Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Swamp Rabbit Distribution on the Northern Edge of their Range in Missouri

Abstract Sylvilagus aquaticus (Swamp Rabbit) is an imperiled species in Missouri that inhabits highly fragmented bottomland forested habitats in the southeastern portion of the state. Between 2010 and 2012, we conducted repeated, extensive presence—absence winterlatrine surveys in 15 counties to document their distribution. We compared our results to those of 2 previous winter-latrine surveys (2001–2002 and 1991–1992) conducted at the same sites. In addition, we used the Program MARK to estimate detection probability and site occupancy, and evaluate the influence of survey-site size on detectability and occupancy, and temperature at the time of the survey on detectability. We located 264 of 278 survey sites that were first surveyed in 1991, but could only survey 211. We detected Swamp Rabbits at 144 of 211 sites in 12 counties yielding a naïve occupancy estimate of 0.68. This estimate was higher than reported by both previous surveys: 0.53 in 2001–2002 and 0.40 in 1991–1992. Using occupancy modeling for the 2010–2012 survey, the estimated detection probability was 0.89 (SE = 0.02) and site occupancy was 0.70 (SE = 0.03). As expected, the size of a survey site influenced both detectability of and occupancy by Swamp Rabbits, and temperature influenced detectability. As the size of a site increased, both detectability and occupancy increased, and detectability increased as temperature decreased. Swamp Rabbits continue to occur in 13 counties and occupy fragmented, sometimes isolated blocks of bottomland forested habitat across the Mississippi River Alluvial Basin and along some Ozark Highlands streams.
Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of click beetle Agriotes hirayamai (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Abstract In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of click beetle Agriotes hirayamai (GenBank accession no. MG728108) was obtained using next-generation sequencing (NGS) method. The complete mitochondrial genome of A. hirayamai is 16,156 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs and a control region. The gene arrangement is consistent with the typical insect mitochondrial genome. Maximum likelihood tree shows that the newly sequenced A. hirayamai cluster with other two sampled species of Agriotes and the family Elateridae is monophyletic.
Autonomous Six-Degree-of-Freedom Spacecraft Docking Maneuvers via Reinforcement Learning

A policy for six-degree-of-freedom docking maneuvers is developed through reinforcement learning and implemented as a feedback control law. Reinforcement learning provides a potential framework for robust, autonomous maneuvers in uncertain environments with low on-board computational cost. Specifically, proximal policy optimization is used to produce a docking policy that is valid over a portion of the six-degree-of-freedom state-space while striving to minimize performance and control costs. Experiments using the simulated Apollo transposition and docking maneuver exhibit the policy's capabilities and provide a comparison with standard optimal control techniques. Furthermore, specific challenges and work-arounds, as well as a discussion on the benefits and disadvantages of reinforcement learning for docking policies, are discussed to facilitate future research. As such, this work will serve as a foundation for further investigation of learning-based control laws for spacecraft proximity operations in uncertain environments.
Diversity of the green algal genus Spirogyra (Conjugatophyceae) in the Hawaiian Islands

Abstract: Identification of species in the green algal genus Spirogyra is complicated by cryptic morphological diversity, seasonality of critical features of sexual reproduction necessary for morphological identification, the presence of polyploid species groups and a lack of molecular sequence data tied to authentic specimens. Yet the prevalence and importance of these species in freshwater ecosystems drives researchers to advance knowledge of this lineage in various regions around the world. In this study, 180 specimens of Spirogyra from five different Hawaiian Islands were collected and analysed using both morphological and molecular approaches. Comparisons to published data on the genus were also performed to determine the species identification and to estimate the number of unique species in the Hawaiian Islands. Phylogenetic analyses of the rbcL marker revealed 16 clusters of Hawaiian Spirogyra specimens, of which eight were unique to the Hawaiian Islands and recognised as putative endemics, and five were confidently named to species with taxonomic names from other parts of the world (S. communis, S. fluviatilis, S. maxima, S. setiformis and S. submaxima). Ten clusters of Hawaiian Spirogyra were revealed in the SSU phylogenetic analyses, of which only one was unique to the Hawaiian Islands; interpretation of the SSU results was limited to assessment of molecular diversity due to a paucity of named reference sequences. A DNA bar-coding approach was used to examine species boundaries and identification for the Hawaiian Spirogyra specimens with the UPA marker, resulting in 27 unique haplotypes, the vast majority of which were from Hawai'i. Five single-locus species delimitation methods were compared within the different marker data sets to explore congruence in interpretation of species boundaries, and although the number of estimated species varied by method, clusters of specimens were identified based on consensus of these results as well as tree topology and identification criteria used in previous publications. This study revealed a remarkable level of genus-level diversity for Hawaiian Spirogyra, which may be interpreted cautiously as potential endemism for this widespread genus of common freshwater green algae, and which emphasises the importance of continued support for survey-style research into biological diversity of distinct regions.
Continental-scale patterns of extracellular enzyme activity in the subsoil: an overlooked reservoir of microbial activity

Chemical stabilization of microbial-derived products such as extracellular enzymes (EE) onto mineral surfaces has gained attention as a possibly important mechanism leading to the persistence of soil organic carbon (SOC). While the controls on EE activities and their stabilization in the surface soil are reasonably well-understood, how these activities change with soil depth and possibly diverge from those at the soil surface due to distinct physical, chemical, and biotic conditions remains unclear. We assessed EE activity to a depth of 1 m (10 cm increments) in 19 soil profiles across the Critical Zone Observatory Network, which represents a wide range of climates, soil orders, and vegetation types. For all EEs, activities per mass of soil correlated positively with microbial biomass (MB) and SOC, and all three of these variables decreased logarithmically with depth (p < 0.05). Across all sites, over half of the potential EE activities per mass soil consistently occurred below 20 cm for all measured EEs. Activities per unit MB or SOC were substantially higher at depth (soils below 20 cm accounted for 80% of whole-profile EE activity), suggesting an accumulation of stabilized (i.e. mineral sorbed) EEs in subsoil horizons. The pronounced enzyme stabilization in subsurface horizons was corroborated by mixed-effects models that showed a significant, positive relationship between clay concentration and MB-normalized EE activities in the subsoil. Furthermore, the negative relationships between soil C, N, and P and C-, N-, and P-acquiring EEs found in the surface soil decoupled below 20 cm, which could have also been caused by EE stabilization. This finding suggests that EEs may not reflect soil nutrient availabilities deeper in the soil profile. Taken together, our results suggest that deeper soil horizons hold a significant reservoir of EEs, and that the controls of subsoil EEs differ from their surface soil counterparts.
Effects of Snow Grain Shape and Mixing State of Snow Impurity on Retrieval of Snow Physical Parameters From Ground‐Based Optical Instrument

We proposed new snow grain model and snow impurity mixture models for the purpose of accurate retrievals of snow grain size and concentration of light‐absorbing particles (LAP) in snow from the optical remote sensing data. Two kinds of ice crystal models, irregularly shaped Voronoi columns, and Voronoi aggregates were employed. LAP can be captured by the snow through two processes: dry and wet deposition. Two different snow impurity mixture models were proposed. One is an external mixture model. We employed a coated sphere model in which soot were hydrophilic particles to represent a hygroscopic property of aerosol and assumed the hydrophilic soot particles to be externally mixed with snow particles. The other is an internal mixture model. We employed a dynamic effective medium approximation method in which soot particles were randomly located within snow particle with any size distribution and number concentration. Validation of these models is conducted using a ground‐based spectral radiometer system with in situ measurement data. For snow grain size retrievals, a Voronoi mixture model seamlessly representing a geometrical shape and an optical properties of various snow types can provide accurate retrievals. For the retrieval of LAP concentration in snow, employing different mixing state models depending on season and measurement site gives accurate results. We also discussed the uncertainty of retrieved snow parameters on the surface slope involved in the retrieval accuracy. These models are expected to be useful for advanced airborne/satellite remote sensing and climate studies via radiative transfer modeling in the atmosphere‐snow system.
Affirmative action policy: Inclusion, exclusion, and the global public good

Social inclusion policy in higher education—also referenced as affirmative action, reservations, schedules, or antidiscrimination—has been used widely to promote equity and access for minority and historically discriminated subgroups who wish to participate in tertiary education. Inclusion is often protected de jure through a country’s constitution. Even so, the effects of the legislation vary according to the context within which it was instituted. This article offers a comparative review of the historical and legal evolution of social inclusion in higher education in Brazil, India, South Africa, and the United States and the educational outcomes created by systems of social inclusion around the world. The development and impacts of these policies are discussed within the frameworks of social inclusion and critical legal studies to suggest that social inclusion policy links higher education to its place.
Spoof surface plasmon polaritons based microwave bandpass filter

Recently, Plasmonics and metamaterials have been receiving consideration. Spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) are a type of electromagnetic surface wave that to a certain limit shares an analogous behavior with surface plasmon polariton (SPP) at microwave frequency domain. The significant point is that the dispersion relation of SSPP is principally controlled by the geometry of the pattern using plasmonic metamaterial. The motivation behind this work is to explore and implement the subwavelength propagation or nanoconfinement of wave beyond the diffraction limit using plasmonic metamaterial‐inspired SSPP structure in the microwave frequency domain. In this article, the conventional symmetric H‐shaped unit cell is modified into a new unit cell. Using this modified unit cell, a new SSPP structure is designed which provides broadband bandpass filter (BPF) characteristics. The measurement shows the passband of BPF is 1.2 to 6.0 GHz with insertion loss less than 2 dB. The size of the fabricated SSPP BPF is 26 × 4 cm.
Molecular Interaction of Polymer Dextran in Sodium Hydroxide through Evaluation of Thermo Acoustic Parameters

Aim: To find out the molecular interaction of solute dextran of different concentration with sodium hydroxide as a solvent. Materials: Dextran of molecular weight 70000 dalton and aqueous 1(N) Sodium hydroxide. Methods: To Measure the density by specific gravity bottle, Viscosity by Ostwald’s viscometer and ultrasonic velocity through ultrasonic interferometer of the solution and to calculate the thermo acoustical parameters using the measured parameters. Results: Ultrasonic wave propagation affects the physical properties of the medium and hence furnishes information on the physics of liquid and solution. I have used the measured parameters, like ultrasonic velocity, density, viscosity and evaluated parameters to understand the solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions in the solution containing dextran with sodium hydroxide. Conclusion: The effect of frequency on thermo acoustical parameters had been studied. From the above studies, the nature of forces between molecules such as hydrogen bonds, charge transfer complexes, breaking of hydrogen bonds and complexes had been interpreted. Intermolecular forces (electrostatic forces between charged particles of a permanent dipole and an induced dipole molecules) are weak. Structural characteristics of the components arising from geometrical fitting of one molecules in to another due to the difference in shape and size of the molecules. In the present study ultrasonic velocity (U), viscosity (η) and density (ρ) have been measured at temperature 308 K in the solution of sodium hydroxide with polymer dextran in the concentration range 0.1% to 1 % at four different frequencies i.e. 1 MHz, 5 MHz, 9 MHz and 12 MHz using ultrasonic interferometer. The measured values of ultrasonic velocity (U), viscosity (η) and density (ρ) have been used to calculate the thermoacoustic parameters namely free volume (Vf), internal pressure (πi), attenuation coefficient /absorption coefficient (α), Rao’s constant (R) and Wada’s constant (W) etc, These acoustical parameters are highly essential in studying various types of molecular interactions in liquid solution and provide qualitative information regarding the physical nature and quality of the molecular interaction in binary mixture dextran 1(N) sodium hydroxide. The molecular interactions like electrostriction, acceptor-donor association, dipole-dipole association and hydrogen bonding have been analyzed based on these parameters. Molecular interactions provide an understanding of the fundamental problems concerned with the mechanism of chemical and biochemical catalysis and the paths of the chemical reaction.
Effect of electrode spacing on the performance of microbial fuel cells with a honeycomb flow straightener

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical transducers that can be used to produce electrical power under the activity of microbes during the wastewater treatment processes. In the present study, the electrode spacing was considered as a parameter to investigate the influence on the performance of MFCs. The electrode spacing was defined as the distance of the anode electrode plate to the polymer exchange membrane in the MFCs. Three values were set at 0.0, 3.0, and 6.0 cm, respectively. In addition, a flow device, like a honeycomb type flow straightener, was introduced and implemented in the anode chamber for creating a uniform flow. The inner diameter of the honeycomb was 0.7 cm. Results showed that a higher limiting current density with 4108.7 mA/m2 and a lower resistance with 2.51 Ω can be found in the case of the 0.0 cm electrode spacing. These results also indicated that the shorter electrode spacing with flow straightener devices would improve the performance of MFCs, leading to lower internal resistance and higher power density. In addition, the scanning electron microscopy was employed to analyze the biofilm thickness for MFCs with different electrode spacing. It was also found that the biofilm thickness with 0 cm electrode spacing was larger than the other two cases, leading to a lower internal resistance in the MFCs.
A lightweight authentication and key exchange mechanism for IPv6 over low‐power wireless personal area networks‐based Internet of things

The authentication mechanism in IPv6 over low‐power wireless personal area networks (6LoWPAN) uses media access control identifier and IPv6 address. The traditional wireless sensor network considers three‐factor authentication mechanism. These factors, namely, username, password, and biometric create a huge overhead in Internet of things due to resource‐constraint devices in terms of low memory and processing capabilities. In this article, we propose a lightweight key exchange and authentication scheme for 6LoWPAN to efficiently authenticate the resource‐constraint sensor devices. The proposed scheme uses hash‐based approaches in the setup and registration phase to reduce the computational cost and resource consumption overhead. The analytical results over the automated validation of internet security protocols and applications and ProVerif tools validate the security claim of the proposed scheme against threats like replay and man‐in‐the‐middle attack. Furthermore, we analyze the logic correctness of the proposed authentication scheme using Burrows‐Abadi‐Needham logic.
Rebuilding trust: sustainability and non-financial reporting and the European Union regulation

Purpose This paper introduces the special issue “Rebuilding trust: Sustainability and non-financial reporting, and the European Union regulation”. Inspired by the studies published in the special issue, this study aims to examine the concept of accountability within the context of the European Union (EU) Directive on non-financial disclosure (hereafter the EU Directive) to offer a critique and a novel perspective for future research into mandatory non-financial reporting (NFR) and to advance future practice and policy. Design/methodology/approach The authors review the papers published in this special issue and other contemporary studies on the topic of NFR and the EU Directive. Findings Accountability is a fundamental concept for building trust in the corporate reporting context and emerges as a common topic linking contemporary studies on the EU Directive. While the EU Directive acknowledges the role of accountability in the reporting practice, this study argues that regulation and practice on NFR needs to move away from an accounting-based conception of accountability to promote accountability-based accounting practices (Dillard and Vinnari, 2019). By analysing the links between trust, accountability and accounting and reporting, the authors claim the need to examine and rethink the inscription of interests into non-financial information (NFI) and its materiality. Hence, this study encourages research and practice to broaden mandatory NFR practice over the traditional boundaries of accountability, reporting and formal accounting systems. Research limitations/implications Considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, this study calls for further research to investigate the dialogical accountability underpinning NFR in practice to avoid the trap of focusing on accounting changes regardless of accountability. The authors advocate that what is needed is more timely NFI that develops a dialogue between companies, investors, national regulators, the EU and civil society, not more untimely standalone reporting that has most likely lost its relevance and materiality by the time it is issued to users. Originality/value By highlighting accountability issues in the context of mandatory NFR and its linkages with trust, this study lays out a case for moving the focus of research and practice from accounting-based regulations towards accountability-driven accounting change.
Electrical characterization of near-interface traps in thermally oxidized and NO-annealed SiO2/4H-SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors

Conductance method and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements are used to detect and analyze the characteristics of traps in thermally oxidized and NO-annealed SiO2/4 H-SiC-based metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures, which have energy levels near the conduction band edge (EC) of 4 H-SiC. The near-interface traps (NITs) located within SiO2 near the SiO2/4 H-SiC interface, which have a strong effect on the mobility and reliability of the MOS devices, are separated from the interface traps. According to the bias state of the MOS capacitors, two types of electron exchange mechanisms between the energy level of NITs and EC of 4 H-SiC are proposed. The influence of NITs on the (C-V) and conductance characteristics of the MOS capacitors is studied. The possible effect of NITs on the performance of electronic devices containing a MOS capacitor is predicted.
Studies of Somatic Embryogenesis of Stevia Rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni and Clonal Fidelity of Regenerated Plants

Stevia rebaudiana (family Asteracea) is an important medicinal plant mainly known for its noncaloric natural sweetness. The present study was focused on the studies of somatic embryogenesis of S. rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni and testing the clonal fidelity of regenerated plants. Multiplication of cultures was done by culturing microshoots of Stevia rebaudiana on MS medium supplemented with 10. 0μM Silver nitrate (AgNO3) for obtaining expanded leaves. Effect of different concentration and combinations of 2,4-D, NAA and BA on shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis was evaluated. MS medium supplemented with PGR concentration (1μM 2,4-D and 5μM NAA) showed maximum (94.44%) explant differentiating into somatic embryos. Different concentration and combination of BA and NAA was tested for shoot organogenesis and MS medium with 1μM BA showed highest (66.67%) percent of shoot organogenesis. The developed embryo like structure were further analyzed through histological and Scanning Electron microscopic (SEM) studies. Histology studies revealed the epidermis layer with actively dividing meristematic pockets and SEM studies revealed different development stages of embryos like globular, heart, torpedo shape of embryos as well. Regenerated plantlets from somatic embryos were checked for any somaclonal variations using PCR based molecular marker such as RAPD and ISSR. The regenerated shoots were found true to type.
IntroMap: A Pipeline and Set of Diagnostic Diploid Arachis SNPs as a Tool for Mapping Alien Introgressions in Arachis hypogaea

ABSTRACT For crops with a narrow cultivated genetic base, incorporating beneficial alleles from related species through alien introgression widens the genetic base and provides key resistances to disease and abiotic stresses. Fine mapping of these introgressions can increase the efficiency of marker-assisted selection for breeding programs. To facilitate high resolution fine mapping of alien introgressions, we developed an automated pipeline, IntroMap. This pipeline was developed with accessibility and utility in mind, and does not present novel mapping algorithms. Using five diploid wild Arachis species, we identified diagnostic SNP sets for introgression mapping in Arachis hypogaea, cultivated peanut. IntroMap has applicability in all crops where alien introgression is used to bring in beneficial alleles from related species, so the pipeline includes an option to generate new diagnostic SNPs from any species/accession of interest for use in the pipeline. These user generated resources will be included f.