Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Budgets Calculated in Floodwaters Using a Whole‐Ecosystem Reservoir Creation and Flooding Experiment

Flooding in forested areas can release nutrients via organic matter flushing and organic matter decomposition and contribute to nutrient loading in aquatic ecosystems. Organic matter content may set an upper limit for nutrient release during flooding, but variation in timing, depth, duration of inundation, and site organic matter substrate inhibit comparison across sites and events. We used data collected during a whole‐ecosystem flooding experiment conducted at the IISD‐Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in northwestern Ontario to examine the relationship between site organic matter content and nutrient release on both a short‐term (first 3 weeks) and annual scale (open‐water season). Three upland forest sites with differing amounts of organic matter stored in soil and vegetation were flooded to create experimental reservoirs. We hypothesized that the magnitude of nutrient release would be related to the organic matter content in each site. We found that nutrient concentrations increased relative to low‐nutrient water pumped into each reservoir at both scales, but there was no relationship between site organic matter content and short‐term total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations or annual TN and TP fluxes. Additionally, N and P release rates differed, decreasing TN:TP ratios in reservoirs and outflows relative to inflows. Nutrient concentrations increased immediately after inundation each year and continued for 5 years of repeated flooding. Predicted increases in flooding due to changing precipitation patterns and reservoir creation may cause forested areas to be a long‐term nutrient source to aquatic ecosystems. Over time, nutrient accumulation may affect water quality, shift biological communities, and influence ecosystem functioning.
Thermally controlled large deformation in temperature-sensitive hydrogels bilayers

ABSTRACT The present work investigates the thermally controlled deformation characteristics in temperature-sensitive hydrogels bilayers. The free energy density for temperature-sensitive hydrogels is modified, upon which the finite element model is developed and implemented through user-defined material subroutine UHYPER in the commercial software ABAQUS. The modified UHYPER implementation allows for more vividly depicting the continuous deformation in phase temperature region for temperature-sensitive hydrogels. Several thermally controlled cases of temperature-sensitive hydrogel including grippers, self-folding boxes, thermally driven origami are presented to illustrate a wide array of complex interesting applications or phenomena. Furthermore, we develop a simple model to theoretically calculate the bending angle of the temperature-sensitive hydrogel bilayers, which has been validated by the finite element simulation results. Our study can provide more insights for optimal design in thermally controlled hydrogels structures. Graphical abstract
Predicting the outcomes of management strategies for controlling invasive river fishes using individual‐based models

1. The effects of biological invasions on native biodiversity have resulted in a range of policy and management initiatives to minimise their impacts. Although management options for invasive species include eradication and population control, empirical knowledge is limited on how different management strategies affect invasion outcomes. 2. An individual based model (IBM) was developed to predict how different removal (‘culling’) strategies affected the abundance and spatial distribution of a virtual, small-bodied, r-selected alien fish (based on bitterling, Rhodeus sericeus) across three types of virtual river catchments (low/intermediate/high branching tributary configurations). It was then applied to nine virtual species of varying life history traits (r- to K-selected) and dispersal abilities (slow/intermediate/fast) to identify trade-offs between the management effort applied in the strategies (as culling rate and the number of patches it was applied to) and their predicted effects. It was also applied to a real-world example, bitterling in the River Great Ouse, England. 3. The IBM predicted that removal efforts were more effective when applied to recently colonized patches. Increasing the cull rate (proportion of individuals removed per patch), and its spatial extent was effective at controlling the invasive population; when both were relatively high, population eradication was predicted. 4. The characteristics of the nine virtual species were the main source of variation in their predicted abundance and spatial distribution. No species were eradicated at cull rates below 70%. Eradication at higher cull rates depended on dispersal ability; slow dispersers required lower rates than fast dispersers, and the latter rapidly re-colonised at low cull rates. Optimum trade-offs between management effort and invasion outcomes were generally when intermediate effort was applied to intermediate numbers of patches. In the Great Ouse, model predictions were that management interventions could restrict bitterling distribution by 2045 to 21% of the catchment (versus 90% occupancy without management). 5. Synthesis and application: This IBM predicted how management efforts can be optimized against invasive fishes, providing a strong complement to risk assessments. We demonstrated that for a range of species’ characteristics, culling can control and even eradicate invasive fish, but only if consistent and relatively high effort is applied.
Experimentation with Self-Serving Attribution Biases

We study an experimentation problem in a situation where the outcomes depend on the decision-maker’s intrinsic ability and on an external variable. We analyze the mistakes made by individuals who hold inaccurate prior beliefs about their ability. Overconfident individuals take too much credit for their successes and excessively blame external factors if they fail. They are too easily dissatisfied with their environment, which leads them to experiment in variable environments and revise their self-confidence over time. In contrast, underconfident individuals might be trapped in low-quality environments and incur perpetual utility losses. (JEL D11, D83, D91)
Spin and valley filter across line defect in silicene

We propose a new scheme to achieve an effective spin/valley filter in silicene with extended line defect on the basis of spin–valley coupling due to the intrinsic spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The transmission coefficient of the spin/valley states is seriously affected by the SOC. When a perpendicular magnetic field is applied on one side of the line defect, one valley state will experience backscattering, but the other valley will not; this leads to high valley polarization in all transmission directions. Moreover, the spin/valley polarization can be enhanced to 96% with the aid of a perpendicular electric field.
Innovations and challenges in SDG integration and reporting in higher education: a case study from the University of South Florida

Purpose As the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been widely adopted since 2015, higher education institutions (HEIs) are experimenting with ways they can be measured, reported and incorporated into all realms of the university. In this process, the challenges of SDG integration into HEIs have become more evident, from lack of resources and sustainability literacy to having multiple disconnected programs that feature the SDGs. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods approach using archival materials, literature reviews, interviews and participant observation has been adopted for a case study at a university in the process of adopting the SDGs in multiple areas. Findings The University of South Florida began with efforts to incorporate SDGs at the undergraduate level, such as the Global Citizens Project that brands both events and courses with SDGs. Institutional changes coupled with the launch of the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings provided more opportunities to have broader conversations about SDGs in all areas of campus.
Aerodynamic Free-Flight Conditions in Wind Tunnel Modelling through Reduced-Order Wall Inserts

Parallel sidewalls are the standard bounding walls in wind tunnels when making a wind tunnel model for free-flight condition. The consequence of confinement in wind tunnel tests, known as wall-interference, is one of the main sources of uncertainty in experimental aerodynamics, limiting the realizability of free-flight conditions. Although this has been an issue when designing transonic wind tunnels and/or in cases with large blockage ratios, even subsonic wind tunnels at low-blockage-ratios might require wall corrections if a good representation of free-flight conditions is intended. In order to avoid the cumbersome streamlining methods especially for subsonic wind tunnels, a sensitivity analysis is conducted in order to investigate the effect of inclined sidewalls as a reduced-order wall insert in the airfoil plane. This problem is investigated via Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations, and a NACA4412 wing at the angles of attack between 0 and 11 degrees at a moderate Reynolds number (400 k) is considered. The simulations are validated with well-resolved large-eddy simulation (LES) results and experimental wind tunnel data. Firstly, the wall-interference contribution in aerodynamic forces, as well as the local pressure coefficients, are assessed. Furthermore, the isolated effect of confinement is analyzed independent of the boundary-layer growth. Secondly, wall-alignment is modified as a calibration parameter in order to reduce wall-interference based on the aforementioned assessment. In the outlined method, we propose the use of linear inserts to account for the effect of wind tunnel walls, which are experimentally simple to realize. The use of these inserts in subsonic wind tunnels with moderate blockage ratio leads to very good agreement between free-flight and wind tunnel data, while this approach benefits from simple manufacturing and experimental realization.
Microwave drying performance of lignite with the assistance of biomass-derived char

ABSTRACT Microwave lignite drying with assistance of biomass-derived char was addressed and effect of bio-char on drying rate and energy consumption was investigated in this work. Effective diffusion coefficient and activation energy for the drying process were also analyzed. The results indicated the drying process was largely dependent on the variation of sample temperature. Bio-char originated from pine wood was most favorable for lignite drying, considering its better promoting effect and advanced security. There existed an optimal bio-char addition ratio for drying process at different power. The corresponding optimal ratio was 10% at 231 W and 15% at 385 W, at which the biggest drying rate and the least energy consumption were reached. It was compared lignite drying initiated at 385 W was better for energy conservation. Effective diffusivity was improved and activation energy was simultaneously reduced, with the addition of bio-char. The minimum activation energy was 15.54 W · g−1, which was gained at bio-char addition ratio of 10%. The results revealed the effect of bio-char on depressing activation energy could rival that of metal-based additives. The drying process with assistance of microwave and bio-char could present technical and economical benefits on lignite upgrading.
Domestic Food Waste and Covid-19 Concern: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic rapidly and dramatically disrupted household behaviours in almost all areas and, among these, eating behaviours and daily food patterns have also been radically altered. All reported changes have potential effects in terms of food waste, which is a global problem that mainly occurs at household level. Many scholars attempted to understand the antecedents of food waste in the framework of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). In this paper we follow this strain of research by focussing on two different behaviours, suggested by the Waste Framework Directive of the EU, namely (a) reducing servings and (b) using leftovers, which may be predicted by the intention to reduce food waste. An online questionnaire containing the key constructs of the TPB and the concern towards the pandemic was administered to a sample of 201 Italian consumers. Results show that the TPB model was confirmed for both behaviours while the Covid-19 concern had no direct effect. However, in the case of portion reduction, there is a significant interaction between concern and intention not to waste food. That is, the effect of intention on reducing servings is increasing as the level of concern increases. Therefore, some indications on how to address food waste policies are drawn.
Miniaturized Circularly Polarized UWB Antenna for Body Centric Communication

A compact body-worn circular polarized textile monopole antenna for wearable applications is reported. The proposed antenna is fabricated on a jean fabric providing flexibility, lightweight, and easy integration into human clothes. The overall size of the proposed antenna is $25\times 30\times1.4$ mm3. Circular polarization (CP) is advantageous for on-body communication as it provides features, such as multipath immunity, suppressing interferences, and enables better link connectivity between the sensor nodes. The proposed antenna achieves the CP using an asymmetric stepped L-shaped ground plane and through the incorporation of a cross-shaped stub in the radiator. The single-fed octagonal strip monopole antenna provides good impedance matching over the entire ultrawide frequency range from 3.09 to 11 GHz. Simulation results are in good correlation with the measured results. The axial ratio bandwidth <3 dB is achieved in the frequency range of 3.4–10 GHz. Gain and efficiency obtained are about 2.3-4.4 dBi and 65%–82% at the said frequency range, respectively. Structural deformation is performed to analyze the flexibility of the proposed antenna. The simulated SAR values follow the FCC limit making it most suitable for wearable applications.
From Laissez-Faire to Anti-Discrimination: How Are Race/Ethnicity, Culture, and Bias Integrated into Multiple Domains of Practice in Early Childhood Education?

ABSTRACT Pedagogical approaches that aim to counteract discrimination and injustice have been identified as potential ways to reduce pervasive and persistent inequities in education outcomes, which emerge as early as preschool. Despite this potential, however, empirical research is limited and suggests a disconnect between recommended practices for counteracting bias in early childhood education and the implementation of such approaches in everyday classrooms. The goal of the present study was to examine the extent to which early childhood education centers identified as having an intentional focus on race, culture, and bias actually implemented practices aligned with this approach across five domains of practice: Visual/Esthetic Environment, Toys and Materials, Activities, Interactions, and Organizational Climate. We conducted classroom observations and focus groups with educators and administrators in five early childhood education centers. Practices within the five domains were interpreted on a continuum from laissez-faire to anti-discrimination. Results demonstrated that educators did not consistently engage in practices consistent with an anti-discrimination approach when addressing issues of race and culture. This study provides important insights regarding explicitly addressing race/ethnicity, culture, and bias in early childhood education in a comprehensive and proactive manner, with implications for educator training.
Effects of School closures in COVID-19 era: Evidence from Uganda Martyrs University

Introduction: As of March 1st, 2020, many governments embarked on nationwide school closures due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic. As the month of March came to an end, about 185 countries across the globe had closed their schools. This affected about 90% of the world’s students and Africa was significantly hit by this closure. The speed of these closures and the rapid move to distance learning gave very little time for planning or any other alternative form of learning. In Uganda, the education of 15 million children and students was disrupted. Learners had to spend the majority of their time at home playing, helping their parents with chores, engaging in agriculture and also spare some hours a day to study. The education of learners was impacted greatly. In urban areas, some learners relied on lessons available online, televisions and radios, while in rural areas, learners had to fall back on their notebooks and printed learning materials provided by the government. Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain the effects of school closure on different stakeholders. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out. A sample of eight lecturers, eight students, four administrators and four community members were purposively recruited for the study. Results: The results show that the impact of the closures on teachers resulted in: (1) leaving the teaching profession, and (2) financial distress. On the part of learners, the effect was a disruption of learning. Schooling provides essential learning and when schools closed, learners were deprived of opportunities for growth and development. The disadvantage of the disruption was disproportionate for under-privileged learners who tend to have fewer educational opportunities, apart from being in schools. Conclusion: Undoing the effects of learning disruption may require years in Uganda.
Investigation of Microwave Absorption Mechanisms in Microcellular Foamed Conductive Composites

The paper investigates the mechanisms of microwave absorption in microcellular foamed conductive composites dedicated to protection against electromagnetic interferences (EMI). A multi-layered electromagnetic one-dimensional (1D) model mimicking the microcellular foam structure is built and validated using previous measurements carried out on various fabricated composite foams. Our model enables us to perform a parametric analysis of the absorption behaviour in a foamed composite, using as parameters the size of the hollow cell, the thickness of the cell’s walls and its conductivity, as well as the overall thickness of the composite and the frequency. Our investigations demonstrate that multiple reflections of the microwave signal between the cellular walls are not the main mechanism responsible for absorption, although they are often reported as a cause of enhanced absorption in the literature. On the contrary, our work demonstrates that the enhancement of the absorption observed in foamed conductive composite compared to unfoamed composite is mainly due to the presence of air in the microcells of the composite.
Discovery of BRCA1/BRCA2 founder variants by haplotype analysis.

A significant number of hereditary breast or ovarian cancers are caused by germline variants, mostly BRCA1/BRCA2 genes. Because genetic predispositions vary by ethnicity, several studies have reported founder variants of BRCA1/BRCA2 genes. Such founder variants were reported primarily based on their relevant population frequencies. We reviewed the variant data relating to BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes from January 2012 to March 2019 at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Among the cases with pathogenic variants (PVs) or likely pathogenic variants (LPVs), we defined recurrent variants as those found in more than five unrelated patients. Using single nucleotide polymorphisms, we analyzed patient haplotypes. There were 14 recurrent variants in the BRCA1 gene and seven variants in the BRCA2 gene. Of note, three variants in each gene were primarily detected in Korean populations. Among them, the c.5339T>C (p.Leu1780Pro) BRCA1 variant had a long block sized 74.5 kb. In BRCA2, the c.1399A>T (p.Lys467*) variant had a long block sized 35.5 kb. We suggest that BRCA1 c.5339T>C (p.Leu1780Pro) and BRCA2 c.1399A>T (p.Lys467*) are founder variants of the Korean population. These two recurrent variants were ethnicity-prevalent, primarily found in Korean populations, and the sizes of the linkage disequilibrium blocks are longer than others.
Simulate The Process of Preparing Biochar By Pyrolysis of Biomass Via Aspen Plus And Evaluate Its Economic

China is a big agricultural country and generates a lot of biomass waste every year. Biomass is the only renewable carbon source. Biochar can be produced by pyrolysis under anaerobic or hypoxic conditions. Biochar has a rich pore structure, large specific surface area and special adsorption properties, and has been widely used in different industries. Different raw materials and pyrolysis temperature will have different effects on the yield and pore structure of Biochar. During our research, a flow chart was established in Aspen Plus V8.4 software to simulate the pyrolysis process of rice straw and sugarcane bagasse, and the feasibility of the model was verified through experiment. The results show that the simulated value of biochar yield is different from the experimental value. The difference is small at low temperature (300-500℃), and larger at high temperature (600-800℃), but both remain between 0.55% and 13.11%. Finally, the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) method was used to evaluate the economics of the process of preparing biochar from 1 t rice straw and sugarcane bagasse. The cost of rice straw and sugarcane bagasse biochar were 0.79 and 0.93 USD/kg, respectively. Considering from the aspects of yield, pore structure, energy consumption, and economy of biochar, compared with sugarcane bagasse, rice straw has a more competitive advantage in the preparation of biochar.
In‐Situ Measurements of Electron Temperature and Density in Mars' Dayside Ionosphere

We present dayside electron temperature (Te) and density altitude profiles at Mars from MAVEN satellite deep‐dip orbits. The data are after recalibration of the Langmuir Probe and Waves instrument that results in reduced uncertainties to as low as ±82°K. At MAVEN's lowest altitudes, (∼120–∼135 km), the measured values of Te are, after uncertainties, higher than those predicted by several modeling efforts. To better understand this discrepancy, we perform a basic heat‐transfer analysis for two specific dayside deep dips. The analysis supports that CO2 excitation/de‐excitation of its lowest‐energy vibrational states dominates energy transfer to and from electrons. We hypothesize that the discrepancy between the measured and modeled Te is due to (a) the coupling of Te to CO2 vibrational temperatures combined with a non‐LTE (local thermal equilibrium) excess of excited CO2 and/or (b) a non‐Maxwellian electron distribution that moderates CO2 cooling.