Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Building ecological networks with local ecological knowledge in hyper‐diverse and logistically challenging ecosystems

Collecting interaction data to build frugivory or seed dispersal networks is logistically challenging in ecosystems that have very high plant and animal diversity and/or where fieldwork is difficult or dangerous. Consequently, the majority of available networks are from ecosystems with low species diversity or they represent a subset of the community. Here, we propose an approach applying local ecological knowledge (LEK) of indigenous communities to build quantitative interaction databases and networks that would otherwise be difficult to achieve with direct observations. Indigenous communities live in many hyper‐diverse ecosystems and the people within these communities often have detailed knowledge of ecological processes. Working in a Sundaland biodiversity hotspot—Royal Belum State Park, Peninsular Malaysia—we used visually oriented interviews with indigenous people (Orang Asli, in the Jahai and Temiar ethnic subgroups), field data and published records to collate interactions, and their estimated frequency of occurrence, of animal fruit consumption and seed dispersal. We documented 2,063 fruit consumption and 1,360 seed dispersal interactions among 164 plant species and 34 animal taxa, the latter representing groups of closely related species or individual species. The majority of the interactions (97%) were identified by the LEK interviews, with the additional methods (field data and published records) used to support and marginally expand the interview data. The metrics for the networks we built reflect those of networks structured by biological mechanisms, supporting the validity of our novel approach. LEK is highly relevant for building detailed databases for ecological interactions in hyper‐diverse and/or challenging ecosystems. Such ecosystems are among the most vulnerable on earth, harbouring ecological interactions that are often poorly documented at a community level. We show how LEK can broaden our knowledge of such sensitive ecosystems, but our approach is useful for any ecosystem in which people hold rich LEK.
Determinants of climate finance: Analysis of recipient characteristics in Sub-Sahara Africa

Abstract What are the characteristics of recipient countries that attract more climate finance in mitigating and adapting to climate change? In this study, we address this question by looking at recipients in 43 Sub-Sahara African countries for the period 2006–2017, and implement several panel regression techniques, including system generalized methods of moments estimations to address potential endogeneity concerns. We also performed sensitivity analysis using panel quantile regressions. The findings show that Sub-Sahara African countries with higher population growth rate, higher poverty levels, better ease of doing business profile, weaker governance policies, weaker control of corruption, stronger rule of law enforcement, deepened social inequality, and better ICT usage, have attracted more climate finance. Policy implications of the study are discussed.
Examining Recruitment Practices for Servingness during COVID-19: Perspectives from Institutional Agents at an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

The COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020 as high school seniors were receiving their college admission notifications for fall. Many postsecondary institutions shifted outreach efforts to online formats. This qualitative study examines how virtual recruitment at an emerging HSI incorporates culturally responsive practices from the perspective of institutional agents (IAs) who were involved in these efforts. We also consider how IAs perceive the broader commitment of the institution to serve Latinx/a/o students. Our findings expose limitations in effectively recruiting Latinx/a/os in virtual formats due to the digital divide. The IAs identify ways in which the university was not equipped to overcome unreliable broadband access and technology. These agents maintain a critical lens to identify how the institution can expand capacity and ensure that the work of supporting Latinx/a/o students is a shared responsibility and not concentrated on a few staff. The findings further raise awareness of the continued language divide in disseminating information to families who do not speak English. Our study provides insights on how universities nationwide and across the world can transform recruitment practices to more intentionally support minoritized students and families as they make enrollment decisions into college.
Optimizing the Size of Autonomous Hybrid Microgrids with Regard to Load Shifting

The article proposes a method of multipurpose optimization of the size of an autonomous hybrid energy system consisting of photovoltaic, wind, diesel, and battery energy storage systems, and including a load-shifting system. The classical iterative Gauss–Seidel method was applied to optimize the size of a hybrid energy system in a remote settlement on Sakhalin Island. As a result of the optimization according to the minimum net present value criterion, several optimal configurations corresponding to different component combinations were obtained. Several optimal configurations were also found, subject to a payback period constraint of 5, 6, and 7 years. Optimizing the size of the hybrid power system with electric load shifting showed that the share of the load not covered by renewable energy sources decreases by 1.25% and 2.1%, depending on the parameters of the load shifting model. Net present cost and payback period also decreased, other technical and economic indicators improved; however, CO2 emissions increased due to the reduction in the energy storage system.
Online Coupled Generalized Multiscale Finite Element Method for the Poroelasticity Problem in Fractured and Heterogeneous Media

In this paper, we consider the poroelasticity problem in fractured and heterogeneous media. The mathematical model contains a coupled system of equations for fluid pressures and displacements in heterogeneous media. Due to scale disparity, many approaches have been developed for solving detailed fine-grid problems on a coarse grid. However, some approaches can lack good accuracy on a coarse grid and some corrections for coarse-grid solutions are needed. In this paper, we present a coarse-grid approximation based on the generalized multiscale finite element method (GMsFEM). We present the construction of the offline and online multiscale basis functions. The offline multiscale basis functions are precomputed for the given heterogeneity and fracture network geometry, where for the construction, we solve a local spectral problem and use the dominant eigenvectors (appropriately defined) to construct multiscale basis functions. To construct the online basis functions, we use current information about the local residual and solve coupled poroelasticity problems in local domains. The online basis functions are used to enrich the offline multiscale space and rapidly reduce the error using residual information. Only with appropriate offline coarse-grid spaces can one guarantee a fast convergence of online methods. We present numerical results for poroelasticity problems in fractured and heterogeneous media. We investigate the influence of the number of offline and online basis functions on the relative errors between the multiscale solution and the reference (fine-scale) solution.
Evaluation of science and mathematics books used for students with visual impairment in inclusive classrooms in Tanzania

This study evaluated the adapted science and mathematics books for students with visual impairment in inclusive classrooms in Tanzania secondary schools. It was conducted in 14 regions using qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were generated from a sample of 19 heads of school, 103 students, and 77 teachers. The findings of the study show that the books are appropriate for students with visual impairment. However, they lacked enough tactile illustrations and pictures. Further findings revealed that lack of braille knowledge among some teachers limited them from using the books. As such, a few teachers who had braille knowledge had started to use the books while those with limited knowledge did not. Most teachers reported lack of appropriate pedagogy for handling special needs in inclusive classrooms. Therefore, although the books are appropriate, a lot needs to be desired in building teachers’ capacity to use the books. Various inclusive methodological knowledge to teachers needs to be ensured. Furthermore, the books must be improved to include more tactile graphics and pictures to make them more reader-friendly for students with visual impairment. Other educational books, including three-dimensional (3D) models, should be part of the adapted books.
Study on Ground Collapse of Covered Karst Soil Caves by Sudden Drop of Groundwater

In this study, the ellipsoidal soil cave with vertical collapses in the covering karst area is studied. Based on certain assumptions, the mechanical model of karst collapse caused by groundwater drop was established. Then, based on the negative pressure calculation formula of soil cave cavity according to Boyle–Mariotte’s law, the expression of the stability coefficient of the soil cave was proposed. Subsequently, the feasibility of the theoretical formula was verified. The calculation example analyzed the relationship of groundwater parameters and overburden thickness. The results show that when the initial groundwater level is higher than the top of cave, the law between the stability coefficient of soil cave and groundwater drawdown shows the jumping horizontal broken line. Thus, soil cave tends to collapse when the falling groundwater level drops over the vault; when the initial groundwater level ranges from the bottom to the top of the cave body, the stability coefficient and groundwater drawdown show a negative correlation law, the curve is steep at the early stage and then becomes gentle at the latter stage, and the higher the initial groundwater level in the cave is, the greater stability coefficient of soil cave reduces; when the initial groundwater level is lower than the bottom of the cave, the effect of drawdown is limited. In addition, for the small drawdown or low initial groundwater level, the stability coefficient of soil cave first decreases and then increases with the increases in thickness of overburden, and the thinner the overburden is, the greater the drawdown rate is; when the drawdown or the initial groundwater level is higher, the stability coefficient of soil cave positively relates to the thickness of the overburden layer.
A Practical Remote Sensing Monitoring Framework for Late Frost Damage in Wine Grapes Using Multi-Source Satellite Data

Late frost damage is one of the main meteorological disasters that affect the growth of wine grapes in spring, causing a decline in wine grapes quality and a reduction in yield in Northwest China. At present, remote sensing technology has been widely used in the field of crop meteorological disasters monitoring and loss assessments, but little research has been carried out on late frost damage in wine grapes. To monitor the impact of late frost in wine grapes accurately and quickly, in this research, we selected the Ningxia planting area as the study area. A practical framework of late frost damage on wine grapes by integrating visible, near-infrared, and thermal infrared satellite data is proposed. This framework includes: (1) Wine grape planting area extraction using Gaofen-1 (GF-1), Landsat-8, and Sentinel-2 based on optimal feature selection and Random Forest (RF) algorithm; (2) retrieval of the land surface temperature (LST) using Landsat-8 thermal infrared data; (3) data fusion using Landsat-8 LST and MODIS LST for a high spatiotemporal resolution of LST with the Enhanced Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (ESTARFM); (4) the estimation of daily minimum air temperature (Tmin) using downscaled LST and meteorological station data; (5) monitoring and evaluation of the degree of late frost damage in wine grapes in April 2020 by combining satellite-derived data and late frost indicators. The results show that the total area of wine grapes extracted in Ningxia was about 39,837 ha. The overall accuracy was 90.47%, the producer’s accuracy was 91.09%, and the user’s accuracy was 90.22%. The root mean square (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R2) of the Tmin estimation model were 1.67 ℃ and 0.91, respectively. About 41.12% of the vineyards suffered severe late frost damage, and the total affected area was about 16,381 ha during April 20–25, 2020. This suggests the satellite data can accurately monitor late frost damage in wine grapes by mapping the wine grape area and estimating Tmin. The results can help farmers to take remedial measures to reduce late frost damage in wine grapes, and provide an objective evaluation of late frost damage insurance claims for wine grapes. With the increasing weather extremes, this study has an important reference value for standardized global wine grape management and food security planning.
Control of a downhole drilling system using an integral Barrier Lyapunov Function based method

Emergence of shale oil & gas and the unconventional wellbore condition motivate an increasing number of studies on analysis and control of the downhole drilling system. Due to complex downhole environments and underactuated, nonlinear, and nonsmooth features of the drilling dynamics, control synthesis of the drilling system is a challenging task. In this study, we propose a novel nonlinear control design for set-point tracking of the torsional velocity and axial rate of penetration, for a vertical drilling system with coupled axial and torsional dynamics and a velocity-independent bit-rock interaction model constrained by a delay differential equation. To eliminate damaging oscillations such as stick-slip, the Barrier Lyapunov Function approach is introduced to ensure smooth motion of the drill bit and to avoid having drilling operate in undesired working conditions. Meanwhile, the stability, boundedness and convergence properties with respect to system states are proved, and validated by a series of simulation results.
A Rationale for Teacher Change from a Bodyfulness Paradigm: An Experience in Higher Education

This article presents an exploratory and interpretative study on the development of self-reflection and self-knowledge in university teachers by an embodied experience. Dance Movement Therapy and Body–Mind Centering share the fundamentals of the paradigm of embodied cognition through a first-person full-body experience. Using these principles, a training program was designed and implemented in a cohort of 22 university teachers. The article offers details of the program and the adaptations necessary to carry it out in a higher-education context. The results of the qualitative analysis that was conducted suggested that the transformative learning paradigm could be useful to explain the process carried out by the participants. With the necessary limitations, the incorporation of awareness and attentive participation in bodily states and actions manifests as a transformative element in the teacher. The participants, despite initial resistance, see possibilities for applying this knowledge in their teaching practice.
Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Potential of Tateishi Kazu Vegetable Soup

Many industrialized areas of the world demand for the nutraceuticals due to rapidly growing health risks linked with higher consumption of processed foods. Tateishi Kazu vegetable soup or miracle soup is widely consumed around the world because of its nutraceutical properties. In the current research, the Tateishi Kazu vegetable soup was made from both organic and nonorganic sources, such as carrot, burdock root, shiitake mushroom, daikon radish, and radish leaves. We analyzed colour, antioxidant properties, cell viability, and mineral and free amino acid contents of both soups. The L ∗ a ∗ b and pH values revealed no drastic changes in the colour of the organic soup stored for 96 hours. The essential amino acids were present in higher amounts in an organic soup compared to the nonorganic soup. Similarly, the total mineral contents of the organic soup were higher than the nonorganic soup; however, potassium was the major mineral in both soups. Higher phenolic contents with elevated 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were noticed in organic soup. Moreover, both soups showed considerable reduction in cell viability of HepG2 cells tested through the MTT assay. From the present study, we concluded that the organic Tateishi Kazu vegetable soup can be of great importance to food industry due to the presence of viable nutrients and pharmacological properties.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis on Two-Phase Induced Low-Speed Pre-Ignition

The root cause of the initial low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) is not yet clarified. The literature data suggest that a two-phase phenomenon is most likely triggering the unpredictable premature ignitions in highly boosted spark-ignition engines. However, there are different hypotheses regarding the actual initiator, whether it is a detached liquid oil-fuel droplet or a solid-like particle from deposits. Therefore, the present work investigates the possibility of oil droplet-induced pre-ignitions using a modern downsized engine with minimally invasive endoscopic optical accessibility incorporating in-cylinder lubrication oil detection via light-induced fluorescence. This setup enables the differentiation between liquid and solid particles. Furthermore, the potential of hot solid particles to initiate an ignition under engine-relevant conditions is analyzed numerically. To do so, the particle is generalized as a hot surface transferring heat to the reactive ambient gas phase. The gas-phase reactivity is represented as a TRF/air mixture based on RON/MON specifications of the investigated fuel. The chemical processes are predicted using a semi-detailed reaction mechanism, including 137 species and 633 reactions in a 2D CFD simulation framework. In the optical experiments, no evidence of a liquid oil droplet-induced pre-ignition could be found. Nevertheless, all observed pre-ignitions had a history of flying light-emitting objects. There are strong hints towards solid-like deposit LSPI initiation. The application of the numerical methodology to mean in-cylinder conditions of an LSPI prone engine operation point reveals that particles below 1000 K are not able to initiate a pre-ignition. A sensitivity analysis of the thermodynamic boundary conditions showed that the particle temperature is the most decisive parameter on the calculated ignition delay time.
Outlier detection and online monitoring of event sequences arising in customer service processes with unknown event-types

Abstract In this article, we study sequences of events with unknown event types commonly arising in customer service processes, such as claim processing, and present a novel approach for detecting outliers and online monitoring of the progression of such sequences until termination. In our approach, we create a series of semi-parametric Cox PH regression models (called sub-models) pertaining to each event occurrence and then use their residuals to create a multivariate normal monitoring statistic. Owing to the benefits of Cox PH, the method can explicitly incorporate relationships to past events. Furthermore, the statistic is also adjusted for non-termination which makes it usable in the online setting. We demonstrate the efficacy of our method through a numerical study and application to a real-world data set obtained from a property and casualty insurance company.
Progress from ASDEX Upgrade experiments in preparing the physics basis of ITER operation and DEMO scenario development

An overview of recent results obtained at the tokamak ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) is given. A work flow for predictive profile modelling of AUG discharges was established which is able to reproduce experimental H-mode plasma profiles based on engineering parameters only. In the plasma center, theoretical predictions on plasma current redistribution by a dynamo effect were confirmed experimentally. For core transport, the stabilizing effect of fast ion distributions on turbulent transport is shown to be important to explain the core isotope effect and improves the description of hollow low-Z impurity profiles. The L–H power threshold of hydrogen plasmas is not affected by small helium admixtures and it increases continuously from the deuterium to the hydrogen level when the hydrogen concentration is raised from 0 to 100%. One focus of recent campaigns was the search for a fusion relevant integrated plasma scenario without large edge localised modes (ELMs). Results from six different ELM-free confinement regimes are compared with respect to reactor relevance: ELM suppression by magnetic perturbation coils could be attributed to toroidally asymmetric turbulent fluctuations in the vicinity of the separatrix. Stable improved confinement mode plasma phases with a detached inner divertor were obtained using a feedback control of the plasma β. The enhanced D α H-mode regime was extended to higher heating power by feedback controlled radiative cooling with argon. The quasi-coherent exhaust regime was developed into an integrated scenario at high heating power and energy confinement, with a detached divertor and without large ELMs. Small ELMs close to the separatrix lead to peeling-ballooning stability and quasi continuous power exhaust. Helium beam density fluctuation measurements confirm that transport close to the separatrix is important to achieve the different ELM-free regimes. Based on separatrix plasma parameters and interchange-drift-Alfvén turbulence, an analytic model was derived that reproduces the experimentally found important operational boundaries of the density limit and between L- and H-mode confinement. Feedback control for the X-point radiator (XPR) position was established as an important element for divertor detachment control. Stable and detached ELM-free phases with H-mode confinement quality were obtained when the XPR was moved 10 cm above the X-point. Investigations of the plasma in the future flexible snow-flake divertor of AUG by means of first SOLPS-ITER simulations with drifts activated predict beneficial detachment properties and the activation of an additional strike point by the drifts.