Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The important role of soil moisture in controlling autumn phenology of herbaceous plants in the Inner Mongolian steppe

Autumn phenology variation in temperate grassland is a direct indicator of land degradation, and a phenology‐based model has been used to simulate human‐induced land degradation. It is important to reveal how environmental factors influence autumn phenology of herbaceous plants. In this study, we examined the effects of temperature, photoperiod, and soil moisture on the leaf withering date (LWD) of four herbaceous species (Xanthium sibiricum, Plantago asiatica, Iris lactea, and Taraxacum mongolicum) at 15 sites in the Inner Mongolian steppe from 1981 to 2012. Then, we developed two process‐based models coupling the effects of the three factors based on an existing cold degree–days (CDD)‐based model for predicting the LWD of the four species. The new models showed better accuracy than CDD model during validation. The model structure and parameters suggested that soil moisture likely influenced LWD nonlinearly and presented a multiplicative interaction with temperature and photoperiod. In addition, photoperiod had divergent effects on the accumulation of cold temperature for different species and sites. For X. sibiricum, the photoperiod only determined the start of cold temperature accumulation. Considering the carryover effect of spring phenology did not improve model performance. Our study also showed that local adaptation of plants was commonly ignored when using same parameters in model calibration with observation data from multiple sites; however, model calibrations using site‐specific data were less stable, and the parameters could not be extrapolated across space. It will be necessary to establish a generalized regional model driven by both climatic and genotypic factors in future research.
Enhancing Teacher Self-Efficacy in Multicultural Classrooms and School Climate: The Role of Professional Development in Multicultural Education in the United States and South Korea

The modern classroom is becoming increasingly diverse, with many countries seeking to develop teacher self-efficacy in multicultural classrooms (TSMC) to effectively teach diverse students by offering professional development in multicultural education (PDME). Using the Teaching and Learning International Survey 2018, we examine whether the teachers’ experience in PDME improves TSMC, as well as whether TSMC mediates the relationship between PDME and teachers’ perceptions of school climate in secondary schools in the United States and South Korea. We find a significant positive relationship between PDME and TSMC and that TSMC plays a mediating role between PDME and school climate. The findings suggest that PDME not only plays a key role in enhancing TSMC but also promotes a positive school climate.
Organic Codes: A Unifying Concept to Life?

Although increasing knowledge about biological systems has advanced exponentially in recent decades, it is surprising to realize that the very definition of Life keeps presenting theoretical challenges. Even if several lines of reasoning seek to identify the essence of life phenomenon, most of these thoughts contain fundamental problem in their basic conceptual structure. Most concepts fail to identify necessary and sufficient features to define life. Here, we analyzed the main conceptual framework regarding theoretical aspects supporting life concepts, such as (i) the physical, (ii) the cellular and (iii) the molecular approaches. Based on ontological analysis, we propose that Life should not be positioned under the ontological category of Matter. Yet, life should be better understood under the top-level ontology of “Process”. Exercising an epistemological approach, we propose that the essential characteristic pervading each and every living being is the presence of organic codes. Therefore, we explore theories in biosemiotics in order to propose a clear concept of life as a macrocode composed by multiple inter-related coding layers. Therefore, we suggest a clear distinction between the concept of life and living beings, a distinction that is not evident in theoretical terms. From the proposed concept, we suggest that the evolutionary process is a fundamental characteristic for life’s maintenance but not to its definition. The current proposition opens a fertile field of debate in astrobiology, biosemiotics and robotics.
Automatic Fire and Smoke Detection Method for Surveillance Systems Based on Dilated CNNs

The technologies underlying fire and smoke detection systems play a crucial role in ensuring and delivering optimal performance in modern surveillance environments. In fact, fire can cause significant damage to lives and properties. Considering that the majority of cities have already installed camera-monitoring systems, this encouraged us to take advantage of the availability of these systems to develop cost-effective vision detection methods. However, this is a complex vision detection task from the perspective of deformations, unusual camera angles and viewpoints, and seasonal changes. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new method based on a deep learning approach, which uses a convolutional neural network that employs dilated convolutions. We evaluated our method by training and testing it on our custom-built dataset, which consists of images of fire and smoke that we collected from the internet and labeled manually. The performance of our method was compared with that of methods based on well-known state-of-the-art architectures. Our experimental results indicate that the classification performance and complexity of our method are superior. In addition, our method is designed to be well generalized for unseen data, which offers effective generalization and reduces the number of false alarms.
Evolution of the Hurdle-Unit Kinematic Parameters in the 60 m Indoor Hurdle Race

The aims of this study were to compare the five hurdle-unit split times from the deterministic model with the hurdle-to-hurdle model and with the official time, to compare the step kinematics of each hurdle-unit intervals, and to relate these variables to their respective hurdle-unit split times. The temporal and spatial parameters of the 60 m hurdles race were calculated during the 44th Spanish and 12th IAAF World Indoor Championships (men: n = 59; women: n = 51). The hurdle-unit split times from the deterministic model showed a high correlation (r = 0.99; p < 0.001) with the split times of the hurdle-to-hurdle model and faster split times were related to shorter step and flight times in hurdle steps for both genders. At the first hurdle, male athletes tended to increase their flight and contact times while the tendency of female athletes was to decrease their contact and flight times. In addition, at the first hurdle, both genders presented shorter take-off distance, shorter landing distance, and greater step width than in the remaining hurdles of the race. Therefore, coaches should implement training programs that have an impact on these key variables according to the specific demands of each hurdle-unit phase and gender.
METHANE EMISSIONS FROM LOUISIANA FIRST AND RATOON CROP RICE

Field experiments were conducted to measure CH4 fluxes over the first and ratoon cropping seasons from a flooded Louisiana rice field. Treatment plots contained the semidwarf, early, long-grain rice cultivar Texmont, drill-seeded into a Crowley silt loam soil (Typic Albaqualfs). Main crop treatments were (i) urea (100 kg N ha-1) with rice plants, (ii) urea without plants and (iii) unfertilized plants; ratoon crop treatments consisted of (i) urea (84 kg N ha-1) with plants (ii) urea with plants plus rice straw (10 tons ha-1) and (iii) unfertilized plants. Methane emissions from the microplots were measured over the 77-day first crop and 73-day ratoon crop growing seasons. A closed-chamber technique was used to collect CH4 gas samples in the morning and afternoon hours. Significant urea fertilizer and rice straw effects were observed, and CH4 fluxes were highly variable over the two rice-cropping seasons. Over the main crop-growing season (77 days) approximately 50, 240, and 340 kg of CH4 ha-1 were released to the atmosphere from the urea without plants, unfertilized plants, and urea with plants treatments, respectively. Methane emissions from the ratoon crop (73 days) were 220, 520, and 1,490 kg ha-1 for the unfertilized plants, urea with plants, and urea with plants plus rice straw treatments, respectively. Approximately 1,830 kg of CH4 ha-1 were emitted from the urea-treated planted plots over the 150-day collection period provided the first crop straw was left in the field after harvest.
Variable selection methods for identifying predictor interactions in data with repeatedly measured binary outcomes

Abstract Introduction: Identifying predictors of patient outcomes evaluated over time may require modeling interactions among variables while addressing within-subject correlation. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) address within-subject correlation, but identifying interactions can be difficult if not hypothesized a priori. We evaluate the performance of several variable selection approaches for clustered binary outcomes to provide guidance for choosing between the methods. Methods: We conducted simulations comparing stepwise selection, penalized GLMM, boosted GLMM, and boosted GEE for variable selection considering main effects and two-way interactions in data with repeatedly measured binary outcomes and evaluate a two-stage approach to reduce bias and error in parameter estimates. We compared these approaches in real data applications: hypothermia during surgery and treatment response in lupus nephritis. Results: Penalized and boosted approaches recovered correct predictors and interactions more frequently than stepwise selection. Penalized GLMM recovered correct predictors more often than boosting, but included many spurious predictors. Boosted GLMM yielded parsimonious models and identified correct predictors well at large sample and effect sizes, but required excessive computation time. Boosted GEE was computationally efficient and selected relatively parsimonious models, offering a compromise between computation and parsimony. The two-stage approach reduced the bias and error in regression parameters in all approaches. Conclusion: Penalized and boosted approaches are effective for variable selection in data with clustered binary outcomes. The two-stage approach reduces bias and error and should be applied regardless of method. We provide guidance for choosing the most appropriate method in real applications.
Synthesis of M-Hexaferrites Material Based on Natural Iron Sand with Metal Co Doping Using the Coprecipitation Method

The synthesis of M-hexaferrite with metal doping Co (BaFe 12-3x Co x O 19 ) based on natural iron sand at Ketapang beach in Pringgabaya Subdistrict, East Lombok using the coprecipitation method has been successful. The basic ingredients used in this study were natural iron sand and BariumCarbonate (BaCO 3 ) powder, while the doping material used was Cobalt (II) Chloride Hexahydrate (CoCl 2 .6H 2 O) powder with a variety of mole fraction (X = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0). The solvent uses 37% hydrochloric acid (HCl), 25% NH 4 OH solution, and distilled water. The sample formed was then calcined at 200 0 C, 400 0 C, 600 0 C, 800 0 C and 1000 0 C. The resulting sample shows that there is an effect of Co doping and calcination temperature in the formation of barium M-hexaferrite. The higher the mole fraction of Co doping ions and the calcination temperature, the darker the color of the powder produced.
Phase I Trial of Prophylactic Donor-Derived IL-2-Activated NK Cell Infusion after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation from a Matched Sibling Donor

Simple Summary Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative option for high-risk hematologic malignancies. However, disease recurrence after allo-HSCT remains a critical issue, underlining the need to develop maintenance therapy. In this context, NK cell-based immunotherapies could enhance graft-versus-tumor effect without triggering graft-versus-host disease. In this prospective phase I clinical trial, we demonstrated the safety of donor-derived NK cell infusion as a prophylactic treatment after allo-HSCT for patients with hematological malignancies. This opens perspectives for future developments of NK cell based therapeutic strategies after allo-HSCT with low incidence of GVHD, representing an advantage over post-transplant T cell modulations that are commonly used in clinical routine. Abstract Background: NK cell-based immunotherapy to prevent relapse after allogeneic transplantation is an appealing strategy because NK cells can provide strong antitumor effect without inducing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Thus, we designed a phase-I clinical trial evaluating the safety of a prophylactic donor-derived ex vivo IL-2 activated NK cell (IL-2 NK) infusion after allo-HSCT for patients with hematologic malignancies. Methods: Donor NK cells were purified and cultured ex vivo with IL-2 before infusion, at three dose levels. To identify the maximum tolerated dose was the main objective. In addition, we performed phenotypical and functional characterization of the NK cell therapy product, and longitudinal immune monitoring of NK cell phenotype in patients. Results: Compared to unstimulated NK cells, IL-2 NK cells expressed higher levels of activating receptors and exhibited increased degranulation and cytokine production in vitro. We treated 16 patients without observing any dose-limiting toxicity. At the last follow up, 11 out of 16 treated patients were alive in complete remission of hematologic malignancies without GVHD features and immunosuppressive treatment. Conclusions: Prophylactic donor-derived IL-2 NK cells after allo-HSCT is safe with low incidence of GVHD. Promising survivals and IL-2 NK cell activated phenotype may support a potential clinical efficacy of this strategy.
Entrepreneurship education and sustainable development: mediating role of entrepreneurial skills

This study aims to examine the mediating role of entrepreneurial skills developed by undergraduates (ESDU) in the relationship between entrepreneurship education (EE) and the core values of sustainable development (CVSD). ,This is a correlational study that used a structured questionnaire for quantitative data collection from 399 purposively selected Nigerian university undergraduates. ,The results confirmed the statistically significant and positive mediating role of ESDU on the relationship between EE and the CVSD. ,This study has contributed to the mediating role of ESDU in the relationship between EE and the CVSD. This interrelationship can further provide a better understanding or insights into how ESDU can help mediate the relationship between EE and the CVSD.
Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among Adult Residents of Tinda Rural Community, Nigeria

Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an emerging disease of public health concern in Nigeria. There has been growing speculation about rural dwellers not being susceptible to this ailment due to their lifestyle. However, this could be attributed to the paucity of data obtained from rural communities. This community-based survey was conducted to provide recent data about the prevalence of DM in a rural community in Northern Nigeria. Subject and Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit 78 participants from about 200 adults within the community in September 2019. Consent was obtained to retrieve their blood glucose results and socio-demographic data from an out-patient clinic. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Over half (55%) of the respondents were male, while majority (88%) were involved in agrarian professions. Majority (69%) of the respondents were between 18 to 35 years, while around 10% were over 50 years. The respondents had an average blood glucose level of 5.20 ± 0.62 mmol/L, with 6.50 mmol/L as the maximum reading. The prevalence of DM was 0.0%, majority (68%) had normal glucose level, while the remainder had pre-diabetes glucose levels. There were no statistically significant associations between the respondents’ blood glucose level and any of their socio-demographic characteristics. However, the oldest respondents, male respondents, and traders had the highest blood glucose levels in their respective categories. Conclusion: The absence of a healthcare center in the community was of concern, as this would impede efforts to monitor the prevalence of non-communicable disease like DM. It is recommended that health interventions to discourage the rural dwellers from embracing adverse urban lifestyles associated with DM should be prioritized.
Employment in the informal economy: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeAlthough the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic appears to disproportionately affect those in informal employment, they often receive less government support than the formally employed. This paper considers definitions of the informal economy and informal employment, explores the rationale for participating in the informal economy and reflects on some effects of the pandemic on these workers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a narrative literature review with analysis of the selected academic and policy literature.FindingsThere are considerable short- and long-term implications of the pandemic for informal employment and the informal economy. This occurs against the background of unresolved tensions arising from informal workers' desire for more employment security and employers' striving for continued labour flexibility while transferring costs to government and workers. The COVID-19 pandemic might accelerate current trends and force new solutions to better protect basic work security while helping organisations to remain competitive. Government policies supporting work safety, income security, moves to formalisation of employment and fairness for informal employees are particularly important.Research limitations/implicationsAs statistical and qualitative evidence is currently limited, it is too early to identify the full effects of COVID-19 on employment in the informal economy.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that governments need to carefully consider explicit support for those in informal employment to create fair, resilient and ethical structures for workers, businesses, economies and wider societies.Social implicationsThe paper identifies some of the social implications of COVID-19 for the informal sector.Originality/valueThe analysis offers initial insights into the impacts of a major health, economic and social shock on informal working.
Computational investigation of the effect of biodiesel fuel properties on diesel engine NOx emissions

A detailed numerical spray atomization, ignition, combustion and nitrogen oxides (NOx) formation model was developed for direct injection diesel engines by using KIVA3V code. Several modified or recalibrated sub-models including a Kelvin-Helmholtz Rayleigh-Taylor (KH-RT) spray breakup model, a Shell ignition model, a single-step kinetic combustion model and a Zel’dovich NOx formation model were incorporated into KIVA3V. This modified model was validated by experimental data obtained from a John Deere 4045T direct injection diesel engine that was fueled with a natural soybean methyl ester, a yellow grease methyl ester, a genetically modified soybean methyl ester and No.2 diesel fuel. Errors between predictions of the brake-specific NOx and measured values were less than 1% at full load. For biodiesel fuels, either the Zel’dovich mechanism overpredicted NOx emissions, the ratio of NO to NOx should be less than diesel fuel, or both. As observed from the modeling results, the higher latent heat of vaporization and higher surface tension of biodiesel relative to diesel fuel did not result in increased NOx emissions. The higher viscosity of biodiesel could be one of the reasons for increased NOx, but its effect was relatively small compared with the effect of decreased spray cone angle and advanced start of injection timing on NOx. Decreased spray cone angle and advanced start of injection were the main reasons for increased NOx emissions of biodiesel. Keywords: biodiesel, diesel engine modeling, NOx emissions DOI: 10.3965/j.issn. 1934-6344.2009. 02.041-048 Citation: Yuan W, Hansen A C. Computational investigation of the effect of biodiesel fuel properties on diesel engine NOx emissions. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2009; 2(2): 41
Leaf Nitrogen Traits in Response to Plant Density and Nitrogen Supply in Oilseed Rape

Understanding the response of plant nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) economies in oilseed rape, as well as their role in defining phenotypic plasticity, is necessary for designing new strategies to optimize plant and canopy C assimilation to improve potential yield. This paper aims to elucidate the extent to which the interaction between N supply and plant population density alters N distribution in oilseed rape plant (Brassica napus L.) and whether this interaction changes plant investment in leaf area or leaf mass per area. Spring oilseed rape was grown at two rates of N supply (50 and 150 kg N·ha−1) and two plant population densities (50 and 150 plants·m−2). Photosynthesis, leaf area, leaf biomass, and N content of selected leaves were measured at 20% of flowers on main raceme open. The interaction between N supply and plant population density altered leaf N content per area, which is the main determinant of photosynthesis. This interaction also affected leaf mass per area, while N supply determined N content per unit leaf mass. These results suggest that the interaction between N supply and population density affects both nitrogen distribution and leaf mass per area, which could have important implications for light distribution and, therefore, for C assimilation at the plant level.
Long-Range Automatic Detection, Acoustic Signature Characterization and Bearing-Time Estimation of Multiple Ships with Coherent Hydrophone Array

Three approaches for instantaneous wide-area analysis of ship-radiated underwater sound, each focusing on a different aspect of that sound, received on a large-aperture densely-sampled coherent hydrophone array have been developed. (i) Ship’s narrowband machinery tonal sound is analyzed via temporal coherence using Mean Magnitude-Squared Coherence (MMSC) calculations. (ii) Ship’s broadband amplitude-modulated cavitation noise is examined using Cyclic Spectral Coherence (CSC) analysis that provides estimates for propeller blade pass rotation frequency, shaft rotation frequency, and hence the number of propeller blades. (iii) Mean power spectral densities (PSD) averaged across broad bandwidths are calculated in order to detect acoustically energetic ships. Each of these techniques are applied after beamforming of the received acoustic signals on a coherent hydrophone array, leading to significantly enhanced signal-to-noise ratios for simultaneous detection, bearing-time estimation and acoustic signature characterization of multiple ships over continental-shelf scale regions. The approaches are illustrated with underwater recordings of a 160-element coherent hydrophone array for six ocean vessels, that are located at a variety of bearings and ranges out to 200 km from the array, in the Norwegian Sea in February 2014. The CSC approach is shown to also be useful for automatic detection and bearing-time estimation of repetitive marine mammal vocalizations, providing estimates for inter-pulse-train and inter-pulse intervals from CSC spectra cyclic fundamental and first recurring peak frequencies respectively.