Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Description of two techniques to increase efficiency in processing and curating minute arthropods, with special reference to parasitic Hymenoptera

We describe and illustrate two techniques for enhancing curatorial and processing efficiency as it pertains to parasitic Hymenoptera (Chalcidoidea, Cynipoidea). These techniques were developed in response not only to the massive number of parasitoids that have been acquired through various biodiversity studies, but also the difficulty in mobilizing the human resources to curate this material. The first technique uses small, crystal polystyrene boxes with tight-fitting lids to store dehydrated specimens prior to mounting. Locality information is affixed to the box and specimens are spread in a layer for ease of examination by researchers. Solutions for managing static electricity within the specimen boxes are discussed. The second involves a vacuum pump connected to a funnel with a filtration membrane and flask apparatus to rapidly dehydrate hard-bodied parasitoids (Figitidae) that are not subject to collapse during air-drying.
Lidar Observations of Polar Stratospheric Clouds over Ny-Aalesund in the Winters of 1994/95-1996/97: Impact of the Temperature and the Temperature History on the PSC Structure

Lidar observations of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) were made during three winter campaigns from 1994/95 to 1996/97 at Ny-Aalesund, Svalbard. PSCs composed mainly of solid particles were found at the beginning of most PSC events. They appeared when the temperature became lower than the assumed equilibrium temperature of nitric acid trihydrate (T NAT ) but sometimes appeared even at temperature a little higher than T NAT . As the stratospheric temperature became very low, close to the frost point of ice (T ice ), PSCs composed mainly of liquid particles appeared. The behaviors of liquid PSCs observed are consistent with the expected ones, which were estimated based on the current formation theory of super cooled ternary solution (STS) particles. Results of backward trajectory analysis show that some solid PSCs experienced the temperature below T NAT at least for more than 10 hours after passing through the melting point of sulfuric acid tetrahydrate. The solid PSCs which appeared at temperatures higher than T NAT experienced the temperature below T NAT for more than 1 day in the past. Almost no PSCs experienced the temperature lower than T ice during 10 days prior to the observation. Results of trajectory analysis also suggest that the increase of the depolarization ratio depends strongly on the degree to which air parcels of PSCs cooled below T NAT and on the period during which the air parcels experienced the temperature lower than the condensation point, but not on the experience of lower temperature than T ice . Some liquid PSCs with a large scattering ratio (4-5) and a low depolarization ratio (0-0.005) appeared after they experienced the temperature close to T ice for a few days prior to the observation.
Effect of banana (Musa paradisiaca) pseudostem juice on proteolytic and lipolytic changes in cow milk (Musa paradisiaca) during storage

Proteolytic and lipolytic changes in cow milk were studied after addition of banana pseudostem juice (BPJ) for preservation. Raw cow milk added with 0.3 % (v/v) BPJ had a shelf life of 6 h at 30+ 20C unlike control sample (without BPJ) which kept well for 4 h only under identical condition during storage. The proteolytic changes in raw cow milk due to addition of BPJ was studied by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and fatty acid composition was determined by Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC) technique. The electrophoretic profile of casein of both control and BPJ treated cow milk samples exhibited casein band of molecular weight between 29 KD and 43 KD. The concentration of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was found to be 65.97% and 29.66% in cow milk. No significant change in the electrophoretic profile of BPJ treated samples was observed during the study when compared with that of untreated milk samples. Non-significant differences in the contents of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as well as in the individual fatty acid were observed in raw cow milk preserved with BPJ for 6 h at 30+ 20C. Individual fatty acid present in cow milk also did not exhibit any significant change among themselves during storage. It is concluded that addition of 0.3 % (v/v) BPJ did not cause any significant change in the fat and protein quality of cow milk when stored at 30+ 20C for 6 h as electrophoretic and fatty acid profile is concerned.
Place attachment: Conceptual and empirical questions

One of the limitations in the study of attachment to place has been its restriction to the spatial range of neighbourhood. Apart from some studies analysing attachment to house, there is a gap regarding other spatial environments. In this sense, we do not know to what extent people can be attached to other spatial categories, i.e., to bigger or smaller places, and whether the neighbourhood range is effectively the basic level of attachment, as many studies assume. On the other hand, most studies on attachment to place have viewed places as social environments only. We have found very few references to the physical dimension of place in the definition of the concept and also few regarding its operationalization. In this study, we measured place attachment within three spatial ranges (house, neighbourhood, and city) and two dimensions (physical and social), in order to establish some comparison between them. We did so by interviewing 177 people from different areas of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain). The results indicate that attachment to place develops to different degrees within different spatial ranges and dimensions. Among the results, we can highlight that: 1) attachment to neighbourhood is the weakest; 2) social attachment is greater than physical attachment; and 3) the degree of attachment varies with age and sex.
Ice Nucleation Parameterization and Relative Humidity Distribution in Idealized Squall-Line Simulations

AbstractOutput from idealized simulations of a squall line are compared with in situ aircraft-based observations from the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry campaign. Relative humidity distributions around convection are compared between 1-Hz aircraft observations (≈250-m horizontal scale) and simulations using a double-moment bulk microphysics scheme at three horizontal grid spacings: Δx = 0.25, 1, and 4 km. The comparisons focus on the horizontal extent of ice supersaturated regions (ISSRs), the maximum and average relative humidity with respect to ice (RHi) in ISSRs, and the ice microphysical properties during cirrus cloud evolution, with simulations at 0.25 and 1 km providing better results than the 4-km simulation. Within the ISSRs, all the simulations represent the dominant contributions of water vapor horizontal heterogeneities to ISSR formation on average, but with larger variabilities in such contributions than the observations. The best results are produced by a Δx = 0.25-km simulation with th.
The response of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system to a sudden dynamic pressure enhancement under southward IMF conditions

Abstract. The magnetospheric response to step-like solar wind dynamic pressure increases under southward IMF conditions is studied using the University of Michigan MHD code. A two phased response in the ionosphere is observed, similar to what is observed when the IMF is northward by looking into the residual potential and field-aligned current (FAC) patterns in the ionosphere. The first phase response right after the high pressure enhancement hits the magnetopause is associated with a pair of FACs downward in the postnoon and upward in the prenoon region. These FACs are caused by dusk-to-dawn electric fields inside the dayside magnetopause launched by a fast mode compressional wave. The second phase response shows another pair of potential cells as well as FACs in opposite polarity, which originates from magnetospheric vortices on the equatorial plane. The vortices appear to be formed by the recovery of the system from the fast mode wave.
Characterization of capture cross sections of interface states in dielectric/III-nitride heterojunction structures

We performed, for the first time, quantitative characterization of electron capture cross sections σ of the interface states at dielectric/III-N heterojunction interfaces. We developed a new method, which is based on the photo-assisted capacitance-voltage measurements using photon energies below the semiconductor band gap. The analysis was carried out for AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor heterojunction (MISH) structures with Al2O3, SiO2, or SiN films as insulator deposited on the AlGaN layers with Al content (x) varying over a wide range of values. Additionally, we also investigated an Al2O3/InAlN/GaN MISH structure. Prior to insulator deposition, the AlGaN and InAlN surfaces were subjected to different treatments. We found that σ for all these structures lies in the range between 5×10−19 and 10−16 cm2. Furthermore, we revealed that σ for dielectric/AlxGa1−xN interfaces increases with increasing x. We showed that both the multiphonon-emission and cascade processes can explain the obtained results.
The problem of the estimation of the industrial soil pollution extent

Significant spatial variability of the accumulation of pollutants in soils can make problems in the determination of the borders defining a zone where pollution, according to the applied legal requirements, is excessive. Particular difficulty is caused by a short-distance variability, disturbing the regularity in a spatial distribution of pollution around the source of emission. The paper presents an alternative, compared to traditional interpolation methods, algorithms based on the optimization and the application non-linear neural networks called mixture density network MDN and feature space mapping network FSM. The benefit from the application of this approach is more information referring to the distribution of pollution. This approach allows the estimation of the local variance of the accumulation of pollutants and approximate local distribution. This allows greater extent of taking into account the uncertainty connected with the spatial variability of soil pollution. Legal regulations referring to the assessment of the state of soils formally differentiate the classes of areas fulfilling sanitary requirements and those not fulfilling such requirements. Counting soils into proper classes means sampling often there is also a need to demark a proper borderline. Relatively great natural variability in soil properties and morphological factors, lithological factors and land use distort the regularity of the spatial distribution of pollutants emitted from point sources, complicating a simple-looking problem. Some observations indicate that a short-distance variability in the concentration of pollutants in soils, especially in heavy polluted areas, is very large, which can make the task of selection more difficult. In practice, in case of the need for distinguishing two classes of the areas: ‘polluted’ and ‘clean’ ones it is possible to apply one of the interpolation methods, based on a regular grid or a network of dispersed points or to use any model including an inevitable uncertainty connected with the spatial variability in the concentration of pollutants in soils. The investigated problem is significant also in the context of more and more widely applied digital technique of P O L I S H J O U R N A L O F S O I L S C I E N C E VOL. XL/1 2007 PL ISSN 0079-2985
Remittances and educational attainment: Evidence from Tajikistan

This paper examines the impact of remittances on educational attainment in Tajikistan using the Tajikistan Living Standards Measurement Survey (TLSS) from 2007 and 2009. Applying an ordered probit framework and controlling for hetereoskedasticity, censoring, intra-family correlation, and different masures of remittances, we find a negative impact of receiving remittances on educational outcomes. Calculations of the marginal effects draw a more subtle picture indicating that remittances positively affect educational achievements as long as education is mandatory. For higher, non-mandatory levels of education, however, receiving remittances negatively influences educational attainment. These results support concerns regarding the wide-spread affirmative impact of remittances on human capital formation. Accounting for endogeneity, the coefficients of the remittance variables become insignificant. Our general findings, however, remain unchanged implying that remittances are not used for investments in human capital accumulation once education becomes voluntary.
An Integrated Simulation Optimisation Decision Support Tool for Multi-Product Production Systems

Over the past decades, the rising energy prices and imposing environmental regulations have motivated manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of their manufacturing processes. Manufacturers need to also consider energy efficiency in addition to classical performance measures. The additional performance dimension (energy-related indicators) significantly increases the complexity of classical production planning problems (e.g. scheduling), already known as NP-hard problem). To overcome the inherited complexity, an integrated simulation-optimization framework is proposed. The proposed approach tackles scheduling problem in a multi-product/multi-machine manufacturing environment and optimizes several production objectives simultaneously. A case study is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach in a real-life industrial facility.
Teaching Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Sculpture: The Way Forward

Innovation and entrepreneurship is a significant factor of teaching peoples in sculpture fraternity to gain creativity by employing their hands and minds for economic well-being. These two contents have synergising across business and management disciplines but much have not been seen in art fields especially sculpture. Universities are increasingly being criticized for their failure in innovation and entrepreneurship education with their excessive focus on storytelling about entrepreneurs, business planning competitions and lean start up models. Stemming from many cases of leading entrepreneurs who were either university drop-outs or did not go to university at all, there is cynicism in the community about the effectiveness of universities in generating innovators. However, there are in fact successful approaches to developing creativity and innovation skills being used by universities such as work integrated learning (WIL). Research shows that this approach is beneficial to both students in developing their creativity and innovation skills, confidence, self-efficacy and leadership. This paper therefore examines and assesses the approach to teaching innovation and entrepreneurship in sculpture by how this practice can be taught to entrepreneurship sculpture students as it builds on these approaches, and tries to shed some additional light on the careers opportunities where students aspiring to become entrepreneurs can learn the ‘practice of innovation’ in such a way that they become ‘knowledge agents for innovation”. This study was based on descriptive research methodology to provide answers to the research questions. A simple random convenience sampling of art students especially in sculpture field was used. Primary data for analysis was obtained using self-written questionnaires and personal interviews. The findings are discussed and recommendations for future research and practices are also made. Keywords: Teaching, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Sculpture, Creativity
A Prototype Automatic Solar Panel Controller (ASPC) with Night-time Hibernation

Solar cells, as an alternate means of electricity supply, is rap idly advancing. Generally, output of solar cells depends largely on intensity of sun and angle of incidence on the cells. This means that to get maximum efficiency from these cells, they must remain directly pointed at the sun from sun rise to sun set. However, the position of sun‟s highest intensity with respect to a given spot changes with time of the day. It is therefore necessary to automatically control position of solar cells to always align with the h ighest intensity of sun. In this paper, we present a prototype automatic solar panel controller, with n ight time hibernation. The proposed system consists of both software and hardware parts, and it automatically provides best alignment of solar panel with sun to get maximum intensity. The solar panel controller system detects the presence of sun rays using light dependent resistors (LDR). At the heart of the control mechanism is an AT89C52 microcontroller. It is programmed to constantly monitor the output of an LDR, actuate a stepper motor to reposition the solar panel to a direction with the highest intensity. The proposed system also has an option of manual control of the panel via a computer interface or a keypad unit for easy of user interactivity during maintenance. Testing the proposed system, results shows that it can successfully track the sun and enter idle mode in the absence of sun rays, hence, conserving over 50% of energy required to operate the system.
Fungal communities in branch litter of Norway spruce

The aim of this thesis was to study the fungal communities on fine woody debris (FWD) of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and the importance of FWD as a substrate for these fungi. Three different methods for detecting fungi were used, sporocarp survey, mycelial isolation and ITS T-RFLP. FWD has been suggested to be an important wood component in managed forest where the amount of coarse woody debris (CWD) is scarce. Therefore FWD may act as a substitute substrate for species negatively affected by the decrease in CWD in managed forests. However, slash, i.e. branches and tops, is being removed from about 50 % of the clear-cut sites in southern Sweden and about 70 % of the slash is removed from the clear-cut. So far no studies has been undertaken to investigate the possible effects of slash removal on wood-inhabiting fungal communities. This thesis indicate that FWD host numerous fungal species, but essentially all of them are also found on other fractions like CWD and that species primary confined to CWD are essentially missing on FWD, except for some species that occurred on tree tops. Different types of dead plant matter in the litter layer is largely colonised by the same fungal species. The strategy of the species utilising plant litter with little or even without discrimination to the type of substrate seems successful as they represent at least a third of the fungal community in the forest floor. It is apparent that litter from needle and fine roots form the greater part of the decomposed plant matter during a forest generation, while wood, and particularly CWD constitute a minor part, 20-30%. No differences in species composition due to slash removal could be detected at site level, nor could any differences be detected when comparing substrate types separately. Thus, the results suggest that slash removal after clear-cutting have a negligible long-term impact on the saprotrophic fungal community, at least under the experimental conditions used.
New Polymorphisms in Regulatory Regions of Porcine μ-Calpain Gene and Their Association with CAPN1 Transcript Abundance

Abstract The activity of calpains, in particular μ-calpain, is associated with several processes occurring in muscle tissue postmortem and influences meat quality parameters. Therefore, the CAPN1 gene coding for large subunit of μ-calpain is considered as a candidate gene associated with meat quality traits. The aim of our study was to identify new polymorphisms in regulatory regions of the porcine CAPN1 gene and to estimate their impact on CAPN1 transcript abundance. In the present study, 7 polymorphisms in the porcine CAPN1 gene were identified, of which 5 were localized in introns (g.1195_1197insCCT; g.1429G>A; g. [4479A>G; 4526A>T; 4529_4530delAG]), one in 3’ untranslated region (g.25676C>T) and one microsatellite sequence in promoter region (c.-155- AGGG [3_5]). The analysed populations (a total of 451 gilts representing three pure breeds: Pietrain, P lish Landrace, Polish Large White and one conservation breed Pu.awska) were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium according to mutation g.25676C>T in 3’ untranslated region (all breeds), g.1429G>A (Pu.awska pigs) and g. [4479A>G; 4526A>T; 4529_4530delAG] (PLW pigs). Furthermore, the analysed SNPs in the porcine CAPN1 gene were in linkage disequilibrium (P≤0.05). The CAPN1 transcript abundance was also estimated in two important muscles (m. longissimus dorsi, m. semimembranosus). In longissimus dorsi muscle, a significant effect of c. -155- AGGG [3_5] polymorphism in promoter region on CAPN1 expression levels was determined. The c. -155AGGG [3/3] pigs showed a statistically higher (P≤0.05) expression level of the CAPN1 gene when compared to c. -155AGGG [4/4] homozygotes. The results obtained suggested that detected SNPs within regulatory regions of the CAPN1 gene could be related to transcript level and activity of μ-calpain. The selected polymorphisms areproposed to be associated with meat production traits.
The genetics and evolution of fluctuating asymmetry

▪ Abstract Variation in the subtle differences between right and left sides of bilateral characters, or fluctuating asymmetry (FA), has long been considered to be primarily environmental in origin, and this has promoted its use as a measure of developmental instability (DI) in populations. There is little evidence for specific genes that govern FA per se. Numerous studies show that FA levels in various characters are influenced by dominance and especially epistatic interactions among genes. An epistatic genetic basis for FA may complicate its primary use in comparisons of DI levels in outbred or wild populations subjected or not subjected to various environmental stressors. Although the heritability of FA typically is very low or zero, epistasis can generate additive genetic variation for FA that may allow it to evolve especially in populations subjected to bottlenecks, hybridizations, or periods of rapid environmental changes caused by various stresses.
Design of Low Phase Noise SIPC based Complementary LC-QVCO for IEEE 802.11a Application

The paper presents the design of a source injection parallel coupled (SIPC) quadrature voltage controlled oscillator (QVCO), realized in a complementary architecture, which is usually preferred in low-power applications as it exploits ≈50% bias current reduction with double efficiency compared to the structure with single coupled, when operating in the current-limited regime. A stacked spiral inductor exhibiting a Q factor of 5.8, with pMOS based depletion mode varactor of 32% in tuning range, corresponding to 3.2-3.6GHz of tuning frequency, is implemented in 0. 18Âµm CMOS technology. The phase noise of the SIPC QVCO architecture simulated at 1MHz of offset frequency is indicated to be -114.3dBc/Hz, while dissipating 11.0mW of core circuit power.