Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variability of above-ground litter inputs alters soil physicochemical and biological processes: a meta-analysis of litterfall-manipulation experiments

Global change has been shown to alter the amount of above-ground litter inputs to soil greatly, which could cause substantial cascading effects on below-ground biogeochemical cycling. Despite extensive study, there is uncertainty about how changes in above-ground litter inputs affect soil carbon and nutrient turnover and transformation. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis on 70 litter-manipulation experiments in order to assess how changes in above-ground litter inputs alter soil physicochemical properties, carbon dynamics and nutrient cycles. Our results demonstrated that litter removal decreased soil respiration by 34%, microbial biomass carbon in the mineral soil by 39% and total carbon in the mineral soil by 10%, whereas litter addition increased them by 31, 26 and 10%, respectively. This suggests that greater litter inputs increase the soil carbon sink despite higher rates of carbon release and transformation. Total nitrogen and extractable inorganic nitrogen in the mineral soil decreased by 17 and 30%, respectively, under litter removal, but were not altered by litter addition. Overall, litter manipulation had a significant impact upon soil temperature and moisture, but not soil pH; litter inputs were more crucial in buffering soil temperature and moisture fluctuations in grassland than in forest. Compared to other ecosystems, tropical and subtropical forests were more sensitive to variation in litter inputs, as altered litter inputs affected the turnover and accumulation of soil carbon and nutrients more substantially over a shorter time period. Our study demonstrates that although the magnitude of responses differed greatly among ecosystems, the direction of the responses was very similar across different ecosystems. Interactions between plant productivity and below-ground biogeochemical cycling need to be taken into account to predict ecosystem responses to environmental change.
Numerical and Experimental Study on Vibration and Noise of Embedded Rail System

The Kaohsiung light rail transit (LRT) system first introduced embedded rail system in Taiwan. However, domestic engineering consultants are still lacking in experience of analysis, design and construction of embedded rail systems. Noise and vibration of the mass rapid transit system is an important environmental issue in an urban environment. In order to understand the environmental impact of noise due to structural vibrations caused by a train running on the rail system, this paper establishes a numerical analysis procedure to perform a simulation. There are two fundamental parts to the numerical simulation: 1) vibration response due to a moving load and 2) radiation propagation of noise induced by structural vibration. The Kaohsiung LRT is used as a case study. The real embedded rail track system is modeled using ANSYS software with finite element analysis and the dynamic time history of the vibration response of the rail caused by a moving load is obtained. Secondly, the dynamic vibration response of the rail outputted by ANSYS is then imported into the software LMS Virtual.Lab to obtain the external radiation and sound field pressure distribution transferred from the rail to a specific monitoring point, based on the boundary element method. This paper also conducts field measurements of vibration velocity and sound pressure as a train passes. Both the experimental and analytical results for noise at specific points are compared and discussed. The proposed procedure promises to be suitable for practical vibration and noise analyses for rail systems.
Psychometric Evaluation of the College Adjustment Self-Efficacy Scale for Turkish University Students

The purpose of the study was to investigate the applicability of the College Adjustment Self-efficacy Scale (CASES) to a Turkish sample. The CASES (Hirose, Wada, & Watanabe, 1999) measures the degree of confidence in the basic skills necessary to complete one’s college career. A total of 492 freshman students at Middle East Technical University aged 16–29 years filled in the Turkish translation of the CASES, which included 21 items. The α coefficient for the Turkish version of CASES was . 82 and CASES correlated – . 35 with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The sum of the 21 item scores was used as the CASES score. Confirmatory factor analysis of the CASES showed that the scale consisted of three factors: Self-controlled persistence of activities, Judgmental ability based on objective information, and Self-adjustment in human relations.
The Brewer-Dobson circulation and total ozone from seasonal to decadal time scales

Abstract. The effect of the winter Brewer-Dobson circulation (BDC) on the seasonal and decadal evolution of total ozone in both hemispheres is investigated using satellite total ozone data from the merged GOME/SCIAMACHY/GOME-2 (GSG) data set (1995–2010) and outputs from two chemistry-climate models (CCM), the FUB-EMAC and DLR-E39C-A models. Combining data from both hemispheres a linear relationship between the winter average extratropical 100 hPa eddy heat flux and the ozone ratio with respect to fall ozone levels exists and is statistically significant for tropical as well as polar ozone. The high correlation at high latitudes persists well into the summer months until the onset of the next winter season. The anti-correlation of the cumulative eddy heat flux with tropical ozone ratios, however, breaks down in spring as the polar vortex erodes and changes to a weak positive correlation similar to that observed at high latitudes. The inter-annual variability and decadal evolution of ozone in each hemisphere in winter, spring, and summer are therefore driven by the cumulative effect of the previous winter's meridional circulation. This compact linear relationship is also found in both CCMs used in this study indicating that current models realistically describe the variability in stratospheric circulation and its effect on total ozone. Both models show a positive trend in the winter mean eddy heat flux (and winter BDC strength) in both hemispheres until year 2050, however the inter-annual variability (peak-to-peak) is two to three times larger than the mean change between 1960 and 2050. It is, nevertheless, possible to detect a shift in this compact linear relationship related to past and future changes in the stratospheric halogen load. Using the SBUV/TOMS/OMI (MOD V8) merged data set (1980–2010), it can be shown that from the decade 1990–1999 to 2000–2010 this linear relationship remained unchanged (before and after the turnaround in the stratospheric halogen load), while a shift is evident between 1980–1989 (upward trend in stratospheric halogen) and the 1990s, which is a clear sign that an onset of recovery is detectable despite the large variability in polar ozone. Because of the large variability from year to year in the BDC circulation substantial polar ozone depletion may still occur in coming decades in selected winters with weak BDC and very low polar stratospheric temperatures.
The effect of migratory behaviour on genetic diversity and population divergence: a comparison of anadromous and freshwater Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

Atlantic salmon populations, even after correcting for differences in stock size. The phylogeographic origin of the populations also had a significant effect on the genetic diversity characteristics of populations: anadromous populations from the basins of the Atlantic Ocean, White Sea and Barents Sea possessed higher levels of genetic diversity than anadromous populations from the Baltic Sea basin. Among the freshwater populations, the result was the opposite: the Baltic freshwater populations were more variable. The results of this study imply that differences in the level of long-term gene flow between freshwater populations and anadromous populations have led to different levels of genetic diversity, which was also evidenced by the hierarchical analysis of molecular variance. Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of taking the life history of a population into consideration when developing conservation strategies: due to the limited possibilities for new genetic diversity to be generated via gene flow, it is expected that freshwater Atlantic salmon populations would be more vulnerable to extinction following a population crash. Hence, high conservation status is warranted in order to ensure the long-term survival of the limited number of European populations with this life-history strategy.
Characterization of prokaryotic diversity in a chlorinated solvent-contaminated bedrock aquifer using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, ribosomal DNA sequencing, and real time PCR

A culture-independent molecular phylogenetic approach was implemented to investigate spatial and temporal variations in microbial diversity and abundance in a chlorinated solvent-contaminated bedrock aquifer. Core and groundwater samples were collected from several boreholes and included the following samples: (1) groundwater that was associated with the core, (2) open fractures and (3) partially mineralized sealed fractures (PMSF) exposed by striking the core with a surface-sterilized geology hammer. DNA representing the attached and unattached microbial communities was extracted from these samples, and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified with primers specific for Bacteria, Archaea, sulfate reducers, Geobacteraceae family, Dehalorespirers (Dehalococcoides sp. and Desulfuromonas sp.), and anaerobic methane oxidizers. Molecular fingerprints of the samples were generated by the use of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and were analyzed to detect spatial and seasonal changes. DGGE fingerprints revealed significant compositional differences between the attached and the unattached microbial communities. Cluster analysis suggested that the key factor responsible for changes detected in the groundwater was time, not depth. PMSF fingerprint analysis revealed depth-dependent clustering trend. DGGE profiles for Desulfuromonas sp. revealed an unexpected level of diversity. Sequence analysis of about 400 DGGE bands indicated the predominance of a beta-Proteobacteria-like sequence in the groundwater. gamma-, alphaProteobacteria, Cyanobacteria-, Cytophaga/Flavobacterium/Bacterooides-, and Gram-positives including Actinobacteria-and Dehalococcoides-like sequences dominated the attached populations. A novel sulfate-reducing community was found in the groundwater, while hydrogen-utilizing archaea with similarity up to 94.6% to Methanospirillum hungatei dominated the PMSF samples. Most of the groundwater archaeal sequences were affiliated with the thermophilic Crenarchaeota and Methanosarcinales. The relative abundance of several microbial groups, which was determined by the use of nested Real Time-PCR (nRT-PCR), did not show any significant changes in the groundwater in relationship to depth or time. However, the relative abundance of Bacteria, Archaea, Geobacteraceae, and sulfate reducers was higher for the attached microbial communities compared to the unattached communities in at least one of the wells studied (BBC5). Molecular evidence also suggests the existence of anaerobic methane oxidation at this site and that hydrogen was acting as an interspecies electron shuttle.
Highly Reflective GaN-Based Air-Gap Distributed Bragg Reflectors Fabricated Using AlInN Wet Etching

We report the fabrication of four-period GaN-based air-gap distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) using wet etching of sacrificial AlInN layers. The epitaxial structure grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy consists of four GaN/Al0.83In0. 17N pairs. The sacrificial AlInN layers are selectively under-etched in hot nitric acid to form the air-gap DBR in micro-bridges. Micro-reflectivity spectra exhibiting flat and well defined stop-bands are observed, with peak reflectivities >99% at 590 nm and ∼74% at 400 nm. The full-width half maximum of the widest stop-band is 170 nm in agreement with transmission matrix simulations. Such devices are robust and offer an attractive basis for GaN-based microlasers and microcavities.
Overview of Slope Monitoring Technology

The geological disaster caused by slope engineering has always been one of the most concerned issues in the society. In recent years, the rapid development of urbanization in China has caused relatively large changes in the geological environment, sometimes leading to landslides and mudslides, which pose a significant threat to human lives and properties. The monitoring technologies of slope deformation have been rapidly developed and played an increasingly important role in ensuring slope stability. This paper briefly introduces the conventional slope deformation monitoring technologies and their shortages. The latest development of slope deformation monitoring technologies is presented in detail, followed by analysis of the features of these technologies. Finally, some research suggestions are proposed for future development of slope deformation monitoring technologies.
2D and 3D virtual interactive laboratories of physics on Unity platform

Using the cross-platform game engine Unity, we develop virtual laboratories for PC, consoles, mobile devices and website as an innovative tool to study physics. There is extensive uptake of ICT in the teaching of science and its impact on the learning, and considering the limited availability of laboratories for physics teaching and the difficulties this causes in the learning of school students, we design the virtual laboratories to enhance studentâĂŹs knowledge of concepts in physics. To achieve this goal, we use Unity due to provide support bump mapping, reflection mapping, parallax mapping, dynamics shadows using shadows maps, full-screen post-processing effects and render-to-texture. Unity can use the best variant for the current video hardware and, if none are compatible, to use an alternative shader that may sacrifice features for performance. The control over delivery to mobile devices, web browsers, consoles and desktops is the main reason Unity is the best option among the same kind cross-platform. Supported platforms include Android, Apple TV, Linux, iOS, Nintendo 3DS line, macOS, PlayStation 4, Windows Phone 8, Wii but also an asset server and Nvidia’s PhysX physics engine which is the most relevant tool on Unity for our PhysLab.
Semantic role clustering: An empirical assessment of semantic role types in non-default case assignment

This paper seeks to determine to what extent there is cross-linguistic evidence for postulating clusters of predicate-specific semantic roles such as experiencer, cognizer, possessor, etc. For this, we survey non-default case assignments in a sample of 141 languages and annotate the associated predicates for cross-linguistically recurrent semantic roles, such as ‘the one who feels cold’, ‘the one who eats sth. ’, ‘the thing that is being eaten’. We then determine to what extent these roles are treated alike across languages, i.e. repeatedly grouped together under the same non-default case marker or under the same specific alternation with a non-default marker. Applying fuzzy cluster and NeighborNet algorithms to these data reveals cross-linguistic evidence for role clusters around experiencers, undergoers of body processes, and cognizers/perceivers in one- and two-place predicates; and around sources and transmitted speech in three-place predicates. No support emerges from non-default case assignment for any other role clusters that are traditionally assumed (e.g. for any distinctions among objects of two-argument predicates, or for distinctions between themes and instruments).
Mapping and Classification of Ecologically Sensitive Marine Habitats Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Imagery and Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA)

Nowadays, emerging technologies, such as long-range transmitters, increasingly miniaturized components for positioning, and enhanced imaging sensors, have led to an upsurge in the availability of new ecological applications for remote sensing based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), sometimes referred to as “drones”. In fact, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry coupled with imagery acquired by UAVs offers a rapid and inexpensive tool to produce high-resolution orthomosaics, giving ecologists a new way for responsive, timely, and cost-effective monitoring of ecological processes. Here, we adopted a lightweight quadcopter as an aerial survey tool and object-based image analysis (OBIA) workflow to demonstrate the strength of such methods in producing very high spatial resolution maps of sensitive marine habitats. Therefore, three different coastal environments were mapped using the autonomous flight capability of a lightweight UAV equipped with a fully stabilized consumer-grade RGB digital camera. In particular we investigated a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow, a rocky coast with nurseries for juvenile fish, and two sandy areas showing biogenic reefs of Sabelleria alveolata. We adopted, for the first time, UAV-based raster thematic maps of these key coastal habitats, produced after OBIA classification, as a new method for fine-scale, low-cost, and time saving characterization of sensitive marine environments which may lead to a more effective and efficient monitoring and management of natural resources.
Graphene-Based Semiconductor Heterostructures for Photodetectors

Graphene transparent conductive electrodes are highly attractive for photodetector (PD) applications due to their excellent electrical and optical properties. The emergence of graphene/semiconductor hybrid heterostructures provides a platform useful for fabricating high-performance optoelectronic devices, thereby overcoming the inherent limitations of graphene. Here, we review the studies of PDs based on graphene/semiconductor hybrid heterostructures, including device physics/design, performance, and process technologies for the optimization of PDs. In the last section, existing technologies and future challenges for PD applications of graphene/semiconductor hybrid heterostructures are discussed.
Prediction of performance of the moving-bed biofilm pilot reactor using back-propagation artificial neural network (bp-ann)

The project was partially funded by National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers Grant No. IFR170214222643 awarded to Prof Evans M.N. Chirwa of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria. Buckman Africa provided funding for chemical and microbiological analyses.
Rowan Digital Works Rowan Digital Works

Background: Smartphone apps promoting physical activity (PA) are abundant, but few produce substantial and sustained behavior change. Although many PA apps purport to induce users to compare themselves with others (by invoking social comparison processes), improvements in PA and other health behaviors are inconsistent. Existing literature suggests that social comparison may motivate PA for some people under some circumstances. However, 2 aspects of work that apply social comparison theory to PA apps remain unclear: (1) how comparison processes have been operationalized or harnessed in existing PA apps and (2) whether incorporating sources of variability in response to comparison have been used to tailor comparison features of apps, which could improve their effectiveness for promoting PA. Objective: The aim of this meta-review was to summarize existing systematic, quantitative, and narrative reviews of behavior change techniques in PA apps, with an emphasis on social comparison features, to examine how social comparison is operationalized and implemented. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for reviews of PA smartphone apps. Of the 3743 initial articles returned, 26 reviews met the inclusion criteria. Two independent raters extracted the data from these reviews, including the definition of social comparison used to categorize app features, the percentage of apps categorized as inducing comparison, specific features intended to induce comparison, and any mention of tailoring comparison features. For reference, these data were also extracted for related processes (such as behavioral modeling, norm referencing, and social networking). Results: Of the included review articles, 31% (8/26) categorized app features as prompting social comparison. The majority of these employed Abraham and Michie’s earliest definition of comparison, which
Impact of Learning Model Based on Cognitive Conflict toward Student’s Conceptual Understanding

The problems that often occur in the learning of physics is a matter of misconception and low understanding of the concept. Misconceptions do not only happen to students, but also happen to college students and teachers. The existing learning model has not had much impact on improving conceptual understanding and remedial efforts of student misconception. This study aims to see the impact of cognitive-based learning model in improving conceptual understanding and remediating student misconceptions. The research method used is Design / Develop Research. The product developed is a cognitive conflict-based learning model along with its components. This article reports on product design results, validity tests, and practicality test. The study resulted in the design of cognitive conflict-based learning model with 4 learning syntaxes, namely (1) preconception activation, (2) presentation of cognitive conflict, (3) discovery of concepts & equations, (4) Reflection. The results of validity tests by some experts on aspects of content, didactic, appearance or language, indicate very valid criteria. Product trial results also show a very practical product to use. Based on pretest and posttest results, cognitive conflict-based learning models have a good impact on improving conceptual understanding and remediating misconceptions, especially in high-ability students.
Robust optimisation formulations for the design of an electric machine

In this study, two formulations for the robust optimisation of the size of the permanent magnet in a synchronous machine are discussed. The optimisation is constrained by a partial differential equation to describe the electromagnetic behaviour of the machine. The need for a robust optimisation procedure originates from the fact that optimisation parameters have deviations. The first approach, i.e. worst-case optimisation, makes use of local sensitivities. The second approach takes into account expectation values and standard deviations. The latter are associated with global sensitivities. The geometry parametrisation is elegantly handled thanks to the introduction of an affine decomposition. Since the stochastic quantities are determined by tools from uncertainty quantification (UQ) and thus require a lot of finite element evaluations, model order reduction is used in order to increase the efficiency of the procedure. It is shown that both approaches are equivalent if a linearisation is carried out. This finding is supported by the application on an electric machine. The optimisation algorithms used are sequential quadratic programming, particle swarm optimisation and genetic algorithm. While both formulations reduce the size of the magnets, the UQ-based optimisation approach is less pessimistic with respect to deviations and yields smaller magnets.
ACOUSTIC SCENE CLASSIFICATION USING DEEP CNN ON RAW-WAVEFORM Technical Report

For acoustic scene classification problems, conventionally Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have been used on handcrafted features like Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients, filterbank energies, scaled spectrograms etc. However, recently CNNs have been used on raw waveform for acoustic modeling in speech recognition, though the time-scales of these waveforms are short (of the order of typical phoneme durations 80-120 ms). In this work, we have exploited the representation learning power of CNNs by using them directly on very long raw acoustic sound waveforms (of durations 0.5-10 sec) for the acoustic scene classification (ASC) task of DCASE and have shown that deep CNNs (of 8-34 layers) can outperform CNNs with similar architecture on handcrafted features.