Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Variation in the Health of High-Latitude Wintering Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallards (Anasplatyrhynchos), the most abundant species of dabbling duck in North America, are increasingly wintering in urban centers at latitudes north of their traditional wintering grounds. We captured mallards throughout the non-breeding period in Fairbanks, Alaska in 2012/13 and 2013/14, as well as in Anchorage, Alaska, in 2014/15, to assess seasonal patterns in forage selection and body condition, as well as the influenza A virus (IAV) dynamics within these urban wintering mallard populations. Using stable isotope data (S13C and S15N values) from serum and whole blood, we identified seasonal shifts in diet from invertebrates and aquatic vegetation in autumn to anthropogenic food subsidies (i.e. corn and bread) during winter by mallards in both populations. Additionally, mallards wintering in Fairbanks maintained higher body mass levels throughout the winter period than mallards wintering in Anchorage, which declined in mass from autumn to late winter. To study the associated health conditions mallards wintering at these high-latitude locations experience, we examined infection dynamics of influenza A viruses (IAVs), as mallards are considered a natural reservoir host of IAV viruses. We screened mallards for both active infections and prior exposure to IAVs. Molecular screening indicated both IAV prevalence and seroprevalence varied by each season at each site/year. Age differences were pronounced for both infection and immune responses, with juvenile mallards having higher IAV prevalence and adults having higher IAV seroprevalence. Evidence for active infections and antibodies to IAVs were detected throughout each sampling year at both locations. Variability in mallard immune responses, suggests individual heterogeneity in the timing of infections and duration of immune responses to IAVs across the non-breeding period. Thus, the combination of these findings provide valuable information about when mallards may be relying most on anthropogenic food subsidies and the potential for these populations to serve as biotic
Application of the Bayesian approach to sediment fingerprinting and source attribution

The identification of the sources of sediment is a key part of the management of waterways. This is typically achieved through the well‐established technique known as sediment source fingerprinting that uses tracers and statistical mixing models. Until recently, the approach for solving these mixing models has been dominated by frequentist methods. This review focuses on the growing interest in Bayesian methods for sediment fingerprinting and presents them as an alternative or complementary addition to the frequentist methods. Bayesian methods emphasize flexibility, for example, in the choice of probability distributions for tracers, inclusion of parameter probability terms, the choice of how to characterize tracer proportion, and the choice of fully or empirical Bayesian techniques. The Bayesian approach flexibly combines previous known and current information, to produce results that aim to accurately reflect the real‐world environment. Under the Bayesian paradigm, all model parameters are treated as random variables, and this allows all sources of variation to be explicitly communicated and modelled. Although there are considerable advantages to using a Bayesian approach for sediment tracing, there are some possible problems the practitioner should be aware of. These include computational issues and potential difficulties in choosing probability distributions to realistically represent model parameters. Though there are choices as to what Bayesian approach to implement (i.e., fully or empirical Bayesian), a fully Bayesian approach has been found to best retain fidelity to the Bayesian paradigm of treating all parameters as random variables. It has been recognized that the field of sediment source fingerprinting would greatly benefit from the development of a model that incorporates the tracer selection process into the modelling framework allowing for an all‐in‐one approach, and the flexibility of a Bayesian approach makes this development possible.
Examining the reintroduction of Indigenous cultivation and management practices in state-led parks and protected areas in BC

EXAMINING THE REINTRODUCTION OF INDIGENOUS CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN STATE-LED PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS IN BC Samantha McGee Advisor: University of Guelph, 2017 Dr. Jennifer Silver This research examines the institutional and budgetary structures of Parks Canada and BC Parks and explores how they shape the planning, implementation, and outcomes of projects that reintroduce Indigenous cultivation and management practices within the boundaries of stateled parks and protected areas in British Columbia. Data includes key informant interviews, participant observation notes, and relevant legislation, policy, and public documents. Results show that reintroduction initiatives can challenge fortress conservation ideology, practice, and governance structures through an opposition to a human-nature dichotomy and the inclusion of a broader approach to incorporating the opinions and values of non-state and Indigenous actors. However, state control over access and use of natural resources continues to be reinforced by current policies and legislation that focuses on a narrow definition of ecological integrity. Structural changes at the highest level should be considered to institutionalize and adequately resource these practices as a formal mandate of state-led conservation.
Changes in the spatial concentration of employment across US counties: a sectoral analysis 1972–2000

Using US county data, we estimate employment growth equations to analyze how the spatial distribution of jobs has changed between 1972 and 2000. We find that total employment has become increasingly concentrated. This aggregate picture hides important sectoral differences though: whereas non-service employment has been spreading out, service jobs have clustered in areas of high aggregate employment. By controlling for employment at different distances, we explicitly take into account the spatial dimension. This allows us to conclude that the spreading out of non-service jobs has benefitted counties 20 to 70 km away from large agglomerations, whereas the concentration of services has come at the expense of jobs in the surrounding 20 kilometers.
Applications of location–based services: a selected review

This article reviews a selected set of location–based services (LBS) that have been published in the research literature, focussing on mobile guides, transport support, gaming, assistive technology and health. The research needs and opportunities in each area are evaluated and the connections between each category of LBS are discussed. The review illustrates the enormous diversity of forms in which LBS are appearing and the wide range of application sectors that are represented. However, very few of these applications are implemented pervasively on a commercial basis as this is still challenging technically and economically.
Evaluating the Impact of Electronic Health Records on Clinical Reasoning Performance Using Task-Technology Fit Theory

IV DECLARATION . VI TABLE OF CONTENTS . VII LIST OF TABLES . IX LIST OF FIGURES . X INTRODUCTION . 11 BACKGROUND . 11 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES . 13 Theoretical Significance. 13 Practical Implications . 13 OUTLINE OF THE DISSERTATION . 14 LITERATURE REVIEW . 15 ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS AND CLINICAL REASONING . 15 HEALTH IT EVALUATION . 18 INFORMATION SYSTEMS UTILIZATION AND PERFORMANCE RESEARCH . 21 THE THEORETICAL MODEL . 25 THE MODEL . 25 Task-Technology Fit dimensions . 26 EHR Technology Characteristics . 27 Clinical Reasoning Task Characteristics . 29 Utilization . 31 Performance . 32 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES . 32 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY . 35 SETTING, CONTEXT AND SUBJECTS . 35 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES . 35 ASSESSING MEASUREMENT VALIDITY . 36
Para-Social Presence Para-Social Presence Para-Social Presence Para-Social Presence and and and and CommunicationCommunicationCommunicationCommunication Capabilities of a Web Site Capabilities of a Web Site Capabilities of a Web Site Capabilities of a Web Site A Theoretical Perspective

The goal of this paper is to describe the theoretical underpinnings of the construct Para-social Presence and to develop an instrument to measure this construct. 1 Para-social presence refers to the extent to which a medium facilitates a sense of understanding, connection, involvement and interaction among participating social entities. We make a case for treating a web site as a valid social actor and argue that the relationship between a web site and her visitors should be characterized in much the same way one would characterize an inter-personal relationship. We also argue that a web site could possess different levels of para-social presence depending on how it is con ¤ gured and used. We then develop a research framework that illustrates the impact of new technologies (such as personalization systems) and associated web interface design decisions on perceived communication characteristics of a web site, para-social presence, and subsequent user evaluations of the web site.
Ecosystem history of the Bale Mountains

This paper presents results of the multiproxy palaeoenvironmental study of three zoogenic deposits, situated at the different altitudes in the Bale Mountains (South-central Ethiopia). Radiocarbon dating, pollen and diatom analyses were used to reconstruct the ecosystems‟ dynamics of the Bale Mountains during the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene. Pollen analysis revealed signals of the African Humid Period (AHP) and specified its precise time (15,000−4,600 cal yrs BP). The Weyib valley remained relatively arid from 15,000 to 8,600 cal yrs BP. A short humid period commenced at 8,500−8,000 cal yrs BP. Gradual climate aridization took place since 8,000 cal yrs BP. Diatom data show that the Sanetti plateau was relatively wet during the past 7000 years with some fluctuations in moisture. The plateau experienced more oxygenated systems after 2,500 cal yrs BP until now than before due to the creation of new lakes that indicate a humid climatic regime. The Weyib valley experienced a relatively humid period ca. 2,500 cal yrs BP. After the termination of the AHP, vegetation changes signaled the climate aridization that prevailed on more humid southern macroslope of the Bale Mountains and continued further during around 2,500 cal yrs BP, resulting in an extensive development of dry forests type of Olea, Hagenia and Podocarpus. Gradual climate aridity was interrupted by humid and warm period of 2,000−1,000 cal yrs BP. Noticeable human-induced environmental modification was registered on the Sanetti Plateau around 600 cal yrs BP, and around 1,000 cal yrs BP on the southern macroslope.Key words/phrases: Bale
Geochronology, geochemistry and tectonic significances of the Hongyuntan granitoids in the Qoltag area, Eastern Tianshan

Paleozoic igneous rocks and mineral deposits are keys to revealing the tectonic setting of the Qoltag belt in Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang Province. Investigation in petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry indicates that the Hongyuntan granitoids at the southern margin of the Qoltag area are typical Cale-Alkaline volcanic arc granitoids, and have genetic relation with melting of the lower crust affected by subduction of the oceanic crust. U-Pb age determinations of Zircon by LAM-ICP/MS show the Hongyuntan granitoids were intruded at 328.5 ± 9.3 Ma of Middle Carboniferous. By contrast, magmatism in the Middle Tianshan, south of the Qoltag area is not important. In the late Paleozoic of the Qoltag area, mineral deposits show zonal distribution with its southern margin being dominated by Fe deposits of the volcanosedimentary and hydrothermal type, and its northern margin being dominated by Cu-Mo deposits of the porphyry type. In combination with distribution of the volcanosedimentary strata and tectonic evolution of the Qoltag and its surrounding areas, it is suggested that a Qoltag ocean occurred in the Paleozoic. In early Paleozoic, the Paleo-Qoltag ocean subducted southward beneath the northern margin of the Tarim plate, resulting in the Middle Tianshan island arc. While in late Paleozoic, the Qoltag ocean changed in subduction polarity and decent northward beneath the Junggar-turpan-Hami block. The Hongyuntan granitoids were thus formed in this volcanic arc setting above the subducting Qoltag ocean crust of late Paleozoic in association with other Hercynian magmatic rocks, volcanosedimentary strata, and zonally distributed mineral deposits.
Predictability of Multiyear Trends of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in an MPI‐ESM Hindcast Ensemble

While hindcast skill for the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) has so far been limited to a few years, we present hindcast skill for PDO trends up to 10 years ahead. Our analysis is based on an initialized hindcast ensemble with the global Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI‐ESM). As in previous studies, we find hindcast skill limited to a few years, when we first construct a lead‐year time series, from which we second calculate the PDO. We find similar hindcast skill when we first calculate the PDO for each start year and second construct a lead‐year time series. However, we find hindcast skill considerably increased, when we first calculate the PDO for each start year, second estimate multiyear trends, and third construct a lead‐year time series. Our results suggest hindcast skill for the low‐frequency variability of the PDO, which holds important implications for predictability analyses of other modes of long‐term climate variability.
Community detection and the stochastic block model

This note surveys some of the recent developments on community detection and the stochastic block model. It describes the fundamental limits of community detection for various recovery requirements, the connections with information theory, and some of the algorithms that emerged in the quest of the thresholds. A few open problems are also discussed. Part of this material was covered in our ISIT 2015 Tutorial with M. Wainwright on Information Theory and Machine Learning.
An evolution based classifier for prediction of protein interfaces without using protein structures

MOTIVATION The number of available protein structures still lags far behind the number of known protein sequences. This makes it important to predict which residues participate in protein-protein interactions using only sequence information. Few studies have tackled this problem until now. RESULTS We applied support vector machines to sequences in order to generate a classification of all protein residues into those that are part of a protein interface and those that are not. For the first time evolutionary information was used as one of the attributes and this inclusion of evolutionary importance rankings improves the classification. Leave-one-out cross-validation experiments show that prediction accuracy reaches 64%.
Simulation of embedded streamwise vortices on a flat plate

Abstract : Numerical simulations of a single low-profile vortex generator vane, which is only a small fraction of the boundary-layer thickness, have been performed for flows over a flat plate. The numerical simulations were computed by solving the steady-state solution to the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The vortex generating vane results were evaluated by comparing the strength and trajectory of the streamwise vortex to experimental particle image velocimetry measurements. From the numerical simulations it was observed that the Shear-Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model resulted in a better prediction of the streamwise peak vorticity and trajectory when compared to the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model. It is shown in this investigation that the estimation of the turbulent eddy viscosity near the vortex core was very high using the SA model when compared to the SST model. Even though the numerical simulations were able to predict the trajectory of the streamwise vortex, the initial magnitude and decay of the peak streamwide vorticity were significantly under predicted. A comparison of the positive circulation associated with the streamwise vortex showed that while the numerical simulations produced a more diffused vortex, that the strength of the streamwise vortex compared very well to the experimental observations. A grid resolution study was also performed showing that diffusion of the vortex was not a result of insufficient grid resolution. Comparisons were also made between a fully modeled trapemoidal vane with finite thickness to a simply modeled rectangular thin vane. These comparisons showed that the simply modeled rectangular vane produced a streamwise vortex which has a strength and trajectory very similar to the fully modeled trapezoidal vane.
Using the big data analysis and basic information from lecture Halls to predict air change rate

School lecture halls are often designed as confined spaces. During the period of COVID-19, indoor ventilation has played an even more important role. Considering the economic reasons and the immediacy of the effect, the natural ventilation mechanism becomes the primary issue to be evaluated. However, the commonly used CO 2 tracer gas concentration decay method consumes a lot of time and cost. To evaluate the ventilation rate fast and effectively, we use the common methods of big data analysis - Principal Component Analysis (PCA), K-means and linear regression to analyze the basic information of the lecture hall to explore the relation between variables and air change rate. The analysis results show that the target 37 lecture halls are divided into two clusters, and the measured 11 lecture halls contributed 64.65%. When analyzing the two clusters separately, there is a linear relation between the opening area and air change rate (ACH), and the model error is between 6% and 12%, which proves the feasibility of the basic information of the lecture hall by calculating the air change rate.
Variations in Spectral Absorption Properties of Phytoplankton, Non-algal Particles and Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter in Lake Qiandaohu

Light absorption by phytoplankton, non-algal particles (NAP) and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was investigated at 90 sites of a clear, deep artificial lake (Lake Qiandaohu) to study natural variability of absorption coefficients. Our study shows that CDOM absorption is a major contributor to the total absorption signal in Lake Qiandaohu during all seasons, except autumn when it has an equivalent contribution as total particle absorption. The exponential slope of CDOM absorption varies within a narrow range around a mean value of 0.0164 nm−1 ( s d = 0.00176 nm−1). Our study finds some evidence for thIS autochthonous production of CDOM in winter and spring. Absorption by phytoplankton, and therefore its contribution to total absorption, is generally greatest in spring, suggesting that phytoplankton growth in Lake Qiandaohu occurs predominantly in the spring. Phytoplankton absorption in freshwater lakes generally has a direct relationship with chlorophyll-a concentration, similar to the one established for open ocean waters. The NAP absorption, whose relative contribution to total absorption is highest in summer, has a spectral shape that can be well fitted by an exponential function with an average slope of 0.0065 nm−1 ( s d = 0.00076 nm−1). There is significant spatial variability present in the summer of Lake Qiandaohu, especially in the northwestern and southwestern extremes where the optical properties of the water column are strongly affected by the presence of allochthonous matter. Variations in the properties of the particle absorption spectra with depths provides evidence that the water column was vertically inhomogeneous and can be monitored with an optical measurement program. Moreover, the optical inhomogeneity in winter is less obvious. Our study will support the parameterization of the Bio-optical model for Lake Qiandaohu from in situ or remotely sensing aquatic color signals.
The Implications of Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics on the Environmental Quality of Nairobi City, Kenya

Despite postulations on the correlation between urbanisation rate, land use and land covers changes as well as sustainable urban development, majority of such correlations are descriptive. However, it is the quantitative models linking the same which have a niche in aiding the evolution of sustainable urban development strategies. This has to begin with spatio-temporal analysis of land uses, land covers and the detection of the temporal changes. The above being the case, this study analyzed the land use and cover changes for Nairobi at different epochs in order to detect the changes that have taken place and subsequently to predict the environmental implications of the same. The objectives of the study were to create a land use and land cover schema for Nairobi city for the period between the years 1988 to 2015, to quantify the nature, trend, rate of land use and land cover dynamics over the years, to establish the land consumption rate and land absorption coefficient trends for the city within the study period and to postulate the environmental implications of the changes. This study was aided by Digital Image Processing of multispectral Landsat TM imageries of the years 1988 and 1995, Landsat ETM+ imageries of the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 together with topographical maps of the city and other secondary information such as the city’s population for the years between 1988 and 2015. Unsupervised classification approach was used with accuracies ranging from 87% to 90%. The study establishes that while areas of the city under urban built-up, open and transitional areas as well as forest covers steadily increased during the study period, rangelands, agricultural, grass, secondary growth and riparian vegetations have declined. This is partially attributed to the population growth in the peri-urban areas which has led to land fragmentations to acreages which are not agriculturally viable thus the conversions of the agricultural lands to urban built-up users such as residential, industrial and commercial developments. This implies that the city has continued to experience increased Land Consumption Rate and Absorption Coefficient which confirms that as opposed to internal densification, the city’s growth has been characterised by urban sprawl.