Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flight Dynamics and Control of Evasive Maneuvers: The Fruit Fly's Takeoff

We have approached the problem of reverse-engineering the flight control mechanism of the fruit fly by studying the dynamics of the responses to a visual stimulus during takeoff. Building upon a prior framework [G. Card and M. Dickinson, J. Exp. Biol., vol. 211, pp. 341-353, 2008], we seek to understand the strategies employed by the animal to stabilize attitude and orientation during these evasive, highly dynamical maneuvers. As a first step, we consider the dynamics from a gray-box perspective: examining lumped forces produced by the insect's legs and wings. The reconstruction of the flight initiation dynamics, based on the unconstrained motion formulation for a rigid body, allows us to assess the fly's responses to a variety of initial conditions induced by its jump. Such assessment permits refinement by using a visual tracking algorithm to extract the kinematic envelope of the wings [E. I. Fontaine, F. Zabala, M. Dickinson, and J. Burdick, "Wing and body motion during flight initiation in Drosophila revealed by automated visual tracking," submitted for publication] in order to estimate lift and drag forces [F. Zabala, M. Dickinson, and R. Murray, "Control and stability of insect flight during highly dynamical maneuvers," submitted for publication], and recording actual leg-joint kinematics and using them to estimate jump forces [F. Zabala, "A bio-inspired model for directionality control of flight initiation," to be published. ]. In this paper, we present the details of our approach in a comprehensive manner, including the salient results.
Contemporaneous Trace and Body Fossils from a Late Pleistocene Lakebed in Victoria, Australia, Allow Assessment of Bias in the Fossil Record

The co-occurrence of vertebrate trace and body fossils within a single geological formation is rare and the probability of these parallel records being contemporaneous (i.e. on or near the same bedding plane) is extremely low. We report here a late Pleistocene locality from the Victorian Volcanic Plains in south-eastern Australia in which demonstrably contemporaneous, but independently accumulated vertebrate trace and body fossils occur. Bite marks from a variety of taxa are also present on the bones. This site provides a unique opportunity to examine the biases of these divergent fossil records (skeletal, footprints and bite marks) that sampled a single fauna. The skeletal record produced the most complete fauna, with the footprint record indicating a markedly different faunal composition with less diversity and the feeding traces suggesting the presence, amongst others, of a predator not represented by either the skeletal or footprint records. We found that the large extinct marsupial predator Thylacoleo was the only taxon apparently represented by all three records, suggesting that the behavioral characteristics of large carnivores may increase the likelihood of their presence being detected within a fossil fauna. In contrast, Diprotodon (the largest-ever marsupial) was represented only by trace fossils at this site and was absent from the site's skeletal record, despite its being a common and easily detected presence in late Pleistocene skeletal fossil faunas elsewhere in Australia. Small mammals absent from the footprint record for the site were represented by skeletal fossils and bite marks on bones.
Do active design buildings change health behaviour and workplace perceptions?

BACKGROUND Occupying new, active design office buildings designed for health promotion and connectivity provides an opportunity to evaluate indoor environment effects on healthy behaviour, sedentariness and workplace perceptions. AIMS To determine if moving to a health-promoting building changed workplace physical activity, sedentary behaviour, workplace perceptions and productivity. METHODS Participants from four locations at the University of Sydney, Australia, relocated into a new active design building. After consent, participants completed an online questionnaire 2 months before moving and 2 months after. Questions related to health behaviours (physical activity and sitting time), musculoskeletal issues, perceptions of the office environment, productivity and engagement. RESULTS There were 34 participants (60% aged 25-45, 78% female, 84% employed full-time); 21 participants provided complete data. Results showed that after the move participants spent less work time sitting (83-70%; P < 0.01) and more time standing (9-21%; P < 0.01), while walking time remained unchanged. Participants reported less low back pain (P < 0.01). Sixty per cent of participants in the new workplace were in an open-plan office, compared to 16% before moving. Participants perceived the new work environment as more stimulating, better lit and ventilated, but noisier and providing less storage. No difference was reported in daily physical activity, number of stairs climbed or productivity. CONCLUSIONS Moving to an active design building appeared to have physical health-promoting effects on workers, but workers' perceptions about the new work environment varied. These results will inform future studies in other new buildings.
Reinterpreting Tradition to Innovate: The Case of Italian Haute Cuisine

Abstract The present research investigates the development of new products within cultural and creative industries resulting from the use of traditional elements. In particular, we analyse methods facilitating the recombination of traditional elements into new products. Accordingly, we conducted an inductive qualitative research, based on five case studies represented by Italian restaurants awarded with three Michelin stars. Findings reveal how traditional elements may be combined with elements coming from different and distant cultures. In addition, the elements of tradition may be the only source of innovation if atypical links are established among them. Our results mainly contribute to shed new light on the dynamics which allow to achieve the equilibrium between familiarity and novelty in cultural and creative industries where products suffer a rapid obsolescence. Finally, we advance the debate on tensions created by the inclusion of novelties in traditions by proposing method facilitating combinations.
Antagonistic interactions between an invasive alien and a native coccinellid species may promote coexistence.

Despite the capacity of invasive alien species to alter ecosystems, the mechanisms underlying their impact remain only partly understood. Invasive alien predators, for example, can significantly disrupt recipient communities by consuming prey species or acting as an intraguild predator (IGP). Behavioural interactions are key components of interspecific competition between predators, yet these are often overlooked invasion processes. Here, we show how behavioural, non-lethal IGP interactions might facilitate the establishment success of an invading alien species. We experimentally assessed changes in feeding behaviour (prey preference and consumption rate) of native UK coccinellid species (Adalia bipunctata and Coccinella septempunctata), whose populations are, respectively, declining and stable, when exposed to the invasive intraguild predator, Harmonia axyridis. Using a population dynamics model parameterized with these experimental data, we predicted how intraguild predation, accommodating interspecific behavioural interactions, might impact the abundance of the native and invasive alien species over time. When competing for the same aphid resource, the feeding rate of A. bipunctata significantly increased compared to the feeding in isolation, while the feeding rate of H. axyridis significantly decreased. This suggests that despite significant declines in the UK, A. bipunctata is a superior competitor to the intraguild predator H. axyridis. In contrast, the behaviour of non-declining C. septempunctata was unaltered by the presence of H. axyridis. Our experimental data show the differential behavioural plasticity of competing native and invasive alien predators, but do not explain A. bipunctata declines observed in the UK. Using behavioural plasticity as a parameter in a population dynamic model for A. bipunctata and H. axyridis, coexistence is predicted between the native and invasive alien following an initial period of decline in the native species. We demonstrate how empirical and theoretical techniques can be combined to understand better the processes and consequences of alien species invasions for native biodiversity.
Spatial Variation in the Storages and Age-Related Dynamics of Forest Carbon Sequestration in Different Climate Zones—Evidence from Black Locust Plantations on the Loess Plateau of China

Knowledge about the long-term influences of climate change on the amount of potential carbon (C) sequestration in forest ecosystems, including age-related dynamics, remains unclear. This study used two similar age-sequences of black locust forests (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in the semi-arid and semi-humid zones of China’s Loess Plateau to assess the variation in C stocks and age-related dynamics. Our results demonstrated that black locust forests of the semi-humid zone stored significantly more C than did forests in the semi-arid zone, across the chronosequence (p < 0.001). The C carrying capacity of the plantations was measured at 166.4 Mg C ha−1 (1 Mg = 106 g) in the semi-humid zone, while the semi-arid zone had a capacity of only 79.4 Mg C ha−1. Soil organic C (SOC) increased continuously with stand age in the semi-arid zone (R2 = 0.84, p = 0.010). However, in the semi-humid zone, SOC declined sharply by 47.8% after the initial stage (5 to 10 y). The C stock in trees increased continuously with stand age in the semi-humid zone (R2 = 0.83, p = 0.011), yet in the semi-arid zone, it decreased dramatically from 43.0 Mg C ha−1 to 28.4 Mg C ha−1 during the old forest stage (38 to 56 y). The shift from being a net C sink to a net C source occurred at the initial stage in the semi-humid zone versus at the old forest stage in the semi-arid zone after reforestation. Surprisingly, with the exception of the initial and later stages (55 y), the patterns of C allocation among trees, soils, understory and litter were not statistically different between the two climate zones. Our results suggest that climate factors can alter the potential amount and age-related dynamics of forest C sequestration.
Blindness and Low Vision in Cape Verde Islands: Results of a National Eye Survey

Aims: Prior to establishing a national prevention of blindness program a population based survey was conducted in Cape Verde Islands in1998. The objectives of the survey were to estimate the overall and age-specific prevalence of blindness and low vision, to identify the main disorders causing blindness and low vision, and to estimate the population need for basic eye care services. Methods: A two-level cluster random sampling procedure was used, selecting 30 clusters from the nine inhabited islands and 3,803 persons of all ages were included in the sample. Results: 3,374 persons were examined (coverage 88.7%). The prevalence of bilateral blindness (visual acuity in the better eye less than 3/60) was 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5–1.1), of bilateral low vision (6/18 to 3/60 in the better eye) 1.7% (95% CI: 1.3–2.2) and of monocular blindness 1.5% (95% CI: 1.2–2.0). The major causes of blindness were age related cataract and glaucoma (57.7% and 15.4%, respectively, of blind people recruited). The major causes of bilateral low vision were cataract, refractive errors, and macular disorders (46.2%, 26.8%, and 8.9%, respectively, of persons with low vision). Nontrachomatous corneal opacities accounted for 7.7% of bilateral and for 11.5% of monocular blindness. Vascular retinopathy was responsible for 7.7% of bilateral and for 9.6% of monocular blindness. Trachoma is not a public health problem as only 2.3% of children less than 10 years of age were suffering from active trachoma. Palpebral or limbal vernal conjunctivitis were encountered in 4.5% of persons under 25. Conclusion: More than half of the visual impairments are treatable by provision of cataract surgery and cataract has been indicated as a priority target in the recently designed National Blindness Program of the Cape Verde Republic. Pathologic conditions such as diabetes are emerging as serious burden for ageing populations and account for most of the retinal vascular disease.
Space, politics and community: the case of Kinning Park Complex

This thesis is about space, politics and the community. It examines how spatial politics constitutes a community through time. It explores the way that urban governance interacts with community politics, and more importantly, how people can rework politics through spatial practices. The thesis scales down to focus on a case study of Kinning Park Complex (KPC), an independently run community centre that was saved from closure by building users in 1996 following a 55 day sit-in. I track the trajectory of this space since 1996, to investigate the resourcefulness of the community to withstand multiple crises at local and national levels. KPC is a valuable social and political space that continues to exist in, against, and beyond neoliberalism. I focus on the paradoxical nature of KPC, as the space appears in-line with the current government plans to expand third sector projects in a context of austerity, whilst simultaneously striving to function as a non-hierarchical and not-for profit space. It is both an important site of social of reproduction and a symbolic community space. Through participatory methods and ethnographic observations, I have explored the social practices at KPC to investigate what they reveal about social relations and the structural problems that independent spaces face in the context of austerity. I draw upon the theories of Pierre Bourdieu and Jacques Ranciere to elucidate the contradictions in their theoretical disagreement by relating their ideas to the rich empirical material that I gathered at KPC. Finally, I draw upon Doreen Massey to bridge this theoretical divide and to provide an essential spatial context to my work. The thesis brings to light the complexities, contradictions and tangible forms of labour involved in simultaneously struggling against, and providing services autonomously from, the state during austere times.
Allelic variation in the cagA gene of Helicobacter pylori obtained from Korea compared to the United States.

OBJECTIVE Helicobacter pylori is an important factor in the development of duodenal ulcer disease and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma. It has been suggested that the cagA gene is a marker for more virulent strains of H. pylori. METHODS We determined the prevalence of the cagA gene in 60 clinical isolates [34 from gastric carcinoma patients (CA), 26 from duodenal ulcer patients (DU)] from Korea, a country with a high incidence and mortality from gastric cancer. Genomic DNA was polymerase chain reaction-amplified by using two different primer sets for the cagA gene. The first cagA primer set amplifies a 297-bp product from the midregion of the cagA gene. The second primer set, which was previously established in a patient population from the Houston area (21 DU patients, 20 from individuals with asymptomatic gastritis) amplified a 1.4-kb region further downstream in the cagA gene. RESULTS The expected 297 bp polymerase chain reaction amplicon for cagA was identified in 59/60 (98.3%) H. pylori isolates from Korea (33/34 CA, 26/26 DU), and in 36/41 (88%) isolates from the Houston area (20/21 DU, 16/20 asymptomatic gastritis) (NS). Using the second cagA primer set, the expected 1.4-kb product was found in only 1/60 (1.7%) H. pylori isolates from Korea (1/34 CA, 0/26 DU), and in 36/41 (88%) of isolates from the Houston area (20/21 DU, 16/20 GST) (p < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that all Korean H. pylori isolates expressed cagA. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of the cagA gene in H. pylori isolates from Korean patients with gastric adenocarcinoma or duodenal ulcers indicates that the cagA gene is common in H. pylori strains, and therefore, is not reliable as a single marker for the discrimination of H. pylori strains with respect to a specific disease. Our data further suggest that allelic variations in the genome of H. pylori strains may exist and that distinct H. pylori populations may circulate in different geographic regions.
MODEL-MODEL PEMBELAJARAN INOVATIF

Seorang guru yang profesional harus memiliki minimal empat kompetensi, yaitu kompetensi kepribadian, kompetensi sosial, kompetensi pedagogik, dan kompetensi profesional. Salah satu kompetensi yang harus dikuasai guru adalah pedagogik. Dalam kompetensi ini guru harus mengetahui berbagai teori tentang belajar dan pembelajaran, sebab teori inilah yang sering memberikan landasan bagi pendekatan dan metodologi mengajar. Dengan kata lain, pendidik adalah agen pembelajaran (learning agent) yang berperan sebagai fasilitator, motivator, pemacu, dan perekayasa pembelajaran. Untuk itu pendidik harus mampu mengaplikasikan berbagai pendekatan, metode, dan teknik pembelajaran yang inovatif untuk menunjang tercapainya tujuan pembelajaran yang maksimal.
Source(s) of syntactic cross-linguistic influence (CLI): The case of L3 acquisition of English possessives by Mazandarani–Persian bilinguals

This study investigates the role of previously acquired linguistic systems, Mazandarani and Persian, in the acquisition of third language (L3) English at the initial stages. The data have been obtained from 31 students (age 13–14 years), testing the placement of attributive possessives in a grammaticality judgment task, an element rearrangement task and an elicited oral imitation task. The participants consist of three groups: The first two groups have Mazandarani as the first language (L1) and Persian as the second language (L2), but differ from each other with respect to the language of communication, Mazandarani and Persian, respectively. The third group has Persian as the L1 and Mazandarani as the L2, with Persian as the language of communication. English and Mazandarani pattern similarly in the target structures. That is to say, possessors precede possessed nouns and possessive adjectives come before nouns. In contrast, in Persian, possessives occur post-nominally. The results of this study reveal that none of the proposals tested (e.g. the L1 Factor, Hermas, 2010, 2014a, 2014b; the L2 Status Factor, Bardel and Falk, 2007; Falk and Bardel, 2011; the Cumulative Enhancement Model (CEM), Flynn et al., 2004; the Typological Proximity Model (TPM), Rothman, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015) could account for the results obtained. This study provides support that at the initial stages of L3 acquisition, syntactic transfer originates from the language of communication, irrespective of order of acquisition.
Virtual Memories: Mediating the Holocaust at the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Beit Hashoah- Museum of Tolerance

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURSE of a visit to the permanent exhibit of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum one comes upon the room-sized Hollerith machine, an early card-punch device, ancestor of the contemporary computer and an early example of IBM technology. The Hollerith machine was used by the Nazis to organize and process census data and information on conscript labor, and it may have been used as well to compile deportation rolls, the infamous lists that located and identified Jews and were instrumental in their murder. ' Though the machine itself is not intrinsically sinister, its inclusion at that point in the narrative of the exhibit reminds us of the gravity of the relationship between modern technology and the Holocaust-a force that bears down upon the museum visitor and contributes to her awareness that the Holocaust was a quintessentially technological
A phylogeny of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) inferred from mitochondrial NADH 1 dehydrogenase gene sequence.

Wasps of the braconid subfamily Aphidiinae are solitary endoparasitoids of aphids. Several aspects of their biology have been the focus of intuitive evolutionary hypotheses which could be tested with a robust phylogeny. Phylogenetic hypotheses have been proposed previously for aphidiines based on morphology, embryology, and DNA sequences. However, many of them are based on a limited number of characters and/or taxa and lack congruence. In addition, many of the inferred phylogenies have not been based upon cladistic analysis. Therefore, a phylogenetic study of Aphidiinae was undertaken, utilizing 465 bp of DNA sequence of the mitochondrial NADH1 dehydrogenase gene. DNA sequences were obtained from 40 taxa, including 14 genera and three outgroups. It is suggested that in agreement with most of the previously proposed phylogenies, the aphidiines, each of the three recognized tribes (Praini, Ephedrini, Aphidiini), and most genera are monophyletic. In contrast to previously proposed phylogenies, the clade of Praon + Dyscritulus (=Praini), rather than Ephedrini, is basal among the aphidiines.
Batoid locomotion: effects of speed on pectoral fin deformation in the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea

ABSTRACT Most batoids have a unique swimming mode in which thrust is generated by either oscillating or undulating expanded pectoral fins that form a disc. Only one previous study of the freshwater stingray has quantified three-dimensional motions of the wing, and no comparable data are available for marine batoid species that may differ considerably in their mode of locomotion. Here, we investigate three-dimensional kinematics of the pectoral wing of the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea, swimming steadily at two speeds [1 and 2 body lengths (BL) s−1]. We measured the motion of nine points in three dimensions during wing oscillation and determined that there are significant differences in movement amplitude among wing locations, as well as significant differences as speed increases in body angle, wing beat frequency and speed of the traveling wave on the wing. In addition, we analyzed differences in wing curvature with swimming speed. At 1 BL s−1, the pectoral wing is convex in shape during the downstroke along the medio-lateral fin midline, but at 2 BL s−1 the pectoral fin at this location cups into the flow, indicating active curvature control and fin stiffening. Wing kinematics of the little skate differed considerably from previous work on the freshwater stingray, which does not show active cupping of the whole fin on the downstroke. Summary: Three-dimensional analysis of pectoral fin movement in the little skate during swimming reveals substantial changes in shape as speed increases.