Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reef Corals: Mutualistic Symbioses Adapted to Nutrient-Poor Environments

Coral atoll communities are of special interest to marine biologists since they flourish in tropical waters characterized by low productivity (cf. Stoddart 1969). One of the aims of research in coral reef biology is to discern and describe quantitatively the adaptations that permit reef communities to exploit a marginally suitable habitat. Vital to this aim is an understanding of the nutrition of corals themselves since these lime-secreting cnidarians are the dominant life forms of many reefs and one of the principal reef builders. The general topic of coral nutrition has been reviewed recently (Muscatine 1973, Taylor 1973a) and serves as a convenient point of departure. The present discussion considers the potential nutritional capabilities of corals as mutualistic symbioses and the extent to which specific organismic and ecological manifestations of these capabilities have been described and quantified.
A Computing System for Processing the Interstate Power Grid Data

The paper presents a Data Processing and Geo-information Computing System (DPGICS) intended to study and forecast the expansion of interstate power grids. We propose an original technology for data storage in an object-oriented database, and a technology for data processing and representation using user-friendly interface. An example is given to demonstrate the DPGICS applied to visualize energy data on maps, and to form aggregated tables with the results obtained using the ORIRES optimization model being part of DPGICS.
Fecundity of the exotic applesnail, Pomacea insularum

Abstract International trade frequently moves mollusks around the globe, thereby increasing their opportunity to cause ecological and economic damage. Recent genetic studies have confirmed the identity of South American applesnails (Pomacea insularum) in the southeastern US, but limited literature exists on this species. Understanding fecundity provides direct insight into the invasive potential of mollusks. Our study documents P. insularum fecundity in Texas and offers comparisons with the closely related global invader P. canaliculata. We quantified P. insularum clutch and hatchling physical characteristics and examined field and laboratory hatching success. Clutches contained thousands of eggs (mean = 2064 eggs), and clutch size tended to increase over the reproductive season. Clutches exhibited average field and laboratory hatching efficiencies (number of hatchlings/total number of eggs) near 70 and 30%, respectively. Notably, several clutches hatched at 80% or higher in the field. Exotic P. insularum deposit more eggs/clutch than the related invader P. canaliculata, but we do not yet know how seasonal hatching efficiencies compare. However, even with a conservative estimate of 1 to 10% survival to adulthood, the average P. insularum clutch yields 14 to 144 new applesnails. The high fecundity of P. insularum translates into considerable ecological impact because adult females can contribute >1 clutch/wk over an extended growing season in the southeastern US. The need for research has increased with the emergence of P. insularum populations in the fragile Florida Everglades. We advocate life-history studies like ours to help understand the invasion potential of applesnails and other invasive mollusks.
Recovery and germinability of seeds ingested by yaks and Tibetan sheep could have important effects on the population dynamics of alpine meadow plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Seed dispersal by livestock in lowland rangelands has received attention from researchers in recent decades while there has been little research into the dispersal of alpine meadow plants’ seed after ingestion by yaks and Tibetan sheep. This study assessed the recovery and germination of seeds by feeding known quantities of seeds from 20 alpine meadow species to yaks and Tibetan sheep. Seeds from 18 out of 20 of the plant species fed to Tibetan sheep survived ingestion and defecation. All of the species fed to the yaks survived. The recovery rate of undamaged seed ranged from 0.4 to 58.4% for yaks and 0.0 to 28.1% for Tibetan sheep. In general, total recovery of ingested seeds from yaks (28.1%) was significantly higher than that from the sheep (9.4%). Passage time of seeds through the digestive tract ranged from 12 to 96 h for yaks and from 12 to 84 h for Tibetan sheep. Seed recovery was negatively related to seed length (yak, r = –0.59; Tibetan sheep, r = –0.52) but was not related to seed width, seed thickness and seed mass. Seeds defecated by yaks and Tibetan sheep were found to have a range of germination rates which were both higher and lower compared with undigested seed depending on the plant species. It is argued that ingestion of seed by grazing yak or Tibetan sheep may have important effects on the population dynamics of alpine plant species of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
A Longitudinal View of Dual-Stacked Websites—Failures, Latency and Happy Eyeballs

IPv6 measurement studies have focussed on measuring IPv6 adoption, while studies on measuring IPv6 performance have either become dated or only provide a snapshot view. We provide a longitudinal view of the performance of dual-stacked websites. We show that (since 2013) latency towards ALEXA 10K websites with AAAA entries over the six years have reduced by 29% over IPv4 and by 57% over IPv6. As of Dec 2018, 56% of these websites are faster over IPv6 with 95% of the rest being at most 1 ms slower. We also identify glitches in web content delivery that once fixed can help improve the user experience over IPv6. Using a publicly available dataset, we show that 40% of ALEXA 1M websites with AAAA entries were not accessible over IPv6 in 2009. These complete failures have reduced to 1.9% as of Jan 2019. However, our data collection on partial failures helps identify further that 27% of these popular websites with AAAA entries still suffer from partial failure over IPv6. These partial failures are affected by DNS resolution errors on images, javascript and CSS content. For 12% of these websites, more than half of the content belonging to same-origin sources fails over IPv6, while analytics and third-party advertisements contribute to failures from cross-origin sources. Our results also contribute to the IETF standardisation process. We witness that using an happy eyeballs timer value of 250 ms, clients prefer IPv6 connections to 99% of ALEXA 10 K websites (with AAAA entries) more than 96% of the time. Although, this makes clients prefer slower IPv6 connections in 81% of the cases. Our results show that a Happy Eyeballs (MBA) timer value of 150 ms does not severly affect IPv6 preference towards websites. The entire dataset presenting results on partial failures, latency and HE used in this paper is publicly released.
Revisiting the taxonomy of the intermediate stages in the Globigerinoides - Praeorbulina lineage

Despite the biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic importance of the Globigerinoides trilobus-Praeorbulina evolutionary lineage in the upper Burdigalian to Langhian interval, some uncertainties concern the taxonomic interpretation of the intermediate stages of this lineage, in particular the generic attribution of the species sicanus De Stefani 1952 and its relationship with Globigerinoides bisphericus Todd 1954 and Praeorbulina glomerosa curva (Blow 1956). In this study, we present: 1) a review of the intermediate stages of the Globigerinoides trilobus-Praeorbulina evolutionary lineage focussing on the different taxonomic concepts of the species bisphericus, sicanus and glomerosa curva which according to Blow (1956; 1969) and Jenkins et al. (1981) gave rise to two different lines of evolution, and 2) our concepts based on the study of assemblages from several Mediterranean successions which have been compared with those of mid- and low-latitude Atlantic Ocean. On the basis of several diagnostic characters, we identified three morphotypes (Morphotypes 1, 2 and 3) within the populations transitional from G. trilobus to Praeorbulina. In our assemblages, Morphotype 3 and Morphotype 2 are the most representative ones and are considered as Globigerinoides sicanus sensu Blow (1956; 1969) and Kennett and Srinivasan (1983) and as a variant of G. sicanus, respectively. In fact, the taxonomic concepts of Blow, which take both the population variability and the gradual stratigraphic evolution of the biocharacters into account, can be better applied to our assemblages than those of Jenkins et al. (1981), which are mainly based on the characteristics of the holotypes without considering the variability of the species. Accordingly, the evolution of Praeorbulina via G. sicanus (senior synonym of G. bisphericus) proposed by Blow (1956; 1969) can be followed in the studied assemblages and the Praeorbulina datum is represented by the first appearance of P. glomerosa curva. On the basis of our data the evolution of P. glomerosa curva from G. sicanus lasts more than one myr. The main evolutionary changes within G. sicanus populations leading to Praeorbulina are the appearance of specimens with three apertures and the gradual increase in the outline sphericity. Near-spherical individuals of G. sicanus with three apertures can be considered very close to P. glomerosa curva, which in turn is characterized by a spherical outline, at least four apertures with the primary aperture nearly undistinguishable from the supplementary ones and a close umbilicus. Ultimately, our re-examination of the intermediate stages between G. trilobus and Praeorbulina results in a re-evaluation of the evolution proposed by Blow (1956; 1969) with significant bio- and chronostratigraphic implications.
Root and soil respiration responses to ozone in Pinus taeda L. seedlings*†.

Respiration rates of roots of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings decreased in response to elevated ozone (O3 ) concentrations. Estimated annual root respiration rates were 12% less in seedlings exposed to twice-ambient O3 (7 h mean = 70.110 nl 1-1 ) than in seedlings exposed to sub-ambient O3 (7 h mean = 20.40 nl 1-1 ). Measurements taken during periods of relatively rapid and of negligible root growth suggest that the reduced root respiration may be due to both reduced maintenance respiration and reduced growth respiration. Respiration rates of the soil substrate of the O3 -exposed seedlings were also below those of the substrate of seedlings exposed to sub-ambient O3 . The study supports the theory that there is a reduced supply of photosynthates to the roots of plants exposed to elevated O3 . It is hypothesized that a reduced supply of photosynthates to the roots may affect soil respiration rates by reducing root exudation rates and, consequently, reducing rhizosphere microbial populations.
Isolation and Characterization of Polymorphic Microsatellites from the Oriental River Prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (Caridea: Palaemonidae)

Abstract We report 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense. Their genetic characteristics were evaluated in 40 individuals from two Korean populations. The number of alleles ranged from 4 to 16, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged between 0.35 and 1.00 and 0.41 and 0.90, respectively. We assessed the cross-species amplification of each locus in five species of palaemonid prawn and two species of atyid prawn.
Union of the genera Microbacterium Orla

The 165 rRNA gene sequences of 19 strains, 11 strains representing validated Aureobacterium or Microbacterium species and eight strains of non-valid species or isolates, were determined. These sequences were aligned with the sequences of other validated Aureobacterium and Microbacterium species and related actinobacteria. A comparative sequence analysis of 43 strains revealed that the species of the genera Aureobacterium and Microbacterium form a monophyletic association in which species of both genera are intermixed. The high similarity in phylogenetic properties found in the species within both genera and the close relationship in physiological and chemotaxonomic features other than the diamino acid in the cell wall, provided strong evidence that the genera Aureobacterium and Microbacterium should be unified. An emended genus Microbacterium is proposed for the two combined genera. The following validated Aureobacterium species were combined to the genus Microbacterium : Aureobacterium arabinogalactanolyticum to Microbacterium arabinogalactanolyticum, Aureobacterium barkeri to Microbacterium barkeri, A ureobacterium esteraroma ticum to Microbacterium esteraroma ticum, Aureobacterium fla vescens to Microbacterium flavescens, Aureobacterium kera tanolyticum to Microbacterium kera tanolyticum , A ureobacterium liquefaciens to Microbacterium liquefaciens, Aureobacterium luteolum to Microbacterium luteolum, Aureobacterium saperdae to Microbacterium saperdae, Aureobacterium schleiferi to Microbacterium schleiferi, Aureobacterium terrae to Microbacterium terrae, Aureobacterium terregens to Microbacterium terregens, Aureobacterium testaceum to Microbacterium testaceum, and Aureobacterium trichothecenolyticum to Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum .
The Future of Face Recognition

Face recognition has gained popularity in pattern recognition for the future applications in the fields of commercial and law enforcement. It has significant attention due to availability of feasible technologies, including in mobile solutions. Research in automatic face recognition has been conducted since the 1960s, but the problem is still largely unsolved. Last decade has provided significant progress in this area owing to advances in face modelling and analysis techniques. Although systems have been developed for face detection and tracking, reliable face recognition still offers a great challenge to computer vision and pattern recognition researchers. There are several reasons for recent increased interest in face recognition, including rising public concern for security, the need for identity verification in the digital world, face analysis and modelling techniques in multimedia data management and computer entertainment. In this chapter, we have discussed face recognition processing, including major components such as face detection, tracking, alignment and feature extraction, and it points out the technical challenges of building a face recognition system. We focus on the importance of the most successful solutions available so far. The final part of the chapter describes chosen face recognition methods and applications and their potential use in areas not related to face recognition. Keywords: Face Recognition, Biometric Identification, Methods, Applications, Image Processing
Local Ground: A Toolkit Supporting Metarepresentational Competence in Data Science

: Local Ground is an online data collection, mapping and visualization platform that allows youth to learn and use data skills in support of local projects. Local Ground is unique in its ability to display and translate between a variety of representations of spatial phenomena, starting with drawings. In our studies, we have found that students have used Local Ground to combine and translate between different representations for sense-making and communication.
Glacial survival, phylogeography, and a comparison of microsatellite evolution models for resolving population structure in two species of dwarf yams (Borderea, Dioscoreaceae) endemic to the central Pyrenees

Background: Borderea is a relict genus in the Pyrenees comprising only two extant allopolyploid species. The pre-Pyrenean, cliff-dweller B. chouardii is confined to a single critically endangered population, whereas the subalpine B. pyrenaica is more widely distributed in the mobile scree-habitats of the central Pyrenees and pre-Pyrenees. Aims: To determine the genetic structure and relationships among individuals and populations of both taxa to understand their origin. To compare two alternative evolutionary models, the Infinite Allele Model (IAM) and the Stepwise Mutation Model (SMM), in an examination of the primary factors responsible for population divergence during the Quaternary. Methods: A survey of nuclear microsatellite (Simple Sequence Repeat, SSR) variation was conducted to infer relationships among allelic phenotypes and genotypes and to evaluate the relative contributions of migration and mutation to population genetic structure. Results: The occurrence of shared ancestral alleles among populations of both Borderea species supported a presumably late-Tertiary divergence of the species in the low-altitudinal pre-Pyrenees. Borderea chouardii exhibited strong genetic differentiation between two sub-populations separated by only 150 m of vertical distance. In B. pyrenaica, populations from the pre-Pyrenees and southern Pyrenees showed greater genetic differentiation and more allelic diversity relative to populations from the northern Pyrenees. Conclusions: These results suggest that B. pyrenaica experienced glacial survival in warm southern pre-Pyrenean refugia followed by rapid postglacial migration towards the northern Pyrenees. Despite the a priori high suitability of the SMM for microsatellite markers, genotypic relationships among individuals and populations and genotypic assignments to predefined groups of B. pyrenaica were always better resolved by the IAM than by the SMM. This points towards the overwhelming influence of migration and genetic drift over mutation in the Quaternary history of the B. pyrenaica populations. However, for B. chouardii a similar pattern was shown by both evolutionary models, suggesting that sub-population divergence of this species could have also been favoured by mutation.
Temperature/pressure tolerance of the first larval stage of Mirocaris fortunata from Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field

Larvae of vent shrimp from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are known to disperse widely from the adult habitat. Experimental analysis of the temperature/pressure tolerance of the first zoeal stage of Mirocaris fortunata from the Lucky Strike vent field suggest that the upper limit of vertical distribution is determined by temperature. Conversely, the lower limit is controlled by the maximum pressure tolerance of the larvae.
Reputation based online product recommendations

Crucial data namely product aspects and opinions are extracted from online product reviews. The obtained opinions are further analyzed for orientations. These orientations that are positive, negative or neutral are counted to determine the sentiment of the aspect. The sentiments are often turned (unforeseen rise or fall) and due to this the quality of recommended products by the recommendation system is less. The purpose of this study is to assess the importance of aspects reputations in the similarity based product recommendations. A simulation model was established through the analysis of product reviews for ranking the aspects and identifying the frequent aspects among them. The case based reasoning of the searched product against the available similar products from the category are finally compared on the basis of aspect reputations. This comparison provides the list of sorted reputed products in the decreasing order of similarity as recommendations. Through this study, it was found that the recall measure calculated on the reputation based recommendations is better than sentiment based recommendations. The findings of this research are promising in terms of product recommendations using reputation. RÉSUMÉ. Les données cruciales, à savoir les aspects des produits et les opinions, sont extraites des critiques de produits en ligne. Les avis obtenus sont ensuite analysés pour des orientations. Ces orientations qui sont positives, négatives ou neutres sont comptés pour déterminer le sentiment de l'aspect. Les sentiments sont souvent tournés (hausse ou chute imprévue) et à cause de cela, la qualité des produits recommandés par le système de recommandation est moindre. Le but de cette étude est d'évaluer l'importance de la réputation des aspects dans les recommandations de produits fondés sur la similarité. Un modèle de simulation a été établi à travers l'analyse des critiques de produits afin de classer les aspects et d'identifier les aspects les plus fréquents parmi eux. Le raisonnement fondé sur le cas du produit recherché contre les produits similaires disponibles de la catégorie est finalement comparé sur la base de la réputation des aspects. Cette comparaison fournit la liste des produits réputés classés dans l'ordre décroissant de similitude indiqué dans les 82 ISI. Volume 23 – n° 5/2018 recommandations. Cette étude a révélé que la mesure de rappel calculée sur la base des recommandations basées sur la réputation est meilleure que les recommandations basées sur le sentiment. Les résultats de cette recherche sont prometteurs en termes de recommandations de produits utilisant la réputation.
Reaction mechanisms and kinetics of xylo-oligosaccharide hydrolysis by dicarboxylic acids

Hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials generates a liquid stream rich in pentose sugar oligomers. Cost-effective hydrolysis and utilization of these soluble sugar oligomers is an integral process of biofuel production. We report integrated rate equations for hydrolysis of xylo-oligomers derived from pretreated hardwood by dicarboxylic maleic and oxalic acids. The highest xylose yield observed with dicarboxylic acids was 96%, and compared to sulfuric acid, was 5–15% higher with less xylose degradation. Dicarboxylic acids showed an inverse correlation between xylose degradation rates and acid loadings unlike sulfuric acid for which less acid results in less xylose degradation to aldehydes and humic substances. A combination of high acid and low-temperature leads to xylose yield improvement. Hydrolysis time course data at three different acid concentrations and three temperatures between 140 and 180°C were used to develop a reaction model for the hydrolysis of xylo-oligosaccharides to xylose by dicarboxylic acids. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 188–199, 2013
Estimation of the Dietary Calcium and Nonphytate Phosphorus Needs of Growing Commercial Tom Turkeys Weighing Four to Twelve Kilograms

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the dietary calcium and phosphorus needs of commercial toms during the grower feeding period of 8 to 14 wk of age. Dietary calcium and nonphytate phosphorus were formulated to be fed at 60, 75, 90, 105 or 120% of the NRC (1994) requirements based upon three-wk phase feeding periods. A corn-soybean meal based diet was fed in mash form to Large White turkeys that had been fed adequate calcium and nonphytate phosphorus for 8 wk and weighed an average of 4.44 kg at the start of the experiment. Growth was improved linearly from 8 to 11 wk of age and for the entire experiment by increasing amounts of dietary calcium and nonphytate phosphorus. Bone strength, as measured by fracture force, was increased linearly at 11 and 14 wk of age by increasing levels of dietary calcium and nonphytate phosphorus. Based upon analyzed nutrient values and feed disappearance, it was estimated that growing toms need approximately 2 g of nonphytate phosphorus per day during the growing period when a calcium:nonphytate phosphorus ratio of approximately 2:1 is fed and the toms are gaining about 180 g/d.