Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-strategic Learning of Structure Strategies in Reading Comprehension of Expository Texts

Abstract Meta-strategic learning refers to a mediated construction of knowledge regarding when, why and how to apply a group of strategies for accomplishing cognitive tasks. This study examined the effect of meta-strategic learning of structure strategies on reading comprehension of expository texts by secondary school students under whole-class instruction conditions. The effect of a meta-strategic intervention program was compared to that of a strategic program, which focused on a direct (unmediated) instruction of how to apply each structure strategy separately, and to a control group. Moreover, we explored the role of students’ engagement in class discussions and tasks in meta-strategic learning. Three structure strategies using texts from three school domains were taught during 9 double lessons. Programs’ effectiveness was examined by near- and far-transference reading comprehension tasks, and a strategic knowledge questionnaire given before and after intervention. Findings indicated that both programs were similarly effective in enhancing students’ reading comprehension skills and strategic knowledge. The unique benefits of meta-strategic learning were apparent particularly for high-engaged students in far-transference tasks and for all students in overt application of strategic elements during task completion. More research is required to explore further benefits for meta-strategic learning in small groups and over the long-term.
Influence of Accountability Indicators on Service Delivery among Local Government Authorities in Dodoma, Tanzania

This study examines how accountability indicators predict service delivery in local government authorities in Dodoma using a cross-sectional design with a sample size of 399 respondents comprising Village Council and Street Committee Members. The study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches in collection and analysis of data. The study revealed that regular reporting, clear goals and proper use of funds were significant indicators of accountability that predict service delivery while learning from mistakes, treasury rules and regulations, promptness, misconduct and wrongdoing were not significant predictors of service delivery. Therefore, it is recommended that the President's Office-Regional Administration and Local Government, Regional Secretariats and Local Government Authorities should emphasize goal-setting and proper use of funds, involve all actors in setting goals and have more than one official to authorize payments. Establishing committees responsible for monitoring local government authorities' activities is also recommended, along with implementing client service charters to ensure accountability is well observed in LGAs.
Seismic structure and location of a CO2 source in the upper mantle of the western Eger (Ohře) Rift, central Europe

P‐SV conversions provide new insights into the lithosphere of the western Eger (Ohře) Rift, a presently active CO2 emanation area, Quaternary volcanic field, and earthquake swarm region in central Europe. Gas and isotope (He and C) mapping of free gas phases in mineral springs and mofettes proved the origin of CO2‐ dominated gases from a subcrustal magmatic fluid reservoir. Analyzing teleseismic data from several seismic networks in the western Bohemian Massif, the source region of these gases was investigated. Moho Ps conversions have 3 to 4.5 s delay. Crustal thicknesses vary between 27 and 38 km; vp/vs ratios vary between 1.63 and 1.81. Beneath the western Eger Rift an approximately 40 km wide Moho updoming up to 27 km exists. Locally observed weak conversions indicate a complex Moho transition zone in this area. A local “6 s phase” possibly originates at a discontinuity in approximately 50 to 60 km depth or may represent multiples from velocity inversions at the base of the upper crust. Moho updoming and the distribution of the “6 s phase” coincide with the CO2 degassing fields and the positions of Quaternary volcanoes at the surface. We hypothesize the release of CO2‐dominated fluid/magma from isolated melt reservoirs in the depth range of 60 to 30 km, separation of CO2 from the melt at 29 to 21 km depths, and CO2 transport through the crust. The geophysical indications may point to presently active magmatic underplating beneath the study area, supporting the results of gas geochemical and isotope investigations. This is the first attempt that combines seismic and gas geochemical data for a tectonic model. Our model may be transferable to other continental rift areas worldwide.
Electromechanical Coupling in Collagen Measured under Increasing Relative Humidity

The functional role of collagen piezoelectricity has been under debate since the discovery of piezoelectricity in bone in 1957. The possibility that piezoelectricity plays a role in bone remodeling has generated interest in the investigation of this effect in relevant physiological conditions; however, there are conflicting reports as to whether collagen is piezoelectric in a humid environment. In macroscale measurements, the piezoelectricity in hydrated tendon has been shown to be insignificant compared to dehydrated tendon, whereas, at the nanoscale, the piezoelectric effect has been observed in both dry and wet bone using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). In this work, the electromechanical properties of type I collagen from a rat tail tendon have been investigated at the nanoscale as a function of humidity using lateral PFM (LPFM) for the first time. The relative humidity (RH) was varied from 10% to 70%, allowing the piezoelectric behavior to be studied dry, humid, as well as in the hydrated range for collagen in physiological bone (12% moisture content, corresponding to 40–50% RH). The results show that collagen piezoresponse can be measured across the humidity range studied, suggesting that piezoelectricity remains a property of collagen at a biologically relevant humidity.
Clustering Ensemble via Diffusion on Adaptive Multiplex

Existing clustering ensemble methods often directly integrate multiple weak base results to obtain a consensus one which can improve the clustering performance. However, since the base results are weak and the clustering ensemble can improve the performance, why not refine the weak base results via the clustering ensemble, and then boost the clustering ensemble with the refined base results? To fulfill this idea, in this article, we propose a novel clustering ensemble method with an adaptive multiplex. We first use the multiplex to represent the multiple weak base results. Then, we learn an updated representation by diffusing the representation on the multiplex with a manifold ranking model. Since the multiplex characterizes the structure information of all base results, the learned representation can ensemble such structure information during diffusion. Next, the multiplex is refined by such representation, which is a process of refining base results via ensemble. We iteratively learn the representation (i.e., do ensemble) and update the multiplex (i.e., do refinement), which can make the ensemble and refinement be boosted by each other. At last, the final consensus result is obtained from the refined multiplex. The extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed framework.
Quantifying exchangeable base cations in permafrost: a reserve of nutrients about to thaw

Abstract. Permafrost ecosystems are limited in nutrients for vegetation development and constrain the biological activity to the active layer. Upon Arctic warming, permafrost thaw exposes large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) to decomposition and minerals to weathering but also releases organic and mineral soil material that may directly influence the soil exchange properties (cation exchange capacity, CEC, and base saturation, BS). The soil exchange properties are key for nutrient base cation supply (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and Na+) for vegetation growth and development. In this study, we investigate the distributions of soil exchange properties within Arctic tundra permafrost soils at Eight Mile Lake (Interior Alaska, USA) because they will dictate the potential reservoir of newly thawed nutrients and thereby influence soil biological activity and vegetation nutrient sources. Our results highlight much lower CEC density in surface horizons (∼9400 cmolc m−3) than in the mineral horizons of the active layer (∼16 000 cmolc m−3) or in permafrost soil horizons (∼12 000 cmolc m−3). Together, with the overall increase in CEC density with depth and the overall increase in BS (percentage of CEC occupied by exchangeable base cations Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and Na+) with depth (from ∼19 % in organic surface horizons to 62 % in permafrost soil horizons), the total exchangeable base cation density (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and Na+ in g m−3) is up to 5 times higher in the permafrost than in the active layer. More specifically, the exchangeable base cation density in the 20 cm upper part of permafrost about to thaw is ∼850 g m−3 for Caexch, 45 g m−3 for Kexch, 200 g m−3 for Mgexch, and 150 g m−3 for Naexch. This estimate is needed for future ecosystem prediction models to provide constraints on the size of the reservoir in exchangeable nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, and Na) about to thaw. All data described in this paper are stored in Dataverse, the online repository of Université catholique de Louvain, and are accessible through the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.14428/DVN/FQVMEP (Mauclet et al., 2022b).
The Influence Mechanism of the Community Subjectively Built Environment on the Physical and Mental Health of Older Adults

In order to clarify the mechanism by which subjectively built environments impact the physical and mental health of older adults and promote the construction of “healthy aging” and “healthy cities,” this study develops a structural equation model based on questionnaire data from older adults in Hefei and constructs a mechanism of a “community subjectively built environment—physical and mental health” with leisure physical activities and social interaction activities as mediators. The results indicate that the specific combination of subjectively built environmental factors such as community safety and security, internal supportive living facilities, a green environment, a walking environment, and a degree of beautification significantly impacts the physical and mental health of older adults. Leisure physical activity and social interaction activities play different roles in mediation, forming two sets of action mechanisms: “community-built environment—leisure physical activity—physical health” and “community-built environment—social interaction activity—physical and mental health. ”
Unintended Pregnancy and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Unit in Public Health Facilities of Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021

Background Unintended pregnancy refers to a pregnancy that is either mistimed or unwanted. Unintended pregnancy has been a troubling public health and reproductive health issue, which imposes appreciable adverse consequences on the mother, child, and the public in general. Globally 121 million unplanned pregnancies occurred from 2015 to 2019. A significant proportion (61%) of these pregnancies ended in abortions each year. In Ethiopia, the challenges of unintended pregnancy and its related complications still exist because of the high rate of unmet need for contraceptives. In addition, no research has been conducted on unintended pregnancy among pregnant women in Dire Dawa city administration. Objective To determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care public health facilities in Dire Dawa in 2021. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted. After being chosen randomly, 382 pregnant women were interviewed at 9 urban public health facilities. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data, entered into Epi Info 7, and exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. The variables, which were significant at P ≤ 0.25 in bivariate analysis, were included in multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was declared at a P value <0.05 and a 95% CI. Results In this study, the prevalence of unintended pregnancy was 23.8% at 95% CI (19.8–28.3). The following factors were associated with unintended pregnancy: single women (AOR = 10.93, 95% CI 3.65–32.74), low family income (2000 ETB) (AOR = 4.01, 95% CI 1.73–9.28), parity 3 (AOR = 10.3, 95% CI 4.07–25.84), no history of family planning use (AOR = 5.91, 95% CI 2.46–14.21), and husband decision-making role on reproductive health (AOR = 2.956, 95% CI 1.048–8.340). Conclusion and Recommendations. The prevalence of unintended pregnancy was relatively high in this study. Efforts should be made to scale up women's decision-making power on family planning services and give support to empower women economically. There is the need to promote family planning services to minimize unintended pregnancy and to decrease parity and family size.
Redeposition-Free Inductively-Coupled Plasma Etching of Thin-Film Lithium Niobate on Insulator

Argon ion etching of lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) system has so far shown the best optical quality devices in the context of integrated photonics due to the polishing character of the argon process [1–3]. However, micromasking from material redeposition and chamber contamination introduced during etching (Fig. 1(A)) and the close to one etch selectivity for deep etches still make it a challenging process. Comprehensive studies have already been conducted on the etching of LNOI, showing the linearity and reliability of the process [3], but to our knowledge no study has been done on the redeposition itself. Here we present the results from our recently published work [4]. Starting from a hard mask with a 85° sidewall angle, we undertake an in depth study on the properties of the redeposition, trenching, etch homogeneity and final sidewall angle with varying ICP chamber pressure and DC bias (Fig. 1 (B, C, D)).
A study of the mealybug genus Planococcus Ferris, 1950 from China, with description of a new species (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae)

﻿Abstract A study of the mealybug genus Planococcus Ferris, 1950 (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) known from China is presented and 12 species are recognised. Of these, Planococcuscamelliae Zhang, sp. nov. is described as new to science based on the morphology of the adult female, and P.bambusifolii (Takahashi, 1951) is recorded from China for the first time. Molecular analyses based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of the new species and a key to species of the genus Planococcus in China are also given.
Unexpected Phase-Locked Brillouin Kerr Frequency Comb in Fiber Fabry Perot Resonators

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is the first nonlinear effect to be triggered when a powerful continuous wave laser interacts with a nonlinear waveguide. This effect is further exacerbated in resonators due to the multiple round trips in the cavity. SBS has proven to be extremely interesting for building ultra-stable microwave photonic synthesizers [1], to trigger broadband cavity solitons [2], or to balance thermo-optical effects to obtain ultra-stable sources [3]. Whatever the cavity architecture, the only requirement is to obtain a spectral overlap between the SBS gain $(v_{B}=10$ GHz, $\Delta v=50$ MHz), and the cavity resonances. This condition is automatically verified in fiber ring cavities, which have free spectral ranges (FSRs) typically between 1 and 100 MHz, or can be met by fine-tuning the cavity lengths in microresonators with FSRs in the GHz range [2]–[3]. In this paper we evidence an original mode-locking phenomena to generate a stable Brillouin Kerr frequency comb in fiber Fabry Perot resonators. The surprising feature of our work is illustrated in Fig. 1(a). While there is a spectral overlap between the $8^{th}$ cavity resonance (dashed lines) and the SBS gain curve (red curve) at 9.416 GHz, we observed a Brillouin Kerr frequency comb with a line-to-line spacing equals to 10.593 GHz (exactly 9 times the cavity FSR, blue line in Fig. 1 $(\mathrm{a})$) where there is no spectral overlap. The cavity is pumped by an ultra-narrow CW laser of 1.3 W. It is swept from Figure 1: (a) Scheme representing the sbs gain curve (red curve, sbs shift is 9.655 ghz), the cavity resonance positions (vertical dashed lines) and the first stokes band (blue curve). (b) And (e) output spectra, (c) and (f) zoom on the central part, and (d) and (g) temporal traces. (b)-(d) experiments and (e)-(g) numerics. Parameters: length 8.78 cm, fsr $=1.177$ GHz, cavity detuning $\Delta=-0.0891$ rad, highly nonlinear fiber with group velocity dispersion $\beta_{2}=+0.38$ ps2 km $-1$ and nonlinearity $\gamma=10.8\mathrm{W}^{-1}. \text{km}^{-1}$, and a q factor of 65 millions. Spectra had been recorded with a high resolution (20 mhz) optical spectrum analyser and time traces with a high bandpass (700 ghz) optical sampling oscilloscope.
Transmission Loss Analysis of Unidirectional Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers for Millimeter Waves for Linear and Circular Polarization

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) shape numerous industrial- and consumer-oriented products that benefit from lightweight construction while maintaining high durability. Electromagnetic waves transmitted through such conductive CFRPs experience strong attenuation that largely depends on the internal structure of the composite material. Therefore, we investigated the absorption loss of different unidirectional CFRP specimens with various numbers of carbon fiber (CF) plies and thicknesses. The results are presented for linear polarization (LP) and circular polarization (CP), and different orientations of the specimens at 45 GHz. Compared with LP, the transmission characteristics of CP hardly depend on the anisotropic character of unidirectional fiber plies. We observe that the absorption loss is mostly dependent on the number of conductive CF plies rather than the fiber volume ratio (FVR) of the sample. We present a multilayer homogeneous model that assigns an effective conductivity to a CF ply. The model assumes an alternation between dielectric epoxy resin and conductive CF plies. Iteratively, the effective conductivity of the conductive layers, in which the modeling results best fit the measurement results, is determined. In practice, this calculated effective layer conductivity can be used to estimate the transmission loss or shielding effectiveness of products made of CFRPs. The solver time of simulations becomes manageable by applying the multilayer simplification. For the first time, to the best of authors’ knowledge, effective conductivity values of CFs and their composites are presented at such high frequencies.
A Study of the Abundance, Distribution, and Grazing Effects of Zooplankton in the Chlorophyll Maximum (CMAX) of the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

Phytoplankton tend to accumulate in distinct zones referred to as chlorophyll maxima or CMAX. A pronounced CMAX occurs in the Neuse River Estuary (NRE) North Carolina where as much as over 60% of the estuary's phytoplankton biomass is located. A sampling study was initiated to determine the seasonal variability in mesozooplankton abundance and species composition in relation to the CMAX in the NRE. Sampling was conducted at four stations along a 40-km transect of the Neuse River from March to October 2011. The stations were chosen to include areas both inside and outside of the CMAX and the timing of the study included sampling in spring summer and fall. Large zooplankton (collected in a 200Âµm net) were not found to be spatially coincident with the CMAX during our study. Smaller zooplankton (collected in a 60Âµm net) were present throughout the estuary and showed no spatial differences with respect to the CMAX. Abundances of larger mesozooplankton peaked in spring along with the peak in Chl a however these peaks were spatially separated. This suggests a diminished grazing role for larger-sized mesozooplankton within the CMAX. Grazing experiments were conducted in June 2011 in order to quantify the effect of mesozooplankton grazing on phytoplankton abundance both within the CMAX and outside the CMAX. Whole zooplankton community grazing on phytoplankton was highest upon large phytoplankton (>20 Âµm) upstream of the CMAX. Grazing upon the >20 um fraction of chlorophyll within the CMAX was negative suggesting no grazing occurred. Grazing by mesozooplankton was minimal in both locations and lowest on >20 um chlorophyll within the CMAX. Microzooplankton grazing rates were positive in all locations and were highest within the CMAX. Data from this study showed significant differences in grazing between the CMAX and upstream locations depending on both the size of zooplankton grazers and the size of the phytoplankton being grazed. When phytoplankton are larger mesozooplankton will graze them directly. However mesozooplankton appear unable to directly graze smaller-sized phytoplankton (< 20 um). As the majority of phytoplankton biomass is comprised of small cells (< 20 um) and mesozooplankton are spatially separated from the area of highest phytoplankton biomass (CMAX) grazing by large mesozooplankton on phytoplankton was found to be minimal. This result suggestions that the majority of mesozooplankton grazing occurs on microzooplankton leading to increased importance of the microbial loop and less efficient energy transfer to higher trophic levels. This finding is consistent with other eutrophic systems that are typified by a decrease in phytoplankton size and increased importance of the microbial food web.
Dynamique des avalanches

Un milieu granulaire peut rester au repos meme avec une surface libre inclinee, et il ne se met spontanement en mouvement qu'au dessus d'un angle critique. Il apparait alors un ecoulement de surface dont l'amplitude et la dynamique sont regies par la mobilisation et le depot de grains a l'interface avec la phase statique. Malgre son importance pratique, la dynamique de cette transition demeure largement inconnue. Le manuscrit presente une etude experimentale de ce probleme dans deux geometries d'ecoulements granulaires differentes. Dans la premiere experience, l'equilibre d'une couche de sable deposee dynamiquement sur un plan rugueux est rendu metastable: apres avoir augmente l'inclinaison du plan, une perturbation locale declenche une avalanche. La mesure du seuil de declenchement montre que la transition entre equilibre statique et ecoulement est sous-critique. La forme et la dynamique des avalanches resultent d'un echange permanent de matiere avec la couche statique, mobilisant a l'avant et deposant des grains a l'arriere. De maniere surprenante, une saturation de l'amplitude est observee, qui peut etre attribuee a la presence du fond solide. Nous avons aussi mis en evidence l'existence de deux types d'avalanches, l'un ou la couche n'est mobilisee qu'en aval du point de declenchement et laissant une trace triangulaire, et l'autre ou l'ecoulement envahit tout le plan par un front de remontee. L'etude montre que des mecanismes de propagation differents interviennent dans ces deux cas. La deuxieme experience consiste a etudier l'ecoulement transitoire a la formation d'un talus. Nous avons observe l'influence preponderante de la preparation sur l'ecoulement. Deux effets sont mis en evidence, l'un associe a la densite et l'autre a la «texture» anisotrope acquise pendant le remplissage. Dans la derniere partie, nous discutons de la validite des modeles existants pour decrire les avalanches sur le plan incline. En guise de conclusion, nous developpons un modele continu decrivant la dynamique des ecoulements granulaires de surface et prenant appui sur les resultats experimentaux presentes.