Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards soundscape indices

The growing field of soundscape studies considers sound environments as perceived, in context, with an interdisciplinary approach. This paper outlines an ongoing European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant project, which aims to establish “soundscape indices” (SSID). By taking psychological, (psycho)acoustical, neural and physiological, and contextual factors into account, SSID will adequately reflect levels of human comfort to integrate side-by-side with (and eventually replace) decibel-based metrics into existing (international) regulations, shifting the focus from noise control to a more holistic approach. Steps to achieve this include: to characterise soundscapes, by capturing acoustic environments and establishing a comprehensive database; to identify key factors and their influence on soundscape quality based on the database, by conducting laboratory psychological evaluations, acoustical/psychoacoustic factors analysis, and also, to research the neural and psychophysiological underpinnings of soundscape experience, by applying techniques such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Skin Conductance Response (SCR); to develop, test and validate the soundscape indices, by analysing the influences of various factors; to demonstrate the applicability of the soundscape indices in practice, by establishing frameworks for soundscape prediction, design, and standardisation. Ultimately, the findings of SSID will allow for an easy assessment of public spaces and the increase of the noise management impact.
Seasonal drought prediction for semiarid northeast Brazil

The semiarid northeast of Brazil is one of the most densely populated dryland regions in the world and recurrently affected by severe droughts. Thus, reliable seasonal forecasts of streamflow and reservoir storage are of high value for water managers. Such forecasts can be generated by applying either hydrological models representing underlying processes or statistical relationships exploiting correlations among meteorological and hydrological variables. This work evaluates and compares the performances of seasonal reservoir storage forecasts derived by a process-based hydrological model and a statistical approach. Driven by observations, both models achieve similar simulation accuracies. In a hindcast experiment, however, the accuracy of estimating regional reservoir storages was considerably lower using the process-based hydrological model, whereas the resolution and reliability of drought event predictions were similar by both approaches. Further investigations regarding the deficiencies of the process-based model revealed a significant influence of antecedent wetness conditions and a higher sensitivity of model prediction performance to rainfall forecast quality. Within the scope of this study, the statistical model proved to be the more straightforward approach for predictions of reservoir level and drought events at regionally and monthly aggregated scales. However, for forecasts at finer scales of space and time or for the investigation of underlying processes, the costly initialisation and application of a process-based model can be worthwhile. Furthermore, the application of innovative data products, such as remote sensing data, and operational model correction methods, like data assimilation, may allow for an enhanced exploitation of the advanced capabilities of process-based hydrological models.
The relationship between laboratory values and quality of life of dialysis patients in the United Arab Emirates

Background: Several factors can determine the quality of life (QOL) of haemodialysis patients. One of these factors is laboratory values as proxy to dialysis adequacy. The relationship between laboratory values and QOL of dialysis patients is debated in the literature. As part of a larger study on the QOL of dialysis patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the impact of laboratory values on QOL were examined using two QOL tools. Method: The relationship between laboratory values and SF-36 and the QOL Index was examined using data from a sample of 130 dialysis patients over the age of 18 years. Results: Overall, findings from the study did not yield a significant relationship between laboratory values and either the SF-36 or QOL Index scores. The only significant finding was a positive correlation between pre-dialysis serum creatinine level and SF-36 total scores (r=0.274, p=0.002). Conclusion: Based on this study, we did not find compelling evidence of the relationship between laboratory values as a proxy to dialysis adequacy and QOL scores. Future work should incorporate larger sample sizes and patient recruitment from multiples dialysis centres to truly capture the variability in patient characteristics and treatment modalities.
A Time‐Dependent Model of Elastic Stress in the Central Apennines, Italy

Seismicity in the Central Apennines is characterized by normal faulting with dip NE‐SW near 45°. If the stress at the hypocenter of the 2016 Norcia (Mw = 6.5) and 2009 L'Aquila (Mw = 6.3 on the Paganica fault) earthquakes originated only from stress transfer from previous historical events, the orientation of the principal stress axes would have been inconsistent with the observed tensional regime. The additional contribution of a regional stress is thus required, but Global Navigation Satellite System geodesy provides only stress rates. We empirically estimate a time multiplier for the regional stress rate, computed with a dense Global Navigation Satellite System network, such that the principal stress axes resulting from the sum of the stress transferred by previous events and the regional stress rate multiplied by the empirical temporal scale are consistent with normal faulting, both at the L'Aquila and Norcia hypocenters. Based on a Catalogue of 36 events of magnitude larger than 5.6, we estimate the total Coulomb stress at depths and along planes parallel to those of L'Aquila and Norcia. We provide evidence of an asymmetry of the Coulomb stress leading to a stress concentration near the hypocenter of the two events just prior of the 2009 and 2016 earthquakes. This stress anomaly disappeared after the two events. Similar stress patterns are observed for earlier events, which took place in 1461 at L'Aquila, 1703 on the Montereale plain, and in 1703 at Norcia/Valnerina. The 1997 sequence of Colfiorito exhibits a similar, anisotropic Coulomb stress pattern. Other areas with a similar stress anisotropy could be seismic gaps.
Influence of neotectonics on land surface evolution in the upper part of the Blue Nile Basin (Ethiopia): findings from a DEM

The morphometric analysis of lineaments, valleys and signs of erosion taken from a digital elevation model (DEM) made it possible to not only confirm most of the conclusions of the morphotectonic development of the Blue Nile Basin from the previously published results of structural, petrological, tectonic and geochronological analyses, but also to expand our knowledge by applying several new hypotheses. The relative age of the morpholineaments of particular directions was estimated from the character of topographic profiles. Faults, lineaments and valleys are predominantly oriented in a direction compatible to the published concepts of the tectonic development of the area. Overall, the most abundant NE-SW and NNE-SSW lines reflect a change of extension from a NW-SE to WNW-ESE direction during the Pliocene, in relation to the creation and development of the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). This is confirmed by a more developed character of the valleys and less pronounced erosion activity of the NE-SW oriented valleys contrary to the deeper narrower NNE-SSW valleys characterised by downward and headward erosion in the second direction. The most pronounced morphological manifestations of the E-W extension of the MER and western Afar during the Quaternary are confined to the borders of the MER. The directions of the Pre-Neogene rift structures to the NW-SE and WNW-ESE are compatible with the oldest elements of the current landscape and with the relict fragments of the valley network on the SE boundary of the upper Blue Nile Basin, which could have been drained across current shoulders of the MER to the S and E before the Late Miocene.
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Among Aboriginal Canadians: Increasing the Understanding of Prevalence and Risk Factors

Address for correspondence: Anthony J.G. Hanley Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes Mount Sinai Hospital 600 University Avenue, Room 843 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5 Canada Telephone: (416) 586-8441 Fax: (416) 586-8404 E-mail: hanley@mshri.on. ca
Analysis of the main characteristics of tsunamis based on data from deep-ocean stations

A tsunami in the ocean, according to one idea, is a long wave with a practically unchanged period and a relatively slow attenuation. According to others, the dispersion affects the evolution of a tsunami, the wave period increases with time, and the amplitude attenuation is more rapid. This study investigates the transformation of tsunamis from source to coast, including the change in amplitude and duration of the head waves with distance. It is shown that the dispersion does affect the evolution of the tsunamis. The moment of dispersion manifestation depends not only on the magnitude of the earthquake that caused each tsunami, but also significantly on the depth of the ocean in the focal region.
The Strength of Belief: Empirical Research on the Influence of Religion on Economy―An Analysis Based on the Panel Data of Yangtze River Delta Region in China

In recent years, research on economic growth and development has paid more and more attention to the long-term influence of factors, like history and culture on productivity and national economy. It is very meaningful to study the role of religion in economic development as religion can affect value preference, human capital, and professional ethics. This paper uses the panel data of 25 cities in Yangtze River Delta region of China in 11 years (from 2004 to 2014) to study the influence of religious belief on economic growth. Research result shows that religion plays a positive role in promoting economic growth on the whole. In different religions, Christianity has a significant influence on economic growth. The conclusion is consistent in different regressions and has robustness. However, empirical research on other religions cannot come to a consistent and robust conclusion. Considering that C ’s r s rc s r r t s f ld, t s p p r prov d s w p rspective as an exploratory research.
A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis

The Origin and Development of PsychoanalysisThe New Psychology and Its Relation to LifeIntroduction to PsychoanalysisCentres and Peripheries of PsychoanalysisA General Introduction to PsychoanalysisA Clinical Introduction to Freud: Techniques for Everyday PracticeIdentification in PsychoanalysisPSYCHOANALYSIS FOR BEGINNERS: A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis & Dream PsychologyA General Introduction to Psychoanalysis & Dream Psychology (Psychoanalysis for Beginners)The UncannyCoelebs in Search of a WifeThe Foundations of PsychoanalysisA General Introduction to PsychoanalysisThe Theory of PsychoanalysisA Short Introduction to PsychoanalysisThe Cambridge Introduction to Literature and PsychoanalysisA General Introduction to PsychoanalysisThe Freud WarsA General Introduction to PsychoanalysisA General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Prof. Sigmund Freud, L.L. D.Introduction to Contemporary PsychoanalysisTheory and Practice in Child PsychoanalysisFreud's LibraryThe Arabic FreudTextbook of PsychoanalysisNew Introductory Lectures on Psycho-analysisA General Introduction to PsychoanalysisA Short Introduction to PsychoanalysisUnderstanding PsychoanalysisIntroduction to PsychoanalysisThe Essentials of Psycho-analysisGen Intro PsychoIntroductory Lectures on PsychoanalysisA General Introduction to PsychoanalysisIntroduction to the Practice of Psychoanalytic PsychotherapyDream PsychologyIntroduction to Key Concepts and Evolutions in PsychoanalysisA General Introduction to PsychoanalysisThe How-To Book for Students of Psychoanalysis and PsychotherapyA General Introduction to Psychoanalysis
Sediment Availability and Erosion Rates on Off‐Highway Vehicle Trails in the Ouachita Mountains, USA

Factors influencing sediment availability are assessed and erosion rates are quantified for an off‐highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. As of May 2012, the Wolf Pen Gap trail system included 77.0 km of "trails" which consist of county roads; open and closed Forest Service roads; and open and closed OHV trails. For a given trail length, the sediment volume available to be eroded is determined by bare trail width and sediment depth. Four condition types are defined that group trail sections based on statistically different trail widths or depths. Trail construction method appears to influence sediment availability differences more than erosion potential (as indexed by trail slope gradient and length). The range for annual trail erosion rates is estimated as 75 and 210 tonne/ha/yr. The high and low rates are obtained using two independent methods. The 210 tonne/ha/yr rate is computed from mean sediment capture at 30 sediment traps installed for 0.5–1.0 year. The 75 tonne/ha/yr rate is computed assuming all available trail sediment measured in a one‐time sampling is eroded over the next year. We argue in support of this assumption and suggest both rate values may be conservative. Trail erosion rates and sediment trap observations indicate frequent trap cleanout will be needed to continue sediment capture from All Terrain Vehicle trails.
The spatial-temporal distributions of controlling factors on vegetation growth in Tibet Autonomous Region, Southwestern China

Due to cold and arid climate of Tibet Autonomous Region, vegetation growth is considered to be controlled by both moisture availability and warmth. In order to reveal the patterns of regional climate change and the mechanisms of climate-vegetation interactions, long term (1982–2013) datasets of climate variables and vegetation activities were collected from Climatic Research Unit (CRU) and Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling System (GIMMS). Principal regression analysis and (partial) correlation analysis were conducted to reveal the contributions of controlling factors on vegetation growth. Study results showed that (1) Annual mean air temperature (TMP) had increased by 0.38 °C per decade (P = 0.00) and annual precipitation (PRE) had increased by 17.25 mm per decade (P = 0.15). A significant change point around the year 1997/1998 was detected by Mann-Whitney-Pettit test, coinciding with the occurrence of El Niño event. (2) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) had an insignificant positive trend. Spatially, pixels of high NDVI values, great NDVI trends and high inter-annual deviations are distributed in the densely vegetated eastern part. Principal regression analysis revealed that, alpine grassland (northern and western part) is mostly controlled by temperature, steppe meadow (middle and southern part) is mostly controlled by precipitation, and shrub/mixed needle leaved and broad leaved forest (eastern part) is mostly controlled by cloud coverage. (3) Partial correlation analyses showed that regions with high sensitivity to precipitation nearly overlapped with regions of high sensitivity to minimum temperature. And the high importance of cold index (CDI, accumulated negative difference between TMP and 5 °C) revealed in this study implied the effects of regional glacial melting and permafrost degradation. We concluded that the regional climate change can be characterized as warming and wetting. Different regions and vegetation types in Tibet Autonomous Region demonstrated different driving climate factors and climate-vegetation relationships.
Agricultural Microbiology Research Progress in India in the New Millennium

The research efforts in microbiology over last two decades have focussed on assessing the microbial diversity in various soil types and cropping systems in all agro-eco-regions, including extreme environments resulting in creation of a vast repository of microorganisms, free living and endophytes. A marked departure from the past is their identification by both conventional and molecular methods, resulting in discovery of many novel species. The effects of various soil and agronomic management practices were assessed on soil microbial diversity and soil health by both classical and metagenomic approach. The beneficial effects of organic and integrated farming, and adverse effects of chemical intensification have been assessed, leading to the identification of actinobacteria as important players in maintaining soil health. A major impact has been the firm attention received from policy makers on the urgent need to conserve soil biodiversity and improve soil health. Identification of rapid methods of soil biological health assessment, improved rhizobial inoculants, microbial technology for rapid in situ and ex situ residue and waste breakdown, and mitigating climate change effects are the current priorities. Future priorities include assessment of the structure and function of the vast reservoir of unculturable microbes; deleterious microorganisms, assessment of soil-plant-microbe continuum and plant immunity modulation by microbes; rhizosphere engineering, role of archaea in maintaining soil health, microbial methods to improve soil organic matter formation; assessment and quantification of ecosystem services rendered by agriculturally important microorganisms; and improved microbial technology for biofertilizers and delivery systems. The tremendous advances in agricultural microbiology in last two decades in India are a cause for optimism that solutions will be forged for the above challenges using both classical and modern approaches, thereby ushering in the process more sustainable agricultural systems.
Implementing a smoking cessation clinic at a public health center in Korea: evaluating the outcomes and the smokers’ perceptions

Purpose: To examine the outcomes of a smoking cessation clinic at a public health center, in Hwasung city in 2006 and to examine the perceptions of the users regarding the clinic services. Method: 620 smokers who visited the smoking cessation clinic from January, 2006 to November, 2006 were enrolled. An instrument developed by the researcher was used to collect their perceptions. The instrument comprised 24 questions, on a 5-point Likert scale investigating the clinic services in terms of counseling time, environment, readiness of the counselors, counseling information, campaign method, medication use, and follow-up services. The general characteristics of the participants were collected from the database developed by the Ministry of Health & Welfare. The data were analyzed with frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation methods. Results: The outcomes of the smoking cessation clinic in Hwasung city in 2006 showed some limitations in terms of low-income group, female smokers, and young adult smokers. Conclusion: Strategies for solving these limitations were necessary to increase the effectiveness of the smoking cessation clinic. Clinic services focused on cognitive-behavioral therapy needed to be developed in accordance with chemotherapy. More effective publicizing campaigns of the clinic services also needed to be developed for more people to know about the clinic. Strategies to increase the accessibility for the people living far from the clinic were also necessary. Assessment of the smokers who did not visit clinic was also recommended in order to determine their intentions, or barriers to visit the clinic.
Hydrologic Shifts Create Complex Transient Distributions of Particulate Organic Carbon and Biogeochemical Responses in Beach Aquifers

Biogeochemical reactions within intertidal zones of coastal aquifers have been shown to alter the concentrations of terrestrial solutes prior to their discharge to surface waters. In organic‐poor sandy aquifers, the input of marine organic matter from infiltrating seawater supports active biogeochemical reactions within the sediments. However, while the seasonality of surface water organic carbon concentrations (primary production) and groundwater mixing have been documented, there is limited understanding of the transience of various organic carbon pools (pore water particulate, dissolved, sedimentary) within the aquifer and how these relate to the location and magnitudes of biogeochemical reactions over time. To understand the relationship between changes in groundwater flow and the seasonal migration of geochemical patterns, beach pore water and sediment samples were collected and analyzed from six field sampling events spanning 2 years. While the seasonally dynamic patterns of aerobic respiration closely followed those of salinity, redox conditions and nutrient characteristics (distributions of N and P, denitrification rates) were unrelated to contemporaneous salinity patterns. This divergence was attributed to the spatial variations of reactive particulate organic carbon distributions, unrelated to salinity patterns, likely due to filtration, retardation, and immobilization dynamics during transport within the sediments. Results support a “carbon memory” effect within the beach, with the evolution and migration of reaction patterns relating to the distribution of these scattered carbon pools as more mobile solutes move over less mobile pools during changes in hydrologic conditions. This holds important implications for the prediction and quantification of biogeochemical reactions within beach systems.
Clinoforms as paleogeographic tools: Development of the Danube catchment above the deep Paratethyan basins in Central and Southeast Europe

The Miocene marine basins of Central and Southeast Europe, once comprising the Paratethys Sea, were gradually filled with sediments during the Neogene and turned to be the catchment area of the proto‐Danube and finally that of the modern Danube. Seismic data from various parts of the large Danube catchment area show that these several hundred meter deep basins were filled by lateral accretion of river‐transported sediments, appearing as shelf edge scale clinoform sets in seismic profiles. The direction of shelf edge progradation is NW to SE (N to S, W to E) in each basin, except for the Dacian basin where NE to SW direction prevails. The age of the clinoform sets is generally younging downstream: 19–18 Ma in the North Alpine Foreland basin, 14–13 Ma in the Vienna basin, 10–9 Ma in the Danube (Kisalföld) basin, 8.6–4 Ma in the Central Pannonian basin (Alföld), ? 9–5 Ma in the Dacian basin, and 6–0 Ma in the Euxinian (Black Sea) basin. In spite of this geographical and temporal pattern, only the Danube (Kisalföld) and the western and central part of the Central Pannonian basin were filled by the proto‐Danube shelf accretion. Formation of the Danube, as a longitudinal river of the Alpine foreland that gradually elongated to the east and followed the retreating shoreline of the Paratethys, most probably took place at the beginning of the Late Miocene, ca. 11 Ma ago, thus the Early and Middle Miocene shelf advance in the North Alpine Foreland and Vienna basins, respectively, cannot be attributed to a „paleo‐Danube”. The clinoform systems of the Dacian basin are coeval with those of the upstream Central Pannonian basin, indicating that by the time the Danube sedimentary system reached the Dacian basin, it was already a shallow basin. The vast clinoforms of the northwestern Euxinian shelf also significantly overlap in age with the Pannonian basin ones; only the <4 Ma part of the shelf accretion can be attributed to the Danube sensu stricto.