Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global error maps of aerosol optical properties: an error propagation analysis

Abstract. Among the numerous atmospheric constituents, aerosols play a unique role on climate, due to their scattering and absorbing capabilities, visibility degradation and their effect on incoming and outgoing radiation. The most important optical properties are the aerosol optical depth (AOD), the asymmetry parameter ( g ) and the single scattering albedo (SSA). Uncertainties in aerosol microphysics in global models, which in turn affect their optical properties, propagate to uncertainties on the effect of aerosols on climate. This study aims to estimate the uncertainty of AOD, g and SSA attributable to the aerosol representation in models, namely mixing state, aerosol size and aerosol associated water. As a reference, the monthly mean output of the general circulation model LMDz-INCA from the international comparison exercise AEROCOM B was used. For the optical properties calculations, aerosols were considered either externally mixed, homogeneously internally mixed or coated spheres. The radius was allowed to vary by ±20% (with 2% intervals) and the aerosol water content by ±50% (with 5% intervals) with respect to the reference model output. All of these possible combinations were assumed to be equally likely and the optical properties were calculated for each one of them. A probability density function (PDF) was constructed at each model grid point for AOD, g and SSA. From this PDF, the 1σ and 2σ uncertainties of the AOD, g and SSA were calculated and are available as global maps for each month. For the range of the cases studied, we derive a maximum 2σ uncertainty range in AOD of 70%, while for g and SSA the maxima reach 18% and 28% respectively. The mixing state was calculated to be important, with the aerosol absorption and SSA being the most affected properties when absorbing aerosols are present.
WORK STRAIN, ABSENCE, AND INTENTION OF QUITTING JOB - FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF OCCUPATIONAL DIFFERENCE

This research investigated how occupations influenced on stress and behaviors at work using questionnaire surveys (N = 613). Four heterogeneous occupations were recruited, including high school teachers, shop clerks, factory employees and civil servants. Civil servants reported more sources of pressures, shop clerks reported higher levels of work strain, factory employees reported lower occurrence of absence behavior, and high school teachers reported lower intention of quitting job and higher working morale. The differences in stress and work behaviors across four occupations were due to two major factors. First, occupational differences, i.e., uniqueness and culture within the occupation. Second, individual demographics, i.e., marital status, education, job tenure, position rank and age. These individual demographics also offered account of differences in absence behavior, intention of quitting job and low working morale across four occupations. Implications of the findings and suggestion for future research are discussed. Keywords: occupation, stress and work behavior
HR diagram and asteroseismic analysis of models for β Hydri

A detailed review of the models for the star β Hydri is done by adjusting the evolutionary sequences to the most recent bolometric, spectroscopic and astrometric data. The dependence of the solution on some of the relevant modelling parameters is analysed and the degeneracy of the solution using the HR diagram analysis discussed. Recent ground-based observations, and the forthcoming asteroseismic missions, can provide detailed oscillation spectra for this star. The seismic data can be used as a complementary constraint on the models. We analyse the seismic properties of the star and discuss the viability of using such complementary tests in order to clarify some of the degeneracy of the model solutions. Preliminary results on the fundamental parameters of β Hydri are presented and the expected seismic behaviour of the star is described.
The development of a Xhosa translation of the Beck Depression Inventory-II

A review of the literature shows the Beck-Depression Inventory (BOl), and its revisions, to have received world-wide support over the past four decades as a screening instrument for depression, proving to be robust amongst various populations and in various translations. Although popular amongst health care practitioners in South Africa, the BOl and its revisions are, however, currently unstandardised amongst South African populations. This current research culminates in the development of a Xhosa translation of the latest revision of the BOl, the BOl-II that accurately reflects the contents of the BOlli, the BOl-Il-X. It is regarded as linguistically and grammatically robust enough to be easily understood by a broad spectrum of Xhosa respondents. The development of the BDI-II-X is discussed, and suggestions regarding future research are given. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
The Functional Abilities and Maximal Vertical Jumping Height in Coper and Non-coper Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Knee

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of the vertical jump task and the level of disability between the coper and non-coper athletes with an anterior cruciate ligament-minus knee. Methods: Thirty-four professional male athletes with isolated complete anterior cruciate ligament -tear (age 20-29 years and 6-12 months time past injury) were recruited in this study. The subjects were allocated into the coper (n=17) and non-coper (n=17) groups according to their history of having giving way and feeling an instability in their injured knee. The maximum vertical jump height was recorded by a 6-camera Vicon motion analysis system. The functional outcomes of the subjects were assessed with use of the Persian versions of the International Knee Documentation Committee, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Tegner Questionnaires. Results: The results revealed that the coper ACK-deficient knee subjects had a significantly higher International Knee Documentation Committee score as well as two subscales of the KOOS questionnaire including the sports (p=0.001) and the quality of life (p=0.016) than non-copers. However, the subscales of pain (p=0.0137), symptoms (p=0.353) and the activities of daily living (p=0.133) of the KOOS questionnaire did not show any significant differences between the coper and non-coper ACL-deficient knee subjects. In addition, the maximum jumping height was significantly higher in the copers too (p=0.008). Discussion: While the pain, symptoms and daily activities were not different between the two groups, a higher level of the functional abilities, sports activities, quality of life and the maximum jumping height were shown in the coper ACL-deficient knee subjects when compared to the non-copers. A deliberate evaluation of the functional abilities in ACL-deficient knee subjects might play a key role in distinguishing the coper and non-coper ACL-deficient knee subjects.
Blockchains and the Boundaries of Self-Organized Economies: Predictions for the Future of Banking

This chapter uses economic theory to explore the implications of blockchain technology on the future of banking. We apply an economic analysis of blockchains based on both new institutional economics and public choice economics. Our main focus is on the economics of why banks exist as organizations (rather than a world in which all financial transactions occurring in markets), and how banks are then impacted by technological change that affects transaction costs. Our core argument is that blockchains are more than just a new technology to be applied by banks, but rather compete with banks as organizations, enabling banking transactions to shift out of centralized hierarchical organizations and back into decentralized markets. Blockchains are a new institutional technology—because of how they affect transaction costs in financial markets—that will fundamentally re-order the governance of the production of banking services. We then explore this implication through broader political economy lens in which banking moves out of organizations and deeper into markets. We examine this as a form of institutional economic evolution in which the boundary of catallaxy—i.e., a self-organized economy—is enlarged, at the margin of the banking sector. Such institutional competition enables evolutionary discovery in the institutions of banking.
In Vitro Screening of Soybean Genotypes under Salinity Stress

Salinity is one of the most limiting factors for successful crop production in in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Thirty eight soybean genotypes were screened at 8mMNaCl under in vitro condition. Salinity reduced Shoot dry weight, Root dry weight and Plant height. Salt susceptibility index was fully and positive correlated with percent reduction of total dry weight. Principal component analysis showed that the first two components were extracted that comprises of about 98.6% of the total variation in the genotypes. Based on the K-means clustering, 8, 6, 12 and 12 genotypes were categorized under cluster II, IV, III and I and considered as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible and susceptible which represents the 21, 16, 31.5 and 31.5%, respectively. Genotypes Shohag, AGS 313, PK 416, AGS 66, MACS 57, AGS 195, GC 308, AGS 129 were found relatively tolerant to salinity. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(2): 207-212
FIRST, a fibered aperture masking instrument II. Spectroscopy of the Capella binary system at the diffraction limit

Aims. FIRST is a prototype instrument built to demonstrate the capabilities of the pupil remapping technique, using single-mode fibers and working at visible wavelengths. Our immediate objective is to demonstrate the high angular resolution capability of the instrument and to show that the spectral resolution of the instrument enables characterization of stellar companions. Methods. The FIRST-18 instrument is an improved version of FIRST-9 that simultaneously recombines two sets of nine fibers instead of one, thus greatly enhancing the ( u , v ) plane coverage. We report on observations of the binary system Capella at three epochs over a period of 14 months (≳4 orbital periods) with FIRST-18 mounted on the 3 m Shane telescope at Lick Observatory. The binary separation during our observations ranges from 0.8 to 1.2 times the diffraction limit of the telescope at the central wavelength of the spectral band. Results. We successfully resolved the Capella binary system at all epochs, with an astrometric precision as good as 1 mas under the best observing conditions. FIRST also gives access to the spectral flux ratio between the two components directly measured with an unprecedented spectral resolution of R ~ 300 over the 600−850 nm range. In particular, our data allow detection of the well-known overall slope of the flux ratio spectrum, leading to an estimation of the “pivot” wavelength of 0.64 ± 0.01 μ m, at which the cooler component becomes the brightest. Spectral features arising from the difference in effective temperature of the two components (specifically the H α line, TiO, and CN bands) have been used to constrain the stellar parameters. The effective temperatures we derive for both components are slightly lower (5−7%) than the well-established properties for this system. This difference mainly comes from deeper molecular features than those predicted by state-of-the-art stellar atmospheric models, suggesting that molecular line lists used in the photospheric models are incomplete and/or oscillator strengths are underestimated, most likely concerning the CN molecule. Conclusions. These results demonstrate the power of FIRST, which is a fibered pupil remapping-based instrument, in terms of high angular resolution and show that the direct measurement of the spectral flux ratio provides valuable information to characterize little known companions.
Research on Serialization Storage Strategy Based on Spark Cluster

Spark is a kind of big data processing platform based on memory computing. The Spark default serialization strategy has low utilization of cache which has greatly influenced the efficiency of Spark task execution. For solving this problem of low computational efficiency caused by insufficient memory, this paper proposes an optimized serialized storage strategy, which combining with the running cot of RDD, RDD execution time and count of Action. Experimental results show that the proposed strategy can improve the computational efficiency under the limited task resources.
Asymptotic Theory for Cross-validated Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation

We consider a targeted maximum likelihood estimator of a path-wise differentiable parameter of the data generating distribution in a semi-parametric model based on observing n independent and identically distributed observations. The targeted maximum likelihood estimator (TMLE) uses V-fold sample splitting for the initial estimator in order to make the TMLE maximally robust in its bias reduction step. We prove a general theorem that states asymptotic efficiency (and thereby regularity) of the targeted maximum likelihood estimator when the initial estimator is consistent and a second order term converges to zero in probability at a rate faster than the square root of the sample size, but no other meaningful conditions are needed. In particular, the conditions of this theorem allow the full utilization of loss based super learning to obtain the initial estimator. In particular, the theorem proves that first order efficient and unbiased estimation is enhanced in an important way by using adaptive estimators such as an super learner, thereby formally dealing with the concern that adaptive estimation might make it harder to construct valid confidence intervals. On the contrary, the theorem teaches us that to achieve first order efficiency and regularity, it is crucial to estimate the relevant parts of the true data generating distribution as good as possible. The theorem is applied to prove asymptotic efficiency of the targeted maximum likelihood estimator of the additive causal effect of a binary treatment on an outcome in a randomized controlled trial and in an observational study. Excellent finite sample performance of this estimator has been demonstrated in past articles (e.g.van der Laan et al. (September, 2009), Gruber and van der Laan (2010), Stitelman and van der Laan (2010), Petersen et al. (2010).
Real Interest Rate Linkages in the GCC Countries

Linkages among real interest rates in the Gulf Cooperation Council coun - tries and the US are investigated using a variety of time series tests. These tests provide an evidence of strong linkages among real interest rates within the GCC countries and between the GCC rates and the US real interest rate in the long run, but they provide weaker evidence for linkages in the short-run. More - over, the US does not seem to have a dominant financial role in the GCC mar - kets and that the GCC countries seem to have more integrated markets within the region than with the USA.
Interactive comment on “A minimal model for reconstructing interannual mass balance variability of glaciers in the European Alps” by B. Marzeion et al

Marzeion et al. (2011) presents a unique method for reconstructing mass balance and assessing its variability in the Alps. This method has promise and is worth both publication and further examination. At present the paper requires several points of clarification, and a more detailed verification on Hintereisferner in order for the reader to be able to assess the potential with confidence. I do not disagree with the particular model choices or the methods of validation. I simply need a better explanation of choices and presentation of validation on Hintereisferner and in production of a reasonable balance gradient. The detailed discussion of the model to the entire Alps is
Board Members to predict the potential impact of scientific journals

There is an urgent need for reliable and valid ways to judge the quality of journals in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, and this is particularly relevant for open access journals. Although a majority of the scientific and scholarly communities has expressed its preference for open access forms of scientific publication in surveys, most researchers do not publish their work in open access journals (Dallmeier-Tiessen et al., 2011). Apart from the problem of developing the best business models of funding open access publications, the lack of reliable indicators of quality of these journals can be seen as an important barrier for these journals. Many open access journals are relatively new. Therefore, they do not yet have a visible impact on the scientific community based on their already published papers. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine which of the newly available open access journals are of sufficiently high quality to be worthy of their publications.
The Modulation of Nonlinear Circulation to the Biological Productivity in the Summer Vietnam Upwelling System

Biological productivity in the summer Vietnam boundary upwelling system in the western South China Sea, as in many coastal upwelling systems, is strongly modulated by wind. However, the role of ocean circulation 15 and mesoscale eddies has not been elucidated. Here we show a close spatiotemporal covariability between primary production and kinetic energy. High productivity is associated with high kinetic energy, which accounts for ~15% of the production variability. Results from a physical-biological coupled model reveal that the elevated kinetic energy is linked to the strength of the current separation from the coast. The separated current forms an eastward jet into the interior South China Sea, and the associated southern recirculation traps nutrient and favors productivity. When 20 separation is absent, the model shows weakened circulation and eddy activity, with ~21% less nitrate inventory and ~16% weaker primary productivity.
The Responses of Forest Fine Root Biomass/Necromass Ratio to Environmental Factors Depend on Mycorrhizal Type and Latitudinal Region

Fine root (≤2 mm in diameter) biomass/necromass (B/N) ratio, representing many dynamic key root parameters, can serve as a powerful measure of root vitality. Based on a global synthesis of fine root biomass and necromass in forest ecosystems, we describe a framework for recognizing responses of B/N ratio to biotic (e.g., mycorrhizal type) and abiotic (e.g., latitudinal region) characteristics. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and ectomycorrhiza (ECM) forests had similar average B/N ratios (3.28 versus 3.23). AM forest B/N ratio decreased with increasing altitude, stand density, tree age, and soil carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) but increased with soil pH. In contrast, ECM forest B/N ratio increased with increasing mean annual precipitation (MAP), altitude, and stand density but decreased with tree age. The average B/N ratio was higher in temperate forests (4.39) than in tropical (2.97) and boreal forests (2.40). The B/N ratio was relatively stable in temperate forests irrespective of changes in biotic and abiotic factors. In tropical forest, the B/N ratio was sensitive to mean annual temperature, altitude, soil C/N ratio, and pH, whereas in boreal forests, it was more sensitive to MAP, stand density, and tree age. The late‐successional forest B/N ratio was closely aligned with biotic and abiotic factors. Our analysis revealed that the relationships of B/N ratio with climate, topography, edaphic, and stand characteristics were dependent on mycorrhizal types and latitudinal regions. These findings provide a basis for large‐scale prediction of fine root dynamics and for better understanding of belowground processes of global forest ecosystems in a changing world.
Urban Multisensory Laboratory, AN Approach to Model Urban Space Human Perception

Abstract. An urban sensory lab (USL or LUS an acronym in Spanish) is a new and avant-garde approach for studying and analyzing a city. The construction of this approach allows the development of new methodologies to identify the emotional response of public space users. The laboratory combines qualitative analysis proposed by urbanists and quantitative measures managed by data analysis applications. USL is a new approach to go beyond the borders of urban knowledge. The design thinking strategy allows us to implement methods to understand the results provided by our technique. In this first approach, the interpretation is made by hand. However, our goal is to combine design thinking and machine learning in order to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data automatically. Now, the results are being used by students from the Urbanism and Architecture courses in order to get a better understanding of public spaces in Puebla, Mexico and its interaction with people.
Selfish long-term benefits of hoarding in the Siberian jay

We followed the consumption of cached food in Siberian jay flocks during winter. Siberian jay flocks contain kin associations composed of parents in company with mature offspring. Further, flocks often contain immigrants not closely related to the group members. We studied the extent to which Siberian jay offspring kept caches to themselves or whether they showed a kin bias and shared cached food mutualistically with relatives (parents/siblings) thus making an inclusive fitness gain. We recorded the retrieval of cached food using radio-ptilochronology, a technique that detects the consumption of a radioactively labeled food item in the growth bar laid down in a growing feather the day of consumption. Food caching entailed a selfish benefit to the hoarder. The hoarding bird showed a substantial "recovery advantage" and retrieved its own cached food seven times as often as any of its flock mates. There was no evidence for mutualistic sharing of caches among relatives. This selfish benefit persisted throughout the 7-week period for which we could follow the consumption of labeled food.
Interactive comment on “ Development of an aerosol chemical transport model RAQM 2 and predictions of Northeast Asian aerosol mass , size , chemistry , and mixing type ” by M . Kajino

This paper presents a new version of the RAQM model. The previous model has been used to study a variety of regional air quality problems in East Asia. This new version has a much improved aerosol module, with a very nice capability to track different mixtures of aerosols. This implementation tracks 4 mixtures – aitken; accumulation; soot aggregates; and coarse. The model predictions for a full year simulation (2008) is tested/evaluated using various observations from EANET and other sources. The paper nicely describes the model and presents the evaluation of composition, mass and size (PM1;PM2.5;PM10). These results shows that the model has skill similar to other contemporary models and this is the sort of information one needs to present and publish when introducing a new model (version).
AN ANALYSIS OF NONIGNORABLE NONRESPONSE IN A SURVEY WITH A ROTATING PANEL DESIGN

Missing values to income questions are common in survey data. When the probabilities of nonresponse are assumed to depend on the observed information and not on the underlining unobserved amounts, the missing income values are missing at random (MAR), and methods such as sequential multiple imputation can be applied. However, the MAR assumption is often considered questionable in this context, since missingness of income is thought to be related to the value of income itself, after conditioning on available covariates. In this article we describe a sensitivity analysis based on a pattern-mixture model for deviations from MAR, in the context of missing income values in a rotating panel survey. The sensitivity analysis avoids the well-known problems of underidentification of parameters of non-MAR models, is easy to carry out using existing sequential multiple imputation software and has a number of novel features.