Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using warming tolerances to predict understory plant responses to climate change.

Climate change is pushing species towards and potentially beyond their critical thermal limits. The extent to which species can cope with temperatures exceeding their critical thermal limits is still uncertain. To better assess species' responses to warming, we compute the warming tolerance (ΔTniche ) as a thermal vulnerability index, using species' upper thermal limits (the temperature at the warm limit of their distribution range) minus the local habitat temperature actually experienced at a given location. This metric is useful to predict how much more warming species can tolerate before negative impacts are expected to occur. Here we set up a cross-continental transplant experiment involving five regions distributed along a latitudinal gradient across Europe (43° N-61° N). Transplant sites were located in dense and open forests stands, and at forest edges and in interiors. We estimated the warming tolerance for 12 understory plant species common in European temperate forests. During 3 years, we examined the effects of the warming tolerance of each species across all transplanted locations on local plant performance, in terms of survival, height, ground cover, flowering probabilities and flower number. We found that the warming tolerance (ΔTniche ) of the 12 studied understory species was significantly different across Europe and varied by up to 8°C. In general, ΔTniche were smaller (less positive) towards the forest edge and in open stands. Plant performance (growth and reproduction) increased with increasing ΔTniche across all 12 species. Our study demonstrated that ΔTniche of understory plant species varied with macroclimatic differences among regions across Europe, as well as in response to forest microclimates, albeit to a lesser extent. Our findings support the hypothesis that plant performance across species decreases in terms of growth and reproduction as local temperature conditions reach or exceed the warm limit of the focal species.
Facing the Challenges in Building Sustainable Land Administration Capacity in Ethiopia

SUMMARY Ethiopia is, in the last two decades, taking some legal and policy positive measures to improve the old long lasting poor land administration system. Land registration and certification is being implemented in the country though in quite varying scale and quality. However, there are several major gaps in the existing sustainable land management practices. The responsible organ for the implementation of the land administration laws at national level is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MOARD). There is one unit called Watershed Management Team under the Natural Resources Conservation and Management Directorate of this Ministry which follows up and monitors all aspects of land administration development throughout the country. As it stands now, this structure does not give the required degree of autonomy and capacity to the land administration system in the country in the rural and urban areas. In the regions, this structure is being followed almost in all regions where the system is introduced. There are various types of legislations regulating real property in the country. These include real property registration rules, lease laws, planning and building laws, and environmental and forestry legislations though some important matters such as real property formation, utility applications, joint facilities and joint property units are generally not regulated. the existing legislations are found in different titles and parts of the Civil code and in different rural land and lease proclamations on piece meal basis. Also the present land certification system in Ethiopia lacks basic spatial framework or a spatially referenced data capturing and maintenance system. Computerization is being implemented in some level but is being challenged by lack of other infrastructures especially Broad band Network telecom service. Finally, the gaps in the various aspects of land administration-institution, legislation, and IT system- should be identified clearly and solutions be suggested.
Anomalous atmospheric circulation over the Weddell Sea, Antarctica during the Austral summer of 2001/02 resulting in extreme sea ice conditions

During the Austral summer of 2001/02 exceptionally heavy sea ice conditions were experienced over the eastern Weddell Sea. Satellite microwave imagery showed that large negative (positive) ice anomalies were present from October 2001 to January 2002 over the north‐western Weddell Sea (off the coast of Dronning Maud Land). These were a result of anomalously high (low) atmospheric pressure over the South Atlantic (southern Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea), which gave strong north to north‐westerly cyclonic flow over the northern and eastern Weddell Sea. This resulted in convergence of sea ice into the southern Weddell Sea and inhibited ice advection along the coast of Dronning Maud land. The atmospheric anomalies around the Weddell Sea were part of an Antarctic‐wide amplification of the mean wavenumber 3 pattern resulting in more intrusions of mid‐latitude air into the interior of the continent, giving rise to near‐record warm temperatures at several locations.
OSTEICHTHYANS FROM THE TALLAHATTA–LISBON FORMATION CONTACT (MIDDLE EOCENE–LUTETIAN) PIGEON CREEK, CONECUH-COVINGTON COUNTIES, ALABAMA

# Doctoral Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences, City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, New York 10016, U.S.A. , hmaisch@gc.cuny. edu * Department of Environmental Science, William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470, U.S.A. , beckerm2@wpunj.edu § Alabama News, Mobile, Alabama, Al.com ∫ Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11210, U.S.A. , johnc@brooklyn.cuny. edu
Carbonate Concepts from the Maldives, Indian Ocean

A combination of ground truth, provided by a single exploration well, and geometries apparent on seismic lines, provides new insight on the geologic development of the Maldives. The single exploration well documents the occurrence of more than 2000 m of Tertiary carbonate rock overlying volcanic basement. Seismic lines demonstrate that the shallow water Paleogene part of the drilled section is generally horizontally bedded, whereas the overlying upper Oligocene-Miocene carbonates have a distinctly prograding pattern. Significantly, the prograding pattern is directed inward from the edges of the present platform rather than outward into the thousands of meters of Indian Ocean water depths. The punctuated lateral expansion of the carbonate platforms is therefore bilaterally opposing, i.e., away from either of the Indian Ocean edges of the platform and toward each other. The same opposing directions of expansion are apparent in Saya de Malha bank, where, unlike the Maldives, coalescence has been completed in the form of a large carbonate bank. In both cases, the opposing directions of progradation appear to be the result of a structural change in depositional architecture of the kind usually associated with the thermal contraction development of sag basins. Within this overall structural and stratigraphic framework, there is evidence that seismic stratigraphic relationships can vary considerably from atoll to atoll, indicating important local variations of the regional stratigraphy. A second significant depositional change resulted from the onset of Pliocene-Pleistocene glacial fluctuations in sea level.
Outburst flood hazard for glacier-dammed Lac de Rochemelon, France

Abstract Supraglacial Lac de Rochemelon was formed 50 years ago behind an ice dam and grew steadily until 2004. In October 2004, the volume of the lake reached 650 000 m3, bringing its surface within 0.2 m of the top of the ice dam. To eliminate the threat to towns located below in the event of an overflow, the lake was drained artificially in October 2004 and during the summer of 2005. Once the volume had been reduced to 250 000 m3 by siphoning, a channel was dug with explosives and the remaining water overflowed naturally. This offered a very good opportunity to investigate the breaching of an ice dam accompanied by thermal erosion of the drainage channel. Extensive field measurements were carried out during drainage. Analysis of the energy dissipated in the channel reveals that only half of the available energy was used for breach erosion. A numerical model was used to simulate the evolution of a number of variables during drainage and to study the sensitivity of discharge and ice erosion to different parameters, revealing a high sensitivity to water temperature. Model simulations indicate that natural drainage of this lake at the beginning of October 2004 would have led to a peak discharge of <6 m3 s−1.
The effect of COVID-19 in estimating the South African real spot-rate curve

This study investigates the dynamism of different mathematical term-structure models during COVID-19 to estimate the South African real spot-rate curve. The study is based on term-structure models following Nelson-Siegel framework; and further incorporates the recalibration process on static term-structure models over different economic environments. It was found that the recalibration methodology resulted in no improvements on Linear-parametric and Cubic-splines term-structure models. However, the recalibration effect on Nelson-Siegel and Svensson models resulted in an improved fit for South African inflation-indexed spot rates even in periods of heightened market risk.
Effects of a High-Intensity-Interval-Training (HIIT) in Charcot-Marie-Tooth – A Single Case Study

Background: Up to now, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is not curable. Only symptoms are used to be treated with conventional therapy like physical exercise. Many studies have been conducted to investigate diverse training therapy concepts, but there is no study available that investigates the effect of a High Intensity Interval Training. This is the aim of this study. Materials and Methods: A 40 year-old female Charcot-Marie-Tooth patient underwent a high intensity interval training intervention (HIIT) over 12 weeks, 1 x/week 30 minutes, each set lasting 45 seconds with a rest between sets of 15 seconds. Investigated were depression (BDI-II), fatigue (FAS), and motor fitness before and after the intervention. Results: Improvements in raw values in ball grasping, figure-eight circles and walking backwards (coordination), stand & reach and shouldering out (flexibility), sit ups and push ups (strength). The rest of the variables shows no difference in the posttest compared to the pretest. Conclusions: HIIT seems to be effective to strengthen trunk muscles, to improve flexibility and coordination abilities. The tasks standing longjump and 2 km walking were not improved, which could be associated with the foot lifter muscle weakness, so the strengthening of these muscles should be included into physical exercise training. For this purpose, Whole Body Vibration could be recommended.
Electrical Resistivity of Coastal Back-Barrier Sediments from South Devon, South-West England, United Kingdom

Abstract Electrical resistivity surveying is a commonly used geophysical method in civil engineering, but few examples of this application exist in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. Here, we provide an example of the application of the method to the two-dimensional distribution of lithofacies from coastal back-barrier sites of south-west England. The region is particularly important in coastal studies because of the current paucity of stratigraphic data and its position along the fastest subsiding coastline in Britain. Surveys were carried out at four sites along the south Devon coastline with the ABEM LUND Imaging System. Ranges of electrical resistivity of subsurface sediments were interpreted by ground-truthing from boreholes placed along the survey runs. Electrical resistivity surveys carried out at coastal locations can be affected by a range of phenomena—in particular, saltwater intrusion from rising tides and storm-induced overwash events. Conductive groundwater can cause temporal variations in the electrical profiles measured at the surface. This has not been witnessed to any significant degree at our sites. Despite anthropogenic and environmental noise (e.g., fences, tracks, drainage ditches, streams, and the possibility of salt water intrusion), the system has produced encouraging results and demonstrated that the technique has a future in coastal research. In particular, it readily identified the depth of gravel barriers and depth to basal strata. Given the speed and efficiency of data collection and interpretation available in the field, such systems should prove valuable in future research. Integration of the resistivity profiles with borehole information and radiocarbon dates of selected samples show that back-barrier basins began to fill with fine minerogenic sediments and shells ca. 9000 to 8000 Cal BP, and the majority of sites became terrestrialised by ca. 4500 Cal BP.
Targeting Proteasomes and the MHC Class I Antigen Presentation Machinery to Treat Cancer, Infections and Age-Related Diseases

Simple Summary Proteasomes are highly complex, macromolecular, protein-degrading machines that execute the controlled elimination of intracellular proteins. Proteasome-dependent protein degradation governs numerous essential cellular processes that regulate cell and circadian cycles, transcription, growth, and development, and execute the efficient removal of abnormal, denatured, and misfolded polypeptides and proteins. Immunoproteasomes represent a highly specialized proteasomal variant that degrades proteins in cells exposed to oxidative stress and proinflammatory stimuli. Immunoproteasomes are significantly elevated in immune cell types and generate oligopeptides that are exhibited on the tumor complexed with MHC class I molecules to facilitate surveillance mechanisms that eradicate cancer cells. Immunoproteasomes represent actionable therapeutic targets that can be pharmacologically manipulated to treat cancer and infectious diseases, as well as proteinopathies characterized by the pathologic accumulation of toxic, proteinaceous aggregates. Abstract The majority of T-cell responses involve proteasome-dependent protein degradation and the downstream presentation of oligopeptide products complexed with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (MHC-I) molecules to peptide-restricted CD8+ T-cells. However, evasion of host immunity is a cancer hallmark that is achieved by disruption of host antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM). Consequently, mechanisms of immune evasion promote cancer growth and survival as well as de novo and acquired resistance to immunotherapy. A multitude of cell signaling pathways modulate the APM and MHC-I-dependent antigen presentation. Pharmacologics that specifically target and modulate proteasome structure and activity represent a novel emerging strategy to improve the treatment of cancers and other diseases characterized by aberrant protein accumulation. FDA-approved pharmacologics that selectively activate proteasomes and/or immunoproteasomes can be repositioned to overcome the current bottlenecks that hinder drug development to enhance antigen presentation, modulate the immunopeptidome, and enhance the cytotoxic activity of endogenous or engineered T-cells. Strategies to enhance antigen presentation may also improve the antitumor activity of T-cell immunotherapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and cancer vaccines. Proteasomes represent actionable therapeutic targets to treat difficult-to-treat infectious processes and neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by the unwanted accrual of insoluble, deleterious, and potentially toxic proteins. Taken together, we highlight the breadth and magnitude of the proteasome and the immense potential to amplify and unmask the immunopeptidomic landscape to improve the treatment of a spectrum of human diseases.
Excavation of The Kilham Long Barrow, East Riding of Yorkshire

Summary After a mesolithic occupation, with pits and hearths, the site had been successively cleared, cultivated and abandoned before the digging of a pair of parallel ditches—Kilham I. After a period of silting a larger structure enclosed by a timber wall set in a bedding trench—Kilham II—had a banked burial chamber with a forecourt at its eastern end. The construction of the long barrow of chalk rubble derived from flanking quarry ditches took place in two phases separated by burning of lengths of the timber enclosure. A ring ditch dug across the line of the avenue east of the long barrow belongs to an Early Bronze Age use of the locality. Any covering round barrow mound had been completely removed by cultivation that affected the area from the middle of last century down to the present day.
The Mediating Effect of Job Satisfaction on the Relationship between Digital Connectivity and Job Performance

This dissertation aims to investigate the extent to which Digital Connectivity affects Job Performance, directly and through the mediation role of Job Satisfaction among employees in Egyptian private engineering consultancy companies. Building on Maslow’s Theory of Motivation/Satisfaction, the Conser-vation of Resources Theory, and the Job Demands-Resources Model, a questionnaire is distributed on a sample of employees to test the proposed hypotheses. The sample size used for analysis and interpretation consists of 412 respondents. Hypothesis testing is used to test the research hypotheses to conclude probabilistic statements about population parameters. Structural Equation Modeling technique is adopted to explore complex relationships among variables. The results suggest that increased Digital Connectivity is associated with higher levels of Job Performance and Job Satisfaction. Also, increased Job Satisfaction is associated with higher levels of Job Performance. Furthermore, Job Satisfaction has a mediating effect on the relationship be-tween Digital Connectivity and Job Performance. This research recommends organizations in this industry to promote Digital Connectivity among employees, by facilitating access to relevant technologies and fostering a digi-tal-friendly work environment. As such, organizations may be able to enhance employee performance in their assigned job roles. No studies have been found addressing the impact of Digital Connectivity on Job Performance in this context, thus the research contributes to a better understanding of how Digital Connectivity affects Job Performance.
Variations in the formation of the trunks of brachial plexus

Background: The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves that innervates the upper limbs. Variations in brachial plexus are common, as well as its relationships with other anatomical structures, gaining thus clinical and surgical importance. The aim of this study was to report variations in the formation of the trunks of brachial plexus. Material and Methods: Forty upper limbs from 20 human fetuses were used, fixed and kept in 10% formol solution. Fetal age was estimated from the hallux-calcaneus length and ranged from 20 to 37 weeks of gestation, with a mean of 25.63 weeks. The plexus were dissected without the aid of optical instruments, and the access route for dissection began 2 cm below the mastoid process, followed the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle until the medial third of the clavicle, and then went through the deltopectoral groove until the arm. Results: Of the 40 plexuses investigated, 37 (92.5%) had the usual trunk formation, and 3 (7.5%) showed variation in its formation. Among these, in 2 (5%) plexuses of a single fetus, the upper trunk was formed by the C5, C6 and C7 roots, the middle trunk by the C8 root, and the lower trunk by the T1 root, both on left and right sides. In 1 (2.5%) plexus of another fetus, there was the formation of four trunks on the left side: the first trunk was formed by the C4 and C5 roots, the second by the C7 root, the third by the C8 root, and the forth by the T1 root. Conclusion: Studies on variations in brachial plexus should continue to draw the attention of different healthcare professionals who work directly or indirectly with this plexus in their daily routine.
On the Potential Role of Viscoelasticity in Fluid‐Induced Seismicity

Fluid‐induced earthquakes adversely affect industrial operations like hydraulic fracturing (e.g., 4.6 Mw in Alberta, Canada) and enhanced geothermal systems (e.g., 5.5 Mw in Pohang, South Korea). Identifying all underlying physical processes contributing to fluid‐induced seismicity presents an open challenge. Recent work reports signatures of event‐event triggering or aftershocks—common for tectonic settings—within the context of fluid‐induced seismicity. Here, we investigate the underlying potential cause of these field observations from a modeling perspective. We extend a novel conceptual model to simulate the characteristics of crustal rheology and stress interactions in a porous medium by combining viscoelastic effects with fluid diffusion and invasion percolation associated with a point source. Our model successfully reproduces realistic aftershock behavior and statistical properties similar to those resulting from tectonic loading indicating that the statistical properties of aftershocks are unaffected by the fluid injection rate. At the same time, the Gutenberg‐Richter relation, the spatial footprint of fluid‐induced events and their dependence on the permeability field are largely unaltered by the viscoelasticity of the medium and the aftershocks it causes. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of varying fluid injection rates on detecting aftershocks and event‐event triggering sequences during viscoelastic stress redistribution. We find that when the injection rate is sufficiently high, aftershock detection and recovery of their statistical properties are only feasible when the underlying internal stress redistribution is directly accessible. This could explain why aftershocks have not been reported in some field studies of fluid‐induced seismicity.
Effectiveness of Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Problem Based Learning (STEM PBL) and Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Project Based Learning (STEM PjBL) to Improve Critical Thinking Ability

This research sought to compare the effectiveness of Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Problem Based Learning (STEM PBL) and Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Project Based Learning (STEM PjBL) learning models in fostering critical thinking abilities. Quantitative research with a pretest posttest comparison group design is the methodology employed. Based on the outcomes of an investigation of normal and homogeneous data. The increase falls into the high category because the average N-gain value for STEM PjBL on all facets of critical thinking skills is 0.76. STEM PBL, however, is 0.66, thus the growth is in the middle range. The independent t-test results revealed that there was a difference between the two courses in the development of critical thinking abilities, with sig. (2-tailed) of 0.01. The study's findings indicate that both STEM PjBL and STEM PBL can be utilized to enhance critical thinking abilities, but STEM PjBL is more beneficial in this regard.