Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The retrieval of snow properties from SLSTR/Sentinel-3 – part 1: method description and sensitivity study

Abstract. The eXtensible Bremen Aerosol/cloud and surfacE parameters Retrieval (XBAER) algorithm has been applied on the Top-Of-Atmosphere reflectance measured by the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) instrument onboard Sentinel-3 to derive snow properties: Snow Grain Size (SGS), Snow Particle Shape (SPS) and Specific Surface Area (SSA) under cloud-free conditions. This is the first part of the paper, to describe the retrieval method and the sensitivity study. Nine pre-defined ice crystal particle shapes (aggregate of 8 columns, Drontal, hollow bullet rosettes, hollow column, plate, aggregate of 5 plates, aggregate of 10 plates, solid bullet rosettes, column) are used to describe the snow optical properties. The optimal SGS and SPS are estimated iteratively utilizing a Look-Up-Table (LUT) approach. The SSA is then calculated using another pre-calculated LUT for the retrieved SGS and SPS. The optical properties (e.g., phase function) of the ice crystals can reproduce the wavelength-dependent/angular-dependent snow reflectance features, compared to laboratory measurements. A comprehensive study to understand the impact of aerosol, ice crystal shape, ice crystal surface roughness, and cloud contamination on the retrieval accuracy of snow properties has been performed based on SCIATRAN radiative transfer simulations. The main findings are (1) Snow angular and spectral reflectance feature can be described by the predefined ice crystal properties only when both SGS and SPS can be optimally and iteratively obtained; (2) The impact of ice crystal surface roughness plays minor effects on the retrieval results; (3) SGS and SSA show an inverse linear relationship; (4) The retrieval of SSA assuming non-convex particle shape, compared to convex particle (e.g. sphere) shows larger results; (5) Aerosol/cloud contamination due to unperfected atmospheric correction and cloud screening introduces underestimation of SGS, inaccurate SPS and overestimation of SSA.
A Universal Technique for Analysing Discrete Super-Resolution Algorithms

This leter develops a universal technique for analyzing discrete super-resolution algorithms with $\ell _1$-norm based objective function. Though the super-resolution problem with sparsity constraints is of intense research interest in the past decade, only a modified Dantzig selector has been non-asymptotically analyzed without additional structural information whereas this theoretical guarantee does not match the numerical results in the Gaussian noise case. More importantly, the relation between the analyses of discrete super-resolution problem and other underdetermined inverse problems in compressed sensing is still not clear. Using the proposed universal technique, this letter aims to close this gap in understanding the characteristics of discrete super-resolution problem. The theoretical claims are demonstrated by extensive numerical experiments.
Work Outcomes of Job Crafting Among the Different Ranks of Project Teams

This study examined the effects of job crafting on the work meaningfulness and work engagement of project participants of different ranks. Although previous research has shown that job crafting affects employees’ work outcomes, this topic is under-researched in project management settings. Our findings indicate that work meaningfulness partially mediates the relationship between job crafting and work engagement in the case of project team members and fully mediates it in the case of project managers. They suggest the necessity to apply different means to influence productive project behaviors of the two groups studied. These may include, in particular, changing the approach to job design of project team members and focusing on team job crafting work to build more opportunities to job craft.
Phase Decoherence Within Intense Chorus Wave Packets Constrains the Efficiency of Nonlinear Resonant Electron Acceleration

Electron resonant interaction with whistler mode waves is traditionally considered as one of the main drivers of radiation belt dynamics. The two main theoretical concepts available for its description are quasi‐linear theory of electron scattering by low‐amplitude waves and nonlinear theory of electron resonant trapping and phase bunching by intense waves. Both concepts successfully describe some aspects of wave‐particle interactions but predict significantly different timescales of relativistic electron acceleration. In this study, we investigate effects that can reduce the efficiency of nonlinear interactions and bridge the gap between the predictions of these two types of models. We examine the effects of random wave phase and frequency variations observed inside whistler mode wave packets on nonlinear interactions. Our results show that phase coherence and frequency fluctuations should be taken into account to accurately model electron nonlinear resonant acceleration and that, along with wave amplitude modulation, they may reduce acceleration rates to realistic, moderate levels.
Origins and patterns of endemic diversity in two specialized lizard lineages from the Australian Monsoonal Tropics (Oedura spp.)

Savanna biomes cover around 20% of land surfaces, yet the origins and processes that have shaped their biodiversity remain understudied. Here, we assess the timing of diversification and how patterns of genetic diversity vary along an aridity gradient in specialized saxicoline gecko clades (Oedura spp.) from the tropical savannas of northern Australia.
Alleviation of thermal and overcrowding stress in finishing broilers by dietary propolis supplementation

Abstract The current study investigated the efficacy of propolis supplementation (bee glue; BG) on ameliorating overcrowding and heat stress-induced impairment of growth performance, immunity, some stress indicators, and jejunum morphology in broilers. Three hundred eighty 21-d-old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly divided into 6 treatments. From d 22, the birds were either kept at thermoneutral zone (22 °C) or subjected to cyclic heat stress by exposing them daily to 32 °C for 10 h (from 0800 to 1800) and 22 °C from 1800 to 0800. The 2 levels of stocking density include the experimental groups with low stocking density (LSD; 10 chickens/m2) and those with a HSD (18 chickens/m2). A basal diet supplemented with BG (4 g/kg of diet) was fed to 2 groups, one with HSD and the other with LSD. The heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in broiler performance, coefficient of ileal digestibility (CIAD) of nitrogen (N), apparent metabolisable energy (AME), relative weight of lymphoid organs, morphometric indices, and increased mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in breast muscle. Overcrowding stress reduced performance parameters, heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio but increased levels of IgA, IgM, nitric oxide (NO), corticosterone (CS), and HSP70. Growth performance, CIAD of N, AME, relative lymphoid organs weight, and jejunum villus height were increased by BG supplementation in the chickens stocked at HSD than those housed at LSD. In addition, BG supplementation reduced blood NO and CS concentrations, and mRNA levels of HSP70 but elevated H:L ratio in heat-stressed broiler compared those reared under thermoneutral zone. It was concluded that dietary use of BG as a feed supplement can reduce some of the detrimental effects of heat stress and HSD in broilers.
Effect of physicochemical factors on the biodegradation of phenol by Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12842 and Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 948

Phenol is a very toxic substance and it can cause a number of environmental problems when it enters a water system. Biological treatment is considered a cost-effective and safe technology and it plays an important role in the remediation of environmental pollutants. In this study, Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 948 and Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12842 were employed to biodegrade phenol, with different culture conditions such as, different incubation periods, initial phenol concentration, temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources) used to examine their effect on phenol degradation. The results showed that phenol degraded completely after 122 h. Different initial concentrations of phenol were added to minimal salts medium and the percentage of phenol degradation decreased as the phenol concentration increased. The optimum temperature for both bacterial strains, P. fluorescens and P. putida, is 35°C, with the maximum percentage of degradation occuring at pH 7. Glucose is the best carbon source as it increased the rate of biodegradation up to 80%. Ammonium nitrate is the best nitrogen source for P. fluorescens to degrade phenol, while ammonium chloride is the best source of nitrogen for degradation of phenol by P. putida. The study’s results suggest that P. fluorescens and P. putida are capable of phenol degradation, and thus can be used for bioremediation of synthetic waste water containing phenol. Key words: Physicochemical factors, biodegradation, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida.
High-involvement management practices and the productivity of firms: Detecting industry heterogeneity

The aim of this article is to clarify the links between high-involvement management (HIM) practices, productivity and branches of industry. The data combine a representative survey (N = 787) of private-sector firms in Finland and register-based firm-level data on sales per employee in the year following the survey. The authors analysed the data using mixture regression and identified two clusters in the association between HIM and productivity. In one cluster, high-involvement management and productivity were positively associated, while in the other cluster, the association was negative. The association between the intensity of HIM utilisation and productivity is not always additive; the benefits of HIM were most prominent in industries where HIM was most seldom utilised. This paradox was most notable in the service sector.
Effect of variety and planting density on weed dynamics and yield performance of transplant Aman rice

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during Aman season from June to November 2016 to find out the effect of variety and planting density on weed dynamics and yield performance of transplant Aman rice. The experiment consisted of four varieties viz. Binadhan-7, BR25, BRRI dhan56 and BRRI dhan62 and four planting density viz. 25 cm × 15 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 10 cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Variety exerted significant effect on weed density and dry weight at different days after transplanting (DAT). The lowest weed density and dry weight were observed in BR25 and the highest ones were observed in Binadhan-7. Weed population was not significantly affected by planting density while weed dry weight was significantly affected and closer spacing produce the lowest weed dry weight. Yield and yield contributing characters of transplant Aman rice were significantly influenced by variety and planting density. BR25 showed produce the highest plant height (157.9 cm), panicle length (24.94 cm), grains panicle(103.10), sterile spikelets panicle −1 (29.36), grain yield (4.30 t ha −1 ) and straw yield (8.99 t ha −1 ) while BRRI dhan62 the highest number of total tillers hill −1 (14.75), effective tillers hill −1 (11.62), and non-effective tillers hill −1 (3.10). The highest 1000-grain weight (25.21g) was found in the variety Binadhan-7and the highest harvest index (53.50%) was obtained from BRRI dhan56. In case of planting density, the highest value of plant height (124.27 cm), total tillers hill −1 (13.53), effective tillers hill −1 (11.20), non-effective tillers hill −1 (2.32), panicle length (22.59 cm), grain yield (4.17 t ha −1 ) and straw yield (5.75 t ha −1 ) were obtained from 25 cm × 15 cm spacing. On the other hand, the highest number of grains panicle −1 (84.23) and harvest index (45.18 %) were obtained from 25 cm × 10 cm spacing, heaviest 1000-grain weight (23.83 g) from 20 cm × 15 cm spacing. Experimental results indicated that BR25 grown under 25 cm × 15 cm planting density appeared to be the best in order to get maximum grain yield as well as reducing weed infestation. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 15(2): 167-173, December 2017
Impact of corporate governance mechanisms on financial reporting quality: a study of Indian GAAP and Indian Accounting Standards

The present study examines the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on financial reporting quality under Indian GAAP and Indian Accounting Standards (Ind. AS). A sample of 97 companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange is selected. Corporate governance mechanisms have been considered as independent variables, and financial reporting quality is the dependent variable. Corporate governance is measured by board effectiveness (board size, independence, diligence, and expertise), audit committee attributes (size, independence, diligence, and expertise), foreign ownership, and audit quality. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and OLS regression are conducted to estimate the results. The study results reveal that board characteristics and audit committee attributes, except for audit committee diligence, have a significant effect on financial reporting quality. However, the impact of board diligence and audit committee attributes is negative. Foreign ownership has no contribution to financial reporting quality, but audit quality has a significant effect. The findings of the study have considerable implications for regulators, policymakers, managers, investors, analysts, and academicians. More emphasis should be given to compliance with Ind. AS, and an oversight body for compliance with Ind. AS should be established. AcknowledgmentThis publication was supported by Deanship of Scientific Research, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
ANN and RSM based modelling for optimization of cell dry mass of Bacillus sp. strain B67 and its antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to present the comparative modelling, predictive and generalization abilities of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) for optimization of fermenting medium. Cell dry mass and inhibition zone of strain B67 against Botrytis cinerea were used as response variables. The response variables were optimized and modelled as a function of five independent variables (pH, gelatine percentage, incubation period, agitation speed, and temperature) using response surface methodology and artificial neural network. The results of both approaches were compared for their modelling abilities in terms of root-mean-squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAD), chi-square, and correlation coefficient, computed from experimental and predicted data. ANN models were proved to be superior to RSM with lower RMSE, MAD, and chi-square and higher values for correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination, and predictive coefficient of determination. The optimum fermenting conditions predicted were pH 6.65, gelatine 3.30%, incubation period 35 h, agitation speed 163 rpm, and incubation temperature 33.64 °C, with 15.00 g/L and 31.64 mm cell dry mass and inhibition zone, respectively. The predictive models were validated experimentally and were found in agreement with experimentally obtained values.
Eulachon : a review of biology and an annotated bibliography

s and summaries are included for the references that we have reviewed and for those that were provided electronically by our data sources. Abstracts using the words of the original authors or electronic abstracting services are within quotation marks; abstracts not in quotation marks were written by the compilers of this bibliography. For each reference we provide keywords. References associated with each keyword are listed by reference number in the keyword index. References we were not able to review personally may contain information on additional aspects of eulachon not mentioned in the index. Web sites found to be active at the time this bibliography was compiled are listed in a separate section following the print references. Because the content of web sites changes frequently, we have not provided keywords or abstracts in this section.
How does plant population density affect the biomass of Ravenna grass?

Ravenna grass, Tripidium ravennae (L.) H. Scholz, is known to produce an abundance of biomass, but how plant density affects its biomass potential remains unknown. The objectives were to determine the effects of plant density on biomass yield; plant growth traits; biomass‒carbon, nitrogen, and ash concentrations; heating value; nitrogen removal; and sucrose concentration in leaves and culms. The treatments consisted of five plant densities (1,250; 2,500; 5,000; 10,000; and 20,000 plants per hectare) in a randomized complete block design with four blocks. Plots were nonirrigated, unfertilized, and harvested once during the dormant season each year. Data were collected from 2015‒2019. Dependent variables that varied with plant population density (p < .05) were biomass yield, number of reproductive culms per plant, reproductive culm diameter, reproductive culm sucrose concentration, and nitrogen removal with biomass. Biomass yield ranged from 5.6 to 16.3 Mg/ha for plant densities of 1,250–20,000 plants per hectare, respectively. Combined over years, nonlinear regression of the data showed the equation for biomass yield to plateau at 16.2 Mg/ha at a plant density of 10,640 plants per hectare. As plant density increased, the number of reproductive culms per plant, culm diameter, and culm sucrose concentration significantly decreased. At 1,250 plants per hectare, the number of reproductive culms per plant, culm diameter, and culm sucrose averaged 70, 10.2 mm, and 63.2 g/kg, respectively. Nitrogen removed with biomass significantly increased as biomass yield increased with plant density. At a density of 10,000 and 20,000 plants per hectare, the amount of nitrogen removed annually in the harvested biomass averaged 88 kg/ha. The data suggest that 10,000 plants per hectare would produce the greatest annual biomass yields; however, research is needed to determine the nutrient requirement for Ravenna grass to sustain biomass production at that density.
Attributing Causes of Future Climate Change in the California Current System With Multimodel Downscaling

Coastal winds in the California Current System (CCS) are credited with the high productivity of its planktonic ecosystem and the shallow hypoxic and corrosive waters that structure diverse macrofaunal habitats. These winds thus are considered a leading mediator of climate change impacts in the CCS and other Eastern Boundary Upwelling systems. We use an eddy‐permitting regional model to downscale the response of the CCS to three of the major distinct climate changes commonly projected by global Earth System Models: regional winds, ocean warming and stratification, and remote water chemical properties. An increase in alongshore winds intensifies spring upwelling across the CCS, but this response is muted by increased stratification, especially during summer. Despite the seasonal shift in regional wind‐driven upwelling, basin‐scale changes are the decisive factor in the response of marine ecosystem properties including temperature, nutrients, productivity, and oxygen. Downscaled temperature increases and dissolved oxygen decreases are broadly consistent with coarse resolution Earth System Models, and these projected changes are large and well constrained across the models, whereas nutrient and productivity changes are small compared to the intermodel spread. These results imply that global models with poor resolution of coastal processes nevertheless yield important information about the dominant climate impacts on coastal ecosystems.
A new species of the genus Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Guangxi, China

We describe a new species of megophryid frog from Maoershan Nature Reserve in southern China. Leptolalax maoershanensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: medium size (SVL 25.2–30.4 mm in eight adult males and 29.1 mm in one adult female); head longer than wide; externally distinct tympanum; distinct black supratympanic line present; dorsal skin shagreened with small tubercles and longitudinal folds; distinct dark spots on the flank; creamy-white chest and belly with irregular black spots; grey-pinkish to dark brownish-violet ventral skin of limbs with numerous whitish speckles; distinct ventrolateral glands forming a white line; finger webbing and fringes absent; toe webbing rudimentary and lateral fringes narrow; longitudinal ridges indistinct under toes and not interrupted at the articulations; and a bicolored iris. The new species differs from all known congeners by an uncorrected p- distance of >6.6% at the 16S rRNA gene fragment examined, and phylogenetic analysis clusters the new species with L. laui and L. liui . At present, the new species is known from montane small bamboo forest in Maoershan Nature Reserve at about 1550 m elevation.
DCUN1D1 promotes tumour progress in prostate cancer and its effect on DU145 in vitro.

OBJECTIVE To compare the expression levels of Defective In Cullin Neddylation 1 Domain Containing 1 oncogene in prostate cancer tissues and normal prostate tissues, to explore its effect on cancerous cells, and to investigate its underlying mechanisms on such cells in vitro. METHODS The cross-sectional study was conducted at Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics from Jan 03,2017 to Nov 05,2018, and comprised prostate tissue samples on which immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Defective In Cullin Neddylation 1 Domain Containing 1 oncogene. Short hairpin ribonucleic acid expression plasmid targeting the oncogene was constructed and transferred into prostate cance cell line DU145. The roles of the oncogene in prostate cancer progression were confirmed in vitro. The expression of vimentin and epithelial cadherin influenced by the oncogene were detected using Western blot. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS Of the 80 samples, 3(3.75%) were normal prostate tissues, 7(8.75%) adjacent normal prostate tissues, 20(25%) hyperplasia, and 50(62.5%) prostate cancer tissues. Defective In Cullin Neddylation 1 Domain Containing 1 oncogene expression in prostate cancerous tissues was significantly associated with high Gleason score (p<0.001), metastasis (p<0.05) and pathological stage (p<0.001). The oncogene was found to be an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival of prostate cancer patients (p=0.0108). In vitro analysis confirmed the tumour promotive role of the oncogene through cell proliferation, invasion and migration assays. Its expression was closely correlated with aggressive progression and poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients (p<0.05). Vimentin and epithelial cadherin were affected by the oncogene. CONCLUSIONS Defective In Cullin Neddylation 1 Domain Containing 1 oncogene highly expressed in DU145 and the prostate cancer tissues, which correlated with prognosis.