Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A review of threshold responses of birds to landscape changes across the world

Identifying the threshold of habitat cover beyond which species of birds are locally lost is useful for understanding the biological consequences of landscape changes. However, there is little consensus regarding the impact of landscape changes on the likelihood of species extinctions. We conducted a literature search using Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge databases to identify studies where bird species were used to estimate threshold responses to landscape changes. We obtained a list of 31 papers published from 1994 to 2018, with 24 studies conducted at temperate latitudes and seven in tropical regions. Nineteen studies were based on species‐level assessments, and investigators used a variety of response variables such as probability of detection and occurrence to detect threshold responses. Eight studies were based on communities, and species richness and abundance were primarily used to detect threshold responses. Four studies included both communities and species‐level assessments. Methods used to identify threshold responses varied among studies, but most relied on either regression models to visually identify values from graphs or piecewise regression to estimate a specific threshold value. Although the limited number of studies and their variety of approaches and methods prevented a formal meta‐analysis, we found that mean threshold responses in studies that reported either a range or a single threshold value were 27.9% at temperate latitudes (range = 1.3–90%; N = 11) and 33.6% at tropical latitudes (range = 20–50%; N = 7). Considering only studies where single threshold values were reported, the mean habitat cover threshold was 11% for studies conducted at temperate latitudes (N = 3) and 29.5% for studies in the tropics (N = 4). These crude estimates suggest that tropical species might be more susceptible to habitat loss than temperate species. Although application of the threshold concept is still controversial, the number of studies using this approach is increasing because the results of such studies may have direct application to conservation strategies and restoration of landscapes for bird conservation.
An Extremum Seeking Estimator Design and Its Application to Monitoring Unbalanced Mass Dynamics

When sensor information of a controlled-system output is not available, estimators can be used. Estimators are algorithms that take the available sensor data from the system and estimate the necessary data to be used by the feedback controller. Typically, estimation is done by running a model of the plant inside the controller and formulating an output error minimization mechanism to calculate the unknown dynamics and parameters. In this paper, a new estimation mechanism based on extremum seeking is presented. The method utilizes the idea of minimization of a non-linear error function of written in a specific structure, which may be suitable for systems with periodic dynamics such as systems with unbalanced masses. An estimation adjustment algorithm can be built based on the error between the model outputs and the actual sensor data. This adjustment algorithm drives the error between the model and the actual plant output to zero, while the feedback controller uses the information from the model. This proposed method is then applied to a mobile robotic system to improve its locomotion. Our initial results showed promising improvements up to five times more displacement with the same command on a testbed environment with challenges in eluding high-order dynamics and digital effects at high-frequency input.
PhenotypeXpression: sub-classification of disease states using public gene expression data and literature

The success of personalized medicine relies on proper disease classification and subtyping. Differential gene expression among disease subtypes can have a significant impact on treatment effect. This complicates the role of clinicians seeking more tailored diagnoses in cases where granular disease subtypes are not well defined. PhenotypeXpression (PhenoX) is a tool for rapid disease subtyping using publicly available gene expression data and literature. PhenoX aggregates and clusters gene expression data to determine potential disease subtypes, and develops a phenotypic profile for each subtype using term co-occurrences in published literature. Although the availability of public gene expression data is limited, we are able to observe clearly defined subtypes for several conditions.
Comparative analysis of novel suspension testing and agar cup diffusion methods in establishing the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa against ethanol and chlorhexidine gluconate

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one among the leading nosocomial pathogens worldwide. It is therefore necessary to decrease and to prevent a rebound of growth. Comparison of novel suspension testing method and agar cup diffusion method results in determination of the sensitive method to identify effectiveness of disinfectants against microbial activity. This study was carried out to determine the effectiveness among novel suspension testing and agar cup diffusion method to determine disinfectant susceptibility and also to identify the efficacy of ethanol and chlorhexidine gluconate at manufacturer’s concentration against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study 50 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were included. Each isolate was subjected to novel suspension testing method and agar cup diffusion method with ethanol and chlorhexidine gluconate, the results were observed and recorded. The 50 isolates, sensitive strains showed 100% sensitivity to chlorhexidine gluconate and 95% to ethanol. Whereas resistant strains showed 100% sensitivity to chlorhexidine gluconate, 75% were sensitive to ethanol. Both agar cup diffusion method and novel suspension method yielded similar results. With the advantage of easy processing and less time consumption, agar cup diffusion method can be routinely used for determining the disinfectant susceptibility testing.
Universal cancer tasks, evolutionary tradeoffs, and the functions of driver mutations

Recent advances have led to an appreciation of the vast molecular diversity of cancer. Detailed data has enabled powerful methods to sort tumors into groups with benefits for prognosis and treatment. We are still missing, however, a general theoretical framework to understand the diversity of tumor gene-expression and mutations. To address this, we present a framework based on multi-task evolution theory, using the fact that tumors evolve in the body, and that tumors are faced with multiple tasks that contribute to their fitness. In accordance with the theory, we find that tradeoff between tasks constrains tumor gene-expression to a continuum bounded by a polyhedron. The vertices of the polyhedron are gene-expression profiles each specializing in one task, allowing the tasks to be identified. We find five universal cancer tasks across tissue-types: cell-division, biomass & energy, lipogenesis, immune-interaction and invasion & tissue remodeling. Tumors whose gene-expression lies close to a vertex are task specialists. We find evidence that such specialists are more sensitive to drugs that interfere with this task. We find that driver mutations, but not passenger mutations, tune gene-expression towards specialization in specific tasks. This approach can integrate additional types of molecular data into a theoretically-based framework for understanding tumor diversity.
Significance of Different Buffer Layers in an SPR Multichannel Sensor

In this manuscript, a multi-layer (Four) plasmonic configuration has been presented. The configuration consists of either SF10 or SF11 prism, a metal layer (preferably Gold), a buffer layer (Tantalum Pentoxide, TaP or Magnesium Floride, MgF) and a sensing layer (water). Based on the design and using MATLAB environment, SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) curves are obtained. The obtained curves show that buffer layer in the configuration depicts a vital role in the generation of different Plasmon modes and also for the formation of sensing channel in the sensor.
Interdecadal variability of South–Southeast Asian rainfall and cross‐equatorial flows during April–May

From April to May, South–Southeast Asian rainfall (SSEAR) and cross‐equatorial flows (CEFs) off the East African coast have exhibited interdecadal variability over the past four decades. Both SSEAR and CEF strengthened based on comparative analysis for the periods 1979–1998 and 1999–2016. Associated modulating processes feature warm sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical western North Pacific (WNP) and cold SST anomalies in the tropical eastern Pacific. These features lead to a low‐level clockwise circulation anomaly across the North and South Indian Ocean. This intensifies CEFs via anomalous southerly flows along the circulation's western section and transports moisture via anomalous westerly flows on its northern side that enhances SSEAR. After 1998, SSEAR and CEFs vary coherently from 1999 to 2005, but incoherently from 2006 to 2016. For coherent cases (1999–2005), warm SST anomalies in the tropical WNP invoke a clockwise circulation anomaly over the tropical Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, cold anomalies in the tropical Indian Ocean and strong warm anomalies over Asian landmasses cause a meridional temperature difference (MTD) forming a strong cyclonic anomaly in the north that constrains the clockwise circulation anomaly south of 15°N. The circulation's western section enhances CEFs, while anomalous westerly flows on its northern side enhance moisture supply over southern parts of the Asian landmasses thereby increasing SSEAR. For incoherent cases (2006–2016), SST anomalies are warm in both the tropical WNP and Indian Ocean, while anomalous warming over Asian landmasses is more moderate. A weakened MTD yields an isolated weakened cyclonic anomaly in the north allowing for the development of a northward‐displacing clockwise circulation anomaly with anomalous westerly flows north of 20°N. Rainfall increases a little in northern parts of South–Southeast Asia but decreases noticeably in southern parts. Intensified CEFs thus occur concurrently with decreased SSEAR.
Electrical Generation of a Ground-Level Solar Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental Tests and One-Year Cycle Simulation

Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) are a promising technology to harvest energy for off-grid applications. A wide variety of STEG designs have been proposed with the aim of providing non-intermittent electrical generation. Here, we designed and tested a STEG 0.5 m long formed by nine commercial thermoelectric generator modules and located at ground level. Data were used to validate a numerical model that was employed to simulate a one-year cycle. Results confirmed the very high variability of energy generation during daylight time due to weather conditions. By contrast, energy generation during night was almost independent of atmospheric conditions. Annual variations of nighttime energy generation followed the trend of the daily averaged soil temperature at the bottom of the device. Nighttime electrical energy generation was 5.4 times smaller than the diurnal one in yearly averaged values. Mean energy generation values per day were 587 J d −1 (daylight time) and 110 J d −1 (nighttime). Total annual energy generation was 255 kJ. Mean electrical output power values during daylight and nighttime were 13.4 mW and 2.5 mW, respectively. Annual mean output power was 7.9 mW with a peak value of 79.8 mW.
Covering Energy of Some Classes of Posets

The concept of the covering energy of a poset is introduced and its bounds are given. We compute covering energy of some classes of posets like S<sub>n</sub>, 2<sup>n</sup>. The posets D<sub>k</sub> and D<sup>'</sup><sub>k</sub> are defined and two recurrence relations for the characteristic polynomials of these posets are obtained. The energies of the posets D<sub>1</sub>, D<sub>2</sub>, D<sub>3</sub>, D<sub>4</sub> and D<sub>5</sub> are explicitly computed. The existence of some eigenvalues for some type of D<sub>k</sub> and D<sup>'</sup><sub>k</sub> is proved.
Filtering DSM extraction from Worldview-3 images to DTM using open source software

Today, the Indonesia one map policy has encouraged for producing maps up to scale 1/5.000 – 1/10.000. Therefore, all efforts to accelerate large-scale map production are still needed. One of the challenges is for producing DEM (Digital Elevation Model). DEM data extraction from high-resolution optical satellite imagery is an efficient choice for the production of large-area DEM. This study uses Worldview 3 stereo ready images for DSM (Digital Surface Model) Extraction. Although the DSM data have a high resolution 30cm x 30cm, unfortunately, the DEM extraction techniques from optical images produce DSM (Digital Surface Model) data instead of DTM. While topographic maps generally use DTM data instead of DSM. So, the goal of this study is to use an appropriate procedures method in Open-Source (OS) software towards the generation of Bare-Earth data by filtering DSM. The OS software is SAGA-GIS that it is can be used for any point cloud data. The quality of DTM generated by SAGA-GIS is evaluated by visual interpretation from Worldview 3 orthoimage itself. A good filtering result will remove the non-terrain point. Some independent check point used to evaluate the error in elevation. The error in elevation still less than 2 pixels. Final product is a high resolution DTM which has 30cm × 30cm grid spacing.
Design of a Wide Dual-Band Coplanar Probe Feed Antenna for WLANs Applications

This paper presents a new design to obtain wide dual-band operation from a coplanar probe feed antenna loaded with two shorted walls. The lower band of proposed antenna has a 10 dB bandwidth of 611 MHz (24.18%) around the center frequency 2527MHz, and the upper band has a bandwidth of 1255 MHz (27.88%) around the center frequency 4501MHz. The obtained bandwidths cover WLANs operations on all bands. The bandwidth of the first operating frequency covers ISM band (2400-2483.5) MHz, which is required by IEEE 802.11b, g and Bluetooth standards, and the bandwidth of the second operating frequency covers U-NII1 (5150-5350) MHz band, which is required by IEEE 802.11a and HiperLAN2 standards, and also covers U-NII2 (5470-5725) MHz and U-NII3/ISM (5725-5825) MHz bands, which are required by IEEE 802.11a standard. A three dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3-D FDTD) method is employed to analyze the proposed structure and find its performance. The simulated results are compared with the experimental results.
Synthesis, structural, dielectric and optical properties of chitosan-MgO nanocomposite

Chitosan (CS) was used as a powerful chelating agent and an excellent template for synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). The CS-MgO nanocomposite film was prepared by adding 10%wt of MgO relative to CS and was characterized by different techniques. From the FTIR, some of the main characteristic peaks of CS were shifted due to the interaction with MgO especially with OH and NH2 groups. Also, SEM graphs showed a clear change in the morphological surface of CS. Moreover, XRD pattern shows an improvement in the crystallinity due to incorporation of MgO NPs. The dielectric and optical properties of the nanocomposite film were studied. Moreover, the effect of temperature on the dielectric properties of the hybrid film was studied. The absorption and transmittance were measured for the prepared samples by using UV–VIS spectrophotometer. The optical parameters such as refractive index, absorption coefficient and energy band gap for the CS-MgO nanocomposite were calculated and compared with the pure CS film only.
Perspective on the Influence of Leadership on Job Satisfaction and Lower Employee Turnover in the Mineral Industry

A lower employee turnover rate depends on job satisfaction, working conditions, organizational commitment, and leadership factors. Unfortunately, the employee turnover rate is still higher in the mineral industry than in other industries in China. Although there are many research papers on employee turnover, there is little research investigating leadership factors and their influence on employee turnover. This research paper aims to explore the influence of leadership on job satisfaction and its effect on employee turnover in the mining industry. This paper evaluates those factors through the structural equation model (SEM), including a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a path analysis of the model to test the hypotheses. The results of a survey with 368 respondents indicated that the influence of good leadership had positive effects on both job satisfaction and employee turnover, while fair working conditions had positive mediation effects on both leadership and job satisfaction. Organizational commitment had strong effects on employee turnover (estimate values β = 0.572, p < 0.001). However, organizational commitment was not a qualified mediator with both leadership and employee turnover (β = 0.312, p < 0.001). Consequently, the working conditions variable in the work environment was an important independent variable and also one of the key factors for job satisfaction. The higher estimate value (β = 0.541, p < 0.001) of leadership to employee turnover means that it indicated good leadership was a key factor in lowering employee turnover. The results of this study will offer the mining industry a future reference for sustainability and for the field of academic research in the future.
Reducing the Service Function Chain Backup Cost Over the Edge and Cloud by a Self-Adapting Scheme

Emerging virtual network functions (VNFs) bring new opportunities to network services on the edge within customers’ premises. Network services are realized by chained up VNFs, which are called service function chains (SFCs). These services are deployed on commercial edge servers for higher flexibility and scalability. Despite such promises, it is still unclear how to provide highly available and cost-effective SFCs under edge resource limitations and time-varying VNF failures. In this paper, we propose a novel Reliability-aware Adaptive Deployment scheme named RAD to efficiently place and back up SFCs over both the edge and the cloud. Specifically, RAD first deploys SFCs to fully utilize edge resources. It then uses both static backups and dynamic ones created on the fly to guarantee the availability under the resource limitation of edge networks. RAD does not assume failure rates of VNFs but instead strives to find the sweet spot between the desired availability of SFCs and the backup cost. Theoretical performance bounds, extensive simulations, and small-scale experiments highlight that RAD provides significantly higher availability with lower backup costs compared with existing baselines.
Defence components in Arabidopsis against Leptosphaeria maculans

The dothideomycete, Leptosphaeria maculans is a hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen, causing the blackleg disease of Brassica oil crops world-wide. Genetic studies of L. maculans resistance in Brassica species have been tedious and despite confirmed gene-for-gene interactions, no Brassica R genes or LmAvr genes have been cloned. Arabidopsis has been shown to be a suitable model host system to develop a mechanistic understanding of resistance against this pathogen. 168 Arabidopsis accessions and numerous mutants impaired in pathways or key genes important in plant defence have been evaluated for their response to L. maculans. It was found that the resistance in Arabidopsis was independent of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and ethylene-induced defences but partly relied on the phytoalexin camalexin. We have utilized two sets of recombinant inbred lines with the aim of identifying genes that control the defence to L. maculans resulting in identification of RLM1Col and RLM2Ler. In addition, transcriptional analysis has been used to identify RLM3, a gene that also governs resistance other necrotrophic pathogens. Ongoing work includes characterisation of lms mutants and gene cloning, genetic dissection of defence signalling and assessment of various defence layers and finally R-gene interactions on protein level. Updated results on those aspects will be presented and further discussed.
Monetary Policy in an Endogenous Growth Model with R&D and Human Capital Accumulation

Despite some recent evidence according to which different inflation rates have effects on long run growth, endogenous growth theory had advanced little on explaining the mechanics of monetary influence on economic growth. We follow the increasing interest in the issue offering a new explanation for the influence of monetary policy on growth in both long and short run: the cash requirements for households expenditures in education. Quantitatively, the model replicates both the small influence of monetary policy on growth while also highlighting the effects it can have on welfare and allocations of resources throughout different sectors in the economy.
All the world's a stage: How Irish immigrants negotiated life in England in the 1950s/1960s using Goffman's theory of impression management

This paper uses oral history to consider the relative merits of symbolic interactionism in revealing new insights regarding the Irish immigration experience in England during the 1950s and 1960s. Using a variety of rubrics attributed to Canadian sociologist Erving Goffman, I critically examine the nature of identity work performed by Irish men and women when in their new host country. The paper highlights the interface between citizenship and sociocultural identity epitomised by both the use props (corporeal modifications) and the power of sign vehicles, notably Irish accents in shaping the nature of social interactions. The extent to which Goffman neglects sensory driven constructs of identity is highlighted. The way in Irish immigrants negotiated two simultaneous worlds front and back stage in response to the anticipated reaction of the given audience evokes the metaphor of a revolving door of identity fluid and chameleon like in nature. Actions were at times driven the anticipated reactions of others following presentation but then reclaimed elsewhere manifested by front and back stage behaviours. The Irish men and women worked inside and alongside systems of control where their identities were contested, ambiguous, or problematised to create a fluid sense of self (selves).
Temporal stability of grassland metacommunities is regulated more by community functional traits than species diversity

Temporal stability in aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) is influenced by several attributes of plant communities. Identifying the primary regulators of stability and their roles across spatial scales is of both practical and theoretical importance. We assessed effects of species diversity (local or alpha diversity and species dissimilarity between local communities) together with spatial differences in two community functional attributes (mean aboveground biomass and community leaf dry matter content, LDMC) on temporal stability in spring ANPP of restored grassland. Biomass, community LDMC, and species dissimilarity were derived from remote measurements of canopy reflectance of grassland on two soil types. Results demonstrated that productivity at the larger spatial scale of the metacommunity (communities connected by dispersal) was stabilized more by spatial differences in community functional traits than by diversity or community differences in diversity. Spatial differences in community biomass and LDMC stabilized metacommunity productivity by increasing differences in the productivity responses of spatially distinct communities to interannual variation in precipitation, but de-stabilized ANPP on one soil type by reducing the temporal stability of local communities. Our results demonstrate the utility of remote sensing for quantifying community attributes useful to assess or predict temporal stability of grassland ANPP. We conclude that temporal stability in productivity depended largely on community differences in functional attributes that couple plant growth to changes in resource availability.