Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the evolution of sex-specific phenotypes

This thesis uses theoretical models to investigate a diverse set of questions that revolve around the evolution sex-specific phenotypes. Chapter 1 studies the evolution of sex-determining mechanisms. It investigates the evolutionary change in the coding sequences of sex determining genes associated with the recruitment of a top regulatory gene in Drosophila. We find that this recruitment coincided with changes in the evolution of all the genes of the sex determining pathway. We discuss how these changes are tied with the genes' molecular functions, and highlight the limits of inference from DNA sequence change only. Chapter 2 investigates the genomic distribution of sexually antagonistic alleles. Our study predicts that the interplay of sexually antagonistic selection and genetic drift leads to the accumulation of sexually antagonistic alleles on the X in XY species and, on the autosomes in ZW species, especially when sexual competition is strong among males. Chapter 3 studies the evolution and consequences of sex-specific reproductive variance by constructing a population genetic model that is based on an explicit representation of sexual reproduction. In particular, we derive the probability of fixation for mutations affecting male and female reproductive traits in different ways and find that sex-specific reproductive variance may have profound consequences for the evolution of sex-specific phenotypes. Finally, chapter 4 adapts this latter model to investigate the evolution of developmental instability in the presence of female choice. Developmental instability can be selected for by female choice. But it can have very dire consequences for other aspects of the phenotype, notably in female fecundity and offspring survival. We discuss the effects of reproductive variance on whether these detrimental effects are capable of preventing developmental instability. Overall, this thesis highlights how not only sex-specific selection, but also sex-specific variance in gene transmission contribute to variation in sex-specific phenotypes.
Flavonoids from mulberry leaves by microwave-assisted extract and anti-fatigue activity.

Flavonoids from mulberry leaves (FML) were extracted using microwave-assisted extraction method (MAE). Several correlation factors were studied to optimise conditions at laboratory scale. The research results indicated that the optimal extraction parameters are as follows: ethanol concentration is 60%, material/solvent ratio is 1:15, microwave irradiation power is 560 W and irradiation time is 5 min. FML were tested in mice weight-loaded swimming model. Both high-dose and middle-dose of FML could obviously prolong the swimming endurance time, and had active effects on the serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), hepatic glycogen and blood lactic acid levels in mice. The above results suggest that appropriate dose of FML possessed an anti-fatigue activity in mice. Key words: Flavonoids, mulberry leaves, microwave-assisted extract, anti-fatigue.
Early‐Stage Lithospheric Foundering Beneath the Eastern Tibetan Plateau Revealed by Full‐Wave Pn Tomography

The west‐east contrast of magmatism in northern Tibet suggests that the lithospheric root has been removed in the west, following continental collision that led to lithospheric thickening and removal, but not in the east where paradoxically larger convergence occurred. Here we show a full‐wave Pn tomography model for the eastern Tibetan Plateau, which reveals a high‐velocity layer beneath the Moho extending to 150‐km depth. The anomalously high velocities and its northward dipping top surface suggest a very depleted and cold mantle consistent with an underthrusted Precambrian Lhasa lithosphere. A high‐velocity column connects this layer to another high‐velocity layer below 190‐km depth, representing early‐stage removal of the Tibetan mantle lithosphere and its interaction with the underthrusted Indian lithosphere. The west‐east contrast is thus attributed to different stages of lithospheric removal, which may be controlled by varying angles of Indian subduction from the west to the east.
High genetic diversity and stable Pleistocene distributional ranges in the widespread Mexican red oak Quercus castanea Née (1801) (Fagaceae)

Abstract The Mexican highlands are areas of high biological complexity where taxa of Nearctic and Neotropical origin and different population histories are found. To gain a more detailed view of the evolution of the biota in these regions, it is necessary to evaluate the effects of historical tectonic and climate events on species. Here, we analyzed the phylogeographic structure, historical demographic processes, and the contemporary period, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Last Interglacial (LIG) ecological niche models of Quercus castanea, to infer the historical population dynamics of this oak distributed in the Mexican highlands. A total of 36 populations of Q. castanea were genotyped with seven chloroplast microsatellite loci in four recognized biogeographic provinces of Mexico: the Sierra Madre Occidental (western mountain range), the Central Plateau, the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB, mountain range crossing central Mexico from west to east) and the Sierra Madre del Sur (SMS, southern mountain range). We obtained standard statistics of genetic diversity and structure and tested for signals of historical demographic expansions. A total of 90 haplotypes were identified, and 29 of these haplotypes were restricted to single populations. The within‐population genetic diversity was high (mean h S = 0.72), and among‐population genetic differentiation showed a strong phylogeographic structure (N ST = 0.630 > G ST = 0.266; p < .001). Signals of demographic expansion were identified in the TMVB and the SMS. The ecological niche models suggested a considerable percentage of stable distribution area for the species during the LGM and connectivity between the TMVB and the SMS. High genetic diversity, strong phylogeographic structure, and ecological niche models suggest in situ permanence of Q. castanea populations with large effective population sizes. The complex geological and climatic histories of the TMVB help to explain the origin and maintenance of a large proportion of the genetic diversity in this oak species.
Fidelity and Performance of State Fast-forwarding in Microscopic Traffic Simulations

Common car-following models for microscopic traffic simulation assume a time advancement using fixed-sized time steps. However, a purely time-driven execution is inefficient when the states of some agents are independent of other agents and thus predictable far into the simulated future. We propose a method to accelerate microscopic traffic simulations based on identifying independence among agent state updates. Instead of iteratively updating an agent’s state throughout a sequence of time steps, a computationally inexpensive “fast-forward” function advances the agent’s state to the time of its earliest possible interaction with other agents. We present an algorithm to determine independence intervals in microscopic traffic simulations and derive fast-forward functions for several well-known traffic models. In contrast to existing approaches based on reducing the level of detail, our approach retains the microscopic nature of the simulation. An evaluation is performed for a synthetic scenario and on the road network of Singapore. At low traffic densities, maximum speedup factors of about 2.6 and 1.6 are achieved, while at the highest considered densities, only few opportunities for fast-forwarding exist. We show that the deviation from purely time-driven execution is reduced to a minimum when choosing an adequate numerical integration scheme to execute the time-driven updates. Verification results show that the overall deviation in vehicle travel times is marginal.
How Course Level, Gender, and Ethnic Identity Labels Interact with Language Attitudes towards Spanish as a Heritage Language

Abstract:This study investigates correlations of course level, gender, and ethnic identity labels with attitudinal dimensions toward Spanish by Spanish as a Heritage Language Learners in New Mexico. Participants in first-semester (n = 327) and fourth-semester (n = 174) Spanish as a Heritage Language courses rated twelve items designed to index language attitudes (Instrumental, Sentimental, Communication, and Value) toward Spanish on a 5-point Likert scale, based on a similar tool used by Mejías and Anderson (1988) and Mejías et al. (2003). Participants at both levels claimed similar ethnic identity labels but had different correlations to language attitudes. First-semester students who self-identified as “Mexican American,” “Hispanic,” and “Spanish” rated the Value dimension higher than peers who did not claim those labels. “Anglo” correlated negatively with both the Value and Communicative dimensions. Fourth-semester students who self-identified as “Latino/a” had positive attitudes in the Sentimental, Instrumental, and Communicative dimensions. “Native American” and “Spanish” correlated negatively with Sentimental while “American” correlated negatively with Instrumental. Higher-level students held more favorable language attitudes, and females at both levels had more positive attitudes than male peers. These findings have implications for how course level, gender, and ethnic identity may impact heritage language maintenance and motivation to learn the heritage language in the university setting.
Seasonal diet switching in captive giant pandas

Abstract: Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are specialized bamboo (Bambusoideae) eaters with a simple, carnivorous digestive system. They are known to employ diet switching (i.e., selecting different parts and species of bamboo depending on season and reproductive status). Our objective was to explore whether seasonality or changes in reproductive hormone concentrations had a significant effect on diet switching in captive giant pandas. We determined the mass and nutrient intake of each plant part ingested by one male and one female panda held at River Safari (Singapore). We classified the plant parts as young and old selections of leaves and shoots. Each panda was offered a combination of 3 species of locally raised bamboo. We analyzed the reproductive metabolites of our female panda to determine whether an interaction of estrus and season may affect seasonal diet switching. Ingestion of young leaves, mature leaves, and stems were significantly affected by season. Stalks, however, were ingested year-round in similar proportions. When grouped together, leaves and stems were also ingested according to season. We did not detect any effect of hormones on the nutrient intake of the one female panda. Selection was entirely based on plant parts, and not nutrient content. Therefore, diet switching may not be a good behavioral tool to use in assessing onset of the mating season. However, the large amount of concentrated feeds in our panda's diet may have prevented any significant nutrient changes throughout the year.
$G$-CONE METRIC SPACES AND FIXED POINTS THROUGH MULTIVALUED CONTRACTIONS

: The aim of the paper is to obtain a ﬁxed point result for multivalued contraction by using a newly deﬁne notion H -cone metric with respect to G for the family A of subsets of X in complete G -cone metric space. Our result generalizes H -cone metric in the sense of Muhammad Arshad and Jamshaid Ahmad [1] to G -metric spaces. Moreover, an example is provided to illustrate the usability of main result.
Analyse bio-informatique du protéome mitochondrial et du spectre des mutations de la protéine Opa1

Les mitochondries sont impliquees dans de nombreux processus cellulaires essentiels tels que le catabolisme des nutriments, la phosphorylation oxydative, l'apoptose et la regulation des flux calciques. Elles ont une structure dynamique, qui s'adapte en permanence aux besoins cellulaires, et sont sous le controle de reseaux de regulation coordonnant leur masse, leur structure et leurs fonctions. Le proteome mitochondrial est ainsi compose d'une tres grande diversite de proteines qui derive en partie de l'ancetre procaryote des mitochondries et resulte majoritairement d'une information codee par le genome nucleaire, mais aussi d'une information plus restreinte portee par le genome mitochondrial. Sept cents proteines mitochondriales ont ete caracterisees chez l'homme, grâce a diverses approches de proteomique, de genomique et de bio-informatique, mais il est probable que les mitochondries en comportent un nombre bien superieur. La caracterisation de ces proteines est essentielle a la comprehension des nombreuses maladies genetiques et communes associees a des dysfonctionnements mitochondriaux. Au cours de ce travail de these nous avons compare in silico les sequences des proteines mitochondriales humaines avec celles des procaryotes, mettant en evidence que les proteines impliquees dans les pathologies sont majoritairement homologues a des proteines procaryotes. Nous avons ensuite developpe une strategie de recherche bio-informatique de nouvelles proteines mitochondriales basee sur leur origine procaryote et la presence d'une extension N-terminale caracteristique. L'ensemble des proteomes procaryotes connus a ete compare au genome humain et differents outils de filtrage ont ete developpes pour identifier de nouvelles proteines. Parallelement a cette strategie globale de criblage, nous nous sommes focalises sur l'etude d'une des proteines participant a la fusion mitochondriale qui est associee a l'atrophie optique autosomique dominante, la proteine Opa1. Cette dynamine GTPase est impliquee dans le remodelage de la membrane interne mitochondriale, l'apoptose, la maintenance de l'ADN mitochondrial et le metabolisme energetique. Nous avons developpe une base de donnees internationale repertoriant les differents variants affectant Opa1 afin de caracteriser son spectre mutationnel. Cet outil a secondairement servi a une etude clinique multicentrique portant sur pres de mille patients porteurs d'une neuropathie optique. A travers ces deux approches, nous avons pu developper de nouveaux outils bio-informatiques qui devraient contribuer a une meilleure comprehension de la physiopathologie mitochondriale.
Adaptive Uplink Rate Control for Confirmed Class A Transmission in LoRa Networks

Long-range wide-area networks (LoRaWANs) have been designed to provide low-power long-range communication service to Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. To efficiently support a massive number of IoT devices in a wide area with limited resources, the LoRaWAN utilizes various adaptation techniques, including rate and power control. In this article, we propose a very simple and energy-efficient rate control scheme for LoRa uplink transmission. With the proposed scheme, a LoRa end device increases its rate (rate_up) when recognizing that the uplink channel quality gets better and, when recognizing the transmission failure under an uncongested network situation, the device decreases the rate (rate_down) or increases the transmission power. The proposed scheme also has a simple mechanism for avoiding the repeated alternation between rate_up and rate_down, called a ping-pong situation. We evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme, by modeling it as a continuous-time Markov chain. In addition, we compare the performances of the proposed scheme and some existing schemes by using simulation. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme greatly outperforms the others, in the transmission success probability, effective transmission rate, frame transmission delay, and energy consumption.
Non-financial Performance Disclosure and Company Performance: Australian Evidence

The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between company financial performance, company characteristics and non-financial performance disclosure (NFPD) in terms of quantity and quality. This paper uses a NFPD index that covers six perspectives: three perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and three perspectives of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure. The sample data used in this study is 30 Australian listed companies in 2014. The results show that in terms of quantity, there is a significant relationship between company financial performance (Return on Equity-ROE and Earning per Share-EPS), company type, company age, auditing firm and non-financial performance disclosure while Return on Asset (ROA) and size of company shown no significance. Meanwhile, in terms of quality, only ROE and company age were significantly related to non-financial performance disclosure. Overall, by using the six perspectives of non-financial performance disclosure in the 30 companies in Australia, this study has contributed new understandings to the main corporate social disclosure studies focused on non-financial performance disclosure, which should motivate companies to produce and disclose annual and sustainability reports that are more comprehensive and highly credible. Keywords: Non-financial performance disclosure; Balanced Scorecard; Environmental, Social and Governance
On metapopulations and microrefugia: palaeoecological insights

We highlight the importance of microrefugia in the light of population migration and genetic drift by synthesizing lessons learnt from metapopulation and palaeoecological studies. The concept of microrefugia is considered as a long‐term variant of conventional metapopulations, in which microclimatic stability supersedes gene flow in determining species survival. Not all species can maintain populations in microrefugia. Life history traits such as small body size, the capacity for asexual reproduction, and species with light genetic loads favour survival. Microrefugia will facilitate faster rates of species responses to climate change than envisioned in diffusion models, and potentially provide a means to alleviate the negative effects posed by natural or anthropogenic barriers to migration. Predictive models based on relatively coarse‐grained approaches that ignore microrefugia will lead to overestimates of extinction risk. Microrefugia should be identified and conserved, not for the species they contain, as these are likely to turn over with time, but as an important component of landscape diversity that will provide a safe haven for species not yet identified as at risk.
30 GHz surface acoustic wave transducers with extremely high mass sensitivity

A nano-patterning process is reported in this work, which can achieve surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with an extremely high frequency and a super-high mass sensitivity. An integrated lift-off process with ion beam milling is used to minimize the short-circuiting problem and improve the quality of nanoscale interdigital transducers (IDTs). A specifically designed proximity-effect-correction algorithm is applied to mitigate the proximity effect occurring in the electron-beam lithography process. The IDTs with a period of 160 nm and a finger width of 35 nm are achieved, enabling a frequency of ∼30 GHz on lithium niobate based SAW devices. Both centrosymmetric type and axisymmetric type IDT structures are fabricated, and the results show that the centrosymmetric type tends to excite lower-order Rayleigh waves and the axisymmetric type tends to excite higher-order wave modes. A mass sensitivity of ∼388.2 MHz × mm2/ μ g is demonstrated, which is ∼109 times larger than that of a conventional quartz crystal balance and ∼50 times higher than a conventional SAW device with a wavelength of 4 μm. A nano-patterning process is reported in this work, which can achieve surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with an extremely high frequency and a super-high mass sensitivity. An integrated lift-off process with ion beam milling is used to minimize the short-circuiting problem and improve the quality of nanoscale interdigital transducers (IDTs). A specifically designed proximity-effect-correction algorithm is applied to mitigate the proximity effect occurring in the electron-beam lithography process. The IDTs with a period of 160 nm and a finger width of 35 nm are achieved, enabling a frequency of ∼30 GHz on lithium niobate based SAW devices. Both centrosymmetric type and axisymmetric type IDT structures are fabricated, and the results show that the centrosymmetric type tends to excite lower-order Rayleigh waves and the axisymmetric type tends to excite higher-order wave modes. A mass sensitivity of ∼388.2 MHz × mm2/ μ g is demonstrated, which is ∼109 times larger than that of a conventional quartz crystal.
A lesson to learn? A study of how various ranks and police leaders understand and relate to experience-based learning

ABSTRACT Improvement through experience-based learning is on the agenda of the Norwegian police. This paper will examine how ‘experience-based learning’ is understood and practiced by police leaders of different ranks within crisis management. The study’s analysis is based on in-depth interviews with Incident Management (IM) police staff members, such as the district chief of police, the chief of IM staff and the control room supervisors. The paper presents three findings. First, the analysis shows there is a difference in the various police ranks in the perception of the term. Second, the police leaders, across the ranks, share an understanding that the police are not sufficiently good at learning and developing practice from experience due to cultural issues within the organisation. Third, there are differences in police leaders’ views as to the extent to which closing reports form the basis for changes in practice. The paper discusses the conditions required for experience-based learning as an approach to developing crisis management in the police. The paper argues that improving the police service through experience requires that leaders share a common understanding of the term ‘experience-based learning’ and its pre-condition such as reflection. The paper suggests that it is necessary for police leaders responsible for EBL to get an opportunity to learn how to learn from EBL, preferably by attending higher education. In this way, the facilitation of EBL can be based on epistemological theory and science.
A new Sellaphora Mereschkowsky species (Bacillariophyceae) from Hainan Island, China, with comments on the current state of the taxonomy and morphology of the genus

We present light and scanning electron microscope observations on a new species of the diatom genus Sellaphora, Sellaphora wangii Y.Liu & Kociolek, sp. nov., described from Hainan Island, China. This species has a raised conopeum with an axial groove or trough on either side of the axial area containing striae extending into the trough, and round depressions (i.e. pits) on the valve mantle at both apices. Our new species is distinctive and separated from other Sellaphora taxa by a unique combination of features that includes its valve outline, undulate raphe, and bow-tie shaped hymenes of the internal areola openings. The uncertainty and dynamic nature of the classification of Sellaphora prompted a review of the ultrastructural features found in species assigned to the genus. Based on this review, we identify four distinct groups of Sellaphora taxa organized by different combinations of ultrastructural features: stria structure, external and internal openings of the areolae, conopeum, polar bars, and apical pits. Based on the features present in our new species, it would be placed in the group that includes S. pupula, the generitype.