Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review: Sugarcane production: Impact of climate change and its mitigation

Srivastava AK, Rai MK. 2012. Review: Sugarcane production: impact of climate change and its mitigation 13: 214-227. Sugarcane is a climatic sensitive crop: therefore, its spatial distribution on the globe is restricted as per the suitability of various climatic parameters. The climate change, though, a very slow phenomenon is now accelerated due to natural, as well as enormous human activities disturbing the composition of atmosphere. The predications of various climatic models for probable rise in temperature, rainfall, sea level show an alarming condition in forthcoming decades. As the sugarcane is very sensitive to temperature, rainfall, solar radiations etc. therefore, a significant effect on its production and sugar yield is expected in future. It is also well known that sugarcane is one of the precious crops of the world and its end products i.e. sugar and ethanol have a continuous growing demand on global level. Hence, the studies related to good production of sugarcane in changing conditions of climate has become one among the front line area of research and is a major concern of scientist’s world over. Advance agronomic measures including development of suitable cane varieties susceptible to changed climatic conditions, land preparation, time and pattern of plantation, weed, disease and pest managements, nutrients managements, proper timing and adequate water management seems to be the affective measures for obtaining high production of crop with good quality juice in future.
Decomposition of and nutrient release from ruminant manure on acid sandy soils in the Sahelian zone of Niger , West Africa

In ago-pastoral systems of the semi-arid West African Sahel, targeted applications of ruminant manure to the cropland is a widespread practice to maintain soil productivity. However, studies exploring the decomposition and mineralisation processes of manure under farmers’ conditions are scarce. The present research in south-west Niger was undertaken to examine the role of micro-organisms and meso-fauna on in situ release rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from cattle and sheep–goat manure collected from village corrals during the rainy season. The results show that (1) macro-organisms played a dominant role in the initial phase of manure decomposition; (2) manure decomposition was faster on crusted than on sandy soils; (3) throughout the study N and P release rates closely followed the dry matter decomposition; (4) during the first 6 weeks after application the K concentration in the manure declined much faster than N or P. At the applied dry matter rate of 18.8 Mg ha −1, the quantities of N, P and K released from the manure during the rainy season were up to 10-fold larger than the annual nutrient uptake of pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucumL.), the dominant crop in the traditional agro-pastoral systems. The results indicate considerable nutrient losses with the scarce but heavy rainfalls which could be alleviated by smaller rates of manure application. Those, however, would require a more labour intensive system of corralling or manure distribution. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Regeneration of cotyledonary nodes from the recalcitrant melon cultivar Gacho

There is lack of suitable explants for efficient shoot proliferation in recalcitrant melon cultivars restricts genetic manipulation for crop improvement. In this study, we aimed to stimulate the regeneration capability of cells of melon (Cucumis melo L.) explants in order to increase shoot proliferation efficiency during regeneration. The media of seeds germination containing different concentrations of benzylaminopurine (BAP: 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg L-1) can stimulate the shoot proliferation potential of cotyledonary nodes was described. The highest number of shoots per explant was obtained when the seeds and cotyledonary nodes were cultured on Murashige and Skoog media containing 1.0 and 0.5 mg L-1 BAP, respectively, and the regeneration process occurred through organogenesis. Key words: Cucumis melo L. , organogenesis, cytokinin, explants.
An NMR Investigation of Phase Structure and Chain Dynamics in the Polyethylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Novel exfoliated and interacted polyethylene (PE)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization were characterized by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The phase structure and molecular mobility were investigated by proton and carbon NMR under static and magic-angle spinning (MAS) conditions. The results showed that incorporation of MMT layer enhanced the polyethylene crystallinity behavior. The chain mobility of crystalline phase, interphase and amorphous phase was hindered in the nanocomposites. The phase structure and chain dynamics were also investigated upon changing the temperature. The orthorhombic and monoclinic phases were detected according to the 13CP/MAS NMR. Quantitative characterization of the phase structure was also conducted by 13C DP/MAS upon changing the temperature. Finally, the difference in the phase structure and chain dynamics in each phase of PE/nanocomposites was compared based on the NMR results when fiber filler was introduced.
Changing determinants of low fertility and diffusion: a spatial analysis for Italy

Italy is a case study in lowest-low fertility. Its internal heterogeneity is substantial and changing over time. The paper has two main aims. First, it aims at investigating whether the theoretical framework offered by the diffusionist perspective to fertility transition could still be relevant in explaining fertility changes in contemporary advanced societies. Second, the paper aims at investigating if and how the associations between fertility and a series of indicators of secularisation, female occupation, contribution of fertility of immigrants, and economic development change across space and over time. We make use of geographically weighted regressions and spatial panel regressions to model explicitly spatial dependence in fertility among Italian provinces over the period between 1999 and 2010. Results show that spatial dependence in provincial fertility persists even after controlling for standard correlates of fertility, consistently with a diffusionist perspective. Further, the local association between fertility and its correlates is not homogeneous across provinces. The strength and in some cases also the direction of such associations vary spatially, suggesting that the determinants of low fertility change across space. Finally, the associations between fertility and its correlates change over time.
Fire salamander ( Salamandra salamandra ) males’ activity during breeding season: effects of microhabitat features and body size

After metamorphosis, fire salamander is considered fully terrestrial, usually inhabiting wooded areas around aquatic habitats. It is often reported that only females go back to water for laying the larvae. The aim of this study is to assess if sites where males are active during the breeding seasons have specific features among microhabitat determinants and distance from the breeding sites. In the autumns of 2013 and 2014, we surveyed 26 transects and 72 plots around six isolated breeding sites in North-Western Italy. During rainy nights, we recorded males position and distance from breeding pools, while during daytime we characterized the environmental features of the plots. Males detection probability was relatively high (mean ± SE: 81.0 ± 4.3%). Several males (15% of the observations) were encountered inside breeding pools where females were laying larvae. Males occurrence was positively related to plots closer to breeding pools and higher leaf litter depth. Larger males were found closer to the breeding pools. This case study shows that the distribution of fire salamander males during the breeding season depends on the breeding sites.
Promoting Cartilage Stem Cell Activity to Improve Recovery from Joint Fracture

Abstract : It has been assumed that chondrocytes killed by mechanical injury to articular cartilage are never replaced and that the resulting hypocellularity contributes to post-traumatic osteoarthritis. However, we found that nonviable areas in an explant injury model were repopulated within 7-14 days by cells that appeared to migrate from the surrounding matrix. We hypothesized that the migrating population included chondrogenic progenitor cells drawn to injured cartilage by alarmins released from dead chondrocytes. Injuries that caused chondrocyte death stimulated the emergence and homing of chondrogenic progenitors via RAGE-mediated chemotaxis. Moreover, when supplied with a fibrin matrix chondrogenic progenitor cells regenerated cartilage in a chondral defect. Thus, we confirmed an endogenous mechanism that may be leveraged to repair cartilage defects in vivo that might otherwise lead to progressive cartilage loss.
Miniaturization of Electrical Conductivity Sensors for a Multimodal Smart Microchip

A new electrical conductivity (EC) sensor with Pt electrodes on a Si substrate was proposed for use in agricultural applications. The complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic technology-compatible sensor was successfully fabricated with a small chip (area, 25 mm2). This sensor was used for an alternating voltage, owing to the polarization of the Pt electrode and its best operation at 10 kHz frequency. Measurements were conducted on water with electrical conductivities ranging from 10-2 to 101 S/m, which shows sufficient linearity for use as a sensor for agriculture applications. It was also possible to be miniaturized. In an agricultural application, measurements were carried out with the sensor inserted in the rock wools, which was confirmed by the linearity of the values obtained using the sensor. In addition, successful real-time measurements using the sensor were conducted by inserting the sensor into the compost in the vicinity of the roots of a tomato seedling. This sensor provides a promising solution for an EC sensor for broad fields of agricultural applications.
Development of urban bird indicators using data from monitoring schemes in two large European cities

Development of urban bird indicators using data from monitoring schemes in two large European cities. — Bird monitoring projects have provided valuable data for developing biological indicators to evaluate the state of natural and agricultural habitats. However, fewer advances have been made in urban environments. In this study we used bird monitoring data from 2002 to 2012 in two cities with different climates (Brussels and Barcelona), to generate two multi–species urban indicators to evaluate temporal trends on abundance of urban avifauna. To do this we used two different conceptual approaches, one based on a list of widespread species in European cities (WSEC) and another based exclusively on species widespread at city level (WCS) regardless of the birds occurring in other cities. The two indicators gave a similar general pattern, although we found a 3% difference in the mean annual change in both cities, thus suggesting that the values provided by urban indicators may differ depending on the conceptual approach and, hence, by the species list used to generate them. However, both indicators may have their own value and could be treated as complementary indices.
Environmental justice and health: the implications of the socio‐spatial distribution of multiple environmental deprivation for health inequalities in the United Kingdom

Understanding persistent and increasing spatial inequalities in health is an important field of academic enquiry for geographers, epidemiologists and public health researchers. Delivering robust explanations for the growing spatial divide in health offers potential for improving health outcomes across the social spectrum, but particularly among disadvantaged groups. One potential driver for the increasing geographical differences in health is the disparity in exposure to key characteristics of the physical environment that are either health promoting or health damaging. While the framework of 'environmental justice' has long been used to consider whether disadvantaged groups bear a disproportionate burden of environmental disamenities, perhaps surprisingly, the research fields of environmental justice and health inequalities have remained largely separate realms. In this paper we examine the confluence of environmental characteristics that potentially function as key mechanisms to account for the socio-economic gradient in health outcomes in the UK. We developed the Multiple Environmental Deprivation Index (MEDIx), an area-based measure that represented the multiple dimensions of health-related environmental disamenities for census wards across the UK. By comparing the index to an area measure of income deprivation, we found that, at the national level, multiple environmental deprivation increased as the degree of income deprivation rose. Using mortality records we also found that MEDIx had an effect on health that remained after taking into account the age, sex and socio-economic profile of each area. Area-level health progressively worsened as the multiple environmental deprivation increased. However, this effect was most pronounced in least income-deprived areas. Our findings emphasise the importance of the physical environment in shaping health, and the need to consider the social and political processes that lead to income-deprived populations bearing a disproportionate burden of multiple environmental deprivation. Future research should simultaneously consider the 'triple jeopardy' of social, health and environmental inequalities.
The Research for Exploring Product Design Characteristics by SEM via Correlated Innovation and Design Strategy

Managers at NPD departments of Taiwan consumer electronic industry were interviewed to explore the effects innovation strategy (IS) has on design strategy (DS) and finally on product design characteristics (DC). The fitness of theoretical models and the observed data was examined. A questionnaire survey was conducted. 1300 enterprises in Taiwan consumer electronic industry were randomly selected as the survey pool. At last, 370 effective questionnaires were collected. Their responses on the questionnaires were analyzed to test the fitness of the model with structural equation modeling analysis (SEM). A proper fitness was found for the correlation theoretical model of IS, DS, DC, and the observed data. In enterprises, IS will influence product DC, and at the same time, IS will influence product DC through DS. Among these three variables, DS serves as an independent variable and intervene variable to DC.
Effects of Narrative Therapy and Computer-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation on the Reduction of ADHD Symptoms in Children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral condition in children, which adversely affects the psychological function of children in educational, social, and emotional areas. Use of non-pharmacological treatment methods, such as narrative therapy and computerassisted cognitive rehabilitation, is necessary for ADHD patients due to lack of side effects and concerns regarding medication therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of narrative therapy and computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation on the symptoms of ADHD in children. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Sari, Iran during June-February 2015 using the pretestposttest approach with a control group. In total, 30 children aged 7-12 years diagnosed with ADHD were selected and divided into three groups. Children of the first group received eight sessions of narrative therapy, while the second group received 10 sessions of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation, and the third group received no training. Data were collected using the Raven’s colored matrices, Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48), and CogniPlus software. FINDINGS: Mean post-test scores of ADHD symptoms were 20.1±5.21 and 20±3.55 in the narrative therapy and computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation groups, respectively; however, no significant difference was observed between the groups in this regard. Moreover, these scores were 37.4±9.84 and 38.95±9.06 in the control group, which showed a significant difference compared to the experimental groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, narrative therapy and computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation could remarkably reduce ADHD symptoms in children.
1 Motivation : Discrepancies in Observed Bids and Risk-Averse Model Predictions

Overbidding, bidding more than risk-neutral Bayesian Nash Equilibrium, is a widely observed phenomenon in virtually all experimental auctions. The scholars within the auction literature propose the risk-averse preference model to explain overbidding structurally. However, the risk-averse preference model predicts underbidding in such important classes of auctions as all-pay auctions. To solve this discrepancy, we construct a structural model of bidding behavior in sealed-bid auctions, one in which bidders may regret their decisions. Our model nests both risk-averse and regret-averse attitudes and aims to explain overbidding in a wider class of auctions. We first derive equilibrium first-order conditions, which are used for estimation and calibration analyses, and show monotonic increasing properties of equilibrium bidding functions. Second, we carry out structural estimation and calibration analyses based on experimental data from Kagel and Levin (1993) and Noussair and Silver (2006). With these structurally estimated parameters, we test the significance of bidders’ risk-averse and regret-averse attitudes. The estimation results show that bidders exhibit weak risk-averse (close to risk-neutral) and strong regret-averse attitudes. Furthermore, regret-averse attitudes are significant when bidders anticipate losing. Calibration results demonstrate that our risk& regret-averse model can explain overbidding across all of the above IPV auctions. Third, we simulate our model with the estimated parameters and obtain revenue rankings numerically. This allows us to confirm the revenue supremacy in all-pay auctions reported in experimental auction literature. We discuss extensions to asymmetric and Common-Value (CV) auctions in our online Appendix.
HOW LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS CAN STIMULATE STUDENT IMAGINATION

The purpose of this study was to investigate an array of environmental factors that can stimulate imagination and explore how these factors manifest in different design phases. The participants of this study were students in the field of educational technology from four universities across Taiwan. The instructional design process was divided into three major phases: analysis, design/development, and implementation/evaluation. Influences in the learning environment were deconstructed into four factors: physical component, organizational measure, social climate, and human aggregate. The results of this study indicated that environmental factors have varying effects during the three phases of instructional design. The social climate was claimed to have the greatest effect on stimulating imagination, followed by organizational measure, human aggregate factor, and lastly physical component. These effects were seen in the development process, especially in phase two and with a lesser effect in phase three.
Testing Granger Causality under Dynamic Covariance

The paper considers the Granger causality tests based on the hetersokedasticity-consistent covariance matrix of White (1980). The Monte Carlo experiments show that the conventional test over-rejects the null hypothesis of non-causality, while the proposed test works satisfactory. The proposed test also has enough power. Using the data for the Standard and Poor's 500 Composite Index, the paper examines the causalities among the return, volatility and trading ° volume.
Using thinking aloud to enhance poor readers’ vocabulary knowledge and comprehension

English reading proficiency is regarded as one of the major abilities of English language learning. However, poor readers who lack vocabulary knowledge and have difficulty in monitoring themselves in reading process struggle a lot in L2 reading. The aim of the study attempts to discuss poor readers reading problems and to explore how thinking aloud can enhance vocabulary knowledge and comprehension. Through literature research, the study finds that thinking aloud can be applied to help poor readers' problems and also assess readers' strengths and weaknesses. The revelation from thinking aloud can be further employed by teachers to adjust instruction on the basis of students' needs.
The double helium-white dwarf channel for the formation of AM CVn binaries

Most close double helium white dwarfs will merge within a Hubble time due to orbital decay by gravitational wave radiation. However, a significant fraction with low mass ratios will survive for a long time as a consequence of stable mass transfer. Such stable mass transfer between two helium white dwarfs (HeWDs) provides one channel for the production of AM CVn binary stars. In previous calculations of double HeWD progenitors, the accreting HeWD was treated as a point mass. We have computed the evolution of 16 double HeWD models in order to investigate the consequences of treating the evolution of both components in detail. We find that the boundary between binaries having stable and unstable mass transfer is slightly modified by this approach. By comparing with observed periods and mass ratios, we redetermine masses of eight known AM CVn stars by our double HeWDs channel, i.e. HM Cnc, AM CVn, V406 Hya, J0926, J1240, GP Com, Gaia14aae and V396 Hya.We propose that central spikes in the triple-peaked emission spectra of J1240, GP Com and V396 Hya and the surface abundance ratios of N/C/O in GP Com can be explained by the stable double HeWD channel. The mass estimates derived from our calculations are used to discuss the predicted gravitational wave signal in the context of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) project.
Common identity framework of cultural knowledge and practices of Javanese Islam

Previous literatures apparently argued that Javanese Islam is characterized by orthodox thought and practice which is still mixed with pre-Islamic traditions. By using approach of the sociology of religion, this article tries to explain contextualization of Islamic universal values in local space. The results showed that synthesis of orthodox thought and practice with pre-Islamic traditions is doubtless as a result of interaction between Islam and pre-Islamic traditions during the Islamization of Java. In addition, this study found the intersection of Islam and Javanese culture in the terms of genealogy of culture, Islamic mysticism, orientation of traditional Islamic teachings, and the conception of the power in Javanese kingdom. Since kejawen practices accordance with Islamic mysticism can be justified by the practice of the Muslims. Thus the typology of the relationship between Islam and Javanese culture are not contradictory but dialectical. Finally, a number of implications and suggestions are discussed Berbagai literatur sebelumnya mengenai studi Islam di Jawa umumnya berpendapat bahwa Islam Jawa ditandai dengan pemikiran dan praktek yang masih tercampur dengan tradisi pra-Islam. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan sosiologi agama, artikel ini mencoba untuk menjelaskan makna dari kontekstualisasi nilai-nilai universal Islam pada lingkup lokal. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sintesis pemikiran dan praktek dengan tradisi pra-Islam merupakan hal yang lumrah sebagai hasil interaksi antara Islam dan tradisi praIslam selama periode Islamisasi. Penelitian ini menemukan persamaan identitas antara Islam dan budaya Jawa dalam hal genealogi budaya, mistisisme Islam, orientasi pengajaran Islam tradisional, dan konsepsi kekuasaan di keratonkeraton Jawa. Karena praktek kejawen dapat dijustifikasi sesuai dengan praktek mistisisme Islam, maka tipologi hubungan antara Islam dan budaya Jawa tidak bertentangan tetapi bersifat dialektis.