Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of drought on sorghum production, and farmer's varietal and trait preferences, in the north eastern Ethiopia: implications for breeding

ABSTRACT Purpose: Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] has been cultivated for centuries as a staple food crop for millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. In Ethiopia a total of 4.34 million tons of sorghum is being produced per annum, predominantly in the arid and semi-arid areas. However, the yield and quality of sorghum is affected by a wide array of production constraints, notably severe and recurrent drought stress. The aim of this study were to determine the impact of drought on sorghum production and productivity over time and space, and to identify farmers’ trait preferences, production constraints and coping strategies when dealing with drought in north eastern Ethiopia. Materials and methods: Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was employed in three administrative zones of north eastern Ethiopia. One Woreda from each Zone and two Kebeles from each Woreda were selected on the basis of sorghum area coverage, production, consumption and prior information on the intensity, duration and spatial coverage of drought. In each kebele, 30 respondents were selected for interview and 12 key informants were selected for group discussions and transect walk personal observations. Data collected from 180 respondents was subjected to statistical analysis and the information gathered from 72 key informants through focus group discussions and transect walk observations were used in discussing the results. Results and discussion: The present study found that productivity of sorghum was challenged by recurrent droughts, Striga infestation, insects, birds, diseases, a lack of varieties with farmers-preferred traits and high yield potential, limited policy support, a lack of improved seed system, poor sorghum production practices and application of crop input and poor soil fertility, in a decreasing order of importance. Among the listed sorghum production constraints, severe drought in the post-flowering stage was identified by most interviewed farmers as the leading constraint across the three study zones. Focus group discussions and transect walk observations held in each Kebele revealed that farmers’ had lost numerous valuable local landrace varieties due to extreme drought conditions over the years. A significant number of interviewed farmers preferred to grow high grain and biomass yielder medium-maturing sorghum varieties which can be sown at the normal planting time but which would escape post-flowering drought. Conclusion: Overall, sorghum breeding programme should be directed at developing farmers’ ideal sorghum varieties with high grain and biomass yield, adequate level of drought and Striga tolerance. In addition, development of farmer preferred medium-maturing sorghum varieties suitable for April planting should be strengthen to boost its productivity and to increase varietal adoption rate in the area.
Sharing Stories: Reflections of Professors’ Literacy Identities and Beliefs

Teacher identities and beliefs influence instructional practices. In order to explore this process, this self-study was conducted by three literacy professors from different ethnic backgrounds including one African-American professor, one Chinese national professor and one White professor. The purpose of this study was to examine how professors' literacy identities are shaped and how sharing these identities, experiences and beliefs in meaningful professional dialogues influences instructional practice. We examined the role of our identities and beliefs on our instructional practices using multiple forms of qualitative data such as journal entries, digital stories, and critical group discussions. Despite the range of differences among participants, we also shared commonalities in our identities and experiences. Findings from the study reveal that our literacy stories shaped our identities, our identities and beliefs shaped our instruction, and our reflective process shaped change in our practices. Through this process we were able to adjust our instruction in order to meet the diverse needs of our students. This reflective process influenced and improved our instructional decisions.
GPUOPT

On-chip photonics is a disruptive technology, and such NoCs are superior to traditional electrical NoCs in terms of latency, power, and bandwidth. Hence, researchers have proposed a wide variety of optical networks for multicore processors. The high bandwidth and low latency features of photonic NoCs have led to the overall improvement in the system performance. However, there are very few proposals that discuss the usage of optical interconnects in Graphics Processor Units (GPUs). GPUs can also substantially gain from such novel technologies, because they need to provide significant computational throughput without further stressing their power budgets. The main shortcoming of optical networks is their high static power usage, because the lasers are turned on all the time by default, even when there is no traffic inside the chip, and thus sophisticated laser modulation schemes are required. Such modulation schemes base their decisions on an accurate prediction of network traffic in the future. In this article, we propose an energy-efficient and scalable optical interconnect for modern GPUs called GPUOPT that smartly creates an overlay network by dividing the symmetric multiprocessors (SMs) into clusters. It furthermore has separate sub-networks for coherence and non-coherence traffic. To further increase the throughput, we connect the off-chip memory with optical links as well. Subsequently, we show that traditional laser modulation schemes (for reducing static power consumption) that were designed for multicore processors are not that effective for GPUs. Hence, there was a need to create a bespoke scheme for predicting the laser power usage in GPUs. Using this set of techniques, we were able to improve the performance of a modern GPU by 45% as compared to a state-of-the-art electrical NoC. Moreover, as compared to competing optical NoCs for GPUs, our scheme reduces the laser power consumption by 67%, resulting in a net 65% reduction in ED2 for a suite of Rodinia benchmarks.
The impact of temperature and crystal orientation fabric on the dynamics of mountain glaciers and ice streams

Abstract Streaming ice accounts for a major fraction of global ice flux, yet we cannot yet fully explain the dominant controls on its kinematics. In this contribution, we use an anisotropic full-Stokes thermomechanical flow solver to characterize how mechanical anisotropy and temperature distribution affect ice flux. For the ice stream and glacier geometries we explored, we found that the ice flux increases 1–3% per °C temperature increase in the margin. Glaciers and ice streams with crystallographic fabric oriented approximately normal to the shear plane increase by comparable amounts: an otherwise isotropic ice stream containing a concentrated transverse single maximum fabric in the margin flows 15% faster than the reference case. Fabric and temperature variations independently impact ice flux, with slightly nonlinear interactions. We find that realistic variations in temperature and crystallographic fabric both affect ice flux to similar degrees, with the exact effect a function of the local fabric and temperature distributions. Given this sensitivity, direct field-based measurements and models incorporating additional factors, such as water content and temporal evolution, are essential for explaining and predicting streaming ice dynamics.
When “Fake News” Becomes Real: The Consequences of False Government Denials in an Authoritarian Country

Governments around the world, particularly authoritarian ones, often deny inconvenient or unfavorable information, calling it fake news or false rumor, and yet what was denied often turns out to be true eventually. How will citizens react when the initial “fake news” is verified to be real? What are the consequences of false government denials on government credibility and citizen satisfaction? Using a survey experiment in China and a follow-up survey, we find that citizens can be persuaded by the authorities’ denials and reduce their belief in a piece of news that has been declared “fake. ” But when the denied news turns out to be real, citizens will reduce their belief not only in the denial at hand but also in a similar denial in the future and reduce their satisfaction with the government. Thus, false denials have both immediate and lasting effects on government credibility and can erode citizen satisfaction with the government.
Interventions for early language development in monolingual and bilingual children with autism spectrum disorders: Two case studies

The present study aimed to address monolingual and bilingual language development of two pre-school children with autism spectrum disorders. Bilingual families of children with autism spectrum disorders are often advised to speak and communicate with their child in only one of the two languages, since as common view was that bilingualism burdens language development. Nevertheless, research data confirm the opposite and claim that bilingualism is not a deterrent factor to language development of children with autism spectrum disorders. To this aim, we tested a monolingual and a bilingual child with autism spectrum disorders, aged 4 years; 2 months and 4 years; 4 months, respectively. They received speech and language therapy sessions twice a week for 7 months in order to communicate more widely and to enhance their linguistic abilities. Appropriate speech therapy material was used to improve their cognitive and linguistic abilities. The results of study showed that the bilingual child developed quicker his phonological abilities, his receptive and expressive vocabulary, his verbal and non-verbal pragmatic abilities and his cognitive abilities, compared to the monolingual child. These outcomes confirm previous research data, suggesting that bilingualism has a positive effect on autism spectrum disorders.
Mineral and chemical characteristics, textural parameters, and the mobility of the selected elements of flotation waste, originating from the Polish copper-mining industry

ABSTRACT This article discusses the mineralogy and geochemical characteristics of the fresh copper-flotation waste samples. The mobility of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Tl, Zn was investigated by leaching tests. The main mineral phases identified concerned dolomite, quartz, clay minerals, feldspars, and copper-bearing minerals. Chemically, CaO and silica were dominating, along with a significant concentration of precious (Cu), refractory (Cr, Ti, V, Zr), and toxic (As, Cd, Pb) metals. Elements were bound mainly to the residual fraction and sulphides in the following order: Pb > Cu ≈ Tl > As ≈ Zn > Ni ≈ Cr > Cd. The metal mobility patterns expressed as a percentage of total concentrations, were as follows: Cd (42%) > Cr (26%)> Ni (24%) > Zn (23%) > As (22%) > Tl (20%) > Cu (18%) > Pb (2%). Those constituents were released earlier in lower pH values, although Cu, Cr, and Pb were also released in higher alkaline pH values. However, Zn release was not dependent on pH. When L/S values decreased, elements like As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Tl were released. That process caused decrease of Cd, Ni, and Zn release.
Vertical movements through subsurface stream sediments by benthic macroinvertebrates during experimental drying are influenced by sediment characteristics and species traits

1. Streambed drying is becoming more common due to climate change and increasing anthropogenic water resource pressures. Subsurface sediments are a potential refuge for benthic macroinvertebrates during drying events in temporary streams. 2. Sediment characteristics are important controls on the distribution of macroinvertebrates in subsurface habitats, but difficulties making observations impedes quantification of vertical movements. Species traits (e.g. subsurface habitat affinity) also influence vertical movements of macroinvertebrates into the subsurface sediments, but most species‐specific responses remain uncharacterised. 3. Transparent artificial mesocosms were used to directly observe the vertical movements of individuals of three aquatic insect nymphs and two crustaceans. Mixtures of three types of transparent sediment of varying particle size were combined to produce six treatments with differing interstitial pore volumes and, hence, differing subsurface porosity. Macroinvertebrate vertical movements were measured during incremental reductions in water level from 5 cm above to 20 cm below the sediment surface. These species comprised a variety of trait categories including feeding group, species affinity to temporary streams and subsurface habitats. Active and passive vertical movements were determined by conducting experiments with both live individuals and their cadavers. 4. Sediment treatment influenced the vertical movements of individuals as reducing subsurface porosity decreased vertical movements for most species. Vertical movement into subsurface sediments in response to water level reduction was the result of active, not passive, movements for all species. 5. Species identity influenced the vertical movements made by individuals. Nemoura cambrica had the highest affinity for temporary streams and subsurface habitats and its vertical movements were unaffected by sediment treatment, generally reaching depths between 20 and 25 cm. Most individuals of species with a weaker subsurface affinity (i.e. the benthic grazer Heptagenia sulphurea and the filter‐feeder Hydropsyche siltalai) became stranded as water levels were reduced in all sediment treatments. Vertical movements of Gammarus pulex and Asellus aquaticus were restricted primarily by pore volume, these taxa becoming stranded most commonly in sediments with smaller interstitial volumes. 6. Our results highlight the need for the development and implementation of river management strategies that increase streambed porosity, allowing macroinvertebrates to access to the saturated subsurface habitat during stream drying.
Hummingbird pollination in Schwartzia adamantium (Marcgraviaceae) in an area of Brazilian Savanna

Alguns autores sugeriram que por causa da estrutura da inflorescencia e biologia floral, aves que pousam na inflorescencia sao polinizadores mais adequados de especies de Marcgraviaceae do que beija-flores. Neste estudo apresentamos resultados de comportamento territorial de Eupetomena macroura em Schwartzia adamantium. Alem disso, determinamos o tempo gasto no forrageio e defesa do territorio pelo beija-flor, bem como a disponibilidade de nectar de S. adamantium. O beija-flor gastou quase 96% do tempo pousado. Nos registramos 97 invasoes ao territorio, sempre por outros beija-flores. Durante o periodo de observacao, nenhuma outra ave visitou S. adamantium. O volume de nectar variou de 15 a 114 ? L, e concentracao de acucar variou de 5,5 a 27,1%. Apesar de beija-flores possivelmente terem menor efeito na reproducao de especies de Marcgraviaceae, e tocarem ocasionalmente anteras e/ou estigmas, nossas observacoes sugerem que eles sao os unicos responsaveis pela frutificacao de S. adamantium no PESCAN.
Long-Distance Person Travel: A Cluster-Based Approach

Many long-distance person trips (LDPT) modelling efforts fail to accurately represent trips using traditional segmentation approaches. Thus, a clustering approach was used herein to segment an intra-provincial trips data set. The trips’ segments found were short economical getaways (36%), same-day shopping (16%), personal business (14%), visiting friends/relatives (10%), business/casino trips (10%), young adults playing team sports (6%), same-day trips of snow/festival loving young families with kids (3%), costly cottage/camping trips (3%), seniors with medical appointments (2%), and multiple city visitors (1%). The existence of clusters and associated activities shows what segmentation approaches modern models should follow.
The Relationship Between Family Socioeconomic Status and Career Outcomes: A Life History Perspective

Based on the life history perspective, this study tested a serial mediation model in which family socioeconomic status (SES) related to person–job fit via resource scarcity, career exploration, and goal persistence. We expected that when seeking employment, higher SES students would perceive lower resource scarcity, and, in turn, adopt more adaptive career behaviors (i.e., career exploration and goal persistence) to maximize career success, which would then lead to better person–job fit upon graduation. Using a sample of 224 final-year students (mean age 21 years, 77% male), we found, as expected, that higher SES was related to more career exploration and goal persistence via lower perceived scarcity and that exploration and persistence were related to better person–job fit. In addition, higher SES was indirectly related to person–job fit via scarcity and the two career behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of family SES in young people’s career development.
Key barriers to increase construction productivity: the Singapore case

Abstract This study investigated the barriers to achieving high construction productivity in Singapore with the view to providing further input into policy formulation and action to enhance the industry’s productivity performance. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which was sent to all the 3032 members of the Singapore Contractors Association and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Statistical t-tests and factor analysis were conducted on the 109 valid responses using the SPSS software. The findings were validated via in-depth interviews with subject matter experts. The top three barriers are “delays in providing information to contractors”, “poor skills of workers” and “inadequate pre-project planning and pre-work planning”. The sources of these barriers are consultants and contractors, suggesting that these stakeholders should cooperate to improve productivity. The research findings for Singapore construction industry is unique in that most of the labourers on site are migrant workers from overseas. Nonetheless, the findings may be useful to countries that employ labourers mainly from overseas such as those in the Middle East and certain parts of Europe. This study adds to knowledge by identifying the most significant barriers to productivity improvement and providing suggestions to address them. To improve productivity, all participants should change their mind-set, attitudes and behaviours. Clients should support productivity initiatives and be more proactive concerning productivity through tender evaluation criteria, setting productivity targets and paying for productivity premium. Contractors should develop corporate productivity policies, monitor productivity closely and purposefully adopt measures to increase productivity of their projects.
Efficient energy consumption prediction model for a data analytic-enabled industry building in a smart city

ABSTRACT The fast development of urban advancement in the past decade requires reasonable and realistic solutions for transport, building infrastructure, natural conditions, and personal satisfaction in smart cities. This paper presents and explores predictive energy consumption models based on data-mining techniques for a smart small-scale steel industry in South Korea. Energy consumption data is collected using IoT based systems and used for prediction. Data used include the lagging and leading current reactive power, the lagging and leading current power factor, carbon dioxide emissions, and load types. Five statistical algorithms are used for energy consumption prediction:(a) General linear regression, (b) Classification and regression trees, (c) Support vector machine with a radial basis kernel, (d) K nearest neighbours, (e) CUBIST. Root mean squared error, Mean absolute error and Coefficient of variation are used to measure the prediction efficiency of the models. The results show that CUBIST model provides best results with lower error values and this model can be used for the development of energy efficient structural design which helps to optimize the energy consumption and policy making in smart cities.
Dynamics of large-scale circulation and energy transfer mechanism in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection in a cubic cell

We present the characteristics and dynamics of large-scale circulation (LSC) in turbulent Rayleigh–Benard convection (RBC) inside a cubic cell. The simulations are carried out for a Rayleigh number range of 2 × 106 ≤ Ra ≤ 109 and using air (at Prandtl number Pr = 0.7) as the working fluid. Using the Fourier mode analysis, the strength, orientation, and associated dynamics of LSC are characterized. Following previous two-dimensional studies in RBC, we propose a mechanism of flow reversals based on the dynamics of corner vortices, which is less attempted in three-dimensional counterparts. We observe that the plane containing LSC is generally aligned along one of the diagonals of the box accompanied by a four-roll structure in the other. In addition to the primary roll, two secondary corner-roll structures are also observed in the LSC plane, which grow in size and destabilize the LSC, resulting in partial (ΔΦ1 ≈ π/2) and complete (ΔΦ1 ≈ π) reversals. In addition to previously reported rotation-led reorientations, we also observe cessation events that are rare in cubic cells. We observe that as the Rayleigh number is increased from Ra = 2 × 106 to 107, the number of reorientations reduces by one third. With an increase in Ra, the strength of LSC (SLSC) increases and the corner rolls reduce in size, which leads to the reduction in the occurrence of reorientations. At higher Rayleigh numbers (Ra > 108), the strength saturates around SLSC ≈ 0.75. To connect the dynamics between different coherent structures, we evaluate the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget. Notably, our novel approach to study the variation of TKE along the azimuthal direction helps in identifying the dynamical coupling between the LSC and non-LSC planes. The analysis suggests that TKE is generally produced in localized regions in both the planes, while its dissipation mainly happens in the vicinity of the plane that contains LSC. The transport mechanism redistributes the energy between these planes and thus sustains the LSC and other coherent structures.