Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survey on Cloud Based Robotics Architecture, Challenges and Applications

The emergence of the cloud computing, and the other advanced technologies has made possible the extension of the computing and the data distribution competencies of the robotics that are networked by developing an cloud based robotic architecture by utilizing both the centralized and decentralized cloud that is manages the machine to cloud and the machine to machine communication respectively. The incorporation of the robotic system with the cloud makes probable the designing of the cost effective robotic architecture that enjoys the enhanced efficiency and a heightened real- time performance. This cloud based robotics designed by amalgamation of robotics and the cloud technologies empowers the web enabled robots to access the services of cloud on the fly. The paper is a survey about the cloud based robotic architecture, explaining the forces that necessitate the robotics merged with the cloud, its application and the major concerns and the challenges endured in the robotics that is integrated with the cloud. The paper scopes to provide a detailed study on the changes influenced by the cloud computing over the industrial robots.
Characterisation and modelling of graphene FET detectors for flexible terahertz electronics

Low-cost electronics for future high-speed wireless communication and non-invasive inspection at terahertz frequencies require new materials with advanced mechanical and electronic properties. Graphene, with its unique combination of flexibility and high carrier velocity, can provide new opportunities for terahertz electronics. In particular, several types of power sensors based on graphene have been demonstrated and found suitable as fast and sensitive detectors over a wide part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Nevertheless, the underlying physics for signal detection are not well understood due to the lack of accurate characterisation methods, which hampers further improvement and optimisation of graphene-based power sensors. In this thesis, progress on modelling, design, fabrication and characterisation of terahertz graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) detectors is presented. A major part is devoted to the first steps towards flexible terahertz electronics. The characterisation and modelling of terahertz GFET detectors from 1 GHz to 1.1 THz are presented. The bias dependence, the scattering parameters and the detector voltage response were simultaneously accessed. It is shown that the voltage responsivity can be accurately described using a combination of a quasi-static equivalent circuit model, and the second-order series expansion terms of the nonlinear dc I-V characteristic. The video bandwidth, or IF bandwidth, of GFET detectors is estimated from heterodyne measurements. Moreover, the low-frequency noise of GFET detectors between 1 Hz and 1 MHz is investigated. From this, the room-temperature Hooge parameter of fabricated GFETs is extracted to be around 2*10^{-3}. It is found that the thermal noise dominates above 100 Hz, which sets the necessary switching time to reduce the effect of 1/f noise. A state-of-the-art GFET detector at 400 GHz, with a maximum measured optical responsivity of 74 V/W, and a minimum noise-equivalent power of 130 pW/Hz^{0.5} is demonstrated. It is shown that the detector performance is affected by the quality of the graphene film and adjacent layers, hence indicating the need to improve the fabrication process of GFETs. As a proof of concept, a bendable GFET terahertz detector on a plastic substrate is demonstrated. The effects of bending strain on dc I-V characteristics, responsivity and sensitivity are investigated. The detector exhibits a robust performance for tensile strain of more than 1% corresponding to a bending radius of 7 mm. Finally, a linear array of terahertz GFET detectors on a flexible substrate for imaging applications is fabricated and tested. The results show the possibility of realising bendable and curved focal plane arrays. In summary, in this work, the combination of improved device models and more accurate characterisation techniques of terahertz GFET detectors will allow for further optimisation. It is shown that graphene can open up for flexible terahertz electronics for future niche applications, such as wearable smart electronics and curved focal plane imaging.
Docking of Glycosaminoglycans to Heparin-Binding Proteins: Validation for aFGF, bFGF, and Antithrombin and Application to IL-8

Heparin−protein interactions play an important role in many steps of the immune system. Here, we evaluated the search capabilities of three widely used programsGRID, DOCK, and AutoDockfor heparin binding sites. Because of the weak surface complementarity and the high charge density of the sulfated sugar chain, the docking of heparin to its protein partners presents a challenging task for computational docking. Our protocols were tested on antithrombin and acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor, the only three proteins for which structures of their complexes with heparin are available. With all three programs, the heparin binding site for these test cases was determined correctly. We then used these protocols to predict the heparin binding site on Interleukin-8, a chemokine with a central role in the human immune response. The results indicate that His18, Lys20, Arg60, Lys64, and Arg68 in interleukin-8 bind to heparin.
Genetic Differentiation among Populations of the Kurokashiwa Breed of Indigenous Japanese Chickens Assessed by Microsatellite DNA Polymorphisms

The Kurokashiwa breed of native Japanese chickens is primarily reared in Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures, Japan. To reveal the genetic diversity and differentiation among the Kurokashiwa populations in both prefectures, 29 microsatellites were analyzed. To prepare the microsatellites, 54, 55, and 24 blood samples were collected from the Kurokashiwa populations of five fancy breeders in Shimane Prefecture, three fancy breeders in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the Livestock Technology Research Department, Yamaguchi Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry General Technology Center (LTRDY), respectively. The corrected number of alleles (allelic richness: AR) was considerably low (1.63-2.48) through all Shimane and Yamaguchi populations. However, inbreeding coefficient (F-IS) values were not significant in the entire Shimane and Yamaguchi ornamental populations as well as the LTRDY population. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in expected heterozygosity (H-E) through all populations in Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures, although the H-E varied from 0.237 to 0.445 depending on populations. The topology of the phylogenetic tree, pairwise F-ST values, and STRUCTURE analysis indicated that Kurokashiwa populations were genetically separated between Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures. On the other hand, there was no genetic differentiation among ornamental populations within each prefecture, which seemed to have resulted from adequate random matings by exchanging individuals among fancy breeders within each conservation community, along with a proper random mating within LTRDY. The present study proposes a conservation strategy suggesting that the Kurokashiwa populations of Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures should be maintained separately with continuous exchange of birds within each conservation community to preserve genetic diversity. Also, the LTRDY population should be independently kept by avoiding matings with ornamental bird populations because it is a well established closed colony with a uniform genetic constitution.
Discontinuous wetting and survival of conidia of Venturia inaequalis on apple leaves

The viability of Venturia inaequalis conidia on apple leaves was determined after exposing them to wet and dry intervals at 10, 15, 20, and 25 C. Relative humidities (RH) during dry intervals were 60% or >90%. Viability of ungerminated conidia was not affected by exposure to dry intervals of ≥24 h regardless of temperature or RH and decreased only slightly after dry intervals of 96 h. Viability of germinated conidia (germlings) decreased by 20% during the first 15 min of drying and decreased an additional 10-30% after 96 h. Viability of germlings that had formed appressoria significantly decreased following drying intervals of 24 and 96 h but was greater (10-20%) than viability of germlings without appressoria [. ]
Effects of Probiotic-vitacogen and β1-4 Galacto-oligosaccharides Supplementation on Methanogenesis and Energy and Nitrogen Utilization in Dairy Cows

The effects of probiotic-vitacogen and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) supplementation on methanogesis, energy and nitrogen utilization in replacement dairy cows were evaluated. A basal diet comprising orchardgrass hay, lucerne hay cube and concentrate (2:2:1, DM basis) were fed with or without supplements to four cows at 80 g DM /kgBW 0.75 per day in a 4×4 Latin square arrangement. The four treatments were; 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet plus 100 g probiotic-vitacogen, 3) basal diet plus 50 g GOS, 4) basal diet plus 50 g GOS and 100 g probiotic-vitacogen. Nutrient apparent digestibility was not altered by the effect of supplementation. Nitrogen intake was significantly (p<0.001) higher for the two vitacogen-supplemented diets compared to control and GOS supplemented diets. However, vitacogen supplemented diets had numerically higher fecal and urinary nitrogen losses, thereby, having lower nitrogen retention compared to control and GOS supplemented diets. Gross energy intake was also significantly (p<0.05) higher for vitacogen-supplemented diets compared to control and GOS diets, however, due to higher losses in feces, urine, methane and heat, GOS supplemented diet had numerically higher energy retention. There was an 11% reduction in methane emission (liters/day) in GOS supplemented diet compared to control diet. However, the combination of GOS with vitacogen resulted in an increased methane emission. When expressed per unit of animal production (g/kg live-weight gain), methane production tended to be lower in vitacogen- supplemented diets compared to control and GOS diets. The supplementation of replacement dairy cows with GOS reduced methane emission (liters/day), while, vitacogen supplementation reduced methane emission per unit animal production. The two feed supplements may contribute to the abatement of methane as a greenhouse gas. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 3 : 349-354)
Somatic Embryogenesis from Immature Cotyledons of Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.): Ontogeny of Somatic Embryos

Soybean somatic embryos obtained from immature zygotic embryos were histologically analyzed in order to determine possible ontogenetic routes followed by these embryos. The proembryo stage and globular, heart-shaped, torpedo and cotyledonary embryo stages were found, closely resembling the ontogeny of zygotic embryos. However, the absence of a characteristic suspensor as well as the delay in the establishment of inner organization were the main differences between these two embryogenic processes.
Costs of protein turnover and carbohydrate export in leaves of sun and shade species

In mature leaves, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provided by respiration is used for maintenance of leaves and carbohydrate export (starch mobilisation and phloem loading). The main maintenance processes of mature leaves include turnover of existing structures (e.g. proteins and membranes) and the trans-membrane transport of solutes. In order to mechanistically estimate these costs in mature leaves and compare them between sun and shade species, we measured the costs of protein turnover and carbohydrate export in mature leaves of Alocasia odora (Lodd.) Spach. , a shade-tolerant species, and Phaseolus vulgaris L. , a sun species, in the night. We estimated the rate of ATP production from the rate of O 2 uptake, taking account of the contribution of the alternative respiratory pathway, assessed by the O 2 isotope fractionation technique. The energy consumption of protein turnover was estimated from the decrease in the rate of ATP production in the presence of an inhibitor of cytosolic protein synthesis. Examination of the anatomy of the minor veins in the leaves revealed that A. odora employs symplastic phloem loading, while P. vulgaris was reported to employ apoplastic loading. Based on these phloem loading types and the difference between the rate of carbohydrate decrease and the CO 2 efflux rate in the leaves, we calculated the ATP cost for carbohydrate export. The costs estimated for two processes amounted to about 40% of the ATP production rate in A. odora and 80% in P. vulgaris. The absolute costs for the two processes in the leaves of A. odora were much lower than those of P. vulgaris. Both the cost of protein turnover per unit leaf nitrogen and that of carbohydrate export per exported carbon were lower in the leaves of A. odora. Low ATP consumption rates by these cellular processes would explain the low respiratory rate in A. odora.
Introducing Computer-Marked Tests in an Online Financial Accounting Course: Patterns in Academic Performance and Approaches to Assessment Design

In the last two decades, online computer-marked assignments (CMAs) have been widely used in accounting education. Although there is a growing body of research on this form of online assessment, most of the previous studies relied on small samples of respondents or focused on student self-report using survey methods. This exploratory mixed-method study aims to combine a quantitative analysis of learners’ academic performance on an online Financial Accounting course with a more in-depth exploration of learner experiences using qualitative methods. The quantitative findings suggest that student previous educational qualifications, age and experience of studying a similar subject are strongly associated with CMA completion, which is also linked to scores on other pieces of assessed work. The qualitative results show that from the learners’ perspective, diversifying assessment methods, introducing low-stakes assessment activities and creating opportunities for situational interest are viewed as key aspects of online CMA design. This paper concludes with discussing the implications of the study for designing and delivering online courses in accounting, particularly in the light of the growing popularity of massive open online courses (MOOCs).
Using movement ecology to investigate meningeal worm risk in moose, Alces alces

Anthropogenic habitat change and moderating climatic conditions have enabled the northward geographic expansion of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, and of the parasitic nematode (meningeal worm) it carries, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis. This expansion can have consequences in dead-end host species for other ungulates because meningeal worm reduces health, causes morbidity or direct mortality, and has been attributed to population declines. In northeastern Minnesota, which marks the southern extent of the bioclimatic range for moose (Alces alces), the moose population has declined more than 50% in the last decade, with studies detecting P. tenuis in 25–45% of necropsied animals. We assessed the factors that most commonly are associated with meningeal worm infection by linking moose movement ecology with known P. tenuis infection status from necropsy. We outfitted moose with GPS collars to assess their space use and cause-specific mortality. Upon death of the subject animal, we performed a necropsy to determine the cause of death and document meningeal worm infection. We then created statistical models to assess the relationship between meningeal worm infection and exposure to hypothesized factors of infection risk based on the space use of each moose by season. Predictors included land cover types, deer space use and density, environmental conditions, and demographics of individual moose (age and sex). Moose with autumn home ranges that included more upland shrub/conifer, and individuals with high proportions of wet environments, regardless of season, had increased infection risk. In contrast, the strongest relationships we found showed that high proportions of mixed and conifer forest within spring home ranges resulted in reduced risk of infection. The spring models showed the strongest relationships between exposure and infection, potentially due to moose foraging on ground vegetation during spring. By incorporating movement of moose into disease ecology, we were able to take a top-down approach to test hypothesized components of infection risk with actual spatial and temporal exposure of individual necropsied moose. The probability of infection for moose was not influenced by deer density, although deer densities did not vary greatly within the study area (2–4 deer/km2), highlighting the importance of also considering both moose space use and environmental conditions in understanding infection risk. We suggest management strategies that use a combination of deer and land management prescriptions designed to limit contact rates in susceptible populations.
From Progesterone in Biopsies to Estimates of Pregnancy Rates: Large Scale Reproductive Patterns of Two Sympatric Species of Common Dolphin, Delphinus spp. off California, USA and Baja, Mexico

Abstract Blubber progesterone levels were measured in biopsy samples and used to predict the pregnancy status of 507 female common dolphins (204 long-beaked common dolphins, Delphinus capensis, and 303 short-beaked common dolphins, D. delphis). Samples were collected in the coastal waters of the eastern North Pacific between central California, USA and the southern end of Baja California, Mexico. The percentage of females pregnant was similar between the two species: 22.1% (n = 45) of D. capensis and 28.1% (n = 85) of D. delphis. For both species we found strong geographic patterns in pregnancy, suggesting that some areas were more conducive for pregnant females. A sizable drop in percent pregnant from early (38.8%, n = 133) to late (25.3%, n = 91) autumn was found in D. delphis but not in D. capensis. The potential for sample selectivity was examined via biopsies collected either from a large research ship or from a small, rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) launched from the larger ship. An analysis of “Tandem Biopsy Sampling”, replicate biopsy effort on the same schools from each vessel/platform, yielded little evidence that disproportionately more pregnant female common dolphins were biopsied from one platform versus the other. This result plus an analysis of pregnancy status relative to the duration of biopsy operations failed to uncover strong evidence of unaccounted sampling bias with respect to pregnancy state. In total, these results demonstrate the utility of blubber progesterone concentrations to assess pregnancy status in free-ranging cetaceans and they highlight potential factors associated with population-level variation in dolphin pregnancy rates.
Hidden diversity within the broadly distributed Amazonian giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor: Phyllomedusidae)

Phyllomedusa bicolor is a large-sized nocturnal tree frog found in tropical rainforests throughout much of the Amazonian region of Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, and the Guianas. Very little is known about P. bicolor genetic diversity and genealogical history of its natural populations. Here, using a sampling design that included populations covering most of its distributional range, we investigated the spatial distribution of genetic variability of this species. Considering the wide geographical distribution we tested the hypothesis that P. bicolor is composed of deeply structured genetic groups, constituting more than one lineage across the Brazilian Amazonia. The results suggested two main lineages in two geographic mega-regions: Western and Eastern Amazonia, the latter consisting of three population groups distributed in the Guiana and Brazilian Shields. The present findings have implications to taxonomy, to understanding the processes that lead to diversification, and to defining strategies of conservation and medicinal use of the species.
Coleoptera found on neophyte Prunus serotina (Ehrh.) within forest community and open habitat.

Black cherry, Prunus serotina (Ehrh) is one of the invasive plant species that, for its ability to negatively affect local plant communities, may deserve particular attention and control measures. The authors present species composition of Coleoptera found on P.serotina in two habitats in SW part of Poland. It is the first record of this kind from Poland.
Vision-based innate aversion to ants and ant mimics

Innate vision-based aversions to model and mimic were investigated using a mimicry system in which the models were ants (Formicidae), and both the mimics and the predators were jumping spiders (Salticidae). Jumping spiders are a large group of predatory invertebrates that usually prey opportunistically on prey of similar size. We used 12 representative species from this group, the "ordinary salticids" as predators. The mimics considered belonged to another group, salticids that resemble ants. A choice arena containing an empty chamber and a stimulus chamber was used for testing predator responses to a variety of dead arthropods (ants, ant mimics, and an array of non--ant-like species) mounted in a lifelike posture. When presented with visual cues from arthropods other than ants or ant-like salticids, naive predators chose the empty chamber no more often than the stimulus chamber. However, when visual cues were from ants or from ant-like salticids, ordinary salticids chose the empty chamber significantly more often than the stimulus chamber. These findings suggest learning by the predator is not necessary in order for ant-like salticids to gain Batesian mimicry advantages. Copyright 2006.
Cryptic species and Miocene diversification of Palaearctic naked‐toed geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in the Indian dry zone

We sampled Palaearctic naked‐toed geckos from across their range in India and used two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes to reconstruct relationships within a global phylogeny. Published sequences of Peninsular Indian Hemidactylus allow us to contrast these two groups in dating analyses – providing insights into the history of the Indian dry zone. Palaearctic naked‐toed geckos first moved onto the Indian Plate in the Oligocene, with higher‐level diversification probably linked to collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, and subsequent dispersal into‐India and diversification with increasing Miocene aridity. An independent gekkonid radiation with species in the dry zone, Hemidactylus diversified during the same period in Peninsular India. Our results demonstrate that dry zone taxa across India may date back to at least the Miocene, with a potential historical climatic barrier between the Indus and Peninsular Indian Divisions. ‘Cyrtopodion’ aravallense is revealed to be a complex with seven genetically and environmentally divergent lineages that began diversifying in the late Miocene, congruent with increased aridity in north‐western India. This discovery of cryptic diversity in the Indian dry zone represents the first terrestrial vertebrate radiation from north‐western central India and highlights how little we understand of the regions’ biodiversity, emphasizing the need for systematic geographic sampling and multiline evidence to reveal true patterns of diversity. The ancestor of ‘Cyrtopodion’ aravallense came into the nascent Indian dry zone in the Miocene and has since diversified, potentially in the absence of any sympatric scansorial rupicolous geckos. Cyrtopodion scabrum represents a unique case of commensalism and shows phylogeographic structure in its presumed native range. The taxonomic implications of our study include a number of undescribed species, recognition of ‘Cyrtopodion’ as a distinct lineage and the non‐monophyly of Altiphylax.