Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engraved on the rocks—Aeolian abrasion of Martian mudstone exposures and their relationship to modern wind patterns in Gale Crater, Mars

In this contribution we report measurements and interpretations of aeolian abrasion features observed along the Mars Science Laboratory rover traverse at Gale Crater on Mars. Aeolian abrasion of surface rocks has been documented by most missions that have landed on Mars, but attention has largely focused on relatively resistant rocks that display ventifact morphologies well‐known from Earth. The current study instead emphasizes abrasion features developed on mudstone surfaces, because aeolian abrasion textures are very common in the mudstone‐dominated Murray Formation at Gale Crater. These abrasion textures have been observed over a wide area, and they allow deductions about dominant past wind regimes that differ from those observed at present. On Earth, aeolian abrasion features in mudstone outcrops have minimal preservation potential because of the susceptibility of mudstones to moisture and aqueous erosion, even in dominantly arid surface environments. Because of this there is no literature on potential terrestrial analogs. In order to better understand aeolian abrasion morphologies in mudstones on Mars, laboratory experiments were conducted that exposed a range of mudstone samples and rock simulant samples to wind‐driven sand for periods of up to four months. These experiments produced a range of aeolian abrasion textures (‘wind tails’, fluting, differential ‘etching’ of laminae, stalks and pedestals) that can serve as analogs for features in the Murray Formation, increasing our confidence regarding aeolian origins for these and the deductions of formative, sand‐driving wind azimuths. Orientations of aeolian abrasion textures along the Mars Science Laboratory traverse were compared with active ripple orientations in rover images, and with previous analyses of orbital images of the study area, in order to evaluate whether the current, complex wind environment can explain the abrasion orientations observed in rover images, or if the abrasion record might also contain signatures of past wind regimes that differed from those of the present. Results show relatively coherent patterns of airflow and sand movement that vary in accordance with factors like local topography and upwind availability of sand for abrasion. Wind events blowing southwest that are primarily responsible for southwest migration of the Bagnold Dunes have also caused bedrock abrasion of similar orientation between these dunes. Less effective wind events (from an abrasion standpoint) blowing south‐southeast have broadly affected bedrock exposures elsewhere across the Mars Science Laboratory landing site away from the Bagnold Dunes. A notable exception are northeast abrasion textures on the more erosion‐resistant sandstones of the Naukluft Plateau. The latter are consistent with one of two abrasion directions measured in previous studies, prior to the rover's arrival at the Murray Formation mudstones, and probably reflect the preservation of an ancient sand‐driving wind regime that differs from that of the present.
Tourism and Altruistic Intention: Volunteer Tourism Development and Self-Interested Value

Volunteer tourism is indisputably an emerging trend in the tourism industry across the globe. Yet, little is known about the altruistic behavior of volunteer travelers. To fill this void, this research explores the convoluted relationships among memorable experience, awareness of problem, social norm, psychological resilience, personal norm, and self-interested value in driving altruistic intention. A field survey was conducted with a quantitative approach. The result reveals that psychological resilience and personal norm are direct determinants of altruistic intention while mediating the influence of awareness of problem and social norm on intention. In addition, memorable experience along with awareness of problem significantly induced volunteer travelers’ psychological resilience. Moreover, the test for metric invariance shows that the relationships between psychological resilience, personal norm, and altruistic intention are under the significant influence of volunteer travelers’ self-interested value. Overall, the variance in altruistic intention for volunteer tourism is satisfactorily explained by our suggested theoretical framework.
Designing Model in Delays Risk Management Planning and Result-Oriented Delays Analysis, Based on Variance and Importance Degree (BVID)

Existence of delays is an inseparable part of projects and subject of disagreements among stakeholders in all countries. There are four valid techniques in the Society of Construction Law global protocol about project delays calculation that without having the ability to control the risk of delays incidence only calculate the prolongation of contract prolongation and consider it as project delays. Researcher believes: first, risk of delays should be managed, minimized, shared, transferred, or accepted, but it cannot be ignored; therefore, it must be predicted, covered, managed, and optimized; and second, prolongation time of project is not necessarily equal to increased delay amount, and many other factors that themselves are the basis of emergence of project risks are effective in calculation of delays. Therefore, it is necessary to identify these factors and develop the strategy for their control and management before starting the project. So, in this article, two researcher-made combinative techniques are presented in order to resolve this deficiency: first, introduction of importance degree factor model instead of weight factor; and second, introduction of a model in the field of claim management in order to controlling risk of delays, analyzing result-oriented delays, and determining the share of stakeholders’ failures, based on variance and importance degree.
Strategies for Conserving Clinal, Ecotypic, and Disjunct Population Diversiv in Widespread Species

Why is a chapter on widespread species appearing in a volume on rare species? One answer to that is another question: Why focus on species in the first place? Granted, species do have a unique status. They are more or less closed units genetically, and species extinction signals the end of an evolutionary lineage that may have begun millions of years ago. By contrast. individuals and populations within species are lost and replaced all the time.
Stator Faults Modeling and Diagnostics of Line-Start Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

In this article, the occurrence of stator faults in line-start permanent magnet synchronous motors is analyzed. A dynamic model of the motor was developed in MATLAB/Simulink, which considers the performance of the motor both in healthy conditions and under the occurrence of interturn short-circuit faults, at an early stage of development. To validate the presented approach, simulation results, covering the full range of operation, and different fault severity levels, are compared with the motor experimental performance. The output of the proposed model, namely voltages and currents, present a good agreement with experimental results, demonstrating the accuracy of the proposed model. Additionally, an online fault diagnostic technique is explored, demonstrating its potentiality.
Overview of PCR

As a means of rapidly copying and amplifying a selected template sequence from a pool of DNA in vitro, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a stand‐alone technique and in combinations with other methods has a vast range of applications. This chapter provides an overview of the theory and applications for this powerful and versatile laboratory method. A generic protocol for the broadest application is described in this unit along with the basic theory underpinning PCR to foster an understanding of how to make modifications to the protocol that can be applied to specific applications of the PCR technique. There is a troubleshooting table provided to describe and resolve the most common problems associated with PCR, as well as a table for suppliers and manufacturers of thermal cycling instruments. A detailed discussion of various DNA polymerases and suppliers is also provided.
The Effects of Live Platform Exterior Design on Sustainable Impulse Buying: Exploring the Mechanisms of Self-Efficacy and Psychological Ownership

The sensory upgrading facilitated by live platforms, such as YouTube Live, Twitch, and Periscope, can facilitate much better interactions and understanding between a product, its brand, and the user. The question of how to enhance sustainable marketing effects using exterior design is currently a major topic in the live streaming marketing sector. The effect of the exterior design of a live platform on the impulse purchases of its consumers has rarely been discussed by academic research. Accordingly, based on the theory of self-determination, this study explored the direct effects of exterior design, self-efficacy, psychological ownership, and impulse buying by using multiple linear regression, and examined the indirect effects of these variables using the structural equation model. In this study, 534 samples were collected from live consumers, and our hypotheses were verified by employing hierarchical regression. As revealed from the results obtained, the self-efficacy and psychological ownership exhibited by consumers exerted synchronous and chain mediating effects on the relationships between the exterior design of the platform and consumer impulse buying. To enhance this marketing effect, live platforms should focus on designing pleasant exterior clues, creating a better psychological atmosphere, and the enhancement of consumers’ self-efficacy.
The role of Huntingtin in fast axonal transport

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, neurodegenerative disease that occurs when an expansion of the polyQ tract of the huntingtin gene expands to greater than ~35 residues. This mutation leads to aggregation of the Huntingtin protein (Htt) and degeneration of striatal and cortex neurons, ultimately causing motor impairment and personality changes. Neither the mechanism by which mutant Htt causes toxicity, nor the endogenous function of wild-type Htt, are well understood. To explore mechanisms of mutant Htt-induced toxicity, we generated and characterized a Drosophila model of HD by expressing a 588 amino acid N-terminal fragment of human Htt with 138 glutamines, and tagged with mRFP (Q138Htt-RFP). We used this model to conduct a screen for genes that modify cytoplasmic aggregation and/or toxicity phenotypes. We identified two classes of interacting suppressors in our screen: those that rescue viability while decreasing Htt expression and aggregation, and those that rescue viability independent of effects on Htt aggregation, suggesting that aggregation and toxicity can be separated. To evaluate the putative function of Htt in fast axonal transport, we characterized the colocalization of the Drosophila Htt homolog tagged with mRFP (dHtt-RFP), and the alterations in axonal transport kinetics associated with a dhtt null. We find that dHtt co-localizes with a subset of cargos including synaptic vesicles and mitochondria, and acts locally on these cargos to increase transport processivity. Finally, we evaluated the effects of Q138Htt-RFP expression on transport kinetics. We find that the majority of transport cargos bypass Q138Htt aggregates, indicating they are not complete blockages of axonal transport. We also observe reduced mitochondrial transport in the absence of aggregates, suggesting aggregate-independent transport defects. Our observations of transport in vivo support a role for wild-type Htt in mediating fast axonal transport of membrane bound organelles, and suggest that mutant Htt can cause aggregation-dependent and -independent defects in axonal transport. Thesis Advisor: J. Troy Littleton Title: Professor of Biology
Numerical simulations of flow past three circular cylinders in equilateral-triangular arrangements

Flow past three identical circular cylinders is numerically investigated using the immersed boundary method. The cylinders are arranged in an equilateral-triangle configuration with one cylinder placed upstream and the other two side-by-side downstream. The focus is on the effect of the spacing ratio $L/D(=1.0{-}6.0)$, Reynolds number $Re(=50{-}300)$ and three-dimensionality on the flow structures, hydrodynamic forces and Strouhal numbers, where $L$ is the cylinder centre-to-centre spacing and $D$ is the cylinder diameter. The fluid dynamics involved is highly sensitive to both $Re$ and $L/D$, leading to nine distinct flow structures, namely single bluff-body flow, deflected flow, flip-flopping flow, steady symmetric flow, steady asymmetric flow, hybrid flow, anti-phase flow, in-phase flow and fully developed in-phase co-shedding flow. The time-mean drag and lift of each cylinder are more sensitive to $L/D$ than $Re$ while fluctuating forces are less sensitive to $L/D$ than $Re$. The three-dimensionality of the flow affects the development of the wake patterns, changing the $L/D$ ranges of different flow structures. A diagram of flow regimes, together with the contours of hydrodynamic forces, in the $Re-L/D$ space, is given, providing physical insights into the complex interactions of the three cylinders.
Epichloë fungal endophytes play a fundamental role in New Zealand grasslands

ABSTRACT Epichloë fungal endophytes that systemically colonise cool-season grasses have become an internationally well-researched symbiosis. While sexual species of Epichloë can cause choke disease of grass seed heads, asexual forms are symptomless endophytes that colonise embryos to become seed transmitted. In mutualistic associations, the grass benefits through greater tolerance of abiotic and biotic stresses. In New Zealand, at least 12 species of naturalised and native grasses have been documented as infected with a range of asexual or sexual Epichloë. The impact of endophyte-infected ryegrass and tall fescue has been significant for pastoral farmers, with Epichloë enhancing pasture performance. Production of bioactive secondary metabolites reduces herbivory by invertebrate pests but some are also toxic to grazing animals. Selected strains of Epichloë have been utilised to reduce livestock problems while retaining improved pasture performance. Documented Epichloë-infected native grasses are rare, justifying greater efforts of discovery, description and conservation as taonga (a treasure) for Māori and all New Zealanders. Given their ecological success in New Zealand ecosystems, along with economic and environmental benefits, there are good prospects to further develop both endemic and naturalised Epichloë-grass associations that may benefit other cool-season grasses and potentially deliver new beneficial properties.
Effects of captivity, diet, and relocation on the gut bacterial communities of white‐footed mice

Abstract Microbes can have important impacts on their host's survival. Captive breeding programs for endangered species include periods of captivity that can ultimately have an impact on reintroduction success. No study to date has investigated the impacts of captive diet on the gut microbiota during the relocation process of generalist species. This study simulated a captive breeding program with white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) to describe the variability in gut microbial community structure and composition during captivity and relocation in their natural habitat, and compared it to wild individuals. Mice born in captivity were fed two different diets, a control with dry standardized pellets and a treatment with nonprocessed components that reflect a version of their wild diet that could be provided in captivity. The mice from the two groups were then relocated to their natural habitat. Relocated mice that had the treatment diet had more phylotypes in common with the wild‐host microbiota than mice under the control diet or mice kept in captivity. These results have broad implications for our understanding of microbial community dynamics and the effects of captivity on reintroduced animals, including the potential impact on the survival of endangered species. This study demonstrates that ex situ conservation actions should consider a more holistic perspective of an animal's biology including its microbes.
Are Brain Organoids Equivalent to Philosophical Zombies?

Along just over a century of research we moved from learning how to cultivate tissues in a dish to grasping the concepts for creating an entire brain in a vat. As we approach the divisive moment in which we can first detect signs of awareness in such artificially developed organoids, we need to lay foundation for what lays ahead. It is crucial that ethical, legal and moral implications of organoid research are clear and that boundaries are set to separate scientific progress from human life preservation. The largest obstacle may be the definition of consciousness itself, which has arguably been historically neglected by philosophy, psychology and neurosciences at large. One reason may be the difficulties posed by the underlying qualities of awareness, such as its subjective and heterogeneous nature. Another reason may lie on the possibly that consciousness is an overarching emergent property of our brain. For the time being, one can see brain organoids as philosophical zombies, physical analogues of the human brain which mimic sentient human reactions but lack experiential properties of sensation (a.k.a. qualia).
Modelling Hail and Convective storms with WRF for Wind Energy Applications

Hail events are relatively rare, but hailstones (solid ice ‘balls’ ranging in diameter from 6 mm (pea) to 110 mm (softball)) have the potential to damage the leading edge of wind turbine blades causing reduced aerodynamic efficiency. Thus, hail is an important component of wind turbine operating conditions. Until recently hail occurrence was poorly (and subjectively) reported, but deployment of dual-polarization RADAR at National Weather Service (NWS) sites across the USA has revolutionized our detection abilities. Implementation of new microphysics parameterizations for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model have also greatly enhanced model capabilities. Here we present an evaluation of the WRF simulation of hail relative data from the RADAR observations conducted as part of a project with the ultimate goal of quantifying leading edge erosion potential.
Unlocking Sustainable Development in Africa by Addressing Unpaid Care and Domestic Work

Across Africa, ambitions to achieve inclusive and sustainable development are being undermined by inadequate investment in the care economy. Women and girls are providing millions of hours of unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) – a provision which props up the economy and underpins society, yet remains under-recognized, undervalued and under-invested in. While inattention to care policy and the unequal distribution of UCDW has stalled gender equality in every country globally, this brief focuses on the specific barriers that UCDW creates for sustainable development in Africa. It explains how investing in quality, accessible and affordable public services and infrastructure in Africa can address heavy and unequal UCDW and unlock progress across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The brief draws on research and programming experience from Oxfam’s Women’s Economic Empowerment and Care (WE-Care) programme. Active since 2014, the programme addresses UCDW as a key driver of gender inequality and is implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the Philippines. This paper draws on WE-Care initiatives in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, and presents evidence-based solutions from these five countries to address UCDW across the continent.
From panopticon to heautopticon: A new form of surveillance introduced by quantified‐self practices

In this research, we investigate whether quantified‐self (QS) technologies, based on wearable technologies, enable individuals' empowerment or lead to their disempowerment. To understand better the potential paradoxical effects of QS technologies, we adopt a critical approach by mobilising the panopticon metaphor from Foucault's original writings and more precisely, his four core concepts, namely power, knowledge, body and space. Relying on a qualitative study that consists of the analysis of 12 interviews, 14 142 messages extracted from online forums, and 30 blogs, we explore the discourses associated with the usage of QS technologies. Our findings indicate that self‐quantification has ambivalent, conflicting effects—13 empowering and 11 disempowering—spanning the dimensions of power, knowledge, body and space. Our research also shows the emergence of micro‐surveillance of oneself, which we name the heautopticon. The implications of this critical research also offer possibilities for change by discussing social and individual emancipation.
Load Parameter Joint Identification of Wireless Power Transfer System Based on the DC Input Current and Phase-Shift Angle

This article presents a multiple load parameter joint identification method, adopting only the measured dc input current and inverter phase-shift angle of the wireless power transfer (WPT) system. First, a WPT fundamental–harmonic model is established, considering the effects of the battery and rectifier load. This model can quantitatively describe WPT characteristics and parameter relationships according to the linear superposition of fundamental and harmonic components. Then, the identification method is proposed through the model, which can achieve the joint identification of multiple important load parameters, including battery voltage, equivalent resistance, charging current, and WPT equivalent load impedance. Furthermore, on the basis of the developed WPT prototype, the effectiveness of the proposed fundamental–harmonic model is proved and the parameter sensitivity is discussed. Finally, the proposed identification method is experimentally studied, and the results show that it can achieve high accuracy on the conditions of battery voltage change, phase-shift angle variation, and coil misalignment.
The Nexus Between Electricity Consumption, Economic Growth, and CO2 Emission: An Asymmetric Analysis Using Nonlinear ARDL and Nonparametric Causality Approach

This article examines the asymmetric relationship between electric consumption, economic growth, and carbon dioxide emission in 15 countries over the period 1971–2014. We employed a nonlinear auto-regressive distribution Lag (NARDL) model approach to investigate the asymmetric cointegration between variables. Additionally, we applied the asymmetric causality approach to determine the causal relationship between variables. Results confirm nonlinear cointegration between variables in Cameroon, Congo Republic, Zambia, Canada, and the UK. The Wald test results confirm a long-run asymmetric link between electricity consumption, economic growth, and carbon emission in Canada and Cameroon, while a short-run asymmetric effect in the Congo Republic and the UK. Findings from the granger causality test are volatile across variables. The result provides strong support for the symmetric relationship between electric consumption, economic growth, and carbon emission in the short and long run. This study provides new evidence for policymakers to formulate country-specific policies to obtain better environmental quality while achieving sustainable economic growth.