Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Effects of Self-obscuration in the (Sub)Millimeter Spectral Indices and the Appearance of Protostellar Disks

In this paper we explore the effects of self-obscuration in protostellar disks with a radially decreasing temperature gradient and a colder midplane. We are motivated by recent reports of resolved dark lanes (“hamburgers”) and (sub)millimeter spectral indices systematically below the ISM value for optically thin dust, αISM = 3.7. We explore several model grids, scaling disk mass and varying inclination angle i and observing frequency ν from the VLA Ka band (∼37 GHz) to ALMA Band 8 (∼405 GHz). We also consider the effects of decreasing the index of the (sub-)millimeter dust opacity power-law β from 1.7 to 1. We find that a distribution of disk masses in the range Mdisk = 0.01–2 M⊙ is needed to reproduce the observed distribution of spectral indices, and that assuming a fixed β = 1.7 gives better results than β = 1. A wide distribution of disk masses is also needed to produce some cases with α < 2, as reported for some sources in the literature. Such extremely low spectral indices arise naturally when the selected observing frequencies sample the appropriate change in the temperature structure of the optically thick model disk. Our results show that protostellar disk masses could often be underestimated by > ×10, and are consistent with recent hydrodynamical simulations. Although we do not rule out the possibility of some grain growth occurring within the short protostellar timescales, we conclude that self-obscuration needs to be taken into account.
Lidar Studies of Tropospheric Aerosols and Clouds

An improved description of aerosol and cloud processes is a prerequisite for successful prediction of future climate change. The climate on Earth is controlled by the radiation budget, i.e. the relation between the radiation going into and out from the atmosphere. Aerosols are said to have two main effects on the climate. The direct effect refers to cooling and warming by reflection of incoming solar radiation and absorption of outgoing thermal radiation, respectively. The indirect effect concerns the ability of aerosols to influence cloud formation and to change the optical and physical properties of clouds. Clouds normally occupy at least 50% of the sky on a global scale. The presence of clouds greatly increases the portion of the solar radiation reflected back to space, but on the other hand clouds may absorb outgoing thermal radiation from Earth and in the same way as a greenhouse gas partly counteract the cooling effect. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified clouds as the key uncertainty in predicting climate change: “The single largest uncertainty in determining the climate sensitivity to either natural or anthropogenic changes is clouds and their effects on radiation and their role in the hydrological cycle”. The overall aim of the present thesis is to contribute to an increased understanding of climate effects as well as air quality issues related to aerosol and clouds. The radiative properties of clouds are determined by the microphysics, i.e. refractive index, shape, and size distribution. In this thesis the construction and development of a bistatic lidar set-up for polarisation measurements throughout the troposphere is described and the results obtained with this system are presented. From the measurements of optically thin or mildly opaque high latitude clouds substantial depolarisation was observed. Ray tracing calculations for hexagonal ice columns were able to produce all the experimental values if a suitable degree of surface roughness was introduced. The results show that it is important to account for non-spherical shapes for the assessment of the radiative impact of Arctic ice clouds, and that the bistatic lidar technique may provide a useful complementary technique to be used together with existing lidar setups. Lidar measurements were also conducted with the aim to study particulate air pollution in Göteborg. The limited insolation in wintertime sometimes resulted in near neutral boundary layer conditions and inefficient ventilation during the day. Considerable variation in the rate of rising polluted air subsequent to inversion layer break-up was observed, ranging from 200 to 800 m/h. Recently formed particles were observed around midday subsequent to surface layer ventilation. The boundary layer dynamics are concluded to have a strong impact on the properties of the urban aerosol and to a large extent determine the severity of the wintertime urban air pollution episodes to human health.
PROCEEDINGS OF A PAN-AFRICAN WORKING GROUP MEETING ON BACTERIAL AND VIRUS DISEASES OF COMMON BEAN Kampala, Uganda

BCMV isolates were collected from crops of Phaseolus vulgaris (bean) and from wild legume species in Burundi, Ethíopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Isolates ofpathotype VEa from both beans and wild legume species were predominant in central, eastem and southem Africa. Isolates of pathotypes 1, l/I, /Va, IVb and Va were a/so found. There was considerable variation for pathogenicity among isolates and several novel pathotypes were identified based on the reactíons of a set of differentíal bean cultivars. INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenicity of BCMV isolates obtained from samples of infected beans and wild legume species in central, southern and eastem Africa. Several sources of resistance to BCMV are available but it is essential for plant breeders to have knowledge of the distribution of and variation among BCMV isolates in the region where new cultivars are to be deployed to achieve a sustainable improvement in crop production. Pathotypes of BCMV are identified by their pathogenicity on a set of differential bean cultivars. Hitherto, ten pathotypes of BCMV (referred to previously as pathogenicity groups) have been identified on the basis of differential host responses (Drijfhout, 1978). Monoclonal antibodies differentiate BCMV isolates into two serotypes and there is a correlation between pathotype and serotype where ¡solates belonging to pathotype 111, VIa and VIb also belong to the "A" serotype, while isolates of all other pathotypes belong to the "B" serotype (Wang et al., 1984). MATERIALS AND METHODS Surveys Field surveys were carried out in collaboration with personnel of Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) and National Bean Programmes in Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Uganda and Zimbabwe (January 1990), Ethiopia (September 1990), Morocco (November 1990), Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire (May 1991), Burundi, Kenya and Rwanda (November 1991). In addition, samples were received at Wellesboume directly from Africa. Host plants. virus isolates, inoculations and maintenance of cultures Seeds of test plants were germinated in plastic boxes on damp cellulose wadding by incubating them for four days at 25°C. The germinated seed was planted in M2 Levington
IMPLEMENTATION OF ROBUST CONTROL THEORY IN SMART STRUCTURE DESIGN USING FREQUENCY DOMAIN DATA

Abstract. Τhis paper presents an implementation of a design method of robust H∞ optimal control to a structural control system. To obtain the best possible performance in the face of uncertainties, robust H∞ optimal control for the active control structure is used. Relevant numerical techniques, which have been implemented with the help of MATLAB routines, are applied to solve the formulated structural control problem. By proper selection of the weight factor, the seismic response of the building structure can be reduced considerably. Numerical results show high robust performance of the proposed method.
Characterization of exoplanets from their formation - I. Models of combined planet formation and evolution

Context. A first characterization of extrasolar planets by the observational determination of the radius has recently been achieved for a large number of planets. For some planets, a measurement of the luminosity has also been possible, with many more directly imaged planets expected in the near future. The statistical characterization of exoplanets through their mass-radius and mass-luminosity diagram is becoming possible. This is for planet formation and evolution theory of similar importance as the mass-distance diagram. Aims. Our aim is to extend our planet-formation model into a coupled formation and evolution model. We want to calculate from one single model in a self-consistent way all basic quantities describing a planet: its mass, semimajor axis, composition, radius, and luminosity. We then want to use this model for population synthesis calculations. Methods. In this and a companion paper, we show how we solve the structure equations describing the gaseous envelope of a protoplanet during the early-formation phase, the gas runaway accretion phase, and the evolutionary phase at constant mass on Gyr timescales. We improve the model further with a new prescription for the disk-limited gas accretion rate, an internal structure model for the planetary core assuming a differentiated interior, and the inclusion of radioactive decay as an additional heat source in the core. Results. We study the in situ formation and evolution of Jupiter, the mass-radius relationship of giant planets, the influence of the core mass on the radius, and the luminosity both in the “hot start” and the “cold start” scenario. Special emphasis is placed on the validation of the model by comparing it with other models of planet formation and evolution. We find that our results agree very well with those of more complex models, despite a number of simplifications we make in our calculations. Conclusions. The upgraded model yields the most important physical quantities describing a planet from its beginning as a tiny seed embryo to a Gyr-old planet. This is the case for all planets in a synthetic planetary population. Therefore, we can now use selfconsistently the observational constraints coming from all major observational techniques. This is important in a time where different techniques yield constraints on very diverse sub-populations of planets, and where it is difficult to put all these constraints together in one coherent picture. Our comprehensive formation and evolution model should be helpful in this situation for the understanding of exoplanets.
Unusual Vermamoeba Vermiformis Strain Isolated from Snow in Mount Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa that are widely distributed in the environment mainly in water and soil related habitats. Thermophilic amoebae are among the most common FLA in water bodies, being Vermamoeba vermiformis one of the most common species reported worldwide from these sources. Interestingly, V. vermiformis has often been reported to survive at high temperatures and osmotic pressure worldwide. M aterials and Methods: In this study, snow samples were collected from Mount Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands during the winter season of 2014. The samples were culture on non nutrient agar plates and checked daily for the presence of FLA. After a week, V. vermiformis amoebae were observed in the plates incubated at room temperature and 37oC. R es ults: Molecular characterization was carried out by amplifying the 18S rDNA gene and DNA sequencing, confirmed that the isolated strain belonged to Vermamoeba vermiformis species. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Vermamoeba vermiformis isolation from such an inusual habitat (low temperatures and high altitude) and the first report of these species in the Canary islands.
Welfare Implications of Exchange Rate Changes

This paper measures the welfare implications of a depreciation of the US dollar against the euro using a dynamic equilibrium model. I calibrate a simple two country stochastic endowment economy with trade in goods and financial assets and exogenous variations in the exchange rate. The model displays both a trade channel effect and an asset channel effect after a change in the value of the exchange rate. The welfare loss coming from the trade channel translates into the relatively higher price that consumers have to pay for imports. The asset channel effect arises from three sources. One is the traditional valuation effect associated with US debt being denominated mostly in dollars. The other two novel effects are: (1) the dollar value of investors net worth, mostly denominated in local currency, increases more in Europe than in the US; (2) asset prices change, causing a portfolio rebalancing effect which results in a fall in the share of world assets owned by the US. I show that a dollar depreciation has potentially large negative welfare effects as measured by the net present value of future consumption. After a temporary 10% depreciation of the dollar, with a half-life of one year, I calculate a 0.25% decrease in lifetime aggregate consumption for the US consumer.
Breakeven Time on New Product Launches: An Investigation of the Drivers and Impact on Firm Performance

The ability to break even faster on new product projects is becoming increasingly critical for firms in fast-moving industries where continually reinvesting in research and development efforts matters greatly for survival. However, most research to date has focused on studying the impact of two primary innovation outcomes: sales and profits. The exclusive emphasis on sales and profit may be warranted for certain types of goods such as durable goods, but when examining the effects of new products in fast-moving consumer goods or in the entrepreneurial sphere, where cash to cash matters greatly for survival, it is critical for both researchers and practitioners to not only consider the profits and sales generated by the new product but also the time to breakeven. This paper develops a theoretical framework using the competency-based literature to examine the effects of innovation drivers (customer idea source, speed to market, product quality, and product newness) on breakeven time (BET) and project profits, and their subsequent impact on firm performance. A three-stage least square estimation method was employed using longitudinal data on 945 new product development projects and launches in the morning (breakfast) foods category. The results clearly pinpoint that for successful product innovation, managers need to consider the time taken to breakeven on new product development. Specifically, the results demonstrate that speed to market and product quality shorten BET, but customer idea source extends BET. Second, the analysis also empirically demonstrates that BET is an equally effective predictor of firm performance as project profits in the short run, but significantly a stronger predictor of firm performance in the long run (t? +? four years), suggesting that BET should be regarded as a superior leading indicator of firm performance versus product profitability for fast-moving consumer goods segment. This is an important finding that suggests firms that recoup their cash investments more quickly experience greater short-term and significantly more long-term success.
IDENTIFICATION OF BRIDGE FRAGILITY PARAMETERS USING SEISMIC DAMAGE DATA OBTAINED FROM EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

The study describes a procedure to identify bridge fragility parameters utilizing its vibration response recorded during experimental study. For this purpose, bridge damage data observed in a near full-scale shake table experiment is utilized.The bridge was tested under a sequence of earthquake ground motions with increasing intensities. Low and high amplitude tests were performed in series to observe the seismic performance of the bridge starting from yielding to complete failure. In the present study, recorded bridge acceleration during high amplitude tests is utilized and further analyzed to evaluate the degraded performance of the bridge after each high amplitude test.This is done by using extended Kalman filtering (EKF) technique as a tool. The degraded performance of the bridge after each run is measured in terms of effective stiffness of the bridge at pier ends. In parallel, finite element (FE) model of the same bridge is developed in order to perform time history analysis under a set of earthquake ground motions with various hazard levels. Before applying the ground motions, the FE model is updated with the effective stiffness of the bridge obtained from EKF after each high amplitude test. This is important to numerically simulate the post-damaged condition of the bridge and to quantify the gradual progressionof bridge damage when subjected toearthquake ground motions in sequence. After each time history analysis, bridge response is obtained in terms of the rotation at bridge pier ends. Thus obtained response from time history analyses is used for fragility curve development. The change in fragility parameters represents the progressive damage of the bridge when subjected to ground motions with incremental intensity. Statistical uncertainty ofthe fragility curves is measured in terms of 90% confidence interval. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES. v LIST OF TABLES . ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . x Chapter
Variable line spacing diffraction grating fabricated by direct write lithography for synchrotron beamline applications

A Variable Line Spacing (VLS) diffraction grating has been fabricated using an optical direct write technique. This grating is now in use at the Advanced Light Source, in beamline 12.0. 1, delivering light for EUV lithography. Direct Write Lithography (DWL) with focused light at λ = 442 nm was used for the first time to record a VLS grating pattern on a substrate coated with a photoresist. The pattern was transferred to the Si substrate surface using reactive plasma etch. Precision of groove placement was verified by wavefront measurements of a witness grating recorded simultaneously with the VLS pattern. Atomic force microscope measurements confirmed near ideal groove shape and high smoothness of the grating grooves. The grating coated with a Ru coating demonstrated diffraction efficiency of 39.5% in the negative first diffraction order which corresponds to theoretical efficiency at the wavelength of 13.5 nm. This work validates the DWL approach as a promising technique for advanced grating fabrication.
Understanding nitrate formation in a world with less sulfate

Abstract. SO2 emission controls, combined with modestly increasing ammonia, have been thought to generate aerosol with significantly reduced acidity for cases in which sulfate is partially substituted by nitrate. However, neither expectation agrees with decadal observations in the southeastern USA, suggesting that a fundamentally different response of aerosol pH to emissions changes is occurring. We postulate that this nitrate substitution paradox arises from a positive bias in aerosol pH in model simulations. This bias can elevate pH to a level at which nitrate partitioning is readily promoted, leading to behavior consistent with nitrate substitution. CMAQ simulations are used to investigate this hypothesis; modeled PM2.5 pH using 2001 emissions compare favorably with pH inferred from observed species concentrations. Using 2011 emissions, however, leads to simulated pH increases of one unit, which is inconsistent with observations from that year. Nonvolatile cations (K+, Na+, Ca+2, and Mg+2) in the fine mode are found to be responsible for the erroneous predicted increase in aerosol pH of about 1 unit on average over the USA. Such an increase can induce a nitrate bias of 1–2 µg m−3, which may further increase in future projections, reaffirming an otherwise incorrect expectation of a significant nitrate substitution. Evaluation of predicted aerosol pH against thermodynamic analysis of observations is therefore a critically important, but overlooked, aspect of model evaluation for a robust emissions policy.
Dimensionality of hallucinatory predisposition: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale-revised in college students

Hallucinatory predisposition, as measured by the Launay-Slade Hallucination scale-revised (LSHS-R) (Bentall & Slade, 1985), is a multi-dimensional construct, although its factor structure is not yet well estab-lished. The purpose of this work was to analyze the dimensional structure of hallucinatory predisposition in nonclinical population. The sample comprised 807 young adults, 562 female (63.3%), with a mean age of 20.19 (SD = 2.98). The results showed that the LSHS-R presented ade-quate psychometric properties. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient reached 0.90. The confirmatory factor analyses conducted indicated that Waters et al. ‘s (2003) three-factor model and Levitan et al.‘s (1996) four-factor model were those that showed the best fit to the data in comparison to the alter-native proposed models. These data confirm the multidimensional nature of hallucinatory predisposition as measured by the LSHS-R. Future studies should continue to investigate the dimensions underlying the LSHS-R in clinical and nonclinical populations and examine its invariance across participants’ gender and age.
Polyurethane/Epoxy Interpenetrating Polymer Network

Polyurethane is a versatile thermoplastic polymer with a range of characteristics (tensile strength, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and processability) as coating, elastomer, foam, and fiber for technical application. Epoxy resin, on the other hand, is thermoset having fine mechanical, chemical, and adhesion properties to be utilized as adhesives, coatings, and matrix for advanced composite materials. However, epoxy resins are rigid and brittle in nature and have poor crack resistance. To overcome these problems, polyurethane phase has been introduced in the epoxy network for toughening. Considerable research has been carried out to introduce a second reactive polymer in the matrix to generate interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). Consequently, mechanical properties, glass transition behavior, thermal resistance, and damping features of polyurethane have been enhanced by introducing epoxy to form polyure ‐ thane/epoxy interpenetrating polymer network structure. Different modifiers have been employed to modify the properties of polyurethane/epoxy IPNs such as montmorillon ‐ ite nanoclay, fibers, fly ash, conducting polymers, etc. The polyurethane/epoxy cross ‐ linked networks have shown a range of high‐performance application in ion‐exchange resins, aircraft, engineering materials, biomedical devices, and other commercial IPN products. hard and soft segment structures, molecular weight, polydispersity, and crosslinking ability. in epoxy and the isocyanate group in PU plays an important role in increasing network interlocking in IPN formation. Depending on the specific components selected for IPN formation, surface free energy of the blend system, and other structural parameters, there are several technical applications identified for epoxy/polyurethane systems.
A Linear Interpolation-Based Algorithm for Path Planning and Replanning on Girds

Field D* algorithm is widely used in mobile robot navigation since it can plan and replan any-angle paths through non-uniform cost grids. However, it still suffers from inefficiency and sub-optimality. In this article, a new linear interpolation-based planning and replanning algorithm, Update-Reducing Field D*, is proposed. It employs different approaches during initial planning and replanning respectively in order to reduce the number of updates of the rhs-values of vertices. Experiments have shown that Update-Reducing Field D* runs faster than Field D* and returns smoother and lower-cost paths.