Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intra-annual patterns of weather and daily radial growth changes of Norway spruce and their relationship in the Western Carpathian mountain region over a period of 2008-2012.

The contribution presents the results of a 5-year (2008–2012) dendroecological research in a Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) clone forest (Northern Slovakia). Due to different climatic and soil moisture conditions in the monitored years, different seasonal courses of stem increment formation were observed using band dendrometers with continuous data recording. The lack of precipitation affected growth processes mainly during the growth culmination and at the end of summer. The multiple regression analysis of the impact of individual factors on stem circumference changes on the basis of their partial correlation coefficients revealed that the individual environmental characteristics influenced daily stem radial changes with time lags of one to ten days. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the stem radial reactions to climatic and soil moisture factors were not significantly different between the clones.
Shifting Internal Parent—Child Representations among Caregivers of Teens with Serious Behavior Problems: An Attachment-Based Approach

Attachment theory provides a rich framework for the development of interventions for trauma. This study examined processes underlying treatment outcomes of an attachment-based program (Connect; Moretti, Braber, & Obsuth, 2009) for parents of teens with severe behavior problems. Caregivers completed the Parenting Representations Interview and the Child Behavior Checklist prior to and following treatment. Results confirmed significant reductions in teens’ problem behavior and changes in parental representations of the parent, teen, and parent—teen relationship. Shifts in parenting representation were significantly related to reductions in teen problem behavior, consistent with the view that changing attachment representations underlies therapeutic effects.
Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen isotope abundances in zooplankton of the oligotrophic North Atlantic

Deep‐water nitrate is a major reservoir of oceanic combined nitrogen and has long been considered to be the major source of new nitrogen supporting primary production in the oligotrophic ocean. 15N:14N ratios in plankton provide an integrative record of the nitrogen cycle processes at work in the ocean, and near‐surface organic matter in oligotrophic waters like the Sargasso Sea is characterized by an unusually low 15N content relative to average deep‐water nitrate. Herein we show that the low dΔ15N of suspended particles and zooplankton from the tropical North Atlantic cannot arise through isotopic fractionation associated with nutrient uptake and food web processes but are instead consistent with a significant input of new nitrogen to the upper water column by N2 fixation. These results provide direct, integrative evidence that N2 fixation makes a major contribution to the nitrogen budget of the oligotrophic North Atlantic Ocean.
The intra-hour variable quasar J1819+3845: 13-year evolution, jet polarization structure, and interstellar scattering screen properties

We examine the long-term evolution of the intra-hour variable quasar, J1819+3845, whose variations have been attributed to interstellar scintillation by extremely local turbulent plasma, located only 1-3 pc from Earth. The variations in this source ceased some time in the period between June 2006 and February 2007. The evolution of the source spectrum and the long-term lightcurve, and the persistent compactness of the source VLBI structure indicate that the cessation of rapid variability was associated with the passage of the scattering material out of the line of sight to the quasar. We present an extensive analysis of the linear polarization variations and their relation to total intensity variations. The proper motion of polarized features in the quasar jet is found to be subluminal. Systematic time delays between Stokes I, Q, and U, in combination with the structure of the source obtained from 8.4 GHz VLBI data confirm the estimate of the screen distance: 1-2 pc, making the screen one of the nearest objects to the solar system. We determine the physical properties of this scattering material. The electron density in the scattering region is extremely high with respect to the warm ionized ISM, with an estimated density of ne ~ 97 l01/3 ΔL 100-1/2 cm -3, where l0 is the outer scale of the turbulence in AU and ΔL = 100 ΔL100 AU is the depth of the scattering region. If this plasma is in pressure balance with the local magnetic field, one expects a ~2 rad m-2 rotation measure (RM) change associated with the passage of this material past the quasar. To that end, we examine the RMs of sources and the diffuse polarized emission in the surrounding region. We place a limit of 10 rad m-2 on the RM change based upon 21 cm polarization observations. The variability of sources near J1819+3845 is examined to deduce limits on the transverse extent of the screen, and we find that no other sources exhibit variations on comparable timescales and that the screen must therefore be either very small (of order 100 AU) or patchy. The data used to construct the light curves and total intensity image are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat? J/A+A/574/A125
Comparing global and local calibration schemes from a differential split-sample test perspective

This work explores the performances of the hydrologic model Hydrotel, applied to 36 catchments located in the Province of Quebec, Canada. A local calibration (each catchment taken individually) scheme and a global calibration (a single parameter set sought for all catchments) scheme are compared in a differential split-sample test perspective. Such a methodology is useful to gain insights on a model’s skills under different climatic conditions, in view of its use for climate change impact studies. The model was calibrated using both schemes on five non-continuous dry and cold years and then evaluated on five dissimilar humid and warm years. Results indicate that, as expected, local calibration leads to better performances than the global one. However, global calibration achieves satisfactory simulations while producing a better temporal robustness (i.e., model transposability to periods with different climatic conditions). Global calibration, in opposition to local calibration, thus imposes spatial consis.
Phenotypical and Genotypical Detection of Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates of Water Buffalo Milk and Dairy Product

The aim of our study was to investigate genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates and as well as to determine MIC value. A total of 99 S. aureus isolates obtained from water buffalo milk and dairy product was used in the study. Methicillin resistance was measured using oxacillin (1μg) and cefoxitin (30μg) disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Oxacillin and cefoxitin MIC value was determined by E test. Genotypic methicillin resistance was evaluated using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the mecA gene. Out of 99 isolates, 14 (13.8%) were found to be methicillin resistant by oxacillin disc diffusion test, and nine (9%) were found to be resistant with cefoxitin by disc diffusion. Nine (9%) isolates were mecA gene positive by PCR.
Linear Consistency for Proof-of-Stake Blockchains

The blockchain data structure maintained via the longest-chain rule---popularized by Bitcoin---is a powerful algorithmic tool for consensus algorithms. Such algorithms achieve consistency for blocks in the chain as a function of their depth from the end of the chain. While the analysis of Bitcoin guarantees consistency with error $2^{-k}$ for blocks of depth $O(k)$, the state-of-the-art of proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchains suffers from a quadratic dependence on $k$: these protocols, exemplified by Ouroboros (Crypto 2017), Ouroboros Praos (Eurocrypt 2018) and Sleepy Consensus (Asiacrypt 2017), can only establish that depth $\Theta(k^2)$ is sufficient. Whether this quadratic gap is an intrinsic limitation of PoS---due to issues such as the nothing-at-stake problem---has been an urgent open question, as deployed PoS blockchains further rely on consistency for protocol correctness. We give an axiomatic theory of blockchain dynamics that permits rigorous reasoning about the longest-chain rule and achieve, in broad generality, $\Theta(k)$ dependence on depth in order to achieve consistency error $2^{-k}$. In particular, for the first time, we show that PoS protocols can match proof-of-work protocols for linear consistency. We analyze the associated stochastic process, give a recursive relation for the critical functionals of this process, and derive tail bounds in both i.i. d. and martingale settings via associated generating functions.
Democracy for the youth? The impact of mock elections on voting age attitudes

ABSTRACT Should 16-year-olds be entitled to participate in elections? We theorize that mock elections for adolescents, who are not eligible to vote, affect the short-term support among the general public for lowering the voting age. To test our theoretical expectation, we utilize variation among municipalities in the organization of mock elections during the Danish local elections in 2009. Difference-in-difference estimates with data from the subsequent local elections in 2013 demonstrate that citizens in municipalities with mock elections for adolescents were more supportive of lowering the voting age and that their support was strongly rooted in ideological differences.
Biosynthesis and Structural Characteristics of Selenium Nanoparticles using Lactobacillus Acidophilus Bacteria by Wet Sterilization Process

A facile ecofriendly biological approach for the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria and its characterization is reported in this paper. The synthesized selenium nanoparticles were characterized using UV spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic studies showed that the nanoparticles were in the uniform size range of 15-50 nm. The present study showed that no chemical changes occurred in selenium nanoparticles during the wet sterilization process and therefore, the wet sterilization method can effectively use to recover the elemental selenium from bacterial cells.
Exploring the Influence of Trust and Culture on Mobile Payment Adoption

vi Chapter 1: Introduction. 1 1.1 Background to the Study . 1 1.2 Motivation and Research Questions . 2 Chapter 2: Literature Review and Research Model . 5 2.1 Literature Review . 5 2.2 Proposed Research Model . 9 Chapter 3: Methodology . 20 Chapter 4: Results . 22 4.1 Demographics . 22 4.2 Measurement Model Validation . 22 4.3 Common Method Bias . 25 4.4 Structural Model . 25 4.5 Post-hoc Analyses . 29 Chapter 5: Discussion . 36 Chapter 6: Conclusion . 41 References . 44 Appendices . 51
Comparaison de deux techniques de marquage pour Sarpa salpa : attachement externe et implantation intrapéritonéale

For a given species in a particular environment, the success and the harmlessness of transmitter attachment appear to be highly specific. As no information was available for the tagging of the strepie, Sarpa salpa, a suitability study of attachment techniques was needed. Two types of transmitter attachments were investigated: (1) externally, placed on the back of the fish below the dorsal fin by means of two threads sutured through the dorsal musculature, and (2) internally, in the peritoneal cavity. Twenty-five fish were monitored over a 14-d period for survival, surgical healing, injury occurrence and post-tagging behaviour. Even though we observed a 100% survival rate for both groups, with no noticeable buoyancy or swimming alteration, findings from this study indicate that both groups of tagged fish were affected by the presence of the transmitter in different ways. Fish with an external transmitter were chronically affected, incurring physical impact, whereas the surgically-implanted fish exhibited short-term tagging effects (less than 36 h), attributable to surgery effects, and were not subject to fouling on transmitter or wound chafing. Moreover, they appeared to recover quickly with no indication of long-term effects. Based on the findings of this study, the use of the surgical implantation method for Sarpa salpa is recommended. © 2003 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS and Ifremer/CNRS/IRD. All rights reserved.
Mass-metallicity relation explored with CALIFA I. Is there a dependence on the star-formation rate?

We studied the global and local ℳ-Z relation based on the first data available from the CALIFA survey (150 galaxies). This survey provides integral field spectroscopy of the complete optical extent of each galaxy (up to 2−3 effective radii), with a resolution high enough to separate individual H II regions and/or aggregations. About 3000 individual H II regions have been detected. The spectra cover the wavelength range between [OII]3727 and [SII]6731, with a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to derive the oxygen abundance and star-formation rate associated with each region. In addition, we computed the integrated and spatially resolved stellar masses (and surface densities) based on SDSS photometric data. We explore the relations between the stellar mass, oxygen abundance and star-formation rate using this dataset. We derive a tight relation between the integrated stellar mass and the gas-phase abundance, with a dispersion lower than the one already reported in the literature (σ_Δlog (O/H) = 0.07 dex). Indeed, this dispersion is only slightly higher than the typical error derived for our oxygen abundances. However, we found no secondary relation with the star-formation rate other than the one induced by the primary relation of this quantity with the stellar mass. The analysis for our sample of ~3000 individual H II regions confirms (i) a local mass-metallicity relation and (ii) the lack of a secondary relation with the star-formation rate. The same analysis was performed with similar results for the specific star-formation rate. Our results agree with the scenario in which gas recycling in galaxies, both locally and globally, is much faster than other typical timescales, such like that of gas accretion by inflow and/or metal loss due to outflows. In essence, late-type/disk-dominated galaxies seem to be in a quasi-steady situation, with a behavior similar to the one expected from an instantaneous recycling/closed-box model.
Potential Hepatoprotective Effects of Licorice Root ( Radix glycyrrhizae ) Extract against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

Radix glycyrrhizae is one of the native Mediterranean plants. Licorice root is a popular soft drink in Egypt. Literatures cited therapeutic effects of licorice. The present work is to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective effects of aqueous licorice root extract against the cytotoxic effects and the oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in isolated primary rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion technique. Cytotoxicity was determined by assessing cell viability and leakage of cytosolic enzymes, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Oxidative stress was assessed by determining reduced glutathione (GSH) level and lipid peroxidation as indicated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production. Exposure of isolated rat hepatocytes to CCl4 (5mM) caused cytotoxicity and oxidative injury, manifested by loss of cell viability and significant increase in LDH, ALT and AST leakages. As well as, CCl4 caused progressive depletion of intracellular GSH content and significant enhancement of TBARS accumulation. Preincubation of hepatocytes with either licorice (25 μM/ml) or silymarin (0.5mM) which is a known hepatoprotective agent, ameliorated the hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by CCl4, as indicated by significant improvement in cell viability, significant decrease in LDH , ALT and AST leakages, significant prevention of GSH depletion and significant decrease in TBARS formation as compared to CCl4 alone-treated cells. The present results indicate that CCl4 has a potential cytotoxic effect in isolated rat hepatocytes; and licorice extract possess a highly promising hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. [El-Tawil, Osama S. ; Shalaby , Abeir A. and Mohamed, Eman A. Potential Hepatoprotective Effects of Licorice Root (Radix Glycyrrhizae) Extract against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes. Life Sci J 2013; 10(4): 1862-1871]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 246
Softening of dried Vangueria infausta (African medlar) using maltodextrin and sucrose

Softening of dried Vangueria infausta using maltodextrin and sucrose was investigated experimentally. The pulp of V. infausta was dried in a convective dryer, the influence of drying temperature as well as relationship between water content and water activity were examined. In this study, 48 samples of V. infausta pulp, with and without maltodextrin or sucrose, were dried at air temperatures of 60 and 80°C, at a constant air velocity of 3 m/s, for 0-240 min, and until constant weight. The water content, water activity, hardness and toughness were evaluated throughout the drying process. Samples dried at 80°C exhibited shorter drying times than samples dried at 60°C. The water activity of fruit dried for 240 min at 80°C varied from 0.633 to 0.759, and the fruit was thus safe regarding microbiological spoilage. The hardness and toughness of the dried fruit pulp increased with the reduction in water content, and it was observed that samples of pure pulp became unacceptably hard and tough, when dried to the level needed to obtain microbiological stability. The addition of sucrose as well as maltodextrin has shown to be able to reduce the hardness as well as the toughness of the dried fruit pulp; which can be considered as a strategy to obtain dried fruit pulp with suitable consistency. (Less)
Psychometric properties of Self-Perception Profile for Children in a Polish sample

Abstract The Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) is a measure which allows one to assess children’s self-concept. Our article presents this instrument’s psychometric properties within a Polish sample. In our study we tested 432 elementary school students and 14 form teachers. As validity indicators we used the Teacher’s Rating Scale of Child’s Actual Behavior (TRS) and the average school grade for the previous semester. The Polish version of SPPC yielded good psychometric properties. The instrument’s factorial structure paralleled the structure of the original version. Reliability was high both in terms of internal consistency and test-retest results. Scale validity was confirmed in the correlational analysis. Boys scored higher than girls in the Physical Appearance and Global Self-Worth subscales but lower in the Behavioral Conduct subscale. Younger children scored higher than older children in the Scholastic Competence, Physical Appearance, and Global Self-Worth subscales. Judgments on children’s physical appearance were the best predictor of their global self-worth. Streszczenie Skala Postrzegania Siebie dla Dzieci (Self-Perception Profile for Children) jest narzędziem służącym do badania obrazu siebie. Celem artykułu było przedstawienie własności psychometrycznych skali uzyskanych w grupie polskich dzieci. W badaniu wzięło udział 432 uczniów szkół podstawowych i 14 wychowawców klas. Trafność narzędzia określano poprzez odniesienie wyników uzyskanych w Skali Postrzegania Siebie dla Dzieci do wyników w Skali Oceny Zachowania Dziecka przez Nauczyciela oraz do średniej ocen uczniów z ostatniego semestru. Analizy statystyczne wskazały na dobre własności psychometryczne narzędzia. Struktura czynnikowa skali okazała się podobna do tej, jaką zakładano w oryginalnej wersji. Rzetelność narzędzia, określana za pomocą wskaźników spójności wewnętrznej i korelacji z wynikiem badania retestowego, była wysoka. Chłopcy uzyskali wyższe wyniki niż dziewczęta w podskalach Wyglądu i Globalnego Poczucia Własnej Wartości, lecz niższe w podskali Kontroli Zachowania. Młodsze dzieci uzyskały wyższe wyniki niż starsze dzieci w podskalach Kompetencji Szkolnych, Wyglądu i Globalnego Poczucia Własnej Wartości. Ocena własnego wyglądu stanowiła najsilniejszy predyktor globalnego poczucia własnej wartości.
Evidence for Fixed Chunking Ability : Immediate Memory Develops at Similar Rates for Different Stimulus Classes

Children’s immediate memory performance improves with age, and this development may relate to how children chunk or compress information. One possibility is that age-related improvements in memory performance stem from improvements in children’s ability to form chunks. Alternatively, chunking ability may not improve, but children’s memory could benefit from an increase in the number of chunks available to encode information. We tested between these two explanations for improvements in children’s immediate memory by having participants (N=99) from four age groups (age 7, age 9, age 11, adults) complete single span tasks using stimuli from six stimulus classes varying in complexity and informational load. Participants’ immediate memory improved with age, and varied across the different stimulus classes. Crucially, age-related improvements in immediate memory were similar across the different stimulus classes, and all stimulus classes showed similar increases in capacity with age. These findings suggest that age-related improvements in immediate memory result from an increase in the number of chunks available to encode stimuli at each age, and not from changes in the ability to form chunks. Moreover, the findings build on previous studies showing that immediate memory performance varies across different stimulus classes, and reveal that these differences occur in young children, and remain stable across development.