Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects on Local Temperature and Energy of Oasis City Expansion in Arid Area of Northwest China

The land surface model SURFEX 7.3 was used to study climate effect of urban expansion located in oasis in arid area of Northwest China by surface and 2 m urban heat island (UHI) intensity and available energy ratio ( ). We performed a true regional development scenario and three assumed scenario simulations in 1978, 1993, 2004, and 2014, respectively. The results show that 2 m UHI always displays positive twin peaks during whole day, while surface UHI only displays a positive single peak with several hours during daytime at four seasons in the four years. Moreover, 2 m UHI intensity during night is higher than that during daytime, indicating that UHI intensity is contributed more by “trap effect” from urban complex geometry or anthropogenic heat and that surface UHI according to land surface temperature cannot reflect UHI comprehensively. The oasis-urban development resulted in local warming and increasing of , and compared with the original undeveloped environment, local climate in the study area was in a relatively balanced state in 1978 and 1993 due to the “heating effect” of urban area and the “cooling effect” of oasis, but the offsetting effect from oasis would become weaker after1993.
Endurance Training vs. Circuit Resistance Training: Effects on Lipid Profile and Anthropometric/Body Composition Status in Healthy Young Adult Women

Background: Endurance training (ET) and resistance training (RT) are known to be effective in improving anthropometric/body composition and lipid panel indicators, but there is an evident lack of studies on differential effects of these two forms of physical exercise (PE). This study aimed to evaluate the differential effects of 8-week ET and RT among young adult women. Methods: Participants were women (n = 57; age: 23 ± 3 years; initial body height: 165 ± 6 cm; body mass: 66.79 ± 7.23 kg; BMI: 24.37 ± 2.57 kg/m2) divided into the ET group (n = 20), RT group (n = 19), and non-exercising control group (n = 18). All participants were tested for cardiovascular risk factors (CRF), including total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, glucose, and anthropometric/body composition (body mass, body mass index, skinfold measures, body fat %) at the beginning and at the end of the study. Over the 8 weeks, the ET group trained three times/week on a treadmill while the RT group participated in equal number of circuit weight training sessions. Both types of training were planned according to participants’ pre-study fitness status. Results: A two-factor analysis of variance for repeated measurements (“group” × “measurement”) revealed significant main effects for “measurement” in CRF. The “group × measurement” interaction was significant for CRF. The post-hoc analysis indicated significant improvements in CRF for RT and ET. No significant differential effects between RT and ET were evidenced. Conclusions: The results of this study evidence improvements of CRF in young adult women as a result of 8-week ET and RT. The lack of differential training-effects may be attributed to the fact that all participants underwent pre-study screening of their fitness status, which resulted in application of accurate training loads.
Impact of Heat Damaged Corn Gluten Meal as Fertilizer on Forage Production During Winter and Summer Seasons and Soil Characteristics

Corn gluten meal (CGM) has been used as a supplement for livestock feeding due to its high concentration of digestible nitrogen (N) compounds. Heat damaged CGM (HDCGM), which is not suitable for livestock feeding, may still have value as an organic fertilizer. Objective of the study was to evaluate the impacts of non-feed grade HDCGM on forage production from annual cool and warm season grasses and soil characteristics. Pre-plant incorporated HDCGM at 3 Mg/ha was compared with 4.2 Mg/ha poultry litter (POTL), and 160 kg/ha commercial N fertilizer (COMF), and zero fertilizer (ZERO) for production of the cool-season ‘Prine’ annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and the warm-season ‘Greentreat’ sorghum × sudangrass (SS) hybrid (Sorghum bicolor). The treatments were repeated at the same site on December 3, 2010 (planted annual ryegrass), May 26, 2011 (planted SS hybrid), October 24, 2011 (planted annual ryegrass) and May 18, 2012 (planted SS hybrid). The HDCGM had 68% more N concentration than POTL, while its P, K, Mg, and Ca were less than half in POTL. The residual N concentration in buried HDCGM and POTL increased in a similar pattern with time in soil. The HDCGM produced less dry matter (DM) of annual ryegrass and SS hybrid than POTL; however, the differences between the two treatments were not statistically significant. All treatments produced more DM in the second than first year. After two years of field test, soil receiving HDCGM contained higher soil organic matter (OM) and N than receiving POTL. Although not as beneficial as POTL for DM production, HDCGM showed potential value as a slow release fertilizer to improve DM production and soil characteristics.
Nowadays, large cities in many countries around the world are experiencing problems with air pollution like Bangkok, a centre of business and prosperity in every aspect

The exposure of 80 bus drivers to fine particles (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), were monitored for full shift in air conditioned (A/C) and non-A/C buses on four routes in Bangkok, Thailand. The results revealed that the overall average of PM2.5 exposure among the non-A/C bus drivers on the four routes (322.01 ± 157.97 g/m) was significantly higher than those of A/C bus drivers (208.42 ± 87.41 g/m). The average CO2 concentrations on the four-route A/C and non-A/C buses were 1274.32  245.47 and 463  42.27 ppm, respectively. The CO concentrations in non-A/C buses (2.71 ± 0.93 ppm) were greater than those in A/C buses (1.92 ± 1.22 ppm); significant differences were found only in two of the four routes studied.
The effects of an 18-month weight-training and calcium-supplementation program on bone mineral of adolescent girls

Physical activity and adequate calcium intake have the potential to increase peak bone mass and reduce the incidence of osteoporosis later in life. This study investigated the effects of 18-months of weight training and calcium supplementation on adolescent bone mineral and bone size and the bone remodeling transient. After screening, 108 female volunteers, mean age 14.1 y, from 4 high schools were assigned to a non-exercise or exercise group, based on the school they attended. Exercise subjects were matched for weight, months past menarche and height to non-exercise subjects. Pairs were randomly given 1000 mg/d calcium supplement or placebo. Calcium and placebo pairs were matched to form blocks of 4 subjects forming 4 treatment groups: exercise/ calcium (EC), exercise/placebo (EP), no exercise/calcium (NC), no exercise/placebo (NP). The PRECEDE PROCEED model of health promotion program planning and evaluation was used to plan the intervention program. Exercise subjects strength trained, 3x/wk in 5 week cycles of 1 easy, 1 moderate, and 3 high intensity weeks. High intensity was 3 sets of 5-7 repetitions to fatigue. The nonexercising group was instructed to continue with their current activity level. Subjects recorded calcium/placebo intake, physical activity, weight training and menstrual cycles. Bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) of whole body, hip and spine were measured using a Norland XR 26 dual-energy X-ray absorbtiometer initially, and at 6 and 18 months. Strength tests, anthropometry, dietary, lifestyle and program compliance questionnaires were also completed.
Development Trend of Solar-powered Adsorption Refrigeration Systems: A Review of Technologies, Cycles, Applications, Challenges and Future Research Directions

Energy economy, nature conservation and sustainability remain the focal points of the global world. Due to the increase in the global consumption of limited primary energy and the ecological consideration for refrigerants choice, solid desiccant refrigeration systems powered by solar energy, also known as solar adsorption refrigeration systems (SARS) have been the subject of extensive research for cooling applications geared to meet the fast growing refrigeration needs of the rural areas of developing countries. Some merits of SARS include but are not restricted to: low energy intensity, use of low grade heat sources and being eco-friendly thereby meeting the current global regulations. However, these systems have not been able to fully compete with, let alone replacing vapour compression refrigeration system (VCRS) because of some identified bottlenecks. Still with the aim of improving the performance of SARS, some considerable works have been recently carried out that merit an updated review. Therefore, a comprehensive plethora of the development trend in solar adsorption refrigeration (SAR) spanning through its allied technologies, cycles and applications has been extensively presented in this work. The latest published journal papers available through ScienceDirect, open access manuscripts, Google scholar and patent are inclusively reviewed. Evaluation of the relative quantitative and qualitative performances of the technology are also presented. Furthermore, the challenges to its wide deployment and future research directions are likewise presented. This current progress in the technology with its potential of low carbon footprint could provide the required impetus for fast tracking its development and wide application. Keywords—development; trend; solar; adsorption; refrigeration; solid desiccant; advanced ; intermittent; cycle
A Novel Ensemble Approach for the Forecasting of Energy Demand Based on the Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

Accurate forecasting of the energy demand is crucial for the rational formulation of energy policies for energy management. In this paper, a novel ensemble forecasting model based on the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm for the energy demand was proposed and adopted. The ensemble model forecasts were based on multiple time variables, such as the gross domestic product (GDP), industrial structure, energy structure, technological innovation, urbanization rate, population, consumer price index, and past energy demand. The model was trained and tested using the primary energy demand data collected in China. Seven base models, including the regression-based model and machine learning models, were utilized and compared to verify the superior performance of the ensemble forecasting model proposed herein. The results revealed that (1) the proposed ensemble model is significantly superior to the benchmark prediction models and the simple average ensemble prediction model just in terms of the forecasting accuracy and hypothesis test, (2) the proposed ensemble approach with the ABC algorithm can be employed as a promising framework for energy demand forecasting in terms of the forecasting accuracy and hypothesis test, and (3) the forecasting results obtained for the future energy demand by the ensemble model revealed that the future energy demand of China will maintain a steady growth trend.
How to manage the obstacles related to management innovation implementation

Recent literature on management innovation suggests that the implementation phase is a critical step in the entire process of management i n ovation. This phase is critical because of his many possible obstacles. The present study focu ses on the obstacles and provides insight how to overcome them. We conducted an in-depth expl orative case study of a major management innovation implemented (to a “top down m odel diffusion”) in all business units of a multinational industrial company. First, we id entified, different categories of obstacles. Then, we described how the company faces these obst acle using organizational and managerial adaptations. Finally, we suggest two pri nciples of management innovation implementation and best managerial practices in ord er to successfully implement management innovation. Our findings suggest for a management i nnovation implementation to be successful using a “top down model” requires manage r involvement through a systemic approach which linked all the hierarchical levels a nd specific objectives.
An innovative approach for corrosion control to enable asset management of steel elements in coastal infrastructure

espanolLa corrosion es un tema importante del diseno, operacion y mantenimiento de la infraestructura costera. En este articulo, se identifican y caracterizan los enfoques actuales para su control en pilotes y tablestacas de acero. Las barreras identificadas para estos enfoques son: salud ocupacional y seguridad en el trabajo, soluciones manuales artesanales e incertidumbre en los resultados de mantenimiento. Siendo la gestion de activos el principal impulsor de un enfoque innovador, se identifican las siguientes caracteristicas para avanzar en los enfoques de control de la corrosion: automatizacion, operaciones controladas de forma remota, capacidad de certificacion de procesos, y recopilacion de datos. Finalmente, se identifica la necesidad de nuevos enfoques de interes para la renovacion o extension de la vida util de la infraestructura que, como parte de un plan de gestion de activos, puede generar simultaneamente beneficios economicos y sociales. EnglishCorrosion is an important issue of coastal infrastructure design, operation and maintenance. In this paper, the current approaches for its control in steel bridge and sheet piles are identified and characterised. The barriers identified for these approaches are: occupational health and safety, manual-artisanal solutions in place, and uncertainty of maintenance results. Being asset management the main driver for an innovative approach, the following characteristic are identified to advance in corrosion control approaches: automation, remotely controlled operations, certification process and data collection. Finally, the need for new approaches is identified where the interest for infrastructure requalification as part of an Asset Management Plan can simultaneously deliver economic and social outcomes.
Modified Voltage Control Strategy for DC Network with Distributed Energy Storage using Fuzzy Logic Controller

This research provides an extraordinary distributed energy storage (DES) technique for DC distribution networks. Under exhibited virtual inertia and capacitances, the parameters of the AC and DC networks are briefly assessed. The proposed control approach for DES is based on many interactive features, which allows the DES to respond to both DC network voltage variations and make use of AC grid frequency changes. To reduce the burden of DC network voltage degradation, a cascade droop management approach with fuzzy is proposed for DES in DC microgrid. The simulation outcomes give a response that is fruitful for improving the voltage stability in DC distributed network as compared to other existing techniques. INDEX TERMS: Distributed energy storage, flexible voltage controlstrategy, AC and DC networks, fuzzy,voltage stability.
Dietary shifts across biogeographic scales alter spatial subsidy dynamics

Over heterogeneous landscapes, organisms and energy move across ecological boundaries and this can have profound effects on overall ecosystem functioning. Both abiotic and biotic factors along habitat boundaries may facilitate or impede key species interactions that drive these energy ﬂ ows — especially along the land – sea interface. We synthesized the literature detailing estuarine ﬁ sh diets and habitat characteristics of salt marshes from U.S. East and Gulf coasts to determine patterns and drivers of cross-boundary trophic transfers at the land – sea interface. Notably, marsh-platform species (i.e., killi ﬁ shes, ﬁ ddler crabs) appear virtually absent in the diets of transient estuarine ﬁ shes in the Gulf of Mexico, while along the South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Bights, marsh-platform species appear regularly in the diets of many transient estuarine ﬁ shes. Tidal amplitude varied across these three biogeographic regions and likely regulates the availability of marsh-platform species to transient estuarine ﬁ shes via both access to the marsh surface for marine predators and emergence of marsh-resident prey into the adjacent estuary (i.e., higher tidal amplitude increases predator – prey encounter rates). Surprisingly, marsh shoot density was positively correlated with the presence of marsh-platform species in the diet, but this pattern appears to be mediated by increased tidal amplitude, suggesting the mode and periodicity of abiotic cycles drive diet structure of transient estuarine ﬁ shes more so than local habitat structural complexity. Subsequently, these processes likely in ﬂ uence the degree to which “ trophic relay ” moves energy from the marsh toward the open estuary. Understanding the dynamics that determine energy ﬂ ows, spatial subsidies, and ultimately, ecosystem-level productivity, is essential for implementation of holistic ecosystem-based approaches to conserve and manage complex landscape mosaics.
Circulating Biomarkers of Handgrip Strength and Lung Function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose: COPD is a multisystem disease and there is a need for clinical serum markers that can assess the decline in lung and muscle function in COPD. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential association of serum club-cell protein 16 (CC16), α -1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) and total sialic acid (TSA) with spirometry, hand-grip strength and quality of life to assess important disease outcomes. Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study and data were collected from the patients at teaching hospitals of Gomal University and the University of Health Sciences in Pakistan. The study population included 1582 participants (Non-COPD; N = 788, COPD; N = 845) >55 years of age from both sexes, with data from structural interviews, clinical examinations, laboratory investigations, spirometry and hand-grip strength measurements. Results: Serum TSA and CC16 were signi ﬁ cant predictors of FEV 1 % (p < 0.05) and handgrip strength in advanced stages of COPD (p < 0.05 each) in both sexes. Men had higher absolute and adjusted hand-grip strength than women in all groups (p < 0.05). Hand-grip strength was signi ﬁ cantly associated with FEV 1 % in both genders (p < 0.05) with stronger effect in women (r 2 = 0.075). Serum HDL-C was an independent predictor of hand-grip strength and FEV 1 % (p < 0.05) in both genders. Participants with extreme problem on EQ-5D parameters had more severe COPD and reduced hand-grip strength (all p values < 0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, these studies show that the serum expressions of TSA and CC16 have correlations with spirometry and muscle decline in COPD. Further studies should be conducted to establish their ef ﬁ cacy in monitoring disease progression in COPD.
Distributed Optimization in Low Voltage Distribution Networks via Broadcast Signals †

With the development of distributed energy resources, the low voltage distribution network (LVDN) is supposed to be the integrator of small distributed energy sources. This makes the users in LVDNs multifarious, which leads to more complex modeling. Additionally, data acquisition could be tricky due to rising privacy concerns. These impose severe demands on control schemes in LVDNs that the classical centralized control might not be able to fulfill. To tackle this, a model-free control approach with distributed decision-making architecture is proposed in this paper. Employing statistical methods and game theory, individual users in LVDNs achieve local optimum autonomously. Comparing to conventional approaches applied in LVDNs, the proposed approach is able to achieve active control with less communication burden and computational resources. The paper proves the convergence to the Nash Equilibrium (NE) and uses player compatible relations to form the specific equilibrium. A variant of the log-linear trial and error learning process is applied in a novel “suggest-convince” mechanism to implement the proposed approach. In the case study, a 103 nodes test network based on a real Belgian semiurban LVDN is illustrated. The proposed approach is validated and analyzed with practical load profiles on the 103 nodes network. In addition to that, centralized control is implemented as a benchmark to show the performance of the proposed approach by comparing it with the classical optimization result. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach is able to achieve player compatible equilibrium in an expected way, resulting in a good approximation to the local optimum.
Water and Photosynthetic Rate Flows Under Drought Conditions in a Cork Oak (Quercus suber L.) Forest of Tunisia

Relationships between drought, carbon and water fluxes have been rarely studied in south Mediterranean forests. The present research focused on the determination of seasonal and annual water and carbon fluxes of Quercus suber L. forests in northern Tunisia. The methodology was based on the calculation of the standard precipitation index, measurements of trees sap flow and net photosynthesis. Estimations of photosynthesis and transpiration during the 1965-2003 period were used on crop coefficients and water use efficiency terms. Results indicate a wide evapotranspiration rates fluctuating from 354 mm y-1 to 784 mm y-1 with an average value of 553 mm y-1. Extreme values of the standard precipitation index were -2.4 and +2.7. The carbon flux ranged from 0.255 to 0.586 kg y-1 m-2 with a mean value of 0.448 kg y-1 m-2 while average water efficiency reached 0.8 gr C kg-1 H2O. Despite the fact, that there is a significant difference between the four studied sites and important annual variability of carbon fluxes, the correlations between water and carbon fluxes and drought index were very low. The results clearly indicate that deep transformations are occurring in the Quercus suber L. forests, as a result of carbon dioxide fertilization being cancelled by the drought effect.
An International Journal of Ecology, Evolution and Environment Acceptance of Simulated Cowbird Parasitism in a Northern Population of Red-Winged Blackbirds

—Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) may be more likely to desert nests parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) when they interact with the parasite, because desertion frequencies are higher at naturally parasitized nests than at artificially parasitized nests in some brood-parasitic hosts. We experimentally parasitized blackbird nests in southern Manitoba with cowbird model eggs and presented taxidermic mounts of adult female cowbirds near their nests. We observed no desertion, which is possibly attributable to constraints of a shorter breeding season at this latitude. We also compared rejection frequencies for blackbirds when a mounted female cowbird was placed near the nest to rejection frequencies recorded when (1) no model egg was added, (2) a model egg was added but no mounted cowbird was presented, and (3) a model egg was added plus presentation of a mount of a non-parasitic and non-threatening species, the Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca). Blackbirds struck the cowbird mount more often than the sparrow mount, but responses to the cowbird mount did not influence acceptance or rejection of the model egg. Blackbirds apparently engage in the least costly form of anti-parasite defense (aggression) and accept the costs of acceptance instead of those of renesting during a short breeding season.