Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing over Four Decades of Forest Disturbance in Minnesota, USA

Spatial information about disturbance driven patterns of forest structure and ages across landscapes provide a valuable resource for all land management efforts including cross-ownership collaborative forest treatments and restoration. While disturbance events in general are known to impact stand characteristics, the agent of change may also influence recovery and the supply of ecosystem services. Our study utilizes the full extent of the Landsat archive to identify the timing, extent, magnitude, and agent, of the most recent fast disturbance event for all forested lands within Minnesota, USA. To account for the differences in the Landsat sensors through time, specifically the coarser spatial, spectral, and radiometric resolutions of the early MSS sensors, we employed a two-step approach, first harmonizing spectral indices across the Landsat sensors, then applying a segmentation algorithm to fit temporal trends to the time series to identify abrupt forest disturbance events. We further incorporated spectral, topographic, and land protection information in our classification of the agent of change for all disturbance patches. After allowing two years for the time series to stabilize, we were able to identify the most recent fast disturbance events across Minnesota from 1974–2018 with a change versus no-change validation accuracy of 97.2% ± 1.9%, and higher omission (14.9% ± 9.3%) than commission errors (1.6% ± 1.9%) for the identification of change patches. Our classification of the agent of change exhibited an overall accuracy of 96.5% ± 1.9% with classes including non-disturbed forest, land conversion, fire, flooding, harvest, wind/weather, and other rare natural events. Individual class errors varied, but all class user and producer accuracies were above 78%. The unmatched nature of the Landsat archive for providing comparable forest attribute and change information across more than four decades highlights the value of the totality of the Landsat program to the larger geospatial, ecological research, and forest management communities.
Characterization of sodium removal to ultrafiltration volume in a peritoneal dialysis outpatient cohort

Abstract Background Failure to control volume is the second most common cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique failure. Sodium is primarily removed by convection, but according to the three-pore model, water and sodium movements are not necessarily concordant. We wished to determine factors increasing sodium to water clearance in clinical practice. Methods We reviewed 24-h peritoneal dialytic sodium removal (DSR) and ultrafiltration (UF) volume in consecutive PD patients attending for routine assessment of peritoneal membrane function and adequacy testing. We used a regression model with the DSR/UF ratio as the dependent variable. A second model with DSR as the dependent variable and interaction testing for UF was used as sensitivity analysis. Results We included 718 adult PD patients. Mean values were 51.8 ± 64.6 mmol/day and 512 ± 517 mL/day for DSR and UF, respectively. In multivariable analysis, DSR/UF ratio was positively associated with transport type (fast versus slow, P < 0.001), serum sodium (P < 0.001) and diabetes (P = 0.026), and negatively associated with PD mode [automated PD versus continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD), P < 0.001] and the use of 2.27% glucose dialysate (P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed positive interaction with UF for transport type (P < 0.001) and serum sodium (P = 0.032) and negative interaction for PD mode (P < 0.001) and cycles number (P < 0.001). Conclusions CAPD, fast transport and high serum sodium allow relatively more sodium to be removed compared with water. Icodextrin has no effect on sodium removal once confounders have been accounted for. Although widely used in the assessment of PD patients, UF should not be considered as a surrogate for DSR in clinical practice.
The Moderating Effect of Job-Embeddedness on the Relationships between Organizational Socialization and Job Performance and between Organizational Socialization and Employee Well-Being

Organizational socialization and job-embeddedness are among the tools and interventions that have long been used by practitioners to help newcomers better adjust to corporate culture and to increase employees’ retention. This study examines the relationships between organizational socialization and the employee’s performance and between organizational socialization and the well-being of salespersons Thailand. Specifically, it aims to explore the moderating effect of job-embeddedness on those relationships. Understanding the relationships and the moderating effect of the variables as mentioned above can provide corporates with deeper insights into how to enhance employees’ productivity and capability. Data were collected from 422 salespersons of consumer products, cosmetics, consumer real estate, and whole sale pharmaceutical companies in Thailand. The data analyses showed statistically significant and positive relationships between organizational socialization and employee’s performance and between organizational socialization and the employee’s well-being. The analysis also indicated the moderating effect of job-embeddedness on the relationship between organizational socialization and the employee’s performance, but not on the relationship between organizational socialization and well-being. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed. Keywords: Job Embeddedness, Organizational Socialization, Role-Based Performance, Well-Being, Thai Sales Personnel
DETERMINATION OF AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS OF TRITICALE GENOTYPES SUITABLE FOR RAIN-FED AND IRRIGATED CONDITIONS

This research was conducted to compare agronomic characters of four triticale lines and three triticale cultivars suitable to irrigated conditions and six triticale lines and three triticale cultivars suitable rain-fed (non-irrigated) conditions in Eskisehir during 2006-2007 growing period. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with four replications under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. Statistically significant differences were found between lines and cultivars for all characters except for harvest index. Results are indicated that there are variations for the investigated characters. This may means that all lines can be use for breeding programs as gene sources. Results of this study showed that KTVD 10 and KTVD 14 may be good candidates as cultivar for non-irrigated areas which STVD 2 and STVD 3 for irrigated.
Comparative Study on Transmission Mechanisms in a SMF-Capillary-SMF Structure

Using a segment of silica capillary sandwiched by two single mode fibers (named as SMF-Capillary-SMF), we compare transmission mechanisms in various forms including multimode interference (MMI), Fabry-Perot (FP), Mach-Zehnder (MZ) and antiresonant (AR) mechanisms. The MMI mechanism can be suppressed or triggered effectively by optimizing the discharge intensity and propulsion distance to affect the fusion surface. Various devices with different silica capillary lengths and inner diameters are demonstrated, where transmission and reflection spectra are used to verify the transmission mechanisms, respectively. Simulated transmission spectra also valid at mechanisms contained in this structure. Evolutions of transmission spectra show that inner diameter of 15 μm is the transition state for MZ from being to disappearing. And the emergence of one type or hybrid responses from different mechanisms is determined by the inner diameter and length of the capillary. This comparative study of transmission mechanisms in a SMF-Capillary-SMF structure is instructive for studies on waveguide devices with a hollow core. Moreover, these combined mechanisms can be also employed for multi-parameters sensing.
Efficiency in pollen foraging by honey bees: Time, motion and pollen depletion on flowers of Sisyrinchium palmifolium Linnaeus (Asparagales: Iridaceae)

Honey bees depend on flower resources (nectar and pollen) to supply individual and colony needs. Although behavioural studies already assessed optimum foraging patterns of bumblebees, honey bees foraging behavioural patterns have been poorly assessed. We used Sysirinchium palmifolium L. (Iridaceae), a low-growing, abundant and anthophilous grassland flower to test the hypotheses that Apis mellifera workers would i) spend more time, ii) visit a greater number of flowers, and iii) travel greater distances within patches of S. palmifolium which were newly opened or not been visited by other pollinators when compared to foraging on patches that were available to pollinators during its whole blooming period (only one day). In two different sunny days, we measured bee activities in an area opened for visitation during the whole anthesis (OP plot treatment) and another opened for visitation only half of anthesis (CL plot treatment). We observed bees spending more time, visiting more flowers and travelling more in S. palmifolium CL treatment than the OP plot treatment. Previous studies already showed bees alter their foraging behaviour in the lack of resources. Honey bees are able to remember the period of the day when resources are usually the higher, they probably detect the most promising period to gather resources on S. palmifolium flowers. Since A. mellifera is a pollinator with a wide-distribution and is considered an important cause of changes on native pollinator communities, we support additional studies evaluating its foraging behaviours to better understand how it explores flower resources.
Identification of misconceptions on heat and temperature among physics education students using four-tier diagnostic test

This study aims to identify misconception among physics education students in Yogyakarta on heat and temperature topic of physics education. This study uses descriptive study in terms of scanning model. The sample consist of 39 students majoring physics education in Yogyakarta. Data collection uses four tier diagnostic test. This study not only intends to diagnose students’ misconceptions in depth analyis in five categories, but also diagnoses students’ conceptual understanding from each subaspect. The descriptive analysis findings of this study state that the four tier diagnostic test instrument classifies students in five categories as the data analysis outcome about heat and temperature. They are scientific conceptual, lack of knowledge, misconception, false positive and false negative. The conceptual understanding of physics education students in Yogyakarta on heat and temperature topic varies greatly. Based on the results, the percentage of physics education students’ misconceptions in Yogyakarta varies on each subtopic misconception. The biggest misconception occurs in subtopic “thermal equilibrium only occurs if both systems contact directly” reached 61.5%. This shows that the student’s misconception is in high category and need special attention for educators to carry remediation out. Moreover, biggest misconception subtopic is needed more detailed explanations. In addition, this finding is expected to used as one of lecturers’ or teachers’ references to take consideration on the subtopic of heat and temperature which have many potential for misconception. Therefore, the teachers are able to implement the effective teaching strategy to overcome their students’ misconceptions on heat and temperature.
A Social Crowdsourcing Community Case Study: Interaction Patterns, Evolution, and Factors That Affect Them

A social crowdsourcing community (SCC) is a moderated online community where members participate in activities designed to elicit their opinions concerning topics related to products or services. This emerging paradigm of human computation systems is distinct in which it combines the powers of crowdsourcing and social networking to allow for systematic querying of crowds and synthesizing response data (i.e., contributions) into coherent reports for decision-makers. Since the SCC paradigm is relatively new, we apply methods from social network analysis and related fields to help answer important questions relevant to SCCs. We demonstrate the applicability of these methods by analyzing five years of interactions in a private SCC starting from its inception. This analysis reveals the patterns in members’ interactions within the SCC and key factors that affect them. In addition, the analysis reveals the patterns in the evolution of these interactions.
Water quality parameters contributing to the invasion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Anawilundawa reservoir in Sri Lanka

Eichhornia crassipes has been found to invade the Anawilundawa reservoir located within Ramsar wetland in the northwestern region of Sri Lanka. Present study was carried out to determine the water quality parameters that could contribute to its invasion and identify an effective control measure. During the study period of March-November 2017, mean values for Secchi depth, water depth and nitrate content in areas where E. crassipes was present (7.9 cm, 12.4 cm and 475 µg L-1 respectively) were found to be significantly lower (p
Computational Modeling and Prediction on Viscosity of Slags by Big Data Mining

The viscosity of slag is a key factor affecting metallurgical efficiency and recycling, such as metal-slag reaction and separation, as well as slag wool processing. In order to comprehensively clarify the variation of the slag viscosity, various data mining methods have been employed to predict the viscosity of the slag. In this study, a more advanced dual-stage predictive modeling approach is proposed in order to accurately analyze and predict the viscosity of slag. Compared with the traditional single data mining approach, the proposed method performs better with a higher recall rate and low misclassification rate. The simulation results show that temperature, SiO2, Al2O3, P2O5, and CaO have greater influences on the slag’s viscosity. The critical temperature for onset of the important influence of slag composition is 980 °C. Furthermore, it is found that SiO2 and P2O5 have positive correlations with slag’s viscosity, while temperature, Al2O3, and CaO have negative correlations. A two-equation model of six-degree polynomial combined with Arrhenius formula is also established for the purpose of providing theoretical guidance for industrial application and reutilization of slag.
Sawfish exploitation and status in Bangladesh

Sawfish are among the world's most threatened and understudied marine fishes. There are few studies on sawfish from outside Australian and USA waters - a significant knowledge gap considering their circumtropical distribution and migratory nature. This paper presents the first assessment of sawfish exploitation and status in Bangladesh: a country that is subject to extensive fishing efforts, and home to the largest mangrove forest on Earth – an ecosystem that provides critical nursery habitat for juvenile sawfish. A countrywide rapid assessment was undertaken between December 2011 and November 2012, using an interdisciplinary methodology. Fish landing stations, dry fish markets, and fishing villages were visited and a sawfish medicine maker was found and interviewed. In addition, interviews with national specialists at academic and fisheries institutions were undertaken. In total, 203 questionnaire surveys were conducted with fishers and traders in order to understand the extent of decline, potential drivers of declines, and local perceptions and uses of sawfish. Eighteen rostra were documented from museum archives and private collections, and unpublished data were sourced. Two sawfish species, Pristis pristis and Anoxypristis cuspidata were confirmed to be present in Bangladesh. General population declines were revealed. The average annual sawfish encounter rate (observations and catches) declined from 3.7 individuals using lifetime recall data (~22-year), to 1.5 using 5-year recall data, and further to 0.7 using 1-year recall data. The consensus from social research methods was that sawfish were caught as bycatch, with drift gill nets being cited as the most damaging gear type. Every respondent perceived sawfish as a useful animal – typically for medicinal or cultural values. Conservation measures are proposed, including a local education and outreach programme to seek behavioural changes – primarily to release live sawfish. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Latent tuberculosis-induced hydrops fetalis with congenital tuberculosis

symptoms, and she had received her Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine at the age of 13. Fetal ascites (1.7 cm) and pleural effusion (1.3 cm) were noted by ultrasound (Figure 1). Amniotic fluid index was 17 cm, and the fetus showed active movement. Doppler study on umbilical artery study and middle cerebral artery (MCA) results were nonspecific. There was neither fetal pericardial effusion nor any structural abnormality. Maternal serology was negative for Toxoplasma gondii, herpes simplex virus, rubella, cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, syphilis, and HIV. Amniocentesis, fetal thoracentesis and abdominal paracentesis were performed, and a fetal thoraco-amniotic shunt was placed. There was no abnormality found in the fluid analysis study. Microbiological study results did not show any significant finding. As the pregnancy progressed, the amniotic-fluid index increased to 24 cm at 28 weeks. After a few days, fetal monitoring with a non-stress test showed recurrent variable deceleration with minimal variability at 28 weeks. Therefore, the baby was delivered by emergency cesarean section. The chest X-ray of the neonate showed pleural effusion in both lungs. Blood and urine cultures were negative. Serology was negative for T. gondii, herpes simplex virus, rubella, cvytomegalovirus, parvovirus, and HIV. Pleural fluid was extracted from the post-delivery neonate, and the AFB culture of the pleural fluid showed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) on day 10, but the neonate was died on day 11. After the neonate died, the mother was treated for MTB. Chest X-rays did not show any significant finding. Blood culture and sputum culture were negative. Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) test was positive. The mother was diagnosed with latent TB. Introduction
The influence of psychological capital on graduates’ perception of employability: the mediating role of employability skills

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of psychological capital on the acquisition of employability skills among final-year university students. The study also looked into whether employability skills played a mediating role in the relationship between psychological capital and employability as perceived by undergraduates. With a time-lagged design and a sample of 326 students in their last year in a Business Administration and Management undergraduate program, the results showed that the increase in students’ psychological capital had a positive and direct effect on the increase in the level of competence shown in employability skills. On the other hand, the results revealed that entrepreneurial initiative was the only employability skill that plays a mediating role in the relationship between psychological capital and the employability perceived by students. Therefore, interventions designed to increase the perceived employability of undergraduate students should include components that focus on developing their psychological capital and entrepreneurial initiative.
Efficacy of tricaine methanesulphonate, clove oil and medetomidine‐ketamine and their side effects on the physiology of sturgeon hybrid Acipenser naccarii × Acipenser baerii

Summary Three anaesthetic agents were tested in sturgeon hybrid Acipenser naccarii female × Acipenser baerii male: clove oil at 100 mg L−1 (CLO); tricaine methanesulfonate at 150 mg L−1 (MS-222); combined medetomidine and ketamine hydrochloride (MK) administered by intravenous injection at 0.04 mg kg−1 + 4 mg kg−1, respectively. Efficacy of the anaesthetics was evaluated as well as physiological effects on blood gas status, acid-base balance and stress response by measuring blood PCO2, PO2, pH, , haematocrit and serum cortisol, glucose, NEFA, lactate, Na+, K+, Cl− concentration. Anaesthetic dosages were safe and effective in order to rapidly anaesthetize the sturgeons: induction time was significantly shorter with MS-222 (3.2 min) compared with CLO (4.7 min) and MK (5.4 min). Recovery time was significantly longer in MK anaesthetized fish (16 min) in comparison with CLO (5.8 min) and MS-222 (3.8 min). Anaesthesia induced blood hypercapnia, respiratory acidosis and stress response, with differences among anaesthetics. Blood PCO2 and cortisol levels were significantly higher in MS-222 (11 mmHg; 97.0 ng ml−1) and CLO (9.6 mmHg; 65.3 ng ml−1) anaesthetized groups compared to MK (7.8 mmHg; 39.6 ng ml−1) and control (7.0 mmHg; 10 ng ml−1). Overall results indicated that anaesthesia with MS-222 produced a greater physiological impact in sturgeons compared to the other anaesthetics. The effects were slightly attenuated in fish anaesthetized with clove oil, indicating that the use of this chemical was better than MS-222 in reducing handling stress. MK anaesthesia affected physiological parameters to a lesser extent. Intravascular administration of medetomidine at a dose of 0.04 mg kg−1 in combination with ketamine at a dose of 4 mg kg−1 proved to be a safe and effective anaesthetic protocol in this hybrid sturgeon, suitable for experimental studies and diagnostic procedures related to broodstock management and artificial reproduction.
Efficient Implementation of Multiple Time Coding Lines-Based TDC in an FPGA Device

This article presents two principles that make multiple time coding lines (TCLs)-based time-to-digital converter (TDC) implementation in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device more efficient. A pseudo-segmented delay line allows for saving many logical resources by effective utilization of programmable logic block elements. A chopped TCL improves measurement resolution and precision and takes advantage of a global clock network skew. Both designs were implemented in a Kintex-7 FPGA chip, manufactured by Xilinx in 28-nm CMOS process, and compared to well-known TCL solutions, that is, a commonly used “plain” architecture and a tuned delay line. All four designs, working in a single and multiple configurations, were tested and compared in terms of resource utilization, measurement resolution, and precision. Designed TDCs employed in a one channel timestamps-based interpolating time counter allowed to get mean resolution of 1 ps and precision even below 4 ps using up to ten TCLs.
Determinants of Global Value Chain Participation: Cross-Country Evidence

The past decades have witnessed big changes in international trade with the rise of global value chains (GVCs). Some countries, such as China, Poland, and Vietnam rode the tide, while other countries, many in the Africa region, faltered. This paper studies the determinants of countries’ GVC participation, based on a panel database of more than 100 countries from 1990 to 2015. Results from a three-pronged empirical approach show that factor endowments, geography, political stability, liberal trade policies, foreign direct investment and domestic industrial capacity are very important in determining GVC participation. These factors matter more for GVC trade than traditional trade.