Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does drought advance the onset of autumn leaf senescence in temperate deciduous forest trees?

Abstract. Severe droughts are expected to become more frequent and persistent. However, their effect on autumn leaf senescence, a key process for deciduous trees and ecosystem functioning, is currently unclear. We hypothesized that (I) severe drought advances the onset of autumn leaf senescence in temperate deciduous trees and (II) tree species show different dynamics of autumn leaf senescence under drought. We tested these hypotheses using a manipulative experiment on beech saplings and 3 years of monitoring mature beech, birch and oak trees in Belgium. The autumn leaf senescence was derived from the seasonal pattern of the chlorophyll content index and the loss of canopy greenness using generalized additive models and piecewise linear regressions. Drought and associated heat stress and increased atmospheric aridity did not affect the onset of autumn leaf senescence in both saplings and mature trees, even if the saplings showed a high mortality and the mature trees an advanced loss of canopy greenness. We did not observe major differences among species. To synthesize, the timing of autumn leaf senescence appears conservative across years and species and even independent of drought, heat and increased atmospheric aridity. Therefore, to study autumn senescence and avoid confusion among studies, seasonal chlorophyll dynamics and loss of canopy greenness should be considered separately.
Variable structure interacting multiple model for highly aperiodic sensors with poor measurement precision

The issue of aircraft tracking using passive sensors with poor measurement precision and a variable update rate is investigated. First, the need for a time ‐ dependent Markov chain transition matrix for the Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) is thoroughly evaluated using simulation and real data from an experimental multilateration system. Three different methods for computing the time ‐ dependent matrix are compared, showing their superiority for highly aperiodic sensors. Second, the Variable Structure Interacting Multiple Model (VS ‐ IMM) for passive sensors with poor geometry is proposed, in which the mode set update is based on local dilution of precision or distance root mean square error. The performance of the estimator is compared with the IMM using real data. The VS ‐ IMM results in the best performance for areas of both high and low measurement precision.
The impact of the characteristics of audit committee members on audit committee effectiveness

Despite being extensively researched since audit committees emerged early in the 20th century, the focus has tended to be on public sector organisations and large listed public companies. This paper uses an explorative qualitative case-study research design, to understand the impact of the characteristics of audit committee member on audit committee effectiveness in a purposively selected small to medium-sized company. The paper provides important insights into the impact of audit committee member qualifications, experience and independence, on how the audit committee discharges its responsibilities. Although the leadership of the audit committee chairperson appears to have enhanced governance practices, the atypical role of mentoring the newly appointed chief financial officer, questions whether the audit committee chairperson, and accordingly the audit committee, is truly independent, or whether it has succumbed to the familiarity threat. Despite its South African orientation, the worldwide importance of small to medium-sized enterprises gives the study globally relevance.
Impedance-Based Analysis and Stability Improvement of DFIG System Within PLL Bandwidth

In this article, we analyze the negative impact of phase-locked loop (PLL) on the stability of the doubly fed induction generators system. The small-signal disturbance of PLL mainly affects the coordinate transformation of the rotor current and introduces a negative resistance within PLL bandwidth. Two impedance reshaping methods are carried out to weaken this negative resistance. A virtual impedance in the conventional current control is added to the first reshaping method. The second reshaping method completely removes the coordinate transformation of the rotor current by switching the control target from current to power. The difference between these two reshaping methods is analyzed based on the equivalent single-input single-output impedance model. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of these two reshaping methods and the superiority of the second reshaping method at a lower short-circuit ratio.
Association of Self-Rated Pain with Clinical Peri-Implant Parameters and Cytokine Profile in Smokers and Never Smokers with and without Peri-Implantitis

To examine the association between self-perceived pain (SPP), clinical and radiographic peri-implant parameters, and biomarker levels among smokers and never smokers with and without peri-implantitis. Sixty individuals (20 smokers with peri-implantitis [group-1], 20 never smokers with peri-implantitis [group-2] and 20 never smokers without peri-implantitis [control-group]) were included. SPP was evaluated using a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Peri-implant plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. After obtaining the samples, the levels of TNF-α, MMP-1, and IL-8 were measured. The mean SPP score in group-1, group-2, and the control group was 1.3 ± 1, 3.4 ± 1, and zero, respectively. The peri-implant mean PD (p < 0.05), BOP (p < 0.05), PI (p < 0.05), and crestal bone loss (CBL) (p < 0.05) were significantly higher among test groups than the control group. The levels of TNF-α, MMP-1, and IL-8 were significantly raised among group-1 and group-2 than the control group. A significant correlation between increasing SPP and PICF TNF-α, MMP-1, and IL-8 levels was observed based on regression analysis. Proinflammatory biomarkers were higher in smokers with peri-implantitis than never smokers with and without peri-implantitis, with a significant association between the proinflammatory cytokines and SPP.
Acoustic Monitoring of a Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Population: Trends in Presence and Foraging beyond the Limits of the Lower River Shannon SAC

The Shannon dolphins are a population of bottlenose dolphins resident year round within the Lower River Shannon SAC, Ireland, which has been designated to protect this relatively small, genetically discrete population. Although trends in habitat use and foraging have been studied within the estuary, little is known about the movements of the Shannon dolphins outside the boundaries of the SAC, and whether any other foraging hotspots exist for this population outside of the estuary. The purpose of this study was to explore the presence and foraging behavior of these dolphins in adjacent waters located 20–30 km to the southwest of the Lower River Shannon SAC. Static acoustic monitoring was carried out with C-PODs deployed in Ballyheigue Bay, Brandon Bay, and around the Maharees between May and November 2013. A GEE-GLM modelling approach was then used to analyze potential significant environmental predictors of presence and foraging by bottlenose dolphins at these sites. Brandon Bay was found to be a site of particular importance for the Shannon population, where dolphins were present on 92% of days monitored and foraging occurring on 20% of all monitored hours. The results of this study indicate that Brandon Bay is a potentially important habitat for the Shannon dolphins and further support designation of this site as a candidate SAC. However, long-term acoustic monitoring should be conducted at all sites to identify relative use of the areas at year-round and inter-annual scales.
Integration of Voltage Source Converters in Steady-State RMS Short-Circuit Analysis

Voltage source converters (VSCs) are self-commutated converters able to generate AC voltages with or without the support of an AC connecting grid. VSCs allow fast control of active and reactive powers in an independent way. VSCs also have black start capability. Their use in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, comparative to the more mature current source converter (CSC)-based HVDC, offers faster active power flow control. In addition, VSCs provide flexible reactive power control, independent at each converter terminal. It is also useful when connecting DC sources to weak AC grids. Steady-state RMS analysis techniques are commonly used for early-stage analysis, for design purposes and for relaying. Sources interfaced through DC/AC or AC/DC/AC converters, opposite to conventional generators, are not well represented by electromotive forces (E) behind impedance models. A methodology to include voltage source converters (VSCs) in conventional RMS short-circuit analysis techniques is advanced in this work. It represents an iterative procedure inside general calculation techniques and can even be used by those with only basic power electronics knowledge. Results are compared to those of the commercial software package PSS®CAPE to demonstrate the validity of the proposed rmsVSC algorithm.
Stable Isotopes Anomalies of Storm Event in April 2019 in Southwestern Iran: A Method to Characterize the Origin of the Atmospheric Masses

To determine the source of April 2019 storm event in south-western Iran, stable isotopic technique (2H and 18O) of precipitation were used. The unique event, with a mean of 230 mm/year, i.e. 46% of the annual rainfall over four days, caused large dams on Dez and Karkheh rivers to overflow and a great deal of casualties and financial losses. To determine the characteristics of stable isotopes 2H and 18O of this event, 43 samples of rain water were collected in the area about 41,000 (Km)2 in south-western Iran with altitudes between zero to 2814 m (m.a.s.l). The local meteoric water line (LMWL) was prepared during the storm event and compared with the global, Mediterranean and other parts of Iran as well as neighbouring countries. According to the LMWL equation (δ2H = 6.5996 δ 18O + 7.561) and d-excess (with average 7.85 ‰), the source of precipitation was the integration of the meteoric masses of Mediterranean and Red Sea. There was a low correlation between the altitude increase and the 18O decrease (0.13 per 100 meters), which is a characteristic of this storm event. This isotopic study has proven the impact of Sudanese mass on the occurrence of storm event in south-western Iran for the first time isotopically.
Can social dominance orientation predict intergroup hostility and aggression in South Africa? Testing the applicability of the SDO7(s) Scale

What role does social dominance orientation theory play in explaining anti-immigrant violence in the South African context? Despite its popularity, studies of intergroup conflict in South Africa have tended to ignore the role of social dominance orientation theory in predicting aggression against minority groups. The article explores this role by examining whether a social dominance orientation can act as a determinant of mass opinion on, and personal engagement in, violence against foreign nationals in a large heterogeneous population. The impact of social dominance orientation will be assessed using the SDO7(s) Scale. Data from the 2018 round of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (N = 2885) was utilised for this study. Rejection of group-based dominance and a preference for outgroup inclusion was found to be quite normative among the general public. Social dominance orientation proves to be a valid correlate of hostility against foreign nationals. The present study demonstrated that a social dominance orientation was positively associated with individual participation in anti-immigrant violence. In addition, the study showed that the SDO7(s) was negatively correlated with both positive contact with foreign nationals and a welcoming predisposition towards this group. The research demonstrates the applicability of the SDO7(s) Scale in a South African context.
A New Data-Enabled Intelligence Framework for Evaluating Urban Space Perception

The urban environment has a great impact on the wellbeing of citizens and it is of great significance to understand how citizens perceive and evaluate places in a large scale urban region and to provide scientific evidence to support human-centered urban planning with a better urban environment. Existing studies for assessing urban perception have primarily relied on low efficiency methods, which also result in low evaluation accuracy. Furthermore, there lacks a sophisticated understanding on how to correlate the urban perception with the built environment and other socio-economic data, which limits their applications in supporting urban planning. In this study, a new data-enabled intelligence framework for evaluating human perceptions of urban space is proposed. Specifically, a novel classification-then-regression strategy based on a deep convolutional neural network and a random-forest algorithm is proposed. The proposed approach has been applied to evaluate the perceptions of Beijing and Chengdu against six perceptual criteria. Meanwhile, multi-source data were employed to investigate the associations between human perceptions and the indicators for the built environment and socio-economic data including visual elements, facility attributes and socio-economic indicators. Experimental results show that the proposed framework can effectively evaluate urban perceptions. The associations between urban perceptions and the visual elements, facility attributes and a socio-economic dimension have also been identified, which can provide substantial inputs to guide the urban planning for a better urban space.
Optimization for extraction on total phenolic content and radical scavenging capacity of Henna (Lawsonia inermis) stems using response surface methodology

This study aimed to optimise potential extraction conditions using response surface methodology (RSM) for yielding maximum levels of total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH • ) scavenging capacity of henna (Lawsonia inermis) stems. The ranges for selected independent variables, namely acetone concentration (20−90%, v/v), extraction time (10−90 min), and extraction temperature (25−45°C) were identified by screening tests. Optimum conditions obtained for extraction of TPC were 47.0% acetone, extraction time of 47.6 min and extraction temperature of 37.3 o C. The result also showed that 75.8% acetone, extraction time of 26.2 min and extraction temperature of 41 o C yielded the
Heterosexual-identified men’s endorsement of masculinity ideologies moderates associations between pornography consumption, body satisfaction and sexual functioning

ABSTRACT Social comparison processes during pornography consumption and the pressure to adhere to traditional masculinity ideologies (TMIs) about how a male body should look may influence men’s body satisfaction and in turn explain potential associations between pornography consumption and men’s sexual functioning. The current study analysed whether pornography consumption was associated with men’s experience of distressing sexual problems through men’s body satisfaction, and whether men’s endorsement of TMIs moderated those associations. At an Austrian medical university, 261 self-identified heterosexual men (M age = 24.4, SD = 3.5) participated in an online questionnaire study. Results revealed that high frequency of pornography consumption was associated with poor body satisfaction only in men who strongly endorsed the TMI of men needing to be the dominant. Poor body satisfaction in turn was associated with frequent and/or distressing experiences of erectile difficulty, ejaculating sooner than desired, or diminished intensity of orgasmic sensations. The study’s results suggest that TMIs and Western ideals about an ideal body should be addressed in clinical practice when treating men with sexual problems. Empowering patients with sexual problems to challenge those norms may be important, especially for men who endorse TMIs.
Assessment of Quality in Osteoporotic Human Trabecular Bone and Its Relationship to Mechanical Properties

We propose an experimental technique for the estimation of quality parameters of post-mortem human bone samples with signs of osteoporosis. Since we were interested in characterizing bone microstructure by evaluating porosity, trabecular thickness, and space, we obtained reference values of those parameters for some of our samples through micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT). Nevertheless, as such technology is not widely available, here we used a 2D imaging approximation of those quality parameters. We based our estimation on simple digital microscopy and calibrated to ensure a percentage of similarity higher than 95% in comparison to those values achieved through micro-CT. Additionally, we subjected our samples to mechanical testing to obtain a complete characterization of our samples and to provide a preliminary assessment of the possible relationship between clinical tests of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality parameters. Our results show that BMD may have very low specificity in the assessment of the authentic microstructure of bone, then a broader analysis of quality parameters is required to enhance the reliability of future osteoporosis diagnosis technologies.
Effectiveness of Type of Feedback and Frequency on Digital Game-Based L2 Vocabulary Acquisition

The frequency of word exposure in teaching materials, along with corrective feedback, has often been identified as a powerful variable in the learning of vocabulary in a foreign language. The effect of the number of times an action is presented as accurate in digital game-based language learning scenarios (i.e., knowledge of correct response [KCR] feedback) however remains under-investigated. This study aims to analyse the learning of L2 mobile operating system terminology by a group of students of English as a foreign language by using the data collected by the video game The Conference Interpreter in order to identify the predictive strength of term frequency (times a term is shown), KCR feedback (times a correct answer is provided), and corrective feedback (times a term is shown as incorrect) regarding short and long-term L2 vocabulary learning. The regression analysis performed showed that the factor ‘KCR feedback' may be a positive predictor of short-term vocabulary learning, whereas the other factors seemed to have no statistical effect at any significant level.
Investigation Of Efficiency Improvement on Silicon Solar Cells Due to Porous Layers

Observation of light emission from porous Si has demonstrated that the optical properties of Si can be drastically altered by the quantum size effects. We have investigated the improvement of absorption properties of Si material by forming a porous Si layer. Shallow-junction commercial crystalline as well as polycrystalline Si solar cells without anti-reflective coatings have been processed into porous Si solar cells by a wet chemical etching technique. Our best results have demonstrated more than 15% improvement in short-circuit current with no change in open-circuit voltage. The performance of the porous Si solar cells has been found to be sensitive to the porous layer thickness. The efficiency can be reduced when the porous layer is relatively deep, presumably due to the penetration of pores through the shallow junction. We believe porous Si can be optimized for photovoltaic applications by properly controlling its porosity and thickness.
Study on Countermeasures to Improve College Students’ Willingness of Participation in Body Donation Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

The cause of body donation is of great medical and social importance. How to get rid of the shackles of traditional ideas in order to accelerate the development of body donation has become a hot topic under the premise that the willingness of Chinese to participate in body donation is generally low or even unable to meet the needs of medical development. Having an intense sense of social responsibility and a developmental dialectical thinking, college students can view body donation more rationally. For this reason, college students are the ideal target group for the cause of body donation to break away from the shackles of traditional ideology and accelerate the development of itself. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is an essential theory in behavioral science, which is mainly embodied in the intuitive analysis of human needs and the targeted effect of action incentive. Under the circumstances of comprehensive understanding the needs of college students, this paper would deeply analysis the basis, significance and correspondence of their willingness of participating in body donation and discuss how to improve it around five sorts of needs based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Quitter la profession enseignante ? L’évolution des conditions d’exercice du travail du personnel enseignant québécois dans le contexte de la COVID-19

La pandemie de la COVID-19 a bouleverse le monde scolaire et les conditions d’exercice de la profession enseignante. Afin de dresser le portrait des conditions de travail des personnes enseignantes au Quebec et d’evaluer leur questionnement concernant leur avenir dans leur emploi, un sondage aupres de 1683 personnes œuvrant a divers ordres d’enseignement a ete conduit en juin 2020, au cœur de la premiere vague de COVID-19. Les resultats revelent un portrait des conditions telles que percues par les personnes enseignantes et soulignent, du meme coup, des lacunes dans la gestion de la crise, dans l’information transmise et dans la formation offerte qui ont exacerbe certaines fragilites chez le personnel enseignant.
Atlanta Classification for Acute Pancreatitis- A Study Protocol

Background: Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common abdominal pathologies having variable outcome ranging from self limiting abdominal pain to high mortality and morbidity due to organ failure, over the past five decades, various classification systems have emerged to classify pancreatitis according to its severity , and the associated complications have emerged to classify acute pancreatitis and its various complications, such as Apache Scoring , Ct Severity , Modified Ct Severity ,Ransen and Atlanta Classification. Objectives: We in our study will be classifying patients suffering from acute pancreatitis according to the revised Atlanta classification to divide them into interstitial edematous pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis. The local complications will be classified according to CT imaging findings into acute necrotic collection, psuedocyst, acute necrotic collection and walled of necrosis. Organ failure will be assessed according to modified marshal scoring system into transient or persistent organ failure. Methodology: We will be carrying forward our study on Siemens 16 slice computer tomography machine over a sample of 140 patients coming to the outpatient department of our hospital which will be followed by a routine clinical follow up of the patient to find out their prognosis. Study Protocol Singh et al.; JPRI, 33(31B): 61-68, 2021; Article no.JPRI. 68602 62 Results: Will be tabulated at the end of the study using SPSS version 26 software. Conclusion: The revised Atlanta classification for acute pancreatitis, in conjunction with the Modified Marshall Scoring System for organ failure, if found useful, in our series in improving the prognosis of the patients, then it can be incorporated in management.