Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in Habitat Use between Sympatric Sika Deer and Japanese Serow as Revealed by Camera Traps

Abstract. In response to severe vegetation degradation caused by sika deer in Japan, it is important to understand the habitat use trends of the sika deer and sympatric Japanese serows to promote the management and conservation of both species and their habitats. This study used camera traps to examine the trends of habitat use of the two sympatric ungulates in the Kuraiyama Experimental Forest (KEF) at Gifu University. We set camera traps at 20 sites and evaluated the number of individuals photographed for three years. Additionally, we surveyed several environmental factors around the camera trap sites to determine the relationship between species prevalence and habitat features. Both species were photographed at all sites, and some habitat use trends were observed. The deer used the west side of the valley, whereas the serows used the east, with clearer trends further observed in summer. Both ungulates avoided snow cover in winter and used steeper slopes and ridges in several seasons. With the current increase in the deer population, niche overlap between the two species may occur in the common place preferred by both species; therefore, careful monitoring of their relationships and their changes should be continued in the future.
Seven-year impact of white-nose syndrome on tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) populations in Georgia, USA

: White-nose syndrome (WNS) has emerged as the most serious threat to North American cave-dwelling bat species, with an estimated mortality of over 6 million since it was first documented in the USA in 2006. Tri-colored bat Peri myotis subflavus is one of the species most affected, with hibernaculum counts at caves in WNS-positive regions reduced by >90% from previous counts. While declines have been documented in hibernaculum surveys, long-term monitoring programs during active seasons provide a unique opportunity to examine population trends and impact of population declines post-WNS. We developed generalized linear mixed models using data from a state-wide, long-term (2011−2020) mobile bat acoustic monitoring program in Georgia, USA, to better understand P. subflavus population trends before and after disease detection and between WNS-negative and WNS-positive regions. We recorded 5046 P. subflavus passes across all acoustic routes during the 10 yr time period. We detected a significant decrease in activity 2 yr after disease detection in the WNS-positive region, whereas activity in the WNS-negative region remained stable over time. Understanding changes in bat populations as WNS spreads and measuring the magnitude of population declines to assess disease impacts is crucial for providing appropriate guidance for management. Our results provide evidence of the critical status of P. subflavus in the southernmost WNS-positive region, but also emphasize the impor-tance of monitoring WNS spread to new regions, as those that remain WNS-free could provide refugia for the species and a potential source of recolonization to WNS-affected areas.
EMERGING TRENDS AND APPROACHES IN TECHNOLOGY AND THEIR IMPACT ON SMES

Globalization, the Knowledge based Economy and Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) have caused major changes in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Currently, the digital economy is driven by modern information systems and new ICT tools which offer employees and employers access to new work opportunities. The purpose of this article is to analyze the emerging trends and approaches in technology, as well as their impact on SMEs. In the first part of the paper, the author presents the influence of globalization on SME's business. The next part of the paper is devoted to significant aspects of using modern ICT in SMEs. Moreover, various aspects regarding changes in the work system with the use of new ICT solutions both by employees and employers have been discussed. Also, virtualization and mobile technologies issues in SMEs are an important element, taken into account by the author of this paper. The resulting recommendations may constitute a spark for positive changes and improvement in the area of knowledge based business activities.
Utility of Cognitive Neural Features for Predicting Mental Health Behaviors

Cognitive dysfunction underlies common mental health behavioral symptoms including depression, anxiety, inattention, and hyperactivity. In this study of 97 healthy adults, we aimed to classify healthy vs. mild-to-moderate self-reported symptoms of each disorder using cognitive neural markers measured with an electroencephalography (EEG). We analyzed source-reconstructed EEG data for event-related spectral perturbations in the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands in five tasks, a selective attention and response inhibition task, a visuospatial working memory task, a Flanker interference processing task, and an emotion interference task. From the cortical source activation features, we derived augmented features involving co-activations between any two sources. Logistic regression on the augmented feature set, but not the original feature set, predicted the presence of psychiatric symptoms, particularly for anxiety and inattention with >80% sensitivity and specificity. We also computed current flow closeness and betweenness centralities to identify the “hub” source signal predictors. We found that the Flanker interference processing task was the most useful for assessing the connectivity hubs in general, followed by the inhibitory control go-nogo paradigm. Overall, these interpretable machine learning analyses suggest that EEG biomarkers collected on a rapid suite of cognitive assessments may have utility in classifying diverse self-reported mental health symptoms.
Kidney Function in Rice Workers Exposed to Heat and Dehydration in Costa Rica

The aim of this study was to evaluate heat exposure, dehydration, and kidney function in rice workers over the course of three months, in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. We collected biological and questionnaire data across a three-month-period in male field (n = 27) and other (n = 45) workers from a rice company where chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) is endemic. We used stepwise forward regression to determine variables associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate eGFR at enrollment and/or change in eGFR, and Poisson regression to assess associations with incident kidney injury (IKI) over the course of three months. Participants were 20–62 years old (median = 40 in both groups). Dehydration was common (≥37%) in both groups, particularly among other workers at enrollment, but field workers were more exposed to heat and had higher workloads. Low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) was more prevalent in field workers at enrollment (19% vs. 4%) and follow-up (26% vs. 7%). Field workers experienced incident kidney injury (IKI) more frequently than other workers: 26% versus 2%, respectively. Age (β = −0.71, 95%CI: −1.1, −0.4), current position as a field worker (β = −2.75, 95%CI: −6.49, 0.99) and past work in construction (β = 3.8, 95%CI: −0.1, 7.6) were included in the multivariate regression model to explain eGFR at enrollment. The multivariate regression model for decreased in eGFR over three month included current field worker (β = −3.9, 95%CI: −8.2, 0.4), current smoking (β= −6.2, 95%CI: −13.7–1.3), dehydration (USG ≥ 1.025) at both visits (β= −3.19, 95%CI: −7.6, 1.2) and pain medication at follow-up (β= −3.2, 95%CI: −8.2, 1.95). Current fieldwork [IR (incidence rate) = 2.2, 95%CI 1.1, 5.8) and being diabetic (IR = 1.8, 95%CI 0.9, 3.6) were associated with IKI. Low eGFR was common in field workers from a rice company in Guanacaste, and being a field worker was a risk factor for IKI, consistent with the hypothesis that occupational heat exposure is a critical risk factor for CKDu in Mesoamerica.
The AMS-02 Silicon Tracker after 500 days in space

TheAlpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) space experiment is devoted to direct measurements of galactic cosmic rays (CRs) in the rigidity range GV – TV. Prim e goals of theAMS project are the direct search of anti-nuclei and the indirect search of dark matter particles. The final version of the experiment, AMS-02, is operating in theInternational Space Station (ISS) since May 2011. The AMS-02 tracking device, tout court Tracker, consists of nine planes of micro-strip silicon sensors giving a total active area of 6.4 m 2. The Tracker is composed by 2264 double-sided silicon sensors (72 ×41mm2 area, 300μm thick) assembled in 192 read-out units, for a total of nearly 200,000 read-out channels. In this proceeding, we re vi w theTracker performances and status after the first 500 days of data taking in space.
Study And Molecular Investigation Of Transmembrane Channel-Like1 Gene Related Polymorphic Markers In Iranian Population

Transmembrane channel-like (TMC) gene has been already reported to cause nonsyndromic autosomal dominant and recessive hearing loss. Finding appropriate genetic Markers for mutation screening of the gene is crucial. The genetic information and population data for these STRs may be used not only in quantitative fluorescence-polymerase chain reaction assays but also in forensic studies and other genetic tests. In this study, the identity and characteristics of three CA short tandem repeat (STR) markers, including D9S1876, D9S1837 and D9S1799, related to this gene region were examined for further analysis in the Iranian population. Methods: The loci were genotyped by fluorescent capillary electrophoresis DNA sequencing. Results: Pair-wise linkage disequilibrium (LD) showed a considerable LD in paring markers Of D9S1876-D9S1837 and D9S1837-D9S1799. Based on haplotype analysis, eleven Informative haplotypes within markers with more than 5% frequency were observed in Iranian population. Conclusion: The introduced markers could be suggested as informative and reliable tools in Running linkage analysis of TMC1 gene mutations in the Iranian population.
Self-reference and cognitive effort: source memory for affectively neutral information is impaired following negative compared to positive self-referential processing

ABSTRACT Previous research suggests a close relationship between self-reference and emotional valence. The present study investigated potential differences in cognitive resources required for positive vs. negative self-referential processing by examining how self/other-referential processing of positive/negative information affects memory for subsequently presented items. On each encoding trial, participants first judged whether a positive or negative trait adjective described themselves or another person. Then, they were shown a neutral noun and indicated its screen location. Subsequent memory tests showed better memory for self-referenced than other-referenced trait adjectives, and the size of this self-reference effect was not modulated by emotional valence. Although memory for nouns was not affected by preceding positive/negative self/other-referential processing, memory for their associated contextual features was significantly impaired following negative vs. positive self-referential processing. Our findings suggest that negative self-referential processing requires more cognitive resources than positive self-referential processing, thereby leaving relatively less cognitive resources to encode subsequently presented information.
Early Detection of Phototrophic Biofilms in the Polychrome Panel, El Castillo Cave, Spain

European caves contain some of the world’s greatest Paleolithic paintings, and their conservation is at risk due to the use of artificial lighting. Both lighting and high CO2 promotes the growth of phototrophic organisms on walls, speleothems and ground sediments. In addition, the combined effect of increases in CO2, vapor concentration and temperature variations induced by visitors can directly affect the development of corrosion processes on the cave rock surfaces. An early detection of the occurrence of phototrophic biofilms on Paleolithic paintings is of the utmost importance, as well as knowing the microorganisms involved in the colonization of rocks and walls. Knowledge of the colonizing species and their ecology will allow the adoption of control measures. However, this is not always possible due to the limited amount of biomass available for molecular analyses. Here, we present an alternative approach to study faint green biofilms of Chlorophyta in the initial stage of colonization on the Polychrome Panel in El Castillo Cave, Cantabria, Spain. The study of the biofilms collected on the rock art panel and in the ground sediments revealed that the lighting of the cave promoted the development of the green algae Jenufa and Coccomyxa, as well as of complex prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities, including amoebae, their endoparasites and associated bacteria and fungi. The enrichment method used is proposed as a tool to overcome technical constraints in characterizing biofilms in the early stages, allowing a preliminary characterization before deciding for direct or indirect interventions in the cave.
The profile of Latvian global graduates as ‘liquid migrants’

ABSTRACT This paper empirically examines whether former international students, i.e., global graduates, are more likely to be ‘liquid migrants’ than those who hold higher education degrees from home and the factors which enable or inhibit transnational mobility among global graduates. Based on an analysis of a subsample from a large-scale web survey of Latvian migrants, this paper finds that highly-skilled Latvian and global graduates represent two different groups of migrants. On the one hand Latvian graduates appear to migrate due to employment or family reasons and seek stability when doing so, corresponding more closely to the profile of sedentary migrants. Former international students from Latvia, on the other hand, are more likely to explore different destinations, even though most of them have lived in no more than two countries, excluding their country of origin. Global graduates who are older, male, hold a doctoral degree, are more recent emigrants, and live outside Europe and the US, are more likely to engage in a ‘liquid migration’ lifestyle. The empirical analysis and findings in this paper suggest alignment with the conceptualisation of ‘liquid migration. ’
System Support for Data-Intensive Sensing in the Field

High-intensity data sensing and processing in the field are important for emerging applications in intelligent transportation, surveillance, and environmental management. Many such systems reside in the field or mobile platforms away from the wired infrastructure and face unique challenges such as application / system management under unique field conditions, resource constraint due to the lack of full-power computers and high-speed network access, and the privacy concern of sensitive data exposure. In this dissertation, we study several system-level approaches to support the emerging data-intensive sensing systems in the field. Specifically, we advocate the use of virtualization and virtual data management to tackle the unique field conditions with the advantages of easy deployment, flexible control, and data containment. We further explore efficient data deduplication mechanisms with the optimized fingerprint management under field sensing workloads and the support of efficient, failure-consistent I/O deduplication on Flash. Finally, we propose a new privacy protection approach for continuous data sensing systems with the guarantee of purging sensitive data and derived information over a certain age.
Genome-Wide Screening of Transposable Elements in the Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Revealed Insertions with Potential Insecticide Resistance Implications

Simple Summary Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences hosted in the genomes of various organisms. These elements have the ability to mediate regulatory changes, which can result in changes in gene expression. Bemisia tabaci is an important agricultural pest that has been linked to several cases of insecticide resistance. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide screening of TEs in the B. tabaci genome using bioinformatics tools. Results revealed a total of 1,292,393 TE copies clustered into 4872 lineages. The TE insertion site analysis revealed 94 insertions within or near defensome genes. Abstract Transposable elements (TEs) are genetically mobile units that move from one site to another within a genome. These units can mediate regulatory changes that can result in massive changes in genes expression. In fact, a precise identification of TEs can allow the detection of the mechanisms involving these elements in gene regulation and genome evolution. In the present study, a genome-wide analysis of the Hemipteran pest Bemisia tabaci was conducted using bioinformatics tools to identify, annotate and estimate the age of TEs, in addition to their insertion sites, within or near of the defensome genes involved in insecticide resistance. Overall, 1,292,393 TE copies were identified in the B. tabaci genome grouped into 4872 lineages. A total of 699 lineages were found to belong to Class I of TEs, 1348 belong to Class II, and 2825 were uncategorized and form the largest part of TEs (28.81%). The TE age estimation revealed that the oldest TEs invasion happened 14 million years ago (MYA) and the most recent occurred 0.2 MYA with the insertion of Class II TE elements. The analysis of TE insertion sites in defensome genes revealed 94 insertions. Six of these TE insertions were found within or near previously identified differentially expressed insecticide resistance genes. These insertions may have a potential role in the observed insecticide resistance in these pests.
Toward Developing a Framework for Standardizing the Functional Assessment and Performance Evaluation of Assistive Robotic Manipulators (ARMs)

The research and development of assistive robotic manipulators (ARMs) aims to enhance the upper-extremity daily functioning of individuals with disability. Resources continue to be invested, yet the field still lacks a standard framework to serve as a tool for the functional assessment and performance evaluation of ARMs. A review of the literature lends several suggestions from research in occupational therapy, rehabilitation robotics, and human-robot interaction. Performance assessments are often used during rehabilitation intervention by occupational therapists to evaluate a client’s functional performance. Similarly, such assessments should be developed to make predictions regarding how ARM performance in a clinical setting may generalize to task execution throughout daily living. However, ergonomics and environmental differences have largely been ignored in past research. Additional insights from the literature provide suggestions for a common set of coding definitions, and a framework to organize the ad hoc performance measures observed across ARM studies.
Analysis of dynamic characteristics of the active filter-stabilizer

At the railway sections with intensive and high-speed train traffic, it is advisable to use active stabilizer-filters to increase efficiency of DC traction power supply systems. They are introduced into converter units of traction substations to ensure active filtration and stabilization of the output voltage. The active filter stabilizer consists of a voltage converter based on a capacitive energy storage unit and is connected in series with the main rectifying unit of the traction substation. The voltage converter with a two-way pulse-width modulation simultaneously forms a voltage for compensating harmonics and deviations of the mean value of the rectified voltage with respect to the specified voltage. It was established that the voltage converter of the active filter-stabilizer with two-way pulse width modulation for small values of the control signal increment is an amplitude-pulse second-order modulator. In this converter, information is transferred by two channels having static and dynamic transfer coefficients. Dynamic connection between the increments of the input and output signals of the active filter-stabilizer converter is of a variable character at each interval of discreteness of the pulse-width modulation. This property of the voltage converter is called forth by the changes in the static and dynamic transfer coefficients which must be taken into account when describing dynamic processes in closed-loop automatic control systems.
Online Learning Model in Teacher Professional Education Program

Every teacher in Indonesia is required to get a certified educator. To support quality education in Indonesia, where the learning process teaches will be better if managed by professional teachers. Teacher Professional Education Program (TPEP) is implemented with the online learning model. This research aims to: 1) explain the preparation of TPEP participants about the online learning model, 2) elaborate the opinion of TPEP participants in the online learning model, 3) describe the obstacles of TPEP participants in doing an activity. This research used a qualitative approach. Technique data retrieval is method interview. An amount of 30 participants have structured interviews. The study result showed 1) In general preparation participants in following TPEP are: a) complete whole related administration with online learning, b) download the modules used participant in TPEP as well as study it, c) seek another reference for support participant in understanding learning materials. 2) many participants who are difficulty in accessing the internet. 3) TPEP learning is very helpful in learning distance far as well as the participant could study independently and manage timetable at school. However, participants experience confusion because there is an error in online learning, for example, in learning structure building contents from the module about irrigation and writing question miss from the presented material
High-Performance Waveguide-Integrated Ge/Si Avalanche Photodetector with Lateral Multiplication Region

High-performance waveguide-integrated Ge/Si APDs in separate absorption, charge, and multiplication (SACM) schemes have been exploited to facilitate energy-efficient optical communication and interconnects. However, the charge layer design is complex and time-consuming. A waveguide-integrated Ge/Si avalanche photodetector (APD) is proposed in a separate absorption and multiplication (SAM) configuration. The device can work at low voltage and high speed with a lateral multiplication region without complexity of the charge layer. The proposed device is implemented by the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process in the 8-inch Si photonics platform. The device has a low breakdown voltage of 12 V and shows high responsivity of 15.1 A/W at 1550 nm wavelength under optical power of −22.49 dBm, corresponding to a multiplication gain of 18.1. Moreover, an opto-electrical bandwidth of 20.7 GHz is measured at 10.6 V. The high-speed performance at low voltage shows a great potential to implement high-energy-efficient Si optical communications and interconnections.
Wind power integration into weak power systems

This paper presents a new decentralized control strategy to enable a Doubly-fed Induction generator wind turbine, DFIG WT, to fulfill the Danish grid code requirements during different perturbations. A nonlinear controller is adopted for the grid side converter, GSC, to ensure decoupled control of the DC link voltage and the reactive power, and counteract the DC link voltage runaway. Moreover, the GSC is dedicated to inject more reactive power during voltage dips to satisfy the grid code reactive power support obligation. A conventional PI controller is devoted to control the rotor side converter, RSC, with additional compensation terms to reduce the rotor over-speed, and limit the rotor and stator large transient currents. A diverse set of symmetrical and asymmetrical voltage excursions are investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method using MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. The obtained results assure the capability of the proposed control strategy to satisfy the Danish grid code requirements.