Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Playing to the Gallery: Emotive Rhetoric in Parliaments

Research has shown that emotions matter in politics, but we know less about when and why politicians use emotive rhetoric in the legislative arena. This article argues that emotive rhetoric is one of the tools politicians can use strategically to appeal to voters. Consequently, we expect that legislators are more likely to use emotive rhetoric in debates that have a large general audience. Our analysis covers two million parliamentary speeches held in the UK House of Commons and the Irish Parliament. We use a dictionary-based method to measure emotive rhetoric, combining the Affective Norms for English Words dictionary with word-embedding techniques to create a domain-specific dictionary. We show that emotive rhetoric is more pronounced in high-profile legislative debates, such as Prime Minister’s Questions. These findings contribute to the study of legislative speech and political representation by suggesting that emotive rhetoric is used by legislators to appeal directly to voters.
Determining the authenticity of methyl salicylate in Gaultheria procumbens L. and Betula lenta L. essential oils using isotope ratio mass spectrometry

ABSTRACT The essential oils of wintergreen and birch are composed primarily of methyl salicylate. Because this compound can easily be synthesized, wintergreen and birch oils are frequently adulterated. By using Gas chromatography-combustion/pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C/P-IRMS) in conjunction with TC/EA-IRMS, GC-FID, GC-MS, and 14C radiocarbon dating, criteria will be established that can be used to distinguish authentic and natural wintergreen and birch essential oils from adulterated ones or from synthetic methyl salicylate. Commercially purchased samples were compared to both synthetic ‘oil of wintergreen’ (methyl salicylate) and to natural birch and wintergreen essential oils obtained from trusted sources or from the steam distillation of fresh plant material. δ 2HVSMOW, δ 13CVPDB, and δ 18OVSMOW IRMS results provide a clear distinction between authentic and adulterated essential oil samples.
Flowpath controls on high‐spatial‐resolution water‐chemistry profiles in headwater streams

Stream water chemistry is routinely measured over time at fixed and sparse sites, which provides a coarse image of spatial variability. Here, we measured nitrate, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and several chemical proxies for water flowpaths, catchment residence time and biogeochemical transformations, every 50–100 m along 13 km of streams in six agricultural headwater catchments (1.1–3.5km2). The objective was to examine controls on longitudinal nitrate profiles at a high spatial resolution during four seasons: rewetting of the catchments in autumn, winter high‐flow, spring recession and summer low‐flow. Our results showed monotonic trends in longitudinal profiles for nitrate and DOC, which were opposite for the two solutes. Spatial trends in water‐chemistry profiles persisted across seasons, which suggests time‐invariant controls on the spatial variations in concentrations. Four catchments exhibited decreasing nitrate and increasing DOC from upstream to downstream, while two catchments exhibited increasing nitrate and decreasing DOC. These smooth gradients did not reflect a longitudinal land‐use gradient, but rather an increase in the proportion of groundwater inflows when moving downstream, as suggested by the chemical proxies and punctual discharge measurements. Water chemistry also changed abruptly at confluences, at a farm point source and at a localized groundwater inflow zone.
Supervisor-directed OCB and deviant behaviors: the role of LMX and impression management motives

PurposeThis study investigates the effect of supervisor-directed organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) on leader–member exchange (LMX), the moderating role of impression management motives on this relationship, the effect of LMX on organizational and interpersonal deviance and the mediating effect of LMX on the relationship between supervisor-directed OCB and deviant behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a survey questionnaire to collect data. Respondents were 342 nonmanagerial employees working in Surabaya Raya, Indonesia. Hypothesis testing is done using Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). FindingsThe results show that supervisor-directed OCB is positively related to LMX, and LMX is negatively related to organizational deviance but not significantly related to interpersonal deviance. The study also finds that impression management motives moderate the positive relationship between supervisor-directed OCB and LMX. Furthermore, LMX mediates the relationship between supervisor-directed OCB and organizational deviance, but not interpersonal deviance.Practical implicationsThis study suggests the importance of human resource management (HRM) activities and managers being aware of subordinate OCB motives and the impact of LMX on interpersonal and organizational deviance, as well as what supervisors need to do to reduce these negative effects.Originality/valueFew studies examined the relationship between supervisor-directed OCB and workplace deviance behaviors (WDBs). This study provides a mechanism of their relationship by considering LMX as a mediator. Also, heretofore the existing studies tend to focus more on LMX as an antecedent of OCB. This study provides an understanding of OCB as an antecedent of LMX with the moderating effect of impression management motives.
Polyol mediated nano size zinc oxide and nanocomposites with poly(methyl methacrylate)

Organophilic nano ZnO particles have been synthesized in various diols (ethylene glycol - EG, 1,2 propane diol - PD, 1,4 butane diol - BD and tetra(ethylene glycol) - TEG) in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid, p-TsOH, as an end capping agent. The addition of p-TsOH reduces the ZnO particle size and increases its crystallite size. With increasing diol main chain length the ZnO particle size increases (EG (32 nm) < PD (33 nm) < BD (72 nm) < TEG (86 nm)). Using the as- synthesized and unmodified ZnO nanocomposites with poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, matrix have been prepared by the in-situ bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate, MMA. The addition of surface modifiers is avoided which is an advantage for the application since they can influence other properties of the material. ZnO particles, especially those with smaller particle sizes (EG - 32 nm, PD - 33 nm) showed enhanced effect on the thermal stability of PMMA, ultraviolet, UV, absorption and transparency for visible light. Transparent materials with high UV absorption and with enhanced resist- ance to sunlight were obtained by optimizing the nanocomposite preparation procedure using ZnO particles of about 30 nm size in concentrations between 0.05 and 0.1 wt%. The reported nanocomposite preparation procedure is compatible with the industrial process of PMMA sheet production.
Ecological Impact of Artificial Light at Night: Effective Strategies and Measures to Deal with Protected Species and Habitats

When conserving or protecting rare or endangered species, current general guidelines for reducing light pollution might not suffice to ensure long-term threatened species’ survival. Many protected areas are exposed to artificial light at levels with the potential to induce ecological impacts with unknown implications for the ecosystems they are designated to protect. Consequently, it is recommended that precautionary methods for the avoidance and mitigation of light pollution in protected areas be integrated into their management plans. This paper’s aims are to present an overview of best practices in precautionary methods to avoid and mitigate light pollution in protected areas and to identify and discuss what ecosystems should be considered light-sensitive and how to prioritise species and habitats that need protection from artificial light, including examples of legislation covering ecological light pollution in the European Union and in Sweden. The important aspects to include when considering light pollution at a landscape level are listed, and a proposal for prioritisation among species and habitats is suggested. Sensitive and conservation areas and important habitats for particularly vulnerable species could be prioritised for measures to minimise artificial lighting’s negative effects on biodiversity. This may be done by classifying protected natural environments into different zones and applying more constrained principles to limit lighting. The light pollution sensitivity of various environments and ecosystems suggests that different mitigation strategies and adaptations should be used depending on landscape characteristics, species sensitivity and other factors that may determine whether artificial light may be detrimental. Issues of the currently used measurement methods for artificial light at night are reviewed. We also propose and discuss the principles and benefits of using standardized measurement methods and appropriate instrumentation for field measurements of artificial light concerning the environmental impact of light pollution.
Determination of Biochemical Contents of Fresh, Oven-Dried, and Sun-Dried Peels and Pulps of Five Apple Cultivars (Amasya, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Starking)

This study aimed to investigate the biochemical compounds of five different apple cultivars (Amasya, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Starking) grown in the same location and to reveal the differences between peel and pulp in the fresh, oven-dried, and sun-dried samples. Sugar and organic acid contents were analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography. Besides, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents were analyzed with a spectrophotometer. The results of these analyses showed that the compounds varied between peel and pulp and among fresh, oven-dried, and sun-dried samples. The largest level of total flavonoid was found in Amasya oven-dried peel, and the largest total phenol, antioxidant activity, fructose, and total sugar levels were observed in Amasya sun-dried peel. Moreover, the largest L-ascorbic acid was detected in Amasya oven-dried pulp. Granny Smith oven-dried pulp was rich in citric, succinic acids, and glucose. Braeburn sun-dried pulp, Golden Delicious oven-dried pulp, and Granny Smith sun-dried pulp contained the largest sucrose, malic acid, and total soluble solids levels, respectively. For data interpretation, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan’s test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, and principal component analysis were performed. The peel contained significantly higher total flavonoid, total phenol, and antioxidant activity than pulp. Moreover, among fresh, oven-dried, and sun-dried samples, total phenol, succinic acid, malic acid, and L-ascorbic acid significantly differed. As a whole, the pulp was rich in sugars. The results provide valuable information on the food quality parameters of five different apple cultivars. It was demonstrated that consuming apple with its peel is healthier (in terms of total flavonoid, total phenol, antioxidant activity parameters, and L-ascorbic acid), and drying (especially the sun-drying method) is an effective food storage method for apples.
Improvements to Modelling of Raman Scattering Intensity for Molybdenum Disulfide

Single layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has attracted significant interest as a semiconducting two-dimensional material. In this work, ultrathin layers of MoS2 were exfoliated on gel and wax substrates. Raman studies of the ultrathin layers of MoS2 were carried out to characterize the thickness. During Raman measurement, an anomaly occurs: the strongest Raman intensity appears at a finite thickness of the MoS2, a phenomenon also seen in graphite. A previous work [Y. Y. Wang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 043121 (2008)] theoretically explained this unexpected phenomenon but with some questionable details. To improve their model, the complex index of refraction was properly used in the optical equations, and the assumption of optical interference of Raman signals from an infinitesimal source was added. This modified model successfully predicted the experimental results when applied to graphite and was then applied to MoS2. The simulations indicated that a constant complex index of refraction for MoS2 of 6.5-1.7i provided the best fit to published experimental results for MoS2 on SiO2/Si. This helped to estimate the thickness of ultrathin layers on gel. Seven layers MoS2 on gel showed the strongest Raman intensity according to this simulation.
Influence of Effective Pressure on Percolation Rate of Coal

To study the role of the effective pressure on the percolation rate of coal, the effect of gas pressure, gas adsorption, and temperature on coal is taken into consideration comprehensively. Starting from the research direction of effective pressure and porosity, the coal body percolation rate and effective pressure equations considering the influence of temperature and gas pressure are established. The experiments on the percolation characteristics of raw coal are implemented under different effective pressure by using the independently developed thermos-solid-gas linking triaxial servosystem. The theoretical equation of the effective pressure and percolation rate of coal is calculated with the finite element software COMSOL, and the results obtained from the theoretical equation agree well with the experimental results. The results show that the percolation rate of coal gradually decreases with the growth of the effective pressure when the gas pressure and temperature are kept unchanged. Therefore, the results of the research are of certain reference value for the effective prevention of gas disaster.
Soil Microbial Community Response to Permafrost Degradation in Palsa Fields of the Hudson Bay Lowlands: Implications for Greenhouse Gas Production in a Warming Climate

Permafrost thaw in northern peatlands alters the ground thermal conditions, moisture, and chemistry that control microbial activity responsible for the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like methane from decomposing organic matter. This paper examines interactions between microbial communities, peat chemistry, moisture content, and temperature in the context of degrading palsa fields in the vast (372,000 km2), carbon rich, and rapidly warming permafrost peatlands of the Hudson Bay Lowlands. The temperature sensitivities of microbial GHG production and consumption from palsa and fen peat were assessed, and microbial community structure was examined as a potential constraint on GHG production in relation to changes in peat chemistry associated with thermokarst encroachment and active layer deepening. High CH4 production was observed from thermokarst peat, under controlled moisture and temperature conditions, associated with increased pH. A shift in methanogen taxonomic and metabolic diversity favoring aceticlastic methanogenesis was associated with changes in peat chemistry and pH from palsa to thermokarst fen peat. In palsa peat, CH4 production rates were lowest but most sensitive to temperature variations, due to recalcitrant carbon compounds. CH4 production was highly sensitive to increased temperatures, yet was balanced by high temperature sensitivity of CH4 oxidation in oxic conditions, consistent with the low temperature sensitivity of fluxes observed in field studies from other permafrost peatlands. Building on the microbial controls in this study, future work should explore how permafrost degradation and increased hydrological connectivity to mineral substrates are changing in this globally significant permafrost peatland, and how this impacts net CH4 emissions.
Deep Learning-Based Classification of Large-Scale Airborne LiDAR Point Cloud

Abstract Airborne LiDAR data allow the precise modeling of topography and are used in multiple contexts. To facilitate further analysis, the point cloud classification process allows the assignment of a class, object or feature, to each point. This research uses ConvPoint, a deep learning method, to perform airborne point cloud classification at scale, in rural and urban contexts. Specifically, our experiments are located near Montreal (QC) and Saint-Jean (NB) and our approach is designed to classify five classes; we used “Building”, “Ground”, “Water”, “Low Vegetation” and “Mid-High Vegetation”. Experimenting with different configurations, we achieved excellent Intersection-over-Union results for the “Mid-High Vegetation” (93%) and “Building” (86%) classes on both datasets and provide insights to improve processing times as well as accuracy.
Gait recognition based on sparse linear subspace

Gait recognition has broad application prospects in intelligent security monitoring. How-ever, due to the variability of human walking states and the complexity of external conditions during sample collection, gait recognition is still facing many challenges. Among them, gait recognition algorithms based on shallow learning are hard to achieve the correct recognition rate required by many applications, while the amount of gait training data cannot meet the needs of model training based on deep learning. To solve the above problem, this paper presents a novel gait recognition scheme based on sparse linear subspace. First, frame-by-frame gait energy images (ffGEIs) are extracted as primary gait features and sparse linear subspace technology is used to represent them for dimension reduction. Second, a new gait classiﬁcation algorithm based on support vector machine is presented, which adopts Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) kernels to achieve cross-view gait recognition. Finally, the proposed gait recognition approach is evaluated on two open-accessed gait databases to demonstrate its performance.
Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis of Clinical Effectiveness of Self-Management Interventions In Parkinson’s

IntroductionParkinson’s is a complex neurodegenerative condition with significant impact on quality of life (QoL), wellbeing and function. This review evaluates the clinical effectiveness of self-management interventions for people with Parkinson’s, taking a broad view of self-management and considering effects on QoL, wellbeing and function.MethodsSystematic database searches were conducted for studies evaluating self-management interventions for people with Parkinson’s. Articles were independently reviewed by two reviewers, data extracted and synthesised through a narrative approach and meta-analysis for sufficiently similar studies. Interventions were broken down into self-management components using the PRISMS Taxonomy.Results36 studies were included, encompassing a range of study designs and evaluating a diverse array of interventions. Risk of bias was moderate to high for the majority of studies, mostly due to lack of participant blinding, which is not often practical for interventions of this nature. Four studies report significant improvements in QoL, wellbeing or functional outcomes for the intervention compared to controls. These interventions were group-based self-management education and training programmes, either alone, combined with multi-disciplinary rehabilitation, or combined with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; and a self-guided community-based exercise programme. A meta-analysis could be conducted on four RCTs of self-management education and training programmes evaluating QoL, demonstrating no significant difference between the self-management and the control groups (p=0.38). Components more common in the RCTs with effective interventions and in those showing pre-post intervention improvement were: information about resources; training or rehearsing psychological strategies; social support; and lifestyle advice and support.ConclusionApproaches and outcomes to self-management interventions in Parkinson’s are heterogenous. There are insufficient high quality RCTs in this field to show effectiveness of self-management interventions in Parkinson’s. Whilst it is not possible to draw conclusions on specific intervention components that convey effectiveness, there are promising findings from some studies, which could be targeted in future evaluations.
Proximity to Undersaturation and the Influences on G. bulloides Area‐Density in Southern Indian Ocean Marine Sediments

The area density proxy of foraminiferal shell thickness and calcification intensity has the potential to provide information about past ocean CO2 content and has the benefit of small sample requirements, simple analytical techniques, and the ability to re‐use the analyzed foraminifera for other paleo‐proxies. Using a series of multicore core‐tops collected from the southeastern Indian Ocean (1.8–3.8 km water depth), we evaluate the reliability of utilizing area density values of Globigerina bulloides from sediment cores to estimate surface ocean carbonate parameters. Because foraminifera in marine sediments can rarely be considered “pristine” (or “glassy”), we grouped area density measurements of shells to designate various stages of diagenesis. Visual signs of alteration were apparent at area density values as low as ∼0.122 × 104 µg/µm2, with deviations from the “pristine” endmember beginning at area density values of ∼0.087 × 104 µg/µm2. We find that increases in area density overprint the surface ocean carbonate signature in thicker (>0.122 × 104 µg/µm2 shells), but small increases associated with marine sedimentary burial and diagenesis can be accounted for, allowing this proxy to be applied back in time. Reconstructing the distribution of area density values in a given sample has the potential to provide valuable information on overall sample preservation by estimating the percent of well‐preserved shells (<0.122 × 104 µg/µm2; %wp) in a given sample. Our %wp metric has the potential for use as a proxy for lysocline variability in addition to assessing the suitability of marine sediment samples for surface ocean reconstructions.
Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) Identification of Phytochemicals and the Effects of Solvents on Phenolic Constituents, Antioxidant Capacity, Skin-Whitening and anti-Diabetic Activity of Onosma mitis

Abstract To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the effect of solvent (water, methanol, and ethyl acetate) upon phenolics extracted from Onosma mitis. The antioxidant capacities together with the enzyme inhibitory properties toward tyrosinase and α-amylase were also assessed. The yields of the extract were 2.62, 10.93, and 21.68% for ethyl acetate, methanol, and water, respectively. The concentrations of phenolic compounds were from 11.89 (ethyl acetate) to 2.66 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract (methanol). Twenty-five molecules were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography – electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Significant differences were present between the extracts; methanol presented the highest number of compounds (25) while ethyl acetate provided the lowest (18). Chlorogenic acid, luteolin 7-glucoside, rosmarinic acid, and apigenin 7-glucoside were the major compounds regardless of solvent. Antioxidant and inhibitory enzyme assays showed that O. mitis exhibited interesting biological properties. The results illustrate the use of O. mitis as a promising source of biomolecules for industrial applications.