Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Multi‐Model Ensembles Improve Reconstruction Skill in Paleoclimate Data Assimilation?

Reconstructing past climates remains a difficult task because pre‐instrumental observational networks are composed of geographically sparse and noisy paleoclimate proxy records that require statistical techniques to inform complete climate fields. Traditionally, instrumental or climate model statistical relationships are used to spread information from proxy measurements to other locations and to other climate variables. Here ensembles drawn from single climate models and from combinations of multiple climate models are used to reconstruct temperature variability over the last millennium in idealized experiments. We find that reconstructions derived from multi‐model ensembles produce lower error than reconstructions from single‐model ensembles when reconstructing independent model and instrumental data. Specifically, we find the largest decreases in error over regions far from proxy locations that are often associated with large uncertainties in model physics, such as mid‐ and high‐latitude ocean and sea‐ice regions. Furthermore, we find that multi‐model ensemble reconstructions outperform single‐model reconstructions that use covariance localization. We propose that multi‐model ensembles could be used to improve paleoclimate reconstructions in time periods beyond the last millennium and for climate variables other than air temperature, such as drought metrics or sea ice variables.
The impact of real exchange rate on international trade: Evidence from panel structural VAR model

This paper investigates the importance of real exchange rates on export volumes by estimating a panel SVAR model using quarterly unbalanced panel data from 21 emerging markets over the 2005:Q1-2018:Q4 period. Although the results suggest no conclusive evidence that real exchange rate shocks do affect the export volumes in our sample of emerging markets, the responses of export volume to real exchange rate shocks are heterogeneous across countries in which commodity exporter countries, on average, have a lower response of exports to the real exchange rate movements. Furthermore, we find that while the magnitude of response of the export volumes to exchange rate shocks is positively related to exchange rate volatility, the higher export market penetration ratio helps insulate the economy from real exchange rate shocks. Overall, our results carry broad policy implications indicating that policymakers need to pay attention to the exchange rate volatility of their countries and expand their export competition in the world trade.
Chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoformulation carrying paraquat: insights on its enhanced herbicidal activity

Despite a wide range of possible applications of nanopesticides, the mechanisms involved in their enhanced action remain largely unknown. Understanding the interaction between nanopesticides and plants is crucial for evaluating their potential safety application. Using an experimental and theoretical approach, this study aimed to investigate the target effect of paraquat-loaded chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles (ca. 200 nm) on the photosystem I (PSI). Thus, the electrochemical analysis showed distinct electroactivity behaviour between the herbicide encapsulated and non-encapsulated. The amount of lipid peroxidation, photooxidizable P700 reaction centre content, and NADPH/NADP+ ratio levels were significantly decreased in spinach leaf tissue exposed to the nanoherbicide compared to the non-encapsulated herbicide. The data also revealed that nanoformulation might act promoting oxidative stress by changes observed on antioxidant enzymes. Also, the molecular docking results showed a preferential disposition of the herbicide paraquat and paraquat-tripolyphosphate complex (TPP:PQ) into the ligand domain close to FAD and Glu312. Due to the inhibitor's strategic position into the catalytic pocket, a model of electron-capture is proposed, where the herbicide disturbs the redox process NADP+NADPH by capturing electrons to reduce itself. Finally, our findings provide important insights that the redox behaviour of the paraquat may play a key role in the enhanced efficiency of nanoherbicides to the target binding site.
Sacha Inchi Oil Press-cake: Physicochemical Characteristics, Food-related Applications and Biological Activity

ABSTRACT Sacha Inchi (SI) (Plukenetia spp.) is an Amazonian-originary nut, used for centuries as food for the native people of the Amazon rainforest that is attracting attention worldwide as a functional food. Because of its high nutritional value, SI is considered as a “super food”. In addition to its high content of polyunsaturated oil, SI is a good source of high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, dietary fiber, minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds. This review summarizes the physicochemical characteristics, food-related applications, and biological activity of the Sacha Inchi oil press-cake. A perspective of its potential uses is provided, as a contribution to the growing increasing interest in adding value to this agro-industrial by-product. Additionally, this overview gives insights into the importance of this alternative plant-based protein, which has promissory applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Overexpression of DUF538 from Wild Arachis Enhances Plant Resistance to Meloidogyne spp.

DUF538 proteins belong to a large group of uncharacterized protein families sharing the highly conserved Domain of Unknown Function (DUF). Attention has been given to DUF538 domain-containing proteins due to changes in their gene expression behavior and protein abundance during plant development and responses to stress. Putative roles attributed to DUF538 in plants under abiotic and biotic constraints include involvement in cell redox balance, chlorophyll breakdown and pectin degradation. Our previous transcriptome studies suggested that DUF538 is also involved in the resistance responses of wild Arachis species against the highly hazardous root-knot nematodes (RKNs). To clarify the role of the AsDUF538 gene from the wild peanut relative Arachis stenosperma in this interaction, we analyzed the effect of its overexpression on RKN infection in peanut and soybean hairy roots and Arabidopsis transgenic plants. AsDUF538 overexpression significantly reduced the infection in all three heterologous plant systems against their respective RKN counterparts. The distribution of AsDUF538 transcripts in RKN-infected Arachis roots and the effects of AsDUF538 overexpression on hormonal pathways and redox system in transgenic Arabidopsis were also evaluated. This is the first time that a DUF538 gene is functionally validated in transgenic plants and the earliest report on its role in plant defense against RKNs.
Nowe stanowiska roślin naczyniowych Polski, 2

W pracy przedstawiono nowe stanowiska 12 rzadkich (lub regionalnie rzadkich) roślin naczyniowych w Polsce, tj. Cochlearia danica , Colchicum autumnale , Cuscuta campestris , Lythrum hyssopifolia , Ostericum palustre , Pedicularis sylvatica , Plantago coronopus , Ranunculus arvensis , Rosa gallica , Sesleria uliginosa , Succisella inflexa oraz Veronica prostrata .
Belief in Just World and Life Satisfaction in Undergraduate Students: Cross Cultural Study in Indonesia and China

The purpose of this research was to compare cross-culturally between belief in a just world and life satisfaction among students in China and Indonesia. Subjects in this study were 194 students in China and 112 students in Indonesia who vary in religion, race, and study field. This research used three scales to collect the data, the Global Belief in Just World Scale, Personal Belief in Just World Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The correlation test showed that for Indonesian subjects, the strong correlation is between Personal Belief in Just World and Life Satisfaction (r = 0.330, p = 0.000). And for China subjects, the strong correlation is between Personal Belief in Just World and Life Satisfaction (r = 0.412, p = 0.000). From the comparative test, Global Belief in Just World in Indonesia subjects was higher than in China subjects (h 2 = 0.066, p = 0.000). A more detailed explanation will be provided in this paper.
Stable Biological Production in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Across the Plio‐Pleistocene Transition (∼3.35–2.0 Ma)

Upwelling within the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP) Ocean is a key factor for the Earth's climate because it supports >10% of the present‐day biological production. The dynamics of upwelling in the EEP across the Plio‐Pleistocene transition—an interval particularly relevant for understanding near‐future warming due to Anthropocene‐like atmospheric carbon‐dioxide levels—have been intensively studied for the region east of the East Pacific Rise. In contrast, changes of the equatorial upwelling regime in the open Pacific Ocean west of this oceanographic barrier have received markedly less attention. We therefore provide new proxy records from Ocean Drilling Program Site 849 located within the EEP open‐ocean upwelling regime. Our target interval (∼3.35–2.0 Ma) covers the Plio‐Pleistocene transition characterized by the intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (iNHG). We use benthic δ18O values to generate a new, high‐resolution age model for Site 849, and sand‐accumulation rates together with benthic δ13C values to evaluate net export production. Although showing temporary substantial glacial‐interglacial variations, our records indicate stability in net export production on secular timescales across the iNHG. We suggest the following processes to have controlled the long‐term evolution of primary productivity at Site 849. First, nutrient export from the high latitudes to the EEP; second, a successive shoaling of the Pacific nutricline during the studied interval; and third, a simultaneous reduction in dust‐borne iron input.
Effect of oxygen plasma treatment on anodic bonding

The anodic bonding of silicon and glass has become one of the important steps in the fabrication of microsensors, fluid handling devices, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) type structures, and many other devices [1,2]. Anodic bonding is an attractive method because it is easy and reliable to control and requires no expensive installation. However, anodic bonding in the environment of a high temperature or a high electric field can bring the degradation of device, so the efforts to reduce temperature and electric field have been conducted [3,4]. In the bonding technology, the state of the surface is important for good quality and reliable bonding, and one method to treat the surface is to utilize a plasma, which has the advantages of simplicity, increased effectiveness, environmental safety, and little effect on other devices during treatment compared with chemical methods using strong acids [5]. The surfaces in contact with the plasma experience interactions which may result in a variety of changes in the surface regions involved in the bonding process. Plasma treatment is thought to an activated and clean surface which results in a strong bond without a high electric field or a high temperature. In this work, we applied an oxygen plasma treatment to anodic bonding and studied the effect of the oxygen plasma on the surfaces of silicon and glass. Anodic bonding using the oxygem plasma treatment could be
DA CRISE DA PÓS-HEGEMONIA AO IMPACTO DA COVID-19. O IMPASSE DO REGIONALISMO LATINO-AMERICANO

This article analyzes the complex process that Latin American regionalism has experienced in the two decades of the 21st century and its current impasse. The first part of the paper discusses the era of post-hegemonic regionalism and its limitations. The second part contemplates the arrival of conservative governments and their impact on regionalist strategy, especially in South America. Finally, the response of the Latin American blocs to the Covid-19 pandemic is examined.
Perceptions of participants on Online Learning in the Outbreak of COVID-19: Case Study

Corona pandemic wreaked havoc across the world, perilously hitting the education system. This comparative case study with tertiary students reveals their perceptions of on-line learning during the outbreak of the COVID-19. Tertiary institutes closed their doors, shifting students and staff to the on-line process without advanced notice or prior training. In-depth individual interviews were conducted via video conferencing, and thematic analysis was done using NVivo-12 software. However, it was explored 87% of Sri Lankan students struggled in the new learning space while it is 34% in New Zealand;Only 10% New Zealand students believed that online learning provided them with the ability to self-reliant learning in their own time and not be restricted by a classroom lesson, which they could miss. However, 5% Sri Lankan students had perception that online learning is benefited for self-reliant learn at the site may be highly adopted tuition culture of the secondary education, but they have struggled to overcome challenges in new learning space. This gap is seen across social norms and cultural values. It was revealed that in both countries, students faced cybersecurity and bullying and gender discrimination issues. It was also revealed that both countries have similar issues in on-line learning and teaching, such as lack of reliable internet access and technology issues. It is recommended that the teachers should be more competent since our learners are native digital speakers, while teachers are digital immigrants.
Mechanical Behavior of Pericopsis elata Relative to Age during Growth

The assamela (afrormosia) whose scientific name is “Pericopsis elata” (Harms), a large tree of great commercial value, is an exploited species. It is considered “endangered” by the IUCN. ” Trees ready for harvesting are scarce because the logging diameter, which has been set at 100 cm, is very big. The studies recommended by the Cameroonian government as part of the ITTO/CITES project activities should be carried out to determine a new minimum logging diameter as the diameter increases with age. No credible solution is provided in the scientific literature to compensate for its scarcity of exploitation. Moreover, little or no information is available for describing the variation of its mechanical properties over time in order to determine the age at which its wood mechanical properties are good enough to be marketable. It is in this context that this work was undertaken. In this study, we adopted an experimental approach to evaluate the mechanical properties of this species exploited in southeast Cameroon. We then studied the variations in these properties as a function of tree age in order to propose leads for their exploitation. Thus, the compression and bending tests allowed us to estimate the relationship between the mechanical properties in three main directions of the log (MOE in compression and bending, failure stress in compression and bending, and creep in compression) and age (or diameter). We also used the 10-hour creep under low axial compressive loading data to implement the theoretical fractional Maxwell (MF) model, which was compared to the experimental data. For this purpose, after three months of natural drying in the laboratory, we evaluated the above mechanical properties according to age. This study shows that the mechanical properties change as the diameter increases and change very quickly from 70 cm diameter upwards. From the analysis of the experimental data, we deduced that the minimum diameter of exploitable trees should be equal to 80 cm corresponding to the age of about 200 years.
Formation of Interstitial Dislocation Loops by Irradiation in Alpha-Iron under Strain: A Molecular Dynamics Study

The present work reports the formation of an interstitial dislocation loop with a lower primary knock-on atom (PKA) energy in alpha-iron under strain conditions by the use of molecular dynamics simulation. The study was conducted using a PKA energy of 1~10 keV and hydro-static strain from −1.4 to 1.6%. The application of 1.6% hydrostatic strain results in the formation of ½<111> dislocation loop with a low PKA of 3 keV. This result was associated with a threshold displacement energy decrement when moving from compression to tension strain, which resulted in more Frenkel pairs initiated at peak time. Furthermore, many of the initiated defects were energetically favorable by 2 eV in the form of the interstitial dislocation loop rather than a mono defect.
Evidence of Small Scale Plasma Irregularity Effects on Whistler Mode Chorus Propagation

The impact of randomly distributed field‐aligned density irregularities on whistler‐mode wave propagation is investigated using full‐wave simulations and multipoint spacecraft observations. The irregularities are modeled as randomized density perturbations between 1% and 10% of the nominal background density value with scales of ∼10–60 km transverse and ∼50–500 km along the background magnetic field. The density irregularities affect whistler wave propagation and lead to spatial modulation of wave average power density accompanied by spreading of the wave normal angle distribution. Wave power variation is shown to statistically increase with the depth of density irregularities. The simulation results are in good agreement with the observed correlations of chorus power and variation of the plasma density from multipoint observations by the four Magnetosphere MultiScale spacecraft. The change in fundamental wave properties from scattering from these irregularities affects the efficiency of wave‐particle interactions in the radiation belts and needs to be incorporated into large‐scale energetic‐particle flux models.
Fire Control Efforts in a Cement Company in East Java

Introduction: The cement production process uses high technology machines and uses coal as fuel. The potential for fires is huge because in the cement company there are areas that are very vulnerable to fires such as in the coalmill, preheater, and klin areas. The purpose of this study is to describe the description of the causes of fires, fire prevention technical efforts, OSH organization in the field of fire prevention, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Methods: The method used in this research was a descriptive method with cross sectional study design. Data collection was done by means of observation. The research variables used were the causes of fire, fire prevention technical efforts, OSH organization in the field of fire prevention, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for firefighters. The sample used in this study was the entire unit in the cement company. Result: Cement company causes fires, classified in medium criteria. Meanwhile, fire prevention efforts in the cement company is classified in good criteria. Moreover, organizations in the cement company in the fire prevention sector is included in good criteria and the personal protective equipment provided in the cement company is included in good criteria. Conclusion: The cause of the fire in the cement company is the use of coal as the main fuel for the process of making cement, which is also the source of fire. Efforts made by the cement company include the installation of layouts and the installation of evacuation signs on each building. Personal Protective Equipment in the cement company has also been well managed. Keywords: cement, coal, fire, occupational safety and health, personal protective equipment
Quanto Pricing beyond Black–Scholes

Since their introduction, quanto options have steadily gained popularity. Matching Black–Scholes-type pricing models and, more recently, a fat-tailed, normal tempered stable variant have been established. The objective here is to empirically assess the adequacy of quanto-option pricing models. The validation of quanto-pricing models has been a challenge so far, due to the lack of comprehensive data records of exchange-traded quanto transactions. To overcome this, we make use of exchange-traded structured products. After deriving prices for composite options in the existing modeling framework, we propose a new calibration procedure, carry out extensive analyses of parameter stability and assess the goodness of fit for plain vanilla and exotic double-barrier options.
Multidimensional Analytical Characterization of Water-Soluble Organic Aerosols: Challenges and New Perspectives

Water-soluble organic aerosols (OA) are an important component of air particles and one of the key drivers that impact both climate and human health. Understanding the processes involving water-soluble OA depends on how well the chemical composition of this aerosol component is decoded. Yet, obtaining detailed information faces several challenges, including water-soluble OA collection, extraction, and chemical complexity. This review highlights the multidimensional non-targeted analytical strategies that have been developed and employed for providing new insights into the structural and molecular features of water-soluble organic components present in air particles. First, the most prominent high-resolution mass spectrometric methods for near real-time measurements of water-soluble OA and their limitations are discussed. Afterward, a special emphasis is given to the degree of compositional information provided by offline multidimensional analytical techniques, namely excitation–emission (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and their hyphenation with chromatographic systems. The major challenges ahead on the application of these multidimensional analytical strategies for OA research are also addressed so that they can be used advantageously in future studies.
CHAPTER 8:Natural Rubber Based Non-Polar Synthetic Rubber Blends

Miscibility and mechanical properties of natural rubber (NR) based non polar synthetic rubber blends were described in relation to the molecular structure of the rubber. The miscible blend was prepared from NR and butadiene rubber (BR) having 32.3% 1,2-units. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase behaviour was found for NR/BR blend, even when the blend contained significant amount of gel fractions. In contrast, the immiscible blend was prepared from NR and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The tear energy of the NR/SBR blend was associated with the strain-induced crystallization of natural rubber present in small particles.
Longitudinal study of ‘retraining’ non-maths specialist teachers to become capable, confident teachers of mathematics

One of the key problems to be solved in mathematics education in England is that the demand for mathematics teachers is far in excess of the supply. Acknowledging that there are simply too few mathematics teachers, the UK government has invested significantly in retraining programmes. These programmes ‘retrain’ out-of-field teachers, that is, teachers of other subjects or from other phases, to teach secondary mathematics. The increased mathematical demand of the reformed GCSE courses coupled with the expectation that most post-16 students will engage with some mathematics (studying for A and AS levels, a Core Maths qualification or re-sitting GCSE) means many more teachers of mathematics will be needed. We consider the viability of a retraining course as an effective way of alleviating the problem of the lack of well qualified teachers for mathematics. In this four-year longitudinal study, we followed teachers during their year of ‘retraining’ and in the succeeding years. Once a participant completes their part-time one-year course, the teacher is considered ‘retrained’. However, we conclude that without ongoing professional development involving collaborative support retraining courses alone can have little impact on the problem of the lack of competent and confident teachers of mathematics in the secondary sector.