Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy for Ultrafast and Quasi-Static Characterizations of Germanium

In this work, we carry out a comprehensive study of charge carrier dynamics in germanium spanning its ultrafast to quasi-static timescales. The study makes use of a continuous-wave (CW) near-infrared (NIR) pump and terahertz (THz) probe beams to realize a CW NIR pumped THz-time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system with frequency-selective homodyne detection. This enables characterizations of ultrafast charge carrier scattering, while the detection is locked to the THz probe beam, and quasi-static charge carrier recombination, while the detection is locked to the CW NIR pump beam. The ultrafast THz-TDS characterization reveals scatter times of 239 fs for electrons and 204 fs for holes at low pump intensities, which reduce to scatter times of 186 fs for electrons and 159 fs for holes at higher pump intensities. These scatter times give good agreement to the literature mobility of germanium at low intensities and indicate carrier–carrier scattering at higher intensities. The quasi-static THz-TDS characterization suggests that the charge carrier lifetime is dominated by surface states. The manifestation of surface states is gleaned by characterizing germanium samples with varying forms of microhole arrays. This reveals lifetimes ranging from 1.5 to 8.6 μs, in good agreement with a linearized model with a surface recombination velocity of 14 200 cm/s. Ultimately, the experimental results from the CW NIR pump THz-TDS system and the applied theoretical models give an accurate depiction of the charge carrier dynamics that evolve in germanium over its ultrafast to quasi-static timescales.
Exploring the Use of Harvesters in Large-Diameter Hardwood-Dominated Stands

The use of fully-mechanized operations, normally targeted at coniferous species, has also been on the rise in mixed-species and continuous-cover forests comprised of a strong share of deciduous species. With special form characteristics (complex crowns, large-diameter branches, forks and sweeps, high wood density, etc.), deciduous trees can lead to wide-ranging harvesting productivities, often divergent from those originally derived from coniferous species. Due to the importance and growing interest in mechanizing operations in close-to-nature mixedwood and deciduous stands, obtaining insight on harvesting productivity in large-diameter deciduous trees was of interest. This study located in Bavaria, Germany, monitored four harvesters (two wheeled and two tracked machines) operated in four distinct harvest blocks (case studies), all of which had a high percentage of large-diameter European beech and oak trees. Harvesting productivity and volume recovery was assessed and quantified. Based on the field inventory of European beech and oak trees and continuous time-and-motion study, average harvesting productivity ranged from 29 to 43 m3/PMH0 (productive machine hours without delay), whereas volume recovery fluctuated between 73% and 85% for trees that were completely felled and processed by machines. Because of the rather limited sample size and the variable conditions between case studies, results should only be used as general orientation on the performance of the tested machines and additional research is suggested to further understand the influence of tree form characteristics on impediments to mechanized processing.
The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Otus scops (Aves, Strigiformes, Strigidae)

Abstract The Eurasian scops owl Otus scops (Aves, Strigiformes, Strigidae) is small typical owl belonging to the family Strigidae. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence consisted of 17413 base pairs encoding 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and non-coding regions. The overall base composition of O. scops was G + C: 46.2%, A + T: 53.8%, apparently with a slight AT bias. Phylogenetic analysis showed that O. scops was closely related to the widespread owl genera Asio and Ninox.
Cytogenetic Relationships of Turkish Oaks

The genus Quercus L. represented by 18 species belonging to three sections ( Quercus L., Ilex Loudon and Cerris Loudon) in Turkey has a problematic taxonomy especially because of widespread hybridization observed frequently among oak species. In the present chapter, detailed karyotypic investigation of the 16 oak species from three sections in Turkey, their taxonomic relationships with each other and European oaks and finally situations that increase the variation and taxonomic problems among oak species in Turkey were evalu- ated to contribute to the taxonomic relationships of the genus. The somatic chromosome number in all taxa examined confirmed that the chromosome number of the genus is con - sistent with 2n = 24. However, some differences were determined among species, although similar results were observed in many oak species in Turkey contrary to European oaks.
Predicting Housing Market Sentiment: The Role of Financial, Macroeconomic and Real Estate Uncertainties

Abstract Sentiment indicators have long been closely monitored by economic forecasters, notably to predict short-term moves in consumption and investment. Recently, housing sentiment indices have been developed to forecast housing market developments. Sentiment indices partly reflect economic determinants, but also more subjective factors, thereby adding information, particularly in periods of uncertainty, when economic relations are less stable than usual. While many studies have investigated the relevance of sentiment indicators for forecasting, few have looked at the factors which shape sentiment. In this paper, we investigate the role of different types of uncertainty in predicting housing sentiment, controlling for a wide set of economic and financial factors. We use a dynamic model averaging/selection (DMA/DMS) approach to assess the relevance of uncertainty and other factors in forecasting housing sentiment at different points in time. We find that housing sentiment forecast errors from models incorporating uncertainty measures are up to 40% lower at a two-year horizon, compared with models ignoring uncertainty. We also show, by examining DMS posterior inclusion probabilities, that uncertainty has become more relevant since the 2008 global financial crisis, especially at longer forecast horizons.
Educational Policy Implementation: Adaptation Differences among Secondary School Teachers in Malaysia

Malaysia has undergone various transformations in education since its independence in 1957. The work environment plays an important role in teacher adaptation, so this study aimed to identify the differences in the level of teacher adaptation to change in Malaysian education policy in National Secondary Schools (SMK) and Government Funded Religious Schools (SABK). This quantitative research which used a simple random sampling technique was conducted at the randomly selected National Secondary Schools (SMK) and the Government Funded Religious Schools in the state of Kelantan. A total of 300 samples were involved in answering the distributed questionnaire which was an adaptation of Samale (2016) built on the Measure of Adaptive Performance (MAP) instrument by Lillard et al. (2012) and the Individual Adaptability Theory (I-ADAPT) instrument by Ployhart and Bliese (2006). The findings showed that the level of teachers' adaptation was high and there was no difference in the level of adaptation between SMK and SABK teachers. It is hoped that the results of this study can be used as a reference specifically to school administrators and the education ministry towards improving teachers' adaptation to a very high level. This is important because teachers are the leading implementers of education policy in schools and individuals who can fulfil the aspiration of the Ministry of Education to place education in Malaysia on par with the world-class system. This study contributes to existing literature by identifying the differences in the level of teacher adaptation to change in Malaysian education policy in National Secondary Schools (SMK) and Government Funded Religious Schools (SABK).
Evaluation Of The Growth And Foliage Yield Of Artemisia Annua (Asteraceae) Grown With Varying Levels Of Two Types Of Organic Manure In Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

The evaluation of the growth and foliage yield of Artemisia annua was carried out in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria using varying levels of two types of organic manure from December 2015 to June 2016. Poultry droppings and Sheep droppings were mixed separately with soil in the potting ratio of 3:2:1 i.e loam, river sand and organic manures respectively and put in bags. The various manure levels added were 0t/ha (control), 10 t/ha, 15 t/ha, and 20 t/ha respectively in each case. These combinations were replicated three times and laid out in the format of a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) before the seedlings of Artemisia annua plant were transplanted into the bags. The differences within the means for the various parameters examined were largely not significant statistically, though the performance of plants treated with Sheep droppings were slightly better than those of Poultry droppings in almost all the parameters studied. It is recommended that either poultry droppings or sheep droppings could be used in the cultivation of A.annua and the best level for either of them is 10 t/ha.
Modelling and Optimization of process parameters for osmo-sonication drying of sand pear fruits

In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize osmo-sonicated drying of sand pear fruits. Processing parameters viz. cube size of fruit pieces; osmotic solution concentration and sonication time during drying are considered most important for determining the drying kinetics and quality of final product. Henceforth, the present study was investigated, for this, osmo-sonication of sand pear was carried out in sucrose solution of 50, 60 and 70 °B with cube size of 1, 3 and 5 cm3 and sonication time of 15, 30 and 45 min. The influence of all these process parameters on response variables i.e. solids gain and water loss were observed. Results showed that maximum water loss and solid gain obtained at optimal conditions of 30 min osmo-sonicated treatment at 60 °B and cube size of 3 cm3 sand pear fruits. The study concluded that application of sonication improved the product quality through 30-40 per cent reduction in dehydration time.
Agency and Adaptation: Strategies of Immigrants’ Descendants on the Swedish Labor Market

This article explores how descendants of immigrants in Sweden understand labor market conditions, and how such understandings influence their occupational strategies. We interviewed 21 Sweden-born individuals with non-Western immigrant parents, and identified three strategies based on our analysis of the data: ‘choosing’ the right job, adapting the habitus, and using cultural capital in flexible ways. The first strategy covers interviewees working in jobs with labor shortages and/or high demand for employees with immigrant background. The second covers interviewees who could learn through failing, with substantial resilience and persistence. The third deals with interviewees who searched for jobs in branches that valued their particular skill set, entailing the importance of being flexible on the labor market
12. Biological control of livestock pests: entomopathogens

Interest in biological methods for livestock and poultry pest management is largely motivated by the development of resistance to most of the available synthetic pesticides by the major pests. There also has been a marked increase in organic systems, and those that promote animal welfare by reducing animal densities and allowing greater freedom of movement. Such systems, especially organic operations, are in need of new tools and strategies to manage pest problems. This chapter reviews the status of entomopathogenic fungi, viruses, and nematodes for management of pests of livestock and poultry production. The pests covered here are limited to the research that has been conducted to date, but include biting and nuisance flies, ticks, poultry ectoparasites, and litter beetles. Many of the same pests affect horses as well, although little work has been done in this area. The fungal pathogens Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. have received the most attention and have been evaluated against most of the major livestock and poultry pests. These pathogens have the greatest potential for practical use, but more work is needed to identify efficacious isolates and develop formulations for both on- and off-host use. The slow kill rate of these pathogens has been considered a liability in the past, but a growing body of work has demonstrated important sublethal effects of infection that includes reduced feeding, movement, and pathogen transmission. Two pathogens of house fly, the fungus Entomophthora muscae and salivary gland hypertrophy virus, are effective under some conditions but have biological characteristics that have limited their development as practical management tools. Entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis spp.) also have potential but are limited by environmental constraints, especially temperature and substrate moisture. Discovery of, or selection for, strains with wider environmental tolerance could broaden the range of situations where they can be used effectively. © Wageningen Academic Publishers 2018.
A landscape approach for cost‐effective large‐scale forest restoration

Achieving global targets for forest restoration will require cost‐effective strategies to return agricultural land to forest, while minimizing implementation costs and negative outcomes for agricultural production. We present a landscape approach for optimizing the cost‐effectiveness of large‐scale forest restoration. Across three different landscapes within Brazil's Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, we modelled landscape scenarios based on spatially explicit data on the probability of natural regeneration, restoration costs, land opportunity costs, and forest restoration outcomes for increasing carbon stocking and landscape connectivity. We compare benefits of our cost‐reduction approach to the legally mandated riparian restoration and randomly distributed approaches. Compared with riparian prioritization and considering both implementation and opportunity costs, our cost‐reduction scenario produced the greatest savings (20.9%) in mechanized agricultural landscapes. When only considering implementation costs, our cost‐reduction scenario led to the highest savings (38.4%) in the landscape with highest forest cover where natural regeneration potential is highest and enables cost‐effective carbon stocking and connectivity. Synthesis and applications. We present a guide for forest restoration planning that maximizes specific outcomes with minimal costs and reduction of agricultural production. Furthermore, we show how policies could encourage prioritization of low‐cost restoration via natural regeneration, increasing cost‐effectiveness. While our study focuses on Brazil's Atlantic Forest, the approach can be parameterized for other regions.
Absolute Value Layered ACO-OFDM for Intensity-Modulated Optical Wireless Channels

Enhanced unipolar orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (eU-OFDM) and layered asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM (LACO-OFDM) are spectrally efficient modulation techniques for intensity modulated systems which layer multiple non-negative signals. In this paper, we propose absolute value layered asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM (ALACO-OFDM), which further improves the spectral efficiency while using a smaller number of layers and no explicit direct current (DC) bias. In ALACO-OFDM, asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM (ACO-OFDM) signals are sent at the first $L$ layers and absolute value optical OFDM (AVO-OFDM) is used for the remaining subcarriers and transmitted simultaneously. Analysis indicates that ALACO- achieves higher spectral efficiency than eU- or LACO-OFDM while using a smaller number of layers. Bounds on achievable information rates of ALACO-OFDM and related layered ACO-OFDM techniques are also developed. Two optical power allocation schemes over the layers of ALACO-OFDM are developed with the objective of optimizing uncoded transmission performance and the achievable information rate respectively. Additionally, a theoretical bound on the uncoded BER of ALACO-OFDM is derived. Monte Carlo simulation results indicate ALACO-OFDM with the optimum power allocation achieves significant uncoded BER performance gains compared to its counterparts at the same spectral efficiency while having a smaller peak-to-average power ratio.
Profiling of 21 novel microRNA clusters and their targets in an important grain: wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-protein coding RNAs made up of 18 to 26 nucleotides and produced in a cell endogenously. Most of them are conserved in nature evolutionally and thus providing a logical basis for the prediction of novel miRNAs and their clusters in many plants. In this research, structural and functional approaches have been combined to make prediction of novel miRNA clusters and their targets in wheat. The total numbers of detected novel miRNA clusters were 21 related to 19 miRNA families in wheat. These families were found as: 160, 396, 399, 414, 530, 2118, 2275, 5049, 5065, 5066, 5067, 5174, 5522, 5568, 6198, 6221, 7742, 7757 and 7778. Various attributes related to these miRNA clusters such as secondary structures, phylogenetic tree and web logo were generated and the minimum free energy (MFE) of the stem-loop structures was also achieved and reported. The mature miRNAs were found in the stem region of the hair-pin structures and, in this regard, 93 targets of the miRNAs were identified as well. The identified targets were various proteins including hypothetical, transporter, metabolism, transcription factor, cell signalling and stress related.
Geographical and temporal origins of terrestrial vertebrates endemic to Taiwan

Phylogeographical studies of Taiwan have advanced our knowledge of the origins of its fauna, but the discrepancies raise issues related to the interpretation of single‐taxon studies. Here, we provide a synthesis of the biogeographical histories of multiple terrestrial vertebrates endemic to Taiwan and infer the colonization processes within the context of geological and climatic events.
Construction of a robust phylogeny facilitates development of an environmental DNA-based survey tool for the bog hoverfly, Eristalis cryptarum

Eristalis cryptarum (Syrphidae, Diptera) is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species and is critically endangered. The larvae of this species have yet to be discovered in the UK, and so the tailoring of conservation efforts to suitable habitats is difficult. Currently, on the basis of morphological characters, E. cryptarum has been taxonomically placed in the Eristalini tribe. If correct, then the assumption is that E. cryptarum larvae are aquatic, as this larval form is a distinguishing trait of the Eristalini tribe; such a deduction has significant implications for conservation. To test this assumption, we use the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) to explore the phylogeny of E. cryptarum and confirm its placement within the Syrphidae family. Agathomyia unicolor (Platypezidae, Diptera) and Nephrocerus flavicornis (Pipunculidae, Diptera) were used as outgroups. We demonstrate strong support for E. cryptarum belonging in the Eristalini tribe and all species placed in the Eristalini tribe matched known phylogenies of this group based on morphology. This provides further support for the assumption that the larvae of E. cryptarum are aquatic and so the development of a robust phylogeny for E. cryptarum was an essential prerequisite for the development of an eDNA methodology utilising aquatic environmental samples to survey for E. cryptarum in Chapter 4.
The effects of social support, social networks, and functional ability on life satisfaction among oldest old adults

Social support is an important factor for the well-being and health of individuals across the lifespan. For older adults, social support has been linked with life satisfaction and functional health. However, there is little information on how social support and social networks can predict the functional health and life satisfaction for oldest old adults. The present study utilized a recent framework by Pietromonaco and Collins (2017), which identified interconnected processes from social connection to outcomes of health and well-being, mediated by psychosocial, biological, and lifestyle pathways. This theoretical framework was comprehensive in its lens of interpersonal processes through intrapersonal mediators to long-term outcomes of health and well-being. As such, the present study incorporated components from each section of the model, specifically adjusted to pathways of importance for oldest old adults. This study aimed to examine the social connection influences of social support and social network size as they predict the psychological well-being variable of life satisfaction for oldest old adults, through the mediating component of functional health. The contextual variables of age, gender, and residence type were included in the path model to measures how they individually predict the social support and social network of oldest old adults, which could in-turn influence functional health and life satisfaction. This study included 208 cognitively-intact oldest old adults from the Georgia Centenarian Study (GCS). Additionally, the subgroup of centenarians and near-centenarians (age 98+) in the sample were examined as they represent unique, exceptionally long-lived individuals (n = 137). Measures examined perceived social support (Cutrona Russell, & Rose, 1986), size of social network (Fillenbaum, 1988), activities of daily living (ADL) as functional health (Fillenbaum, 1988), and life satisfaction (Neugarten, Havighurst, & Tobin, 1961). Structural equation