Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lidar observation of long-term trends and variations of stratospheric ozone and temperature over Tsukuba, Japan

Differential absorption lidar (DIAL) at the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba (36°N, 140°E), Japan has been making routine observations for almost 20 years. Since 1988, more than 600 vertical profiles of stratospheric ozone and temperature have been obtained. We compared the lidar data with satellite data from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE II) and assimilation data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The lidar and SAGE II ozone profiles agreed within 5% in altitude range from 18 km to 40 km and within 10% up to 45 km. The lidar and NCEP temperatures agreed within 7 K in the 35- to 50-km range. Ozone levels were highest in spring at altitudes below 20 km. Above 30 km, the ozone maximum occurred during summer. The annual cycle of temperature is observed with a spring maximum for all altitudes in the 35- to 50-km range. Ozone variations caused by the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and the 11-year solar cycle are discussed. The ozone trends after subtraction of the QBO and solar effects for the altitude range from 30 to 40 km are –6.0 ± 0.5%/decade for the period from 1988 to 1997 and statistically insignificant after 1998.
A stochastic model of sea-surface roughness. II

A two-scale model of a wind-ruffled surface is developed which includes (1) modulation of the short waves by orbital straining in the long waves, (2) dissipation of short-wave energy by breaking, and (3) regeneration of the short-wave energy by the wind. For simplicity the long waves are at first assumed to be uniform. It is shown that the character of the surface is governed by the parameter Ω = (β/σγKA), where β is the proportional rate of short-wave growth due to the wind, σ, K and A are the long-wave frequency wavenumber and amplitude, and γ = 2.08. When Ω < 1 the short waves break over only part of the long-wave surface. When Ω ≽ 1 they break everywhere. The mean-square steepness s2¯ of the short waves is an increasing function of β/σ, but a decreasing function of the long-wave steepness AK. The phase angle between s2¯ and the long-wave elevation η is an increasing function of Ω. The correlation between s2¯ and η is largest when Ω≪1, but tends to 0 as Ω → 1. The simple model is extended to the case when the long-wave amplitude A has a Rayleigh probability density. To take account of the ‘sheltering ’ effect of high waves we compute the case when any two successive waves have a bivariate Rayleigh density. The application of the model to laboratory and field data is discussed.
Soil Moisture Analyses at ECMWF: Evaluation Using Global Ground-Based In Situ Observations

AbstractIn situ soil moisture from 117 stations across the world and under different biome and climate conditions are used to evaluate two soil moisture products from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)—namely, the operational analysis and the interim reanalysis [ECMWF Re-Analysis Interim (ERA-Interim)]. ECMWF’s operational Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) is based on a continuous effort to improve the analysis and modeling systems, resulting in frequent updates (a few times a year). The ERA-Interim reanalysis is produced by a fixed IFS version (for the main component of the atmospheric model and data assimilation). It has the advantage of being consistent over the whole period from 1979 onward and by design, reanalysis products are more suitable than their operational counterparts for use in climate studies. Although the two analyses show good skills in capturing surface soil moisture variability, they tend to overestimate soil moisture, particularly for dry land. Over the 2.
The rectification of wind-driven flow due to its instabilities

Within a quasi-geostrophic two-layer model of the wind-driven ocean circulation, an idealized symmetric double gyre flow is considered. When lateral friction is large enough, this flow is steady and characterized by a motionless lower layer. As friction is decreased, the flow undergoes a transition to time-dependence through a Hopf bifurcation, associated with a mixed barotropic/baroclinic instability. It is shown that the nonlinear self-interaction of this oscillatory unstable mode induces a nonzero time mean response in the lower layer. The origin of this deep flow is clarified through a weakly nonlinear analysis near critical conditions. It is explained how the perturbation is associated with both fluxes of anomalous layer thickness and Reynolds' stresses, due to vertical and horizontal phase lags, respectively. Furthermore, it is explained how the patterns of vorticity input, integrated over a cycle of the perturbation, induce a forcing of the second layer. Results deduced from computed trajectories at supercritical conditions support the conclusions from the weakly nonlinear analysis. This time-dependent view of the origin of the deep circulation is complementary to the classical (steady) picture based on the closure of geostrophic contours and forcing by interfacial friction, and may help to interpret results of eddy-resolving numerical models.
Intolerance of uncertainty as a transdiagnostic mechanism of psychological difficulties: A systematic review of evidence pertaining to causality and temporal precedence

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is proposed to be a transdiagnostic causal mechanism of psychological difficulties. The systematic review sought to evaluate the status of evidence pertaining to IU’s proposed causal influence upon symptoms of psychological conditions. The review collated evidence from studies involving experimental manipulation and assessment of temporal precedence to ensure direct assessment of causality. The search strategy and eligibility screening identified 12 articles, detailing 15 eligible studies (experimental manipulations: n = 10; temporal precedence studies: n = 5). Available evidence comprised symptoms of anxiety- and mood-related conditions, including obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The greatest support for IU as a causal mechanism was evident for anxiety-related difficulties and, to a lesser extent, negative affect; limited support was found for OCD-related difficulties. However, notable inconsistency across study findings for all difficulty types precludes absolute conclusions. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
Vegetation survey methodology in arable weeds is reported with less detail from vegetation science than weed science

Aims: Understand and illustrate differences and common methods in surveys of arable weed vegetation from the two scientific disciplines Vegetation science and Weed science ; analyse the relationship between study aims and the employed methodology; assess in how much detail methodologies are reported and whether this changed over time. Study area: Europe. Methods: Literature review, classification of studies according to their reported aims and according to the journal scope. Results: Survey methods were reported in greater detail in studies aiming to describe management effects on weed vegetation compared to phytosociological studies. Methods employed in vegetation science and weed science differ in plot sizes, surveyed field parts and the seasonal timing of the survey. Conclusions: We recommend for future weed surveys to record and report on plot size and position relative to field limits, recording date, abundance scale, as well as the crop grown in a field. This information should also be retained when digitising published data and compiling large databases. A data standard should be developed in an interdisciplinary process.
On the co‐polarized phase difference for oil spill observation

In this study dual‐polarized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements were used to enhance oil spill observation. The co‐polarized phase difference (CPD) was modelled and used to characterize the scattering return from oil spills and biogenic slicks. The model predicts, under low to moderate wind conditions, a larger CPD standard deviation (σ) for oil with respect to the sea, while for biogenic slicks a σ value similar to that for the sea is obtained. Experiments accomplished with multilook complex (MLC) C‐ and L‐band SAR data show that the model predictions are confirmed and that the C‐band is, as expected, to be preferred to the L‐band.
Exploring the Capabilities of Gen- erative Adversarial Networks in Remote Sensing Applications

The field of remote sensing uses imagery captured from satellites, aircrafts, and UAVs in order to observe and analyze the Earth. Many remote sensing applications that are used today employ deep learning models that require large amounts of data or specific types of data. The lack of data can hinder model performance. A generative adversarial network (GAN) is a deep learning model that can generate synthetic data and can be used as a method for data augmentation to increase performance of data reliant deep learning models. GANs are also capable of image-to-image translation such as transforming a satellite image containing cloud coverage into one without clouds. These possibilities have led to many new and exciting GAN applications. This thesis explores ways generative adversarial networks (GANs) can be applied in a variety of remote sensing applications. To evaluate this, four experiments using GANs are implemented. The tasks are: generating synthetic aerial forestry imagery, translating a satellite segmentation mask into a real satellite image, removal of thin cloud cover from a satellite image, and super resolution to increase the resolution of a satellite image. In all experiments the tasks were deemed successful and prove the potential for further use of GANs in the field of remote sensing.
Validating the use of vignettes for subjective threshold scales

Comparing self-assessed indicators of subjective outcomes such as health, work disability, political efficacy, job satisfaction, etc. across countries or socio-economic groups is often hampered by the fact that different groups use systematically different response scales. Anchoring vignettes have been introduced as an effective tool to correct for such differences. This paper develops an integrated framework in which objective measurements are used to validate the vignette based corrections. The framework is applied to vignettes and objective and subjective self-assessments of drinking behavior by students in Ireland. Model comparisons using the Akaike information criterion favor a specification with response consistency and vignette corrected response scales. Put differently, vignette based corrections appear quite effective in bringing objective and subjective measures closer together.
Esquema evolutivo da sedimentacao quaternaria nas feicoes deltaicas dos Rios Sao Francisco (SE/AL), Jequitinhonha (BA), Doce (ES) e Paraiba do Sul (RJ)

Quaternary sea level fluctuations along the east coast of Brazil played an important role on the development of the coastal plains of the Sao Francisco, Jequitinhonha, Doce e Paraiba do Sul rivers. The following eight stages have been recognized representing the Quaternary evolution of these features: Stage 1 - Pliocene - deposition of the Barreiras Formation as a series of alluvial fans; Stage 2 - Pleistocene - the Most Ancient Transgression; erosion during its course of the external front of the Barreiras Formation; Stage 3 - Pleistocene - deposition at the foot of the coastal cliffs, carved in the Barreiras sediments by the Most Ancient Transgression; of coalescing alluvial fans; Stage 4 - 120,000 years B.P. - the Penultimate Transgression partially eroded the Pleistocene alluvial fans; Stage 5 - Drop of sea level, leading to the construction of coastal plains similar those which exist today; Stage 6 - 5,100 years B.P. - the Last Transgression partially eroded and drowned the Pleistocene coastal plains, which became in part isolated from the open sea by barrier islands; Stage 7 - construction of intralagoonal deltas in the lagoon systems associated with the afore mentioned barrier-islands; and Stage 8 - a regression allowed the development of present day coastal plains.
The Environmental Resource Curse Hypothesis: The Forest Case

The resource curse hypothesis relies on the resource-rich countries tendency to grow slower than resource-poor countries. Focusing on forest issues, this paper extends the resource curse hypothesis to environmental degradation: how do forest endowment and forest harvesting affect deforestation? Our empirical results show that countries with important forest cover and forestry sectors seem to deforest more than others, which supports the hypothesis of an environmental resource curse. Moreover, countries implied in important timber certification processes have lower deforestation levels.
Glacial Southern Ocean Expansion Recorded in Foraminifera‐Bound Nitrogen Isotopes From the Agulhas Plateau During the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition

The emergence of 100‐Kyr glacial cycles (The Mid‐Pleistocene Transition [MPT]) is attributed in part to slower global overturning circulation and iron stimulation of biological carbon drawdown in the Southern Ocean. We present foraminifera‐bound nitrogen isotope values and polar planktic foraminifera abundances from the Agulhas Plateau that show that increases in biogenic sediment accumulation coincide with northward migrations of the Subtropical Frontal Zone (STFZ) and elevated foraminifera‐bound nitrogen isotope values during MPT glacial episodes. The nitrogen isotope values of two planktic foraminifera species, Globigerina bulloides and Globorotalia inflata show remarkable coherence amongst the sea surface temperature gradient between the STFZ and SAZ, and polar foraminifera abundances, indicating a strong relationship between nitrogen isotope dynamics above the Agulhas Plateau and migrations of the STFZ. Northward migration of the STFZ may have been essential to prolonging glacial intervals by increasing deep ocean carbon storage via a northward shift of the South Westerly Winds and a reduction in upwelling, delivery of fresher surface waters into the upper limb of global overturning circulation, or inhibiting heat and salt delivery to the Atlantic as Agulhas Leakage.
The Effect of Topical Application of Lavender Lipogel on Sleep Quality and Well-being in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of lavender on the mental health of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Objectives: The present study aims to assess the effect of topical application of lipogel containing lavender essential oil on hemodialysis patients' sleep quality and well-being. Methods: The present randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in a dialysis center in Iran. A total of 120 hemodialysis patients were assigned randomly to three groups (experimental, control, and placebo groups). In the experimental group, the lipogel containing lavender essential oil was applied on the back of the foot from the ankle to the toe. The same amount of lipogel without lavender essential oil was rubbed onto the patient’s feet in the same method in the placebo group. The control group received routine care. Yield Well-being Scale and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were used to assess the sense of well-being and sleep quality, respectively. Results: The statistical test showed no significant difference among the experimental, control, and placebo groups regarding the sense of well-being before (P = 0.421) and after the intervention (P = 0.378). The groups (experimental, control, and placebo) did not differ significantly before the intervention in terms of the total score of sleep quality (P = 0.527), but a significant difference was observed among them after the intervention (P = 0.017). Conclusions: The lipogel containing the lavender essential oil is a cost-effective and easy method that can improve the sleep quality of hemodialysis patients. To confirm the present findings, additional studies are warranted.
Relative Controls of Asian–Pacific Summer Climate by Asian Land and Tropical–North Pacific Sea Surface Temperature

AbstractThe dominant pattern of summertime tropical and North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) is characterized by an out-of-phase relationship between the tropics and the extratropics. This pattern, defined as the tropical–North Pacific mode (TNPM) in this study, is closely correlated with the variability of climate over Asia and the Pacific Ocean. A high TNPM index, with positive (negative) SST anomalies over the extratropics (tropics) of the Pacific, is linked to deep negative anomalies of tropospheric temperature over the extratropical Pacific, with shallow positive anomalies in the lower troposphere, and is also linked to deep positive temperature over Asia. It is also found that these anomalies of tropospheric temperature and SST are significantly related to the Asian–Pacific Oscillation (APO), an extratropical zonal–vertical atmospheric pattern connecting Asia and the Pacific. Indeed, when the variability of APO is removed, the above-described climate anomalies weaken significantly. Although t.
Extracting Salient Named Entities from Financial News Articles

This thesis explores approaches for extracting company mentions from financial news articles that carry a central role in the news. The thesis introduces the task of salient named entity extraction (SNEE): extract all salient named entity mentions in a text document. Moreover, a neural sequence labeling approach is explored to address the SNEE task in an end-to-end fashion, both using a single-task and a multi-task learning setup. In order to train the models, a new procedure for automatically creating SNEE annotations for an existing news article corpus is explored. The neural sequence labeling approaches are compared against a two-stage approach utilizing NLP parsers, a knowledge base and a salience classifier. Textual features inspired from related work in salient entity detection are evaluated to determine what combination of features result in the highest performance on the SNEE task when used by a salience classifier. The experiments show that the difference in performance between the two-stage approach and the best performing sequence labeling approach is marginal, demonstrating the potential of the end-to-end sequence labeling approach on the SNEE task.
A global map of uncertainties in satellite‐based precipitation measurements

A global map of measurement uncertainties in satellite‐based precipitation estimates has been produced by computing the variance from an ensemble of six different TRMM‐era data sets at daily, 0.25° resolution. This analysis yields a lower‐bound estimate of the uncertainties, and a consistent global view of the error characteristics and their regional and seasonal variations, and reveals many undocumented error features over areas with no validation data available. The uncertainties are relatively small (40–60%) over the oceans, especially in the tropics, and over southern South America. There are large uncertainties (100–140%) over high latitudes (poleward of 40° latitude), especially during the cold season. High relative uncertainties are also evident through the seasons over complex terrain areas, including the Tibetan Plateau, the Rockies and the Andes. Coastlines and water bodies also indicate high measurement uncertainty. The estimated global uncertainties also exhibit systematic seasonal, regional as well as rain‐rate dependencies, with lowest uncertainties over tropical oceanic regions with strong, convective precipitation, and highest ones over wintery, complex land surfaces with light precipitation.
Sora: A Latency Sensitive Approach for Microservice Soft Resource Adaptation

Fast response time for modern web services that include numerous distributed and lightweight microservices becomes increasingly important due to its business impact. While hardware-only resource scaling approaches (e.g., FIRM [47] and PARSLO [40]) have been proposed to mitigate response time fluctuations on critical microservices, the re-adaptation of soft resources (e.g., threads or connections) that control the concurrency of hardware resource usage has been largely ignored. This paper shows that the soft resource adaptation of critical microservices has a significant impact on system scalability because either under- or over-allocation of soft resources can lead to inefficient usage of underlying hardware resources. We present Sora, an intelligent, fast soft resource adaptation management framework for quickly identifying and adjusting the optimal concurrency level of critical microservices to mitigate service-level objective (SLO) violations. Sora leverages online fine-grained system metrics and the propagated deadline along the critical path of request execution to quickly and accurately provide optimal concurrency setting for critical microservices. Based on six real-world bursty workload traces and two representative microservices benchmarks (Sock Shop and Social Network), our experimental results show that Sora can effectively mitigate large response time fluctuations and reduce the 99th percentile latency by up to 2.5× compared to the hardware-only scaling strategy FIRM [47] and 1.5× to the state-of-the-art concurrency-aware system scaling strategy ConScale.
Extracellular histones, a new class of inhibitory molecules of CNS axonal regeneration

Abstract Axonal regeneration in the mature CNS is limited by extracellular inhibitory factors. Triple knockout mice lacking the major myelin-associated inhibitors do not display spontaneous regeneration after injury, indicating the presence of other inhibitors. Searching for such inhibitors, we have detected elevated levels of histone H3 in human CSF 24 h after spinal cord injury. Following dorsal column lesions in mice and optic nerve crushes in rats, elevated levels of extracellular histone H3 were detected at the injury site. Similar to myelin-associated inhibitors, these extracellular histones induced growth cone collapse and inhibited neurite outgrowth. Histones mediate inhibition through the transcription factor Y-box-binding protein 1 and Toll-like receptor 2, and these effects are independent of the Nogo receptor. Histone-mediated inhibition can be reversed by the addition of activated protein C in vitro, and activated protein C treatment promotes axonal regeneration in the crushed optic nerve in vivo. These findings identify extracellular histones as a new class of nerve regeneration-inhibiting molecules within the injured CNS.