Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zur Situation der Afrikanischen Schweinepest und der biologischen Charakterisierung aktueller Virusisolate

Die Afrikanische Schweinepest (ASP) ist eine bei der Weltorganisation fur Tiergesundheit (OIE) anzeigepflichtige Tierseuche, die mit schweren, unspezifischen Symptomen und einer hohen Mortalitat einhergeht. Empfanglich fur das gleichnamige DNA-Virus (ASPV) sind ausschlieslich Haus- und Wildschweine sowie Zecken der Gattung Ornithodoros. Da es bislang keinen zugelassenen Impfstoff gibt, beruht die Bekampfung ausschlieslich auf strikten veterinarhygienischen Masnahmen. Wichtigster Bestandteil dieser Masnahmen ist eine fruhzeitige Entdeckung einer Infektion in betroffenen Schweinebestanden und eine schnelle und zuverlassige Labordiagnose. Infektionen mit aktuellen Virusisolaten aus Armenien, Sardinien, Litauen oder Kenia fuhren bei Haus- und Wildschweinen zu akuten Krankheitsverlaufen, deren Kardinalsymptom sehr hohes Fieber (> 41 °C) ist. Begleitet wird dies von diversen unspezifischen Symptomen wie Lethargie, Inappetenz, Diarrhoe, respiratorischen Symptomen sowie einer erhohten Blutungsneigung. In experimentellen Untersuchungen lag die Mortalitat bei 100 %. Bei den durchgefuhrten pathologischanatomischen Untersuchungen wurden insbesondere ebenholzfarbene gastrohepatische Lymphknoten, Lungenodeme, Petechien in der Nierenrinde und Gallenblasenwandodeme gefunden. Vor dem Hintergrund der aktuellen Seuchenlage mit einem endemischen Geschehen auf Sardinien, Ausbruchen in Russland sowie mehreren ostlichen EU-Mitgliedstaaten und dem damit verbundenen Risiko fur die Einschleppung der ASP in weitere Staaten der EU, unter anderem auch Deutschland, sollten bei unspezifischer Klinik und Pathologie in Hausschweinebestanden geeignete Proben, wie Serum, EDTA-Blut und Milzmaterial differenzialdiagnostisch auf ASP und klassische Schweinepest untersucht werden.
Estimation of Critical Period of Weed Control

An estimation of the critical period of weed control is helpful in formulating appropriate weed-control strategies. A regression approach is presented to estimate the thresholds of critical period of weed control and time of equal interference (or time of onset of competition). In this approach, yields were either a linear or logistic function of the duration of weed-free and weed-infested periods. Confidence intervals of the thresholds of critical period and time of equal interference were determined for the linear model. An approximation to the standard error of critical period and associated confidence interval were given for any general form of the model. The method was applied to estimate the critical period of weed control in rainfed lentil using data from four field experiments conducted in Jordan. The relationship of yield with the duration of weed-free period was described by a linear function, whereas the relationship with the duration of weed-infested period showed a better fit with a logistic function. To maintain 90% of maximum seed yield, the maximum time allowed to let weeds grow after the crop emergence varied over locations from 4.8 to 5.8 wk. The same level could be achieved if the crop is kept free of weeds from its emergence until 12.1 to 14.1 wk; while the time when the same amount of yield would be achieved under both approaches varied from 7.7 to 9.3 wk after crop emergence. For straw yield, the time to get 90% of the maximum yield could vary over location from a maximum of 4.5 to 8.0 wk under weed-infestation and from at least 11.5 to 13.5 wk when weed-free. The time to achieve the same amount of straw under two systems of competition varied from 6.5 to 9.9 wk after crop emergence. One of the four experiments showed a longer critical period than the others for seed and straw yields.
Robust nonlinear output feedback control for systems with unknown integrator gains

This paper shows that an output feedback stabilization problem for nonlinear systems with unknown constant integrator gains or virtual control coefficients can be reformulated in a simple procedure. As a consequence, existing robust adaptive backstepping techniques can be applied, hence all the closed loop states are globally bounded and the output can be made arbitrarily small. The procedure presented involves the scaling of unmeasured states and designing a reduced order observer.
Aceria (Acarina: Eriophyoidea) in Taiwan: five new species and plant abnormalities caused by sixteen species

In this study, 16 species of Aceria Keifer, 1944, including 5 new species and 4 new records, causing visible damage to plants in Taiwan, are described. They are: Aceria litchii (Keifer, 1943) infesting Litchi chinensis and Dimocarpus longana; Aceria sacchari Wang, 1964 infesting Saccharum officinarum; Aceria spicati (Stebbins, 1909) infesting Aceria morrisonense and Acer kawakamii; Aceria kuko (Kishida, 1927) infesting Lycium chinense; Aceria pipturi Keifer, 1966 infesting Pipturus arborescens; Aceria eriobotryae (Keifer, 1938) infesting Eriobotrya japonica; Aceria litseae (Keifer, 1972) infesting Litsea hypophaea; Aceria gallae T. Huang, 1996 infesting Cordia dichotoma; Aceria pobuzii Huang, 1996 infesting Cordia dichotoma; Aceria shepherdiae Keifer, 1966 infesting Elaeagnus thunbergii; Aceria roxburghianae sp. nov. infesting Rhus chinensis roxburghiana; Aceria mikaniae (Nalepa, 1918) infesting Mikania cordata; Aceria virosae sp. nov. infesting Flueggea virosa; Aceria serratifoliae sp. nov. infesting Premna serratifolia; Aceria sylvestrae sp. nov. infesting Elaeocarpus sylvestris and Aceria taiwanensis sp. nov. infesting Vitex trifolia. A key to the 20 species of Aceria in Taiwan is provided.
Efficient method for simulating time delays of distributed interconnections in VLSI circuits

A new technique is described for modelling a general distributed RC line through a simple lumped net. This reduced order model approximates both the long time voltage response and the input loading effect of the line. The proposed method has the advantage of allowing the employment of circuit simulators such as SPICE to evaluate interconnect delays in complex layouts.
Seasonal Variation in Physicochemical Properties of Soil within the Vicinity of an Iron Smelting Factory - Implication on Standing Vegetation

This study examined the seasonal variations in the physicochemical properties of soil around the vicinity of an iron smelting factory in Fashina area, Ile-Ife, with the aim of monitoring the impact on the soil characteristics, nutrient availability and its possible consequence on the surrounding vegetation. Four study plots, each measuring 50 × 50 m were selected around the iron and smelting Factory. Soil samples were collected randomly and analysed during the rainy and dry seasons at a depth of 0-20 cm, representing the top soil using soil auger. The soil samples were analysed for particle size, soil texture, pH and availability of some basic soil nutrient such as nitrogen, organic carbon, potassium, phosphorus, etc. The study revealed that the physicochemical properties of soil in focus varied across the plots, which may be a consequence of the gradient created by the citing of iron smelting factory, but the data obtained did not significantly varied within the seasons. Furthermore, high organic matter was recorded in all the plots under study; this might be due to the fact that the study area was rich in clay. More clayey soils generally tend to contain higher levels of organic matter, mainly because of the tendency of clays to slow down microbial degradation of organic matter, as clays form clay-humus complexes with organic matter. Also, the heavy metal distribution varied within the two seasons, as most of the metals showed high level of concentration in the rainy season.
A CMOS ADSL codec for central office applications

A CMOS central office codec that supports Full Rate and G.Lite ADSL applications is described. The transmit channel consists of application-dependent digital filters, a 14 bit, 8.832 MSample/s current steering DAC, a 1.104 MHz analog filter and a programmable attenuator. The receive channel contains -17.5 to 33.5 dB of programmable gain, a 138 kHz analog low-pass filter, a 14 bit, 2.208 MSample/s pipeline ADC and a digital low-pass filter. The IC occupies 55.2 mm/sup 2/ and dissipates 450 mW from a 3.3 V supply.
Optimal Detection of Digitally Modulated Signals

In this paper optimal detectors are derived and analyzed for the general class of digitally modulated signals in which the sequence of symbols is unknown a priori and information data are not of interest. The detectors test the signal present condition in background white Gaussian noise versus the null condition of noise alone. Particular attention is focused upon cases in which the SNR per symbol is low compared to unity. The models employed herein are sufficiently general to include most forms of spread-spectrum signals as well as other digital type communication signals.
Effect of initial body orientation on escape probability in prey fish escaping from predators

Since the escape response is crucial to survival and hence to the fitness of species, several studies have attempted to elucidate the kinematic and behavioral components of the response that affect evasion outcome. The prey’s body orientation relative to a predator at the onset of the escape response (initial orientation) could affect evasion outcome, because the turn angle and its duration before the initiation of escape locomotion would be smaller when the initial orientation is more away from the predator. We tested this hypothesis by recording the escape responses of juvenile red sea bream (Pagrus major) in response to the predatory scorpion fish (Sebastiscus marmoratus) using a high-speed video camera. Our results show that an increased initial orientation (i.e., more away from the predator) increases escape probability. Our results also indicate that an increase in the initial orientation decreases the turn angle and its duration. The flight initiation distance tends to be small when the initial orientation is away from the predator, suggesting that the prey might have a blind zone of sensory perception. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating initial orientation into both empirical and theoretical studies of the kinematics of predator-prey interactions. Summary statement Our predator-prey experiments reveal that the prey’s initial body orientation relative to a predator affects the prey’s turn angle and its duration, and consequently affects escape probability.
Effect of Temperature on the Developmental Period, Progeny Production and Longevity of Tetrasticbus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

The developmental period of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff), a parasitoid of the uzi fly, EXoista bombyeis (Louis) showed a negative correlation with temperature. It decreased from 51.70 ± 0.64 days at 15°C to 12.83 ± 0.10 days at 30°C. Progeny production had a positive correlation with temperature upto 25°C. The upper and lower temperature threshold limits of T. howardi were 30°C and 15°C respectively. At 35°C and 20°C temperatures, the females survived for 4.20 ± 0.27 days and 19.80 ± 1.09 days without food, while the males lived for 3.10 ± 0.41 days and 11.70 ± 0.44 days respectively. At similar temperatures, life span for fed females were 9.20 ± 0.83 days and 30.90 ± 0.74 days and those for fed males 4.40 ± 0.41 days and 25.0 ± 0.70 days respectively.
Spectrum and Antibiogram of Bacteria in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media and Biofilm Formation

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital. Patients upto the age of 80, having otorrhea for more than 6-12 weeks [2,3] and attending the ENT outpatient department were included. Samples of pus were collected from the deeper aspect of external auditory meatus and processed using standard techniques for culture and sensitivity. Biofilm detection was done. Results were compiled and statistically analysed.
Enterovirus-A76 of South-East Asian ancestry in a Captive Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) in Jos, Nigeria

We recently detected EV-A119 and EV-B111 (previously shown to co-circulate between nonhuman primates (NHPs) and humans) in Nigerian children diagnosed with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). This study was designed to investigate and catalogue EVs present in captive NHPs in Nigeria. Twenty-seven fecal samples collected from captive NHPs in a Wild Life Park and Zoological garden at Jos, Nigeria in April 2016 were analyzed in this study. Samples were resuspended in a phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/chloroform mixture, and the clarified supernatant was subjected to RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, a Panenterovirus 5I-UTR assay, and three different enterovirus VP1 snPCR assays. All amplicons from the snPCR assays were sequenced, and enteroviruses identified using the enterovirus genotyping tool and phylogenetic analysis. Eight (29.63%) (two each from Chimpanzees, Patas Monkey, Mona Monkey and Baboon) of the 27 samples were positive for the 5I-UTR assay. One (3.70%) of the 27 samples was positive for the enterovirus VP1 snPCR assays in addition to its positivity by 5I-UTR assay. The same sample happens to be one of the two samples from Chimpanzees that tested positive for the 5I-UTR assay, and it was subsequently identified as EV-A76 of South-East Asia ancestry. This study documents the first recorded attempt to detect and identify enteroviruses in NHPs in Nigeria. It also reports the first detection and identification of EV-A76 in Nigeria and particularly in a NHP. It is of utmost importance that the enterovirus VP1 assays be improved to enable detection of EVs that have been detected in NHPs but yet to be described in humans.
INFLUENCE OF CLONE HARVESTING AGE OF Eucalyptus grandis AND HYBRIDS OF Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla IN THE WOOD CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND IN KRAFT PULPABILITY

The recent efforts on the quality of the wood used in pulp and paper mills has focused in many points, among them the influence of the raw material chemical characteristics in the production process and final product quality. Considering the current demand for younger trees, the effect of the wood harvesting age in the chemical composition and in the process variables becomes a very important fact for the industries of this sector. So, the objective of this study was to characterize Brazilian eucalypt clones, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urograndis , both in different harvesting ages (1 to 8 years-old), for their chemical composition and kraft pulping parameters. Both chemical compositions of wood samples showed significant statistical variations due to the alteration of their harvesting ages. The glucan content, as well as cellulose content, basic density, and extractives tended to rise with the increase of harvesting age; while xylan and the other carbohydrate contents that compose the hemicelluloses tended to decline with the increase of the harvesting age, as well as uronic acids, acetyl groups, lignin, ashes, and S:G ratio. The 5 year-old wood samples showed the greatest pulping yield results for kappa number 17, and the yield at kappa number 17 showed strong correlation with glucan content.
High Carbapenem Resistance in Clinical Gram-Negative Pathogens Isolated in Egypt.

The emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria poses a serious threat to human health worldwide. Currently, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying carbapenem resistance and their prevalence among gram-negative bacteria in Egypt. In this study, we analyzed carbapenemase production in gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospitalized patients in Egypt in 2014. All isolates were subjected to phenotypic and genotypic susceptibility testing for carbapenem resistance. Our results indicated a high level of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria in Egypt, with 50.8% of the isolates harboring at least one carbapenem resistance gene. OXA-48-like and NDM-1 were the most prevalent carbapenemases, being detected in 49.2%, and 47.7% of carbapenemase-positive isolates, respectively, whereas Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) was detected in only 26.2% of carbapenemase-positive isolates. This study reports for the first time carbapenemase-producing Serratia .
Animations Are Dynamic, Effective Tools For Science Teaching: If You Just Follow The Rules!

Textbook companies are increasingly including larger numbers of animations as complementary resources for students and teachers. Are all animations useful as teaching tools? The answer is no. Animations can be useful for communicating dynamic events and processes but only when specific rules are followed. The authors review the important components of effective animations and their extensive, original research on the value of animations in learning and long-term memory retention. When the rules are applied, students can learn complex material more easily and retain more of what they have learned in short and long term memory than they can by viewing static textbook figures. Our results also indicate that learning from animations and graphics differs between males and females. Insight gained from student feedback is highlighted with some final comments on future research.
Sylviculture tropicale en forêt dense africaine (partie 3)

The article provides the third part about tropical silviculture in dense African forest. In the first two parts of this article, the author discussed the principal methods of forestry employed in the dense humid forests of Africa. In this part, he examines the causes of failure. He considers that the determining factor for the success of plantations is daylight, of which young seedlings generally receive far too little. The author goes on to describe the research programme undertaken by the Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, technical centre now integrated into CIRAD) in this field to determine the amounts of light provided by each forestry system, the optimum amount of light demanded by each species and the effects of lateral illumination. These studies use graphic calculations, instrumented measurements and special experimental apparatus.
Efficacy of a Direct Instruction Program on Code-Related Skills for Children With Developmental Delays

Purpose: Research on teaching young chil- dren with disabilities using an intervention involving direct instruction and picture book facilitation of code- related emergent literacy skills is limited. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a structured intervention package on sound-to-letter match- ing and single-word decoding skills in elementary-level students with developmental delays. Method: This study employed a multiple baseline across letter sets design replicated across 10 early elementary school-age students with various disabilities. Results: Data analysis indicated a functional, albeit moderately predictive, relationship between the interven- tion and students' sound-to-letter matching and decoding skills. All children made gains in at least 1 sound-letter set from the preintervention to the postintervention as- sessment. More than ½ of the participants also exhibited gains from the preintervention to postintervention assess- ment of single-word decoding. Conclusion: Results indicated a functional relationship between the intervention and select emerging literacy skills. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Spatially-induced nestedness in a neutral model of phage-bacteria networks

Ecological networks, both displaying mutualistic or antagonistic interactions, seem to share common structural traits: the presence of nestedness and modularity. A variety of model approaches and hypothesis have been formulated concerning the significance and implications of these properties. In phage-bacteria bipartite infection networks, nestedness seems to be the rule in many different contexts. Modeling the coevolution of a diverse virus-host ensemble is a difficult task, given the dimensionality and multi parametric nature of a standard continuous approximation. Here we show that this can actually be overcome by using a simple model of coevolving digital genomes on a spatial lattice and having exactly the same properties, i.e. a genome-independent fitness associated to fixed growth and death parameters. A matching allele model of phage-virus recognition rule is enough to generate a complex, diverse ecosystem with heterogeneous patterns of interaction and nestedness, provided that interactions take place under a spatially-constrained setting. It is found that nestedness seems to be an emergent property of the coevolutionary dynamics. Our results indicate that the enhanced diversity resulting from localized interactions strongly promotes the presence of nested infection matrices.
Instance Selection for Imbalanced Data

Imbalanced data exhibit an unequal distribution with respect to the class labels. In a two-class imbalanced problem, elements of the majority class can vastly outnumber those belonging to the minority class. Several standard learning methods are hindered by such skewness present in the training set and fail to recognize minority instances in a posterior classification process. In real-world applications, e.g. in the medical domain or in the context of fraud detection, the minority class will usually be the class of interest. This motivates the development of techniques overcoming the challenges posed by data imbalance and ensuring an improvement of the classification performance. A considerable body of research (He & Garcia, 2009) has recently been done in this area. One prominent family of solutions are the resampling methods, which balance the dataset by introducing additional minority elements (oversampling), removing certain majority elements (undersampling) or a combination of both (hybrid methods).
Formal Semantics and Pragmatics for Natural Language Querying

Clifford establishes with his semantics of temporal reference a major connection between two areas of computational semantics, namely the semantics of databases and the semantics of natural language. He argues that a semantic representation of time is essential in making database queries more natural and efficient. Chapter 2 presents essentially a variant of Gallin's (1975) TY2: an intensional logic, ILs, which is Montague's formal language of PTQ enriched with constants and variables for temporal indices and interpreted with respect to simple reference points consisting only of times--that is, dropping possible worlds and all modality. There are two important differences between ILs and Montague's Intensional Logic: