Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intercomparison of cosmic-ray neutron sensors and water balance monitoring in an urban environment

Abstract. Sensor-to-sensor variability is a source of error common to all geoscientific instruments that needs to be assessed before comparative and applied research can be performed with multiple sensors. Consistency among sensor systems is especially critical when subtle features of the surrounding terrain are to be identified. Cosmic-ray neutron sensors (CRNSs) are a recent technology used to monitor hectometre-scale environmental water storages, for which a rigorous comparison study of numerous co-located sensors has not yet been performed. In this work, nine stationary CRNS probes of type “CRS1000” were installed in relative proximity on a grass patch surrounded by trees, buildings, and sealed areas. While the dynamics of the neutron count rates were found to be similar, offsets of a few percent from the absolute average neutron count rates were found. Technical adjustments of the individual detection parameters brought all instruments into good agreement. Furthermore, we found a critical integration time of 6 h above which all sensors showed consistent dynamics in the data and their RMSE fell below 1 % of gravimetric water content. The residual differences between the nine signals indicated local effects of the complex urban terrain on the scale of several metres. Mobile CRNS measurements and spatial simulations with the URANOS neutron transport code in the surrounding area (25 ha) have revealed substantial sub-footprint heterogeneity to which CRNS detectors are sensitive despite their large averaging volume. The sealed and constantly dry structures in the footprint furthermore damped the dynamics of the CRNS-derived soil moisture. We developed strategies to correct for the sealed-area effect based on theoretical insights about the spatial sensitivity of the sensor. This procedure not only led to reliable soil moisture estimation during dry-out periods, it further revealed a strong signal of intercepted water that emerged over the sealed surfaces during rain events. The presented arrangement offered a unique opportunity to demonstrate the CRNS performance in complex terrain, and the results indicated great potential for further applications in urban climate research.
Affine Term Structure Models: Forecasting the Yield Curve for Colombia

Modelar mejor la curva de rendimientos es util para la valoracion de activos, la planeacion financiera y la administracion de riesgos. En este articulo se estiman cinco modelos afines de la estructura a plazos de tasas de interes para Colombia usando datos diarios. Se encuentra que un modelo de tres factores tiene un desempeno superior a los demas modelos para pronosticos intramuestrales y para pronosticos (fuera de muestra) con horizontes de uno y cinco dias. Los factores del modelo se asemejan a sus contrapartes empiricas del nivel, la pendiente y la curvatura de la curva de rendimientos de Colombia.
The Relationship Between Dispositional Optimism and Cognitive, Psychiatric, and Functional Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Despite a vast literature on predictors of outcome and recovery following traumatic brain injury, the way in which personality relates to psychological, cognitive, and functional outcomes remains relatively unknown. The present study focused on how the personality trait of dispositional optimism relates to outcomes post-moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Given previous findings linking dispositional optimism with successful behavioral, psychological, and physical outcomes after adverse events, disease, and injuries, the current study aimed to examine the relationships between psychiatric symptoms, cognitive ability, and personality factors in predicting functional outcome following moderate and severe TBI. More specifically, it was expected that dispositional optimism would predict long-term functional outcome following TBI. In order to test these hypotheses, 45 individuals who had sustained moderate to severe TBI were recruited through mailings of flyers and letters. Volunteers that chose to be in the study participated in a telephone interview to complete self-report measures on current optimism, psychological distress, cognitive ability, and functional independence levels. Data analyses indicated that dispositional optimism was significantly correlated with psychiatric, cognitive, and functional outcomes, but that it did not account for unique variance in functional outcome. In addition, a significant mediating relationship was demonstrated showing cognitive ability as a mediator for the relationship between psychological distress and functional outcome. Furthermore, the data indicate that dispositional optimism predicts psychological distress, rather than functional outcome. These findings illustrate that higher levels of dispositional optimism in individuals sustaining moderate to severe TBI is related to better psychological, cognitive, and functional outcomes and that this personality trait may be a useful predictor of psychological distress following TBI.
Estimation of operational parameters for a direct injection turbocharged spark ignition engine by using regression analysis and artificial neural network

This study was aimed at estimating the variation of several engine control parameters within the rotational speed-load map, using regression analysis and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques. Duration of injection, specific fuel consumption, exhaust gas temperature before turbine and within the catalytic converter brick were chosen as the output parameters for the models, while engine speed and brake mean effective pressure were selected as independent variables for prediction. Measurements were performed on a turbocharged direct injection spark ignition engine fueled with gasoline. A three-layer feed-forward structure and back-propagation algorithm was used for the training the ANN. It was concluded that this technique is capable of predicting engine parameters with more accuracy than linear and non-linear regression techniques.
Exhaled Breath Condensate Nitrate Levels are Inversely Associated withthe Body Mass Index of Patients without Respiratory Disease

Background: Repeated observations suggest that the incidence and/or severity of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is lower in mildly obese humans compared to lean subjects, phenomenon called the Obesity-ARDS Paradox. A reduced lung nitrosative stress could contribute to this unexplained protection. We measured levels of nitrate, the most oxidized nitric oxide (NO) metabolite, and other related metabolites in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of obese (composed of both overweight or mildly obese) and normal weight patients. Methods: We studied patients without respiratory disease immediately after starting mechanical ventilation for elective surgery. We performed targeted metabolomics analyses of EBC and blood samples. We measured concentrations of arginine, asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA), nitrite, and nitrate and then analyzed their relationship to body mass index (BMI). We compared patients classified as BMI<25 (normal) or 25-34.9 (obese). Results: 21 patients were included in the analysis: 5 with a BMI<25 and 16 with a BMI 25-34.9. Concentrations of nitrate in EBC, but not in plasma, inversely correlated with BMI. EBC nitrate levels positively correlated with EBC nitrite but not with plasma nitrate levels. EBC nitrite levels inversely correlated with plasma nitrite levels. Patients with a BMI 25-34.9 had significantly lower EBC nitrate levels than patients with a BMI<25. Conclusion: Our results suggest a lower nitrosative stress in the lungs of overweight and mildly obese patients compared to normal weight patients. This observation deserves further evaluation as a possible contributing factor to the Obesity ARDS Paradox.
Embedded Dental Cortisol Content: A Pilot Study

Objective: This study tests the feasibility and validity of analyzing cortisol levels within human teeth and the possibility of any potential gender differences. Methods: As a precursor, to confirm the general presence and existence of cortisol within teeth, six healthy supernumerary teeth were initially extracted and examined following the ELISA method. After confirming that cortisol was in fact present within human teeth, we began the main experiment. In order to examine any potential gender differences, twenty-one extracted wisdom teeth were collected from subjects (11 male and 10 female) within the age range of 27-29 yrs. Results: The results showed irrefutable proof of the existence of cortisol within the dentin of the teeth. Observations revealed that gender had no significant impact upon a subject’s dental cortisol levels (p>0.05), suggesting that cortisol in teeth can be used as an unbiased and reliable means of studying stress. Conclusions: This is the first report on extraction and analysis of cortisol levels in hard tissues, such as teeth, leading to the discovery of a novel biomarker that can be used when studying chronic stress. Practical application of this study can be used postmortem to assess cortisol levels in patients suffering from prolonged disorders, including patients having undergone chemotherapy treatments, when hair cortisol analysis proved to be problematic.
Diversity in the stellar velocity dispersion profiles of a large sample of brightest cluster galaxies z ≤ 0.3

We analyse spatially-resolved deep optical spectroscopy of Brightest Cluster Galaxies (BCGs) located in 32 massive clusters with redshifts of 0.05 $\leq z \leq$ 0.30, to investigate their velocity dispersion profiles. We compare these measurements to those of other massive early-type galaxies, as well as central group galaxies, where relevant. This unique, large sample extends to the most extreme of massive galaxies, spanning M$_{K}$ between -25.7 to -27.8 mag, and host cluster halo mass M$_{500}$ up to 1.7 $\times$ 10$^{15}$ M$_{\odot}$. To compare the kinematic properties between brightest group and cluster members, we analyse similar spatially-resolved long-slit spectroscopy for 23 nearby Brightest Group Galaxies (BGGs) from the Complete Local-Volume Groups Sample (CLoGS). We find a surprisingly large variety in velocity dispersion slopes for BCGs, with a significantly larger fraction of positive slopes, unique compared to other (non-central) early-type galaxies as well as the majority of the brightest members of the groups. We find that the velocity dispersion slopes of the BCGs and BGGs correlate with the luminosity of the galaxies, and we quantify this correlation. It is not clear whether the full diversity in velocity dispersion slopes that we see is reproduced in simulations.
Sweetness equivalence ratio of Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni) with sugar adopted in Ethiopia

Low caloric sweeteners have been investigated to substitute sugar as an advantage for both nutritional and medicinal purpose. These sugar substitutes are interesting particularly for concepts marketed under a natural claim. Among these, Stevia rebaudiana is a small shrub; its leaves are used as a sweetener. Serial dilution of the hot water Crude extract of S. rebaudiana leaves and aqueous solution of table sugar were subjected to test the panelist in order to choose their preferable sweetening level from both solutions independently. After their reaction, the stevia and sugar ratio were corresponded for individual panelist perception. The nutritional composition also analyzed. Majority of the panelist preferred 2.5 mg/mL stevia solution and 50 mg/mL sugar solution for sweetening. This ratio shows 1 g of stevia is equivalent with 20 g of sugar. The nutrient composition analysis results also indicated that stevia rebaudiana is a good source of calcium, potassium, sodium, Iron and phosphorus. As conclusion hot water crude extract of stevia is 20 times sweetener than sugar with be full of good minerals when using as sweetener in different foods and drinks.
Observations of enhanced thinning in the upper reaches of Svalbard glaciers

Changes in the volume and extent of land ice of the Svalbard archipelago have been the subject of con- siderable research since their sensitivity to changes in cli- mate was first noted. However, the measurement of these changes is often necessarily based on point or profile mea- surements which may not be representative if extrapolated to a whole catchment or region. Combining high-resolution elevation data from contemporary laser-altimetry surveys and archived aerial photography makes it possible to mea- sure historical changes across a glacier's surface without the need for extrapolation. Here we present a high spatial res- olution time-series for six Arctic glaciers in the Svalbard archipelago spanning 1961 to 2005. We find high variabil- ity in thinning rates between sites with prevalent elevation changes at all sites averaging 0.59± 0.04 m a 1 between 1961-2005. Prior to 1990, ice surface elevation was changing at an average rate of 0.52± 0.09 m a 1 which decreased to 0.76± 0.10 m a 1 after 1990. Setting the elevation changes against the glaciers' altitude distribution reveals that signif- icant increases in thinning rates are occurring most notably in the glaciers' upper reaches. We find that these changes are coincident with a decrease in winter precipitation at the Longyearbyen meteorological station and could reflect a de- crease in albedo or dynamic response to lower accumulation. Further work is required to understand fully the causes of this increase in thinning rates in the glaciers' upper reaches. If on-going and occurring elsewhere in the archipelago, these changes will have a significant effect on the region's future mass balance. Our results highlight the importance of under- standing the climatological context of geodetic mass balance measurements and demonstrate the difficulty of using index glaciers to represent regional changes in areas of strong cli- matological gradients.
Designing talk in social networks: What Facebook teaches about conversation

The easy accessibility, ubiquity, and plurilingualism of popular SNSs such as Facebook have inspired many scholars and practitioners of second language teaching and learning to integrate networked forms of communication into educational contexts such as language classrooms and study abroad programs (e.g., Blattner & Fiori, 2011; Lamy & Zourou, 2013; Mills, 2011; Reinhardt & Ryu, 2013; Reinhardt & Zander, 2011). At the same time, the complex and dynamic patterns of interaction that emerge in these spaces quickly push back upon standard ways of describing conversational genres and communicative competence (Kern, 2014; Lotherington & Ronda, 2014). Drawing from an ecological interactional analysis (Goffman, 1964, 1981a, 1981b, 1986; Kramsch & Whiteside, 2008) of the Facebook communications of three German-speaking academics whose social and professional lives are largely led in English, the authors consider the kinds of symbolic maneuvers required to participate in the translingual conversational flows of SNS-mediated communication. Based on this analysis, this article argues that texts generated through SNS-mediated communication can provide classroom opportunities for critical, stylistically sensitive reflection on the nature of talk in line with multiliteracies approaches.
MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS AND WORK CONDITIONS AMONG RIDING-INSTRUCTORS

Results from a questionnaire survey among riding-instructors showed that perceived symptoms most frequently were reported in the neck (52 %), the shoulders (60 %) and in the lower back (56 %) during the past 12 months. 91 % of the riding instructors reported symptoms from at least one of nine anatomic areas the past 12 months. The prevalence is high considered that the median age was 33 years. Mucking out was considered to have the highest work load among the work tasks. The most time consuming work task were riding lessons.
Does participatory forest management change household attitudes towards forest conservation and management

The study assessed the impact of participatory forest management (PFM) on household attitudes towards conservation and management of Arabuko–Sokoke Forest. The results obtained show that the impact of the forest on households was positive and higher in households in PFM zones than in those in non-PFM zones. There were higher proportions of households in PFM zones than in non-PFM zones, although it was a good objective to create the forest. They have good relations with the forest, benefit quite a deal from it as they obtain forest-related products from the forest; and want it protected. Also, the land adjacent to the forest has higher positive impact on household livelihood than the land further away. Higher proportions of households in non-PFM zones than PFM zones have poor relations with the forest as they are unhappy with the fact that the forest is linked to livestock deaths through tsetse fly, crop damage by wild animals, and predation of livestock without income generating activities to offset these losses. The study concluded that PFM is an asset for forest conservation in ArabukoSokoke Forest.
Technical Efficiency In The Retail Food Industry: The Influence Of Inventory Investment, Wage Levels, And Age Of The Firm

The objective of this paper is to estimate technical efficiency in retailing; and the influence of inventory investment, wage levels, and firm age on this efficiency. We use the output supermarket chains? sales volume, calculated isolating the retailer price effect on its sales revenue. This output allows us to estimate a strictly technical concept of efficiency. The methodology is based on the estimation of a stochastic parametric function. The empirical analyses applied to panel data on a sample of 42 supermarket chains between 2000 and 2002 show that inventory investment and wage level have an impact on technical efficiency. In comparison, the effect of these factors on efficiency calculated through a monetary output (sales revenue) shows some differences that could be due to aspects related to product prices. El objetivo de este trabajo se centra en la estimacion de la eficiencia tecnica en distribucion comercial minorista, asi como en analizar la influencia que la inversion en existencias, el nivel de salarios y la edad de la empresa tienen sobre dicha eficiencia. A tal efecto, se utiliza un output que pretende aislar el efecto de los precios de cada cadena de supermercados analizada, lo que permite estimar un concepto de eficiencia estrictamente tecnico. La metodologia se basa en la estimacion de una frontera parametrica de naturaleza estocastica. Los resultados de la aplicacion empirica sobre una muestra de 42 cadenas de supermercados que operan en Espana entre 2000 y 2002 muestran que la inversion en existencias y el nivel de salarios ejercen una influencia positiva sobre la eficiencia. Por comparacion, el efecto de estos factores sobre la eficiencia economica muestra algunas diferencias que podrian ser atribuidas al efecto de los precios aplicados por los distribuidores.
Nutritional composition of the preferred prey of insectivorous birds: popularity reflects quality

Food availability is emerging as a key determinant of avian occurrence and habitat use in a variety of systems, but insectivores have received less attention than other groups and the potential influence of nutritional quality has rarely been considered. Rather than a uniform food source, arthropods vary greatly in terms of nutritional composition, but does this variation translate into differential consumption? Building on previous work that demonstrated clear preference for some arthropod groups by 13 species of ground-foraging insectivores, we compare the nutritional composition of these arthropod groups with other groups commonly encountered but seldom consumed in the same habitat types. Using samples of arthropods collected from a eucalypt woodland in southern Australia, we found the high frequency prey groups (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Araneae) consistently contained higher fractions of crude protein and total fat than the low frequency groups (Diptera, Hymenoptera and Odonata). Even more clear-cut differences were noted in terms of micronutrients; high frequency prey containing significantly greater concentrations of seven elements than low frequency prey and significantly greater amounts per individual arthropod for all eleven elements measured. These results indicate that the nutritional quality plays an important role in prey selection in insectivores and suggests that micronutrients may be more important determinants of prey choice than previously recognized. Integrating these findings with previous work suggesting food limitation may constrain distribution patterns of birds in fragmented landscapes, we contend that variation in nutritional quality helps explain observed patterns in insectivore diets and occurrence. In addition to explaining why smaller and more disturbed habitats are unable to support resident insectivore populations, this bottom-up mechanism may underlie the disproportionate sensitivity of insectivores to land-use intensification.
TOWARDS A GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY OF NURSING: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Although systems thinking in nursing is a vital tradition there have been no previous attempt to understand this systemically. This paper addresses nursing as a disciplinary matrix by systematic reviewing the relevant literature. The search engine ‘CINHAL with Text’ 1990-2011 is used along with a search of foundation and primers texts. There are both first-order homeostatic and second-order dynamic and to a much more limited extent third-order social contextual cybernetic systemic theories in the nursing literature. The development of nursing theory over time resulted from the personal perspectives of the nurse theorists, for example, Martha Rogers (1970), rather than phases of development. The practice development of family systems nursing, developed by Wright and Leahey (1984) and Marie-Luise Friedmann (1989) arose through international academic-practitioner networking. The systemic nursing management literature demonstrates open systems, complex adaptive systems and chaos theories. The literature reviewed suggests systemic ideas arose to address the problematics of specific domains. Specifically, the problematic of professionalization resulted in the development of systemic nursing theories in the academic domain and family systems nursing in overlap between the practice and academic domains, and the problematic of cost-containment and risk management in the governance and government domains. There is limited connection between systemic thinking by nurses in the largely domain specific literature. The conclusions of this review are that: first, there appears to be some consensus about the value of attachment (Bowlby 1951) and ecological developmental theories (Bronfenbrenner 1979) in nursing practice: and secondly, the slow development of nursing as an academic project can be viewed as an opportunity for transdisciplinary considerations of biological, psychological, sociological and political systems in nursing theory and practice. This paper is an expression of an attempt to address the puzzle of considering the coherence of systemic thinking in nursing from the author’s position as academic and practitioner. The potential for developing a general systems theory of nursing practice, nursing administration, healthcare administration, and global healthcare remains, and may be of value in positioning the profession’s practices in its policy and political environments.