Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trade‐off between standing biomass and productivity in species‐rich tropical forest: Evidence, explanations and implications

Despite its broad implications for community structure and dynamics, we lack a clear understanding of how forest productivity is partitioned among tree species. As leaf mass per unit of standing biomass declines with tree size, species achieving larger stature should show lower relative productivity as compared to smaller stature species. However, many observations indicate large‐stature species grow faster than small‐stature species. In this study, we address this apparent paradox, and clarify interspecific trade‐offs between turnover rates and maximum size in terms of forest‐level productivity and biomass storage. We examined data from the 1990 and 2000 surveys of the Pasoh 50‐ha plot of Malaysian rain forest. In these data, individual stems ≥1 cm stem diameter (dbh) have been identified, marked, measured and mapped. We applied site‐specific equations to estimate tree biomass from dbh. We estimated species‐level productivity and loss rates that are less influenced by census interval‐related effects and biases. Among 390 abundant tree species, species with high stand‐level biomass were predominantly those large‐stature species where individuals could achieve large sizes. We found that relative (= per‐species‐biomass) productivity and loss rate, per‐capita recruitment and mortality of species were all negatively correlated to species biomass and maximum size, but not to species abundance. Large‐stature species grew faster than small‐stature species at the same tree sizes up to 36 cm dbh. However, the relative growth of large species at their maximum size markedly declined. As a result, tree‐level relative growth at maximum size and species‐level relative productivity decreased with species‐level biomass. Performing further analyses using smaller plots in four old‐growth forests in Indonesia and Japan, we observed a similar interspecific negative relationship between relative productivity and biomass. We expect this phenomenon is widespread across species‐rich forests. Synthesis. How productivity is partitioned among species determines and reflects forest ecosystem functioning and species coexistence. Many species with low biomass and small maximum stem sizes disproportionally contribute to forest primary productivity, rapid recovery and resilience. In contrast, long‐lived, high‐biomass species contribute disproportionally to ecosystem stability and carbon storage. This complementarity reflects differentiation by adult stature among species.
Mental Health of Asian American Older Adults: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions

Abstract Given the increased attention to older Asian Americans due to their increasing numbers in the United States, this article aims to provide a collective appraisal of older Asian American mental health issues by reviewing trends in older Asian American mental health research over the past 2 decades. This review article provides an overview of the current state of mental health and care research on older Asian Americans and vital factors associated with older Asian American mental health and care. We also identify gaps in current research on Asian American mental health issues and propose 5 potential areas for future research into which gerontologists need to put more effort during the next decade. Ways to reduce disparities in mental health and improve the quality of mental health of older Asian Americans are also discussed.
Comparative Analysis of Root System Morphology in Tomato Rootstocks

S UMMARY . At its most basic, grafting is the replacement of one root system with another containing more desirable traits. Grafting of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) onto disease-resistant rootstocks is an increasingly popular alternative for managing economically damaging soilborne diseases. Although certain rootstocks have demonstrated ancillary beneﬁts in the form of improved tolerance to edaphic abiotic stress, the mechanisms behind the enhanced stress tolerance are not well understood. Speciﬁc traits within root system morphology (RSM), in both ﬁeld crops and vegetables, can improve growth in conditions under abiotic stress. A greenhouse study was conducted to compare the RSM of 17 commercially available tomato rootstocks and one commercial ﬁeld cultivar (Florida-47). Plants were grown in containers ﬁlled with a mixture of clay-based soil conditioner and pool ﬁlter sand (2:1 v/v) and harvested at 2, 3, or 4 weeks after emergence. At harvest, roots were cleaned, scanned, and analyzed with an image analysis system. Data collected included total root length (TRL), average root diameter, speciﬁc root length (SRL), and relative diameter class. The main effect of cultivar was signiﬁcant ( P £ 0.05) for all response variables and the main effect of harvest date was only signiﬁcant ( P £ 0.01) for TRL. ‘RST-106’ rootstock had the longest TRL, whereas ‘Beaufort’ had the shortest. ‘BHN-1088’ had the thickest average root diameter, which was 32% thicker than the thinnest, observed in ‘Beaufort’. SRL in ‘Beaufort’ was 60% larger than ‘BHN-1088’. This study demonstrated that gross differences exist in RSM of tomato rootstocks and that, when grown in a solid porous medium, these differences can be determined using an image analysis system.
Judge Peer Effects in the Courthouse

Although there exists a large literature analyzing whether an individual’s peers have an impact on that individual’s own behavior and subsequent outcomes, there is paucity of research on whether peers influence a person’s decisions and judgments regarding a third party. We investigate whether consequential decisions made by judges are impacted by the gender composition of these judges’ peer group. We utilize the universe of decisions on juvenile defendants in each courthouse in Louisiana between 1998 and 2012. Leveraging random assignment of cases to judges, and variations in judge peer composition generated by elections, retirements, deaths and resignations, we show that an increase in the proportion of female peers in the courthouse causes a rise in individual judges’ propensity to incarcerate, and an increase in the assigned sentence length. This effect is fully driven by female judges. Further analysis suggests that this behavior is unlikely to be a reflection of an effort to conform to evolving norms of judicial stringency, measured by peers’ harshness in sentencing, but that it is due to the sheer exposure to female colleagues.
PENGUNGKAPAN MANAJEMEN RISIKO DITINJAU DARI UKURAN PERUSAHAAN, KEPEMILIKAN MANAJERIAL, PROFITABILITAS DAN LEVERAGE (Studi pada Perusahaan Manufaktur yang Tercatat di BEI Tahun 2016-2018)

Research purposes were determined the effect of company size, management ownership, profitability, and leverage on risk management disclosures in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2016-2018. The research type is a quantitative descriptive. The research population is manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2016-2018. Determination of the sample used purposive sampling technique. The data collection method used the documentation method. The data analysis technique used statistical analysis, namely multiple linear test, F test, and t test. The results how that 1) company size has a positive and significant effect on the risk management disclosure of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2016-2018; 2) managerial ownership has no significant effect on the risk management disclosure of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange 2016-2018; 3) profitability has no significant effect on the risk management disclosure of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2016-2018; 4) Laverage has a significant effect on the risk management disclosure of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange 2016-2018; and 5) Company size, managerial ownership, profitability, and leverage simultaneously have a significant effect on the risk management disclosure of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2016-2018. Keywords: company size, managerial ownership, profitability, leverage, risk management disclosure.
In vivo investigations of E. coli chromosomal replication using single-molecule imaging

All living organisms pass on their genetic information to their offspring in the form of DNA or RNA molecules by duplicating them across generations. In the bacteria, their genes are packed in long chains of DNA molecules or chromosomes. One of the widely studied model organisms, Escherichia coli, replicates its circular chromosome in two directions starting from an origin region of chromosome with independent replication complexes or replisomes simultaneously synthesizing the daughter chromosomes. DNA replication is an important process of the E. coli life cycle because of occurrence of small errors in its mechanism will affect the cell’s normal state larger. Much of our current knowledge about the dynamics of replisome complex has been obtained from in vitro experiments. However, the natural environment of the cell is considerably different from that of in vitro solutions.
SINGV: A convective‐scale weather forecast model for Singapore

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) capabilities in the Maritime Continent are not as developed as in the midlatitudes. Countries in the region do not develop their own modelling systems; rather they adapt models primarily developed for the midlatitudes. Due to the complexity of processes involved in the region, this adaptation is non‐trivial. In this article the developments made by the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) and the United Kingdom Met Office (UKMO) to implement a convective‐scale NWP system for short‐range weather prediction for Singapore and the surrounding regions are presented. In particular, this article describes the changes to the initial model configuration, which was based on the UKMO's convective‐scale NWP system (the UKV), to produce operational forecasts over this region. Results presented here demonstrate the benefit of convection‐permitting simulations over convection parametrized simulations and show that the model performance is greatly affected by the choice of driving model, the cloud scheme, and the turbulence scheme.
Comparison of Sedation with Dexmedetomidine Alfentanil Versus Ketamine-Alfentanil in Patients Undergoing Closed Reduction of Nasal Fractures

Objectives To compare the sedative effects of dexmedetomidine alfentanil versus ketamine-alfentanil in patients undergoing closed reduction of nasal fractures on the basis of intraoperative hemodynamic changes, satisfaction of patients and surgeons, and the adverse effects. Methods Sixty patients with ASA class 1 or 2 were randomized to either of two groups, a dexmedetomidine alfentanil group (DA group; n = 30) or a ketamine-alfentanil group (KA group; n = 30). Hemodynamic parameters, oxygenation status, adverse events, the satisfaction of patients and surgeons, and postoperative pain scores by visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded at specific time intervals during the trial. Results Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the DA group than in the KA group from T1 min to T15 min. The duration of the recovery ward stay was longer in the DA group; however, two groups were similar in terms of total anesthesia time and awakening time. Likewise, two groups were similar in terms of the patient and surgeon’s satisfaction, pain scores, and the occurrence of adverse effects. Conclusions Both sedation methods were safely performed, and dexmedetomidine-alfentanil is as effective as ketamine-alfentanil in patients undergoing short-term operations such as nasal fracture corrections.
COMPOUNDING AND PROCESSING HYDRO-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC FILMS FOR PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION. PART I: PROCESSING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST PLASTIC SOLID WASTE

The reliance on conventional polymeric materials derived from petrochemical sources, has been associated with various environmental burdens and stressors that are well documented. These are namely associated with the overall carbon print of plastics conversion and an overwhelming accumulation of solid waste; which on the other hand is associated with soil and water aquifers poisoning in many regions the world over. In this work; and in an effort to develop a polymeric blend that can sustain itself in terms of mechanical integrity, thermoplastic starch polyester was converted with virgin linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and a plastic solid waste (PSW) component retrieved from municipal sources. The objective in this communication is to study the effect of different compounding conditions on the resulting blends which were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical profiling in accordance with ASTM 882-12 and physical-optical properties determination. The blends were originally prepared using single screw extrusion (SSE), twin screw extrusion (TSE) and blown-filming, to determine which of the processes are more reliable for industrial bulk production purposes in the future to establish a plastic conversion line suitable for biodegradable plastic film conversion.
Low-Input Maize-Based Cropping Systems Implementing IWM Match Conventional Maize Monoculture Productivity and Weed Control

Conventional Maize Monoculture (MM), a dominant Cropping System in South-Western France, is now questioned for environmental reasons (nitrate leaching, pesticide use and excessive irrigation). Three low-input Cropping Systems (CS) using diverse weeding strategies (MMLI, a Low-Input MM implementing ploughing, a combination of on-row spraying and in-between row cultivation and cover crops; MMCT, Conservation Tillage MM implementing chemical control and cover crops; Maize-MSW, maize managed similar to MMLI but rotated with soybean & wheat) were compared to a reference system (MMConv, a conventional MM with tillage and a high quantity of inputs). Potential of Infestation of weeds (PI), weed biomass and crop production of these CS were compared during the first five years after their establishment. Yields were also assessed in weed-free zones hand-weeded weekly in 2014 and 2015. Weed communities did not drastically differ among CS. PI and weed biomass were higher in MMCT, especially for Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. and were comparable between MMConv, MMLI and Maize-MSW. Analysis of covariance between CS and weed biomass did not reveal a significant interaction, suggesting that weed biomass affected yield similarly among the CS. Comparison between weedy and weed-free zones suggested that weeds present at maize maturity negatively affected yields to the same extent for all four CS, despite having different weed biomasses. Grain yields in MMConv (11.3 ± 1.1 t ha−1) and MMLI (10.6 ± 2.3 t ha−1) were similar and higher than in MMCT (8.2 ± 1.9 t ha−1. Similar yields, weed biomasses and PI suggest that MMLI and Maize-MSW are interesting alternatives to conventional MM in terms of weed control and maize productivity and should be transferred to farmers to test their feasibility under wider, farm-scale conditions.
Epidemiology of Traumatic Injuries in the Elderly Patients: A Descriptive Study From a Developing Country

The epidemiology of traumatic injuries in elderly patient fractures varies widely among countries. There is quantitative information to determine the prevalence and gender/age distribution of traumatic injuries in the elderly patient. The aim of the current study was to reveal the prevalence and age and gender distribution of various traumatic injuries in an elderly patient refers to as a tertiary orthopedic hospital in Iran. In a prospective descriptive study, all elderly patients with traumatic injuries attending the Orthopedic Trauma Unit of our center in 2001-2011 were included. Demographic details, the cause of injury, injury classification was recorded. For each gender, we calculated the numbers with fractures, dislocations, soft tissue injuries, ligamentous injuries, and lacerations and derived average age and gender-specific prevalence. During a period of 10 years, a total of 1172 elderly patients were admitted, 588 (50.1%) males, and 584 (49.9%) females. 849 patients (72.4%) had fractures. 323 (27.5%) of the patient had other limb injuries were include soft tissue injuries, lacerations, ligamentous injuries, and dislocations. The three most common fracture sites were proximal femur (40.02%), distal radius/ulna (12.47%), and proximal humerus (6.53%). The most prevalent traumatic injury among the elderly was fractures with a higher rate in females. The most common fracture sites were proximal of the femur and distal of radius and ulna bones.
Modelling Municipal Social Responsibility: A Pilot Study in the Region of Extremadura (Spain)

Social Responsibility in the Public Administration is an emerging phenomenon responding to the challenges and opportunities for public institutions faced by the rapidly evolving world. The general and ambitious global goal of sustainability is at risk because inequality is increasing among countries, but also within countries at the regional and local levels. Facing this problem, the aim of this paper is to approach how the social responsibility of local governments is impacting citizens’ participation as a way of managing the required transformation to sustainable development. In order to contribute to seed light in the field, a pilot study was carried out, employing partial least squares as an exploratory method, with an ad hoc structural equation model, and with a sample of 256 inhabitants in three municipalities in Extremadura (Spain). The findings are promising for place marketing, local public management and democracy reinforcement because it is empirically demonstrated that the municipality’s orientation towards responsibility impacts citizen´s connection, attraction, and identification with the municipality, increasing citizen participation.
Manager Optimism Based on Environmental Uncertainty and Accounting Conservatism

It is expected that more accounting conservation (environmental uncertainty) reduces manager optimism. Prior research, however, has struggled to establish this relation empirically. Moreover, some evidence points to the possibility that the manager optimism is lower for firms with more accounting conservation. In this paper, the author examine the link between accounting conservation, environmental uncertainty, and manager optimism, as well as the link between accounting conservation, manager optimism, and the cost of capital. First, it is established that more accounting conservation could lead to a decrease in manager optimism. Second, I tried to show that manager optimism changes the cost of capital in the accounting conservation quintile. Consistent with a negative relationship between accounting conservation and manager optimism, and with the dominating effect of managers' optimism , the article documented a positive association between managers' optimism and the cost of capital for firms whose shares trade in low accounting conservation.
Zebra Finches forage on seed from invasive Buffel Grass, but prefer seed from two common native grasses

ABSTRACT Inland Australia is being transformed by invasive Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) which is displacing native grasses. Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) forage on C. ciliaris seed but it is not known whether native grass seed is preferred. The preferences of captive-bred Zebra Finches for different species of grass seed were investigated using cafeteria trials. An equal volume of unhusked seed from C. ciliaris and one of two common native grasses were offered in each trial. Zebra Finches foraged on C. ciliaris seed, but preferred native seed. They spent approximately 80% of their time foraging on Enneapogon polyphyllus seed, compared to 20% on C. ciliaris, and consumed more native seed. They also spent more time foraging on Triraphis mollis seed compared to C. ciliaris, but the amount of seed consumed was similar. Preferences could not be explained by seed size or accessibility and may relate to nutritional composition. Comparison of the condition and reproductive fitness of Zebra Finches on introduced and native seed diets would determine whether less-preferred C. ciliaris seed is nutritionally sub-optimal and whether there will be detrimental effects on Zebra Finch populations if C. ciliaris becomes the major source of seed across much of their current distribution. Our research contributes to knowledge of avian dietary preference in human-altered landscapes, and represents one of the few experiments published so far that focuses on direct interactions between invasive grasses and native animals to better understand the potential impacts of invasion.
The impact of elevated ozone on the ornamental features of two flowering plants (Tagetes erecta Linn. and Petunia hybrida Vilm.)

There has been little investigation into the effects of ozone (O3) on flowering plants around settlements, even though such plants are known to be threatened by elevated O3. In this study, we used open-top chambers to assess the ornamental value of marigolds (Tagetes erecta Linn.) and four petunia (Petunia hybrid Vilm.) varieties in terms of their growth and physiological responses to elevated O3. The aboveground biomass decreased by 7.4% in marigolds and by 19.4-23.6% in four varieties of petunia in response to elevated O3. The underground biomass decreased by 22.0% in marigolds and by 30.8-53.8% in four petunia varieties treated with elevated O3. Flower biomass and diameter were markedly reduced by elevated O3 in petunias, but not in marigolds. O3 also accelerated leaf yellowing in different plant species and varieties, owing to a higher degree of degradation of chlorophyll than carotenoids, as well as an increase in flavonoid contents. Thus, O3 stress responses should be considered when choosing flowering plants for their ornamental value.
Effects of Foreign Direct Investment and Trade on Labor Productivity Growth in Vietnam

Among developing Asian countries that have accelerated their integration with the global economy, Vietnam has achieved remarkable economic development. Vietnam’s development strategy prioritizing the promotion of trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) resulted in the rapid transformation of its industrial structure from an agro-based one to one led by the export-oriented manufacturing sector in the past three decades. Given the importance of labor productivity growth on the structural transformation, the study examined the effects of FDI and trade on labor productivity growth in Vietnam in the long run and short run. The study employed the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model of analysis using data from 1990 to 2017. The ARDL model analysis revealed that FDI, capital goods import, and export unanimously contributed to the labor productivity growth in the long run, while the impact in the short run remained ambiguous. The results confirm the theoretical framework augmenting the positive relationship that exists between FDI and trade and labor productivity growth. Vietnam’s experience is expected to provide an important lesson to other developing countries.
Optimization of enzymatic fish oil extraction from mackerel viscera by response surface methodology.

The used of neutral protease for enzymatic fish oil extraction from mackerel viscera was studied following an experimental design as a statistical problem solving approach. Plackett–Burman design was used in order to select the most important variables from the simultaneous study on influence of operating and enzymatic hydrolysis conditions. The optimization of enzymatic fish oil extraction using the response surface methodology allowed a study on the influence of the variables (pH, neutral protease concentration and temperature). From the obtained results it could be concluded that the yield of fish oil was clearly enhanced at optimum conditions. Model validation showed a good agreement between experimental results and the predicted responses.