Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
By cyclists, for cyclists: Road grade and elevation estimation from crowd-sourced fitness application data

Road grade or slope is a key factor for walking and cycling behavior and outcomes (influencing route, speed, energy, etc.). For this reason, the scarcity of precise road grade data presents a challenge for travel information and analysis. This paper examines the accuracy of using crowd-sourced GPS data from a fitness application to estimate roadway grade profiles, which can then be used to develop network-wide road grade datasets. We externally validate an elevation estimation method described by McKenzie and Janowicz using field surveying data, and then propose and evaluate modifications for estimation of road grade (which is more directly relevant than elevation for walking and cycling analysis). We find that a modest amount of crowd-sourced GPS data can be used to generate relatively accurate road grade estimates: better than commonly-used low-resolution elevation models, but not as accurate as high-resolution data derived from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). We also find that the grade estimates are more reliable than the elevation estimates, relative to alternative data sources. The most accurate method to aggregate crowd-sourced GPS data builds a composite roadway grade profile using partition-around-medoid clustering of individual grade sequences, first smoothed with a Savitzky-Golay filter and cleaned with Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). Implementing this method with an average of 150 GPS traces per location yields a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1% road grade. The findings in this paper can be used to incorporate precise road grade information into street network datasets over a wide spatial scale, which is necessary for walking and cycling analysis that fully considers the physiological aspects of active transportation.
Fish nursery value of algae habitats in temperate coastal reefs

The nursery function of coastal habitats is one of the most frequently mentioned and recognized ecosystem services in the valuation of coastal ecosystems. Despite its importance our understanding of the precise habitat parameters and mechanisms that make a habitat important as a nursery area is still limited for many species. The study aimed to establish the importance of different algae morphotypes in providing shelter and food for juvenile coastal fish during the main settlement peaks, in early spring and late summer, in littoral rocky reef systems in the Northwestern Mediterranean. The results of our study showed strong seasonal differences in algae cover, composition and height between the two sampling periods. Overall, during spring the algae were well developed, while in late summer, both density and height, of most algae decreased considerably. Equally, prey biomass, in form of suitable sized invertebrate fauna associated to the algae, decreased. Accordingly, the shelter and food for the fish settling in this habitat during late summer were less abundant, indicating a mismatch between the observed presence of juvenile fish and optimal habitat conditions. Differences in prey densities were detected between algae morphotypes, with structurally more complex algae, such as Cystoseira spp. and Halopteris spp. consistently containing more prey, independent of season, compared to simpler structured morphotypes such as Dictoytales. The study furthermore related juvenile fish density to habitats dominated by different algae morphotypes. Out of the three-study species (Diplodus vulgaris, Symphodus ocellatus, Coris julis) only S. ocellatus showed a significant association with an algae habitat. S. ocellatus related positively to habitats dominated by Dictoytales which provided the highest cover during late summer but had the lowest prey densities. A strong association of this species with Cystoseira, as reported by other studies, could not be confirmed. Cystoseira was abundant within the study area but in a state of dieback, showing loss and reduced height of foliage, typical for the time of year within the study area. It is therefore likely that algae-fish associations are context-dependent and that several algae species may fulfil similar functions. We also discovered that prey biomass did not appear to have an important effect on juvenile abundances. Nevertheless, the availability of prey may influence juvenile fish condition, growth performance and ultimately long-term survival. We therefore suggest that future studies on habitat quality should also include, besides abundance, indicators related to the condition and growth of juveniles.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF DOUBLE-SAMPLE FOREST INVENTORY OF PINE AND MIXED STANDS WITH HIGH- AND LOW-DENSITY LIDAR

INTRODUCTION Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a new remote sensing tool that has the potential for use in the acquisition of measurement data for inventories of standing timber. LiDAR systems have been used in a variety of forestry applications (Lefsky and others 1999, Means and others 1999, Nelson and others 1988, Nilsson 1996) for the quantification of biomass, basal area, and tree-and standheight estimates. Means and others (2000) used LiDAR to predict forest stand characteristics and suggested that LiDAR was a promising method for use in forest sampling because it allowed adequate measurement of structural attributes of a timber stand. Height estimations by Magnussen and Boudewyn (1998), Young (2000), and Harrington (2001) reported underestimates of 1 to 4 m. McCombs and others (in press) have developed algorithms and focal filter procedures to determine tree location and estimate tree height, and Collins (2003) is working on draping multi-spectral imagery over LiDAR canopy surface models for hardwood species identification. The objectives of this study were to investigate the use of LiDAR in forest inventory of pine and mixed stands and to test protocols for using LiDAR in a double-sample inventory procedure.
Statistical approach to analysis of the regions

The submitted paper focuses on the utilization of the concept of aggregated indicators for expressing the competitiveness of regions. The statistical methods, factor and cluster analysis, have been used for the modelling. In this modelling process real data from the Eurostat statistics database are used. These data contain diverse information about NUTS 2 and comparable regions. The result of the factor analysis is the development of a set of new composite indicators that markedly contribute to the increase of competitiveness of a given region. The result of the cluster analysis is clusters of the selected regions constructed by clustering composite indicators values.
Building customers' trust in the ridesharing platform with institutional mechanisms

Purpose Drawing upon institution-based trust theory, the purpose of this paper is twofold: firstly, to examine the joint influences of legally binding and market-driven institutional mechanisms in promoting customers’ trust and continuance intention in the ridesharing platform; and secondly, to examine if there exists a trust transfer mechanism between institution-based trust and interpersonal trust. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted in China and data were collected from 307 customers in DiDi, which is one of the largest ridesharing platforms in China. Structural equation modeling statistical method was used to test the theoretical model and research hypotheses. Findings The empirical results suggest that market-driven institutional mechanisms, regarding feedback and surge pricing, have strong influences on customers’ trust in the ridesharing platform. In addition, legally binding institutional mechanisms, regarding payment security and driver certification, are also beneficial to promote customers’ trust. Furthermore, there is a trust transfer between customers’ trust in the platform and trust in the driver. Practical implications This study provides guidelines to the administrators of the ridesharing platform to establish effective institutional mechanisms. In particular, the platform can appropriately adopt and implement the legally binding mechanisms combined with market-driven mechanisms on the platform, in order to enhance customers’ trust and promote their subsequent transaction behaviors. Originality/value This study enriches and extends the extant literature of institution-based trust from e-commerce to the sharing economy by identifying four significant institutional mechanisms. Furthermore, this study presents a new perspective of customer trust (one-to-many) in the context of ridesharing and uncovers the transfer mechanism between institution-based trust and interpersonal trust.
Who makes a better university adjustment wingman: Parents or friends?

The first year of university is one of the most difficult times in a student’s life due to numerous changes that occur. This cross-sectional study explores the concept of parental and peer attachment, which has been researched for its ability to predict students’ success in higher education. Yet, less research has investigated the mechanisms underpinning the relationship between attachment and university adjustment among first-year students. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of parent and peer attachment on first-year university students, and understand how these attachments can facilitate university adjustment through identity exploration. This investigation is underpinned by Bowlby and Ainsworth’s attachment theory and Arnett’s emerging adulthood theory. Data were collected from 568 first-year students at a public university in Sabah, Malaysia, via adapted questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was employed using SmartPLS Software 3.0 to analyse the data. The study found that identity exploration mediates the relationship between parental trust, peer communication, and university adjustment. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for professionals working with emerging adult clients, especially those in higher education institutions, aiming to enhance the adjustment level among first-year students.
Substandard feeding in children undergoing mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study in China

Background Enteral nutrition is a common yet vital practice in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). However, the status of substandard feeding of enteral nutrition in PICU children undergoing mechanical ventilation remains unclear and can be detrimental to the children’s prognosis. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, nursing care status, and influencing factors of substandard feeding in children undergoing mechanical ventilation in the PICU. Methods This study employed a retrospective cohort design. Children undergoing mechanical ventilation and enteral nutrition in the PICU of a public hospital in China from 1 June 2021 to 31 December 2022 were selected using convenience sampling, and their characteristics were collected and evaluated. Pearson correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the influencing factors of substandard feeding in PICU children with mechanical ventilation. Results A total of 156 PICU children undergoing mechanical ventilation were included for analysis in this study. The rate of substandard feeding in PICU children was 65.38%. Statistically significant differences were observed in diarrhea, vomiting, the use of sedatives, and average infusion speed between the substandard feeding group and the standard group (p <0.05). Pearson correlation results indicated that diarrhea (r = 0.595), vomiting (r = 0.602), and average infusion speed (r = 0.562) were correlated with substandard feeding and characteristics of included ICU children undergoing mechanical ventilation (p <0.05). Logistic regression results found that diarrhea (OR = 2.183, 95%CI: 1.855~2.742), vomiting (OR = 3.021, 95%CI: 2.256~4.294), and average infusion speed ≤40 mL/h (OR = 2.605, 95%CI: 1.921~3.357) were independent risk factors for substandard feeding in mechanically ventilated children in the ICU (p <0.05). Conclusion The rate of substandard feeding in children with mechanical ventilation in the PICU was high. Diarrhea, vomiting, and slow infusion speed are important influencing factors for substandard feeding. It is suggested that nurses and other healthcare professionals take targeted measures, including the prevention and care of diarrhea and vomiting, as well as monitoring and adjusting the infusion speed of enteral nutrition, to reduce the occurrence of substandard feeding.
Nesting Preferences for Two Woodpecker Species (Dendrocopos Major and Dendrocopos Medius) in Comana Forest, Southern Romania/ Preferințele de cuibărit la două specii de ciocănitori (Dendrocopos Major şi Dendrocopos Medius), în Pădurea Comana, Sudul României

Abstract The main goal of this study is to get a better insight of the habitat requirements for the Great- and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are forest specialists, threatened all over Europe mainly by the loss of forest habitats and also by the loss in quality of the habitat by reducing the food sources and nesting sites. Both species showed a strong preference for oaks, lime, large trees and dead wood for nesting, but Middle Spotted Woodpecker proved to be more selective in terms of tree species. Nest-height was influenced by tree diameter. Both species have the same nesting preferences for Turkey oak, lime and Pedunculate oak, in a Quercetum farnetto-cerris type of forest. The orientation of the nest hole on the tree was mainly NE-E-SE for Middle Spotted Woodpecker and N-NE-E for Great Spotted Woodpecker. Résumé L’objectif principal de cette étude est de mieux connaître les besoins en matière d’habitat pour le pic épeiche et le pic mar. Les pics sont des spécialistes de la forêt, menacés dans toute l’Europe principalement par la perte d’habitats forestiers et aussi par la perte de la qualité de l’habitat en réduisant les sources de nourriture et les sites de nidification. Les deux espèces ont montré une forte préférence pour les chênes, de chaux, de grands arbres et du bois mort pour la nidification, mais le pic mar s’est avéré être plus sélectif en termes d’espèces d’arbres. Nid-hauteur a été influencé par le diamètre de l’arbre. Les deux espèces ont les mêmes préférences de nidification pour le chêne Turquie, les tilleuls et le chêne pédonculé, dans un Quercetum farnetto-cerris type de forêt. L’orientation du trou de nid sur l’arbre était principalement NE-E-SE pour le pic mar et N-NE-E pour le pic épeiche. Rezumat Scopul principal al acestui studiu este de a obține o mai bună înțelegere a nevoilor pe care ciocănitoarea pestriță mare și ciocănitoarea de stejar le au pentru habitatul în care trăiesc. Ciocănitorile sunt specialiștii pădurii, fiind amenințate cu dispariția în întreaga Europă, mai ales prin distrugerea habitatelor forestiere precum și prin pierderea calității habitatului, prin reducerea surselor de hrană și a locurilor de cuibărit. Ambele specii au aratat o preferință puternică pentru stejari, tei, arbori mari și lemn mort pentru cuiburi, dar Ciocănitoarea de stejar s-a dovedit a fi mai selectivă în ceea ce privește speciile de arbori. Înălțimea cuibului a fost influențată de diametrul copacului. Ambele specii au aceleași preferințe de cuibărit pentru cer, tei și stejarul pedunculat, într-o pădure de tipul Quercetum farnetto-cerris. Orientarea intrării în cuibul din arbore a fost în principal NE-E-SE pentru ciocănitoarea de stejar și N-NE-E pentru ciocănitoarea pestriță mare.
Cisnerospira (Brachiopoda, Spiriferinida), an atypical Early Jurassic spire bearer from the Subbetic Zone (SE Spain) and its significance

Abstract. The order Spiriferinida represented a significant group whose extinction is linked to the early Toarcian mass extinction event. The genus Cisnerospira Manceñido, 2004, conspicuous representative of this group in the Early Jurassic of the western Tethys, is analyzed from a systematic standpoint, grounded mainly on evidence from the Subbetic domain, and its initial diagnosis is revised accordingly. A definitive suprageneric position within the subfamily Paralaballinae is formally proposed in the light of new data herein provided. Both external and internal diagnostic features and the generic and intraspecific variability are described through the analysis of the Cisnerospira species recorded in the easternmost Subbetic area, i.e., Cisnerospira adscendens (Deslongchamps, 1858), C. aff. adscendens, C. angulata (Oppel, 1861), and C. sylvia (Gemmellaro, 1882). In addition, their interrelation with other records from several Tethyan basins is addressed, and the generic spectrum has been extended to include several species with high morphological affinity. This characterization thus contributes to clarify certain ambiguities in the systematics of the spiriferinids, which entails a complex taxonomy mainly based on the external features, where the ribbing pattern was given foremost classificatory value due to the lack of more reliable generic diagnostic criteria. Furthemore, a morphofunctional analysis performed in Cisnerospira reveals a presumable epibenthonic libero-sessile way of life, and two alternative adaptive strategies are discussed: resting on and/or sticking in substrates with different degree of consolidation, providing a significant hydrodynamic stability to the shell.
Stock Profile of Hilsa Shad Population in Bay of Bengal Region- A Review

Hilsa shad, also known as Indian shad, migrates to freshwater environment of the River systems for breeding and thereafter, nourishment of the young ones. Hilsa populations of different rivers are distinct and may be distinguished from one another by morphometric, serological and meristic characters. There is controversy regarding stocks or races of Hilsa in different water bodies of Bangladesh. Genetic and otolith data both showed that Hilsa from India Myanmar were not significantly different from the fish collected from coastal areas of Bangladesh, and suggest that fresh water environment of the River systems for breeding and thereafter, nourishment of the young ones. Most of the stocks of Hilsa are anadromous, breeding much above tidal limits. Some stocks have also been reported to remain permanently in the freshwater stretch of Rivers. The Hilsa shad is largely an anadromous species, but two other ecotypes a fluvial potamodromous type and a marine type have been recognised. The possibility of existence of different races of Hilsa was expressed by many workers. Some studies indicated that Hilsa populations of different rivers are distinct and may be distinguished from one another by mo Hilsa in the Bay of Bengal were a single stock. In Pakistan only one homogenous population of Hilsa ascends the river Indus. In Pakistan only one homogenous population of Hilsa ascends the river Indus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Hilsa from Bay of Bengal origin and Arabian Sea origin formed two distinct different clusters. However, proper measures are very much warranted towards conservation the stocks for sustainable management of Hilsa fishery in Bay of Bengal region.
Bridewealth and dowry in Africa and Eurasia

Both bridewealth and dowry involve the transmission of property at marriage. Whatever 'symbolic' aspects mark these transfers, they also have their economic functions, not primarily as intermediaries in a purchase, but as ways of redistributing property. Hence they must always be seen in the context of the wider movement of property and its exploitation for productive and other social purposes. Viewed in this way, these differences in marriage transaction have to be linked with other aspects of social organisation, particularly the economy.
Revisiting the species list of freshwater fish in Israel based on DNA barcoding

Abstract Israel's region forms a continental bridge; hence, the freshwater fish fauna in Israel consists of unique populations of species that originated from Africa, Asia, or Europe and are often endemic or at the edge of their distribution range. Worldwide, fish biodiversity suffers significantly from pressures and disturbances of freshwater habitats, especially in arid regions, such as in parts of Israel. Biodiversity conservation requires efficient tools for monitoring changes in populations. DNA barcoding, by complementing and enhancing species identification, provides such monitoring tools. In this study, over 200 specimens representing over 28 species were DNA barcoded and together with previously available records, a DNA barcoding database for freshwater fish of Israel was established. Of the 71 distinct barcodes generated, 37% were new, attesting to the uniqueness of fish populations in Israel. For most species, morphological and molecular species identifications agreed. However, discrepancies were found for five genera. Based on DNA barcoding, we propose Acanthobrama telavivensis as a junior synonym for Acanthobrama lissneri. In Garra spp. , we propose splitting Garra nana into two species and assigning Garra rufa in the region to Garra jordanica, or possibly to two species. Israeli Pseudophoxinus kervillei is not the same species as in Syria and Lebanon. However, Pseudophoxinus syriacus might not be endangered since it is genetically very similar to Pseudophoxinus drusensis. In Israel, instead of five reported Oxynoemacheilus species, combining DNA barcoding with morphology suggests only three. Genetic and geographic separation suggested that Aphanius mento is likely a species complex. The study provides a thorough barcoding database, suggests significant species reconsiderations in the region, and highlights the Sea of Galilee and the Beit She'an valley streams as biodiversity “hotspots. ” This study will therefore promote further studying of the fish species in the region and their ecology, as well as the monitoring and conservation of freshwater fish biodiversity in Israel and the region.
A Wearable Sensing and Training System: Towards Gait Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Traditional gait modification for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients relies on a lab-based system to sense the variation in the kinematic parameter and calculate the knee adduction moment (KAM) for rehabilitation evaluation. These lab-based systems are generally not portable or easy to implement in daily life. The wearable system in this paper depends on its sensing function to train the gait type and estimate the KAM by using a motion sensor and pressure-sensitive electric conductive rubber sensors. This paper describes the design of the wearable sensing and training system, the evaluation of its training effect, and predicted accuracy for the KAM curve. Six elderly patients with medial compartment KOA performed gait training trials in a motion capture laboratory. All subjects altered their foot progression angle from a natural gait to a toe-in gait by an average of 23.59° (p < 0.01). Five out of six participants reduced the first peak of the KAM by an average of 24.63% (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the estimated KAM curves were similar to the reference ones with a median correlation coefficient of over 0.90, and the average root means square error did not exceed 0.37 N*m/(kg*m). The results show that the gait of the subject was altered to reduce the KAM with the wearable sensing and training system. In addition, the system was used to determine the variation in KAM before and after gait training. Overall, the wearable sensing and training system holds potential for treating symptoms and monitoring KOA progression in an outdoor environment.