Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AUTOCORRELATED FLUCTUATIONS IN FECUNDITY AND SURVIVAL HAVE OPPOSING EFFECTS ON COEXISTENCE

Environmental fluctuations can mediate coexistence between competing species via the storage effect. This fluctuation-dependent coexistence mechanism requires three conditions: (i) a positive covariance between environment conditions and the strength of competition, (ii) species-specific environmental responses, and (iii) buffered population growth whereby species are less sensitive to competition in environmentally unfavorable years. In serially uncorrelated environments, the covariance condition (i) only occurs if favorable environmental conditions immediately and directly increase the strength of competition. However, for many demographic parameters such as maximal fecundity or adult survival, this direct link between favorable years and competition may not exist. Moreover, many environmental variables are temporal autocorrelated, but these correlations aren’t accounted for in the theory. To address these limitations, a theory for coexistence of competing species in autocorrelated environments is developed. This theory shows the positive autocorrelations in demographic rates that increase fitness (e.g. maximal fecundity or adult survival) produce the positive environment-competition covariance. Hence, when these demographic rates contribute to buffered population growth (e.g. maximal fecundity), positive temporal autocorrelations generate a storage effect, otherwise (e.g. fluctuations in adult adult survival) they destabilize competitive interactions. For negatively autocorrelated environments, this theory highlights an alternative stabilizing mechanism that requires three conditions: (i’) a negative environmental-competition covariance, (ii), and (iii’) species are less sensitive to competition in more favorable years. When the conditions for these stabilizing mechanisms are violated, temporal autocorrelations can generate stochastic priority effects or hasten competitive exclusion. Collectively, these results highlight that temporal autocorrelations in environmental conditions can play a fundamental role in determining ecological outcomes of competing species.
Composites Part C: Open Access

In this work, polychloroprene rubber (CR) nanocomposite ﬁlms reinforced with native and modiﬁed cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were evaluated for dipped goods applications. The CNC modiﬁcation, with a goal of enhancing the interaction between the CNC and CR, was conducted by surface graft polymerization of lactic acid. The ﬁlms were then prepared by latex blending, casting, and curing (with ZnO/MgO). TEM studies displayed that the CNCs formed a partially structured network while modiﬁed CNCs (mCNCs) tend to disperse mostly individually in the polychloroprene and show percolation at 3 wt%. Tensile tests of the ﬁlms showed a substantial increase in the modulus, tensile strength, and tear resistance for both CNC, and mCNC reinforced ﬁlms while the elongation at break remained above 600%. The ﬁlms made with CNCs and mCNCs exhibited similar acetone vapor permeability at diﬀerent loadings of the ﬁller. However, their permeability towards water and 2-propanol vapor increased steadily with an increase in CNCs loading. In contrast, the mCNC-based ﬁlms displayed steady permeability and a surge at 3 wt%, which could be attributed to percolation. Overall, the fabrication of CNC and mCNC reinforced CR ﬁlms demonstrated appealing physical properties for a range of dipped goods applications.
Competing frogs on Z^d

A two-type version of the frog model on Z d is formulated, where active type i particles move according to lazy random walks with probability p i of jumping in each time step ( i = 1 , 2 ). Each site is independently assigned a random number of particles. At time 0, the particles at the origin are activated and assigned type 1 and the particles at one other site are activated and assigned type 2, while all other particles are sleeping. When an active type i particle moves to a new site, any sleeping particles there are activated and assigned type i , with an arbitrary tie-breaker deciding the type if the site is hit by particles of both types in the same time step. Let G i denote the event that type i activates inﬁnitely many particles. We show that the events G 1 ∩ G c2 and G c1 ∩ G 2 both have positive probability for all p 1 , p 2 ∈ (0 , 1] . Furthermore, if p 1 = p 2 , then the types can coexist in the sense that the event G 1 ∩ G 2 has positive probability. We also formulate several open problems. For instance, we conjecture that, when the initial number of particles per site has a heavy tail, the types can coexist also when p 1 (cid:54) = p 2 .
Contemporary uplift and erosion of the Southern Alps

In the South Island of New Zealand, the pattern of uplift is relatively simple, and the uplift and erosion rates are so high that man-accelerated erosion is a negligible part. In contrast, the pattern in the North Island is less simple, the rates lower, and man-accelerated erosion more significant. All available information relevant to the past 2 m.y. of uplift and erosion in the Southern Alps has been examined. The viewpoint taken is from geology (1,000 yr or more), not from engineering or culture (100 yr or less). In New Zealand, early work on erosion rates was sporadic and done mainly by engineers. Cotton and other geomorphologists of the Davisian school considered that landforms took tens of millions of years to form. They assumed ample time was available and were not interested in rates. F. W. Furkert, an engineer concerned with harbour protection, made the first reasonable estimates. It is only within the last few years that the necessary regional data have become available. For the first time, uplift rates have been quantified, land retriangulations analyzed, river-flow records computerized, and the country has been mapped topographically at 1:63, 360 and mapped geologically.
Individuals, Institutions, and Markets

Preface Acknowledgements Part I. Individuals: 1. Explaining individual behavior: the problem-solving framework 2. The motivational aspect: the strive for utility increase 3. The cognitive aspect: the theory of learning 4. The choice aspect Part II. Institutions: 5. Shared mental models: emergence and evolution 6. Explaining institutions 7. Informal institutions 8. Formal institutions Part III. Markets: 9. Institutions and the market: the aggregate level 10. Institutions and market: the microeconomic level 11. The theory of evolutionary competition 12. An application: institutions, markets, and economic development Concluding observations: unified social science as political economy? References Author index Subject index.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy in a Large Community-Based Diabetes Population in the U .

RESULTSdPrevalence of painful symptoms (NSS$5) and PDN (NSS$5 and NDS$3) was 34 and 21%, respectively. Painful symptoms occurred in 26% of patients without neuropathy (NDS #2) and 60% of patients with severe neuropathy (NDS .8). Adjusted risk of painful neuropathic symptoms in type 2 diabetes was double that of type 1 diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1 [95% CI 1.7–2.4], P , 0.001) and not affected by severity of neuropathy, insulin use, foot deformities, smoking, or alcohol. Women had 50% increased adjusted risk of painful symptoms compared with men (OR = 1.5 [1.4–1.6], P, 0.0001). Despite less neuropathy in South Asians (14%) than Europeans (22%) and African Caribbeans (21%) (P , 0.0001), painful symptoms were greater in South Asians (38 vs. 34 vs. 32%, P, 0.0001). South Asians without neuropathy maintained a 50% increased risk of painful neuropathy symptoms compared with other ethnic groups (P , 0.0001).
IMPACTS OF SEDIMENT REPLENISHMENT BELOW DAMS ON FLOW AND BED MORPHOLOGY OF RIVER

Dams greatly influence flow and sediment discharge regimes and can have significant impact on downstream reaches below dams. Bed load sediment management in reservoirs is required to preserve the capabilities of water resources facilities and to conserve the environment in rivers and coastal areas downstream of the reservoir. The sediment deficit produces a large variety of physical (bed armouring, bank erosion, lowering water table, river incision), ecological (impoverishment of aquatic and riparian habitats) and environmental (oxygen stratification) effects. An effective means of such comprehensive reservoir sediment management is to excavate and transport part of the coarse sediment, which accumulated in reservoirs to the river channels downstream, and then the sediment is transported by flood water in the channels to the sea. Actual prototype sediment replenishment is carried out, to excavate some of the sediment deposited in reservoir of Murou dam, transported to Uda River bank, and discharged downstream river. In the present paper, parameters and process of sediment replenishment characteristics are discussed. The paper identifies the characteristics of sediment replenishment in the downstream of Murou Dam and presents results of sediment replenishment on river bed changes. Appropriate sediment excavation and treatment techniques from the upper part of the reservoir and replenishing them to downstream rivers, contributes to maintain river bed levels, and mitigate the armouring of river bed materials. The amount of sediment needed and the periodicity of the replenishment should be adapted to the deposition volume in reservoir and seasonal behaviour of every river. The field tests will provide data to validate and enhance modelling and restoration efforts.
Reliability and validity of impact absorption rate using accelerometers during single-leg drop-jump landings

[Purpose] To assess the reliability and validity of accelerometer-based impact absorption rate measurements during single-leg drop-jump landings. [Participants and Methods] Study participants were healthy adult males. The task involved a single-leg drop-jump from the platform with a forward landing onto a floor reaction force plate. Accelerometers were fastened to the trunk, while foot switches were attached to the forefoot plantar surfaces. The impact absorption rate was calculated as the peak composite acceleration during the single-leg drop-jump landing divided by the duration from foot contact to the attainment of peak value. The loading rate (LR) was calculated by dividing the peak vertical force by the duration from foot contact to the attainment of peak value, leveraging the data obtained from a floor reaction force plate. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used for intra- and inter-rater reliability analyses of 18 and 12 participants, respectively. The validity was examined through the correlation between impact absorption rate and LR in the 18 participants. [Results] The intra- (ICC (1,1)) and inter-rater (ICC (2,1)) reliabilities for the impact absorption rates were 0.89 and 0.88, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between impact absorption rates and LR (r=0.71). [Conclusion] The impact absorption rate may be valuable in clinical practice.
Interrelationships between physicochemical water pollution indicators : A case study of River Yobe-Nigeria

Water samples were collected from river Yobe at eighteen sites where human and animal activities were high. A total of 162 samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen DO, biochemical oxygen demand BOD, chemical oxygen demand COD, total organic carbon TOC and total dissolved solids TDS, during dry and wet seasons as well as the harmattan period. The total data points were used to establish relationships between the parameters and data were also subjected to statistical analysis and expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) at a level of significance of p<0.05. The later was used as test data. Regression analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel to relate the parameters and relationships in form of scatter grams were obtained between DO/BOD, COD/DO, BOD/TOC, COD/TOC, BOD/TDS and COD/TDS. The correlation coefficient, r ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 indicating good correlations between these parameters. The validity of the empirical equations obtained were tested with the test data and the relationships were found to be similar, indicating that the equations can be used to predict the levels of these pollution indicators when one variable is known especially for similar river waters.
Azimuthal shear wave velocity anisotropy in the Basin and Range Province using moho Ps converted phases

An eight-station large aperture seismometer array was deployed in the Basin and Range province of west-central Nevada for the 1988–1989 Program for Array Seismic Studies of the Continental Lithosphere (PASSCAL) Passive-source seismic experiment. During the 10 months of data collection a total of 100 teleseismic events were recorded (Δ > 30°). Source-equalized P wave receiver functions show waveform variations in timing, amplitude, and polarity in the Moho Ps phase that is diagnostic of shear wave velocity anisotropy. Information regarding the crustal anisotropic component can be recovered through the Ps phase since it is generated at the Moho and is sensitive to shear wave splitting in the crust only. We utilize single-event, stacked, and array-beam-formed receiver functions to minimize the influence of structural variations and scattering on the observed converted phases. Analysis of shear wave splitting of the Ps conversion from the crust-mantle boundary indicates a fast azimuth of anisotropy oriented approximately NW-SE with observed time delays of 0.20 s. This strongly suggests coherent crustal anisotropy with a fast direction perpendicular to the strike of fault block mountain ranges. This fabric is most likely due to the preferred crystallographic orientation of seismically anisotropic minerals in the middle to lower crust rather than the distribution of Basin and Range upper crustal fracture systems.
From Emergence to Endemicity: A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), later renamed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019. Initially, the China office of the World Health Organization was informed of numerous cases of pneumonia of unidentified etiology in Wuhan, Hubei Province at the end of 2019. This would subsequently result in a global pandemic with millions of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and millions of deaths reported to the WHO. We have analyzed most of the data published since the beginning of the pandemic to compile this comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2. We looked at the core ideas, such as the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostics, histopathologic findings, consequences, therapies, and vaccines. We have also included the long-term effects and myths associated with some therapeutics of COVID-19. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 virology, vaccines, medicines, and significant variants identified during the course of the pandemic. Our review article is intended to provide medical practitioners with a better understanding of the fundamental sciences, clinical treatment, and prevention of COVID-19. As of May 2023, this paper contains the most recent data made accessible.
Large landslides lie low: Excess topography in the Himalaya-Karakoram ranges

Mass wasting is an important process for denuding hillslopes and lowering ridge crests in active mountain belts such as the Himalaya-Karakoram ranges (HKR). Such a high-relief landscape is likely to be at its mechanical threshold, maintained by competing rapid rock uplift, river incision, and pervasive slope failure. We introduce excess topography, Z E , for quantifying potentially unstable rock-mass volumes inclined at angles greater than a specified threshold angle. We find that Z E peaks along major fluvial and glacial inner gorges, which is also where the majority of 492 large (>0.1 km 2 ) rock-slope failures occur in the Himalaya9s largest cluster of documented Pleistocene to Holocene bedrock landslides. Our data reveal that bedrock landslides in the HKR chiefly detached from near or below the median elevation, whereas glaciers and rock glaciers occupy higher-elevation bands almost exclusively. Less than 10% of the area of the HKR is upslope of glaciers, such that possible censoring of evidence of large bedrock landslides above the permanent snow line barely affects this finding. Bedrock landslides appear to preferentially undermine topographic relief in response to fluvial and glacial incision along inner gorges, unless more frequent and smaller undetected failures, or rigorous (peri-)glacial erosion, compensate for this role at higher elevation. Either way, the distinct patterns of excess topography and large bedrock landsliding in the HKR juxtapose two stacked domains of landslide and (peri-)glacial erosion that may respond to different time scales of perturbation. Our findings call for more detailed analysis of vertical erosional domains and their geomorphic coupling in active mountain belts.
Spatial and Multi-Temporal Visual Change Detection with Application to SAR Image Analysis

Thousands of high-resolution images are generated each day. Detecting and analyzing variations in these images are key steps in image understanding. This work focuses on spatial and multitemporal visual change detection and its applications in multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The Canny edge detector is one of the most widely-used edge detection algorithms due to its superior performance in terms of SNR and edge localization and only one response to a single edge. In this work, we propose a mechanism to implement the Canny algorithm at the block level without any loss in edge detection performance as compared to the original frame-level Canny algorithm. The resulting block-based algorithm has significantly reduced memory requirements and can achieve a significantly reduced latency. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm can be easily integrated with other block-based image processing systems. In addition, quantitative evaluations and subjective tests show that the edge detection performance of the proposed algorithm is better than the original frame-based algorithm, especially when noise is present in the images. In the context of multi-temporal SAR images for earth monitoring applications, one critical issue is the detection of changes occurring after a natural or anthropic disaster. In this work, we propose a novel similarity measure for automatic change detection using a pair of SAR images acquired at different times and apply it in both the spatial and wavelet domains. This measure is based on the evolution of the local statistics of the image between two dates. The local statistics are modeled as a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), which is more suitable and flexible to approximate the local distribution of the SAR image with distinct land-cover typologies. Tests on real datasets show that the proposed detectors outperform existing methods in terms of the quality of the similarity maps, which are assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and in terms of the total error rates of the final change detection maps. Furthermore, we proposed a new similarity measure for automatic change detection based on a divisive normalization transform in order to reduce the computation complexity. Tests show that our proposed DNT-based change detector exhibits competitive detection performance while achieving lower computational complexity as compared to previously suggested methods.
Comparative terrestrial planet thermospheres: 3. Solar cycle variation of global structure and winds at solstices

The comparison of planetary upper atmospheres using global databases has entered a new era with the advent of recent aerobraking measurements of the Mars thermosphere [e.g., Keating, et al., 1998a]. The present maturity of available modeling capabilities also permits us to contrast the Earth and Mars thermosphere structures, winds, and controlling processes using global three-dimensional models [e.g., Bougher et al., 1999b]. This present effort focuses upon the comparison of the combined seasonal-solar cycle responses of the thermospheres of Earth and Mars using the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Thermospheric General Circulation Model (TGCM) utility to address the coupled energetics, dynamics, and neutral-ion composition above ∼100 km. Extreme thermospheric conditions are expected at solstices, thereby revealing the changing importance of fundamental physical processes controlling the Earth and Mars thermospheric structures and winds. Seasonal-solar cycle extremes in Mars exobase temperatures are calculated to range from 200 to 380 K, giving rise to maximum horizontal winds of nearly 215 to 400 m/s. Corresponding extremes in Earth exobase temperatures are 700 to 1600 K, with rather small variations in global winds. The orbital eccentricities of Earth and Mars are also shown to drive substantial variations in their thermospheric temperatures. For Mars, dayside exobase temperatures vary by ∼60 K (18%) from aphelion to perihelion during solar maximum conditions. Such large temperature variations strongly impact thermospheric densities and global winds. The corresponding Earth dayside temperatures also vary by 60–80 K between solstices. However, the percent temperature variation (5%) over the Earth's orbit and its overall impact on the thermospheric structure and winds are much smaller. Auroral activity may in fact obscure these orbital variations. Changing dust conditions throughout the Martian year modulate the aerosol heating of its lower atmosphere, yielding considerable variability in the height of the subsolar ionospheric peak about its observed seasonal trend (∼115–130 km). Significant further progress in the comparison of Earth and Mars thermospheric features and underlying processes must await expanded Mars global databases expected from Planet-B and Mars Express (2004–2005).
The Effect of Web 2.0 Tools on Students' Attitudes and Achievement in Online English Language Teaching

This study investigates how Web 2.0 tools affect students' academic achievement and attitudes regarding learning English in distance courses. An experimental design with pre and post-tests was used in the study. The participants were divided into groups based on the equality of their pre-test scores in terms of the dependent variable of the study, English language course achievement. Accordingly, while Web 2.0 tools were the independent variables, academic success and attitudes towards the English lesson Dreams theme were the dependent variables of this research. A total of 24 seventh-grade students (12 in the experiment group and 12 in the control group) participated in this study from a secondary school in Samsun, Black Sea Region. Both groups received instruction via distance education in English because of the global impact of COVID-19. The experimental group used Web 2.0 tools during lessons, while the control group used the English language curriculum without using these tools. The achievement test was conducted as a pre and post-test for the experimental and control groups. Additionally, data on attitudes were collected from the experimental group using the Middle School English Course Attitude Scale. It was found that the academic achievement scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group. Comparatively to the pre-test, the attitudes of experimental group students towards English language instruction have also improved. The findings of these studies provide suggestions for using Web 2.0 tools for teaching English in distance education. The integration and effective use of Web 2.0 tools facilitates teaching-learning processes and contributes significantly to the students' enthusiasm for the lesson, active participation, and success. Based on these results, it can be suggested that Web 2.0 tools should be used, disseminated and developed in English language distance education.