Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling distribution and abundance of Antarctic baleen whales using ships of opportunity

Information on animal abundance and distribution is at the cornerstone of many wildlife and conservation strategies. However, these data can be difficult and costly to obtain for cetacean species. The expense of sufficient ship time to conduct design-unbiased line transect surveys may be simply out of reach for researchers in many countries, which nonetheless grapple with problems of conservation of endangered species, by-catch of small cetaceans in commercial fisheries, and progression toward ecosystem-based fisheries management. Recently developed spatial modeling techniques show promise for estimating wildlife abundance using non-randomized surveys, but have yet to receive much field-testing in areas where designed surveys have also been conducted. Effort and sightings data were collected along 9 650 km of transects aboard ships of opportunity in the Southern Ocean during the austral summers of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. Generalized additive models with generalized cross-validation were used to express heterogeneity of cetacean sightings as functions of spatial covariates. Models were used to map predicted densities and to estimate abundance of humpback, minke, and fin whales in the Drake Passage and along the Antarctic Peninsula. All species' distribution maps showed strong density gradients, which were robust to jackknife resampling when each of 14 trips was removed sequentially with replacement. Looped animations of model predictions of whale density illustrate uncertainty in distribution estimates in a way that is informative to non-scientists. The best abundance estimate for humpback whales was 1 829 (95% CI: 978-3 422). Abundance of fin whales was 4 487 (95% CI: 1 326-15 179) and minke whales was 1,544 (95% CI: 1,221-1,953). These estimates agreed roughly with those reported from a designed survey conducted in the region during the previous austral summer. These estimates assumed that all animals on the trackline were detected, but preliminary results suggest that any negative bias due to violation of this assumption was likely small. Similarly, current methodological limitations prohibit inclusion of all known sources of uncertainty in the favored variance estimator. Meanwhile, our approach can be seen generally as an inexpensive pilot study to identify areas of predicted high density that could be targeted to: inform stratified designs for future line transect surveys, making them less expensive and more precise; increase efficiency of future photo-identification or biopsy studies; identify candidate time-area fisheries closures to minimize by-catch; or direct ecotourism activities. The techniques are likely to apply to areas where funding is limiting, where cetacean studies or wilderness-based tourism are just beginning, or in regions where even a very rough estimate of animal abundance is needed for conservation or management purposes.
Characterization of Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter Emissions from Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles

Ultrafine (D(sub p) < 100 nm) and fine (D(sub p) < 1.8 mm) particulate matter (PM) emissions from four heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDV's) were collected using a chassis dynamometer and dilution source sampling system. Emissions samples were collected simultaneously using cascade impactors, filter-based instrumentation, and real-time particle size distribution analyzers. The four HDDV's were tested using either partial or full California Air Resources Board (CARB) Heavy Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle Truck (HHDDT) driving cycles and were subjected to either 56,000 lb or 66,000 lb simulated inertial loads. Cascade impactor and filter-based samples were subsequently analyzed for carbonaceous content, water soluble ionic species content, trace organic species, and elemental composition. Real-time measurements were scaled to size-resolved impactor reconstructed mass distributions and were then used to perform temporal analyses. This report details the sample collection methodology and laboratory analytical characterization methodologies, and presents key findings based on experimental and laboratory efforts. Ultrafine and fine PM emission rates for chemical composition speciation data are reported. u0825
Hyperspectral imaging sustains production-process competitiveness

Because of increased worldwide competition, efficiency improvements and establishing processes that are suitable for manufacturing high-end, high-quality products are primary commercial aims. In the agri-food industry, raw-material online characterization during the input stages of processing chains is of key importance for quality control. Classification into different quality categories and separation of unwanted spurious materials are traditionally done based on time-consuming machine-vision techniques. In industrial settings, however, welding-quality monitoring plays a major role, particularly in aeronautics and the nuclear industry, and the appearance of flaws (such as porosities or inclusions) must be prevented. Using x-rays, ultrasound, or other offline nondestructive evaluation techniques is associated with both economic and productivity costs, however. Optical spectroscopy (OS)1 has been widely used in process manufacturing, since each substance is uniquely identifiable from its spectral properties. However, traditional OS techniques generate information about the bulk properties of (or part of) a sample,2 and, in commonly used applications, many aspects of the derived sample properties result from composition heterogeneity. Imaging spectroscopy simultaneously determines the optical spectral components of a particular light-matter interaction (such as absorption) and its spatial location. It can successfully monitor sample heterogeneity. Hyperspectral imagers allow data collection in hundreds or even thousands of spectral bands. Thus, multicomponent information and high sensitivity to minor components are achieved, thus allowing enhanced quality control. Of the different types of imaging spectrometers,3 Figure 1. Global block diagram of our hyperspectral-imaging system for agri-food and industrial applications. LOS: Line of sight. a.u. : Arbitrary units. : Wavelength.
Prevalence of Overweight/Obesity and Undiagnosed Hypertension among Military Personnel in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Background: Hypertension and overweight/obesity are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, but prevalence data on these conditions are not readily available among occupational groups in Nigeria. Purpose: To determine prevalence of overweight/obesity and undiagnosed hypertension and their association with Sociodemographic characteristics among military personnel in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 385 military personnel. Blood pressure (BP), height and weight were assessed using standardized procedures. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg and BMI was classified according to WHO criteria. Result: Prevalence of overweight/obesity and undiagnosed hypertension among military personnel in Maiduguri were 155 (40.3) and 32 (8.3%), Prevalence was significantly (p 0.05). Being 30-45 years, ≥ 45 years or older and being married was positively associated with prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and overweight/obesity. Whereas senior rank was negatively associated with overweight/obesity (OR=0.73, CI=0.28-1.90) and hypertension (OR=0.89, CI=0.17-4.69). Conclusion: Comparable prevalence of obesity and undiagnosed hypertension were found among military personnel in Maiduguri. Findings shows higher prevalence of obesity among this cohort of military personnel suggests intervention measures for this group.
Improvement of Directed Diffusion Routing Protocol in Wireless Sensor Network Security

Wireless sensor networks usually operate on unattended mode in hostile environments so the sensitive data should be protected using some sort of cryptography. Symmetric key scheme is appropriate cryptography for wireless sensor networks due to its low energy consumption but most of them cannot provide sufficient security level as public key approach does. In this work, we propose a new security scheme that overcomes the limitations presented in both public and symmetric key algorithm. We propose a new method that uses both public key cryptography and symmetric key cryptography in the encryption/decryption process. We have calculated the computational and communication overheads in terms of energy consumption in the new scheme for directed diffusion protocol. The results have shown that the proposed scheme is scalable and a strong competitor to pure symmetric key schemes in terms of energy . But it maintains all security levels provided by public key schemes. The proposed scheme is most suitable for wireless sensor networks that incorporate data centric routing protocols. Keywords— Wireless Sensor Network, Directed Diffusion Routing Protocol, Symmetric Cryptosystem, Asymmetric Cryptosystem, Elliptic curve cryptography
Measuring the growth force of invasive plant cells using Flexure integrated Lab-on-a-Chip (FiLoC)

The pollen tube is a tip growing cell that is able to invade plant tissues in order to accomplish its function — the delivery of sperm cells to the ovule. The pistillar tissues through which the tube has to elongate represent a formidable mechanical obstacle, but it is unknown how much force the growing tube is able to exert, or how mechanical impedance affects its growth behavior. We quantified the invasive force of individual pollen tubes using a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device featuring a microscopic cantilever. Using finite element method the maximum invasive growth force of the growing pollen tube was determined to be in the microNewton range. Real time monitoring revealed that contact with the mechanical obstacle caused a shift in the peak frequency characterizing the oscillatory behavior of the pollen tube growth rate. This suggests the presence of a feedback-based control mechanism with a mechanical regulatory component.
Deer Mouse Consumption of Bitterbrush Seed Treated with Four Repellents

Bitterbrush (Purshiu tridentata) seeds were treated with one of four repellents-Mestranol, R55, Red Squill, or Alphanaphthylthiourea (ANTU)-and offered to caged deer mice (Perom_vscus maniculatus). ANTU reduced deer mouse consumption of bitterbrush seed the most (up to 90%) and was not toxic to germinating seed. Deer mice consumed even less ANTU treated seed when seed was first soaked in a 3% thiourea solution to hasten germination. Although ANTU did not reduce seed consumption of treated bitterbrush seed (a 2: 55 seed consumed/mouse/night) as much as 0.5% or 1% Endrin (3 = 35-29 seed consumed/mice/night), this may not be relevant as Endrin is banned in Canada and subject to severe use restrictions on federal lands in the United States.
Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities and Essential Elements Content of Locally Produced Honey in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to characterize antioxidant and antibacterial activities and essential elements content of Saudi honey marketed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The different contents of flavonoid and phenolic compounds correspond to honey sample. The evaluation of antioxidant activity of methanol extract of honey samples was conducted by several methods. Honey samples extracts showed a concentration dependent on the scavenging of DPPH, ABTS radicals and the formation of phosphate/ molybdenum complex. Honey samples showed inhibitory activity with MIC values ranged between 2x10 to 2x10 μg honey phenolic content when tested against multi-drug resistant bacteria, namely, vancomycin resistant enterococci, methicillin resistant Staph. aures 4 and methicillin resistant Staph. aures 2. Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were determined in all tested honey samples. The highest level of elements in all tested honeys are in the order of Al > Pb > Cu. In conclusion, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in addition to the essential elements content make Saudi honey as high added value product. [Rashad R. Al-Hindi and Alsaeed Shehata. Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities and Essential Elements Content of Locally Produced Honey in Saudi Arabia. Life Sci J 2014;11(5):175-185]. (ISSN:10978135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 23
Chapter 16 Long-Term Studies of the Chimpanzees of Gombe National Park , Tanzania

The study of chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, which has continued for over 50 years, has yielded many discoveries that would have been impossible without long-term data. The basic data collection procedure has remained constant since the early 1970s, with a team of Tanzanian field assistants conducting all-day focal follows of individual chimpanzees in the Kasekela (1974–present) and Mitumba (1994–present) communities. Field assistants record map location and party composition at 15-min intervals and keep a continuous record of the focal subject’s feeding behavior and narrative notes on behavior, including mating, agonistic interactions, tool use, hunting, boundary patrols, and intergroup interactions. Field assistants have also monitored the unhabituated Kalande community since 1999. A relational database developed from these data provides a powerful tool for analyzing long-term patterns. Studies using this database in combination with new technologies have deepened our understanding of chimpanzee pathogens, genetics, hormones, tool use, hunting, meat sharing, social relationships, habitat use, dispersal, life histories, and demography. This chapter focuses on life histories and demography, followed by a section that highlights findings on two topics for which long-term data have proven especially informative: intergroup aggression and disease ecology. M.L. Wilson (*) Departments of Anthropology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA e-mail: wilso198@umn.edu P.M. Kappeler and D.P. Watts (eds.), Long-Term Field Studies of Primates, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-22514-7_16, # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012 357 16.1 History and Infrastructure of Gombe Stream Research Centre Long-term field studies are essential for understanding the lives of our closest relatives, including chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Jane Goodall began the first such study of chimpanzees at what was then Gombe Stream Game Reserve in 1960. Studies of captive chimpanzees by Wolfgang K€ohler (1925) and Robert Yerkes (Yerkes and Yerkes 1929) had provided intriguing insights into chimpanzee cognition, but very little was known about chimpanzees in the wild. Nissen’s short study of chimpanzees in French Guinea provided some of the first observations of feeding and social behavior (Nissen 1931). By 1960, technological advances such as jet travel and antimalarial drugs had made tropical field sites more accessible and medically safer for researchers from temperate zone countries, who had begun studying various primate species (e.g., Hanuman langurs (Jay 1962), savannah baboons (DeVore and Hall 1965), and mountain gorillas (Schaller 1963)), including chimpanzees (Kortlandt 1962).
The Sydney organising committee for the olympic games (SOCOG) event leadership training course - an effectiveness evaluation

Responding to demands for increased productivity and employee efficiency, more and more corporations have created departments for the training of their staff. The Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) had its own Workforce Training Team (WIT), which consisted of SOCOG and TAFE NSW. WIT provided consultants for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and oversaw the training of volunteers and permanent staff. One of the training courses delivered to staff employed by SOCOG was the Event Leadership course. This specific course, which was compulsory for all staff in supervisory or managerial positions, aimed at improving leadership skills. As with most training courses, one way to examine whether a course has achieved its aims and objectives is through an evaluation of the attendees' perception of its effectiveness. A review of the theory of the five main effectiveness models led to the belief that the strategic constituencies' approach was the most suitable in this instance. This model takes into consideration the existence of many stakeholders and evaluates results based on the perspective of one. This research determined the participants' expectations from the course, evaluated the perceived quality and utility of the know 1edge provided, gauged the course's alleged contribution to the improvement of the participants' skills, and, finally, made concluding comments regarding the design and delivery of the course.
Instant Cooking Cowpeas

Cowpeas are important grain legumes. Despite their high nutritional qualities, they are underutilized because of their hardto-cook phenomenon thus this study was aimed at shortening the cooking time of cowpeas. Red, brown and white cowpea varieties obtained from Madina Market, Accrawere sorted to remove damaged and infected seeds. Functional properties of the three varieties were determined by standard methods. Raw cowpea varieties were soaked at 1 and 3 hours respectively at room temperature to determine their cooking time. The soaked cowpeas were drained and cooked in a jacketed pan with steam as a source of heat at a pressure of 50ibper square inch and oven dried (90oC). Rehydration of the dried precooked cowpeas was determined at 27oC and 70oC. Results of functional properties showed a variation in the 3 varieties of cowpeas. The cooking time of the dried precooked cowpeas was also determined and the results showed a significant reduction in the cooking time of the varieties respectively.
Abstraction-Refinement Based Optimal Control with Regular Objectives

This paper presents an abstraction-refinement method to synthesize control inputs for a discrete-time piecewise linear system. The controlled system behavior satisfies a finite-word linear-time temporal objective while incurring minimal cost. An abstract finite state weighted transition system is constructed from finite partitions of the state and input spaces by solving optimization problems. A sequence of suboptimal controllers is obtained by considering a sequence of uniformly refined partitions. The abstract system satisfies the condition that the cost of the optimal control on the abstract system provides an upper bound on the cost of the optimal control for the original system. Furthermore, each suboptimal controller gives trajectories that have the cost upper bounded by the cost of the optimal control on the corresponding abstract system. In fact, the costs achieved by the sequence of suboptimal controllers converge to the optimal cost for the piecewise linear system. The tool OPTCAR implements the abstraction-refinement algorithm. Examples illustrate the feasibility of this approach to synthesize automatically suboptimal controllers with improving optimal costs.
Modelling clustering of natural hazard phenomena and the effect on re/insurance loss perspectives

Abstract. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for modelling clustered natural hazards that makes use of historical event data as a starting point. We review a methodology for modelling clustered natural hazard processes called Poisson mixtures. This methodology is suited to the application we have in mind as it naturally models processes that yield cross-event correlation (unlike homogeneous Poisson models), has a high degree of tunability to the problem at hand and is analytically tractable. Using European windstorm data as an example, we provide evidence that the historical data show strong evidence of clustering. We then develop Poisson and Clustered simulation models for the data, demonstrating clearly the superiority of the Clustered model which we have implemented using the Poisson mixture approach. We then discuss the implications of including clustering in models of prices of catXL contracts, one of the most commonly used mechanisms for transferring risk between primary insurers and reinsurers. This paper provides a number of unique insights into the impact clustering has on modelled catXL contract prices. The simple modelling example in this paper provides a clear and insightful starting point for practitioners tackling more complex natural hazard risk problems.
Periodic Variance Maximization Using Generalized Eigenvalue Decomposition Applied to Remote Photoplethysmography Estimation

A generic periodic variance maximization algorithm to extract periodic or quasi-periodic signals of unknown periods embedded into multi-channel temporal signal recordings is described in this paper. The algorithm combines the notion of maximizing a periodicity metric combined with the global optimization scheme to estimate the source periodic signal of an unknown period. The periodicity maximization is performed using Generalized Eigenvalue Decomposition (GEVD) and the global optimization is performed using tabu search. A case study of remote photoplethysmography signal estimation has been utilized to assess the performance of the method using videos from public databases UBFC-RPPG [1] and MMSE-HR [31]. The results confirm the improved performance over existing state of the art methods and the feasibility of the use of the method in a live scenario owing to its small execution time.
Comparative geometrical morphometries on the mandibles of Anatolian wild sheep (Ovis gmelini anatolica) and Akkaraman sheep (Ovis aries).

Summary Akkaraman sheep (Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758) are densely breed in the region of Middle Anatolian in Turkey. Anatolian wild sheep (Ovis gmelini anatolica Valenciennes, 1856) is also subspecies of a wild sheep existing in the exact center of these lands and exists as little number only in the place of Bozdag at the east of Konya. In this study, it is aimed that the mandibular bones of the Akkaraman sheep and Anatolian wild sheep are compared for morphologic and geometric morphometrics. In this study, the mandibular bones of 16 Anatolian wild sheep and 10 specimen Akkaraman sheep were used. In this study, the mandibular bones of the species were appeared quite similar. The geometric morphometrics analysis clearly determined the morphological differences between both species. On the lateral direction of the mandibular bones of each species, mutual ten each pieces homolog landmarks were used. In the analysis of the relative warp, RW1 explained 56.46% of total variation and RW2 explained 11.40% of total variation. Evident differences were determined among all of the homologous landmarks (except to anterio-ventral corner’s point of P 2 tooth) used at the mandible of Anatolian wild sheep and Akkaraman sheep. As the most evident, firstly, posterio-ventral corner of M 3 tooth and homologous landmarks in the levels of anterior directed combination of lines of the angel for the vessels and dorsal-ventral masseteric ridges were observed.
Geologic, geochemical, and geophysical consequences of plume involvement in the Emeishan flood-basalt province

Prevolcanic kilometer-scale lithospheric doming in the Emeishan large igneous province, southwest China, allows us to evaluate the spatial and temporal consequences of uplift on the paleogeography, geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of the region. Systematic spatial variations are observed across the domal structure in the distribution and thickness of clastic and carbonate sediments, the extent of erosion, thickness, and chemistry of volcanic rocks, and the crust-mantle structure. These features, which are best explained by a mantle plume, may be used to track older plume sites in the geologic record.