Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comments on ''The Iris Hypothesis: A Negative or Positive Cloud Feedback?''

Based on radiance measurements of Japan’s Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS), Lindzen et al. (2001, hereinafter LCH) found that the high-level cloud amount averaged over a large oceanic region in the western tropical Pacific decreases with increasing sea surface temperature (SST) underneath clouds. Using a 3.5-box radiative–convective model, they further found that the response of high-level clouds to SST had a negative climate feedback. Lin et al. (2002) reassessed this iris phenomenon by analyzing the radiation and clouds inferred from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) measurements. They found a weak positive feedback between high-level clouds and the surface temperature. The feedback factor ranges between 0.05 and 0.10 instead of between 20.55 and 21.10 as found by LCH. The difference in the feedback factor is due to a larger contrast in albedos and a smaller contrast in the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) between the highlevel cloudy region and the surrounding regions as derived by Lin et al. when compared with that specified in LCH. It appears that the approach taken by Lin et al. to estimate the albedo and OLR is not appropriate and that the inferred climate sensitivity is unreliable. In LCH’s model, the Tropics is divided into a dry region, a clear-moist region, and a cloudy-moist region. The fractional coverages of these regions are assumed to be 0.50, 0.28, and 0.22, respectively. The detrainment of cumulus clouds and the moistening of the upper troposphere have an effect of changing the tropical OLR
Delineation of the geometry of nodes in the Alps–Dinarides hinge zone and recognition of seismogenic nodes (M ≥ 6)

We introduce a new method based on the analysis of the topographical alignments and used to delineate the structural boundaries of the nodes, which permits the definition of relatively narrow earthquake‐prone areas by the pattern recognition approach. The structurally bounded nodes capable of earthquakes with M ≥ 6.0, identified with pattern recognition, in fact, cover a significantly smaller area of the study region as compared with that defined by Gorshkov et al. (2004) who used conventional circles. The proposed method thus improves the precision in the location of potential large earthquakes.
Impacts of temperature and precipitation variability in the Northern Plains of the United States and Canada on the productivity of spring barley and oat

Increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation are expected to effect a change in production of cool‐season crops such as spring barley and oat. To determine whether observed changes may already have had an impact on these crops in the Northern Plains of the United States and Canada, first‐differences of growing‐season temperature and precipitation and of annual yield data were analysed via multiple linear regression for 1980–2012 for the genetically stable cultivars of ‘Robust’ spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at three sites in Minnesota, and for ‘Gopher’ oats (Avena sativa L.) at five sites in Minnesota and neighbouring states and provinces. Temperature and precipitation impacts also were assessed for the top‐three yielding barley and oat cultivars at each site to assess whether newer varieties responded similarly to the older varieties. Barley yield at the coolest site showed a modest relationship with climate while the warmer sites showed stronger relationships between climate variability and barley yield, particularly for negative impacts of high temperatures. Climate variability also had a significant impact on yield at the five oat sites. Warm pre‐sowing temperatures enhanced yields at cooler sites while high temperatures later in the growing season reduced yields across the sites. Results for the top‐three barley and oat cultivars often were similar to those for the older cultivars. Our results suggest that observed climate changes have contributed to the relative decrease in barley and oat yields in the region, that more recent releases have partially compensated for the negative impacts of observed temperature and precipitation trends, and that model projected changes in temperature and precipitation will continue to present both benefits and challenges for barley and oat production in the Northern Plains.
A new crocodilian from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of north-eastern Brazil

A new mesosuchian crocoddian from the Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Aptian) of north-eastern Brazil is described. Susisuchus anatoceps gen. et sp. nov. is the first crocodillan to be reported from this formation. It is represented by an incomplete, partially articulated skeleton: the skull and mandible, partial postcranial axial skeleton, forelimbs and portions of the osteodermal skeleton. Preservation of soft tissues includes the skin surrounding both forelimbs and the digits of the right hand. The state of preservation of the specimen suggests that it was incorporated into the basin as a desiccated carcass. Susisuchus anatoceps is one of the oldest crocodilians with a eusuchian-type dorsal shield, comprising a tetraserial paravertebral shield and, either side of this, two sagittal rows of accessory osteoderms. It also possesses amphicoelous thoracic, lumbar and caudal vertebrae. This combination of postcranial features have never before been seen in a crocodilian and warrant the erection of a new family within Mesosuchia: Susisuchidae. Taxonomically, S. anatoceps is similar to a number of Lower Cretaceous mesosuchians previously considered to have given rise to eusuchians, most notably the Glen Rose crocodilian and a new, but as yet undescribed crocodillan from the Lower Cretaceous Winton Formation of western Queensland, Australia. Preliminary preparation of the Winton crocodilian indicates that it may belong to Susisuchidae, supporting the hypotheses of interchange between the vertebrate faunas of South America and Australia during the Lower Cretaceous.
Reinventing civil engineering education

Civil engineering, the oldest engineering discipline, is facing unprecedented challenges. The world we live in today is vastly different from that of fifty years ago. Information technology has become ubiquitous in our society, new technologies are emerging, and learning paradigms and cognitive psychology are pointing the way to more effective education. Students are searching for an educational experience that prepares them for a variety of jobs, yet the curriculum and educational paradigm for civil engineers remains virtually unchanged over the past half century. Civil engineering technicians are serving in positions that would have been filled by civil engineering graduates in the past, and other professionals are filling some executive positions that had been reserved for civil engineers. New civil engineering graduates have the lowest engineering starting salaries, and the civil engineer has the bottom median salary of all fields of engineering. The authors describe how there is a clarion call to recruit, retain and reward women, minorities and the physically challenged into the profession and argue that it is time to reinvent the educational system so that we can begin to educate tomorrow's civil systems integrators.
Distribution of clionid sponges in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), 2001-2003

In 2001, the Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Program (CREMP) began monitoring the abundance and area covered by three clionid sponges (Cliona delitrix, C. lampa, and C. caribbaea). Subsequently, monitoring has been conducted annually at all 40 CREMP sites throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and the Dry Tortugas. Between 2001 and 2002, mean clionid area decreased significantly from 7.6 cm/m to 4.6 cm/m (Wilcoxon; p= 0.035). Between 2002 and 2003, the decline to 4.5 cm/m was not significant. Approximately 80% of all clionid colonies recorded at the CREMP stations covered less than 50 cm. Among all recorded stony coral species, Montastraea annularis, M. cavernosa, and Siderastrea siderea were the most frequently and extensively invaded by clionid colonies. However, the vast majority of clionid colonies occurred in substrata not associated with a live coral colony. The mean percent cover for the four coral species identified to be most susceptible to clionid invasion had the greatest decline in the Dry Tortugas deep stations between 2001 and 2003. At Lower Keys patch-reef stations, mean percent cover showed a small, steady decrease, while at Upper Keys patch-reef stations, a small steady increase occurred. Fifteen water-quality parameters
SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND ECONOMIC POTENTIALS OF DOMESTICATION OF ELEPHANT AS A MEAN OF ELEPHANT CONSERVATION IN SRI LANKA

Loss of elephant habitats appears to be the main reason that leads to human elephant conflicts in most parts of the Dry Zone in Sri Lanka. Capturing and domestication of wild elephants is identified as one of the means of elephant conservation which promote the coexistence between humans and elephants that existed for generations. However, with the recent structural changes in the society and the economy such as mechanization and increased wage rates, captive elephant conservation may not be attractive as it was before. With this background, this study aimed at identifying the social as well as economic problems, and suggesting possible remedies that help to promote domestication of elephants. The study was based on collecting the data from a survey and discussions with key informants. The survey was comprised of a mail survey based on structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. The study found that since elephants are reared in Wet Zone, feed availability is not a major problem. However, most of the elephant owners have to make payments for the feeds. Indigenous, western or both veterinary practices are used for captive elephants. Generally, a single mahout is used to control an elephant and most of the mahouts live below the poverty line. Most of the elephants in homegarden are reared for prestige, while temples and devalas keep elephants for ceremonies. Hotels and orphanages rear elephants with the intention of attracting tourists. When compared costs and revenues, orphanages and hotels enjoy with marvelous profits. Thus hotels that receive profit can rear captive elephants, where there is a demand for elephant safaris, rides, etc. In addition to that, tamed captive elephants can be used to establish an elephant park, which is a win-win solution for both owners and people who take pleasure from elephant related activities.
The Microworld of Diamonds: Images from Earth's Mantle

Through the Eyes of the Inclusionist A diamond is so much more than merely a coveted mineral specimen or gemstone. Whether a natural crystal or transformed into a glittering gem by the lapidary’s hand, diamond is a unique messenger bearing extraordinary tales from Earth’s depths. To the unaided eye, euhedral crystals (fig. 1) and flawless, colorless faceted diamonds may offer a message too subtle to register, while a more tortured, less aesthetic specimen may be dismissed entirely. However, with the aid of the microscope, a surface landscape of surprisingly detailed features is revealed, and its interior becomes a veritable world-within-a-world, ripe with important insights and intriguing mysteries begging to be investigated. In the microworld, an inclusionist is one who studies minute features within minerals and gem materials, such as captured guest minerals and fluid inclusions, the latter defined as “gas, liquid, or melt, trapped in materials from the earth and space” (Roedder 1984, cover). To the trained mineralogist and research scientists investigating geologic processes, inclusions—particularly those found in diamonds—reveal much about Earth’s origins and geology. This article welcomes you to the extraordinary “microworld of diamonds,” as interpreted by the inclusionist and captured by the science-artistry of photomicrography.
Indigenous ecotourism in preserving and empowering Mayan natural and cultural values at Palenque, Mexico

Indigenous tourism in the Mayan Area has virtually not been mentioned in the literature. As a result of the course of tourism in the Mayan Area, this study assessed the level of empowerment in the Mayan communities surrounding a major archaeological site and tourism attraction of the Classic Maya: Palenque, in Mexico. The empowerment framework was used to assess whether or not tourism develops in terms that ultimately benefit economically, psychologically, politically, socially and environmentally the local communities. A checklist of empowerment indicators identified from the literature were tested and contrasted to the interviews conducted with Mayan tourism stakeholders. Results indicate that local indigenous participation in tourism has not been easy to occur due to a lack of knowledge in tourism, limited economic resources and negotiation skills which has significantly disempowered Mayan communities. NGOs have not participated in the local tourism development until recently and the investment from the private tourism sector has not stood out with its presence. The Mexican government is tracing the course of indigenous ecotourism with several support programs. These results form the basis for more effective strategies to maximize involvement of Mayan communities in managing their cultural and natural resources and the tourism on which they depend.
On a New Species of Dicynodon (D. Murrayi) from near Colesberg, South Africa

For the original specimen from which Professor Huxley first in the spring of last year) obtained evidence of the existence of this species, he was indebted to the Rev. H. M. White, of Andover, who subsequently put the author in communication with the discoverer of the fossil, Mr. J. A. Murray, and the latter gentleman having written to his father, resident in South Africa, obtained for Professor Huxley a large quantity of similar fossil remains. One specimen in particular, having been carefully chiselled out by Mr. Dew, afforded a complete skull of this peculiar and previously undescribed species of Dicynodon. The author described the distinctive features of this skull in detail. Dicynodon Murrayi is distinguished from all the already known species by the following characters:— 1. The plane of the upper and anterior face of the nasal and premaxillary bones would, if produced, cut that of the upper face of the parietals at an angle of about 90°. 2. The supratemporal foossæ are much longer from within outwards than from before backwards, owing partly to the shortness of the parietal region. 3. The alveoli of the tusks, the transverse section of which is circular, commence immediately under the nasal apertrue, and extend forwards and downwards parallel with the plane of the nasal and upper part of the part of the premaxillary bones, and do not leave their sockets until they have passed beyond the level of the posterior end of the symphysis of the lower jaw. 4. The nasal apertures are altogether in front of the orbits. 5. The length of the upper jaw in front of the nasal apertures is certainly equal to one-third, and probably to one-half, the whole length of the skull, which is between six and seven inches. 6. The os quadratum is about half as long as the skull. These structural peculiarities are sufficient to distinguish Dicynodon Murrayi from all others; and the author stated that he should reserve the description of many other anatomical features, which are probably more or less common to other Dicynodons, such as the bony sclerotic, the bony interorbital septum and vomer, the characters of the humerus, of the pelvis, and of the ribs, for another paper, in which other Dicynodont remains would be considered.
Comparative Analysis of Knee Replacement Surgery who follow up by Physical Therapy and Intra-articular Steroid Injections for Obese Patients.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common chronic articular disease, and its prevalence has doubled since the mid-20th century. It affects 16% of the adult population over 50 years of age in the post-industrial era [1]. Obesity is one of the only modifiable risk factors for both incidence and progression of Osteoarthritis (OA). [2] Although OA was previously regarded as a disease of the elderly, its development starts much earlier than originally thought, and OA is ranked among the top 20 diseases in the 40–45 years age group [3]. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the outcomes of knee replacement surgery following up physical therapy, versus intra-articular steroid injections for obese patients (BMI >30) The study design employed in this review is narrative, and articles published after 2010 from PubMed were considered for inclusion. The review examines the impact of each intervention on the complete regain of knee function in this specific population. Through the analysis of relevant studies, this review seeks to inform clinical decision-making and guide the management of obese patients with knee osteoarthritis. Conclusion. Based on the reviewed literature, knee replacement surgery appears to offer a better chance of achieving complete regain of knee function in obese patients (BMI >30) undergoing physical therapy compared to intra-articular steroid injections. However, the findings are limited by the availability of studies and the heterogeneity in the research methodologies.
Heavy metals in water and tilapia fish from Athi-Galana-Sabaki tributaries, Kenya

The well known long term toxic effects of heavy metals lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) to man are of both scientific and environmental concerns. The presence of these heavy metals in water create a societal health risk in rivers that are otherwise useful for drinking water and fisheries as is of the case of Athi-Galana-Sabaki river in Kenya. Fish play an important role in human nutrition and therefore need to be carefully and routinely screened to ensure that there are no high levels of heavy metals being transferred to man through their consumption. We report levels of Pb, Ni, Mn, Zn, Cd and Cr in tilapia gills and water from tributaries of Athi River measured by Atomic Absorption spectroscopy. The concentration (mg/kg DW) found in the tilapia fish gills ranged; Pb (1.42-4.48), Ni (0.121.75), Mn (81.50-158.92), Zn (28.00-76.33), Cd (0.71-1.77) and Cr (ND-0.2). In water, the ranges (mg/l) were; Pb (0.004-0.047), Ni (0.007-0.062), Mn (0.187-1.048), Zn (0.002-0.695), Cd (ND0.01) and Cr (ND-0.068). Seasonal variation showed that Zn was significantly high during wet season in fish and water (p<0.0001). There was no general trend in levels of heavy metals in water, but in fish gills the elements decreased in the order Mn>Zn>Pb>Cd>Ni>Cr. Results evidence bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the fish and also alarming levels that are higher than the WHO limits, therefore posing potential risk for inhabitants that depend on the river. While the findings are geared towards providing baseline data on the current pollution status of this river, constant monitoring of the levels of contamination to assess the impact of the heavy metals is deemed necessary.
Corporate Purpose and Financial Performance

We construct a measure of corporate purpose within a sample of US companies based on approximately 500,000 survey responses of worker perceptions about their employers. We find that this measure of purpose is not related to financial performance. However, high purpose firms come in two forms: firms characterized by high camaraderie between workers and firms characterized by high clarity from management. We document that firms exhibiting both high purpose and clarity have systematically higher future accounting and stock market performance, even after controlling for current performance, and that this relation is driven by the perceptions of middle management and professional staff rather than senior executives, hourly or commissioned workers. Taken together, these results suggest that firms with mid-level employees with strong beliefs in the purpose of their organization and the clarity in the path towards that purpose experience better performance.  *Claudine Gartenberg is an Assistant Professor of Management at NYU Stern School of Business; contact email: cgartenb@stern.nyu. edu. Andrea Prat is the Richard Paul Richman Professor of Business at Columbia Business School; contact email: ap3116@columbia.edu. George Serafeim is the Jakurski Family Associate Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School; contact email: gserafeim@hbs.edu. We thank the Great Place to Work Institute for giving us access to their full survey data. We are grateful to Alex Edmans, Rebecca Henderson, Lamar Pierce, Shiva Rajgopal and participants at the NYU Stern Strategy Brownbag series, the Organizations with Purpose Conference at London Business School, the Economics of Social Sector Organizations at University of Chicago, and the 2015 Israel Strategy Conference for many helpful comments. We are solely responsible for any errors in the manuscript.
Ciudad, metrópoli y mundo global/local City, metropolis and global/local world 1

Los cambios políticos y económicos ocurridos en los 70, relacionados en parte por el agotamiento del “modelo fordista”, afectaron de manera decisiva a la estructura de las ciudades, en especial aquellas que habían sido importantes centros industriales. En este sentido, la reconversión territorial y económica de Barcelona para insertarla en la red tejida por el capitalismo financiarizado y global, siguiendo la pauta de los sucesivos Planes Estratégicos, constituyó la respuesta institucional y del capital privado a la crisis fordista. El enfoque adoptado plasmado en el denominado “modelo Barcelona” o “modelo de ciudad empresa”supuso, a pesar de las resistencias puntuales: luchas vecinales, okupaciones,. que la ciudad se configurara con arreglo a los postulados del valor de cambio o de la racionalidad monetarizada. El resultado de todo ello ha sido la transformación de Barcelona en nodo articulador de un territorio, metrópoli, especializado y policéntrico, plenamente integrado en los flujos de capital multinacional. Sin embargo, finalizado el expolio, lo que se constata es que principal objetivo perseguido por los distintos poderes, esto es, convertir este lugar en ciudad global (y local) de primer orden, capital de una macrorregión en el sur de Europa, no ha sido alcanzado. The political and economic changes of the 70s, in part to do with the ending of the 'fordist model', decisively affected the structure of cities, especially those which had been significant industrial centers. In the case of Barcelona, the response of institutions and private capital was, through a series of Strategic Plans, to redevelop the city both territorially and economically so as to bring it into the web of global investment capitalism. The approach adopted the so-called 'Barcelona model' , or 'the model of city as company' involved (in spite of resistance by residents and by 'okupa' squats) re-working the city on the criterion of profit, or financial advantage. The result has been the transformation of Barcelona into a metropolitan space which is both specialized and multi-centered, and wholly integrated into the ebb and flow of multinational capital. Nevertheless, after all the plundering and pillaging, what is clear is that the powers that be have failed in their bid to turn Barcelona into a top-rank global (and local) city, the capital of a new southern European macro-region.