Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of agricultural nonpoint source pollution in Kranji Catchment, Singapore

Singapore’s Kranji Reservoir is highly sensitive to nutrient and bacterial pollution, both of which can be directly traced to agricultural runoff. Water quality samples were collected along the main drainage channel in the Neo Tiew subcatchment, which drains to Kranji Reservoir, in an effort to determine the source and degree of agricultural nonpoint source pollution in the area. Grab samples collected from eight sampling locations along the reach of the drainage channel under wetand dry-weather conditions were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacterial species, as well as total suspended solids. High nutrient and bacterial concentrations were observed at sampling locations in the upstream region of the subcatchment, with total nitrogen as high as 19.8 mg/L, total phosphorus as high as 2.12 mg/L, and a peak total coliform count over 1,000,000 MPN/100 mL. The peak concentration of most of the observed contaminants occurred directly downstream from an intensive row-cropping vegetable production operation. These observations indicate that this farming operation is a primary, though not sole, contributor to nonpoint source pollution in the area. A constructed free-water-surface treatment wetland was designed to treat runoff immediately downstream from the identified source. The designed wetland is projected to remove, depending on flow conditions, between 13 and 99% of influent total phosphorus, 51 to 99% of influent total nitrogen, greater than 99% of influent fecal coliform, and approximately 75% of influent total suspended solids. Agricultural management practices for mitigating runoff contamination are also recommended, including cyclic irrigation and crop rearrangement. It is evident that agricultural nonpoint source pollution is a significant water quality concern in the Neo Tiew subcatchment in particular and the Kranji catchment in general, but there are a number of promising and practical options to address this problem. Thesis Supervisor: Peter Shanahan Title: Senior Lecturer of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Choix de l’auditeur externe, honoraires d’audit et gouvernance des entreprises françaises

(VF)L’objectif de cette recherche est d’examiner la relation entre la taille de l’auditeur externe et le montant des honoraires d’audit. Le choix de l’auditeur est, quant a lui, explique par les caracteristiques de gouvernance et de propriete de la firme. Sur la base d’un echantillon de 96 entreprises francaises cotees pendant la periode 2004-2006, nous appliquons, pour tenir compte de cette double relation, un modele de selection de type Heckman. Les resultats du modele montrent principalement le role preponderant des comites d’audit independants dans la selection des auditeurs de grande taille et la presence d’une prime d’audit en faveur des auditeurs de grande taille. (VA)The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the external auditor size and the audit fees. The selection of an external auditor is, however, explained by governance and ownership characteristics of the firm. Based on a sample of 96 listed French firms over the period 2004-2006, we use, to take account of this dual relationship, a Heckman’s selection model. Results show mainly the important role of independent audit committees in the selection of big auditors and the presence of a “Big auditor” premium.
3D Viscoelastic Wave Propagation in the Upper Borrego Valley, California, Constrained by Borehole and Surface Data

We have simulated 2-Hz-wave propagation in a three-dimensional model of the upper Borrego Valley, southern California, for a M 4.9 earthquake with epicenter 5 km north of the valley. A 4th-order staggered-grid finite-difference method was used to calculate viscoelastic ground motion in a basin model (9 km by 5 km by 0.4 km) consisting of heterogeneous sediments surrounded by bedrock. We simulated the earthquake as a double-couple point source and computed the ground motions in the valley separately for the parts of the source incident from below and from the North. The earthquake was recorded by a surface array as well as a deep downhole array (0–238 m depth) in the center of the valley, all equipped with digital three-component seismic instruments. The simulation reproduces the overall pattern of ground motions at basin and borehole sites and shows a good correlation of observed to synthetic waveforms. In particular, the 3D simulation reproduces the recorded peak motions, cumulative kinetic energies, and Fourier spectral amplitudes within a factor of 2 for most components at the individual sites. The correlation between data and simulation allows us to identify the secondary arrivals in the records as Love and Rayleigh waves generated at the edges of the valley and the troughs of the basin. The peak velocities for the waves incident into the valley from below are generally more than an order of magnitude larger than those for the waves incident from the North. The success of the prediction requires the inclusion of anelastic attenuation in the simulation with Q values for P and S waves in the alluvium of about 30. We also used a profile of the 3D model and the soil parameters at the deep borehole to examine the ability of 2.5D and 1D model approximations to predict the data. The maximum peak velocities and total cumulative kinetic energies are reproduced at the recording sites within a factor of 2 for both 2.5D and 1D model approximations, but are underpredicted by up to an order of magnitude at some depths for individual components. In particular, the 2.5D and 1D simulations tend to underpredict the duration.
ATTENUATION OF SHEAR AND COMPRESSIONAL WAVES IN PIERRE SHALE

Attenuation measurements were made near Limon, Colorado, where the Pierre shale is unusually uniform from depths of less than 100 ft to approximately 4,000 ft. Particle velocity wave forms were measured at distances up to 750 ft from explosive and mechanical sources. Explosives gave a well‐defined compressional pulse which was observed along vertical and horizontal travel paths. A weight dropped on the bottom of a borehole gave a horizontally‐traveling shear wave with vertical particle motion. In each case, signals from three‐component clusters of geophones rigidly clamped in boreholes were amplified by a calibrated, wide‐band system and recorded oscillographically. The frequency content of each wave form was obtained by Fourier analysis, and attenuation as a function of frequency was computed from these spectra. For vertically‐traveling compressional waves, an average of 6 determinations over the frequency range of 50–450 cps gives α=0.12 f. For horizontally‐traveling shear waves with vertical motion in .
Ground-based evaluation of aerosol transmittance for cloudless and scattered cloudy skies

An evaluation of atmospheric turbidity parameters related with aerosols from ground-based broadband measurements of global and diffuse radiation is presented. First, an inversion of a direct-diffuse broadband radiation splitting model is applied to cloudless sky radiation data. The inversion requires diffuse fraction as the main input parameter. Subsequently we perform an empirical correction to the diffuse fraction in order to extended the previous method to scattered cloud conditions. The correction is based on temporal variations of global atmospheric transmissivity normalized with respect to the air mass. In order to test the applicability of the broadband method and our extension, concurrent measurements of spectral radiation were also taken. Spectra were taken by a spectroradiometer equipped with an integrating sphere and an occulting tube. Under scatted cloudy conditions, spectra were taken during direct shining episodes, that is between occultation intervals. Values of aerosol extinction and of angstrom's (beta) coefficient have been obtained. The latter were obtained through two procedures: a single wavelength evaluation, and a fit to the aerosol spectral extinction coefficients. Values of (beta) obtained from the cloudiness correcte diffuse fraction show a smooth daily evolution that would correspond to an equally turbid but cloudless atmosphere. Results suggest that cloudiness correction to the diffuse fraction can extend the inversion of cloudless broadband radiation models to scattered cloudy skies, in order to retrieve aerosol parameters.
IP fault localization via risk modeling

Automated, rapid, and effective fault management is a central goal of large operational IP networks. Today's networks suffer from a wide and volatile set of failure modes, where the underlying fault proves difficult to detect and localize, thereby delaying repair. One of the main challenges stems from operational reality: IP routing and the underlying optical fiber plant are typically described by disparate data models and housed in distinct network management systems. We introduce a fault-localization methodology based on the use of risk models and an associated troubleshooting system, SCORE (Spatial Correlation Engine), which automatically identifies likely root causes across layers. In particular, we apply SCORE to the problem of localizing link failures in IP and optical networks. In experiments conducted on a tier-1 ISP backbone, SCORE proved remarkably effective at localizing optical link failures using only IP-layer event logs. Moreover, SCORE was often able to automatically uncover inconsistencies in the databases that maintain the critical associations between the IP and optical networks.
Structural Vector Autoregressions: Theory of Identification and Algorithms for Inference

Structural vector autoregressions (SVARs) are widely used for policy analysis and to provide stylized facts for dynamic general equilibrium models. Yet there have been no workable rank conditions to ascertain whether an SVAR is globally identified. When identifying restrictions such as long-run restrictions are imposed on impulse responses, there have been no efficient algorithms for small-sample estimation and inference. To fill these important gaps in the literature, this paper makes four contributions. First, we establish general rank conditions for global identification of both overidentified and exactly identified models. Second, we show that these conditions can be checked as a simple matrix-filling exercise and that they apply to a wide class of identifying restrictions, including linear and certain nonlinear restrictions. Third, we establish a very simple rank condition for exactly identified models that amounts to a straightforward counting exercise. Fourth, we develop a number of efficient algorithms for small-sample estimation and inference.
ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO DEL BAZO EN LOS DIFERENTES MAMIFEROS DOMÉSTICOS

The aim of this work was to offer an updated revision of the histology of the spleen from an intespecies comparative point of view. and to highlight the role of the marginal zone as a third compartment of the spleen which in addition to the white pulp and the red pulp plays an important role in antigen presentation.
Environmental controls over methane emissions from bromeliad phytotelmata: The role of phosphorus and nitrogen availability, temperature, and water content

Tank bromeliads are common epiphytic plants throughout neotropical forests that store significant amounts of water in phytotelmata (tanks) formed by highly modified leafs. Methanogenic archaea in these tanks have recently been identified as a significant source of atmospheric methane. We address the effects of environmental drivers (temperature, tank water content, sodium phosphate [P], and urea [N] addition) on methane production in anaerobically incubated bromeliad slurry and emissions from intact bromeliad tanks in montane Ecuador. N addition ≥ 1 mg g−1 had a significantly positive effect on headspace methane concentrations in incubation jars while P addition did not affect methane production at any dosage (≤ 1 mg g−1). Tank bromeliads (Tillandsia complanata) cultivated in situ showed significantly increased effluxes of methane in response to the addition of 26 mg N addition per tank but not to lower dosage of N or any dosage of P (≤ 5.2 mg plant−1). There was no significant interaction between N and P addition. The brevity of the stimulatory effect of N addition on plant methane effluxes (1–2 days) points at N competition by other microorganisms or bromeliads. Methane efflux from plants closely followed within‐day temperature fluctuations over 24 h cycles, yet the dependency of temperature was not exponential as typical for terrestrial wetlands but instead linear. In simulated drought, methane emission from bromeliad tanks was maintained with minimum amounts of water and regained after a short lag phase of approximately 24 h. Our results suggest that methanogens in bromeliads are primarily limited by N and that direct effects of global change (increasing temperature and seasonality, remote fertilization) on bromeliad methane emissions are of moderate scale.
Inhibition of A/Human/Hubei/3/2005 (H3N2) influenza virus infection by silver nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted much attention as antimicrobial agents and have demonstrated efficient inhibitory activity against various viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and Tacaribe virus. In this study, we investigated if AgNPs could have antiviral and preventive effects in A/Human/Hubei/3/2005 (H3N2) influenza virus infection. Madin-Darby canine kidney cells infected with AgNP-treated H3N2 influenza virus showed better viability (P<0.05 versus influenza virus control) and no obvious cytopathic effects compared with an influenza virus control group and a group treated with the solvent used for preparation of the AgNPs. Hemagglutination assay indicated that AgNPs could significantly inhibit growth of the influenza virus in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (P<0.01 versus the influenza virus control). AgNPs significantly reduced cell apoptosis induced by H3N2 influenza virus at three different treatment pathways (P<0.05 versus influenza virus control). H3N2 influenza viruses treated with AgNPs were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and found to interact with each other, resulting in destruction of morphologic viral structures in a time-dependent manner in a time range of 30 minutes to 2 hours. In addition, intranasal AgNP administration in mice significantly enhanced survival after infection with the H3N2 influenza virus. Mice treated with AgNPs showed lower lung viral titer levels and minor pathologic lesions in lung tissue, and had a marked survival benefit during secondary intranasal passage in vivo. These results provide evidence that AgNPs have beneficial effects in preventing H3N2 influenza virus infection both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrate that AgNPs can be used as potential therapeutics for inhibiting outbreaks of influenza.
Ecotourism: An Introduction

As tourism takes its place as the worlds largest industry, ecotourism has been identified as the fastest-growing segment of this dynamic global industry. Since the mid to late 1980s ecotourism has become a major economic force for both developed and developing nations around the world. Using a wealth of international case studies and photos, Ecotourism: An Introduction provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the key foundations, concepts and issues related to the subject, including: the foundations of ecotourism tourism and ecotourism policy the economics, marketing and management of ecotourism the social and ecological impacts of tourism ecotourism and development the role of ethics in ecotourism.
Soil gas emanations as precursory indicators of volcanic eruptions

Field measurements conducted on several active volcanoes in Italy, the Lesser Antilles, and Indonesia demonstrate the common Occurrence of diffuse soil gas emanations from the volcanic piles, at distances from active craters or fumarolic zones. These emanations consist essentially of carbon dioxide and rare gases and their genetic link with crater fumaroles and/or magma degassing at depth can be verified both chemically and isotopically. We emphasize here the potential use of these fluids for continuous volcano monitoring and eruption forecasting.
Valuing a Spatially Variable Environmental Resource: Reducing Non-Point-Source Pollution in Green Bay, Wisconsin

This article investigates the value of reducing non-point-source pollution in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Using stated preference methods, we find the lower bound on the benefits of reducing runoff enough to universally increase water clarity by 4 ft is greater than $10 million annually. Using a unique survey design, we show that because current water clarity in Green Bay is spatially variable, the value that a household places on this universal improvement depends on the distance of the household’s residence from the bay and on the particular geospatial location of the residence. This has important implications for estimating aggregate benefits. (JEL Q51, Q53)
DETERMINATION OF FAULT PARAMETERS OF SMALL EARTHQUAKE IN THE KII PENINSULA

A simple source model, in which only far-field term is considered, is used to determine the fault size and the moment of small earthquakes (4.2<M<5.0). This model gives a relation between the fault dimension and the spectrum of observed seismograms. The model is tested for Gifu-ken Chubu earthquake on September 9, 1969(M=6.6), for which detailed fault parameters had been obtained from geodetic and near-field seismic observations. This test demonstrates that the moment and the fault dimension estimated by the present method agree with those determined by the near-field data within a factor of two. This simple method is applied to small earthquakes with magnitude 4.2 to 5.0 which occurred in 1966-1972 in the Kii peninsula region, using the long-period seismograms observed at SHK. The fault length and seismic moment for the earthquakes are estimated to be about 2km to 9km and about 1×1022 dyne・cm to 2×1023 dyne・cm, respectively. The estimated fault lengths coincide with the linear dimension of the aftershock areas, within a factor of two or so. By using AKI (1966) and KEYLIS-BOROK (1959) formulas, the stress drop and dislocation are estimated to be about 0.4 bar to 13 bars and about 0.3cm to 3.4cm, respectively. It is concluded that the simple fault model
Atlas provisional de distribución de los anfibios y reptiles de la provincia de Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha, España)

We have compiled a provisional atlas of the amphibians and reptiles of the Province of Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain). Until now the herpetology of cuenca has been one of the yeast well known throughout Spain. We have identified 25 species: 9 amphibians and 16 reptiles. Their distribution, habitat and threats to their conservation are discussed for each species. Provisional distribution maps are also shown in 10x10 km. U.T. M. squares.
A Simple Warm-Pool Displacement ENSO Model

Abstract The authors derive analytical and numerical solutions to a simple model of the zonal displacement of the western equatorial Pacific warm pool. The model is based on a single variable x(t), the anomalous displacement of the eastern edge (28.5°C isotherm) of the warm pool. Although the physics differs, this model has a similar mathematical form to the delayed oscillator ENSO model. As in delayed oscillator models, although the wave-propagation time delay is crucial to the existence and period of the oscillation, the oscillation period is also critically dependent on the relative importance of the growth rate of the instability and the negative feedback. Consequently, the period of the oscillation can be several times the wave propagation time. Unlike delayed oscillator models, the wave propagation time delay is dependent on x(t) since the wave’s propagation time depends on the distance of the edge of the warm pool from the ocean boundaries. If the wave propagation delay time is approximated as a co.
The Mystery of Dos Bocas Reservoir, Puerto Rico: Explaining Extreme Spatial Heterogeneity in Largemouth Bass Distribution

Dos Bocas Reservoir, Puerto Rico, has pronounced in-lake variability in fish distributions, especially in piscivore abundance, between the two primary reservoir basins. We quantified fish community distributions by electrofishing in each basin and the confluence, and assessed water quality, contaminant concentrations, habitat availability, and habitat selection. Fish community composition varied markedly among the three areas. We found almost no largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Basin 1 (0.5 fish/h), moderate catch rates in the Confluence (11 fish/h), and relatively high catches in Basin 2 (35 fish/h; ANOVA, P = 0.005). We detected significant differences in pH, conductivity, and Secchi depth (Paired t-Tests, P < 0.05), but none were outside of the range suitable to most fish species. Analysis of common chemical contaminants including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, common pesticides, and mercury revealed little to explain the unusual distributions. When radio-tagged naive largemouth bass (n = 6) from another reservoir were released in Basin 1, they quickly abandoned Basin 1 and were located 11 days later in the Confluence and Basin 2 where they remained for the duration of the study. Radio-tagged largemouth bass (n = 6) released in Basin 2 remained near their stocking site. We hypothesize that differences in watershed development may result in short-term water quality events, including high sedimentation and possibly acidification of Basin 1. These short-term events may contribute to variation in fish assemblages. We recommended focusing on largemouth bass management within Basin 2 and promoting fisheries for Tilapia, sunfish, and crappie in Basin 1.
Environmental Accounting Disclosure Practices by Companies: A Systematic Review of Literature

The numerous attentions being given to the issue of environmental concern has generated opportunities for important researches and standard reforms in environmental accounting disclosure practices by the companies. Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to systematically review how environmental accounting disclosure practices of companies impacted the sustainability objectives of the firm with a view to identifying gaps and advance recommendations for policy-makers and future studies. Design/methodology/approach The Systematic Quantitative Assessment Technique (SQAT), was adopted to search for data used in the critical analysis of 78 peer-reviewed articles obtained from 7 high impact scholarly databanks. Majority of the articles reviewed were empirical studies Findings – There were external and internal pressures exerted on the company to adopt sustainability practices. However, the coercive pressures did not necessarily bring about a real change in the organization. The forces of change were mainly the foreign partners, audit pressure and the allegations by stakeholders, with serious attention given to these as a result of the reputational significance which is strength to the company. The discussion therefore provides researchers with a critical view of the subject exposing researchable gaps that will assist policymakers globally on how to put in place necessary legal framework and disclosure requirements to tackle environmental challenges. Practical implications – Clear regulatory frameworks, more direct engagement with companies and meeting the expectations of the local communities were considered as crucial factors to ensure there is a pathway for sustainability in the activities of concerned firms. Originality/value – The paper develops a systematic review framework from the relevant studies in firms’ environmental accountability disclosure.