Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
When Starting with the Most Expensive Option Makes Sense: Use and Misuse of Marginal Abatement Cost Curves

This article investigates the use of expert-based Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC) to design abatement strategies. It shows that introducing inertia, in the form of the"cost in time"of available options, changes significantly the message from MACCs. With an abatement objective in cumulative emissions (e.g., emitting less than 200 GtCO2 in the 2000-2050 period), it makes sense to implement some of the more expensive options before the potential of the cheapest ones has been exhausted. With abatement targets expressed in terms of emissions at one point in time (e.g., reducing emissions by 20 percent in 2020), it can even be preferable to start with the implementation of the most expensive options if their potential is high and their inertia significant. Also, the best strategy to reach a short-term target is different depending on whether this target is the ultimate objective or there is a longer-term target. The best way to achieve Europe's goal of 20 percent reduction in emissions by 2020 is different if this objective is the ultimate objective or if it is only a milestone in a trajectory toward a 75 percent reduction in 2050. The cheapest options may be sufficient to reach the 2020 target but could create a carbon-intensive lock-in and preclude deeper emission reductions by 2050. These results show that in a world without perfect foresight and perfect credibility of the long-term carbon-price signal, a unique carbon price in all sectors is not the most efficient approach. Sectoral objectives, such as Europe's 20 percent renewable energy target in Europe, fuel-economy standards in the auto industry, or changes in urban planning, building norms and infrastructure design are a critical part of an efficient mitigation policy.
Enhancing User Experience of Users with Disabilities: Application to Open Educational Resources Websites

At present, User Experience (UX) is a recognized concept that appraises the quality of user interaction on websites. Despite the fact that users with disabilities face obstacles that hinder their experience in Web interaction, the UX concept has not been extended to include their specific requirements. This work proposes an empirical review of the aspects that impact on UX of users with disabilities, including not only the Usability and Information Architecture but also Accessibility issues. The context of the application is related to Open Educational Resources (OER) websites due to their importance for opening learning opportunities to all people around the world. Although the UNESCO Paris Declaration on OER (2012) recognized that “everyone has the right to education,” people with disabilities are still excluded from full participation in OER-based learning because of design issues on OER websites. Further, we have considered the standards and best practices that should be applied to these aspects to recognize the problems that need to be addressed to improve the quality of the UX of users with disabilities, particularly in OER websites. The results of this work contribute to a better comprehension of UX from the perspective of users with disabilities in order to support the inclusive vision of the OER
Multiwavelength interferometric observations and modeling of circumstellar disks

We investigate the structure of the innermost region of three circumstellar disks around pre-main sequence stars HD 142666, AS 205 N, and AS 205 S. We determine the inner radii of the dust disks and, in particular, search for transition objects where dust has been depleted and inner disk gaps have formed at radii of a few tenths of AU up to several AU. We performed interferometric observations with IOTA, AMBER, and MIDI in the infrared wavelength ranges 1.6-2.5um and 8-13um with projected baseline lengths between 25m and 102m. The data analysis was based on radiative transfer simulations in 3D models of young stellar objects (YSOs) to reproduce the spectral energy distribution and the interferometric visibilities simultaneously. Accretion effects and disk gaps could be considered in the modeling approach. Results from previous studies restricted the parameter space. The objects of this study were spatially resolved in the infrared wavelength range using the interferometers. Based on these observations, a disk gap could be found for the source HD 142666 that classifies it as transition object. There is a disk hole up to a radius of R_in=0.30AU and a (dust-free) ring between 0.35AU and 0.80AU in the disk of HD 142666. The classification of AS 205 as a system of classical T Tauri stars could be confirmed using the canonical model approach, i. e. , there are no hints of disk gaps in our observations.
Runoff generation on abandoned fields in the Central Ebro Basin. Results from rainfall simulation experiments

In the semi-arid Central Ebro basin experimental rainfall simulations with a small mobile jet rainfall simulator according to Calvo et al. (1988), Lasanta et al. (1994 and 2000) were carried out on abandoned fields near Maria de Huerva to investigate the conditions of runoff generation and local erodibility. On the silty soils, susceptible to soil sealing and crusting very divergent rates of runoff and erosion rates caused by water are found. On the crusted young fallow land runoff coefficients range between 20 and 95%, erosion rates range between 9 and 460 gm-2 in the experiments. The start of runoff was recorded between the second and fifth minute. Soil surface sealing leads to a decrease in infiltration rates and a consequent increase in runoff in comparison to freshly tilled agricultural fields. On the old fallow land, values range from 0 to 76% and 0 to 78 gm-2 depending on other parameters such as slope and the activity of the edaphon. The start of runoff was recorded between the third and the fifteenth minute. A remarkable fact is that material delivery does not significantly decrease with increasing vegetation cover. Only with a vegetation cover of over 60% does material output decrease obviously. The runoff rates show the same order of magnitude than those recorded by Lasanta et al. (2000) in abandoned fields near Penaflor, but the erosion rates in Maria de Huerva are significantly lower.
ANALYSIS OF THE MODERN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES ACTIVITY IN ROMANIA

The paper analyses the activity of agricultural cooperatives in Romania. The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the prospects of the cooperative sector as a means to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants in the rural environment, to ensure the increase in the producers’ revenues, to consolidate the economic role of the producers’ occupational entities, to improve and develop the activity in the agricultural sector and implicitly in the national economy. The current economic crisis has led to the development of cooperatives in Romania as well. Thus, we may say that at national level, according to the year they were established, there has been an increase in the number of cooperatives beginning with 2009, when 56 were registered. In 2010 the number increased to 81, and in 2011 the number of registered cooperatives decreased, reaching 54. At region level, the North-Western region stood out in 2010 with a number of 48 agricultural cooperatives. The year 2009 was representative for the Western region, with 7 cooperatives and for the NorthWestern region with 14 cooperatives, and the year 2011 was the most representative for the North-Western region with 16 established cooperatives. From the analysis of the public data and the field investigation, in 2012 there were 511 identified agricultural cooperatives and cooperative companies operating in Romania.
Understanding Student Motivation: A Key to Retention in Higher Education

Abstract This paper explores what motivates college students at different stages of their academic studies. Using Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the researchers conducted a survey of 535 students in three south-western universities to determine if motivations changed throughout their academic careers. Results showed that students at different stages of their college careers have different concerns and, as such, different motivational strategies are needed to respond to their concerns. Implications are given to grow and retain enrolment.
Cloud disruption via ionized feedback: tracing pillar dynamics in Vulpecula

ABSTRACT The major physical processes responsible for shaping and sculpting pillars in the clouds sur-rounding massive stars (i.e. the ‘Pillars of Creation’) are now being robustly incorporatedinto models quantifying the ionizing radiation from massive stars. The detailed gas dynamicswithin these pillars can now be compared with observations. Our goal is to quantify the gasdynamics in a pillar being sculpted by a nearby massive star. To do this, we use the CO, 13 CO,and C 18 O J=1-0 emission towards a pillar in the Vulpecula Rift. These data are a combinationof CARMA and FCRAO observations providing high resolution (∼ 5) imaging of large scalepillar structures (> 100 ′′ ). We ﬁnd that this cold ( ∼ 18 K), low density material (8×10 3 cm −3 )material is fragmenting on Jeans scales, has very low velocity dispersions (∼ 0.5 km s −1 ), andappears to be moving away from the ionizing source. We are able to draw direct comparisonswith three models from the literature, and ﬁnd that those wit h lower velocity dispersions bestﬁt our data, although the dynamics of any one model do not comp letely agree with our ob-servations. We do however, ﬁnd that our observed pillar exhi bits many of the characteristicsexpected from simulations.Key words: Techniques: interferometric - ISM: structure - ISM: clouds- ISM: kinematicsand dynamics - Submillimeter: ISM
Interactive comment on “ A comprehensive characterisation of Asian dust storm particles : chemical composition , reactivity to SO 2 , and hygroscopic property ” by Q

Q. Ma, Y. Liu, C. Liu, J. Ma, and H. He State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China Received: 7 March 2010 – Accepted: 10 March 2010 – Published: 7 April 2010 Correspondence to: H. He (honghe@rcees.ac.cn) Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.
Optical sizing of irregular snow grains

We discuss a possibility of snow grain size determination using spectral reflectance measurements in the near-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Errors related to often made assumption of the sphericity of grains are studied. Also we introduce a new method for the snow albedo and snow pollution monitoring using measurements in the visible part of the electromagnetic theory. Both exact and approximate methods of the radiative transfer are used for the solution of corresponding inverse problem. It is assumed that snow grains can be presented as randomly distributed irregular fractal particles. The developed techniques are applied to both ground and satellite data.
Secure Techniques for Remote Reconfiguration of Wireless Embedded Systems

The aim of this chapter is to give a thorough overview of secure remote reconfiguration technologies for wireless embedded systems, and of the communication standard commonly used in those systems. In particular, we focus on basic security mechanisms both at hardware and protocol level. We will discuss the possible threats and their corresponding impact level. Different countermeasures for avoiding these security issues are explained. Finally, we present a complete and compact solution for a service-oriented architecture enabling secure remote reconfiguration of wireless embedded systems, called the STRES system.
A Low-cost and flexible platform for global asset monitoring

Conventional approaches to asset monitoring involve high-priced sensors paired with a dedicated radio. These implementations work well when dealing with high-valued property but are not economically viable when the value of the asset approaches the cost of monitoring. Alternative low-cost connectivity solutions, such as IoT, assume the presence of an internet access point which may not be a given for remote locations. These solutions cannot accommodate locations with sparse connectivity and low-cost assets; thus, creating a communication gap. The research proposed suggests the implementation of a low-cost and intelligent sensor ecosystem which utilizes a Bluetooth based delay-tolerant network. The network functions by leveraging the hardware and internet access of smart devices to bridge the gap between the cloud and devices without internet connection. The hardware for Bluetooth is low-cost and energy efficient, which is crucial for applications that would not otherwise be economically viable. By consolidating core aspects of the platform technology into a compact and flexible module, new and preexisting designs can readily incorporate delay tolerant network into their systems. Only specific application-based circuitry needs to be implemented externally, which can offload the burden of complex or sensitive design. These provisions can dramatically reduce development time and cost. The network can be made more robust, by incorporating secondary network structures, such as GSM, to work in tandem granting communication flexibility.
Research on Financing Constraints and Corporate Value Under Financial Crisis Shock

Since the difference between internal and external financing costs, enterprises are facing financing constraints. Outbreak of financial crisis affected the degree of financing constraints, then influenced corporate value. This paper uses financial data of Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises from 2005 to 2013, builds a model of financing constraints index with logistic regression and a model of financing constraints-corporate value with panel regression method to assess the impact of financial crisis on financing constraints and corporate value. The findings are shown as follow: (1) Reducing asset-liability ratio, increasing liquidity ratio, enterprise scale and return on equity will improve financing constraints. (2) Loosening financing constraints, decreasing asset-liability ratio, increasing gross profit margin, enterprise scale and earnings per share will promote corporate value. (3) Shock of financial crisis affects financing constraints significantly. (4) Outbreak of financial crisis deepens the degree of financing constraints, then reduces corporate value significantly.
FLUID MECHANICS IN THE DRIVEN CAVITY

This review pertains to the body of work dealing with internal recirculating flows generated by the motion of one or more of the containing walls. These flows are not only technologically important, they are of great scientific interest because they display almost all fluid mechanical phenomena in the simplest of geometrical settings. Thus corner eddies, longitudinal vortices, nonuniqueness, transition, and turbulence all occur naturally and can be studied in the same closed geometry. This facilitates the comparison of results from experiment, analysis, and computation over the whole range of Reynolds numbers. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the understanding of three-dimensional flows and in the study of turbulence. The use of direct numerical simulation appears very promising.
GaN HEMT gate-driver for achieving high power converter integration levels

This work proposes a solution for implementing an isolated gate driver for GaN HEMTs based on the previous topology for SiC power MOSFETs. The isolation of the gate driver is realised by the single transformer topology with double winding in the secondary side. The Bi-level HF Amplitude Modulation scheme is retained to avoid the core saturation as well as providing simultaneously both the switching signal and the required gate power in the secondary side which ensures the full range duty ratio. The reconstruction of the original PWM signal is optimised using a simple hysteresis comparing scheme, which is the Schmitt Trigger circuit, to avoid sudden turn-on or turn-off. The experiment result shows that the Schmitt Trigger circuit could effectively avoid the sudden turn-on or turn-off but it might have some negative effect on the accuracy of duty circle. Finally, the feasibility of the gate driver is demonstrated with the PGA26E19BA GaN device with optimised final power stage.
The Impact of Economic Globalization on Income Distribution: Empirical Evidence in China

This study investigates the impact of economic globalization, as characterized by increasing international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, on income distribution in China. The Gini coefficients - the conventional measure of income inequality - are used in this study and the empirical investigation is conducted within the unit root and cointegration framework. The empirical results show that economic globalization tends to improve income inequality in China. Therefore, the worsening of income inequality in China must be caused by other factors.
Why is Design Automation Software not Everywhere

This paper discusses the question how to increase the amount of design automation software in industry. First, the contemporary industrial context is outlined to motivate the need for automation of parametric routine design problems. Second, the knowledge engineering (KE) activity is identified as a bottleneck that prevents large scale deployment of design automation software. Knowledge engineering is seen as the process to construct a mathematical model of a design problem. Literature and our own research results are used to illustrate that the KE activity for new problem automation is often unpredictable in terms of the activities to execute and time it will take. A correlation seems to be missing between the problem size and the required knowledge engineering effort. Possibly, this is a result from the diversity of design problems and the tacit nature of expert knowledge. A route toward more prescribed KE is suggested by tightly integrating theories from cognitive design, knowledge engineering and constraint satisfaction. The goal is to closely relate knowledge acquisition (interviewing of experts) with the knowledge modeling activity and automation algorithm.
Broadening The Theory Of Aggregate Supply: A "New Critical" Proposal

In a proposed "New Critical" dual to the standard New Classical view of the labor market, the money wage rate is given, but the real supply of labor is sensitive to the real wage (the "Dobb Effect"). Expansionary policy raises the price level, lowering the real wage rate and forcing workers to supply more labor. The long-run aggregate supply curve is horizontal. A preliminary synthesis of the New Classical and New Critical models produces a positive multiplier. This broader view of the labor market suggests that neither the "policy ineffectiveness" extreme nor the "fine tuning" extreme constitutes an adequate basis for macroeconomic policy.
SOIL TILLAGE AFFECTS THE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN MAIZE ROOTS

In this study we tested whether communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonizing the roots of maize (Zea mays L.) were affected by soil tillage practices (plowing, chiseling, and no-till) in a long-term field experiment carried out in Tanikon (Switzerland). AMF were identified in the roots using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers that had been developed for the AMF previously isolated from the soils of the studied site. A nested PCR procedure with primers of increased specificity (eukaryotic, then fungal, then AMF species or species-group specific) was used. Sequencing of amplified DNA confirmed that the DNA obtained from the maize roots was of AMF origin. Presence of particular AMF species or species-group was scored as a presence of a DNA product after PCR with specific primers. We also used single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) of amplified DNA samples to check if the amplification of the DNA from maize roots matched the expected profile for a particular AMF .
IT Service Management in Multiple Actor Network: Service Support from Customer’s Point of View

Many IT customer organizations see service support and multiple actor network as a big challenge. Multiple actor network may cause several types of problems between different organizations, such as communication gaps, unclearness in roles and responsibilities, contract related challenges, lost incidents and conflicts in understanding the content of agreements between development and continuous services. The research problem of this study is: how IT service support can be improved from an IT customer organization’s perspective? The main contribution of this paper is to describe multiple actor network of IT service support. A case study research method with a single case from Finnish public sector was used as a main research method. Keywords-IT Service Management; Multiple Actor Network; Public Sector; Enterprise Architecture.
Dynamical decoupling protocols with nuclear spin state selectivity

The ability to initialise nuclear spins, which are typically in a mixed state even at low temperature, is a key requirement of many protocols used in quantum computing and simulations as well as in magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. Yet, it remains a challenging task that typically involves complex and inefficient protocols, limiting the fidelity of ensuing operations or the measurement sensitivity. We introduce here a class of dynamical nuclear spin state selective (DNSS) protocols which, when applied to a polarised electron spin such as the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond, permit the addressing of selected nuclear states of the mixture. It works by splitting the underlying eigenstates into two distinct symmetries dependent on the nuclear spin state, and independent of the electron-nuclear coupling strength. As a particular example, we show that DNSS is achievable by simply introducing a detuning in the common Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) protocol, where the state selection is then controlled by the inter-pulse spacing. This approach offers advantages in ultra-high fidelity initialisation of nuclear registers, ensemble polarisation and single-gate manipulation of nuclei.
Influence of Blood Vessels on Temperature during High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Hyperthermia Based on the Thermal Wave Model of Bioheat Transfer

The coupled effects of blood vessels and thermal relaxation time on temperature and thermal lesion region in biological tissue during high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) hyperthermia are numerically investigated. Considering the non-Fourier behavior of heat conduction in biological tissue, the traditional Pennes bioheat equation was modified to thermal wave model of bioheat transfer (TWMBT). Consequently, a joint physical model, which combines TWMBT for tissue and energy transport equation for blood vessel, is presented to predict the evolution of temperature and the thermal lesion region. In this study, pulsatile blood flow is first introduced into numerical study of HIFU hyperthermia, and thermal relaxation time, ultrasonic focus location, blood vessel radius, and blood flow velocity are all taken into account. The results show that the thermal relaxation time plays a key role in the temperature and the thermal lesion region. Larger thermal relaxation time results in lower temperature and smaller thermal lesion region, which indicates that TWMBT leads to lower temperature and smaller thermal lesion region compared to Pennes bioheat transfer model. In addition, we found that the ultrasonic focus location and blood vessel radius significantly affected the temperature and thermal lesion region, while the heartbeat frequency and amplitude factor of pulsating blood flow as well as the average velocity of blood flow had only a slight effect.