Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Boreal Birds at the Edge of their Range in the Adirondack Park, NY

Abstract The Adirondack Park in northern New York is located at the southern range extent for several bird species that inhabit lowland boreal forest habitats, which in the Adirondacks are naturally fragmented and intermixed with eastern temperate forest types. I examined occupancy dynamics of 8 bird species in lowland boreal forest wetlands, evaluating the influence of variables associated with climate change and habitat fragmentation, including wetland size and connectivity, on colonization and extinction dynamics for the period 2007–2011. Occurrence data from point-count surveys conformed to predictions of metapopulation theory with respect to extinction, with most species more likely to experience local extinction from smaller, more isolated wetlands. Responses to latitude and elevation were variable. Proximity of human infrastructure was the most consistent driver of short-term dynamics across species, with two-thirds more likely to colonize low-impact sites and become locally extinct from more-impacted sites. Evidence for metapopulation structure suggests that improved connectivity among wetlands and reduction of human impact near wetlands should be conservation goals for these species in the park.
Involvement of Human Small Fragment Nuclease in the Resistance of Human Cells to UV-C–induced Cell Death¶

Abstract Human small fragment nuclease (Sfn) is one of the cellular proteins that were reported to degrade small, single-stranded DNA and RNA. However, the biological role of Sfn in cellular response to various stressors such as UV-C (mainly 254 nm wavelength ultraviolet ray) remains unclear. We have examined whether modulation of human SFN gene expression affects cell survival capacity against UV-C–induced cell death, analyzing colony survival ability in UV-C–sensitive human RSa cells treated with short double-stranded RNA (siRNA) specific for SFN messenger RNA (mRNA). The expression levels of SFN mRNA in the siRNA-treated RSa cells decreased to about 15% compared with those in the control siRNA-treated cells. The siRNA-treated RSa cells showed lower colony survival and higher activity of caspase-3 after UV-C irradiation than the control siRNA-treated RSa cells. Furthermore, the removal capacity of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in the siRNA-treated RSa cells decreased compared with the control siRNA-treated RSa cells. There was no difference in the colony survival and CPD removal capacity after UV-C irradiation between the control siRNA-treated RSa cells and mock-treated RSa cells. These results suggest that SFN expression is involved in resistance of RSa cells to UV-C–induced cell death through the roles it plays in the DNA repair process.
EVOLUTION OF A SMALL-MUSCLE POLYMORPHISM IN LINES OF HOUSE MICE SELECTED FOR HIGH ACTIVITY LEVELS

Abstract To study the correlated evolution of locomotor behavior and exercise physiology, we conducted an artificial selection experiment. From the outbred Hsd:ICR strain of Mus domesticus, we began eight separate lines, each consisting of 10 breeding pairs. In four of the lines, we used within-family selection to increase voluntary wheel running. The remaining four lines were random-bred (within lines) to serve as controls. Various traits have been monitored to test for correlated responses. Here, we report on organ masses, with emphasis on the triceps surae muscle complex, an important extensor of the ankle. Mice from the selected lines exhibit reduced total body mass, increased relative (mass-corrected) kidney mass, and reduced relative triceps surae mass. In addition, a discrete muscle-mass polymorphism was observed: some individuals had triceps surae that were almost 50% lighter than normal for their body mass. This small-muscle phenotype was observed in only three of the eight lines: in one control line, it has fluctuated in frequency between zero and 10%, whereas in two of the selected lines it has increased in frequency to approximately 50% by generation 22. Data from a set of parents and offspring (generations 23 and 24) are consistent with inheritance as a single autosomal recessive allele. Evidence for the adaptive significance of the small-muscle allele was obtained by fitting multiple-generation data to hierarchical models that include effects of genetic drift and/or selection. The small-muscle allele is estimated to have been present at low frequency (approximately 7%) in the base population, and analysis indicates that strong selection favors the allele in the selected but not control lines. We hypothesize that the small muscles possess functional characteristics and/or that the underlying allele causes pleiotropic effects (e.g., reduced total body mass; increased relative heart, liver, and kidney mass) that facilitate high levels of wheel running. Nevertheless, at generation 22, wheel running of affected individuals did not differ significantly from those with normal-sized muscles, and the magnitude of response to selection has been similar in all four selected lines, indicating that multiple genetic “solutions” are possible in response to selection for high activity levels.
Application of Meta-Heuristic Optimization Algorithms in Electric Power Systems

Optimization of solutions on expansion of electric power systems (EPS) and their control plays a crucial part in ensuring efficiency of the power industry, reliability of electric power supply to consumers and power quality. Until recently, this goal was accomplished by applying classical and modern methods of linear and nonlinear programming. In some complicated cases, however, these methods turn out to be rather inefficient. Meta-heuristic optimization algorithms often make it possible to successfully cope V. G. Kurbatsky Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia D. N. Sidorov Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia V. A. Spiryaev Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia N. V. Tomin Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia R. A. Zaika Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia B. Bat-Undraal Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Mongolia DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2086-5.ch019
Two New Species of Pristimantis (Amphibia: Anura: Strabomantidae) from Southwestern Colombia

Abstract: We describe two new species of Pristimantis from southwestern Colombia. The first new species inhabits the humid Pacific slopes of the Cordillera Occidental, Valle del Cauca; it is most similar to three allopatric Ecuadorian species—P. eugeniae (Lynch and Duellman 1997), P. nyctophylax (Lynch 1976), and P. subsigillatus (Boulenger 1902). It is distinguished, however, by having subarticular tubercles beneath the joint between distal phalanges, basal webbing on outer edge of toe IV, papilla at the tip of snout, and uniform cream-brown coloration on the anterior surfaces of thighs and in the groin. The second new species inhabits the high mountains of the Cordillera Central, Cauca, and it is most similar to P. boulengeri (Lynch 1981) and two Peruvian species—P. deyi Lehr et al. 2013 and P. schultei (Duellman 1990). However, it differs by having subarticular tubercles beneath the joint between distal phalanges, dorsal skin with low warts, papilla at the tip of snout, and by lacking tympanic membranes, dentigerous processes of the vomer, and vocal slits.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Molecular Lineages in a Species-Rich Subgenus of Sea Stars (Leptasterias Subgenus Hexasterias)1

Synopsis Among diverse marine invertebrate taxa, the evolution of a non-planktotrophic larva is often associated with increased rates of cladogenesis, compared to related taxa that retain the ancestral planktotrophic larval form. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of non-planktotrophic (and, presumably species-rich) clades of marine invertebrates are rare. Here we analyze 1542 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequence comprising two gene regions, the cytochrome oxidase I gene and the putative control region and flanking sequences, for 23 molecular lineages in the obligately brood-protecting asteroid genus Leptasterias. Using maximum likelihood, minimum evolution, and maximum parsimony methods, five major clades were identified that corresponded to five taxa (species or species complexes) in the subgenus Hexasterias, section camtschatica (following the taxonomy of Walter K. Fisher). Two clades (L. aequalis> complex and L. aleutica/L. camtschatica complex) were composed of numerous molecular lineages (7–8 lineages/clade), and several clades had multiple shallow nodes, suggestive of recent radiations. Two of the clades (L. aleutica/L. camtschatica complex and L. hexactis complex), with geographic ranges restricted to latitudes higher than 48°N, were lacking deep phylogenetic nodes. This pattern is consistent with the hypothesis that high-latitude taxa have high rates of extinction due to repeated climatic crises. A log-likelihood ratio test performed on the camtschatica section, including a member (Leptasterias polaris) of the polaris section and using a representative (L. mülleri) of Leptasterias subgenus Leptasterias as an outgroup, demonstrated that the camtschatica section is monophyletic.
Power-Controlled MAC Protocols with Dynamic Neighbor Prediction for Ad hoc Networks

Energy and bandwidth are the scarce resources in ad hoc networks because most of the mobile nodes are battery-supplied and share the exclusive wireless medium. Integrating the power control into MAC protocol is a promising technique to fully exploit these precious resources of ad hoc wireless networks. In this paper, a new intelligent power-controlled Medium Access Control (MAC) (iMAC) protocol with dynamic neighbor prediction is proposed. Through the elaborate design of the distributed transmit-receive strategy of mobile nodes, iMAC greatly outperforms the prevailing IEEE 802.11 MAC protocols in not only energy conservation but also network throughput. Using the Dynamic Neighbor Prediction (DNP), iMAC performs well in mobile scenes. To the best of our knowledge, iMAC is the first protocol that considers the performance deterioration of power-controlled MAC protocols in mobile scenes and then proposes a solution. Simulation results indicate that DNP is important and necessary for power-controlled MAC protocols in mobile ad hoc networks.
THE EVOLUTION OF AGING AND AGE-RELATED PHYSICAL DECLINE IN MICE SELECTIVELY BRED FOR HIGH VOLUNTARY EXERCISE

Abstract We tested whether selective breeding for early-age high voluntary exercise behavior over 16 generations caused the evolution of lifelong exercise behavior, life expectancy, and age-specific mortality in house mice (Mus domesticus). Sixteenth-generation mice from four replicate selection lines and four replicate random-bred control lines were individually housed from weaning through death and divided between two activity treatments (either with or without running wheels). Thus, there were four treatment groups: selection versus control crossed with active versus sedentary. The effects of selective breeding on life expectancy and age-specific mortality differed between females and males. In females, sedentary selection mice had early and high initial adult mortality and thus the lowest increases in mortality with age. Active selection females had the lowest early adult mortality, had limited mortality during midlife, and exhibited rapid increases in mortality rates at the very end of life; thus, they had deferred senescence. Median life expectancy was greater for both groups of selection females than for the two complementary groups of control females. Like females, sedentary selection males had the highest early adult mortality, and slow but steadily increasing mortality over the entire lifetime. Unlike the active selection females, active control males had the lowest mortality across the lifespan (until the end of life). Interestingly, the males with the lowest median life expectancy were those in the active selection treatment group. In both sexes, running (km/week) decreased over the lifetime to very low and virtually equivalent levels at the end of life in control and selection mice. Overall, these results demonstrate an evolutionary cost of selective breeding for males, regardless of exercise level, but a benefit for females when they have an outlet for the up-selected behavior. We conclude that correlated evolution of senescence occurs in mice selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running; exercise per se is beneficial for control mice of both sexes, but the impact on the effect of selection depends on sex; and the behavioral effect of exercise selection at an early age declines throughout the life span, which demonstrates decreasing genetic correlations over age for the genes involved in increased exercise.
Cost–Benefit Analysis and the Water Framework Directive in Scotland

Abstract The Water Framework Directive seeks to achieve the enhancement of aquatic ecosystem quality for all waters across Europe. However, it recognizes the need to accommodate social and economic considerations, so Heavily Modified Water Bodies may be designated where achievement of the Directive's objectives may result in disproportionate costs. This necessitates the use of cost and benefit data, which may be hard to acquire. Benefits and costs of implementing the Directive also can be tested at the national level. This paper considers the evaluation of costs and benefits at 2 scales in Scotland: microlevel analysis, for case studies on the rivers Tummel and Dee and the Forth Estuary, and macrolevel analysis. In the microlevel analysis, costs of hydroelectric power generation are compared with the marginal benefits of increased fisheries revenues and are argued to be disproportionate. In the estuary environment, the benefits of returning an area to ecologically productive salt marsh and mudflats are compared with the costs of lost agricultural revenue. In the macrolevel analysis, we compare the costs to impacted industries with the estimated national benefits from implementing the Directive. We find that for Scotland as a whole, implementation is predicted to result in positive net social benefits.
Landscape Heterogeneity and Diurnal Raptor Diversity in Honduras: The Role of Indigenous Shifting Cultivation1

Abstract I studied the relationship between diurnal raptor diversity, density, and richness, and landscape heterogeneity in continuous primary forests and forests farmed by native Amerindians in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve of northeastern Honduras from January to June 1996 and 1997. I estimated landscape heterogeneity—the variability in naturally occurring and/or anthropogenic habitat mosaics—by mapping the extent and distribution of five human-modified and natural habitats in 24 1 km2 survey plots. I used the Shannon index to calculate landscape heterogeneity values for the respective plots based on the proportion of total area of each habitat within each plot. Diurnal raptor surveys from canopy-emergent viewpoints in these plots resulted in 137 observations of 18 species of raptors. Four species (Coragyps atratus, Ictinia plumbea, Leucopternis albicollis, and Buteo magnirostris) differed significantly in abundance among heterogeneity classes. Raptor diversity, density, and richness all increased directly with increasing landscape heterogeneity. Landscape heterogeneity was more important in explaining differences in raptor species diversity than the presence or extent of any single habitat or combination of habitats. In contrast to previous studies, my results indicate the importance of indigenous shifting cultivation in altering the naturally occurring patterns of habitat mosaics in lowland rain forest and its effect on bird species abundance and diversity in a rain forest ecosystem.
Forty Years of Tropical Forest Recovery from Agriculture: Structure and Floristics of Secondary and Old-growth Riparian Forests in the Dominican Republic

ABSTRACT Interest in tropical secondary forests has grown as large areas of agriculture have been abandoned in recent decades; yet, there are few long-term studies of post-agriculture vegetation recovery in the tropics. In this study, we compared the vegetation structure and floristic composition of old-growth and 40-year-old secondary riparian forests in the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. Canopy height and stem density of woody plants were similar between forest types, but basal area of trees was 27 percent lower in secondary forests. Introduced tree species comprised 20 percent of the basal area and dominated the understory of secondary forests. Life-form diversity was higher in old-growth forests as arborescent ferns, the palm species, and epiphytic bromeliads, orchids, and bryophytes were much more abundant. The number of species of epiphytic orchids and bromeliads, ground ferns, and herbaceous plants was also significantly higher in old-growth forests. The species density of woody plants and vines, however, was comparable between forest types, and vine abundance was significantly higher in secondary forests. The high importance of introduced tree species and the delayed recovery of several plant life-forms have important implications for the conservation of plant diversity in secondary forests in the tropics. The robust regeneration of woody structure despite the long land tenure (ca 60 yr) by farmers is probably due to the nutrient-rich alluvial soils and low-intensity agriculture. This study revealed the potential for the rapid recovery of woody plant diversity and structure in fertile secondary forests adjacent to mature forest seed sources and the more delayed recovery of nonwoody plant diversity and abundance.
TrTok: A Fast and Trainable Tokenizer for Natural Languages

We present a universal data-driven tool for segmenting and tokenizing text. The presented tokenizer lets the user define where token and sentence boundaries should be considered. These instances are then judged by a classifier which is trained from provided tokenized data. The features passed to the classifier are also defined by the user making, e.g., the inclusion of abbreviation lists trivial. This level of customizability makes the tokenizer a versatile tool which we show is capable of sentence detection in English text as well as word segmentation in Chinese text. In the case of English sentence detection, the system outperforms previous methods. The software is available as an open-source project on GitHub 1 .
Asynchronous Multilevel Search Strategy for Fast Acquisition of AltBOC Signals

Alternative binary offset carrier (AltBOC) signals can be approximated by four synchronized direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signals, each pair of which is a quadrature phase shift keyed (QPSK) signal at a different frequency. Therefore, depending on the strength of an incoming AltBOC signal, an acquisition technique can reduce the mean acquisition time (MAT) by searching the four DSSS signals asynchronously; the search for each of the four DSSS signals can start at one of the evenly separated hypotheses on the two-dimensional hypothesis space. And detection sensitivity can be improved by multiple levels when different numbers of search results for the same hypothesis are combined. In this paper, we propose a fast AltBOC acquisition technique that has an asynchronous search strategy and efficiently utilizes the output of the four search results to increase the sensitivity level when sensitivity improvement is needed. We provide a complete theoretical analysis and demonstrate with numerous Monte Carlo simulations that the MAT of the proposed technique is much smaller than conventional AltBOC acquisition techniques.
Packet size adjustment strategy for fairness in multi-rate and multi-node IEEE 802.11

After deeply analyzing the reasons of the unfairness in the multi-rate mechanism,the new strategy,transmission rate-based packet size adjustment(TRPSA) was provided.This strategy guaranteed that each node with different transmit rate could access the wireless channel fairly.The theoretic proof and the extensive simulation validation show that the proposed strategy can achieve the efficient fairness and improve the network performance under the multi-rate multi-node situation.The proposed strategy slightly modifies IEEE 802.11. Thus,it is easy to be implemented and widely applied in the practical network.
Landscape context matters when American Woodcock select singing grounds: Results from a reciprocal transplant experiment

ABSTRACT The multiscale nature of habitat selection during the breeding season for migratory birds means that core-use areas (e.g., breeding territories) are selected based on their local habitat features, but these may also be influenced in some way by features within a larger-scale landscape. We conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment to test the hypothesis that habitat selection and movements of male American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) in core-use areas during the breeding season depend on the perceived quality of the surrounding landscape. We captured second-year male woodcocks (n = 19) at high- or low-likelihood of use landscapes in Rhode Island, USA, affixed each with a radio transmitter, relocated them to the opposite type of landscape, and then determined if they returned to their original site of capture or remained in the landscape to which they were relocated. Birds captured in high-likelihood landscapes and moved to low-likelihood landscapes generally returned to their original high-likelihood landscape (5/7, 71%), but birds captured in low-likelihood landscapes and moved to high-likelihood landscapes rarely returned to their original low-likelihood landscape (1/12, 8%). These results support the hypothesis that woodcock assess their surroundings relatively rapidly and subsequently make critical settlement decisions based on landscape composition. Given that woodcock choice is predicted by the woodcock-specific resource selection function, these results also provide support for the use of this tool to guide forest management for woodcock.
Focused crawling of online business Web pages using latent semantic indexing approach

With the exponential growth of textual information available from the Internet, there has been an emergent need to find relevant, in-time and in-depth knowledge about business topic. The huge size of such data makes the process of retrieving and analyzing and use of the valuable information in such texts manually a very difficult task. In this paper, we attempt to address a challenging task i.e. a crawling business-specific knowledge on the Web. To do that, the main goal of this paper is to describe a new method of focused crawling with latent semantic indexing for online business web pages. We describe a new model for online business text crawling which seeks, acquires, maintains and filter business pages. This model consists mainly from two main modules: a crawling system and a text filtering system. The crawler is used to collect as many web pages as possible from the news websites. This focused crawler is guided by a latent semantic index and information from Word Net (business filter) which learns to recognize the relevance of a web page with respect to the business topic and it is also utilized a set of domain specific keywords. The obtained results also on online real word data show that the focused crawler is very effective for building high-quality collections of business Web documents.