Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do beak volume and bite force influence the song structure of sympatric species of seedeaters (Thraupidae: Sporophila)?

ABSTRACT Song structure can be constrained by morphological characters such as beak size. Studies have shown that songbirds with larger beaks produce songs with a lower frequency, narrower frequency range and lower note rates than birds with smaller beaks. We tested whether beak volume and bite force constrain song parameters in three Neotropical seedeaters that show a gradient of beak size and force (Sporophila beltoni, S. caerulescens and S. hypoxantha). We also determined the relationship between body size and song structure. We evaluated the song structure of these species, measuring differences that may help them to segregate the acoustic space, since they occur in sympatry. These birds can be predicted to segregate the acoustic space to reduce overlapping of their songs, which is a possible result of the force of sexual selection. Individuals of each species had their beaks and bite forces measured and their own territorial songs recorded in the field. Only S. caerulescens showed a positive relationship between beak volume and song parameters (maximum frequency and frequency bandwidth). No song parameters showed an association with bite force or body size. The use of acoustical space seemed to be unique to each species with respect to note rate and song duration. Sporophila beltoni and S. hypoxantha showed the most differences from each other in all song parameters analysed. In contrast to other studies of finch species with conical beaks, our findings suggested that for these three species, beak volume and bite force do not limit the song structure.
Integrating climate and land‐use change scenarios in modelling the future spread of invasive squirrels in Italy

The establishment and spread of invasive alien species may be influenced by several mutually interacting factors, whose understanding is paramount to develop effective biosecurity policies. However, studies focused on modelling spatially explicit patterns of future invasion risk have so far focused on species response to climate change impacts, while land‐use change has been neglected. We investigated how the interplay between climate and land‐use change could affect the future potential distribution and dispersal corridors of four alien squirrels introduced to Europe (Sciurus carolinensis, Callosciurus finlaysonii, Callosciurus erythraeus and Eutamias sibiricus).
Testicular histological evaluation and serum testosterone concentrations of bulls after chemical castration with calcium chloride

ABSTRACT: Orchiectomized bulls have advantages in the meat quality and ease of handling. Chemical castration is an option for surgical castration and the sclerosing agents can be administered into the testicular or epididymis parenchyma. These agents have a lower incidence of complications than surgery, especially when associated with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), which has anti-inflammatory action and increases the absorption of other drugs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of a single intratesticular injection of calcium chloride solution associated with DMSO for the chemical sterilization of bulls. Twenty-four young adult bulls were utilized, distributed into 3 groups (G20, G30 and G40, n = 8/group), according to the calcium chloride concentration (20, 30 and 40%), in 10mL volume. Serum concentrations of testosterone, body weight, testicular volume and ecotexture, clinical signs and behavior and were evaluated for 45 days. Thus, the animals were orchiectomized and testicles were assessed histologically. There were no changes in body weight, decreased serum testosterone concentrations (except G30), signs of scrotal sensitivity or changes in behavior over the period. However, there was significant increase in testicular volume, especially on the 2nd and 3rd day after treatment, with values returning to the value initials at 15 days. Testicular adherence and firm consistency were observed during orchiectomy. Ultrasound examination revealed a loss of integrity of the median raphe, with cavity formation and an alteration of the testicular echotexture. In the histological evaluation, coagulation necrosis of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells was observed, mainly in the medial portion in all groups. Some animals presented total absence of tubular formations in all the studied groups, being the effects of greater intensity in the G40. Additionally, pronounced edema was noted in all groups, especially in G40. Inflammatory infiltrate, fibroplasia and neovascularization were found to be predominantly discrete. Based on the conditions used in this study, we conclude that calcium chloride associated with DMSO can be used as a method of chemical sterilization in bovines.
Image Processing Techniques For Improved Sun Sensor Performance

The behaviour of digital sun-sensors and associated super-resolution algorithms was explored. Using calibration data, a method was proposed to model the peak width of peaks across the image array. Using this with the non-linear least square algorithm gave improved performance across the field-of-view. A test was proposed that would measure precision for small sensor motions. Also, a method of accounting for local bias error was given. The small motion test defined limits at which the sensor detects motion, and the precision test gave metrics to measure how well the sensor renders motion. Finally, an extended kalman filter was developed that used sun-vector measurements, in addition to a new relative measurement. This was tested using a well-defined sensor as well as a generic sensor for which few error data were known. Results indicate that relative measurements only improve performance if random noise is low.
Ceftaroline fosamil in the treatment of experimental meningitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background Meningitis caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is rare and often fatal. The recommended treatment for MRSA meningitis, vancomycin, is limited by poor cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration. Ceftaroline fosamil is a novel fifth-generation cephalosporin with potent antibacterial activity in vitro against MRSA. Several case reports in humans suggest that ceftaroline might be a potential treatment option for MRSA meningitis. Our primary objective was to com­pare the efficacy of ceftaroline and vancomycin for the treatment of MRSA meningitis using a rabbit meningitis model. We then characterized CSF drug concentrations over time.Methods Ninety rabbits received a direct intracisternal injection of 5 x 105 CFU S. aureus (MRSA 252). Following a 16-hour incubation period, approximately 0.5ml of CSF was withdrawn via intracisternal aspiration immediately prior to treatment for quantitative bacterial counts and CSF antibiotic concentrations. Rabbits then received (by 1:1:1 random assignment) either no treatment (control group), vancomycin 20 mg/kg at 0 and 12hrs, or ceftaroline 40mg/kg at 0 and 4 hrs via marginal ear vein. CSF collection was repeated every 12 hours for up to 40 hours. All animals were humanely euthanized at 40 hours post inoculation. The primary endpoint (difference in bacterial load [expressed as CFU/mL] for each animal between the initial (T1) and terminal (T3) taps were characterized and compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. CSF drug concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay.ResultsAmong the forty-three evaluable animals with established MRSA meningitis, there was no statistical difference in median CFU observed between the groups in pretreatment CFU counts (p=0.16). Reductions in bacterial load from baseline were 88%, 79% and 75% in the control, ceftaroline and vancomycin-treated groups, respectively. There was no statistical difference observed between vancomycin and either control or ceftaroline at any time point. While animals treated with ceftaroline exhibited a significant increase in clearance rate (log ∆) between T1 and T2 when compared to control (p = 0.019), these differences were no longer statistically significant by T3 (p= 0.43) as CSF ceftaroline concentrations were undetectable by that time point.Conclusions While ceftaroline may be a reasonable alternative to vancomycin for MRSA meningitis, additional animal and clinical studies are required to determine optimal dosing to establish its effectiveness.
Use of Plastic Waste in Bituminous Pavement

The waste plastic and its disposal is a major threat to the environment, which results in pollution and global warming. The utilization of plastic waste in bituminous mixes enhances its properties and also its strength 1 . In addition it will also be a solution to plastic disposal & various defects in pavement viz., pot holes, corrugation, ruts, etc. the waste plastic used are poly-ethylene, poly-styrene, poly-propylene. The waste plastic is shredded & coated over aggregate & mixed with hot bitumen and resulted mix is used for pavement construction. This will not only strengthen the pavement and also increases its durability. The titanium-dioxide is used as a smoke absorbent material, which will absorb the smoke from the vehicles. This innovative technology will be boon for Indian hot-humid climate. It’s economical and eco-friendly. In this paper, we have discussed about the soil properties to be considered in design of pavement, pavement design, process of construction flexible and plastic-smoke absorbent pavement.
Determination of microbiological quality of dried jat punti (Puntius sophore) collected from Sylhet district, Bangladesh

How to cite this article: Hussain MA, Sayeed MA, Kabir ML, Sumon TA, Himu SD and Sumon MAA (2016). Determination of microbiological quality of dried jat punti (Puntius sophore) collected from Sylhet district, Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 3(3): 72-79. Determination of microbiological quality of dried jat punti (Puntius sophore) collected from Sylhet district, Bangladesh
Metamaterials-based Antennas: From Concepts To Technology

This paper updates the progress in the applications of metamaterials-based antenna engineering at microwave bands. Based on the scientific concepts of metamaterials, the new technologies have been developed to greatly enhance the performance and reduce the volume of antennas. First, the strategy of research and development of metamaterials-based antenna technologies is introduced. Then, the metamaterialsbased antennas are shown, including the composite left/righthanded leaky wave antennas, zero-indexed superstrate highgain microstrip patch antennas, zero-phase-shift largecoverage near-field ultra-high frequency radio-frequency identification antennas and horizontally polarized omnidirectional wireless-local-area-network antenna arrays, artificial magnetic conductor-loaded ultra-thin substrateintegrated Fabry-Perot cavity antennas, zero-index structure loaded high-gain tapered slot antenna, and broadband lowprofile planar antennas. Some comments on the research and development of metamaterials in antenna engineering are also made.
Discrete Systems and Signals on Phase Space

The analysis of discrete signals —in particular finite N -point signals— is done in terms of the eigenstates of discrete Hamiltonian systems, which are built in the context of Lie algebras and groups. These systems are in correspondence, through a ‘discrete-quantization’ process, with the quadratic potentials in classical mechanics: the harmonic oscillator, the repulsive oscillator, and the free particle. Discrete quantization is achieved through selecting the position operator to be a compact generator within the algebra, so that its eigenvalues are discrete. The discrete harmonic oscillator model is contained in the ‘rotation’ Lie algebra so(3), and applies to finite discrete systems, where the positions are {−j,−j+1, . , j} in a representation of dimension N = 2j + 1. The discrete radial and the repulsive oscillator are contained in the complementary and principal representation series of the Lorentz algebra so(2, 1), while the discrete free particle leads to the Fourier series in the Euclidean algebra iso(2). For the finite case of so(3) we give a digest of results in the treatment of aberrations as unitary U(N ) transformations of the signals on phase space. Finally, we show twodimensional signals (pixellated images) on square and round screens, and their unitary transformations.
The complete mitogenome of Helixpomatia and the basal phylogeny of Helicinae (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Helicidae)

Abstract A complete mitochondrial genome of the Roman snail Helixpomatia Linnaeus, 1758 has been sequenced. The length and gene order correspond to that of other available helicid mitogenomes. We used the mitogenome sequence to reappraise the relationships among the four presumed principal groups of the helicid subfamily Helicinae. The results support the idea that the subfamily is divided between two western Palaearctic diversification centres: Iberian Peninsula and western Maghreb in the west, and Anatolia, the Aegean and Caucasus in the east. One group, the tribe Helicini, diversified in the east and the remaining three currently recognised tribes in the west. However, the exact relationships among lineages of the non-Helicini tribes could not be resolved.
Intertemporal Dependence in Alcohol Consumption Data: Evidence of Rational Addiction?

Intertemporal patterns in alcohol consumption for the United States are analyzed at the national, regional, and state level. We address shortcomings of linear time series models by employing nonlinear estimation techniques. Our findings are consistent with the theoretical model of cyclical rational addiction, with periodicity generally between 6 and 16 years. Further examination shows a positive relationship between average volume of consumption and intertemporal cycle period. JEL Classification: D91, D12
The prognostic influence of tumour budding in Western patients with stage II colorectal cancer

Background: Tumour budding (TB) refers to loss of tumour cohesiveness and is defined as isolated cells or a cell cluster of up to four tumour cells at the microscopic analysis. The International Tumour Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) in 2016 proposed a scoring system to standardise the pathology evaluation of TB in colorectal cancer (CRC) as high (H), intermediate (I) and low (L) TB. Objective: To evaluate the recurrence-free survival (RFS) of stage II CRC patients as per the ITBCC 2016 classification and associations between TB and clinical pathological features. Methods: Cases of stage II CRC undergoing surgery with available tumour tissue underwent central pathology review for TB. Prognostic factors, retrospectively retrieved from electronic medical charts, were evaluated in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses for RFS (primary end point). Results: Among 137 patients included, L-TB was observed in 107 (78.1%), I-TB in 21 (15.3%) and H-TB in 9 (6.6%). In a median follow-up of 69 months, the median RFS was 134 months, with 14 patients (10.2%) presenting with tumour recurrence: 10 (9.3%) with L-TB, 2 (9.5%) with I-TB and 2 (22.2%) with H-TB. Perineural invasion was more commonly seen in the H-TB group. In multivariate analysis, TB (H and I versus L; HR = 2.6; p = 0.059) and not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 3.7; p = 0.020) were independently associated with RFS. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated longer RFS (HR = 3.7; p = 0.022). Conclusion: In this series of Western patients, TB grade was associated with perineural invasion and increased risk of disease relapse.
GAIN OPTIMIZATION FOR INERTIA WHEEL PENDULUM STABILIZATION USING PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION AND GENETIC ALGORITHMS

We describe in this paper the optimization of the gains of a PID controller to stabilize the inertia wheel pendulum (IWP) using bio-inspired and evolutionary meth-ods. Particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithms are used to (cid:12)nd the optimal gain values of the PID controller. Computer simulations and experiments are presented showing the control results using the optimal gain values to stabilize the inertia wheel pendulum. Both particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GAs) are shown to be eﬀective tools for gain optimization of the inertia wheel.
Supervision mechanism and quality of the internal control system disclosure

Article history: Received July 2 2020 Received in revised format July 26 2020 Accepted July 29 2020 Available online August 4 2020 This study analyzes the effect of supervision activities on the quality of the internal control system. It ascertains how the board of commissioners direct the company in presenting information as required by the stakeholders. The presentation of adequate information on internal control is a part of good corporate governance. The study was conducted on a public company in Indonesia, and data of 119 companies were collected using content analysis. The items used in measuring the extent of disclosure were developed based on the 2013 COSO framework and directions in the circular letter of number 30 /SEOJK.04/2016. A regression test with the IBM SPSS 21 program was used to perform the data analysis. The analysis results showed empirical support for some characteristics of the board of commissioners, such as the size, accounting and financial literacy, and the number of meeting in a year on the quality of internal control system disclosure. This study provided a theoretical contribution by using supervision mechanisms to overcome asymmetric information. Practical contributions are also expected to be conveyed to the financial service authority regarding the independence proportion and gender diversity, that have not been generally performed. The value of this research is an instrument that measures the quality of the disclosure adjusting conditions in Indonesia. Design of measurement items based on rules is issued by the Financial Services Authority for public companies. © 2020 by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada
5D Precision Process Monitoring

Process monitoring, well established for standard machine tools, currently becomes more important for ultra-precision processes as the demands for process reliability, production continuity and quality management rise steadily. In this context, state-of-the-art process monitoring methods have to be carefully adapted to the high requirements of ultra-precision components and the according manufacturing processes. Acoustic emission sensors have proven a reliable, easy to integrate and very sensitive technology to detect effects of tool wear, machining dynamics or material inhomogeneity. Nevertheless, the acquired data has to be intensively processed to allow for a suitable evaluation. State-of-the-art method use data filtering, Fourier transform or image processing algorithms to generate evaluation criteria for the determined processes, trying to allow for automated process estimation. In contrast to these time or spectrum plots, the Fraunhofer IPT approach adds the position information captured by the linear scales of the machine tool to the evaluation algorithms. In this manner, the sensor data can be visualized not only time-based but locally associated to the tool path of the manufactured workpiece. Hence, an online evaluation by the machine operator can be performed intuitively while the precision part is being machined. The paper presents the process monitoring approach, the hardware and software concepts and first experimental results.
A conjecture of Bertino: from copulas to graph theory

In this article we prove a conjecture of Salvatore Bertino which centers on a study of the function F(C) = \int_0^{1/2} V_C([t,t+1/2]^2) dt, where C is a copula. This function, which arises in the study of the index of dissimilarity between two random variables (see Bertino 1977), is the integral of the C-volumes of the family of squares of sidelength 1/2 sliding from the lower left to the upper right along the ascending diagonal of the unit square. The conjecture made in 1999 is that the minimum value of F among the Bertino copulas is 1/8, which is the value of F at the Fr´echet lower bound. The conjecture is established by showing that a certain family of shuffles of M is dense in the set of Bertino copulas and then solving a problem in weighted graphs, which is equivalent to the conjecture in the restricted case.
Effects of the methanolic extracts of Zizyphus spina christi, Olea europaea and Morus alba leaves in Streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats.

Background:The present study aims to investigate the hypoglycemic, hypolipidimic and antioxidant effect of the methanolic crude extracts of Zizyphus spina christi, Morus alba and Olea europaea leaves, individually or in combination against diabetes induced rats by Streptozotocin (STZ). Results:Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidaemia except in high density lipoproteins (HDL) were observed in serum after 5 weeks of STZ administration. This was associated with a depression in hepatic glutathione (GSH) concentration as well as hepatic catalase (CAT), glutathione-s- transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activates. In addition hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and protein carbonyl (PC) were significantly elevated, indicating increased lipid and protein oxidation and oxidative stress. Depression in blood hemoglobin (Hb) content, serum insulin levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and nitric oxide (NO) levels as well as body weight gain were also observed in diabetic rats. Administration of 100mg/kg alcoholic extracts of Zizyphus spina christi, Morus alba and Olea europaea leaves 3 days before and after STZ injection daily for 5 weeks significantly ameliorated the oxidative stress evidenced by lowering TBARS & PC as well as increasing hepatic GSH concentration and CAT, GST and SOD activates as compared with STZ treated rats. These effects were paralleled with marked protection against STZ induced hyperglycemia and disturbance of lipid profile. They also caused a great improvement in insulin levels, TAOC, NO, Hb content and body weight gain. Conclussion:Thus, these results showed that the administration of the crude extracts of either Zizyphus spina christi, Morus alba or Olea europaea leaves individually or in combination might improve the clinical manifestation of diabetes and decrease the oxidative stress, this study supports the beneficial effects of these extracts especially Zizyphus spina christi, which showed marked amelioration and this may be attributed to the presence of saponin glycosides which have an inhibitory effect of serum glucose level in addition to enhance the cellular antioxidant defense. This activity contributes to the protection against oxidative damage in STZ induced diabetes.