Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution and ecology of Calopterygidae (Zygoptera: Odonata): status of knowledge and research perspectives

We review the studies of evolution and ecology in the Calopterygidae. Adults are easily distinguished for their pigmented wings and territorial behaviour. Three genera have been well studied: Hetaerina, Calopteryx and Mnais. Larvae develop in riverine aquatic environments. Selection operates at this stage to produce large muscle mass for adults. The adult spends some days until sexually ready. During this time, it feeds extensively to produce muscle fat for egg production and flight. However, gregarine parasites may ingest the fat reserves. Males may use two mating tactics or strategies that may be genetically (Mnais) or environmentally (Calopteryx and Hetaerina) determined: territoriality and nonterritoriality. In Mnais, these strategies appear balanced in fitness terms. Males of Calopteryx, Mnais and Phaon show a precopulatory courtship that is not the case for Hetaerina. Male wing pigmentation seems to signal how good the male is to deal immunologically with parasites to females during the male courtship. During copulation, males displace the sperm the female has stored in the storage organs from previous matings. There is an enormous variation in male sperm displacement mechanisms and ability, and in genitalic morphology in both sexes. This variation possibly results from a coevolutionary game between the sexes to control stored sperm. After copulation, males guard females apparently to avoid that other males take the female in copulation. Our review suggests sources for research in this family.
Genetic-Resistance to Myxomatosis in Australian Wild Rabbits, Oryctolagus-Cuniculus (L)

We examined the role of genetics of rabbit populations in the development of resistance to myxomatosis. We compared the responses of progeny from rabbit populations of Australian arid, mediterranean and subalpine regions when challenged at two ambient temperatures by plaque-purified virus of two myxoma strains of contrasting virulence, Uriarra and Lausanne. Wild rabbit populations have diverged in genetic resistance to myxomatosis since the rabbit was introduced to Australia 125 years previously. Founder effects and natural selection are possible causes. Rabbits from the warm dry regions died of Lausanne strain infection more slowly than rabbits from the cool moist region. Genetic resistance to myxomatosis probably diverged regionally as epizootics selected rabbit populations during the 34 years since the myxoma virus was introduced. Adaptation of rabbit populations to different environments might also have contributed to diverging resistance. Mortality was similar among regional groups and did not correlate with survival time, suggesting either polymorphism within populations, a prerequisite of natural selection, or variation in non-genetic immunity. Warmer conditions did not affect mortality but extended survival times. Therefore myxoma strains predominating in warm regions may be more virulent than those in cooler regions. Mean temperature may cause levels of genetic resistance to vary among regions. Mortality rates were less than those observed previously. Uriarra strain killed < 5% of infected rabbits compared to 35% previously. Lausanne strain killed 88%, formerly 98%. Selection during storage or plaque-purification may have decreased viral virulence, and recent natural selection may have increased genetic resistance of rabbits to myxomatosis.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Biofilm forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Noncritical Surfaces in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in South Eastern Nigeria

Background: The presence of biofilm forming Pseudomonas species on noncritical surfaces in various hospital areas are the basis of Healthcare Associated Infections. Justification: The Healthcare associated infections are on the increase, affecting both care givers and patients with many showing resistant to many antibiotics and therefore calls for study for better understanding of the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from noncritical surfaces in the facility. Aim and objectives: The study was to assess the susceptibility of commonly prescribed antibiotics in the south eastern healthcare facility and to be able to educate the staff, students and patients. Methodology: The study used an experimental design carried out in 800 beds capacity Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, and South East Nigeria. These bacteria were isolated using the swab to collect samples for analysis. Samples were collected from different noncritical surfaces surrounding hospitalized patients and equipment in the tertiary healthcare facility. The 450 positive samples out of the 1314 samples collected were analyzed for bacterial isolation and identification using bacterial cultural and microscopic identification techniques, biochemical tests and the Microbact 24E assay. Result: Biofilm forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identified through crystal violet assay while Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done using agar well diffusion method which was carried out on the isolated biofilm forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion: The susceptibility showed that biofilm forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were resistant to Gentamicin and Augmentin, but sensitive to Vancomycin, Azithromycin and Meropenem. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the highest potential to form biofilms and could be recognized as a major agent of nosocomial infections in healthcare facilities in South East. Its notable resistance to some major antibiotics used in those centres calls for an urgent need for caregivers to carry out susceptibility testing before antibiotic prescription.
Efficient Regular Expression Matching Based on Positional Inverted Index

We study the efficient regular expression (regex) matching problem. Existing algorithms are the scanning-based algorithms which typically use an equivalent automaton compiled from the regex query to verify a document. Although some works propose various strategies to quickly jump to <italic>candidate locations</italic> in a document where a query result may appear, they still need to utilize the scanning-based method to verify these candidate locations. These methods become inefficient when there are still many candidate locations needed to be verified. In this article, we propose a novel approach to efficiently compute all matching positions for a regex query purely based on a positional <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$q$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>q</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="yang-ieq1-2992295.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-gram inverted index. We propose a gram-driven NFA to represent the language of a regex and show all regex matching locations can be obtained by finding positions on <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$q$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>q</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="yang-ieq2-2992295.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-grams of GNFA that satisfy certain positional constraints. Then we propose several GNFA-based query plans to answer the query using the positional inverted index. In order to improve the query efficiency, we design the algorithm to build a tree-based query plan by carefully choosing a checking order for positional constraints. Experimental results on real-world datasets show that our method outperforms state-of-the-art methods by up to an order of magnitude in query efficiency.
Leveling Up for the Teacher-Practitioner

The literature on the uses of gamification in education is increasingly popularizing the implementation of game elements in nongame environments, but the scholarship tends to remain theoretical and lacks a focus on practical application for educators seeking to utilize gamified methods. This article focuses on the design and implementation of gamified leveling-up systems that promote greater student motivation. A previous qualitative study was conducted in which 15 high school teachers were interviewed to discover their perceptions on their use of gamification methods in their curricula. Among all teacher participants, five of them specifically utilized leveling-up systems. I conducted a secondary analysis of a larger qualitative study on the implementation of secondary school educators’ use of gamification methods. Some examples of gamified leveling-up frameworks include the use of additional associated applications such as thematic instruction, incentivized point systems, badging, and leaderboards. Results of this secondary analysis helped me identify and define three different models of gamified frameworks.
A comparison of G- and R-banding in cattle and river Buffalo prometaphase chromosomes

SUMMARYA comparison of high resolution G- and R-banding in cattle and river buffalo chromosomes was performed at the 500 band level. Close banding homologies between the two species were apparent. However a loss of pericentromeric G-positive band in chromosome arms lp, 2q, 4p and 5q and a retention of pericentromeric G-positive bands in chromosome 3 and R-positive banding patterns in the five biarmed pairs of river buffalo were observed. A comparison between sex chromosomes of the two species revealed that (a) river buffalo X and Y chromosomes were longer than cattle sex chromosomes, (b) the distal R-positive (G-negative) band in cattle Y chromosome appeared larger than the corresponding one in river buffalo Y chromosome and (c) two pericentric inversions characterized the differences between the submetacentric cattle and acrocentric river buffalo sex chromosomes.
Regression-Based Models to Predict Rice Leaf Area Index Using Biennial Fixed Point Continuous Observations of Near Infrared Digital Images

Abstract A weatherproof digital imaging system for the near infrared band (NIR, 820–900 nm) was positioned 12 m above a 600-m2 rice field. During the 2008 and 2009 paddy rice seasons, the system automatically logged images at 10-min intervals throughout the day. Radiometric corrections for the NIR images utilized a solar irradiance sensor and prior calibrations to calculate 0900–1500 JST daily-averaged reflectance factors (DARF). Prior to heading, empirically derived equations for predicting leaf area index (LAI) using the 2008 DARF values in NIR, the cosines of angles between the view and the planting row directions, and between the view and the meridian directions were verified with the 2009 data set. Transformation of a model variable by arcsine square root function improved the performance of the LAI prediction by reducing the errors and bias at low LAI values. Adding variables to incorporate lateral angular components to the horizontal viewing angular parameters hardly affected the overall performance of the models and did not reduce variation. This was probably because the height and position of the camera system were the same in successive years. In-plot means of two or four predicted values in each plot reduced the root-mean square error 30%. These results indicate that radiometric NIR images derived using a fixed-point observation system can accurately predict LAI and the simple multiple linear regression equations developed for a given year can be used the following year without in-situ recalibration.
Applying home-range and landscape-use data to design effective feral-cat control programs

Abstract Context. Effective feral-cat (Felis silvestris catus) management requires a sound understanding of the ways cats use their environment. Key characteristics of landscape use by cats vary widely among different regions and different conditions. Aims. The present study aimed to describe the most important characteristics of landscape use by feral cats on a large, human-populated island, and to use this information to guide the development of feral-cat management programs. Methods. We used GPS tracking collars to record the movements of 13 feral cats at two sites on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, for between 20 and 106 days. We described home-range extents by using local convex hulls, and derived management suggestions from examination of home-range and movement data. Key results. Median feral-cat home range was 5.11 km2, and this did not differ between sexes or sites. Cats at a fragmented pastoral site tended to favour woody vegetation over open paddocks, but habitat preferences were less clear at a bushland site. Cats that preferentially used treelines at the pastoral site were almost twice as likely to be recorded close to a tree-line junction as expected. Conclusions. Control programs for feral cats on Kangaroo Island should deploy control devices at a density no less than 1.7 devices km–2. Spatial coverage should be as large as practicable or repeated frequently. Infrequent programs covering small areas can be expected only to provide short-term reductions in cat abundance. Implications. The information gained from the present study will contribute to the development of strategic sustained management plans for feral cats on Kangaroo Island. The principles from which we inferred management guidelines are applicable to other regions and species.
Decent Work’s Association With Job Satisfaction, Work Engagement, and Withdrawal Intentions in Australian Working Adults

The present research is focused on the measurement properties of the Decent Work Scale (DWS) in Australia and adds to the cumulative evidence of the measure’s international utility for psychological research into the role of work in people’s lives. The study contributes new evidence via a survey of a sample of workers (N = 201) who completed the DWS and criterion measures of career-related factors including job satisfaction, work engagement, and withdrawal intentions. Correlated factors, higher order, and bifactor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. All models were satisfactory and the bifactor model evinced preferable fit. The DWS Values Congruence subscale predicted all criterion measures. Workers’ incomes and ratings of their occupations’ prestige had no main effects or interaction effect on the DWS subscales. Recommendations for future research include testing the DWS’s relations with measures of mental health which are known correlates of career-related outcomes.
Building Resilient Organizations: Organizational Resilience as a Network Outcome

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effects of interorganizational networking strategies on organizational resilience as a network outcome. Little research examines the impacts of network structure on the organizational outcomes in the public service delivery although individual organizations’ success is critical for the whole network. Using survey data collected in two South Korean metropolitan areas, this study tests the effects of bonding and bridging strategies on the resilience of public and nongovernmental organizations. The findings confirm the bonding effects and imply that local organizations need to work closely with local partners in the phase of hazard mitigation, which reduces the long-term risk of hazards, to improve organizational resilience.
Identification of key genes associated with the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using weighted gene co-expression network analysis

The present study aimed to identify the key genes that are associated with the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A total of three gene datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including GSE107943, GSE119336 and GSE26566. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues and adjacent liver tissues were identified using GSE107943, while tissue specific genes between bile duct and liver tissues were identified using GSE26566. Following the removal of tissue-specific genes, real DEGs were used to construct the WGCNA to investigate the association between gene modules and clinical traits. Following functional analysis, pathway enrichment analysis and the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were performed, hub genes were selected and their diagnostic value was verified in GSE119336 using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Finally, the protein levels of the hub genes were also verified in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues. A total of 1,643 real DEGs were identified and used to construct the WGCNA. Additionally, a total of seven co-expressed gene modules were identified following WGCNA, while genes in brown and yellow modules were identified to be associated with multiple clinical traits (the number of clinical traits >3) and used as key modules. A total of 63 core key module genes were subsequently identified, and it was indicated that these genes were most enriched in the nucleus (Gene Ontology term) and the cell cycle pathway (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes term). Finally, a total of eight genes, including cyclin B1, cell division cycle 20, cell division cycle associated 8, cyclin dependent kinase 1, centrosomal protein 55, kinesin family member 2C, DNA topoisomerase IIα and TPX2 microtubule nucleation factor, exhibited the highest score in PPI analysis and had a high diagnostic value for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In addition, the protein levels of these genes were also revealed to be increased in most intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues. These eight genes may be used as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Optimal Classification of COVID-19: A Transfer Learning Approach

Till now COVID-19 has affected 196 countries and resulted over 446,946 cases in which 19,811 are deaths, 112,058 got recovered and still many are left to be recovered. This is a viral pneumonia and thus no antiviral drug will work to reduce these cases. During the recovery, only immune system has played a major role. Analyzing and then diagnosing is currently a major challenge. This paper focuses on the classification which can help in analysis of COVID-19 with normal chest X-ray using deep learning technique. An optimal solution has been provided using transfer learning approach keeping in mind the limitation of the dataset. The performance has been determined by train and test loss and accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and p-score. The dataset used for the classification are the x-ray images of the chest as it can help to detect novel coronavirus in patients before RT-PCR lab testing.
Mitochondrial genome of the Silvertip shark, Carcharhinus albimarginatus, from the British Indian Ocean Territory

Abstract The Chagos archipelago in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) has been lacking in detailed genetic studies of its chondrichthyan populations. Chondrichthyes in Chagos continue to be endangered through illegal fishing operations, necessitating species distribution and abundance studies to facilitate urgent monitoring and conservation of the species. Here, we present a complete mitochondrial genome of the Silvertip Shark, Carcharhinus albimarginatus sampled in the Chagos archipelago. The mitochondrial genome of C. albimarginatus was 16,706 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, a replication origin and a D-loop region. GC content was at 38.7% and the control region was 1,065 bp in length. We expect that mitogenomes presented here will aid development of molecular assays for species distribution studies. Overall these studies will promote effective conservation of marine ecosystemes in the BIOT.
Cell Surface Presenilin-1 Participates in the γ-Secretase-like Proteolysis of Notch*

Presenilin-1 (PS1), a polytopic membrane protein primarily localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, is required for efficient proteolysis of both Notch and β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) within their trans- membrane domains. The activity that cleaves APP (called γ-secretase) has properties of an aspartyl protease, and mutation of either of the two aspartate residues located in adjacent transmembrane domains of PS1 inhibits γ-secretase processing of APP. We show here that these aspartates are required for Notch processing, since mutation of these residues prevents PS1 from inducing the γ-secretase-like proteolysis of a Notch1 derivative. Thus PS1 might function in Notch cleavage as an aspartyl protease or di-aspartyl protease cofactor. However, the ER localization of PS1 is inconsistent with that hypothesis, since Notch cleavage occurs near the cell surface. Using pulse-chase and biotinylation assays, we provide evidence that PS1 binds Notch in the ER/Golgi and is then co-transported to the plasma membrane as a complex. PS1 aspartate mutants were indistinguishable from wild-type PS1 in their ability to bind Notch or traffic with it to the cell surface, and did not alter the secretion of Notch. Thus, PS1 appears to function specifically in Notch proteolysis near the plasma membrane as an aspartyl protease or cofactor.
Assessment of Antimycin a Use in Fisheries and its Potential for Reregistration

Abstract Fisheries managers and catfish farmers have used the piscicide antimycin A (antimycin) as a management tool for about 35 years. In 1993, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, required the reregistration of antimycin and the completion of expensive environmental fate and residue studies. To justify the expense, we investigated the potential of antimycin as a piscicide in North America and its potential for reregistration in the United States by (a) surveying government agencies and private catfish farmers, (b) analyzing the literature, and (c) determining the feasibility of completing the studies required for reregistration. Sales data indicate that agencies use about 5 kg of antimycin annually (one-quarter of sales), and catfish farmers use the remainder. Catfish farmers use antimycin to remove scaled fish from production ponds, and agencies now use the limited amount of antimycin in western and mid.
Toward a pattern-based referencing tool: Learner interactions and perceptions

Abstract In this process-based study, we introduced a collocation tool with a new interface and advanced search features and examined how a class of EFL college students interacted with it. To elicit their tool consultation behaviors, a vocabulary test with collocation questions was designed. The students’ use of the tool to answer the vocabulary questions was screen-recorded for further analysis, serving as the major data source. One-on-one interviews with selected students were then conducted to clarify issues related to the study and their experience in using the tool. The findings indicated that the pattern-based tool was efficient in helping students solve collocation problems. This paper concludes with some pedagogical implications and suggestions for further research.
Effect of ionic solutions on the performance of electrokinetic treatment of soft soils

Abstract This study evaluates the performance of electrokinetic (EK) treatment to improve the engineering properties of soft soils. Laboratory tests were conducted using ionic solutions of calcium chloride, CaCl2 and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3. Atterberg limits, unconfined compression, electrochemical, thermal, and microscopic tests were performed in terms of treatment duration, anode-to-cathode distances, and different combinations of ionic solutions as calcium chloride-distilled water (CaCl2-DW), sodium carbonate-distilled water (Na2CO3-DW) and calcium chloride-sodium carbonate (CaCl2-Na2CO3). EK treatment caused a reduction in the specific surface area, Sa, cation exchange capacity, CEC, and plasticity resulting in 26%, 14%, 19% reduction using CaCl2-DW, Na2CO3-DW, and CaCl2-Na2CO3 ionic solutions, respectively. The formation of the new compounds, calcium aluminosilicate hydrates, CASH resulted in the strength gain of the EK treated soils and increased the strength from 21 kPa to 90 kPa, 63 kPa, and 92 kPa with the ionic solutions of CaCl2-DW, Na2CO3-DW, and CaCl2-Na2CO3, respectively.