Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An analysis of mitigation as a response to climate change.

pReface COPENHAGEN CONSENSUS ON CLIMATE copenhAgen consensus on climAte The Copenhagen Consensus Center has commissioned 21 papers to examine the costs and benefits of different solutions to global warming. The project’s goal is to answer the question: “If the global community wants to spend up to, say $250 billion per year over the next 10 years to diminish the adverse effects of climate changes, and to do most good for the world, which solutions would yield the greatest net benefits? ” The series of papers is divided into Assessment Papers and Perspective Papers. Each Assessment Paper outlines the costs and benefits of one way to respond to global warming. Each Perspective Paper reviews the assumptions and analyses made within an Assessment Paper. It is hoped that, as a body of work, this research will provide a foundation for an informed debate about the best way to respond to this threat. The impact of climate change is rather uncertain. Available estimates suggest that the welfare loss induced by climate change in the year 2100 is in the same order as losing a few percent of income. That is, a century worth of climate change is about as bad as losing one or two years of economic growth. The impact of climate policy is better understood. A clever and gradual abatement policy can substantially reduce emissions (e.g., to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions at 650 and 550 ppm CO2eq) at an acceptable cost (1 or 2 years of growth out of 100, respectively). Very stringent targets (e.g., the 2oC of the EU) may be very costly, however, or even infeasible. Suboptimal policy design would substantially add to the costs of emission abatement. For the Copenhagen Consensus on Climate 2009, this paper considers five alternative policies for carbon dioxide emission reduction. The alternatives differ in scope and intensity only. All five alternatives implement a uniform carbon tax, as that is the cheapest way to reduce emissions. The first policy spends $2.5 trillion on emission reduction in the OECD before 2020. This is rather silly. The benefit-cost ratio is less than 1/100. The second policy spends $2.5 trillion across the world before 2020. This is less silly because non-OECD emission reduction is a lot cheaper, but the benefit-cost ratio is still only 1/100. The third policy continues the same intensity of climate policy between 2020 and 2100. Most negative impacts of climate change are avoided by this policy, but the costs are so large that the benefit-cost ratio is only 1/50. In the fourth policy, $2.5 trillion is invested in a trust fund to finance emission reduction over the century. The benefit-cost ratio is 1/4. In the fifth policy, the trust fund is twenty times as small. The benefit-cost ratio is 3/2. In this policy, a tax of $2/tC is imposed in 2010 on all emissions from all sources in all countries; the tax rises with the rate of discount. As the analysis ignores uncertainty and equity, one may argue for a more stringent climate policy. However, the analysis also ignores suboptimal implementation, which argues for a more lenient climate policy.
Optimal dynamic pricing for public transportation considering consumer social learning

Effective public transportation pricing strategies are critical to reducing traffic congestion and meeting consumer demand for sustainable urban development. In this study, we construct a dynamic game pricing model and a social learning network model for consumers of three modes of public transportation including metro, bus, and pa-transit. In the model, the metro, bus, and pa-transit operators maximize their profits through dynamic pricing optimization, and consumers maximize their utility by adjusting their travel habits through social learning in the social network. The reinforcement learning algorithm is applied to simulate the model, and the results show that: (1) as consumers’ perceived sensitivity to different modes of travel increases, the market share and price of each mode of travel adjust accordingly. (2) When taking into account consumers’ social learning behavior, the market share of metros remains high, while the market shares of buses and pa-transit are relatively low. (3) As consumers become more sensitive to their perception of each travel mode, operators invest more resources in improving service quality to gain market share, which in turn affects the price of each travel mode. Our results provide decision support for optimal pricing of urban public transportation.
A 1989 Global Database for the Static World Policy Simulation (SWOPSIM) Modeling Framework

This report documents a 1989 global database for the static world policy simulation (SWOPSIM) model building framework. A consistent set of data on production, consumption, trade, prices, and support has been assembled in the form of five large global models. Using SWOPSIM aggregation program, data from these global models can be aggregated to construct smaller global models which suit user needs while at the same time retaining global net trade • balances. The global models view the world in different ways with four of them emphasizing regional detail in Europe, the Western Hemisphere, Asia, and Africa. The report documents the base data and parameters for the models as well as the programs used to prepare and manipulate their data.
Comparing Traditional Learning Materials with Those Created with Instructional Design and Universal Design for Learning Attributes: The Students' Perspective.

There are foundational universal design for learning (UDL) principles that support accessibility and inclusivity that can be incorporated into instructional materials. Creating instructional materials that are accessible and inclusive is a comparatively new challenge that is gaining awareness. A problem is that most professors do not know how to design for accessibility and inclusivity. Universal design for learning is also referred to as universal instructional design. This paper discusses the instructional design and UDL principles designed into instructional materials that were created to teach piping trades students how to solder and braze copper pipe. A summative quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted to determine whether the students felt that the new materials had more instructional design and UDL attributes than the original materials. The findings showed that there were significant differences between the instructional design and UDL attributes of the new materials as compared to the original materials. There were no significant differences between some of the attributes.
Optimization of FFPE preparation and identification of gene attributes associated with RNA degradation

Abstract Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are widely available specimens for clinical studies. However, RNA degradation in FFPE tissues often restricts their utility. In this study, we determined optimal FFPE preparation conditions, including tissue ischemia at 4°C (<48 h) or 25°C for a short time (0.5 h), 48-h fixation at 25°C and sampling from FFPE scrolls instead of sections. Notably, we observed an increase in intronic reads and a significant change in gene rank based on expression level in the FFPE as opposed to fresh-frozen (FF) samples. Additionally, we found that more reads were mapped to genes associated with chemical stimulus in FFPE samples. Furthermore, we demonstrated that more degraded genes in FFPE samples were enriched in genes with short transcripts and high free energy. Besides, we found 40 housekeeping genes exhibited stable expression in FF and FFPE samples across various tissues. Moreover, our study showed that FFPE samples yielded comparable results to FF samples in dimensionality reduction and pathway analyses between case and control samples. Our study established the optimal conditions for FFPE preparation and identified gene attributes associated with degradation, which would provide useful clues for the utility of FFPE tissues in clinical practice and research.
Phosphorites, Co‐rich Mn nodules, and Fe‐Mn crusts from Galicia Bank, NE Atlantic: Reflections of Cenozoic tectonics and paleoceanography

A wide variety of marine mineral deposits were recovered from 750 to 1400 m water depths on Galicia Bank, Iberian margin. Mineral deposits include: (1) carbonate fluorapatite phosphorite slabs and nodules that replaced limestone and preserved original protolith fabric. (2) Ferromanganese vernadite crusts with high Mn and Fe (Mn/Fe = 1) contents, and thick stratabound layers consisting mainly of Mn (up to 27% MnO) and Fe (15% Fe2O3), which impregnated and replaced the phosphorite. (3) Co‐rich Mn nodules are composed of romanechite and todorokite laminae. Mn‐rich layers (up to 58% MnO) contain up to 1.8% Co. (4) Goethite nodules with Fe up to 67% Fe2O3 have low Mn and trace metals. We interpret this mineralization paragenesis to be related to major changes in oceanographic and tectonic regimes. Three phosphatization generations formed hardgrounds dated by 87Sr/86Sr isotopes as late Oligocene, early Miocene, and latest early Miocene. During the latest early Miocene, the hardground was fractured and breached due to regional intraplate tectonism, which was coeval with a widespread regional erosional unconformity. The stratabound layers and Co‐rich manganese nodules were derived from low‐temperature geothermally driven hydrothermal fluids, with fluid conduits along reactivated faults. During middle and late Miocene, the introduction of vigorous deep water flow from the Arctic generated growth of hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts. Finally, growth of diagenetic Fe‐rich nodules (late Pliocene) was promoted by the introduction of hypersaline Mediterranean Outflow Water into the Atlantic Ocean.
Identity and Social Media in an Art Festival

Abstract In recent years, festivals have become prominent events in many cities throughout Europe, playing a crucial role in improving the image of the host city and enhancing its attractiveness to tourists. Festivals are temporary organizations with a short-lived and intermittent nature. Such features could raise several challenges in terms of maintaining a festival’s identity and its attendees’ identification during the periods of inactivity. Drawing on the literature on temporary organizations, organizational identity, and social identification, this chapter investigates how festivals can communicate their central and stable characteristics to audiences by adopting Web 2.0-based communication strategies. To explore this issue, the chapter illustrates the case of an Italian festival, Fotografia Europea, which has changed its communication strategy from a more traditional approach to a Web 2.0-based one.
Diversidad y similitud genética entre poblaciones de guajolotes mexicanos utilizando un método de amplificación aleatorio de ADN polimórfico (RAPD) Genetic diversity and similarity between domestic Mexican turkey Meleagris gallopavo populations based on random amplification polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Genetic diversity analysis was done to characterize six populations of domestic Mexican turkey Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo in household production systems and one commercial line (Big-6 Large White) population. Samples were collected from populations in the states of Puebla and Michoacan, Mexico. Blood samples were taken from 65 individuals and the DNA was extracted from them. Diversity was established through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays, which produced 18 polymorphic bands ranging from 220 to 1,700 basepairs. Genetic diversity was higher in the Michoacan populations than in the Puebla populations. The similarity analysis showed that the Puebla populations formed a single cluster (88 % bootstrap value). One Michoacan population from the UMSNH Veterinary Station was genetically furthest from the other studied populations (100 % bootstrap) while the commercial line was grouped with the Michoacan population from Turicato Municipality. Analysis of the genetic markers for the studied populations allowed differentiation and inference of historical processes in them.
17. Elastic and Viscoelastic Models of Crustal Deformation in Subduction Earthquake Cycles

An ideal model of subduction earthquake cycles that includes tectonic loading, rate-dependent friction, and viscoelastic stress relaxation is not yet available. For comparison with geodetic observations, the most widely used models treat fault motion in a purely kinematical fashion, that is, the fault slip (or state of locking) is estimated from surface observations regardless of the loading mechanism and frictional properties. These include forward and inverse elastic dislocation and viscoelastic models. Without addressing the loading mechanism, extra care should be taken to ensure that the assigned or estimated fault motion is physically valid. Time dependence is an important aspect of interseismic deformation, although it is often difficult to distinguish between contributions from time-dependent fault motion and from stress relaxation of the upper mantle. A brief review of modeling work for the Cascadia margin is provided to demonstrate the advantages and limitations of the elastic and viscoelastic models and to explain a number of practical issues. A finite element viscoelastic model is used to model the evolution of forearc crustal deformation since the 1700 great earthquake. Elastic models can also fit most of the Cascadia geodetic observations but by assuming that all deformation is due to current fault motion. The fault motion thus determined effectively includes a contribution from stress relaxation.
Sulfur assimilation using gaseous carbonyl sulfide by the soil fungus Trichoderma harzianum

ABSTRACT Fungi have the capacity to assimilate a diverse range of both inorganic and organic sulfur compounds. It has been recognized that all sulfur sources taken up by fungi are in soluble forms. In this study, we present evidence that fungi can utilize gaseous carbonyl sulfide (COS) for the assimilation of a sulfur compound. We found that the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum strain THIF08, which has constitutively high COS-degrading activity, was able to grow with COS as the sole sulfur source. Cultivation with 34S-labeled COS revealed that sulfur atom from COS was incorporated into intracellular metabolites such as glutathione and ergothioneine. COS degradation by strain THIF08, in which as much of the moisture derived from the agar medium as possible was removed, indicated that gaseous COS was taken up directly into the cell. Escherichia coli transformed with a COS hydrolase (COSase) gene, which is clade D of the β-class carbonic anhydrase subfamily enzyme with high specificity for COS but low activity for CO2 hydration, showed that the COSase is involved in COS assimilation. Comparison of sulfur metabolites of strain THIF08 revealed a higher relative abundance of reduced sulfur compounds under the COS-supplemented condition than the sulfate-supplemented condition, suggesting that sulfur assimilation is more energetically efficient with COS than with sulfate because there is no redox change of sulfur. Phylogenetic analysis of the genes encoding COSase, which are distributed in a wide range of fungal taxa, suggests that the common ancestor of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota acquired COSase at about 790–670 Ma. IMPORTANCE The biological assimilation of gaseous CO2 and N2 involves essential processes known as carbon fixation and nitrogen fixation, respectively. In this study, we found that the fungus Trichoderma harzianum strain THIF08 can grow with gaseous carbonyl sulfide (COS), the most abundant and ubiquitous gaseous sulfur compound, as a sulfur source. When the fungus grew in these conditions, COS was assimilated into sulfur metabolites, and the key enzyme of this assimilation process is COS hydrolase (COSase), which specifically degrades COS. Moreover, the pathway was more energy efficient than the typical sulfate assimilation pathway. COSase genes are widely distributed in Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota and also occur in some Chytridiomycota, indicating that COS assimilation is widespread in fungi. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes revealed that the acquisition of COSase in filamentous fungi was estimated to have occurred at about 790–670 Ma, around the time that filamentous fungi transitioned to a terrestrial environment.
Fabrication and Validation of Sub-Cellular Carbon Fiber Electrodes

Multielectrode arrays for interfacing with neurons are of great interest for a wide range of medical applications. However, current electrodes cause damage over time. Ultra small carbon fibers help to address issues but controlling the electrode site geometry is difficult. Here we propose a methodology to create small, pointed fiber electrodes (SPFe). We compare the SPFe to previously made blowtorched fibers in characterization. The SPFe result in small site sizes $(105.4 \pm 20.8~\mu \text{m}^{{2}})$ with consistently sharp points (20.8 ± 7.64°). Additionally, these electrodes were able to record and/or stimulate neurons multiple animal models including rat cortex, mouse retina, Aplysia ganglia and octopus axial cord. In rat cortex, these electrodes recorded significantly higher peak amplitudes than the traditional blowtorched fibers. These SPFe may be applicable to a wide range of applications requiring a highly specific interface with individual neurons.
Atmospheric Correction Effectiveness Analysis and Land Cover Classification Using Airborne Hyperspectral Imagery

하이퍼스펙트럴 영상을 이용하여 토지피복 분류를 정확히 수행하기 위해서는 전처리 작업으로서 대기보 정을 거쳐야 한다. 항공 하이퍼스펙트럴 영상에 대하여 대기보정을 실시하고 대기보정 유·무에 따른 해수, 갯벌, 식생, 아스팔트, 콘크리트 등의 토지피복 항목별 분광반사율 특성을 비교하여 대기보정의 뚜렷한 효 과를 확인할 수 있었다. 대기보정 후의 영상에 대하여 최대우도법, 분광각맵퍼법 등의 화소기반 감독분류 기법으로 각각 토지피복 분류를 행하고 그 결과를 비교하였다. 분광각맵퍼법의 경우 임계각 0.4°에서 노이 즈를 최소화하면서 해수영역을 가장 양호하게 분류해 낼 수 있었다. 같은 개체라도 다양한 분광특성을 나 타내는 하이퍼스펙트럴 영상의 경우 연안지역에서는 종래의 화소기반 분류기법보다는 축척, 분광 정보, 형 태, 결 등을 종합적으로 고려하는 객체기반 분류기법이 더 우월할 것으로 사료된다.
The Influence of Investment Costs on Biogas Station Development and Their Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Czech Agriculture

The paper present the results for the influence of investment costs into biogas station on the amount of emissions from the agricultural sector. For the evaluation is applied structural analysis of major factors affecting the level of CO2 emissions from agriculture. Among these factors are: the number of animals (converted to livestock units), cost of investment in biogas plants, the quantity of nitrogen fertilizers and the total amount of CO2 emissions from agriculture. The results show that the investment costs haven t significant influence despite the correct direction of effect. Significant impact on CO2 emissions from agriculture have the numbers of animals (respectively cattle units). In the case of applications reviewed model from the Czech Republic to selected countries of the EU shows that the highest investment costs and also decrease CO2 equivalent emissions from agricultural biogas plants is in Germany. The high number of agricultural biogas plants is also evident in Italy and the United Kingdom. Investment costs are in these two countries in the range of 115 to 144 mld. CZK. Furthermore, it is evident that the significant investment costs are incurred by the smaller countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium). Investment costs in this case are in the range 10-33 mld. CZK.
Quantum Computing for Everyone

An accessible introduction to an exciting new area in computation, explaining such topics as qubits, entanglement, and quantum teleportation for the general reader.Quantum computing is a beautiful fusion of quantum physics and computer science, incorporating some of the most stunning ideas from twentieth-century physics into an entirely new way of thinking about computation. In this book, Chris Bernhardt offers an introduction to quantum computing that is accessible to anyone who is comfortable with high school mathematics. He explains qubits, entanglement, quantum teleportation, quantum algorithms, and other quantum-related topics as clearly as possible for the general reader. Bernhardt, a mathematician himself, simplifies the mathematics as much as he can and provides elementary examples that illustrate both how the math works and what it means. Bernhardt introduces the basic unit of quantum computing, the qubit, and explains how the qubit can be measured; discusses entanglement? which, he says, is easier to describe mathematically than verbally? and what it means when two qubits are entangled (citing Einstein's characterization of what happens when the measurement of one entangled qubit affects the second as ? spooky action at a distance? ); and introduces quantum cryptography. He recaps standard topics in classical computing? bits, gates, and logic? and describes Edward Fredkin's ingenious billiard ball computer. He defines quantum gates, considers the speed of quantum algorithms, and describes the building of quantum computers. By the end of the book, readers understand that quantum computing and classical computing are not two distinct disciplines, and that quantum computing is the fundamental form of computing. The basic unit of computation is the qubit, not the bit.
Wildlife benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program in Ohio

ABSTRACT: Federal agriculture programs significantly impact a variety of wildlife species. Grassland birds, in particular, should benefit from establishment of permanent vegetative cover through conservation initiatives like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Evaluation of current conservation programs is needed to help shape future initiatives and ensure the long-term continuation of beneficial programs. The vegetative and physical characteristics of CRP fields in Ohio were quantified, the timing and extent of disturbances during the nesting season noted, avian use of these habitats measured, and indices of avian use related to field characteristics. It was found that more than half of the sampled fields were disturbed, primarily by mowing, during the nesting season (May to July). These same fields, however, were used by 43 avian species. Use of CRP fields by several grassland-dependent species was related to the amount of grassland habitat provided by the field and/or adjacent grasslands. Age of permanent cover and field size were not related, however, to total species richness. Eliminating disturbance of vegetative cover during the nesting season could significantly add to the wildlife value of these habitats. Policy options that include establishment of larger fields or grassland cover near existing grasslands should positively benefit the widest array of grassland virds.