Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observations of ice surface temperature and thickness in the Baltic Sea

This paper presents the results of an airborne thermal infrared (TIR) experiment. The data were obtained during 6–9 February 1992 period in the Bay of Bothnia, the northern section of the Baltic Sea, in connection with an ERS‐1 field campaign. Two Aegema model 880 TIR cameras were used with nominal wavelengths at 5 and 10 µm, attached to the front of the helicopter with a Tyler mount. The camera's thermal resolution is 0.2 K; after corrections for atmosphere effects, the surface temperature accuracy is 0.5 K. The spatial resolution of individual images is 70 cm at the 300‐m flight altitude. The measurement programme was successful, producing high‐quality TIR data over ice for two different days, even under difficult weather conditions. Ice temperatures ranged from open water temperatures to 261 K for fast ice conditions on the day on the first flight. The standard deviation of the surface temperature, generally, increased with ice thickness with a value of ∼0.4 K for maximum thickness, and autocorrelation length scales not exceeding a value of 5 m. Generally, all the higher values of standard deviation (>0.7) of surface temperatures were for scenes with mixed ice/open water. The results show that TIR has a substantial ability to classify ice type and thickness when the air temperature is less than 269 K, from open water at the freezing point to thin nilas and thicknesses up to 20–45 cm in the fast ice zone. In addition, a quasi‐steady sea‐ice model is used to provide a physical interpretation of the sea‐ice surface temperatures. The use of the model requires information on the atmospheric surface layer and snow thickness data, together with calibration points. The model worked well when the air temperature was around 260 K or less.
Scales and dimensions of momentum dissipation during preferential flow in soils

Momentum dissipation may dominate flow in soils over a considerable distance when input rate and antecedent soil moisture are high enough and when adequate soil structures are present. The concept is derived from momentum balance. It is applied to drainage flow from a column of undisturbed soil and a weighing lysimeter and to water content variations at five depths due to sprinkling. Momentum of input is much lower than momentum during flow in the soil; however, the former is considered important in triggering momentum dissipation within the profile. Drainage flow at a depth of 2.2 m shows flow completely dominated by momentum dissipation, whereas momentum of flow within the soil profile increases with depth, indicating acceleration over a vertical distance from 0.15 to 0.55 m. The Reynolds numbers show laminar flow in all cases.
A review of the industrial use and global sustainability of Cannabis sativa

The Cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.), also known as hemp, is a sustainable and multipurpose plant that may be used for a wide range of purposes, from the fiber in its stalks to the food in its seeds to the oil in its flowers and seeds. Since the Cannabis plant has been recognized to be an outstanding carbon trap and environmentally friendly biofuel that supports all three aspects of sustainability—the economy, the environment, and society—it may provide a solution to the climate change dilemma. The cultivation of the Cannabis plant has been practiced as a dietary staple in numerous places across the globe for an extended period. However, its production has been prohibited in several countries mostly owing to its relationship with illicit drug consumption. The illegality of the plant has impeded research efforts for an extended period of time on a global scale. As a result, people's ability to assess the whole range of beneficial effects and dangers shrank. However, the global trend toward Cannabis legalization and decriminalization has accelerated in recent years. This has stimulated more investigation into the botanical, ecological, and practical aspects of the plant. This study reviewed the available literature to understand more about the Cannabis plant's global sustainability. The results demonstrated the potential of Cannabis plants to affect product sustainability and the use of hemp as a renewable raw material. Furthermore, this review outlines the connections between the Cannabis plant and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. This research fills a gap in our understanding of the Cannabis plant's sustainability as a highly promising multi-purpose crop for the future.
Foreign Trade of the State of Acre, Brazil, Between 2019 and 2022: An Analysis of Commercial Interactions

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze import and export operations in the state of Acre between 2019 and 2022, aiming to understand the importance of local foreign trade and its recent advancements. Theoretical framework: The continuous evolution of trade interactions between nations is crucial for economic development, regardless of a country's economic stage, and foreign trade emerges as a fundamental pillar for this growth. However, despite Brazil being one of the largest global economies, its exports still do not reach their full potential, highlighting the importance of studying foreign trade, especially in the context of the state of Acre, due to its strategic location and potential in the Amazon Region. Methodology: This study adopts a descriptive approach and quantitative methodology to meticulously analyze import and export operations in the period from 2019 to 2022, using official data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC), available on the Comex Stat electronic platform. Findings: The analysis recorded a notable increase in exports, mainly to Peru, the United States, and Hong Kong, driven by the growth of exports of wood, nuts, corn, and soybeans, while imports also grew, with China being the main source of imported products. Maritime transport emerged as the predominant mode for both exports and imports, highlighting the importance of the Pacific Highway for the state's commercial transactions. Research, practical & social implications: Future research should investigate how the understanding of the presented data can influence the planning for sustainable economic growth in Acre, as well as its global integration in trade, considering relations with strategically neighboring countries. Originality/value: The results indicate that Acre is strategically expanding its trade based on diversification, integration with key partners, and logistical adaptation, positioning itself for a relevant role in the global scenario and contributing to the development of the Amazon Region.
Non‐Uniqueness in ITCZ Latitude Due To Radiation‐Circulation Coupling in an Idealized GCM

An idealized aquaplanet moist global atmospheric model with realistic radiative transfer but no clouds and no convective parameterization is found to possess multiple climate equilibria. When forced symmetrically about the equator, in some cases the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) migrates to an off‐equatorial equilibrium position. Mechanism denial experiments prescribing relative humidity imply that radiation‐circulation coupling is essential to this instability. The cross‐equatorial asymmetry occurs only when the underlying slab ocean is sufficiently deep and the atmosphere's spectral dynamical core is sufficiently coarse (∼T170 or less with our control parameters). At higher resolutions, initializing with an asymmetric state indicates metastability with very slow (thousands of days) return to hemispheric symmetry. There is some sensitivity to the model timestep, which affects the time required to transition to the asymmetric state, with little effect on the equilibrium climate. The instability is enhanced when the planetary boundary layer scheme favors deeper layers or by a prescribed meridional heat transport away from the equator within the slab. The instability is not present when the model is run with a convective parameterization scheme commonly utilized in idealized moist models. We argue that the instability occurs when the asymmetric heating associated with a spontaneous ITCZ shift drives a circulation that rises poleward of the perturbed ITCZ. These results serve as a warning of the potential for instability and non‐uniqueness of climate that may complicate studies with idealized models of the tropical response to perturbations in forcing.
SMLAD: Simultaneous Matching, Localization, and Detection for Intelligent Vehicle From LiDAR Map With Semantic Likelihood Model

Matching with a semantic map can feed accurate prior information into perception and localization modules in the intelligent vehicle system. This article proposes a simultaneous matching, localization, and detection (SMLAD) method from a semantic LiDAR map for intelligent vehicles, which integrates the separated steps of map matching, vehicle localization, and semantic detection into maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) inference problem in the particle filter framework. Firstly, semantic objects, such as cubes, poles, walls, and ground, are extracted from the query point cloud by LiDAR segmentation method. Then semantic likelihood models (SLMs) are generated from the extracted semantic objects with kernel density estimation (KDE). Finally, the likelihood between the map and the query point cloud is calculated from SLMs that contributes to weight assignment in the particle filter framework. And the proposed point-to-likelihood association allows simultaneous map matching, localization, and detection afterwards. The proposed SMLAD method has been validated with both the public KITTI dataset and the real tests. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed SMLAD method can achieve up to 10-cm localization accuracy on both test datasets, and the detection results can be derived simultaneously by mapping accurate semantic objects from the map into the query point cloud.
Summer Moisture Availability Over Europe in the Hadley Centre General Circulation Model Based on the Palmer Drought Severity Index

Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) values have been calculated for Europe (35–70°N, 10°W–60°E) for the control and perturbed integrations of the Hadley Centre high-resolution coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation model (GCM). The control integration is 75 years in length. The perturbed experiment, with CO2 increasing at a rate of 1 per cent compound per year from a starting value of 323 ppm, is also 75 years in length. The control integration was analysed by unrotated andVARIMAX rotated principal components and these were projected on to the perturbed integration results. The control integration shows similar features to the real world, but is different particularly with respect to low-frequency aspects. Variability on time-scales beyond 20 years is absent in the various model area-average, principal component (PC) and rotated principal component (RPC) time series. Both sets (PC and RPC) of patterns, however, show many of the features of the real world. The first three PCs of the control integration are clearly present in the real world, although in higher order components. The perturbed integration shows a dramatic change to drought conditions affecting most of Europe by year 75. In some regions the PDSI quickly approaches (within 30–40 years) severe drought values of \,−3 to \,−4 before stabilizing at this level until year 75, but in a few areas little change in drought severity is seen. The pattern of change in PDSI during the last 10 years of the perturbed integration is somewhat different from that shown by soil moisture calculated directly by the GCM. Some reasons for the differences are discussed.
Water and halogens in volcanic clasts: tracers of degassing processes during Plinian and dome-building eruptions

Abstract Magma degassing may occur either with no significant gas escape from the magma column, which corresponds with typical Plinian type eruptions, or with gas loss, which corresponds with typical effusive (dome-building) eruptions. Magma degassing may also lead to melt crystallization, which modifies the residual melt composition and, in turn, may significantly affect the degassing conditions. We propose a method for modelling these processes for H2O-rich rhyolitic melts through measurements of volatiles (H2O, Cl, Br) in the microcrystalline matrix and glass of erupted volcanic clasts (pumice and dome clasts). This method is applied to two Plinian and dome-building eruptions at Mount Pelée (Martinique) and Santa Maria (Guatemala) volcanoes. Extreme magma degassing and crystallization during dome-building eruptions may explain the contrasts in halogen and H2O contents of residual melts of dense volcanic clasts: they display very large ranges of Cl contents (few ppm to thousands of ppm), whereas the ranges of H2O contents are much narrower, and lower than 1%. This method allows prediction of the evolution of volcanic gas chemistry (as HCl content or HCl/HF ratio) as a function of the degassing style of magma at shallow depth.
Inflammation and viral infection as disease modifiers in schizophrenia

Numerous studies have now implicated a role for inflammation in schizophrenia. However, many aspects surrounding this aspect of the disease are still controversial. This controversy has been driven by conflicting evidence on the role of both pro-and anti-inflammatory factors and by often contentious findings concerning cytokine and immune cell profiles in the central nervous system and periphery. Current evidence supports the point that interleukin-6 is elevated in CSF, but does not support activation of microglia, resident macrophage-like cells in the brain. Furthermore, the mechanisms involving transit of the peripheral immune system factors across the blood brain barrier to central parenchyma have still not been completely elucidated. This process appears to involve perivascular macrophages and accompanying dendritic cells retained in the parenchyma by the chemokine and cytokine composition of the surrounding milieu. In addition, a number of studies have shown that this can be modulated by infection with viruses such as herpes simplex virus type I which may disrupt antigen presentation in the perivascular space, with long-lasting consequences. In this review article, we discuss the role of inflammation and viral infection as potential disease modifiers in schizophrenia. The primary viral hit may occur in the fetus in utero, transforming the immune response regulatory T-cells or the virus may secondarily remain latent in immune cells or neurons and modify further immune responses in the developing individual. It is hoped that unraveling this pathway further and solidifying our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved will pave the way for future studies aimed at identification and implementation of new biomarkers and drug targets. This may facilitate the development of more effective personalized therapies for individuals suffering with schizophrenia.
The benefits of anticipation: an experimental study

This paper presents an experimental study using two robots. In the experiment, the robots navigated through an area with or without obstacles and had as their goal to shift places with each other. Four different approaches (random, reactive, planning, anticipation) were used during the experiment and the times to accomplish the task were compered. The results indicate that the ability to anticipate the behavior of the other robot could be to an advantage. However, the results also clearly show that anticipatory behavior is not always better than a purely
Effects of solar wind dynamic pressure and preconditioning on large geomagnetic storms

We investigate the effects of solar wind dynamic pressure, Pdyn, and preconditioning in 88 large magnetic storms (Dst < −100 nT) occurring during solar cycle 23. We have developed an improved model of the Dst profile, based on a modified Burton equation, where additional effects of Pdyn and diminished Dst pressure‐correction have been taking into account. On the average, our model predicts the Dst peak values within 9% of observations and gives an overall RMS error of 11%, which is an improvement over those models whose injection functions only depend on the solar wind electric field. The results demonstrate that there is an increase in the Dst peak value when there is a large enhancement of Pdyn during the main phase of a storm. The average increase of the storm intensity is estimated to be 26% for 15 storms with the max (Pdyn) > 15 nPa. We find that the preconditioning in multi‐step Dst storms plays no significant role in strengthening the storm intensity, but increases the storm duration.
Modelling rainfall–runoff processes of the Chemoga and Jedeb meso-scale catchments in the Abay/Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia

Abstract The objective of this study is to understand the rainfall–runoff processes of the meso-scale Chemoga and Jedeb catchments in the Abay/Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Distributed conceptual modelling and different field data were used in the modelling process. Three different model representations with varying model complexity were employed to test the appropriate model structure. Parameters were conditioned within the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) framework using both discharge and environmental isotope information indicating the ratio of new and old water during the wet season. It was demonstrated that the two catchments cannot be modelled equally well with the same model structure due to differences in the rainfall–runoff processes caused by different amounts of wetlands leading to different hydrological responses. Hence, a single model structure for the entire Abay/Upper Blue Nile cannot do justice to all the dominant hydrological processes in the various sub-catchments in the basin. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor D. Hughes
Strategies to Enhance the Solubility and Bioavailability of Tocotrienols Using Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System

Tocotrienols have higher medicinal value, with multiple sources of evidence showing their biological properties as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and osteoprotective compounds. However, tocotrienol bioavailability presents an ongoing challenge in its translation into viable products. This is because tocotrienol oil is known to be a poorly water-soluble compound, making it difficult to be absorbed into the body and resulting in less effectiveness. With the potential and benefits of tocotrienol, new strategies to increase the bioavailability and efficacy of poorly absorbed tocotrienol are required when administered orally. One of the proposed formulation techniques was self-emulsification, which has proven its capacity to improve oral drug delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs by advancing the solubility and bioavailability of these active compounds. This review discusses the updated evidence on the bioavailability of tocotrienols formulated with self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) from in vivo and human studies. In short, SEDDSs formulation enhances the solubility and passive permeability of tocotrienol, thus improving its oral bioavailability and biological actions. This increases its medicinal and commercial value. Furthermore, the self-emulsifying formulation presents a useful dosage form that is absorbed in vivo independent of dietary fats with consistent and enhanced levels of tocotrienol isomers. Therefore, a lipid-based formulation technique can provide an additional detailed understanding of the oral bioavailability of tocotrienols.
The Role of Vaccination Centers in a National Mass Immunization Campaign—Policymaker Insights from the German COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Roll-Out

During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Germany, like other high-income countries, introduced mass vaccination centers for administering vaccinations. This qualitative study aimed to examine the role that these novel, temporary government healthcare structures played in a mass immunization roll-out and how they can be optimally deployed. In addition, learnings for general emergency preparedness were explored. A total of 27 high-level policymakers responsible for planning and implementing the COVID vaccination campaign at the national and state level in Germany were interviewed in May and June 2022. The semi-structured interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Interviewees indicated that mass vaccination structures played an essential role with respect to controllability, throughput, accessibility and openness in line with the key success criteria vaccination coverage, speed and accessibility. In contrast to the regular vaccination structures (private medical practices and occupational health services), public administration has direct authority over mass vaccination centers, allowing for reliable vaccine access prioritization and documentation. The deployment of vaccination centers should be guided by vaccine availability and demand, and vaccine requirements related to logistics, as well as local capacities, i.e., public-health-service strength and the physician density, to ensure effective, timely and equitable access. Improvements to the capacity use, scalability and flexibility of governmental vaccination structures are warranted for future pandemics.
Complex 3-D Finite Element modelling of the 2009 April 6 L′Aquila earthquake by inverse analysis of static deformation

SUMMARY On 2009 April 6 a Mw = 6.3 earthquake struck the Abruzzi region (Central Italy) and caused severe destruction in L’Aquila and the surrounding area. In this work we present a Finite Element analysis of the event based on a realistic complex 3-D model, accounting for topographic relief and rheological heterogeneities deduced from local tomography. Finite Element computed Green's functions were implemented in a linear inversion of GPS coseismic displacements, to retrieve the slip distribution on the rupture plane. The inverted slip models basically agree with previous studies carried out on homogeneous domains, but reveal the presence of a single high slip patch, whereas half-space or 1-D approaches obtain a more complex slip pattern. Our results point out that the introduction of 3-D features significantly influences the obtained source model, suggesting a trade-off between domain complexities and source details.
Prehistoric fires and land-cover change in western Kenya: evidences from pollen, charcoal, grass cuticles and grass phytoliths

High rates of sediment accumulation in Lake Simbi, western Kenya, has enabled fine-resolution fossil assemblages to reveal short-term changes in vegetation cover between 4320 ± 250 yr BP and 2880 ± 90 yr BP. Pollen analysis of a 4.2 sediment core covering this period reveals a vegetation change around 3300 yr BP. Analysis of charcoal shows that wildfires were prominent prior to the pollen-inferred vegetation change. Remains of grass cuticles and grass phytoliths show an expansion of grasslands and an increase in the diversity of grass types following the period of extensive fires. Also following the period of wildfires and the vegetation change, there were shifts within the grass flora to more Chloridoid grass types and less Panicoid grass types. This paper addresses one of the major problems of environmental reconstruction in lowland savannah: namely differentiating palaeoecological changes within the Gramineae.