Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of EU Structural Funds on Regional Disparities within Member States

We examine the impact of structural and cohesion funds on regional disparities within EU countries over the period 1995–2006. We find that structural funds have reduced regional disparities over this period. Our empirical estimates also suggest that the effect of structural funds on regional disparities is potentially reversed above some level of transfer intensity (approximately 1.6% of country gross domestic product). This has implications for the desirable allocation of the funds across countries especially since, in the current programming period (2007–13), all the new member states of the Union except for Cyprus and Malta have a transfer intensity which exceeds this threshold.
Paraguayan Students’ Adaptation to Emergency Remote Education due to COVID-19

En 2020, la educación sufrió cambios significativos debido a la COVID-19, lo que obligó a todos los agentes educativos a adaptarse al aprendizaje virtual para salvar el curso académico. Este artículo examina las experiencias de estudiantes de secundaria y universitarios durante este periodo. El estudio se realizó en dos fases: las semanas iniciales de la transición al aprendizaje virtual y los dos últimos meses del año 2020. Los resultados revelaron notables transformaciones en el acceso tecnológico, sobre todo fuera de la capital. Aumentó el uso de ordenadores y creció la utilización de Internet en todos los sectores y regiones. Las plataformas de comunicación también experimentaron una adopción generalizada. Sin embargo, los estudiantes se enfrentaron a diversos retos durante el aprendizaje mediado por las TIC. Entre las dificultades más comunes figuran la comprensión de las tareas, las limitaciones de tiempo y los problemas de conectividad a Internet. A pesar de estos obstáculos, la satisfacción de los estudiantes con las TIC para el aprendizaje aumentó a finales de 2020. Esto indica su resistencia y adaptabilidad a la hora de adoptar la tecnología para continuar su educación en medio de la adversidad. El estudio subraya la necesidad de apoyo y recursos continuos para hacer frente a estos retos, incluida la mejora de la comprensión de las tareas, la concesión de tiempo suficiente para completarlas y la resolución de los problemas de conectividad. Además, la creciente satisfacción observada hacia el final del año sugiere la posibilidad de cambios duraderos en las prácticas educativas. Es crucial aprovechar esta transformación e integrar eficazmente la tecnología en los futuros enfoques de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Reconociendo los obstáculos encontrados y aprovechando las lecciones aprendidas, la educación puede adaptarse para satisfacer mejor las necesidades de los estudiantes, fomentando un entorno de aprendizaje inclusivo y dinámico en un futuro incierto.
The Human Dimensions of Stream Restoration: Working with Diverse Partners to Develop and Implement Restoration

This case study illustrates the challenges faced both by scale and complex land ownership patterns in restoring a severely degraded, semi - arid watershed. Such a scale and ownership pattern mean that large numbers of parties need to be involved in restoration efforts and, given the slow pace of recovery in arid environments, it is very challenging to sustain a restoration program over time, space, and culture. The Rio Puerco Management Committee ’ s 15 year history aptly illustrates the effects of organization life cycles and the people they attract.
Serviceability limit state CPT-based design for vertically loaded shallow footings on sand

In this study, reliability-based design of vertically-loaded shallow foundations on cohesionless soil at the serviceability limit state is addressed and related to cone penetration resistance. A special database of 30 large footings on 12 different sands is investigated in a statistical and probabilistic perspective to quantify the load-displacement-capacity response and derive a direct design method based on cone penetrometer testing (CPT). A reference load-displacement model is identified through a comparative assessment of fitting of model types to load test data. The uncertainties in the load-displacement model and in the model inputs are modeled probabilistically. The probability of exceedance of a target probability of occurrence of a pre-established allowable settlement is computed in the form of a reliability index through Monte Carlo simulation. A partial load factor is defined and calibrated based on simulation outputs. Analytical expressions for the load factor as a function of the ratio of allowable settlement to footing dimensions are derived using least squares regression. The final design format allows simple and practical utilization on the part of the engineer while ensuring the minimization of excess conservatism.
Concepts of Groundwater Occurrence and Flow Near Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee

Previous studies of the area near Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) assumed that nearly all groundwater from precipitation and infiltration moves vertically down to the water table and then follows a combination of intergranular and fracture flow paths to the streams. These studies also generally assumed nearly linear flow paths, amounts of groundwater flow that are determined by differences in water-level elevation, large permeability differences between regolith and bedrock, and important hydrologic differences between named geologic units. It has been commonly stated for 37 years, for example, that the Conasauga Group has fewer cavities and is less permeable than the Chickamauga Group. All of these assumptions and conclusions are faulty. The new concepts in this report may be controversial, but they explain the available data. Only the stormflow zone from land surface to a depth of 1-2 m has a permeability large enough to transport most groundwater to the streams. Calculations show that 90-95% of all groundwater flow is in the stormflow zone, 4-9% is in a few water-producing intervals below the water table, and about 1% occurs in other intervals. The available data also show that nearly all groundwater flows through enlarged openings such as macropores, fractures, and cavities, and that there are no significant differences between regolith and bedrock or between the Conasauga Group and the Chickamauga group. Flow paths apparently are much more complex than was previously assumed. Multiple paths connect any two points below the water table, and each flow path is more likely to be tortuous than linear. Hydraulic gradients are affected by this complexity and by changes in hydraulic potential on steep hillsides. Below the water table, a large difference in the head of two points generally does not indicate a large flow rate between these points. Groundwater storage in amounts above field capacity is apparently intergranular in only the stormflow and vadose zones. At deeper levels all effective porosity is in fractures. The subsurface hydrology of the ORNL area is also more favorable for the containment of radioactive wastes than has been indicated by previous reports. A relatively simple solution should be possible for the problem of radionuclide migration in groundwater. The key concepts for most remedial investigations may be hydrologic isolation of contaminated materials by stopping infiltration and lateral flows in the stormflow zone.
Theories of Human Learning

Both a serious academic text and an intriguing story, this seventh edition reflects a significant update in research, theory, and applications in all areas. It presents a comprehensive view of the historical development of learning theories from behaviorist through to cognitive models. The chapters also cover memory, motivation, social learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The author's highly entertaining style clarifies concepts, emphasizes practical applications, and presents a thought-provoking, narrator-based commentary. The stage is given to Mrs Gribbin and her swashbuckling cat, who both lighten things up and supply much-needed detail. These two help to explore the importance of technology for simulating human cognitive processes and engage with current models of memory. They investigate developments in, and applications of, brain-based research and plunge into models in motivation theory, to name but a few of the adventures they embark upon in this textbook.
Precursory accelerated Benioff strain in the Aegean area

Accelerating seismic crustal deformation due to the occurrence of intermediate magnitude earthquakes leading to the generation of a mainshock has recently been considered a critical phenomenon. This hypothesis is tested by the use of a large data sample concerning the Aegean area. Elliptical critical regions for fifty-two strong mainshocks, which have occurred in the Aegean area since 1930, have been identified by applying a power-law relation between the cumulative Benioff strain and the time to the main rupture. Empirical relations between the parameters of this model have been further improved by the use of a large data sample. The spatial distribution of preshocks with respect to the mainshock is examined and its tectonic significance is pointed out. The possibility of using the results of this work to predict the epicentre, magnitude and time of ensuing mainshocks are discussed and further work towards this goal is suggested.
Air Pollution Radiative Forcing From Specific Emissions Sectors at 2030: Prototype for a New IPCC Bar Chart

[1] Reduction of short-lived air pollutants can contribute to mitigate global warming in the near-term with ancillary benefits to human health. However, the radiative forcings of short-lived air pollutants depend on the location and source type of the precursor emissions. We apply the Goddard Institute for Space Studies atmospheric composition-climate model to quantify near-future (2030 A1B) global annual mean radiative forcing by ozone (O3) and sulfate from six emissions sectors in seven geographic regions. At 2030 the net forcings from O3, sulfate, black and organic carbon, and indirect CH4 effects for each emission sector are (in mWm−2) biomass burning, +95; domestic, +68; transportation, +67; industry, −131; and power, −224. Biomass burning emissions in East Asia and central and southern Africa, domestic biofuel emissions in East Asia, south Asia, and central and southern Africa, and transportation emissions in Europe and North America have large net positive forcings and are therefore attractive targets to counter global warming. Power and industry emissions from East Asia, south Asia, and north Africa and the Middle East have large net negative forcings. Therefore air quality control measures that affect these regional sectors require offsetting climate measures to avoid a warming impact. Linear relationships exist between O3 forcing and biomass burning and domestic biofuel CO precursor emissions independent of region with sensitivity of +0.2 mWm−2/TgCO. Similarly, linear relationships exist between sulfate forcing and SO2 precursor emissions that depend upon region but are independent of sector with sensitivities ranging from −3 to −12 mWm−2/TgS.
Comparison of osteogenic capability of 3D-printed bioceramic scaffolds and granules with different porosities for clinical translation

Pore parameters, structural stability, and filler morphology of artificial implants are key factors influencing the process of bone tissue repair. However, the extent to which each of these factors contributes to bone formation in the preparation of porous bioceramics is currently unclear, with the two often being coupled. Herein, we prepared magnesium-doped wollastonite (Mg-CSi) scaffolds with 57% and 70% porosity (57-S and 70-S) via a 3D printing technique. Meanwhile, the bioceramic granules (57-G and 70-G) with curved pore topography (IWP) were prepared by physically disrupting the 57-S and 70-S scaffolds, respectively, and compared for in vivo osteogenesis at 4, 10, and 16 weeks. The pore parameters and the mechanical and biodegradable properties of different porous bioceramics were characterized systematically. The four groups of porous scaffolds and granules were then implanted into a rabbit femoral defect model to evaluate the osteogenic behavior in vivo. 2D/3D reconstruction and histological analysis showed that significant bone tissue production was visible in the central zone of porous granule groups at the early stage but bone tissue ingrowth was slower in the porous scaffold groups. The bone tissue regeneration and reconstruction capacity were stronger after 10 weeks, and the porous architecture of the 57-S scaffold was maintained stably at 16 weeks. These experimental results demonstrated that the structure-collapsed porous bioceramic is favorable for early-stage osteoconduction and that the 3D topological scaffolds may provide more structural stability for bone tissue growth for a long-term stage. These findings provide new ideas for the selection of different types of porous bioceramics for clinical bone repair.
Advanced remote lithologic mapping in ophiolite zone with ASTER multispectral thermal infrared data

ASTER is the first and the only satellite-borne imaging sensor with a capability of multispectral observation in the thermal infrared (TIR; 8 to 12 microns) spectral region at spectral, radiometric and spatial resolutions adequate for regional geological study. Most of the methods for lithologic or mineralogic mapping with multispectral TIR remote sensing data proposed so far premises to apply emissivity data as input, but methods applying Level-1B radiance at the sensor data without atmospheric corrections have an advantage in data productivity. Another advantage of the methods for Level-1B is the extendibility for Level-3A data, enables easy fusion with GIS. The author proposed Quartz Index (QI), Carbonate Index (CI) and bulk SiO2 content Index (SI) for ASTER-TIR data with theoretical and practical analyses for the applicability of Level- 1B data, improved the indices, and showed that the lithologic mapping with the indices for Level-1B data is stable against the variation of temperature and atmospheric conditions. In this paper, the method is applied to several Level-3A data scenes observing a part of Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite belt in Tibet, and the results are compared with the existing geological information to show the effectiveness of the method for achieving lower cost and higher accuracy in geological mapping, especially in mapping ultramafic rock bodies.
Evaluating Users’ Experiences of a Child Multimodal Wearable Device: Mixed Methods Approach

Background Wearable devices permit the continuous, unobtrusive collection of data from children in their natural environments and can transform our understanding of child development. Although the use of wearable devices has begun to emerge in research involving children, few studies have considered families’ experiences and perspectives of participating in research of this kind. Objective Through a mixed methods approach, we assessed parents’ and children’s experiences of using a new wearable device in the home environment. The wearable device was designed specifically for use with infants and young children, and it integrates audio, electrocardiogram, and motion sensors. Methods In study 1, semistructured phone interviews were conducted with 42 parents of children aged 1 month to 9.5 years who completed 2 day-long recordings using the device, which the children wore on a specially designed shirt. In study 2, a total of 110 parents of children aged 2 months to 5.5 years responded to a questionnaire assessing their experience of completing 3 day-long device recordings in the home. Guided by the Digital Health Checklist, we assessed parental responses from both studies in relation to the following three key domains: (1) access and usability, (2) privacy, and (3) risks and benefits. Results In study 1, most parents viewed the device as easy to use and safe and remote visits as convenient. Parents’ views on privacy related to the audio recordings were more varied. The use of machine learning algorithms (vs human annotators) in the analysis of the audio data, the ability to stop recordings at any time, and the view that the recordings reflected ordinary family life were some reasons cited by parents who expressed minimal, if any, privacy concerns. Varied risks and benefits were also reported, including perceived child comfort or discomfort, the need to adjust routines to accommodate the study, the understanding gained from the study procedures, and the parent’s and child’s enjoyment of study participation. In study 2, parents’ ratings on 5 close-ended items yielded a similar pattern of findings. Compared with a “neutral” rating, parents were significantly more likely to agree that (1) device instructions were helpful and clear (t109=−45.98; P<.001), (2) they felt comfortable putting the device on their child (t109=−22.22; P<.001), and (3) they felt their child was safe while wearing the device (t109=−34.48; P<.001). They were also less likely to worry about the audio recordings gathered by the device (t108=6.14; P<.001), whereas parents’ rating of the burden of the study procedures did not differ significantly from a “neutral” rating (t109=−0.16; P=.87). Conclusions On the basis of parents’ feedback, several concrete changes can be implemented to improve this new wearable platform and, ultimately, parents’ and children’s experiences of using child wearable devices in the home setting.
The Canyon Diablo impact event: 2. Projectile fate and target melting upon impact

Abstract– Despite its centennial exploration history, there are still unresolved questions about Meteor Crater, the first recognized impact crater on Earth. This theoretical study addresses some of these questions by comparing model results with field and laboratory studies of Meteor Crater. Our results indicate that Meteor Crater was formed by a high‐velocity impact of a fragmented projectile, ruling out a highly dispersed swarm as well as a very low impact velocity. Projectile fragmentation caused many fragments to fall separately from the main body of the impactor, making up the bulk of the Canyon Diablo meteorites; most of these fragments were engulfed in the expansion plume as they approached the surface without suffering high shock compression, and were redistributed randomly around the crater. Thus, the distribution of Canyon Diablo meteorites is not representative of projectile trajectory, as is usual for impactor fragments in smaller strewn fields. At least 50% of the main impactor was ejected from the crater during crater excavation and was dispersed mostly downrange of the crater as molten particles (spheroids) and highly shocked solid fragments (shrapnel). When compared with the known distribution, model results suggest an impactor from the SW. Overall, every model case produced much higher amounts of pure projectile material than observed. The projectile‐target mixing was not considered in the models; however, this process could be the main sink of projectile melt, as all analyzed melt particles have high concentrations of projectile material. The fate of the solid projectile fragments is still not completely resolved. Model results suggest that the depth of melting in the target can reach the Coconino sandstone formation. However, most of the ejected melt originates from 30–40 m depth and, thus, is limited to Moenkopi and upper Kaibab material. Some melt remains in the target; based on the estimated volume of the breccia lens at Meteor Crater, our models suggest at most a 2% content of melt in the breccia. Finally, a high water table at the time of impact could have aided strong dispersion of target and projectile melt.
a Mesoscale Aerosol Variability Study in the Asian Outflow Region in Support of Calipso Validation

ABSTRACT The current low confidence in the estimates of aerosol–induced perturbations of Earth’s radiation balance is caused by the highly non-uniform compositional, spatial and temporal distributions of tropospheric aerosols on a global scale owing to their heterogeneous sources and short lifetime. With the advent of active aerosol remote sensing from space (e.g., CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations [1]), there is potential for studying the vertical structure of aerosol properties with unprecedented spatial resolution. The CALIPSO measurements of aerosol backscatter, extinction and aerosol optical depth will require a careful and comprehensive validation exercise. Because of the small foot-print of individual lidar returns, there is a need to study the horizontal structure of aerosol properties to estimate the spatial scales which will allow meaningful comparisons of the space-borne lidar data and the suborbital validation measurements. In this paper, we examine the spatial variability of in situ measurements of dry aerosol scattering, dry aerosol absorption and ambient aerosol extinction at 550 nm collected aboard the NCAR C-130 aircraft in ACE-Asia (Aerosol Characterization Experiment – Asia, 2001), and compare it to the spatial variability of aerosol optical depth measured coincidentally with an airborne tracking sunphotometer. For the in situ parameters, the spatial variability of aerosol absorption on scales of up to 80 km is found to be larger than that of ambient scattering, which in turn is larger than the variability in dry scattering. The spatial variability of aerosol optical depth at 525 nm is shown to be comparable to the variability in ambient aerosol extinction, but it seems to become larger at scales between 80 and 200 km. However, data at spatial scales beyond 100 km in this study is sparse and may not be representative of the Asian outflow region.
Magnetic gradient and ground penetrating radar prospecting of buried earthen archaeological remains at the Qocho City site in Turpan, China

In order to test the ability of geophysical technologies to detect buried structures made of mud brick and rammed earth, a geophysical survey was acquired at Qocho City site of China in 2012 using magnetic gradient and ground penetrating radar (GPR). Magnetic anomalies were interpreted as the response of house wall foundations, pits, and a temple base by reference to archaeological results from a neighbouring excavation area. The magnetic data were complemented by 2D ground penetrating radar profiles, which provided additional information on the depth of these causative structures. An archaeological survey dated 1913 reported the layout of three houses that have since been largely razed to the ground in the study area. Our geophysical survey confirmed the locations of two houses. This study shows that magnetic and ground penetrating radar methods are valuable tools to detect buried earthen archaeological remains in a dry environment.
Objective Diagnostics and the Madden–Julian Oscillation. Part II: Application to Moist Static Energy and Moisture Budgets

AbstractProcesses controlling moisture variations associated with the MJO are investigated using budgets of moist static energy (MSE) and moisture. To first order, precipitation anomalies are maintained by anomalous large-scale vertical moisture advection, which can be understood through application of a weak temperature gradient balance framework to the MSE budget. Intraseasonal variations in longwave radiative cooling play a crucial role in destabilizing the MJO by enhancing intraseasonal variations in large-scale vertical moisture advection. This enhancement allows the effect of intraseasonal variations in large-scale vertical moisture advection to meet or exceed the effect of intraseasonal variations in net condensation, resulting in a positive feedback between the net effect of these processes and moisture anomalies. Intraseasonal variations in surface latent heat flux (SLHF) enhance this positive feedback, but appear to be insufficient to destabilize the MJO in the absence of radiative feedbacks.The.