Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lidar Remote Sensing Of Forest Canopy Structure: An Assessment Of The Accuracy Of Lidar And Its Relationship To Higher Trophic Levels

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data can provide detailed information about three-dimensional forest horizontal and vertical structure that is important to forest productivity and wildlife habitat. Indeed, LiDAR data have been shown to provide accurate estimates to forest structural parameters and measures of higher trophic levels (e.g., avian abundance and diversity). However, links between forest structure and tree function have not been evaluated using LiDAR. This study was designed and scaled to assess the relationship of LiDAR to multiple aspects of forest structure and higher trophic levels (arthropod and bird populations), which included the ground-based collection of percent crown and understory closure, as well as arthropod and avian abundance and diversity data. Additional plot-based measures were added to assess the relationship of LiDAR to forest health and productivity. High-resolution discrete-return LiDAR data (flown summer of 2009) were acquired for the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) in New Hampshire, USA. LiDAR data were classified into four canopy structural categories: 1) high crown and high understory closure, 2) high crown and low understory closure, 3) low crown and high understory closure, and 4) low crown and low understory closure. Nearby plots from each of the four LiDAR categories were grouped into “blocks” to assess the spatial consistency of data. Ground-based measures of forest canopy structure, site, stand and individual tree measures were collected on nine 50 mplots from each LiDAR category (36 plots total), during summer of 2012. Analysis of variance was used to assess the relationships between LiDAR and a suite of tree function measures. Our results show the novel ability of LiDAR to assess forest health and productivity at the stand and individual tree level. We found significant correspondence between LiDAR categories and our ground-based measures of tree function, including xylem increment growth, foliar nutrition, crown health, and stand mortality. Furthermore, we found consistent reductions in xylem increment growth, decreases in foliar nutrition and crown health, and increases in stand mortality related to high understory closure. This suggests that LiDAR measures can reflect competitive interactions, not just among overstory trees for light, but also interactions between overstory trees and understory vegetation for resources other than light (e.g., nutrients). High-resolution LiDAR data show promise in the assessment of forest health and productivity related to tree function.
Inconsistencies in Associations between Crime and Walking: A Reflection of Poverty and Density

Higher crime rates theoretically deter walking, yet empirical analyses show mixed results. It is hypothesized that more walking occurs in low-income, high-density municipalities that have higher crime rates. Gender, car ownership and relative wealth may also moderate associations between crime and walking. A statewide New Jersey survey (n = 673) of walking was linked to crime and census data. Women were more likely to walk for exercise, but less likely as crime rose. Carless households and wealthier respondents did more non-discretionary walking, but walked less in municipalities with higher crime rates. Poorer, high-density municipalities have higher crime rates and more walking.
Two Paleoproterozoic tectono‐thermal events in the Central Orogenic belt, North China craton, determined from EPMA Th–U–Pb monazite geochronology of the Zanhuang massif

Tectono‐thermal records older than ca. 1.8 Ga in the North China craton have been poorly resolved given that they have been strongly overprinted by younger events, despite being key to understanding the tectonic evolution of the craton. We report results of monazite Th–U–Pb isochron geochronology via electron probe microanalysis on the Zanhuang massif in the North China craton, to determine its detailed Precambrian tectono‐thermal history. Results suggest that the ca. 2.1 Ga tectono‐thermal event can be divided into distinct ca. 2.17 Ga and ca. 2.10 Ga stages, reflecting metamorphism related to retroarc regional extension of the North China craton. Similarly, the previously established ca. 1.8 Ga metamorphic event can be divided into distinct ca. 1.88 Ga and ca. 1.79 Ma stages. Through a detailed summary and comparison, we interpret that the ca. 1.88 Ga monazite age reflects the timing of peak metamorphism, which was followed by ca. 1.79 Ga retrogression.
Effects of fertilization and mulch treatment on growth and establishment of three seedling types of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.)Karst.)

The effects of fertilization and mulch treatment on growth and establishment of three seedling types of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] were examined in a study in southern Sweden. Three types of seedlings were used in the experiment: 2 years old hybrid seedlings (P+1, which means that during the first year the seedling is grown in a container and the second year grown in the field), 1,5 years old containerized seedlings and 10 weeks old mini seedlings. The seedlings were planted under near optimal conditions or in control parcels. Fertilization treatment was applied by a drip irrigation system and plastic cover mulch was used as weed control to create near optimal conditions. Growth and vitality of seedlings were compared between optimized and control parcels. Growth parameters were measured after one and two growing seasons. All seedling types were significantly affected by fertilization and mulch. Height and top increment was greater in fertilized plots compared to the control. Amount of biomass differed significantly between treatments after the second growing season. Nutrient content differed between treatments only after the first growing season.
Macrophage-Myofibroblast Transition Contributes to Myofibroblast Formation in Proliferative Vitreoretinal Disorders

Inflammation and fibrosis are key features of proliferative vitreoretinal disorders. We aimed to define the macrophage phenotype and investigate the role of macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) in the contribution to myofibroblast populations present in epiretinal membranes. Vitreous samples from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and nondiabetic control patients, epiretinal fibrovascular membranes from PDR patients and fibrocellular membranes from PVR patients, human retinal Müller glial cells and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were studied by ELISA, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis. Myofibroblasts expressing α-SMA, fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) and fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP-1) were present in all membranes. The majority of CD68+ monocytes/macrophages co-expressed the M2 macrophage marker CD206. In epiretinal membranes, cells undergoing MMT were identified by co-expression of the macrophage marker CD68 and myofibroblast markers α-SMA and FSP-1. Further analysis revealed that CD206+ M2 macrophages co-expressed α-SMA, FSP-1, FAP-α and ß-catenin. Soluble (s) CD206 and sFAP-α levels were significantly higher in vitreous samples from PDR and PVR patients than in nondiabetic control patients. The proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and the hypoxia mimetic agent cobalt chloride induced upregulation of sFAP-α in culture media of Müller cells but not of HRMECs. The NF-ĸß inhibitor BAY11-7085 significantly attenuated TNF-α-induced upregulation of sFAP-α in Müller cells. Our findings suggest that the process of MMT might contribute to myofibroblast formation in epiretinal membranes, and this transition involved macrophages with a predominant M2 phenotype. In addition, sFAP-α as a vitreous biomarker may be derived from M2 macrophages transitioned to myofibroblasts and from Müller cells.
Hand Motions Reveal Attentional Status and Subliminal Semantic Processing: A Mouse-Tracking Technique

Theories of embodied cognition suggest that hand motions and cognition are closely interconnected. An emerging technique of tracking how participants move a computer mouse (i.e., the mouse-tracking technique) has shown advantages over the traditional response time measurement to detect implicit cognitive conflicts. Previous research suggests that attention is essential for subliminal processing to take place at a semantic level. However, this assumption is challenged by evidence showing the presence of subliminal semantic processing in the near-absence of attention. The inconsistency of evidence could stem from the insufficient sensitivity in the response time measurement. Therefore, we examined the role of attention in subliminal semantic processing by analyzing participants’ hand motions using the mouse-tracking technique. The results suggest that subliminal semantic processing is not only enhanced by attention but also occurs when attention is disrupted, challenging the necessity of facilitated top-down attention for subliminal semantic processing, as claimed by a number of studies. In addition, by manipulating the color of attentional cues, our experiment shows that the cue color per se could influence participants’ response patterns. Overall, the current study suggests that attentional status and subliminal semantic processing can be reliably revealed by temporal–spatial features extracted from cursor motion trajectories.
Reasoning and cognitive control, fast and slow

Influential ‘fast-and-slow’ dual process models suggest that sound reasoning requires the correction of fast, intuitive thought processes by slower, controlled deliberation. Recent findings with high-level reasoning tasks started to question this characterization. Here we tested the generalizability of these findings to low-level cognitive control tasks. More specifically, we examined whether people who responded accurately to the classic Stroop and Flanker tasks could also do so when their deliberate control was minimized. A two-response paradigm, in which people were required to give an initial ‘fast’ response under time–pressure and cognitive load, allowed us to identify the presumed intuitive answer that preceded the final ‘slow’ response given after deliberation. Across our studies, we consistently find that correct final Stroop and Flanker responses are often non-corrective in nature. Good performance in cognitive control tasks seems to be driven by accurate ‘fast’ intuitive processing, rather than by ‘slow’ controlled correction of these intuitions. We also explore the association between Stroop and reasoning performance and discuss implications for the dual process view of human cognition.
Boosting teacher work engagement: the mediating role of psychological capital through emotion regulation

Introduction This study examines the predictors of work engagement among English teachers, focusing on the mediating role of psychological capital between teacher emotion regulation and work engagement. Methods A sample of 486 Chinese teachers participated in this research and completed self-report measures assessing emotion regulation, psychological capital, and work engagement. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the proposed mediation model. Results The results revealed a positive correlation between instructor emotion regulation and both psychological capital and work engagement. Furthermore, psychological capital emerged as a significant mediator in the relationship between emotion regulation and work engagement. Discussion The findings underscore the significance of enhancing teacher emotion regulation and psychological capital to potentially foster work engagement among educators. These results contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms that promote work engagement and have implications for the development of targeted interventions in the educational context.
Relations entre Sarpa salpa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Téléostéen, Sparidae), les autres poissons brouteurs et le phytobenthos algal méditérranéen

L'etude du comportement trophique de Sarpa salpa dans trois regions (Corse,Bouches du Rhone, Var) montre qu'il est le principal poisson herbivore de Mediterranee Occidentale.Au cours de son developpement, la selectivite de son alimentation change avec l'accroissement de l'amplitude de sa repartition verticale et de ses capacites de broutage.Les effets du broutage de S.salpa sont analyses et discutes
ABCD1 Transporter Deficiency Results in Altered Cholesterol Homeostasis

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), the most common peroxisomal disorder, is caused by mutations in the peroxisomal transporter ABCD1, resulting in the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA). Strongly affected cell types, such as oligodendrocytes, adrenocortical cells and macrophages, exhibit high cholesterol turnover. Here, we investigated how ABCD1 deficiency affects cholesterol metabolism in human X-ALD patient-derived fibroblasts and CNS tissues of Abcd1-deficient mice. Lipidome analyses revealed increased levels of cholesterol esters (CE), containing both saturated VLCFA and mono/polyunsaturated (V)LCFA. The elevated CE(26:0) and CE(26:1) levels remained unchanged in LXR agonist-treated Abcd1 KO mice despite reduced total C26:0. Under high-cholesterol loading, gene expression of SOAT1, converting cholesterol to CE and lipid droplet formation were increased in human X-ALD fibroblasts versus healthy control fibroblasts. However, the expression of NCEH1, catalysing CE hydrolysis and the cholesterol transporter ABCA1 and cholesterol efflux were also upregulated. Elevated Soat1 and Abca1 expression and lipid droplet content were confirmed in the spinal cord of X-ALD mice, where expression of the CNS cholesterol transporter Apoe was also elevated. The extent of peroxisome-lipid droplet co-localisation appeared low and was not impaired by ABCD1-deficiency in cholesterol-loaded primary fibroblasts. Finally, addressing steroidogenesis, progesterone-induced cortisol release was amplified in X-ALD fibroblasts. These results link VLCFA to cholesterol homeostasis and justify further consideration of therapeutic approaches towards reducing VLCFA and cholesterol levels in X-ALD.
The Effect of Habitat on Insect Movements: Experimental Evidence from Wild-Caught Butterflies

Simple Summary Habitat loss profoundly influences animal behaviour, impacting the long-term viability of species. In this study, we explored the link between the flight capabilities of the woodland-specialist butterfly, Limenitis camilla, and the spatial-temporal connectivity of its main habitat—broadleaved forests. We examined the shifts in forest functional connectivity in Wallonia (Belgium) in recent decades, alongside the exploratory flight patterns of female L. camilla. Our findings revealed that butterflies from fragmented forests spent more time on movement-related behaviours than those from well-connected habitats. This indicates a potential evolutionary adaptation favouring behaviours that help locate suitable egg-laying sites in populations that have experienced habitat shrinkage and increased isolation over the past 20–40 generations. Abstract There is broad evidence that the main driver of the ongoing biodiversity crisis is land-use change, which reduces and fragments habitats. The consequence of habitat fragmentation on behavioural responses of fitness-related traits in insects have been so far understudied. In herbivorous insects, oviposition-related behaviours determine access to larval food, and the fate of the next generation. We present a pilot study to assess differences in behaviours related to movement and oviposition in Limenitis camilla butterflies from Wallonia (Belgium), one of the most fragmented regions in Europe. We first quantified variation in functional habitat connectivity across Wallonia and found that fragmented habitats had more abundant, but less evenly distributed host plants of L. camilla. Secondly, we quantified the behaviours of field-caught L. camilla females originating from habitats with contrasted landscape connectivity in an outdoor experimental setting. We found differences in behaviours related to flight investment: butterflies from fragmented woodlands spent more time in departing flight, which we associated with dispersal, than butterflies from homogenous woodlands. Although results from this study should be interpreted with caution given the limited sample size, they provide valuable insights for the advancement of behavioural research that aims to assess the effects of global changes on insects.
Pollution and Risk Level Assessment of Pollutants in Surface Water Bodies

The study was carried out to assess the pollution, impact, and risk level to the surface water environment of pollutants in the water bodies of Soc Trang province, Vietnam. The parameters for evaluating surface water quality and risks included temperature, pH, TSS, DO, BOD, COD, NH4+-N, NO2--N, NO3--N, PO43--P, Cl-, Fet, and coliform. Surface water samples were collected at 35 locations with a frequency of six times (February, April, June, August, October, and December) in 2022. The water quality index (WQI), impact and risk level (risk quotient or RQ, RQ-F), correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were utilized in the study. The results show that the surface water has been seriously polluted due to organic matter, nutrients, microorganisms, iron, and salinity. The values of WQI in the dry and rainy seasons fluctuated between bad and very good, indicating that surface water quality is suitable for water transport and other purposes with higher quality requirements. TSS, COD, Fet and coliform have a high impact and risk for the environment in this study area. There were no environmental impacts and risks to NO3--N. Locations with many high-risk pollutants were mainly distributed in residential and coastal areas. The significant negative correlation between the WQI and RQ indicated that the lower the WQI, the higher the environmental risk. The PCA results show that at least six polluting sources affected water quality and caused environmental risks. The results of this study contribute essential and valuable information for improving water quality in the study area through the assessment of environmental impacts and risks. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-08-03 Full Text: PDF
Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Systems for Breaking Down Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in Contaminated Sandy Soil

The applications of bioand phytoremediation systems were used to breakdown lowlevel total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in a contaminated sandy soil. The overall aim was to determine which soil regimes, amendments, and plant species enhance the breakdown of TPH. The first project included planted mixtures of cool and warm-season grasses with different willows, mono and intercropped with various fertilizer and carbon additions. The second project introduced different soil regimes of saturation, intermittent oxygenation, installment of aboveground covers, as well as the addition of switchgrass and fertilizer. The reduction of TPH in both projects was measured by using gas chromatography, and indigenous microbes quantified by bacterial colony-forming units (CFU). Phytoremediation of low-level TPH contamination was observed in treatments with cool and warm seasons grasses and/or willow combinations, or through fertilization of the soil with NPK. The statistical analysis indicated that having plant species present with a fertilizer amendment was the most efficient method for breaking down aged TPH. There was no statistical significance between grasses and willows in their efficiency to degrade hydrocarbons. Furthermore, during the second experiment bioremediation was more advantageous than phytoremediation when the freshly spiked contaminant was added to sandy
Spring-neap tide-induced beach water table fluctuations and its influence on the behaviour of a coastal aquifer adjacent to a low-relief estuary

In this study, we investigated the effect of beach slope for a coastal aquifer adjacent to a low-relief estuary. The waste was suspected to discharge leachate towards the estuary. Field observations at various locations showed that tidally induced groundwater head fluctuations were skewed temporally. Frequency analysis suggested that the fluctuation amplitudes decreased exponentially and the phase-lags increased linearly for the primary tidal signals as they propagated inland. Flow and transport processes in a cross-section perpendicular to the estuary were simulated using SEAWAT-2000, which is capable of depicting density-dependent flow and multi-species transport. The simulations showed that the modelled water table fluctuations were in good agreement with the monitored data. The simulations showed that density difference and tidal forcing drive a more complex hydrodynamic pattern for the mildly sloping beach than the vertical beach, as well as a profound asymmetry in tidally induced water table fluctuations and enhanced salt-water intrusion. The simulation results also indicated that contaminant transport from the aquifer to the estuary was affected by the tide.
Language Dialect and Identity in Lille

Vol. 1 List of Maps Acknowledgements Preface 1. The quiet waters of Shibboleth 2. The archeology of an identity 3. A sociolinguistic history of Picard i) 4. A sociolinguistic history of Picard ii) 5. Investigating urban space 6. Dialect shift i) the depicardisation of the Lille vernacular 7. Dialect shift ii) the emergence of the northern accent Vol. 2 8. Perceptions of Picard 9. The Picard Skills Test i) linguistic factors 10. Perceptions of Picard 11. Language representation i) forms of vitality 12. Language representation ii) status 13. Conclusion Bibliography Index
How Much Is a Trump Endorsement Worth?

Abstract Former president Trump made hundreds of candidate endorsements in the 2022 Republican primaries. The state of Georgia garnered outsized attention because it was ground zero for Trump’s false accusations of a stolen 2020 presidential election. Trump endorsed several candidates in Georgia’s May 2022 GOP primary contests, including candidates challenging Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, incumbents drawing Trump’s ire for upholding the 2020 outcome favoring Joe Biden. In a survey of likely Georgia GOP primary voters randomizing whether they are told which candidate Trump endorsed in five statewide races (governor, US Senate, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and insurance commissioner), our analysis shows substantial variability in the influence of Trump’s endorsement. With scant prior information in low-profile contests (e.g., insurance commissioner), the Trump endorsement has a substantial impact, whereas it is rendered ineffectual in the most high-profile race for governor. Thus, the findings demonstrate the remarkable variability of a Trump endorsement, which is primarily contingent upon the salience of a specific race.