Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How does spatial heterogeneity affect inter‐ and intraspecific growth patterns in tundra shrubs?

Arctic and alpine ecosystems are strongly affected by rapidly changing environmental conditions, resulting in profound vegetation shifts, which are highly heterogeneous and hard to predict, yet have strong global impacts. Shrubs have been identified as a key driver of these shifts. In this study, we aim to improve the understanding of how such broad‐scale vegetation changes are locally impacted by inter‐ and intraspecific plasticity and topographically driven heterogeneity in microsite conditions. We assessed continuous stem diameter variation of three dominant tundra shrub species at daily resolution during 5 years, using high‐precision dendrometers, thus bridging the gap between classical dendroecology and plant physiology. From this data, we identified distinct growth patterns which we linked to microsite environmental drivers. The observed patterns appeared highly variable depending on site and species, strongly influenced by characteristics of the individual plant. As the main driver of this variability, we identified fine‐scale topographic complexity, causing the sampled specimens to adjust locally by developing distinct growth strategies. We found these strategies strongly related to snow‐cover variation and associated freezing and thawing. Predicted changes in winter conditions and associated snow regimes will therefore have strong effects on shrub growth and community structure, yet, these effects are highly complex and not uniform in direction. Synthesis. The ability to adapt in a heterogeneous environment appeared highly differentiated between species and closely connected to intraspecific plasticity. Here, we identified spatial variability related to local topography as a main indicator for potential future redistribution and niche shifts in response to environmental change.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Leaf Extracts of Anredera cordifolia, Psidium guajava and Pogostemon cablin on Inhibitory Power Over Escherichia coli Bacteria

Background: the current research studies why it is effective using Anredera cordifolia, Psidium guajava, and Pogostemon cablin by the local community as a traditional medicine for diarrhea treatment caused by Escherichia colibacteria. Objectives: We compared the inhibitor effectiveness of three leaf extracts against Escherichia coli; we also identified the anti-bacterial substances contained in leaf extracts. Methods: We determined the bacterial test activity using the "agar diffusion" method and the thin layer chromatography (TLC) as qualitative analysis for determining the anti-bacterial substances contained in the extract. Results: The Pogostemon cablin leaf extract contained terpenoids, phenolic, and flavonoids compound as bacterial inhibitors, and the comparison showed that Pogostemon cablin leaf extract had the greatest bacterial inhibition power. Conclusion: The antibiotic substances found in the leaf extracts of Anredera cordifolia, Psidium guajava, and Pogostemon cablin can be used as traditional medicine. The breakthrough was evidenced by the ability to inhibit Escherichia coli bacteria. This research shows that traditional medicine has ancient knowledge used by this paper
EFFECTS OF MET HYDROXY ANALOG (MHA ® ) SUPPLEMENTATION OF DAIRY COW'S DIETS ON MILK YIELD AND MILK COMPOSITION

Twenty one Holstein Friesian crossbred (>87.5% Holstein Friesian) lactating dairy cows, averaging 103 + 53 days in milk, 12.5 + 3.0 kg of milk, 58 + 19 mo old and 412 + 56 kg body weight (BW), were blocked by parity first and then stratified random balanced for milking days, milk yield, age and body weight into three groups of 7 cows. The first group (control) received approximately 17.4 kgDM of total mixed ration (TMR) which comprised approximately 7, 6, and 30 kg of commercial concentrate, corn silage and fresh cut grass, respectively. The second group was fed with the basal diet as the control group and supplemented with 11 g/d of Met hydroxy analog (MHA ® ). The third group was fed the same way as the control group with 22 g/d of Met hydroxy analog (MHA ® ). Performance parameters showed that DM, CP, and NEL intakes, final body weight and live weight change were similar in all treatments. Milk yield and milk composition were unaffected, however, UFA was increased while SFA was reduced by MHA ® supplementation.
Power density and temperature distributions produced by interstitial arrays of sleeved-slot antennas for hyperthermic cancer therapy

A graded-mesh finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) code, together with an alternate-direction-implicit finite-difference (ADI-FD) solution of the bioheat equation, are used for studying arrays of sleeved-slot antennas imbedded in a brain-equivalent phantom. The FDTD code allows efficient and accurate modeling of the fine structure of each antenna and of a sufficiently wide surrounding region. The ADI-FD solution of the bioheat equation allows evaluation of transient and steady-state temperature distributions in the brain-equivalent phantom with acceptable computational costs. The solution of the dosimetric-thermal problem in the volume irradiated by the antenna array permits the assessment of dimensions of the region where the temperature increase is above 43/spl deg/C (the threshold for an effective hyperthermia treatment) as a function of the array input power. Arrays made of three identical antennas placed at the vertices of equilateral triangles of 10-, 15-, and 20-mm sides have been studied. The temperature of 43/spl deg/C is reached in approximately 3 min in a deep-seated tumor region, from 10 to 40 mm in diameter, by applying input power levels between 2-32 W.
Hierarchical scheduling of continuous casters and hot strip mills in the steel industry: a block planning application

This work addresses the joint scheduling of continuous caster and hot strip mill processes in the steel industry. Traditionally, slab yards are used to decouple these two stages. However, the rising importance of energy costs and reduced logistic effort gives motivation for a combined scheduling. For each of the processes, a mixed-integer linear optimisation model based on the block planning principle is presented. This approach develops production schedules that take technological sequences of steel grades and milling programmes into account. We consider the integrated steel plant of an international steel company as a case study. Numerical results demonstrate the practicability of this approach under experimental conditions, which reflect typical settings from an industrial application in the steel industry.
Chaos during the COVID‐19 outbreak: Predictors of household chaos among low‐income families during a pandemic

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to explore whether household chaos measured during the COVID‐19 pandemic is predicted by prepandemic parental and household characteristics. Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has dramatically altered children's home environments and routines due to stay‐at‐home orders, school closures, and economic shocks. These disruptions have been especially challenging for low‐income families who have limited resources and have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Household chaos, which captures routines, organization, stability, noise, and crowding in the home, is a documented threat to parent functioning and positive child development. The pandemic has likely exacerbated household chaos, especially for low‐income families. Method Data come from a larger, ongoing study of low‐income children and their parents in Tulsa, Oklahoma; this analysis relies on data from the subset of low‐income parents who responded to surveys when their children were in kindergarten (in 2018–2019) and during the pandemic, when their children were in first grade (n = 335). We use multivariate ordinary least squares regression models to test whether household chaos measured during the pandemic is predicted by prepandemic parental and household characteristics. Results Prepandemic parental depression and household chaos were significantly predictive of chaos during the pandemic, even after accounting for household demographics. Implications The current study highlights pandemic‐induced elevations in parental distress and household chaos among low‐income families. Results will provide valuable direction to policymakers, educators, and parents on how best to offset negative impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on family functioning and child development.
Ciliates in different types of pools in temperate, tropical, and polar climate zones – implications for climate change

Small water bodies are typically characterized by high diversity of various groups of microorganisms. Moreover, these ecosystems react very quickly to even the slightest climate changes (e.g. a temperature increase or water level fluctuations). Thus far, studies of planktonic ciliates in small water bodies having different origins and located in various climate zones have been scarce. Our study aimed to verify the following hypotheses: planktonic ciliate assemblages exhibit higher diversity in pools with higher concentrations of biogenic compounds; pools in warmer climates have higher biodiversity of planktonic ciliates than those in the polar climate zone; individual functional groups of ciliates demonstrate considerable diversity, both between individual pool types and between climate zones. The study was conducted in 21 small pools in temperate, tropical, and polar climate zones. While the type of pool clearly influenced the makeup of microbial communities, the influence of climate was stronger. The factors with the greatest influence on the occurrence of these microorganisms were temperature, total organic carbon, and nutrients. Our results show that in warmer climates the abundance of bacterivorous ciliates is higher, while that of mixotrophs is lower. This has consequences for modelling of climate change and assessment of its influence on the carbon cycle in small water body ecosystems.
Assessment of Postoperative Opioid Prescriptions Before and After Implementation of a Mandatory Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Key Points Question Was the implementation of mandatory consultation with a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that integrates electronic health record (EHR) alerts associated with changes in the postoperative quantity of opioid medications prescribed at discharge after general, obstetric and gynecologic, and orthopedic surgery? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 93 760 adult patients within a large health care system who received a postoperative prescription for an opioid medication, implementation of mandatory PDMP consultation with EHR-based alerts was associated with significant decreases in postoperative opioid prescription quantities during the quarter in which the mandate was implemented after accounting for preimplementation prescribing patterns. Meaning This study found that implementation of legislation mandating PDMP consultation and the use of EHR alerts may be associated with changes in postoperative opioid prescribing behavior and decreases in the excess number of opioid tablets in circulation.
THE EFFECT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY ON THE SYMMETRY OF PASSIVE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MUSCLES OF CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT CEREBRAL PALSY

tikslas – istirti, ar kineziterapijos pratimai gali sumažinti griaucių porinių raumenų pasyviųjų mechaninių savybių asimetriskumą. Tyrime dalyvavo 17 moksleivių nuo 8 iki 16 metų amžiaus. Pirmąją grupe sudarė 7 vaikai, sergantys cerebriniu paralyžiumi, antrąją grupe sudarė vaikai, neturintys fizinių ir judėjimo sutrikimų. Tiriamiesiems taikėme po 10 kineziterapijos pratimų ant terapinio kamuolio, imituojancių trimacius judesius. Raumenų mechanines savybes vertinome naudojant prietaisą MYOTON-3, kurio veikimas paremtas sukeltų gestancių raumens virpesių matavimu ir analize. Nenustatytas statistiskai reiksmingas pasyviųjų mechaninių savybių skirtumas tarp sveikų vaikų ir vaikų su cerebriniu paralyžiumi. Parodyta, kad kineziterapijos užsiėmimai ant terapinio kamuolio, imituojantys raitelio judesius, sumažina sveikų ir vaikų su cerebriniu paralyžiumi sėdmenų vidurinių raumenų standumo ir tonuso asimetriją, o nugaros tiesiamųjų raumenų tik is dalies. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.mech. 18.6. 3162
Application of Pseudodynamic Test Method to Structural Research

The pseudodynamic test method is intended as an efficient and powerful alternative to the shaking table test method. Since its inception, a variety of new testing techniques and numerical schemes have been developed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the method. The main objective of this paper is to present the pseudodynamic test method from a user's perspective. With this objective in mind, an overview of the pseudodynamic test method is provided. Some of the most up-to-date developments, including substructure testing techniques, are illustrated with test examples. It is shown that while the method is definitely more complicated than conventional quasi-static tests, it can be implemented and applied to structural research with a small incremental cost.
The Influence of Surrounding Buildings on the Natural Ventilation Performance of Residential Dwellings in Hong Kong

Abstract Natural ventilation in residential dwellings is very important for occupants’ health and comfort. Previous studies by the authors have concluded that natural ventilation performance in dwellings can be enhanced by positioning the two groups of window openings (bedroom windows and living room windows) in opposite directions or perpendicular to each other; and/or the use of side-hung windows. However, the buildings selected for those studies were located in an isolated site, for the purpose of focused evaluation of the influence of various configuration parameters and window types. However, in Hong Kong, buildings are tightly packed. In this study, the influence of urban environment was thoroughly considered. A residential estate was identified to represent typical characteristics of the urban environment in Hong Kong for CFD modelling and simulations. Bi-variate correlations and K-means cluster analyses were adopted to identify a set of probable local wind conditions, which took into account the combined influence of prevailing wind conditions, urban environment and building levels. Through side-by-side comparison of results obtained with and without considering the influence of surrounding buildings, it was found that surrounding buildings lower the wind power available in the vicinity of buildings by 2.5% to 86.8%, increase the angular spread of prevailing winds and adversely affect natural ventilation in residential dwellings. The increase in the mean age of air (MAA) is 0.6 times to 1.5 times. In respect of influence of openings configurations and window types, the conclusion drawn in this study was found to be in agreement with previous studies.
Effect of Regular Physical Exercise on Gut Microbiota and Depressive Behaviors in Rats

Objective. The gut microbiota, as the critical mediator of the gut-brain axis, can produce and transport neuroactive substances, thus playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of depression. Although regular physical exercise is an important nondrug antidepressant, its specific effector mechanism is still unclear. Methods. Rats were randomly divided into four different groups (n = 10 for each group) as follows: normal group (G1), depression group (G2), fluoxetine treatment group (G3), and regular exercise treatment group (G4). All rats underwent forced swimming tests, tail suspension tests, open field tests, and elevated plus-maze tests to detect behavioristics. Then, corticosterone levels were detected by ELISA. Additionally, taxonomic analysis of the gut microbiota in all rats was performed after they were exercised regularly for 60 days. Results. Compared with the G1 group, the rats in the G2 group showed significant depression-like behaviors, with increased serum corticosterone levels. The proportions of Bacteroides, Actinomycetes, Proteobacteria, Saccharomyces, and Cyanobacteria in rats of the G2 group were lower than those in the G1 group, while the proportions of Firmicutes, Tenicotte, Deferrobacteria, and Fusobacteria were increased. Furthermore, after regular exercise treatment, the gut microbiota of rats was effectively improved, almost returning to the level of the G1 group, and depressive behavior and corticosterone levels were also restored, which was almost the same as the effect of fluoxetine treatment. Conclusion. Regular physical exercise could alleviate depressive-like behaviors by modulating the species and function of the gut microbiota.
Bent planar waveguides and whispering gallery modes: a new method of analysis

A matrix method for analyzing bent planar optical waveguides is discussed. The method is a modification of an earlier method which yields bend loss directly, inasmuch as a nonuniform refractive index is approximated by a series of linear profiles rather than a series of uniform profiles. The method can be used with absorbing or leaky structures. The effect of whispering gallery modes has also been studied. It appears that a whispering gallery explanation given by H.J. Harris and P.F. Castle (1986) may not be adequate. >
Vertical Contraction Scour at Bridges with Water Flowing Under Pressure Conditions

One of the areas of bridge scour estimation technology that hydraulic engineers, researchers, and scientists generally agree needs more understanding is what happens to the bottom of the channel under a bridge when the low chord becomes inundated and the flow through the opening changes from free surface flow to pressure flow. The vast majority of what is known about local scour in bridge openings has been derived for bridges with water flowing with a free surface. The literature shows that no previously conducted research is capable of being used to predict the component of vertical contraction scour that would be encountered under a full range of sediment transport conditions. In an attempt to fill part of this gap in the field of bridge scour estimation technology, a comprehensive program was developed to investigate pressure flow scour in bridge openings. Data were collected so that a relationship could be developed to predict the scour that would occur across the channel as a result of a vertical flow contraction. An equation is presented that can be used to estimate the magnitude of vertical contraction scour that could occur at a bridge with water flowing under pressure conditions. The equation presented has a coefficient of determination of 0.89 and has readily obtainable independent variables. In addition to the equation that can be used to estimate the magnitude of vertical deck scour that may occur, techniques and guidance that could be applied by the practicing hydraulic engineer to estimate the effects of pressure flow conditions on local scour in bridge openings are also presented.
Information Processing and Management

Recommender systems’ (RSs) research has mostly focused on algorithms aimed at improving platform owners’ revenues and user’s satisfaction. However, RSs have additional effects, which are related to their impact on users’ choices. In order to avoid an undesired system behaviour and anticipate the effects of an RS, the literature suggests employing simulations. In this article we present a novel, well grounded and flexible simulation framework. We adopt a stochastic user’s choice model and simulate users’ repeated choices for items in the presence of alternative RSs. Properties of the simulated choices, such as their diversity and their quality, are analysed. We state four research questions, also motivated by identified research gaps, which are addressed by conducting an experimental study where three different data sets and five alternative RSs are used. We identify some important effects of RSs. We find that non-personalised RSs result in choices for items that have a larger predicted rating compared to personalised RSs. Moreover, when a user’s awareness set, which is the set containing the items that she can choose from, increases, then choices are more diverse, but the average quality (rating) of the choices decreases. Additionally, in order to achieve a higher choice diversity, increasing the awareness of the users is shown to be a more effective remedy than increasing the number of recommendations offered to the users.
An Agent-Based Simulation to Explore Communication in a System to Control Urban Traffic with Smart Traffic Lights

Populational growth increases the number of cars and makes the transport infrastructure increasingly saturated. The control of traffic lights by intelligent software is a promising way to solve the problem caused by this situation. This article addresses this problem that occurs in urban traffic. An agent-based simulation of an urban traffic control system is proposed. The solution is offered as intelligent traffic lights as agents to alleviate traffic congestion at a given location. Each agent controls a crossing and maintains communication with agents from other corners. Thus, they can have greater control of a larger area and identify patterns that can help them to solve congestion problems. The results of our simulated experiments point to the improvement of the urban traffic when using the proposed Multiagent System, in comparison with an approach that uses crossing agents without communication and other that implements static traffic lights.
Critical Factors Affecting Schedule Performance: Evidence from Indian Construction Projects

Over 40% of Indian construction projects are facing time overrun ranging from 1 to 252 months; the reasons for which are being studied by researchers to suggest possible remedial measures. This paper identifies 55 attributes responsible for impacting performance of the projects. These attributes were then presented to Indian construction professionals in the form of a questionnaire. Statistical analysis of responses on the attributes segregated them into distinct sets of success attributes and failure attributes. Factor analysis of sets of success attributes and failure attributes separately grouped them into six critical success factors and seven critical failure factors. In order to understand the extent of contribution these factors have on the outcome of a construction project, a second stage questionnaire survey was also undertaken. The analyses of responses of the second stage questionnaire led us to conclude that two success factors and one failure factor: commitment of project participants; owner’.
Walking as urban communication: affordances and agency in public space in a semi-lockdown city

ABSTRACT While unlimited pedestrian mobility is usually considered a key characteristic of open democracies and healthy urban communication, a global pandemic has re-organised how public space can be used. By analysing places of interaction, infrastructure, and politics and civil society, this article examines walking in the pandemic city as a form of urban communication. The article explores meanings that young adults give to walking in semi-lockdown Helsinki, Finland by employing a qualitative multi-method approach. The findings underline participants’ emotional and social motivations for walking, highlighting the need to plan for local places of connection. The article argues that an individual’s chance to shape affordances of walking relies on their own walking practices and personal resources instead of understanding walking as a point of planning intervention.
Stability of Hardly Reshaping Berm Breakwaters Exposed to Long Waves

Stability of hardly reshaping berm breakwaters has been investigated in this paper, mainly focusing on exposure to long waves. The study continues previous work by Aalborg University, which suggested that stability of berm breakwaters follow the plunging equation of the Van der Meer stability formula also in the surging domain. Different combinations of berm widths and elevations were tested in order to see if berm breakwaters in general follow the plunging formula or if they start to behave more like conventional breakwaters.