Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution and seasonal evolution of supraglacial lakes on Shackleton Ice Shelf, East Antarctica

Abstract. Supraglacial lakes (SGLs) enhance surface melting and can flex and fracture ice shelves when they grow and subsequently drain, potentially leading to ice shelf disintegration. However, the seasonal evolution of SGLs and their influence on ice shelf stability in East Antarctica remains poorly understood, despite some potentially vulnerable ice shelves having high densities of SGLs. Using optical satellite imagery, air temperature data from climate reanalysis products and surface melt predicted by a regional climate model, we present the first long-term record (2000–2020) of seasonal SGL evolution on Shackleton Ice Shelf, which is Antarctica's northernmost remaining ice shelf and buttresses Denman Glacier, a major outlet of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. In a typical melt season, we find hundreds of SGLs with a mean area of 0.02 km2, a mean depth of 0.96 m and a mean total meltwater volume of 7.45×106 m3. At their most extensive, SGLs cover a cumulative area of 50.7 km2 and are clustered near to the grounding line, where densities approach 0.27 km2 km−2. Here, SGL development is linked to an albedo-lowering feedback associated with katabatic winds, together with the presence of blue ice and exposed rock. Although below-average seasonal (December–January–February, DJF) temperatures are associated with below-average peaks in total SGL area and volume, warmer seasonal temperatures do not necessarily result in higher SGL areas and volumes. Rather, peaks in total SGL area and volume show a much closer correspondence with short-lived high-magnitude snowmelt events. We therefore suggest seasonal lake evolution on this ice shelf is instead more sensitive to snowmelt intensity associated with katabatic-wind-driven melting. Our analysis provides important constraints on the boundary conditions of supraglacial hydrology models and numerical simulations of ice shelf stability.
PROMISES AND PROBLEMS OF THREE PROPOSALS FOR CYCLICAL STABILIZATION

This Policy paper contributes to the debate on how to equip the euro area with a mechanism for asymmetric shocks absorption. It responds to the challenge of automatic stabilization and adds to potential solutions by analysing the promises and problems of automatic stabilization mechanisms for the euro area. The Policy paper considers three of the most influential proposals for an automatic stabilization mechanism: a cyclical shock insurance (CSI) put forward by Enderlein, Guttenberg & Spiess (2013); a European Unemployment Insurance (EUI) proposed by Dullien (2014a); and a Reinsurance proposed by Beblavý, Gros & Maselli (2015). The analysis reveals the underlying assumptions of each proposal, identifies main requirements and compares net payments as well as stabilization properties.
Predicting Partner Violence in College Couples: The Role of Global Self-Esteem, Domain-Specific Self-Esteem, and Jealousy

Traditional partner violence research contends that low levels of global self­ esteem (SE) are predictive of aggression against a romantic partner (e.g. Goldstein & Rosenbaum, 1985). The relationship between global SE and other forms o f aggression is currently being challenged by proponents of the theory of domain-specific SE (Kirkpatrick & Ellis, 2000). Furthermore, evolutionary perspectives argue that a leading cause of the abuse of a romantic partner is jealousy (e.g. Daly, Wilson, & Weghorst, 1982). The present study was designed to examine the degree to which jealousy, global SE, and domain-specific SE are predictive of psychological abuse, physical abuse, and aggressive mate retention tactics. Using regression analyses, results revealed that when jealousy is statistically controlled, global SE does not predict aggression against a romantic partner. Results also demonstrated that one domain of SE particularly important in predicting partner violence is collective SE. Specifically, low collective SE predicted the use of physical and psychological abuse of a romantic partner. Furthermore, the findings of this study support the need to collect aggression data from both partners o f the couple, as evident by the small correlation between the two sets of reports. Implications of this study include the need to incorporate jealousy as a possible mediator o f the relationship between aggression and different domains of SE. Moreover, prevention researchers should note the buffering effect of social coalitions in the context of partner aggression. PREDICTING PARTNER VIOLENCE IN COLLEGE COUPLES: THE ROLE OF GLOBAL SELF-ESTEEM, DOMAIN-SPECIFIC SELF-ESTEEM, AND JEALOUSY
Response to Comment on “Nocturnality in Dinosaurs Inferred from Scleral Ring and Orbit Morphology”

Hall et al. claim that it is not yet possible to infer the diel activity patterns of fossil archosaurs with high confidence. We demonstrate here that this assertion is founded on unscreened data, untenable assumptions, and inappropriate methods. Our approach follows ecomorphological and phylogenetic principles in a probabilistic framework, resulting in statistically well-supported reconstructions of diel activity patterns in Mesozoic archosaurs.
Effect of Integrated Marketing Practices and Organizational Structure on Efficiency and Effectiveness of NGOs in Nairobi City County, Kenya

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of integrated marketing practices and organizational structure on efficiency and effectivness of NGOs. The study adopted descriptive crosssectional survey design where data was collected from one hundred and tewnty two NGOs. The findings indicated a positive linear relationship between integrated marketing practices on efficiency and effectivness of NGOs. Similarly, organizational structure affects NGOs efficiency and effectivness positively. However, orgnizational structure does not moderate the relationship between integrated marketing practices and efficiency or effectivness of NGOs. The study also found out that the joint effect of integrated marketing practices and organizational structure was greater than their individual effect. The study recommends embracing of integrated marketing practices as a strategy for improving organizational performance.
REDUCED-BASIS METHODS FOR PDE-CONSTRAINED ELLIPTIC OPTIMAL CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH UNCERTAIN COEFFICIENTS

This thesis covers a convex optimal control problem, which possesses an elliptic PDE subjected to uncertainty as constraint. It will be shown that with the help of the projected stochastic gradient method an optimal control over a discrete random space can be computed faster than with the projected gradient method. The determination of the necessary finite element (FE) solutions can be speeded-up by use of the reduced basis (RB) method. For the error between the FE and the reduced-order solution a-posteriori error estimates can be denoted for the state and the adjoint equation. The convergence behaviour between the FE and the reducedorder solution will be studied. The numerical results confirm the theoretical results of the convergence behaviour. Furthermore the difference between the optimal solution with and without the RB method can be bounded. The optimization with the projected stochastic gradient method and the RB method turns out to be a more efficient method.
The invertebrate fauna of epiphyte mats in the canopy of northern rata (Myrtaceae: Metrosideros robusta A. Cunn.) on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand

Abstract The range of microhabitats and microclimatic conditions provided by epiphytes has been linked to the high diversity of invertebrates in many forest canopies worldwide, but comparably little is known about the invertebrate fauna in this habitat in New Zealand. This study compiled an inventory of the invertebrate fauna of epiphyte mats in the canopy of northern rata (Myrtaceae: Metrosideros robusta A. Cunn.) at two study sites on the West Coast of the South Island. A total of 242 069 invertebrate specimens was collected over one year, representing 4 phyla, 9 classes and more than 160 families, 225 genera and 446 species. At least 10 new species and 3 new genera were identified, while 5 species were recorded outside their known geographical range. Epiphyte mats provided habitat for an invertebrate fauna, highly diverse and abundant both taxonomically and functionally, dominated in terms of abundance by Acari, Collembola and Hymenoptera (largely ants), and in terms of feeding guilds by epiphyte grazers and ants. As the first inventory of this taxonomic depth and breadth compiled for New Zealand forest epiphyte habitats, this study provides important baseline data for the conservation of biodiversity in New Zealand's indigenous forests.
Association between adiposity indicators and cardiorespiratory fitness among rural northeastern Thai adolescents

Introduction: Obesity or high adiposity is known to be associated with various medical consequences, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease and metabolic syndrome. High adiposity and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) have been found to be related with higher risks of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, previous studies in Asia reported inconsistent findings on the association between obesity or high adiposity, based on various indicators, with impaired CRF. This study investigated the association between adiposity indicators and CRF in terms of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in adolescents from rural northeastern Thailand. Methods: This study was performed among 486 adolescents aged 14-15 years old in Khon Kaen province, Thailand. Adiposity indicators included body mass index-for-age z-scores (BAZ), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and percent body fat (%BF) based on deuterium dilution technique. Results: Male adolescents had higher WHR and VO2 max than female adolescents, while female adolescents had higher %BF and WHtR. Adolescents who had higher adiposity tended to have lower VO2 max, especially among females in which the lowest VO2 max was found in the highest quintile of adiposity indicators, including BAZ, WC, WHtR and %BF. Conclusion: Adolescents with higher adiposity tended to have poorer CRF. Based on previous knowledge that both high adiposity and poor CRF may lead to higher risks of developing CVD, this suggests that obese adolescents should be considered and managed at an early age in order to maintain optimal CRF.
Pilot Investigation into the Impact of Mobile Health (Mhealth) Applications on Medication Adherence in Adolescent Renal Transplant Patients

The advent of superior immunosuppressive (IMS) therapies and surgical techniques has increased 1-year renal graft survival to as much as 98.7% in kidney transplant patients [1]. Graft survival in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years is comparable at 96.1%. However, 5-year graft survival in this younger population is lower when compared to other age groups, with the exception of recipients older than 65 years [1,2]. The 1-year time point is significant, as it marks a time in which there are fewer clinic visits for monitoring [3]. While factors such as co-morbid diseases, extent of donor match, and donor type are involved in graft loss in all populations, the adolescent age group in particular is notorious for high rates of medication non-adherence resulting in graft loss [4].
Design for auditory imagery: altering instruments to explore performer fluency

In NIME design, thorough attention has been devoted to feedback modalities, including auditory, visual and hap-tic feedback. How the performer executes the gestures to achieve a sound on an instrument, by contrast, appears to be less examined. Previous research showed that auditory imagery, or the ability to hear or recreate sounds in the mind even when no audible sound is present, is essential to the sensorimotor control involved in playing an instrument. In this paper, we enquire whether auditory imagery can also help to support skill transfer between musical instruments resulting in possible implications for new instrument design. To answer this question, we performed two experimental studies on pitch accuracy and fluency where professional violinists were asked to play a modified violin. Results showed altered or even possibly irrelevant auditory feedback on a modified violin does not appear to be a significant impediment to performance. However, performers need to have coherent imagery of what they want to do, and the sonic outcome needs to be coupled to the motor program to achieve it. This finding shows that the design paradigm should be shifted from a direct feedback model of instrumental playing toward a model where imagery guides the playing process. This result is in agreement with recent research on skilled sensorimotor control that highlights the value of feedforward anticipation in embodied musical performance. It is also of primary importance for the design of new instruments: new sounds that cannot easily be imagined and that are not coupled to a motor program are not likely to be easily performed on the instrument.
From miming to NIMEing: the development of idiomatic gestural language on large scale DMIs

When performing with new instruments, musicians often develop new performative gestures and playing techniques. Music performance studies on new instruments often con-sider interfaces that feature a spectrum of gestures similar to already existing sound production techniques. This paper considers the choices performers make when creating an idiomatic gestural language for an entirely unfamiliar instrument. We designed a musical interface with a unique large-scale layout to encourage new performers to create fully original instrument-body interactions. We conducted a study where trained musicians were invited to perform one of two versions of the same instrument, each physically identical but with a diﬀerent tone mapping. The study results reveal insights into how musicians develop novel performance gestures when encountering a new instrument char-acterised by an unfamiliar shape and size. Our discussion highlights the impact of an instrument’s scale and layout on the emergence of new gestural vocabularies and on the qualities of the music performed.
Unified Neural Encoding of BTFs

Realistic rendering using discrete reflectance measurements is challenging, because arbitrary directions on the light and view hemispheres are queried at render time, incurring large memory requirements and the need for interpolation. This explains the desire for compact and continuously parametrized models akin to analytic BRDFs; however, fitting BRDF parameters to complex data such as BTF texels can prove challenging, as models tend to describe restricted function spaces that cannot encompass real‐world behavior. Recent advances in this area have increasingly relied on neural representations that are trained to reproduce acquired reflectance data. The associated training process is extremely costly and must typically be repeated for each material. Inspired by autoencoders, we propose a unified network architecture that is trained on a variety of materials, and which projects reflectance measurements to a shared latent parameter space. Similarly to SVBRDF fitting, real‐world materials are represented by parameter maps, and the decoder network is analog to the analytic BRDF expression (also parametrized on light and view directions for practical rendering application). With this approach, encoding and decoding materials becomes a simple matter of evaluating the network. We train and validate on BTF datasets of the University of Bonn, but there are no prerequisites on either the number of angular reflectance samples, or the sample positions. Additionally, we show that the latent space is well‐behaved and can be sampled from, for applications such as mipmapping and texture synthesis.
Feeding ecology and growth of neonate and juvenile blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus in the Timbalier–Terrebone Bay complex, LA, U.S.A.

Stomach contents and vertebrae from neonate and juvenile blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus (n ¼ 334) were examined to describe their diet, feeding patterns and growth within the Timbalier–Terrebone Bay complex, LA, U.S.A. In the study area, both neonate and juvenile C. limbatus feed primarily on gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus . H owever, based on the index of relative importance (IRI), gulf menhaden constituted a larger portion of the diet of neonates (84� 05 %IRI) than for juveniles (47� 91 %IRI). An increase in the index of relative fullness between the afternoon and dusk time intervals and a large decrease in the percentage of empty stomachs between the night and early morning time intervals suggested that these fish exhibited a diel feeding pattern with crepuscular periods being the times of highest feeding activity. A higher percentage of empty stomachs (neonates 68% and juveniles 39%) and a significantly lower growth rate (age 0þ year C. limbatus ,0 � 62 mm day � 1 ; age 1þ year fish, 0� 89 mm day � 1 ) could indicate that neonate C. limbatus are less efficient predators than
PAIRWISE SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS IN THE PERENNIAL VEGETATION OF THE NORTHERN CHIHUAHUAN DESERT

Abstract We analyzed pairwise species associations based on presence/absence data from transects of perennial vegetation at 129 sites located in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. The sites were chosen to represent the range of commonly encountered desert vegetation types from grassland to shrubland. Twenty-four significant associations were found, all of which were positive (i.e., the species pairs co-occurred more frequently than would be expected by chance). Some of the species associations identified by our analysis have been noted in the literature previously, but others have not and warrant further investigation. Given the nature and scale of the data used in our analysis, the associations we uncovered most likely represent species with similarities in ecological requirements or tolerances, but might or might not indicate strong interaction at the scale of individual plants.
Racial Discrimination and White First Name Adoption: Evidence from a Correspondence Study in the Australian Labour Market

We design and implement a correspondence study where we sent fictitious resumes with Chinese names and White names in response to both high-skilled and low-skilled job advertisements. Consistent with similar research elsewhere, we find that there is a large gap in getting interview offers when resumes with first and last Chinese names are used compared to resumes with White first and last names. To tease apart whether the gaps can be better explained by statistical or taste-based discrimination, we also sent out resumes of 'Adopters' with a Chinese last name but White first name. The benefit of having an adopter name was economically meaningful, reducing the gap by about the same amount as would occur if the applicant with a Chinese first and last name had instead received an additional year of honours education. To examine the extent and nature of discrimination, we collected two data sets with administrative population statistics. The administrative information shows that Adopter names signal different characteristics, including educational outcomes and parent background which is consistent with statistical discrimination. In addition, the pool of Chinese applicants is a mixture of international and domestic applicants with the domestic pool being higher achievers whereas the international applicants are much lower achievers. This mixture might be disadvantaging the domestic pool and providing an economic motive for becoming an Adopter. We discuss how our results may help formulate policies for parental investments and employers' education to reduce employment and wage gaps observed between minorities and majorities in labour markets.
Identification of intron 1 and intron 22 inversions of factor VIII gene in Serbian patients with hemophilia A

Hemophilia A (HA) is a common X-linked recessive bleeding disease caused by mutations of FVIII gene. Inversion of intron 1 (inv1) and intron 22 (inv22) are recurrent mutations in severe HA, causing 50% of cases. Inv1 has been reported to occur in 2-5% and inv 22 in 45% of severe HA patients. Our objective was to determine, for the first time in Serbia, the frequency of inv1 and inv22 in a group of severe HA patients and to compare these data with those from other countries. Study subjects were 50 HA patients, diagnosed and treated from April 2009 to June 2012 at Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia “Dr Vukan Cupic” (IHS) and Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina (IHV). The presence of inv1 and inv22 was analyzed using Inverse shifting PCR (IS-PCR). Our results revealed that the frequencies of inv1 and inv22 in the cohort of Serbian patients were 6 % and 42% (34% of inv22 type I and 8% of inv22 type II) respectively . These frequencies were in line with those found in other populations. Carrier status analyses of 65 family members (mothers and sisters) showed the de novo inversion of intron 22 in one patient. Genetic Counseling Units of IHS and IHV provide the adequate genetic advice to all HA affected patients and their family members. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173046 i br. 175056]
Pyrene Degradation by Bacillus pumilus Isolated from Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

Bacillus pumilus (MTCC 1002) isolated from crude oil contaminated soil and identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, was capable of growing in the presence of 50 μg/ml of pyrene. During growth on pyrene B. pumilus was able to co-metabolize 64% of 50μg/ml pyrene in basal medium containing 0.5% glucose in 35 days while in pulse-chase studies, as assessed by HPLC analysis, log phase. B. pumilus cells were able to uptake approximately 11% of 100 μg pyrene as pure substrate in 7 hours at 30°C. 9-methoxyphenanthrene and phthalate were identified as metabolic intermediates by GC-MS during degradation of pyrene by B. pumilus. This report implicates B. pumilus as a potential pyrene biodegrader suitable for practical field applications for effective in situ PAH bioremediation.
Design of a Stochastic Traffic Regulator for End-to-End Network Delay Guarantees

Providing end-to-end network delay guarantees in packet-switched networks such as the Internet is highly desirable for mission-critical and delay-sensitive data transmission, yet it remains a challenging open problem. Since deterministic bounds are based on the worst-case traffic behavior, various frameworks for stochastic network calculus have been proposed to provide less conservative, probabilistic bounds on network delay, at least in theory. However, little attention has been devoted to the problem of regulating traffic according to stochastic burstiness bounds, which is necessary in order to guarantee the delay bounds in practice. We design and analyze a stochastic traffic regulator that can be used in conjunction with results from stochastic network calculus to provide probabilistic guarantees on end-to-end network delay. Two alternative implementations of the stochastic regulator are developed and compared. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed stochastic traffic regulator.
The roles of Uruguay and Mexico in economic integration, 1990-2016: MERCOSUR and NAFTA

Using structural analysis techniques and methods, this paper analyzes the integration of Uruguay into MERCOSUR and the integration of Mexico into NAFTA during the period 1990-2016 and compares the two. This analysis is conducted in the context of the process of economic integration between the main economic blocs in the Americas. The evidence and results suggest a divergence between the trajectories of the blocs and those of smaller partners. MERCOSUR made no significant progress and remained only a loosely integrated bloc, while NAFTA fostered a deeper integration between its partners. In this context, the integration of junior partners such as Mexico and Uruguay into their respective agreements has been asymmetrical, and therefore their respective contributions have differed considerably. This is much more significant in the case of Mexico than in Uruguay.