Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Panorama da produção intelectual sobre a medição de desempenho na gestão pública

In the context of changes in the public administration that aim to enhance government performance, this paper has the goal to present an overview from intellectual production on the field of performance measurement in public management between 1980 and February of 2013. In order to do it, it was applied a citation/co-citation bibliometric analysis using Sitkis, Netdraw and CiteSpace II softwares. The databases used in this analysis were ISI Web of Science (WoS) - that reflects international research - and SciELO - that reflects Brazilian research. The study in WoS revealed the most important authors, journals, pairs of documents and research institutions. Moreover, the study based on SciELO identified that the literature about this field is dispersal. In general terms, the results show that performance measurement in public management is an emerging field.
Tropical indian ocean variability in the IPCC twentieth-century climate simulations

Abstract The twentieth-century simulations using by 17 coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation models (CGCMs) submitted to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4) are evaluated for their skill in reproducing the observed modes of Indian Ocean (IO) climate variability. Most models successfully capture the IO’s delayed, basinwide warming response a few months after El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) peaks in the Pacific. ENSO’s oceanic teleconnection into the IO, by coastal waves through the Indonesian archipelago, is poorly simulated in these models, with significant shifts in the turning latitude of radiating Rossby waves. In observations, ENSO forces, by the atmospheric bridge mechanism, strong ocean Rossby waves that induce anomalies of SST, atmospheric convection, and tropical cyclones in a thermocline dome over the southwestern tropical IO. While the southwestern IO thermocline dome is simulated in nearly all of the models, this ocean Rossby wave respo.
Characterization of Turbulent Latent and Sensible Heat Flux Exchange between the Atmosphere and Ocean in MERRA

AbstractTurbulent fluxes of heat and moisture across the atmosphere–ocean interface are fundamental components of the earth’s energy and water balance. Characterizing both the spatiotemporal variability and the fidelity of these exchanges of heat and moisture is critical to understanding the global water and energy cycle variations, quantifying atmosphere–ocean feedbacks, and improving model predictability. This study examines the veracity of the recently completed NASA Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) product in terms of its turbulent surface fluxes. This assessment employs a large dataset of directly measured turbulent fluxes as well as other turbulent surface flux datasets. The spatial and temporal variability of the surface fluxes are examined in terms of their annual-mean climatologies, their seasonal covariability of near-surface bulk parameters, and their representation of extremes. The impact of data assimilation on the near-surface parameters is assessed thr.
Accuracy assessment of tree crown detection using local maxima and multi-resolution segmentation

Diversity of trees forms an important component in the forest ecosystems and needs proper inventories to assist the forest personnel in their daily activities. However, tree parameter measurements are often constrained by physical inaccessibility to site locations, high costs, and time. With the advancement in remote sensing technology, such as the provision of higher spatial and spectral resolution of imagery, a number of developed algorithms fulfil the needs of accurate tree inventories information in a cost effective and timely manner over larger forest areas. This study intends to generate tree distribution map in Ampang Forest Reserve using the Local Maxima and Multi-Resolution image segmentation algorithm. The utilization of recent worldview-2 imagery with Local Maxima and Multi-Resolution image segmentation proves to be capable of detecting and delineating the tree crown in its accurate standing position.
A micro computed tomography examination of dens invaginatus type 2 in an approximately 2000 year-old maxillary molar tooth—a case report

A case of dens invaginatus was found on a maxillary molar. This tooth was unearthed from a grave complex in Perge, one of the major cities of the province of Pamphilia in Southern Anatolia. Based on archaeological findings, most of the graves of Perge were dated to the 2nd and 3rd century AD. A commercially available high-resolution micro-computed tomography (SkyScan 1172; Bruker-microCT, Kontich, Belgium) was used to scan the tooth. From the visual analysis of the three-dimensional micro CT reconstruction, the invagination lumen has a coronal entrance. Communication between pulp and invagination lumen was not detected. In the micro CT images, it is apparent that the density of the enamel around the invagination is less than the coronal enamel. Micro CT analysis showed that the invaginated ancient tooth shares the same anatomical and morphological features as modern dentition. However, to understand the origin, frequency, and tendencies of invagination it is proposed that similar studies on further ancient human skeletal populations be conducted.
Sandy till characterized by ground-penetrating radar

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has been used characterising sandy till deposits in Denmark. 2D GPR surveys are carried out at several field sites, known from the geological mapping to be located on sandy till deposits. Some field sites turned out to have a high geological variability with several different glacial deposits. Although, it is possible to bound areas with sandy till in the uppermost layer, mainly on penetration depth, but also on reflection pattern and amplitude strength. Results from the GPR surveys show that there are similarities between sandy till deposits from different localities.
On the partitioning of heat flux between diffuse and point source seafloor venting

The first direct time series measurements of diffuse hydrothermal percolation velocities and temperatures have been obtained from a warm effluent source within a large vent field at the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, 47°57′N, 129°06′W. A newly developed instrument using principles of electromagnetic induction to measure variations in small scale flow rates, and an integral array of thermocouples and thermistors, was emplaced directly atop a sulfide edifice from which vigorous diffuse hydrothermal percolation was observed. Samples of effluent temperatures and velocities were collected continuously for the period July 19 through September 2,1988. Temperatures were found to be modulated by variations at semidiurnal tidal periods. The coherence between temperature and velocity signals was found to be strong at periods longer than 12 hours with a strong negative correlation between the two signals and no significant coherence at shorter periods. Effluent temperatures were found to vary from about 7°C to 13°C, and vertical effluent velocities were found to vary between 0.07 and 0.15 m s−1. Examination of transient events in the temperature and velocity records indicates that short time scale variations in effluent discharge rates appear to lead corresponding pulses in fluid temperature. A general synchronicity between effluent temperature variations and an energetic episode of local seismicity is indicated. Finally, the heat flux density from the top of the sulfide body due to this diffuse mode of effluent discharge was found to vary between about 2 and 4 MW m−2, with an arithmetic mean value of 2.91 (±0.23) MW m−2. Studies of point source “smoker” venting in this vent field, as well as extensive geological mapping of diffuse and point hydrothermal sources leads us to infer that heat flow out of the system due to diffuse mode flow may exceed that due to high-temperature venting by a factor of 5.
Holocene vegetation and fire dynamics in the supra‐mediterranean belt of the Nebrodi Mountains (Sicily, Italy)

High‐resolution pollen, macrofossil and charcoal data, combined with accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dating and multivariate analysis, were used to reconstruct Holocene vegetation and fire dynamics at Urio Quattrocchi, a small lake in the supra‐mediterranean belt in the Nebrodi Mountains of Sicily (Italy). The data suggest that after 10 000 cal a BP increasing moisture availability supported closed forests with deciduous (Quercus cerris, Fagus sylvatica and Fraxinus spp.) and evergreen (Quercus ilex) species. Species‐rich closed forest persisted until 6850 cal a BP, when Neolithic activities caused a forest decline and affected plant diversity. Secondary forest with abundant Ilex aquifolium recovered between 6650 and 6000 cal a BP, indicating moist conditions. From 5000 cal a BP, agriculture and pastoralism led to the currently fragmented landscape with sparse deciduous forests (Quercus cerris). The study suggests that evergreen broadleaved species were more important at elevations above 1000 m a.s. l. before ca. 5000 cal a BP than subsequently, which might reflect less human impact or warmer‐than‐today climatic conditions between 10 000 and 5000 cal a BP. Despite land use since Neolithic times, deciduous supra‐mediterranean forests were never completely displaced from the Nebrodi Mountains, because of favourable moist conditions that persisted throughout the Holocene. Reconstructed vegetation dynamics document the absence of any pronounced mid‐ or late‐Holocene ‘aridification’ trend at the site, an issue which is controversially debated in Italy and the Mediterranean region. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy - How to Overcome High Left Ventricular Pacing Thresholds and Avoid Phrenic Nerve Stimulation

A B S T R A C T High pacing thresholds and phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) are not uncommon in contemporary cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) systems, based on our own experience as well as on other series. Whereas some cases may be resolved by programming, other cases necessitate reoperations or abandonment of the left ventricular (LV) lead. Approaches to avoid and to manage these two problems are reviewed according to our experience as divided into four phases: 1) During implantation – whereby careful selection of pacing site is required, as well as meticulous testing of thresholds and PNS, and avoidance of any site with any PNS; 2) Device and lead selection – in difficult cases with high thresholds and PNS, a system with multiprogrammable pacing configurations and bipolar leads may be preferred; 3) Programming – we found a significant advantage of systems with multiprogrammable pacing configurations and bipolar leads in dealing with PNS and high thresholds with essentially nearly 100% of those problems being resolved by reprogramming the pacing configuration in the LV lead; 4) Epicardial implantation – in cases where adequate LV pacing cannot be achieved, epicardial pacing should be considered with special emphasis on appropriate lead location.
Methods of Coordinated Signal Control for Two Near-Adjacent Intersections

Overflow occurs easily in near adjacent intersections due to the limited queueing space for vehicles, which have a serious negative impact on traffic flow. In order to optimize the efficiency of the intersection and alleviate the queueing length, this study has analyzed existing problems and presented several effective solutions for two near adjacent intersections. Synchronous and coordinated control methods were presented for near adjacent intersections, which are controlled by the same of different traffic controllers. In addition, the methods of signals released simultaneously for vehicles which go straight or turn left were recommended at some intersections. As an example of Zhongshan Road and Zhonghuan East Road in city of Jiaxing, the authors have verified the previous solutions. The results show that the queue length has significantly shortened, and the travel efficiency has improved as well. This study offers effective solutions to overflow problems caused by near adjacent intersections with limited queue space, which could also be beneficial to other area with similar problems.
Colluvial sedimentation in a hyperarid setting (Atacama Desert, northern Chile): Geomorphic controls and stratigraphic facies variability

Research on colluvial depositional systems has recently emphasized periglacial and high‐altitude settings, and the relations between Quaternary slope stratigraphy and climate change. This article examines the role of variable slope morphology, surface hydrology and microclimate in controlling colluvial sedimentation along a coastal tract of the hyperarid Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Direct accessibility of active surfaces is accompanied by uninterrupted stratigraphic exposures along the base of slopes, allowing direct comparisons between surface processes and the resulting sedimentary record. Four slope sectors are identified, based on differences in morphology and processes over active surfaces. Colluvial sedimentation is controlled by complex interactions of slope gradients and profiles, exposure to dominant winds, and potential runoff pathways, which vary considerably between different sectors. Major differences are evident between these hyperarid deposits and slope sedimentation in periglacial and temperate settings, including the complete absence of pedogenic activity and clay minerals; the volume of aeolian deposits and their role in controlling processes which redistribute sediment downslope, extending colluvial aprons; and the occurrence of runoff processes only where favoured by particular topographic configurations. Depositional surfaces range from steep talus cones, to debris‐flow‐dominated and aeolian‐dominated colluvial aprons, to an aeolian ramp subject to reworking by mass flows and flash floods. Consequently, facies associations and architectures at outcrop are highly variable and highlight the importance of spatial variations in slope morphology and processes in producing distinct, coeval colluvial stratigraphies within a single environmental context. Discrepancies between active processes and the corresponding stratigraphic signatures are also evident in some sectors; for example, preservation of alluvial and aeolian facies in stratigraphic sections does not always reflect the dominant processes over active slopes. Together with the spatial variability in processes and deposits along these slopes, this suggests that caution is required when extracting palaeoenvironmental information from analyses of colluvial successions.
Global distribution of C3 and C4 vegetation: Carbon cycle implications

The global distribution of C3 and C4 plants is required for accurately simulating exchanges of CO2, water, and energy between the land surface and atmosphere. It is also important to know the C3/C4 distribution for simulations of the carbon isotope composition of atmospheric CO2 owing to the distinct fractionations displayed by each photosynthetic type. Large areas of the land surface are spatial and temporal mosaics of both photosynthetic types. We developed an approach for capturing this heterogeneity by combining remote sensing products, physiological modeling, a spatial distribution of global crop fractions, and national harvest area data for major crop types. Our C3/C4 distribution predicts the global coverage of C4 vegetation to be 18.8 million km2, while C3 vegetation covers 87.4 million km2. We incorporated our distribution into the SiB2 model and simulated carbon fluxes for each photosynthetic type. The gross primary production (GPP) of C4 plants is 35.3 Pg C yr−1, or ∼23% of total GPP, while that of C3 plants is 114.7 Pg C yr−1. The assimilation‐weighted terrestrial discrimination against 13CO2 is −16.5‰. If the terrestrial component of the carbon sink is proportional to GPP, this implies a net uptake of 2.4 Pg C yr−1 on land and 1.4 Pg C yr−1 in the ocean using a 13C budgeting approach and average carbon cycle parameter values for the 1990s. We also simulated the biomass of each photosynthetic type using the CASA model. The simulated biomass values of C3 and C4 vegetation are 389.3 and 18.6 Pg C, respectively.
Climatology and Changes of Extratropical Cyclone Activity: Comparison of ERA-40 with NCEP NCAR Reanalysis for 1958 2001

Abstract In this study, a cyclone detection/tracking algorithm was used to identify cyclones from two gridded 6-hourly mean sea level pressure datasets: the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis (NNR) for 1958–2001. The cyclone activity climatology and changes inferred from the two reanalyses are intercompared. The cyclone climatologies and trends are found to be in reasonably good agreement with each other over northern Europe and eastern North America, while ERA-40 shows systematically stronger cyclone activity over the boreal extratropical oceans than does NNR. However, significant differences between ERA-40 and NNR are seen over the austral extratropics. In particular, ERA-40 shows significantly greater strong-cyclone activity and less weak-cyclone activity over all oceanic areas south of 40°S in all seasons, while it shows significantly stronger cyclone activity over most areas of the austral subtropics in the warm seasons. The most notable historical trends in cyclone activit.
High‐resolution mantle tomography of China and surrounding regions

[1] A high-resolution P wave tomographic model of the crust and mantle down to 1100 km depth under China and surrounding regions is determined by using about one million arrival times of P, pP, PP, and PcP waves from 19,361 earthquakes recorded by 1012 seismic stations. The subducting Pacific slab is imaged clearly as a high-velocity zone from the oceanic trenches down to about 600 km depth, and intermediate-depth and deep earthquakes are located within the slab. The Pacific slab becomes stagnant in the mantle transition zone under east China. The western edge of the stagnant slab is roughly coincident with a surface topographic boundary in east China. The active Changbai and Wudalianchi intraplate volcanoes in northeast China are underlain by significant slow anomalies in the upper mantle, above the stagnant Pacific slab. These results suggest that the active intraplate volcanoes in NE China are not hot spots but a kind of back-arc volcano associated with the deep subduction of the Pacific slab and its stagnancy in the transition zone. Under the Mariana arc, however, the Pacific slab penetrates directly down to the lower mantle. The active Tengchong volcano in southwest China is related to the eastward subduction of the Burma microplate. The subducting Indian and Philippine Sea plates are also imaged clearly. The Indian plate has subducted down to 200–300 km depth under the Tibetan Plateau with a horizontal moving distance of about 500 km. High-velocity anomalies are revealed in the upper mantle under the Tarim basin, Ordos, and Sichuan basin, which are three stable blocks in China.
Residents and non-residents’ perception towards the touristic image of Craiova municipality, Romania

As for every major tourist destination, the touristic image plays an important role serving to consolidate the binding between visitor and destination, being an amalgam of knowledge, feelings, expectations and impressions that people have about a location (Henderson, 2007). The destination identity is created by the sender (essentially the marketers), being sustained by the natural and man-made tourism resources, while the image, supported by the experiences and communications of the senders, is perceived by the receiver. In the touristic selection process tourists take into account tangible features such as the elements of the natural background and anthropic patrimony and intangible elements (relaxation, freedom). This study aims at exploring in which way Craiova municipality seen as a tourism destination conveys into a unique identity within the consumer’s mind, focusing on the identification and explanation of the attitudes of a sample of urban residents and non-residents towards tourism in Craiova and their grouping with respect to these attitudes. Thus this helps to identify the main tourism attractions and forms of tourism associated with this city and to further develop tourism activities.
Radiometric correction of multitemporal Thematic Mapper data for use in agricultural land-cover classification and vegetation monitoring

Abstract Many remote sensing applications, especially multitemporal approaches, require radiometric corrections of image data in which radiometric normalization to standard conditions and modelistic atmospheric corrections are often considered as alternative solutions. Successful radiometric normalization depends on the availability of suitable reference targets within the scenes under considerations, which may be critical. It is demonstrated that even simplified atmospheric correction modelling can provide a valuable alternative solution. We present an atmospheric correction approach for Thematic Mapper data, which is based solely on the evaluation of scene information and may therefore be considered operational. The method is based on the determination of aerosol optical thickness from histogram minima and clear water targets. Atmospheric conditions are assumed constant over the scene, but their variation with the Sunto-satellite scattering angle is accounted for. The environment effect is approximately.
Multiple Scenario Inversion of Reflection Seismic Prestack Data

Inversion of prestack seismic data is a highly non-unique inverse problem. Many elastic models exists that fit seismic data observations equally well within the data uncertainty. In a probabilistic formulation of the inverse problem, a full description of such variability is described by the a posteriori probability distribution. Local inversion algorithms quantify the local variability of the a posteriori probability distribution around a ‘best’ model related to a local (or global) a posteriori likelihood maximum. However, many clusters of models centered around local points of maximum a posteriori likelihood may exist. To locate such local maxima, that may reflect models that fit data within their uncertainty, global inversion algorithms are needed. We present an inversion algorithm, based on Metropolis sampling, that will perform a search in the space of possible model solutions, to identify such different clusters of models. All models will fit data within its uncertainty and obey a possibly complex prior model. We make use of a non-linear forward model, and the inversion does not rely on a known smooth background velocity model.
Plate-boundary kinematics in the Alps: Motion in the Arosa suture zone

The Arosa zone forms a melange complex along the Penninic/Austroalpine boundary and belongs to the main Alpine suture zone. Accretion and plate collision occurred during Cretaceous and lower Tertiary time. A mixture of ophiolitic rocks and pelagic sediments is imbricated with flysch and blocks of Austroalpine (continental) derivation. We present a description of deformation structures, an analysis of strain, and a kinematic interpretation based on structural work. Deformation histories of imbricates show a translation path that was west-directed between ca. 110 and 50 Ma and north-directed thereafter. The kinematics of the Arosa zone agrees with the recently deduced displacement history of the Austroalpine units in the Eastern Alps during the Cretaceous orogeny. This calls for a predominantly top-to-the-west imbrication of Austroalpine and Penninic units and is in contradiction to what is inferred in most models of the Eastern Alps. A direct relation between the deformation along the Austroalpine margin and relative plate motion existed.