Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF LANDSCAPE AND HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS ON OVENBIRD PAIRING SUCCESS

Abstract We investigated the influence of disturbance type (agriculture and silviculture) within forested landscapes, amount of forest cover within 1 km of the site, and local habitat characteristics on the pairing success of Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) in central Pennsylvania during May and June 1998. Because areas with low pairing success often are inferred to have high nest predation, we also examined whether pairing and nesting success were correlated across sites. We determined the pairing status of 116 male Ovenbirds on 10 sites within contiguous mature forest. Percent of males that were paired on each site ranged from 54–92% (mean = 78%). Pairing success was negatively associated with forest cover within 1 km and positively associated with leaf litter depth. Percent bare ground also was positively correlated with forest cover within 1 km of the site. Estimates of pairing success were unrelated to Ovenbird nesting success at each site (based on 48 nests), which suggests that site-level differences in nest predation or reproductive potential are not necessarily associated with the ability of males to acquire mates. Our data suggest that pairing success of Ovenbirds in forested landscapes is not reduced by the amount of habitat loss within 1 km and is determined by local habitat rather than landscape characteristics.
OSMOREGULATION IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTERSELECTED FOR UREA TOLERANCE

Animals may adapt to hyperosmolar environments by either osmoregulating or osmoconforming. Osmoconforming animals generally accumulate organic osmolytes including sugars, amino acids or, in a few cases, urea. In the latter case, they also accumulate ‘ureacounteracting’ solutes to mitigate the toxic effects of urea. We examined the osmoregulatory adaptation of Drosophila melanogaster larvae selected to live in 300 mmol l -1 urea. Larvae are strong osmoregulators in environments with high NaCl or sucrose levels, but have increased hemolymph osmolarity on urea food. The increase in osmolarity on urea food is smaller in the selected larvae relative to unselected control larvae, and their respective hemolymph urea concentrations can account for the observed increases in total osmolarity. No other hemolymph components appear to act as urea-counteractants. Urea is calculated to be in equilibrium across body compartments in both selected and control larvae, indicating that the selected larvae are not sequestering it to lower their hemolymph osmolarity. The major physiological adaptation to urea does not appear to involve increased tolerance or improved osmoregulation per se, but rather mechanisms (e.g. metabolism, decreased uptake or increased excretion) that reduce overall urea levels and the consequent toxicity. Summary
FLYING CAPACITY OF SWARM-FOUNDING WASP Polybia occidentalis occidentalis OLIVER, 1791 (HYMENOPTERA, VESPIDAE)

This paper aims to estimate the flying capacity of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis occidentalis. Ninety six individuals from six different nests were marked and liberated, at pre-determined distances. This species is able to fly as long as 300m from their nests. However, we assumed that 70% return rate as representative of the most effective distance where the wasps realized foraging flights. According to the logistic model, the distance that allows for the 70% of return rate was 126m. It can be estimated that P. occidentalis occidentalis develop its activities more efficiently within a radius of 62m from the nests. This represents a foraging area per colony of approximately. 12.500m2.
A release model considering chemical loss from a double-layer material into food

The migration of chemicals from packaging materials into food is predictable by various mathematical models. However, the loss of chemicals makes the predictions more complicated. In this article, a mathematical model considering chemical instability is developed to quantify the release of chemicals through double-layer packaging films based on Fick's diffusion and first order reaction. At the same time, two different loading modes are considered in the loss function. The release model is solved numerically to elucidate the effects of diffusivity value, distribution of chemical and mass transfer at the interface of material and food on the migration process, and the loss of the chemicals in food is also elucidated.
Microbiology of molar–incisor hypomineralization lesions. A pilot study

ABSTRACT Objective: An insufficient mineralization (hypomineralization) in the teeth during the maturation stage of amelogenesis cause defects in 3–44% of children. Here, we describe for the first time the microbiota associated with these defects and compared it to healthy teeth within the same subjects. Methods: Supragingival dental plaque was sampled from healthy and affected teeth from 25 children with ﻿molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH). Total DNA was extracted and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced by Illumina sequencing in order to describe the bacterial composition. Results: We detected a higher bacterial diversity in MIH samples, suggesting better bacterial adhesion or higher number of niches in those surfaces. We found the genera Catonella, Fusobacterium, Campylobacter, Tannerella, Centipeda, Streptobacillus, Alloprevotella and Selenomonas associated with hypomineralized teeth, whereas Rothia and Lautropia were associated with healthy sites. Conclusion: The higher protein content of MIH-affected teeth could favour colonization by proteolytic microorganisms. The over-representation of bacteria associated with endodontic infections and periodontal pathologies suggests that, in addition to promote caries development, MIH could increase the risk of other oral diseases.
The posterior section of the chick's area pellucida and its involvement in hypoblast and primitive streak formation

Posterior marginal zone sections with or without Koller9s sickle were cut out of stage X, XI and XII E.G&K blastoderms, labelled with the fluorescent dye rhodamine-dextran-lysine (RDL) and returned to their original location. In control experiments, a similar lateral section of the marginal zone was identically treated. Different blastoderms were incubated at 37°C for different periods and were fixed after reaching stages from XII E.G&K to 4 H&H. The conclusions drawn from the analysis of the distribution pattern of the labelled cells in the serially sectioned blastoderms concern the cellular contributions to both the forming hypoblast and the forming primitive streak. Koller9s sickle and the marginal zone behind it were found to contribute all the centrally located cells of the growing hypoblast. The lengthening pregastrulation PS (until stage 3+ H&H) was found to be entirely composed of epiblastic cells that at stage X were located in a narrow strip anterior to Koller9s sickle. A model is proposed to integrate the results spatially and temporally.
Topographic Home Ranges of White-tailed Deer in the Central Appalachians

Abstract Planimetric comparisons of home range sizes of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) from across their range may not be appropriate due to regional differences in topography. We compare seasonal topographic diversity between male and female white-tailed deer home ranges in the central Appalachians using percent increase from planimetric to topographic areas as a measure. Mean percent increase in home range size for all deer-seasons combined was 3.1 (range = 1.3–6.4). No differences in percent increase in home range areas occurred between sexes or among seasons. The relatively low percent increase in home range area and lack of variation between sexes and among seasons validates the common practice of comparing planimetric home range sizes from different geographic areas.
EFFECT OF GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA) ON ROOT GROWTH OF ALLIUM SATIVUM

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), a non-protein amino acid is primarily known as a neurotransmitter in vertebrates. GABA is also present in bacteria and plants. GABA accumulates in plants under several stress conditions. It also plays several roles in plants including pollen tube growth, root and shoot development etc. This study reports that GABA inhibits the root growth in Allium sativum. It was also observed that root inhibition was highest in 1000 µM initially. As the time progressed, 200µM concentration of GABA showed higher inhibition. However, higher concentration of GABA imparted lesser impact on root growth. Different concentrations of GABA imparted different level of root inhibition as the time progressed.
White-tailed deer forage production in managed and unmanaged pine stands and summer food plots in Mississippi

Abstract Nutritional habitat quality in unmanaged southeastern forests often is limited because a dense midstory and litter layer impede growth of high-quality, shade-intolerant forage species. Management actions often are designed to improve the quantity of natural forages and to supplement natural forages with agronomic plantings. We evaluated the use of a selective herbicide, prescribed fire, and fertilizer to improve forage production for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in naturally regenerated, mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands in north-central Mississippi, treated during 1998–1999. We compared nutritional quality and production of selected forages in treated plots (n = 4) and untreated plots (n = 4) during years 2 and 3 post-treatment. We also measured quality and production of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) produced in food plots (n = 4). Treatment plots produced an average of 435 kg/ha of leaf biomass and 34 kg/ha of digestible protein; untreated plots averaged 119 ka/ha of leaf biomass and 7 kg/ha of digestible protein. Cowpea food plots produced 545 kg/ha of leaf biomass and 110 kg/ha of digestible protein. Carrying-capacity estimates (deer-days/ha) increased from 7 in untreated plots to 268 in treated plots. Extrapolated over a 10-year economic planning horizon, the cost of producing digestible protein was $8/kg for treated plots and $15/kg for cowpea food plots. Vegetation treatments as described can cost-effectively produce high-quality, natural deer forages.
Defining digital addiction: Key features from the literature

Within recent years there has been increasing societal concern around the compulsive and excessive use of digital and Internet-enabled devices, such as the use of social media or online video gaming, and associated psychological and physical harms. However, problematic use or addictive behaviours are not yet included as diagnosable mental health issues in any major diagnostic system in Western countries and the conceptualisations of the phenomena are still inconsistent. To address this issue, the present study reviewed the current conceptualisations of digital addiction used within the research literature and identified common features of the definition of digital addiction. Definitions of the phenomenon were extracted from 47 studies, and they were analysed using a content analysis approach. The initial process assessed definitions for features of digital addiction within Internet, gaming and smartphone addiction. Two higher-order themes were identified, which focused on the harm caused by the phenomenon and on the user’s behaviours associated with the phenomenon. It was also found that key constructs are not specific to the usage domain, i.e. whether it is related to gaming, Internet or smartphone use. Several core features were found across different conceptualisations of digital addiction within the literature; however, it was also noted that some features are subjective and inconsistently applied. If a decision is to be reached on whether the phenomenon is a mental health disorder, then clearer definitions must be created.
Semen cryopreservation: Successes and persistent problems in farm species

Artificial insemination has arguably been the most important practice contributing to the advancement of animal production. The numerous advantages of artificial insemination are augmented when the semen is cryopreserved and conserved for long periods. Unfortunately, the utility of cryopreserved semen is limited because for most mammals, even cattle, a considerable proportion of sperm loose their fertility during freezing-thawing. In many species , this loss of fertility is substantial, rendering cryopreserved semen impractical for routine use. Our goals are to characterize the nature of the sublethal sperm damage caused by cryopreservation, and to develop a method to improve the functional fertility of thawed semen. This review describes our theory that sperm are prematurely activated by cryopreservation (“cryo-capacitation”) and discusses strategies for preventing this damage. Key words: Sperm, artificial insemination, capacitation, fertility
WiReader: Adaptive Air Handwriting Recognition Based on Commercial WiFi Signal

In recent years, with the rapid development of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies, many intelligent sensing applications have emerged, which realize contactless sensing and human–computer interaction (HCI). Handwriting recognition is the communication link between the human and computer. Previous handwriting recognition applications are usually founded on images and sensors, which require significant device overhead and are device dependent. Recently, the revolution of the wireless signal sensing technology has laid the foundation for the intelligent handwriting recognition technology without devices. In this article, we propose WiReader, an adaptive air handwriting recognition system based on wireless signals. WiReader utilizes ubiquitous commercial WiFi devices to process the collected channel state information (CSI), segments the data in combination with activity factors, and then transforms the original signal using the CSI-Ratio model. In order to address the problem of feature extraction caused by handwriting, we utilize the cumulative principal components and multilayer wavelet transform for the transformed signal. Finally, the energy feature matrix is generated and combines with long short-term memory (LSTM) to realize the recognition of different handwriting actions. Extensive real-world experiments show that WiReader achieves an average recognition accuracy of 90.64% leading other applications in three scenarios and has strong robustness to user location, user diversity, and different scenarios.
BIODISTRIBUTION AND EXCRETION OF A MIXED FLUOROCARBON-HYDROCARBON "DOWEL" EMULSION AS DETERMINED BY 19F NMR.

To investigate the biodistribution, possible metabolism and excretion of mixed fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon "dowel" molecules used as stabilizers of fluorocarbon emulsions, we have prepared a 2.5% w/v emulsion of such a molecule, and quantitatively evaluated, by means of 19F NMR, its behavior in the blood and reticuloendothelial system (RES) of rats. C~F~~CH=CHCI~H~~ (F6HlOE) was emulsified using egg yolk phospholipids (EYP). The emulsion (F6HIOE/EYP : 2.5/6 %w/v) was injected intravenously into 33 Sprague Dawley female rats at a 3.6 g/kg body weight dose of F6HIOE. The animals were sacrificed at regular intervals of time. 24 hours after the injection, 70% of the injected dose was located in the liver, 17 % in the spleen, 4 % in the lungs, 2 % in the kidneys and 2 % in the blood. The half-time retention of the dowel molecule in the liver was estimated to be 25 ? 5 days. None of the 33 treated animals died prior to the planned sacrifice date. The dowel molecule F6HlOE proved to be well tolerated, and excreted reasonably fast, without metabolism. This appears to warrant the use of such
Speed control systems for three phase induction motor using fixed pattern PWM wave

A fixed pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern and a PWM wave analyzed by computer are discussed. To produce this kind of controller, the basis of the control system is approximated. A parallel proportional, integral, differential (PID) error amplifier is used in this system to optimize and minimize the response time. In designing this system, the availability and cost of technology in developing countries are considered. <<ETX>>
A 2–20-GHz 10-W High-Efficiency GaN Power Amplifier Using Reactive Matching Technique

In this article, we present the analysis, design, and implementation of a wideband 10-W monolithic microwave integrated circuit power amplifier (PA), fabricated in a low-cost 0.1-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> gallium nitride (GaN) on Si technology. The design is focused on the realization of a low-loss and wideband impedance transformation networks across 2–20 GHz using a reactive matching (RM) technique. The two-stage GaN PA achieves an average output power of 40.1 dBm and a peak output power of 41.6 dBm at 13 GHz, in the CW-mode operation, with a small-signal gain of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S_{21} > 25.5$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dB over the entire bandwidth. The average power-added efficiency (PAE) is 21%, with a peak PAE of 29% at 6 GHz. The PA chip occupies an area of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2.9\times 2.6$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mm<sup>2</sup>. To the best of our knowledge, the PA presented in this work demonstrates the highest broadband gain among the reported GaN-based RMPAs with a corresponding output power of about 10 W.
PAPER Phylogeography: retrospect and prospect

Phylogeography has grown explosively in the two decades since the word was coined and the discipline was outlined in 1987. Here I summarize the many achievements and novel perspectives that phylogeography has brought to population genetics, phylogenetic biology and biogeography. I also address future directions for the field. From the introduction of mitochondrial DNA assays in the late 1970s, to the key distinction between gene trees and species phylogenies, to the ongoing era of multi-locus coalescent theory, phylogeographic perspectives have consistently challenged conventional genetic and evolutionary paradigms, and they have forged empirical and conceptual bridges between the formerly separate disciplines of population genetics (microevolutionary analysis) and phylogenetic biology (in macroevolution).
Exploring ecological correlates associated with dorsal colour variation in garter snakes

Colours influence numerous aspects of an animal’s ecology and the adaptive significance of colour variation has been intensively studied in diverse taxonomic groups. This study was motivated by the question: Why do garter snakes vary in colour? To answer this question, I focused on Western Terrestrial Garter Snakes, Thamnophis elegans, which exhibit geographic variation in colouration (dark morph vs. light morph), and two different species of garter snake that occur in the same geographic region but vary in colour –light T. elegans and the Common Garter Snake, T. sirtalis. My work provides an objective quantification and analysis of snake colour and evaluates the influence of colour variation on ecological processes such as thermoregulation, crypsis, and antipredator behaviour. I compared body temperatures (Tbs) with available thermal opportunities, both in wild snakes and in a field experiment, to determine how snakes with contrasting colours differ in thermoregulation and temperature-dependent behaviours. Gravid females of the light and dark colour morphs of T. elegans exhibited comparable thermoregulatory behaviour at high temperatures; however, dark T. elegans maintained elevated Tbs when available temperatures dropped. In the field, dark-coloured snakes were more likely to be moving when first detected when Tbs were high, but this trend was reversed in light T. elegans. I quantified crypsis of snakes, in terms of colour and brightness, by measuring the spectral reflectance of snakes and the surrounding habitat. These data were visually modeled from the perspective of potential snake predators and human researchers. Overall, snakes selected basking
Inducing variability in multi-cut forage sorghum through mutagenesis

Improvement in multi-cut forage sorghum varieties that can perform better than SSG 59-3, a sweet Sudan grass released in 1974, has been a challenge. Efforts were made to create variability in SSG 59-3 through mutagenesis using both physical and chemical mutagens. Fifteen such mutants were evaluated for 2 years in different locations in India. Considerable variability was observed for important fodder yield and quality traits. SSG 237 flowered 10 d early than SSG 59-3. SSG 231, SSG 260, SSG 232 and SSG 237 had high protein percentage and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) values compared with SSG 59-3. Hydrocyanic acid (HCN), a major anti-nutritional factor, was low in six mutants, the lowest being in SSG 226. This variability can be used in different breeding programmes aimed at improving multi-cut forage sorghum varieties. The lines with improved fodder quality (low HCN, high protein and IVDMD) can be used in the breeding programme for the improvement in multi-cut forage sorghum varieties.
STUDIES ON SCLEROTIZATION IN PHYSARUM POLYCEPHALUM

THE RESISTANT STRUCTURE produced by gradual desiccation of a myxomycete plasmodium is usually termed a sclerotium. Since this stage does not appear to be necessary for the completion of the life cycle of the Myxomycetes it has received relatively little attention. Sclerotization has been attributed to desiccation, low temperature, inadequate food supply and "other . unknown causes" (de Bary, 1887), but few critical studies of the causes of sclerotization have been made. A difference of opinion exists among students of the group regarding starvation as a factor, and no information upon the effect of temperature per se appears. Hodapp (1942) observed sclerotia of Physarum polycephalumn formed by desiccation for various time periods and at various temperatures between 70 and 35? C. He noted that gradual death rather than sclerotization took place at 5? -6'C. According to Luyet and Gehenio (1944), death or decreased viability of the sclerotium itself may occur in Physarum polycephalum when desiccation proceeds beyond the amount of water "naturally present. " Sclerotia appear to be viable for only a few years, in contrast to the longevity of myxomycete spores which in some instances have germinated after 63 years of storage in an herbarium (Elliott, 1949). Jahn (1919) reported his inability to revive sclerotia of Badhamia utricularis after 40 months of storage, and Hodapp (1942) noted a greatly reduced germinating power of the sclerotia of Physarum polycephalum after 8-13 months of storage. A somewhat dubious account by Leveille, cited by de Bary (1887), of the viability of a 20-year-old myxomycete sclerotium of unknown species contrasts with a critical study of over 100 sclerotia of Physarum polycephalum by Gehenio (1944) which indicated that viability was completely lost after 3 years. The microscopic structure of dry, mature sclerotia has been described for Badhamia utricularis by J0rgensen (1925) and for 12 other species of Myxomycetes by Brandza (1928). The latter study did not include Physarum polyceplhalum. The object of this investigation was to study the process of sclerotization and plasmodial reconstitution. Factors inducing sclerotization, and the possible role of the sclerotium in the life history of Physarum polycephalum as well as the applicability of the term sclerotium to the structure in question were also considered. MORPHOLOGY OF SCLEROTIA. -Sclerotia produced by various methods in the laboratory as well as out of doors ranged from a reticulum resembling a typical active plasmodium to a thick irregular mass. Some sclerotia consisted of a thin plaque roughly