well. This result indicates that the most probable mechanism responsible for the periodic tidal variability during winter is in situ nonlinear coupling between tides and planetary waves. Two winter periods have been examined (1999/2000 and 2001/2002) in order to find strong evidence supporting this suggestion. The validity of the frequency, phase, and vertical wavenumber (wavelength) relationship between the prime (the planetary wave and semidiurnal tide) and secondary waves has been established. The novel aspect of this work is that we show for the first time that the calculated vertical structures (vertical wavelengths) of the sum and difference secondary waves, which have very close periods, are actually very different.
Effect of THI on Milk Production and Physiological Responses of Crossbred Cows During Different Months Under the Agro Climatic Condition of Bihar

Ten crossbred (Holstein Friesian x Indigenous Local) lactating cows of first lactation were maintained in semi open RCC housing system with concrete floor and GI sheet roof at institute farm. Multiple regression analysis revealed that air temperature, effective temperature , temperature humidity index (THI) had significant (P<0.01) effect on average daily milk yield/ cow (Kg), average weekly milk yield / cow (Kg), average monthly milk yield / cow (Kg) and daily total milk yield of cows (Kg). Average daily milk yield / cow (Kg), average weekly milk yield / cow (Kg), average monthly milk yield / cow (Kg), daily total milk yield of cows (Kg) were reduced by 0.886, 1.868, 2.471 and 4.375 kg respectively per unit increase of temperature humidity index. Data analysis revealed that different months had highly significant (P<0.01) effect on all the cardinal physiological reactions i.e. rectal temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate in growing calves during different months. It was also observed that rectal temperature increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 0.13, 0.01 and 0.25 0 C with the unit increase of air temperature, relative humidity and THI. Similarly respiration rate was increased significantly (P<0.05) by 2.48, 0.48 and 8.62 / minute with the unit increase of air temperature, relative humidity and THI. Both Iberia Heat Tolerance Coefficient and Benezara coefficient of adaptability indicated highest thermo adaptability of crossbred calves in the month December.
A radiance‐based method for estimating uncertainties in the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) land surface temperature product

[1] Land Surface Temperature (LST) has been identified by NASA and other international organizations as an important Earth System Data Record (ESDR). An ESDR is defined as a long-term, well calibrated and validated data set. Identifying uncertainties in LST products with coarse spatial resolutions (>10 km) such as those from hyperspectral infrared sounders is notoriously difficult due to the challenges of making reliable in situ measurements representative of the spatial scales of the output products. In this study we utilize a Radiance-based (R-based) LST method for estimating uncertainties in the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) v5 LST product. The R-based method provides estimates of the true LST using a radiative closure simulation without the need for in situ measurements, and requires input air temperature, relative humidity profiles and emissivity data. The R-based method was employed at three validation sites over the Namib Desert, Gran Desierto, and Redwood National Park for all AIRS observations from 2002 to 2010. Results showed daytime LST root-mean square errors (RMSE) of 2–3 K at the Namib and Desierto sites, and 1.5 K at the Redwood site. Nighttime LST RMSEs at the two desert sites were a factor of two less when compared to daytime results. Positive daytime LST biases were found at each site due to an underestimation of the daytime AIRS v5 longwave spectral emissivity, while the reverse occurred at nighttime. In the AIRS v6 product (release 2012), LST biases and RMSEs will be reduced significantly due to improved methodologies for the surface retrieval and emissivity first guess.
A parameterization of the ice‐ocean drag coefficient

[1] A parameterization of the ice-ocean drag coefficient (Cw) was developed through partitioning the oceanic drag force into three components: (1) form drag on the floe edge, (2) form drag on the ridge keel, and (3) skin friction on the ice bottom. Through these quantities, Cw was expressed as a function of observable sea ice geometric parameters. Sensitivity studies were carried out to investigate the influence of varying sea ice conditions on Cw. The results revealed that Cw increases first and then decreases with increasing ice concentration (A), similar to the observations of the air-ice drag coefficient, and which is mainly attributed to the nonmonotonic variation of the form drag on the floe edge with ice concentration. Moreover, the form drag on the floe edge is always the dominant component, having a proportion of more than 60% in sea ice with a large aspect ratio (draft/length ≥ 1/100), indicating the necessity of including this term in sea ice dynamic models, particularly for the marginal ice zone (MIZ). The form drag on the ridge keel becomes dominant only when the ridging intensity is extremely high (depth/spacing ≥ 1/20). Additionally, a large value of Cw cannot be caused only by the inclusion of form drag terms but also by large skin friction over rough ice bottoms. Finally, for typical situations in the MIZ with moderate ridging intensity, the parameterization will underestimate Cw by approximately 30% for a rough ice bottom and by over 80% for a smooth ice bottom if no form drags are considered.
Storms modify baroclinic energy fluxes in a seasonally stratified shelf sea: Inertial‐tidal interaction

Observations made near the Celtic Sea shelf edge are used to investigate the interaction between wind-generated near-inertial oscillations and the semidiurnal internal tide. Linear, baroclinic energy fluxes within the near-inertial (f) and semidiurnal (M2) wave bands are calculated from measurements of velocity and density structure at two moorings located 40 km from the internal tidal generation zone. Over the 2 week deployment period, the semidiurnal tide drove 28–48 W m−1 of energy directly on-shelf. Little spring-neap variability could be detected. Horizontal near-inertial energy fluxes were an order of magnitude weaker, but nonlinear interaction between the vertical shear of inertial oscillations and the vertical velocity associated with the semidiurnal internal tide led to a 25–43% increase in positive on-shelf energy flux. The phase relationship between f and M2 determines whether this nonlinear interaction enhances or dampens the linear tidal component of the flux, and introduces a 2 day counter-clockwise beating to the energy transport. Two very clear contrasting regimes of (a) tidally and (b) inertially driven shear and energy flux are captured in the observations.
Music-Based Language Learning in Remote Australian Indigenous Schools

In response to the disproportionately low educational outcomes of students in remote Indigenous schools, this study examined the potential for musical activities to provide a platform for the learning of Standard Australian English (SAE) in these contexts. The study also investigated ways in which the same or similar approaches may contribute to the maintenance and revival of Australian Indigenous languages. Conducted as a qualitative multi-case study, this research analysed interview data collected from nine participants, including classroom teachers, ethnomusicologists and music educators, each with relevant professional experience and knowledge. Findings demonstrated the capacity of music-based learning to facilitate meaningful immersion in both SAE and Indigenous languages, and to interface with Indigenous pedagogies and perspectives. Music-based approaches were seen to promote engagement in language learning through experiences that students perceived as valuable and purposeful. Equally, music-based learning provided students with a sense of ownership over learning and opportunities for personal and cultural validation. In addition, the findings identified several factors that often place limitations on remote schools‟ capacity to facilitate music-based learning. The need to develop local capacity in remote Indigenous communities was recognised as vital in order to provide students with an education that is both holistic and sustainable.
Too early to infer a global NPP decline since 2000

The global terrestrial carbon cycle plays a pivotal role in regulating the atmospheric composition of greenhouse gases. It has recently been suggested that the upward trend in net primary production (NPP) seen during the 1980's and 90's has been replaced by a negative trend since 2000 induced by severe droughts mainly on the southern hemisphere. Here we compare results from an individual‐based global vegetation model to satellite‐based estimates of NPP and top‐down reconstructions of net biome production (NBP) based on inverse modelling of observed CO2 concentrations and CO2 growth rates. We find that simulated NBP exhibits considerable covariation on a global scale with interannual fluctuations in atmospheric CO2. Our simulations also suggest that droughts in the southern hemisphere may have been a major driver of NPP variations during the past decade. The results, however, do not support conjecture that global terrestrial NPP has entered a period of drought‐induced decline.
Coesite exsolution from supersilicic titanite in UHP marble from the Kokchetav Massif, northern Kazakhstan

Abstract Coesite exsolved from supersilicic titanite was discovered in an impure calcite marble at Kumdykol in the Kokchetav UHP (ultrahigh-pressure) metamorphic terrane, northern Kazakhstan. This impure marble consists mainly of calcite, K-feldspar, diopside, and symplectites of diopside + zoisite, with minor amount of titanite, phengite, and garnet. No diamond was found in the marble. Coesite and quartz, which have needle or platy shapes measuring about 20-60 mm in length, occur as major exsolved phases in the cores and mantles of titanite crystals with minor calcite and apatite. The strongest Raman band for the coesite needles and plates was confirmed at about 524 cm-1 with a weak band at about 271 cm-1. To estimate the initial composition of the titanite before coesite exsolution, exsolved phases were reintegrated by measuring their area fractions on digital images. The highest excess Si in titanite was thus determined to be 0.145 atoms per formula unit (apfu). This composition requires a pressure higher than 6 GPa on the basis of phase relations in the system CaTiSiO5-CaSi2O5. This pressure is consistent with other evidence of high pressure in the same marble, such as 1.4-1.8 wt% K2O and over 1000 ppm H2O in diopside. Supersilicic titanite and coesite exsolution also indicate that SiO2 exsolution occurred in the coesite stability field during exhumation of the UHP metamorphic unit.
Trabajadores inmigrantes y acción colectiva: una panorámica sobre las relaciones entre inmigrantes y sindicalismo en Europa

Les organitzacions sindicals han mantingut, al llarg del temps, una doble posicio en relacio amb els fenomens migratoris. D’una banda, han reclamat la igualtat de drets socials i economics entre treballadors immigrants i autoctons com a estrategia per oposar-se a les intencions de la patronal i la concurrencia entre treballadors. De l’altra, des d’una posicio defensiva, han tendit a exigir un control estatal restrictiu de la immigracio, manifestant un pragmatisme i una forta tendencia cap a la ideologia del proteccionisme nacional sobre el mercat de treball. En aquest article volem posar en perspectiva les relacions entre treball immigrant i sindicalisme, en particular agafant com a exemple alguns dels paisos europeus en que, com a «importadors de ma d’obra», la questio de la immigracio ha tingut una incidencia mes gran al llarg del segle XX. A l’ultima part del text s’insisteix que les relacions del sindicalisme amb el treball immigrant no poden analitzar-se separadament del proces de reformulacio de les formes de representacio del treball i la cultura obrera.
On the electric breakdown field of the mesosphere and the influence of electron detachment

It has been suggested recently that electron associative detachment from negative atomic oxygen ions provides an additional source of free electrons in electric discharges of the mesosphere, the sprites, and gigantic jets. Here we study attachment under some simplifying assumptions and show that the threshold field decreases with time and can reach values well below the conventional threshold field. The concept of a fixed threshold field therefore itself breaks down. We find that the growth rate decreases with decreasing electric field and that long exposure time of electric fields therefore is needed for electron avalanches to grow. Detachment is likely to affect the conductivity of streamer filaments and other long‐lasting space charge structures like gigantic jets or the ionization state of the mesosphere when illuminated by thunderstorm fields. Detachment by itself does not directly affect small‐scale streamer formation or explain the time delays of sprites as proposed by others.
Frictionally Modified Rotating Hydraulic Channel Exchange and Ocean Outflows

Abstract Laboratory experiments of two-layer exchange through channels of circular and half-circular cross section are described. Simple theoretical limits on exchange for the circular channels are obtained from models involving either friction or rotating hydraulic control alone. Ekman and Stewartson layers are appended to the rotating hydraulic control model in a simple theory for frictionally modified rotating control. In theory and experiment, rotation and friction together exert a stronger constraint on the exchange than they do separately. Secondary cross-channel circulations were found in the rotating experiments. These secondary circulations further reduce exchange by efficiently moving fluid that is spun down at the boundaries and interface into the interior. More accurate theoretical estimates of exchange must modify rotating hydraulics to include these frictional effects. Solid-boundary Ekman layers drove some of these secondary circulations; others were driven by robust interfacial Ekman layer.
Effect of Gross Alpha and Beta in Groundwater Intake and Estimation of Groundwater Table in Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil

Groundwater levels in Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil were measured in hand-dug wells and boreholes. Water samples were collected in both hand-dug wells and boreholes in the study area, and their radiological quality was measured using an internal proportion counter (model EURISYS MEASURE IN 20) instrument, Results of the measurements shows the gross alpha and beta particles presence. The average depth to water table was 419 m, while the gross alpha activity ranging between 0.022 Bq/l to 0.0005 Bq/l , with an average (mean) of 0.0062 Bq/l, and that of beta activity ranges between 0.345 Bq/l to 0.0080 Bq/l, with an average (mean) of 0.0478 Bq/l. These results reveals that; the groundwater in the study area, is not radioactively contaminated, as the values obtained were all below the World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) drinking water guideline values of 1.0 Bq/l for the gross beta radioactivity, and value of 0.5 Bq/l for gross alpha activity, values of 0.1 Bq/l for both the gross alpha and beta and values of 0.5 Bq/l for both gross alpha and beta activities respectively. Hence, the groundwater of the study area (KUST, Wudil.) is radioactively safe to use.
The utility of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone ( GnRH ) test in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) Ocena przydatności testu z gonadoliberyną ( GnRH ) w diagnostyce zespołu policystycznych jajników ( PCOS )

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by increased frequency of hypothalamic GnRH pulses leading to a relative increase in LH synthesis by the pituitary. As GnRH stimulation can reveal a relative LH excess, we have endeavoured to assess whether GnRH test might be useful in the diagnosis of PCOS. Material and methods: The study involved 185 subjects: a PCOS group, n = 151, all with oligoor amenorrhoea, aged (mean ± SD) 24.8 ± ± 5.4 years, BMI 24.5 ± 6.0 kg/m2; and regularly menstruating controls, n = 34, aged 26.6 ± 5.0 years, BMI 24.6 ± 5.5 kg/m2. In 121 subjects with PCOS and in 32 controls, serum LH and FSH were measured before (0 minutes) and 30 and 60 minutes after GnRH stimulation (100 μg i.v.). Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA and Insulin Resistance Index derived from glucose and insulin concentrations during 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test. Results: Women with PCOS had higher testosterone (p = 0.0002), androstendione (p = 0.0021), 17OH-progesterone (p < 0.0001) and were more insulin resistant. Raised concentrations of at least one androgen were, however, found only in 58.1% of women with PCOS. Baseline and stimulated LH concentrations were higher in PCOS (9.09 ± 5.56 vs 4.83 ± 1.71 IU/L, 35.48 ± 31.4 vs 16.30 ± 6.68 IU/L, 33.86 ± 31.8 vs 13.45 ± 5.2 IU/L, at 0, 30 and 60 mins post GnRH, respectively, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in baseline or stimulated FSH concentrations between groups. Relative increases of LH or FSH in comparison to respective baseline values were similar in both groups. There was, however, a marked increase in LH/FSH ratio in PCOS in comparison to controls (LH0 min/FSH0 min 1.59 ± 0.95 vs 0.76 ± 0.2, LH30 min/ /FSH30 min 4.07 ± 3.0 vs 1.89 ± 0.79, LH60 min/FSH60 min 3.56 ± 2.58 vs 1.55 ± 0.63, p < 0.0001 at all time points). Further analysis revealed that LH30 min/FSH30 min > 2.11 or LH60 min/FSH60 min > 1.72 had 78.3% and 87.5% sensitivity and 81.7% and 81.3% specificity for the diagnosis of PCOS, respectively. Conclusions: Women with PCOS have higher baseline and GnRH-stimulated LH concentrations. GnRH stimulation results in an increase in LH/FSH ratio in women with PCOS. Therefore we postulate that this phenomenon might be potentially useful as an additional tool in the diagnosis of PCOS. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (2): 120–128)
Habitat Restoration in the Context of Watershed Prioritization: The Ecological Performance of Urban Stream Restoration Projects in Portland, Oregon

In Portland (Oregon, USA), restoration actions have been undertaken at the watershed scale (e.g. revegetation and stormwater management) to improve water quality and, where water quality and quantity are adequate at the reach scale, to increase habitat heterogeneity. Habitat enhancement in urban streams can be important for threatened species, but challenging, because of altered catchment hydrology and urban encroachment on floodplains and channel banks. To evaluate reach‐scale restoration projects in the Tryon Creek watershed, we sampled benthic macroinvertebrates and conducted habitat quality surveys pre‐project and over 4 years post‐project. Species sensitive to pollution and diversity of trophic groups increased after restoration. Taxonomic diversity increased after restoration but was still low compared with reference streams. We found no significant changes in trait proportions and functional diversity. Functional diversity, proportion of shredders and semivoltine invertebrates were significantly higher in reference streams than in the restored stream reaches. We hypothesized that inputs of coarse particulate organic matter and land use at watershed scale may explain the differences in biodiversity between restored and reference stream reaches. Habitat variables did not change from pre‐project to post‐project, so they could not explain community changes. This may have been partly attributable to insensitivity of the visual estimate methods used but likely also reflects the importance of watershed variables on aquatic biota—suggesting watershed actions may be more effective for the ecological recovery of streams. For future projects, we recommend multihabitat benthic sampling supported by studies of channel geomorphology to better understand stream response to restoration actions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.