Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Woody buffer effects on water temperature: The role of spatial configuration and daily temperature fluctuations

Water temperature is a key driver for riverine biota and strongly depends on shading by woody riparian vegetation in summer. While the general effects of shading on daily maximum water temperature Tmax are well understood, knowledge gaps on the role of the spatial configuration still exist. In this study, the effect of riparian buffer length, width, and canopy cover (percentage of buffer area covered by woody vegetation) on Tmax was investigated during summer baseflow using data measured in seven small lowland streams in western Germany (wetted width 0.8–3.7 m). The effect of buffer length on Tmax differed between downstream cooling and heating: Tmax approached cooler equilibrium conditions after a distance of 0.4 km (~45 min travel‐time) downstream of a sharp increase in canopy cover. In contrast, Tmax continued to rise downstream of a sharp decrease in canopy cover along the whole 1.6 km stream length investigated. The effect of woody vegetation on Tmax depended on buffer width, with changes in canopy cover in a 10 m wide buffer being a better predictor for changes in Tmax compared to a 30 m buffer. The effect of woody vegetation on Tmax was linearly related to canopy cover but also depended on daily temperature range Trange, which itself was governed by cloudiness, upstream canopy cover, and season. The derived empirical relationship indicated that Tmax was reduced by −4.6°C and increased by +2.7°C downstream of a change from unshaded to fully shaded conditions and vice versa. This maximum effect was predicted for a 10 m wide buffer at sunny days in early summer, in streams with large diel fluctuations (large Trange). Therefore, even narrow woody riparian buffers may substantially reduce the increase in Tmax due to climate change, especially in small shallow headwater streams with low baseflow discharge and large daily temperature fluctuations.
High-resolution forest carbon mapping for climate mitigation baselines over the RGGI region, USA

Large-scale airborne lidar data collections can be used to generate high-resolution forest aboveground biomass maps at the state level and beyond as demonstrated in early phases of NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System program. While products like aboveground biomass maps derived from these leaf-off lidar datasets each can meet state- or substate-level measurement requirements individually, combining them over multiple jurisdictions does not guarantee the consistency required in forest carbon planning, trading and reporting schemes. In this study, we refine a multi-state level forest carbon monitoring framework that addresses these spatial inconsistencies caused by variability in data quality and modeling techniques. This work is built upon our long term efforts to link airborne lidar, National Agricultural Imagery Program imagery and USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis plot measurements for high-resolution forest aboveground biomass mapping. Compared with machine learning algorithms (r 2 = 0.38, bias = −2.3, RMSE = 45.2 Mg ha−1), the use of a linear model is not only able to maintain a good prediction accuracy of aboveground biomass density (r 2 = 0.32, bias = 4.0, RMSE = 49.4 Mg ha−1) but largely mitigates problems related to variability in data quality. Our latest effort has led to the generation of a consistent 30 m pixel forest aboveground carbon map covering 11 states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative region of the USA. Such an approach can directly contribute to the formation of a cohesive forest carbon accounting system at national and even international levels, especially via future integrations with NASA’s spaceborne lidar missions.
OZONE AND ULTRAVIOLET‐B IRRADIANCES: EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATION OF THE RADIATION AMPLIFICATION FACTOR

Abstract— During the period 1981–1993, measurements of solar UV irradiances were made at the High‐Alpine Research Station Jungfraujoch (Switzerland, 3576 m a.s.l.) to determine the radiation amplification factor (RAF) for the Robertson‐Berger sunburn meter and for the narrow‐band wavelength ranges of the Eppley filter spectrometer. The Robertson‐Berger sunburn meter model 500 showed a RAF of 1.07 ± 0.15 at solar elevations between 20° and 60°. The RAF for human erythema is 1.1 in comparison. Therefore the Robertson‐Berger sunburn meter is suitable to measure the influence of total atmospheric ozone variations on the effective erythemal irradiance. In the narrow‐band wavelength ranges of the Eppley filter spectrometer the RAF increases greatly at shorter wavelengths with RAF of 1.06, 1.40 and 2.35 for the optical centers 315.1 nm, 311.1 nm and 305.2 nm, evaluated at 30° solar elevation. In order to minimize perturbations by aerosol optical depth and albedo in the evaluation of the RAF the ratios of UV irradiances to total irradiances were evaluated.
Leading school improvement through goal-setting: Evidence from New Zealand schools

Many studies claim the importance of goal-setting for school improvement but few outline specific practices. This study highlights specific goal-setting practices associated with successful school improvement efforts. It reports on a 2-year collaborative research project, which closely examined three principals’ goal-setting practices in the context of their schools. It documents principals’ and staffs’ efforts to improve equity in outcomes through detailed case studies. Case studies drew on principal and teacher interview data, workshop artifacts and discussion recordings, observations, school reports and school achievement data. The in-depth case and cross-case analyses focused on micro-level leadership practices and their impact on school-wide practices. This study highlights four key leadership drivers for improvement. These include: justifying goals in ways that challenge teachers’ beliefs about current achievement to raise commitment; embedding tight and rigourous monitoring practices with a focus on problem-solving and improvement; distributing responsibility and leadership; and developing the capability and collective responsibility of middle leaders. Our discussion highlights how leaders’ belief systems can enable or constrain their ability to influence their schools’ cultures.
Heterogeneous Signcryption Scheme Supporting Equality Test from PKI to CLC toward IoT

The prosperity of Internet of Things (IoT) has brought numerous advantages to individuals and organizations. Since the transmission channel is usually considered as untrusted, the notion of signcryption seems to be the desired method to ease the defect. Nevertheless, this primitive inevitably faces the new obstacle that how to search the required data without decrypting it. Therefore, inheriting the excellence of signcryption and equality test, we present a heterogeneous signcryption protocol supporting the equality test from public key infrastructure (PKI) to certificateless cryptosystem (CLC) toward IoT environment (PK‐CLET). In this way, the introduced construction not only preserves the integrity, confidentiality and unforgeability of data, but also allows the cloud server to perform the equality test on different ciphertexts. Moreover, the security of PK‐CLET as well as the performance evaluation are both shown that it is more suitable for IoT.
Reflective Practice in International Teaching Practicum: A Case Study of an Indonesian Pre-Service Teacher in Thailand

This article reports a reflective practice conducted by a pre-service teacher in an international teaching practicum in Thailand. The focuses of the study are on the aspects that she reflects and the contributions of doing reflective practice on her teaching practices during the international teaching practicum since this program provides opportunities for her to learn from and about multicultural context. This case study collected the data from a pre-service teacher's written reflection and analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. The results of this study revealed that the pre-service teacher reflects on some key aspects namely teaching strategies, classroom management, and socio-cultural dimension. The study also discovered that her reflective practice contributed on her teaching practices such as in providing appropriate teaching strategies based on students' needs and characteristics, eliminating classroom management issues, and raising her awareness on cultural differences between her and her students. In the end, the contribution of this study is to facilitate the pre-service teachers' development on reflective competence as a means of building teachers' professional development. Keywords : International Teaching Practicum, Pre-service Teacher, Reflection, Reflective Practice
Effects and retention of different physical exercise programs on children’s cognitive and motor development

Abstract The aim of this study was to carry out three intervention programs [i.e. balance intervention program (BIP), game based program (GBP) and drama learning program (DLP)] and to assess their effects on school-age children’s cognitive (creativity, attention and impulse control) and motor (balance, aiming and catching) development. These functions were measured in 249 students. With regard to the cognitive functions, students of the GBP significantly improved their creativity and attention (p < .001, Effect size (ES) = 0.6 to 1.0, moderate), and students of the DLP improved their creativity, attention and impulse control (p < .001, ES = 0.4 to 0.9, small to moderate). Regarding the motor skills, both students of the BIP and of the GBP improved balance and catching results (p < .001, ES = 0.2 to 1.6, small to large). The results suggested that PE could be an accurate tool for improving students’ cognitive and motor development, but each physical exercise type could have different effects.
Immediate gestalt: shapes, typography and (quite irregular) shape packing

Instantaneously understanding the gestalt of thousands of words is achieved through the programmatic placement of the words and control of their presentation characteristics, such as size, repetition, and font. As early as the fourteenth century, words were used as building blocks for images. Hundreds of years later, this typographic experiment continues with the addition of raw computational power. The ability to place thousands of words in interesting forms gives rise to a quantitatively different form of expression. The resulting procedures are expressive enough to represent shapes, textures, and shading automatically. Though based on approaches for addressing the classic problem of algorithmic two-dimensional bin-packing, aesthetically pleasing results are achieved through the incorporation of a small set of rules to guide the layout. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Effect of sowing dates on different rapeseed varieties under rain fed condition

Rapeseed is a leading oilseed crop of Nepal occupying 85% of total oilseed cultivation area. This research was conducted to determine the response of different sowing dates on different rapeseed varieties in their final yield under the rain fed condition in Phulbari, Dang. Two rapeseed varieties Unnati and Surkhet Local on three dates of sowing Oct 4, Oct 24 and Nov 14 were tested under two factorial RCBD design in the year 2018 A.D. Data consisted growth attributes like plant height, branch per plant, no. of siliqua per plant, aborted siliqua and siliqua abortion percentage and yield attributes such as biological yield, biomass yield, seed yield, harvest index and test weight. Statistically no difference was found between varieties whereas differences were found on different sowing dates. Result showed that among the varieties, the highest yield (8.59 q/ha) was obtained in Surkhet Local than in Unnati (8.54 q/ha). In case of sowing dates, higher seed yield was obtained in Oct 4 sown crop (15.93 q/ha) followed by Oct 24 (7.47 q/ha) and Nov 14 (2.29 q/ha). The higher seed yield obtained in early sowing is due to shorter vegetative and longer reproductive phase. The comparison of mean values of the seed yield for interaction between variety and sowing date showed that variety Surkhet Local sown in Oct 4 plant had the highest seed yield (16.33 q/ha) followed by variety Unnati on same sowing date (15.54 q/ha). Based on the result obtained, Surkhet Local*Oct 4 performed better in Dang condition.
CAN I TALK TO AN ONLINE DOCTOR? UNDERSTANDING THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF TRUST ON PATIENTS’ ONLINE HEALTH CONSULTATION

ABSTRACT Online health consultation (OHC) provides an alternative mechanism of healthcare delivery, which could enhance healthcare efficiency, reduce cost, and solve healthcare inequalities. Understanding why patients decide to use these OHC platforms could yield strategic implications of actualizing OHC’s impacts. Given the high uncertainties caused by the lack of patient-physician offline interactions and the sensitivity of health information, we possess trust as the major mechanism of shifting patients’ adoption decisions. Accordingly, this study examines how patients-related, platform situational, and physician-based factors affect patients’ intention of adopting OHC by triggering trust relationships. We conducted a survey to empirically test our theoretical development. We employed the structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrapping approaches to estimate path coefficients and significance of the model. Our results demonstrate that patients’ Internet self-efficacy on verification, trust propensity, perceived informativeness, platform reputation, structural assurance, and perceived physician credibility triggers trust relationship, therefore improving patients’ OHC adoption. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Spatially Mediated Peer Effects in the Adoption of Conservation Agriculture Practices

Abstract This study uses location-specific data to investigate the role of spatially mediated peer effects in farmers’ adoption of conservation agriculture practices. The literature has shown that farmers trust other farmers and one way to increase conservation practice adoption is through identifying feasible conservation practices in neighboring fields. Estimating this effect can help improve our understanding of what influences the adoption and could play a role in improving federal and local conservation program design. The study finds that although spatial peer effects are important in the adoption of conservation tillage and diverse crop rotation, the scale of peer effects are not substantial.
Usability of Online Banking in India during Covid-19 Pandemic

Covid-19 is a virus developed in 2019 from the corona family virus. It is spreading across the world since Dec 2019 by the close contact of an infected person or fomites of Covid-19. It developed naturally in Wuhan (An State of China) or possibly develop by China research center “Wuhan Institute of Virology”. It is spreading very fast across the world. World Health Organization and most countries including India it has declared a pandemic. People can protect themselves by this pandemic by maintaining social distance. But the basic need (Food and Medicine) is important for continuo their life and in it the transfer of money plays an important role. Online banking can make the transaction through an electronic basis without the exchange of any tangible commodity with maintaining social distance. Online banking is the modern concept of banking in which people can do some banking activities (like Transfer cash transfer and in the account, Check Bank Balance, Payment of Bills, Phone recharge and etc.) through using the Internet in their phone, computer. One of the most important features of online banking is that it can totally operate electronically basis without the exchange of any tangible commodity and it has made it an important tool to protect from the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to assess the contribution of online banking to stop the pandemic of Covid-19. A survey has been done to achieve the objectives of this paper. It is found that online banking playing an important role in the Covid 19 period to protect the people. People felt completely safe from the COVID 19 virus in the online payment of bills and recharge of prepaid mobiles and dish T.V.
Evaluation of Ethylcellulose-Coated Pellets Optimized Using the Approach of Taguchi

AbstractSpherical granules of theophylline with microcrystalline cellulose and lactose were prepared in a high-speed granulator. An original experimental design based on the philosophy of Taguchi was applied to optimize the yield of the produced granules. Successively, the optimized pellets were coated with an ethylcellulose pseudolatex preparation (Surelease®) in a fluid bed coating machine using a bottom spray noule and a Wurster® column. Finally, these granules were c ompressed into tablets of different hardnesses. The chosen statistical approach proved efficient not only to find the optimal operating conditions for granulation but it also appeared to define the characteristics of a process that was robust and no sensitive to noise factors. Dissolution studies revealed a zero-order release of theophylline from the coated granules, but after the compression step, the ethyl cellulose film was damaged and the drug release was immediate.
The James Webb Space Telescope aperture masking interferometer

In less than a year, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will inherit the mantle of being the world’s pre- eminent infrared observatory. JWST will carry with it an Aperture Masking Interferometer (AMI) as one of the supported operational modes of the Near-InfraRed Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) instrument. Aboard such a powerful platform, the AMI mode will deliver the most advanced and scientifically capable interferometer ever launched into space, exceeding anything that has gone before it by orders of magnitude in sensitivity. Here we present key aspects of the design and commissioning of this facility: data simulations (ami_sim), the extraction of interferometeric observables using two different approaches (IMPLANEIA and AMICAL), an updated view of AMI’s expected performance, and our reference star vetting programs.
How Islamic and conventional bank in Indonesia contributing sustainable development goals achievement

Abstract This study aimed to prove that social goal in improving social living standards is implanted on banking’s objective in Indonesia. This research also tried to prove that there were differences between conventional and Islamic banks in defining the company goals, whether the goals are profit-oriented or socially oriented. This social goal is also aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs) as international agendas in the world. The banks’ contribution will be measured its impact on sustainable development goals. The developed hypotheses are equipped with good financing quality control. Furthermore, this research will compare the social goals of conventional banks and Islamic banks (sharia banks). This research used 801 data from the annual reports of conventional and Islamic banks in Indonesia from 2011 to 2018. Meanwhile, the reflection of sustainable development goals used several indicators, so that the statistical analysis used is WarpPLS. This research proved that there were differences between Islamic and conventional banks in promoting sustainable development. Generally, high financing or credit will increase sustainable development, while the sufficient/low bank profit demanded from the bank financing/credit also will increase sustainable development achievement. In conclusion, the financing quality is able to differentiate whether the low profits earned by banks are due to social orientation for sustainable development or because of poor market conditions (bad credit/financing).
The chemically directed assembly of nanoparticle clusters from superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles

We describe the controlled synthesis of nanoparticle clusters (NCs) based on the chemically directed assembly of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles. The NCs, with their “raspberry-like” shape, have a large effective surface area, uniform size, and contain a large fraction of the magnetic maghemite.
A Simplified Approach to Estimating the Collapsible Behavior of Loess

Due to the particularity and complexity of loess, it is challenging to estimate its collapsible behavior numerically at present. This paper aims to propose a simplified approach, which is named as the modulus reduction method, to estimate the collapsible behavior of loess. For loess upon wetting, the modulus reduction method assumes that loess collapses as a result of strength reduction due to the additional stress induced by increasing bulk density. Thus, special attention is given to the confirmation and determination approaches of bulk density and deformation modulus of loess upon wetting. Subsequently, a comparative numerical analysis based on the modulus reduction method and the force-water equivalent method, which is commonly used for the analysis of negative skin friction on piles in collapsible soil, is investigated. It turns out that the result obtained by the modulus reduction method is more consistent with the collapse mechanism of loess compared with that derived by the force-water equivalent method. Finally, a case history concerning a published field test of loess upon wetting is studied, and the result shows that the simulated deformation characteristics by adopting the modulus reduction method agree excellently well with the measured data. The case study validates that the modulus reduction method is feasible to analyze the collapse of loess and suitable for the numerical simulation involving collapsible loess.
Reaction kinetics of the He(2P) and the He2*(a,v) states in high-density helium

Helium at pressures ranging from 0.5 to 8 bar is excited by an intense e-beam. The absolute population densities of the He(2 1P), He(2 3P) and He2*(a,v), v=0, 1, 2 states are determined by measuring the transient absorption of probe light delivered by a dye laser. The experimental data are readily described by a kinetic model taking into account the excitation and the de-excitation processes. The recombination of He2+ by a termolecular reaction with e+He to He(2 3P) as proposed by Bates (1984) is confirmed quantitatively. The rate constants for the termolecular reactions of He(2 1P) and He(2 3P) were deduced to be (1.8+or-0.4)*10-31 cm6 s-1 and (1.6+or-0.4)*10-32 cm6 s-1 respectively. The rotational and vibrational relaxation of He2(a) by helium is investigated.
Ameliorating effects of exogenous paclobutrazol and putrescine on mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under water deficit stress

Plant growth regulators play crucial roles in modulating plant response to environmental stresses. In this experiment, the effect of different doses of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and putrescine (Put), i.e., 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L on mung bean in two conditions of water deficit (WD) and well-watered (WW) was investigated. The seed yield decreased due to water deficit stress, while the PBZ and Put application alleviated the damage of drought stress through increasing proline and leaf chlorophyll content and improving membrane stability, and thus increased plant yield compared to untreated control plants. According to regression equations, the high PBZ levels (150 mg/L or more) and moderate levels of Put (about 90 mg/L) were determined as the optimal concentrations to maximise mung bean yield in WD conditions. In WW conditions, the mung bean responses to PBZ were inconsistent, whereas Put application positively affected some physiological traits and seed yield. In conclusion, the physiological attributes and, subsequently, the seed yield of drought-stressed mung bean plants could be improved by foliar application of PBZ and Put.