Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autonomous Mowers Working in Narrow Spaces: A Possible Future Application in Agriculture?

Autonomous mowers are becoming increasingly common in public and private greenspaces. Autonomous mowers can provide several advantages since these machines help to save time and energy and prevent operators from possible injuries. Current autonomous mowers operate by following random trajectories within areas defined by a shallow-buried boundary wire that has the purpose to generate an electro-magnetic field. Once the electro-magnetic field is perceived by the autonomous mower, the machine will stop and change direction. Mowing along random trajectories is considered an efficient solution to manage areas with a variable number of obstacles. In agriculture, autonomous technologies are becoming increasingly popular since they can help to increase both the quantity and quality of agricultural products by reducing productive cost and improving the production process. Thus, even autonomous mowers may be useful to carry out some of the agricultural operations that are highly time consuming. In fact, some autonomous mowers designed and realized to work in vineyards and home vegetable gardens are already available on the market. The aim of this study was to compare the work capacity of six autonomous mowers that move along random trajectories in areas with a high number of obstacles to assess if these machines may be employed in some agricultural contexts. The six autonomous mowers were split in three groups based on their size (large, medium, and small) and were left to work in two areas with equal number of obstacles but different layouts. The first area (Site A) had a square shape and an extension of 23.04 m2, in order to keep the autonomous mowers enclosed inside it. The second area (Site B) had a square shape and an extension of 84.64 m2, in order to have a part of the area with no obstacles. The layout and the size of the two areas affected the autonomous mowers performances in different ways. The six autonomous mowers working on Site A obtained similar results and higher performances compared to the same mowers working on Site B. All the autonomous mowers proved to be able to mow more than 89% of Site A after 2 h and more than 98% of Site A after 5 h. On Site B small size autonomous mowers obtained the best results mowing more than 83% of the area with obstacles after 2 h and more than 98% of the area with obstacles after 5 h. However, specific work settings allowed larger autonomous mowers to improve their efficiency, obtaining similar results compared to smaller autonomous mowers.
Sensitivity of mountain catchments to global warming: a case study of the San Basin, Poland

In changing climatic conditions with rising surface air temperatures mountain regions with their characteristic environment and accumulated snow deserve special attention and sustainable management. To investigate the sensitivity of mountain catchments to global warming, this study explores potential trends for hydro‐climatic variables between 1957 and 2016 (60 years). Based on the Mann‐Kendall test results, upward trends in air temperature were found from April to August; they are accompanied by less frequent but significant trends in precipitation (P), with increases in P for January and May, but a decrease for December. For river flow, significant upward trends were identified only for January, in line with P trends. In addition, comparative analyses of changes for two 30‐year periods (1987–2016 vs. 1957–1986) corroborate the main change directions and provide detailed information for more realistic future land and water management in the mountain catchments studied.
Patterns of co-occurrences in a killifish metacommunity are more related with body size than with species identity

Body size may be more important than species identity in determining species interactions and community structure. However, co-occurrence of organisms has commonly been analysed from a taxonomic perspective and the body size is rarely taken into account. On six sampling occasions, we analysed patterns of killifish co-occurrences in nestedness (tendency for less rich communities to be subsamples of the richest), checkerboard structure (tendency for species segregation), and modularity (tendency for groups to co-occur more frequently than random expectation) in a pond metacommunity located in Uruguay. We contrasted co-occurrence patterns among species and body size-classes (individuals from different species were combined into size categories). The analysis was performed at two spatial scales: ponds (communities) and sample units within ponds. Observed nestedness was frequently smaller than the null expectation, with significantly greater deviations for body size-classes than for species, and for sample units than for communities. At the sample unit level, individuals tended to segregate (i.e. clump into a checkerboard pattern) to a larger extent by body size rather than by taxonomy. Modularity was rarely detected, but nevertheless indicated a level of taxonomic organization not evident in nestedness or checkerboard indices. Identification of the spatial scale and organization at which ecological forces determine community structure is a basic requirement for advancement of robust theory. In our study system, these ecological forces probably structured the community by body sizes of interacting organisms rather than by species identities.
Development of mouse preimplantation embryos in space

Abstract The development of life beyond planet Earth is a long-standing quest of the human race, but whether normal mammalian embryonic development can occur in space is still unclear. Here, we show unequivocally that preimplantation mouse embryos can develop in space, but the rate of blastocyst formation and blastocyst quality are compromised. Additionally, the cells in the embryo contain severe DNA damage, while the genome of the blastocysts developed in space is globally hypomethylated with a unique set of differentially methylated regions. The developmental defects, DNA damage and epigenetic abnormalities can be largely mimicked by the treatment with ground-based low-dose radiation. However, the exposure to simulated microgravity alone does not cause major disruptions of embryonic development, indicating that radiation is the main cause for the developmental defects. This work advances the understanding of embryonic development in space and reveals long-term extreme low-dose radiation as a hazardous factor for mammalian reproduction.
Análise florística e estrutural de uma floresta em diferentes estágios sucessionais no município de Castanhal, Pará

The objective of this study is to understand secondary forest succession through florisitc and structural analysis of a forest in three successional stages (4, 8 and 12 years) located in Castanhal in the state of Para. This study considers wood species divided into two DBH classes: class I (DBH>1cm) and class II (DBH<1cm). Class I individuals were measured in twelve 10m x 10m plots in the 12-year-old successional forest, and in four 10 x 10 m plots in the 4 and 8-year-old secondary forest stands. Class II individuals were measured in 48 subplots of 1m x 1m in the 12-year-old forest stand, and in 16 subplots in the 4 and 8-year-old forest stands. In Class I, 18, 30 and 73 species were identified; and were found 12, 18 and 21 individuals/ha in the 4, 8 and 12-year-old forests, respectively. In class II, 17, 21 and 62 species were identified; and were found 50, 26 and 47 individuals/m2 in the 4, 8 and 12-year-old forests, respectively. For class I, Lacistema pubescens, Vismia guianensis and Myrcia sylvatica demonstrated the greatest abundance and relative dominance. In class II, Lacistema pubescens, Vismia guianensis, Miconia ciliata, Myrcia bracteata and Banara guianensis also displayed an elevated number of individuals. Myrcia sylvatica presented the greatest abundance in the three successional stages. Similarity among plots was approximately 60% for class I and 42% for class II. The results showed the forest with three stages of successional development: initiation phase (4 years), exclusion phase (8 years), and the beginning of the understory reinitiation phase (12 years).
Relationship between slack resources and performance: temporal symmetry and duration of effects

PurposeAlthough slack resources and their relationship to performance have been widely studied in the literature, the temporal symmetry of this relationship, and the duration of its effects, are still unknown aspects and are the objective of this paper.Design/methodology/approachTo evaluate this effect, an exploratory study has been designed on a sample of 449 Spanish industrial companies over a period of 12 years, assessing the impact of idle resources on economic and financial profitability. By means of hierarchical regressions, the short- term, medium- term and long-term effects of slack resources have been evaluated.FindingsThe results show that the impact on performance depends on the type of resource considered. Available slack has a consistent and positive effect on economic profitability in the short term. Other types of slack show persistent effects on performance, but, in the case of the recoverable slack, with a negative sign that contradicts the benefits provided by these resources. Finally, potential slack only has a permanent effect on financial profitability, but the sign changes depending on the economic context under consideration. There are also differences in the duration of the effects according to the type of resources.Originality/valueThis paper advances the knowledge about the slack-performance relationship over time that has been scarcely studied.
INVESTIGATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE ACCORDING TO THE EXERCISE BEHAVIOUR CHANGE STAGES OF WOMEN STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY

The aim of the study was the investigation of Quality of life according to the exercise behaviour change stages of women studying at university. 698 university students, who study in different departments, participated in the study. Quality of life and change in exercise behaviour survey were applied. One way ANOVA, LSD test and Student - t test were used in the study. The average age of University women was 27.50 years. In this study, physical health score, psychological health score, social health score and environmental scores vary according to the health status indicated by the students (p<0.05). In this study, in the case of physical health, the scores of those who are at the stage of Pre-contemplation and Contemplation are significantly lower than those of the students who are at the stage of Taking Action and Maintenance (p<0.05). In the case of psychological health, the scores of those who are at the stage of Pre-contemplation and Contemplation are significantly lower than those of the students who are at the Maintenance stage (p<0.05). In the case of social health, the scores of those who are at the stage of Pre-contemplation and Contemplation are significantly lower than those of the students who are in the preparation, Taking Action and Maintenance (p<0.05). In the case of environmental score, the scores of those who are at the Pre-contemplation stage are significantly lower than those of the students who are at the Maintenance stage (p<0.05). In conclusion, the perceived quality of life of University women according to their exercise behavior change stages were high before the tendency and low during the exercise but quality of life scores increased during continuity. Sedentary women should increase the percentage of continuity in exercise behaviors steps to improve quality of life. Quality of life level according to exercise behavior change stages should be investigated in a large number of women in different universities in Turkey and they should be orientated on exercise planning. Article visualizations:
Comparative Study on the Uniaxial Behaviour of Topology-Optimised and Crystal-Inspired Lattice Materials

This work comparatively studies the uniaxial compressive performances of three types of lattice materials, namely face-centre cube (FCC), edge-centre cube (ECC), and vertex cube (VC), which are separately generated by topology optimisation and crystal inspiration. High similarities are observed between the materials designed by these two methods. The effects of design method, cell topology, and relative density on deformation mode, mechanical properties, and energy absorption are numerically investigated and also fitted by the power law. The results illustrate that both topology-optimised and crystal-inspired lattices are mainly dominated by bending deformation mode. In terms of collapse strength and elastic modulus, VC lattice is stronger than FCC and ECC lattices because its struts are arranged along the loading direction. In addition, the collapse strength and elastic modulus of the topology-optimised FCC and ECC are close to those generated by crystal inspiration at lower relative density, but the topology-optimised FCC and ECC are obviously superior at a higher relative density. Overall, all topology-generated lattices outperform the corresponding crystal-guided lattice materials with regard to the toughness and energy absorption per unit volume.
Range-wide chloroplast DNA phylogeographies of three widespread Australian cool temperate rainforest plants

How temperate plants and animals survived hostile climates during past glacial periods is critical to understanding modern ecological communities. Species may have survived in macro-refugia, and migrated large distances to reach their current range since climates recovered 10-12,000 years ago, or may have survived in many micro-refugia. The cool temperate rainforest of southeastern Australia provides opportunities to better understand how these processes have shaped the current biota. This thesis investigates the range-wide chloroplast DNA phylogeographies of three widespread Australian cool temperate rainforest plants. In the gravity-dispersed tree, Nothofagus cunninghamii (Nothofagaceae), 23 haplotypes were identified by PCR-RFLP and sequencing of 2164 base pairs of chloroplast DNA from 342 individuals. Deep haplotype divergence occurred, with the haplotype of N. moorei nested among those of N. cunninghamii. Western Tasmania was the stronghold of haplotype diversity, with evidence for multiple glacial refugia in coastal and inland locations. Three haplotypes endemic to the Victorian Central Highlands corroborate pollen evidence for last glacial maximum survival. In eastern Tasmania, an endemic and deeply diverged haplotype suggests long-term occupation within this region. In the bird-dispersed shrub Tasmannia lanceolata (Winteraceae) 30 haplotypes were identified by sequencing of 3190 base pairs of chloroplast DNA from 244 individuals. Strong phylogeographic structuring, with eight clades with predominantly non-overlapping geographic distributions, provided evidence for multiple glacial refugia, including within the driest parts of the species’ range. This strong structure may be the result of the lack of vectors for effective long-distance dispersal, such as migratory birds. However, other factors limiting establishment at long distances, such as dioecy, competition, or selection may have contributed. Sequences of 3295 base pairs from 142 samples of the wind-dispersed tree, Atherosperma moschatum (Atherospermataceae), revealed low chloroplast variation (six haplotypes). The apparently ancestral haplotype was widespread across Tasmania. A single haplotype was found across all Victorian populations, while the most diverged haplotypes were observed near the northern limit of the species’ range in New South Wales. The deep phylogeographic patterns in N. cunninghamii and T. lanceolata are the result of probable long-term survival in multiple regions, indicating the resilience of these species in apparently hostile last glacial climates. Differing dispersal traits have not affected the limited mobility of these species in response to past climatic changes. This contrasts with the extensive continent wide migrations of temperate species in the northern hemisphere. However, the very low diversity in A. moschatum may indicate a divergent history of this species.
A STUDY OF THE FACTORS LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: A CASE STUDY OF A PRIVATE BANKING INSTITUTION IN MANDALAY, MYANMAR

Recently, the market of the banking industries is growing rapidly in Myanmar. Therefore, banks not only need to focus on attracting new customers but also on maintaining the existing customers by providing the exceptional quality of services in order to survive in extremely stiff competitive industry. This research is attempted to investigate the 5 determinants which lead to customer satisfaction to Ayeyarwaddy Bank (AYA) in Mandalay, Myanmar. The questionnaires were distributed to 200 people who have been experienced of using the service of the 2 branches of the AYA Bank in the same city. Single & multiple linear regression model were used in order to test the hypotheses to find out the beta coefficient and significant level. The finding is that all of the service quality dimensions such as reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibility are rejected and statistically influenced on the customer satisfaction. Keywords: service quality, customer satisfaction, commercial bank
Effects of School Location and Teachers’ Quality on Students Performance in Business Studies Examination in Public Secondary Schools in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State

The purpose of the study is to find out the effects of school location and teachers’ quality on students performance in Business Studies Examination in public secondary schools in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study, and the expost facto research design was used for the study. The population of the study was 2579 students that sat for Business Studies in the Basic Education Certificate Examination in public secondary schools in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State for 2016/2017 Academic Session. No sampling was done population was used as sample for the study, as well, no instrument was develop for data collection, data were collected on request from Ministry of Primary and Basic Education, Sapele Field Office. Data collected were analysed using simple frequency count and percentage for the research questions. The results show that location does not have significant effects on students’ performance. Also, the findings revealed that qualification of teacher has significant effects on students’ performance. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that school location does not have significant effects on students’ performance in Business Studies examination in secondary schools in Delta State. As well, teachers’ qualification has significant effects on students’ performance in Business Studies examination in secondary schools in Delta State. Hence, it was recommended amongst others that Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education should employ qualified teachers to teach Business Studies in secondary schools in Delta State.
Laboratory measurements of stomatal NO2 deposition to native
California trees and the role of forests in the NOx cycle

Both canopy-level field measurements and laboratory studies suggest that uptake of NO2 through the leaf stomata of vegetation is a significant sink of atmospheric NOx. However, the mechanisms of this foliar NO2 uptake and their impact on NOx lifetimes remain incompletely understood. To understand the leaf-level processes affecting ecosystem-scale atmosphere–biosphere NOx exchange, we have conducted laboratory experiments of branch-level NO2 deposition fluxes to six coniferous and four broadleaf native California trees using a branch enclosure system with direct laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of NO2. We report NO2 foliar deposition that demonstrates a large degree of inter-species variability, with maximum observed deposition velocities ranging from 0.15 to 0.51 cms−1 during the daytime, as well as significant stomatal opening during the night. We also find that the contribution of mesophyllic processing to the overall deposition rate of NO2 varies by tree species but has an ultimately inconsequential impact on NOx budgets and lifetimes. Additionally, we find no evidence of any emission of NO2 from leaves, suggesting an effective unidirectional exchange of NOx between the atmosphere and vegetation.
Population traits and reproduction of the hippolytid shrimp Tozeuma carolinense (Decapoda: Caridea) at Laguna de Términos, Campeche, southwestern Gulf of Mexico

This study explored the population biology and reproduction of Tozeuma carolinense in Laguna de Terminos, Campeche, southwestern Gulf of Mexico, collected bimonthly from June 2009 to June 2010. The sample of 2,109 specimens analysed had a sex ratio of 0.39 males per female. On average, females were significantly larger (6.16 ± 2.02 mm carapace length, CL) than males (4.42 ± 0.70 mm CL). Recruitment was continuous, with the highest percentages of juveniles during June 2009 and June 2010. The estimated asymptotic length with the von Bertalanffy model was 10.13 mm CL for females and 6.62 mm CL for males. Longevity was 6 months for females and 5 months for males, with males having a higher mortality (Z = 1.08) than females (Z = 0.85). The reproduction was continuous, with highest incidence of berried specimens from August 2009 to April 2010. The estimated size at sexual maturity for females was 6.67 ± 1.30 mm CL. There was a significant correlation between female size and the number of embryos, with a mean fecundity of 268 ± 131 embryos. During the incubation period females lost 46% of the embryos.
Spatial pattern and size distribution of the animal-dispersed tree Quercus robur in two spruce-dominated forests

Abstract We investigated the degree to which the spatial distribution of oaks (Quercus robur L.) was related to habitat conditions, as reflected by vegetation type and structural features presumed to attract animal dispersers (trails, community borders). We hypothesized that the distribution pattern of oaks, with their potential to establish in many habitats, depends on the behaviour of the dispersing animals to a greater extent than micro-habitat conditions. One 100 m ¥ 100 m plot was surveyed in each of two coniferous forests in east-central Sweden. No adult oak trees grew in the forests; all oaks were considered as dispersed into the plots by animals. We tested whether oak distribution was clumped with spatial autocorrelation analyses and whether oak distribution was related to vegetation type, species composition, tree cover, distance to nearest fertile oak tree, or distance to animal trails. Our study showed that oak trees were also spatially aggregated in a small-scale context. The spatial distribution of seedlings and older trees were associated with species richness and tree cover but not with any specific vegetation type, even though fewer oaks than expected grew in spruce forest habitats. Furthermore, we found that oak trees were associated with trails. There were differences in oak distribution between the two study sites in total number of oaks, the number of first-year seedlings, caches, and oak occurrence in relation to species richness and distance to nearest fertile oak. Seed-dispersing animals seem to be of importance for oak distribution even though animal activities seem to differ between sites.