Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of measured aerosol mass scattering efficiency over North America using a chemical transport model

Abstract. Aerosol mass scattering efficiency affects climate forcing calculations, atmospheric visibility, and the interpretation of satellite observations of aerosol optical depth. We evaluated the representation of aerosol mass scattering efficiency (αsp) in the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model over North America using collocated measurements of aerosol scatter and mass from IMPROVE network sites between 2000 and 2010. We found a positive bias in mass scattering efficiency given current assumptions of aerosol size distributions and particle hygroscopicity in the model. We found that overestimation of mass scattering efficiency was most significant in dry (RH <35 %) and midrange humidity (35 % < RH <65 %) conditions, with biases of 82 % and 40 %, respectively. To address these biases, we investigated assumptions surrounding the two largest contributors to fine aerosol mass, organic (OA) and secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA). Inhibiting hygroscopic growth of SIA below 35 % RH and decreasing the dry geometric mean radius, from 0.069 µm for SIA and 0.073 µm for OA to 0.058 µm for both aerosol types, significantly decreased the overall bias observed at IMPROVE sites in dry conditions from 82 % to 9 %. Implementation of a widely used alternative representation of hygroscopic growth following κ-Kohler theory for secondary inorganic (hygroscopicity parameter κ=0.61) and organic (κ=0.10) aerosols eliminated the remaining overall bias in αsp. Incorporating these changes in aerosol size and hygroscopicity into the GEOS-Chem model resulted in an increase of 16 % in simulated annual average αsp over North America, with larger increases of 25 % to 45 % in northern regions with high RH and hygroscopic aerosol fractions, and decreases in αsp up to 15 % in the southwestern U.S. where RH is low.
A Multilabel Texture Segmentation Based on Local Entropy Signature

We propose a multilabel segmentation that aims to partition a texture image into multiple regions based on a homogeneity condition using local entropy measured at varying scales. For multi-label segmentation, a bipartitioning segmentation scheme is recursively applied to confined regions obtained by previous segmentation steps. The empirical entropy is measured in the local neighbourhoods at varying scales, which is used as a characteristic feature in determining the spatial regularity of elementary texture structures. The experimental results on a variety of texture images demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Benchmarking ceasiom software to predict flight control and flying qualities of the B-747

CEASIOM, the Computerized Environment for Aircraft Synthesis and Integrated Optimization Methods, is a framework that integrates discipline-specific tools for conceptual design. At this early stage of the design it is very useful to be able to predict the flying and handling qualities of the aircraft. In order to do this for the configuration being studied, the aerodynamic database needs to be computed and coupled to the stability and control tools to carry out the analysis. This paper describes how the adaptive-fidelity Computational Fluid-Dynamics module of CEASIOM computes the aerodynamic database of an aircraft configuration, and how that data is analyzed by the Flight Control System Designer Toolkit module to determine the flying qualities and the control laws of the aircraft. The paper compares the predicted flying qualities with the flight-test data of the Boeing B747 aircraft in order to verify the goodness of the overall approach.
The optimization of Spray and Wait routing Protocol by prioritizing the message forwarding order

In most of the wireless applications, e.g. military networks, vehicular ad-hoc networks, wild life tracking and sensor network, it is impossible to sustain a complete end-to-end data transmission path from source to destination. Thus, the traditional routing strategies (TCP/IP) cannot work with such environments as they need to establish the uninterrupted path before transmission. The disruption-tolerant network (DTNs) has emerged as technology that enables the communication in highly disrupted environments by intermittently connected mobile nodes. The DTN transmission model follows a store carry and forward mechanism wherein the nodes stores the incoming message , carries it while moving and forward when comes in the transmission range of other contacts. The DTN protocol can be divided as single copy and multi copy. In single copy protocol the node is allowed to generate the unique copy of message and forward it on a unique path. The multi copy protocols generate and transmit the multiple copies of each message and forward it along various paths.In DTN environment, the communication opportunity exists for short duration and a node cannot transmit all copies of its carried message from its forwarding queue. Hence the order at which the messages are forwarded becomes very important. In this paper, we have proposed a message forwarding order for multi copy Spary&wait routing protocol called as smallest message first. Through simulations, we proved that proposed policy out perform as compared to existing FIFO in context of delivery probability, overhead, latency average and buffer time average.
Recent aspects of oxide thermoelectric materials for power generation from mid-to-high temperature heat source

Rapid progress in thermoelectric performance of oxide materials has been conducted virtually exclusively in Japan, resulting in more than 10 times increase in the ZT values of oxides within the last two decades. This has caused a revolutionary change in the guiding principles of thermoelectric materials research, in which oxide materials had been disregarded as a potential candidate until early 1990s. Promising oxide thermoelectric materials having been discovered include CaMnO3-based perovskites, Al-doped ZnO, layered cobalt oxides represented by NaCo2O4 and Ca3Co4O9, and SrTiO3-related phases. This paper reviews the current aspects of oxide thermoelectric materials, and some strategies of nanostructure control for selective reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity (selective phonon scattering) in bulk oxide ceramics will also be discussed.
Modeling the Propensity to Default on Microloans in Mali , Africa

Microfinance is a global phenomenon that is focused on sustainable poverty alleviation. By providing people in developing countries with the capital to sustain themselves and an educational background on which to build their futures, microfinance institutions (MFIs) give the poor an opportunity to get out of poverty. This study utilized a specific MFI in Mali, Africa to model the propensity for borrowers to default on microloans. Using the MFI’s historical data, the purpose of this study is to model the repayment percentage of individual loans, contingent upon qualitative and quantitative factors. An Ordinary Least Squares Model is used to analyze how each independent factor influences default rates. Factors that contribute to high default rates are grouped together using fuzzy analysis. I hypothesize that high default rates were encouraged by a longer time between payments, a large initial loan size, development of business in investment-heavy industries, and in a hostile market environment. These results indicate that the MFI can optimize its loan repayment success by targeting specific borrowers and modifying their loan structure. The results of this study suggest tangible practices the Mali MFI can utilize to increase their loaning effectiveness.
A Test of Intercultural Communication Competence

This study investigated the concept of intercultural communication competence. One hundred and forty nine foreign students and 129 Americans were asked to serve as participants in this study. The results of Pearson product-moment correlations indicated significant relationships among the seven elements of Intercultural Behavioral Assessment Indices (IBAI) developed by Ruben. Multiple stepwise regressions were also conducted to examine the predictors of the seven elements of IBAI. Finally, limitation and directions for future research are discussed. When people sojourn in a foreign country, some adapt well to the new environment within a short period of time, while others find the new environment a nightmare. One of the main reasons why some find new environments problematic is that most familiar symbols they use in daily lives change suddenly in the strange culture. They then begin to reject, consciously or unconsciously, the new ways of life that cause discomfort. Worse than that, some become victims of “culture shock. ” Symptoms of culture shock include washing hands excessively, being overly concerned with food and drinking, fearing people, being absent-minded, refusing to learn the host country’s language and customs, and worrying about being robbed, cheated, or injured (Oberg, 1960; Smalley, 1963). Eventually, the only way to eliminate this problem is by returning to one’s homeland. If sojourners cannot return home, the difficulty in cross-cultural adaptation may cause severe psychological or psychiatric problems such as paranoia, depression, schizophrenia, and lack of confidence (Yeh, Chu, Klein, Alexander, & Miller,
Propuesta para evaluar el proceso de adopción de las innovaciones tecnológicas* Proposal to evaluate the process of adoption of technological innovations

It is of importance to the institutions involved in the development of the livestock sector to know the extent of adoption and speed with which technological innovations are accepted by users. I.e., how a novelty or technological innovation is no longer experimental and is transformed into a practice commonly used in the social sector. Response variables and the number of observations that integrate the samples under study provide valuable information for the diversity of topics that can be studied. However, the investigated response variables are normally expressed at different qualitative scales. Therefore the information is analyzed inappropriately or it is presented descriptively. Therefore, the aim of this proposal is to present the use of statistical techniques to analyze and evaluate the process of adoption of technological innovations. The proposed methodology includes qualitative scales to be analyzed with multivariate techniques such as the multivariate normality test, principal component analysis, clusters and canonical correlation. The use of these statistical tools exemplified by a study of technology adoption made with barley producers.
The abundance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. in treated effluents produced by four wastewater treatment plants in the Gauteng Province of South Africa

This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of 4 wastewater treatment plants of the Gauteng Province, namely Zeekoegat, Baviaanspoort, Rayton and Refilwe Water Care Works (WCW) , in the removal of Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts. Wastewater influent and treated effluent samples were taken weekly between January and April 2008. Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts were detected by immunofluorescence and immunomagnetic separation, according to a modified US EPA 1623 method. Effluent samples were subjected to a molecular study for the identification of Cryptosporidium parvum Genotype I and Giardia lamblia Assemblage A. The 18S rRNA gene for restriction digests was therefore used to characterise these (oo)cysts. Cryptosporidium oocysts were repeatedly detected in effluent samples col lected from all wastewater treatments at lower concentration (range <1 to 40 oocysts/L) levels than Giardia cysts (range <1 to 175 cysts/l). The mean removal efficiencies of Cryptosporidium and Giardia at the 4 wastewater treatment plants ranged from 67.40% to 98.26% and from 86.81% to 99.96%, respectively. For all effluent samples, except Zeekoegat WCW, 29% and 41% contained oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum Genotype I and cysts of Giardia lamblia Assemblage A, respectively. Both C. Parvum and G. lamblia are human pathogens. This stresses the potential risk of discharging these parasites into receiving water bodies.
Review on statistical methods for large spatial Gaussian data

The Gaussian geostatistical model has been widely used for modeling spatial data. However, this model suffers from a severe difficulty in computation because inference requires to invert a large covariance matrix in evaluating log-likelihood. In addressing this computational challenge, three strategies have been employed: likelihood approximation, lower dimensional space approximation, and Markov random field approximation. In this paper, we reviewed statistical approaches attacking the computational challenge. As an illustration, we also applied integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) technology, one of Markov approximation approach, to real data to provide an example of its use in practice dealing with large spatial data.
ENV-609: TREATMENT OF PCBS CONTAMINATED SOIL USING AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM

This research describes the full scale evaluation and testing of an integrated PCBs treatment system. Experiments were conducted on organic soil contaminated with PCBs. The result showed that a removal efficiency of 95% can be achieved using a three cycle isopropyl alcohol (IPA) extraction. It also showed that at least 80% of IPA can be recycled and reused for further extraction of PCBs. The concentrated PCB extracts can be photodechlorinated in an alkaline condition. The successful testing of this integrated PCB treatment system demonstrates this technology to be a promising solution to a very difficult problem.
Part 1 : Signal design

The Pulse Power Current (PPC) profile is often the signal of choice for obtaining the parameters of a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM). Subsequently, a drive-cycle current profile is used as a validation signal. Such a profile, in contrast to a PPC, is more dynamic in both the amplitude and frequency bandwidth. Modelling errors can occur when using PPC data for parametrisation since the model is optimised over a narrower bandwidth than the validation profile. A signal more representative of a drive-cycle, while maintaining a degree of generality, is needed to reduce such modelling errors. In Part 1 of this 2-part paper a signal design technique defined as a pulsemultisine is presented. This superimposes a signal known as a multisine to a discharge, rest and charge base signal to achieve a profile more dynamic in amplitude and frequency bandwidth, and thus more similar to a drive-cycle. ∗Corresponding author. Email: Dhammika.Widanalage@warwick.ac. uk. Address: WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK. Telephone: 0044 24765 28191. Preprint submitted to Journal of Power Sources May 25, 2016 The signal improves modelling accuracy and reduces the experimentation time, per state-of-charge (SoC) and temperature, to several minutes compared to several hours for an PPC experiment.
Convergence Guaranteed Nonlinear Constraint Model Predictive Control via I / O Linearization

Constituting reliable optimal solution is a key issue for the nonlinear constrained model predictive control. Input-output feedback linearization is a popular method in nonlinear control. By using an input-output feedback linearizing controller, the original linear input constraints will change to nonlinear constraints and sometimes the constraints are state dependent. This paper presents an iterative quadratic program (IQP) routine on the continuous-time system. To guarantee its convergence, another iterative approach is incorporated. The proposed algorithm can reach a feasible solution over the entire prediction horizon. Simulation results on both a numerical example and the continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Sterols in marine invertebrates

: The sterol composition of marine invertebrates, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, coelenterates, and sponges has been re-examined by using improved analytical techniques. As a result, the sterol composition of marine invertebrates has been shown to be more complex mixtures including many new types of sterols with unusual steroid nuclei or with non-conventional side chains. Some crustaceans and molluscs are of importance as seafood and aquaculture species. Crustaceans and some molluscs require dietary sources of sterol for growth and survival because of the absence of de novo sterol-synthesizing ability. The present paper gives a review of the requirement and nutritive value of sterols, biosynthesis and metabolism of sterols, and composition and structure of sterols in marine invertebrates.
Selection & development of short-term project team members: developmental stability as an indicator of interpersonal skills

Short-term project teams do not have the advantage of prior performance or long-term membership to facilitate development of effective team performance. Research suggests interpersonal skills are crucial to success but this is under researched longitudinally. Evolutionary psychology can provide a lens to explain how people develop differing levels of interpersonal skills via the relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and pro-social behaviours. This research aims to investigate the relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and interpersonal skills, the impact of training and to further the evolutionary psychology field by embedding research in a real-world context as opposed to solely in laboratory or student settings.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Scallop Patinopecten yessoensis in Korea, China, and Japan by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

Sixty individuals of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis (Genus Pecten) were sampled to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of this species. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) identified 109 genotypes and produced 79 polymorphic loci (72.8%). Total genetic diversity values (HT) and interlocus variation in the within-population genetic diversity (HS) were 0.254 and 0.178, respectively. On a per-locus basis, the proportion of total genetic variation due to differences among populations (GST) was 0.299. This indicated that about 70.1% of the total variation was within populations. The unique loci and bands of P. yessoensis were shown in only one population among the three countries. RAPD markers were very effective in classifying the natural population levels of P. yessoensis in Korea, China, and Japan. In addition, insights into the relative gene diversity among and within populations of P. yessoensis would be useful in breeding and for the development of strategies for animal genetic resources.
Immobilization of Small Mammals and Occupancy, Seasonal Food Habits, and Parasites of Allegheny Woodrats in the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee

Allegheny woodrats (Neotoma magister) occur throughout the Appalachians north of the Tennessee River. Declines have occurred in the northern and western parts of their range, prompting the need for more information about the species in areas where they are rare. The purpose of this study was to gain more information on the Allegheny woodrat in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. The main objectives were to (1) evaluate isoflurane anesthesia to immobilize woodrats and other small mammals for biological sample collection and (2) determine percent occupancy, food habits, and external parasite species of Allegheny woodrats at likely candidate sites in eastern Tennessee. I evaluated a chamber and nose cone method of isoflurane delivery for immobilizing eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis; summer n = 43, winter n = 48) and Allegheny woodrats (summer n = 24, winter n = 13) respectively. Time to induction for squirrels did not differ between summer (3.24 min) and winter (3.13 min) or by sex. Squirrels awoke more quickly in the summer (1.47 min) than in the winter (3.66 min) after removal of the nose cone and their pulse was higher in the winter, whereas body temperature and respiration were lower. I administered the nose cone for 0.5 min for all woodrats since it was not possible to determine induction time because the animals were being manually restrained. There were no differences by season or sex for timing of effects or physiological parameters in Allegheny woodrats. Woodrats awoke in 4.22 min in the summer and 4.06 min in the winter following the final dose of isoflurane. Both methods resulted in rapid induction, quick recovery times, and acceptable physiological parameters in both summer and winter.
Validation of COSMIC water vapor data in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere using MLS, MERRA and ERA-Interim

Abstract. Water vapor is the most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere with important implications not only for the Earth’s radiation and energy budget but also for various chemical, physical and dynamical processes in the stratosphere. The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) Radio Occultation (RO) dataset from 2007 through 2013 is used for the first time to study the distribution and variability water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). The COSMIC data are compared to the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) data, and to two global reanalyses: The Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Application (MERRA) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and, the latest reanalysis of the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF), the ERA-Interim. The MLS data have been assimilated into the MERRA, whereas the COSMIC data are used for the ERA-Interim. As a result, the MERRA agrees well with the MLS data and so does the ERA-Interim with the COSMIC data. While the monthly zonal mean distributions of water vapor from the four datasets show good agreements in northern mid-latitudes, large discrepancies exist in high southern latitudes and tropics. The MERRA shows overall a consistent seasonal cycle with MLS, but has too strong winter dehydration over the Antarctic, and is very weak in the interannual variations. The ERA-Interim fails to properly represent the winter dehydration over the Antarctic, and shows an unrealistic seasonal cycle in the tropical upper troposphere. The COSMIC data shows a good agreement with the MLS data except for the tropical "taper recorder" signal, where the COSMIC data suggest a faster upward motion than the MLS data. The COSMIC data are able to represent the moisture variabilities associated with the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation and the El Nino-Southern Oscillation.