Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population Dynamics and Recovery of Endangered Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon ) in Central China

Abstract The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) is one of the most endangered avian species in the world. In 1981, seven ibis were discovered in the Qinling Mountain, central China. The ibis population responded positively to 20 years of intensive conservation growing to more than 500 birds. Population growth of the Crested Ibis exhibited a nonlinear response to increased population size along an altitudinal gradient (600-1,400 m). Prior to 1993, the ibis population was constrained to high mountains with elevations greater than 1,000 m and exhibited density dependent growth in spite of small population size (less than 20 birds). Limited availability of habitats at high elevations might result in competition for food and other resources among the ibis. The ibis returned to traditional nesting habitats at low elevations (<1,000 m) and has grown exponentially since 1992. Fledging success of the ibis did not differ between low- and high-elevation habitats. Rapid population growth of the ibis in low-elevation habitats was mainly due to increased breeding population size and reduced anthropogenic disturbances. Differences in population growth pattern along an altitudinal gradient indicate that high-elevation habitats are suboptimal. Likewise, the recovery of other endangered or threatened species may be constrained by suboptimal habitats. Therefore, caution is needed when interpreting habitat requirements of endangered species based only on presently occupied habitats.
Pipeline signal feature extraction with improved VMD and multi-feature fusion

This paper is concerned with the pipeline leakage detection problem. A pipeline signal feature extraction method based on improved variational mode decomposition (VMD) and multi-feature fusion are proposed. First of all, the mode number K-value of VMD decomposition is determined by combining the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method and the centre frequency method. Next, according to the variance contribution rates, the effective mode components are selected from the mode components obtained by VMD, subsequently, the effective mode components are reconstructed to get the de-noised signal. Then, the characteristic parameters that might distinguish the different pipeline signals are selected from different aspects. Moreover, the selected characteristic parameters are formed feature vector to put into support vector machine (SVM) to recognize the different pipeline events. Finally, the laboratory pipeline samples are employed to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Shaping Electric Field Intensity via Angular Spectrum Projection and the Linear Superposition Principle

Shaping the intensity distribution of radiated electromagnetic (EM) fields in a given bounded target area is a challenging problem in EMs. Although some approaches have been explored for this purpose, most are limited to the synthesis of plane-wave fields or point-focused fields. In this communication, a field-shaping method based on angular spectrum projection and the linear superposition principle is presented. The proposed method allows radiated electric fields to be shaped with different desired intensity patterns in a given limited target area with the use of the same antenna array. Via this method, all element excitations of the antenna array can be analytically calculated, and not only is the element excitation computational time reduced, but the real-time control of shaped fields is also made possible. Full-wave simulations were carried out to illustrate the 1-D and 2-D electric field shaping within a small given target area. In the 1-D case, three types of shaped fields with different desired distributions are demonstrated. In the 2-D case, three kinds of origin-symmetric shaped fields with different intensity distributions are illustrated. Finally, shaped fields with more complicated 2-D intensity distributions, like “I”- and “X”-shaped patterns, are demonstrated, and are achieved directly by applying the linear superposition principle to multiple point-focused fields with spatially overlapping focal spots.
Low genetic diversity, restricted dispersal, and elevation-specific patterns of population decline in American pikas in an atypical environment

In the face of climate change, there is a growing need for research into the ability of organisms to persist at the limits of their bioclimatic envelope. American pikas (Ochotona princeps) have emerged as a focal mammalian species for investigating extinction risk related to climate change; however, most studies have occurred in characteristic alpine talus habitat within the range core. In the Columbia River Gorge (CRG), Oregon, American pikas inhabit low-elevation talus slopes previously considered outside the species' bioclimatic range. We used microsatellite genotypic data to reconstruct levels of genetic variation, population connectivity, and demographic history at 11 CRG sites spanning an elevational gradient (104–1,292 m). Sampled sites separated into 2 genetic clusters largely explained by elevation, topography, and geographic proximity, with pairwise estimates of differentiation and migration rates suggesting little gene flow may be occurring. Sites were characterized by levels of allelic richness and heterozygosity substantially lower than values reported at characteristic alpine sites from the range core. Evidence of recent demographic contraction was found almost exclusively at high-elevation sites despite these areas being considered refuges from climate warming in more typical habitat. Given their unique genetic characteristics and persistence in an atypical environment, the CRG pika populations likely constitute a significant component of intraspecific biodiversity with high conservation value.
A demographic comparison of two southern elephant seal populations

1. To estimate concurrent age-specific survival for southern elephant seals at Macquarie and Marion islands, seals were marked from 1993 to 1997 in the first 3 weeks of life and resighted (recaptured) on return to their natal islands (1994-2001). These recaptures formed the basis for the survival analysis in the mark-recapture program MARK. Weaning masses were collected at each location. 2. Recapture probabilities were (X 2 6 = 376.480, P < 0.0001) higher at Marion Island than at Macquarie Island. There are two possible reasons: (1) the population at Marion Island is smaller and less dense than at Macquarie Island and (2) seals hauled out along a smaller section of the coast at Marion Island than at Macquarie Island, which: (1) facilitates the detection and individual identification of seals and (2) increases access to hauled out seals. 3. Age-specific survival estimates (corrected for preweaning mortality and tag loss) differed (X 2 5 = 22.264, P < 0.05) at the two islands and were consistently higher at Macquarie Island. The survival estimates for male and female seals were different at Macquarie Island (X 2 6 = 34.657, P < 0.0001) and Marion Island (X 2 6 = 20.373, P = 0.002). Female survival estimates were higher than male survival estimates. The combined survival estimates for juvenile seals (1-3 years) differed between islands but survival of older seals (4-6 years) did not. The inclusion of gender in the survival models did not improve model performance and hence male and female estimates were considered jointly. 4. The mean wean masses of male and female seals combined from 1993 to 1998 were not different between islands (T 6837 = 1.169, P = 0.242). At Macquarie Island the mean annual wean mass was 118.8 kg (SD = 27.2, n = 6504) while at Marion Island it was 120.6 kg (SD = 24.7, n = 335). 5. The mean age at first breeding was different (P < 0.001) at the two island populations. At Macquarie Island the mean age of first breeding was 4.68 years, and at Marion Island it was 3.95 years. More (X 2 1 = 67.39, P < 0.0001) 3-year-old females breed at Marion Island (28.7%) than at Macquarie Island (1.2%) and the proportion of seals that had bred at least once by age 7 was greater at Marion Island than at Macquarie Island. 6. We conclude that the observed decreases in elephant seal numbers between the 1950s and 1990s in the Pacific and Indian Ocean sectors were driven principally by resource limitation in the Southern Ocean. A conglomerate of factors including local predation by killer whales and intraspecific resource competition is postulated as a cause for the inter-island (regional) differences in population trends. It appears that more resources are available per capita to the Marion Island population than are available to the Macquarie Island population.
RANGE EXTENSION AND STATUS UPDATE FOR THE OKLAHOMA CAVECRAYFISH, CAMBARUS TARTARUS (DECAPODA: CAMBARIDAE)

Abstract The range of the single-site endemic cave crayfish, Cambarus tartarus, is expanded to an additional cave system (Long's Cave), but is still restricted to the Spavinaw Creek watershed within Delaware County, Oklahoma. Censuses of these 2 populations in 2001 and 2004 produced record high counts: 17 individuals in January-Stansbury Cave and 63 in Long's Cave. January-Stansbury Cave, with at least 52 species of animals, is the most species-rich subterranean habitat in Oklahoma to date. Conservation activities are summarized. Cambarus tartarus remains extremely vulnerable to degraded habitat quality, and further protection is recommended.
Synthetic Polymer-based Membrane for Lithium Ion Batteries

: Efficient energy storage systems are increasingly needed due to advances in portable electronics and transport vehicles, lithium-ion batteries standing out among the most suitable energy storage systems for a large variety of applications. In lithium-ion batteries, the porous separator membrane plays a relevant role as it is placed between the electrodes and serves as a charge transfer medium and affects the cycle behavior. Typically, porous separators membranes are comprised of a synthetic polymeric matrix embedded in the electrolyte solution. The present chapter focus on recent advances in synthetic polymers for porous separation membranes, as well as on the techniques for membrane preparation and physicochemical characterization. The main challenges to improve synthetic polymer performance for battery separator membrane applications are also discussed.
BALANCE: Link Flooding Attack Detection and Mitigation via Hybrid-SDN

Link Flooding Attack (LFA) is a genre of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. LFA can cut off a target area from the network, without directly attacking the target. The attacker chooses links which when cut off will disconnect the target area and instruct the bots to flood those links with small packets. Some of the existing solutions are suitable for specific routing methods like shortest path routing or need cooperation between Autonomous Systems (AS). To overcome certain hitches of existing solutions, we have proposed a novel mechanism named BALANCE. It detects and mitigates LFA via hybrid-Software-Defined Network (SDN). SDN splits the control and data plane using OpenFlow protocol. Hybrid SDN has both legacy and SDN nodes, with a controller in the control plane. We have used Service Based Hybrid SDN (SBHS), which is a type of hybrid-SDN. BALANCE begins with an algorithm that chooses nodes in an AS to be SBHS enabled in such a way that the controller can get statistics of all the links in the AS. Next, congestion detection and location algorithms are implemented in the controller to find the congested links. Finally, LFA bot detection and mitigation algorithms are implemented in the controller to mitigate LFA. BALANCE was evaluated in testbed and emulator. We compared the results with state-of-the-art solutions. BALANCE was able to detect LFA bots at a precision of 97.64% and had HTTP response time of 2 seconds during the LFA attack.
Intercropping for conservation biological control of European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (lepidoptera: crambidae) in bell peppers

OF THE THESIS . ii Acknowledgements . iv List of tables . ix List of illustrations . x INTRODUCTION . 1 CHAPTER 1: EFFECTS OF INTERCROPPING ON PREDATION OF OSTRINIA NUBILALIS EGGS BY GENERALIST PREDATORS . 21 Abstract.21. 2
Retrospective Evaluation of Ileocolic Artery and Vein Diameters according to Body Mass Index in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis on Multislice Computerized Tomography

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the increasement in the ileocolic artery and vein diameters considering the body mass index (BMIs) of the patients with acute appendicitis. Methods: Between January 2016 and April 2019, 76 patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis by contrast-enhanced abdominal multislice computerized tomography (MSCT) and had histopathologically confirmed appendicitis after an appendectomy were included in this study. To evaluate the value of MSCT, we created a control group, which consisted of 81 patients who had contrast-enhanced MSCT for other reasons and had no clinical and radiological findings suspicious for acute appendicitis and also had no other abdominal pathology that might interfere with ileocolic artery and vein diameter. In both groups, ileocolic artery and vein diameters were measured in axial MSCT scan. The body mass index was calculated for each patient (kg/m2). Both groups were divided into three subgroups according to the BMI of patients (20-24.9; 25-29.9 and more than 30). Both groups and subgroups were compared individually. Statistical significance level was accepted as p <0.05. Results: Ileocolic artery and vein diameters were higher in the patient group than control group, which was statistically significant (p<0.001), and a positive correlation was found between BMI and ileocolic artery and vein diameters (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ileocolic artery and vein diameters with taking BMI into consideration can be used as alternative criteria in the suspicion of acute appendicitis in adults.
Phosphorus fractionation and crop performance on an alfisol amended with phosphate rock combined with or without plant residues

The effects of Sokoto phosphate rock (PR) and plant residues on soil phosphorus (P) fractions and crop performance was studied in the field on an alfisol in the derived savanna of southwestern Nigeria. The plant residues studied were leaves of Dactyladenia barteri, Flemingia macrophylla, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, maize (Zea mays) stover and rice (Oryza sativa) straw. They were applied alone or in combination with phosphate rock. The PR was applied at a rate of 60 kg P ha-1 and the plant residues at 5 ton dry matter ha-1 during the onset of the major rainy season. Plots without PR and plant residues application were included as control. After four weeks incubation period of PR and plant residues, Crotalaria ochroleuca (shrub legume) was planted in 1999 and maize (Zea mays) was planted in 2001 as test crops. When PR was not combined with plant residues, incubation of Dactyladenia residues increased resin P from 0.13 to 0.79 mg P kg-1 at 4 weeks after incubation (WAI). Other plant residues did not cause appreciable changes in resin P. Application of Leucaena residues increased NaOHextractable inorganic P (Pi) from 14.36 to 20.47 mg P kg-1 at 4 WAI. Total extractable P increased under all the plant residues at 4 WAI but decreased at 8 WAI. When PR was combined with plant residues, there were increases in almost all the P fractions under the plant residues at 4 WAI followed by decreases at 8 WAI. Averaged across P levels, addition of Leucaena residues resulted in higher resin P, NaOH-Pi, residual P and total extractable P compared with the other plant residue treatments. Averaged across residue treatments, resin P increased from 0.12 mg P kg-1 to 0.75 mg P kg-1 at 4 WAI and decreased to 0.08 mg P kg-1 at 8 WAI. All other P pools showed similar trends but with less pronounced decreases at 8 WAI. When PR was not applied with plant residues, Crotalaria dry matter correlate positively with NaHCO3-Pi (R2 = 0.59), NaOH-Pi (R2 = 0.53) and total extractable P (R2 = 0.50), while Crotalaria P uptake correlate positively with NaHCO3-Pi (R2 = 0.50) at 4 WAI. Maize grain yield and P uptake did not correlate with any of the P fractions. However, when PR was applied with plant residues, maize P uptake was positively correlated with resin P (R2 = 0.53) while Crotalaria dry matter (R2 = 0.60) and P uptake (R2 = 0.49) correlate positively with NaOH-Po at 4 WAI. Application of PR alone did not affect yields and P uptakes of Crotalaria and maize crops. Compared with the control without residues, Crotalaria dry matter production and P uptake increased significantly when residues were applied. Interaction effects between PR and Leucaena and rice straw residues on Crotalaria dry matter production and P uptake was significant. Interaction effects between PR and plant residues on maize yield and P uptake were not significant. Our results suggest that combined application of PR with selected plant residues may enhance P dissolution from PR and improve crop performance in some cases.
ASSESSMENT OF YIELD CRITERIA IN BREAD WHEAT THROUGH CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS

The study was conducted at wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2006-2008. Significant genotypic differences were existed among the genotypes. Correlation coefficients were computed for grain yield plant -1 , tillers plant -1 , spikelets spike -1 , 1000 grain weight, spike length, days to heading, days to maturity and plant height from the F1 crosses developed from four lines and three testers including their parents. The results revealed that grain yield plant -1 was positively and significantly correlated with number of tillers plant -1 and days to maturity at genotypic level but non- significantly correlated at phenotypic level. Days to maturity had positive genotypic correlation with grain yield plant -1 , number of tillers plant -1 and 1000-grain weight. Days to maturity and tillers plant -1 had positive direct effect on grain yield plant -1 also. Therefore, more days to maturity and more tillers plant -1 would be important selection criteria for improved grain yield plant -1 in the breeding material studied.
Effect of applied benzyladenine on endogenous cytokinin content during the early stages of bud development of kiwifruit

A short-term study linked directly to our previous long-term experiments was conducted to clarify whether or not benzyladenine (BA) acts directly or through endogenous cytokinins in the development of kiwifruit explants. The uptake and metabolism of BA were characterized in kiwifruit explants after 0.5, 1, 2, 8 and 16 h exposure to 8-[ 14 C]BA on both solidified and liquid Murashige and Skoog media. Endogenous cytokinins were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using polyclonal antibodies. The kinetics of BA uptake by explants cultured under these conditions were different, being higher in explants cultured in liquid medium. The glucosylation rate of BA was faster in explants cultured on solid medium. The levels of active forms of BA (BA and [9R]BA) were higher in explants cultured on liquid medium due to its higher uptake and lower glucosylation. The levels of zeatin-type cytokinins were influenced by the culture conditions. A direct correlation was observed between morphogenic response and proportion of active forms of BA, but not with zeatin-type cytokinins.
Kampo Medicine for Various Aging-Related Symptoms: A Review of Geriatric Syndrome

With the continued growth of the aging population in Japan, geriatric syndrome (GS), which is associated with aging-related symptoms, has become a social problem. GS is caused by physiological and pathological aging and may manifest various symptoms. Physicians use multidisciplinary approaches to provide treatment for individual GS symptoms. Kampo medicine, a Japanese traditional medicine that uses multiple pharmacologically active substances, is useful for many syndromes, conditions, disorders, and diseases associated with GS. Evidence of the effectiveness of Kampo medicine for GS has accumulated in recent years. The effects of Kampo treatment for symptoms related to functional decline of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems, cognitive impairment and related disorders, pain and other sensory issues, among others, support the use of Kampo medicine for the management of GS. The role of Kampo medicine for GS is summarized in this review.
Relationship between Photosynthesis and Plasmalemma Transport

Hansen, U. -P., Kolbowski, J. and Dau, H. 1987. Relationship between photosynthesis and plasmalemma transport. —J. exp. Bot. 38: 1965-1981. The yield of chlorophyll-fluorescence (F), of oxygen evolution (PAS, photo-acoustic signal) and the light-induced changes of plasmalemma potential (V) were measured in the presence of red (633 nm) background light with blue or far-red (720 nm) sinusoidally modulated actinic light. The kinetic study based on curve-fitting of the measured frequency responses led to the following: the response of chlorophyll-fluorescence (F) to blue actinic light comprises four time-constants located at 2-7,50,400 and 4000 s. Membrane potential (V) displays five time-constants: 21, 50, 160 + 330^/-1, 4000 s. These time-constants were assigned to the reactions involved as follows: from the comparison of the effects of blue and far-red actinic light the time-constants of 2-7 s and 400 s were related to the plastoquinone pool and to the state-transition controller. The time-constant of 4000 s was not investigated. The complex time-constants of V are known to be related to the controller of cytoplasmic pH from previous studies. The time-constant of 50 s was common to V, F, and PAS. From the sign of the 50 s component in F and in *> 4S (gE-component), the following model of the light action on membrane transport was developed: the uptake of protons into the inner space of the thylakoids causes an alkalinization of the cytoplasm which slows down the plasmalemma H+-pump via a substrate effect. Key words—Chlorophyll-fluorescence, frequency responses, kinetic analysis, plasmalemma potential, photo-acoustic effect, proton flux, spinach, state-transitions, thylakoid membrane, time-constants. Correspondence to: Institut fur Angewandte Physik, Neue Universitat, Haus N61a, D-2300 Kiel, F.R. G.
Implementing a national routine genetic evaluation for milk fat compositions as first step towards genomic predictions

Currently the Walloon Region of Belgium is one of the first regions in the World where mid-infra red (MIR) spectral data is recorded in routine for nearly all cows under milk recording. Based on this data, in some herds collected since 2007, saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents in milk are predicted for each test-day. Together with correlated traits as milk, fat and protein yields, estimated breeding values (EBV) are now computed in routine for SFA and MUFA starting in June 2012. A total of 499 821, 392 255, 277 465 fatty acid records were available in first, second and third lactation for this run. A restricted selection index, called NQI (nutritional quality index) was developed that puts a negative weight on SFA, a positive weight on MUFA and restricts changes in milk and fat yields to zero. By using this index for a constant fat content, milk fat will be selected to be less saturated with a high contribution from MUFA. Based on this system a single-step genomic evaluation is under development including the introduction of MACE breeding values for correlated traits. The final step is to offer for owners of genotyped animals, a service to provide them with genomically enhanced NQI. Similar systems are under development in Wallonia for other novel traits (e.g., methane emissions) based on the ability to predict them from MIR spectral data.