Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of timing and rate of marine cloud brightening aerosol injection on albedo changes during the diurnal cycle of marine stratocumulus clouds

Abstract. The marine-cloud brightening geoengineering technique has been suggested as a possible means of counteracting the positive radiative forcing associated with anthropogenic atmospheric CO 2 increases. The focus of this study is to quantify the albedo response to aerosols injected into marine stratocumulus cloud from a point source at different times of day. We use a cloud-resolving model to investigate both weakly precipitating and non-precipitating regimes. Injection into both regimes induces a first indirect aerosol effect. Additionally, the weakly precipitating regime shows evidence of liquid water path gain associated with a second indirect aerosol effect that contributes to a more negative radiative forcing, and cloud changes indicative of a regime change to more persistent cloud. This results in a cloud albedo increase up to six times larger than in the non-precipitating case. These indirect effects show considerable variation with injection at different times in the diurnal cycle. For the weakly precipitating case, aerosol injection results in domain average increases in cloud albedo of 0.28 and 0.17 in the early and mid morning (03:00:00 local time (LT) and 08:00:00 LT respectively) and 0.01 in the evening (18:00:00 LT). No cloud develops when injecting into the cloud-free early afternoon (13:00:00 LT). However, the all-sky albedo increases (which include both the indirect and direct aerosol effects) are highest for early morning injection (0.11). Mid-morning and daytime injections produce increases of 0.06, with the direct aerosol effect compensating for the lack of cloud albedo perturbation during the cloud-free early afternoon. Evening injection results in an increase of 0.04. For the weakly precipitating case considered, the optimal injection time for planetary albedo response is the early morning. Here, the cloud has more opportunity develop into a more persistent non-precipitating regime prior to the dissipative effects of solar heating. The effectiveness of the sea-spray injection method is highly sensitive to diurnal injection time and the direct aerosol effect of an intense aerosol point source. Studies which ignore these factors could overstate the effectiveness of the marine cloud brightening technique.
Recommender System based on Higher-order Logic Data Representation

Collaborative Filtering help users to deal with information overload and guide them in a personalized way to interesting or useful objects in a large space of possible options. In this paper, we present a novel and elegant hybrid recommender system called HOLCF, which use higherorder logic as data representation and integrate content and demographic information into a collaborative filtering framework by using higher-order logic distance computation approaches without the effort of feature construction. Our experiments suggest that the effective combination of various kinds of information based on higher-order logic distance computation approaches provides improved accurate recommendations.
Green agenda and sustainability in follow up and evaluation stage of purchasing of logistics services: perspectives from the British shippers and forwarders

Purpose The purpose of the research described in this paper is to investigate the role that green agenda and sustainability plays in follow up and evaluation stage of purchasing of logistics services. There is a significant evidence of a divergence between perspectives between shippers and forwarders when it comes to this area. Research Approach The work presented in this article refines methodology of Lummus et al. (2001) and uses focussed interviews with two groups of supply chain management professionals: shippers (manufacturers and retailers) and forwarders (3PLs). The context of the paper’s empirical work is the UK. Findings and Originality The findings suggest that, while shippers and forwarders recognise a positive link between cost saving and green agenda and sustainability, there is room for improvement in this area, as a focus of discussions between shippers and forwarders during follow up and evaluation stage in purchasing logistics services is predominantly on price and service levels. Research Impact The authors focus on the follow-up and evaluation stage in purchasing of logistics services, which is an under-explored topic in academic literature. Practical Impact A profile of perspectives towards green agenda and sustainability in follow up and evaluation stage of purchasing of logistics services by firms in the UK is presented.
The User-Pleasant Video Skimming by Multi-Modal Keywords Semantics

In this paper, we propose a novel approach of video skimming by exploiting the fusion of video temporal information and keyword information representation extracted from multi-model video information including audio, text and visual indices. In addition, we introduce the brand-safe filtering and sentiment analysis in order to only reserve the user-friendly content in the video skim. In the experiment by using the videos from YouTube-8M dataset, we have proved that the semantic conservation in the video skim from the proposed approach highly outperforms the approaches by only partial information of the video in conserving the semantic content of the video.
Cross recurrence quantification for cover song identification

There is growing evidence that nonlinear time series analysis techniques can be used to successfully characterize, classify, or process signals derived from real-world dynamics even though these are not necessarily deterministic and stationary. In the present study, we proceed in this direction by addressing an important problem our modern society is facing, the automatic classification of digital information. In particular, we address the automatic identification of cover songs, i.e. alternative renditions of a previously recorded musical piece. For this purpose, we here propose a recurrence quantification analysis measure that allows the tracking of potentially curved and disrupted traces in cross recurrence plots (CRPs). We apply this measure to CRPs constructed from the state space representation of musical descriptor time series extracted from the raw audio signal. We show that our method identifies cover songs with a higher accuracy as compared to previously published techniques. Beyond the particular application proposed here, we discuss how our approach can be useful for the characterization of a variety of signals from different scientific disciplines. We study coupled Rössler dynamics with stochastically modulated mean frequencies as one concrete example to illustrate this point.
Non-invasive data tracking in educational games: Combination of logfiles and natural language processing

Within educational games one essential problem is how to gather user information without destroying the game play. Even though, there exist several possibilities of tracking the user behaviour, most of the objective behavioural data are ambiguous and lack subjective meaning. However, the assessment of subjective data by, e.g., questionnaires either destroys the game play or could be only made when the game has finished. The proposed methodological framework illustrates how the combination of data tracking by logfiles and Natural Language Processing (NLP) could lead to a more precise interpretation of user behaviour which in turn enables an optimization of adaptive user support in the context of serious games.
Large-eddy simulation of round turbulent jets using the Inertial LES method with multifractal subgrid-scale modeling

Large-eddy simulation of passive scalar mixing by a fully three-dimensional round incompressible turbulent jet is evaluated using the Inertial LES methodology with multifractal subgrid-scale modeling. The Inertial LES approach involves the direct calculation of the inertial term {ovr u{sub i} u{sub j}} in the filtered incompressible Navier-Stokes equation and the scalar flux term {ovr u{sub j} {phi}} in the filtered advection-diffusion equation, using models for the subgrid velocity field u{sup sgs} and the subgrid scalar-concentration field {phi}{sup sgs}. In this work, the models are based on the multifractal structure of the subgrid enstrophy 2Q{sup sgs}(x,t) {triple_bond} {omega}{sup sgs} {center_dot} {omega}{sup sgs} and scalar-dissipation {chi}{sup sgs} (x,t) {triple_bond} D{del}{phi}{sup sgs} {center_dot} {del}{phi}{sup sgs} fields, respectively. No artificial viscosity or diffusivity constructs are applied and no explicit dealiasing is performed. Numerical errors are controlled by the application of an adaptive backscatter limiter. The present work summarizes the initial evaluation of the Inertial LES approach in the context of the round turbulent jet, including examinations of jet self-similarity and the scale-to-scale distribution of kinetic and scalar energy in the jet far field. These inquiries confirm that the Inertial LES method accurately recovers the large scale structure of this complex turbulent shear flow.
Effects of duty cycle on the characteristics of a composite surface-emitting organic distributed feedback laser

Based on the coupled-wave theory, we model the periodic structure and analyze the influence on composite surface-emitting organic distributed feedback (DFB) lasers. Second-order DFB gratings with duty cycles of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 patterned by electron-beam lithography were fabricated. The composite active layer consisted of 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-tert-butyl-6-(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidin-4-yl-vinyl)-4H-pyran (DCJTB) and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) spin-cast on a textured surface. Excited with 532 nm laser pulses, different lasing characteristics and threshold pumping fluences are exhibited. These are explained by the discrepancy in the coupling coefficients and the threshold gains calculated from the proposed model.
What is the spatial unit for a wintering teal Anas crecca? Weekly day roost fidelity inferred from nasal saddles in the Camargue, southern France

Abstract Dabbling ducks generally use distinct day roost and nocturnal habitats, the set of which constitute their ‘functional unit’. The rate at which these birds may switch between day roosts has never been quantified. Using resightings of nasal-saddled birds and capture-recapture modelling in the Camargue, southern France, we estimated the weekly probability that a teal Anas crecca switches from one day roost to another one nearby (transition probabilities). We also estimated the probability that a teal survives and remains in our study area, consisting of four neighbouring roosts (apparent survival). Birds were highly faithful to one specific water body if they remained in our study area (i.e. weekly rate of switching between roosts was only about 2-6%), but the probability that an individual remained within one of the four roosts from one week to the next (local weekly apparent survival rate) was only 60-70%. Intensive search efforts led to a 60% detection probability. Low local apparent survival coupled with very high site fidelity within the system suggests that two distinct strategies may coexist, i.e. frequent movement between distant winter quarters vs very high fidelity to the very same local wetland. Such strategies may be used successively by the same individuals, or may alternatively represent distinct bird categories (i.e. transients vs residents). In any case, these different strategies suggest that habitat management procedures need to be considered at both local and flyway scales simultaneously. The former may ensure that sites repeatedly used by the same individuals can provide adequate conditions to birds when they remain in a given winter quarter, while the latter will ensure transient birds find appropriate sites within the network of distant wetlands they may use as successive wintering quarters during a season.
Contribution of foreign direct investment to poverty reduction: The case of Vietnam in the 1990s

In the current context of increasing globalisation, there exist many arguments against it in that it does not benefit the poor. Globalisation through foreign direct investment (FDI) might do nothing for the poor since foreign investors usually recruit skilled workers who are likely to be non-poor. FDI may outcompete local small enterprises making local workers become poor or the poor workers worse. Nevertheless, whether this presumption is true in every developing country is still open to discussion. The paper aims at analysing impacts of FDI on poverty reduction in Vietnam in the 1990s because following the economic reform in the late 1980s Vietnam achieved high economic growth, rapid poverty reduction, increasing FDI and trade. FDI is also considered an integral component of the economy. Hence to what extent FDI contributes to poverty reduction may be a relevant question to the country that was characterised by widespread poverty in the 1980s. The paper analyses FDI's impact on poverty reduction in Vietnam through direct and indirect impacts. The direct impact of FDI works through employment creation and it is estimated to be negative but insignificant. The indirect impact of FDI works through FDI's effect on economic growth and through FDI's contribution to the local budgets. Regarding FDI's contribution to growth, estimated coefficients are significantly positive based on panel data covering 61 provinces of Vietnam and the 1990-2000 period. Furthermore, FDI interacts positively with local human capital in affecting economic growth. Economic growth is then estimated to exert significantly positive impacts on the magnitude of poverty reduction results. Therefore, FDI has indirectly helped reduce poverty in Vietnam. Regarding FDI's contribution to the local budget, this effect remains insignificant. Globalisation through FDI thus benefits the poor. Policy implications then include policies that help attract FDI continuously, policies that facilitate the implementation of registered foreign investment projects and policies that upgrade the quality of the labour workforce.
Diffuse Reflectance Imaging Differentiates Healing from Non- Healing Wounds in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are the most common of the plethora of complications arising from diabetes. To date, clinicians employ visual inspection of the wound site during its standard 4week healing process via monitoring of surface epithelization. Herein, a hand-held nearinfrared optical scanner (NIROS) has been developed for non-contact imaging of DFUs and differentiating between healing and non-healing ulcers based on differences in blood flow to the wound and its surroundings. Non-contact near-infrared area imaging of DFUs have been carried to obtain diffuse reflectance images of the wound and its surroundings. These images were used to quantify optical contrasts between the wound and its surroundings. The variability in imaging conditions, analysis and operator dependency were assessed to determine the robustness of the imaging approach. All experimental studies were carried out at two podiatric clinics. Seven healing and three non-healing DFUs were imaged using NIROS. Optical contrast of wound: background was estimated from diffuse reflectance images to differentiate healing from non-healing DFUs. Optical contrast was distinctly different for healing (positive contrast) and non-healing (negative contrast) wounds, independent of the varying imaging and data analysis conditions. The application of a portable hand-held imager to assess the healing or nonhealing nature of DFUs during weekly clinical treatment is significant since physiological changes, as observed using NIROS, manifest prior to visual reduction in wound size during the healing process.
Is There a Link between Employer-Provided Health Insurance and Job Mobility? Evidence from Recent Micro Data

This study investigates the prevalence and severity of job immobility induced by the provision of employer-sponsored health insurance – a phenomenon known as 'job-lock'. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth from 1994 to 2010, job-lock is identified by measuring the impact of employer-sponsored health insurance on voluntary job turnover frequency. Estimates from a logistic regression with random effects indicate that job-lock reduces voluntary job turnover by 20% per year. These results that are consistent with past research and are also supported by two alternative identification strategies employed in this paper. Our results indicate a persistence of the job-lock effect, despite two major policy interventions designed to mitigate it (COBRA and HIPAA) and signal a fundamental misunderstanding of its causes. Both policies made health insurance more portable between employers, but this paper presents evidence from a quasi-natural experiment to suggest that the problem is a lack of viable alternative private sources of health insurance. In this model, we find evidence that access to health insurance through one's spouse or partner dramatically increases voluntary job turnover. This finding has significant bearing on predicted impacts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) and the individual health insurance exchanges catalyzed by it; these new markets will create risk pools that may 'unlock' a job-locked individual by providing them a viable alternative to employer-sponsored health insurance.
Beginner Performance with the GKOS Chorded Keyboard

s on Human factors in computing systems , 1288-1291. [Conrad and Longman, 1965] Conrad, R. , and Longman, D. Standard typewriter versus chord keyboard: an experimental comparison. Ergonomics, 8, 1, 1965, 77-88. [EFO, 2010] EFO Bluetooth wireless handheld keybo ard, http://efo.buylowest. com/index.php? main_page=product_info&cPath=7 7&products_id=194. (Checked on June, 20 , 2010) [Evreinova et al., 2004] Evreinova, T. , Evreinov, G . , and Raisamo, R. Four-key text entry for physically challenged people. In: Adjunct Proceedings of the 8th ERCIM Workshop on User Interfaces for All (UI4ALL ’04) . [GKOS-1, 2010] GKOS Global Keyboard Open Standard , http://gkos.com/. (Checked on June, 20 , 2010) [GKOS-2, 2010] GKOS – Typing Speed, http://koti.mbn et.fi/gkos/gkoscom/gkostyping-speed.html. (Checked on June, 20 , 2010) [Gong et al., 2008] Gong J., Tarasewich P., and Mac Kenzie, I. S. Improved word list ordering for text entry on ambiguous keypads. In: Proceedings of the 5th Nordic conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Building Bridges, 152-161. [Gopher and Raij, 1988] Gopher, D. , and Raij, D. Ty ping with a two-handed chord keyboard: Will QWERTY Become Obsolete? IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics , 18, 4, 1988, 601-609. [HandyKey, 2010] HandyKey Corporation, http://www.h andykey.com/. (Checked on June, 20, 2010) [Harrison et al., 2010] Harrison, C. , Tan, D. , and Morris, D. Skinput: appropriating the body as an input surface. In: Proceedings of the 28th international Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems , 453-462.
The Interactions Between Precipitation, Vegetation and Dust Emission Over Semi-Arid Mongolia

Abstract. Recently, droughts have become widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, including in Mongolia. The ground surface condition, particularly vegetation coverage affects the occurrence of dust storms. The main sources of dust storms in the Asian region are Taklimakan and Gobi deserts. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the trend of vegetation variation and the effects of precipitation in the Gobi region. In the Gobi region, precipitation is confined to the period from May to September. We compared the patterns of interactions between precipitation and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for a period of 29 years. The precipitation and vegetation datasets were examined to investigate the trends between 1985–2013. Cross correlation analysis between the precipitation and the NDVI anomalies was performed. Data analysis showed a decreasing trend in precipitation amount and its spatial shift from the east to west part of the region investigated. The vegetation in the area with the lowest precipitation was more sensitive to the precipitation dynamics than those parts with relatively higher values. The most degraded area was the southwest region of Gobi with the least precipitation.
Analysis of the Relationship between Changes in Meteorological Conditions and the Variation in Summer Ozone Levels over the Central Kanto Area

An increasing trend in ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations has recently been recognized in Japan, although concentrations of ozone precursors, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) have decreased. In this paper, the relationship between meteorological factors (temperature and wind speed) and ground-level ozone concentrations in the summer over the central Kanto area of Japan was examined using both statistical analyses and numerical models. The Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State Mesoscale Model (MM5) and the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model were employed in this study. It was found that there is a close relationship between meteorological conditions and ground-level ozone concentrations over the central Kanto area. In summer, up to 84% of the long-term variation in peak ozone concentrations may be accounted for by changes in the seasonally averaged daily maximum temperature and seasonally averaged wind speed, while about 70% of the recent short-term variation in peak ozone depends on the daily maximum temperature and the daily averaged wind speed. The results of numerical simulations also indicate that urban heat island (UHI) phenomena can play an important role in the formation of high ozone concentrations in this area.
An Electronically Reconfigurable Patch Antenna Design for Polarization Diversity with Fixed Resonant Frequency

In this paper, an electronically polarization re-configurable circular patch antenna, with fixed resonantfrequency and operating at Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN) frequency band (2.4–2.48 GHz,) is presented. Thestructure of the proposed design consists of a circularpatch as a radiating element fed by a coaxial probe, coop-erated with four equal-length slits etched on the edge alongthe x-axis and y-axis. A total of four switches were usedand embedded across the slits at specific locations, thuscontrolling the length of the slits. By activating and deacti-vating the switches (ON and OFF) across the slits, the cur-rent on the patch is changed, thus modifying the electricfield and polarization of the antenna. Consequently, thepolarization excited by the proposed antenna can beswitched into three types; linear polarization, left-handcircular polarization or right-hand circular polarization.This paper proposes a simple approach that enablesswitching the polarizations and excites at the same oper-ating frequency. Simulated and measured results of theideal case (using copper strip switches) and the real case(using PIN diode switches) are compared and presented todemonstrate the performance of the antenna.