Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying impacts of the 2018 drought on European ecosystems in comparison to 2003

Abstract. In recent decades, an increasing persistence of atmospheric circulation patterns has been observed. In the course of the associated long-lasting anticyclonic summer circulations, heatwaves and drought spells often coincide, leading to so-called hotter droughts. Previous hotter droughts caused a decrease in agricultural yields and an increase in tree mortality. Thus, they had a remarkable effect on carbon budgets and negative economic impacts. Consequently, a quantification of ecosystem responses to hotter droughts and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms are crucial. In this context, the European hotter drought of the year 2018 may be considered a key event. As a first step towards the quantification of its causes and consequences, we here assess anomalies of atmospheric circulation patterns, maximum temperature, and climatic water balance as potential drivers of ecosystem responses which are quantified by remote sensing using the MODIS vegetation indices (VIs) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI). To place the drought of 2018 within a climatological context, we compare its climatic features and remotely sensed ecosystem response with the extreme hot drought of 2003. The year 2018 was characterized by a climatic dipole, featuring extremely hot and dry weather conditions north of the Alps but comparably cool and moist conditions across large parts of the Mediterranean. Analysing the ecosystem response of five dominant land cover classes, we found significant positive effects of climatic water balance on ecosystem VI response. Negative drought impacts appeared to affect an area 1.5 times larger and to be significantly stronger in July 2018 compared to August 2003, i.e. at the respective peak of drought. Moreover, we found a significantly higher sensitivity of pastures and arable land to climatic water balance compared to forests in both years. We explain the stronger coupling and higher sensitivity of ecosystem response in 2018 by the prevailing climatic dipole: while the generally water-limited ecosystems of the Mediterranean experienced above-average climatic water balance, the less drought-adapted ecosystems of central and northern Europe experienced a record hot drought. In conclusion, this study quantifies the drought of 2018 as a yet unprecedented event, outlines hotspots of drought-impacted areas in 2018 which should be given particular attention in follow-up studies, and provides valuable insights into the heterogeneous responses of the dominant European ecosystems to hotter drought.
ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN TAIHU LAKE USING A RADIAL BASIS FUNCTION NETWORK, STRUCTURE INDEX, AND PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS

A novel integrated approach was used to assess water quality in Taihu Lake in real-time using a radial basis function (RBF) network, structure index (SI) and principal component analysis (PCA). A total of eight sampling points covering an area of 2,338 km 2 were sampled once weekly from 2000 to 2005, except for 2003 and 2004. An RBF network was developed with 23 water quality parameters used as inputs. Then SI was applied to investigate main parameters. Parameters affecting water quality were also determined using PCA. The water quality of Taihu Lake was estimated by synthesizing the results of SI and PCA. Total nitrogen, with a weight of 0.34 for the first component, had the greatest negative effect on Taihu Lake water quality, being slighter than that of ammonia nitrogen, which had a weight of 0.324 for the first component. Conductivity, total phosphorus and alkalinity had weights of 0.322 0.292 and 0.267 for the first component, respectively. It is possible to identify potential sources of water pollution and the results indicated that the water quality of Taihu Lake in the study period was generally graded as Class V according to Environmental quality standards for surface water (GB 3838-2002).
On Serre Reduction of Multidimensional Systems

Serre reduction of a system plays a key role in the theory of Multidimensional systems, which has a close connection with Serre reduction of polynomial matrices. In this paper, we investigate the Serre reduction problem for two kinds of D polynomial matrices. Some new necessary and sufficient conditions about reducing these matrices to their Smith normal forms are obtained. These conditions can be easily checked by existing Grobner basis algorithms of polynomial ideals.
Tying Arrangements

This paper provides an overview of the law and the antitrust economics of tying. After describing the many varieties of tying arrangements we examine specific legal tying doctrines and gauge their effectiveness in identifying anticompetitive ties. We generally assume that the appropriate antitrust goal is consumer welfare; however, all situations in which consumer welfare is increased by a tie also result in an increase in general welfare. We look at the use of ties as quality control devices and as ways of obtaining both production and distribution efficiencies. Market power in either the tying or tied product is a necessary but not sufficient condition for competitive harm. Further the co-called “leverage” theory of tying has been appropriately denigrated, except for a few exceptional circumstances. However, the term “foreclosure” still serves to describe some anticompetitive ties. The Ninth Circuit recently dismissed a tying claim for failure to allege foreclosure, thus implicitly rejecting leverage claims. We also expand upon the rationale that ties can be used as price discrimination devices and analyze the effects of such ties on consumer welfare. When both the tying and tied markets are noncompetitive ties are commonly used to prevent double marginalization. Such ties produce lower prices, higher output, and increased consumer welfare. If the tying and tied products are perfect complements or nearly so, then welfare increases are highly likely. If the two products are imperfect complements then consumer welfare losses may occur because some buyers are forced to take an unwanted product or do without. In this latter set of cases a bundled discount tends to produce greater welfare because those who wish only one product can continue to purchase it, although at a higher price. Thus bundled discounts serve to discriminate between classes of customers where gains from the elimination of double marginalization are possible and those in which they are not. Whether a firm increases or reduces the price of the primary product upon bundling depends on the elasticity of demand for separate sales, and a price increase does not establish that the bundle is anticompetitive. Finally, we examine optimal damages for tying, looking in particular at the historical test which based damages on tied product overcharges; and the current dominant test which bases damages on the net overcharge of the sum of the tying and tied product prices. We find shortcomings in both methodologies.
Darunavir Disrupts Critical Nodes in Metastable 2019-nCoV-RBD/ACE-2 Complex

The transnational spread of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first detected in Wuhan is causing global panic; thus, accelerated research into clinical intervention is of high necessity. The spike glycoprotein structure has been resolved, and its affinity to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) has been experimentally validated. Here, using computational methods, a metastable conformation of 2019-nCoVRBD/ACE-2 complex has been revealed and FDA-database of approved drugs have been docked into the interface. Darunavir has been discovered as high ligand affinity candidate capable of disrupting communication between 2019-nCoV-RBD and ACE2. Darunavir, in addition to its previously known anti-HIV protease inhibitor is now repurposeable for the treatment 2019-nCoV disease acting via disruption of cellular recognition, binding and invasion.
Analysis of Bt S3076-1 Toxin Protein at Genome-wide Level

In order to systematically analyze the quantity, species and distribution of Bt toxin protein carried by Bt S3076-1 strain, gene prediction, local database blast and protein structure analysis of Bt S3076-1 strain were carried out at the genome-wide level in this research. A total of 45 candidate Bt toxin protein genes were identified in the genome of Bt S3076-1 strain. To further confirm the reliability of these Bt toxin protein genes, we analyzed the primary, secondary and tertiary structures of these candidate Bt toxin proteins. The results of physicochemical properties analysis showed that the length of these candidate Bt toxin proteins sequence ranged from 50 to 1 247 aa, the molecular weight of the proteins ranged from 6.02 to 141.55 kD, and the isoelectric point of the proteins ranged from 4.3 to 10.88. The pH of 21 proteins of these candidate Bt toxin proteins were greater than 7. The results of protein tertiary domain analysis and functional domain analysis of PFAM indicated that there were seven Cry toxin proteins containing typical 3-Domain endotoxin domains (Endotoxin_N, Endotoxin_M and delta_endotoxin_C) in Bt S3076-1 genome, four Cry toxin proteins containing atypical conserved domains (RICIN or Toxin_10, etc.), and one Vip toxin protein. Therefore, it was predicted that eleven genes encoding Cry toxin protein and one gene encoding Vip toxin protein might exist in Bt S3076-1 strain.
Lessons From a Workshop

A successful HIV vaccine would have a substantial impact on acquisition of infection, progression of disease among the infected, or infectiousness of the infected. Current vaccine candidates are anticipated to have their major effect on viremia, however, with the expectation that this would induce or be concordant with a reduced rate of AIDS, death, or infectiousness. Although direct assessment of disease progression or infectiousness may be impractical, available potential surrogates for these endpoints may be misleading. This article summarizes the proceedings of a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease–sponsored workshop to explore the use of surrogate endpoints for licensure of an HIV vaccine. Early, medium, and late endpoints were discussed, along with challenges such as surrogate validity, the confounding effect of antiretroviral therapy initiation, and potential selection bias in the vaccine and placebo recipients who become infected. Results from 5 hypothetic HIV vaccine clinical trials with ambiguously successful results were presented to an expert panel for interpretation and discussion of next steps. Key recommendations included assessing magnitude and durability of surrogate effects, generalization across populations, and directed improvement of vaccines. Use of acquisition and a postinfection surrogate as coprimary endpoints was supported, along with use of composite endpoints and exploration of heterogeneity in vaccine efficacy by characteristics of the host and virus.
Examining the Relationship between Firm Resources and Firm Performance: An Insight into the Airline Industry

Several scholars have pointed to the benefits that can be acquired by the combination of strategic and entrepreneurial activities with the aim of creating wealth and increased performance outcomes (e.g. Ireland et al., 2003; Sirmon et al., 2007; Monsen and Boss, 2009). In this vein, we employ the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm and examine whether the balanced implementation of both opportunity and advantage-seeking activities enhances the relationship between a firm’s resources and its performance outcomes. Using panel data from the airline industry, our findings reveal important implications for business success and for future research directions.
Determinants of the Quality Regional Financial Statement

This study aims to determinante the Quality Regional Financial Statements on the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency of Palembang City. This data was obtained from a questionnaire in the form of questions distributed to employees at the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency of Palembang City. The population of this research is all employees in the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency of Palembang City, amounting to 83 people. Sampling using saturated sampling. The research method uses quantitative methods with the SPSS program Version 20.0 and with an R Square value of 0.616. The findings of this study indicate that the influence of the variable Utilization of Accounting Information Technology, Internal Control Systems, Good Governance and Organizational Commitment on research simultaneously shows that a significant positive effect on the Quality of Regional Financial Statements. The partial results of the study indicate that the variable Good Governance and Organizational Commitment has a significant positive effect on the Quality of Regional Financial Statements.
DDDT_A_195479 1461..1472

Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, People’s Republic of China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou 325027, People’s Republic of China; The Second Clinical Medical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, People’s Republic of China; Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, People’s Republic of China; Department of Orthopaedics, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou 313300, People’s Republic of China; School of Pharmaceutical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People’s Republic of China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, People’s Republic of China
Validation of uncertainty reduction by using multiple transfer locations for WRF-CFD coupling in numerical wind energy assessments

This paper describes a method for reducing the uncertainty associated with utilizing fully numerical models for wind resource assessment in the early stages of project development. The presented method is based on a combination of numerical weather predictions (NWPs) and microscale downscaling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the local wind resource. Numerical modelling is (at least) 2 orders of magnitude less expensive and time consuming compared to conventional measurements. As a consequence, using numerical methods could enable a wind project developer to evaluate a larger number of potential sites before making an investment. This would likely increase the chances of finding the best available projects. A technique is described, multiple transfer location analysis (MTLA), where several different locations for performing the data transfer between the NWP and the CFD model are evaluated. Independent CFD analyses are conducted for each evaluated data transfer location. As a result, MTLA will generate multiple independent observations of the data transfer between the NWP and the CFD model. This results in a reduced uncertainty in the data transfer, but more importantly MTLA will identify locations where the result of the data transfer deviates from the neighbouring locations. This will enable further investigation of the outliers and give the analyst a possibility to correct erroneous predictions. The second part is found to reduce the number and magnitude of large deviations in the numerical predictions relative to the reference measurements. The Modern Energy Wind Assessment Model (ME-WAM) with and without MTLA is validated against field measurements. The validation sample for ME-WAM without MTLA consists of 35 observations and gives a mean bias of−0.10 ms−1 and a SD of 0.44 ms−1. ME-WAM with MTLA is validated against a sample of 45 observations, and the mean bias is found to be+0.05 ms−1 with a SD of 0.26 ms−1. After adjusting for the composition of the two samples with regards to the number of sites in complex terrain, the reduction in variability achieved by MTLA is quantified to 11 % of the SD for non-complex sites and 35 % for complex sites.
Effect of Surface Topography on Particle Deposition from Liquid Suspensions in Channel Flow

A Eulerian—Lagrangian model has been developed to simulate particle attachment to surfaces with arc-shaped ribs in a two-dimensional channel flow at low Reynolds numbers. Numerical simulation has been performed to improve the quantitative understanding of how rib geometries enhance shear rates and particle-surface interact for various particle sizes and flow velocities. The enhanced shear rate is attributed to the wavy flows that develop over the ribbed surface and the weak vortices that form between adjacent ribs. Varying pitch-to-height ratio can alter the amplitude of the wavy flow and the angle of attack of the fluid on the ribs. In the presence of these two competing factors, the rib geometry with a pitch-to-height ratio of two demonstrates the greatest shear rate and the lowest fraction of particle attachment. However, the ribbed surfaces have negligible effects on small particles at low velocities. A force analysis identifies a threshold shear rate to reduce particle attachment. The simulated particle distributions over the ribbed surfaces are highly non-uniform for larger particles at higher velocities. The understanding of the effect of surface topography on particle attachment will benefit the design of surface textures for mitigating particulate fouling in a wide range of applications.
Exploring Selective Exposure and Confirmation Bias as Processes Underlying Employee Work Happiness: An Intervention Study

Employee psychological capital (PsyCap), perceptions of organizational virtue (OV), and work happiness have been shown to be associated within and over time. This study examines selective exposure and confirmation bias as potential processes underlying PsyCap, OV, and work happiness associations. As part of a quasi-experimental study design, school staff (N = 69) completed surveys at three time points. After the first assessment, some staff (n = 51) completed a positive psychology training intervention. Results of descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses on the intervention group provide some support for selective exposure and confirmation bias as explanatory mechanisms. In focusing on the processes through which employee attitudes may influence work happiness this study advances theoretical understanding, specifically of selective exposure and confirmation bias in a field study context.
Running head: TODDLERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF ROTATION 1 Understanding of Object Rotation Between Two and Three Years of Age

Toddlers’ understanding of object rotation was investigated using a multi-method approach. Participants were 44 toddlers between 22 and 38 months of age. In an eye-tracking task, they observed a shape that rotated and disappeared briefly behind an occluder. In an object-fitting task, they rotated wooden blocks and fit them through apertures. Results of the eye-tracking task showed that with increasing age, the toddlers encoded the visible rotation using a more complex eye-movement pattern, increasingly combining tracking movements with gaze shifts to the pivot point. During occlusion, anticipatory looks to the location where the shape would reappear increased with age, whereas looking back to the location where the shape had just disappeared decreased. This suggests that, with increasing age, the toddlers formed a clearer mental representation about the object and its rotational movement. In the object-fitting task, the toddlers succeeded more with increasing age, and also rotated the wooden blocks more often correctly before they tried to insert them. Importantly, these preadjustments correlated with anticipatory eye movements, suggesting that both measures tap the same underlying understanding of object rotation. The findings yield new insights into the relation between tasks using looking times and behavioral measures as dependent variables, and thus may help to clarify performance differences that have previously been observed in studies with infants and young children.
Role of Phenylalanine and Its Metabolites in Health and Neurological Disorders

Phenylalanine, an amino acid, is a “building block” of protein. Phenylalanine is a component of food sources and also derived through supplementation. In current treatment, phenylalanine is prescribed as anti-depressant agent. The present study reviewed the possible antidepressant potential of phenylalanine. We reviewed data using the major databases, namely, Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, and PubMed. This manuscript provides a brief overview of the role of phenylalanine in depressive disorders. Phenylalanine possesses anti-depressant potential. Significant anti-depressant activities have been studied both in-vitro and in-vivo models. Based on current data, phenylalanine could be recommended as a potential candidate for clinical anti-depressant trials. Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency results in intolerance to the dietetic consumption of the phenylalanine and a variety of syndromes such as deep and permanent logical disability, impaired cognitive development.
Assessment of Valvular Dysfunction and Aortopathy Involvement in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Echocardiographic Study

Bicuspid aortic valve is relatively common congenital cardiac anomaly, it is found in approximately 0,5-2% of the general population, which 75% of them are male. Was first described by vinci leonard and is defined by the presence of two abnormal leaflets, usually unequal in size, and not three aortic normal leaflets (as in the normal tricuspid valve). A prospective single center study had been performed in the department of Cardiology,Ibn rushd university hospital, to assess the evolution of valvular and aortic diameter in adults patients with bicuspid aortic valve. A total of 106 patients with bicuspid aortic valve were included during a follow up of 10 years. Aortic dimensions and other echocardiographic parameters were obtained from the echocardiography database of department. Patients with bicuspid aortic valve were mainly male (76,4%), with a mean age of 49 +/- 15 years and a significant proportion of hypertensive patients (50.9%). We notice a majoration of the number of patients with aortic stenosis over time (p < 0,001), with an involvement of transthoracic echocardiography parameters of aortic stenosis, a decrease of the aortic valve area, indexed or not, an increase of peak velocity and mean gradien, this progression was significantly higher (p = 0.0025) in subjects with aortic stenosis at inclusion:16cm/s/year against 4.6cm/s/y and an mean gradient of 3.5mmHg/year against 0.6mmHg/y. Whereas the progression of dilatation of sinus of Valsalva and tubular ascending aorta,was also more important in patients with aortic stenosis at inclusion compared with those who had not, aortic diameters between the 1st and the last control, sinus of valsalva: 0,17- 0,3 mm/year, tubular ascending aorta : 0,32 - 0,6 mm/year. A significant progression of aortic dimeter was obreserved in patients with a small aorta at inclusion compared of others. This study reinforces the fact that clinical and echographic surveillance of these patients, even if they are asymptomatic, thus fundamental and necessary to better prevent complications.