Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
River classification using invertebrates: RIVPACS applications

1. This paper sets out the need for and approach taken in developing the River InVertebrate Prediction And Classification System (RIVPACS). The merits and limitations of this approach are considered in relation to a number of other schemes, based on biotic and/or environmental attributes. 2. RIVPACS III includes 614 reference sites throughout Great Britain distributed between 35 classification groups and a further 70 sites in Northern Ireland in seven classification groups. The main features of the site classification for Great Britain are described and examples of changes in faunal composition across the major divisions of the classification are given. 3. The major use of RIVPACS III is for prediction of the macroinvertebrate fauna to be expected at a site in the absence of environmental stress. Predictions may be made at different taxonomic levels and for different seasons, according to the needs of the user. Procedures are available for comparing the fauna observed at the site with the expected fauna, based on presence/absence data (any taxonomic level) or log categories of abundance (family level only). 4. The value of the RIVPACS III classification as an additional framework for determining whether the full range of river types have been selected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) is discussed. River SSSIs occur in a high proportion of RIVPACS III classification groups, but some small stream groups lack examples of SSSIs. 5. The 614 reference sites for Great Britain include 637 taxa. The number of taxa recorded at each site after the standard sampling period varies from 31 to 134, although approximately 85% of the sites hold between 50 and 100 taxa. The data-set includes a number of Red Data Book and Nationally Scarce taxa and provides valuable information on the status and geographical occurrence of river invertebrates which has application to conservation evaluation. 6. Finally, some opportunities for linking RIVPACS and River Habitat Survey (RHS) are reviewed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using ICT to Foster (Pre) Reading and Writing Skills in Young Children

ABSTRACT This study examines how technology can support the development of emergent reading and writing skills in four- to five-year-old children. The research was conducted with PictoPal, an intervention which features a software package that uses images and text in three main activity areas: reading, writing, and authentic applications. This article reports on the effects of the PictoPal intervention on pupil literacy and communication skills. Two small-scale studies were conducted. Observation results from the first study showed that children are able to work independently with the program after a few instruction sessions. The second study showed a statistically significant learning effect of experimental versus control group scores after two months of using PictoPal in the classroom under the guidance of a parent volunteer. Further research is needed to arrive at a better understanding of these learning gains with a larger group of pupils.
Evaluation of Three Formulations of Beauveria bassiana for Control of Lesser Mealworm and Hide Beetle in Georgia Poultry Houses

Abstract Initial screening of 12 Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin isolates against larvae of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus [Panzer]) resulted in the selection of two isolates, GHA and 707, for further testing under field conditions. Three formulations of each strain were prepared: an EC, a ground corn granular formulation, and waste product of fungal propagation containing spent media, mycelia, and unharvested conidia (“residue” formulation). Two field trials were conducted in commercial caged-layer houses in Georgia with 5–6 mo of manure accumulation and established populations of A. diaperinus and hide beetles (Dermestes maculatus DeGeer). In the first trial field, B. bassiana was applied a single time to the manure surface at either 109 (EC and granular cornmeal bait formulations) or 108 (residue formulation) fungal spores per square meter. In the second trial, two successive weekly treatments were applied, using a total of 6X the rate of application used in the first trial, Significant treatment effects were short-lived and only detected 2 wk after treatment in both trials. The granular formulations of both strains and the residue formulation of the GHA strain provided the greatest degree of suppression (60–90%) of beetle larvae. A laboratory bioassay confirmed that the granular bait was the most effective formulation. More frequent applications made earlier in the manure accumulation cycle may be necessary to achieve satisfactory control of these beetles.
MAC protocol design and resource management for distributed cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio (CR) has drawn extensive attention as a promising technique to enable dynamic spectrum allocation in wireless networks in order to increase spectrum utilization. Since coordination and communication over wireless medium is mainly performed at medium access control (MAC) layer, design of a smart MAC is vital for successful deployment of distributed CR network (DCRN). In this thesis, we first investigate research challenges specific to DCRNMAC design and present an overview of current state-of-the-art DCRN MAC protocols. We then propose a MAC protocol called OMC-MAC to address major research issues in DCRN. The distributed architecture and uncertainty in resource availability make QoS provisioning a challenging problem in such networks. Therefore, we incorporate a QoS support module in OMC-MAC in order to provide QoS guarantee to delay sensitive applications. We also investigate adaptive admission control mechanism to limit QoS users in DCRN. Next, we propose resource allocation schemes based on cross-layer interaction between MAC and network layers to minimize network wide resource wastage in multi-hop DCRN. In multi-hop DCRN, loss of a packet after traveling some hops results in wasting all resources allocated to it in previous hops. We propose schemes to allocate transmit power favoring packets which have traveled more hops before reaching resource allocating node. Similar resource allocation schemes are also investigated for multi-hop distributed orthogonal frequency division multiple access network. Finally, we explore research challenges and potential solution approaches in
Fibrillar microfilaments associated with a high-amylose rice, Goami 2, a mutant of Ilpumbyeo, a high-quality japonica rice

The ultrastructure of cooked and malt-treated cooked rice of Ilpumbyeo (IP) and its mutant Goami 2 (G2), which have extreme contrasts in physicochemical properties, cooking quality, and ultrastructural characteristics in raw grains (1, 2), was compared. In cooked rice of IP, starch granules in endosperm cells were evenly coalesced, appearing as homogeneously smooth sheetlike matrix and/or globules, whereas those in G2 were a heterogeneously coarse matrix in which a novel structural feature, the microfilaments, was embedded. In malt-treated cooked rice of IP, most starch was hydrolyzed by the malt enzymes, appearing as empty vacuoles surrounded by the cell wall, whereas that in G2 was highly resistant to malt treatment, remaining as distinct structural features, the malt-resistant compound starch granules. The property of G2's compound starch granules, which are tolerant of mechanical and chemical treatments thereby retaining their structural integrity (2) and of cooking and malt treatment thereby retainin.
Capability-based protection in the Mungi operating system

A single address space operating system is an excellent environment for the implementation of distributed object-based systems. The tissue of providing effective and efficient protection of objects in such an environment has, however, not been addressed satisfactorily. This paper presents the protection mechanism of Mungi, which is based on password capabilities. A system-maintained data structure called the capability tree is used for the long-term storage of capabilities, and reflects the hierarchical structure of object privacy. A second system data structure, the active protection domain, allows the system to find capabilities quickly when validating memory accesses. The model supports inheritance of protection domains, as well as temporary extension of protection domains to support privileged procedures. Untrusted programs can be confined to run in a restricted protection domain. The protection system performs efficiently on conventional architectures, and is simple enough that most programs do not need to be aware of its operation. <<ETX>>
Morphologic and neurochemical target selectivity of regenerating adult photoreceptors in vitro

Regenerating adult central nervous system (CNS) neurons must re‐establish synaptic circuits in an environment very different from that present during development. However, the complexity of CNS circuitry has made it extremely difficult to assess the selectivity and mechanisms of synaptic regeneration at the cellular level in vivo. The synaptic preferences of adult photoreceptors were examined by using a defined cell culture system known to support regenerative process growth, presynaptic varicosity formation, and establishment of functional synapses. Immunolabeling for synaptic vesicle protein 2 and ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that cell‐cell contacts made by photoreceptors were synaptic in nature. Target selectivity was determined by quantitative analysis of contacts onto normal and novel target cell types in cultures in which opportunities to contact all retinal cell types were present. Target cells were identified by morphology and immunolabeling for the amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate, aspartate, gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glycine. Regenerating photoreceptors showed a strong preference for novel multipolar cell targets (amacrine and ganglion cells) over normal photoreceptor, horizontal, and bipolar cell targets. Additionally, photoreceptors were selective for targets containing the transmitter GABA. These results indicate first, that the normal synaptic partners for photoreceptors are not intrinsically the optimal targets for regenerative synapse formation, and second, that GABA may modulate synaptic targeting by adult photoreceptors. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of the phosphorus and sulphur status of subterranean clover pastures. 3. Plant tests

Field experiments were carried out in south-eastern New South Wales to establish the relationships between three plant tests for phosphorus and for sulphur, and the yield responses of subterranean clover pastures to applied phosphorus and sulphur. Subterranean clover plants (CV. Mt. Barker), sampled early in the growing season of 1963 and on five occasions at approximately monthly intervals in 1964, were analysed for total and soluble phosphorus and for total and reducible sulphur. The third plant test involved a comparison of the leaf area responses measured seven days after transfer to appropriate nutrient solutions of clover plants sampled in the field plots at the beginning of each growing season. Correlation coefficients (R) varying from 0.546 to 0.908 were obtained for the curvilinear regression of relative yields on total phosphorus contents of the clover, but only under conditions of an adequate sulphur supply. The correlation coefficients for soluble phosphorus were generally lower and differed greatly between samplings. The correlation coefficients for the curvilinear regressions of yield responses on the total or reducible sulphur content of clover, under conditions of ample phosphorus supply, were never less than 0.606 at the end of the season, and for some of the earlier samplings were as high as 0.947. The correlation coefficients (r) between leaf area responses and yield responses to phosphorus were 0.576 and 0.716, and those for sulphur 0.710 and 0.692 in 1963 and 1964 respectively. In contrast to those based on leaf analysis, the relationships between leaf area responses and yield response for each one of the elements were not affected by the level of supply of the other element.
Ultrastructural localization of prion proteins: Physiological and pathological implications

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) or prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders in which the central event is the conversion of a normal host‐encoded protein (PrPc) into an abnormal isoform (PrPsc) which accumulates as amyloid in TSE brain. The two PrPc and PrPsc prion protein isoforms are membrane sialoglycoproteins synthesized in the central nervous system and various peripheral organ tissues. In this review, we describe the ultrastructural localization of prion proteins in human and animal cerebral and non‐cerebral tissues whether or not infected by TSE agents. In addition to the plasma membrane of several cells, PrPc was found in association with cytoplasmic organelles of central and nerve‐muscle synapses, and secretory granules of epithelial cells. Fibrils of amyloid plaques, synaptic structures, and lysosome‐like organelles constitute the subcellular sites harboring PrPsc. These findings have led to discussions on the physiological role of PrPc and the pathological mechanisms underlying prion spongiform encephalopathies. Microsc. Res. Tech. 50:76–88, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ACHIEVING OVER-THE-WIRE CONFIGURABLE CONFIDENTIALITY, INTEGRITY, AUTHENTICATION AND AVAILABILITY IN GRIDSTAT'S STATUS DISSEMINATION

vi LIST OF TABLES . xi LIST OF FIGURES . xii
Azadirachta indica attenuates cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in rats

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Azadirachta indica leaves against cisplatin (CP)-induced neurotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were treated with vehicle (control); a single intraperitoneal 5 mg/kg CP (CP group); neem leaves (orally 500 mg/kg) for 5 and 10 days, N5 and N10 groups, respectively; neem leaves (500 mg/kg) for 5 days after CP injection, collagenous protein nitrogen (CPN) group; neem leaves (500 mg/kg) for 5 days before CP injection, noncollagenous protein group and neem leaves in a dose of 500 mg/kg for 5 days before and after CP injection, noncollagenous protein nitrogen group. Rats were sacrificed 5 days after CP injection to determine neural lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) levels. The neuronal antioxidant enzymes were evaluated in brain homogenates. Results: CP injection increased LPO, NO levels and decreased GSH level, whereas neem reversed these effects. Morphological brain damage and apoptosis induction were apparent in the CP group. In the CPN group, the histological damage and apoptosis induction caused by CP was improved, whereas morphological findings of neem before and after CP injection implied a well preserved brain tissue. No changes, in biochemical parameters were observed with neem treated groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that methanolic extract of neem leaves may be of therapeutic benefit when used with CP.
Urinary Tract Infection: An Overview of the Infection and the Associated Risk Factors

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection known to affect the different parts of the urinary tract and the occurrence is found in both males and females. Despite the fact, that both the genders are susceptible to the infection, women are mostly vulnerable due to their anatomy and reproductive physiology. The infection is usually caused as a consequence of bacterial invasion of the urinary tract including the lower and the upper urinary tract. Among the bacterial species Escherichia coli account to 80% to 85% of the infection followed by Staphylococcus species that constitutes to 10% to 15%. In addition, bacterial species Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Proteus and Enterococcus species plays a minor role in conferring the infection. A variety of parameters are related to UTI which include age, parity, gravidity, pregnancy and association of diseases augment the condition of the infection. The current review attempts to highlight the various factors associated with UTI, prime perpetrators responsible for the infection, the emergence of growing resistance and possible remedy to overcome the infection. The review specially focuses on UTI among women during pregnancy.
From Plums to Prunes: Influence of Drying Parameters on Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity

Prunes, which are industrially obtained by dehydrating fresh plums at 85−90 °C for 18 h, contain higher levels of phenolic compounds than most other fruits. Prune phenolics have shown beneficial effects on human health. Reports are available in the literature on ascorbic acid, phenol composition, and antioxidant activity of fresh plums and prunes, but there is a lack of publications on the influence of drying parameters on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. A study was carried out on two plum cultivars using two sets of air-drying temperatures: (i) air temperature at 85 °C until 50% of prune moisture level and then the temperature was lowered to 70 °C; (ii) air temperature at 60 °C. Whole fresh and dried fruits were assessed for phenolics (catechins, hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonols), ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity (all parameters were calculated on a dry matter basis). Analysis of data shows that chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acid changes were affected by both p.
Regulation of Human Decidual Cell Macrophage Inflammatory Protein‐1α (MIP‐1α) Production by Inflammatory Cytokines

PROBLEM: Inflammation of human gestational tissues is a key pathophysiologic event in the genesis of infection‐associated preterm labor. Human gestational tissues produce several inflammatory cytokines after stimulation with bacterial products. These include interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα), and IL‐6. Another class of cytokines includes chemokines of the “C‐C” subclassification such as macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α (MlP‐1α). The purpose of this study was to determine whether cultured human decidual cells produce MIP‐1α in response to other inflammatory cytokines.
EVALUATION OF SPEEDUP OF MONTE CARLO CALCULATIONS OF TWO SIMPLE REACTOR PHYSICS PROBLEMS CODED FOR THE GPU/CUDA ENVIRONMENT

Monte Carlo simulation is ideally suited for solving Boltzmann neutron transport equation in inhomogeneous media. However, routine applications require the computation time to be reduced to hours and even minutes in a desktop system. The interest in adopting GPUs for Monte Carlo acceleration is rapidly mounting, fueled partially by the parallelism afforded by the latest GPU technologies and the challenge to perform full-size reactor core analysis on a routine basis. In this study, Monte Carlo codes for a fixed-source neutron transport problem and an eigenvalue/criticality problem were developed for CPU and GPU environments, respectively, to evaluate issues associated with computational speedup afforded by the use of GPUs. The results suggest that a speedup factor of 30 in Monte Carlo radiation transport of neutrons is within reach using the state-of-the-art GPU technologies. However, for the eigenvalue/criticality problem, the speedup was 8.5. In comparison, for a task of voxelizing unstructured mesh geometry that is more parallel in nature, the speedup of 45 was obtained. It was observed that, to date, most attempts to adopt GPUs for Monte Carlo acceleration were based on naive implementations and have not yielded the level of anticipated gains. Successful implementation of Monte Carlo schemes for GPUs will likely require the development of an entirely new code. Given the prediction that future-generation GPU products will likely bring exponentially improved computing power and performances, innovative hardware and software solutions may make it possible to achieve full-core Monte Carlo calculation within one hour using a desktop computer system in a few years.
Carbon Dioxide Flux Measurement During Simulated Tillage

Measurement of tillage effects often includes CO 2 flux from soil before and after tillage. Our objective was to create a device to measure CO 2 flux continuously before, during, and after a simulated tillage operation. We put an auger inside a chamber to till the soil while monitoring CO 2 flux. We tested three soil conditions. First, cores stored long-term produced large peaks immediately after tillage followed by a steady rate decay. Second, simulated tillage in a summer fallow field produced a more modest peak, a rapid return to pretillage rate, and then a gradual climb in CO 2 flux rate over the next 10 min. The third soil condition, having sterilized topsoil, produced a peak and then immediately returned to the pretillage flux rate. We conclude that continuous monitoring before, during, and after tillage will be important for proper interpretation of flux data.
Life‐history variation among populations of Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne (Scrophulariaceae) in relation to grassland management

Seeds from 39 natural populations of the annual hemiparasitic speciesEuphrasia rostkovianawere collected from nine different grassland habitats in the north-eastern part of the Swiss Alps. These populations were investigated in three comparative cultivation experiments. Statistical data for seed-weight, different life-history traits and habit characters were compared. Differences in the onset of flowering between the extreme populations are as much as 10 weeks while differences in the other examined life-history traits are not more than a few days. The onset of flowering is strongly correlated with the number of internodes but also with other habit characters. Assuming a genetic basis for differences in life-history traits and habit characters, the populations appear to be well-adapted to the management regimes of their grassland habitats in the onset of flowering as well as in their habit characteristics. There is evidence for some trade-offs. For example, few branches and few internodes are a trade-off for the early onset of flowering. The adaptations found in populations ofE. rostkovianafrom late-mown meadows and from mountain pastures are in the opposite direction to those of the populations ofRhinanthus alectorolophusfrom the same habitats. This seems to be due to the much smaller seed-size and the much longer individual flowering period of plants ofEuphrasiaspecies. Remarkable differentiation via heterochronic processes seems to be possible within few decades in relation to extremely strong selection pressures generated by grazing or cutting.