Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An embeddable spherical smart aggregate for monitoring concrete hydration in very early age based on electromechanical impedance method

In this paper, a new embeddable spherical smart aggregate (SSA) was utilized to monitor concrete curing in very early age. Overcoming the limitation of the existing PZT-patch-based transducers, the SSA provides vital changing information in all directions of host structure. To verify the advantage of SSA in structural health monitoring (SHM), the sensitivities of SSA and smart aggregate (SA) in monitoring concrete cube deformation and stiffness variation were analyzed and compared by numerical simulation. The feasibility of SSA in monitoring the concrete hydration process was studied by experiments utilizing electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique. At last, four SSAs were embedded in a concrete column to study the practicality of SSA in monitoring the concrete curing process in very early age. The EMI signatures and the root mean square deviation (RMSD) values of the collected information from SSAs were analyzed. The results illustrate that the SSA is more sensitive than SA in monitoring the concrete deformation and stiffness variation. The data measured by SSA in monitoring the concrete hydration process fluctuates more obviously than the data recorded by SA. The new spherical transducer can effectively and reliably monitor the concrete hydration process.
Cyperaceae in Mexico: Diversity and distribution

Background: Cyperaceae, with about 5,500 species and 90 genera worldwide, are the third largest family among Monocots. A unique combination of morphological and karyotypical features, among which stand holokinetic chromosomes, favors a rapid evolution and diversification and a high level of endemism in some groups. Preliminary checklists of Mexican sedges have been published but an updating of the taxonomy and nomenclature of the group for the country is required.Questions: How many and which species and genera of Cyperaceae are in Mexico? , what patterns of geographic distribution display those species? , which are the main gaps in the systematic knowledge in the family? Study site and years of study: Mexico, 1990 to 2016.Methods: A database of Mexican Cyperaceae was generated with basis in literature review, study of herbarium specimens (11 herbaria in Mexico and the United States) and field work, the last mainly focused on Carex. Diversity and endemism level were calculated. Besides, we analyzed in different space scales their distributional range.Results: Our dataset includes 460 species and 20 infraspecific taxa in 21 genera that belong to 10 of the 17 tribes of the family. Subfamily Cyperoideae includes almost 100 % of the Mexican sedges, as only one representative of subfamily Mapanioideae is known for the country. At the generic level, a drastic reduction in number (21) in comparison to previous inventories (27) results of recent phylogenetic and taxonomic rearrangements. The most diverse genera are Carex (138 taxa) and Cyperus (125), followed by Rhynchospora (65) and Eleocharis (57). Sedges in Mexico are found from sea level to above 4,300 m, in all types of vegetation. The highest diversity was found for Chiapas (237 taxa, 52 % of the total) and Veracruz (206 taxa, 45 %), followed by Oaxaca and Jalisco. Two genera (Cypringlea and Karinia) and 111 species or infraspecific taxa are endemic to Mexico (24 %), 43 of them micro-endemic (only known from one state in the country). Endemism increases to 57 % when the biogeographic extension known as Megamexico is included. Forty six names are excluded from the Mexican flora.Conclusions: Regardless of the addition of taxa and refining of the databases, the checklist presented here is still preliminary. Collection deficiencies and insufficient taxonomic revision for Mexican sedges are reflected in gaps in their knowledge. There are at least 45 undescribed species; including them the richness of Mexican sedges would exceed 500 species. Many complexes of species are in need of taxonomic revision, mainly in Carex but also in Bulbostylis, Cyperus, Eleocharis, Rhynchospora and Scleria. To advance in the inventory and better understanding of the diversity of Mexican Cyperaceae, we propose some research topics to be addressed in the short term.
Measurement properties of Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System domains for children with type 1 diabetes

Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) includes numerous domains to assess functioning among the pediatric population. These domains, however, have not been evaluated for use in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective of this study was to determine the measurement properties of PROMIS domains (pain behavior, pain quality, physical stress experience, physical activity, strength impact, and profile‐25) in children with T1D.
Regime shifts and hysteresis in the pitcher-plant microecosystem

Changes in environmental conditions can lead to rapid shifts in ecosystem state (”regime shifts”), which subsequently returns slowly to the previous state (”hysteresis”). Large spatial and temporal scales of dynamics, and the lack of frameworks linking observations to models, are challenges to understanding and predicting ecosystem responses to perturbations. The naturally-occurring microecosystem inside leaves of the northern pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) exhibits oligotrophic and eutrophic states that can be induced by adding insect “prey. ” Here, we further develop a model for simulating these dynamics, parameterize it using data from a prey addition experiment and conduct a sensitivity analysis to identify critical zones within the parameter space. Simulations illustrate that the microecosystem model displays regime shifts and hysteresis. Parallel results were observed in the plant itself after experimental enrichment with prey. Decomposition rate of prey was the main driver of system dynamics, including the time the system remains in an anoxic state and the rate of return to an oxygenated state. Biological oxygen demand influenced the shape of the system’s return trajectory. The combination of simulated results, sensitivity analysis and use of empirical results to parameterize the model more precisely demonstrates that the Sarracenia microecosystem model displays behaviors qualitatively similar to models of larger ecological systems.
Molecular phylogenetics and piercer evolution in the bug‐killing flies (Diptera: Tachinidae: Phasiinae)

Phasiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae) are endoparasitoid flies that attack Heteroptera, including a multitude of agricultural pests. A phylogenetically informed classification of Phasiinae has eluded systematists for over a century, primarily because of the conflicting character states and confusing morphology of certain taxa that indicate potential placement within other subfamilies. The unstable nature of phasiine taxonomy discourages important research into their classification, life history and potential use in biological control. In hopes of resolving several longstanding taxonomic debates and encouraging future research into this important group of parasitoids, the first molecular systematic analysis of Phasiinae is presented, including 128 worldwide taxa (80 genera) and approximately 7.6 kb of nuclear data representing four genes. Special emphasis is placed on the resolution of taxonomically ambiguous groups. The resulting robustly supported phylogenetic trees [maximum‐likelihood (ML)/Bayesian] were used to trace the evolution of significant adaptive traits within Tachinidae and test hypotheses about the classification of Phasiinae. Subfamily placements of certain taxa are confidently resolved including Eutherini, Epigrimyiini, Litophasia Girschner within Dexiinae, and Strongygastrini and Parerigonini within Phasiinae. The members of tribe Phasiini are redistributed: Cistogaster Latreille, Clytiomya Rondani, Ectophasia Townsend, Eliozeta Rondani and Euclytia Townsend transferred to Gymnosomatini; Opesia Robineau‐Desvoidy to Strongygastrini; and Xysta Meigen to Xystini. Similarly, members of Parerigonini are treated as belonging to Parerigonini (Parerigone Brauer, Zambesomima Walker), Cylindromyiini (Australotachina Curran, Pygidimyia Crosskey, Neobrachelia Townsend) or new tribe Zitini (Zita Curran, Leverella Baranov). Penthosia van der Wulp is transferred from Cylindromyiini to Hermyini. Ancestral state reconstruction suggests that piercing structures used to insert eggs directly into host tissues have evolved separately in a number of groups, but have also been lost or reduced in several lineages. A single potentially unequivocal morphological synapomorphy of Phasiinae, an elongated medial plate of the hypandrium in males, is identified.
Facile Method to Prepare pH-Sensitive PEI-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes as Rationally Designed Vehicles for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Delivery

A new pH-sensitive system designed for drug-delivery purposes and based on functionalized multiwall magnetic carbon nanotubes (Mag-CNTs) was synthesized for the effective incorporation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aiming at drug release in characteristic acidic conditions close to the actual conditions of inflamed tissues. Cationic hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) was immobilized on the surface of Mag-CNTs via electrostatic interactions between the positively charged protonated amines within the polymer and the carboxyl groups on the chemically oxidized Mag-CNT surface. The addition of the NSAID with a carboxylate donor, Naproxen (NAP), was achieved by indirect coupling through the amino groups of the intermediate linker PEI. FT-IR, Raman, and UV–vis spectroscopy were employed to fully characterize the synthesized nanocarrier and its functionalization procedure. The interaction of the designed nanocarrier with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied in vitro by fluorescence emission spectroscopy while its in vitro interaction with calf-thymus (CT) DNA was monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy and viscosity measurements and via competitive studies with ethidium bromide. The calculated binding constants were compared to those of free NAP revealing a higher binding affinity for BSA and CT DNA. Finally, drug-release studies were performed, revealing that the electrostatic linkage ensures an effective release of the drug in the acidic pH typical of inflamed cells, while maintaining the multiwall nanotubes (MWNTs)–drug conjugates stable at the typical bloodstream.
Investigating the car-body vibration of high-speed trains under different operating conditions with full-scale tests

An in-depth understanding of car-body vibration characteristics is the key to developing more reasonable operational safety and discomfort evaluation indicators. However, few scholars or research institutions have focused on this topic, and the car-body vibration characteristics that are caused by different complex aerodynamic factors are not clear. Therefore, in this study, different train car-body vibrations under different conditions were investigated using full-scale tests from 2014 to 2016. The results revealed that the car-body vibration for different aerodynamic conditions was mainly low-frequency rolling and traversing motion below 1 Hz, and the primary frequency was close to the car-body lower-centre rolling natural frequency. In addition, the evaluations of the train operational safety and the vibrational comfort could be considered coupled under strong wind conditions. There was a strong line relationship between the car-body roll angle and the train overturning coefficient under strong wind conditions, hence, predicting the train’s overturning risk by the car-body roll angle was feasible.
Synchronous hybrid learning in times of social distancing A report and case study on benefits, trainer's challenges, and guidelines

Higher education institutions (HEI) use different learning formats such as onsite lectures or online seminars to support their students learning. In the last decades, higher education actively supported an increase of online offerings to foster flexibility and freedom. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic learning circumstances in higher education transformed dramatically, and many HEIs were forced to shift all their courses to online learning formats. Some institutions implemented synchronous hybrid learning (SHL) as a solution between extremes that balances different needs in times of social distancing. This article outlines the benefits, trainer's challenges, and guidelines that can be ascribed to SHL under the circumstances of the current pandemic. The results show that SHL strengthens communication and supports learning. On the one hand, SHL is an innovative, inclusive format, which supports social competencies, multiple perspectives, dynamic interactions, and immediate student-student as well as trainer-student feedback. On the other hand, SHL relies on students' equipment and depends on student as well as trainer adaption and reliable technology. Nevertheless, this report shows that SHL is a promising format, which can close one part of the digital divide between students. Future SHL endeavours should thus be carefully prepared and supported by the hosting HEI. Specifically, trainers and students should be trained on how to use the required technology, and trainers should learn about the pedagogical benefits and implementations of SHL by using protocols and chat trackers.
Noradrenaline modulates decision urgency during sequential information gathering

Arbitrating between timely choice and extended information gathering is critical in effective decision making. Aberrant information gathering behaviour is said to be a feature of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. We know little about the neurocognitive control mechanisms that drive such information gathering. In a double-blind placebo-controlled drug study with 60 healthy humans (30 female), we examined the effects of noradrenaline and dopamine antagonism on information gathering. We show that modulating noradrenaline function with propranolol leads to decreased information gathering behaviour and this contrasts with no effect following a modulation of dopamine function. Using a Bayesian computational model, we show sampling behaviour is best explained when including an urgency signal that promotes commitment to an early decision. We demonstrate that noradrenaline blockade promotes the expression of this decision-related urgency signal during information gathering. We discuss the findings with respect to psychopathological conditions that are linked to aberrant information gathering. Significance Statement Knowing when to stop gathering information and commit to an option is non-trivial. This is an important element in arbitrating between information gain and energy conservation. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled drug study, we investigated to role of catecholamines noradrenaline and dopamine on sequential information gathering. We found that blocking noradrenaline led to a decrease in information gathering, with no effect seen following dopamine blockade. Using a Bayesian computational model, we show that this noradrenaline effect is driven by an increased decision urgency, a signal that reflects an escalating subjective cost of sampling. The observation that noradrenaline modulates decision urgency suggests new avenues for treating patients that show information gathering deficits.
Does Training Improve Sanitary Inspection Answer Agreement between Inspectors? Quantitative Evidence from the Mukono District, Uganda

Sanitary inspections (SIs) are checklists of questions used for achieving/maintaining the safety of drinking-water supplies by identifying observable actual and potential sources and pathways of contamination. Despite the widespread use of SIs, the effects of training on SI response are understudied. Thirty-six spring supplies were inspected on two occasions, pre- and post-training, by an instructor from the research team and four local inspectors in the Mukono District of Uganda. SI score agreement between the instructor and each inspector was calculated using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient. Average SI score agreement between the instructor and all inspectors increased post-training for the Yes/No answer type (0.262 to 0.490). For the risk level answer type (e.g., No, Low, Medium, High), average SI score agreement between the instructor and all inspectors increased post-training (0.301 to 0.380). Variability of SI scores between the four inspectors was calculated using coefficient of variation analysis. Average SI score variability between inspectors reduced post-training for both answer types, Yes/No (21.25 to 16.16) and risk level (24.12 to 19.62). Consistency of answer agreement between the four inspectors for each individual SI question was calculated using index of dispersion analysis. Average answer dispersion between inspectors reduced post-training for both answer types, Yes/No (0.41 to 0.27) and risk level (0.55 to 0.41). The findings indicate that training has a positive effect on improving answer agreement between inspectors. However, advanced training or tailoring of SI questions to the local context may be required where inconsistency of responses between inspectors persists, especially for the risk level answer type that requires increased use of inspector risk perception. Organisations should be aware of the potential inconsistency of results between inspectors so that this may be rectified with appropriate training and, where necessary, better SI design and customisation.
Isolation and evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi against the neotropical brown stink bug Euschistus heros (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) under laboratory conditions

ABSTRACT Although the brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.) is susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, only a single formulation is currently available on the Brazilian market for its control. The objective of this work was to isolate entomopathogenic fungi with potential to control E. heros, evaluate their virulence, and determine effective conidial concentrations. Thirty six different fungal isolates were obtained from soil samples and diseased insects and pure cultures of each were established on potato-dextrose agar. Suspensions of 1 × 108 conidia mL−1 were prepared from each isolate and a 5 μL aliquot was inoculated on the dorsum of adult stink bugs (n = 8 replications of 5 bugs each). Three isolates caused 100% mortality of bugs over a 15-day observation period. These were identified by molecular techniques as belonging to the Beauveria bassiana species complex and designated UFSM-1, UFSM-2 and UFSM-26. Further bioassays determined the LC50, LC90 and cumulative mortality functions caused by these three isolates. Isolates UFSM-1 and UFSM-2 stood out as highly virulence, with an LC90 of 5 × 109 conidia mL−1 in 9 days, compared to an LC90 of 8 × 1010 conidia mL−1 for strain UFSM-26. Application of 1 × 108 conidia mL−1 of UFSM-1 and UFSM-2 isolates killed 70% of stink bugs in nine days, whereas the same concentration of UFSM-26 killed only 12%. We conclude that isolates UFSM-1 and UFSM-2 warrant field tests as novel agents for biological control of E. heros.
Identifying the diet of a declining prairie grouse using DNA metabarcoding

ABSTRACT Diets during critical brooding and winter periods likely influence the growth of Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) populations. During the brooding period, rapidly growing Lesser Prairie-Chicken chicks have high calorie demands and are restricted to foods within immediate surroundings. For adults and juveniles during cold winters, meeting thermoregulatory demands with available food items of limited nutrient content may be challenging. Our objective was to determine the primary animal and plant components of Lesser Prairie-Chicken diets among native prairie, cropland, and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields in Kansas and Colorado, USA, during brooding and winter using a DNA metabarcoding approach. Lesser Prairie-Chicken fecal samples (n = 314) were collected during summer 2014 and winter 2014–2015, DNA was extracted, amplified, and sequenced. A region of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was sequenced to determine the arthropod component of the diet, and a portion of the trnL intron region was used to determine the plant component. Relying on fecal DNA to quantify dietary composition, as opposed to traditional visual identification of gut contents, revealed a greater proportion of soft-bodied arthropods than previously recorded. Among 80 fecal samples for which threshold arthropod DNA reads were obtained, 35% of the sequences were most likely from Lepidoptera, 26% from Orthoptera, 14% from Araneae, 13% from Hemiptera, and 12% from other orders. Plant sequences from 137 fecal samples were composed of species similar to Ambrosia (27%), followed by species similar to Lactuca or Taraxacum (10%), Medicago (6%), and Triticum (5%). Forbs were the predominant (>50% of reads) plant food consumed during both brood rearing and winter. The importance both of native forbs and of a broad array of arthropods that rely on forbs suggests that disturbance regimes that promote forbs may be crucial in providing food for Lesser Prairie-Chickens in the northern portion of their distribution.
Examining growth, yield and bean quality of Ethiopian coffee trees : towards optimizing resources and tree management

Coffee (Coffeaarabica L.)bean production and quality are determined by a diversity of interacting factors (e.g. shade, nitrogen, crop traits). Bean yield increases with increase in radiation, but adequate fertilizer suppliesare needed to sustain the productivity. This thesis analysed coffee tree growth, bean production and bean quality in relation to different degrees of exposure to radiation and nitrogen supply. Growth of leaves and branches and properties of leaves such as specific leaf area, nitrogen content per unit leaf area and light-saturated rate of photosynthesis were determined. Radiation interception and nitrogen uptake were also determined as were radiation use efficiency and apparent nitrogen recovery. Tree biomass and coffee bean yield responded positively to both radiation and nitrogen supply. Abundant bean yield to the detriment of vegetative growth, however, resultedin biennial bearing in coffee trees. Effects of fruit load on coffee treegrowth and productivity were studied for two consecutive years and the resultshowed that competition between fruit growth and vegetative growth predisposed the trees for biennial bearing. Reduced vegetative growth when fruit load is high reduces the number of flower bearing nodes and hence yields in the next season. Coffee quality is a sum of favourable characteristics that satisfies requirements of different actors in the coffee chain and is the factor determining the price on the coffee market. This study has also examined coffee quality attributes in relation to radiation and nitrogen, fruit load manipulation, and genotype by environment (different altitudes) interactions. The result indicated that factors and conditions that support non-limiting supply of resources for bean to grow and a sufficient long period of maturation promote coffee bean quality. Overall, the study gained further understanding of coffee tree growth, yield and bean quality responses to aforementioned factors and explored traits that underlie the patterns. Further works are required to use the traits and describe the behaviour of coffee trees in different agro-ecosystems.