Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intra‐ and interspecific density dependence mediates weather effects on the population dynamics of a plant–insect herbivore system

Temperature and precipitation are two major factors determining arthropod population densities, but the effects from these climate variables are seldom evaluated in the same study system and in combination with inter- and intraspecific density dependence. In this study, I used a 19 year time series on plant variables (shoot height and flowering incidence) and insect density in order to understand direct and indirect effects of climatic fluctuations on insect population densities. The study system includes two closely related leaf beetle species ( Galerucella spp.) and a flower feeding weevil Nanophyes marmoratus attacking the plant purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria . Results suggest that both intraspecific density dependence and weather variables affected Galerucella population densities, with interactive effects of rain and temperature on insect densities that depended on the timing relative to insect life cycles. In high temperatures increased Galerucella densities only when combined with high rain, as low implies a high drought risk. Low temperatures are only beneficial if with little that for of different reducing for interspecific density dependent effects through reduced resource availability caused by previous Galerucella damage.
Genetic Diversity of Six Duck Populations in India

Background: The variety of indigenous duck germplasm contribute maximum to the poultry industry in India, besides chicken population. In southern part of India, the available duck genetic resource, particularly Arni ducks (comprises of Sanyasi and Keeri ducks) of Tamil Nadu, has its own characteristics with innate potentiality of higher productivity without any input system of management. Genetic characterization and diversity of indigenous duck genetic resources has not been properly studied. In the present study, the genetic diversity of Arni ducks with other indigenous and exotic duck germplasm were analysed with microsatellite markers. Method: Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood samples of six duck populations. Molecular characterization was carried out with duck specific FAO recommended microsatellite markers. The genotyping of ducks was done based on the size of 4324 PCR amplicons of 23 microsatellite loci, which were subjected to capillary electrophoresis using automatic sequencer.Result: A total of 222 alleles in six duck populations across 23 microsatellite loci with a mean of 9.65 ± 0.95 alleles were found. Kuttanad duck variety had the highest number of alleles (139) followed by Sanyasi (136), Keeri (129), Muscovy (118), Assam (91) and White Pekin (78) ducks. The mean observed number of alleles was 6.04 ± 0.59, 5.91 ± 0.76, 5.61 ± 3.17, 5.13 ± 0.44, 3.96 ± 0.76 and 3.39 ± 0.40 in Kuttanad, Sanyasi, Keeri, Muscovy, Assam and White Pekin ducks respectively. The overall mean polymorphism information content (PIC) values among the six duck populations was 0.6269. In most of the duck populations, the mean PIC value was more than 0.5 except in Assam (0.4815) and White Pekin (0.3725) ducks. The observed heterozygosity was the highest in Keeri ducks (0.5217) and lowest in White Pekin ducks (0.2766), while, the mean expected heterozygosity was the highest in Sanyasi (0.5628) and lowest in White Pekin (0.4038) ducks. The variations in the observed and expected number of alleles, differences in PIC of various microsatellite loci might be attributed to the genetic variability of the duck populations, number and type of microsatellite primers utilised for analysis and the genetic diversity of the duck breeds under study. Higher FST value indicates the substantial degree of breed differentiation among the studied duck populations.
Queering labels: Expanding identity categories in LGBTQ + research and clinical practice

Abstract Current understandings of gender and sexual identities are limited given the diversity of the LGBTQ + community. Researchers and clinicians are constantly challenged by the ever- expanding identity options. The current analysis seeks to bring awareness to the importance of moving beyond traditional binary gender identity and sexual identity categories when working with Millennial and Generation Z LGBTQ + populations. A sample of 1863 LGBTQ + young adults (Mage = 19.54, SD = 3.33, range= 18-35) reported on their gender identities and sexual identities. We found that 40% of our sample endorsed an expansive sexual identity while 34% endorsed an expansive gender identity. We also found differences between participants based on generational cohorts. Generation Z participants were more likely to report an expansive gender and sexual identity, when compared to Millennials. This data serves to inform researchers and clinicians as they continue work with, and serve, LGBTQ + communities.
Study of thermotolerant mechanism of Stropharia rugosoannulata under high temperature stress based on the transcriptome sequencing

Stropharia rugosoannulata is a popular edible mushroom in the world. High temperature seriously affects its yield and quality. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was performed on the mycelia of heat-resistant strains and heat-sensitive strains heat-treated at 38 °C for 0 h and 24 h. The changes of catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and trehalose content in the mycelia under high temperature stress were also measured and analyzed. We find that the differential genes are mainly enriched in the pathways of glycerophospholipid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, etc. The expression levels of genes encoding trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP), CAT, SOD, etc. are quite different. And these genes’ variation range in the thermotolerant strain are higher than that in heat-sensitive strain. The CAT activity and trehalose content of the two strains increase first and then decrease, and the SOD activity increase slowly. The CAT, SOD activity and trehalose content of the thermotolerant strain are higher than those of the heat-sensitive strain. This study will provide a basis for further research on important signal pathways and gene function identification of S. rugosoannulata related to high temperature stress.
Plasma Treatment of Fish Cells: The Importance of Defining Cell Culture Conditions in Comparative Studies

The present study provides the fundamental results for the treatment of marine organisms with cold atmospheric pressure plasma. In farmed fish, skin lesions may occur as a result of intensive fish farming. Cold atmospheric plasma offers promising medical potential in wound healing processes. Since the underlying plasma-mediated mechanisms at the physical and cellular level are yet to be fully understood, we investigated the sensitivity of three fish cell lines to plasma treatment in comparison with mammalian cells. We varied (I) cell density, (II) culture medium, and (III) pyruvate concentration in the medium as experimental parameters. Depending on the experimental setup, the plasma treatment affected the viability of the different cell lines to varying degrees. We conclude that it is mandatory to use similar cell densities and an identical medium, or at least a medium with identical antioxidant capacity, when studying plasma effects on different cell lines. Altogether, fish cells showed a higher sensitivity towards plasma treatment than mammalian cells in most of our setups. These results should increase the understanding of the future treatment of fish.
Preparation of polypyrrole nanocomposites for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes / John Kevin Gan Zi Yi

Electrode material is of great importance for the realization of high-performance supercapacitors. Hence, improving the electrochemical aspects of the electroactive materials will inevitably enhance the performance of supercapacitors. This work aims to harness the properties of interest of polypyrrole (PPy) through the synthesis of PPy-based nanocomposites. This research work was divided into four stages. The first study involves the synthesis and evaluation of the capacitance performance of polypyrrole/manganese oxide (PPy/MnO2) nanocomposites. PPy/MnO2 nanocomposites with compact sheet, fibrous-porous and granular morphologies were synthesized by simply tuning the pH of the solution. The optimum pH condition was found to be 4.0, producing highly porous PPy/MnO2 nanocomposite that enabled the rapid intercalation/deintercalation of the electrolyte. As a result, a specific capacitance of up to 306 F g−1 was obtained for the porous PPy/MnO2 nanocomposite. The second part of this work was to improve the electrode wettability of the PPy electrode by the integration of chitosan biopolymer. The newly obtained hydrophilic properties of the polypyrrole/chitosan (PPy/CS) nanocomposites elicited an improvement in its specific capacitance. Hence, the nanocomposite PPy/CS displayed a specific capacitance of 403 F g−1 as opposed to 273 F g−1 for the pure PPy electrode calculated at 0.2 A g−1. Contact angle measurement indicated an improvement in the hydrophilicity of PPy/CS nanocomposites. The increased surface wettability of the nanocomposite electrode effectively increased the ion-accessible surface and facilitated the electrolyte infiltration throughout the internal volume of the electrode. The third part of this work was to enhance the electronic conductivity of PPy with the incorporation of silver (Ag) particles. A hybrid silver nanoparticle/nanocluster-decorated polypyrrole demonstrated an enhanced specific capacitance of 414 F g−1. The enhanced specific capacitance was mainly attributed to the unique architecture and hybrid nanostructures of Ag. The Ag iv nanoparticles enhanced the electron hopping system of the PPy, effectively increasing the supercapacitive properties of the PPy. On the other hand, the Ag nanoclusters acted as spacers to prevent the restacking of PPy films, further extending the active sites for redox reactions, leading to improved specific capacitance. The final part of this study sought to combine the merits of the hydrophilic chitosan and highly conducting Ag with PPy. Experimental results showed that the ternary nanocomposite (Ag@PPy/CS) has a specific capacitance of 513 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. The improved transportation of electrolyte ions and electrons by the incorporation of chitosan and Ag led to a pronounced enhancement in the supercapacitive property of PPy.
The Analogical Model of Cognitive Principles and Its Significance for the Dialogue between Science and Theology

Analogical models in science enable us to understand unobservable theoretical entities. We need this basic understanding, even in the case of mental phenomena, where multiple cognitive principles are involved. In this article, we suggest an analogical model of cognition that incorporates basic insights from the philosophies of science and theology, which could serve as a point of contact for the dialogue between science and theology. For this purpose, we presuppose six stages of understanding and the existence of six different theoretical cognitive principles that have their own characteristics, which coincide with some Biblical characters, theological reflections and scientific approaches to finding the truth. The choice of the analogical model and the cognitive principles is justified with their ability to organize, structure and make sense of different segments of scientific and theological knowledge, which otherwise seem confused, unrelated and without structure. The analogical model gives us a big picture of their relations and confirms the ability of the observable macroworld and phenomenological experience to assist us in understanding the realities that, at first sight, seem incomprehensible.
Identifying the Determinants of Store Choice in a Multi-Channel Environment: A Hurdle Model Approach

Abstract Although the established perspective of retail geography is the consumers’ store choice, surprisingly, there is a lack in the investigation of spatial shopping behavior, given the opportunity of online shopping alternatively. The present study attempts to fill this gap by investigating store choice and expenditure flows incorporating both physical and online stores. Based on a representative survey in two German regions, the study employs a revealed-preference approach toward store choice and expenditures taking consumer electronics (CE) retailing as an example. For the analysis of individual shopping behavior, a micro-econometric model, the hurdle model, is applied. Results indicate that channel choice is mainly influenced by spatial, socio-demographic, and psychographic characteristics of the consumers, whilst channel- and store-specific transaction costs – including travel time, delivery time and delivery charges – are main drivers of store choice and expenditures. Furthermore, the cross-channel integration of multi-channel retailers increases the likelihood of such stores being chosen, although this cannot be confirmed for stores providing “click and collect”. It is shown that e-shopping can be integrated into a store choice model, which was originally designed for physical shopping locations only. Both the modeling approach and the results are of significance for retail companies and spatial planning.
Case Report of Faded Bedtime Intervention on Delayed Sleep-Onset and Sleep Duration in an Adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract Delayed sleep-onset is a common problem among children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This case report describes the effects of a faded bedtime intervention on delayed sleep-onset and sleep duration in an adolescent student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at a residential-care setting. Faded bedtime consisted of putting him to bed later in the evening following an extended pre-bedtime routine that was based on his average time to sleep-onset recorded during a pre-intervention phase. Faded bedtime was associated with the student falling asleep more rapidly and sleeping longer each night. These outcomes improved further at a two-month follow-up assessment. Compared to previous research, the results suggest that faded bedtime can be effective beyond hospital and family-home settings, when implemented with a fixed (non-adjusting) daily schedule, and without additional intervention procedures.
PIV Study on Grid-Generated Turbulence in a Free Surface Flow

To investigate the feature of turbulence developing behind the filter device in a current flow, the flow fields at intermediate downstream distance of an immersed grid in an open water channel are recorded using a two-dimensional (2D) Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system. The measurements on a series of vertical and horizontal sections are conducted to reveal the stream-wise evolution and depth diversity of grid turbulence in the free surface flow. Unlike the previous experiments by Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and Hot-Wire Anemometry (HWA), the integral scales and space-time correlations are estimated without using the Taylor hypothesis in this paper. The distributions of mean velocity, turbulence intensity and integral scale show the transition behavior of grid-generated flow from perturbations to fully merged homogenous turbulence. The distributions of velocity and turbulence intensity become more uniform with increasing distance. While the spatial divergence of integral scale becomes more pronounced as the flow structures develop downstream. The vertical distributions of flow parameters reveal the diversity of flow characteristics in the water depth direction influenced by free surface and the outer part of turbulence boundary layer (TBL) from the channel bottom. The applicability of the newly proposed two-order elliptic approximation model for the space-time correlations of the decaying grid turbulence in channel flow is verified at different positions. The calculated convection velocity for large-scale motion and sweep velocity for small-scale motion based on this model bring a new insight into the dynamic pattern of this type of flow.
The Climate Response to Emissions Reductions Due to COVID‐19: Initial Results From CovidMIP

Many nations responded to the corona virus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic by restricting travel and other activities during 2020, resulting in temporarily reduced emissions of CO2, other greenhouse gases and ozone and aerosol precursors. We present the initial results from a coordinated Intercomparison, CovidMIP, of Earth system model simulations which assess the impact on climate of these emissions reductions. 12 models performed multiple initial‐condition ensembles to produce over 300 simulations spanning both initial condition and model structural uncertainty. We find model consensus on reduced aerosol amounts (particularly over southern and eastern Asia) and associated increases in surface shortwave radiation levels. However, any impact on near‐surface temperature or rainfall during 2020–2024 is extremely small and is not detectable in this initial analysis. Regional analyses on a finer scale, and closer attention to extremes (especially linked to changes in atmospheric composition and air quality) are required to test the impact of COVID‐19‐related emission reductions on near‐term climate.
Are the Most Effective Approaches towards Helping Students with Emotional Behavioural Disorders (EBDs) Predisposed and Trait Based?

Trait emotional intelligence (EI) may prove to be most valuable as an approach for dealing with others’ behaviours/emotions via its related psychological processes. Personality trait theory posits that an individual’s level of EI affects their cognitive-affective-behavioural reaction towards students with emotional behavioural disorders (EBDs) and influences the level of difficult behaviour. EI would be an essential element in fostering supportive interactions with students as a way of preventing and/or managing disruptive behaviours. The author explores which individuals are more predisposed to discriminate against EBD students using an attribution model framework and identifies the most effective and supportive EI traits. Two hundred and sixty-one teachers from 51 Victorian schools completed self-report questionnaires, including the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. A quantitative survey methodology used vignettes (depicting a student with either mild or severe EBD symptoms), with 50/50 surveys randomly distributed. Teacher EI predicted the behaviour towards students with EBDs, whilst bypassing or biasing conscious thought processing. Combinations of EI traits were identified that produced the most desirable outcomes, demonstrating EI’s propensity to direct reactions towards a more effective or dysfunctional helping approach. The findings suggest that the most effective approaches towards helping EBD students are the innate dispositional reactions that establish the necessary psychological foundations for any successful interaction or outcome. The development of an assessment tool (Assessment Screen for Emotionally Intelligent Teachers (ASET)) lays a sound foundation for profiling teachers with these ideal qualities.
Current Understanding of Novel Coronavirus: Molecular Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches

An outbreak of “Pneumonia of Unknown Etiology” occurred in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019. Later, the agent factor was identified and coined as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the disease was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a shorter period, this newly emergent infection brought the world to a standstill. On 11 March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. Researchers across the globe have joined their hands to investigate SARS-CoV-2 in terms of pathogenicity, transmissibility, and deduce therapeutics to subjugate this infection. The researchers and scholars practicing different arts of medicine are on an extensive quest to come up with safer ways to curb the pathological implications of this viral infection. A huge number of clinical trials are underway from the branch of allopathy and naturopathy. Besides, a paradigm shift on cellular therapy and nano-medicine protocols has to be optimized for better clinical and functional outcomes of COVID-19-affected individuals. This article unveils a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis mode of spread, and various treatment modalities to combat COVID-19 disease.
Depth Contours and Coastline Generalization for Harbour and Approach Nautical Charts

Generalization of nautical charts and electronic nautical charts (ENCs) is a critical process which aims at the safety of navigation and clear cartographic presentation. This paper elaborates on the problem of depth contours and coastline generalization—natural and artificial—for medium-scale charts (harbour and approach) taking into account International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards, hydrographic offices’ (HOs) best practices and cartographic literature. Additional factors considered are scale, depth, and seafloor characteristics. The proposed method for depth contour generalization utilizes contours created from high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) or those already portrayed on nautical charts. Moreover, it ensures consistency with generalized soundings. Regarding natural coastline generalization, the focus was on managing the resolution, while maintaining the shape, and on the islands. For the provision of a suitable generalization solution for the artificial shoreline, it was preprocessed in order to automatically recognize the shape of each structure as perceived by humans (e.g., a pier that looks like a T). The proposed generalization methodology is implemented with custom-developed routines utilizing standard geo-processing functions available in a geographic information system (GIS) environment and thus can be adopted by hydrographic agencies to support their ENC and nautical chart production. The methodology has been tested in the New York Lower Bay area in the U.S.A. Results have successfully delineated depth contours and coastline at scales 1:10 K, 1:20 K, 1:40 K and 1:80 K.