Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multidecadal variability of the Tonle Sap Lake flood pulse regime

Tonle Sap Lake (TSL) is one of the world's most productive lacustrine ecosystems, driven by the Mekong River's seasonal flood pulse. This flood pulse and its long‐term dynamics under the Mekong River basin's (MRB) fast socio‐economic development and climate change need to be identified and understood. However, existing studies fall short of sufficient time coverage or concentrate only on changes in water level (WL) that is only one of the critical flood pulse parameters influencing the flood pulse ecosystem productivity. Considering the rapidly changing hydroclimatic conditions in the Mekong basin, it is crucial to systematically analyse the changes in multiple key flood pulse parameters. Here, we aim to do that by using observed WL data for 1960–2019 accompanied with several parameters derived from a Digital Bathymetry Model. Results show significant declines of WL and inundation area from the late 1990s in the dry season and for the whole year, on top of increased subdecadal variability. Decreasing (increasing) probabilities of high (low) inundation area for 2000–2019 have been found, in comparison to the return period of inundation area for 1986–2000 (1960–1986). The mean seasonal cycle of daily WL in dry (wet) season for 2000–2019, compared to that for 1986–2000, has shifted by 10 (5) days. Significant correlations and coherence changes between the WL and large‐scale circulations (i.e., El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)), indicate that the atmospheric circulations could have influenced the flood pulse in different time scales. Also, the changes in discharge at the Mekong mainstream suggest that anthropogenic drivers may have impacted the high water levels in the lake. Overall, our results indicate a declining flood pulse since the late 1990s.
Estimating soil texture from vis–NIR spectra

Vis–NIR spectroscopy is a low‐cost method for proximal soil sensing, enabling rapid analysis of soil texture as an alternative to more laborious analytical methods. In this study we used partial least squares regression (PLSR) and random forest (RF) models trained on vis–NIR spectra of 173 soil samples from across Germany to estimate soil sand (63–2000 µm), silt (2–63 µm) and clay (< 2 µm) contents. Models were trained with different spectral processing methods. Texture was also estimated by averaging results across different models and by calculating each fraction as the difference from 100% of the sum of the other fractions. The PLSR models predicted clay and sand best, whereas RF performed better for predicting silt fractions. Spectral processing did not improve clay predictions, but standardized normal variate spectra predicted the silt fraction best, and log‐inverse spectra improved modelling of the sand fraction. The best models explained > 90% of variance in the evaluation samples of the textural fractions. Residual prediction deviations were > 3 for all fractions, which together with good accuracy indicated excellent model performance. Model averaging across the top three performing models improved the predictive performance of all fractions. Calculating each fraction from the sum of the other two fractions predicted only the sand fraction well, but increased model bias. In addition, we evaluated the models for their reliability at predicting the cumulative sum of the three fractions for samples of unknown textural composition (n = 1186). In a novel approach, we identified poorly predicted samples by propagating errors from the model uncertainties for the individual soil fractions, namely those samples whose cumulative sum lies outside the range covered by 100% ± propagated error from the three fractions. This new method provides the opportunity to optimize analyses efficiently because these samples can be prioritized and used to check and update the models.
Search Cost and Obfuscation Equilibrium: An Empirical Investigation

Easy price search makes demand tremendously price-sensitive. However, merchants’ obfuscation strategy can hinder consumers from searching, thus greatly reducing their price sensitivity to other products. This paper presents an empirical examination of how obfuscation strategy affects consumers’ purchasing decisions. The author improves the model proposed by Glenn Ellison and Sara Fisher Ellison and applies the observed data from taobao.com and tmall.com to the model. This paper proves that, for some products in these two websites, the prices and the rankings can significantly affect sales volume, and for some products, merchants will adopt obfuscation strategies for low-quality products to maximize their profits.
Asphaltene aggregation onset during high-salinity waterflooding of reservoirs (a molecular dynamic study)

Abstract The primary objective of this study is to establish an understanding of the role of high-salinity brine on the intensity of asphaltene aggregation onset during waterflooding of petroleum reservoirs. We already have shown that asphaltenes have a high tendency to form aggregates during waterflooding process when pure- and low salinity-water are injected into reservoirs. To fulfill the present objective, molecular dynamic simulations are performed on asphaltenic-oil/aqueous systems at 550 K-200 bar. The oil phase consists of asphaltenes (10 wt.%) and ortho-xylene, in which asphaltene molecules are completely soluble. Our simulations results reveal that the “salt-in effect” of high-salinity brine (25 wt.% NaCl) on seven different model asphaltenic oils causes a significant reduction of the onset of asphaltene aggregation as compared with pure-water. Such “salt-in effect” is primarily due to a considerable reduction of water miscibility in the oil phase at high pressure and temperature.
Simulating Plasma Formation in Pores under Short Electric Pulses for Plasma Pulse Geo Drilling (PPGD)

Plasma Pulse Geo Drilling (PPGD) is a contact-less drilling technique, where an electric discharge across a rock sample causes the rock to fracture. Experimental results have shown PPGD drilling operations are successful if certain electrode spacings, pulse voltages, and pulse rise times are given. However, the underlying physics of the electric breakdown within the rock, which cause damage in the process, are still poorly understood. This study presents a novel methodology to numerically study plasma generation for electric pulses between 200 and 500 kV in rock pores with a width between 10 and 100 μm. We further investigate whether the pressure increase, induced by the plasma generation, is sufficient to cause rock fracturing, which is indicative of the onset of drilling success. We find that rock fracturing occurs in simulations with a 100 μm pore size and an imposed pulse voltage of approximately 400 kV. Furthermore, pulses with voltages lower than 400 kV induce damage near the electrodes, which expands from pulse to pulse, and eventually, rock fracturing occurs. Additionally, we find that the likelihood for fracturing increases with increasing pore voltage drop, which increases with pore size, electric pulse voltage, and rock effective relative permittivity while being inversely proportional to the rock porosity and pulse rise time.
Black Beauty: Womanist Consciousness as a Protective Factor in Black Women’s Body Image Satisfaction

Black American women are exposed to mainstream beauty standards, which may have implications for body image satisfaction. Given that beauty standards are often based on idealized depictions of White women’s physical features, scholars have called for body image research that extends beyond body type/weight (e.g., skin tone/hair) to better examine the experiences of Black women. In examining body image satisfaction and protective factors (e.g., ethnic identity), empirical research has yet to attend to these experiences at the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender. An online survey was used to examine whether womanist consciousness (WC) was a protective factor for Black American women (N = 211). Findings indicated that after controlling for ethnic identity, higher womanist consciousness significantly predicted higher body satisfaction with historically racially defined features (e.g., skin tone/hair) and lower self-ideal discrepancy. Darker skin tone was linked to higher body importance and higher ethnic identity level. Last, increased frequency of wearing hair weaves was associated with lower body satisfaction while more frequently wearing Afrocentric hair styles/textures was associated with higher body satisfaction.
A comparative study to reveal the influence of typhoons on the transport, production and accumulation of O3 in the Pearl River Delta, China

Abstract. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in South China is faced with severe ambient tropospheric ozone (O3) pollution in autumn and summer, which mostly coincides with the occurrence of typhoons above the Northwest Pacific. With increasingly severe O3 pollution in the PRD under the influence of typhoons, it is necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of typhoons on O3 transport, production and accumulation for efficient O3 reduction. In this study, we analysed the general influence of typhoons on O3 pollution in the PRD via systematic comparisons of meteorological conditions, O3 processes and sources on O3 pollution days with and without typhoon occurrence (denoted as the typhoon-induced and no-typhoon scenarios, respectively) and also examined the differences in these influences in autumn and summer. The results show that the approach of typhoons was accompanied by higher wind speeds and strengthened downdraughts in autumn, as well as the inflows of more polluted air masses in summer, suggesting favourable O3 transport conditions in the typhoon-induced scenario in both seasons. However, the effect of typhoons on the production and accumulation of O3 were distinct. Typhoons led to reduced cloud cover, and thus stronger solar radiation in autumn, which accelerated O3 production, but the shorter residence time of local air masses was unfavourable for the accumulation of O3 within the PRD. In contrast, in summer, typhoons increased cloud cover, and weakened solar radiation, thus restraining O3 formation, but the growing residence time of local air masses favoured O3 accumulation. The modelling results using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model for the typical O3 pollution days suggest increasing contributions from the transport processes and sources outside the PRD for O3 pollution, confirming enhanced O3 transport under typhoon influence in both seasons. The results of the process analysis in CMAQ suggest that the chemical process contributed more in autumn but less in summer in the PRD. Since O3 production and accumulation cannot be enhanced at the same time, the proportion of O3 contributed by emissions within the PRD was likely to decrease in both seasons. The difference in the typhoon influence on O3 processes in autumn and summer can be attributed to the seasonal variation of the East Asian monsoon. From the meteorology–process–source perspective, this study revealed the complex influence of typhoons on O3 pollution in the PRD and their seasonal differences. To alleviate O3 pollution under typhoon influence, emission control is needed on a larger scale, rather than only within the PRD.
Romantic Partners’ Group-Based Identity Accommodation as a Predictor of Older Adults’ Romantic Relational Satisfaction and Depressive Symptoms: The Moderating Role of Shared Identity with Third-Party Family Members

ABSTRACT This study’s purpose was to examine if older adults sharing a group identity with third-party family members moderated how older adults’ perceptions of receiving accommodation to the group identity from their romantic partner predicted older adults’ romantic relational satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Two-hundred and seventy-four older adults (M Age = 62.70 years) completed a self-report survey about their romantic partner’s communication. Perceptions of the romantic partner’s group-based identity accommodation significantly predicted romantic relational satisfaction and depressive symptoms when older adults did not share their identity with third-party family members. These associations were attenuated when older adults shared their identity with third-party family members. Ways to continue probing how dynamics in the larger family may influence the implications of accommodation are offered.
Specificity of Meteorological and Biometeorological Conditions in Central Europe in Centre of Urban Areas in June 2019 (Bydgoszcz, Poland)

The work describes diurnal meteorological and biometeorological conditions in June 2019 in the urban areas of Central Europe. UTCI, STI, Oh_H, WL, and OV indices were calculated based on 24-h data from Bydgoszcz (Poland) for hot days. The degree of risk connected with heat stress of different intensities, risk of hyperthermia, body water loss, and decreased oxygen volume was determined. The studies showed that June 2019 was an example of an extreme situation with a heatwave that generated high stress for the inhabitants of urban areas. The conditions were burdensome mostly due to “very strong” and “strong” heat stress and periodic risk of dehydration, situations that could quickly lead to overheating of the body and a decreased oxygen volume leading to stress.
Understanding the challenges of rapid digital transformation: the case of COVID-19 pandemic in higher education

ABSTRACT Rapid digital transformation is taking place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing organisations and higher educational institutions to change their working and learning culture. This study explores the challenges of rapid digital transformation arising during the pandemic in the higher education context. This research used the Q-methodology to understand the nine challenges that higher education encountered, perceived differently as four main patterns: (1) Digital-nomad enterprise; (2) Corporate-collectivism; (3) Well-being-oriented; and (4) Pluralistic. This study broadens the current understanding of digital transformation, especially in higher education. The nine challenges and four patterns of transformation actors serve as a starting point for organisations in supporting technological choice and strategic interventions, based on individual, group, and organisational behavioural levels. Moreover, five propositions, based on the competing concerns of these challenges, establish a framework for comprehending the ecosystem that enables rapid digital transformation. Strategies, prerequisites, and key factors during the (digital) technology development process benefit the cyber-society ecosystem. As a practical contribution, Q-methodology was used to investigate perspectives on digitalisation challenges during the pandemic.
Overcoming a corporate crisis: The role of a hegemonic elite – The Banco Ambrosiano case (1982)

This article explores how an elite was able to facilitate the recovery of one of the greatest European banks, the Banco Ambrosiano, from a corporate crisis which led it to bankruptcy. Drawing on Gramsci’s theory of ‘intellectual and moral leadership’ or ‘hegemony’, this study undertakes a critical analysis of the role played by an elite, mainly composed of public servants, in enabling financial and political forces to avoid the loss of the great heritage of the bank, built over decades of success and public commitment. The study reveals how this elite positively constructed the path to allow the recovery process, using accounting data to identify the forward-looking solutions. This research helps expand historical and critical studies on crises, pointing out how accounting has been an instrument enabling new governing technologies while Gramsci’s theory has been applied extensively to interpret an institutional setting and an action towards an apt solution for protecting public interest.
Predictors of self-employment behavior among business graduates

Abstract Self-employment skills (also known as entrepreneurship) play a vital role in the economic development of a ‎country, thus should be given enough attention while designing business education programs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the predictors of self-employment behavior amongst business students in Pakistan. In this regard, the impact of entrepreneurial education, business incubation programs, students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and social entrepreneurial attitude on students’ entrepreneurial intention and behavior was examined. Also, the moderating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between self-employment intention and self-employment behavior was analyzed. A total of 542 valid responses were collected through a self-‎administrative questionnaire from business students in the public universities in Pakistan. ‎The data were analyzed through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) by using ‎smart PLS 3.0 software. The findings show that entrepreneurial education, business incubation ‎programs, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and social entrepreneurial attitude significantly and ‎positively influence self-employment intention which in turn positively predicts self-employment behavior. Whilst, the moderating role of psychological ‎empowerment between self-employment intention and behavior was not confirmed. Based on the findings, theoretical and practical implications ‎have been discussed to help the policymakers, government institutions, and universities to develop and implement educational strategies to increase students’ self-employment ‎behavior.
Social Media Adoption for Customer Relations and Organizational Effectiveness of Deposit Money Banks in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between social media adoption for customer relations and organizational effectiveness of deposit money banks in Bayelsa State. The objectives of this study was to examine the relationship between social media adoption for customer relations and the measures of organizational effectiveness (goal attainment and competitiveness), these guided the formulation of the research hypotheses as well as the development of the research questionnaire. One hundred and thirty six copies of the research questionnaire were distributed to respondents who are bank management cadre employees cutting across the five deposit money banks constitute the sample size for this study which were determined using the Taro Yamane’s sample size determination formula. However, only one hundred and ten (110) copies of the questionnaire were valid for the analysis, these valid questionnaire were analyzed using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient and the summary of our results revealed that strong positive relationship exist between social media adoption for customer relations and the measures of organizational effectiveness. The study thus concluded that social media communication ensures a better performance for the deposit money banks in Bayelsa State and consequently, organizational effectiveness. Based on the findings the following recommendations were proffered: Management of the deposit money banks in Bayelsa State and indeed other States should build a strong media space that will create an opportunity for the banks to reach out to their various customers in an effective interrelations that will allow the banks identify and define the challenges of customers and work fast to resolve such challenges; deposit money banks should create an active social media platform the will allow a two way flow of information between the banks and their customer to enable entertain customers complains and make quick and swift response to attend to the general needs of their customers.
Genetic parameter estimates for male and female fertility traits using genomic data to improve fertility in Australian beef cattle

Context Studies have shown that favourable genetic correlations exist between female and male fertility traits. However, investigations regarding these correlations in Australian tropical beef cattle are limited to either pedigree or single-breed analysis. Aim The study aims to use genomic information to estimate genetic parameters of six female and seven male fertility traits measured during the first 2 years of life, in two tropical breeds. Methods Single-, bivariate and multi-trait models were used to analyse fertility data from Brahman (BB; 996 cows and 1022 bulls); and Tropical Composite (TC; 1091 cows and 998 bulls) cattle genotyped with high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism chip assay. Key results Heritability estimates in BB cows ranged from low (0.07 ± 0.04) for days to calving at the first calving opportunity (DC1, days) to high (0.57 ± 0.08) for age at first corpus luteum (AGECL, days). In BB bulls, estimates varied from low (0.09 ± 0.05) for sperm motility (score 1–5) to high (0.64 ± 0.06) for scrotal circumference (SC) measured at 24 months (SC24, cm). Similarly, heritability estimates in TC cows were low (0.04 ± 0.03) for DC1 and high (0.69 ± 0.02) for AGECL. In TC bulls, the heritability was low (0.09 ± 0.05) for sperm motility and high (0.69 ± 0.07) for SC24. Within-sex for both breeds, blood concentrations of insulin growth-factor 1 (IGF1) measured in cows at 18 months (IGF1c) were negatively correlated with female fertility phenotypes. In BB, across-sex, bulls’ blood concentration of IGF1 measured at 6 months (IGF1b) was a good indicator trait for the following four female traits: AGECL, the first postpartum anoestrus interval, age at first calving and DC1. In TC, IGF1b and percentage normal sperm were good predictors of female fertility phenotypes. Conclusions The heritability estimates and genomic correlations from the present study generally support and confirmed the earlier estimates from pedigree analyses. The findings suggest that selection for female fertility traits will benefit male fertility, and vice versa. Implications Heritability estimates and genomic correlations suggest that we can select for fertility traits measured early in life, with benefits within and across sex. Using traits available through veterinary assessment of bull fertility as selection indicators will enhance bull and cow fertility, which can lead to better breeding rates in tropical herds.
3D Interpreted Model: A Novel Product Definition Model by Integrating and Fusing a 3D Annotated Model and Design Knowledge

Model based definition (MBD) is the core of product digital research and development. The extension of the scope and content of the product model is an important way to improve the application ability of MBD methodology. In view of the demand of the development of the product definition method and the lack of systematic theoretical methods to support the further improvement of product model quality and ability, this paper proposes the concept of a 3D interpreted model as a new product definition model by integrating and fusing design knowledge on the basis of the MBD model. Firstly, the concept, characteristics and representation method of the 3D interpreted model are elaborated. Then, the construction method of the 3D interpreted model is proposed, which includes two steps. The first step is design knowledge annotation, which is used to integrate design knowledge with the MBD model and form the 3D interpreted model in a CAD environment. The second step is information extraction and knowledge fusion, which is used to construct a 3D interpreted model network by processing the product information and design knowledge stored in a STEP file and knowledge index file, respectively. Finally, a prototype system is developed, and the construction process of a 3D interpreted model is demonstrated and verified through an example. The results show that as a new product definition model, a 3D interpreted model realizes the comprehensive integration of a MBD model and design knowledge, so as to realize the inheritance and development of the product definition method, and supports business activities and saves more social resources.