Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of climate change on yellow fever disease burden in Africa

Yellow Fever (YF) is an arbovirus endemic in tropical regions of South America and Africa and it is estimated to cause 78,000 deaths a year in Africa alone. Climate change may have substantial effects on the transmission of YF and we present the first analysis of the potential impact on disease burden. We extend an existing model of YF transmission to account for rainfall and a temperature suitability index and project transmission intensity across the African endemic region in the context of four climate change scenarios. We use these transmission projections to assess the change in burden in 2050 and 2070. We find disease burden changes heterogeneously across the region. In the least severe scenario, we find a 93.0%[95%CI(92.7, 93.2%)] chance that annual deaths will increase in 2050. This change in epidemiology will complicate future control efforts. Thus, we may need to consider the effect of changing climatic variables on future intervention strategies.
Estimating evapotranspiration by capacitance and neutron probes in a drip-irrigated apricot orchard

SUMMARY This paper describes how a neutron probe (NP) and a multi sensor capacitance probe (MCP) can be used for monitoring the soil water content in order to develop a soil water balance and to estimate the evapotranspiration (ETc) of an apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) crop. The van Genuchten model was applied to estimate water drainage below the active root zone, based on the measurements from both devices. Average crop evapotranspiration (ETc), estimated from the soil water balance for the whole period (17 months), was 1.6 and 1.5mm/day for NP and MCP, respectively, while the crop evapotranspiration calculated by the Penman-Monteith method (ETc-FAO) was 2.3mm/day. Drainage measured by both devices was negligible. The ETc measured by MCP was better correlated with the ETc measured by FAO methodology than with that corresponding to NP. A good correlation between the ETc values measured by NP and MCP was found. However, MCP permits continuous recording of the soil water content, is cheaper and less dangerous, while NP produces more accurate measurements than MCP.
A Critical Disability Studies Approach to ‘Inclusive’ Early Childhood Teacher Education

Critical Disability Studies (CDS) focuses on how normalcy is constructed and offers an important framework for questioning ‘inclusive’ early childhood practices. This article proposes a CDS approach to early childhood ‘inclusive’ teacher education that (1) develops a CDS pedagogy, (2) identifies ableist practices, and (3) questions and redefines ‘inclusion. ’ A Critical Disability Studies Approach to ‘Inclusive’ Early Childhood Teacher Education by Nicole Eilers is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Based on a work at https://rdsjournal.org. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.rds. hawaii.edu/.
Instability and the post-critical behaviour of two-dimensional inverted flags in axial flow

Inverted flags – clamped–free elastic thin plates subjected to a fluid flowing axially and directed from the free end towards the clamped end – have been observed experimentally and computationally to exhibit large-amplitude flapping beyond a critical flow velocity. The motivation for further research on the dynamics of this system is partly due to its presence in some engineering and biological systems, and partly because of the very rich dynamics it displays. In the present paper, the goal is to develop a nonlinear analytical model for the dynamics and stability of high aspect ratio (i.e. height to length ratio) flags. The inviscid fluid flow is modelled via the quasi-steady version of Theodorsen’s unsteady aerodynamic theory, and the Polhamus leading-edge suction analogy is utilized to model flow separation effects from the free end (leading edge) at moderate angles of attack. Gear’s backward differentiation formula and a pseudo-arclength continuation technique are employed to solve the governing equations. Numerical results suggest that fluidelastic instability may be the underlying mechanism for the flapping motion of high aspect ratio heavy inverted flags. In other words, flapping may be viewed as a self-excited vibration. It was found from numerical results that the undeflected static equilibrium of the inverted flag is stable at low flow velocities, prior to the occurrence of a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. The pitchfork bifurcation is associated with static divergence (buckling) of the flag. At higher flow velocities, past the pitchfork bifurcation, a supercritical Hopf bifurcation materializes, generating a flapping motion around the deflected static equilibrium. At even higher flow velocities, flapping motion becomes symmetric around the undeflected static equilibrium. Interestingly, it was also found that heavy flags may exhibit large-amplitude flapping right after the initial static equilibrium, provided that they are subjected to a sufficiently large disturbance. Moreover, inverted flags with a non-zero initial angle of attack were found to be less stable than their perfectly flow-aligned counterparts.
Vers une meilleure compréhension des interactions trophiques directes et indirectes entre prédateurs invasifs et espèces natives au sein des écosystèmes insulaires

Les predateurs introduits, tels que les chats (Felis silvestris catus) et les rats (Rattus spp), constituent la principale cause de rarefaction et d'extinction d'oiseaux insulaires. L'impact de la predation sur les populations d'oiseaux est generalement quantifie grâce a l'identification morphologique des restes d'oiseaux dans les echantillons alimentaires de predateurs. Une synthese bibliographique realisee dans cette these souleve les biais qualitatifs et quantitatifs lies a la difficulte d'identification des restes d'oiseaux. Les methodes moleculaires permettent aujourd'hui de detecter et d'identifier avec precision l'ADN de proies cibles dans le regime alimentaire des predateurs. Une part importante de cette these a consiste a optimiser le protocole moleculaire et en particulier les etapes de selection des amorces taxon-specifiques et de l'extraction de l'ADN des proies. La comparaison des performances des methodes morphologique et moleculaire a mis en evidence la puissance de cette derniere dans la detection et l'identification des especes d'oiseaux consommees par les chats et rats de l'ile de Niau (Polynesie Francaise). L'etude des interactions trophiques directes (predation) et indirectes (competition alimentaire) entre trois predateurs invasifs (R. exulans, R. rattus et F. s. catus) et un oiseau menace d'extinction, le Martin-chasseur des Gambier (Todiramphus gambieiri) a montre un tres faible impact sur cet oiseau par predation, mais un fort potentiel de competition alimentaire avec les 2 Rattus sp. , en particulier pour les lezards Scincidae et certains arthropodes terrestres. Des perspectives de conservation du Martin-chasseur sont proposees et discutees.
Comparison of the Age Structure, Body Size, and Some Growth Parameters of Two Insular Populations of Lyciasalamandra fazilae from Southwestern Turkey

Some life-history traits (body size, age at maturity, longevity, and growth) of Lyciasalamandra fazilae from two insular populations (Tersane Island and Domuz Island) living in the Mediterranean environment of southwestern Turkey were investigated. We applied phalangeal skeletochronology to obtain the ages of juveniles and adults. Age was determined by counting the lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in cross-sections. No significant differences were found between the age distributions of the two sexes in the Tersane population but there was a significant difference in the Domuz population. The age structure of males and females varied significantly between populations, with highest mean ages observed in the Tersane Island. Males were on average larger than females in both populations. Both males and females from Tersane Island were found to be significantly larger than those of Domuz Island. The growth coefficient K and SVL max were significantly different between the sexes in Tersane, but not in Domuz population. These parameters also showed significant interpopulational difference only for females indicating Domuz females grew faster than those of Tersane.
The invasion of the freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata in Patagonia: prospects, strategies, and implications for biosecurity of invasive microorganisms in continental waters

The diatom Didymosphenia geminata, which forms nuisance blooms in low nutrient streams worldwide, was documented as an aggressive invader in South America in 2010 from the Futaleufú basin (43.2°S), in Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia. Within 1 year it was confirmed from 20 rivers distributed over 800 km. Driven by perceived economic impacts to tourism and recreation, a strong response ensued, with education, monitoring and nascent biosecurity efforts based on similar measures in New Zealand. Considering the difficulty in containment (potential range on New Zealand's South Island was occupied by D. geminata within 3 years), the much larger potential range, and limited resources or previous experience in managing invaders in continental waters in South America, it is unlikely that current biosecurity measures will produce significant results. Lacking a coordinated strategic approach or conservation priorities, existing efforts may divert resources from alternatives with greater potential for success, while potentially feeding the public perception that the problem is being addressed. We propose a conservation strategy based on best available but incomplete information on habitat requirements, and a conceptual model of invasion vectors to identify defensible conservation zones (islands and hydrographically isolated areas) with greater potential for being maintained invasion‐free.
The strain dependent pathophysiological consequences of inertial loading on central nervous system tissue

The complex problem of dcveloping a pred.ictive transfcr function bctween the forccs and/or motions cxpcricnccd by vchiclc occupants in thc hostile mcchanical environment of a collision and indicics rclating to extent and severity of the various fonns of central ncrvous system trauma can bc madc more tractable by undcrsta.nding neural injury as a function of mcc hanical deformation at the ccllular lcvel. A comparison of rcsults obtaincd from animal, physical, and isolated tissue modcls indicates that an injury threshold for neural tissue can bc exprcssed in tcrms of a maximum strain undcr conditions of dynamic loading. Nonhuman primates werc subjccted to conttolled incrtial loading of the hcad which produccd a spcc trum of pathophysiological conscquenccs, ranging from mild ccrcbral concussion to scverc diffuse axonal injury with prolongcd coma. Physical modcls of the skull/brain structural complex werc loaded under identical kinematical conditions ovcr the samc range of accclerations and with prcc isely thc samc acccleration wave shapcs. Nodal displacemcnts of a printed grid contained within the surro gate brain material werc mcasured from high spccd film framcs and thc associa ted strains werc computcd. In parallel srudics isolated single axons werc subjccted to high strain rate uniaxial clongation with extcnsion ratios comparable to the lcvels suggcsted by thc physical modcl cxpcrimcnts. The physiological response of thc axon was cxamincd by mcasuring membrane potential, voltage-clamp current and cytosolic frce calcium conccntrations prc and post loading. Correlations are made bctwccn the maximum cxtension ratio and the physiologic variables which suggest an cxponcntial dcpendcnce of injury scverity upon the levcl of mcchanical insult At the isolated axon level thc injury spcctrum varies from mild and spontaneously reversible dcpolarization, to irreversible changes in membrane potential and accumulation of inttacc llular frce calcium. The magnirudc of thc cxtcnsion ratios which describes this spcctru m of pathophysiological rcsponse is then correlated with thc computed strain ficld in thc physical modcl studics. A transfcr function is dcvclopcd which pcrmits one tQ rclate the incrtial loading conditions under which thc dcformation rcsponsc of the tissuc will yield a spccific lcvcl of neural tissuc injury severity.
THE IMPENETRABLE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF STUDENT NURSES AND THEIR ICT USE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

In recent years the use of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) has transformed the delivery of healthcare within nursing practice. Research evidence and policy reviews suggest that the difficulty that some mature, female student nurses experience in the use of ICT in practice impacts their professional development. It could be argued that inability to access and utilise ICT directly impacts the sense of ‘belonging’ to the professional team and active participation in the Community of Practice in the Clinical area. Objectives: to develop the evidence by exploring the extent and modes of ICT use in practice in a group of mature, female nursing students on a pre-registration nursing programme located in a UK School of Nursing and related NHS Trusts and to consider the impact on lived experience and implications for education. Methodology: a qualitative case study research using observation and interviews was undertaken within nursing practice to ascertain the answers to 3 questions:1) How are mature, female nursing students accessing and using ICT within nursing education? 2) What are the barriers that may prevent mature, female students from accessing and using ICT within nursing education? 3) What actions do mature, female nursing students consider may be taken to improve their knowledge and subsequent use of ICT in both their academic studies and clinical placement work? Results and findings: indicated that biographical history, student support and facilitation all affect access and engagement, the data suggesting that for a significant group of students they felt generationally, emotionally and hierarchically ‘locked out’ of using ICT in clinical settings. This resulted in feeling excluded from the Community of Practice (COP). The findings raise issues around whether the UK Government policy and regulation is being successfully enacted for these students and the extent to which failure to do so contributes to a lowered sense of ‘belonging’ to the clinical teams This study, focused on pedagogical practice for pre-registration nurse education programmes and the need to privilege and enable ICT usage in clinical situations. This study also potentially challenges the perspectives of Lave and Wenger (1991) in their description of the ways in which COP emerge as participants move from the periphery to the centre; by arguing that barriers on the periphery such as being logged out of ICT, block the trajectory of movement, causing potential COP participants to remain on the periphery and thus excluded from the COP completely. It emphasises the need for a collective efficacy in nurse pre-registration programmes that is suggestive of notions of being ICT ‘logged in’ rather than being ‘locked out’ for mature, female student nurses recognising that the experience of being ‘ locked out’ may not be restricted to ICT but also to associated Communities of Practice. ’
Exploring Self-Leadership Development of Malaysian Women Entrepreneurs

The Problem In Malaysia, women entrepreneurs are underrepresented, and little is known about their development of self-leadership. Official statistics indicate that approximately half of the businesses run by women remain underperforming. This shows that women entrepreneurs’ self-leadership is an issue that should be addressed. The Solution This study aims to explore self-leadership development of Malaysian women entrepreneurs. Qualitative interviews with seven women entrepreneurs were conducted. The study findings indicated that self-leadership is a process that can be developed and mastered by women entrepreneurs so that they have better chances of success in their business start-ups. This study provides a model of the self-leadership process that illustrates a range of influences that are likely to contribute to women entrepreneurs’ self-leadership development. The Stakeholders The model developed would be beneficial to human resource development (HRD) practitioners and Malaysian government agencies (e.g., SME Corporation Malaysia) that design and deliver interventions (e.g., incubator programs and training workshops) focusing on women entrepreneurs’ self-leadership development.
The complete mitogenomes of the green algae Jenufa minuta and Jenufa perforata (Chlorophyceae, incertae sedis) reveal a variant genetic code previously unrecognized in the Chlorophyceae

Abstract We sampled the first mitogenomes from a novel lineage of the Chlorophyceae that is sister to Sphaeropleales. Although the Jenufa perforata (27,180 bp) and Jenufa minuta (41,488 bp) mitogenomes differ markedly in size, gene order and intron content, their repertoires of conserved genes are essentially identical. Their rRNA genes display the same fragmentation patterns as their counterparts in Sphaeropleales. Their tRNA gene complements include two ancestral genes shared with Oedogoniales and Chaetophorales (Chlorophyceae) as well as a derived gene for a tRNA species decoding UGA as tryptophan. This noncanonical genetic code differs from those previously reported for Sphaeropleales.
Phytophthora nicotianae causes blight of lily in Hungary.

Hybrids of Lilium spp. are grown on a large scale (1 ́2 ha) in greenhouses for cut flower production at a nursery in Dabas, a town 40 km south-east of Budapest. In 2000, 10±20% of the plants of cvs Stargazer and London were severely diseased. Some bulbs did not emerge, while others developed a soft rot with lesions spreading from the base or middle of the stem into the leaves. The pathogen developing in diseased tissues appeared to be a Phytophthora species. It had aseptate hyphae and sporangia were papillate, both caducous and noncaducous, and their shape ranged from ovoid to elongate and distorted. The six isolates recovered from diseased plants and soil samples looked very similar on selective media (Jeffers & Martin, 1986). They developed white colonies with abundant aerial mycelia, and had a maximum growth temperature of 36 ́58C on peaagar medium. Sporangia, 43 ́9 ^ 1 ́35 mm long and 33 ́2 ^ 0 ́8 mm wide, were noncaducous and ellipsoidal to ovoid in shape; distorted shapes were not observed in culture. Chlamydospores, 34 ́9 ^ 1 ́13 mm in diameter, were terminal or intercalary and formed singly. Oospores were not observed. These characteristics were consistent with a heterothallic species such as P. nicotianae (syn. P. parasitica) (Erwin & Ribeiro, 1996). Upon mating with an A1 mating-type isolate of P. nicotianae, the isolates formed oogonia (23 ́3 ^ 0 ́65 mm diameter), amphigynous antheridia 10 ́5 ^ 0 ́75 mm long and 11 ́0 ^ 0 ́52 mm wide and, eventually, aplerotic oospores 19 ́9 ^ 1 ́0 mm diameter, indicating that these isolates were A2 mating type. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating unwounded stem bases or leaves of both lily hybrids with zoospore suspensions. Symptoms and disease development were similar to those observed on naturally infected plants; cv. London appeared to be more susceptible than Stargazer. Isolates were also pathogenic on tomato following stem inoculation. PCR amplification of genomic DNA using the P. nicotianae-specific primer pair ITS3±PNIC1 (Tooley et al., 1997) generated a 455 bp sequence, confirming that the pathogen was P. nicotianae. This is the first record of Phytophthora blight of lily in Hungary, and possibly in continental Europe.
A Divide-and-Conquer–based Early Classification Approach for Multivariate Time Series with Different Sampling Rate Components in IoT

In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), the sensor-based devices produce the Multivariate Time Series (MTS). A classification approach helps to predict the class label of an incoming MTS. Due to the large dimension and different sampling rate of the sensors in a given MTS, a classifier takes time to predict the class label. Some IoT applications may require early prediction of the class label where the classifier starts the prediction once the minimum number of data points are collected. In this article, we address the problem of early prediction of the class label of an MTS in IoT. This work considers the sensors with different sampling rate to generate the MTS. Each sensor generates a time series (component) of the MTS. We propose a Divide-and-Conquer–based early classification approach for classifying such MTS. The approach constructs an ensemble classifier using a probabilistic classifier and hierarchical clustering. The ensemble classifier employs a Divide-and-Conquer method to handle the different sampling rate components during the prediction of class label. The experimental results show that our approach significantly outperforms the existing approaches on real-world datasets using various evaluation metrics.
Chromosomal proteins in activation of transcription

CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS IN ACTIVATION OF TRANSCRIPTION by Benjamin Michael Shykind Submitted to the department of Biology in partial fulfillment for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Transcription by RNA polymerase II requires multiple auxiliary factors for accurate initiation. The positive modulation of this reaction requires a further set of factors, collectively called coactivators, that are not required for the unregulated or basal initiation of transcription. Coactivators can be divided into two groups: TATA binding protein (TBP) associated, and soluble. Both groups appear to be required for activated levels of transcription. The exact mechanism by which activators, in collaboration with coactivators, enhance the basal reaction remains unknown. This thesis presents experiments designed to advance the understanding of this fundamentally important biological process. Using an in vitro transcription system unresponsive to activators as a functional assay, an activity was identified that potentiated activation. This coactivator was purified to homogeneity by standard biochemical means and identified by amino acid sequencing as the non-histone chromosomal protein HMG-2. Subsequently, the highly related HMG1 protein, and the 80 amino acid HMG box B were demonstrated to by coactivators. These proteins have DNA binding and bending activity and have been included in a group of protein known as "architectural factors" for their ability to impart structure to DNA. Coactivation with HMG-proteins was shown to require the factor TFIIA and the TFIID-TFIIA stage of initiation was the first step in transcription altered in the activation process. The inability to detect a quantitative change at this critical step led to the proposal that a qualitative change takes place during this stage of activation that facilitates transcription. Another chromosomal protein that coactivates stimulation, DNA topoisomerase I, was examined in vitro. This coactivator also functioned at the TFIID-TFIIA stage of activation as determined by order-of-addition transcription. The activation event was associated by a dramatic enhancement in the formation of the TFIID-TFIIA complex as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). This enhancement of complex formation required the concomitant participation of TFIID, TFIIA, activator and topoisomerase I, exactly analogous to the conditions required for maximal activation. DNase I footprinting confirmed the EMSA analysis. The effect of enhanced complex formation on the activation process is likely both quantitative and qualitative. Thesis Supervisor: Phillip A. Sharp Title: Professor of Biology