Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MIT Open Access Articles Short and Wide Network Paths

Network ﬂow is a powerful mathematical framework to systematically explore the relationship between structure and function in biological, social, and technological networks. We introduce a new pipelining model of ﬂow through networks where commodities must be transported over single paths rather than split over several paths and recombined. We show this notion of pipelined network ﬂow is optimized using network paths that are both short and wide, and develop efﬁcient algorithms to compute such paths for given pairs of nodes and for all-pairs. Short and wide paths are characterized for many real-world networks. To further demonstrate the utility of this network characterization, we develop novel information-theoretic lower bounds on computation speed in nervous systems due to limitations from anatomical connectivity and physical noise. For the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , we ﬁnd these bounds are predictive of biological timescales of behavior. Further, we ﬁnd the particular C. elegans connectome is globally less efﬁcient for information ﬂow than random networks, but the hub-and-spoke architecture of functional subcircuits is optimal under constraint on number of synapses. This suggests functional subcircuits are a primary organizational principle of this small invertebrate nervous system.
The effect of temporal correlated noise on the sea level rate and acceleration uncertainty

It is well known that sea level variations exhibit temporal correlation. This is sometimes ignored in the estimation process of the sea level rise or taken into account using a first-order autoregressive model. We have verified that this stochastic model is accurate for yearly tide gauge and sea level reconstruction time-series but it underestimates the real rate uncertainty in satellite altimetry and monthly tide gauge data by a factor of 1.3–1.5 and sometimes even 2. Similar results were found for sea level acceleration. An original finding is that in 13–17 per cent of the tide gauge data, we found random walk which increases the rate uncertainty on average by an additional factor of 3. The estimation errors presented in this research should be added to the other sources of uncertainty, such as the vertical land movement, spatial correlation and altimeter drift, to obtain the total sea level rate and acceleration error.
Job satisfaction and employee turnover: A firm-level perspective

In this article I study how companies can use their personnel data and information from job satisfaction surveys to predict employee quits. An important issue discussed at length in the article is how employers can ensure the anonymity of employees in surveys used for management and human resources (HR) analytics. I argue that a simple mechanism whereby the company delegates the implementation of job satisfaction surveys to an external consulting company can be optimal. In the subsequent empirical analysis, I use a unique combination of firm-level data (personnel records) and information from job satisfaction surveys to assess the benefits for companies using data in their decision-making. Moreover, I aim to show how companies can move from a descriptive to a predictive approach.
Ethical Leadership and Work Life Challenges among Filipino Teachers in Qatar Towards a Policy Framework for Work Life Balance

: The focus of this study was three-fold: one was what coerces Filipinos to pursue their job in the State of Qatar utilizing their maximum potential as agents of change; the second was that the security measures done by the Philippine government as it explores the need for migrant workers, and the vulnerability of Filipino workers who did not have adequate work opportunities in the Philippines; finally, this study asserted the work life disputes of Filipino teachers in Qatar which influence their living and working conditions, thus, it offered solutions to improve working. true for skilled and professional. Most of the Filipino teachers in the study were female validating previous studies that the teaching profession is mostly dominated by female. Respondents perceived their leaders to have moderate level of ethical leadership, but they demonstrate high level of selflessness in service. Perceived ethical leadership vary when respondents were grouped according to age, sex, civil status, nature of work, and monthly income. Work challenges varies when grouped according to age, gender, civil status and monthly income. Respondents were prepared in for reintegration in terms of socio-economic aspect and work-related factors.
Scholars Commons @ Laurier Scholars Commons @ Laurier

Speech perception and production are intimately linked. There is evidence that speech motor learning results in changes to auditory processing of speech. Whether speech motor control benefits from perceptual learning in speech, however, remains unclear. This event-related potential study investigated whether speech-sound learning can modulate the processing of feedback errors during vocal pitch regulation. Mandarin speakers were trained to perceive five Thai lexical tones while learning to associate pictures with spoken words over 5 days. Before and after training, participants produced sustained vowel sounds while they heard their vocal pitch feedback unexpectedly perturbed. As compared to the pre-training session, the magnitude of vocal compensation significantly decreased for the control group, but remained consistent for the trained group at the post-training session. However, the trained group had smaller and faster N1 responses to pitch perturbations and exhibited enhanced P2 responses that correlated significantly with their learning performance. These findings indicate that the cortical processing of vocal pitch regulation can be shaped by learning new speech-sound associations, suggesting that perceptual learning in speech can produce transfer effects to facilitating the neural mechanisms underlying the online monitoring of auditory feedback regarding vocal production.
Measurement Scepticism, Construct Validation, and Methodology of Well-Being Theorising

Precise measurements of well-being would be of profound societal importance. Yet, the sceptical worry that we cannot use social science instruments and tests to measure well-being is widely discussed by philosophers and scientists. A recent and interesting philosophical argument has pointed to the psychometric procedures of construct validation to address this sceptical worry. The argument has proposed that these procedures could warrant confidence in our ability to measure well-being. The present paper evaluates whether this type of argument succeeds. The answer is that it depends on which methodological background assumptions are motivating the sceptical worry to begin with. We show this by doing two things. First, we clarify (a) the different types of well-being theories involved in the science of well-being, and (b) the general methodological dimensions of well-being theorising. Second, we apply these distinctions and argue that construct validation is an unsuccessful response to measurement scepticism if this scepticism is motivated by a form of methodological non-naturalism. In the light of this, the overall point of the paper is that philosophers and scientists, when discussing measurement of well-being, should explicate their deeper methodological commitments. We further suggest that making such explicit commitments might present philosophers with a dilemma.
Assessing contribution of agroforestry in sustaining the rural livelihoods and factors affecting their adoption:-the case of Hadero-Tunto District, South Ethiopia

Agroforestry practices are one of the most important land use systems that improve the livelihoods of farm families. Densely populated areas such as Hadero-Tunto district, the importance of this land use system is high. There are various types of AFPs in the study area, but information on their management practices, benefits, and expansion is rather limited. Households for the formal survey were selected using stratified and simple random sampling. Data were collected from 140 households through structured interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric analysis. Logit model was used to identify the factors affecting the expansion of agroforestry practices (AFP). The result of the study showed that home gardens, living fences, parklands and border plantations were the most commonly adopted agroforestry practices. Farmers in the study area used various management practices (e.g. fertilization, composting, etc.) to manage AFPs, and activities such as pruning, clearing, thinning, weeding, etc. were used to manage tree species. The result of the econometric logit model used to identify the factors affecting the expansion of AFPs showed that five variables (farm size, source of income, farming experience, family workload, and education) had a statistically significant effect on the expansion of AFPs .
The association between genetic variation and preprandial and postprandial digestive responses in healthy young men: A pilot study

An elevated postprandial glycaemic and related physiological response is associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. Several factors, including genetics, may in�uence interpersonal differences in preprandial baseline markers and postprandial meal responses. This study examined the association between genetic variation and physiological outcomes during the preprandial and postprandial digestive responses in thirty healthy young men.
Time series analysis of multi-polarisation synthetic aperture radar images with a textural-contextual model

This paper presents a methodology for post-classification change detection of Arctic glaciers from multi-polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Specifically, an unsupervised contextual non- Gaussian clustering algorithm is used for segmentation of sequences of multi-polarimetric SAR images into glacier facies. Subsequently, the segmented images of succeeding years are compared, and changes are identified as the detected differences in the location of boundaries between glacier facies. In the current analysis, a series of dual polarization C-band Envisat ASAR images over the Kongsvegen glacier, Svalbard, is used for demonstration.
Effects of rangeland based integrated soil and water conservation practices on herbaceous species regeneration, diversity, biomass and growth of planted tree species in Haro-Bake Sub-Watershed, Yaballo District, and Southern Ethiopia

Rangeland degradation is a significant threat to people in dryland areas, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa like Ethiopia. Rehabilitation of degraded land is challenging due to moisture limitations and drought. This study evaluated rangeland-based integrated watershed management. Three soil and moisture conservation structures were applied, and multi-purpose tree/shrub species like Faidherbia albida, Melia azedarach , and Moringa stenopetala were planted. Data on indigenous plant species regeneration, diversity, species richness and biomass, survival rate, and height growth of planted tree species were collected. After the intervention, the indigenous plant species' regeneration, diversity, and richness significantly increased. The mean indigenous plant species richness, biomass, and basal cover were highest in half-moon followed by soil level bund and, lowest in control. The survival rate and the height growth of all planted MPTs species were better under Negarim and half-moon and lowest under control treatments. This suggests that soil and moisture conservation structures are more suitable than the conventional method of rehabilitation of indigenous plant species and tree planting. Even though the survival and growth of tree seedlings were best under Negarim, the herbaceous diversity, biomass, and basal cover of herbaceous were low, and construction of this structure was labor incentives than the other two structures.
Effects of Saltwater Intrusion from the Inner Harbor Navigation Effects of Saltwater Intrusion from the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal on the Benthos of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana Canal on the Benthos of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana

A study of the benthos of southern Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, was conducted from July 1976 to July 1978. Seven offshore stations and three stations in the New Orleans Marina complex were sampled seasonally. Offshore stations formed a transect from the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (I.H.N.C.). A west to east gradient of increasing salinity and salinity stratification was evident. kaunal differences among stations were assessed using indices of diversity, biological dominance, pollution, and station homogeneity. The fauna of the marina stations had a low species diversity and was dominated by annelids, indicative of a stressed environment. The fauna of stations near the I.H. N.C. were similar to the marina stations. Moving westward from the I.H. N.C. , species diversity increased and the fauna became dominated by mollusks. Stressful conditions associated with the intrusion of water from the I.H. N.C. into Lake Pontchartrain appeared to be responsible for the faunal differences observed.
Highly active La 0.4 Sr 0.6 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3 (cid:1) d nanocatalyst for oxygen reduction in intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells

(cid:3) Pure-phase LSCF nanocrystallites (~45 nm) have been synthesized by combustion. (cid:3) Nanopowder consists of inter-connected nanocrystallites with meso-and macroporosity. (cid:3) Its electrocatalytic behavior as nano-structured cathode was evaluated by EIS measurements. (cid:3) ASR values as low as 0.8 U cm 2 at 450 (cid:4) C and 0.04 U cm 2 at 650 (cid:4) C were obtained. (cid:3) The improvement is due to the electrode morphology optimization in the nanoscale.
The Importance of Wind and Buoyancy Forcing for the Boundary Density Variations and the Geostrophic Component of the AMOC at 26 8 N

It is widely thought that changes in both the surface buoyancy fluxes and wind stress drive variability in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), but that they drive variability on different time scales. For example, wind forcing dominates short-term variability through its effects on Ekman currents and coastal upwelling, whereas buoyancy forcing is important for longer time scales (multiannual and decadal). However, the role of the wind forcing on multiannual to decadal time scales is less clear. Here the authors present an analysis of simulationswith theNucleus for EuropeanModelling of theOcean (NEMO)oceanmodel with the aim of explaining the important drivers of the zonal density gradient at 268N, which is directly related to the AMOC. In the experiments, only one of either the wind stress or the buoyancy forcing is allowed to vary in time, whereas the other remains at its seasonally varying climatology. On subannual time scales, variations in the density gradient, and in the AMOC minus Ekman, are driven largely by local wind-forced coastal upwelling at both the western and eastern boundaries. On decadal time scales, buoyancy forcing related to the North Atlantic Oscillation dominates variability in the AMOC. Interestingly, however, it is found that wind forcing also plays a role at longer time scales, primarily impacting the interannual variability through the excitation of Rossby waves in the central Atlantic, which propagate westward to interact with the western boundary, but also by modulating the decadal time-scale response to buoyancy forcing.
A B S T R A C T

Guinea-Bissau has recently become the fifth largest producer in the world of Cashew Nut Shell (CNS) and the product accounts for 90% of the country’s total exports. The objective of this study was to analyze the expansion of cashew cultivation and its environmental and economic impacts on the country, from the perspective of sustainable development. In the methodology, correlational statistical analyses were used, based on multiple regression, correlation, and linear regression techniques. To qualify the empirical results based on the historical series of secondary data, an online questionnaire was applied to nine experts to assess the impacts of sector-specific public policies on Cashew Nut Shell Production (CNSP) and Cashew Nut Shell Export (CNSE). Finally, geoprocessing techniques were used to identify the deforestation trends in the country (2002-2018). As main results, it was verified that from 2000 to 2015, the CNSE accounted for an average of 8.9% of the country’s GDP. As for environmental impacts, it was found that between 2002 and 2012, the country’s deforestation was explained by the CNSP (p < 0.001 and R² = 0.91), whereas between 2013 and 2017, although positively associated, the relationship was not significant. Geoprocessed data on vegetation cover indicate that from 2002 to 2018, accumulated deforestation was intensified mainly in the southern and northern regions of the country. To make full use of cashew, a greater effort is needed from the Government and the productive sectors, which would allow the sustainable development of the sector and a substantial increase in the production of other crops.
Is it safe to cross? Identification of 2 trains and their approach speed at level

12 Improving the safety at passive rail crossings is an ongoing issue worldwide. These 13 crossings have no active warning systems to assist drivers’ decision-making and are 14 completely reliant on the road user perceiving the approach of a train to decide whether to 15 enter a crossing or not. This study aimed to better understand drivers’ judgements regarding 16 approaching trains and their perceptions of safe crossing. Thirty-six participants completed a 17 field-based protocol that involved detecting and judging the speeds of fast moving trains. 18 They were asked to report when they first detected an approaching train, when they could 19 first perceive it as moving, as well as providing speed estimates and a decision regarding 20 when it would not be safe to cross. Participants detected the trains ~2km away and were
Embryo Ecology: Developmental Synchrony and Embryo Ecology: Developmental Synchrony and Asynchrony in the Embryonic Development of Wild Asynchrony in the Embryonic Development of Wild Annual Fish Populations Annual Fish Populations

Embryo– environment interactions are of paramount importance during the development of all organisms, and impacts during this period can echo far into later stages of ontogeny. African annual fish of the genus Nothobranchius live in temporary pools and their eggs survive the dry season in the dry bottom substrate of the pools by entering a facultative developmental arrest termed diapause. Uniquely among animals, the embryos (encased in eggs) may enter diapause at three different developmental stages. Such a system allows for the potential to employ different regulation mechanisms for each diapause. We sampled multiple Nothobranchius embryo banks across the progressing season, species, and populations. We present important base-line field data and examine the role of environmental regulation in the embryonic development of this unique system. We describe the course of embryo development in the wild and find it to be very different from the typical development under laboratory conditions. Development across the embryo banks was synchronized within and across the sampled populations with all embryos entering diapause I during the rainy season and diapause II during the dry season. Asynchrony occurred at transient phases of the habitat, during the process of habitat desiccation, and at the end of the dry season. Our findings reveal the significance of environmental conditions in the serial character of the annual fish diapauses.
Genetic diversity of Melia dubia as revealed by molecular markers

Background Melia dubia Cav. of the family Meliaceae is a highly valued multipurpose tree species that has a short rotation period and can be harvested for various industrial and domestic wood requirements. However, the availability of genetically improved planting stock is almost non-existent, especially in North East India, and formulating management and conservation strategies are highly in need as it was observed during the survey that the number of Melia trees was very less and the majority of it was found fragmented in home-gardens. Methods and Results
Control Study among Southern European Subjects: A Case Associated with Chronic Low Back Pain Vertebral Endplate Changes Are Not

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data on the association between vertebral endplate changes and low back pain are contradictory. This study was designed to assess whether this association exists among Southern European subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in this study serving as cases were 35–50 years of age with low back pain lasting (cid:1) 90 days, for whom a lumbar MR imaging had been prescribed. Controls were subjects 35–50 years of age, having a cranial MR imaging for headache with normal findings, and no history of clinically relevant LBP. Two hundred forty cases and 64 controls were recruited consecutively in the radiology services across 6 cities in Spain. Imaging findings and subject characteristics were gathered through previously validated instruments. Radiologists who interpreted MRI were blinded to the subject characteristics. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to assess the association of vertebral endplate changes with LBP, adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, lifetime exposure to smoking, physical activity, disk degeneration, and the interaction between disk degeneration and vertebral endplate changes. RESULTS: Vertebral endplate changes were found in 80.4% of the cases and in 87.5% of the controls. In the regression model, disk degeneration was the only variable showing a confounding effect. Results showed that after adjusting for disk degeneration, the presence of vertebral endplate changes is associated with the absence of chronic LBP (OR for LBP: 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10–0.95). CONCLUSIONS: In Southern European subjects, vertebral endplate changes are not associated with chronic LBP. ABBREVIATIONS: BMI (cid:2) body mass index; CI
The 'Divergence Problem' in tree-ring research

Introduction Evidence for reduced sensitivity of tree growth to temperature has been reported from multiple forest sites along the mid to high northern latitudes and from some locations at higher elevation. This alleged large-scale phenomenon reflects the inability of temperature sensitive tree-ring width and density chronologies to track increasing temperature trends in instrumental measurements since around the mid-20th century. In addition to such low-frequency trend offsets, resulting in warmer instrumental and cooler reconstructed temperatures, the potential inability of formerly temperature sensitive trees to reflect high-frequency climate signals derives from some boreal and alpine sites. These two observations have recently been introduced as the ‘Divergence Problem’ (DP), with causes and scales being discussed in a variety of recently published high-ranking peerreview articles. If the DP turns out to be a real and widespread phenomenon (coincidentally) paralleling anthropogenic-induced changes of atmospheric composition as well as global warming, it would not only have a substantial effect on biomass productivity rates, with serious implications on carbon sequestration, but it would further question the overall ability of tree ring-based temperature reconstructions to capture earlier periods of putative warmth, such as the so-called Medieval Warm Period, and subsequently to model possible reactions of forest ecosystems in a warming world. Here we synthesize the main points of a Podium Discussion that took place during the international conference TRACE (April 2008), which stressed the DP from different perspectives: ecology, climatology, and methodology. The existing body of literature related to the DP is briefly reviewed, while highlighting regional-scale evidence for and against the phenomenon and discussing main sources of uncertainty that contribute towards complicating the issue.