Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response of Carex breviculmis to phosphorus deficiency and drought stress

Introduction The drought and phosphorus deficiency have inevitably become environmental issues globally in the future. The analysis of plants functional trait variation and response strategies under the stress of phosphorus deficiency and drought is important to explore their ability to respond to potential ecological stress. Methods In this study, Carex breviculmis was selected as the research object, and a 14-week pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with two phosphorus treatment (add 0.5mmol/L or 0.05μmol/L phosphorus) and four drought treatment (add 0-5%PEG6000), totaling eight treatments. Biomass allocation characteristics, leaf anatomical characteristics, biochemical parameters, root morphology, chemical element content, and photosynthetic parameters were measured. Results The results showed that the anatomical characteristics, chemical elements, and photosynthetic parameters of Carex breviculmis responded more significantly to main effect of phosphorus deficiency. Stomatal width, leaf phosphorus content and maximum net photosynthetic rate decreased by 11.38%, 59.39%, 38.18% significantly (p<0.05), while the change in biomass was not significant (p>0.05). Biomass allocation characteristics and root morphology responded more significantly to main effect of drought. Severe drought significantly decreased leaf fresh weight by 61% and increased root shoot ratio by 223.3% compared to the control group (p<0.05). The combined effect of severe drought and phosphorus deficiency produced the highest leaf N/P ratio (291.1% of the control) and MDA concentration (243.6% of the control). Correlation analysis and redundancy analysis showed that the contributions of phosphorus and drought to functional trait variation were similar. Lower epidermal cell thickness was positively correlated with maximum net photosynthetic rate, leaf phosphorus, chlorophyll ab, and leaf fresh weight (p<0.05). Discussion In terms of response strategy, Carex breviculmis was affected at the microscopic level under phosphorus deficiency stress, but could maintain the aboveground and underground biomass well through a series of mechanisms. When affected by drought, it adopted the strategy of reducing leaf yield and improving root efficiency to maintain life activities. Carex breviculmis could maintain its traits well under low phosphorus and moderate drought, or better conditions. So it may have good ecological service potential in corresponding areas if promoted. This study also provided a reference for plant response to combined drought and phosphorus deficiency stresses.
PROBLEMY EKOROZWOJU – PROBLEMS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations is to promote, sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. However, it is observed that many countries struggle to move up from the middleincome to high-income level, which refers to the middle-income trap (MIT). In this paper, we test the MIT hypothesis using a novel unit root test of Gómez-Zaldívar et al. (2013) across the Southern Common Market (MECOSUR) countries. To do so, we follow a different path from the existing literature and use a novel unit root testing strategy. We first test the significance of the trend term and then examine the unit root properties of the series by allowing multiple structural breaks according to the existence/non-existence of the trend term. Our results provide evidence of stationarity for Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, indicating that these four MERCOSUR countries are in MIT.
Retail Demand Forecasting Using Neural Networks and Macroeconomic Variables

With the growing competition among firms in the globalized corporate environment and considering the complexity of demand forecasting approaches, there has been a large literature on retail demand forecasting utilizing various approaches. However, the current literature largely relies on micro variables as inputs, thereby ignoring the influence of macroeconomic conditions on households’ demand for retail products. In this study, I incorporate external macroeconomic variables such as Consumer Price Index (CPI), Consumer Sentiment Index (ICS), and unemployment rate along with time series data of retail products’ sales to train a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model for predicting future demand. The inclusion of macroeconomic conditions in the predictive model provides greater explanatory power. As anticipated, the developed model, including this external macroeconomic information, outperforms the model developed without this macroeconomic information, thereby demonstrating strong potential for industry application with improved forecasting capability.
On a new type of solitary surface waves in finite water depth

In this paper, a new type of solitary surface waves in a finite water depth is found by analytically solving the fully nonlinear wave equations. Using a new type of base functions which decays exponentially in the horizontal direction, this new type of solitary surface waves is gained first by means of linear wave equations, and then confirmed by the fully nonlinear wave equations. The new type of solitary surface waves have many unusual characteristics. First, it has a peaked crest. Secondly, it may be in the form of depression, which has been often reported for internal solitary waves but never for free-surface solitary ones, to the best of author’s knowledge. Third, its phase speed has nothing to do with wave height, say, the peaked solitary waves are non-dispersive. Finally, its horizontal velocity at bottom is always larger than that on surface. All of these are so different from the traditional periodic and solitary waves that they clearly indicate the novelty of the peaked solitary waves. Based on the new peaked solitary surface waves, a new explanation to the so-called rogue waves and some theoretical predictions are given. All of these are helpful to deepen our understandings and enrich our knowledge about solitary waves.
The Arcetri Spectral Code for optically thin plasmas

The Arcetri-95 spectral code for optically thin plasmas computes the continuum and line emission of the ions of the most abundant elements. It includes the most updated atomic models and the main atomic processes for ions from Fe IX to Fe XXIII and for ions of the Belike, C-like, and N-like isoelectronic sequences. The power emitted per unit emission measure is produced as a function of temperature and density.
The Energy Demand Elasticity in Relation to Gross Domestic Product in Indonesia: Sectoral Approach

This paper aims at estimating the energy demand elasticity in relation to gross domestic product in Indonesia based on data from 1995 to 2018. The sectors examined are industry, trading, transportation, and housing sectors. The method of analysis is the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). An interesting estimation result here is that the elasticity of the industry sector is negative both short and long term. The other three sectors show positive elasticity. This paper contributes to the discussion of the energy demand ARDL model to be used as a reference in developing countries.
Association of frailty with cognitive impairment and functional disability in older adults with affective disorders: a brief research report

Introduction The Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20) is a validated multidimensional instrument that has been used in Brazil to evaluate functional disability in frail older adults. The main aim of this study was to assess frailty using this novel screening tool. In addition, to investigate whether frailty was associated with cognitive impairment and functional disability in older adults with affective disorders. Methods Participants included were over 60 years old, with affective disorders (depressive or anxiety disorders), from two specialized outpatient clinics. The sample was comprised of 46 patients (30% of a total from 153). The following instruments were applied: Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); Verbal Fluency Test (VFT); Pfeffer Questionnaire or Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ); Katz Index; Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15); Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), and IVCF-20 as well as sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires. The association between the variables of interest was estimated using Spearman correlation. Results This study found a negative correlation between frailty and cognitive decline (MMSE; rs = −0.58; p < 0.001); (VFT; rs = −0.60; p < 0.001); (CDT; rs = −0.47; p = 0.001) and a positive correlation between frailty and depressive symptoms (GDS-15; rs = 0.34; p = 0.019) as well as disability for IADLs (FAQ; rs = 0.69; p < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference in the association between frailty and anxiety symptoms (GAI; rs = 0.24; p = 0.103) or disability for BADLs (Katz; rs = −0.02; p = 0.895). Discussion Our data support that the associations between frailty, cognitive and functional disability are prevalent issues in Psychogeriatrics. Assessing frailty in a multidimensional context is essential using a rapid assessment frailty tool in clinical practice.
A Five-Factor Asset Pricing Model of Shariah Compliant Firms in the United States

Shariah compliant firms operating in an environment with little to no access to a robust Islamic capital market (such as in the United States (US) stock market) will exhibit a consistent bias towards certain corporate financial behaviour. Does this bias subsequently lead to a skewed asset pricing behaviour? To answer this question, this paper investigates the asset pricing behaviour of multiple samples of Shariah compliant firms listed in the US as compared to an overall conventional sample by employing the Fama & French Five-Factor Model. By applying contemporary Shariah stock screening methodology on a sample of all stocks listed in the NYSE, NASDAQ and the IEX from January 2000 to December 2019, this paper shows that asset pricing behaviour differs not only between Shariah compliant and conventional samples, but also amongst Shariah compliant samples themselves. Ultimately, this paper shows that when deriving the appropriate expected return for Shariah compliant portfolios in the US, there are evidence to suggest that the Fama & French Five-Factor model is more suitable compared to the traditional Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) since the additional risk premiums show consistent significance across groups of Shariah compliant firms.
Metasurface Aperture Design for Far-Field Computational Microwave Imaging Beyond Rayleigh Diffraction Limitations

Improving the resolution of metasurface apertures (MAs)-based computational microwave imaging (CMI) is of great significance for its practical application. Existing MAs-based CMI (MAs-CMI) has limited resolution due to the limited size of MAs, the so-called Rayleigh diffraction limit (RDL), and must rely on complex back-end algorithms to achieve far-field super-resolution imaging. In this article, a single-frequency (10 GHz) single-sensor double-layer transmitarray (DTA) is designed to improve the resolution of MAs-CMI from the hardware aspect, which consists of a horn as feed, a layer of passive MA (PMA), and a layer of dynamic MA (DMA). By carefully designing the structure of the DTA, a variety of far-field random radiation patterns beyond RDL can be obtained, and the imaging resolution of the MA-CMI can be effectively improved. Simulation and measurement results show that the resolution of the far-field radiation patterns of the proposed DTA is at least 1.56 times that of RDL at the same aperture. Finally, an imaging experiment based on a manufactured DTA is performed to further demonstrate its far-field super-resolution characteristic for CMI. This is the first time that the far-field super-resolution TA based on MAs for CMI is reported.
An Insight into Occurrence, Biology, and Pathogenesis of Rice Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne graminicola

Simple Summary Rice root-knot nematode is a plant-parasitic nematode that infects the roots of rice plants. It is also known as Meloidogyne graminicola, and is one of the most damaging pests of rice crops worldwide. The nematode infects the roots of rice plants and causes the formation of characteristic knots or galls. Both morphological and molecular characterization can be used in combination to provide a more complete understanding of nematodes. Molecular analysis can be used to identify new nematode species, while morphological analysis can be used to describe their physical features and provide a more complete picture of their biology and ecology. The current study aimed at utilizing both morphological and molecular characterization, and life stage as well, as molecular aspects of interaction between the rice root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola and its host plants. Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most widely grown crops in the world, and is a staple food for more than half of the global total population. Root-knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne spp. , and especially M. graminicola, seem to be significant rice pests, which makes them the most economically important plant-parasitic nematode in this crop. RKNs develop a feeding site in galls by causing host cells to differentiate into hypertrophied, multinucleate, metabolically active cells known as giant cells. This grazing framework gives the nematode a constant food source, permitting it to develop into a fecund female and complete its life cycle inside the host root. M. graminicola effector proteins involved in nematode parasitism, including pioneer genes, were functionally characterized in earlier studies. Molecular modelling and docking studies were performed on Meloidogyne graminicola protein targets, such as β-1,4-endoglucanase, pectate lyase, phospholipase B-like protein, and G protein-coupled receptor kinase, to understand the binding affinity of Beta-D-Galacturonic Acid, 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane, (2S)-2-amino-3-phenylpropanoic acid, and 4-O-Beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-Alpha-D-Glucopyranose against ligand molecules of rice. This study discovered important molecular aspects of plant–nematode interaction and candidate effector proteins that were regulated by M. graminicola-infected rice plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe M. graminicola’s molecular adaptation to host parasitism.
Extensive Independent Amplification of Platy-1 Retroposons in Tamarins, Genus Saguinus

Platy-1 retroposons are short interspersed elements (SINEs) unique to platyrrhine primates. Discovered in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) genome in 2016, these 100 bp mobile element insertions (MEIs) appeared to be novel drivers of platyrrhine evolution, with over 2200 full-length members across 62 different subfamilies, and strong evidence of ongoing proliferation in C. jacchus. Subsequent characterization of Platy-1 elements in Aotus, Saimiri and Cebus genera, suggested that the widespread mobilization detected in marmoset (family Callithrichidae) was perhaps an anomaly. Two additional Callithrichidae genomes are now available, a scaffold level genome assembly for Saguinus imperator (tamarin; SagImp_v1) and a chromosome-level assembly for Saguinus midas (Midas tamarin; ASM2_v1). Here, we report that each tamarin genome contains over 11,000 full-length Platy-1 insertions, about 1150 are shared by both Saguinus tamarins, 7511 are unique to S. imperator, and another 8187 are unique to S. midas. Roughly 325 are shared among the three callithrichids. We identified six new Platy-1 subfamilies derived from Platy-1-8, with the youngest new subfamily, Platy-1-8c_Saguinus, being the primary source of the Saguinus amplification burst. This constitutes the largest expansion of Platy-1 MEIs reported to date and the most extensive independent SINE amplification between two closely related species.
Effects of whistler mode hiss waves in March 2013

We present simulations of the loss of radiation belt electrons by resonant pitch angle diffusion caused by whistler mode hiss waves for March 2013. Pitch angle diffusion coefficients are computed from the wave properties and the ambient plasma data obtained by the Van Allen Probes with a resolution of 8 h and 0.1 L shell. Loss rates follow a complex dynamic structure, imposed by the wave and plasma properties. Hiss effects can be strong, with minimum lifetimes (of ~1 day) moving from energies of ~100 keV at L ~ 5 up to ~2 MeV at L ~ 2 and stop abruptly, similarly to the observed energy‐dependent inner belt edge. Periods when the plasmasphere extends beyond L ~ 5 favor long‐lasting hiss losses from the outer belt. Such loss rates are embedded in a reduced Fokker‐Planck code and validated against Magnetic Electron and Ion Spectrometer observations of the belts at all energy. Results are complemented with a sensitivity study involving different radial diffusion and lifetime models. Validation is carried out globally at all L shells and energies. The good agreement between simulations and observations demonstrates that hiss waves drive the slot formation during quiet times. Combined with transport, they sculpt the energy structure of the outer belt into an “S shape. ” Low energy electrons (<0.3 MeV) are less subject to hiss scattering below L = 4. In contrast, 0.3–1.5 MeV electrons evolve in an environment that depopulates them as they migrate from L ~ 5 to L ~ 2.5. Ultrarelativistic electrons are not affected by hiss losses until L ~ 2–3.
Consecutive Shifts: A Repeated Measure Study to Evaluate Stress, Biomarkers, Social Support, and Fatigue in Medical/Surgical Nurses

Nurses report that they are required to work during their scheduled breaks and generally experience extended work times and heavy workloads due to staffing shortages. This study aimed to examine changes in personal, work-related, and overall stress, as well as biological responses and fatigue experienced by nurses during three consecutive 12 h workdays (i.e., the typical “three-twelves” schedule). We also considered the moderating effects of social resources. This prospective study of 81 medical/surgical nurses who completed questionnaires and provided saliva samples at four designated intervals (i.e., pre-shift and post-shift on workdays 1 and 3). Fatigue reported by night shift nurses increased significantly over three consecutive workdays (p = 0.001). Day shift nurses said they encountered more social support than those on the night shift (p = 0.05). Social support moderated the relationship between work-related stress at baseline and reported fatigue on day 3.
Analysis of the factors influencing chronic diseases in middle-aged and elderly men: a cross-sectional survey in China

The prevalence of chronic diseases has increased in recent years among middle-aged and elderly men in China. This study focuses on the current prevalence and factors influencing chronic diseases among middle-aged and elderly men in the context of population ageing. The aim is to provide a reference for the development of preventive and control measures for chronic diseases and to improve the health of middle-aged and elderly men in China. Data was obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and the middle-aged and older population of men (aged 45 and above) were considered for analysis. The factors affecting the prevalence of chronic diseases were analysed using a binary logistic regression model, with the presence or absence of chronic diseases as the dependent variable and personal characteristics and lifestyle as the independent variables. The results of descriptive statistics showed that the prevalence of chronic diseases among middle-aged and elderly men in China was 42.6%, the top five diseases being hypertension (14.7%), arthritis and rheumatism (12.8%), stomach diseases (9.9%), dyslipidaemia (9.7%) and heart disease (6.6%). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ages between 60 and 70 years (OR (odds Ratio) = 0.565, 95% CI (confidence interval) = 0.398–0.802), living in a combination of urban and rural areas (OR = 1.276, 95%CI = 1.086–1.498), smoking (OR = 0.458, 95% CI = 0.357–0.587), sleeping for 6–7 h (OR = 1.255, 95% CI = 0.994–1.585), self-rated good health (OR = 1.846, 95%CI = 1.549–2.200) and self-rated very good health (OR = 1.758, 95% CI = 1.454–2.126) were factors that influenced the prevalence of chronic diseases among Chinese middle-aged and elderly men. The Chinese government should formulate NCD (Non-communicable diseases) prevention and control measures suitable for the middle-aged and elderly population of men according to different regions and groups. These measures can help improve the health levels of the middle-aged and elderly population and comprehensively promote the concept of healthy ageing.
Developing an Organizational e-Learning Usage Model: A Qualitative Study on the Case of Lebanon

The study aims to investigate the factors that impact e-learning adoption among employees in Lebanese corporations. While prior research has mainly focused on developed countries, this study aims to fill the gap in understanding e-learning adoption in the context of Lebanon. A qualitative exploratory study was carried out with 12 employees and managers from four organizations using e-learning solutions. The study identified several key factors that influence positive attitudes towards e-learning, including management support, recognition, access to resources, and more. A model based on the Technology Acceptance Model 3 was then proposed to better understand e-learning usage within Lebanese corporations and provide guidance on improving e-learning adoption rates. To enhance e-learning adoption among employees, it is recommended that Lebanese corporations prioritize management support and recognition, establish regular monitoring practices, improve communication, provide relevant and quality content, implement user-friendly and interactive platforms, incorporate gamification elements and recognition tools, reduce barriers, and emphasize the personal and professional benefits of e-learning. It is important for corporations to continuously monitor and adapt their e-learning strategies to fit the subjective norms and social environment of their employees. This study offers valuable insights and practical guidance for corporations looking to implement e-learning solutions and improve adoption rates among their employees. It serves as a reference for future research on e-learning adoption in Lebanon and highlights the need to understand the factors that influence e-learning adoption to improve the success of e-learning programs and enhance organizational performance and employee development.
“Do you need a green card or something?” Romantic relationships, citizenship, and stigmatizing communication

ABSTRACT Citizen/Non-citizen (CN) romantic relationships are common in American society and media. However, few studies have explored the experiences of individuals in such relationships. This study examines CN partners’ social experiences relating to stigma and citizenship status. Through 15 semi-structured interviews, findings revealed that many CN partners experience “green card marriage” stigma, in which foreign partners are thought to be with the citizen for the sole purpose of immigration benefits. Many participants were aware of this stigma and attempted to debunk it. Lastly, political rhetoric and policy changes put many CN couples in a vulnerable position, which induced fear and uncertainty. This study integrates relational turbulence theory and stigma management communication theory and provides initial understanding of this under-researched community.