Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal History of the Balsam Woolly Aphid in the Pacific Northwest

The balsam woolly aphid, Chermes (Adelges) piceae Ratz. , is widely distributed in Europe and North America. It infests many species of Abies (true firs) and may be found attacking its hosts at elevations from near sea level to timberline (5,000 to 6,000 feet). Because of the great range of environments inhabited by the balsam woolly aphid, its biology differs considerably from one region to another. Perhaps the most variable feature in its biology is seasonal history. Karafiat and Franz (1956) reported three generations per year in central Europe, whereas Varty (1956) noted two and sometimes a partial third generation in Scotland. Balch (1952) found only two generations in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, but Amman noted three and sometimes a partial fourth generation in southeastern United States.
Morale and burnout in an Australian public school: A socio-technical systems approach

This exploratory case study investigated the link between morale and burnout in an Australian public school. Qualitative data was collected from 8 focus groups involving 47 participants. In analysing the qualitative data, an objective content analysis using the software program Leximancer was conducted. The findings indicated that a lack of support and poor systems (particularly in relation to behavioural management) were central to staff burnout and lower morale. A socio-technical systems framework including people, systems and tools was developed and applied to explain the results. It was argued that the attributional process of blame and a lack of perceived empathy (for poor systems) from leaders in the school was adding to feelings of low morale. The findings suggest that without empathy in leadership, attempts to improve morale in a workplace may actually increase burnout risk. The case study also highlights the buffering effect that ‘pod-synergy’ can have in mitigating burnout risk among teachers when there is a lack of involvement and empathy in the way decisions are made by leaders. Finally, a balance between the people and the systems is recommended so that there is enough autonomy for teachers to make situation-based decisions using their own skills and training without the demands of too much ‘red tape’.
Systematic Mapping Study on Remote Sensing in Agriculture

The area of remote sensing techniques in agriculture has reached a significant degree of development and maturity, with numerous journals, conferences, and organizations specialized in it. Moreover, many review papers are available in the literature. The present work describes a literature review that adopts the form of a systematic mapping study, following a formal methodology. Eight mapping questions were defined, analyzing the main types of research, techniques, platforms, topics, and spectral information. A predefined search string was applied in the Scopus database, obtaining 1590 candidate papers. Afterwards, the most relevant 106 papers were selected, considering those with more than six citations per year. These are analyzed in more detail, answering the mapping questions for each paper. In this way, the current trends and new opportunities are discovered. As a result, increasing interest in the area has been observed since 2000; the most frequently addressed problems are those related to parameter estimation, growth vigor, and water usage, using classification techniques, that are mostly applied on RGB and hyperspectral images, captured from drones and satellites. A general recommendation that emerges from this study is to build on existing resources, such as agricultural image datasets, public satellite imagery, and deep learning toolkits.
Development of a Whale-Shark-Inspired Gliding Robotic Fish With High Maneuverability

In this article, we present the design and implementation of an innovative bioinspired gliding robotic fish and a gliding angle controller. Through mimicking a whale shark, the gliding robotic fish is designed with diversified control surfaces and a streamlined shape instead of the conventional wings with large wingspan aiming at both high maneuverability and distinguished gliding performance. The mechatronic design of the whale-shark-inspired gliding robotic fish is first provided. A dynamic model for gliding motion is established and the hydrodynamic analysis is performed via computational fluid dynamics simulation. The effects of both the deflection of the pectoral fins and the displacement of the movable mass on the gliding motion are analyzed. Then, based on the model and the analysis, a gliding angle control strategy is constructed via the backstepping methodology and the sliding mode methodology, aiming at the robustness of the control system to unknown perturbation. Afterward, a control allocation law is designed and solved by the Newton method. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Experiments are also executed to verify the dynamic model and illustrate the remarkable motion capability of the newly developed robot prototype. The results of this article supply clues to the improvement of the locomotive ability for the gliding robotic fish in both shape design and motion control.
Demand-Responsive Zone Generation for Real-Time Vehicle Rebalancing in Ride-Sharing Fleets

Enabling Ride-sharing (RS) in existing Mobility-on-demand (MoD) systems allows to reduce the operating vehicle ﬂeet size while achieving a similar level of service. This however requires an efﬁcient vehicle to multiple requests assignment, which is the focus of most RS-related research, and an adaptive ﬂeet rebalancing strategy, which counter-acts the uneven geographical spread of demand and relocates unoccupied vehicles to the areas of higher demand. Existing research into rebalancing generally di-vides the system coverage area into predeﬁned geographical zones, however, this is done statically at design-time and can limit their adaptivity to evolving demand patterns. To enable dynamic, and therefore more accurate rebalancing, this paper proposes a Dynamic Demand-Responsive Rebalancer (D2R2) for RS systems. D2R2 uses Expectation-Maximization (EM) clustering to determine relocation zones at runtime. D2R2 re-calculates zones at each decision step and assigns them relative probabilities based on current demand. We demonstrate the use of D2R2 by integrating it with a Deep Reinforcement Learning multi-agent RS-enabled MoD system in a ﬂeet of 200 vehicle agents serving 10,000 trips extracted from New York taxi trip data. Results show a more fair workload division across the ﬂeet without loss of performance with respect to waiting time and distribution of passengers per vehicle, when compared to baselines with no rebalancing and static pre-deﬁned equiprobable zones.
New material of Natchitochia jonesi and a comparison of the innominata and locomotor capabilities of Protocetidae

New material of Natchitochia from the Bartonian Archusa Marl Member is described here, including thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, an innominate, proximal femur, and pedal? phalanx. The vertebrae and innominate are similar to those of Qaisracetus and Georgiacetus. The structure of the caudal vertebrae support previous observations that as sacral vertebrae disconnect from the sacrum, they become caudalized, developing hemal processes on the posteroventral margins of the bodies, reminiscent of chevron bones associated with true caudal vertebrae. The innominate of Natchitochia shares an elongate ilium and pubis with Qaisracetus and Georgiacetus, which differ from the innominata of the more apomorphic archaeocetes. Comparison of archaeocete innominata and sacra in a phylogenetic context indicates that the apomorphic sacrum composed of 4 vertebrae (Pakicetus, Ambulocetus, Rodhocetus, Maiacetus) was reduced to 3 (Qaisracetus) to 2 (Protocetus? , Natchitochia) to 0 (Georgiacetus, Basilosauridae), while the innominata remained robust, supporting a large hind limb until the origin of the Basilosauridae. In Georgiacetus, the innominate is large but detached from the vertebral column, preventing the use of the hind limb in terrestrial locomotion. More crownward cetaceans for which the innominate is known display greatly reduced innominata and hind limbs are disconnected from the vertebral column.
Chilling tolerance of Cicer arietinum lines evaluated by photosystem II and antioxidant activities

Two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) lines (AKN 87 and AKN 290) that have different chilling susceptibilities were exposed to 2 chilling temperatures (4 and 2 °C), either cold-acclimated (10 °C) or nonacclimated (25 °C), in order to understand and compare physiological and biochemical changes at the vegetative stage. Chilling temperatures resulted in reduced growth parameters, particularly in cold-acclimated lines, whereas nonacclimated plants exhibited the lowest water contents. Cold acclimation treatment led to protective changes of increased flavonoid, proline, and antioxidant enzyme activities, mostly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), in the lines. However, the 10 °C treatment did not significantly influence photosystem II (PSII) activity in chickpea plants. In chilling treatments, cold-acclimated plants exhibited better tolerance; of the 2 lines, AKN 87 had the higher PSII photochemical activity. The chlorophyll contents of lines decreased, while the anthocyanin and flavonoid contents of lines increased at decreasing temperatures. MDA and proline accumulation increased with the severity of the chilling stress. In conclusion, when the plants were exposed to cold acclimation, chilling induced the enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities, particularly SOD and APX. The results demonstrated that cold acclimation reduced the deteriorative effects of chilling and provided better tolerance, specifically in AKN 87. The line AKN 87 has greater potential for cultivation as a chilling-tolerant cultivar.
Programming Pulse Width Assessment for Reliable and Low-Energy Endurance Performance in Al:HfO2-Based RRAM Arrays

A crucial step in order to achieve fast and low-energy switching operations in resistive random access memory (RRAM) memories is the reduction of the programming pulse width. In this study, the incremental step pulse with verify algorithm (ISPVA) was implemented by using different pulse widths between 10 μ s and 50 ns and assessed on Al-doped HfO 2 4 kbit RRAM memory arrays. The switching stability was assessed by means of an endurance test of 1k cycles. Both conductive levels and voltages needed for switching showed a remarkable good behavior along 1k reset/set cycles regardless the programming pulse width implemented. Nevertheless, the distributions of voltages as well as the amount of energy required to carry out the switching operations were definitely affected by the value of the pulse width. In addition, the data retention was evaluated after the endurance analysis by annealing the RRAM devices at 150 °C along 100 h. Just an almost negligible increase on the rate of degradation of about 1 μ A at the end of the 100 h of annealing was reported between those samples programmed by employing a pulse width of 10 μ s and those employing 50 ns. Finally, an endurance performance of 200k cycles without any degradation was achieved on 128 RRAM devices by using programming pulses of 100 ns width.
Effects of long-term fox baiting on species composition and abundance in an Australian lizard community

We report on the effects of almost a decade of 1080-fox baiting on a lizard community in a mosaic Australian habitat. Replicated comparisons of baited versus non-baited control areas with near-identical histories of bush fires, grazing and climate showed a higher density of red fox tracks (Canis vulpes) in the non-baited areas. Furthermore, the fox-baited areas showed a more than five times higher density of sand goannas (Varanus gouldii), a species that strongly overlaps the red fox in food niche breadth and is itself a direct target of fox predation, in particular its eggs and young. Exclusion of predators from a natural habitat led to significant increases in the density of small lizards, suggesting that predation can drive lizard population dynamics in this ecosystem. Replicated pitfall-trapping in three habitats in the control areas (with high fox and low goanna density) versus the baited areas (with low fox and high goanna density) showed that fox baiting had positive effects on the density of diurnal scincid lizards in open grassland, whereas the control areas showed higher density of nocturnal gecko lizards. Our interpretation is that fox removal may result in a shift in the top predator towards the sand goanna. Historically, this indigenous, endemic species was the natural top predator. It has co-evolved with its prey and that may have moulded it into a more efficient lizard predator per encounter than the introduced fox.
Function of DNA synthesis and DNA repair in the survival of embryos during early germination and in dormancy

Abstract DNA synthesis following the addition of water to excised embryos of non-dormant rye and to embryos of non-dormant and dormant genetic lines of Avena fatua has been examined. All the samples exhibit an early unscheduled DNA synthesis, have similar responses to DNA polymerase inhibitors and a similar increase in DNA ligase function for the first 24 h of imbibition, irrespective of whether they germinate or remain dormant. A β-polymerase-mediated DNA repair activity is indicated immediately upon imbibition with the stable incorporation of 3H-methyl-thymidine into high molecular weight DNA. Following γ-irradiation of dry or imbibed embryos, inhibitor results suggest the appearance of an additional α- or δ-polymerase activity in the ensuing repair. Abscisic acid permits the early unirradiated repair synthesis, but like aphidicolin, it inhibits replicative DNA synthesis and partly inhibits the post-irradiation incorporation of thymidine. DNA synthesis takes place continuously throughout dormancy of imbibed embryos: precursor incorporation into DNA cannot be chased in the short term and occurs in the absence of an S-phase or endoreduplication of nuclear DNA. It is proposed that dormant imbibed embryos maintain the integrity of the genome by a continuous but slow replacement of DNA steered by a non-amplifying and modified form of replicative DNA synthesis and that abscisic acid may play a determining role in this process.
Do Female Pumas (Puma concolor) Exhibit a Birth Pulse?

Abstract Female pumas (Puma concolor) give birth in all months of the year with a possible birth pulse in July–September. This pulse is proposed to be timed to provide increased survival probabilities to young born during these months. We tested data on birth dates from 8 different studies for a birth pulse. We also compared survival rates for young born in July–September to those for young born outside of these dates during a 17-year study in Idaho and Utah. The distribution of litters born per month was not uniform, with 41% of births occurring in July–September. Survival rates of young born in July–September were equal to those in other months of the year (0.774 ± 0.006 versus 0.779 ± 0.004). We conclude that there was a propensity for higher numbers of litters to be born in July–September. However, we rejected the hypothesis that young born in July–September had greater survival than young born at other times of the year. We suggest that rather than there being a survival advantage to pumas born in July–September, perhaps there is a survival disadvantage to those born in January–February (4.5% of 484 litters). However, there were insufficient data to test this alternate hypothesis.
Serum procalcitonin in pediatric bacterial meningitis versus pediatric non bacterial meningitis: open label prospective study

Bacterial meningitis (BME) and Serum Procalcitonin (SPCT). In spite of advances in diagnosis and treatment of BME they still remain important causes of mortality and morbidity. Early diagnosis and starting immediate empirical therapy are the key factors to reduce it in BME, but may result in unwanted antibiotic administration for NBME (Non Bacterial Meningitis), with the associated morbidity and economic burden. Therefore, distinguishing BME and NBME early on could help to limit unnecessary antibiotic use and hospital admissions. The consequences of delayed diagnosis of BME can be severe. So any proposed diagnostic tool must achieve near 100% sensitivity. Clinical criteria, gram staining, and bacterial antigen testing of CSF as well as biological markers in the blood (CRP, white blood cell count (WBC), and neutrophil count) or CSF (protein, glucose, WBC count and neutrophil count) used alone do not offer 100% sensitivity with high specificity for distinguishing BME and NBME. Also CSF culture for bacterial/nonbacterial growth takes 2 to 8 days. Research has been carried out to find new and rapid diagnostic methods for differential diagnosis of bacterial and NBME. One among them is an acute phase reactant like SPCT: a calcitonin pro-peptide. It is synthesized in C cells of the thyroid gland and secreted from leukocytes of the peripheral blood. The secretion of SPCT was found to ABSTRACT
Recent Decrease of Summer Sea Ice in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

In Austral summer 2016/2017, the sea ice extent (SIE) in the Weddell Sea dropped to a near‐record value in the satellite era (1.88 × 106 km2), a large negative seasonal anomaly that persisted in an unprecedented fashion for the following three summers. Various atmospheric and oceanic factors played a part in the change. Ice loss started in September 2016 when the northern Weddell Sea experienced westerly winds of record strength, advecting multiyear sea ice from the region. In late 2016, a polynya over Maud Rise contributed to low SIE over the eastern Weddell Sea. With extensive areas of open water early in the summer, upper ocean temperatures increased by ~0.5°C, with the anomalies persisting in subsequent years. The reappearance of the Maud Rise polynya in 2017, high ocean temperatures, and storms of record depth kept the summer SIE low.
Exploring the prevalence and diversity of pollen carried by four species of migratory Old World warbler (Sylvioidea) on arrival in the UK

Capsule Pollen encrusted around the bill of migrating warblers can reveal marked differences in foraging ecology between bird species. Aims To examine patterns of the prevalence and diversity of pollen in four species of warbler, and explore the potential of pollen to act as an indicator of recent foraging behaviour. Methods By isolating pollen from bill encrustations using laboratory palynological techniques and identification by light microscopy, we examined variation in the prevalence of the five most common pollen taxa, and variation in pollen assemblages in four species of warbler arriving on the south coast of England. Results All samples contained abundant pollen, with 19 floral taxa identified. Sylvia warblers tended to carry Prunus and Citrus pollen, while Phylloscopus warblers mainly carried Eucalyptus pollen. Pollen assemblages varied markedly between bird species. Conclusion Commercial and garden flowering trees are an important resource for migrating warblers. Pollen may be such a valuable resource that flowering plants might be included in the conservation management of stopover sites. The use of pollen to resolve migratory routes may be problematic however, requiring detailed knowledge of both the distribution and flowering phenology of plants en route.
Expression Studies of Nrt2-1np, a Putative High-Affinity Nitrate Transporter - Evidence for Its Role in Nitrate Uptake

Summary Expression of the gene Nrt2Np, which encodes a putative high-affinity nitrate transporter of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia was studied under variable physiological conditions. Nrt2Np is rapidly induced by very low nitrate concentrations and repressed by reduced nitrogen metabolites. Furthermore, Nrt2Np is expressed in coordination with other genes involved in nitrate assimilation (Nia, Nii). A deficiency in nitrate reductase activity, which is accompanied by high internal nitrate concentration and low levels of nitrogen metabolites, e.g. glutamine, leads to an overexpression of Nrt2Np, showing that high nitrate concentration per se does not repress Nrt2Np expression. By investigating plants with altered nitrate uptake properties, we showed a correlation between Nrt2 mRNA accumulation and 15N nitrate influx rates, providing the first evidence that the expression of Nrt2 correlates with the rate of nitrate uptake. In situ hybridization revealed a tissue-specific expression pattern. Nrt2Np mRNA accumulation is localized throughout all layers of the root tip, being highest in epidermal and endodermal cells. However, in mature root tissue, Nrt2 expression was detected mainly in the lateral root primordia and in the epidermis.
Free vibration and dynamic transient response of functionally graded composite beams reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) resting on elastic foundation in thermal environment

Abstract In this article, free vibration and dynamic transient response of a multilayer polymer nanocomposite beam resting on elastic foundation reinforced by graphene platelets (GPLs) non-uniformly distributed through the thickness direction in thermal environment is investigated. Theoretical formulations are derived based on Hamilton’s principle, Timoshenko beam theory relationships. The effective Young’s modulus of the GPL/polymer composite is estimated by Halpin–Tsai micromechanics model to account for the effects of GPL geometry and dimensions. The vibration frequencies of the beam are obtained numerically by generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM). The influences of the distribution pattern, weight fraction, the number of layers, thermal environment, slenderness ratio of the beam, boundary conditions, and types of elastic foundations on the free vibration behavior and transient response are presented. The results show that adding a very small amount of GPLs into polymer matrix as reinforcements together with the elastic foundation, significantly increases the natural frequencies of the beam. Placing more GPLs near the top and bottom surfaces of the beam are the most effective ways to strengthen the beam stiffness and increase the natural frequencies. Besides, with the increasing of foundation’s stiffness, the displacement amplitude of the functionally graded composite beam reinforced by GPLs subjected to impulsive load decreases.
Dynamic Floating Stations Model for Emergency Medical Services with a Consideration of Traffic Data

To equally distribute the workload and minimize the travel distance for fire departments, we developed a new dynamic floating stations model (DFSM) to target traffic-related emergency medical services (EMS) during peak hours. This study revealed that traffic-related EMS incidents have different characteristics to other EMS incidents. The number of floating stations was determined by the number of available ambulances at a given time. The optimum floating station location was identified by using the given capacity to establish the smallest service radius. In DFSM simulations using floating stations with a capacity of 100 and 150 EMS incidents, the result shows significant improvements in comparison to the current situation.