Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat selection by booming bitterns Botaurus stellaris in French Mediterranean reed-beds

Data on habitat requirements of the threatened Eurasian bittern Botaurus stellaris are largely qualitative and limited to countries holding small populations. We assessed the habitat spectrum exploited by male bitterns during the breeding season, based on the analysis of 40 booming sites and 33 non-booming sites in 2,500 ha of heterogeneous reed-beds in the Camargue, France. Environmental variables contributing to booming site selection were, in decreasing order of importance, determined by their contribution to multivariate statistical models: water level in April, proportion of open water, density of dry and green reeds, percentage cover of non-reed species, salinity and turbidity of surface water, and reed height and diameter. Overall, booming sites were characterized by a homogeneous cover of relatively sparse green and dry reeds growing with other plant species in shallow (10–15 cm), clear water. Because these findings are contrary to the traditional perception of bittern habitat in Europe, a reassessment of the species' ecological requirements throughout its distributional range is warranted. In the Camargue the main factors involved in habitat selection (water level and dry reed density) are directly associated with site management, and bitterns respond rapidly to slight environmental changes.
Criminals, Scientists, and Persistent Myths for Teaching Science

Thirty years ago, Michael Leyden wrote an essay entitled, “You Graduate More Criminals Than Scientists” in the National Science Teacher Association's The Science Teacher journal, in which he provides sobering data comparing the number of students with criminal records versus those who pursue science as a profession. Leyden also presents and discusses five myths of teaching science based on anecdotes from his professional experiences. A recent survey collected data from a sample of Kansas science teachers (N = 140) to determine the extent to which these myths are present today in the science education community. A majority of science teachers indicated agreement with all five statements, with over 90% agreeing to “Studying science will help my students make logical decisions” and “My students are going to need my course when they get to college. ” Discussion includes a comparison of science teachers' perceptions with data both then (1984) and now, such as graduation and college completion rates; potential pitfalls of believing these myths; and how science educators can continue to research teachers' views and help them develop consideration and efficacy for positively impacting students.
Effective Teachers

This article focuses on the educational strategies that can be used to support female students of African descent in their persistence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. STEM careers have historically been White male and White female dominated, which has yielded an underrepresentation of those of African descent. Drawing from a grounded qualitative case study, the data used for this article share the responses of Afro-Caribbean females in STEM who have immigrated to the United States from the country of Panama. As Latinas, they are representative of the changing face in the American educational system—bilingual, multicultural, and of African descent. The strategies offered reflect their own teaching practices, their former teachers, or experiences with their children’s teachers. What emerged were descriptions of four strategies and behaviors of effective teachers that align with Ladson-Billings’s culturally relevant pedagogy and Gay’s culturally responsive teaching. Included in the findings are the high standards and expectations embodied by effective teachers that serve to positively inspire their students. Culturally responsive teachers create an atmosphere of learning that supports academic success, conveying their belief in their students’ ability based upon their own reflectivity. As the U.S. educational system continues to become multilingual and multicultural, there is need for strategies for the successful inclusion and progression of students in STEM educational pathways and careers. This will occur as teachers challenge themselves to be the agents of change in the lives of their students.
THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF THIN INDIUM ARSENIDE NANOWIRES AND NANOTUBES

This paper reports the modeling, thermal conductivity, local heat flux analysis, and vibrational density of states of indium arsenide(InAs) nanowires(NWs) and nanotubes(NTs) theoretically using molecular dynamics(MD) simulations. The well-known idea of increasing surface to volume ratio(SVR) to decrease the thermal conductivity of nanostructures is applied. Major contribution of reduction in thermal conductivity arises from the localized phonons at the hole surface both in low frequency and high frequency range. By creating a tiny hole the lattice thermal conductivity decreases to 75% compared to that of the nanowire. Increased figure of merit ZT of 30% is expected stemming from the low thermal conductivity.
Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: The 6-minute walk test (6TC) was initially used as an instrument for assessing physical and cardiorespiratory capacity, but is currently being used to monitor treatments, and compare physical interventions and prognostic evaluation. Although already recognized as a research method in several specialties, 6TC has not been used in rheumatology. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have impaired functional capacity as well as increased cardiovascular mortality. An adequate functional evaluation of these patients is necessary and the 6TC may be useful in this sense. Objective: The aim of this study was to perform the 6-minute walk test in RA patients and to compare the performance with a control group. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in which the sample consisted of 85 women, 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 39 healthy controls. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed. One-Way ANOVA methodology was used to compare the patient and control groups followed by the graphic analysis. Results: The distance walked on the 6TC by RA patients was on average 522.2 meters. In the distance control group found in the 6TC was on average 628.8 meters, the difference being statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study the distance covered in 6TC by women with RA was lower than that of healthy women of the same age.
Levels

The term `level' is an integral feature of contemporary international relations discourse. Singer introduced levels of analysis as a methodological problem in 1961. Since then levels schemes have proliferated and talk of levels is pervasive. As formulated, the level of analysis problem is which level should we choose? With the proliferation of schemes, the problem is which scheme should we choose? This question raises others. Which scheme best represents the field? Does a field organized into levels faithfully represent the world it purports to study? Why do we even think in terms of levels? There is no simple answer to the question, which scheme? I offer instead a critical appraisal enabling us to explore all the questions that proliferating schemes bring to mind, an appraisal reaching far beyond the field and as far back as Aristotle: we are not alone in talking of levels.
T-Complexity and T-Information Theory--an Executive Summary, 2nd revised version

This paper describes the derivation of the T-complexity and T-information theory from the decomposition of finite strings, based on the duality of strings and variable-length T-codes. It further outlines its similarity to the string parsing algorithm by Lempel and Ziv. In its first version [15], it was intended as a summary of work published mainly by Titchener and Nicolescu. Apart from minor corrections, the present extended version incorporates feedback from previous readers and presents new results obtained since. 1 A brief introduction to T-codes This paper first gives an introduction to T-codes and their construction technique, as this is fundamental for the understanding of the T-decomposition algorithm that underpins the T-complexity measure. It also assists in its physical interpretation. T-codes [3, 4, 11] are similar to Huffman codes in that they are codes with variable-length codewords. Depending on the source symbol probabilities, a Huffman code may also be a T-code. In fact, any T-code set could theoretically have been constructed as a result of a Huffman code construction algorithm. By inference, every T-code set is complete, a property also called exhaustive by some authors. In complete codes, all internal nodes of the (Huffman) decoding tree are fully populated. Moreover, like Huffman codes, T-codes are prefix codes, again a property that is also – somewhat confusingly – known as prefix-freeness, implying that no codeword in the set is a proper prefix of another. Similarities largely end there, however. Most Huffman codes are not Tcodes, and at least from today’s perspective, the significance of T-codes is not in Huffman-like source coding. Rather than letting the source symbol probabilities determine the length of the codewords and the structure of the decoding
Cell types, microsymbionts, and pyridoacridine distribution in the tunic of three color morphs of the genus Cystodytes (Ascidiacea, Polycitoridae)

The tunic of colonial ascidians of the genus Cystodytes is a dynamic and complex system where a variety of cell types and microsymbionts are found. The tunic is also the site where pyridoacridine alkaloids involved in chemical defense are found. We wanted to explore the composition of symbionts and tunic cell types and their relationship with localization of alkaloids in three color morphs (usually attributed to the species Cystodytes dellechiajei). Tunic morphology was studied by means of transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis was performed for indirect localization of the bioactive alkaloids produced by these morphotypes. The main cell types identified are bladder cells, pigment cells, amebocytes, phagocytes, and morula cells. Amebocytes include several subtypes that may correspond to a sequence of ontogenetic stages; these cells also seem to give rise to other cell types. In the three morphotypes, the morphology of the tunic and tunic cells is basically the same. The alkaloids are localized in the pigment cells. At least three types of bacteria are present in the tunic, but they are scarce and do not store the targeted bioactive alkaloids. Our results indicate that, although pyridoacridine alkaloids are present in these ascidians, as in a variety of animal phyla, their wide taxonomic range is not necessarily the result of production by common microsymbionts, but rather of the convergent evolution of a successful biosynthetic pathway.
MUC1 from the Mucin Family as Potential Tools in Breast Cancer Immunotherapy

Many breast cancer patients develop minimal residual disease that becomes resistance to treatments, and finally are faced with relapse and progression of disease. Currently, immunotherapy has become a potential therapy in treating minimal residual disease and preventing cancer occurrence. Cancer vaccines provide a unique therapeutic modality in that they initiate a dynamic process of activating the host’s own immune system. A lot of tumor specific antigens as a target of immune system were identified and some have been applied for cancer vaccine. Mucin 1 (MUC1) oncoprotein, which is overexpressed in breast cancer in contrast with normal mammary tissue, is one of the first tumor antigens shown to be a target for human tumor-specific T cells and thus a valid target for immunotherapy. MUC1 is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein rich in serine and threonine residues that are O-glycosylated. MUC1 is expressed on glandular epithelia and on epithelial tumors. But, tumor MUC1 differs from normal MUC1 by modified glycan side chains. Over-expression and aberrant glycosylation of MUC1 antigen by epithelial tumors results in endogenous antibody responses in cancer patients to MUC1 antigen. This finding has led to the identification of MUC1 derived peptide epitopes that induce T-cell responses. MUC1 based clinical trials have used peptides, protein, DNA, pulsed dendritic cells, or glycopeptide. This review will summarize the potential utility of breast cancer immunotherapy of MUC1, as well as the structure and function.
Fossil semi-endophytic species of Lithophyllum (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) from Tahiti, including L. kenjikonishii sp. nov., and their taphonomic signatures

Woelkerling W.J., Iryu Y. and Bassi D. 2013. Fossil semi-endophytic species of Lithophyllum (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) from Tahiti, including L. kenjikonishii sp. nov., and their taphonomic signatures. Phycologia 52: 387–397. DOI: 10.2216/13–129.1 Fossil specimens of two semi-endophytic species of Lithophyllum, L. kenjikonishii sp. nov. and L. cuneatum (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta), were discovered in thin sections of ocean floor cores of the last deglacial period (c. 20,000–10,000 years before present) obtained from Tahiti, French Polynesia, during Expedition 310 of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. Detailed morphological–anatomical accounts of both species are provided, and their placement in Lithophyllum and the subfamily Lithophylloideae is discussed in relation to recent classification proposals. Lithophyllum kenjikonishii, recorded only from fossil thalli, and L. cuneatum, known from fossil and nonfossil thalli, are readily distinguished in tetrasporangial conceptacle pore canal anatomy and on differences in spermatangial conceptacle chamber anatomy. Both species are semi-endophytic in Hydrolithon onkodes, another species of Corallinaceae. Taphonomic signatures evident in thin sections suggest that the occurrence of L. kenjikonishii, L. cuneatum, or Hydrolithon braganum (another semi-endophyte) growing in H. onkodes may be a reliable reference for identifying shallow-water settings (fore reef, reef flat and lagoon) in coral reef depositional systems within Pleistocene to last deglacial sedimentary successions in the Pacific Ocean. Taphonomic signatures thus have considerable potential as a palaeoecologic proxy in interpreting reef growth history.
Prosthodontic Solutions for Elderly Patients

With the so-called “baby boomer” generation reaching retirement, a new challenge in implant dentistry has emerged. Predominantly, tooth loss occurs later in life, accompanied by increased demand for partial dental prostheses. Edentulous patients are more difficult to treat due to advanced age, functional dependence, illness, and financial instability. Prosthetic planning becomes more complex as interindividual diversity increases with age. Considerations such as resilience, physical and mental status, medical history, and drug prescriptions must be individually assessed. Treatment planning and restoration design should fulfill both functional requirements and esthetic demands. Prosthesis design should prevent further harm to the patient. This tertiary prevention approach should prevent local inflammation of the oral tissues, but also prevent secondary systemic infections, such as aspiration pneumonia. There are many prosthetic options for partially or fully edentulous patients. Dental technicians should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment concepts and materials and contribute professional knowledge to the patient, dentist, and often third-party milling centers. Using CAD/CAM technology, customized attachments and prostheses can be individualized according to each patient’s requirements. Utilizing a combination of manual and digital production techniques, oral reconstructions can be rationally manufactured. The duration of implant osseointegration remains unknown, but reports of up to 30 years’ follow-up are emerging. Hence, the environment of the implant – the patient – will change significantly, and implant restorations should be flexibly designed to meet the changing needs of an aging patient. This “back-off strategy” should be implemented, and prostheses should be continuously subjected to critical reevaluations and adaptation.
A functional group approach to the management of UK arable weeds to support biological diversity

Weeds have an important role in maintaining farmland biodiversity. This needs to be balanced with their potential negative impact on crop yield and quality. Mechanistic models of crop-weed competition are an important tool in striking this balance. A range of common UK annual weeds were screened for the eco-physiological traits required by the models. Using multivariate techniques, a number of functional groups with a similar pattern of productivity and competition were identified, based on trade-offs between traits. A scheme was developed to assign species outside of the data set to one of the groups, based on life cycle, seed mass, maximum height and time of first flowering. As well as having a similar competitive ability, species within a group also appeared to have a similar ecosystem function, in terms of supporting higher trophic groups. Two beneficial groups of species were identified that combined a relatively low competitive ability with a high importance for invertebrates and birds. The identification of functional groups in the UK arable flora is a useful tool for assessing a weed community in the context of reconciling biodiversity provision with crop production. Preserving beneficial plant functional types within the crop would complement non-cropped wildlife refuges, such as field margins.
Immunity and the expression of a secondary sexual trait in a horned beetle

Resource-based trade-offs are known to be important in determining investment in both sexual ornamentation and immunity in insects. Because of the strict resource limitation experienced during metamorphosis, we predict that if insects are trading off ornament size and immunity this should be most apparent immediately after eclosion and that the relationship between sexual ornament size and immunity should change with maturation feeding because of the changing patterns of resource availability during this process. We therefore present an investigation into the relationship between morphology, sex, and two measures of immune response (phenoloxidase [PO] activity and encapsulation ability) in the horned beetle Euoniticellus intermedius, immediately after eclosion and after maturation feeding. Both measures increased with maturation, with sex differences in PO activity becoming discernable after maturation feeding. PO activity was positively correlated with horn length in male beetles both on eclosion and after maturation feeding, and encapsulation ability was positively correlated with elytra length. We conclude that resource limitation in the pupating insect does have effects on immunity but that this resource limitation does not translate into a measurable trade-off between horn length and immunity. The correlation between horn length and PO activity may arise because both horn length and PO activity are correlated with the same elements of the animal's biology that allow some animals both to grow a long horn and to sustain a higher level of PO activity. Copyright 2006.
A New Invasion Into an Ancient Lake - The Invasion History of the Dreissenid Mussel Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) and Its First Record in the Caspian Sea

The Ponto-Caspian region, which includes the Black, Caspian and Azov Seas, plays a major role as both a source (Ketelaars, 2004; Reid & Orlova, 2002) and recipient (Grigorovich et al., 2003) for biological invasions. Invasions from the Ponto-Caspian region are known to have had a considerably effect on the Baltic Sea and the North American Great Lakes (Reid & Orlova, 2002; Ricciardi & Maclsaac, 2000). Approximately 70% of the species that invaded the North American Great Lakes between 1985 and 2000 were originally endemic for the PontoCaspian region (Reid & Orlova, 2002). For example, 16 Ponto-Caspian macroinvertebrate species were found in coastal waters of the Baltic Sea, of these nine species were Crustacea, three species Mollusca, and three species Oligochaeta (Bij de Vaate et al., 2002). Grigorovich et al. (2003) recorded species in-
Aging and the Socioeconomic Life of Older Adults in India

The study attempts to approach aging in India from three perspectives, namely, the well-being of an aging individual, the aging household, and the aging population. The aspects, namely, work, financial dependence, integration, empowerment, and elder abuse are studied and their relation to age, gender, and marital status is investigated. The data sets pertaining to the National Sample Surveys for the reference periods 1986-1987, 1995-1996, and 2004 are primarily utilized for the purpose. The data sets from Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India Survey, 2011, are also utilized for information on elder abuse. The results show that the older males are more likely to participate in household activities when compared with the older females. The married older adults are also more likely to participate in household activities when compared with their widowed counterparts. In a similar way, gender and marital status are found to be associated with empowerment of older adults. The working older adults, those who possess property and/or assets are more likely to be financially independent. Furthermore, the older females and the financially dependent older adults are more likely to face abuses of different kinds. Households are classified into three different types. Type I households have no older adults, Type II households have older adults and other younger members, and Type III households have older adults only. Results show that Type III households are found to be relatively more deprived and report higher average monthly expenditure when compared with other types of households.
FRESH EAR YIELD AND GROWING DEGREE-DAYS OF SWEET CORN IN DIFFERENT SOWING DATES IN SOUTHWESTERN ANATOLIA REGION

The study was carried out with the aim to determine optimum sowing date and growing degree-days (GDD) of sweet corn using different sowing dates from April to June during the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons under semi-arid ecological conditions of the Southwestern Anatolia Region. The research included five sowing dates 1 st April, 15 th April, 1 st May, 15 th May and 1 st June. The experiment was set up as Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Lumina F1 hybrid sweet corn cultivar was used as an experimental materials. Sowing dates had a significant effect on harvest period, emergence rate, fresh ear yield and yield characteristics. Compared with the corn, sowing dates from April to June the corn sowed in the earlier had longer total growth period. The maximum fresh ear yields (14648.3 and 14568.3 kg ha -1 , respectively) were obtained from May l and the highest fresh ear number (64976.7 and 64915.7 number ha -1 , respectively) recorded from May l5 sowing date in 2009 and 2010 years. The highest emergence rate (93.3 and 91.7 %, respectively) was determined from June 1 in both years. The highest ear diameter (44.8 and 44.9 mm), ear length (18.7 and 18.3 cm, respectively), number of kernels per ear (566.4 and 551.7 grain, respectively) and ear weight (225.2 and 224.7 g, respectively) were observed from May 1 sowing date in 2009 and 2010 years. Total GDD accumulated as milk stage period of sweet corn in different sowing dates occurred between 578.9-938.8 0 C in 2009 and 646.7-1025.5 0 C in 2010.