Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESTIMATING AND DEALING WITH DETECTABILITY IN OCCUPANCY SURVEYS FOR FOREST OWLS AND ARBOREAL MARSUPIALS

Abstract Surveys that record the presence or absence of fauna are used widely in wildlife management and research. A false absence occurs when an observer fails to record a resident species. There is a growing appreciation of the importance of false absences in wildlife surveys and its influence on impact assessment, monitoring, habitat analyses, and population modeling. Very few studies explicitly quantify the rate of these errors. Quantifying the rate of false absences provides a basis for estimating the survey effort necessary to assert that a species is absent with a pre-specified degree of confidence and allows uncertainty arising from false absences to be incorporated in inference. We estimated the rate of false absences for 2 species of forest owl and 4 species of arboreal marsupial based on 8 repeat visits to 50 survey locations in south-eastern Australia. We obtained estimates using a generalized zero-inflated binomial model. We presented detectability curves for each species to convey the number of visits required to achieve a specified level of confidence that resident species will be detected. The observation error rates we calculated were substantial but varied between species. For the least detectable species, the powerful owl (Ninox strenua), our standard surveys returned false absences on 87% of visits. However, our surveys of the more detectable sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) returned a 45% false absence rate. We predict that approximately 18 visits would be required to be 90% sure of detecting resident owls and approximately 5 visits would provide 90% confidence of detecting resident sugar gliders. We fitted hierarchical logistic regression models to the data to describe the variation in detection rates explained by environmental variables. We found that temperature, rainfall, and habitat quality influenced the detectability of most species. Consideration of observation error rates could result in important changes to resource management and conservation planning.
Tracing dietary protein in red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) using stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon

We examined the stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon in a small mammal, the red-backed vole (Clethroinomys gapperi (Vigors, 1830)), to determine if isotope signatures reflect diet composition. Nitrogen- and carbon-isotope ratios in tissues from voles maintained on different protein levels in the laboratory were compared with wild-trapped voles. The isotopic fractionation of dietary nitrogen and carbon was also examined as food was digested in the stomach, incorporated into bone collagen, bioapatite, and hair, and excreted as feces. Nitrogen and carbon iso- topes were fractionated differently depending on the isotopic composition and protein content of the diet. δ 15 N and δ 13 C values appear to be influenced by factors in addition to diet, such as macronutrients metabolized for respiration, metabolic rate, and periods of protein shortage. Resume : L'examen des isotopes stables d'azote et de carbone chez un petit mammifere, le campagnol a dos roux de Gapper (Clethrionomys gapperi (Vigors, 1830)), a permis de verifier si les signatures isotopiques refletent bien le re- gime alimentaire. Nous avons compare les rapports isotopiques d'azote et de carbone dans les tissus de campagnols nourris de concentrations diverses de proteines en laboratoire a ceux de campagnols pieges en nature. Nous avons aussi suivi la fractionation isotopique de l'azote et du carbone alimentaires a mesure que la nourriture est digeree dans l'estomac, incorporee au collagene des os, a la bioapatite et aux cheveux et excretee dans les feces. La fractionation de l'azote et du carbone se fait differemment en fonction de la composition isotopique et du contenu proteinique du re- gime. Les valeurs de δ 15 Ne t deδ 13 C semblent etre affectees par des facteurs autres que le regime alimentaire, tels que les macronutriments metabolises pour la respiration, le taux metabolique et les periodes de penurie proteinique. (Traduit par la Redaction) Sare et al. II 725
Transactions of the TSME

N. Koolnapadol1 S. Sripattanapipat2 S. Skullong3,* 1 Department of Automotive Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University, Chachoengsao 24000, Thailand. 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, Thailand 3 Energy Systems Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Sriracha, Kasetsart University Sriracha Campus, 199 M.6, Sukhumvit Rd., Sriracha, Chonburi 20230, Thailand ABSTRACT: In this paper, the heat transfer, pressure loss and thermal performance by using delta-winglet pairs placed on double-sided straight tape inserted into a constant heat-fluxed tube are experimentally studied. Experimental work is conducted for the tape with different values of axial winglet pitch spacing (P) or winglet pitch ratio (P/D=PR= 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5). Air used as the working fluid and flows into the tube for Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 4100 to 25,400. The use of the delta-winglet tape (DWT) with the winglet attack angle of 45° is to generate two pairs of longitudinal vortex flows. The experimental results show that the DWT provides higher heat transfer rate and pressure loss than the smooth tube. The peak heat transfer rate is at PR=0.5 and is approximately 2.98–4.30 times above the smooth tube while the friction loss is around 10.01–36.34 times. To access the real benefits of the 45° DWT insert, thermal enhancement factor (TEF) is examined and found to be in the range of 1.22–1.55 for PR = 1.5.
Behavior of Walk-Hunters and Pointing Dogs During Northern Bobwhite Hunts

Abstract Data on the behavior of walk-hunters and pointing dogs aids in understanding and managing quail harvest. We collected Global Positioning System track logs and recorded behaviors of hunters and dogs on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) hunts in Oklahoma (n = 43), Texas (n = 43), and Missouri (n = 7), USA, during the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 hunting seasons. Hunter velocity averaged 0.8 ± 0.03 (SE) m/second both seasons (n = 85) and pooled (95% CL overlap) velocity of bird dogs was 2.5 ± 0.07 (SE) m/second (n = 154). Hunters spent 60.5 ± 2.4% (SE) of their time walking in 2005–2006 (n = 45) versus 75.2 ± 3.5% (SE) in 2006–2007 (n = 48); respective figures for ranging by dogs were 50.2 ± 2.2% (n = 57) versus 82.0 ± 1.3% (SE; n = 97). Mean duration of a hunt declined from 82.3 ± 8.16 (SE) minutes (n = 45) to 50.2 ± 5.1 (SE) minutes (n = 48) between seasons. Variation in bobwhite abundance was the primary cause of seasonal variation in hunter and dog behaviors because covey-associated activities declined as quail abundance declined. With our results and those of previous workers, managers have first-generation estimates of all variables in hunter–covey interface models for managing bobwhite harvest on discrete areas.
Effects of bird predation on canopy arthropods in wandoo Eucalyptus wandoo woodland

As top predators, birds may have significant effects on arthropod abundances and affect the trophic structure of arthropod communities through predation of lower order predators (e.g. spiders) and by competition for prey. We investigated the effects of bird predation on canopy arthropods in south-western Australia by using plastic bird mesh to exclude insectivorous birds from the foliage of wandoo Eucalyptus wandoo saplings. Exclosure resulted in an increase in the number of herbivorous and predatory arthropods. Total arthropods (with and without ants), spiders, adult Coleoptera, and larval Lepidoptera were significantly more abundant on meshed than unmeshed saplings. All size-classes of arthropods, taxa grouped, were more abundant on meshed than unmeshed saplings, but with no evidence of a disproportionate increase of the largest arthropods on meshed saplings. All size-classes of spiders increased in abundance on saplings from which birds were excluded. There were significant differences in the total abundance of arthropods (with and without ants), spiders (Araneae), sucking bugs (Homoptera), adult beetles (Coleoptera), larval moths (Lepidoptera), and wasps and ants (Hymenoptera) for both unmeshed and meshed saplings between sample periods. These seasonal patterns of abundance and differences between sample periods appeared to be determined by seasonal weather patterns, with the lowest numbers associated with drier and hotter conditions in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. The conclusion reached is that eucalypt forest birds have limited effects on temporal variation in canopy arthropod abundances, but depress abundances, and affect the size and trophic composition of the fauna. Given the cascading effects of birds as predators on arthropods, successful conservation management of eucalypt ecosystems, including plantations and revegetation, should be planned to maximize bird numbers and diversity.
Dispersal limitation is stronger in communities of microorganisms than macroorganisms across Central European cities

Aim It is generally believed that communities of small organisms, or those with small propagules, are structured mainly by local niche‐based processes, and less by dispersal limitation. Conversely, weaker environmental and stronger spatial structure, indicating dispersal limitation, are expected to occur more frequently in communities of large organisms. However, this hypothesis has rarely been tested by comparing spatial and environmental effects across groups of organisms of different size (or with different size of propagules) sampled at the same set of sites. Here, we test it in urban environments.
HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE OF CULTURED PERSIAN STURGEON (ACIPENSER PERSICUS) TO FOUR DIFFERENT AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA ANTIGENS

Summary Four antigens consisting of heat killed cells, formalin killed cells, lipopolysaccharides and extracellular products were prepared from Aeromonas hydrophila. The immune response of about 3-year-old Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) that immunized by intraperitoneally injection of the antigens with or without Freund’s adjuvant was evaluated. The immune response to the extracellular products was significantly (P<0.05) less than that other antigens. The results indicate that whole cell antigens of A.hydrophila represent protective antigens against motile aeromonad septicemia.
Intrafamilial Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Induces Cellular Immune Response without Seroconversion

Background. In the background of the current COVID-19 pandemic, serological tests are being used to assess past infection and immunity against SARS-CoV-2. This knowledge is paramount to determine the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 through the post pandemic period. Several individuals belonging to households with an index COVID-19 patient, reported symptoms of COVID-19 but discrepant serology results. Methods. Here we investigated the humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 in seven families, including nine index patients and eight contacts, who had evidence of serological discordances within the households. Ten unexposed healthy donors were enrolled as controls. Results. All index patients recovered from a mild COVID-19. They all developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and a significant T cell response detectable up to 69 days after symptom onset. Six of the eight contacts reported COVID-19 symptoms within 1 to 7 days after the index patients but all were SARS-CoV-2 seronegative. Six out of eight contacts developed a SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response against structural and/or accessory proteins that lasts up to 80 days post symptom onset suggesting a past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion. Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 can induce virus-specific T cell responses without seroconversion. T cell responses may be more sensitive indicators of SARS-Co-V-2 exposure than antibodies. Our results indicate that epidemiological data relying only on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies may lead to a substantial underestimation of prior exposure to the virus
One-shot learning with spiking neural networks

Understanding how one-shot learning can be accomplished through synaptic plasticity in neural networks of the brain is a major open problem. We propose that approximations to BPTT in recurrent networks of spiking neurons (RSNNs) such as e-prop cannot achieve this because their local synaptic plasticity is gated by learning signals that are rather ad hoc from a biological perspective: Random projections of instantaneously arising losses at the network outputs, analogously as in Broadcast Alignment for feedforward networks. In contrast, synaptic plasticity is gated in the brain by learning signals such as dopamine, which are emitted by specialized brain areas, e.g. VTA. These brain areas have arguably been optimized by evolution to gate synaptic plasticity in such a way that fast learning of survival-relevant tasks is enabled. We found that a corresponding model architecture, where learning signals are emitted by a separate RSNN that is optimized to facilitate fast learning, enables one-shot learning via local synaptic plasticity in RSNNs for large families of learning tasks. The same learning approach also supports fast spike-based learning of posterior probabilities of potential input sources, thereby providing a new basis for probabilistic reasoning in RSNNs. Our new learning approach also solves an open problem in neuromorphic engineering, where on-chip one-shot learning capability is highly desirable for spike-based neuromorphic devices, but could so far not be achieved. Our method can easily be mapped into neuromorphic hardware, and thereby solves this problem.
Effect of leaf spotting diseases on grain yield and seed traits of wheat in southern Saskatchewan

Although leaf spotting diseases have been reported to have a negative effect on grain yield and seed characteristics of wheat (Triticum spp.), the magnitude of such effects on wheat grown on dryland in southern Saskatchewan is not known. A fungicide experiment was conducted at Swift Current (Brown soil) and Indian Head (Black soil) from 1997 to 1999 to determine the effect of leaf spotting diseases on yield and seed traits of wheat. Two fungicides, Folicur 3.6F and Bravo 500, were applied at different growth stages on three common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and three durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var durum) genotypes. Fungicide treatments generally did not affect yield, kernel weight, test weight or grain protein concentration, and these effects were relatively consistent among genotypes. Folicur applied at head emergence in 1997 and at flag leaf emergence and/or head emergence in 1998 increased yield at Indian Head (P < 0.05). Fungicides applied at and before flag leaf emergence tended to increase kernel.
Supplementary Material: X3D: Expanding Architectures for Efficient Video Recognition

Detection architecture. We exactly follow the detection architecture in [3] to allow direct comparison of X3D with SlowFast networks as a backbone. The detector is similar to Faster R-CNN [22] with minimal modifications adapted for video. Since our paper focuses on efficiency, by default, we do not increase the spatial resolution of res5 by 2× [3]. Region-of-interest (RoI) features [4] are extracted at the last feature map of res5 by extending a 2D proposal at a frame into a 3D RoI by replicating it along the temporal axis, similar as done in previous work [7, 16, 24], followed by application of frame-wise RoIAlign [8] and temporal global average pooling. The RoI features are then max-pooled and fed to a per-class, sigmoid classifier for prediction.
JUVENILE AND ADULT SURVIVAL IN THE SOCIABLE WEAVER (PHILETAIRUS SOCIUS), A SOUTHERN-TEMPERATE COLONIAL COOPERATIVE BREEDER IN AFRICA

Abstract We used capture-recapture analyses to describe juvenile and adult survival from 1993 to 2001 in a population of Sociable Weavers (Philetairus socius), a colonial, cooperatively breeding passerine of southern Africa. We examined temporal variation in survival and the role that the breeding season's length and environmental factors play in determining survival patterns in the population. Annual survival probability (mean ± SE) was 0.66 ± 0.02. In contrast to most passerines, juveniles and adults had similar survival probabilities; survival rates did not vary significantly between years. We found no relationship among temperature, rainfall, and survival. Relatively high survival rates in Sociable Weavers probably result from a benign climate and easy access to food in winter. Juvenile survival may also be enhanced by prolonged parental care and delayed dispersal.
The Potential for Less Invasive Inference of Resource Use: Covariation in Stable Isotope Composition between Females and Their Eggs in Bluegill

AbstractStable isotope analysis is frequently used to examine resource use in wild populations, but it often involves invasive or lethal methods of collecting tissue samples. The development of less invasive or nonlethal sampling techniques will expand the possible uses of stable isotopes. We examined whether fish eggs meet three basic requirements for inferring female resource use from them: (1) the isotope composition of the eggs is correlated with that of other maternal tissues for which isotope composition is known to be related to diet; (2) the isotope composition remains constant over the egg development period; and (3) dietary inferences using eggs are similar to those for other maternal tissues. Using artificial crosses, we tested the relationship between eggs and two commonly sampled maternal tissues (white muscle and liver) in wild-caught Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus. We found that egg isotope composition was strongly correlated with that of other maternal tissues, particularly liver, and remai.
Growth, physiological and immunological responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to different dietary inclusion levels of dehulled lupin (Lupinus angustifolius)

The utilization of dehulled lupin as a partial replacement for fish meal was studied in diets of rainbow trout. Fish were fed diets with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of dehulled lupin, at a daily feeding rate of 2% body weight for 8 weeks at 15 ± 0.5 °C. Growth performance generally decreased with increasing dehulled lupin in the diet (R2 = 0.81, P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% dehulled lupin fed groups. Feed conversion ratio generally increased at higher inclusion levels of dehulled lupin (R2 = 0.74, P < 0.002). The protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value, lipid efficiency ratio and lipid productive value were similar in all groups but the energy efficiency ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the 50% dehulled lupin fed group. Different treatments showed similar digestive enzyme activity, villus height, pyloric caeca and hepato somatic indexes. None of the nonspecific immune responses, with the exception of total plasma protein and neutrophils, was affected by different inclusion level of lupin. Results show that dehulled lupin can be included at up to 40% of a rainbow trout diet without a significant effect on growth performance or nutrient utilization. Rainbow trout utilize dehulled lupin protein as efficiently as fish meal protein but have a lower ability to utilize the energy content of dehulled lupin at higher inclusion levels.
Low Prevalence of Avian Influenza Virus in Shorebirds on the Pacific Coast of North America

Abstract The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has elevated concerns about wild birds as virus hosts; however, little is known about the ecological and epidemiological factors of transmission by shorebirds. Here we summarize results for 2,773 shorebirds that were live-trapped on the Pacific coast of the United States during 2006-2007 and tested for avian influenza virus using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and virus isolation. As was the case throughout North America, HPAI H5N1 was not detected in shorebirds during this interval. Contrary to other wild bird groups, most notably waterfowl, the prevalence of even low pathogenicity virus among shorebirds in our study areas in California, Washington, and Alaska was extremely low (0.5%). Virus was detected by RT-PCR from four different species, including, Dunlin (Calidris alpina; N = 3), Western Sandpiper (C. mauri; N = 8), Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus; N = 1), and American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana; N = 1), with the detections in the latter three constituting the first published records for these birds. Based on studies in the eastern United States, we expected, but did not detect (H1 = 1.6, P = 0.21) elevated avian influenza prevalence among shorebirds during spring migration. Diagnostic tests, which were designed to evaluate testing and sampling methods, indicated poor functioning of traditional virus isolation methods and no improvement in detection likelihood by collecting oropharyngeal swabs in addition to cloacal swab samples for low pathogenicity viruses (Z1 = 0.7, P = 0.48).
Visualisation of Freezing Behaviours in Flower Bud Tissues of Cold-hardy Rhododendron japonicum by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Micro-Imaging

H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) micro-imaging was used to study the freezing behaviour of wintering flower buds of Rhododendron japonicum (A. Gray) Suringer. A multi-slice multi- echo pulse sequence was used to acquire images at different subfreezing temperatures. The images obtained predominantly reflected the density of mobile (i.e. non-ice) protons mainly from unfrozen water. By comparing these images taken at various subfreezing temperatures, we could determine which tissues produced high temperature exotherms and low temperature exotherms in differential thermal analyses. In flower buds of the cold-hardy R. japonicum, typical extra-organ freezing was successfully imaged. The scales readily froze at Ð7iC but some florets remained supercooled even at Ð 21iC. The size of the supercooled florets was reduced with decreasing temperature which indicated a gradual decrease in floret water content. With decreasing temperature, there was a gradual decrease in the signal intensity of the flower bud axis including the peduncle and immature pith tissues, which implies either dehydration or partial freezing of these tissues. Deep supercooling in the entire mature pith tissues was also clearly visible in these images. Due to its non-invasive nature, NMR micro-imaging is a useful tool for studying freezing behaviours in various plant tissues, especially for imaging organised or harmonised freezing in complex organs as well as for clarifying the diversity and mechanisms involved in freezing behaviours.
Auto-calibration of c-VEP BCI by word prediction

A code-modulated Visual Evoked Potential Brain Computer Interface (c-VEP BCI) allows for spelling from a virtual keyboard of ﬂashing characters. All characters ﬂash simultaneously, and each character ﬂashes according to a predeﬁned pseudo-random binary sequence, circular-shifted by a diﬀerent time lag. For a given character, the pseudo-random stimulus sequence evokes a VEP in the electroencephalogram (EEG) of the subject, which can be used as a template. This template is usually obtained during a calibration phase and it is applied for the target identiﬁcation during the spelling phase. A downside of a c-VEP BCI system is that it needs a long calibration phase to reach good performance. This paper proposes an unsupervised method that avoids the calibration phase in a c-VEP BCI, by extracting relative lags from the VEP responses, between successive characters, and predicting the full word using a dictionary. We tested it in oﬄine experiments on a public dataset. We simulated the spelling of four groups of words with a diﬀerent total number of characters selected from an English dictionary. Each experiment is parameterized by the number of stimulus cycles. The obtained results show that a word-prediction-based auto-calibration method in c-VEP BCIs can be eﬃcient and eﬀective.