Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disease in regenerating pine forests linked to temperature and pathogen spillover from the canopy

Previous investigations of the role of pathogens as drivers of community dynamics in forests have mostly focused on interspecific interactions between canopy trees and seedlings via soil feedbacks. However, feedbacks can also occur directly between canopy trees and seedlings when spores of foliar and stem pathogens fall onto seedlings regenerating underneath the canopy. We studied pathogen spillover between canopy trees and conspecific and heterospecific regeneration in the Pinus nigra–Diplodia sapinea pathosystem. We sampled 70 pine stands distributed across a temperature gradient of 9.5–13.7°C (mean annual temperature). In each stand, we linked spore load and spore survival in the canopy with pathogen biomass and disease severity in regenerating seedlings. The density of regenerating seedlings and the health status of conspecific and heterospecific seedlings were also measured. The strength of canopy–understorey interactions was correlated with both climatic and stand variables. The most severe symptoms of disease in regenerating seedlings were found in the warmest stands. Structural equation models suggested that disease severity in seedlings was mediated by an increased spore spillover from the canopy. Temperature also increased the pathogen survival rate within seedlings, further contributing to disease severity. Interestingly, disease severity in the canopy did not correlate with spore load in the canopy, suggesting that adult trees were spilling pathogens onto the understorey regardless of their health status. Pathogen spillover increased in more open stands. Greater disease severity in seedlings correlated with stands with a higher density of oak seedlings. Synthesis. These results suggest an understudied mechanism of the Janzen–Connell theory, according to which, canopy–understorey negative feedbacks could be driven by canopy pathogens. Our data also suggest that temperature shapes canopy–understorey interactions, which implies that under a warming climate scenario, an acceleration of conspecific negative feedbacks could be expected, with implications for forest regeneration dynamics.
Room temperature crystal structure and relaxor ferroelectric behavior of Pb0.5Ca0.5TiO3

Superlattice reflections observed for the first time in the room temperature powder neutron diffraction patterns of (Pb0.5Ca0.5)TiO3 (PCT50) are shown to arise due to an orthorhombic distortion (space group Pbnm) resulting from tilted TiO6 octahedra and off-center location of Pb2+/Ca2+. From a study of the temperature dependence of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant at various frequencies, PCT50 is found to be a relaxor ferroelectric. It is proposed that the structural frustration introduced by the tilted octahedra may be responsible for the relaxor behavior.
What is pedagogical innovation? Perceptions of teacher educators in Israel

ABTRACT The present study sought to examine the perceptions of teacher educators with respect to pedagogical innovation. The research included in-depth interviews with eighteen members of academic faculties at a teachers’ education college. The findings revealed that teacher educators understand pedagogical innovation as having four central features: disrupting teaching regularities; listening to students’ voices; promoting active learning based on personal responsibility; and, relevance in teaching-learning processes. Sustaining these features is the teacher educators’ sense of commitment with respect to two facets: the first, to implement changes to teaching so as to adapt it to 21st century skills needed for the purpose of training and developing educators capable of working in a world of evolving realities; and, the second, to serve as a model of teaching for student teachers through direct and indirect modelling of these four features. A descriptive model relating the teacher educators’ perceptions was constructed based on the research findings.
Recessions and external imbalances

This paper empirically examines the relationship between growth (and recessions) and current account imbalances at the global and country level. The results suggest that global current account imbalances are strongly pro-cyclical, and that the strong positive correlation between global growth and imbalances is not driven exclusively by major growth slowdowns. We also find that past recessions and financial crises, both country-specific and global ones, tend to be preceded by a building up in current account imbalances and followed by a sharp and persistent adjustment. This pattern is in marked contrast with the increase in global imbalances observed during the COVID-19 crisis.
Impact of Variability of Car-Following Parameters on Road Capacity: The Simple Case of Newell’s Model

This paper contributes to the vehicle-level analysis of two macroscopic features of the road traffic: capacity variability and capacity drop. This paper focuses only on car-following (CF) behavior and leaves the part related to lane-change maneuvers for future research. In particular, a simplistic CF model (Newell’s with bounded acceleration) for a single-lane scenario is studied. In this work, by introducing a speed limitation across a zone, a bottleneck with variable nominal capacity has been created. A continuous event-based numerical resolution method is used. Consequently, it is possible to vary the three Newell’s model parameters: maximal acceleration, minimal distance, and reaction time. It has been shown that the variability of those CF parameters (e.g., reaction time, minimal distance, and maximal acceleration) has a strong impact on pre-breakdown capacity variation and also on queue discharge flow. It has been concluded that this parameters variability does affect the drop (provided that the maximal acceleration has a relatively high mean value). Various distribution shapes (uniform, truncated Gaussian, and Gamma) have been explored. It has been realized that this does not have any significant impact on the capacity distribution. Concerning the amplitude of the capacity distribution, it is demonstrated that reaction time is the parameter with the highest impact followed by minimal distance. If all parameters vary with an amplitude of 30%, it is shown that the capacity standard deviation, in this scenario without lane changes, is about half the experimental values reported in the literature.
Dielectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of laminated PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3∕CoFe2O4 composite ceramics

Multiferroic laminated composites of PbZr0.52Ti0. 48O3(PZT)∕CoFe2O4(CFO)∕PbZr0.52Ti0. 48O3 were prepared by conventional ceramic processing. The interdiffusion of the elements between different layers occurred, altering material properties. The dielectric behavior of such a sandwiched ceramic was dominated by the relative thickness of the different layers because of the high dielectric constant of the PZT layer and the low dielectric constant of the CFO layer. The magnetoelectric behaviors were strongly dependent on the relative thickness of the CFO layer, dc magnetic field, ac magnetic frequency, and the angle θ between the magnetic field and polarization direction. The maximal magnetoelectric-induced voltage coefficient of the composites reaches up to about 27mV∕Oe, close to what was reported previously. The magnetoelectric effect of the laminated composites was also simulated with the finite-element method. The reasons for the difference between experiment and simulation were discussed.
On the edge: habitat restoration priorities for three critically endangered bird species on Sangihe, Indonesia

Remnant forests on the small Wallacean island of Sangihe north of Sulawesi hold the entire ranges of more critically endangered (CR) bird species than any other comparable area on earth. We develop habitat association models for three of these CR species to identify critical habitat features as well as areas where habitat falls slightly short of suitability, and to determine whether another area of forest away from the largest block might be suitable as an insurance site for a translocated population. Hopes for all three species appear almost totally pinned to forest within a 13 km2 area of the Sahendaruman crater, with virtually no near‐suitable habitat away from this site. There is, however, little overlap in habitats between one CR species and the other two: cerulean flycatcher Eutrichomyias rowleyi is associated with mature streamside forest with full canopy cover, lianas, and mid‐level growth, while Sangihe whistler Coracornis sanghirensis and Sangihe golden bulbul Hypsipetes platenae are restricted to ridgetop forest with full canopy cover and large trees. We pinpoint small areas (around 5 km2) of forest in the crater that are already suitable or can be made so with habitat management, and these are absolute priorities for conservation action. We show how habitat characteristics identified within models might be enhanced, and how features, especially certain tree species, can be used as indicators of future habitat improvement.
Stable Neodymium Isotope Ratios of Geological Reference Materials

Here, we report the stable Nd isotopic compositions of twenty‐seven widely available geological reference materials (RMs) including silicates, sediments, soils and carbonates. Nd was purified from geological samples using a single TODGA resin column. The Nd isotopic ratios were determined via MC‐ICP‐MS using the combined standard‐sample bracketing and internal normalisation method. The (long‐term) intermediate measurement precision of δ146/144Nd values relative to the reference material JNdi‐1 was greater than 0.030‰ (2s). Measurements of five previously analysed RMs yielded δ146/144Nd values that were consistent with those obtained using the double‐spike method. The igneous rocks showed minimal variations in their δ146/144Nd values, which ranged from ‐0.039‰ to +0.015‰. The sediments displayed large stable Nd isotopic fractionations ranging from ‐0.099‰ to +0.057‰, implying differences in their sources. The soil RMs showed a range of ‐0.093‰ to ‐0.010‰, likely owing to complex geological processes such as the degree of chemical weathering. The sedimentary rock dolomite had the heaviest δ146/144Nd values at +0.147 ± 0.032‰ (2s, n = 3). Of the analysed RMs, the δ146/144Nd values of thirteen of them are being reported for the first time. The datasets presented here should play fundamental role in quality assurance and allow for universal comparisons for stable Nd isotope systematics.
Assessment of Polyacrylamide Concentration in Construction Stormwater Runoff Using an ASTM D6459 Rainfall Simulator

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a polymer used in construction stormwater management as both an erosion and sediment control measure. PAM is considered one of the environmentally safest polymers on the market, however overapplication concerns dictate that large quantities in runoff be avoided. For slope erosion applications, ensuring proper concentration requires methods for testing residual concentrations. This research investigated residual concentrations of PAM when dry-applied at a rate of 25 lb/acre (28 kg/ha) for slope stabilization and subjected to 1-h of simulated rainfall following ASTM D6459-19 protocols at three 20-min successive 2-, 4-, and 6-in. /h (5-, 10-, and 15-cm/h) intensities. Residual concentrations were determined by centrifuging runoff samples to remove soil and reading absorbance from an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer, comparing values to those at known concentrations. Concentrations in collected runoff samples were found to surpass values found in previous research and in other PAM applications, especially during first flush, and were high enough to affect water viscosity. An alternative application method is presented that may mitigate PAM runoff concentration. The spectrometry method was also used to highlight the possibility that polymers used in hydromulches may also deposit excess concentrations in stormwater runoff, and that formal residual testing of such products is warranted. The processes used for this study demonstrated how discharge may be monitored and regulated to minimize undesirable runoff conditions from construction sites and underscore the importance of appropriate design and implementation when using additives for erosion control.
Study of Quality Characteristics of Some Small and Medium Grained Aromatic Rices of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand

During the present investigation efforts were made to study the grain quality of some short and medium grain rice grown in Seola Majra (SM), Pantnagar (SPC) region of Uttarakhand and Nagina (N), Siddhartha Nagar (SN) region of Uttar Pradesh. For this work nine medium and small grained lines of three aromatic rice varieties e. g Tilak Chandan (3047, 3048, 3051), Kalanamak (3216, 3219, 3327) and Bindli ( 3173,3192,3193) were evaluated in field as well as in laboratory and compared with premium Dehradun basmati 3020. The quality characteristics studied from consumer’s point of view revealed that paddy length ranged from 6.8 mm ( 3047) to 7.4 mm ( 3216 and 3219)kernel length ranged from 9.3 mm ( 3219) to 11.0 mm ( 3051) , elongation ratio ranged from 1.86 ( 3327) to 2.34 ( 3192) , amylose conc. recorded was from 20.6 % ( 3193) to 25.5 % (3219). The gelatinizing temperature was low in all lines except 3047 (intermediate) while aroma was strong in all lines except 3047, which revealed moderate aroma. The parameters studied from farmers/ traders point of view revealed that hulling percentage ranged from 78.6 % ( 3047) to 81.6 ( 3227), milling percentage ranged from 72 % (3048) to 75 % ( 3193) while panicle length recorded ranged from 24.2 cm ( 3227) to 31.0 cm ( 3216). From consumers point of view expect paddy length and kernel elongation all quality parameters of these line were near to premium Dehradun basmati 3020.
Influence of Sewershed Characteristics on Rainfall‐Derived Inflow and Infiltration

Basement backups and sewer overflows from rainfall‐derived inflow and infiltration (RDII) are a significant threat to human and environmental health; however, reducing inflow and infiltration is a challenge for municipalities due to the difficulty and resources required to accurately identify source areas. This case study seeks to address this challenge by evaluating the influence that sewershed characteristics have on inflow and infiltration into sanitary sewer systems. To do so, we used 4.5 years of monitoring data from 19 sanitary sewer locations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to explore the relationships between RDII defined using the RTK unit hydrograph method and sewershed physical, land cover, and pipe characteristics. Results demonstrate that inflow, or fast direct flows into the system, is positively correlated to pipe length per acre, number of parcels, and medium intensity land use. Infiltration, or slow inputs from groundwater sources, is negatively correlated with imperviousness, pipe length per acre, low intensity, and medium intensity land use. Multivariable linear regression using these parameters explained between 55% and 72% of the variance in normalized inflow and infiltration. These findings demonstrate a way in which collection system managers may be able to narrow the search areas for RDII sources within their sanitary sewer systems by evaluating sewershed characteristics.
The mass distribution of comets and meteoroid streams and the shower/sporadic ratio in the incident visual meteoroid flux

The large dust particles that comets emit as they decay produce meteoroid streams. If the Earth passes close to the centre of a meteoroid stream, a shower of meteors is produced in the atmosphere and the intensity of this shower can be quantified by the maximum zenithal hour rate (ZHR) of the meteors that are observed. If, as seems reasonable, the dust/snow mass ratio and the mass distribution of the dust particles are similar in all comets, then comets and meteoroid streams are expected to have similar mass distribution indices. This expectation has been confirmed for the more massive comets and streams by comparing the distribution of shower ZHRs with the distribution of cometary masses. The later distribution is also used to predict the expected numbers of minor meteor showers, with low ZHRs, that are present in what was previously referred to as the sporadic background. It is concluded that on a typical ‘non-shower’ night, (20 ±3) per cent of the observed visual meteors belong to minor showers, and the remaining percentage are truly sporadic. Statistical variations in the numbers of massive short-period comets and thus massive meteoroid streams will lead to significant variations in the decay products of these objects. It is thus expected that this effect will cause the sporadic meteor flux and the brightness of the zodiacal cloud to vary by around 30-40 per cent over time periods of the order of 103-105 yr.
Research on Taekwondo Teaching Reform in Colleges and Universities Based on Nonlinear Data Prediction Analysis

With the all-round development of quality education in China, the development of new courses has been continuously added. The problems of Taekwondo education in colleges and universities in China have gradually emerged, which has hindered the development of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a very important part of physical education in colleges and universities. It plays an important role in the teaching reform in colleges and universities. The fact of Taekwondo Teaching can meet the demands of students’ diversified sports. However, at present, there are some problems in the course of Taekwondo in colleges and universities, such as insufficient attention, lack of professional teachers, lack of professional venues, one-sided teaching ideas, unreasonable evaluation system, and so on. It is necessary to further implement the concept of education, optimize the teaching environment, strengthen the construction of teachers, innovate teaching methods, improve the evaluation mechanism, and give better play to the educational function of Taekwondo. The traditional view of physical education teaching is centered on teaching, which leads to students only understanding skills and tactics, and cannot meet the needs of modern society and schools in many aspects and levels. In order to study the teaching reform of higher education, based on the prediction and analysis of nonlinear data, this paper compares the specificity, sensitivity, early warning, and overall effect of teaching reform. It can be seen that the comprehensive effect of Taekwondo Teaching reform is better under the prediction and analysis of nonlinear data, and puts forward corresponding improvement countermeasures, in order to provide some help for the improvement of Taekwondo Teaching levels in colleges and universities, and promote the all-round development of college students.
Pseudogap of Superconducting correlation origin in iron-pnictide superconductor Ba0.6+{\delta}K0.4-{\delta}Fe2As2

Pseudogap (PG), a phenomenon of opening of gap like features above superconducting (SC) transition temperature (Tc), has been universally observed in the high-Tc cuprates (HTC) (1,2), some heavy fermion superconductors (3), and iron pnictides (4-7). Here, we report the observation of PG behavior in optical conductivity in an underdoped Ba0.6+{\delta}K0.4-{\delta}Fe2As2 (Tconset =36 K) single crystal far above Tc, up to 100 K (~ 3Tc). Unique scale separation in Ba0.6+{\delta}K0.4-{\delta}Fe2As2 compound - magnetic and SC correlation energy scales being widely separated - enabled us to establish that the PG structures observed in the range of 50 cm-1 - 150 cm-1 in optical conductivity is caused by the SC correlation and the magnetic correlation origin is ruled out. Theoretical calculations, based on the preformed Cooper pair model (8), provided an excellent description to the temperature evolution of the optical conductivity data from below to above Tc.
A Survey of Estonian Video Game Industry Needs

Designing a video game design and development curriculum in higher education is a challenging task. Information about the needs of the respective industry certainly helps. In this paper, we have surveyed Estonian video game development companies to determine their current needs when it comes to knowledge areas, software tools, languages, abilities, and contextual fluencies. The survey is based on a similar survey conducted a decade ago and this paper compares the current results with those found earlier. Compared to the prior survey, we have found significant differences in the rated importance of knowledge in optimization, version control technologies, the C, C++, and C# programming languages, and the time management ability for video game development companies looking to hire university graduates. We have also extended the previous survey to include a contemporary selection of game design and development tools. Based on that, we have determined a strong need for graduates with skills specifically in Unity and Unreal Engine game engines, Photoshop raster image editing software, and Git version control software. While most of our results are largely consistent with the previous research, our added survey items like visual languages and game engines bring the results to the modern context. This allows curriculum designers and managers to see the differences regarding the landscape of industry needs for their graduates and thus make more informed decisions in their work.
Development of Virtual Reality Endogen Energy (VREE) Media for Physics Learning Mechanical Wave on Class XI

Computer Virtual Reality (VR) is another innovation in the realm of training that is applied to the educational experience. The improvement of VR innovation in the field of training has experienced a few issues. This study creates learning media in view of VR innovation created by MilleaLab. MilleaLab is a phase for making VR media with extra specific components to make a fair impression of reality to help the educating and developing experience. The headway of VR media which is named "Virtual Reality Endogen Energy (VREE)" This is finished through research, production, approval, and testing. The approval cycle was evaluated by 10 validators who are physical science media speakers and physical science instructor, the media has been pronounced substantial and solid. It shows that the media is suitable for teaching. A limited trial was conducted at one of Senior High School in Sidoarjo. The results show that the media categorised as very good. VREE received positive responses from the respondents who are 30 high school students and 10 students of undergraduate program Physics Education. In brief, " VREE " has been successfully developed as an interactive Physics learning medium that can explain mechanical wave material with volcanic eruptions as themes of study. Further research needs development of VR-based learning media on other topics and need to reiterate the answers to filling out questionnaires by students.
Young Nearby Loose Associations

A significant population of stars with ages younger than the Pleiades exists in the solar neighborhood. They are grouped in loose young associations, sharing similar kinematical and physical properties, but, due to their vicinity to the Sun, they are dispersed in the sky, and hard to identify. Their strong stellar coronal activity, causing enhanced X-ray emission, allows them to be identified as counterparts of X-ray sources. The analysis presented here is based mainly on the SACY project, aimed to survey in a systematic way counterparts of ROSAT all-sky X-ray sources in the Southern Hemisphere for which proper motions are known. We give the definition, main properties, and lists of high-probability members of nine confirmed loose young associations that do not belong directly to the well-known Oph-Sco-Cen complex. The youth and vicinity of many members of these new associations make them ideal targets for follow-up studies, specifically geared towards the understanding of planetary system formation. Searches for very low-mass and brown dwarf companions are ongoing, and it will be promising to search for planetary companions with next generation instruments.