Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining the Strength and Thermal, Chemical Resistance of the Epoxy Polymer Composite Filled With Basalt Micro Nano Fiber in the Amount of 15–80% by Weight

The possibility to obtain composites containing the micronano basalt fiber (MNBF) in the amount of 15‒80 % by weight has been experimentally demonstrated; it is distinguished by a series of improved properties such as strength, chemical and fire resistance. It has been shown that at average concentrations (up to 15 %) the properties of the composite differ slightly from the unfilled polymer (N-polymer). However, at 50 % by weight, and especially 80 % by weight, there are serious changes in the properties manifested by a profound change in the morphology, as confirmed by SEM-microscopy. It has been established that the introduction of microbasalt could increase strength at compression to 10 % (with a measurement error less than 5 %), and only at a very high filling in the amount of 80 % by weight. Strengthening the effect of microbasalt is expressed in an increase in the compression load of a composite aged in water and its elastic modulus up to 6–12 %. It has been determined that the drop in bending strength (by about 2 times) after filling is a tendency that is characteristic of almost all epoxy fillers. Basalt fiber was no exception. The natural exception is only those samples with basalt roving, which increase their strength at bending. At the same time, the high content (but not at 15 % by weight) has revealed an almost two-fold growth in the module at bending: higher for the composite with roving, which is very important from a practical point of view. Microbasalt filling reduces the rate and degree of swelling in 35 % Н 2 О 2 ‒ the more active the higher the percentage of filling. Visually, they demonstrate the signs of oxidation with peroxide (white); however, no significant destruction (as in acetone) has been detected. We have built the curves to estimate the degree of the polymer swelling. In addition, the swelling character of the composites with a high degree of filling, in the amount of 50 and 80 % by weight, has been investigated. The study results led to the conclusion of the degree of compaction of the structure of the composite and the increase in its resistance to aggressive environments through an increase in the share of the inorganic phase
Controlling Electrical Conduction through Noble Metal Thin Films by Surface Plasmon Resonance

We have conducted in situ measurements of the surface plasmons and electrical resistivity of noble metal thin films. We present results for the electrical resistivity of these materials as functions of the angle of incidence for p-polarized light of wavelength λ = 632 nm in the Kretschmann configuration optical system. We observe a significantly lower resistivity (higher conductivity) under resonance conditions for the surface plasmon polaritons. The resistivity data are supported by COMSOL simulations of the evanescent fields associated with the surface plasmons. We discuss the resistivity data in terms of the theoretical models, which suggest that the electrical conductivity of the transition metals is sensitive to Umklapp electron-electron scattering and attractive interactions between free electrons because of the screening of the d-band electrons by the s-band electrons.
Patterns in height-diameter relationships for selected tree species and sites in eastern Texas

Relationships between tree height and diameter at breast height were described for 15 species across a range of sites in eastern Texas using a two-parameter equation. Maximum height varied significantly from site to site within a species, but the ratio of initial slope to maximum height was generally constant. Sites favoring tall trees of one species tended to favor tall trees of all species, especially among species found in the overstory. The greatest rates of height growth for a given diameter at breast height increment were found among some midstory and understory species. Resume : Les relations entre la hauteur et le diametre a hauteur de poitrine ont ete decrites chez 15 especes d'arbres sur une variete de sites de l'est du Texas a l'aide d'une equation a deux parametres. Pour une meme espece, la hauteur maximale varie significativement d'un site a l'autre. Par contre, le rapport de la pente initiale sur la hauteur maximale est generalement constant. Les sites qui supportent des arbres de grande taille chez une espece ont tendance a supporter des arbres de grande taille chez toutes les especes, particulierement chez les especes qui font partie de l'etage dominant. Les plus forts taux de croissance en hauteur pour un accroissement donne en diametre a hauteur de poitrine ont ete observes chez les especes de l'etage intermediaire et du sous-etage. (Traduit par la Redaction) Note 1448
Cooperation and conflict in host–manipulating parasites

The existence of adaptive host manipulation by parasites has received increasing empirical support in recent years. Here I develop an optimality model of the extent of host manipulation, incorporating within-host group size, relatedness and a range of realistic cost–benefit functions. The model highlights the cooperative nature of host manipulation, and the potential for cheating this entails. When relatedness in parasite groups is minimal, manipulation is suppressed, but not eradicated, reflecting the importance of interhost selection. A distinctive threshold phenomenon is predicted for a wide range of parameter values. Below the group size threshold, manipulation is zero. Above the threshold, the predicted behaviour depends critically on the biological details of the individual–group interaction. The host–manipulation model is discussed in the light of two potential applications. If parasite group size is assumed to be a static characteristic of a parasite species or strain, the model generates a set of comparative predictions best suited to macroparasite systems. Additionally, the model can be used to predict density–dependent behavioural changes in expanding groups of parasites, as seen in quorum-sensing bacteria.
Molecular identification of tsetse fly ( Diptera: Glossinidae ) species based on mitochondrial DNA (COII and CytB) sequences

Tsetse fly ( Diptera: Glossinidae ) anti-vector measures are reliant upon accurate identification of species and their subpopulations. Two species were studied, Glossina palpalis palpalis and Glossina morsitans submorsitans using two mitochondrial DNA: cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) and cytochrome b (CytB). Sequencing data were used to perform phylogenetic analysis of the two reared species together with other Glossina species’ sequences from the DNA data base. For each gene, members of the same species group, palpalis or morsitans demonstrated a common ancestry and closer relatedness by belonging to one cluster. Within each species group members of the same species clustered together, an indication of common ancestry and relatedness too. Inspite of the few mixed clusters, the pattern produced in the phylogenetic trees can provide a good guide to support any other method of Glossina identification. It was recommended that evaluations be made to validate other genetic markers that can produce better resolutions to identify tsetse fly species using phylogenetic tree. Key words : Trypanosomiasis, Glossina palpalis palpalis, Glossina morsitans submorsitans, cytochrome oxidase II, cytochrome b, neighbour joining tree.
Interspecific jatropha hybrid as a new promising source of woody biomass

An interspecific hybrid Jatropha curcas (Jc) × Jatropha integerrima (Ji) was developed between jatropha (Jc) from Mexico and Ji from Thailand. Jc is a large canopy plant with soft wood, while Ji is a tall plant with semi-hard wood. The F1 hybrid and their parents were grown under field conditions at a spacing of 1 m × 1.5 m. One-year-old plants were harvested and determined for biomass yield, calorific value and chemical composition of wood, as well as for heterosis (hybrid vigour) of these characters. The F1 plants gave an average fresh wood weight of 18.07 kg/plant, a moisture content of 46.56%, a dry wood weight of 9.56 kg/plant and a wood density of 0.62 g/cm3. The F1 hybrid had less ash (2.60%) than Jc (6.93%), but a higher heat value of wood (18.73 MJ/kg) than Jc (17.77 MJ/kg). Heterosis over mid-parent was very high and positive in dry wood weight, fresh wood weight and number of secondary branches at 542, 310 and 450%, respectively, while negative heterosis was found in moisture content ( − 24.86%). The desirable traits found in the F1 hybrid can be fixed by cutting propagation of the selected plants.
Deep Learning Enabled Semantic Communication Systems

Recently, deep learned enabled end-to-end communication systems have been developed to merge all physical layer blocks in the traditional communication systems, which make joint transceiver optimization possible. Powered by deep learning, natural language processing has achieved great success in analyzing and understanding a large amount of language texts. Inspired by research results in both areas, we aim to provide a new view on communication systems from the semantic level. Particularly, we propose a deep learning based semantic communication system, named DeepSC, for text transmission. Based on the Transformer, the DeepSC aims at maximizing the system capacity and minimizing the semantic errors by recovering the meaning of sentences, rather than bit- or symbol-errors in traditional communications. Moreover, transfer learning is used to ensure the DeepSC applicable to different communication environments and to accelerate the model training process. To justify the performance of semantic communications accurately, we also initialize a new metric, named sentence similarity. Compared with the traditional communication system without considering semantic information exchange, the proposed DeepSC is more robust to channel variation and is able to achieve better performance, especially in the low signal-to-noise (SNR) regime, as demonstrated by the extensive simulation results.
Parasite diversity: an overlooked metric of parasite pressures?

Most free-living animals in their natural environments are hosts for a large diversity of parasites at individual, population or species level. Ongoing global changes are dramatically affecting the structure of the parasite diversity hosts may face, mostly through the alteration of the geographical distributions of parasites in relation to climate change, habitat fragmentation or bioinvasions (Daszak et al. 2000). Hosts are facing new parasites, which gives rise to the building of new communities of parasite species. In the face of these novel and increased risks of exposure to new parasites, it becomes crucial to improve our knowledge about the cumulative effects of co-infections on various host traits. Emphasizing the importance of polyparasitism in host populations could also improve our knowledge about the role of parasitism in ecosystems (Kuris et al. 2008). Host parasite interactions have been intensively investigated mostly on single host species/single parasite species, whereas hosts are typically infected by multiple parasite species. After emphasizing the importance of parasite diversity in natural populations, we focus on mammals and discuss the main limits of ‘one host/one parasite system’ approaches when estimating parasitic pressures. Then, we give recent arguments that support the hypothesis that parasite diversity per se exerts a strong selective pressure on hosts. We also discuss some inherent problems concerning the estimation of this potential underestimated metric of parasite pressures. Finally, we propose several directions to progress in our knowledge on the effects of parasitic pressures in natural systems.
Late Cenozoic Fossil Coleoptera: Evolution, Biogeography, and Ecology

The recent revival of interest in the fossil insects of the Quaternary Period [the last 1 . 6 million years (68, 69)] has been summarized in the Annual Review of Entomology (21). The present essay was originally intended as a second installment to that earlier review, drawing attention to significant developments since that time. However, the important discoveries of late . Miocene fossil insects in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (52) have such a direct bearing on the evolution of the Quaternary and hence the present day fauna that I widened my scope to include these faunas. Studies of the Late Cenozoic biota straddle the boundary between classical palaeontology and neontology, providing vital evidence on the course and rates of evolution, changes in biogeography, and the ecological history of the present biota. While it may be that fossils from the remote past have only marginal relevance to the understanding of the present day biota and its environment, the fossil record from the Late Cenozoic cannot be brushed aside so easily. In many cases these fossils represent the immediate ancestors of our living species, and the ecosystems in which they lived were the precursors of those of the present day. The relatively recent fossil history of insects, long a no-man's-land between biology and classical palaeontology, has been badly neglected. Only in the past two decades has a systematic attempt been made to unravel the Late Cenozoic fossil record of the insects, the most abundant, taxonomically diverse, and ecologically varied component of terrestrial fossil assemblages.
How well do plant traits correlate with establishment ability? Evidence from a study of 16 calcareous grassland species

The ability of 16 calcareous grassland species to establish in competition with adult neighbours of two different growth forms was assessed in a glasshouse experiment. The questions asked were: (1) how well is establishment ability related to plant traits such as seed mass, DNA content, relative growth rate and adult height; and (2) are the results consistent across different neighbours? Two measures of establishment ability were calculated, survival relative yield and biomass relative yield, for seedlings grown with a dicot. (Leontodon hispidus) and with a graminoid (Festuca ovina). The results depended on which measure of establishment ability was used. When establishment ability was measured in terms of biomass relative yield, seed mass was a good predictive trait, accounting for 38–55% of variation. However, when establishment ability was measured as survival relative yield, adult height was found to be the best predictor, capable of accounting for 20% of variation, although this was not consistent across neighbours. Thus, no clear relationship between plant traits and establishment ability was found: results depended on the measure of establishment ability used, and in the case of adult height, on the identity of the neighbour species. Survival relative yield was strongly associated with target and neighbour species growth form type, with stronger suppression of like than of non-like growth forms. The lack of strong relationships between plant traits and establishment ability, and the dependence on neighbour identity, suggests that the links between plant traits and establishment might be context-dependent; thus an understanding of the mechanisms underlying any such links is essential.
Spectroscopic signature of the Stark-shifted Tamm-type surface state of La(0001)

We have studied the Tamm-type surface state of La(0001) by tunneling spectroscopy within a wide range of tunneling currents from 0.1 nA to 8000 nA, thereby tuning the electric-field strength in a tip-vacuum-sample tunnel junction. We observe a significant shift of the unoccupied Tamm-type surface state toward the Fermi energy with increasing electric-field strength, accompanied by a broadening of the width of the resonance peak indicating a decrease of the surface-state lifetime. Our experimental results are contrary to previous reports for Stark-shifted Shockley-type surface states of noble metal (111) surfaces.
Comparison of pollination characteristics between the insular shrub Clerodendrum izuinsulare and its widespread congener C. trichotomum

Impact of pollinator shift on differentiation of floral morphology has attracted the interest of naturalists for many years. A comparative investigation was conducted for determining the pollination characteristics, including pollinator assemblage, floral morphology, flowering phenology, and self-compatibility, of two closely related Clerodendrum species—insular C. izuinsulare and widespread C. trichotomum. Japanese black swallowtail butterflies were the predominant flower visitors in mainland Japan, whereas diurnal hawk moths were predominantly found on the Izu Islands, a chain of oceanic islands located off the southeastern coast of the main Japanese island of Honshu in the west Pacific Ocean. The corolla tube of C. izuinsulare was longer than that of C. trichotomum, whereas the filaments and petals of C. izuinsulare were shorter than those of C. trichotomum. The flowering season of C. izuinsulare was later than that of C. trichotomum. The self-compatibility of C. izuinsulare was higher than that of C. trichotomum. These differences might be associated with the low density of Japanese black swallowtail butterflies and dominance of diurnal hawk moths on the Izu Islands.
Approximate bi-criteria search by efficient representation of subsets of the Pareto-optimal frontier

We consider the bi-criteria shortest-path problem where we want to compute shortest paths on a graph that simultaneously balance two cost functions. While this problem has numerous applications, there is usually no path minimizing both cost functions simultaneously. Thus, we typically consider the set of paths where no path is strictly better than the others in both cost functions, a set called the Pareto-optimal frontier. Unfortunately, the size of this set may be exponential in the number of graph vertices and the general problem is NP-hard. While existing schemes to approximate this set exist, they may be slower than exact approaches when applied to relatively small instances and running them on graphs with even a moderate number of nodes is often impractical. The crux of the problem lies in how to efficiently approximate the Pareto-optimal frontier. Our key insight is that the Pareto-optimal frontier can be approximated using pairs of paths. This simple observation allows us to run a best-first-search while efficiently and effectively pruning away intermediate solutions in order to obtain an approximation of the Pareto frontier for any given approximation factor. We compared our approach with an adaptation of BOA*, the state-of-the-art algorithm for computing exact solutions to the bi-criteria shortest-path problem. Our experiments show that as the problem becomes harder, the speedup obtained becomes more pronounced. Specifically, on large roadmaps, when using an approximation factor of 10% we obtain a speedup on the average running time of more than X19.
Purification of a mannose/glucose-specific lectin with antifungal activity from pepper seeds (Capsicum annuum).

A lectin was isolated and purified from the pepper seeds Capsicum annuum. The purification procedure involved anionic exchange chromatography on DEAE ‐ Cellulose and QAE ‐ Sephadex columns followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G‐100. The heamagglutinating activity of the lectin towards human erythrocytes was sensitive to inhibition by D-mannose and D-glucose; and enhancement by CaCl2 and MgCl2. The lectin activity was enhanced at very high acidic pH, inhibited at high basic pH but stable at physiological pH range of 6- 8. The lectin was heat stable up to 30°C. SDSPAGE of the purified lectin revealed the presence of single band of 25 kDa. The lectin was capable of inhibiting the germination of spores and hyphal growth in the fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fuscarium solani and Fuscarium graminearum.
Automatic Speech Recognition Benchmark for Air-Traffic Communications

Advances in Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) over the last decade opened new areas of speech-based automation such as in Air-Traffic Control (ATC) environment. Currently, voice communication and data links communications are the only way of contact between pilots and Air-Traffic Controllers (ATCo), where the former is the most widely used and the latter is a non-spoken method mandatory for oceanic messages and limited for some domestic issues. ASR systems on ATCo environments inherit increasing complexity due to accents from non-English speakers, cockpit noise, speaker-dependent biases, and small in-domain ATC databases for training. Hereby, we introduce CleanSky EC-H2020 ATCO2, a project that aims to develop an ASR-based platform to collect, organize and automatically pre-process ATCo speech-data from air space. This paper conveys an exploratory benchmark of several state-of-the-art ASR models trained on more than 170 hours of ATCo speech-data. We demonstrate that the cross-accent flaws due to speakers' accents are minimized due to the amount of data, making the system feasible for ATC environments. The developed ASR system achieves an averaged word error rate (WER) of 7.75% across four databases. An additional 35% relative improvement in WER is achieved on one test set when training a TDNNF system with byte-pair encoding.
Median Matrix Completion: from Embarrassment to Optimality

In this paper, we consider matrix completion with absolute deviation loss and obtain an estimator of the median matrix. Despite several appealing properties of median, the non-smooth absolute deviation loss leads to computational challenge for large-scale data sets which are increasingly common among matrix completion problems. A simple solution to large-scale problems is parallel computing. However, embarrassingly parallel fashion often leads to inefficient estimators. Based on the idea of pseudo data, we propose a novel refinement step, which turns such inefficient estimators into a rate (near-)optimal matrix completion procedure. The refined estimator is an approximation of a regularized least median estimator, and therefore not an ordinary regularized empirical risk estimator. This leads to a non-standard analysis of asymptotic behaviors. Empirical results are also provided to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Methane Mitigation and Microbial Diversity of Silage Diets Containing Calliandra calothyrsus in a Rumen in Vitro Fermentation System

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of silage based diets on methane (CH4) mitigation and microbial diversity in a rumen in vitro fermentation. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replications. The dietary treatments consisted of varying levels of silage containing 50% Calliandra calothyrsus as follows K; 100% concentrate + pure tannic acid of 1 mg/mL, R1; 25% silage + 75% concentrate, R2; 50% silage + 50% concentrate, R3; 75% silage + 25% concentrate, and R4; 100% silage. The fermentation variables measured were total gas, CH4, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), VFAs, pH, N-NH3, number of protozoa, and microbial diversity analysis. Increasing level of silages reduced total gas production, CH4 concentration, IVOMD, index of bacterial diversity, protozoal number, total methanogens and Methanobacteriales population. Diet with 25% to 50% silage decreased CH4 concentration, total gas production and IVOMD by 11.43%, 24.92%, and 18.73%, respectively. Ammonia N and VFAs (except butyrate and valerate) were significantly reduced (P