Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF HARVEST METHOD ON MICROCLIMATE AND SUGARCANE YIELD IN FLORIDA AND COSTA RICA

THERE IS worldwide pressure on sugarcane industries to adopt ‘green cane’ harvesting systems that do not involve burning. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of sugarcane harvest methods on cane productivity and microclimate in Florida, U.S.A. and Costa Rica. The treatments included 1) burnt cane, 2) green cane, and 3) green cane with residue management. These treatments were implemented at three sites: A) Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC), Belle Glade, Florida on a muck Histosol with high organic matter, B) Hilliard Brothers Farms, Florida on an Entisol with sandy texture, and C) Azucarera El Viejo mill in Guanacaste, Costa Rica on a clay loam Inceptisol. The green cane residue provided a buffering effect on soil temperatures (15–cm depth) at the Florida muck site. There was a trend for higher biomass yields in burnt cane when harvested early (Nov – early Jan), and a significant cumulative 3-year difference of 22 t/ha of cane favouring burnt vs. green cane treatments. However, cane yields were not different when harvested late in the season (mid-February – March). On the Florida sand site, a decline in tiller population, particularly in green cane, was linked to frost events in February, 2006. Air temperatures at 10-cm aboveground were lower in green cane during frosts, which led to significantly lower tiller population in green cane in the first ratoon crop. Cane biomass yields on sand followed similar trends to those on the muck soil with burnt cane recording higher yields when harvested early but not significantly different when harvested late. At the Inceptisol site in Costa Rica, trash content, biomass and sucrose yields were not significantly different in green vs. burnt cane in the plant cane and first ratoon crops. In Costa Rica, cane residues reduced maximum soil temperatures by 5–10 o C for 3 months from harvest to canopy closure. Our results indicate that green cane residues have a significant effect on microclimate and that green cane harvest in Florida would be better suited for late rather than early harvest time periods.
Exposure-response relationship for railway noise annoyance in the Middle Rhine Valley

The railway line in the Middle Rhine Valley is part of the north-south transversal Rotterdam – Genoa. Residents living in the vicinity of the railway line suffer from high rail traffic density and, thus, high noise levels, in particular due to freight trains. Aiming at reducing the average sound level of the railway noise in the Rhine Valley by 10 dB the Ministries for Environment and Transport of the German states Hesse and Rhineland Palatinate published a noise control program called "Quite Rhine Valley" in 2010. Among others, for the purpose of noise monitoring the program includes the implementation of a railway noise impact index (MRI) describing the number of highly annoyed people during day time and the average number of additional nocturnal railway noise-induced awakenings (see contribution of Kerstin Giering et al. in the same Internoise session). This contribution presents results of a socio-acoustical survey with altogether 1211 residents carried out in the Middle Rhine Valley in order to provide an exposure response function for the 'annoyance part' of the MRI. Among others, the results indicate that the so-called railway bonus can be questioned at least for the noise situation in the Rhine Valley.
Using auxiliary residuals to detect conditional heteroscedasticity in inflation

In this paper we consider a model with stochastic trend, seasonal and transitory components with the disturbances of the trend and transitory disturbances specified as QGARCH models. We propose to use the differences between the autocorrelations of squares and the squared autocorrelations of the auxiliary residuals to identify which component is heteroscedastic. The finite sample performance of these differences is analysed by means of Monte Carlo experiments. We show that conditional heteroscedasticity truly present in the data can be rejected when looking at the correlations of observations or of standardized residuals while the autocorrelations of auxiliary residuals allow us to detect adequately whether there is heteroscedasticity and which is the heteroscedastic component. We also analyse the finite sample behaviour of a QML estimator of the parameters of the model. Finally, we use auxiliary residuals to detect conditional heteroscedasticity in monthly series of inflation of eight OECD countries. We conclude that, for most of these series, the conditional heteroscedasticity affects the transitory component while the long-run and seasonal components are homoscedastic. Furthermore, in the countries where there is a significant relationship between the volatility and the level of inflation, this relation is positive, supporting the Friedman hypothesis.
The impact of a feeder road project on cash crop production in Zambia's Eastern province between 1997 and 2002

This paper investigates the dynamic impacts of rural road improvements on farm productivity and crop choices in Zambia’s Eastern Province. There are several channels through which the feeder road improvements impact on farmers. Our aim is to estimate whether the differential outcomes in the five treatment districts and three control districts generated by the expansion of market agricultural activities among small to medium scale farmers could be explained by rural road improvements that took place after the new Chiluba MMD government in 1995 had completed an IMF rights accumulation programme bringing the principal marketing agent system to an end. Our district-level empirical analysis is an extension to the Brambilla and Porto(2005, 2007) cross-provincial level approach which proposes a dynamic approach accounting for entry and exit into the agricultural cotton sector to avoid biases in the estimates of aggregate productivity, when measuring productivity in agriculture applied to a repeated cross-sections of farm-level data from the Zambian post-harvest survey (PHS). Despite the limitations of the PHS data covering the period from 1996/1997 to 2001/2002 when the Eastern Province Feeder Road Project (EPFRP) was being implemented. The identification strategy relies on differences-in-differences of outcomes (i.e., cotton productivity) approach across two phases (pre-treatment and post-treatment). We use maize productivity to difference out unobserved household and aggregate agricultural year effects. Through our descriptive analysis we do find that changes in land allocation and in yields to Eastern Province’s most important cash crop – cotton did occur at the district level. However, it is difficult to conclude that these changes are linked directly to the improved accessibility obtained from the implementation of the EPFRP based on our differences-in-differences estimator or our Tobit model.
Multi-wavelength fine structure and mass flows in solar microflares

Aims. We study the multi-wavelength characteristics at high spatial resolution, as well as chromospheric evaporation signatures of solar microflares. To this end, we analyze the fine structure and mass flow dynamics in the chromosphere, transition region and corona of three homologous microflares (GOES class Methods. A multi-wavelength analysis using temporally and spatially highly resolved imaging data from the Dutch open telescope (H α , Ca ii H), the transition region and coronal explorer (17.1 nm), the extreme-ultraviolet imaging telescope (19.5 nm), and the Reuven Ramaty high energy solar spectroscopic imager ( ≳ 3 keV) was carried out. EUV line spectra provided by the coronal diagnostic spectrometer are searched for Doppler shifts in order to study associated plasma flows at chromospheric (He i, $T\sim3.9\times 10^4$ K), transition region (e.g. O v, $T\sim 2.6\times 10^5$ K), and coronal temperatures (Si xii, $T\sim 2\times 10^6$ K). RHESSI X-ray spectra provide information about non-thermal electrons. Results. The multi-wavelength appearance of the microflares is in basic agreement with the characteristics of large flares. For the first event, a complex flare sequence is observed in TRACE 17.1 nm images ($T\approx 1$ MK), which show several brightenings, narrow loops of enhanced emission, and an EUV jet. EIT 19.5 nm data ($T\approx 1.5$ MK) exhibit similar features for the third event. DOT measurements show finely structured chromospheric flare brightenings for all three events, loop-shaped fibrils of increased emission between H α brightenings, as well as a similar feature in Ca ii. For all three events, a RHESSI X-ray source (3–8 keV, $T \gtrsim 10$ MK) is located in between two chromospheric brightenings situated in magnetic flux of opposite polarity. We find the flow dynamics associated with the events to be very complex. In the chromosphere and transition region, CDS observed downflows for the first ($v \lesssim 40$ km s -1 ), and upflows for the second event ($v \lesssim 40$ km s -1 ). During the third microflare, we find upflows of $\lesssim $20 km s -1 and also weak downflows of ≲ 20 km s -1 in two separate brightenings. For all three microflares, multi-component fitting is needed for several profiles of He i, O v, and Ne vi lines observed at the flare peaks, which indicate spatially unresolved, oppositely directed flows of ≲ 180 km s -1 . We interpret these flows as twisting motions of the flare loops. Loop-shaped fibrils in between H α brightenings showing opposite flow directions ($v\approx5$ km s -1 ) are also observed in DOT H α Dopplergrams. RHESSI X-ray spectra show evidence of non-thermal bremsstrahlung for two of the three microflares. The electron beam flux density deposited in the chromosphere for these events is estimated to straddle the threshold heating flux between gentle and explosive evaporation.
Chronology and glass chemistry of tephra and cryptotephra horizons from lake sediments in northern Alaska, USA

Abstract Holocene tephrostratigraphy in Alaska provides independent chronology and stratigraphic correlation in a region where reworked old (Holocene) organic carbon can significantly distort radiocarbon chronologies. Here, we present new glass chemistry and chronology for Holocene tephras preserved in three Alaskan lakes: one in the eastern interior and two in the southern Brooks Range. Tephra beds in the eastern interior lake-sediment core are correlated with the White River Ash and the Hayes tephra set H (~4200–3700 cal yr BP), and an additional discrete tephra bed is likely from the Aleutian arc/Alaska Peninsula. Cryptotephras (nonvisible tephras) found in the Brooks Range include the informally named “Ruppert tephra” (~2700–2300 cal yr BP) and the Aniakchak caldera-forming event II (CFE II) tephra (~3600 cal yr BP). A third underlying Brooks Range cryptotephra is chemically indistinguishable from the Aniakchak CFE II tephra (4070–3760 cal yr BP) and is likely to be from an earlier eruption of the Aniakchak volcano.
Systematic design of a Maturity Model for the Development of New Forming Processes

Introduction The development of new forming processes aims primarily for increasing process robustness and shortening process chain. The latter reduces also process time and increases cost-effectiveness. Sheet metal forming processes are in the focus of current developments, since they enable the increase of workpiece complexity by functional integration and meet the aspects of lightweight construction. Within the framework of the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 73 different forming processes are analyzed, designed and optimized to unite the advantages and design possibilities of sheet and bulk metal forming to the novel SheetBulk Metal Forming (SBMF) using semifinished sheet workpieces. The SBMF is defined as “the plastic changing of the shape of a plain semifinished product not changing the specimen integrity. During the forming process both twoand three-axial strainand stress-conditions as well as changes in shape occur simultaneously or shortly after each other” [Merklein, 2010]. The design and analysis of the SBMF is complex due to low previous knowledge and distinct creative phases, which complicates decisionmaking due to an intransparent development status. Especially in early development stages a low level of knowledge exists and the number of recognizable and thus quantitatively assessable characteristics of the manufacturing process is small [Reithmeier, 2011; Giapoulis, 2000] (Figure 1, left). Paradoxically, in these early stages the number of influenceable features is to be classified as high. Towards the end of development the number of recognizable features raises, but the number of influenceable
Power frequency overvoltages generated by solar plant inverters

Extended abstract. A new kind of overvoltage, not covered by present standards, has been detected in solar plants when switching the inverters off. This power frequency overvoltage can be transmitted to the MV network, giving rise to damages to some pieces of low voltage electronic equipment. This phenomenon has been investigated in the field, testing several inverters in different solar plants, where the overvoltages, as well as the damages in revenue meters, have been reproduced and recorded. It has been proved that some inverter configurations are more prone to create severe overvoltages than other. In addition, some solutions have been tested and a laboratory test to reproduce the phenomenon is proposed.
Job Satisfaction Prediction based on Job Motivation and Emotional Intelligence of Managers and Employees

Purpose: The aim of this study was to predict the job satisfaction in managers and staff of the university units in District 5. Methodology: Among the statistical population of the study, 130 people (55 females and 75 males) were selected by cluster sampling method. Data were collected using job satisfaction, emotional intelligence of Schutt, and job motivation questionnaires. Finding: For data analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and multi-variable regression analysis were used simultaneously. So, the two predictor variables are a significant predictor of the criterion variable, that is, the variable of job satisfaction. The share of job motivation variable is higher than emotional intelligence. In other words, job motivation 57% and emotional intelligence 31% explain the variable of job satisfaction variance. Discussion : The results showed that there is a significant correlation between job satisfaction, job motivation and emotional intelligence, and on the other hand, emotional intelligence and job motivation are a significant
A comparative study of the implementation of organic food in school meal systems in four European countries

Based on national reports from Denmark, Finland, Italy and Norway, describing the school meal systems and to which extent organic food is integrated there, this report identifies differences between the four countries and experiences made with organic food procurement and the dissemination of organic ingredients in school meals. Such knowledge will help to understand the possibilities and restrictions for increasing organic food in school meal systems, and to reveal the room of manoeuvre for public organic food procurement for youth in each country. In the report, similarities and differences of the national school meal systems in general are first discussed, because this context determines the scope of organic food procurement. The history and current situation of the school meal systems, framework conditions of public food procurement in schools (laws, guidelines, control, financing), the structure of the school meal provision and public discourses about school meals are described. Next, focus is set on the use and development of organic food in school meal systems. Some school meal system cases are presented by the amount of organic food used, the arguments for organic school food and challenges and barriers for the dissemination of organic food. Finally, school meal system actors in general as well as “organic” actors such as promoters, decision makers, companies and organisations are compared across the four countries. Summarizing chapters are found at the end of each section of the report. In short, warm meals are served for free to all pupils daily in Finland, and subsidized according to family income to all pupils at least twice a week in Italy. Norway and Denmark stick to a packed lunch brought from home, with additional milk and fruit subscription schemes and a developing additional or complementary meal service especially in Denmark with subsidized prices. Organic food is much emphasised in Italy and Denmark; significantly less in Finland and Norway.
Twelve years biomass response in aspen communities following fire.

Vegetation responses to prescribed fire over a 12-year period are reported for several deteriorating aspen clones in northwestern Wyoming. This study extends earlier work by Bartos and Mueggler (1981) on a prescribed fire intended to regenerate these aspen clones. After 3 years, numbers of suckers were close to pre-burn levels ranging between 10,000 to 20,000 suckers/ha. After 12 years, 1,500 to 2,400 suckers/ha remained at a meager height averaging approximately 0.5 m. The demise of this aspen was attributed to heavy ungulate use, primarily elk. Total undergrowth production increased substantially by the second postfire year and declined slowly after that. Biomass values of 2,130 kg/ha (low burn severity), 2,140 kg/ha (moderate burn severity), and 2,190 kg/ha (high burn severity) were recorded after 12 years. This exceeds preburn production by 23 to 46%. Forbs made up approximately 75% of the undergrowth production after 12 years, which was dominated by a dramatic postburn shift to fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.). The remaining production was comprised of approximately 20% grasses and 5% shrubs. Most of the fluctuation in species composition occurred on the high severity burn sites.
Evaluation of ANN and SVM for the classification and prediction of patients with diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a disease that affects a large proportion of the world population, so that its prevention and early detection is of vital importance at the present time. In this paper we evaluate an ANN and SVM designed using MatLab 7.9. 0.529 for the classification and prediction of patients with diabetic neuropathy, using Pulse Waves Sequences of Blood Volume. Efficiency was evaluated taking into account the algorithms and training time as well as effectiveness in classification and prediction. Considering 40 cases in the process of learning and 18 in the validation, the best classification results were obtained with the ANN for an 88.88% effective with the Gradient descent learning algorithm with adaptive learning rate, and the SVM was obtained 72.22% success rate using the Quadratic programming algorithm. In predicting both methods were 100% effective.
Rhodopseudomonas blastica sp.nov.: a Member of the Rhodospirillaceae

Summary: Inoculation of samples from a small eutrophic pond into pyruvate/malate medium at neutral pH yielded a new species of the Rhodospirillaceae described here as Rhodopseudomonas blastica. The cells are ovoid to rod-shaped, 1 to 2.5 μm long and 0.6 to 0.8 μm wide, non-motile and multiply by a process of sessile budding. The photosynthetic membrane system consists of lamellae parallel to and underlying the cell membrane. The photopigments consist of bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene group. Cells can grow anaerobically in the light using a wide range of organic compounds. Aerobic growth in the dark is also possible. Nicotinic acid and thiamin are required as growth factors. Good photolithotrophic growth with H2 is possible, but sulphide and thiosulphate cannot be used as electron donors. As this species has properties lying between the two groups of existing Rhodopseudomonas species, i.e. those which show intercalary growth and those which multiply by budding (asymmetric polar growth), a new species is hereby proposed.
Multiple dimensions of regionally-oriented university involvement: How motivation and opportunity prompt German researchers to engage in different ways

The present paper aims to draw a comprehensive picture of the ways how university scientists in Germany interact with their regional environment. Previous research documented varieties of localised interactions, however, there have hardly been any broad and systematic approaches explaining the different patterns of regionally-oriented university involvement. This study develops a new typology of researchers' regionally-oriented activities and uses a recent nation-wide survey among German professors to test for main influences on those activities. The results highlight the decisive interplay between an individual academic's motivation as well as different opportunities provided by the regional environment.
A simulation tool to assess the integration of cargo bikes into an urban distribution system

The use of cargo bikes for goods deliveries represents a promising concept of urban logistics. In this contribution, a new simulation-based assessment tool integrating this emission free vehicles in urban distribution systems is presented. First, typical schemes are identified and an analysis of the underlying planning problems is conducted. Second, the developed GIS-based discrete-event simulation model and the coupled tour-planning algorithm are described, implementing the pattern of control optimization. To the best of our knowledge, such a tool is not yet existing. Finally, the tool is applied, evaluating the potential use of cargo bikes for B2B-deliveries in the medium size city of Grenoble in France.
The Sanctions Paradox: List of tables

Despite their increasing importance, there is little theoretical understanding of why nation-states initiate economic sanctions, or what determines their success. This 1999 book argues that both imposers and targets of economic coercion incorporate expectations of future conflict as well as the short-run opportunity costs of coercion into their behaviour. Drezner argues that conflict expectations have a paradoxical effect. Adversaries will impose sanctions frequently, but rarely secure concessions. Allies will be reluctant to use coercion, but once sanctions are used, they can result in significant concessions. Ironically, the most favourable distribution of payoffs is likely to result when the imposer cares the least about its reputation or the distribution of gains. The book's argument is pursued using game theory and statistical analysis, and detailed case studies of Russia's relations with newly-independent states, and US efforts to halt nuclear proliferation on the Korean peninsula.
Intra- and interspecific sequence variation in a portion of the mitochondrial ND6 gene in cuckoos

A 474 base pair segment of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) mitochondrial gene was sequenced for four cuckoo species (family Cuculidae). To assess the potential of this little-studied gene for intra- and interspecific genetic analyses, we examined sequence variation between (1) individuals from sympatric populations of the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus canorus) collected in Great Britain, (2) two subspecies of Common Cuckoo (C. c. canorus and C. c. telephonus) collected at the geographical extremes of this species' range, and (3) four representative Cuculids: the Common Cuckoo, the Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis sepulcralis), the Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis), and Klaas's Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas). Although we found little genetic divergence at the intraspecific level, the substantial amount of interspecific sequence variation indicated that ND6 may be most useful in resolving evolutionary relationships between cuckoo species rather than within species.