Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of the Common Agricultural Policy on agricultural landscapes

Agriculture is both a large-scale user of land and a provider of landscapes. The adaptation of agricultural practices to local conditions has led to a wide variety of "cultural landscapes" in Europe. The Common Agricultural Policy being a major driver of land use and farming practices change in Europe, it also affects landscapes. The report analyzes how the CAP design and implementation have influenced the agricultural landscapes. It provides a catalogue of CAP measures that have been and are currently influencing landscapes are presented, as well as the expected effects derived from the proposal for the post 2013 CAP. It differentiates between Pillar 1 and Pillar 2, and between measures with a direct focus on landscapes vs. non-targeted measures which also have the potential to have an influence (positive or negative)). The olive and livestock sectors, where the influence of CAP on landscape is of particular interest, are also analyzed. By providing a list of the potential influences of the CAP on the landscape elements and structures valued by EU citizens, this report provides a knowledge base to support an effective CAP policy design in the direction of improved landscape management, an important component of EU project towards a more sustainable agriculture.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF HAMATOCAULIS VERNICOSUS (MITT.) HEDENÄS (CALLIERGONACEAE) IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC Rozšíření druhu Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Calliergonaceae) v České republice

The historical and recent distribution of Hamatocaulis vernicosus, a species of Annex II of the Habitats Directive, was studied on the basis of herbarium specimens, a review of published literature and the authors' own survey of potentially suitable biotopes. The species has been recorded recently at 54 localities, while its occurrence was not verified at 75 historical localities supported by specimens, and at 14 unsupported localities. Population size ranges from a few stems to tens of square metres; most of the populations are considered to be adversely affected by various negative factors including unstable water regime, eutrophication, lack of appropriate management, expansion of woodland and other successional changes.
A transient auroral event on the dayside

On December 5, 1986, high-latitude magnetometer stations in Greenland, as well as Iqaluit and the South Pole, showed a strong perturbation lasting for about 10 min beginning at 0930 UT in an otherwise quiet period. A pair of field aligned currents separated in the east-west sense and moving westward (tailward) at 4--5 km/s is consistent with the data, producing a twin vortex pattern of Hall currents. Similar perturbations, but with reduced intensity, were also recorded on the afternoon side at Svalbard, Heiss Island, and several locations in northern Siberia. The perturbation was also observed with the incoherent scatter radar at Sondrestrom, these data agreeing with the twin vortex pattern. The perturbation was accompanied by auroral forms overhead at Sondrestrom that also traveled westward. Meridian scanning photometer recordings at the radar site showed the cleft, located about 3{degree} to 5{degree} poleward in latitude; the cleft did not move from the far northern sky for several hours, even while the disturbance was observed. Viking and Polar Bear satellites passed just before the disturbance over Greenland and DMSP encountered the disturbance near Baffin Island a few minutes later; these spacecraft observations increased our confidence in the interpretation of the data. ISEE 1/2 andmore » IMP 8 recorded a magnetic disturbance in the solar wind, the likely cause of this event. Similar observations by others have been associated with flux transfer events. However, since the observed event occurred on closed field lines, our interpretation is quite different; it is that an impulsive penetration of solar wind plasma on an interplanetary magnetic flux tube took place through the magnetopause, ending up in the low latitude boundary layer. Some efficient mechanism is required to feed the boundary layer with the total amount observed. Other events reported in the literature may have a similar explanation. « less
Life‐history parameters of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, are affected by host plant salinity stress

Salinization, as one of the foremost abiotic stresses, is an intensifying problem in many agroecosystems. Climatic changes, along with altering land use and also salinity of irrigation water all lead to enhanced soil salinity in agricultural lands. Changes in plant characteristics, as a result of raising soil salinity, may impose bottom‐up impact on plant‐feeding insects. We assessed the bottom‐up impact of salinity stress on demographic traits of the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on cherry tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme (Solanaceae) plants under greenhouse conditions (27 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% r.h., and L16:D8 photoperiod). Our results indicated that salinity stress interfered with the immature development period, adult longevity, and sex ratio of WFT. Salinity stress biased the sex ratio in favor of males. Significant concentration‐dependent differences were observed in the intrinsic (r) and finite (λ) increase rates and the net reproduction rate (R0) of WFT at different salinity levels. Salinity adversely influenced WFT development; nonetheless, population projection forecasted an ascending WFT population growth under moderate salinity stress of 100 mM (2.8 dS m−1 of NaCl), whereas severe salinity stress of 150 mM (4.7 dS m−1 of NaCl) resulted in remarkable fitness costs in WFT. This study demonstrates that WFT has the potential to become problematic in regions with moderate salinity. Therefore, it might exacerbate the detrimental impact of salinity on tomato production. The current survey provides information on the abundance of WFT on saline‐stressed tomato plants, thereby contributing to developing environmentally friendly measures to manage this notorious species in ecosystems under salinity stress.
Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Acanthamoeba culbertsoni Have COX and Proteolytic Activity and Induce Hemolysis

Several species of Acanthamoeba genus are potential pathogens and etiological agents of several diseases. The pathogenic mechanisms carried out by these amoebae in different target tissues have been documented, evidencing the relevant role of contact-dependent mechanisms. With the purpose of describing the pathogenic processes carried out by these protozoans more precisely, we considered it important to determine the emission of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as part of the contact-independent pathogenicity mechanisms of A. culbertsoni, a highly pathogenic strain. Through transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), EVs were characterized. EVs showed lipid membrane and a size between 60 and 855 nm. The secretion of large vesicles was corroborated by confocal and TEM microscopy. The SDS-PAGE of EVs showed proteins of 45 to 200 kDa. Antigenic recognition was determined by Western Blot, and the internalization of EVs by trophozoites was observed through Dil-labeled EVs. In addition, some EVs biological characteristics were determined, such as proteolytic, hemolytic and COX activity. Furthermore, we highlighted the presence of leishmanolysin in trophozites and EVs. These results suggest that EVs are part of a contact-independent mechanism, which, together with contact-dependent ones, allow for a better understanding of the pathogenicity carried out by Acanthamoeba culbertsoni.
Identity of Vocational Education and Training Teacher: Pathways and Competences

A teacher’s identity can be understood as comprehensive approach to the self-concept of the teacher and the teacher’s external environment. The teacher’s identity already begins to form during the teacher’s preparation for the future teaching profession. The requirements about necessary education and requested competences for the teaching profession are usually set by the state institution such as Ministry of Education. Even though the current conditions for becoming a vocational education and training (VET) teacher are relatively strict, in practice there are teachers in secondary vocational schools whose preparation for the profession varies greatly. It often happens that VET teachers have undergone a transition from the practical economic sphere to the teaching profession, transition from the branch expert to the VET teacher. Vocational education is an important part of the education system, preparing pupils directly for the labour market needs. For most pupils, it is the last formal form of education in their lives. In the Czech Republic, approximately 70% of the population is educated in vocational education every year. The paper identifies main pathways to the identity of VET teacher, consisting of the professional identity of an expert in relevant field and the professional identity of a teacher. When the identity of VET teacher is created, there is often a "boundary crossing" associated with the creation of a new identity, or problems with the loss of the original identity. The intertwining of the teacher’s identity areas subsequently affects development of wider spectrum of competences. These competences need to be developed in the preparation of VET teachers or they can be related to the requirements for the performance of the profession of VET teacher. They can be divided into general pedagogical competences, competences in the field of branch didactics and professional competences of the expert in relevant field. Teachers also participate in the implementation of the curriculum in a particular school and thus become part of the practical side of educational policy. The above-mentioned approaches thus create the basis for the subsequent investigation of "teacher agency" in the conditions of vocational education.
Psychological constraint on unethical behavior in team-based competition

A growing body of research contributes to our knowledge about unethical behavior. However, very little is known about how group-based competition shape members’ unethical behavior. Building on social learning theory, we conducted three studies to reveal how group-based competition may affect individual’s unethical behavior for their team. Study 1 and 2 are laboratory experiments in which participants were randomly assigned into groups of three members and engaged in group-based competition (or engaged in individual-based competition in an individual context) with monetary incentives. Different from individual-based competition where mean number of unethical behaviors for the self in the losing condition was larger than that in the winning condition, in group-based competition mean number of unethical behaviors in favor of group between the winning and the losing condition was not significantly different. Both studies also showed that there are less unethical behaviors in the group-based competition than in the individual-based competition. Study 2 further revealed that collective efficacy negatively associated with mean number of unethical behaviors in group-based competition. Study 3 was a field study with employees from bank subsidiaries working as teams, and results from their self-reported data confirm the relationship between collective efficacy and unethical behaviors observed in Study 2. Together, these results suggest that collective efficacy has the effect of curbing unethical behavior in group-based competition, thus contributing to the understanding of group-based experience on unethical behaviors.
Reducing uncertainty in the calibration and validation of the INCA-N model by using soft data

Process-based nutrient models are increasingly used to determine the impact of future changes in land use, agriculture production practices and climate on the quantity and timing of nutrients reaching surface waters. Calibration of catchment-scale models to observed conditions can be difficult due to parameter uncertainty and the heterogeneity of catchment processes. Soft data, i.e. knowledge of processes gained through experimentation, have been suggested as one method of reducing uncertainty and producing a more accurate model of the processes that occur in a catchment. In this work, the Integrated Catchment model for Nitrogen was calibrated and validated for the Ylaneenjoki catchment in south-western Finland by incorporating soft data. The calibration for 2003–2008 produced an adequate model of the in-stream nitrate concentrations (R 2 ¼0.45, NS¼ 0.42). However, model validation using data from 1997–2002 showed that the simulated in-stream nitrate concentrations were above the observed concentrations throughout the entire period (R 2 ¼ 0.34, NS< 0). These results show that soft data can be used to constrain model parameters, resulting in a more accurate model of the catchment, but do not guarantee the best validation results as the simulated processes may not occur at the same time and rate as they did in the catchment.
Cultural universality and specificity of teacher-student relationship: a qualitative study in Belgian, Chinese, and Italian primary school teachers

Extensive evidence highlights the significant influence of dyadic, emotional teacher-student relationship (TSR) on students’ cognitive functioning, socio-emotional development, and overall well-being. However, it remains unclear whether the TSR construct and its manifestations can be generalized across cultures. This qualitative study investigated TSR among 60 primary school teachers in Belgium, China, and Italy (i.e., countries with varying positions on the collectivistic-individualistic continuum of culture). Through semi-structured interviews and metatheme analysis, the study examined the similarities and differences in TSR across these countries, revealing a nuanced and diverse picture in various cultural contexts. The findings align with the existing TSR model by including dimensions of closeness, conflict, and dependency, while also extending the model to identify additional dimensions such as authority, balance, distance, fairness, increasing student motivation, patience, and strictness. Regarding cultural perspective, teachers from these three countries exhibited similar conceptualizations of closeness, conflict, fairness, increasing student motivation, patience, and strictness, whereas the conceptualization of dependency, authority, balance, and distance may be influenced by (collectivistic versus individualistic) culture. Moreover, the manifestations of TSR varied across countries, highlighting the influence of cultural factors such as cultural norms, collectivistic versus individualistic values, and the perceived legitimacy of teacher authority. These findings shed light on the complexities of TSR across countries and emphasize the significance of culturally sensitive approaches in fostering positive TSR in education.
Optomechanical assessment of photorefractive corneal cross-linking via optical coherence elastography

Purpose: Corneal cross-linking (CXL) has recently been used with promising results to positively affect corneal refractive power in the treatment of hyperopia and mild myopia. However, understanding and predicting the optomechanical changes induced by this procedure are challenging. Methods: We applied ambient pressure modulation based optical coherence elastography (OCE) to quantify the refractive and mechanical effects of patterned CXL and their relationship to energy delivered during the treatment on porcine corneas. Three different patterned treatments were performed, designed according to Zernike polynomial functions (circle, astigmatism, coma). In addition, three different irradiation protocols were analyzed: standard Dresden CXL (fluence of 5.4 J/cm2), accelerated CXL (fluence of 5.4 J/cm2), and high-fluence CXL (fluence of 16.2 J/cm2). The axial strain distribution in the stroma induced by ocular inflation (Δp = 30 mmHg) was quantified, maps of the anterior sagittal curvature were constructed and cylindrical refraction was assessed. Results: Thirty minutes after CXL, there was a statistically significant increase in axial strain amplitude (p < 0.050) and a reduction in sagittal curvature (p < 0.050) in the regions treated with all irradiation patterns compared to the non-irradiated ones. Thirty-6 hours later, the non-irradiated regions showed compressive strains, while the axial strain in the CXL-treated regions was close to zero, and the reduction in sagittal curvature observed 30 minutes after the treatment was maintained. The Dresden CXL and accelerated CXL produced comparable amounts of stiffening and refractive changes (p = 0.856), while high-fluence CXL produced the strongest response in terms of axial strain (6.9‰ ± 1.9‰) and refractive correction (3.4 ± 0.9 D). Tripling the energy administered during CXL resulted in a 2.4-fold increase in the resulting refractive correction. Conclusion: OCE showed that refractive changes and alterations in corneal biomechanics are directly related. A patient-specific selection of both, the administered UV fluence and the irradiation pattern during CXL is promising to allow customized photorefractive corrections in the future.
Understanding the Motivation of Young Adults to Enlist and Pursue Military Leadership Studies to Become Professional Soldiers

Since the beginning of 2005, conscription service in the Czech Republic ended, leading to the full professionalization of the Czech Armed Forces. Consequently, a career soldier system has been established. The purpose of this article is to identify the factors that motivated young adults, reflecting the specifics of the military profession, to join the army, as well as the factors that motivated them to apply to the Faculty of Military Leadership at the University of Defence for military studies. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire completed by 179 respondents who were first-year military students at the University of Defence. This institution is the only military higher education establishment within the Czech Armed Forces, offering students comprehensive knowledge in the field of command and control. The questionnaire included both open-ended and closed-ended questions. In addition to their motivations, respondents also provided insights on how the Russia-Ukraine conflict influenced their decision to enlist in the army, as well as who supported or discouraged them from doing so. The results indicate that career growth, adventurous activities, job security, physical readiness, fieldwork, and interpersonal relations were among the most influential factors for the respondents. The majority of respondents agreed that the current security situation in the world supported their decision to become a soldier and strengthened their desire to defend their homeland. Parents, extended family, partners, and friends were the primary sources of support in their decision-making process. Just like any other employer, volunteer forces are seeking their own positions and competitive advantages in the labor market. Therefore, it is important for the defense sector to understand the motivations of future commanders to join and remain in the armed forces.
Energy – a scoping review for the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 project

We need energy intake to provide energy and nutrients to our cells. The amount of daily energy intake should aim for energy balance, which results in good health. Under- or overconsumption of total daily energy over a longer period leads to increased risk of diseases. In this scoping review, the components of daily energy requirement are defined. Several methods to estimate energy requirements and the amount of total daily energy intake (kJ) related to health are also discussed. Reference values for energy intake in children, adults and pregnant and postpartum women, and older adults are evaluated. Results show that it is challenging to set reference values for energy intake since existing methods are not accurate and precise, and there are several factors that influence the estimated amount of energy. Energy requirement is increased during growth as in childhood, pregnancy and lactation. We conclude that more research in this area is needed, and that new high-quality studies in both Nordic and Baltic countries are needed to obtain new recommendation numbers for energy intake.
Are You So Good That They Cannot Ignore You? Effect of Coworker Support on Knowledge Sharing Through an Affective Events Theory Perspective

Drawing on affective events theory, this study considers knowledge sharing as an outcome of emotional responses resulting from an individual’s experience of workplace events. This study aimed to empirically examine how coworker support as a work event encourages employees’ knowledge contribution and knowledge-seeking behaviors through feelings of vitality. A structured, questionnaire-based survey was administered to 430 employees of knowledge-based organizations in India. The retrieved data were further analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that perceived coworker support positively influences the knowledge contribution and knowledge-seeking behavior of individuals in the workplace. Furthermore, vitality mediated the positive association between perceived coworker support and knowledge sharing. This implies that the perception of coworker support in the workplace augments employees’ feelings of vitality, which further motivates them to contribute to and seek knowledge from coworkers. Therefore, this study critically underscores the existence of a “performance loop” in knowledge sharing, as coworkers find it difficult to bypass an employee because of their outstanding performance and the fact that the same virtuous cycle elicits greater knowledge sharing by coworkers. Such perceived goodwill makes employees so good that they cannot be ignored within an organizational setting. This is a pioneering study investigating how coworker support in the workplace stimulates knowledge sharing among employees by considering the mediating effect of feelings of vitality. This study also contributes to the positive psychology and knowledge management literature by revealing the implications of vitality for extra-role behaviors such as knowledge sharing.
RESISTANCE OF NEW ZEALAND BARLEY CULTIVARS TO SCALD, CAUSED BY RHYNCHOSPORIUM SECALIS

The resistance of New Zealand barley cultivars to leaf scald, caused by Rhynchosporium secalis, was assessed under conditions of high disease pressure in two autumn-sown disease nurseries. Assessments of disease severity were made at several growth stages and area under the disease progress curves calculated. Cultivars ranged from highly resistant to highly susceptible, with several cultivars showing intermediate levels of resistance. Relative disease levels between cultivars were largely consistent between assessment dates. Subsets of these cultivars were spring-sown in three trials situated within commercial crops, where disease pressures ranged from low to high. Two trials, one in Canterbury and one in the Wanganui district, consisted of four cultivars, with or without fungicide treatments. The other trial, in Southland, consisted of eight cultivars. Scald severity differed between cultivars. Partial resistance to scald, such as that found in Regatta, is likely to be more affected by environment than high level resistance. Such cultivars will probably require fungicide control of scald when inoculum pressure is high.