Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Farmers ’ Awareness and Choice of Indigenous Practices in Adapting to Climate Change and Variability in Northern Ghana

Farmers in Northern Ghana adapt to the adverse effects of climate change using traditional practices. However, farmers’ awareness of these practices is a spring-board to their choices of available indigenous climate related adaptation strategies. This study examined farmers’ awareness and usage of indigenous adaptation strategies using the Heckman Two-Stage Sample Selection Model. Questionnaire was administered to 285 randomly selected households to determine the factors influencing farmers’ awareness and choice of indigenous adaptation strategies. The empirical results showed that majority of farmers are aware of and employed soil related indigenous adaptation strategies. Education, membership of farmer-based organisation, farmer-farmer extension contacts and farming experience significantly determine farmers’ awareness of indigenous adaptation strategies. Farmers’ level of education, farming experience, farmer-farmer extension contacts, membership of farmer group, labour hours and age significantly influenced farmers’ choice of indigenous climate related adaptation strategies. Based on these findings, it is recommended that farmers should endeavour to form groups to serve as a platform to share knowledge on indigenous farming practices for effective climate change adaptation. Introduction The growing conditions of crops and livestock are affected by the climatic condition of the agro-ecology of the area. Based on climate models, mean daily temperatures are expected to increase by 2.5°C 3.2°C, whereas total annual rainfall is projected to decrease by 9 27 percent across various geographical locations by the year 2100 across the world. The outcome of increased temperature and erratic rainfall are floods and droughts with detrimental effects on water availability and food production (IPCC, 2014; Alhassan et al.,
Abundant bacterial magnetite occurrence in oxic red clay

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) produce chains of intracellular magnetite and/or greigite crystals and respond to an ambient magnetic field. MTB are considered to be microaerophilic to anaerobic organisms that live at and below the oxic-anoxic transition zone of aquatic environments. On the basis of rock magnetic analyses, including first-order reversal curve diagrams and isothermal remanent magnetization component analyses, along with transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that bacterial magnetites (magnetofossils) dominate magnetic mineral assemblages throughout a 76 m thickness of red clay at Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Site U1365 in the South Pacific Gyre, as well as in subsurface red clay of the North Pacific Gyre, where the sediment column contains abundant dissolved oxygen and no oxic-anoxic transition zone exists. This implies that MTB inhabit red clay; this conflicts with widespread interpretations of MTB ecology, namely that they are microaerophilic, requiring low levels of oxygen to grow and produce magnetite, and that magnetotaxis is used to help them find optimal positions in a strong vertical chemical gradient. Most magnetofossils in the red clay have cubo-octahedral morphology. This supports the notion that magnetofossil morphology can be a paleoenvironmental indicator; the proportion of elongated magnetofossils increases in less oxic environments. Our results also have implications for red-clay paleomagnetism in that magnetofossils may cause much-delayed remanence acquisition if MTB can live at decimeter depths within red clay.
Crime and mobility during the COVID-19 lockdown: a preliminary empirical exploration

ABSTRACT In this research note, we document the decrease in victimisation rates during the COVID-19 lockdown period in New Zealand. We show that the changes in mobility patterns in the same period are significantly correlated with these changes in crime rates. We discuss how our preliminary empirical results accord with the theories of crime in economics and criminology.
Radar modelling of coniferous forest using a tree growth model

The use of a tree growth model to provide statistical information about the microwave scattering components of boreal-type forests (in this case, Scots pine and Norwegian spruce), as an alternative to data obtained through intensive fieldwork, is described. The total backscatter from six test stands at C- and L-band frequency for three polarization combinations (HH, VV and HV) was predicted. Differences between measured C- and L-band data from a polarimetric airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (EMISAR) and simulated backscatter values compare favourably with previous studies, with like- and cross-polarization differences generally less than 2.5 dB. Modelled backscatter values were consistently less than those observed. A likely explanation for such a discrepancy is the unrealistic manner in which the model incorporates the spatial distribution of tree needles.
Late Holocene Sea-Level Fluctuations and Mangrove Forest Formation on Ponape Island, Micronesia

ポナペ島は,東 カロ リン諸島に位 置 す る(図 1),周 囲を典型的な塗礁に よって取 り囲まれた, 直径約25kmの,ほ ぼ円形を した第三紀 の火 山島 である。 島の周囲 は,ほ ぼ全域が マングローブ林 によって取 り囲 まれ,そ の幅は,西 ~南 部 で 広 く,最 大4km以 上に達す る。 (図2)。 ポナペ島の完新世海水準変動は,こ れ までに も BLOOM (1970), MATSUMOTO et al.(1986)に よ り,マ ング ローブ泥炭か ら得 られた14C年 代値 に基づ いて論 じられ てお り,ハ イ ドロアイ ソスタ シーに起因す る相対的な沈降傾向が認め られ てい る。 しか し,BLOOM(1970)は,ト ラック,ポ ナ ペ,コ スラエの東西約1 ,000kmに わた る3地 域か ら得 られたデ ータを用いて1つ の海水準変動 曲線 を描 いてお り,地 域的な地盤運動の相違 に関 して は十分 な配慮 がなされていない。 また,そ こで用 い られ てい るポナペ島におけ る14C年 代試料採取 地点 は,緯 度 ・経度の記載を頼 りにア メリカ合衆 国地質調査所作成の2万5千 分の1地 形図 で位置 の確認を行な った ところ,海 域にあた り,論 文中 で述ぺ られてい るよ うなマ ングローブ湿地 は見 ら れ ない。 一方,MATSUMOTO et al.(1986)は, ポナペ島南部のマ ソグロー ブ湿地 中の1地 点か ら
Failure Characteristics and Critical Punching Perimeter of High Strength Concrete Panels

This research presents an experimental program for investigating punching shear strength of slabs, consisting of 27 high and normal strength concrete slabs. The test data from the experiment are analyzed and divided into three series primarily concerned with the effects of three variables on the punching strength of high-strength (HS) concrete slabs: the concrete strength, the slab depth and the column size and shape. The tests showed that the critical perimeter is located at a distance (1.5d) from the load area.
PATTERNS OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY IN THE REGULATED MAGPIE RIVER AND NEIGHBOURING NATURAL RIVERS

Fluctuating flows common in hydropeaking operations present biota with contrasting and challenging environments. Taxa that require a narrow range of water velocity or are not adapted to withstand sudden changes in discharge will likely be eliminated or competitively disadvantaged under such circumstances, perhaps leading to reduced biodiversity. I investigated the whole river, longitudinal and lateral patterns of benthic invertebrate abundance, Shannon–Wiener diversity, and rarefied taxa density and richness in the hydropeaking Magpie River and 16 neighbouring natural rivers. The Magpie River had greater abundances of benthic invertebrates than natural rivers, particularly near the dam. General differences in benthic community characteristics were largely based on the near absence of Odonata and Plecoptera and an abundance of snails and worms in the Magpie River. Family density, richness and diversity were greater in the regulated Magpie River and unregulated upper Magpie River than found in natural rivers. Longitudinally, family density, diversity and particularly richness increased downstream in the Magpie River. Laterally, diversity did not show any trends with increasing depth along transects, except at near the dam where it decreased sharply with depth, velocity, and an abundance of filter feeding invertebrates. Taxa density did not show any lateral trends in natural rivers, whereas in the Magpie River, it increased with water velocity and depth. The results of this study are contradictory to the general findings of others implying reduced biodiversity below hydropower facilities. Possible explanations are examined and contrasted with other examinations of benthic invertebrate response below hydropeaking dams. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2012.
Dynamics and modeling of species abundance distribution during natural restoration of degraded hilly grassland in south China

Comprehensive studies on dynamics and modeling of species abundance patterns during the natural restoration of the degraded hilly grassland in South China are relatively rare. Here we explore whether communities in different successional stages follow different species abundance models and whether there is a best model that can reveal some of the intrinsic quantitative characteristics of community structure in succession. We also attempt to derive the scale transformation of several models of spe-cies abundances. We use the abundance data of each vascular plant from both wood and herb layers within two typical communi-ties of different succesional stages in the degraded hilly grassland of lower subtropical Heshan, Guandong, China. Seven widely representative species abundance models with obviously different function forms are synchronously selected to fit each dataset on octave (i.e., log2) scale, and the goodness-of-fits are evaluated using both chi-squared tests and the adjusted coefficients of deter-mination. The results show that: (1) the order in goodness-of-fit is: logCauchy log-sech lognormal logseries niche pre-emption broken stick overlapping niche, and the logCauchy follow all the datasets while the overlapping niche fits none; (2) the fit of each model to observation is not directly related to successional stage; and (3) in both the left-truncated species abundance distributions fitted by the logCauchy and field observation, for the proportion of number of species, the rare species decreased but the common ones increased in the upper layer (i.e., wood layer) with succession while the reverse is true in the lower layer (i.e., herb layer). Therefore, we conclude that the logCauchy distribution has the widest applicability, and can best mirror the patterns and dynamics of species abundances during the natural restoration of the degraded hilly grassland.
An event-by-event assessment of tropical intraseasonal perturbations for general circulation models

We detect and characterize each large-scale intraseasonal perturbation in observations (1979-2009) and in coupled general circulation models of Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL) and of Centre National de Recher- ches Meteorologiques (CNRM). These ensembles of intraseasonal perturbations are used to assess the skill of the two models in an event-by-event approach. This assessment addresses: (1) the planetary-scale (i.e. the whole Indo-Pacific area) extent of wind and rainfall per- turbations and the reproducibility of the perturbation pat- terns for a given season; (2) the size and amplitude of rainfall and wind anomalies at basin-scale (i.e. for a par- ticular phase of the perturbation) and; (3) the evolution of the vertical structure of the perturbations (U, T and RH) for selected events. The planetary-scale extent of rainfall per- turbations is generally too small for both models. This extent is also small for the wind perturbation in the IPSL model, but is correct, or even too large in boreal winter, for the CNRM model. The reproducibility of the planetary- scale patterns is exaggerated for wind perturbations in the CNRM model and is very poor for all parameters in the IPSL model. Over the Indian Ocean during boreal winter, rainfall and wind anomalies at basin-scale are too large for the CNRM model and too small for the IPSL model. The CNRM model gives a realistic baroclinic perturbations structure for wind, moisture and temperature, but with too large amplitude due in part to a zonally extended rainfall anomaly over the eastern Indian Ocean and the Maritime Continent. The IPSL model gives a realistic response for low-level wind only. Temperature and moisture perturba- tions are barotropic with a wrong warm anomaly at rainfall maximum and there is no gradual increase in low-level moisture prior to this rainfall maximum. These results suggest that this version of the IPSL model is unable to initiate the coupling between the convection and the dynamic necessary to develop the perturbation. It is diffi- cult to say if this is due to, or is at the origin of the lack of basin-scale organization of the convection. We discuss the likely role of the convective schemes in the differences found between these two versions of the CNRM and IPSL models.
Thermochronometry and cooling rates deduced from single sample records of successive magnetic polarities during uplift of metamorphic rocks in the Alps (France)

SUMMARY Pyrrhotite-bearing metamorphic calcschists from the Western Alps very probably carry a TRM acquired during slow cooling of the unit during the late Tertiary. Sequences of successive polarities have been recorded and can be unravelled by very detailed thermal demagnetization. Polarity versus temperature profiles on single samples are compared to the polarity time-scale, allowing on a statistical basis the estimation of a cooling rate of SOOCMyr-' at the time of TRM acquisition (20-25 Ma). Low apparent palaeointensities (=I0 pT) are estimated by comparison with artificial TRM.
Understanding Local Values Related to the Urban Forest: Connecting Winnipeg Residents to their Trees

Canada’s urban forests play a critical role in local environmental systems and conditions, and will likely be the most influential forest of the 21 century (Nowak et al. 2001; Dwyer et al. 2003). Winnipeg is home to the largest remaining elm forest in North America and has a long and unique history with its residents. While a great deal of research has examined the many urban forest benefits, there was opportunity to further develop an understanding of residents expressed values and preferences in relation to Winnipeg’s urban forest ecosystems. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, collecting data through multiple methods including site tours, participant journals, photo elicitation, and follow-up semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that Winnipeggers have deeply held urban forest values, particularly in relation to aesthetics, naturalness and biodiversity, and social values such as recreation and alternative uses. Personal development of the values held began early in life, has occurred over time, and is continually reassessed through critical reflection.
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Schizophrenia

In order to improve the outcome of schizophrenia, we must deepen our understanding of its heterogeneous aspect. At the same time, we must search for homogeneous subtypes characterized by consistent clinical aspects so that we may develop specific and more effective treatments. Researchers have long categorized schizophrenia as a syndrome manifested through a number of distinct subtypes that share the same morbid process but have sufficient differences to warrant distinct subtyping (Berman et al., 1995a; Fenton and McGlashan, 1986; Rosen, 1957; Stengel, 1945). Using genetic, neurological, biochemical and outcome markers, research continues to focus on the search for homogeneous subtypes (Goldstein and Tsuang, 1988).
Two New Species of Reef-building Corals from Yoron-zima and Amami-Ô-sima

Through the courtesy of Dr. H. Hattori of the Biological Laboratory, Imperial Palace, Tokyo, we lately studied a large number of specimens of corals in the collection of the laboratory. The majority of the specimens are from the 0-sima subgroup of the Ryukyu Islands , while the minority are from Kii Peninsula, Hatizyo-zima, Ogasawara-zima, Kyusyu, Taiwan and the South Sea Islands under the Japanese Mandate. In addition there are several fine specimens from Siam. The specific determination of the corals was mostly undertaken on excellent photographs sent to us for examination,* and inspection of actual specimens were found necessary for only a few forms of the genera Seriatopora, Favia, Favites, Tridacophyllia and Psammocora. Excluding those belonging to the families Acroporidae and Poritidae, which are left for future study on particular difficulty of specific identifaction, the material at hand comprises 76 species in 36 genera, of which 2 species are new and 1 species, although at present indetermined, is also probably new. The determined corals are as follows:
Nascimentos no Brasil: associação do tipo de parto com variáveis temporais e sociodemográficas

Objectives: to identify caesarean and vaginal births and their association with temporal and socio-demographic variables. Methods: a mixed approach involving descriptive time series studies (2000, 2005, 2010) and one cross-sectional study (2011), using data from the Live Births Information System. The data were corrected for under-reporting; the type of birth was analyzed in terms of day of the week, time of the day, area of residence, race/color, level of education and marital status of mother. Raw and adjusted probability ratios for surgical births were calculated using Poisson regression. Results: the proportion of caesarean births in the country increased around 40% from 2000 to 2010. Vaginal births were distributed similarly over the days of the week (around 14% for each day) and according to time of day (around 25%), while caesareans were concentrated on week days and during the daytime. The proportion of caesareans was lower in the Northern region (42.8%), among the indigenous population (16.2%), among women with no schooling (25.2%) and among single mothers (42.0%), with a tendency to increase in proportion to age and level of schooling. After adjustment, the Center West region had the highest proportion of caesarean births with the same associated variables. Conclusions: the proportion of caesarean births in the country is over 50% and is associated primarily with age and level of education of the mother.
Demographic Impacts of Climatic Fluctuations in Northeast China

We examine the demographic impacts of climatic fluctuations in northeast China in the late eighteenth century and the nineteenth century. Specifically, we focus on the consequences of extended periods of unusually cool summers, which in northeast China tended to be associated with poor grain harvests. During the period covered by the northeast Chinese population register data that we analyze, 1749-1909, there are three periods during which there were cool summers of unusual frequency or intensity: 1782-1789, 1813-1815, and 1831-1841. These periods coincided with major disruptions elsewhere in Asia that were climate-related. In Japan, the Tenmei famine took place in 1783-1786, and the Tenpo famine took place in 1833-1838. The Indonesian volcano Tambora erupted in April of 1815, and had adverse effects on climate around the world. We show that the period that coincided with the Tenmei famine in Japan was characterized by a massive mortality crisis, another that took place between 1810 and 1817 was characterized by a substantial reduction in fertility, and another that coincided roughly but not exactly with the Tenpo famine in the 1830s did not exhibit a pronounced mortality or fertility response. Patterns of responses revealed by our disaggregation by gender, age, socioeconomic status and other characteristics are a mixture of the expected and unexpected. Low-status individuals generally fared especially poorly, but there were cases where nominally high-status individuals also fared especially poorly.
Optical Measurement of Short Wind Waves --- from the Laboratory to the Field

With the Reflective Stereo Slope Gauge and the Medium Angle Slope Gauge, two new imaging instruments for the measurement of short wind waves on the ocean have been developed, validated, and deployed to a four week field experiment. Using active illumination with near-infrared LED light sources they are independent of natural light. Unlike other reflection-based techniques, they can be operated day and night under a wide range of environmental conditions. The instruments' performance was carefully validated in the laboratory and in the field. Their unique capabilities of simultaneously measuring the twodimensional slope probability distribution and the mean square slope (mss) of the waves, as well as wave height and a parameter linked to local surface curvature are demonstrated. Extensive measurements of short wave statistics from an air-sea interaction experiment off the coast of Peru are reported. A large variability of surface conditions due to the changing presence of surfactants on spatial scales smaller than one hundred meters was encountered. In a laboratory experiment, the dependence of gas transfer velocities on the suppression of waves by the soluble artificial surfactant Triton X-100 was investigated. It is shown that mss describes gas transfer velocities better than wind speed or the friction velocity. The new instruments can provide robust routine ship-borne measurements of mss, a key component in the effort of replacing wind speed with mean square slope as the standard parameter for gas transfer velocities.
A Diagnostic Model of the Nordic Seas and Arctic Ocean Circulation: Quantifying the Effects of a Variable Bottom Density along a Sloping Topography

Abstract A linear diagnostic model, solving for the time-mean large-scale circulation in the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean, is presented. Solutions on depth contours that close within the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean are found from vorticity balances integrated over the areas enclosed by the contours. Climatological data for wind stress and hydrography are used as input to the model, and the bottom geostrophic flow is assumed to follow depth contours. Comparison against velocity observations shows that the simplified dynamics in the model capture many aspects of the large-scale circulation. Special attention is given to the dynamical effects of an along-isobath varying bottom density, which leads to a transformation between barotropic and baroclinic transport. Along the continental slope, enclosing both the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean, the along-slope barotropic transport has a maximum in the Nordic seas and a minimum in the Canadian Basin with a difference of 9 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) between the two. Thi.
The history and tectonic implications of the Redbank Thrust Zone, central Australia, based on structural, metamorphic and Rb‐Sr isotopic evidence

The Redbank Thrust Zone in the Proterozoic Arunta Block is a complex thrust zone separating the Central and Southern Arunta Provinces, which differ in their lithology and seismic reflection image as well as structural, metamorphic and geochronological histories. New structural evidence and Rb‐Sr isotopic dating indicates that hydration, accompanying mylonitization during thrusting, occurred at 1500–1400 Ma and again between 400 and 350 Ma. The intervening period was characterized by overall crustal stability except for: (1) a tectonothermal event centred in the Southern Arunta Province, during which 1140 Ma pegmatite locally cuts the 1500–1400 Ma shear zones in the Central Arunta Province; (2) slow episodic intracratonic basin formation between 900 and 400 Ma. Insights into the tectonic significance of the 1500–1400 Ma megashearing can be gained by comparison with the 400–350 Ma thrusting event, which is better understood as it has not been overprinted by later events. Thrusting on the Redbank Thrust Zone.
Global value chains

This paper describes the main features of Global Value Chains (GVCs) in the euro area taken as a whole and compares with other large trade players like the US, China and Japan. In addition, the perspective of individual euro area countries is considered, with a focus on intra euro area linkages. The analysis relies primarily on the concept of foreign value added in exports, as a way to assess the pervasiveness of GVCs, it covers the period 2000-2011 and bases on the World Input-Output Database (WIOD). The paper finds that GVCs are important for the euro area as whole and they have rebounded after the great trade collapse. Moreover, there is a strong relevance of regional production linkages in Europe, with Germany playing a key role.