Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Egg development in the mayflies of a Swiss glacial floodplain

Abstract The duration and timing of egg development is crucial to the survival of invertebrates in glacier-fed rivers. The relationship between egg development and environmental conditions was investigated in 3 mayfly species, Baetis alpinus, Rhithrogena nivata, and Ecdyonurus picteti, in an alpine glacier-fed alluvial system. Field-collected eggs were reared in the laboratory at temperatures representing field conditions (1.5, 3, 5, and 7°C). Egg-incubation period and degree-days demand (DD) were determined, and hatching in the field was predicted from field temperature records. Egg development and temperature relationships for B. alpinus and R. nivata were documented for the first time. Baetis alpinus had synchronous egg development and high hatching success. Faster development in warmer habitats enabled it to hatch during favorable autumnal conditions. Ecdyonurus picteti had a very long development time that decreased slightly at higher temperatures. However, the variation in DD was considerable. The observed long and delayed hatching would favor successful development in unpredictable habitats at the low temperatures experienced in these glacial conditions. Rhithrogena nivata, one of the most extreme cold-adapted mayfly species, had a long egg incubation period, and success in development largely depended on the timing of hatching and discharge conditions. This species could exploit extremely unstable and cold habitats where other species are limited by low water temperatures.
Validation of polarimetric methods for attenuation correction at C band

Polarimetric methods for attenuation correction of radar reflectivity Z and differential reflectivity ZDR utilize measurements of differential phase ΦDP which is immune to attenuation (Bringi and Chandrasekar 2001). Simplified versions of the attenuation correction techniques assume that the coefficients of proportionality α and β between the Z and ZDR biases and ΦDP do not vary much. However, at C band these are highly variable in convective cells containing large raindrops and hail due to effects of resonance scattering (Carey et al. 2000, Ryzhkov et al. 2006). More sophisticated schemes for attenuation correction attempt to estimate the coefficients α and β in such “hotspot” cells using additional constraints. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the attenuation correction techniques with different degree of complexity using C-band data collected with the Environment Canada King radar in Southern Ontario, Canada, and the Enterprise Electronics Corporation (EEC) Sidpol radar in Alabama, USA.
"The Co-CoVaR and some other Fair Systemic Risk Measures with Model Risk Corrections" ✌

This paper first highlights how fragile are the main measures of systemic risk of financial institutions and, secondly, proposes a simple correction to address this drawback linked to model errors of such measures. We show that main quantitative systemic risk measures are indeed very linked to extreme quantiles and that the ranking in terms of systemic risk importance highly depends upon the adopted measure, and, finally, that systemic risk measures are very sensitive to measurement errors. Following the approach of Boucher et al. (2013), we then propose a model risk correction to stabilize and reconciliate main systemic risk firm rankings. Our results finally suggest that the riskiness of risk measures is crucial for the sake of the fairness and the global financial system stability.
Trenching increased growth, and irrigation increased survival of tree seedlings in the understorey of a semi-evergreen rain forest in Panama

Seedlings in tropical forests are ultimately the source of canopy trees, thus factors controlling their composition and growth potentially influence the composition of the forest. Seedlings are primarily limited by above-ground competition with trees, but below-ground competition is potentially also important. Over 4 y we experimentally reduced below-ground competition by trenching to 50 cm and reduced drought stress by irrigating in the dry seasons (6 cm every 2 d) in the understorey of a semi-evergreen rain forest in Panama. There were four irrigated plots and four unirrigated, in each plot there were eight subplots (four trenched, four untrenched); 32 seedlings (two per subplot) of each of four tree species were equally allocated to the four treaments; the four species were: Aspidosperma cruenta; Gustavia superba; Simarouba amara and Tachigali versicolor. Over all species together, trenching increased seedling height by 41% and leaf area by 140% over 4 y. The cause was likely to be increased nutrient supply, because the amounts of N, K and Ca were higher in trenched plants, though concentrations were not higher. Irrigation had no significant effect on growth. Irrigation, but not trenching, reduced seedling mortality. We conclude that below-ground competition was a major limitation for seedling growth for at least some common species (Gustavia and Tachigali in this experiment). More experiments are necessary to determine whether below-ground competition is also important in other tropical rain forests on fairly fertile soils.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in France linked to a human-introduced strain of Alexandrium catenella from the western Pacific: evidence from DNAand toxin analysis

In 1998, the toxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) were detected in Thau Lagoon, France. The causative organism was identified as Alexandrium tamarense, a member of the 'tamarensis' species complex. This dinoflagellate was first observed in the lagoon in 1995 by a monitoring programme following more than a decade with no observations of this species. The species is thus new to these waters, but its origins were unknown. In this paper, morphological and molecular data are analysed for two clonal cultures established from the 1998 bloom. These data are compared to results from Alexandrium isolates originating elsewhere in the world to infer an origin. Thecal plate morphology, restriction fragment length polymorphism, DNA sequencing and toxin analyses demonstrate that the Thau Lagoon strains are A. catenella, and are closely related to populations of A. catenella found in temperate Asia, specifically the Japanese Temperate Asian ribotype of the tamarense/ catenella/fundyense species complex. They show no homology with strains from western European waters, including the Mediterranean. Until now, the Japanese Temperate Asian ribotype has not been reported outside the western Pacific. The most likely scenario is that A. catenella was introduced to Thau Lagoon via the ballast water of a ship docked at Sete, France, a shipping port in direct communication with the lagoon. This case provides a clear example of the dispersal of a toxic Alexandrium species, probably via human activities.
Application of the mid-IR radio correlation to the Ĝ sample and the search for advanced extraterrestrial civilisations

Wright et al. (2014, ApJ, 792, 26) have embarked on a search for advanced Karadashev Type III civilisations via the compilation of a sample of sources with extreme mid-IR emission and colours. The aim is to furnish a list of candidate galaxies that might harbour an advanced Kardashev Type III civilisation; in this scenario, the mid-IR emission is then primarily associated with waste heat energy byproducts. I apply the mid-IR radio correlation to this Glimpsing Heat from Alien Technology ( ˆ G) sample, a catalogue of 93 candidate galaxies compiled by Griffith et al. (2015, ApJS, 217, 25). I demonstrate that the mid-IR and radio luminosities are correlated for the sample, determining a k-corrected value of q22 = 1.35 ± 0.42. By comparison, a similar measurement for 124 galaxies drawn from the First Look Survey (FLS) has q22 = 0.87 ± 0.27. The statistically significant difference of the mean value of q22 for these two samples, taken together with their more comparable far-IR properties, suggests that the ˆ G sample shows excessive emission in the mid-IR. The fact that the ˆ G sample largely follows the mid-IR radio correlation strongly suggests that the vast majority of these sources are associated with galaxies in which natural astrophysical processes are dominant. This simple application of the mid-IR radio correlation can substantially reduce the number of false positives in the ˆ G catalogue since galaxies occupied by advanced Kardashev Type III civilisations would be expected to exhibit very high values of q. I identify nine outliers in the sample with q22 > 2 of which at least three have properties that are relatively well explained via standard astrophysical interpretations e.g. dust emission associated with nascent star formation and/or nuclear activity from a heavily obscured AGN. The other outliers have not been studied in any great detail, and are deserving of further observation. I also note that the comparison of resolved mid-IR and radio images of galaxies on sub-galactic (kpc) scales can also be useful in identifying and recognising artificial mid-IR emission from less advanced intermediate Type II/III civilisations. Nevertheless, from the bulk properties of the ˆ G sample, I conclude that Kardashev Type III civilisations are either very rare or do not exist in the local Universe.
The role of the different aspects of academic motivation and competitiveness in explaining self-handicapping

In the present research on self-handicapping, the goal was to examine the role of different types of academic motivation according to the level of self-determination. Since the existing research on self-handicapping has examined only the role of interpersonal competition, we also aimed to explore the role of different kinds of competition, i.e., the role of the reasons that motivate people to participate in competition, and the role of the reasons for the avoidance of competition. 748 high school students participated in the study. Regarding the role of academic motivation in self-handicapping the prevailing role of amotivation stood out. Intrinsic motivation predicted self-handicapping negatively, but extrinsic motivation proved to be a positive predictor. The factor structure of the Academic Motivation Scale only enabled differentiation of the reasons for education on the level of three basic types. With regard to the role of the different dimensions of competitiveness in self-handicapping, results show that those denoted by fear of failure and self-worth protection proved to be more characteristic of self-handi- capping than those defined by a high valuation of the importance of quality of task accomplishment. Among others, our research suggests that by diverting students away from hypercompetitive values, functionality of self-handicapping can be decreased.
The water-filled versus air-filled status of vessels cut open in air: the 'Scholander assumption' revisited

When petioles of transpiring leaves are cut in the air, according to the ‘Scholander assumption’, the vessels cut open should fill with air as the water is drained away by continued transpiration. The distribution of air-filled vessels versus distance from the cut surface should match the distribution of lengths of ‘open vessels’, i.e. vessels cut open when the leaf is excised. Three different methods were used to estimate the length distribution of open vessels and compared it to the observed distribution of embolisms by the cryo-scanning electron microscope (SEM) method. In the cryo-SEM method, petioles are frozen in liquid nitrogen soon after the petiole is cut. The petioles are then cut at different distances from the original cut surface while frozen and examined in a cryo-SEM facility, where it is easy to distinguish vessels filled with air from those filled with ice. In petioles of Acer platanoides and Juglans regia , the distribution of embolized vessels agrees with expectations. This is in contrast to a previous study on sunflower where cryo-SEM results did not agree with expectations. The reason for this disagreement requires further study for a full elucidation.
Syddansk Universitet Sugar-sweetened beverages , vascular risk factors and events a systematic literature review

Objective: A high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) has been linked to weight gain, obesity and type 2 diabetes; however, the influence on CVD risk remains unclear. Therefore, our objective was to summarize current evidence for an association between SSB consumption and cardiovascular risk factors and events. Design: The article search was performed in August 2013. Two independent researchers performed the article search and selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Eligible studies reported the intake of SSB and one of the following outcomes: change in blood pressure, blood lipid or blood sugar, or CVD events such as stroke or myocardial infarction. Only intervention and longitudinal studies were included. Subjects: Only studies in adults (aged 18 + years old) were considered. Results: Two of four prospective studies found clear direct associations between SSB consumption and CHD, while two of three studies, including both men and women, found direct associations between SSB consumption and stroke; however, the association was significant among women only. All included studies examining vascular risk factors found direct associations between SSB consumption and change in blood pressure, blood lipid or blood sugar. Conclusions: The reviewed studies generally showed that SSB intake was related to vascular risk factors, whereas associations with vascular events were less consistent. Due to a limited number of published papers, especially regarding vascular events, the strength of the evidence is still limited and hence more studies are needed before firm conclusions can be made.
Significance of Soil Lightness Versus Physicochemical Soil Properties in Semiarid Areas

Modern agriculture aims to encompass all soil attributes to optimize soil use and minimize environmental impacts. One of those attributes is soil color, which allows determining important soil variables for crop management and soil conservation. In this study, the relationships between lightness and several pedologic, topographic, and soil management variables were determined. One hundred and ten topsoil points were sampled in an area where the Mediterranean climate is the only homogeneous soil forming factor. Soil samples were air dried, crushed, and sieved, and lightness measurements were made using a trichromatic colorimeter. The relationships between lightness and soil-related parameters were carried out by means of bivariate linear correlation, and Mann-Witney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Soil textural fractions (sand and silt), electrical conductivity and carbonates were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and exhibited moderate correlation coefficients (0.32–0.45). Topographic variables (slope and aspect), soil organic carbon, iron, nitrogen, pH, and parent material (marls) exhibited lower effect on lightness. The response of lightness to clay content was highly conditioned by iron content. Stoniness, phosphorous, elevation, and soil management variables (irrigation and land use) were not statistically significant. The results obtained with calcareous samples from semiarid areas showed that soil lightness behavior agree with findings in developed soils, despite of the large differences in soil composition and the heterogeneity of the study area.
Thermal Efficiency Study of Conventional Kerosene Pressure Stoves Equipped with Porous Radiant Inserts

In this study, the thermal efficiency of a conventional kerosene pressure stove equipped with porous radiant inserts have been investigated. Four different porous materials, viz., silicon carbide (SiC), zirconia (ZrO 2 ), wire mesh roll filled with metal balls and alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) have been used as porous radiant inserts. The inserts have been found to increase the efficienc y of the conventional stove from 55% to 62%. SiC insert exhibited the highest efficiency (62%). Additionally, the flow rate and the vessel size have been optimized f or the best thermal efficiency.
Climatic Variables and Their Effects on Phenolic Maturation and Potassium Uptake in Cabernet Sauvignon Wines

The aimed at identifying and understanding the relationships of phenolic maturation and potassium uptake dynamics jointly with climatic variables for Cabernet Sauvignon variety. The experiment was carried out in Dom Pedrito, Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil, in the 2016 growing season. The experimental design was randomized blocks with treatments arranged in three replicates. The physical-chemical characteristics were measured: Density, Glucometric degree, Hydrogen ionic potential, Titratable Total Acidity, Total polyphenol index, Potassium, Phenolic maturity index. The periods preceding grapes phenolic maturation directly influence the physical and chemical conformity of must and wine. Potassium, pH and total acidity directly influence the poor phenolic maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon. Minimum and maximum air temperature, thermal amplitude, incident solar radiation and accumulated rainfall interfere in the photosynthetic dynamics, potassium accumulation in the grapes and phenolic maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Making action-angle disc models for Gaia

A brief review of recent work. I describe dynamical modelling of the Milky Way using action-angle coordinates. I explain what action-angle coordinates are, and what progress has been made in the past few years to ensuring they can be used in reasonably realistic Galactic potentials. I then describe recent modelling efforts, and progress they have made in constraining the potential of the Milky Way and the local dark matter density.
Effects of spatially varying roof cooling on thermal convection at high Rayleigh number in a fluid with a strongly temperature-dependent viscosity

We investigate the effects of an insulating lid of variable spatial extent on convection in the stagnant-lid regime under thermally steady-state conditions. Using a combination of laboratory experiments, numerical simulations and scaling analyses we characterize the qualitative structure and quantitative heat transfer properties of flows in terms of the fractional extent L of an insulating lid applied at the cold boundary, the thermal resistance of the lid, the magnitude of the temperature dependence of the fluid viscosity Λ and the effective Rayleigh number Rae for the composite system. A partial insulating lid has two main effects: (i) To increase the mean interior temperature and reduce the average viscosity of the system, which enhances fluid motions, and (ii) to impart a lateral asymmetry to the thermal structure of the cold boundary that leads, in turn, to lateral temperature gradients that drive an overturning flow. Consequently, whereas flow in the uninsulated stagnant-lid regime is in the form of ‘small-scale’ rising and sinking thermals, there is an additional ‘large-scale’ circulation in the presence of partial insulation. The structure, wavelength and heat transfer properties of this large-scale stirring depends on L, Λ and Rae. For given Rae – Λ conditions we find optimal values of L at which there occur well-defined maxima in the rate of overturn, the local heat flux carried into the uninsulated part of the cold boundary and in the global average heat flux Nu carried across the system. Whereas both the rate of overturning and local heat flux are associated with the largest lateral temperature gradients, the optimal basal heat flux depends also on a tradeoff with the fractional surface area of the lid. Remarkably, maximal values of the global heat flux can significantly exceed that of the uninsulated stagnant-lid case. The occurrence of such maxima is insensitive to the mechanical boundary conditions applied and is not strongly influenced by lid shape. However, the magnitude and location of optimal heat fluxes depends in a complicated way on the lid surface area and shape, as well as the structure of the hot and cold boundary layers and the wavelength of the large-scale flow.
The Potential for Carbon Sequestration in Agroforestry Systems

Potensi Agroforestri untuk Penyerapan Karbon . Sistem agroforestri memiliki potensi untuk mengatasi perubahan lahan karena dapat menyerap karbon dan secara bersamaan memberikan keuntungan ekonomi kepada petani melalui berbagai produk-produk pertanian secara berkelanjutan. Sistem tersebut merupakan sistem penggunaan lahan terintegrasi yang terdiri dari berbagai pohon dan tumbuhan perenial berkayu lainnya yang tumbuh di lahan pertanian dan lahan produksi tahunan lainnya untuk memaksimalkan keuntungan ekonomi dari berbagai produk dan interaksi ekologi. Potensi agroforestri dalam penyerapan karbon sangat bervariasi tergantung pada beberapa faktor antara lain tipe sistem agroforestri yang digunakan, komposisi spesies, umur komponen spesies, lokasi geografis, faktor-faktor lingkungan dan praktek-praktek pengelolaan. Review literatur menunjukkan bahwa potensi penyerapan karbon dalam sistem agroforestry di daerah tropis berkisar dari 1,5 t C /ha/tahun sampai dengan 10 t C /ha/tahun, hamper sama dengan karbon yang diserap oleh hutan tanaman untuk pulp dan kertas yang sebesar 10 t C /ha/tahun. Di Sumberjaya, sebuah sistem agroforestri berbasis tanaman kopi diselidiki untuk mengetahui potensi sistem ini untuk penyerapan karbon. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa di survey pertama, rata-rata biomassa di kebun kopi umur 2-30 tahun adalah sekitar 92 Mg/ha. Survey kedua mengindikasikan bahwa rata-rata stok karbon dalam biomassa di atas tanah dari pohon kopi umur 6-40 tahun adalah 18,4 Mg/ha dengan standard deviasi 4,0, dan rata-rata stok karbon untuk pohon-pohon non-kopi adalah 29.6 Mg/ha dengan standar deviasi 18.9. Peningkatan stok karbon per tahun diperkirakan sebesar 2 Mg C/ha/tahun. Menghubungkan potensi agroforestri dalam penyerapan karbon dan perubahan iklim akan memberikan insentif yang besar bagi petani-petani kecil di daerah tropis. Pemberian reward atau kompensasi kepada petani atas keuntungan lingkungan yang telah disediakan seperti pengurangan emisi akan membantu mengurangi kemiskinan di banyak areal pedesaan. Mengambil kesempatan dalam upaya mitigasi emisi karbon melalui sistem agroforestry juga dapat meningkatkan kapasitas negara berkembang seperti Indonesia untuk menghadapi perubahan iklim. Keywords: agroforestri, karbon, biomassa, emisi, perubahan iklim
EFL teachers’ teaching style, creativity, and burnout: A path analysis approach

Abstract The present study delved into a rarely explored construct in the domain of English as a foreign language (EFL), i.e. teaching style. We hypothesized that teacher creativity plays a role in the styles teachers adopt in language institutes. It was also conjectured that teaching style affects burnout. The role of burnout in teacher creativity was also investigated. To measure teaching style, Grasha’s Teaching Style Inventory comprising five teaching styles (Expert, Authority, Model, Facilitator, and Delegator) on a continuum of teacher vs. learner-oriented styles was employed. The educator version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-ES) and the English Language Teacher Creativity Scale (ELT-CS) were utilized to gauge burnout and creativity, respectively. To examine these causal associations, a path analysis was run. The results demonstrated the role of teachers’ creativity in their preferred teaching style. In particular, it was found that teacher creativity predicts Facilitator and Delegator positively; whereas, it predicts Authority and Expert in a negative direction. The results also revealed that three teaching styles (Model, Facilitator, and Delegator) appear to contribute to burnout prevention whereas the other two teaching styles (Expert and Authority) have no significant role. Finally, the debilitative role of teacher burnout in creativity was demonstrated.