Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrasting the seasonal and elevational prevalence of generalist avian haemosporidia in co‐occurring host species

Abstract Understanding the ecology and evolution of parasites is contingent on identifying the selection pressures they face across their infection landscape. Such a task is made challenging by the fact that these pressures will likely vary across time and space, as a result of seasonal and geographical differences in host susceptibility or transmission opportunities. Avian haemosporidian blood parasites are capable of infecting multiple co‐occurring hosts within their ranges, yet whether their distribution across time and space varies similarly in their different host species remains unclear. Here, we applied a new PCR method to detect avian haemosporidia (genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium) and to determine parasite prevalence in two closely related and co‐occurring host species, blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus, N = 529) and great tits (Parus major, N = 443). Our samples were collected between autumn and spring, along an elevational gradient in the French Pyrenees and over a three‐year period. Most parasites were found to infect both host species, and while these generalist parasites displayed similar elevational patterns of prevalence in the two host species, this was not always the case for seasonal prevalence patterns. For example, Leucocytozoon group A parasites showed inverse seasonal prevalence when comparing between the two host species, being highest in winter and spring in blue tits but higher in autumn in great tits. While Plasmodium relictum prevalence was overall lower in spring relative to winter or autumn in both species, spring prevalence was also lower in blue tits than in great tits. Together, these results reveal how generalist parasites can exhibit host‐specific epidemiology, which is likely to complicate predictions of host–parasite co‐evolution.
EMG-Assisted Algorithm to Account for Shoulder Muscles Co-Contraction in Overhead Manual Handling

Glenohumeral stability is essential for a healthy function of the shoulder. It is ensured partly by the scapulohumeral muscular balance. Accordingly, modelling muscle interactions is a key factor in the understanding of occupational pathologies, and the development of ergonomic interventions. While static optimization is commonly used to estimate muscle activations, it tends to underestimate the role of shoulder’s antagonist muscles. The purpose of this study was to implement experimental electromyographic (EMG) data to predict muscle activations that could account for the stabilizing role of the shoulder muscles. Kinematics and EMG were recorded from 36 participants while lifting a box from hip to eye level. Muscle activations and glenohumeral joint reactions were estimated using an EMG-assisted algorithm and compared to those obtained using static optimization with a generic and calibrated model. Muscle activations predicted with the EMG-assisted method were generally larger. Additionally, more interactions between the different rotator cuff muscles, as well as between primer actuators and stabilizers, were predicted with the EMG-assisted method. Finally, glenohumeral forces calculated from a calibrated model remained within the boundaries of the glenoid stability cone. These findings suggest that EMG-assisted methods could account for scapulohumeral muscle co-contraction, and thus their contribution to the glenohumeral stability. View Full-Text
Experimental demonstration of a trade-off between mate attraction and paternal care

Males should invest in mate attraction, mate guarding and paternal care in relation to the marginal fitness value of each of those behaviours. Since time and energy are limited, trade-offs between these activities are expected. This study demonstrates that monogamous male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) decrease their paternal effort in response to increased opportunities to attract additional mates and instead invest in mate attraction. Monogamous males’ probabilities of attracting additional females were increased by providing them with additional nestboxes. This resulted in both the rate at which males were visited by prospecting females and the probability that they would obtain secondary mates increasing. Males with an additional nestbox sang more than males with only one nestbox, both before laying and during incubation. Males with two nestboxes spent more time at their nest sites when their fertile females were away before, but not during, egg laying. The experiment affected how much males incubated during the early, but not during the late, part of the incubation period. This makes sense, because males can attract additional females mainly during the early part of the incubation period. Male feeding of nestlings was unaffected by the experiment. The fact that the potential to attract mates affects males’ investment in parental care suggests that variation in this potential may contribute to the variation in paternal care between bird species.
Motivation and regulation of honey bee foraging

Although the foraging behaviour of honey bees has been studied from different perspectives, the motivational aspects of such activity have been frequently ignored despite the critical effects they exert. This article is concerned with the study of ways in which honey bee foraging is affected by motivational state, a question that has guided the research work of the first author over many years. From his first studies in Germany in the sixties to the latest and most recent ones in Argentina, the results of such work and the theoretical frame into which they are inserted are reviewed here. By presenting this review based on the first author's results, we intend to highlight the importance of considering honey bee foraging as a motivational system.
Community police academies: Assessing the effect of education on public perceptions of police

Citizens often have misconceptions about law enforcement. This misinformation may contribute to distrust and heightened concerns about force and misconduct. Agencies attempt to address this by promoting procedural justice and providing community education on police practices. Thus far, past research has not been clear on the actual utility of community education on changing public perceptions. Recent funding has allowed one department to host 14 one-day community police academies (CPAs) to educate residents about policing topics to enhance trust and improve public perceptions of the department. The current project analyzes data collected CPA events to determine the effects on citizen knowledge of police procedures and the effect of this knowledge on attitudes toward the police. Results indicate that while CPAs were effective at educating citizens about practices and improving trust in law enforcement, the increased knowledge was not associated with improvements to public trust. The knowledge obtained at the CPA was, however, predictive of lower concerns about use of force. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Perception of Audio-visual Expressions in German and Cantonese by Native Speakers of Hindi

Following up on earlier experiments on the cross-cultural and cross-language perception of short audio-visual utterances produced with varying attitudinal expressions, we compare the verbal responses of native speakers of Hindi with those of German and Cantonese-speaking evaluators to stimuli in the latter two languages. Contrary to our expectations, however, most Indian participants felt most confident rating the stimuli in English and not Hindi. As we had already previously translated all reply terms by Germans and Hong Kong raters to English, we decided to stay in the same language for the cross-language evaluation and draw on ratings of valence, arousal and dominance from a study of almost 14,000 lemmas. We converted our pre-existing labels to this reference system and compared them to the responses of the Hindi speakers. We found that the type of attitude, the rater language but also the stimulus language had significant influence on the raters’ responses that differed in at least two of the dimensions. When we calculated correlations within and between rater groups, we found that the speakers of Hindi were better able to replicate the judgments of the other two groups on stimuli in their own languages than the group ignorant of that language. Semantic analysis of responses revealed that attitudes associated with strong negative emotions such as doubt and anger are picked up well by the non-speakers, whereas more complex attitudes, viz. seductiveness and irony are not.
On the time-course of functional connectivity: theory of a dynamic progression of concussion effects

Abstract The current literature presents a discordant view of mild traumatic brain injury and its effects on the human brain. This dissonance has often been attributed to heterogeneities in study populations, aetiology, acuteness, experimental paradigms and/or testing modalities. To investigate the progression of mild traumatic brain injury in the human brain, the present study employed data from 93 subjects (48 healthy controls) representing both acute and chronic stages of mild traumatic brain injury. The effects of concussion across different stages of injury were measured using two metrics of functional connectivity in segments of electroencephalography time-locked to an active oddball task. Coherence and weighted phase-lag index were calculated separately for individual frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha and beta) to measure the functional connectivity between six electrode clusters distributed from frontal to parietal regions across both hemispheres. Results show an increase in functional connectivity in the acute stage after mild traumatic brain injury, contrasted with significantly reduced functional connectivity in chronic stages of injury. This finding indicates a non-linear time-dependent effect of injury. To understand this pattern of changing functional connectivity in relation to prior evidence, we propose a new model of the time-course of the effects of mild traumatic brain injury on the brain that brings together research from multiple neuroimaging modalities and unifies the various lines of evidence that at first appear to be in conflict.
Meta-analyses in management: What can we learn from clinical research?

We analyze the weaknesses of meta-analyses (MAs) in management research using as benchmark a scientific field where this technique shows a longer tradition: clinical research. We suggest four areas in which management research MA practices should improve: (1) availability of information and replicability of primary research, (2) correct application of statistical support, (3) execution of heterogeneity analyses, and (4) standardization of result reporting. Using a representative MA on an operations management topic, we identify qualitatively the aspects to be improved at each stage. We show the different results that could have been achieved by following standard procedures in clinical research, incorporating different “good practices” from this research field. Overall, these recommendations aim at improving the transparency and replicability of MAs, which can not only facilitate the accumulation of scientific knowledge but also intensify the dialogue between academia and practitioners. JEL CLASSIFICATION: C01; M11; M1
Sex-specific differences in diving behaviour of two sympatric Alcini species: thick-billed murres and razorbills

At the Gannet Islands, Labrador, sympatric thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia (L., 1758)) and razorbills (Alca torda L., 1758) are slightly sexually dimorphic and have similar intersexual differences in parental roles; females are the main meal providers and males are mostly involved in brooding and chick defence at the breeding site and at sea. The question is whether differences in parental roles influence the foraging behaviour patterns of males and females. Murre females foraged during twilight periods and dived shallower than males. In razorbills, although sex differences were not as clear, females also tended to dive shallower (<10 m) and more often at twilight. Males of both species foraged during daylight hours and tended to dive deeper than females. Females of both species had shorter dive bouts (i.e., duration of a series of dives) even though the number of bouts and dives per day were equal between sexes. In both species, female dives were mostly shallower W-shaped dives, likely for capturing cru.
Cardiovascular–Respiratory Activity During Recovery from Anesthesia and Surgery in Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) were subjected to handling, anesthesia, and extensive experimental pretreatment, including the emplacement of electrocardiograph electrodes and of buccal, cleithral, dorsal aortic, and urinary bladder catheters. Determination of oxygen consumption, cardiac and ventilatory rates, and rate ratios, ventilatory flow, ventilatory stroke volume, and gross oxygen utilization were subsequently carried out at intervals over a 26-hr postpreparation period. Four general patterns of functional variation were observed during recovery. In the most common pattern, activity changed steadily to a final value. Other patterns were characterized by an initial lag phase or intermediate maximum, minimum, or plateau values prior to apparent stabilization. Brook trout required longer than carp for recovery, and differed from carp in the relationship between ventilation and oxygen utilization during recovery. Provision for recovery periods of not less than 24 hr is re.
Privacy preserving targeted advertising and recommendations

ABSTRACT Recommendation systems form the centerpiece of a rapidly growing trillion dollar online advertisement industry. Curating and storing profile information of users on web portals can seriously breach their privacy. Modifying such systems to achieve private recommendations without extensive redesign of the recommendation process typically requires communication of large encrypted information, making the whole process inefficient due to high latency. In this paper, we present an efficient recommendation system redesign, in which user profiles are maintained entirely on their device/web-browsers, and appropriate recommendations are fetched from web portals in an efficient privacy-preserving manner. We base this approach on precomputing compressed data structures from historical data and running low latency lookups when providing recommendations in real-time.
Shale Hydrocarbon Development Based on Drill Cuttings & TOC Analysis: Case Study of Brownshale Drill Cuttings of Well BS-03, Pematang Formation, Bengkalis Trough, Central Sumatra Basin

Brownshale is a lithology unit in the middle of the Pematang Formation consisting of brown to black shale that is deposited in the lacustrine environment. Brownshale from the results of previous studies stated as the main source rock in the Central Sumatra Basin, which is spread over several troughs, namely Balam, Aman, Rangau, Kiri, and Bengkalis Troughs, where Bengkalis Trough is the most extensive Trough. In the shale hydrocarbon prospecting analysis, Brownshale from previous researchers concluded that it had good prospects, based on several parameters including: TOC values with poor to very good quality. Brownshale formation is a type of kerogene as kerogen type of II/III, brittleness index greater than 0.48, and rock compressive strength below 10,000 Psi. One method in the development phase of shale hydrocarbon is to determine the fracable sweetspot window using drill cuttings and TOC, because there is no core data available. Based on the results of the well log analysis of well BS-03, it is obtained information that the Brownshale formation has a thickness of 1028 feet with intercalation laminated shale/sand section, so the mineral content varies greatly. From the ternary diagram of XRD (bulk analysis) results of drill cuttings of Brownshale formation of well BS-03, it can be seen that mineral distribution of Quartz-Clay-Calcite (Q-C-C) is spread between zone 1 to zone 3, namely: Dominant Quartz - Minor Clay & Carbonate (Zone 1: Brittle Quartz Rich), Dominant Carbonate - Quartz & Minor Clay (Zone 2: Brittle Carbonate Rich), and Quartz & Carbonate Balance - Clay minor (Zone 3: Ductile, hard to frac). This shows that not all Brownshale formation intervals are easy to frac (high fracability). From the XRD result, percentage of mineral content (bulk analysis) of Brownshale drill cuttings, there is an interesting phenomenon, i.e. the presence of sillimanite and kaliophilite minerals significantly starting at a depth of 10,780 ft and below, where both minerals have tenacity: brittle, and also from the results of the MBT analysis seen an interesting phenomenon, i.e. at a depth interval of about 10,780 ft the value of CEC drops below 3 meq/100 grams, and can be categorized as the brittle shale. Referring to the presence of sillimanite and kaliophilite minerals, as well as low MBT values, then at intervals of 10,780 ft below, it can be seen that at the bottom of the depth interval as a fracable sweetspot window, and at the upper depth interval of the Brownshale formation, it is believed to be a fracture barrier.
Human Birth: An Evolutionary Perspective

The story of human evolution has been told hundreds of times, each time with a focus that seems most informative of the teller. No matter how it is told the primary characters are rarely mothers and infants. Darwin argued survival, but today we know that reproduction is what evolution is all about. Centering on this, Trevathan focuses on birth, which gives the study of human evolution a crucial new dimension. Unique among mammals, humans are bipedal. The evolution of bipedalism required fundamental changes in the pelvis and resulted in a narrow birth canal. Humans are also large-brained animals, which means that birth is much more challenging for our species than for most other animals. The result of this mismatch of large head and narrow pelvis is that women are highly dependent on assistance at birth and their babies are born in an unusually undeveloped state when the brain is still small. Human Birth discusses how the birth process has evolved and ways in which human birth differs from birth in all other mammals. Human Birth is also concerned with mother-infant interaction immediately after birth. While working as a midwife trainee, Trevathan carefully documented the births of more than one hundred women and recorded maternal and infant behaviors during the first hour after birth. She suggests ways in which the interactions served not only to enhance mother-infant bonding, but also to ensure survival in the evolutionary past. With clarity and compelling logic Trevathan argues that modern birth practices often fail to meet evolved needs of women and infants and suggests changes that could lead to better birth experiences. This paperback edition includes a new introduction by the author.
The effect of work motivation on employee performance: Empirical evidence from 4-star hotels in Mongolia

Abstract This study provided empirical evidence for workforce motivation being viewed as a prime business strategy. The positive effects of work motivation upon performance were indicated by responses gathered from 398 employees working in 4-star hotels in Mongolia. Five work motivators and their influence upon employee performance were examined: financial motivation, external self-concept, enjoyment of work, internal self-concept and goal internalization. Three work motivators were found to effectively improve employee performance. The unique Mongolian context for this study can be added to the extensive body of workplace motivation literature. This study suggests that motivation is a fundamental business strategic priority.
Effect of Water on Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Ringwoodite and Its Implications for the Thermal Evolution of Descending Slabs

The presence of water in minerals generally alters their physical properties. Ringwoodite is the most abundant phase in the lowermost mantle transition zone and can host up to 1.5–2 wt% water. We studied high‐pressure lattice thermal conductivity of dry and hydrous ringwoodite by combining diamond‐anvil cell experiments with ultrafast optics. The incorporation of 1.73 wt% water substantially reduces the ringwoodite thermal conductivity by more than 40% at mantle transition zone pressures. We further parameterized the ringwoodite thermal conductivity as a function of pressure and water content to explore the large‐scale consequences of a reduced thermal conductivity on a slab's thermal evolution. Using a simple 1‐D heat diffusion model, we showed that the presence of hydrous ringwoodite in the slab significantly delays decomposition of dense hydrous magnesium silicates, enabling them to reach the lower mantle. Our results impact the potential route and balance of water cycle in the lower mantle.
Medical waste management in Iran and comparison with neighbouring countries

ABSTRACT Population growth and increasing access to medical services have led to an increase in the generation of medical wastes, out of which most components are reported to be infectious. Medical wastes include wastes generated in hospitals, dental clinics, clinics, clinical laboratories, and other health-related care centres. The aim of this study was to identify the status of medical waste management in Iran as a developing country and its comparison with neighbouring countries. For this purpose, a systematic method for selection of related articles was performed by defining the search protocol and identifying most relevant keywords in five databases that included one Persian database. We found and screened articles from Scopus, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, ProQuest and Scientific Information Database (SID) (Persian). In addition, Scopus dataset was employed to search studies focused on the status of the medical waste management in neighbouring countries with Iran. Finally, 49 articles covering medical waste management information in Iran and 8 articles in neighbouring countries were selected to investigate the quantity and status of medical waste management in Iran and its comparison with neighbouring countries.
The responses of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr to pelletted and wild prey

Juvenile hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. , were offered choices of pelletted or four types of wild prey (chironomid larvae, ephemeropteran nymphs Ecdyanurus and Baetis and tnchopteran larvae Hydropsyche) of the same particle widths, in a test flume Preference for wild foods increased over 16 trials (1·5 h), and was greatest for Ecdyonurta and Hydropsyche, which had prey width fish fork length (PFR) ratios of 0·019 and 0·022 respectively, Pelletted food was rejected sooner when Ecdyonurus nymphs were offered as the alternative food than when chironomid larvae were (P < 0·05). Pret'erence (P < 0·05) for Ecdyonurus was achieved after 11 trials and for chironomids after 15. The time required to capture the first prey item was two to three times as long for pellets as for wild prey and did not change with experience for any prey type. Mean capture distance did not change with experience. It is concluded that acceptability of wild prey should not limit performance of pellet-fed salmon released into the wild.