Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A global prognostic scheme of leaf onset using satellite data

Leaf phenology describes the seasonal cycle of leaf functioning. Although it is essential for understanding the interactions between the biosphere, the climate, and biogeochemical cycles, it has received little attention in the modelling community at global scale. This article focuses on the prediction of spatial patterns of the climatological onset date of leaf growth for the decade 1983–93. It examines the possibility of extrapolating existing local models of leaf onset date to the global scale. Climate is the main variable that controls leaf phenology for a given biome at this scale, and satellite observations provide a unique means to study the seasonal cycle of canopies. We combine leaf onset dates retrieved from NOAA/AVHRR satellite NDVI with climate data and the DISCover land‐cover map to identify appropriate models, and determine their new parameters at a 0.5° spatial resolution. We define two main regions: at temperate and high latitudes leaf onset models are mainly dependent on temperature; at low latitudes they are controlled by water availability. Some local leaf onset models are no longer relevant at the global scale making their calibration impossible. Nevertheless, we define our unified model by retaining the model that best reproduced the spatial distribution of leaf onset dates for each biome. The main spatial patterns of leaf onset date are well simulated, such as the Sahelian gradient due to aridity and the high latitude gradient due to frost. At temperate and high latitudes, simulated onset dates are in good agreement with climatological observations; 62% of treated grid‐cells have a simulated leaf onset date within 10 days of the satellite observed onset date (which is also the temporal resolution of the NDVI data). In tropical areas, the subgrid heterogeneity of the phenology is larger and our model's predictive power is diminished. The difficulties encountered in the tropics are due to the ambiguity of the satellite signal interpretation and the low reliability of rainfall and soil moisture fields.
Potential of Klebsiella oxytoca for 1,3-propanediol production from glycerol under excess substrate conditions

Glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel, is a source of carbon for the bioproduction of chemical intermediates with high commercial value, such as 1,3-propanediol. One strain of Klebsiella oxytoca , isolated from soil samples, was tested to determine its potential to produce 1,3-propanediol through fermentation of a glycerol solution, under excess substrate conditions. The microbial growth curve was evaluated by optical density reading using a spectrophotometer (600 nm), while glycerol consumption and concentration of the products were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with HPX 87H column (BioRad). Formate, 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde and ethanol were produced in the early hours of fermentation. The increased rate of glycerol consumption and the formation of 1,3-propanediol coincides with formate degradation. This indicates that formate degradation likely works as an alternative means to generate part of the nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) used by the 1,3-propanediol-dehydrogenase enzyme. Yield in mole of product per 100 mol of substrate reached 48.5, which is higher than that of previously investigated K. oxytoca strains. Keywords: Klebsiella oxytoca , glycerol, fermentation, 1,3-propanediol, biodiesel
A robust optimization approach to model supply and demand uncertainties in inventory systems

Abstract In this article, we simultaneously consider supply and demand uncertainties in a robust optimization (RO) framework. First, we apply the RO approach to a multi-period, single-station inventory problem where supply uncertainty is modeled by partial supply. Our main finding is that solving the robust counterpart is equivalent to solving a nominal problem with a modified deterministic demand sequence. In particular, in the stationary case the optimal robust policy follows the quasi-(s, S) form and the corresponding s and S levels are theoretically computable. Subsequently, the RO framework is extended to a multi-echelon case. We show that for a tree structure network, decomposition applies so that the optimal single-station robust policy remains valid for each echelon in the tree. We conduct extensive numerical studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed robust policies. Our results suggest that significant cost benefits can be realized by incorporating both supply and demand uncertainties.
Performance evaluation of a v-groove solar air collector for drying maize (Zea mays) in Iraq

In this work, a solar drying system was constructed, consisting of three parts (solar collector, drying chamber, and air blower). Solar collector having V-corrugated absorption plate of two air passes, a single glass cover was used. The total area of the collectors is 2.04 m². The dimension of the drying chamber is 1.06, 0.66 and 0.56 m for width, depth, and height, respectively. 38 kg of corn were dried. The moisture content was reduced from 21 to 13% within four hours drying. The drying air temperatures at the inlet of the dryer were found in the range of 30 to 45oC when the range of ambient air temperature was from 8.5 to 20oC and total solar radiation intensity was from 270 to 560 W/m2. Increasing volumetric air flow rate from 0.025 to 0.030 m3/s raises the daily solar collector efficiency by 3.25%, while increasing volumetric air flow rate from 0.030 to 0.035 m3/s raises the solar daily collector efficiency by 11.11%. The drying rate is reduced with the decrease of moisture content. Efficiency of the collector is very much dependant on air flow rate.
From Pixels to Scene Categories: Unique and Early Contributions of Functional and Visual Features

: Human scene categorization is rapid and robust, but we have little understanding of how individual features contribute to categorization, nor the time scale of their contribution. This issue is compounded by the non-independence of the many candidate features. Here, we used singular value decomposition to orthogonalize 11 different scene descriptors that included both visual and semantic features. Using high-density EEG and regression analyses, we observed that most explained variability was carried by a late layer of a deep convolutional neural network, as well as a model of a scene’s functions given by the American Time Use Survey. Furthermore, features that explained more variance also tended to explain earlier variance. These results extend previous large-scale behavioral results showing the importance of functional features for scene categorization. Furthermore, these results fail to support models of visual perception that are encapsulated from higher-level cognitive attributes.
Spatial patterns in species–area relationships and species distribution in a West African forest–savanna mosaic

Aim To investigate the relationship between the slope z of the species–area relationship (SAR) and the intensity of spatial patterns in species number and dissimilarity for woody plants with different modes of seed dispersal. According to island theory we expect, for any given archipelago, steeper slopes and more pronounced spatial patterns for groups of less dispersive species.
Reproductive aspects of Macrobrachium amazonicum (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) in the State of Amapá, Amazon River mouth

Macrobrachium amazonicum is an indigenous prawn vastly distributed in basins of South America, widely exploited by artisanal fisheries in northern and northeastern Brazil and, with great potential for aquaculture. This study aimed to investigate general aspects of population structure and reproductive characteristics (size at first maturity, fecundity and reproductive output) of M. amazonicum from two important areas to artisanal prawn fishing located at the mouth of the Amazon River, State of Amapa. The specimens were captured using 20 handcrafted traps called "matapi". A number of 5,179 prawns were captured, 2,975 females and 2,195 males resulting in 1.35:1 female to male ratio. Santana Island and Mazagao Velho showed females predominated in the population. A reproductive peak period was observed from January to April/2009 and in December/2010, coinciding with the period of higher rainfall. The recruitment peak occurred in June and July/2009. Egg-bearing females ranged in size (carapace length) from 11.10 to 29.6 mm. Fecundity increased with female size and reached up to 7,417 eggs. This amount of eggs is considered low if compared with other Macrobrachium estuarine species. Mean egg volume increased gradually from 0.121 to 0.24 mm3 during embryogenesis, representing 68.5% of overall increase from Stage I to Stage III. Eggs of M. amazonicum are small; this is typical for Macrobrachium species, which depends on brackish water to complete the larval development. Irrespective of female size, reproductive output of M. amazonicum varied between 4.8 and 21.85% of their body weight into eggs production.
Congenital anomalies and anthropometry of 42 individuals with deletions of chromosome 18q.

Deletions of chromosome 18q are among the most common segmental aneusomies compatible with life. The estimated frequency is approximately 1/40,000 live births [Cody JD, Pierce JF, Brkanac Z, Plaetke R, Ghidoni PD, Kaye CI, Leach RJ. 1997. Am. J. Med. Genet. 69:280–286]. Most deletions are terminal encompassing as much as 36 Mb, but interstitial deletions have also been reported. We have evaluated 42 subjects with deletions of 18q at our institution. This is the largest number of individuals with this chromosome abnormality studied by one group of investigators. Here we report the physical findings in these individuals. We have compared our findings with those of previously reported cases and have found a significantly different incidence of several minor anomalies in our subjects. We also describe here several anomalies not previously reported in individuals with deletions of 18q, including short frenulum, short palpebral fissures, disproportionate short stature, overlap of second and third toes, and a prominent abdominal venous pattern. Characteristics found in subjects were analyzed for correlation with cytogenetic breakpoints. Several traits were found to correlate with the extent of the deletion. Large deletions were associated with significantly decreased head circumference and ear length as well as the presence of proximally placed and/or anomalous thumbs. Individuals with the smallest deletions were more likely to have metatarsus adductus. Although relatively few genotype/phenotype correlations were apparent, these data demonstrate that correlations with breakpoint are possible. This implies that more correlations will become evident when the more precise molecularly based genotyping is completed. These correlations will identify critical regions on the chromosome in which genes responsible for specific abnormal phenotypes are located. Am. J. Med. Genet. 85:455–462, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Does late morning waking-up affect sleep during the following night in patients with primary insomnia?

Night-to-night variability in sleep duration and schedule is common in patients with insomnia. Among the various sleep variables, waking-up time is focused upon as the important factor for cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. This study examined the effect of a single late waking-up episode on sleep in the immediate following night in patients with chronic insomnia, using data from a placebo group (380 patients) of a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Patients tended to wake up later and have a longer total sleep time on weekends than weekdays. It was suggested that patients who woke up late one morning ( later than the individual’s regular waking-up time) extended their sleep onset latency by 4.3 min in the immediate following night. The effects of late waking-up on total sleep time and bedtime were not clear. The importance of keeping regular waking-up time is highlighted for better sleep in patients with insomnia.
Screening of the kernels of Pentadesma butyracea from various growing sites of Benin and evaluation of their antioxidant pigments content

Pentadesma butyracea Sabine (Clusiaceae) is a ligneous forest species of multipurpose uses. It is widely distributed in Africa from Guinea-Bissau to the West of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study screened the kernel of P. butyracea on the basis of their physico-chemical properties. Six types of kernels were distinguished. The plant producing type 1 kernels (with medium length, low width and high thickness) and type 5 kernels (with high length, high width and high thickness) predominate within accessions representing 63% of the collections. Significant differences were found in the structural composition of the kernels. The average level of oil concentration in the kernels was 46.77%. The 1000 kernel weight averaged to 6.46 kg. The kernel hardness averaged to 550.81 N and is similar for all accessions but revealed that P. butyracea kernel is harder than shea kernel. The total phenolics and the total anthocyanins contents of the kernels varied significantly among accessions with a mean value of 164.03 and 152.78 mg/100 g, respectively. The antioxidant activity in the extract from P. butyracea kernel ranged from 30.22 to 58.57% of the remaining 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and is comparable to many traditional sources of antioxidants. Key words : Pentadesma butyracea, kernel, butter, antioxidant, cosmetic.
Evolutionary Origin of Recombination during Meiosis

Recent evidence indicates that meiosis arose very early in eukaryotic evolution, which suggests that essential features of meiosis were already present in the prokaryotic ancestors of eukaryotes. Furthermore, in extant organisms, proteins with central functions in meiosis are similar in sequence and function to key proteins in bacterial transformation. In particular, RecA recombinase—which performs the central functions of DNA homology search and strand exchange in bacterial transformation—has orthologs in eukaryotes that carry out similar functions in meiotic recombination. Both transformation and meiosis (including meiotic recombination) in eukaryotic microorganisms are induced by stressful conditions, such as overcrowding, resource depletion, and DNA-damaging conditions, suggesting that these processes are adaptations for dealing with stress. If such environmental stresses were a persistent challenge to the survival of early microorganisms, then continuity of selection through the prokaryote to eukaryote transition probably would have followed a course in which bacterial transformation naturally gave rise to the recombination process that is central to eukaryote meiosis.
Fruiting and sporulation of Thekopsora and Chrysomyxa cone rusts in Picea cones and Prunus leaves

Summary Natural fruiting and sporulation of cone rusts were investigated in cones of Picea spp. and leaves of Prunus spp. in a botanical garden in northern Finland in 2007–2012. Thekopsora areolata was the most frequent cone rust in Picea abies cones, where it colonizes the host tissues and hinders normal seed development. Aecia of T. areolata were also common in cones of Picea engelmannii and occasionally in cones of P. glauca. Aecia of T. areolata sporulated in cones that were at least one year old. Chrysomyxa pirolata, another pathogenic cone rust, fruited and sporulated annually but infrequently in current-year cones of P. abies. The spruce needle rust, Chrysomyxa ledi, fruited and sporulated commonly in current-year cone scales of P. abies, P. omorika and P. glauca, while P. rubens, P. mariana and P. pungens appeared to be resistant during the study period. Chrysomyxa ledi did not affect seed development in infected cones. Uredinia of T. areolata frequently occurred on leaves of 41 Finnish and Russian cultivars, varieties or subspecies of Prunus padus L. ssp. badus and ssp. borealis and Pr. virginiana both in the botanical garden and in the field, while 13 exotic Prunus spp. lacked rust fruitbodies. All the Pr. padus cultivars were highly susceptible to T. areolata, thus, spreading the rust efficiently to surroundings. This is the first report of aecia of T. areolata in cones of P. engelmannii and P. glauca, and those of C. ledi in cones of P. omorika and P. glauca. Molecular identification confirmed the presence of T. areolata and C. pirolata on all hosts, and all samples of C. ledi belonged to the C. ledi-rhododendri complex.
Significance of Prolonged Copulation Under the Restriction of Daily Reproductive Time in the Stink Bug Megacopta punctatissima (Heteroptera: Plataspidae)

Abstract Copulation duration and daily reproductive activity pattern of the stink bug Megacopta punctatissima Montandon were investigated in the laboratory and the field. Mean copulation duration was >10 h regardless of sex ratio and few copulations continued for more than 24 h in the laboratory. In the field, mating aggregations and copulations were found from 1400 to 1000 hours on the next day, but bugs tended not to copulate from 1000 to 1400 hours. This daily reproductive activity pattern seemed to restrict the copulation duration to about 24 h at the longest. Sperm transfer from a male to a female spermatheca was complete within 2–4 h. Thus, it appears that copulations over 4 h serve as postcopulatory mate guarding. However, copulations did not always continue until oviposition because female oviposited after about a 7-d interval. Our findings suggest the possibility that prolonged copulations that do not continue until oviposition may also function as postcopulatory mate guarding within daily reproductive time. Alternative hypotheses, such as copulatory courship, for prolonged copulation of M. punctatissisma are also discussed.
Effects of intra- and inter-annual variability in prey field on the feeding selectivity of larval Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

We identified to the lowest taxonomical level possible the preferred prey of Atlantic mackerel larvae from the southern Gulf of St Lawrence and assessed the extent to which prey selectivity varied within and among years. Mackerel laroae and their zooplankton prey were sampled in the summer of four consecutive years (1997-2000). The nauplii of the calanoid copepod Pseudocalanus sp. strongly dominated the diet of larvae 7 mm mainly fed on fish larvae (including conspecifics) and cladocerans. Chesson's alpha index revealed strong selectivity in all years for Pseudocalanus sp. nauplii in first-feeding larvae. Selectivity shifted to cladocerans and fish larvae around a body length of 7 mm. Intra- and inter-annual prey selectivity changes were mainly observed for alternative prey, during the period surrounding the shift in diet from small to large prey. Our results underscore the importance of considering the availability of the main prey Pseudocalanus sp. nauplii (early larval stage) as well as cladocerans and fish larvae (late larval stage), rather than the entire prey field in the future assessment of the role played by prey availability on larval mackerel vital rates.
Comparative activity of three isolates of LdMNPV against two strains of Lymantria dispar

Abstract Two newly identified geographic isolates of a nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV-H and LdMNPV-J) were evaluated against Disparvirus (LdMNPV-D), a baculovirus insecticide registered in Canada for the control of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)). Profiles of HindIII and EcoRI restriction enzyme digests of viral DNA from the three viral isolates are presented. Viral isolates were bioassayed using an inoculated diet plug method to determine the dose- and time-responses of second-instar larvae of both the European and Asian strains of gypsy moth. LdMNPV-D was found to be the most virulent isolate when tested against the European strain of gypsy moth, yielding an LD50 and an LD95 (estimates of the doses required to kill 50% and 95% of the test larvae, respectively) of 95 and 774 occlusion bodies (OBs), respectively. LdMNPV-H was the most virulent isolate when tested against the Asian strain, yielding an LD50 and an LD95 of 648 and 8540 OBs, respectively. Time-response data indicate that the three isolates differ little with respect to their speed of kill (ST50; estimate of the length of time required to kill 50% of the test insects) of either larval strain. These results indicate that both new isolates (LdMNPV-H and LdMNPV-J) should be investigated further for control of the Asian strain of the gypsy moth but not pursued for control of the European strain. Résumé Nous évaluons deux souches géographiques récemment identifiées du virus de la polyédrose nucléaire (LdMNPV-H et LdMNPV-J) par comparaison au Disparvirus (LdMNPV-D), un insecticide à base de baculovirus homologué au Canada pour la lutte contre la spongieuse (Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)). Nous présentons les profils des produits de digestion de l'ADN viral des trois souches de virus par les enzymes de restriction HindIII et EcoRI. Nous avons fait des bioessais avec les souches virales au moyen de la méthode d'inoculation de pastilles alimentaires pour déterminer les réactions en fonction du temps et de la dose des larves de second stade des races européenne et asiatique de la spongieuse. LdMNPV-D est la souche la plus virulente contre la race européenne de la spongieuse, avec des LD50 et LD95 (estimation des doses respectives nécessaires pour tuer 50 % et 95 % des larves testées) respectivement de 95 et 774 OB (corps d'occlusion). LdMNVP est la souche la plus virulente contre la race asiatique de spongieuse, avec des LD50 et LD95 respectivement de 648 et de 8540 OB. Les réactions en fonction du temps indiquent que les trois souches diffèrent très peu dans le temps requis pour tuer (ST50, estimation du temps nécessaire pour tuer 50 % des larves testées) l'une ou l'autre des races de larves. Ces résultats indiquent que les deux souches nouvelles (LdMNPV-H et LdMNPV-J) devraient être étudiées davantage en vue de la lutte contre la race asiatique de la spongieuse, mais non contre la race européenne. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
The removal of bacterial biofilm from water‐filled tubes using axially propagated ultrasound

Axially propagated ultrasound (APU) has been used to remove mineralized Proteus mirabilis biofilms from water‐filled glass tubes. Pulses (30 s) of ultrasound at frequencies ranging from 350 to 20 kHz were applied to one end of the tubes and the extent of biofilm removal was assessed by infra‐red absorptiometry. The removal of biofilm from 7 cm tubes by two 30 s pulses of APU at 150 kHz (54·8%) was comparable to that (60·9%) achieved by sonication at 33 kHz in a conventional sonic cleaning bath. In 50 cm tubes, three 30 s pulses of APU from the 20 kHz transducer removed 87·5% of the biofilm. The equivalent results for APU at 150 kHz and 350 kHz were 66·8% and 31·3%, respectively. These observations suggest that the axial propagation of ultrasound along lengths of water‐filled tubing offers the prospect of on‐line cleaning of systems such as heat‐exchanger pipework.