Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rarity and Conservation Planning across Geopolitical Units

Abstract: Conservation planning is usually done within geopolitical units that tend to encompass only part of the geographic range of most species. Consequently, the relative rarity of a species within the study area considered does not necessarily reflect its relative global rarity or its conservation relevance. We investigated the implications of species' rarity in complementary reserve selection across geopolitical boundaries based on data on the distribution of birds in southern Africa. Our results demonstrate that restricted‐range species have a disproportionate effect on the number and identity of the cells selected by complementarity. The most extreme situation occurs when species whose ranges occupy single cells impose the selection of those particular sites as irreplaceable cells. Not all restricted‐range species are equally important. Some are “apparent rarities” in the study area because they are vagrants, occur very marginally to their range, or have been introduced, and these are mainly irrelevant to conservation planning in a region. Filtering rare nontarget species from the data before reserve selection results in a significant increase in the efficiency of minimum complementary sets. It is particularly recommended for taxa with high mobility, in which vagrancy is more likely. Dividing the study area into geopolitical units has a profound effect on the sites selected by complementarity. It results in loss of overall efficiency, in a tendency for selection of sites at the periphery of the units, and in some species receiving more protection at the edge of their ranges than at the center. Geopolitical coordination in conservation planning may not only result in improved overall efficiency but also a better allocation of resources that improves the long‐term robustness of reserve networks.
EFFECT OF PHYTIC ACID (IP6) VERSUS ETHYLENE DIAMINE TETRA ACETIC ACID (EDTA) ON DENTIN MICROHARDNESS (IN VITRO STUDY)

Introduction: The use of chelating agents removes smear layer, increasing the access of irrigants to allow disinfection, and also reduces microhardness. Microhardness is an indirect evidence of mineral changes in dentin. Its reduction facilitates the instrumentation throughout the canal but, it may weaken the root and increases permeability of dentin. Therefore, finding a biocompatible chelating agent with better chelating ability is mandatory. Objective: To evaluate the effect Phytic acid (IP6) with different concentrations and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution on microhardness of radicular dentin. Materials and method: This study was conducted on 30 single rooted permanentmaxillary anteriors. Teeth were instrumented using rotary files and irrigated in between using 2ml 2.5% NaOCl, then were sectioned longitudinally into halves giving 60 specimens that were embedded in acrylic resin leaving the dentin exposed. After polishing, the microhardness values of the untreated dentin were recorded by Vicker’s microhardness tester. The root halves were divided into 4 groups composed of 15 samples each and immersed for 5 minutes with one of the chelating solutions, Group I: Immersed in 10ml of (IP6) 0.5% followed by 10ml of 2.5% (NaOCl), Group II: Immersed in 10ml of (IP6) 1% followed by 10ml of 2.5% NaOCl, Group III: Immersed in 10ml of 1.5% (IP6) followed by 10ml of 2.5% NaOCl, Group IV: Immersed in 10ml of 17% EDTA solution followed by 10ml of 2.5% NaOCl. Then microhardness values were recorded, and calculation of the difference between baseline values and post-application values were calculated. Results: Tested chelators reduced microhardness of the dentin. 17% EDTA reduced the microhardness more significantly than 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% IP6. Conclusion: Using IP6 with different concentrations had less detrimental effect on dentin microhardness than EDTA.
New Proboscideans (Mammalia) from the middle Miocene of Thailand

The proboscidean fauna of the middle Miocene of Thailand consists of five taxa, including four elephantoids and one deinothere. The Thai association is dominated by the genera Stegolophodon and Gomphotherium. Stegolophodon is represented by S. nasaiensis and S. praelatidens. The latter species, considered invalid and possibly conspecific with S. latidens, is re-erected. Its phylogenetic relationships are discussed. The Thai Gomphotherium matches with G. browni from the middle Miocene of Indo-Pakistan. However, the open nomenclature is employed for the Thai material because it differs from G. browni in terms of curvature of the upper tusk. Intraspecific molar size variation observed in G. cf. browni and Stegolophodon praelatidens is attributed to sexual dimorphism. The Thai proboscidean asssemblage is mainly endemic compared with other contemporaneous Asian faunas although the recognition of Gomphotherium cf. browni denotes faunal affinities with Pakistan. The biostratigraphical implications of the taxa are examined in a regional context. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155, 703–721.
Comparative Study of ZnO Thin Films Doped with Transition Metals (Cu and Co) for Methylene Blue Photodegradation under Visible Irradiation

We synthesized and characterized both Co-doped ZnO (ZnO:Co) and Cu-doped ZnO (ZnO:Cu) thin films. The catalysts’ synthesis was carried out by the sol–gel method while the doctor blade technique was used for thin film deposition. The physicochemical characterization of the catalysts was carried out by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and diffuse reflectance measurements. The photocatalytic activity was studied under visible irradiation in aqueous solution, and kinetic parameters were determined by pseudo-first-order fitting. The Raman spectra results evinced the doping process and suggested the formation of heterojunctions for both dopants. The structural diffraction patterns indicated that the catalysts were polycrystalline and demonstrated the presence of a ZnO wurtzite crystalline phase. The SEM analysis showed that the morphological properties changed significantly, the micro-aggregates disappeared, and agglomeration was reduced after modification of ZnO. The ZnO optical bandgap (3.22 eV) reduced after the doping process, these being ZnO:Co (2.39 eV) and ZnO:Co (3.01 eV). Finally, the kinetic results of methylene blue photodegradation reached 62.6% for ZnO:Co thin films and 42.5% for ZnO:Cu thin films.
Screening of Brassica napus against blackleg caused by Leptosphaeria maculans: effects of inoculum concentration, subculturing of the pathogen, and time of disease screening

The effects of inoculum concentration, subculturing of the pathogen, and time of disease screening on the development of blackleg disease caused by Leptosphaeria maculans were studied using the Brassica napus canola cultivars Quantum (resistant) and Profit (susceptible). Disease development was not affected by inoculum concentration in the range of 5 × 105 - 4 × 106 pycnidiospores/mL or subculturing of stock cultures of L. maculans up to 71 times on V8 juice rose Bengal agar. Disease development, however, showed seasonal variation in the greenhouse. While the disease severity values for the resistant cultivar Quantum increased during the summer, those for the susceptible cultivar Profit remained consistent throughout the year.
Mycelial Compatibility of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Strains of Different Areas

Mycelial compatibility of 47 strains of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a plant pathogenic fungus was investigated. Since fungal strains of the same mycelial compatibility group (MCG) are genetically uniform, or highly similar, the number of MCGs reflects the genetic variability within the species. Pairings were carried out on tomato agar, and scored compatible or incompatible depending on the reaction between the strains. Strains of the same origin often gave incompatible reactions (barrage zone between their colonies), confirming the existance of several MCGs at the some place. Same MCGs were found even at distant locations, reflecting that some of the genotypes are widespread in the country.
Genotypic differences in leaf biochemical, physiological and growth responses to ozone in 20 winter wheat cultivars released over the past 60 years

Ozone (O3) concentrations in periurban areas in East Asia are sufficiently high to decrease crop yield. However, little is known about the genotypic differences in O3 sensitivity in winter wheat in relation to year of cultivar release. This paper reports genotypic variations in O3 sensitivity in 20 winter wheat cultivars released over the past 60 years in China highlighting O3‐induced mechanisms. Wheat plants were exposed to elevated O3 (82 ppb O3, 7 h day−1) or charcoal‐filtered air (<5 ppb O3) for 21 days in open top chambers. Responses to O3 were assessed by the levels of antioxidative activities, protein alteration, membrane lipid peroxidation, gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll, dark respiration and growth. We found that O3 significantly reduced foliar ascorbate (−14%) and soluble protein (−22%), but increased peroxidase activity (+46%) and malondialdehyde (+38%). Elevated O3 depressed light saturated net photosynthetic rate (−24%), stomatal conductance (−8%) and total chlorophyll (−11%), while stimulated dark respiration (+28%) and intercellular CO2 concentration (+39%). O3 also reduced overall plant growth, but to a greater extent in root (−32%) than in shoot (−17%) biomass. There was significant genotypic variation in potential sensitivity to O3 that did not correlate to observed O3 tolerance. Sensitivity to O3 in cultivars of winter wheat progressed with year of release and correlated with stomatal conductance and dark respiration in O3‐exposed plants. O3‐induced loss in photosynthetic rate was attributed primarily to impaired activity of mesophyll cells and loss of integrity of cellular membrane as evidenced by increased intercellular CO2 concentration and lipid peroxidation. Our findings demonstrated that higher sensitivity to O3 in the more recently released cultivars was induced by higher stomatal conductance, larger reduction in antioxidative capacity and lower levels of dark respiration leading to higher oxidative damage to proteins and integrity of cellular membranes.
Study on concentric configuration of nematic liquid crystal droplet by Landau-de Gennes theory

ABSTRACT On the basis of Landau-de Gennes theory, the fine structures of escaped concentric and ideal concentric configurations confined in nematic liquid crystal droplets were investigated. The escaped concentric configuration rather than the ideal concentric configuration appeared under the same conditions and parameters reported in Liq. Cryst. , 45(1): 102 − 111, 2017. After increasing k 22 (twist elastic constant in Frank theory), the escaped concentric configuration transformed into the ideal concentric configuration. Within the ideal concentric configuration, we found an unexpecting order reconstruction occurred around the +1 line disclination, which has yet to be reported. In addition, the structural transitions within droplets of different radii were simulated. Graphical abstact
Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction off Southern Brazil during a Glacial Period (66.5–47 kyr BP): Continental and Oceanic Environments

ABSTRACT Souza Pereira de Ávila, A. ; Leonhardt, A. , and Diniz, D. , 2020. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction off southern Brazil during a glacial period (66.5–47 kyr BP): Continental and oceanic environments. Journal of Coastal Research, 36(6), 1204–1214. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Based on the palynological record of core REG 972, this work aimed to reconstruct the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental history from 66.5 to 47 kyr BP at the south Brazilian continental margin, as well as to identify the influence of continental discharge in the southern portion of the Rio Grande Cone. Nineteen samples were processed following the standard methodology for palynological studies. Organic matter (OM) content was measured in the sediments. The age model was established according to 18O isotopes analyses in benthic foraminiferal tests. The studied interval corresponds to a glacial interval, divided in palynozones (PZs): PZIa (66.5–64.5 kyr), PZIb (64.5–53.5 kyr), and PZII (53.5–47 kyr). PZIa was characterized by drier conditions, with grassland and salt marsh taxa dominance (Cyperaceae and Amaranthaceae). During PZIb and PZII, the increase of Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Araucaria angustifolia, Arecaceae, and Alchornea triplinervia points to wetter and warmer conditions that may be related to the beginning of marine isotope stage 3 and later to the sea-level rise. In the oceanic environment, the presence of freshwater algae and marine indicators lead to the conclusion that marine conditions prevailed during Rio Grande Cone sedimentary formation, even under low sea-level conditions when terrigenous influence was stronger. The data on OM content, dinoflagellate taxa, and mean sea level changes point to a period of low productivity during PZI. In PZII, a period of higher productivity took place because of Subantarctic Shelf Water influence, bringing cold and nutrient-rich waters to the area.
Final thermal preferendum of Atlantic cod: Effect of food ration

Abstract The spatial distribution of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence changed substantially between the 1970s and the 1980s. One proposed explanation for this phenomenon is that the fish were occupying different temperature zones as a result of changes in food availability brought about by changes in the species' abundance. To evaluate one key aspect of this hypothesis, we determined the final thermal preferendum of Atlantic cod in relation to food ration. After 6–15 weeks of conditioning to one of three predetermined rations, 72 fish 40–50 cm long were left to behaviorally thermoregulate three at a time in a horizontal thermal gradient for 45 h. Food ration produced significant differences among the condition indicators of the three groups. A small but significant difference (analysis of variance, P < 0.05) in final thermal preferendum was found between fish fed intermediate and low rations. Omission of the data from the first 3 weeks of the experiment, which showed signs of.
A New Perspective on Constraints in the Optimization of PWM Waveform Synthesis in Inverters

The mathematical formulation of pulse width modulation waveform optimization typically involves defining an optimality criterion and constraints on the switching times and other pulse width modulation parameters. In this brief, new results are presented in relation to two constraints. One constraint ensures the strict sequential ordering of switching times. The second constraint ensures that the average value of the pulse width modulation waveform over each segment matches the average of the sine wave to be generated over the corresponding segment. The significance of this latter constraint is explored and a number of new optimal pulse width modulation waveforms are defined based on the enforcement of this constraint. Numerical results of the performance of the optimal pulse width modulation waveforms are presented and compared with respect to indicators which are significant in inverters, such as magnitude of the fundamental frequency component, harmonic content and shortest switching interval of the pulse width modulation waveforms.
Post COVID-19 ecological and social reset: moving away from capitalist growth models towards tourism as Buen Vivir

Abstract Tourism has been one of the industries most highly affected by COVID-19. The COVID-19 global pandemic is an ‘unprecedented crisis’ and has exposed the pitfalls of a hyper consumption model of economic growth and development. The scale of immediate economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has shattered the myth of ‘catch up development’ and ‘perpetual growth’. The Crisis has brought unintended degrowth, presenting opportunities for an economic and social ‘reset’. In terms of long-term thinking post COVID-19, it is time to change the parameters of how we imagine a trajectory going forward, to prefigure possibilities for contesting capitalist imperatives that ‘there is no alternative’. In relation to tourism, the pandemic provides an opportunity for reimaging tourism otherwise, away from exploitative models that disregard people, places, and the natural environment, and towards a tourism that has positive impacts. Non-western alternatives to neo-colonial and neoliberal capitalism, such the South American concept of ‘Buen Vivir’, can help us to shift priorities away from economic growth, towards greater social and environmental wellbeing, and meaningful human connections. Taking a Buen Vivir approach to tourism will continue the degrowth momentum, for transformative change in society within the earth’s physical limits. Yet Buen Vivir also redefines the parameters of how we understand ‘limits’. In limiting unsustainable practices in development and tourism, a focus on Buen Vivir actually creates growth in other areas, such as social and environmental wellbeing, and meaningful human connection. Buen Vivir can reorient the tourism industry towards localised tourism, and slow tourism because the principles of Buen Vivir require these alternatives to be small-scale, local and benefiting host communities as well as tourists to increase the wellbeing for all.
Human keratinocytes and cutaneous innate immunity

Protection against invading organisms is of principal importance in human skin. Besides a physical shield consisting of coherent layers of dead stratum corneum cells, antimicrobial defense is further provided by the generation of defensins by epithelial cells and phagocytes, especially neutrophilic granulocytes. These appear to be of major importance in preventing microbial infection after wounding and in maintaining an intact mucous membrane ecology. The generation of defensins by epithelial cells (keratinocytes) and granulocytes provides an synergistic defense armentarium, which is beginning to be fully understood. (J Dermatol Treat (2000) 11 (Suppl 1):S9-S13)
Galactomannan hydrolyzing activity develops during priming in the micropylar endosperm tip of tomato seeds

Development of galactomannan hydrolyzing activity was followed in seeds of tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. cv. Toyonishiki] during priming and germination. The activity developed in seeds that were being primed in polyethylene glycol (-0.8 MPa). The activity was detected exclusively in the endosperm portion just adjacent to the radicle tip. Part of the activity remained active after desiccation of the primed seeds
Theoretical investigation into the measurability of rail unevenness and corrugation using the dynamic response of axle box and bogie

Monitoring track unevenness is important for noise and vibration control and track maintenance. Rail corrugation and shorter wavelength track unevenness can be measured using the corrugation analysis trolley, but it is not suitable for measurement over long distance. It is of great significance to study the dynamic behavior of the response of the axle box and bogie to the unevenness excitation for a better understanding of the measurement results. In this paper, the dynamic response of the axle box and bogie to the unevenness excitation is analyzed in the frequency domain by taking account of multiple wheel–rail interactions, which is the case in practice. The response of the axle box and bogie is found to be affected by the so-called P2 resonances at low and medium frequencies and the standing waves of rail vibration at higher frequencies due to the multiple wheel–rail interactions. Based on the analysis of the response of the axle box and bogie, the measurability of track unevenness is discussed. Results show that the measurement of rail unevenness using the axle box response is mainly limited by the P2 resonance. The frequency range of measurement for the ballasted track studied is estimated to be 1–35 Hz, corresponding to the measurable unevenness wavelength of 0.6–20 m (or longer) at a vehicle speed of 20 m/s. Above 200 Hz, the standing waves of rail vibration will cause serious uncertainty in the measurement of short wavelength rail irregularity using the axle box response for the resilient track. Short pitch rail corrugation, however, can be evaluated using the axle box response due to its strong correlation with certain modes of the wheel–track system.
Current Administrative Perceptions of School Counselors: Kansas Administrators' Perceptions of School Counselor Duties.

This study examined Kansas administrators regarding their current perceptions of the role of school counselors. The study involved over 500 building administrators from elementary, middle, and high schools across rural, suburban, and urban districts in Kansas. The findings indicate that there is a clear opportunity to educate administrators on the role of professional school counselors and the standards of the profession for which counselors are accountable.
Does Applying Deep Learning in Financial Sentiment Analysis Lead to Better Classification Performance

Using a unique data set from Seeking Alpha, we compare the deep learning approach with traditional machine learning approaches in classifying financial text. We apply the long short-term memory (LSTM) as the deep learning method and Naive Bayes, SVM, Logistic Regression, XGBoost as the traditional machine learning approaches. The results suggest that the LSTM model outperforms the conventional machine learning methods on all metrics. Based on the t-SNE graph, the success of the LSTM model is partially explained as the high-accuracy LSTM model distinguishes between positive and negative important sentiment words while those words are chosen based on SHAP values and also appear in the widely used financial word dictionary, the Loughran-McDonald Dictionary (2011).
Effect of Farming Practices on Honey Production in Boundary of Gishwati Forest National Park

Pesticides and inorganic fertilizers applied in agriculture are key factors which affect biodiversity, especially bees, butterfly and other pollinators. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of farming practices on honey production in boundary of Gishwati Forest National Park in Rwanda. Survey was conducted to collect data from 2000 year to 2018 year from 51 members grouped in UNICOAPIGI beekeeping and 73 members of JYAMBERE agricultural cooperatives to establish the impact of agriculture practice on honey production. The results showed that the change in agricultural inputs from 2000 to 2018 (R2 = 0.901) resulted in high corn yield and consequently induced honey reduction (R2 = 0.75). The correlation coefficients for pesticides and inorganic fertilizers used in corn production had strong negative effects on honey production {γ3 = -0.06 for chemical fertilizers (X3) and γ4 = -0.42 for pesticides (X4)}. JYAMBERE Agricultural cooperative with 75.78% of farmers reported that they used pesticides and inorganic fertilizers in corn production. However, 51 beekeepers grouped in UNICOAPIGI cooperative reported a serious decline of honey production from 27 Kg to 6 Kg of honey per hive after the 2008 year, which is suspected to be mainly the effect from applications of pesticides and fertilizers in corn production. The findings illustrated that the roles of honeybees as pollinator exposed them to toxic, especially pesticides applied in agriculture in boundary of Gishwati national forest reserve, therefore, beekeepers proposed that protection of forests and park is not only sufficient to reach sustainable conservation of bee biodiversity but also requires determining the land use pattern and socio-political factors around the Gishwati forest reserve.