Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Walking a tightrope: using PRA in a conflict situation around Waza National Park, Cameroon

PRA has become a common method to stimulate communication between researchers and local people, often in an agricultural or other development context. In these cases, there is often no sharp conflict between local peoples’ and outsiders’ interests. But the case is different with protected areas where law promotes the interests of biodiversity, and of future and global generations, often at the expense of local people. Nowadays, it is accepted that some form of co-management has to be reached, creatively integrating the interests of biodiversity (‘conservation’) as well as of local communities (‘development’).
Nutrient homeostasis, metabolism of reserves, and seedling vigor as affected by seed priming in coarse rice

The influence of seed priming on germination, seedling vigor, ion homeostasis, and starch metabolism in coarse rice was studied. Priming treatments included pregermination (a traditional soaking method being used for rice nursery preparation), hydropriming for 48 h, osmohardening with KCl or CaCl2 (ψs –1.25 MPa solution) for 24 h, ascorbate priming (10 mg·L–1) for 48 h, and hardening for 24 h. Compared with controls, all priming treatments (except pregermination) reduced the time to start germination, improved the rate of germination and synchronization, and the length of shoot and root, seedling fresh and dry mass, number of secondary roots, the concentration of reducing sugars, and α-amylase activity, although the extent of these changes was different in seeds subjected to different treatments. These seed treatments resulted in higher germination that might be due to overcoming dormancy. Osmohardening with KCl was more effective than CaCl2 for these parameters. Nitrogen concentration remained unaffected.
The Impact of Preregistration on Youth Turnout

Can registration reforms increase voter turnout? In this paper we examine the impact of preregistration, a reform adopted in 12 states that allows young citizens to register before being eligible to vote. To do so we use two complimentary approaches. First, using a nationally representative, pooled cross-section from the Current Population Survey (2000-2012) we implement a difference-in-difference approach combined with lag models to bracket the causal effect of preregistration implementation. Second, focusing on the state of Florida we leverage a discontinuity around voter eligibility to estimate the effect of increased preregistration exposure on turnout of those in the voter file. In both approaches we find that preregistration noticeably increases voter turnout among young people. Implementing preregistration increases youth turnout 2-13%. Those exogenously nudged towards preregistration (because of their date of birth) are 8% more likely to vote than a comparable control group, with turnout gains benefiting both Democrats and Republicans. Abstract Word Count: 150 Document Word Count: 7,689
6th AMERICAN RABBIT CONGRESS INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SOLUBLE FIBER IN CAECAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING RABBITS

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar características cecais de coelhos em crescimento com 72 dias de idade, alimentados desde a desmama (30 dias) com diferentes níveis de fibra solúvel (75; 95; 115; 135; 155 g/kg). Ao fim do teste de desempenho, 12 animais de ambos sexos de cada tratamento foram abatidos, totalizando 60 animais. Cada coelho foi abatido por eletronarcose seguida da sangria. O peso do conteúdo cecal, peso de ceco cheio e pH cecal foram mensurados e apresentado em relação ao peso de abate. Uma distribuição totalmente casualizado foi utilizado, efeitos lineares e quadráticos da inclusão de fibra solúvel foram estudados utilizando o contraste polinomial utilizando o software R. Os diferentes níveis de fibra solúvel resultaram em um aumento linear para o peso do conteúdo cecal (4.28 a 6.13 %SW, p < 0.001), um aumento linear para o peso total do ceco cheio (5.81 a 7.72 %SW, p < 0.001), e uma redução linear do pH cecal (5.81 a 5.70, P = 0.043). Com isso, é possível inferir que o aumento da inclusão de fibra solúvel na dieta afeta as características cecais dos animais.
Floating-point Robustness Estimation by Concrete Testing

Computational errors caused by limited precision implementations of floating-point routines are a central concern in computing at all levels of scale ranging from high-end supercomputers through hand-held electronics. Software developers often allocate lower precision in order to gain performance. However, manually allocated precision may be inadequate, and can cause major failures such as [1], [2]. Unfortunately, current floating-point precision analysis methods are hard to scale to handle modern high performance computing (HPC) programs.
Specialized Seed Dispersal in Epiphytic Cacti and Convergence with Mistletoes

Mistletoes represent the best example of specialization in seed dispersal, with a reduced assemblage of dispersal agents. Specific dispersal requirements mediated by the specificity of seed deposition site have apparently led to the evolution of such close relationships between mistletoes and certain frugivores. Here, we provide evidences for another case of specialization involving epiphytic cacti in the genus Rhipsalis, and small Neotropical passerines Euphonia spp. , which also act as the main seed dispersers of mistletoes in the family Viscaceae. With field observations, literature search, and observations on captive birds, we demonstrated that Rhipsalis have specific establishment requirements, and euphonias are the most effective dispersers of Rhipsalis seeds in both quantitative and qualitative aspects, potentially depositing seeds onto branches of host plants. We interpret the similar dispersal systems of Rhipsalis and Viscaceae mistletoes, which involve the same dispersal agents, similar fruit morphologies, and fruit chemistry as convergent adaptive strategies that enable seeds of both groups to reach adequate microsites for establishment in host branches.
Peroxidation of Plasma and Platelet Lipids in Chronic Cigarette Smokers and Insulin‐Dependent Diabetics

Lipid peroxidation has been postulated to play a pathogenetic role in a wide variety of disease processes, including diabetes and chronic smoking. ’. ’ Formation of free radicals from polyunsaturated fatty acids of membrane lipids leads ultimately to disruption of normal membrane function and inhibition of membrane-associated enzymes. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a stable end product of these reactions. ’ MDA also serves as a marker for the conversion of arachidonic acid to thromboxane in platelets undergoing activation with various agonists! Increased platelet MDA production has been reported in diabetics and certain patients with hyperlipidemia, suggesting the possibility that MDA production in other tissues might also be increased in these condition^. '. ^ To clarify these aspects of lipid peroxidation, we have measured MDA levels in plasma and in the platelets of 31 healthy control subjects (ages 22-51), 2 0 chronic cigarette smokers (ages 18-52), and 25 insulin-dependent diabetics (ages 21-77). All subjects were fasting, free of drugs with antiplatelet effects, and abstinent from smoking for 10 hours. Venous blood samples were adjusted to standard citrate concentration, and platelet-rich plasma was adjusted to 2 x 10’ platelets/ml. Platelet aggregation with 2 p M ADP was determined as percent transmission at 4 min.’ Platelet MDA production’ and plasma lipid peroxide were determined fluorometrical-
Analysis of Various Applications Proposed for Maintaining Scalability of Resources in Cloud Computing

-Among the various qualities of cloud computing, scalability of resources is very important feature of cloud computing. Virtual Machine (VM) technology enables multiple VMs to share resources on the same host. Resources allocated to the VMs should be re-configured dynamically in response to the change of application demands or resource supply. Because VM execution involves privileged domain and VM monitor, this causes uncertainties in VMs’ resource to performance mapping and poses challenges in online determination of appropriate VM configurations. Dynamic Resource Scaling has issue of low resource scaling; where resources are allocating but they lack the actual allocation requirement i.e. lack of resources many times is the problem in this case. Another aspect is high resource allocation in this analysis where resources are allocated to more than the requirement of users. Here in this case, the wastage of resources is the problem found. Third issue is the internet speed issue that is life line of any internet services so as in multi-tenant cloud. Internet speed is widely affecting internet as whole multi-tenant cloud environment. Any kind of service is possible but when we place whole organizations, educational institutions, and business online services round the clock 24x7 any kind of obstacles to speed of internet will lead to big risk to whole organization or business.
Woofer and Pupper: Low-Cost Open-Source Quadrupeds for Research and Education

There is a lack of general-purpose open-source hardware for legged locomotion research. As a result, many labs spend significant effort developing their own robots, and it is often difficult to reproduce published experimental results. We have developed two robots: one high-power robot, called Woofer, and one inexpensive and robust robot, called Pupper. Design models and source code for both of these robots are currently available online and detailed documentation will soon be available. These robots are also significantly less expensive than most other research quadrupeds.
Importance of Understanding Landscape Biases in USGS Gage Locations: Implications and Solutions for Managers

ABSTRACTFlow and water temperature are fundamental properties of stream ecosystems upon which many freshwater resource management decisions are based. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gages are the most important source of streamflow and water temperature data available nationwide, but the degree to which gages represent landscape attributes of the larger population of streams has not been thoroughly evaluated. We identified substantial biases for seven landscape attributes in one or more regions across the conterminous United States. Streams with small watersheds (<10 km2) and at high elevations were often underrepresented, and biases were greater for water temperature gages and in arid regions. Biases can fundamentally alter management decisions and at a minimum this potential for error must be acknowledged accurately and transparently. We highlight three strategies that seek to reduce bias or limit errors arising from bias and illustrate how one strategy, supplementing USGS data, can greatly reduce bias.
ENGLISH SENTIMENT CLASSIFICATION USING A GOWER-2 COEFFICIENT AND A GENETIC ALGORITHM WITH A FITNESS-PROPORTIONATE SELECTION IN A PARALLEL NETWORK ENVIRONMENT

We have already studied a data mining field and a natural language processing field for many years. There are many significant relationships between the data mining and the natural language processing. Sentiment classification Has HAd many crucial contributions to many different fields in everyday life, such as in political Activities, commodity production, and commercial Activities. A new model using a Gower-2 Coefficient (HA) and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) with a fitness function (FF) which is a Fitness-proportionate Selection (FPS) has been proposed for the sentiment classification. This can be applied to a big data. The GA can process many bit arrays. Thus, it saves a lot of storage spaces. We do not need lots of storage spaces to store a big data. Firstly, we create many sentiment lexicons of our basis English sentiment dictionary (bESD) by using the HA through a Google search engine with AND operator and OR operator. Next, According to the sentiment lexicons of the bESD, we encode 7,000,000 sentences of our training data set including the 3,500,000 negative and the 3,500,000 positive in English successfully into the bit arrays in a small storage space. We also encrypt all sentences of 8,000,000 documents of our testing data set comprising the 4,000,000 positive and the 4,000,000 negative in English successfully into the bit arrays in the small storage space. We use the GA with the FPS to cluster one bit array (corresponding to one sentence) of one document of the testing data set into either the bit arrays of the negative sentences or the bit arrays of the positive sentences of the training data set. The sentiment classification of one document is based on the results of the sentiment classification of the sentences of this document of the testing data set. We tested the proposed model in both a sequential environment and a distributed network system. We achieved 88.12% accuracy of the testing data set. The execution time of the model in the parallel network environment is faster than the execution time of the model in the sequential system. The results of this work can be widely used in applications and research of the English sentiment classification.
The Signal Function Of A Melanin-Based Plumage Ornament In Golden-Winged Warblers

Abstract The decline of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) has been attributed in part to hybridization with a sister species, the Blue-winged Warbler (V. pinus), which lacks the black throat patch typical of the Golden-winged Warbler. Understanding the signal function of male plumage ornaments in Golden-winged Warblers may provide insight into the mechanisms driving hybridization. If Golden-winged Warbler males use the black throat patch for interspecific signaling, Blue-winged Warblers or hybrids may be leading hybridization between the species. We examined the signal function of the melanin-based throat patch in a population of Golden-winged Warblers on the edge of the hybrid zone. Males with increased ultra violet chroma in their throat patches were older and their mates had significantly earlier first egg dates. This suggests the black throat patch of Golden-winged Warblers may be an age-related indicator of quality. Female Golden-winged Warblers should not mate preferentially with males which lack the black throat patch if it functions as an indicator of age and or male quality.
Estimating Lower Bounds for COVID-19 Mortality from Northern Italian Towns

For COVID-19 the Infection Fatality Rate or IFR - a crucial variable in epidemiological modeling - is difficult to estimate because many cases are asymptomatic and the overall infection rate is generally not known. Circumstances in the Italian provinces of Milano, Bergamo, Brescia, and Lodi allow estimation of lower bounds for age- and sex-specific all-cause excess mortality (a proxy for IFR) since anecdotal reports indicate some towns were close to fully infected. Using data from ISTAT on mortality from January 1 through April 15 for 2020 and the three preceding years, I estimate excess mortality by sex and age categories (0-14, 15-54, 55-64, 65-74, and 75+ years) while controlling for town-specific mortality that proxies for town-specific infection rate. The 99th percentile from the tail of the town distribution gives a lower-bound estimate for COVID-19 mortality. The overall population-weighted mortality at the 99th percentile is 1.09 percent (95% CI 1.06-1.14). The age- and sex-specific rates vary considerably: for men age 65-74 the estimate is 2.10 percent (95% CI 1.94-2.28) which is 3.5-times higher than men 55-64 and 2.7-times higher than women 65-74.
Selective Isolation and Distribution of Actinomadura rugatobispora Strains in Soil

A simplified enrichment method for selective isolation of Actinomadura rugatobispora strains from soil is described. A. rugatobispora strains poorly produced spores on agar media when 5 to 20 colonies grew on a plate while characteristic spore formation was observed on humic acid-MOPS gellan gum medium. Spores of A. rugatobispora strains were tolerant to dry heating treatment at 120°C for 60 min. A. rugatobispora strains were resistant to 50 μg/ml trimethoprim and 10 μg/ml nalidixic acid, both of which inhibited the growth of nonfilamentous soil bacteria. In addition, these strains were more resistant to 100 μg/ml gentamicin and 20 μg/ml ampicillin than Streptomyces strains, which interfere with the growth of A. rugatobispora selectively. Owing these characteristics, we were successful to isolate 260 strains of this species from 148 out of 547 soil samples (27% of the samples tested). They were recovered from the soil samples with pH values ranging from 5.0 to 8.6, and 91% of the strains were isolated from neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.0 to 9.0). These results indicated that A. rugatobispora strains were distributed worldwide.
ANGPTL8 protein-truncating variant and the risk of coronary disease, type 2 diabetes and adverse effects

Protein-truncating variants (PTVs) affecting dyslipidemia risk may point to therapeutic targets for cardiometabolic disease. Our objective was to identify PTVs that associated with both lipid levels and cardiometabolic disease risk and assess their possible associations with risks of other diseases. To achieve this aim, we leveraged the enrichment of PTVs in the Finnish population and tested the association of low-frequency PTVs in 1,209 genes with serum lipid levels in the Finrisk Study (n = 23,435). We then tested which of the lipid-associated PTVs also associated with risks of cardiometabolic diseases or 2,264 disease endpoints curated in the FinnGen Study (n = 176,899). Three PTVs were associated with both lipid levels and the risk of cardiometabolic disease: triglyceride-lowering variants in ANGPTL8 (-24.0[-30.4 to -16.9] mg/dL per rs760351239-T allele, P = 3.4x10-9 and ANGPTL4 (-14.4[-18.6 to -9.8] mg/dL per rs746226153-G allele, P = 4.3x10-9 and the HDL cholesterol-elevating variant in LIPG (10.2[7.5 to 13.0] mg/dL per rs200435657-A allele, P = 5.0x10-13). The risk of type 2 diabetes was lower in carriers of ANGPTL8 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67[0.47-0.92], P = 0.01), ANGPTL4 (OR = 0.70[0.60-0.82], P = 1.4x10-5) and LIPG (OR = 0.67[0.48-0.91], P = 0.01) PTVs than in noncarriers. Moreover, the odds of coronary artery disease were 44% lower in carriers of a PTV in ANGPTL8 (OR = 0.56[0.38-0.83], P = 0.004). Finally, the phenome-wide scan of the ANGPTL8 PTV showed a markedly higher associated risk of esophagitis (585 cases, OR = 174.3[17.7-1715.1], P= 9.7x10-6) and sensorineural hearing loss (12,250 cases, OR = 2.45[1.63-3.68], P = 1.8x10-5). The ANGPTL8 PTV carriers were less likely to use statin therapy (53,518 cases, OR = 0.53[0.41-0.71], P = 1.2x10-5). Our findings provide genetic evidence of potential long-term efficacy and safety of therapeutic targeting of dyslipidemias.
The curvilinear relationship between the age of adults and their mental health in Iran after its peak of COVID-19 cases

The emerging body of research on the predictors of mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed contradictory findings, which prevent effective psychiatry screening for mental health assistance. This study aims to identify the predictors of nonsomatic pain, depression, anxiety, and distress, especially focusing on age as a nonlinear predictor. We conducted a survey of 474 adults in Iran during April 1-10, 2020, when Iran had just passed its first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic with new confirmed cases. We found that Age had a curvilinear relationship with nonsomatic pain, depression, and anxiety. Age was associated with pain, depression, and anxiety disorders negatively among adults younger than 45 years, but positively among seniors older than 70 years. Adults who were female, unsure about their chronic diseases, and exercised less per day were more likely to have mental health issues. This study advances the use of age as an effective predictor by uncovering a curvilinear relationship between individuals' age and mental health issues by using a sample of adults across a wide spectrum of ages. We hope future research on mental health during COVID-19 pays more attention to nonlinear predictors.
Evaluation of 30-day mortality for 500 patients undergoing non-emergency surgery in a COVID-19 cold site within a multicentre regional surgical network during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background Two million non-emergency surgeries are being cancelled globally every week due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will have a major impact on patients and healthcare systems. Objective To determine whether it is feasible and safe to continue non-emergency surgery in the COVID-19 pandemic Design, setting and participants This is a cohort study of 500 consecutive patients undergoing non-emergency surgery in a dedicated COVID-19 cold site following the first case of COVID-19 that was reported in the institution. The study was carried out during the peak of the pandemic in the United Kingdom, which currently has one of the highest number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 globally. We set up a hub-and-spoke surgical network amongst 14 National Health Service institutions during the pandemic. The hub was a cancer centre, which was converted into a COVID-19 cold site, performing urological, thoracic, gynaecological and general surgical operations. Outcomes The primary outcome was 30-day mortality from COVID-19. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality and post-operative complications at 30-days. Results 500 patients underwent surgery with median age 62.5 (IQR 51-71). 65% were male and 60% had a known diagnosis of cancer. 44% of surgeries were performed with robotic or laparoscopic assistance and 61% were considered complex or major operations. None of the 500 patients undergoing surgery died from COVID-19 at 30-days. 30-day all-cause mortality was 3/500 (1%). 10 (2%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19, 4 (1%) with confirmed laboratory diagnosis and 6 (1%) with probable COVID-19. 33/500 (7%) of patients developed Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher complications, with 1/33 (3%) occurring in a patient with COVID-19. Conclusion It is safe to continue non-emergency surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic with appropriate service reconfiguration.
On the sensitivity of non-pharmaceutical intervention models for SARS-CoV-2 spread estimation

Introduction: A series of modelling reports that quantify the effect of non pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been made available prior to external scientific peer-review. The aim of this study was to investigate the method used by the Imperial College COVID-19 Research Team (ICCRT) for estimation of NPI effects from the system theoretical viewpoint of model identifiability. Methods: An input-sensitivity analysis was performed by running the original software code of the systems model that was devised to estimate the impact of NPIs on the reproduction number of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and presented online by ICCRT in Report 13 on March 30 2020. An empirical investigation was complemented by an analysis of practical parameter identifiability, using an estimation theoretical framework. Results: Despite being simplistic with few free parameters, the system model was found to suffer from severe input sensitivities. Our analysis indicated that the model lacks practical parameter identifiability from data. The analysis also showed that this limitation is fundamental, and not something readily resolved should the model be driven with data of higher reliability. Discussion: Reports based on system models have been instrumental to policymaking during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. With much at stake during all phases of a pandemic, we conclude that it is crucial to thoroughly scrutinise any SARS-CoV-2 effect analysis or prediction model prior to considering its use as decision support in policymaking. The enclosed example illustrates what such a review might reveal.