Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The spatial and temporal distribution of China’s forest carbon

Introduction China’s forests have sequestrated a significant amount of carbon over the past two decades. However, it is not clear whether China’s forests will be able to continue to have as much carbon sequestration potential capacity in the future. Methods In order to research China’s forest carbon storage and carbon sequestration potential capacities at spatial and temporal scales, we built a digital forest model for each province of China using the data from The China Forest Resources Report (2014– 2018) and calculated the carbon storage capacity and sequestration potential capacity of each province with the current management practices without considering natural successions. Results The results showed that the current forest carbon storage is 10.0 Pg C, and the carbon sequestration potential in the next 40 years (from year 2019 to 2058) will be 5.04 Pg C. Since immature forests account for the majority of current forests, the carbon sequestration capacity of the forest was also high (0.202 Pg C year−1). However, the forest carbon storage reached the maximum with the increase of stand maturity. At this time, if scenarios such as afforestation and reforestation, human and natural disturbances, and natural succession are not considered, the carbon sequestration capacity of forests will continue to decrease. After 90 years, all stands will develop into mature and over-mature forests, and the forest carbon sequestration capacity is 0.008 Pg year−1; and the carbon sequestration rate is ~4% of what it is nowadays. The change trend of forest carbon in each province is consistent with that of the country. In addition, considering the large forest coverage area in China, the differences in tree species and growing conditions, the forest carbon storage and carbon sequestration capacities among provinces were different. The growth rate of carbon density in high-latitude provinces (such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia) was lower than that in the south (Guangdong, Guangxi, or Hunan), but the forest carbon potential was higher. Discussion Planning and implementing targeted forest management strategies is the key to increasing forest carbon storage and extending the service time of forest carbon sinks in provinces. In order to reach the national carbon neutrality goals, we recommend that each province have an informative strategic forest management plan.
Update Motorisches Lernen (1) Definitionen – Unterscheidungen – Theorien

Zusammenfassung Der nachfolgende erste Beitrag stellt Definitionen, Unterscheidungen und Theorien dar. Der zweite Beitrag (► Seite 22 ) erläutert das „Lernrad“ zum Prozess und die strukturierte Anwendung des motorischen Lernens in der Praxis. Der dritte Artikel vermittelt Beispiele für lernfördernde Instruktionsarten (► Seite 24 ).
Experimental study on a broadband omnidirectional electromagnetic absorber

A broadband omnidirectional electromagnetic absorber is constructed with traditional materials including silicon powder, polyethylene and a mixture of water and ethanol. Variation of the dielectric constant in the radial direction of the device is realized by gradually changing the fraction of silicon powder and polyethylene, and the absorbing core is made by mixing water and ethanol. By placing the device into a parallel metallic board and under electromagnetic illumination, we demonstrate that the trajectories of the incident waves fall into the core at both 9.0 and 10.0 GHz, as predicted by numerical simulation. Since the device is constructed without a resonant element, it can be expected to have a broadband nature.
The nature of the red disc-like galaxies at high redshift:dust attenuation and intrinsically red stellar populations

We investigate which conditions of dust attenuation and stellar populations allow models of dusty, continuously star-forming, bulge-less disc galaxies at 0.8 z 3.2 to meet the different colour selection criteria of high-z ‘red’ galaxies (e.g. R C‐K > 5.3, I C‐K > 4, J ‐K > 2.3). As a main novelty, we use stellar population models that include the thermally pulsating asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) phase of stellar evolution. The star formation rate of the models declines exponentially as a function of time, the e-folding time being longer than 3 Gyr. In addition, we use calculations of radiative transfer of the stellar and scattered radiation through different dusty interstellar media in order to explore the wide parameter space of dust attenuation. We find that synthetic discs can exhibit red optical/near-infrared colours because of reddening by dust, but only if they have been forming stars for at least ∼1 Gyr. Extremely few models barely exhibit R C‐K > 5.3, if the inclination i = 90 ◦ and if the opacity 2 × τ V
Metal–polymer composite with nanostructured filler particles and amplified physical properties

The limits of conductivity of a novel elastomeric matrix–nanostructured nickel powder composite are reported. The conductivity falls by a factor of ⩾2×1014 for compression and by a similar amount in extension. Uncompressed and highly compressed composite displays ohmic behavior but between these limits the current-voltage characteristics are highly nonlinear. The matrix intimately coats the filler so that even above the expected percolation threshold the composite has a very low conductivity. The conductivity of the composite is increased under all mechanical deformations. These and other unusual properties are amplified versions of smaller effects seen in composites containing less highly structured fillers.The limits of conductivity of a novel elastomeric matrix–nanostructured nickel powder composite are reported. The conductivity falls by a factor of ⩾2×1014 for compression and by a similar amount in extension. Uncompressed and highly compressed composite displays ohmic behavior but between these limits the current-voltage characteristics are highly nonlinear. The matrix intimately coats the filler so that even above the expected percolation threshold the composite has a very low conductivity. The conductivity of the composite is increased under all mechanical deformations. These and other unusual properties are amplified versions of smaller effects seen in composites containing less highly structured fillers.
On the Existence of Low-Luminosity Cataclysmic Variables Beyond the Orbital Period Minimum

Models of the present-day intrinsic population of cataclysmic variables predict that 99 per cent of these systems should be of short orbital period. The Galaxy is old enough that approx. 70 per cent of these stars will have already reached their orbital period minimum (approx. 80 min), and should be evolving back toward longer periods. Mass-transfer rates in these highly evolved binaries are predicted to be less or equal to 10(exp -11), leading to M(sub V) of approx. 10 or fainter, and the secondaries would be degenerate, brown dwarf-like stars. Recent observations of a group of low-luminosity dwarf novae (TOADS) provide observational evidence for systems with very low intrinsic M,. and possibly low-mass secondaries. We carry out population synthesis and evolution calculations for a range of assumed ages of the Galaxy in order to study P(sub orb) and M distributions for comparison with the TOAD observations. We speculate that at least some of the TOADs are the predicted very low- luminosity, post-period-minimum cataclysmic variables containing degenerate (brown dwarf-like) secondaries having masses between 0.02 and 0.06 M, and radii near 0.1 R. , We show that these low-luminosity systems are additionally interesting in that they can be used to set a lower limit on the age of the Galaxy. The TOAD with the longest orbital period currently known (123 min), corresponds to a Galaxy age of at least 8.6 x 10(exp 9) yr.
Quantized Output-Feedback Control for a Class of Discrete-Time Nonlinear NCSs with Time Delays and Packet Dropouts

A new networked control system is modeled, which has global Lipschitz nonlinearity and network-induced uncertainty including time delay, packet dropout and quantization simultaneously. Then, a class of mode-dependent nonlinear controller is designed, which can effectively eliminate the effects of the uncertainty and ensure the stochastic stability of the controlled system. Furthermore, a linear matrix inequality (LMI) is established and proved, which is a sufficient condition for the existence of the desired controller. According to the LMI, the controller can be explicitly given. Finally, an illustrative example is given to show the validity and practicability.
THE SLACS SURVEY. VIII. THE RELATION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES

We study the relation between the internal structure of early-type galaxies and their environment using 70 strong gravitational lenses from the SLACS Survey. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) database is used to determine two measures of overdensity of galaxies around each lens—the projected number density of galaxies inside the tenth nearest neighbor (Σ10) and within a cone of radius one h−1 Mpc (D1). Our main results are as follows. (1) The average overdensity is somewhat larger than unity, consistent with lenses preferring overdense environments as expected for massive early-type galaxies (12/70 lenses are in known groups/clusters). (2) The distribution of overdensities is indistinguishable from that of “twin” nonlens galaxies selected from SDSS to have the same redshift and stellar velocity dispersion σ*. Thus, within our errors, lens galaxies are an unbiased population, and the SLACS results can be generalized to the overall population of early-type galaxies. (3) Typical contributions from external mass distribution are no more than a few percent in local mass density, reaching 10–20% (∼0.05–0.10 external convergence) only in the most extreme overdensities. (4) No significant correlation between overdensity and slope of the mass-density profile of the lens galaxies is found. (5) Satellite galaxies (those with a more luminous companion) have marginally steeper mass-density profiles (as quantified by fSIE = σ*/σSIE = 1.12 ± 0.05 versus 1.01 ± 0.01) and smaller dynamically normalized mass enclosed within the Einstein radius (Δlog MEin/Mdim differs by −0.09 ± 0.03 dex) than central galaxies (those without). This result suggests that tidal stripping may affect the mass structure of early-type galaxies down to kpc scales probed by strong lensing, when they fall into larger structures.
ABCA3-related interstitial lung disease beyond infancy

Background The majority of patients with childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) caused by pathogenic variants in ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 3 (ABCA3) develop severe respiratory insufficiency within their first year of life and succumb to disease if not lung transplanted. This register-based cohort study reviews patients with ABCA3 lung disease who survived beyond the age of 1 year. Method Over a 21-year period, patients diagnosed as chILD due to ABCA3 deficiency were identified from the Kids Lung Register database. 44 patients survived beyond the first year of life and their long-term clinical course, oxygen supplementation and pulmonary function were reviewed. Chest CT and histopathology were scored blindly. Results At the end of the observation period, median age was 6.3 years (IQR: 2.8–11.7) and 36/44 (82%) were still alive without transplantation. Patients who had never received supplemental oxygen therapy survived longer than those persistently required oxygen supplementation (9.7 (95% CI 6.7 to 27.7) vs 3.0 years (95% CI 1.5 to 5.0), p=0.0126). Interstitial lung disease was clearly progressive over time based on lung function (forced vital capacity % predicted absolute loss −1.1% /year) and on chest CT (increasing cystic lesions in those with repetitive imaging). Lung histology pattern were variable (chronic pneumonitis of infancy, non-specific interstitial pneumonia, and desquamative interstitial pneumonia). In 37/44 subjects, the ABCA3 sequence variants were missense variants, small insertions or deletions with in-silico tools predicting some residual ABCA3 transporter function. Conclusion The natural history of ABCA3-related interstitial lung disease progresses during childhood and adolescence. Disease-modifying treatments are desirable to delay such disease course.
Boosting the Antibacterial Performance of Natural Rubber Latex Foam by Introducing Silver-Doped Zinc Oxide

Natural rubber (NR) latex foam is one of the rubber products that are increasingly in demand in the market. This is simply because of its lightweight, good thermal insulation, and resilience. The applications of NR latex foam are mostly for pillows and mattresses. This has resulted in these products requiring antibacterial performance which is very important for the safety of the end-users. In this study, the antibacterial NR latex foam was prepared by incorporating the silver-doped zinc oxide (Ag-doped ZnO) into the NR latex foam. Ag-doped ZnO was prepared by microwave-assisted method and then characterized through morphological characteristics and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The content of Ag doped onto ZnO was designed by varying the AgNO3 content at 15 wt%, 50 wt%, and 100 wt% of ZnO. The results confirmed that the Ag was successfully doped onto ZnO. The silver particles were found to be in the 40–50 nm range, where the size of ZnO ranges between 300 and 400 nm, and the Ag attached to the ZnO particles. The XRD patterns of Ag-doped ZnO correspond to planes of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure and cubic metallic Ag. This Ag-doped ZnO was further added to NR latex foam. It was observed that Ag-doped ZnO did not affect the physical properties of the NR latex foam. However, it is clear that both the inhibition zone and percent reduction of bacteria (e.g., E. coli and S. aureus) were enhanced by the addition of Ag-doped ZnO. It showed a decrease in the amount of cell growth over contact time. The content of 100 wt% AgNO3 could reduce E. coli and S. aureus up to 64.72% and 58.90%, respectively, when samples were maintained for 24 h. This study provides a scientific understanding of how Ag-doped ZnO could facilitate the development of eventual rubber foam products based on the respective results.
A Novel Modeling of DFIG Appropriate for Wind- Energy Generation Systems Analysis

Power generation from wind using doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG) has become an attractive option in terms of a multi-megawatt controlled generation. Moreover, accurate modeling of the DFIG is a significant factor to design an appropriate rotor-connected converter (RCC) and grid- connected converter (GCC) controller for the DFIG to control the active power output when employed for renewable power generation applications purposes. The existing modeling of the DFIG does not consider the energy loss factor of the machine. Therefore, the existing controllers that are designed and developed based on the existing DFIG modeling are either operating the machine inefficiently or the control mechanism is erroneous. An accurate mathematical model for the DFIG considering both the core-loss and copper-loss of the machine has been developed and presented. In this paper, it has been revealed that the iron loss in the variable speed DFIG is a variable loss and not constant. It varies not only due to terminal voltage variation but also due to speed or slip variations. The developed two-axis (d-q) model was validated mathematically, and simulated on the MATLAB-Simulink platform, which produces satisfactory results.
Exploring island syndromes: Variable matrix permeability in Phalaenopsis pulcherrima (Orchidaceae), a specialist lithophyte of tropical Asian inselbergs

Introduction Plants confined to island-like habitats are hypothesised to possess a suite of functional traits that promote on-spot persistence and recruitment, but this may come at the cost of broad-based colonising potential. Ecological functions that define this island syndrome are expected to generate a characteristic genetic signature. Here we examine genetic structuring in the orchid Phalaenopsis pulcherrima, a specialist lithophyte of tropical Asian inselbergs, both at the scale of individual outcrops and across much of its range in Indochina and on Hainan Island, to infer patterns of gene flow in the context of an exploration of island syndrome traits. Methods We sampled 323 individuals occurring in 20 populations on 15 widely scattered inselbergs, and quantified genetic diversity, isolation-by-distance and genetic structuring using 14 microsatellite markers. To incorporate a temporal dimension, we inferred historical demography and estimated direction of gene flow using Bayesian approaches. Results We uncovered high genotypic diversity, high heterozygosity and low rates of inbreeding, as well as strong evidence for the occurrence of two genetic clusters, one comprising the populations of Hainan Island and the other those of mainland Indochina. Connectivity was greater within, rather than between the two clusters, with the former unequivocally supported as ancestral. Discussion Despite a strong capacity for on-spot persistence conferred by clonality, incomplete self-sterility and an ability to utilize multiple magnet species for pollination, our data reveal that P. pulcherrima also possesses traits that promote landscape-scale gene flow, including deceptive pollination and wind-borne seed dispersal, generating an ecological profile that neither fully conforms to, nor fully contradicts, a putative island syndrome. A terrestrial matrix is shown to be significantly more permeable than open water, with the direction of historic gene flow indicating that island populations can serve as refugia for postglacial colonisation of continental landmasses by effective dispersers.
Don't Erase that Whiteboard! Archiving Student Work on a Photo-Sharing Website

Students in physics courses often use whiteboards to brainstorm, solve problems, and present results to the rest of the class, particularly in courses involving collaborative small group work and whole class discussions. The whiteboards contain a valuable record of students' collaborative work. Once a whiteboard is erased, however, its contents are lost and no longer accessible to students, instructors, or researchers and curriculum developers. We solve this problem using wireless-enabled digital cameras to create an archive of students' work on the photo-sharing website Flickr.com. This provides a persistent record of class activities that our students use frequently and find valuable. In this paper, we describe how this works in class and how students use the photos.
30‐day readmission rates among upper gastrointestinal bleeds: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common emergency, with high rates of hospitalization and in‐patient mortality compared to other gastrointestinal diseases. Despite readmission rates being a common quality metric, little data are available for UGIBs. This study aimed to determine readmission rates for patients discharged following an UGIB.
A common genetic variation in GZMB may associate with cancer risk in patients with Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome (LS), also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC) is a common genetic predisposition to cancer due to germline mutations in genes affecting DNA mismatch repair. Due to mismatch repair deficiency, developing tumors are characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI-H), high frequency of expressed neoantigens and good clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Granzyme B (GrB) is the most abundant serine protease in the granules of cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells, mediating anti-tumor immunity. However, recent results confirm a diverse range of physiological functions of GrB including that in extracellular matrix remodelling, inflammation and fibrosis. In the present study, our aim was to investigate whether a frequent genetic variation of GZMB, the gene encoding GrB, constituted by three missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2236338, rs11539752 and rs8192917) has any association with cancer risk in individuals with LS. In silico analysis and genotype calls from whole exome sequencing data in the Hungarian population confirmed that these SNPs are closely linked. Genotyping results of rs8192917 on a cohort of 145 individuals with LS demonstrated an association of the CC genotype with lower cancer risk. In silico prediction proposed likely GrB cleavage sites in a high proportion of shared neontigens in MSI-H tumors. Our results propose the CC genotype of rs8192917 as a potential disease-modifying genetic factor in LS.
Examining colorectal cancer screening uptake and health provider recommendations among underserved middle aged and older African Americans

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine whether underserved middle-aged and older African Americans are receiving a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) and if recommended by their provider. Additionally, we examined correlates of both provider recommendation and uptake of CRC screening. Methods: Seven hundred forty African American individuals, aged 55 and older, participated in this local community cross-sectional survey. We used a multivariate technique of logistic regression. Results: One out of three participants reported that they never received a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for CRC screening. More than 31% indicted that their providers never suggested CRC testing. However, participants who indicated that their providers recommended sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy were almost 49 times (odds ratio [OR]: 48.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 29.5–81.2) more likely to obtain it compared to their counterparts who were not advised to have these procedures. Our data suggest that African American men were significantly less likely than women to receive recommendations from their providers (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50-0.91). Furthermore, controlling for other variables, the following factors: 1) living arrangement (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02–2.04), 2) health maintenance organization (HMO) membership (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.28–2.67), 3) number of providers (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01–1.32), 4) satisfaction with access to and quality of care (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03–1.51), 5) depressive symptoms (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.98), and 6) gastrointestinal conditions (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.16–2.58) were associated with obtaining a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy test. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the absence of a provider recommendation is the primary barrier preventing underserved older African Americans from obtaining CRC screening. In addition, our data revealed significant association between obtaining CRC screening and some of the predisposing characteristics of participants, satisfaction with access to and quality of care, and physical and mental health. These findings are consistent with this notion that disparities in health care for African Americans can be traced back to four primary factors: patients, healthcare providers, the healthcare system, and society as a whole, and emphasize the need for establishing theory-driven, culturally-sensitive, and cost-effective CRC screening interventions that recognize and address the constraints to cancer screening experienced by this segment of population.