Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global tests of regional effect on species richness of vascular plants and terrestrial vertebrates.

Determining the effects of regional and contemporary factors on large-scale patterns in species richness has been a fundamental question in modern ecology and biogeography. However, few studies have examined effects of historical and regional factors on species richness at the global scale, and conclusions are often inconsistent or controversial. Here, I use a comprehensive dataset to examine regional effects on species richness of vascular plants and four taxa of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians) in the same set of sample units (ecoregions) in seven biogeographic realms across the globe. The same spatial scale and the same set of environmental variables, which are thought to influence large-scale patterns in species richness of vascular plants and terrestrial vertebrates, are used for all the five taxa. Species richness of each taxon is compared across biogeographic realms. Regional effect on species richness has been found for all the five taxa. Of the 90 realm-pair comparisons for the five taxa between observed richness of a region and the richness of the region predicted by the richness–environment relationship derived from the data of another region, 74 (82.2%) showed significant differences between observed and predicted species richness, indicating that a species richness–environment relationship developed for one region cannot accurately predict species richness in other regions of similar environments.
Polaronic States and Superconductivity in WO3-x

Superconducting domain boundaries were found in WO3-x and doped WO3. The charge carriers in WO3-type materials were identified by Schirmer and Salje as bipolarons. Several previous attempts to determine the electronic properties of polarons in WO3 failed until Bousque et al. (2020) reported a full first principle calculation of free polarons in WO3. They confirmed the model of Schirmer and Salje that each single polaron is centred around one tungsten position with surplus charges smeared over the adjacent eight tungsten positions. Small additional charges are distributed further apart. Further calculations to clarify the coupling mechanism between polaron to form bipolarons are not yet available. These calculations would help to identify the carrier distribution in Magneli clusters, which were shown recently to contain high carrier concentrations and may indicate totally localized superconductivity in non-percolating clusters.
The Fine Structure of Saprodinium dentatum Lauterborn, 1908 as a Representative of the Odontostomatida (Ciliophora)

The fine structure of the sapropelic ciliate Saprodinium dentatum is described based on phase-contrast microscopy, silver-staining techniques, cryo-fracture scanning electron microscopy, and thin sections. The study concentrates on a detailed analysis of the somatic cortex and the oral ciliature of this highly asymmetric, laterally compressed ciliate. The cell shape is dominated by a number of site-specific spines and the curving course of 10 somatic kineties (SK 1–10). The SK, composed of dikinetids, show an intrakinety differentiation that seems characteristic for other odontostomes as well. The anterior segment of the SK is mostly ciliated, followed by a non-ciliated segment in which the kinetosomes lack all typical fiber systems. Except for SK 4–6, the posterior segment is ciliated again, forming the spine kinetics associated with particular caudal spines. The anterior segment of SK 3 through SK 7 form the frontal band, which together with the two frontal kineties constitutes the main locomotory organelle for a ciliate that creeps on the substratum. A short kinety with inverse polarity, not seen in earlier light microscopical studies, was observed near the oral spine. We made particular effort to find a logical explanation for the observed association of the SK with the various caudal spines. The oral ciliature consists of nine adoral organelles located in a tripartite oral cavity. The absence of a paroral ciliature together with the position of the cytostome anterior to the adoral organelles may be the result of rotational movement of the oral apparatus during the evolution of these bizarre ciliates. Results are discussed with special reference to the phylogenetic relationship of the Odontostomatida to the Heterotrichida and no conclusive answer was found in this first electron microscopical study of an odontostomatid ciliate.
State Estimation with Reduced-Order Observer and Adaptive-LQR Control of Time Varying Linear System

In this study, a new controller design was created to increase the control performance of a variable loaded time varying linear system. For this purpose, a state estimation with reduced order observer and adaptive-LQR (Linear–Quadratic Regulator) control structure was offered. Initially, to estimate the states of the system, a reduced-order observer was designed and used with LQR control method that is one of the optimal control techniques in the servo system with initial load. Subsequently, a Lyapunov-based adaptation mechanism was added to the LQR control to provide optimal control for varying loads as a new approach in design. Thus, it was aimed to eliminate the variable load effects and to increase the stability of the system. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a variable loaded rotary servo system was modelled as a time-varying linear system and used in simulations in Matlab-Simulink environment. Based on the simulation results and performance measurements, it was observed that the proposed method increases the system performance and stability by minimizing variable load effect.
Spatial and temporal variation in the effects of fish and crayfish on benthic communities during stream drying

Abstract Omnivorous central stonerollers (Campostoma anomalum) and crayfish (Orconectes meeki meeki) inhabit streams in the Boston Mountain ecoregion of Arkansas, USA, and can have substantial effects on stream ecosystem structure and function through foraging and ecosystem engineering activities. Seasonal summer drying is extensive in these systems and might alter interactions between these consumers and stream benthic communities. Electrical exclusion of consumers was used to examine changes in the effects of fish and crayfish on algal abundance, sediment deposition, sediment organic matter content (as ash-free dry mass [AFDM]), and invertebrate density on tiles during stream drying. Replicate paired exclusion/exposed treatments were placed in 8 pools for two 30-d periods in June and August 2006 during an extended period of stream drying. Consumer exclusion increased algal chlorophyll a 1.5×, sediment organic matter content 2.3×, sediment dry mass 3.4×, and chironomid density 21× relative to levels on exposed tiles. Exclusion effects were greater in August than in June, but effects were not evident in all pools. In June, the strength of consumer effects on chlorophyll a was positively related to % canopy cover, whereas effects on dry mass were positively related to crayfish density, fish predator presence, and % canopy cover but negatively related to depth. In August, the strength of consumer effects on chlorophyll a was positively related to fish predator presence and effects on AFDM were positively related to stoneroller density. These results demonstrate the importance of environmental context when determining how fish and crayfish influence stream functioning and suggest that mechanisms that generate heterogeneity in streams deserve greater attention, especially because disturbances, such as stream drying, are predicted to intensify with climate change.
The Expression of Genes Encoding Secreted Proteins in Medicago truncatula A17 Inoculated Roots

Subtilisin-like serine protease (MtSBT), serine carboxypeptidase (MtSCP), MtN5, non-specific lipid transfer protein (MtnsLTP), early nodulin2-like protein (MtENOD2-like), FAD-binding domain containing protein (MtFAD-BP1), and rhicadhesin receptor protein (MtRHRE1) were among 34 proteins found in the supernatant of M. truncatula 2HA and sickle cell suspension cultures. This study investigated the expression of genes encoding those proteins in roots and developing nodules. Two methods were used: quantitative real time RT-PCR and gene expression analysis (with promoter: GUS fusion) in roots. Those proteins are predicted as secreted proteins which is indirectly supported by the findings that promoter: GUS fusions of six of the seven genes encoding secreted proteins were strongly expressed in the vascular bundle of transgenic hairy roots. All six genes have expressed in 14-day old nodule. The expression levels of the selected seven genes were quantified in Sinorhizobium -inoculated and control plants using quantitative real time RT-PCR. In conclusion, among seven genes encoding secreted proteins analyzed, the expression level of only one gene, MtN5 , was up-regulated significantly in inoculated root segments compared to controls. The expression of MtSBT1 , MtSCP1 , MtnsLTP , MtFAD-BP1 , MtRHRE1 and MtN5 were higher in root tip than in other tissues examined.
An electronically scanned aerial photographic technique to measure winter injury in alfalfa

A method was developed to measure void areas and subsequent canopy development patterns in alfalfa plots and fields as affected by winter injury. The method utilizes aerial infrared photography, taken sequentially throughout the growing season, or year to year as well, followed by electronic measurements of the photographs. The method demonstrates that strong canopy recovery takes place throughout the growing season and a considerable amount of the damage is not permanent.
Contours of Positivity as Determinants of Maternal Psychological Well-Being in Pakistani Children with and without Hearing Impairment

ABSTRACT The current research was designed in order to investigate the differences in hope, gratitude and psychological well-being in mothers of children with and without hearing impairment. This is hypothesised that there is likely to be significant differences in hope, gratitude and psychological well-being in mothers of children with and without hearing impairment. The sample for the current research comprised of n = 300 (n = 150 mothers of children with hearing impairment who were compared with mothers of hearing children (n = 150, after matching them on core subject variables); children within age ranges of 12–18 years were selected through non-probability purposive sampling. The scales included Hope Trait Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scale and Gratitude Questionnaire. Independent Sample t-test revealed significant differences in hope, gratitude and psychological well-being in mothers of children with and without hearing impairment. Pearson Product Moment correlation revealed significant positive relationship among hope, gratitude and psychological well-being in mothers of children. Regression analyses revealed that hope and gratitude are significant predictors of psychological well-being. The findings are promising for counsellors, teachers and mothers to change the perception and views regarding disability to seek better results in their children’s functioning.
Organization of projections from the medial temporal cortical areas to the ventral striatum in macaque monkeys

Recent evidence on behaviors in macaque monkeys indicate that the medial temporal cortical areas such as the entorhinal cortex (EC), perirhinal cortex, and parahippocampal cortex (PHC) are importantly involved in limbic and sensory memory function. Neuroanatomical studies also have demonstrated that the medial temporal cortical areas are connected with the ventral striatum, although comparatively little is known about the precise topography of these connections. We investigated the topographic organization of connections between the medial temporal cortical areas and the ventral striatum by placing retrograde tracers into five different regions of the ventral striatum: the ventromedial caudate nucleus, ventral shell, central shell, dorsal core of the nucleus accumbens (NA), and ventrolateral putamen. We found that the shell of the NA was the main projection site from the medial temporal cortical areas. Within the shell of the NA, there were also differential connections: EC diffusely innervates shell of the NA, while the projections from the perirhinal cortex and PHC concentrate on the ventral shell of the NA. Taken together, it is possible that the ventral shell of the NA is the main integration site of the limbic and sensory memory coming from the EC, perirhinal cortex, and PHC.
Online Mining Intrusion Patterns from IDS Alerts

The intrusion detection system (IDS) which is used widely in enterprises, has produced a large number of logs named alerts, from which the intrusion patterns can be mined. These patterns can be used to construct the intrusion scenarios or discover the final objectives of the malicious actors, and even assist the forensic works of network crimes. In this paper, a novel algorithm for the intrusion pattern mining is proposed which aimsto solve the difficult problems of the intrusion action sequence such as the loss of important intrusion actions, the disorder of the action sequence and the random noise actions. These common problems often occur in the real production environment which cause serious performance decrease in the analyzing system. The proposed algorithm is based on the online analysis of the intrusion action sequences extracted from IDS alerts, through calculating the influences of a particular action on the subsequent actions, the real intrusion patterns are discovered. The experimental results show that the method is effective in discovering pattern from the complex intrusion action sequences.
Hierarchical Rigid Registration of Femur Surface Model Based on Anatomical
Features

Existing model registration of individual bones does not have a high certainly of success due to the lack of anatomic semantic. In light of the surface anatomy and functional structure of bones, we hypothesized individual femur models would be aligned through feature points both in geometrical level and in anatomic level, and proposed a hierarchical approach for the rigid registration (HRR) of point cloud models of femur with high resolution. Firstly, a coarse registration between two simplified point cloud models was implemented based on the extraction of geometric feature points (GFPs); and then, according to the anatomic feature points (AFPs) in two level namely shape features and structure features, the fine weight-based registration was performed to achieve anatomical alignment; finally, the origin source model was automatically transformed by applying the obtained coarse matrix and fine one in sequence. Experimental results show that the hierarchical registration method can rapidly and accurately register point clouds of individual femurs, and achieves the medical semantic alignment, and provides a basic tool for the understanding and comparison of femur anatomy and structure.
A new method to dynamically simulate groundwater table in land surface model VIC

Abstract Soil moisture plays an important role in water and energy balance in land-atmospheric interaction, but is impacted directly by the groundwater table. Dynamic variation of the groundwater tablecan be described mathematically by a moving boundary problem. In this paper, the moving boundary problem is reduced to a fixed boundary problem through a coordinate transformation. A new model of groundwater table simulation is developed using the mass-lumped finite element method and is coupled with the land surface model of Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC). The simulation results show that the new model not only can simulate the groundwater table dynamically, but also can evade the choice of water table depth scale in computation with a low computation cost.
Full Waveform LiDAR for Adverse Weather Conditions

We present and discuss the case for full waveform pixel and image acquisition and processing to enable LiDAR sensors to penetrate and reconstruct 3D surface maps through obscuring media. To that end, we review work on signal propagation, on scanning and arrayed sensors, on signal processing strategies for independent pixels and employing spatial context, on reducing complexity and accelerating processing by sensor design, algorithmic changes, compressed sensing, and parallel processing. We report several experimental studies on LiDAR imaging through complex media, and how these can inform the automotive LiDAR scenario. We conclude with a discussion of future development and potential for full waveform LiDAR (FWL).
Analysis of the Content of Character Values and the Learning Practice of Character Values in Pancasila and Citizenship Education Texts Book

One way to support the implementation of character education is the provision of textbooks for students. The studies were aimed to analyze the content of character values in Pancasila and Citizenship Education text book in 2013 Curriculum and to describe the learning practice of character values in Pancasila and Citizenship textbook. This research was conducted at the State High School 5 Samarinda. The Study used snowball sampling technic. Initial respondents were 9 people consisting of: two Pancasila and Citizenship Education teachers, one School Principal, three teachers and three students. The data collection techniques are observation, interview and documentation. Data analysis technique is using qualitative data analysis techniques presented in the form of descriptions and tables. The results of this study showed that: (1) all of character values (18 pieces) contained in the textbook; (2) the highest percentage of character values are tolerance, creative and responsibility (all three are 9%) and the lowest percentage is independent (2%). Each character value is presented in a number of different pages. The responsibility character value is 19 pages, while the independence value is only 1 page; (3) character learning practices are carried out with three patterns, namely: (a) patterns integrated with (curricular) learning, (b) co-curricular, and extracurricular. In addition, the teacher's role model is also important to instill character values in students.
Bonus-Based Demand Response Using Stackelberg Game Approach for Residential End-Users Equipped With HVAC System

This article proposes a novel Stackelberg game approach for activating demand response (DR) program in a residential area aiming at addressing the mismatch between the demand and renewable energy generation. In this study, two major players, namely the aggregator as a leader and the consumers as followers, are considered. The aggregator, which owns a wind farm and also receives power from the independent system operator (ISO), strives to obtain the maximum matching between the consumers’ demand and forecasted wind power by incentivizing consumers to adjust their load through offering a bonus to them. On the other hand, consumers change their load profiles for obtaining the highest amount of bonuses. Each consumer has two kinds of loads including critical loads, which must be maintained under any circumstances, and the flexible loads, e.g., heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which can be regulated for DR purposes. In order to consider the uncertainty associated with the wind generation and the demands, a scenario-based stochastic programming model has been adopted in this work. Results show the effectiveness of the Stackelberg game model used for interaction between the aggregator and consumers, and the best response that can be served to both of them.
3-Dimensional Bag of Visual Words Framework on Action
Recognition

Human motion recognition plays a crucial role in the video analysis framework. However, a given video may contain a variety of noises, such as an unstable background and redundant actions, that are completely different from the key actions. These noises pose a great challenge to human motion recognition. To solve this problem, we propose a new method based on the 3-Dimensional (3D) Bag of Visual Words (BoVW) framework. Our method includes two parts: The first part is the video action feature extractor, which can identify key actions by analyzing action features. In the video action encoder, by analyzing the action characteristics of a given video, we use the deep 3D CNN pre-trained model to obtain expressive coding information. A classifier with subnetwork nodes is used for the final classification. The extensive experiments demonstrate that our method leads to an impressive effect on complex video analysis. Our approach achieves state-of-the-art performance on the datasets of UCF101 (85.3%) and HMDB51 (54.5%).
Relations Among Low-Income Preschool Children’s Self-Regulation, Marginal Food Security, and Parent Stress

ABSTRACT Research Findings: Marginal food security is less studied relative to food insecurity but may also have adverse effects on family outcomes. The present study examined whether parental stress mediated the relationship between marginal food security (MFS) and preschool-aged children’s observed self-regulation at three early education centers located in two urban cities in a Midwestern state. Primary caregivers (81.3% mothers) completed an adapted version of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form and a two-question screener from the USDA Annual Food Security Survey. Children’s aged 37-70 months, M= 54, SD = 6.46; 57% boys) self-regulation skills were directly assessed. Approximately one-third (39.75%) of the present sample were considered MFS, as they reported being “worried that food would not last” in the past 12 months. MFS families had significantly higher levels of parental stress than food secure families. Additionally, MFS indirectly affects children’s observed self-regulation skills through parental stress, even after controlling for the effect of child age, sex, and family structure. Practice or Policy: Implications of this finding for early intervention and food support programs are discussed.
Temporal Localization of Non-Static Digital Videos Using the Electrical Network Frequency

Non-static scenes represent one of the main barriers for retrieving the electrical network frequency (ENF) from digital videos recorded in realistic scenarios, since movement influences the luminance of pixels, hindering the recovery of the desired information. Aiming to mitigate the effects of changes in the scene, in this letter a video processing stage, that detects and combines those pixels that are not affected by movement, is proposed. The sequence obtained thereby is delivered to a PLL-based FM demodulator, that estimates the ENF taking into account its autoregressive nature. Additionally, a frame rate estimation algorithm is employed to avoid time-consuming trial and error loops in the extraction process. The performance of the system is tested by computing the probability of estimating correctly the time of recording of a given video, using ground-truth sequences obtained directly from the mains or a reliable database.