Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural Enemies, Mediated by Landscape and Weather Conditions, Shape Response of the Sorghum Agroecosystem of North America to the Invasive Aphid Melanaphis sorghi

The sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.]) agroecosystem of North America provided an opportunity to evaluate agroecosystem response to an invading insect herbivore, Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald) (sorghum aphid) (previously published as Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) onto a widely planted crop that experiences a range of agro-landscape and weather conditions. Initial sorghum risk assessments after M. sorghi's invasion in the mid-2010s provided forecasts of range expansion and annual migration, which were based on aphid life history, extent of sorghum cultivation and susceptibility to M. sorghi, and weather (aphid-plant-weather [APW] risk scenario). A more comprehensive risk assessment proposed here brings top-down forces of M. sorghi-natural enemy interactions to the forefront as mediated by agro-landscape and weather conditions (aphid-enemy/landscape-weather mediated [AE/LW] risk scenario). A hypothesis of regional differences in aphids and natural enemies and sensitivity to agro-landscape and weather was tested using empirical data of insect, landscape, and weather data across 5 years and four regions (two in the U.S. Great Plains [South GP and North GP], one farther south (South), and one in the southeast U.S. [South E]). Natural enemies were widespread with two parasitoids and four coccinellid species common across regions, but regional variation in M. sorghi and natural enemy abundance was detected. The AE/LW risk scenario accounted for natural enemy abundance and activity that was highest in the South region, functioned well across agro-landscape and weather conditions, and was accompanied by average low M. sorghi abundance (~23 M. sorghi per leaf). Positive correlations of natural enemy-M. sorghi abundance also occurred in the South GP region where M. sorghi abundance was low (~20 M. sorghi per leaf), and selected natural enemy activity appeared to be mediated by landscape composition. Melanaphis sorghi abundance was highest in the South E region (~136 aphids/leaf) where natural enemy activity was low and influenced by weather. The AE/LW risk scenario appeared suited, and essential in the South region, in assessing risk on a regional scale, and sets the stage for further modeling to generate estimates of the degree of influence of natural enemies under varying agro-landscape and weather conditions considered in the AE/LW risk scenario. Broadly, these findings are relevant in understanding agroecosystem resilience and recommending supportive management inputs in response to insect invasions in context of natural enemy activity and varied environmental conditions.
On Routing and Spectrum Assignment in Elastic Optical Networks

In recent years, OFDM has been the focus of extensive research efforts in optical transmission and networking, initially as a means to overcome physical impairments in optical communications. However, unlike, say, in wireless LANs or xDSL systems where OFDM is deployed as a transmission technology in a single link, in optical networks it is being considered as the technology underlying the novel elastic network paradigm. Hence, we dedicate this work to study and propose different solution methods for elastic optical networks (EONs) topologies. In Chapter 1, we discuss the necessity of applying EONs along with all the benefits it brings to the optical networks. We also review the set of constraints (i.e. spectrum contiguity and continuity constraints) that must be satisfied during traffic demands allocation to the spectrum. Then, we classify existing spectrum management techniques for EONs, including offline and online routing and spectrum assignment (RSA), distance-adaptive RSA, fragmentation-aware RSA, traffic grooming, survivability, and multi-path RSA problems in Chapter 2. We then provide a new insight into the spectrum assignment (SA) problem in mesh networks in Chapter 3 and show that the SA problem transforms to the problem of scheduling multiprocessor tasks on dedicated processors. Similarly, we prove that the RSA problem with fixed-alternate routing in general-topology (mesh) networks (and, hence, in rings as well) is a special case of a multiprocessor scheduling problem. Based on this new perspective, we show in Chapter 4 that the SA problem in chain (linear) networks is NP-hard for four or more links, but is solvable in polynomial time for three links. We also develop new constant-ratio approximation algorithms for the SA problem in chain networks with the fixed number of links. Finally, we introduce a suite of list scheduling algorithms that are computationally efficient and simple to implement, yet produce solutions that, on average, are within 1-5% of the lower bound. In Chapter 5, we consider bidirectional ring networks and investigate two problems: (1) the SA problem under the assumption that each demand is routed along a single fixed path (e.g., the shortest path), and (2) the general case of the RSA problem whereby a routing decision along the clockwise and counterclockwise directions must be made jointly with spectrum allocation. Based on insights from multiprocessor scheduling theory, we investigate the complexity of these two problems and develop new constant-ratio approximation algorithms with a ratio that is strictly smaller than the best known ratio …
The Moderating Effects of Host Country Governance and Trade Openness on the Relationship between Cultural Distance and Financial Performance of Foreign Subsidiaries in Latin America

Cultural distance (CD) is an important driver of foreign expansion strategy at the firm level. However, its effects can be more or less significant depending on the contextual characteristics of the host country, such as the quality of formal institutions and the openness to international trade. Therefore, it is argued that strong formal institutions in the host country can effectively reduce the adverse impact of CD. Additionally, due to the more frequent interactions with foreign cultures, countries open to foreign trade can positively accommodate the effects of CD. The study tests these assumptions using data from the Orbis database and the World Bank and finds a reduction in the adverse impact of CD on the financial performance of foreign subsidiary firms with robust formal institutions in the host country. Moreover, the negative effects of CD increase with higher degrees of trade openness. Thus, the results indicate that foreign subsidiary firms operating in host countries that are more open to foreign trade will have to conform to the higher expectations from the local culture.
Panel Sequencing for Clinically Oriented Variant Screening and Copy Number Detection in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients

According to current guidelines, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), only the TP53 molecular status must be evaluated prior to every treatment’s initiation. However, additional heterogeneous genetic events are known to confer a proliferative advantage to the tumor clone and are associated with progression and treatment failure in CLL patients. Here, we describe the implementation of a comprehensive targeted sequencing solution that is suitable for routine clinical practice and allows for the detection of the most common somatic single-nucleotide and copy number variants in genes relevant to CLL. We demonstrate that this cost-effective strategy achieves variant detection with high accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. Furthermore, we identify somatic variants and copy number variations in genes with prognostic and/or predictive value, according to the most recent literature, and the tool provides evidence about subclonal events. This next-generation sequencing (NGS) capture-based target assay is an improvement on current approaches in defining molecular prognostic and/or predictive variables in CLL patients.
Cost Effective Soft Error Mitigation in Microprocessors

Device scaling has caused the challenges that processor designers face to evolve significantly in the past. This trend will continue into the future, and reliability is emerging as a significant challenge. In this work, we focus on one aspect of the reliability problem: soft errors. In particular, cost effective mitigation of soft errors in processor microarchitecture. Our investigation begins with deep analysis of how transient faults affect microprocessors. We find that fault masking is prevalent in modern processors and identify portions of processors that are particularly vulnerable to faults. Next, we observe that many soft errors share distinguishing attributes. We leverage those attributes and repurpose already existing microarchitectural components to derive a cost effective soft error mitigation solution, providing significant improvements in reliability. Finally, in this work, pains were taken to include as much detail as possible in the processor model and analysis methodology. We conclude with an examination of how making various approximations in the model and analysis methodology affect the experimental results and conclusions of this and other processor reliability studies.
Investigating Biomarkers for USH2A Retinopathy Using Multimodal Retinal Imaging

Pathogenic mutations in USH2A are a leading cause of visual loss secondary to non-syndromic or Usher syndrome-associated retinitis pigmentosa (RP). With an increasing number of RP-targeted clinical trials in progress, we sought to evaluate the photoreceptor topography underlying patterns of loss observed on clinical retinal imaging to guide surrogate endpoint selection in USH2A retinopathy. In this prospective cross-sectional study, twenty-five patients with molecularly confirmed USH2A-RP underwent fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) retinal imaging. Analysis comprised measurement of FAF horizontal inner (IR) and outer (OR) hyperautofluorescent ring diameter; SD-OCT ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) width, normalised EZ reflectance; AOSLO foveal cone density and intact macular photoreceptor mosaic (IMPM) diameter. Thirty-two eyes from 16 patients (mean age ± SD, 36.0 ± 14.2 years) with USH2A-associated Usher syndrome type 2 (n = 14) or non-syndromic RP (n = 2) met the inclusion criteria. Spatial alignment was observed between IR-EZ and OR-ELM diameters/widths (p < 0.001). The IMPM border occurred just lateral to EZ loss (p < 0.001), although sparser intact photoreceptor inner segments were detected until ELM disruption. EZ width and IR diameter displayed a biphasic relationship with cone density whereby slow cone loss occurred until retinal degeneration reached ~1350 μm from the fovea, beyond which greater reduction in cone density followed. Normalised EZ reflectance and cone density were significantly associated (p < 0.001). As the strongest correlate of cone density (p < 0.001) and best-corrected visual acuity (p < 0.001), EZ width is the most sensitive biomarker of structural and functional decline in USH2A retinopathy, rendering it a promising trial endpoint.
The complete mitochondrial genome of snailfish Liparis tanakae Gilbert & Burke, 1912 (Perciformes: Cottioidei: Liparidae)

Abstract Mitochondrial genome is maternal inheritance that provides higher resolution in taxonomic and phylogenetic research. The absence of complete mitogenome becomes an obstacle to further research. Here, we reported the complete mitogenome of Liparis tanakae Gilbert & Burke, 1912 (Perciformes: Cottioidei: Liparidae), which has a length of 17,860 bp. It comprised 39 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 23 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and 1 control region (D-loop). The 23 tRNAs in this mitogenome included two tRNA-Ala genes on the light strand. Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis based on 14 available mitogenomes of 10 species in suborder Cottioidei confirmed L. tanakae as monophyletic with other snailfishes. This study would provide important genetic resources and could be useful for evolutionary analysis.
Vibration analyses of an equivalent plate wing with an external store

Generally, pylon-mounted external stores significantly affect the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft due to their flexibility. Therefore, many investigations upon the dynamic and aeroelastic characteristics of an aircraft wing with external stores have been done over the last few decades Recently, a study was carried out regarding the aeroelastic effects on wings by the engine placement For severe operation conditions, classical linear theory with a small amount of amplitude vibration may not be an appropriate analysis. Nonlinear vibration analysis will be required, especially when the amplitude of the vibration is larger than the wing thickness. Chia performed static, dynamic, and post-buckling analyses of various isotropic and composite plates for that purpose. Dumir and Bhaskar derived finite element formulations to analyse the nonlinear vibration of beams and plates. Moreover, the variational-asymptotic plate formulation and the accompanying equations for the global analysis for the plates have been studied. That approach accounted every possible geometrical non-linearity associated with large displacement and small strain.
FOOD WASTAGE BY TUNISIAN HOUSEHOLDS

Food waste (FW) is seen as an obstacle to achieving food and nutrition security and food systems sustainability. It is known in literature that households are significant contributors to the total amount of FW. This paper reports on results of an online survey that was conducted from February to April 2015 with a random sample of 281 Tunisian adults. The aim of the survey is to assess the knowledge and relative importance of FW; attitudes towards FW; impacts of behaviors regarding food and food management; quantity and value of FW; as well as barriers and willingness to behavioral change. The sample was not gender-balanced (71.2% female and 28.8% male). The majority of the respondents was young (70.8% aged between 18 and 34 years) and has high education level (95.4% having university and PhD degrees). Food waste is prevalent in Tunisia as about the half of respondents declare that they throw food. The most wasted food products are fruits, vegetables, and cereals and bakery products. Only 42.7% of respondents declared that the economic value of food waste generated each month is more than 6US$. Most of Tunisian respondents have a good understanding of food labels that is probably due to the high education level of the sample. About 37% of respondents throw weekly at least 250 g of still consumable food. To reduce FW in Tunisia it is important to set a strategy at all food chain levels. There is also an urgent need to raise people’s and organizations awareness towards this problem. This article provides a basis for the development of other more context specific investigations and interventions for the prevention of household FW in Tunisia.
Characterization methods for defects and devices in silicon carbide

Significant progress has been achieved with silicon carbide (SiC) high power electronics and quantum technologies, both drawing upon the unique properties of this material. In this Perspective, we briefly review some of the main defect characterization techniques that have enabled breakthroughs in these fields. We consider how key data have been collected, interpreted, and used to enhance the application of SiC. Although these fields largely rely on separate techniques, they have similar aims for the material quality and we identify ways in which the electronics and quantum technology fields can further interact for mutual benefit.
Comparative Analysis of Sliding Resistance of Different Lingual Systems

Objective: To analyse and compare the frictional properties of 4 lingual systems combined with two types of stainless steel archwire (0.016x0.022, 0.018x0.025) and a 0.018x0. 025 TMA archwire by simulating different misalignment situations in vitro. Material and Methods: Five randomly chosen brackets from each system (e-Brace, Harmony, Incognito, and STb) were used for the measurements and to simulate an upper first premolar extraction case. The friction tests were performed using a material testing machine in combination with a specialized test rig. Results: The lowest absolute friction values were found with the 0.016x0. 022 SS wire in a passive configuration. STb provided the lowest mean friction, while Harmony brackets displayed the highest friction. The TMA Beta Titanium wire showed the highest friction values, but maintained proportions similar to those of the other wires as tip and torsion increased. Conclusion: The type of bracket has a significant impact on friction, and there is a positive correlation between mesiodistal bracket width and resistance to sliding. The archwire sections and materials and the vertical displacement, also significantly affect the friction generated by the system.
Delay-Optimal Scheduling for Integrated mmWave – Sub-6 GHz Systems With Markovian Blockage Model

Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication has the potential to achieve very high data rates but is highly vulnerable to blockage. In this paper, we provision an integrated mmWave–sub-6 GHz architecture to combat blockage and intermittent connectivity of the mmWave communications. To this end, we model the mmWave channel as a two-state Markov channel and investigate the problem of scheduling packets across the mmWave and sub-6 GHz interfaces such that the long-term average delay of system is minimized. We prove that the optimal policy is of a threshold-type with state-dependent thresholds, i.e., packets should always be routed to the mmWave interface as long as the number of packets in the system is smaller than the state-dependent threshold. Numerical results demonstrate that under heavy traffic, integrating sub-6 GHz with mmWave can reduce the average delay by over 70%. Moreover, considering the difficulty of tracking the mmWave channel state in practice, we develop heuristics of substituting a single fixed threshold (state-independent) for two state-dependent thresholds. Our simulation results indicate that the replacement only incurs a slight increase in average delay. Moreover, when system parameters are not known, we propose a certainty-equivalence threshold-based learning algorithm, and provide an upper bound on its regret.
Geosmin-producing Scytonema foetidum sp. nov. (Scytonemataceae, Cyanobacteria): morphology and molecular phylogeny

: A novel Scytonema species, Scytonema foetidum sp. nov. is described by combining morphological and genetic evidences. Two clonal strains of the new species were isolated from a wet soil sample taken from the Khek River in the lower northern part of Thailand. This species is morphologically similar to S. hofmanii , but can be differentiated by a small filament width, conically rounded apical cell, and sheath present throughout the whole trichome. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), rbcLX, and nifH phylogenetic trees indicated that S. foetidum clearly formed a unique cluster within the Scytonema sensu stricto clade and shared low 16S rRNA sequence similarity (<98.4%) with the phylogenetically related taxa, supporting separation at species level. The 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of S. foetidum also possessed unique secondary structures in D1–D1′, Box B, and V3 helices, differentiating this species from other known Scytonema species. Furthermore, S. foetidum could produce the odoriferous compound, geosmin. for 16S rRNA sequences, LC633744–LC633747 for 16S–23S rRNA ITS sequences, LC633750– LC633751 for nifH gene sequences, LC633748– LC633749 for gene sequences, and LC633738
Comprehensive Metabolomic Profiling of Cord Blood and Placental Tissue in Surviving Monochorionic Twins Complicated by Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome With or Without Fetoscopic Laser Coagulation Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives: To investigate metabolomic perturbations caused by twin-twin transfusion syndrome, metabolic changes associated with fetoscopic laser coagulation in both placental tissue and cord plasma, and to investigate differential metabolites pertinent to varying fetal outcomes, including hemodynamic status, birth weight, and cardiac function, of live-born babies. Methods: Placental tissue and cord plasma samples from normal term or uncomplicated preterm-born monochorionic twins and those complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated with or without fetoscopic laser coagulation were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography metabolomic profiling. Sixteen comparisons of different co-twin groups were performed. Partial least squares–discriminant analysis, metabolic pathway analysis, biomarker analysis, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were conducted based on differential metabolites used to determine potential biomarkers in different comparisons and metabolites that are pertinent to neonatal birth weight and left ventricular ejection fraction. Results: These metabolomic investigations showed that the cord plasma metabolome has a better performance in discriminating fetuses among different hemodynamic groups than placental tissue. The metabolic alteration of twin-twin transfusion syndrome in these two types of samples centers on fatty acid and lipid metabolism. The fetoscopic laser coagulation procedure improves the metabolomic change brought by this syndrome, making the metabolomes of the treated group less distinguishable from those of the control and preterm birth groups. Certain compounds, especially lipids and lipid-like molecules, are noted to be potential biomarkers of this morbid disease and pertinent to neonatal birth weight and ejection fraction. Conclusions: Fetoscopic laser coagulation can ameliorate the metabolomic alteration caused by twin-twin transfusion syndrome in placental tissue and cord plasma, which are involved mainly in fatty acid and lipid-like molecule metabolism. Certain lipids and lipid-like molecules are helpful in differentiating co-twins of different hemodynamic statuses and are significantly correlated with neonatal birth weight or ejection fraction.
Determinants of Rural Household Food Security Status in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Food insecurity is one of the most serious problems in developing countries, especially in Ethiopia. Therefore, it is important to understand the barriers to improving the state of food security in the country. Thus, this study aims to investigate the determinants of food security of rural households in the North Shewa zone in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. A sample of 796 farm households was considered. This paper used the calorie intake method per day to measure household food security status and a logit model to investigate the determinants of food security. The results show that family size, age of the household head, educational level of the head, off-farm activities, monthly income of the household, and distance from the market are the major determinants of rural household food security in the North Shewa Zone. The findings suggest that expanding the access to education in farm households, expanding the access to off-farm activities to increase household income, and expanding market access to farm households are important to improve rural food security status in the study area.