Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distance from the edge of forest fragments influence the abundance of aphidophagous hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in wheat fields

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the distance from the edge of native forests on the abundance of aphidophagous hoverflies in wheat fields. The study was conducted in four commercial fields in the North of Parana State, Brazil, during the wheat crop season of 2009. Two transects were surveyed parallel to the edge of the forest at two distances: 25 ("near") and 525 meters ("far") from the edge. The abundance of hoverflies was compared using a χ 2 test (p ≤ 0.05). In total, 1,845 hoverflies adults were collected, which represented 15 species and three genera. The most abundant species was Allograpta exotica (60.43%), followed by Toxomerus dispar (17.78%) and Toxomerus watsoni (7.26%) (Diptera: Syrphidae). An important inference was that all fields showed a higher abundance of aphidophagous hoverflies closer to the edge of the forest (25 m) during the wheat tillering stage. The initial abundance of aphidophagous hoverflies in wheat fields is likely greater near the edge because of the availability of resources in the surrounding forest that enhance hoverfly survival during periods of low aphid infestation.
Protection of natural resources through a sacred prohibition: The rahui on Rapa iti

The management of natural resources implies conceptions of ownership and property that provide precious information on the way a society perceives itself. Established moralities on the matter are sometimes sustained by a sacredness that reinforces the values and principles at stake. In the case of ideological and environmental change, the sacred conceptions most of the time adjust to new circumstances and become part of the cultural dynamics. An invisible and superior force, associated with the past and the ancestors, legitimates the new social order.1 Therefore, compliance with sacred models can ensure protection in the present life. In this essay, I address how these representations can be mobilised to enforce a new set of rules and a set of associated practices defined as ‘good’ for the whole community. Interestingly, although in the Polynesian society studied here these representations refer to a pre-European past, they are today expressed through the medium of the adopted Christian religion. This hybrid
Block matching and Wiener filtering approach to optical turbulence mitigation and its application to simulated and real imagery with quantitative error analysis

Abstract. We present a block-matching and Wiener filtering approach to atmospheric turbulence mitigation for long-range imaging of extended scenes. We evaluate the proposed method, along with some benchmark methods, using simulated and real-image sequences. The simulated data are generated with a simulation tool developed by one of the authors. These data provide objective truth and allow for quantitative error analysis. The proposed turbulence mitigation method takes a sequence of short-exposure frames of a static scene and outputs a single restored image. A block-matching registration algorithm is used to provide geometric correction for each of the individual input frames. The registered frames are then averaged, and the average image is processed with a Wiener filter to provide deconvolution. An important aspect of the proposed method lies in how we model the degradation point spread function (PSF) for the purposes of Wiener filtering. We use a parametric model that takes into account the level of geometric correction achieved during image registration. This is unlike any method we are aware of in the literature. By matching the PSF to the level of registration in this way, the Wiener filter is able to fully exploit the reduced blurring achieved by registration. We also describe a method for estimating the atmospheric coherence diameter (or Fried parameter) from the estimated motion vectors. We provide a detailed performance analysis that illustrates how the key tuning parameters impact system performance. The proposed method is relatively simple computationally, yet it has excellent performance in comparison with state-of-the-art benchmark methods in our study.
Transportation Course of Macromolecules to the Nucleus from the Extracellular Environment: Steroid Hormones’ Cellular Entry Mode Revisited

Polyomavirus virions such as simian virus 40 (SV40), antinuclear antibodies such as immunoglobulin G (IgG) and steroid hormones all enter the nucleus from the extracellular environment. Testosterone-bovine serum albumin conjugate labeled with 2 nm colloidal gold (testosterone-BSA-gold) is taken up by endocytosis into target cells, and enter the nucleus through a similar route as SV40 nuclear migration. Upon injection into the vascular system of rats, IgG coupled with hydrocortisone also enters the hormone-target cell nuclei with intact antigenicity. These results suggest that steroid hormones could act as transporters to deliver exogenous macromolecules, e.g. drugs, into their target cell nuclei in vivo, although further studies are required on whether steroid hormones coupled with proteins exert genomic actions in the nucleus, etc. Finally, testosterone-BSA-gold seems to be isolated from the cytosol in the processes of nuclear entry. Together, these findings challenge the popular belief that steroid hormones mostly enter the cell in unbound form via uncontrolled passive diffusion.
The Use of Mel Cepstral Coefficients and Markov Models for the Automatic Identification, Classification and Sequence Modelling of Salient Sound Events Occurring During Tennis Matches

Some significant events in sports matches occur too quickly to be detected by conventional video. Audio signals, normally sampled at a much higher rate, provide a way to detect such short events. Here, we employ methods used in automatic speech recognition ‐ templates of Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) over several adjacent time windows, with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) ‐ to identify and classify sound events : different tennis strokes, ball bounces, echos, speech and applause, occurring during tennis matches. Excellent success rates were achieved for both event detection ( 97.74 %) and correct classification (on average 98.64 % across all classes) of 1504 sound events in the available recordings. The successful classification rate varied between classes but no class had a success rate below 94%. This could be valuable to spectators, officials and coaches in tennis and other sports ‐ including cricket, baseball and golf ‐ or to make video games (such as the Nintendo Wii) more realistic.
A Markov-Switching Vector Error Correction Model of the Indian Stock Prices and Trading Volume

Using weekly data from the Indian stock markets, the relationship between stock price and trading volume at an aggregated market level are examined using a Markov Switching-Vector Error Correction Model (MS-VECM), where deviations from the long run equilibrium are characterized by different rates of adjustment depending on the state of a hidden Markov chain. The long run dynamics are characterized by one co integrating vector relating the price to trading volume. We find stock price is weakly exogenous. The MS-VECM with two regimes provides a good characterization of the Indian stock market and performs well relative to other linear and nonlinear models. The two regimes are well identified as the first regime of high volatility and the second regime of modest volatility. The regime with high volatility is found to be associated with important local and international events (social, economic, & political) affecting the Indian Stock market.
Evolutionary dynamics of Cucurbita argyrosperma from the Mesoamerican domestication center using SSR molecular markers.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the evolutionary dynamics of the wild-weedy-domestic gene pool of Cucurbita argyrosperma squash by estimating the levels of genetic diversity and gene flow in the putative area of its domestication. Nine populations were collected, and DNA was extracted from young leaves harvested separately from approximately 20 individuals in each population. The DNA fragments were amplified with eight pairs of SSR primers and separated by electrophoresis in 5% denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Genetic diversity and the amount of gene flow were estimated in the populations, and Bayesian grouping was used to determine the levels of gene infiltration and probability of ancestry. The ethnobotanical exploration indicated that the evolutionary dynamics in the area occurred under five different ecological scenarios. Eighty-seven alleles with 75% to 100% polymorphic loci were identified. The greater genetic diversity in the weedy-domestic populations may have been the product of recombination due to the high gene flow between these populations promoted by pollinators and human selection. There is high gene flow between the wild and cultivated populations of C. argyrosperma in its domestication centre, highlighting the importance of conserving and maintaining these genetic resources.
Energy Deposition Studies for Possible Innovative Phase II Collimator Designs

Due to the known limitations of Phase I LHC collimators in stable physics conditions, the LHC collimation system will be complemented by additional 30 Phase II collimators. The Phase II collimation system is designed to improve cleaning efficiency and to minimize the collimator-induced impedance with the main function of protecting the Super Conducting (SC) magnets from quenching due to beam particle losses. To fulfil these requirements, different possible innovative collimation designs were taken in consideration. Advanced jaw materials, including new composite materials (e.g. Cu–Diamond), jaw SiC insertions, coating foil, in-jaw instrumentation (e.g. BPM) and improved mechanical robustness of the jaw are the main features of these new promising Phase II collimator designs developed at CERN. The FLUKA Monte Carlo code is extensively used to evaluate the behavior of these collimators in the most radioactive areas of LHC, supporting the mechanical integration. These studies aim to identify the possible critical points along the IR7 line.
A Novel Potentiometric Sensor for the Determination of Nimesulide

A novel electrochemical sensor has been developed for the determination of nimesulide. The sensor is based on the NIM- molybdophosphoric acid (MPA) as the electroactive material in PVC matrix in presence of bis(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (BEP) as a plasticizer. The sensor showed a fast, stable, near Nernstian response for 1 × 10 -2 –1 × 10 -6 M NIM over the pH range 5 – 8 with a slope 55.6 ±0.5m V/decade and the response time is < 45 s. Selectivity coefficient data for some common ions show negligible interferences. The sensor was successfully applied for the determination of NIM in tablet and the results obtained are in good agreement with those obtained by the official method.
Relationship between age and intensive care unit-acquired bloodstream infections in infectious disease patients in Croatia.

INTRODUCTION Intensive care unit-acquired bloodstream infections (ICU-BSI) belong to the most important nosocomial infections. Since there is scarce data available on their relationship with older age, we performed this study to estimate the age-related incidence of ICU-BSI and the odds of acquiring ICU-BSI in elderly critically ill infectious disease patients. METHODOLOGY A retrospective observational analysis of prospectively collected demographic and clinical data of adult mechanically ventilated infectious disease patients, treated in a teaching hospital in Croatia between 1994 and 2008, using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Of the 1,093 included patients, 509 (46.6%) were ≥ 65 years old, among 256 (23.4%) of whom a total of 353 ICU-BSI episodes were recorded. No significant difference among ICU-BSI causative microorganisms between the observed age groups was found (P = 0.4940). The rate of patients with ICU-BSI was higher among elderly ones (26.1 vs. 21.1%, P = 0.048), and elderly patients used the ICU facilities (ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and central venous catheter [CVC] use) significantly longer (P < 0.05). However, older age was not positively related with the development of ICU-BSI (OR 0.99, 95% CI: 0.71-1.38); as opposed to the duration of CVC use (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.07-1.10). CONCLUSION It seems that among adult mechanically ventilated infectious disease patients, borderline significantly higher rate of ICU-BSI among those aged ≥ 65 years was related to longer use of ICU facilities, rather than to their older age itself. The duration of CVC use was identified as the only factor positively related to the development of ICU-BSI.
BOAR SEMEN EVALUATION USING CASA AND ITS RELATION TO FERTILITY

Summary For artificial insemination in sow, using optimal dose of spermatozoa is crucial. Dilution rate of raw semen can be established based on various parameters, best characterized using CASA. In this paper, CASA is used for evaluation of younger and adult boar semen, in relation to subsequent fertility and also, for emphasizing special sperm features such as hyperactivation or presence of sperm subpopulations. Based on our findings, we conclude that CASA system provides accurate data for semen evaluation, concerning motility and velocity parameters; also it can be established if semen is hyperactivated or not. The analyzed semen parameters, at least in the frame of this paper, do not support a differentiation of semen subpopulations. Semen parameters described using CASA can serve as predictive values for fertility parameters, such as conception rate and litter size.
SD2DS-Based Anonymous Datastore for IoT Solutions

In this paper the architecture of the cloud datastore supporting the data anonymity, which especially would be suitable for IoT systems, is presented. The modern IoT systems gather more and more data. Storing of those data may be a huge challenge because of the growing number of sensors and the resolutions of sensors themselves. Cloud storages are great solution that can face that problem. On the other hand, the data stored by IoT systems are often very confidential and in many cases third-party company should not be involved in gathering and processing them.
Effect of Suspended Particles on Disinfection of a Physicochemical Municipal Wastewater with Peracetic Acid

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of total suspended solids (TSS, which are claimed to be responsible for protecting embedded microorganisms) during disinfection of wastewater with peracetic acid (PAA). In particular, the focus was on a physicochemical effl uent, having been treated with ferric chloride for TSS and phosphorus removal. Batch disinfection tests with various PAA dosages and contact times were carried out on the effl uent from Montreal’s wastewater treatment plant which uses only chemical precipitation and primary sedimentation. In addition to these samples, disinfection of “medium” and “highly” fi ltered effl uents, obtained by sequential fi ltration through 120- and 10-μm nominal pore size membrane laboratory fi lters, was investigated. Modifi ed second-order and Selleck model kinetics were used with moderate success to describe disinfectant consumption and microbial inactivation rates, respectively. This study showed that the overall amount of protection afforded by TSS to the microbial indicator considered (i.e., fecal coliforms in this case) was approximately 1.9 logs. TSS size was a key variable in this protection; approximately 1.3 logs and an additional 0.6 logs was the protection afforded by TSS greater than 120 μm, and between 10 μm and 120 μm, respectively. Fecal coliform inactivation of 3.8 to 7.3 logs after 40 minutes contact time could be achieved with a PAA dosage of 2 or 8 mg/L, respectively, in a highly fi ltered effl uent.
Relationship between Levels of Student Alienation and Hemsehrilik Attitudes of University Students: A Study on Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University Students.

This research is aimed to reveal the relationships between students’ alienation levels and their “hemsehrilik” attitudes. However, it is examined whether students’ alienation levels and “hemsehrilik” attitudes differentiated with regards to various variables as gender, class, the number of sibling and parents’ home city in this research. The research was prepared at relational screening model. It was attended to 300 university students who studied at Kyrgyz Turkish Manas University in 2015-2016 academic year in spring term. Data were collected through “Student Alienation Scale” developed by Çağlar [1] and “University Students of Hemsehrilik Attitude Scale” developed by Öksüz [2] The analysis of data were used to mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage as well as independent samples of t test, one-way ANOVA and correlation analysis. It was found that university students’ alienation levels were affected by class and parents’ home city. Also, students’ hemsehrilik attitudes were affected by gender, parents’ home city and the number of sibling. However, it was not found a significant relation between students’ alienation level and “hemsehrilik” attitude.
A Pattern Language for Parallel Application Programming

Despite the best efforts of many researchers, the majority of programmers view parallel programming as too difficult to be practical. This is due in part to the fact that most research focuses on how concurrency in an algorithm is implemented rather than on the design of the parallel algorithm. For software development in general, the use of design patterns has emerged as an effective way to help programmers design high-quality software. To be most useful, patterns that work together to solve design problems are collected into structured hierarchical catalogs called pattern languages. A pattern language helps guide programmers through the whole process of application design and development. We believe that this approach can be usefully applied to parallel computing; that is, that we can make parallel programming attractive to generalpurpose professional programmers by providing them with a pattern language for parallel application programming. In this paper we provide an early look at our ongoing research into producing such a pattern language. We describe its overall structure, present a complete example of one of our patterns, and show how it can be used to develop a parallel global optimization application.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity among Newly Selected Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) Genotypes in Nigeria Using Rapd-Pcr Molecular Analysis

In order to assess the genetic diversity among Nigerian Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.), certain genetic and morphological markers were used to group the various accessions collected into distinct genotypes. Molecular characterisation was then conducted on the twenty newly selected genotypes (NGR-HS-001, NGR-HS-002, NGR-HS-003, NGR-HS-004, NGR-HS-005, NGR-HS-006, NGR-HS-007, NGR-HS-008, NGR-HS-009, NGR-HS-010, NGR-HS-011, NGR-HS-012, NGR-HS-013, NGR-HS-014, NGR-HS-015, NGR-HS-016, NGR-HS-017, NGR-HS-018, NGR-HS-019, and NGR-HS-020) of the Roselle (H. sabdariffa Linn.), using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) based techniques. The molecular characterisation was carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. Five RAPD primers i.e. OPH05, OPB17, OPT17, OPB11 and OPB04 were able to amplify 30 reproducible fragments of which 100 % were polymorphic, indicating that Nigerian Roselle accessions are genetically heterogeneous; it also showed that RAPD analysis is an effective molecular marker in detecting genetic diversity among different Roselle genotypes in Nigeria. All the primers gave a high genetic diversity and high polymorphic information contents, however, OPT17 gave the highest genetic diversity and polymorphic information content (0.79 and 0.78 respectively). The Dice Dissimilarity index for the calculation of distances among the roselle accessions revealed an interesting phenomenon because a clear divergence among the H. sabdariffa accessions was found. The dissimilarity index ranged from 0-1, which revealed a wide range of genetic identity. Dissimilarity coefficient of accession NGR-HS-017 was the highest (1.00); this accession was totally different or genetically distance from all the other accessions. In addition, a high dissimilarity index (1.00) was also obtained among some of the accessions; NGR-HS-018 was highly dissimilar from NGR-HS-002, NGR-HS-012 and NGR-HS-016. However, a quite number of the accessions showed moderately low to zero dissimilarity indices. It is therefore concluded that RAPD-PCR analysis provided very valuable means for determining relationships among H. sabdariffa accessions. Wide genetic variability observed among the Roselle accessions could be exploited in different breeding programs of the crop. Therefore, other DNA markers like SSR and RFLP should be used to ascertain these levels of relationships.
Successful Earners and Failing Others: Transnational Orientation as Biographical Resource in the Context of Labor Migration

The article discusses how post-2004 Polish immigrants in Great Britain narrate success and failure in their lives. It identifies and analyses inter-related narrations specific to the transnational form of migration. It considers migrants’ transnational orientation as a resource for narratively producing a successful biography. The article makes use of a biographical perspective and embeds the analysis in theories of biographical action, while adding new knowledge to the scholarship of migration. It argues that failure is relative to a normatively, locally fixed expectation of success.
Security and privacy perceptions of millennials (18-24) and non-millennials (36-50) on Facebook

Being socially active online is something most Millennials find themselves doing as they move towards adulthood. The non-Millennials today adapt more and more to this trend of being socially active online. The rising amount of data generated from social media´s, also labelled as big data, could result in new issues regarding privacy and security. The potential privacy and security risks of social networking sites (SNS) are often underestimated. Not a lot is understood of the privacy and security perceptions on Facebook in particular. This paper tries to examine whether there is a significant difference in perception between members of the ‘net-generation’ and non-members. Furthermore, the aim is to provide insight into the relationship between the privacy/security perceptions of the two age groups and their social media behavior. This study examines security, trust and privacy concerns with regard to Facebook. To do so, we conducted a survey-based study, in which we questioned two specific age groups.