Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination of observation impacts derived from observing system experiments (OSEs) and adjoint models

Abstract With the adjoint of a data assimilation system, the impact of any or all assimilated observations on measures of forecast skill can be estimated accurately and efficiently. The approach allows aggregation of results in terms of individual data types, channels or locations, all computed simultaneously. In this study, adjoint-based estimates of observation impact are compared with results from standard observing system experiments (OSEs) using forward and adjoint versions of the NASA GEOS-5 atmospheric data assimilation system. Despite important underlying differences in the way observation impacts are measured in the two approaches, the results show that they provide consistent estimates of the overall impact of most of the major observing systems in reducing a dry total-energy metric of 24-h forecast error over the globe and extratropics and, to a lesser extent, over the tropics. Just as importantly, however, it is argued that the two approaches provide unique, but complementary, information about the impact of observations on numerical weather forecasts. Moreover, when used together, they reveal both redundancies and dependencies between observing system impacts as observations are added or removed from the data assimilation system. Understanding these dependencies appears to pose an important challenge in making optimal use of the global observing system for numerical weather prediction.
Sensitivity Observing System Experiment (SOSE)-a new effective NWP-based tool in designing the global observing system

Lacking an established methodology to test the potential impact of prospective extensions to the global observing system (GOS) in real atmospheric cases we developed such a method, called Sensitivity Observing System Experiment (SOSE). For example, since the GOS is non uniform it is of interest to investigate the benefit of complementary observing systems filling its gaps. In a SOSE adjoint sensitivity structures are used to define a pseudo true atmospheric state for the simulation of the prospective observing system. Next, the synthetic observations are used together with real observations from the existing GOS in a state-of-the-art Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model to assess the potential added value of the new observing system. Unlike full observing system simulation experiments (OSSE), SOSE can be applied to real extreme events that were badly forecast operationally and only requires the simulation of the new instrument. As such SOSE is an effective tool, for example, to define observation requirements for extensions to the GOS. These observation requirements may serve as input for the design of an operational network of prospective observing systems. In a companion paper we use SOSE to simulate potential future space borne DopplerWind Lidar (DWL) scenarios and assess their capability to sample meteorologically sensitive areas not well captured by the current GOS, in particular over the Northern Hemisphere oceans.
Comparison of error breeding, singular vectors, random perturbations and ensemble Kalman filter perturbation strategies on a simple model

An experiment has been performed, using a simple chaotic model, to compare different ensemble perturbation strategies. The model used is a 300 variable Lorenz 95 model which displays many of the characteristics of atmospheric numerical weather prediction models. Twenty member ensembles were generated using five perturbation strategies, error breeding, singular vectors, random perturbations (RPs), the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) and the Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (ETKF). Based on normal verification methods, such as rank histograms and spread of the perturbations, the RPs method performs as well as any other method—this illustrates the limitations of using a simple model. Consideration of the quality of the background error information provided by the ensemble gives a better assessment of the ensemble skill. This measure indicates that the EnKF performs best, with the ETKF combined with RPs being the next most skillful. It was found that neither the ETKF, error breeding nor singular vectors provided useful background information on their own. Central to the success of the EnKF is the localization of the background error covariance which removes spurious long-range correlations within the ensemble. Computationally efficient versions of the EnKF (such as the ETKF) cannot accommodate covariance localization and their performance is seen to suffer. Applying the ETKF to a series of local domains has been tested, which allows covariance localization whilst remaining computational efficient, and this has been found to be nearly as effective as the EnKF with covariance localization.
Effects of multicollinearity and autocorrelation on the variable-exponent taper functions

Les effets de la multicolinearite, de l'autocorrelation et de deux strategies d'echantillonnage sont etudies sur deux nouvelles fonctions de defilement a exposant variable a l'aide de simulations Monte Carlo. Les deux equations sont derivees a partir du modele de Kozak (1988). Les resultats de l'etude indiquent que les predictions sont non biaisees meme si le modele de defilement possede de fortes multicolineante et autocorrelation. Par contre, les estimations sont beaucoup plus variables lorsque la multicolinearite est importante. L'emploi d'observations uniques par arbre (erreurs non correlees) n'ameliore pas le pouvoir de prediction des fonctions. Les fonctions de defilement basees sur une selection uniforme des arbres a echantillonner predisent bien les variables dependantes mais fournissent de moins bonnes estimations des parametres que la selection aleatoire.
Soil organic carbon changes in landscape units of Belgium between 1960 and 2000 with reference to 1990

The present study quantifies changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in Belgium between 1960, 1990 and 2000 for 289 spatially explicit land units with unique soil association and land‐use type, termed landscape units (LSU). The SOC stocks are derived from multiple nonstandardized sets of field measurements up to a depth of 30 cm.
TOPCROSS HYBRIDS AS AN ENTRY INTO COMMERCIAL SEED PRODUCTION OF PEARL MILLET IN EASTERN AFRICA

Pearl millet topcross hybrids (inbred male-sterile seed parent × open-pollinated variety restorer) based on locally adapted varieties and publicly available seed parents provide an ideal entry point into the commercial hybrid seed business, which can stimulate commercial investment by prospective seed producers. To demonstrate this potential, fifteen topcross hybrids made with the widely adapted variety ICMV 221 were evaluated in Eritrea, Sudan and Kenya for overall field performance, and in India for mechanisms of expression of heterosis and for terminal drought tolerance. Across all evaluation environments, the mean yield heterosis was 8%, with a range of −1% to +19%; six hybrids had a statistically significant, positive across-environment yield heterosis (ranging from +11% to +19%). Significant grain yield heterosis in rainy season environments was a consequence of heterosis in both biomass and harvest index, but not necessarily in any specific yield component. Positive grain yield heterosis under terminal drought stress, a common occurrence in millet-growing environments, was related to positive heterosis for grain size. These results are discussed in terms of their support for topcross hybrids as an entry point for prospective millet seed producers, and a scheme presented for the rapid creation, evaluation and marketing of locally adapted topcross hybrids.
Physiological responses of a marine planktonic diatom to transitions in growth irradiance

ABSTWCT: The time course of adaptation to changes in growth irradiance was studied in the marine diatom Thalassiosira weisflogij. Irradiance changes were from 72 to 593 uE m-2 S-' (L + H) and from 593 to 72 pE S-' (H + L). In steady state, high-light (HL) grown cells were characterized by low pigment contents and a low in vivoabsorbance. Light saturated photosynthesis, expressed on a per cell basis, was higher for low-light (LL) cells, but on a Chl a basis photosynthesis of HL cells was higher. PSU,, sizes were not significantly different for HL and LL cells. In both transient states the carbohydrate pool was most dynamic and responded fastest to a change in ~rradiance. It was concluded that the carbohydrate pool serves as an energy and carbon reservoir buffering the cells from changes in irradiance and allowing other cellular properties to adjust to the new situation. The timescales of changes in Chl a cell-' and photosynthetic activities differed considerably: by a factor of 3 in the L -, H transition and by a factor of 30 in the H + L transition. Irradiance transitions did not lead to marked changes in protein cell-'.
In situ aerosol characterization at Cape Verde

An observation-based numerical study of humidity-dependent aerosol optical properties of mixed marine and Saharan mineral dust aerosol is presented. An aerosol model was developed based on measured optical and microphysical properties to describe the marine and Saharan dust aerosol at Cape Verde. A wavelength-dependent optical equivalent imaginary part of the refractive index and a scattering non-sphericity factor for Saharan dustwere derived. Simulations of humidity effects on optical properties by the aerosol model were validated with relative measurements of the extinction coefficient at ambient conditions. Parametrizations were derived to describe the humidity dependence of the extinction, scattering, and absorption coefficients as well as the asymmetry parameter and single scattering albedo. For wavelengths (300–950 nm) and dry dust volume fractions (0–1), aerosol optical properties as a function of relative humidity (RH = 0–90%) can be calculated from tabulated parameters. For instance, at a wavelength of 550 nm, a volume fraction of 0.5 of dust on the total particle volume (dry conditions) and a RH of 90%, the enhancements for the scattering, extinction and absorption coefficients are 2.55, 2.46 and 1.04, respectively, while the enhancements for the asymmetry parameter and single scattering albedo are 1.11 and 1.04.
Effects of Chenopodium album Linne on Gastritis and Gastric Cancer Cell Growth

In our previous study, we investigated Chenopodium album Linne (CAL) ethanol extract and its fractions on anti-gastritic actions using the HCl/ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric lesion model and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Based on the results, butanol fraction was most effective among fractions obtained from CAL. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms of butanol fraction, and betaine as a constituent of the butanol fraction, on gastritis and anti-gastric cancer cell growth. First, we examined antioxidant properties using hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical, and we found that butanol fraction and betaine may be good antioxidants. Second, cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring cell viability and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylinodole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining of human gastric cancer cells (AGS cells). We also examined the relationship between the cytotoxicity and intracellular Ca 2+ signaling mechanism. The butanol fraction demonstrated cell viability 71.49% at the concentration of 100 μg/ ml and increased intracellular Ca 2+ concentration in a dose dependent manner. Finally, we observed the mucus content as a defensive factor and gastric secretion as an aggressive factor, and found that the mucus content noticeably increased when treated with butanol fraction and betaine and gastric secretion decreased when treated with betaine in vivo study. From these results, we suggest that CAL butanol fraction and betaine may have protective effects on gastritis.
Improvement of wheat and maize crops by inoculating Aspergillus spp. in alkaline soil fertilized with rock phosphate

Aspergillus tubingensis and A. niger were isolated from the landfills of rock phosphate mines and tested for their efficacy to solubilize rock phosphate (RP), and improve plant growth and phosphate (P) uptake by plants grown in soil amended with RP. The results showed that they effectively solubilized RP in Pikovskaya's (PKV) liquid medium and released significantly higher amounts of P into the medium. A. tubingensis solubilized and released 380.8 μg P mL−1, A. niger showed better efficiency and produced 403.8 μg P mL−1. Field experiments with two consecutive crops in alkaline agricultural soil showed that inoculation of these fungi along with RP fertilization significantly increased yield and nutrient uptake of wheat and maize plants compared with control soil. P uptake by wheat and maize plants and the available P increased significantly in the RP-amended soil inoculated with fungi compared with control. These results suggest that the fertilizer value of RP can be increased, especially in alkaline soils, by inoculating P-solubilizing fungi.
Characterization and classification of virulent lactococcal bacteriophages isolated from a Cheddar cheese plant

C.N. CASEY, E. MORGAN, C. DALY AND G.F. FITZGERALD, 1993. Twenty-two bacteriophages, isolated from cheese-vat whey samples over a period of 4 years, were found to be active against one or more of four different strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris used in a defined strain starter system in an Irish Cheddar cheese factory. All the phages were small isometric-headed with non-contractile tails, a baseplate and a collar; they had genome sizes of approximately 30 kb, and belonged to a single DNA hybridization group. All 22 phages could be classified into four distinct groups based on restriction analysis which overlapped perfectly with those based on host range. Each group of phage examined showed cross-reactive host ranges. None of the phage DNAs hybridized to the chromosomes of any of the seven cultures used in the factory during the four cheesemaking seasons, and neither could phages be induced from any of the strains by mitomycin-C or ultraviolet light treatment.
Provenance variation for disease resistance in Pseudotsuga menziesii to the Swiss needle-cast pathogen, Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii.

Nine provenances of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsugamenziesii, were examined for the presence of Swiss needle-cast pathogen, Phaeocryptopusgaeumannii, in a plantation at the University of British Columbia Research Forest, Haney, B.C. The provenances were represented in a randomized complete block design. A severe epidemic of Swiss needle cast had persisted in the plantation for a number of years. Fructification of the fungus on more than 75% of the foliage provided an opportunity to assess provenance variation in disease resistance. Analysis of variance demonstrated that there are significant differences among provenances in resistance, as indicated by needle retention, to the Swiss needle-cast pathogen. Linear regression indicated a positive relationship between needle loss and the proportion of the remaining needles with pseudothecia. Provenance variation for needle retention and fructifying needles both correlate strongly with rainfall data from the meteorological station nearest to each provenance origin. Thi.
Diet Breadth of the Northern Moonsnail (Lunatia heros) on the Northwestern Atlantic Coast (Naticidae)

Abstract: Lunatia heros (Say, 1822) is a common predatory gastropod in soft-sediment marine environments along the northwestern Atlantic coast. While recognized as a major predator of several commercially important molluscs, little is known about the diet breadth of L. heros and the potential of this species to exploit a broader range of molluscan taxa. Here, using a forensic approach based on beach-collected shells, we document prey species drilled by L. heros in eastern Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, and compare our findings to those reported in the literature for this species. Our results indicate that L. heros consumes a wider range of prey species than the fifteen currently reflected in the literature. In beach surveys, representatives of twenty of the twenty-eight molluscan species collected were found with beveled boreholes, nine of which were previously unreported as prey items of L. heros. Our findings thus confirm the generalist feeding tendencies of this species and increase the number of recorded prey taxa drilled by L. heros from fifteen to twenty-four. Further studies of the diet, feeding behavior, and foraging ecology of L. heros should ultimately lead to a more comprehensive understanding of this predator and its role in benthic soft-sediment marine environments of the northwestern Atlantic.
Channel response to large-scale river training works: hunter river, Australia

Extensive river training works were undertaken on the upper Hunter River, Australia between 1956 and 1978 in response to rapid lateral migration and channel widening caused by a series of large floods between 1949 and 1955. River training involved artificial cutoffs, extensive realignment, structural bank protection works and tree planting. Channel length and hence sinuosity (ratio of channel length to valley length) decreased throughout each of six reaches located in the 78.9 km long study area as a direct result of the artificial cutoffs and realignment. Although the overall length reduction was less than 5%, one section experienced a 17% reduction. Localized channel straightening directly increased slope, decreased roughness and consequently increased flow velocity. The structural works have generally succeeded, converting an actively migrating stream into a laterally stable channel. Largely because of channel straightening and reduced sediment supply by floodplain reworking, the river has responded by eroding its bed by up to 1.1 m since the 1950s. Bed erosion preferentially removed the sand and fine gravel fraction producing an armour layer of coarse gravel. This armour layer halted further erosion by protecting the underlying fine material and is now only episodically mobilized by floods with return periods greater than 5.6 years on the annual maximum series. Unfortunately degradation was not predicted before the river training works were undertaken and it was only the fortuitous formation of the bed armour layer which prevented the degradation from becoming a major problem.
TRAKIA UNIVERSITY-STARA ZAGORA 46 EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES THAT SCIENCE TEACHERS FACE IN PROJECT-BASED SCIENCE TEACHING

Bringing up scientifically literate individuals is the primary aim of science education. One of the most important instructional model to provide students being scientifically literate is project-based teaching. Project-based learning is a model that organizes learning around projects. This model of teaching engages students in learning knowledge and skills through an extended inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks. In this complex process, teacher has many roles such as coach, facilitator, guide, advisor and mentor. In order that teachers successfully carry out their roles, their challenges which they face in this complex process should be identified, and ways of solution should be developed. In this study, it is aimed to explore the challenges which science teachers faced in project-based learning. The cases of this study comprises thirty science teachers who guides groups of students in preparing projects for national competitions of science projects. Data which were collected through the 6-question open-ended questionnaire were analyzed by using content analysis methodology. According to data, they evaluated their challenges in projectbased learning in term of four scopes: curriculum, inadequacies of students, physical inadequacies, inadequacies of teachers. It is concluded from this study that science teachers need in-service education about project-based leraning and teaching.
Knock management for dual fuel SI engines: RON evolution when mixing low RON base fuels with octane boosters

Most of the time, Spark Ignition (SI) engine performance is limited by knock phenomena (especially for turbocharged engines), which are linked to fuel resistance to auto-ignition, quantified by its octane number (Research Octane Number – RON and Motor Octane Number - MON). If high octane numbers are crucial for efficient high load operating points, they are less necessary at low load. Thus, if the octane number of the fuel could be tuned as any other engine setting parameter, the engine efficiency and CO 2 emissions could be improved, leading to an “Octane on Demand” concept, using for instance a dual fuel strategy. This requires understanding the behavior of dual fuel combustions with lower / higher octane fuels, and more particularly the evolution of RON when blending high RON fuels with low RON ones. Developing an Octane on Demand concept requires to choose appropriate octane enhancers and understand their blending behavior. For this purpose, RON measurements were performed on a CFR engine using a wide range of mixtures of low-octane base fuels with various boosters capable of increasing the antiknock resistance of the blends. The chemical composition of booster streams was chosen to assess the potential of using alternative refinery products for improving fuel resistant autoignition properties when added to a whole-range naphtha and RON 91 gasoline. The study covers five octane boosters: ethanol, reformate, di-isobutylene, 2-butanol, and a mixture of butanols. The experimental results show a non-linear behavior of RON values with respect to volumetric incorporation rates of octane boosters. In the cases when the booster is an alcohol (C2 or C4), linear by-mole blending rules can be applied with an acceptable prediction error. For boosters rich in olefins and aromatics, molar blending becomes less accurate. Ethanol shows the strongest boosting effect among all the octane boosters on the one hand, and on the other hand, the octane enhancing effect is stronger for the base fuel of lower starting RON value. Experimental results of the current study represent a comprehensive database for tailoring fuel RON properties aimed to explore combustion behavior of low-octane fuels enhanced through an addition of an external booster.
Performance of Legume Mixtures under Small-plot Periodic Grazing

The potential of pastures sown with species mixtures of tropical legume species compared with single species was investigated in subhumid west Africa, over a period of three grazing seasons. Through compensation and complementation of the individual legume species, the mixtures were seasonally and temporally (seasonal refers to different seasons in a year, temporal to different years) more stable than the single species stands. Crude protein contents of individual legumes in the mixtures were higher than of the same species grown in single stands, indicating possible synergistic effects in the mixtures. The ability of legume mixtures to withstand environmental and management variations and, thus, their subsequent potential for on-farm utilization under farmers' conditions are discussed.