Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Root Communication Mechanisms and Intracommunity Distributions of Two Mojave Desert Shrubs

Experimental studies using root observation chambers to observe the effects of encounters between individual roots on root elongation rates have revealed that the interactions among roots of Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata are more complex than simple competition for a limiting resource. Larrea roots inhibited elongation of either Larrea or Ambrosia roots in their vicinity, and Ambrosia roots inhibited elongation of contacted roots on other Ambrosia plants only. The purpose of the study reported here was to test the hypothesized involvement of inhibitory substances released by roots in these interroot encounters by attempting to remove such substances by adsorption to activated carbon. The presence of activated carbon caused a significant decrease in the inhibition of elongation of neighboring roots by Larrea roots, but activated carbon had no effect on the intraspecific responses of Ambrosia roots. These results support the hypotheses that the interaction mechanism of Larrea roots in- volves the release of a readily diffusible, generally inhibitory substance by Larrea roots into the soil, rather than a simple depletion of water or nutrients from around Larrea roots, and that the intraspecific, self-nonself-recognizing interaction mechanism of Ambrosia roots is mediated by contact and is fundamentally different from that of Larrea. These findings may enhance our understanding of Mojave desert community structure. The root-mediated allelopathy of Larrea may play a role in producing and maintaining the commonly occurring, regular distributions of Larrea. The complex communication mechanism of Ambrosia roots appears to constitute a detection and avoidance system that may allow this shrub to grow in clumped intraspecific distributions with little or no intra- specific competition for water. The interspecific interference between Larrea and Ambrosia in the field may be mechanistically asymmetrical due to their different root communication mechanisms.
The role of intelligence and temperamental traits in predicting reaction times in movement anticipation tasks: a preliminary study using the PAMT Test2Drive computer test.

BACKGROUND The objective of the present work was to determine whether fluid intelligence scores and individual temperamental traits may be used to predict drivers' reaction times in movement anticipation tasks. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study encompassed 68 young female drivers (aged 20-26 years), who had received their driver's licenses at least 2 years prior. Anticipatory performance was evaluated using the Perception Anticipation Movement Test (PAMT) consisting of 3 sets of computer tasks differing in the speed of the moving objects. The level of fluid intelligence was determined using Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, and the temperamental traits with the Pavlovian Temperament Survey. RESULTS Intelligence was found to be significantly correlated with reaction time only in the second PAMT task set, for which it was also a good predictor. Findings suggested that a higher level of fluid intelligence in young female drivers was associated with longer reaction times in the movement anticipation task with objects moving at the medium speed level. Temperamental traits did not correlate with reaction times in all movement anticipation tasks, and they did not explain the participants' performance in the PAMT task sets. CONCLUSIONS This study expands the current literature by assessing the relationship between fluid intelligence, temperamental traits and reaction times in movement anticipation tasks with objects moving at different speeds. The outcomes of this study are discussed together with those of previous research. Med Pr. 2020;71(4).
Highly Sensitive and Ambient Air-Processed Hybrid Perovskite TFT Temperature Sensor

We report a highly sensitive thin-film transistor (TFT)-based temperature sensor with an ambient air-processed organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite, methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3), semiconductor. The threshold voltage of MAPbI3 TFTs shows a strong linear temperature dependency with a temperature coefficient of −200±10 mV/K – making them good temperature sensors. TFTs with an inorganic (PbI2)-rich or organic (MAI)-rich semiconductor exhibit less temperature sensitivity than those with the stoichiometric MAPbI3 film – thus attributing the high temperature sensitivity to trap states in the hybridized MAPbI3 perovskite structure. We show that ambipolar transport in MAPbI3 TFTs can be exploited to widen their temperature sensing window and demonstrate high sensing capability of a temperature sensor, consisting of a single MAPbI3 TFT in the diode configuration (with drain and gate shorted).
HYBRID VIGOR IN A TROPICAL PACIFIC SOFT‐CORAL COMMUNITY

Although hybridization is a relatively widespread phenomenon in marine ecosystems, the ecological importance of hybrids is poorly understood. As crosses between two distinct genotypes, hybrids might express fitness characteristics similar to either parent species, or they might produce unique phenotypic attributes that make them more or less fit than either parent species. We identified a potential hybrid zone among soft corals in a back-reef community on Guam, where the broadcast-spawning species Sinularia maxima and S. polydactyla co-occur. Morphological and chemical traits confirmed the intermediate and unique status of the putative hybrid. Laboratory cross-fertilization experiments using S. maxima and S. polydactyla gametes demonstrated that barriers to hybridization are absent and that the laboratory-reared hybrids developed specific characteristics identified in adult hybrid field populations. Changes in the populations of each parent species and the hybrid were monitored over a decade. While popula.
Phylogeny and reclassification of the tribe Inuleae (Asteraceae)

The tribe Inuleae Cass. has been subject to a critical investigation. The many technical characters that are traditionally used in classification of the Inuleae are scrutinized, discussed, and analysed by means of a computerized parsimony program (PAUP). With one representative from each of the tribes Vernonieae, Liabeae, and Lactuceae as outgroups, three different analyses have been performed. Strict consensus trees for the three separate analyses are presented and discussed. A consensus tree based on the cladogram topologies obtained from all the three analyses is also presented. The taxonomic implication of the analyses is that the tribe Inuleae is an unnatural, not monophyletic group, which must be divided in better defined monophyletic tribes. Hence, three tribes are recognized and the majority of the described genera of the Inuleae are tentatively referred to one of these tribes. The tribes Gnaphalieae Rydb. (comprising the Inuleae–Gnaphaliinae and the Inuleae–Athrixiinae sensu Merxmuller et al.) an.
Climate classification of Asian university forests under current and future climate

ABSTRACT Species diversity and the distribution of forests are closely related to climate, and climate classifications have been used to characterize vegetation distribution for over a century at the global scale. In contrast, climate type and dominant forest species may not be accurately classified at the forestry stand scale due to limited observational data and the influence of terrain. The collaboration of Asian university forests traverses 37.4° of latitude, from Hokkaido in Japan to Sabah in Malaysia. This study used both long-term observations and Worldclim 1-km resolution gridded datasets to classify well-managed Asian university forests according to the Trewartha climate classification method. Outputs from circulation models of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) were then used to assess projected changes in future climate. Results showed that the current climate subtypes of the Asian university forests were consistent between the observations and Worldclim database. Ensemble projections of future climate suggested two likely drastic forest changes under a moderate emissions scenario during 2041–2060; parts of the Seoul National University Forests are likely to shift from a temperate to a subtropical climate, while sections of forests in Thailand are likely to shift from a subtropical to a tropical climate.
Efficient and Long Lived Green Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells

The combination of high efficiencies and long lifetime in a single light‐emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) device remain a major problem in LEC technology, preventing its application in commercial lighting devices. Three green light‐emitting cationic iridium‐based complexes of the general composition [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)][PF6] with 4‐Fppy (2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)pyridinato) as the cyclometalating C^N ligand and 1,10‐phenanthroline (1), 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (bathophenanthroline, bphen, 2), and 2,9‐dimethyl‐4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (bathocuprione, dmbphen, 3) as ancillary N^N ligands are synthesized and characterized. Computational studies are carried out in order to compare the electronic structure of the three ionic transition metal complexes (iTMCs) and provide insights into their potential as LEC emitter materials. LECs are then fabricated with complexes 1–3. Driven under a pulsed current, they display a high luminance and current and power efficiencies. As the LEC based on complex 2 displays the overall best device performance, including the longest lifetime of 474 h, it is selected for subsequent driving conditions optimization. An extraordinary power efficiency of 25 lm W−1 and current efficiency of 30 cd A−1 are achieved under optimized operation conditions with reduced current density, resulting in a long device lifetime of 720 h. Altogether, ligand design in iTMCs and optimization of the device driving conditions leads to a significant improvement in LEC performance.
Impact of commercial forest management on geophilous carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in tall, wet Eucalyptus obliqua forest in southern Tasmania

The impact of silvicultural practices (clearfelling, slash burning and sowing) on carabid beetle communities in tall wet Eucalyptus obliqua forests in southern Tasmania was examined using traplines of pitfalls in a chronosequence of regenerating coupes. Total species richness (n = 18) was modest compared to other temperate forests and was nor systematically changed by forest management, although it was considerably lower in 20 year old regrowth than in younger regrowth or old-growth controls, possibly due to habitat simplification. The Shannon-Weiner Index was at a minimum in intermediate aged regeneration. TWINSPAN analysis assisted recognition of beetle communities typical of broad stages in the forest succession, with a major dichotomy between most old-growth sites plus young sires and intermediate plus advanced regeneration sites. Vector fitting of environmental variables in an ordination of the sites by non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed a significant influence for the age of regeneration and litter depth, but not bare ground percentage or soil pH. Survival of carabids in the habitat mosaic created by commercial forestry activity is likely to depend on both reinvasion from edges and survival of individuals in the fire-protected refuges that exist within the coupes. Pioneer species were winged, small in size, and non-endemic whereas the opposite was true of the fauna in the older sites. Carabids in eucalypt forests have good potential as indicators but their seasonality in occurrence demands that sampling be extended over most of the year.
Ultrastructural characterization of brain tumors using collagen gel culture

In an attempt to investigate the tumor type‐specific ultrastructure of cultured brain tumors, collagen gel culture was utilized instead of the conventional monolayer culture. In order to avoid intermingling of the normal brain cells, tumors with a clear margin were chosen. The tumors were cultured first in the monolayer culture for a few passages, and then tumor cell pellets were prepared and embedded in the collagen gel. In the event that tumors failed to grow in the monolayer culture, small fragments of tumor tissue were embedded. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cell processes of central neurocytoma contained numerous dense‐core vesicles. The formation of desmosomes was observed in the meningioma cell processes. The development of polypoid microvilli similar to those of the normal choroid plexus epithelium was observed in a case with ependymoma. A continuous basement membrane was seen surrounding the tumor cell processes facing the collagen gel in two ependymomas. These findings suggest the usefulness of the collagen gel culture in analyzing the tumor type‐specific ultrastructure of cultured brain tumors and possibly in studying cellular differentiation.
Wild red deer [Cervus elaphus L.) grazing may seriously reduce forage production in mountain meadows

This study aimed at estimating the impact of red deer grazing on the productivity of meadows located in Pian Cansiglio, north-eastern Italian Pre-Alps. These meadows (185 ha; average elevation 1000 m asl are managed for hay/silage production (1–2 cuts per season) and are included in a protected area that hosts a high density of deer (around 30 heads/100 ha). In 2008 and 2010, dry matter (DM) production and loss due to deer grazing were estimated with exclusion cages (1 m2; 48 exclusion cages in 2008 and 52 in 2010). Night counts with spotlights were conducted to index deer use of meadows plots. DM production inside the cages was fairly good for the area (first-second cut: 4963-2297 kg DM/ha in 2008, and 4145-2475 kg DM/ha in 2010). DM production outside the cages was significantly lower (first-second cut in 2008: 4199-1378 kg DM/ha, and in 2010: 3376-2052 Kg DM/ha). Therefore, the magnitude of losses was of 15–20% at the first and 25–40% at the second cut. DM losses in the different meadow plots were positively correlated with index of deer use, which in some plots was as high as 7–8 heads/ha. Deer grazing reduced also crude protein (CP) content of forage (15.6±4.4% DM inside exclusion cages and 13.8±3.5% DM outside), with losses being greater where CP content was higher. This study demonstrates that high densities of grazing deer may seriously impact on forage production and quality.
The Successional Status of a Southern Wisconsin Oak Woods

We examined the applicability of concepts of succession to 27 yr of tree growth and demographic data from an oak woods. From 1956 to 1983 tree population dynamics in Noe Woods, a black oak—white oak woods in southern Wisconsin, were heavily influenced by oak wilt disease. Between 15 and 20% of the black oaks, many of them large, died in each 5—yr period; much of this mortality was due to wilt. White oak increased in basal area but declined slowly in numbers. Regeneration was dominated by black cherry, boxelder, and American elm; these species are either short—lived and small—statured or threatened by disease, and are, the therefore, unlikely to form a new canopy. None of the species in the woods seems capable of filling the role of a self—replacing climax species in the classical sense. We hypothesize that the absence of a climax species in Noe Woods and other areas of the prairie—forest transition is due to the changed disturbance regime. Decreased fire frequency has created an unprecedented opportunity for shade—tolerant species in dry woods. This opportunity has apparently been met by expansion of shade—tolerant native species from other habitats, invasion of exotic species, and increased abundance of some short—lived and small—statured native species.
Evolution of renal function in patients with severe intestinal failure on home parenteral nutrition

Abstract Background Kidney disease is a frequent but underestimated complication in patients suffering from intestinal failure (IF) treated by long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN). The evolution in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time is poorly characterized. The current equations for estimating GFR have limited precision. No study has specifically investigated the reliability of recent creatinine-based estimated GFR (eGFR) equations in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the renal function decline under home parenteral nutrition (HPN) with a gold standard method and compare the performances of routinely used eGFR equations. Methods Forty patients with HPN and two or more GFR measurements were retrospectively studied. The renal function decline was calculated by the slope drawn between the successive measured GFRs (mGFRs). The performances of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration, full age spectrum and revised Lund–Malmö equations were compared with reference methods (inulin or iohexol clearance). Results The mean mGFR was 78 ± 28 mL/min/1.73 m2. The annual decline of mGFR was −1.9 mL/min/1.73 m2/year. No predisposing factor was identified to predict impairment in renal function. eGFR formulas grossly overestimated mGFR and had a low level of accuracy. Conclusions Patients with IF are at significant risk for impaired renal function. In this population, the tested eGFR equations were inaccurate. However, monitoring kidney function with mGFR remains important in these patients, as their GFR regularly declines and no specific risk factor has yet been identified.
Relationship Between Relative Wood Density of Picea abies Logs and Simple Classification Systems of Decayed Coarse Woody Debris

The relationship between relative density and simple classification systems of decayed coarse woody debris was assessed for 384 cross - sections of decayed Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] logs collected at five different study sites in south - eastern Norway. The relative density was computed as the ratio of actual density to the density of fresh wood. Three different classification systems were tested. One consisted of five classes and the other two consisted of eight classes each. All of the systems classified the samples according to variables related to bark, wood and trunk shape. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between relative density and decay class ranged from ? 0.77 to ? 0.80. The correlation coefficients of the three classifications did not differ significantly from each other. The mean relative density within each decay class also decreased successively from one decay class to the next for all classification systems. For the five-class system the mean relative density decreased .
Tillage, Row Spacing, and Planting Date Effects on Soybean following Corn or Wheat

Tillage practices have changed rapidly in recent years to help reduce soil erosion associated with moldboard plowing. The effects of tillage practices on other management decisions in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] production is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the relationships between tillage, row spacing, and planting date on soybean performance in a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean rotation at three locations and in a soybean-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation at one location. Tillage systems evaluated were fall moldboard plow, fall chisel plow, spring disk, ridge-till, till plant (no ridge), and no-till. Soybean was planted in 10- and 30-in. row spacings in early and late May from 1982 through 1985 (.)
The effect of temperature, seed colour and linolenic acid concentration on germination and seed vigour in flax

In Canada, the edible-oil type of flax (Linum usitatissimum) known as solin must have a linolenic acid concentration of less than 5% and a yellow seed colour. The yellow seed distinguishes solin from regular, high-linolenic acid linseed flax. Both altered fatty acid ratios and seed colour can have a negative impact on seed germination. The effects of temperature, seed colour and seed linolenic acid concentration on germination and seed vigour were studied in four populations that were near-isogenic for seed colour and linolenic acid level. For all populations, a germination temperature of 5 °C resulted in a significantly lower germination than at 10 or 15 °C. With one exception at 5 °C, where yellow seed had a greater germination than brown seed, there was no difference in germination frequency between brown and yellow seed. Also, there was no difference in germination between low and high linolenic acid seed with the exception of one population where low linolenic acid seeds had lower germination at 5 °C.
A framework for automatic classification of mobile LiDAR data using multiple regions and 3D CNN architecture

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a framework for automatic classification of mobile laser scanner (MLS) point cloud using multi-faceted multi-object convolutional neural network (MMCN). The proposed method takes a full three-dimensional (3D) point cloud as input and outputs a class label for each point. Unlike other existing classification methods for MLS data, the proposed method is not dependent on any parameter or its tuning. The proposed MMCN uses multiple objects of a sample, defined by different sizes of the sample, in addition to the different facets obtained by rotating about the various axes, thus adding more information during the training and testing stages. The proposed framework uses manually extracted samples for training the MMCN. Automatically extracted multiple regions based on the various radii of spherical neighbourhoods around MLS points are passed through the trained MMCN for determining their probabilities of belonging to different classes. The class probabilities of different sized regions are then used as a feature vector to train a support vector machine (SVM), and the final decision for the class of a point is based on the SVM output. The proposed framework has been trained for five classes, viz., Ground, House, Pole, Tree, and Car and has been tested on Oakland and Paris-Lille 3D MLS datasets. The total accuracy and kappa coefficient (κ) reach up to 96.5% and 93.8%, respectively, for the framework. The MMCN together with the SVM is able to achieve parameter-free classification of MLS data, thereby eliminating the need for manual parameter tuning as in the existing methods. Therefore, besides the use for classification of MLS data for mapping purpose, the approach is also suitable for classification of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data resulting from autonomous vehicle sensors. The accuracy of this work can be further improved by incorporating more and varied training samples and deeper convolutional neural network (CNN) with better hardware resources.
Doping and Moral Disapprovals

ABSTRACT This paper explores variance in how people morally disapprove wrongs related to doping. The variance may pertain to what type of moral disapproval a person uses or to what they disapprove of. Our exploration is both conceptual and empirical. Conceptually, we distinguish between four types of moral disapprovals that we call blame, judging blameworthy, condemnation and sadness. We elaborate these four moral phenomena through a conceptual scheme that we call the matrix of moral disapprovals. The matrix is the central conceptual innovation of our paper. It depicts how the four moral disapprovals relate to each other and characterises their typical instances. In the empirical part of the paper, we use the matrix of moral disapproval to examine how decision-makers in Finnish elite sport organisations talk about doping. The empirical examination is based on 31 interviews with decision-makers from Finnish elite sport organisations. Although we distinguish between the conceptual and empirical approaches in our paper, they are not fully separate, but support and inform each other.