Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multimodel projections and uncertainties of irrigation water demand under climate change

Crop irrigation is responsible for 70% of humanity's water demand. Since the late 1990s, the expansion of irrigated areas has been tapering off, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Future irrigation water demand (IWD) is, however, subject to large uncertainties due to anticipated climate change. Here, we use a set of seven global hydrological models (GHMs) to quantify the impact of projected global climate change on IWD on currently irrigated areas by the end of this century, and to assess the resulting uncertainties arising from both the GHMs and climate projections. The resulting ensemble projections generally show an increasing trend in future IWD, but the increase varies substantially depending on the degree of global warming and associated regional precipitation changes. Under the highest greenhouse gas emission scenario (RCP8.5), IWD will considerably increase during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere (>20% by 2100), and the present peak IWD is projected to shift one month or more over regions where ≥80% of the global irrigated areas exist and 4 billion people currently live. Uncertainties arising from GHMs and global climate models (GCMs) are large, with GHM uncertainty dominating throughout the century and with GCM uncertainty substantially increasing from the midcentury, indicating the choice of GHM outweighing by far the uncertainty arising from the choice of GCM and associated emission scenario.
Body Piercing and Self-Mutilation: A Multifaceted Relationship

Goal was to examine the connection between piercings and self-mutilation and the practice of self-piercing. Participants (n=140) completed an anonymous online survey consisting of a 54-item questionnaire and a standardized personality test. All respondents were members of internet communities specialized on piercings. The majority of participants (77.1%) were female, 22.9% were male. The mean age of the group was 24.7 years (range: 16-57 years). Participants had an average of 8.9 piercings. More than half (57.9%) of participants were between 15 and 20 years old when they acquired their first piercing. The most common piercings reported were facial (in 82.9% of participants), ear cartilage (in 67.9% of participants), nipple (in 48.6% of participants) and genital piercings (in 45.0% of participants). Participants were asked to complete the NEO-FFI personality inventory, which is a tool used to measure the personality factors Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extraversion, Openness and Neuroticism. Although all of the NEO-FFI results were within the average norm, significant differences between the participants with/without self-injury were found regarding the T-Scores for Neuroticism and Agreeableness. Thirty-one percent of the participants reported a history of self-mutilation. Those with a history of self-mutilation did not have more piercings than their peers. Half of these individuals described a decrease in auto-aggressive behavior since having acquired piercings, twenty-five percent claim to have ceased self-injurious behavior. The incidence of self-mutilation appears to be higher among pierced individuals than among the general public. Participants who had engaged in self-injury had significantly more often self-pierced. Piercings and self-piercings may serve as substitute behavior for self-mutilation in some individuals.
Behavioural Biases on Residential House Purchase Decisions: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach

In this study, we examine if behavioural biases, such as framing effects, escalation of commitment, and overconfidence are present when residential property purchasers are choosing between alternative properties. To accomplish same, we use a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach to examine the behaviour of property purchasers in Dublin during the property boom of 2005.The study was designed using a case study approach and the participants used a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making analysis tool to aid in their selection between alternative properties. The decision tool that was used is Direct-Interactive: i.e., the Decision-Maker gives scores and weights directly and is able to adjust them during the process. It also uses Structured-Criteria, i.e. it tracks elements of the decision to specific disaggregated criteria of the decision-maker.This research finds that using a decision tool provides better decisions as was expected from the method, however, a subset of property buyers resisted applying the tool to make non-rational choices. This indicates how strong behavioural biases can be and how influencing their affect is, even when making large monetary decisions. In conclusion, when a decision-making tool is introduced to enable property purchasers to improve their decision-making capability, a subset of property buyers may resist applying the tool to let their behavioural biases potentially override rational decision-making.
Dynamical properties of granular rotors

The stochastic motion of an arbitrarily shaped rotor, free to rotate around a fixed axis as a result of dissipative collisions with a surrounding thermalized gas, is investigated. A Boltzmann master equation is derived, starting from the elementary gas–rotor collisions. Analytical expressions for the moments of the rotational speed and the rotational temperature are obtained in the form of a series expansion, using the mass ratio of the gas particle and the rotor as the expansion parameter. We discuss the general features of the motion, which is largely determined by the geometry of the rotor. In particular, a stationary non-zero rotation is observed for rotationally asymmetric rotors. Molecular dynamics simulations support the analytical results.
A fundamental metallicity relation for galaxies at z = 0.84–1.47 from HiZELS

We obtained Subaru FMOS observations of Hα emitting galaxies selected from the HiZELS, to investigate the relationship between stellarmass, metallicity and star formation rate (SFR) at z = 0.84-1.47, for comparison with the fundamental metallicity relation seen at low redshift. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time with a homogeneously selected sample, that a relationship exists for typical star-forming galaxies at z ~ 1-1.5 and that it is surprisingly similar to that seen locally. Therefore, star-forming galaxies at z ~ 1-1.5 are no less metal abundant than galaxies of similar mass and SFR at z ~ 0.1, contrary to claims from some earlier studies.We conclude that the bulk of the metal enrichment for this star-forming galaxy population takes place in the 4 Gyr before z ~ 1.5. We fit a new mass-metallicity-SFR plane to our data which is consistent with other high-redshift studies. However, there is some evidence that the mass-metallicity component of this high-redshift plane is flattened, at all SFR, compared with z ~ 0.1, suggesting that processes such as star formation-driven winds, thought to remove enriched gas from low-mass haloes, are yet to have as large an impact at this early epoch. The negative slope of the SFR-metallicity relation from this new plane is consistent with the picture that the elevation in the SFR of typical galaxies at z≳ 1 is fuelled by the inflow of metal-poor gas and not major merging.
Public Business Advice in the Founding Process: An Empirical Evaluation of Subjective and Economic Effects

We investigate economic and subjective effects of public business advice delivered to nascent entrepreneurs in Germany. We analyze data from the Thuringian Founder Study, an interdisciplinary research project on innovative entrepreneurship. Employing cluster analysis, we first explore the actual scope and intensity of business advice used. Two distinct groups of policy take-up can be identified: (1) use of intense assistance across all areas, and (2) use of less-intensive assistance being limited to operational issues. Then we analyze personal entrepreneurial resources (human and social capital, entrepreneurial personality profile) as predictors of take-up and perceived usefulness taking into account the different patterns of utilized advice. Finally, we assess economic effects by studying subsequent business performance employing propensity score matching. We cannot reveal that business advice translated into better start-up performance, but our results indicate that advice may help founders with fewer resources to overcome barriers in the founding process. We find that a lack of personal entrepreneurial resources predicts take-up of business advice in general as well as perceived usefulness of comprehensive business advice.
Calf Note 177 – The interaction of plane of nutrition and immunity in young dairy calves – a review

The interaction between nutrition and calf immunity is well established and beyond debate. Proper nutrition has a positive influence on the immune system, and often, calf health. Improper nutrition, but particularly protein / calorie malnutrition – can impair immunity and predispose calves to disease. A question often asked is whether there is benefit to increasing the amount of nutrients (i.e., plane of nutrition) fed to calves’ immune response. If some nutrients are good, are more nutrients better? Would a much “higher plane” of nutrition make calves more resistant to disease and make them grow better?
SURVIVAL AND SPROUTING RESPONSES OF CHIHUAHUA PINE AFTER THE RODEO-CHEDISKI FIRE ON THE MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA

Abstract Chihuahua pines (Pinus leiophylla Schiede and Deppe var. chihuahuana Engelmann) were surveyed on 11 study plots on the Mogollon Rim in east central Arizona to compare characteristics of trees that sprouted from the base or root collar after the Rodeo-Chediski fire with those of trees that did not sprout. The differences in trees killed and top-killed by the fire versus those that survived were also assessed. Trees that sprouted were significantly smaller in height and diameter at breast height; they also experienced lower fire intensities than trees that did not sprout. Smaller trees had higher incidences of mortality than larger trees. These results indicate that, even though Chihuahua pine has fire resiliency, sprouting rates after fire are related to size of trees, age of trees, and burn intensity. Since Chihuahua pine is a rare species in the area studied, its ability to recover from and tolerate fire could prove advantageous for sustainability.
HELMINTH FAUNA OF MUS MUSCULUS LINNAEUS, 1758 FROM THE SUBURBAN AREA OF BELGRADE, SERBIA

The helminth fauna of the house mouse (Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758) was studied on the basis of 429 host individuals from the suburban area of Belgrade. Eleven helminth species were recorded: three cestode species - Catenotaenia pusilla , Rodentolepis fraterna , and Cysticercus (= Strobilocercus) fasciolaris (larval stage of Taenia taeniaefor- mis (Batsch, 1821)); and eight nematode species - Heligmosomoides polygyrus , Syphacia sp. , Aspiculuris tetraptera , Syphacia obvelata , Heterakis spumosa, Trichuris muris, Mastophorus muris, and Gongylonema sp. Within the general helminth fauna, H. polygyrus was found to be the most prevalent species (39.2%) and caused the highest infection intensity. Prevalences of A. tetraptera, C. pusilla, and S. obvelata ranged from 12.8% to 6.1%, while the remaining species showed prevalences ranging from 4.9% (for Syphacia sp.) to 0.2% (for Gongylonema sp.). All the species found in males were also present in females, with the exceptions of M. muris and Gongylonema sp. No significant differences were found between males and females regarding prevalence (P%), mean infection intensity (MI), or mean abundance (MA).
Comparison of Bacterial Diversity within the Coral Reef Sponge, Axinella corrugata, and the Encrusting Coral Erythropodium caribaeorum

We compared the Caribbean reef sponge, Axinella corrugata, with the Caribbean reef coral, Erythropodium caribaeorum for differences in their resident microbial communities. This cursory survey of bacterial diversity applied 16S rRNA gene sequences. Over 100 culture-independent sequences were generated from five different Axinella 16S rRNA libraries, and compared with 69 cultured isolates. The cultureindependent 16S rDNA clones displayed a higher diversity of Proteobacteria, including “uncultured” or “unknown” representatives from the Deltaproteobacteria. Arcobacterium, and Cyanobacteria were also found. We have also confirmed that Axinella sponges appeared to host specific microbial symbionts, similar to the previously identified clones termed “OSO” environmental samples. In contrast, seawater samples near Axinella were dominated by Pseudoalteromonas. Adjacent sediment samples yielded clones of Planctomycetacea, Proteobacteria, sulfate-reducing Desulfovibrio spp, and other Deltaproteobacteria. Anaerobe-like 16S rRNA sequences were detected after the oxygen supply to one Axinella sample was deliberately curtailed to assess temporal changes in the microbial community. E. caribaeorum yielded more Betaproteobacteria relative to Axinella 16S libraries, and also included the Gammaproteobacteria genus Spongiobacter. However, Axinella-derived microbes appeared phylogenetically deeper with greater sequence divergences than the coral. Overall this study indicated that marine microbial community diversity can be linked to specific source hosts and habitats.
IS CRYOPRESERVATION SUPERIOR OVER TANNIC ACID/ARGININE/OSMIUM TETROXIDE NON-COATING PREPARATION IN FIELD EMISSION SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY?

Rat kidney tissue was prepared for field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) observation, either by chemical fixation or by cryofixation. Chemical fixation was carried out by glutaraldehyde prefixation followed by tannic acid/arginine/osmium tetroxide noncoating postfixation procedure, dehydration and critical point drying from liquid CO 2 . Cryofixation was carried out by slam-freezing on a copper mirror in liquid N 2 of either vibratome sections of very mildly prefixed tissue or of small tissue blocks, some of which were infiltrated with 10-15 % glycerol. In half of the specimens glycerol was removed by substitution in the cold. Noncryo-protected samples showed slightly more ice-crystal damage than cryo-protected specimens. The cytoplasmic information obtained from cryo-images after mild prefixation, with or without glycerol or butanol, respectively, is very much comparable with that of transmission electron microscope images of the same structures. Non-coating images investigated at 2-3 kV gave the best three-dimensional information, but also showed structural details at cell surfaces. These different preparation methods provided complementary fine structural information on the kidney. A combination of cryo- and noncoating preparation/ observation is highly desirable, particularly with relatively less known structures.
Measuring the dynamics of circular dichroism in a pump-probe experiment with a Babinet-Soleil Compensator

Circular dichroism contains rich information on the conformation of molecules and, in particular, of biomolecules, and measuring its variation in a pump-probe experiment is very promising but also very challenging. We propose a new technique to measure pump-induced variation of the circular dichroism, which is based on the measurement of the probe ellipticity and its variation with the pump. This technique has the advantage that it does not require modulation of the probe polarization, which allows modulation of the pump intensity. We show theoretically and demonstrate experimentally that this technique is very sensitive and user friendly. We also show that it can be used to measure pump-induced change in the optical rotation, allowing for a complete characterization of pump-induced optical activity.
Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Runoff and Annual Water Balance of an Arctic Headwater Basin

Climate change will be an important issue facing Arctic areas in the coming decades since climate models are projecting warmer and wetter conditions for many northern regions. From a hydrological perspective, critical issues include a shortened snow cover season, changes in winter snow cover properties, and changes in the timing and volume of snowmelt runoff. To assess the impacts of projected temperature and precipitation changes on the hydrology of a small Arctic headwater basin, the distributed hydrological model WATFLOOD was used in conjunction with selected Global Circulation Models (GCMs) and future climate scenarios. It was found that the hydrological model simulated basin runoff adequately either with input climate data collected in the study area or with input data from a long-term climate station located approximately 50 km south. WATFLOOD was then used to predict future runoff using GCM outputs for the 2040–69 and 2070–99 time periods. The results gave dates of first and peak runoff that were, on average, up to 25 days earlier than in current (1961–90) climate. In addition, future runoff and evaporation volumes increased by up to 48% as a result of projected increases in temperature and precipitation. Furthermore, a large number of simulated years showed midwinter melt periods, which will have major impacts on snowpack properties and, in turn, on human, animal, and plant life in this region.
General Characteristics of Temperature and Humidity Variability on Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Hourly temperature and humidity observations were obtained over 16 months from loggers ranging in elevation from 1890 to 5800 m a.s. l. up the southwestern slope of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The vertical gradient in mean air temperature is non-linear, with the treeline weakening the gradient and the snow-ice line enhancing it. On average, moisture availability (both relative humidity and absolute vapor pressure) decreases with elevation, but the seasonal and diurnal variability in relative humidity (RH) is enhanced toward the mountain summit. The strong diurnal cycle in humidity is shown to be an outcome of strong upslope moisture transport during the day, counterbalanced by downslope transport and drying at night. Cooling on the lower slopes during the months of June and July weakens the lapse rates and consequently convective activity. This is borne out by the reduction in cloud amounts (using a surrogate threshold of RH > 95%), toward the summit during these months. The lower slopes of Kilimanjaro are observed to be a major moisture source for the summit region, and implications of this for the mass balance of the summit glaciers are discussed.
A new algorithm for detecting trophic status ( chlorophyll-a ) , cyanobacterial-dominanance , surface scums and floating vegetation in coastal and inland waters from MERIS

A novel algorithm is presented for detecting trophic status (chlorophyll-a), cyanobacterial blooms (cyano-blooms), surface scum and floating vegetation in coastal and inland waters using top-ofatmosphere data from the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS). The Maximum Peak Height algorithm (MPH) uses a baseline subtraction procedure to calculate the height of the dominant peak across the red and near-infrared (NIR) MERIS bands between 664 and 885 nm caused by sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SICF) and particulate backscatter. Atmospheric correction of the MERIS TOA reflectance data for gaseous absorption and Rayleigh scattering proved adequate given the spectral proximity of the relevant bands and the sufficiently large differential spectral signal. This avoided the need to correct for atmospheric aerosols, a procedure which is typically prone to large errors in turbid and high-biomass waters. A combination of switching algorithms for estimating chl-a were derived from coincident in situ chl-a and MERIS bottom-of-rayleigh reflectance measurements. These algorithms are designed to simultaneously handle a wide trophic range, from oligotrophic/mesotrophic waters (chl-a < 20 mg.m−3), to eutrophic/hypertrophic waters (chl-a > 20 mg.m−3) and surface scums or dry floating algae or vegetation (dystrophic, chl-a > 500 mg.m−3). In addition, cyanobaceria-dominant waters were differentiated from those dominated by prokaryote species (dinoflagellates/diatoms) on the basis of the magnitude of the MPH variable. This is supported by evidence that vacuolate cyanobacteria (e.g. Microcystis aeruginosa) possess enhanced chl-a specific backscatter which is an important bio-optical distinguishing feature. This enables these broad algal classes to be distinguish with some certainty from space. A flag based on cyanobacteria-specific spectral pigmentation and fluorescence features was also used to identify cyanobacterial dominance in eutrophic waters. An operational algorithm for use with prokaryote-algae for chl-a in the range 0.5 − 350.4 mg.m−3 gave a coefficient of determination of 0.71 and a mean absolute percentage error (mape) of 60% (N=48). An algorithm for cyano-dominant waters had an r2 of 0.58 for chl-a between 33 and 362.5 mg.m−3 and an error of 33.7% (N=17). Example applications demonstrate how the MPH algorithm can offer rapid and effective assessment of trophic status, cyano-blooms, surface scums and floating vegetation in inland and coastal waters.
A comparative study of n-hexane isomerization over solid acids catalysts: Sulfated and phosphated zirconia

Two series of zirconia based catalysts promoted with either sulfates or phosphates were prepared, calcined at different temperatures (600 and 700°C) and evaluated for the n-hexane isomerization reaction. The catalysts with different concentrations of sulfates or phosphates (4 or 10 wt. %) were characterized by BET, XRD, SEM methods, and total acidity was evaluated by using the Hammett indicators. Their final catalytic performances were correlated with their physical-chemical properties (surface, structural, textural and morphological). It was found that sulfated zirconia catalyst calcined at lower temperature showed the highest initial activity of all tested catalysts as the result of favorable total acidity, mesopore texture and structural properties. Somewhat lower activity of the sulfated catalyst calcined at higher temperature is related to the content of acid groups partially removed during thermal treatment, thus, lower total acidity, and also to less favorable textural and structural features. Negligible activity of phosphated zirconia catalysts is connected with low total acidity despite the positive status of particular property showing the complexity of the active phase/site formation in the catalyst.
The contingent role of distributed leadership in the relationship between HR practices and organizational ambidexterity in the cross-border M&As of emerging market multinationals

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect of human resource practices on organizational ambidexterity in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Previous research suggests that human resource practices play an important role in improving organizational performance, but that there may be contingency factors that interact with human resource practices, leading to different performance outcomes. We focus on one such potential contingency factor: distributed leadership as a key moderator that interacts with human resource practices, leading to organizational ambidexterity in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. We examine 84 deals of emerging economies cross-border mergers and acquisitions. We found that human resource practices positively influence the acquired firms’ ambidexterity, but when we take into account the contingent role of distributed leadership, the effect of human resource practices becomes much stronger, indicating the importance of distributed leadership as a key variable that can explain v.