Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fire and Mechanical Forest Management Treatments Support Different Portions of the Bird Community in Fire-Suppressed Forests

Silvicultural treatments, fire, and insect outbreaks are the primary disturbance events currently affecting forests in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, a region where plants and wildlife are highly adapted to a frequent-fire disturbance regime that has been suppressed for decades. Although the effects of both fire and silviculture on wildlife have been studied by many, there are few studies that directly compare their long-term effects on wildlife communities. We conducted avian point counts from 2010 to 2019 at 1987 in situ field survey locations across eight national forests and collected fire and silvicultural treatment data from 1987 to 2016, resulting in a 20-year post-disturbance chronosequence. We evaluated two categories of fire severity in comparison to silvicultural management (largely pre-commercial and commercial thinning treatments) as well as undisturbed locations to model their influences on abundances of 71 breeding bird species. More species (48% of the community) reached peak abundance at moderate-high-severity-fire locations than at low-severity fire (8%), silvicultural management (16%), or undisturbed (13%) locations. Total community abundance was highest in undisturbed dense forests as well as in the first few years after silvicultural management and lowest in the first few years after moderate-high-severity fire, then abundance in all types of disturbed habitats was similar by 10 years after disturbance. Even though the total community abundance was relatively low in moderate-high-severity-fire habitats, species diversity was the highest. Moderate-high-severity fire supported a unique portion of the avian community, while low-severity fire and silvicultural management were relatively similar. We conclude that a significant portion of the bird community in the Sierra Nevada region is dependent on moderate-high-severity fire and thus recommend that a prescribed and managed wildfire program that incorporates a variety of fire effects will best maintain biodiversity in this region.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of preeclamptic and normotensive women who underwent cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: preeclampsia is very challenging for anesthetists due to the heterogeneous clinical spectrum of the disease characterized by hypertension, risk of hypotension, high risk of aspiration, and difficult airway. Therefore, the Meta-Analysis is intended to provide evidence on maternal and neonatal outcomes of preeclamptic parturient. Methods: A comprehensive strategy was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Cochrane from January 2000 to May 2020 without language restriction. The Heterogeneity among the included studies was checked with forest plot and I2 test. Observational and experimental studies reporting maternal and neonatal outcomes among preeclamptic and normotensive women were included. Results: The Meta-Analysis revealed that pooled incidence of hypotension was reduced by thirty-eight percent in preeclamptic as compared to normotensive parturient, RR=0.62(95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.75)Conclusion: The Meta-Analysis revealed that the incidence of hypotension was lower in preeclamptic women when compared to normotensive women. The included studies were low to a very low quality of evidence which entails further randomized controlled trials.Registration: This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in Open science Network on June 6, 2020, and the registration is available at https://osf.io/jcedt/.
The Impact of Culture and Gender on Impoliteness Strategies in Jordanian and American TV Sitcoms

Several studies examined the effect of gender, culture and context on the use of impoliteness strategies. The present study examined the gender and cultural differences and similarities in the language used in Jordanian and American TV sitcoms. The researchers analysed 30 episodes from the Jordanian TV sitcom “dʒaltˤah/ جلطة/season 1” and 20 episodes from the American TV sitcom “The Big Bang Theory/season 12”, which make a total of about 400 minutes from each sitcom. The findings of the study indicate that male characters employed impoliteness strategies more than female characters in both cultures. It was also found that Jordanian characters utilized more impoliteness strategies than the American characters. Jordanian males and females differed significantly in using impoliteness strategies; however, the differences between American males and females were not significant.
Nanometric skyrmion lattice from anisotropic exchange interactions in a centrosymmetric host

Skyrmion formation in centrosymmetric magnets without Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions was originally predicted from unbiased numerical techniques. However, no attempt has yet been made, by comparison to a real material, to determine the salient interaction terms and model parameters driving spin-vortex formation. We identify a Hamiltonian with anisotropic exchange couplings, local ion anisotropy, and four-spin interactions, which is generally applicable to this class of compounds. In the representative system Gd3Ru4Al12, anisotropic exchange drives a fragile balance between helical, skyrmion lattice (SkL), and transverse conical (cycloidal) orders. The model is severely constrained by the experimentally observed collapse of the SkL with a small in-plane magnetic field. For the zero-field helical state, we further anticipate that spins can be easily rotated out of the spiral plane by a tilted magnetic field or applied current.
The battle for influence: Commemoration of transnational martyrs in the Italian diaspora of the U.S. under fascism

This article analyses the role commemoration of Fascist and anti-fascist martyrs played in the battle for political influence in the Italian diaspora of the United States during Mussolini’s early rule. It is structured around two case studies: the socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti, killed in Rome in 1924, and Giuseppe Carisi and Michele Ambrosoli, two Blackshirts killed in the Bronx on their way to the Memorial Day parade of 1927 in New York. Through an examination of sites of memory and commemoration ceremonies held in both Italy and the U.S., it adds a transnational element to the study of the role of secular martyrdom in the construction of collective identity, concluding that the transnational exchange evident in commemoration of both case studies added to the propagandistic power of the martyrological narrative by drawing meaning from geographical distance from Italy.
Interaction of Oppositely Traveling Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed in Low Latitudes During Geomagnetically Quiet Nighttime

In this study, an unusual event of medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) that propagated in opposite directions was observed by multi‐instruments (all‐sky imager, global positioning system (GPS), and digisonde) in low latitudes during geomagnetically quiet nighttime. These MSTIDs had wavefronts aligned from northwest to southeast. One MSTID propagated southwestward and another propagated northeastward. They encountered and interacted with each other. Some MSTIDs structures merged into one and disappeared after the interaction. Furthermore, an eastward moving plasma bubble also encountered the MSTIDs and then gradually dissipated during the propagation process. The MSTIDs traveling in opposite directions should be related to ionospheric plasma motion and their trigger mechanisms. The interactive process of MSTIDS involved in plasma drifts and polarization electric fields. Meanwhile, the interaction with an ionospheric irregularity structure can change some of the MSTID characteristics.
Examining the ability of empirical correlations to predict subject specific in vivo extrathoracic aerosol deposition during tidal breathing

ABSTRACT The accuracy of five extrathoracic deposition equations was examined by comparing model predictions with in vivo deposition measurements of 99mTc-DTPA radiolabeled 0.9% saline delivered via PARI LC Sprint nebulizers in 19 healthy human subjects. The average extrathoracic deposition fraction measured in vivo was 0.19 ± 0.10 (average ± standard deviation). Comparing to this average value, the extrathoracic deposition fraction predicted by Golshahi et al. equation was the most accurate (0.18 ± 0.08), followed by the model described by the ICRP (0.16 ± 0.03). However, prediction of subject-specific deposition proved more challenging; the Golshahi et al. model performed the best of the examined equations, yet showed only a small positive correlation between measured and predicted deposition in individual subjects with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.34. The difficulties in predicting subject-specific deposition likely result from geometric dissimilarity both within and between subjects, and may require more complicated modeling methods than algebraic equations of the kind examined in this study. Copyright © 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research
How are Students’ Conceptual Understanding for Solving Mathematical Problem?

This study describes students’ conceptual understanding in solving mathematical problems. Conceptual understanding is an important component in learning mathematics. By learning mathematics students are able to apply concepts and think logically. The qualitative research took students of SMP Negeri 1 Gatak Sukoharjo Indonesia. There were 59 students who were tested to find out the conceptual understanding. All students are categorized into 16 students with high mathematical ability (Subject S-1), 25 students with moderate ability (Subject S-2), and 18 students with low mathematical ability (Subject S-3). Data collected through tests, video recordings, field notes, and interviews. Data analysis techniques include data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The validity of the data is obtained through validation and triangulation. Subjects with high mathematical ability can solve mathematical problems correctly. Subjects with moderate mathematical abilities are able to solve the given problem but not all indicators on understanding the concept fulfilled. Subjects with low mathematical abilities are not able to solve problems precisely. Research contributes as a new reference to the theory of conceptual understanding.
Transition in the Rural Credit Structure of West Bengal: The Case of Murshidabad District

This article examines the interlinkages between rural credit and other agrarian structures. The research is based on primary field survey data which is classified on the basis of labor-exploitation criteria and acreage grouping. The research shows that pre-capitalist relations substantially withered away primarily due to state intervention for land and agrarian reform under the Left Front Government. It also found the operation of market mechanisms (instead of personalized relations) in the determination of informal rates of interest and an inverse association with collateral value. This is reflected in the declining value of the weighted average interest rate (WARI) with ascending class status. Furthermore, it found that the WARI without collateral is lower than the WARI with collateral, the latter being confined only to lean seasons and emergency. An incidence of high interest rate is related to low marketable collateral and vice versa.
Effects of Selenium-Enriched Probiotics on Lameness and Growth Improvement in Broiler Chickens Under Heat Stress Condition

This study describes the anti-heat stress benefits of Selenium-enriched probiotics (SP). A total of 200 1-d-old male broiler-chickens were subjected to heat stress due to natural high ambient temperature of summer. The broilers were randomly categorized into 4 treatments with 5 replicates per treatment and 10-broiler-chickens per replicate. They were fed a basal control diet (Con) and basal diet with probiotics (Pr), sodium-selenite (SS), and SP for 42 days. Se concentration/kg of diet for Con, Pr, SS, and SP groups was 0.10, 0.11, 0.41, and 0.44 mg/kg, respectively. The birds were graded for % age-lameness and body weight gain (BWG). The blood samples and bone marrows were collected after 42 days and analyzed through radioimmunoassay, rt-PCR, and atomic fluorescent spectrophotometer. It was found that the BWG was improved with no lameness in SP group. SP decreased serum oxidative markers, malondialdehyde, and T4 and increased Ca and P levels, T3, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase (p<0.05). Furthermore, the SP treatment upregulated the mRNA expression of DIO2 and MCT-8, whereas downregulated DIO3. It concludes that SP as a feed additive with Se concentration of approximately 0.4 mg/kg improves growth performance and lameness by improving skeletal system through the upregulation of DIO2 and T3 in heat-stressed broilers.
Evaluation of correlation between compressive and splitting tensile strength of concrete using alccofine and nano silica

In the present study correlation between compressive and splitting tensile strength of concrete was studied using both experimental and analytically predicted results. Three grades of concrete M40, M50, and M60 were considered by replacing its cement content with alccofine and nano-silica. Experimental results of compressive and splitting tensile strength were evaluated using 150mm cubes and cylinders of diameter 150mm and height 300mm for 28 days of curing in water. An equation was proposed for correlation between compressive and splitting tensile strength from experimental data using regression analysis and analytical results were predicted. Accuracy of empirical equations reported by researchers and the proposed equation was analyzed employing Root Mean Square Error, Integral Absolute Error, Normal Efficiency and Mean Absolute Error statistical parameters. Good compliance between experimental and analytical results was observed.
Determination and Characterization of the Uptake of Voriconazole in Human Lung Epithelial Cells by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT Voriconazole is used to prevent invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. However, little is known about the concentrations of voriconazole in human lung epithelial cells (A549), which is the target for preventing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The goal of this study was to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to quantify voriconazole in A549 cells. A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer in selected reaction monitoring mode was used with positive electrospray ionization. The total duration of each run was 5 min. The calibration curves fit a least squares model for the voriconazole concentration ranging from 0.625 to 160 ng/mL. Intraday and interday coefficients of variation were less than 10%. Recoveries at the concentrations of the quality control samples where greater than 85%, and the matrix effects showed that the ratios of the peak response exhibited a 15% suppression of the signal in the matrix compared to water. Voriconazole may penetrate A549 cells. However, the voriconazole uptake was slow in A549 cells, reaching a plateau at 2 h, where the dose-dependent intracellular voriconazole concentrations were 1.98 ± 0.38, 4.43 ± 0.54, and 8.14 ± 0.52 ng/mg protein for extracellular voriconazole concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 µg/mL, respectively. The uptake of voriconazole by A549 cells was linear at extracellular concentrations from 0 to 20 µg/mL. This study established a rapid and sensitive method suitable for determining voriconazole in A549 cells and described the kinetic properties of the absorption of voriconazole by A549 cells.
Effects of Supercritical CO2 Fluids on Pore Morphology of Coal: Implications for CO2 Geological Sequestration

A systematic knowledge of the pore morphology of coal treated with supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) is critical for the process of CO2 geological sequestration. To better understand the desorption mechanism and to evaluate the storage capacity of target coal seams, the changes in pore volume, pore size distribution, fractal dimension, pore shape, and connectivity in high-, middle-, and low-rank coals were analyzed using N2/CO2 adsorption and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results indicate that micropores of high- and middle-rank coals decreased after ScCO2 treatment, whereas an increasing trend was found in low-rank coals, and ScCO2 promoted the accessibility of the macropore spaces for all coals. With ScCO2 treatment, the roughness of smaller pores in both high- and middle-rank coals decreased, whereas larger pores became more complex for high-rank coals. Although no significant change was observed in the pore shapes, ScCO2 facilitated the development of effective pore spaces and improved the connectivity o.
Autovaloración de las competencias investigativas en los estudiantes de maestrías en educación

En el presente articulo se exponen resultados parciales de la investigacion titulada Diagnostico Regional de los Posgrados en Educacion del Estado de Veracruz, la parte de la investigacion que se presenta tuvo como objetivo identificar las competencias investigativas de los estudiantes de las maestrias en educacion, a partir de su autovaloracion. Se empleo un proceso metodologico mixto para tener una vision mas completa y profunda del fenomeno estudiado; para esto se conformo una poblacion de estudio por 116 estudiantes de cinco programas de maestria con orientacion profesional que se ofertan en universidades privadas de la region: 82 del genero masculino y 34 del femenino. Para la recoleccion de la informacion se utilizaron una Escala de Autoevaluacion de Habilidades (con un nivel de confianza del 95%), para la investigacion construida por Campos (2012) UNED, Costa Rica, asi como una entrevista estructurada. Los principales hallazgos demuestran que las habilidades cognitivas y para el trabajo en equipo estan presentes en este grupo de estudio, sin embargo, hay ciertos vacios relacionadas con la habilidad tecnologica, metodologica e investigativa. Finalmente, los resultados evidencian la necesidad de robustecer las competencias investigativas en la formacion de los futuros egresados de los posgrados con orientacion profesional.
Vocal Melody Extraction via HRNet-Based Singing Voice Separation and Encoder-Decoder-Based F0 Estimation

Vocal melody extraction is an important and challenging task in music information retrieval. One main difficulty is that, most of the time, various instruments and singing voices are mixed according to harmonic structure, making it hard to identify the fundamental frequency (F0) of a singing voice. Therefore, reducing the interference of accompaniment is beneficial to pitch estimation of the singing voice. In this paper, we first adopted a high-resolution network (HRNet) to separate vocals from polyphonic music, then designed an encoder-decoder network to estimate the vocal F0 values. Experiment results demonstrate that the effectiveness of the HRNet-based singing voice separation method in reducing the interference of accompaniment on the extraction of vocal melody, and the proposed vocal melody extraction (VME) system outperforms other state-of-the-art algorithms in most cases.
Quantifying Nitrous Oxide Cycling Regimes in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific Ocean With Isotopomer Analysis

Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, is produced disproportionately in marine oxygen deficient zones (ODZs). To quantify spatiotemporal variation in N2O cycling in an ODZ, we analyzed N2O concentration and isotopologues along a transect through the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP). At several stations along this transect, N2O concentrations reached a near surface maximum that exceeded prior measurements in this region, of up to 226.1 ± 20.5 nM at the coast. Above the σθ = 25.0 kg/m3 isopycnal, Keeling plot analysis revealed two sources to the near‐surface N2O maximum, with different δ15N2Oα and δ15N2Oβ values, but each with a site preference (SP) of 6‰–8‰. Given expected SPs for nitrification and denitrification, each of these sources could be comprised of 17%–26% nitrification (bacterial or archeal), and 74%–83% denitrification (or nitrifier‐denitrification). Below the σθ = 25.0 kg/m3 isopycnal, box model analysis indicated that the observed 46‰–50‰ SPs in the anoxic core of the ODZ cannot be reproduced in a steady state context without an SP for N2O production by denitrification, and may indicate instead a transient net consumption of N2O. Furthermore, time‐dependent model results indicated that while δ15N2Oα and δ18O‐N2O reflect both N2O production and consumption in the anoxic core of the ODZ, δ15N2Oβ predominantly reflects N2O sources. Finally, we infer that the high (N2O) observed at some stations derive from a set of conditions supporting high rates of N2O production that have not been previously encountered in this region.
Estimation of trends in zone of influence of mine sites on barren-ground caribou populations in the Northwest Territories, Canada, using new methods

The zone of influence (ZOI) is the area in the vicinity of industrial development where avoidance by caribou Rangifer tarandus or other wildlife species is observed. Here we examine ZOI around two diamond mines in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada from 1998 to 2017. In this paper, we further develop segmented/piecewise regression methods to analyze collar location and aerial survey data with a focus on yearly trend in ZOI for the Bathurst caribou herd. A base habitat model was initially formulated to account for habitat selection around mines followed by estimation of ZOI distance and magnitude. Seasonal ranges of the herd contracted from 2009 to 2017 due to decline in herd size, which influenced the distribution of caribou relative to the mines as well as larger scale habitat selection. Models with year-specific estimates of ZOI were more supported than models assuming a constant ZOI across years. Significant ZOI's occurred for aerial survey and/or collar data in 9 of 15 years from 2003 to 2017 when both mines were in full operation, with ZOI distances ranging from 6.1 to 18.7 km. Non-significant ZOI's occurred from 1998 to 2002 before both mines were fully operational. Caribou were attracted to lakes in drought years which significantly influenced distribution relative to mines as well as the magnitude of the ZOI detected. The ZOI extent averaged 7.2 km (CI = 3.8–10.5) when standardized for mean levels of drought. Our analysis suggests that ZOI varies both annually and spatially because of the location of mines relative to habitat selection and seasonal range size. Therefore, exacting analysis methods that account for these sources of variation are required for robust ZOI estimates. Segmented regression methods have become available in the R statistical program that allow flexible ZOI estimation for implementation of the methods in this study for caribou or other wildlife species.