Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remaining Useful Strength (RUS) Prediction of SiCf-SiCm Composite Materials Using Deep Learning and Acoustic Emission

Prognosis techniques for prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) are of crucial importance to the management of complex systems for they can lead to appropriate maintenance interventions and improvements in reliability. While various data-driven methods have been introduced to predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of machinery systems or batteries, no research has been reported on the remaining useful strength (RUS) prediction of silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiCf-SiCm) materials with pivotal role in its potential usage as a structural material in nuclear reactors and turbine engines. Knowledge of its degradation process is of the utmost importance to the manufacturers. For this purpose, two approaches based on the machine-learning techniques of random-forest (RF) and convolutional neural network (CNN) are proposed to predict the RUS of SiCf-SiCm using only acoustic emission (AE) signals generated during the material’s stress applying process. Experimental results show that the CNN models achieved better predictive performance than the RF models but the latter with expert-engineered features achieves better prediction for AE signals in the early stage of degradation. Additionally, our results demonstrate that both models can correctly predict the SiCf-SiCm RUS as evaluated by our robust testing method from which the best average root mean square error (RMSE) and Pearson correlation coefficient of 3.55 ksi units and 0.85 were obtained.
The Effect of Women's Descriptive Representation on Premature Mortality

Abstract:Although many studies have found that women legislators pursue policies important to women, we know relatively little concerning the effect of women's descriptive representation (WDR) on women's quality of life. We address this question by examining the relationship between the election of women state legislators and public health. Specifically, we estimate the effect of WDR on premature death rates from 1982 to 2010. We find that WDR serves to improve the well-being of both women and men. However, the effect of WDR on women's health is contingent on several important factors. First, the health-improving effects of WDR are most strongly related to the descriptive representation of Democratic women. Second, the effect of Democratic WDR on women's health, relative to men's health, increases with the scale of the state's Medicaid program. Finally, we estimate the mediating role of nine specific policies, finding that four policies mediate the effect of Democratic WDR on premature mortality. Overall, our results suggest that policy remedies aimed at improving the severe underrepresentation of women in government may help to improve the relatively low ranking of the United States on indicators of public health.
Effect of Juvenile Steelhead on Juvenile Brown Trout Habitat Use in a Low-Gradient Great Lakes Tributary

Abstract We investigated habitat use of wild brown trout Salmo trutta in Gilchrist Creek, Michigan, with and without a parallel cohort of introduced steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss. This stream is typical of the region, having a low-gradient, stable discharge and a high sand bedload. By snorkeling, we evaluated seasonal habitat use in two stream reaches before and after steelhead introduction to one of the reaches. Age-0 brown trout occupied stream margins soon after emergence, using cover provided by aquatic vegetation growing on sand and silt substrates. By summer and fall, brown trout moved into deeper water and used more diverse cover types. From summer to fall, the smaller age-0 steelhead used lower current velocities than did age-0 brown trout. Similar water depth, substrate, and cover were used by the two species. At the densities studied, age-0 brown trout habitat use did not change in response to the presence of age-0 steelhead. We believe that three factors minimized the effect of steelhead: (1) t.
Social interactions in a neotropical stream frog reveal a complex repertoire of visual signals and the use of multimodal communication

Visual communication has evolved independently in several families of frogs and is complex in diurnal stream frogs. In addition to isolated visual and acoustic signals, some species may emit multimodal displays characterized by the association of these signals. Through the analysis of focal recordings obtained in situ in southern Brazil, we investigated the visual and multimodal communication in the diurnal stream frog Crossodactylus schmidti. We found a complex visual repertoire of nine signals used in intraspecific communication, of which the signal Both legs kicking was described for the first time. Males, females and juveniles emitted visual signals, but males had a larger repertoire and used most signals in agonistic interactions. The four most common visual signals, Toe flagging, Limb lifting, Body jerking and Running-jumping, were emitted predominantly upon rocks in the stream bed. The emission of isolated visual and acoustic signals, as well as audiovisual displays with simultaneous or temporally coupled components, demonstrates that the communication in C. schmidti is complex and that the multimodal displays may have different functions. We discuss the historical, behavioural, ecological factors which may have influenced the evolution of the visual repertoire of C. schmidti, and how the ritualization of derived activities similar to visual signals may have led to the evolution of part of the repertoire. This study provides novel results on visual and multimodal communication for the genus Crossodactylus and demonstrates that C. schmidti represents an appropriate model for studies of complex displays.
Potential predictability of marine ecosystem drivers

Abstract. Climate variations can have profound impacts on marine ecosystems and the socioeconomic systems that may depend upon them. Temperature, pH, oxygen (O2) and net primary production (NPP) are commonly considered to be important marine ecosystem drivers, but the potential predictability of these drivers is largely unknown. Here, we use a comprehensive Earth system model within a perfect modeling framework to show that all four ecosystem drivers are potentially predictable on global scales and at the surface up to 3 years in advance. However, there are distinct regional differences in the potential predictability of these drivers. Maximum potential predictability (>10 years) is found at the surface for temperature and O2 in the Southern Ocean and for temperature, O2 and pH in the North Atlantic. This is tied to ocean overturning structures with “memory” or inertia with enhanced predictability in winter. Additionally, these four drivers are highly potentially predictable in the Arctic Ocean at the surface. In contrast, minimum predictability is simulated for NPP (<1 years) in the Southern Ocean. Potential predictability for temperature, O2 and pH increases with depth below the thermocline to more than 10 years, except in the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans, where predictability is also 3 to 5 years in the thermocline. This study indicating multi-year (at surface) and decadal (subsurface) potential predictability for multiple ecosystem drivers is intended as a foundation to foster broader community efforts in developing new predictions of marine ecosystem drivers.
Natural Tocopherol Enrichment and Its Effect in n−3 Fatty Acid Modified Chicken Eggs†

Two hundred and forty White Leghorn laying hens were fed an n−3 fatty acid modified diet supplemented with a natural tocopherol (TOC) mixture at 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 7 weeks. Egg yolk TOC content increased linearly (P < 0.05) up to day 8 at each level of dietary supplementation. The fatty acid profile of egg yolks became relatively constant at day 8 with the exception of C20:4n6, which stabilized by day 16. From day 0 to day 8 of the feeding, the contents of all n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk lipids significantly increased, with a concomitant decrease in C18:1 (P < 0.05). Lipid stability of egg yolk was significantly improved with increasing dietary TOC supplementation (P < 0.05). In short, n−3 fatty acid modified eggs can be also simultaneously enriched with natural tocopherols through dietary modification to make egg yolk lipid more stable. Keywords: Tocopherol; n−3 fatty acid; chicken egg; flaxseed
Invasive grasses in South Texas rangelands: historical perspectives and future directions

Abstract South Texas is home to a high diversity of species due to its location at the confluence of subtropical, desert, and coastal ecoregions. Historical overgrazing of South Texas rangelands transformed the savanna and prairie to a landscape dominated by woody plants and shrubs interspersed with low seral grass species and bare ground. During the first half of the 20th century, exotic grass species, coupled with the application of industrial agricultural practices appeared to be the future of forage production in South Texas and elsewhere. Several of these exotic species, namely King Ranch bluestem [Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng], Kleberg bluestem [Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf], Angelton bluestem [Dichanthium aristatum (Poir.) C.E. Hubbard], buffelgrass [Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link], guineagrass [Urochloa maxima (Jacq.) R. Webster], Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees), and Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ], have escaped pasture cultivation. Additionally, the native grass tanglehead [Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. ] has begun displaying invasive behaviors. The monoculture growth habit of these species simplifies vegetation structure, reduces biodiversity, and decreases habitat for many species of wildlife. These grasses also alter natural fire regimes and nutrient cycling. This landscape-level transformation of vegetation composition and structure requires monitoring to quantify and assess the spatial and temporal distributions of invasive species as a basis to inform management practices. Current advances in remote sensing technologies, such as very high spatial resolution coupled with daily satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles, are providing tools for invasive vegetation monitoring. We provide a synthesis of the natural history of these grasses, including their introductions, an overview of remote sensing applications in South Texas, and recommendations for future management practices.
Self-trapping effect on the excitonic and polaronic properties of a single-layer 2D metal-halide perovskite

Two-dimensional metal-halide perovskites (2DMHPs) have attracted tremendous interest due to their promising applications in the light-harvesting and light-emitting diodes. Recently, intensive experiment observations suggested the lattice of 2DMHPs should be very soft, such that photoexcitations would interact to the surrounding lattice distortions through the electron-lattice (e-l) couplings and led to the formation of self-trapped exciton (STE). However, the detailed formation mechanism has never been clearly clarified from the theoretical point of view. In this theoretical study, we build an effective tight-binding model for a single-layer 2DMHP (S2DMHP) with the e-l coupling considered as the Holstein type. This model successfully describes the ground-state optoelectronic properties and generates the primary non-linear elementary excitations which have been observed in a series of experiments. Our calculation reveals that the exciton state of a S2DMHP will exhibit significant polaronic characters. Depending on the e-l coupling strength and the level-occupancy configuration of the electron-hole pairs, such polaronic states could behave as either large polarons or small polarons. Large polarons range over multiple unit cells and induce the local deformation of the surrounding crystalline structure. Contrarily, small polarons are strongly bound and being trapped within the single octahedras. The existence of large and small polarons respectively explain the relative lower charge mobilities and the peculiar broadened white-light emissions in some selected S2DMHPs. The present work highlights the essential role of e-l couplings in determination of the excitonic properties of S2DMHPs and provides a theoretical foundation to deeply understand the optoelectronic behavior of S2DMHPs-based semiconductor devices.
Survival, Growth, and Smolt Production of Atlantic Salmon Stocked as Fry in a Southern New England Stream

Abstract The performance of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar stocked as fry was assessed in a third-order stream of the lower Connecticut River system. Stocking densities of 100–150 unfed fry per 100 m2 of stream area were tested for their ability to maximize smolt production. Because the Connecticut River no longer had a natural population of Atlantic salmon, fry originating from the Penobscot River of Maine were stocked in 1982, 1984, and 1985. In 1983, the Penobscot strain was unavailable and fry originating from Iceland were used instead. Although stocking conditions were not always favorable, an average of 27% of Penobscot fry survived to the fall age-0 pan stage. In contrast, only 2% of Icelandic fry survived to this stage, The low survival of Icelandic fry may have been due to their smaller total lengths and to intraspecific competition from an abundant population of yearlings that had been stocked in 1982. However, these factors would not have influenced summer-to-fall survival of yearlings, which was .
Physiological Development and Migratory Behavior of Subyearling Fall Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River

Abstract We describe the migratory behavior and physiological development of subyearling fall chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha migrating through John Day Reservoir on the Columbia River, Washington and Oregon. Fish were freeze-branded and coded-wire-tagged at McNary Dam, Oregon, from 1991 to 1994, to determine travel time to John Day Dam and subsequent adult contribution. Stepwise multiple regression showed that 47% of the variation in subyearling fall chinook salmon travel time was explained by the reciprocal of minimum flow and fish size. Smoltification, as measured by gill Na+-K+ adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, was not important in explaining variability in travel time of subyearling chinook salmon. Fish marked early in the out-migration generally traveled faster than middle and late migrants. Seawater challenges were used to describe physiological development and showed that osmoregulatory competence of premigrants in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River increased with fish size .
Higher Education Students' Perceived Readiness for Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

The purpose of this research was to study the perceived readiness of higher education students for computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). Moreover, the role of important demographic variables, such as gender, major of study, and computer ownership, was examined in students’ perceived readiness and its sub-scales. The data was collected from 326 higher education students of four study groups from a state university in Iran. MANOVA analysis was conducted to explore the possible role of the demographic variables in students’ perceived readiness for CSCL. Most of the participants showed high readiness for CSCL. The male participants demonstrated more online learning aptitude compared to females. A statistically significant difference was found in the online learning aptitude of the respondents majoring in engineering and basic sciences with the rest of the participants. Furthermore, the students with a personal computer, laptop, or tablet demonstrated higher levels of readiness for CSCL and online learning aptitude.
Relation of oxygen consumption to temperature and time of day in tropical anuran amphibians

Oxygen consumption was examined in three species of tropical frogs, Rana blythi, R. chalcanota and R. nicobariensis, at ambient temperatures between 20 and 35oC. Oxygen consumption varied directly with temperature over the entire range studied. The thermal coefficient (Ql0) for oxygen consumption for the three species averaged 2.67 (range 2.49-2.84), which is similar to that of temperate zone amphibians. At 25oC, the resting oxygen consumption of the tropical frogs averaged only 30% of that predicted for ranids on the basis of body weight. Oxygen consumption of R. nicobariensis and R. chalcanota, determined at 30oC in continuous darkness at 15-min intervals for 26 consecutive hours, exhibited an endogenous rhythm with a period of approximately 12 hours. Thus, while these tropical anurans resemble their temperate relatives in some respects, they possess greatly reduced levels of resting oxygen consumption.
The breeding habitat of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida). The birth lair and associated structures

The subnivean lairs of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida) were studied in the Amundsen Gulf and Prince Albert Sound areas from 1971 through 1974. The structure of several different types of lairs are described. The existence of a birth-lair complex consisting of several closely adjacent lairs appears likely. The spacial distribution of lairs and lair types found on refrozen leads and in pressure ridges is described. Lairs were more abundant in inshore ice than in offshore ice. The function of subnivean lairs appears to be to provide thermal shelter, especially for neonate seals, and protection from predation by arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus).
Exponential synchronisation of linearly coupled reaction-diffusion neural networks with discrete and infinite distributed delays

ABSTRACT This paper presents the exponential synchronisation for linearly coupled reaction-diffusion neural networks (CRDNNs) with discrete, infinite distributed delays and Dirichlet boundary condition. Two sufficient criteria are obtained for the exponential synchronisation of linearly coupled semi-linear diffusion partial differential equations (PDEs) with discrete, infinite distributed time-delays by using the Halanay inequality and Lyapunov-Krasoviskii functional stability scheme. These results are presented by linear matrix inequality and solved by MATLAB LMI Toolbox. Two simulation examples of linearly CRDNNs with discrete, infinite distributed delays are given to illustrate the validity of the results obtained above.
Transmission biology of porcine cysticercosis in eastern-central Tanzania

Porcine cysticercosis (PC) is a neglected zoonotic disease usually acquired by pigs after ingestion of Taenia solium eggs from food or an environment contaminated with human faeces of a pork tapeworm carrier. The disease has serious veterinary and public health implications in low-income endemic countries. The biology and molecular detection of the parasite in the intermediate host and the environment remain a serious concern. This thesis determined the seroprevalence of PC and its associated risk factors including the potential role of soil in the transmission of the eggs of the parasite in four rural villages of Kongwa district in eastern-central Tanzania; evaluated the effectiveness of a novel droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR) for detection of taeniid eggs in soil and finally; evaluated the diagnostic potential of pork meat juice for serological detection of PC. The seroprevalence of circulating taeniid antigens indicative of cysticercosis in pigs was found to be 17% using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), suggesting the presence of people harbouring adult T. solium. Indiscriminate defecation, free-range pig husbandry and source of reared pigs were identified using questionnaire as risk factors for PC transmission in the surveyed villages in Kongwa. The ddPCR technology was found to be effective in detecting taeniid egg DNA from soil using spiked and field soil samples. However, the rate of soil contamination by T. solium egg DNA detected by the ddPCR in 96 surveyed households in the surveyed villages was low (3.1%), suggesting a low risk of both pigs and humans acquiring cysticercosis through contaminated soil. The sensitivity of cysticercosis antibody ELISA using sera was 100%; whereas the overall sensitivity for meat juice was 38%. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the antibody ELISA was high in meat juice extracted from the diaphragm (100%), heart (89%) and neck (78%) muscles of infected pigs as compared to other carcass tissues. Meat juice from these tissues also gave higher mean antibody levels similar to sera suggesting that they may be used for the screening of PC after slaughter. Taenia solium is endemic in the study area. To safeguard veterinary and public health and curb economic losses in Kongwa, intervention measures are vital to implement.
Selection of roosting vegetation in the great tit, Parus major, during the winter period

Individuals of Parus major usually roost in cavities during winter time but open roosting in tree vegetation is also known. We tested the influence of weather on individual behaviour during roost-site selection in a double-choice aviary experiment (n = 10 adult males, each 6 nights). The open-air aviary provided distinct shelters of coniferous and leafy vegetation. A video analysis of their behaviour during the last 30 min before the final perching was performed. The finally selected shelter was visited more frequently beforehand (coniferous shelter selected, 37 nights, P = 0.05; leafy shelter selected, 18 nights, P = 0.05). Birds used the coniferous shelter more often during colder (P = 0.006) and windier days (P = 0.010). However, the thermal pattern was statistically significant when only considering the use of the less protective (leafy) shelter.
Review: Mathematical Modeling of Prostate Cancer and Clinical Application

We review and synthesize key findings and limitations of mathematical models for prostate cancer, both from theoretical work and data-validated approaches, especially concerning clinical applications. Our focus is on models of prostate cancer dynamics under treatment, particularly with a view toward optimizing hormone-based treatment schedules and estimating the onset of treatment resistance under various assumptions. Population models suggest that intermittent or adaptive therapy is more beneficial to delay cancer relapse as compared to the standard continuous therapy if treatment resistance comes at a competitive cost for cancer cells. Another consensus among existing work is that the standard biomarker for cancer growth, prostate-specific antigen, may not always correlate well with cancer progression. Instead, its doubling rate appears to be a better indicator of tumor growth. Much of the existing work utilizes simple ordinary differential equations due to difficulty in collecting spatial data and due to the early success of using prostate-specific antigen in mathematical modeling. However, a shift toward more complex and realistic models is taking place, which leaves many of the theoretical and mathematical questions unexplored. Furthermore, as adaptive therapy displays better potential than existing treatment protocols, an increasing number of studies incorporate this treatment into modeling efforts. Although existing modeling work has explored and yielded useful insights on the treatment of prostate cancer, the road to clinical application is still elusive. Among the pertinent issues needed to be addressed to bridge the gap from modeling work to clinical application are (1) real-time data validation and model identification, (2) sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification for model prediction, and (3) optimal treatment/schedule while considering drug properties, interactions, and toxicity. To address these issues, we suggest in-depth studies on various aspects of the parameters in dynamical models such as the evolution of parameters over time. We hope this review will assist future attempts at studying prostate cancer.