Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Artificial Regeneration of Major Oak (Quercus) Species in the Eastern United States—A Review of the Literature

Although natural regeneration is often the best method for establishing new oak (Quercus spp.) stands, there are increasingly more situations in which high potential for oak regeneration failure dictates the use of artificial regeneration including direct seeding and planting seedlings. Additionally, afforestation planting programs frequently incorporate oak species. Artificial regeneration of oak stands is challenging for numerous reasons. In this article we synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding growing and planting the major oak species in the eastern United States, point out critical research gaps, and provide some general growing, planting, and stand tending guidelines and recommendations. Adequate site preparation, careful planting of healthy, genetically adapted seed or seedlings of high morphological and physiological quality, and subsequent control of competing vegetation and browse damage are necessary actions to assure regeneration success. Oak seedling survival in the early years after planting or seeding is a poor indicator of regeneration success. Successful regeneration may be defined as having a desired proportion of the oak planting stock reach dominant/codominant status in the stand. The costs of all activities required to produce a successful oak tree in the future stand should be considered in economic comparison of alternative prescriptions for oak regeneration. FOR . S CI. 54(1):77-106.
Hitting the target and missing the point: target‐based conservation planning in context

Conservation planning is often informed by quantitative targets: these are minimum amounts of the distribution of a species, vegetation type, or other biodiversity feature intended for protection. Targets are set for the global reserve system, and are also used at national and local levels to plan for both on‐ and off‐reserve conservation. Understandably, the conservation community holds a range of opinions about target‐based approaches to conservation planning. One school of thought is that the approach is inadequate, inflexible, and even counterproductive in many socioecological systems. We investigate the perceived limitations of target‐based conservation planning, and find that most have resulted from poor communication and misuse of targets, leading to misconceptions and misunderstandings. Here we put target‐based conservation planning in context by: (1) summarizing reported limitations of the approach and differentiating between those that are real and those that are misconceived; (2) identifying ways that some of the real limitations have, and can, be overcome, and (3) comparing target‐based conservation planning to alternative conservation prioritization approaches. We hope to stimulate further discussion that will guide and improve target‐based conservation planning.
LOBBYING, SCAMBIO E DEFINIZIONE DEGLI INTERESSI. RIFLESSIONI SUL CASO AMERICANO

Introduzione L'uso del concetto di scambio come categoria entro la quale sussumere l'attività di lobbying evidenzia un paradosso familiare agli studiosi della politica americana. Da un lato, nelle sue caratteristiche dominanti la politica americana è per larga parte null'altro che scambio. Il ben noto aforisma di Tip O'Neill (1987), per molti anni Speaker della Camera dei Rappresentanti (1977-1986), secondo il quale «tutta la politica è locale», sottende una nozione nella quale l'ideologia è praticamente assente e gli interessi particolaristici del tutto dominanti. D'altro canto, non conosco formula che offenderebbe di più operatori e attori del sistema, che la riterrebbero un grossolano travisamento della natura e significato del gioco. Nella misura in cui lobbying è scambio, sarebbero più portati a definirlo come «scambio di informazioni e idee fra Governo e parti private» (CRS Report 1991, 1), capace di infondere nelle politiche pubbliche expertise e consapevole realismo.
Effects of Annotation Errors Searching for linguistic phenomena : The role of recall

I part-of-speech annotation (Dickinson & Meurers 2003a) I syntactic annotation (Dickinson & Meurers 2003b; Boyd, Dickinson & Meurers 2007) I discontinuous syntactic annotation (Dickinson & Meurers 2004) I dependency annotation (Boyd, Dickinson & Meurers 2008) including spoken language corpora (Dickinson & Meurers 2005a). ⇒ Detection of annotation errors through automatic analysis of comparable data recurring in the corpus
Using Kriging, Cokriging, and GIS to Visualize Fe and Mn in Groundwater

For aesthetic, economic, and health-related reasons, allowable concentrations (as suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency) of the secondary contaminants manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) found present in drinking water are 0.05 mg/L and 0.3 mg/L, respectively. Water samples taken from private drinking wells in the rural communities within Buncombe County, North Carolina contain amounts of these metals in concentrations higher than the suggested limits. To evaluate the factors affecting Fe and Mn concentrations in well water, this study focused on bedrock geology, ground elevation, saprolite thickness, and drinking water well depth. Using ArcGIS 10.2 and conducting statistical analyses with SPSS and GeoDa, spatial trends in the ranges of Fe and Mn concentrations were visualized and estimated. The results from this analysis were used to create a map that delineates the actual spatial distribution of Fe and Mn in Buncombe County. The study also established a statistically significant correlation between Fe and Mn concentrations, which can be attributed to bedrock geology. Additionally, higher Fe in groundwater was concentrated in shallower wells and valley areas. Finally, the study generated a prediction model that estimates the presence of Fe and Mn in groundwater where direct measurements are not possible.
White light induced photocatalytic activity of sulfur-doped TiO2 thin films and their potential for antibacterial application

Sulfur-doped titania thin films were prepared by atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (APCVD) for the first time using titanium tetrachloride, ethyl acetate and carbon disulfide. The films were compared to two industrial self-cleaning products: Activ™ and BIOCLEAN™, and shown to be superior in both photocatalysis and photo-induced superhydrophilicity, two preferential properties of effective self-cleaning coatings. X-Ray diffraction showed the films have the anatase TiO2 structure. XPS and EDX analysis shows changes in S : Ti ratio with preparative conditions indicating that sulfur has indeed been incorporated into the lattice. S-Doped TiO2 films were found to be effective agents for killing the bacterium Escherichia coli using light sources commonly found in UK hospitals.
Diode laser based light sources for biomedical applications

Diode lasers are by far the most efficient lasers currently available. With the ever‐continuing improvement in diode laser technology, this type of laser has become increasingly attractive for a wide range of biomedical applications. Compared to the characteristics of competing laser systems, diode lasers simultaneously offer tunability, high‐power emission and compact size at fairly low cost. Therefore, diode lasers are increasingly preferred in important applications, such as photocoagulation, optical coherence tomography, diffuse optical imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and terahertz imaging. This review provides an overview of the latest development of diode laser technology and systems and their use within selected biomedical applications.
A conceptual framework for error remediation with multiple external representations applied to learning objects

This paper presents the application of some concepts of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) to elaborate a conceptual framework that uses the remediation of errors with Multiple External Representations (MERs) in Learning Objects (LO). To this is demonstrated a development of LO for teaching the Pythagorean Theorem through this framework. This study explored the remediation process of error by a classification of error in mathematical, providing support for the use of MERs with the remediation of error. The main objective of the proposed framework is to assist the individual learner in the recovery of a mistake made during the interaction with the LO, either through carelessness or lack of knowledge. Initially, we present the compilation of the classification of mathematical errors and their relationship with MERs. Later the concepts involved with conceptual framework proposed. Finally, an experiment with LO developed with a authoring tool called FARMA, using the conceptual framework for teaching the Pythagorean Theorem is presented.
Automatic Threshold Reset Scheme using a Double Fuzzy System for Improvement of Detection Rate in a Probabilistic Voting-based Filtering Scheme of WSNs

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) consist of several sensor nodes and base stations that collect information through sensors located in a large area. However, WSNs have disadvantages in that they are easily damaged by an attacker because of their random and unattended deployment in an open environment, where individual management is difficult. An attacker can execute a false report injection attack or a false vote injection attack through compromised nodes. The probabilistic voting-based filtering scheme (PVFS) is a scheme to prevent these two kinds of attacks. Before sending the report, the proposed method selects the validation node, judges the validity of the report, and filters the set threshold values. Threshold settings determine the security and lifetime of the network, so setting the appropriate security values is important. In this paper, we propose a fuzzy-based PVFS method that detects the aggressiveness of the attacker and sets the appropriate threshold values. This paper confirms that the proposed method improves the energy efficiency and detection ability of the network.
Assimilation of Radiocarbon and Chlorofluorocarbon Data to Constrain Deep and Bottom Water Transports in the World Ocean

A coarse-resolution global model with time-invariant circulation is fitted to hydrographic and tracer data by means of the adjoint method. Radiocarbon and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC-11 and CFC-12) data are included to constrain deep and bottom water transport rates and spreading pathways as well as the strength of the global overturning circulation. It is shown that realistic global ocean distributions of hydrographic parameters and tracers can be obtained simultaneously. The model correctly reproduces the deep ocean radiocarbon field and the concentrations gradients between different basins. The spreading of CFC plumes in the deep and bottom waters is simulated in a realistic way, and the spatial extent as well as the temporal evolution of these plumes agrees well with observations. Radiocarbon and CFC observations place upper bounds on the northward transports of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) into the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Long-term mean AABW transports larger than 5 Sv (Sv 10 6 m 3 s 1 ) through the Vema and Hunter Channels in the South Atlantic and net AABW transports across 30°S into the Indian Ocean larger than 10 Sv are found to be incompatible with CFC data. The rates of equatorward deep and bottom water transports from the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean are of similar magnitude (15.7 Sv at 50°N and 17.9 Sv at 50°S). Deep and bottom water formation in the Southern Ocean occurs at multiple sites around the Antarctic continent and is not confined to the Weddell Sea. A CFC forecast based on the assumption of unchanged abyssal transports shows that by 2030 the entire deep west Atlantic exhibits CFC-11 concentrations larger than 0.1 pmol kg 1 , while most of the deep Indian and Pacific Oceans remain CFC free. By 2020 the predicted CFC concentrations in the deep western boundary current (DWBC) in the North Atlantic exceed surface water concentrations and the vertical CFC gradients start to reverse.
Willingness to Pay for a Climate Backstop: Liquid Fuel Producers and Direct CO2 Air Capture

Abstract We conduct a sensitivity analysis to describe conditions under which liquid fuel producers would fund the development of a climate backstop. We estimate (1) the cost to develop competitively priced direct CO2 air capture technology, a possible climate backstop and (2) the effect of this technology on the value of liquid fuel reserves by country and fuel. Under most assumptions, development costs exceed individual benefits. A particularly robust result is that carbon prices generate large benefits for conventional oil producers—making a climate backstop unappealing for them. Unilateral investment does become more likely under: stringent carbon policy, social discount rates, improved technical outcomes, and high price elasticity of demand for liquid fuels. Early stage investment is inexpensive and could provide a hedge against such developments, particularly for fuels on the margin, such as tar sands and gas-to-liquids. Since only a few entities benefit, free riding is not an important disincentive to investment, although uncertainty about who benefits probably is. doi: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol33-No1-3
C 4 . Expansins as Agents in Hormone Action

Expansins are wall-loosening proteins implicated in plant responses to most of the major plant hormones. These include cell enlargement, cell proliferation, fruit softening, abscission, senescence, and adaptation to water stress all hormone-controlled responses in which the cell wall is modified so as to make it more extensible or softer or more easily separated from other walls. In this chapter 1 we summarize the current evidence implicating expansins in the action of various hormones, beginning with a short summary of the characteristics of this protein and its likely mechanism of action.
The Minimal Entropy Martingale Measure and Numerical Option Pricing for the Barndorff–Nielsen–Shephard Stochastic Volatility Model

Abstract We develop and apply a numerical scheme for pricing options in the stochastic volatility model proposed by Barndorff–Nielsen and Shephard. This non-Gaussian Ornstein–Uhlenbeck type of volatility model gives rise to an incomplete market, and we consider the option prices under the minimal entropy martingale measure. To numerically price options with respect to this risk neutral measure, one needs to consider a Black and Scholes type of partial differential equation, with an integro-term arising from the volatility process. We suggest finite difference schemes to solve this parabolic integro-partial differential equation, and derive appropriate boundary conditions for the finite difference method. As an application of our algorithm, we consider price deviations from the Black and Scholes formula for call options, and the implications of the stochastic volatility on the shape of the volatility smile.
Including Attributes in Graph Embeddings

Graph embeddings play an important role in the analysis of large graphs. In a graph embedding the graph is mapped to a latent feature space preserving a pre-defined proximity measure. Those latent features can then be used as an input to machine learning and data mining algorithms which require usually vectors as an input. Till now most of the existing models focused on exploiting the information given in the topological structure of the graph to create an embedding, ignoring the rich source that attributes associated to nodes and edges can be. In this thesis we propose different approaches to the problem of including graph attributes in a graph embedding. We do that by first analysing the state of the art models and then introducing new ways of taking auxiliary information into account. The focus lies on incorporating textual and numerical values. We demonstrate that those approaches can beat state of the art models and introduce a novel way of incorporating literals into KGloVe.
Quantitative assessment of diffuse rock fall hazard along a cliff foot

Abstract. Many works have shown that the relation between rock fall frequency and volume is well fitted by a power law. Based on this relation, a new method is presented which allows estimating the fall frequency and probability for a wall section in a homogenous cliff, considering all possible rock fall volumes. The hazard for an element located at the foot of the cliff, with a minimal energy, is also estimated. The method has been applied to an itinerary, for which the human risk has also been estimated. Rock fall inventories featuring the location, date, and volume of the falls and the dimensions of the fallen compartments (width, length, and thickness) are needed for better estimating of hazard and risk.
Nested multi-instance classification

There are classification tasks that take as inputs groups of images rather than single images. In order to address such situations, we introduce a nested multi-instance deep network. The approach is generic in that it is applicable to general data instances, not just images. The network has several convolutional neural networks grouped together at different stages. This primarily differs from other previous works in that we organize instances into relevant groups that are treated differently. We also introduce a method to replace instances that are missing which successfully creates neutral input instances and consistently outperforms standard fill-in methods in real world use cases. In addition, we propose a method for manual dropout when a whole group of instances is missing that allows us to use richer training data and obtain higher accuracy at the end of training. With specific pretraining, we find that the model works to great effect on our real world and pub-lic datasets in comparison to baseline methods, justifying the different treatment among groups of instances.
A Study on Self-regulated Micro-course Learning and Implicitly Layered Flipped Classroom

The paper firstly introduces the developing process of flipped classroom home and abroad, and then illustrates the connotations, models and practical strategies of micro-courses and flipped classroom. The highlight of the paper is in the third part which details how the study of self-regulated micro-course learning and implicitly layered flipped classroom designed and developed. To divide the students into five implicit layers and to upload five-levelled micro-courses and preview learning materials are two preparatory steps. In-class teaching tasks mainly cover providing the critical review of learning material and settling the common questions raised by QQ group members; asking the main points of the text to check preview effects; selecting different-layered students to play different roles in the scenario; consolidating new knowledge with exercises and giving assignments in the form of discussion, translation or writing. After teaching practice and feedback analysis, we can get the result that ILFC (implicitly layered flipped classroom) enables 80 percent of the students to take active part in teaching activities, especially in text analysis and theme discussion. Moreover, it promotes multi-dimension interaction and increases deep-levelled cooperation and understanding. English learning interests and learning atmosphere are simultaneously inspired and improved.
Effect of Instructional Guideline on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms

Allergic rhinitis has been described as a disease that may appear quite bearable to the non sufferer. However, it is associated with impairments in how patients function physically, emotionally and socially. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional guideline on improving allergic rhinitis symptoms. Subjects and methods: A quasi experimental study design, using a purposeful sample of 60 adult patients suffering from allergic rhinitis with the following criteria: perennial rhinitis, their ages ranged between 18-55 years, non smokers and the infected allergic rhinitis were excluded. Setting: The study was carried out at the (E.N.T.) clinic in El Demerdash Teaching Hospital, Ain Shams University. Tools: Three tools were used to collect data, 1) an interviewing questionnaire, include socio-demographic characteristics of the study, assessment of patient's knowledge about the concept of allergic rhinitis and how to prevent it and questionnaire part to assess patients house hold hygiene practices and using of saline nasal lavage, 2) clinical assessment format including 2 parts a) clinical nose examination, b) Lab examination of nasal secretion for eosinophils, 3) instructional guideline leaflet for household hygiene practices and saline nasal lavage. The results of the study revealed positive effect for using topical saline lavage in addition to household hygiene practices in improving signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis with more improvement with hypertonic saline in group (2). The study recommended the use of topical hypertonic nasal saline lavage in improving of allergic rhinitis symptoms and increase health awareness about the importance of nose hygiene and household hygiene practices. (Hanan Shehata Mohamed; Omaima Mohamed Esmat; Mohamed Hassan Abd Allhaand Hala Mahmoud Hafez. Effect of Instructional Guideline on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms. Journal of American Science 2011;7(4):474- 482). (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience. org.
Phytochemical screening and reported biological activities of some medicinal plants of Gujarat region

Phytochemicals are found at different levels in many medicinal plants and are important compounds of human diet. They produce definite physiological action on the human body. They can be used to regulate oxidation and stress-related chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases may be because possess powerful antioxidant activity. In the present study, some medicinal plants of Gujarat region (Aerva lanata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia catappa, Zea mays, Tribulus terrestris and Boerhaavia diffusa) were selected for qualitative phytochemical screening and their reported biological activities. The screened plants were rich in flavonoids, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. Out of the seven plants screened, Terminalia species were the best possessing rich source of phytochemicals and justify their traditional use. They can be therapeutically used individually or synergistically in combination with other extracts to treat any disease and disorder.
Cryopreservation of Testicular Tissue

Immediate use of freshly collected testis tissue in diagnosis or in reproductive technologies is not always possible or desirable. Therefore, the ability to properly preserve the tissue for varying intervals is an essential step for maximizing the use of the source tissue. Preservation of gametes and gonads is a topic of interest in reproductive biomedicine. Other chapters in this book have elegantly covered current knowledge on the cryopreservation of sperm, oocytes, and early embryos as well as ovarian tissue, among other cells and tissues. However, the main objective of this chapter is to provide a focused discussion of the importance, methodology, potential applications, and limitations for applying cryopreservation to testicular tissue.
The spatial foundations of the conceptual system

Abstract This article proposes that the representation of concepts in infancy is in the form of spatial image-schemas. A mechanism that simplifies spatial information is described along with a small set of spatial primitives that are sufficient to account for the conceptualizations that preverbal infants use to interpret objects and events. This early system is important to understand because it organizes the adult conceptual system of objects and events and remains its core. With development, the system becomes enriched by language in several ways, and also by means of analogical extension to nonspatial information. Nonspatial bodily information, such as feelings of force and motor activity, is also added, but remains secondary. It becomes associated with spatial representations, but except for its spatial aspects is represented in a more inchoate and less accessible fashion.