Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retrieving Soil Moisture Over Bare Soil from ERS 1 Synthetic Aperture Radar Data: Sensitivity Analysis Based on a Theoretical Surface Scattering Model and Field Data

In order to assess the retrieval of soil moisture from ERS 1 (European Remote Sensing Satellite) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, an inversion procedure based oft the integral equation model (IEM) [Fung et al., 1992] is developed. First, the IEM is used to analyze the sensitivity of radar echoes (in terms of the backscattering coefficient σ0) to the surface parameters (roughness and dielectric constant) under ERS 1 SAR configuration. Results obtained for random rough bare soil fields show that the effect of surface roughness is very strong, particularly in the case of smooth surfaces, and that the sensitivity of σ0 to dielectric constant is independent of the radar configuration and the roughness conditions. This means that the range of variation of backscattering with respect to the dielectric constant variation of dry to wet soil remains the same (about 5 dB) for any roughness condition and radar configuration. The possibility of applying the inversion procedure to retrieve soil moisture is investigated using a set of data collected in a test site situated near Naples, Italy, during the SeIe Synthetic Aperture Radar experiment (SESAR) campaign (November 1993). Simultaneous with ERS 1 overpasses, dielectric constant and roughness measurements were taken over two flat bare fields. From this analysis it is found that the inversion of backscattering from ERS 1 SAR into soil moisture is not reliable without accurate information on roughness if the surface is smooth. In this case it is observed that the sensitivity to the roughness parameters is much higher than the sensitivity to dielectric constant, so that even a small error in the measurement of this parameter can affect the retrieved value of soil moisture significantly. The inversion procedure provides more reliable soil moisture estimates when surfaces rougher than those analyzed in the field experiment are considered.
Ladder-like Poly(methacryloxypropyl) silsesquioxane-Al2O3-polybutadiene Flexible Nanocomposites with High Thermal Conductivity

Ladder-like poly(methacryloxypropyl)-silsesquioxanes (LPMASQ) are photocurable Si-based gels characterized by a double-stranded structure that ensures superior thermal stability and mechanical properties than common organic polymers. In this work, these attractive features were exploited to produce, in combination with alumina nanoparticles (NPs), both unmodified and functionalized with methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), LPMASQ/Al2O3 composites displaying remarkable thermal conductivity. Additionally, we combined LPMASQ with polybutadiene (PB) to produce hybrid nanocomposites with the addition of functionalized Al2O3 NPs. The materials underwent thermal stability, structural, and morphological evaluations via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Both blending PB with LPMASQ and surface functionalization of nanoparticles proved to be effective strategies for incorporating a higher ceramic filler amount in the matrices, resulting in significant increases in thermal conductivity. Specifically, a 113.6% increase in comparison to the bare matrix was achieved at relatively low filler content (11.2 vol%) in the presence of 40 wt% LPMASQ. Results highlight the potential of ladder-like silsesquioxanes in the field of thermally conductive polymers and their applications in heat dissipation for flexible electronic devices.
Fluid dynamic and geochemical aspects of entrainment in mantle plumes

A similarity solution has been developed for vertical, steady-state mantle plume conduits by considering the boundary layer flow emanating from a point source of heat in an axisymmetric geometry. This model includes the effects of temperature and shear stress on viscosity, and incorporates depth-dependent viscosity and thermal expansivity. Plumes with variable viscosity have upward velocities of 0.30–100 m/yr and radii of 30–250 km, depending on temperature, rheology and buoyancy flux. These results demonstrate the small lateral scale of plume features relative to the resolution of most large-scale convection models and seismological studies. All of the plumes studied showed significant entrainment of ambient mantie surrounding the plume conduit, driven by the radial conduction of heat from the plume. This heat raises the buoyancy and lowers the viscosity of the ambient mantel, thereby entraining it into the conduit flow. For buoyancy fluxes of 0.1–10 Mg/s, similar to the range estimated for plumes in the Earth's mantle, we calculate a range of entrainment of >90% to <5% ambient mantle, correlating negatively with buoyancy flux. Examination of the streamlines of mantle material which is entrained into thermal plumes indicates that most of the entrained fraction originates from approximately the lower half of the layer traversed by the plume, and shows minor entrainment of upper level material. This is especially true for non-Newtonian and depth dependent rheologies, and for depth-dependent thermal expansivity. Upwelling of depleted upper mantle, viscously coupled to the plume flow, is proposed as a mechanism for generating post-shield stage alkalic basalts erupted on oceanic island chains and their associated flexural arches. The existing Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data for oceanic basalts indicate the presence of a component which is common to hotspot basalts worldwide, and which is distinct from the upper mantle source of mid-ocean ridge basalts. This component (termed “FOZO” by Hart et al. (1992)) has moderately depleted Sr and Nd signatures, radiogenic Pb isotopes, and elevated 3He/4He ratios. The high He isotope ratios of FOZO suggest an origin for this component in the lower mantle, and would appear to provide independent evidence to support the fluid dynamic observations for significant entrainment of lower mantle in plumes and exclusion of upper mantle. If the composition of FOZO is representative of the isotopic composition of the lower mantle, then it would appear that this reservoir has been differentiated relative to estimates for the bulk silicate earth (BSE). This may be due either to melting and differentiation at higher levels in the mantle, or to fractionation of high pressure phases from a terrestrial magma ocean.
Internal hydraulic jumps and solitons at a shelf break region on the Australian North West Shelf

A large-amplitude, shoreward propagating, semidiurnal internal tide has previously been observed at a shelf break region on the Australian North West Shelf. This paper discusses detailed observations of the wave shape as the internal tide shoals over the shelf slope, near the shelf break. The leading face of the internal tide is seen to steepen and form an internal hydraulic jump. The properties of the jump are well described by a two-layer hydraulic jump model in which the nearly uniform background temperature (density) profile is strongly distorted by the internal tide to an approximately two-layer stratification just before a jump. The height of the jumps reaches 60 m in 123 m water depth, and the jumps contribute significantly to the strong dissipation of the internal tide that has previously been observed in this region. Following some of the jumps, packets of ∼ 12 internal waves of 20 min period are observed. These are described as solitons, and it is found that a second-order theory (in wave amplitude) is necessary to describe the wavelength and phase speed. These waves also play an important role in the energy dissipation of the internal tide.
How are the relationships between childhood temperament, personality development and interpersonal function, and risk to depressive and other mood disorders, best conceptualized? What are the implications for preventive or treatment research?

One of the long-standing challenges in the field of depressive and other mood disorders is to have a clear conceptualisation of the relationships between childhood temperaments, personality development and adult self and interpersonal function, and depressive and other mood disorders. Some biologically-based dispositional (or temperamental) traits are present from birth and are relatively stable from infancy through to adulthood. These characteristics
A conceptual model for the chemo-mechanical degradation of granular geomaterials

A conceptual model is presented, the main aim of which is to elucidate the microscopic origins of the chemo-mechanical coupling in granular geomaterials. The study focuses on the interplay between the inelastic response under high compressive stresses and the chemical reactions leading to mineral dissolution. Chemical and mechanical processes are incorporated within a thermodynamic framework in which energy storage mechanisms depend on microstructural properties. Coupling between the two processes is reproduced through a simplified microscopic idealisation that establishes a link between the evolving microstructure (i.e. particle size geometry) and a chemical state variable. The mechanical implications at the continuum scale are finally derived through statistical homogenisation. The results disclose a relation between the evolution of the elastic properties of a chemically weathered geomaterial and the yielding threshold under high compressive stresses. Such dependency is obtained as an emergent property.
The role of language and emotional intelligence in judgments of real‐life social and moral transgressions among Greek, Hungarian, and British users of English

Previous research suggests that people are more prone to commit moral transgressions when they face moral dilemmas in a second language (LX) as opposed to their first language(s) (L1). This study investigated the influence of language, emotional intelligence, and the degree of severity of real moral transgressions on bilinguals' judgments of offense seriousness, the intensity of the emotions they experienced, and the punishments they proposed for the perpetrators. To this end, 256 British L1 users, 209 Greek–English bilinguals, and 187 Hungarian–English bilinguals watched four videos presenting moral transgressions of mild and extreme severity. Data were analyzed by means of robust linear mixed‐effects models and moderated mediation analyses. For the extreme severity videos, the results revealed strong correlations between offensiveness, emotionality ratings, and proposed punishments for the perpetrators. However, the Greek and the Hungarian participants who watched the videos in their LX English reported lower offensiveness and emotionality ratings and less harsh punishments for the perpetrators than they did in their L1 (Greek and Hungarian, respectively). Furthermore, the role of language in the proposed punishments for the perpetrators was mediated by emotional intensity, but only for the extreme severity stimuli. The results also suggest that higher levels of emotional intelligence are linked with tougher judgments of offense seriousness and stronger emotions when watching real moral transgressions. These findings highlight that the moral foreign language effect does not only exist in the hypothetical moral realm but affects perceptions of offensiveness and emotionality and decisions for the future of perpetrators in real‐life situations.
MODELING THE FOREST HYDROLOGY OF WETLAND‐UPLAND ECOSYSTEMS IN FLORIDA 1

ABSTRACT: Few hydrological models are applicable to pine flat‐woods which are a mosaic of pine plantations and cypress swamps. Unique features of this system include ephemeral sheet flow, shallow dynamic ground water table, high rainfall and evapotranspiration, and high infiltration rates. A FLATWOODS model has been developed specifically for the cypress wetland‐pine upland landscape by integrating a 2‐D ground water model, a Variable‐Source‐Area (VAS)‐based surface flow model, an evapotranspiration (ET) model, and an unsaturated water flow model. The FLATWOODS model utilizes a distributed approach by dividing the entire simulation domain into regular cells. It has the capability to continuously simulate the daily values of ground water table depth, ET, and soil moisture content distributions in a watershed. The model has been calibrated and validated with a 15‐year runoff and a four‐year ground water table data set from two different pine flat woods research watersheds in northern Florida. This model may be used for predicting hydrologic impacts of different forest management practices in the coastal regions.
The Fresnel zone for P-SV waves

Mode‐converted (P-SV) reflections in field data contain information about an area on the reflecting boundary, rather than a single point. For unmigrated data, the total area contributing to the observed reflection amplitude is approximated by the Fresnel zone. We derive formulas for the P-SV Fresnel‐zone radius for both surface and VSP geometries. In the surface case, the Fresnel radius can be expressed in a form similar to that of the P-P case by substitution of the P-SV single‐layer migration velocity. Numerical modeling shows that the relative changes in size and shape of the P-SV Fresnel zone as a function of offset are not large and are comparable to the P-P case. For a given depth and frequency, the P-SV Fresnel radius is smaller than the P-P Fresnel radius by a factor of about 0.8; hence the lateral resolution of converted‐wave (P-SV) data may be somewhat better than the P-P data. Two sample calculations using field data are presented. For the VSP example, the P-SV Fresnel radius (184 m) is smaller.
Leadership Characteristics as Predictors of Juran Trilogy Principles and Influence on Leaders’ Business Decisions

This research examined the relationships among leadership styles, traits, ethics, and Juran Trilogy principles. A non-probability, purposive sampling approach was used to collect survey data from 91 leaders responsible for influencing organizational quality decisions in industries such as manufacturing, business, healthcare, and others. A correlational research design was used to examine how leadership influences business decisions and if there was a preference for leadership styles over leadership traits and whether ethics and ethical leadership affect these preferences. The results indicate that leadership traits have a significant and positive impact on the components of the Juran Trilogy, whereas leadership and duty ethics have a significant and positive impact on quality. The research findings provide useful information that may assist businesses in developing and growing organizational leaders capable of effectively influencing organizational decisions.
Atmospheric 222Rn measurements during the 1993 NARE Intensive

In this paper we describe a recently developed technique to collect samples for atmospheric 222Rn measurements suited for deployment on (research) aircraft. Following a technical description of the sampler we present measurements from nine flights during the 1993 North Atlantic Regional Experiment (NARE) intensive over the North Atlantic Ocean and over the continent in the vicinity of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada. Samples were taken both in the boundary layer and in the free troposphere up to about 5500 m (msl). Concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 1.66 Bq/m3 in the free troposphere, with means of 1.66 and 0.52 Bq/m3, respectively. Boundary layer 222Rn concentrations were strongly correlated with back trajectory origins confirming the use of 222Rn as tracer for continental air masses. Samples collected in the marine boundary layer (MBL) were found to be significantly correlated with aerosol particle, NOy, and O3 concentrations reaffirming the utility of radon as a tracer of continental boundary layer air. Radon concentrations for the MBL samples were not found to be significantly correlated with transit times from the continent as estimated from back trajectory analysis implying that variations in the radon concentrations are dominated by factors other than radioactive decay. It is suggested that this factor is the height of the continental boundary layer into which the radon is emitted. On the basis of the radioactive decay we estimated apparent 222Rn ages for our samples and discuss the inherent difficulties in reliable age estimates. A comparison with hydrocarbon ratio age estimates for a highly polluted plume of air encountered during the campaign shows a similar age range for these samples and suggests that simultaneous measurements of species with different chemical and physical properties might allow narrowing the uncertainties in such ages estimates.
Analysis of muscle activity during rowing stroke phases.

PURPOSE Rowing engages large muscle groups and electromyography (EMG) analysis is used to assess athletes' condition and refine sports technique. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the muscle activation level during different phases of the rowing cycle on an ergometer. METHODS In a study involving one professional and five amateurs, the mean EMG amplitudes from the quadriceps, gastrocnemius, biceps and triceps brachii were analyzed during different phases of rowing. A comparison was made between the degree of muscle engagement during the exercise between the professional and inexperienced individuals as well as among the different individuals during recordings obtained at different rowing speeds. The correlation coefficient between the values recorded using a strain gauge and the EMG amplitude recorded from the surface of the biceps and triceps brachii muscles was evaluated. RESULTS The muscle activation pattern during rowing has a predictable character. A difference in the muscle activation pattern during rowing between the professionals and amateurs was observed. The EMG signal is correlated with the force recorded by the resistive strain gauge only in the experienced rower at stroke rates 20 and 25 [1/min]. CONCLUSIONS Electromyographic analysis can be useful for assessing the correctness of rowing techniques. The activation pattern of muscles during rowing has a predictable nature. The force generated by the participants increases with an increase in rowing frequency.
The Formation of Labrador Sea Water. Part I: Large-Scale Processes

Abstract Data obtained in the western Labrador Sea during March 1976 by Hudson are analysed to show that new Labrador Sea Water was being formed at this time. On the basis of hydrographic and moored current-meter data, it is hypothesized that a 200 km scale cyclonic gyre forms in winter in the western Labrador Sea and that this gyre retains the developing deep mixed layers in this general area long enough for the transformation to Labrador Sea Water to take place. Using a model, it is demonstrated that water columns found along the western boundary of the Labrador Sea can be modified by cooling, evaporation and mixing to form deep mixed layers with the properties of Labrador Sea Water. Approximately 105 km3 of new Labrador Sea Water was formed in 1976, an estimate that is consistent with earlier estimates of mean annual production rates. This water, 2.9°C, 34.84‰, is some 0.6°C cooler and 0.06‰ fresher than that defined by Lazier (1973) from his data collected in 1966. The variation of Labrador Sea Water .
The Effects of Core Stabilization Trunk Muscle Fatigue on Lower Limb Stiffness of Basketball Players

Core stability is the ability to control the position and motion of the trunk over the pelvis and legs to allow the optimum production and transfer of force to the terminal segment in sporting activities. The effect of fatigue, especially core muscle fatigue, on stiffness as a performance index requires more study. This research aimed to investigate the effect of the core stabilization muscles’ fatigue on lower limb stiffness during hopping. Thirty active basketball players participated in this study (age: 20.90 ± 1.49 years; weight: 60.30 ± 3.10 kg; height: 163.2 ± 5.04 cm). The hopping test (15 jumps) was performed before and after the fatigue protocol in three states including at a preferred (no frequency control), maximum, and 2.2 Hz frequency on the force plate. The stiffness of the lower extremities was measured before and after the fatigue protocol. The results of the dependent t-test showed core muscle fatigue led to reduced lower extremity stiffness under all three hopping-test conditions by 15.3–15.9% (p ≤ 0.005). It seems that core muscle function affects lower extremity stiffness, and can function as a performance index in athletes. Although performed in healthy volunteers, this study may have implications for injury prevention, highlighting the necessity to perform interspersed endurance training using the different body parts of the kinetic chain.
Medical Cannabis Use Among Canadian Veterans and Non-Veterans: A National Survey

Background: Medical cannabis (MC) is used by Canadian Veterans to manage a wide range of health issues. However, there is little information comparing the reasons for MC use and its perceived effectiveness between Veterans and non-Veterans. Objects: We compared MC use among a convenience sample of Canadian Veterans and with non-Veteran controls, including demographics, reasons and patterns of use, and perceived effectiveness. Methods: Between November and December 2021, Canadian Veterans using cannabis were invited to participate in a survey using a national press release, social media, and announcements on online platform dedicated to promoting health among Canadian Veterans and non-Veterans during the pandemic (www.MissionVav.com). The survey was also mentioned in a monthly newsletter from Veteran Affairs Canada. Self-reported effectiveness was evaluated using a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (0 being not all effective, 10 being the most effective). Results: The survey was completed by 157 people, including 108 (69%) males and 49 (31%) females. The mean age was 57 years (range 19 to 84). Among responders, 90 (63%) identified as Veterans. The most common reasons for MC use among Veterans included: insomnia (80%), anxiety (73%), and depression (52%). Veterans reported medical conditions such as chronic pain (88%) and arthritis (51%). Compared with non-Veterans, Veterans were significantly more likely to be male (83% vs. 49%), have a higher BMI (35.2 vs. 30.9), to report problems with sleep, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and to use cannabis in edible form (51% vs. 22%). Self-reported mean effectiveness scores for MC were highest for PTSD (8.4), insomnia (8.2), anxiety (8.1), depression (8.0), and chronic pain (7.6). Conclusions: We found important differences in user characteristics and cannabis use patterns between Canadian Veterans and non-Veterans. Further controlled studies are required to validate these findings, but these data suggest that orally administered cannabis products may be worth further study.