Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A reassessment of the northeastern distribution of Rana dalmatina ( Bonaparte , 1840 )

The borders of species ranges have received considerable attention in recent years due to a reappraisal of their evolutionary potential and conservation value (e.g. Gibson, van der Marel and Starzomski, 2009). Contemporary emphasis on the significance of peripheral populations stems from two interrelated observations: (i) peripheral populations may contain more dispersive individuals (Parmesan, 2006), (ii) they possibly contain genotypes that are better suited to colonize new habitats because they already exist in conditions similar to those just outside the current range (e.g. Ficetola and De Bernardi, 2005; Hamilton and Eckert, 2007). The northern range margins of Palearctic species may be particularly important due to their response to projected poleward biome forcing as a result of global climate change (Williams, Jackson and Kutzbach, 2007; Gibson, van der Marel and Starzomski, 2009). Northward expansions are expected for a number of European amphibian and reptile species (Araújo, Thuiller and Pearson, 2006). Thus it is important and urgent to document the fine-scale distribution, habitat, life history and demography of peripheral populations. The agile frog, Rana dalmatina Bonaparte, 1840 is a widely distributed terrestrial ranid species in Europe. Its continuous range extends from the Atlantic Coast (with the exception of most of the Iberian Peninsula) to the Balkan Peninsula where it reaches its southern limits. The northernmost populations, located in Sweden, Denmark and central Germany, are outside of its continuous range (Gasc et al., 1997). The agile frog reaches its northeastern distribution limit in a few scattered populations in southeastern Poland (Błachuta and Jabłoński, 1986; Rafiński, Szymura and Smykla, 1987; Szymura, 1994, 2003; Szymura and Rafiński, 1997). These localities are situated north of the Western Carpathian Mountains, a prominent landscape feature in this part of Central Europe. The number of populations, abundance at individual sites and the precise distribution of the agile frog in this region are based on only a few localities (most recently summarized by Szymura, 2003); much of the original literature is not readily accessible to the wider herpetological community. Until the late 1980s the occurrence of R. dalmatina in Poland was controversial (Juszczyk, 1987). Only one observation was believed to be well documented and it was based on a museum sample from 1918 presumably collected near Wrocław (Borkin, 1977; Juszczyk, 1987). However, this locality has not been Herpetology Notes, volume 5: 345-354 (2012) (published online on 22 August 2012)
Sr/Ca and δ18O in a fast‐growing Diploria strigosa coral: Evaluation of a new climate archive for the tropical Atlantic

This study provides the first monthly resolved, 41‐year record of geochemical variations (δ18O and Sr/Ca) in a fast‐growing Diploria strigosa brain coral from Guadeloupe, Caribbean Sea. Linear regression yields a significant correlation of coral Sr/Ca (δ18O) with instrumental sea surface temperature (SST) on both monthly and mean annual scales (e.g., r = −0.59 for correlation between Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) SST and Sr/Ca, and r = −0.66 for δ18O; mean annual scale, p < 0.0001). The generated coral Sr/Ca (δ18O)‐SST calibration equations are consistent with each other and with published equations using other coral species from different regions. Moreover, a high correlation of coral Sr/Ca and δ18O with local air temperature on a mean annual scale (r = −0.78 for Sr/Ca; r = −0.73 for δ18O; p < 0.0001) demonstrates the applicability of geochemical proxies measured from Diploria strigosa corals as reliable recorders for interannual temperature variability. Both coral proxies are highly correlated with annual and seasonal mean time series of major SST indices in the northern tropical Atlantic (e.g., r = −0.71 for correlation between the index of North Tropical Atlantic SST anomaly and Sr/Ca, and r = −0.70 for δ18O; mean annual scale, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the coral proxies capture the impact of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation on the northern tropical Atlantic during boreal spring. Thus fast‐growing Diploria strigosa corals are a promising new archive for the Atlantic Ocean.
Use of LPS Extracts to Validate Phage Oligopeptide That Binds All Salmonella enterica Serovars

Phage Display technology provides a mechanism for us to make bio-recognition elements on biosensors for detection of Salmonella enterica serovars. In the procedure, the filamentous M13 bacteriophage is used for acquiring peptides that have a high affinity for the target recognition. Our approach in this study was to develop peptide structures in the pIII region of this thread-shaped virus. A phage pIII library was used to perform biopanning for the phage clones to bind the target Salmonella serovars. The clones were bound, washed, eluted and amplified four times. Then, the phage peptides were sequenced tested for specificity using ELISA procedures. In this project to make a biosensor for all relevant Salmonella enterica serovars, we used common LPS salmonellae antigens as targets in the biopanning procedure. This enabled us to have a phage probe specific for all serovars of Salmonella enterica excluding the typhoid organisms. The final phage was then immobilized onto an electromagnetic platform to complete the biosensor, which gives us the real-time ability to measure resonance changes that indicate mass loading. The mass loading is an indication of binding to the target cells. Our current data with an ELISA procedure show the phage probe’s high affinity for salmonellae, very low cross-reactivity with Escherichia coli, Shigella, and no cross-reactivity to Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The biosensor with the phage showed that the capture ability for Salmonella serovars is thirty times higher than the control sensor. This biosensor is a candidate for detection of Salmonella in food and other settings.
An Empirical Bargaining Model with Numbers Biases – A Study on Auto Loan Monthly Payments

This paper studies price bargaining when both parties are subject to perception biases with numbers. The empirical analysis focuses on the auto finance market in the U.S., using a large data set of 35 million auto loans. I observe that the scheduled monthly payments of auto loans bunch at $9and $0-ending digits, especially over $100 marks. The number of loans also increases from $1to $8-ending digits. It is especially intriguing that $9-ending loans carry a higher interest rate and $0-ending loans have a lower interest rate than loans ended at other digits. Motivated by these observations, I develop and estimate a Nash bargaining model that allows for number biases from both consumers and finance managers of auto dealers. Results suggest that both parties perceive a discontinuity between payments ending at $99 and $00, and a steeper slope for larger ending digits, in their payoff functions. Low income and minority consumers have a lower bargaining power than the others. This model can explain the phenomena of payments bunching and differential interest rates for loans with different ending digits. I use counterfactual to show that, counterintuitively, having number biases is beneficial in a bargaining setting. Consumers’ payments are reduced by $203 million in total and the aggregate payments of finance managers increased by $102 million because of own number biases. Another counterfactual quantifies the economic impact of imposing nondiscretionary markup compensation policies. I find that the payments of African American consumers will be lowered by $452-473 million and that of Hispanic consumers by $275-300 million in total.
Microscopic model for all optical switching in ferromagnets

The microscopic mechanism behind the all optical switching (AOS) in ferromagnets has triggered intense scientific debate. Here, the microscopic three-temperature model is utilized to describe AOS in a perpendicularly magnetized ferromagnetic Co/Pt system. We demonstrate that AOS in such a ferromagnet can be explained with the Inverse Faraday Effect (IFE). The influence of the strength and lifetime of the IFE induced field pulse on the switching process are investigated. We found that because of strong spin-orbit coupling, the minimal lifetime of the IFE needed to obtain switching is of the order of 0.1 ps, which is shorter than previously assumed. Moreover, spatial images of the domain pattern after AOS in Co/Pt, as well as their dependence on applying an opposite magnetic field, are qualitatively reproduced.
PR ] 1 1 O ct 2 01 8 The Skorokhod embedding problem for inhomogeneous diffusions

We solve the Skorokhod embedding problem for a class of stochastic processes satisfying an inhomogeneous stochastic differential equation (SDE) of the form dAt “ μpt, Atqdt ` σpt, AtqdWt. We provide sufficient conditions guaranteeing that for a given probability measure ν on R there exists a bounded stopping time τ and a real a such that the solution pAtq of the SDE with initial value a satisfies Aτ „ ν. We hereby distinguish the cases where pAtq is a solution of the SDE in a weak or strong sense. Our construction of embedding stopping stopping times is based on a solution of a fully coupled forward-backward SDE. We use the so-called method of decoupling fields for verifying that the FBSDE has a unique solution. Finally we sketch an algorithm for putting our theoretical construction into practice and illustrate it with a numerical experiment.
Continuous planning: an important aspect of agile and lean development

Continuous planning is a relatively new and not yet fully studied field of research, especially from the perspective of agile and lean development organisations. To augment the knowledge in this field, this article presents both a literature review and empirical findings from three case studies that reveal how companies conduct continuous planning. The results indicate that continuous planning is not commonly adopted and applied throughout these organisations and that it currently involves only a certain kind of planning (e.g., release planning). The results of this study bring to light that the main elements of continuous planning (i.e., organisational, strategic and business planning) are tightly related to each other and thus should be considered when companies seek to improve their planning processes and practices. The importance of continuous planning will only increase dramatically in turbulent business environments that include ever shorter planning cycles and the need to improve transparency and knowledge-sharing in organisations.
Survey on electrical machines in electrical vehicles

With great concerns on clean environment, there is a fast growing interest in electrical vehicles (EVs). As one of the key technologies, the motor drive has been developed quickly. In this paper, the characteristics of four traditional machines are first reviewed and evaluated, which include the direct current machine (DCM), induction machine (IM), switched reluctance machine (SRM) and permanent magnet brushless machine (PMBM). Then, the topologies and performances of four special machines are discussed, including the transverse flux machine (TFM), axial flux machine (AFM), doubly salient permanent magnet machine (DMPM) and dual mechanical port electrical machine (DMPEM). Finally, future research trends of electrical machines in EVs are described.
Recovery of Nickel from Spent Ni/Al 2 O 3 Catalysts using Acid Leaching, Chelation and Ultrasonication

Supported nickel catalysts, containing 2.5% to 20% of nickel metal, are widely used in chemical industry for hydrogenation, hydrotreating, and steam-reforming reaction. These catalysts have specific life and are subsequently discarded due to its deactivation owing to coke deposition on its surface. Disposal of spent catalyst is a problem as it falls under the category of hazardous industrial waste and also it requires compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Also the cost and demand of nickel has been rising significantly. In this context recovery of nickel can serve both of the important issues. This review cum research work focuses on the recovery of nickel from spent nitrogenous catalyst using conventional acid leaching & chelation route and a novel technique Ultrasonication developed & implemented successfully by the authors. Using ultrasonication technique significantly faster recovery of nickel salt (50 minutes) was accomplished compared to chelation route (7-8 h) and acid leaching (5-6 h). The %recovery and purity is significantly high for ultrasonication route compared to conventional acid leaching and chelation technique. The recovered nickel salts can be recycled for the preparation of fresh catalysts and promises to be a good industrial process for handling 1-2 t per batch of spent nickel catalyst.
Nitrergic Myenteric Neurons are Spared in Experimental Chagasic Megacolon

Chagas disease is a chronic disorder caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi protozoan. The infection causes alterations to the enteric nervous system such as megaesophagus and megacolon. There is evidence of denervation of myenteric ganglia. The intense parasitism of acute phase affects neuronal integrity but contrasts with the absence of parasites and the discreet inflammatory process of chronic phase, indicating a progressive injury mechanism that needs to be better understood in the megacolons. The potential selectivity of enteric neurons classes affected by the progression of the disease is not yet clear. Nitrergic neurons which co-localize other neurotransmitters represent the most common inhibitory neuron of the ENS. Recently a chronic stage of the Chagas disease was reproduced experimentally in a suitable murine model of megacolon. Considering the limitation of studying human intestine and the controversy on the pattern of nNOS involvement in chagasic megacolon, we decided to assess the nitrergic neurons in the myenteric plexus of mice. We used antibodies against structural protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and functional neuronal nitric oxide synthase (n-NOS) at the acute and chronic phase of the disease to quantify myenteric ganglionar neurons in the colon of infected and non-infected mice. We found a reduction in the ganglionar number of neurons detected by anti-protein gene product 9.5 antibodies in colon from mice at the chronic stage. However, the number of nitrergic neurons per ganglia remained unchanged along the acute to phase chronic of the disease. Our findings indicate a long-term preservation of nitregic neurons detrimental to other classes of enteric in our model of experimental Chagas disease. We propose that differential loss of enteric neurons is at least one of the structural substrate for the development of the longterm morphfunctional changes that lead to the megacolon.
Fluvial modulation of hydrodynamics and salt transport in a highly stratified estuary

Uma campanha oceanografica foi realizada no estuario do rio Ararangua durante o periodo de 11 e 13 de maio de 2006, objetivando fazer uma primeira caracterizacao hidrografica do sistema. A campanha foi realizada em condicao de mare de sizigia, e coincidentemente apos um evento de chuvas intensas na regiao que produziu um pico de descarga fluvial. Series temporais de nivel da agua, correntes e salinidade foram registradas durante 50 horas, em um local aproximadamente 7 km da desembocadura. Dois levantamentos longitudinais de salinidade tambem foram realizados. Os dados hidrograficos foram utilizados para calcular o fluxo advectivo de sal visando investigar os termos do transporte em funcao da mudanca da descarga fluvial. Os resultados mostram que a estrutura estuarina foi fortemente modulada pela vazao fluvial. O nivel da agua baixou em torno de 0,5 m durante as primeiras 25 horas em relacao direta com o decaimento da enchente do rio. Embora a coluna de agua fosse altamente estratificada durante todo o periodo, e a estratificacao aumentou durante as ultimas 25 horas. As correntes foram mais intensas, de vazante e uni-direcionais no inicio, tornando mais fracas bidirecionais a medida que o nivel da agua baixou, adquirindo um padrao de mare. O transporte total de sal nas primeiras 25 horas foi de -13,6 Kg.m-1.s-1 (sentido do mar), mudando para 3 Kg.m-1.s-1 nas ultimas 25 horas (sentido de terra). Foi tambem notavel que o pH no estuario, registrado junto com a salinidade, em torno de 5, indicando que a qualidade da agua ficou afetada pela atividade de mineracao de carvao que ocorre na bacia hidrografica.
The Clinical Outcomes of Varicocelectomy and Assisted ReproductiveTechnology to Treat Men Infertility: A Meta-Analysis

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of varicocelectomy on semen quality and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinical outcomes. This meta-analysis was performed using Ovid (Medline, Adis, LWW, Embase; 1974 to 2014 November 10) and the PubMed (until 2014 November 10) databases. Male infertility, varicocelectomy and assisted reproductive technology were required as keywords. Data were analysed with STATA 11.0. Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were used to assess the effects of varicocelectomy on the ART clinical outcomes and funnel plots help to detect publication bias. 538 of 1068 participants issue from 7 original sources from diverse area in the world underwent varicocelectomy followed by ART between 2001 and 2011. Globally, defected semen parameters were improved after varicocelectomy among treated groups in all these studies. Significant improvement in clinical pregnancy (OR=1.76; 95% CI: 1.35-2.29, P<0.0001) and decrease of miscarriage rate (OR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.42-0.99, P=0.042) after ART use-among treated group; and finally, undergo ART specifically Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) after varicocelectomy may increase live birth among treated group; Although 4 of these studies showed statistical differences, overall, there is no difference to achieve pregnancy among couples who underwent varicocelectomy and followed ART (OR=1.58; 95% CI: 0.82-3.03; P=0.172). Overall, the findings of the study suggested that varicocelectomy improves semen quality and therefore may reduce miscarriages, increase clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of couples who undergo ART specifically ICSI.
Relationship analysis of 25-Hydroxy-vitamin-D and parathyroid hormone in bone mineral density from senile osteoporotic fracture patients

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between 25-Hydroxy-vitamin-D [25(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with bone mineral density (BMD) in senile osteoporotic fracture. The patients suffered from senile osteoporotic fracture and healthy volunteers were enrolled. Serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels were tested by ELISA. BMD at lumbar 1-4, hip joint, and femoral neck was detected by X-ray absorptiometry. The relationship between 25(OH)D and PTH with BMD was analyzed. Serum 25(OH)D level was lower, while PTH level was higher in experimental group compared with control. BMD at lumbar 1-4, hip joint, and femoral neck was significantly lower in experimental group than the control (P < 0.05). There were 28% patients suffered from severe 25(OH)D deficiency, 32% patients in 25(OH)D deficiency, 23% in 25(OH)D insufficiency, and 17% in 25(OH)D sufficiency. PTH level gradually declined, whereas BMD at lumbar 1-4, hip joint, and femoral neck gradually elevated following 25(OH)D deficiency improvement (P < 0.05). Serum 25(OH)D reduced, while BMD at lumbar 1-4, hip joint, and femoral neck declined in patients with PTH upregulation (P < 0.05). Serum 25(OH)D showed positive correlation with BMD at lumbar 1-4, hip joint, and femoral neck (P < 0.05). PTH presented no statistical correlation with serum 25(OH)D and BMD (P > 0.05). Serum 25(OH)D deficiency and PTH elevation appeared in senile osteoporotic fracture. 25(OH)D was positively correlated with BMD. PTH exhibited no correlation with 25(OH)D or BMD.
The Political Economy of Development Assistance: Peril to Government Quality Dynamics in Africa

This paper assesses the effectiveness of foreign aid in improving government institutions in 52 African countries using updated data (1996-2010). Findings suggest development assistance deteriorates government quality dynamics of corruption-control, political-stability, rule of law, regulation quality, voice and accountability and government effectiveness. It is therefore a momentous epoque to solve the second tragedy of foreign aid; high time economists and policy makers start rethinking the models and theories on which foreign aid is based. In the meantime, it is up to people who really care about the poor to hold aid agencies accountable for results.
When is Two Really Company? The Effects of Competition and Regulation on Corporate Governance

In this paper we bring together agency, stakeholder, institutional and resource-dependence theories to study the direct and interactive effects of country regulation and competition on two dimensions of corporate governance: the overall quality of corporate governance of firms in a country, and firm-to-firm variations in corporate governance. Interactive conditions are more representative of the real-world context of corporate governance, and the contradictory pressures that firms face in such interactive conditions are better explained through the use of multiple theories of corporate governance. Using a dataset that spans 15 countries and includes 463 firms, we find that firm corporate governance is better in conditions where either regulation or competition is well-developed, by comparison with interactive conditions. We also find that while regulation enhances within- country convergence, it is likely that competition serves to enhance across-country convergence.
Speech Emotion Recognition of Sanskrit Language using Machine Learning

A modern development in technology is Speech Emotion Recognition (SER). SER in partnership with Humane-Machine interaction (HMI) has advanced machine intelligence. An emotion precise HMI is designed by integrating speech processing and machine learning algorithm which is sculpted to formulate an automated smart and secure application for detecting emotions in a household as well as in commercial application. This project presents a study of distinguishing emotions by acoustic speech recognition (ASR) using K-means nearest neighbor (K-NN), a machine learning (ML) technique. The most significant paralinguistic information obtained from spectral features is presented by ASR i.e. by using Mel frequency cepstrum coefficient (MFCC). The most important processing techniques methods include feature extraction, feature selection, and classification of emotions. A customized dataset consisting of speech corpus, simulated emotion samples in the Sanskrit language is used to classify emotions in different emotional classes i.e. happy, sad, excitement, fear, anger and disgust. The emotions are classified using a K-NN algorithm over 2 separate models, based on the soft and high pitch voice. Model 1 and 2 achieved about 72.95% and 76.96% recognition
An Overview of Wireless Indoor Positioning Systems

In this paper an overview of some of the existing wireless indoor positioning systems is introduced. The TOA (Time of Arrival), TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival), AOA (Angle of Arrival) and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) positioning methods are described. Also, performances metrics of the indoor positioning systems are provided. A brief survey of systems is presented, and their advantages and disadvantages are summarized and discussed. Keywords-wireless systems, indoor positioning, TOA, TDOA, AOA, RSSI