Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Inerter: A Retrospective

This article provides an introduction and overview of the inerter concept and device. Careful attention is given to the distinction between the inerter as an ideal modeling element and devices that approximate the ideal behavior. The background is given to the formal definition of the inerter as a mechanical one-port with terminal forces proportional to the relative acceleration between them. Four major methods of construction are described and modeled. The discussion focuses particularly on the notion of terminals, the distinction between a device and an effect, sign reversals, back driving in geared systems, the conceptual aspects of the modeling step for inerter embodiments, and the problem of reverse engineering to discover a purpose. The article includes an analysis and discussion of the rotational inerter, a brief review of the ideas of passive network synthesis that led to the inerter concept, and an analysis and discussion of several examples of integrated mechanical devices. It concludes with an imaginary dialogue between the author and an interlocutor on the understanding and purpose of the inerter.
The ants (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Socotra Archipelago

A b stract: The ant species recorded from Socotra Island and the outlying islands of Samha, Darsa and Abd al-Kuri are listed and a key to the workers is presented. Scanning electron micrographs are provided to facilitate identification. Only 18 species have been identified, one of which – Monomorium nimihil Collingwood, 2003 n. sp. – is described as new. At least eight of these species, but probably more, have been transferred to the islands by human commerce. There is little evidence that ecosystems have been strongly influenced by alien ants up to now. Those ants most feared globally for their invasive potential and destructive impact on native fauna are yet absent from Socotra. To preserve this situation, diligent quarantine measures are of great importance.
Global Vision Based Path Planning for AVGs Using A* Algorithm

One of the most studied problems in robotics is robot path planning. Many strategies have been invented. Image processing and machine vision technology also have been utilized in this regard. Studies are still underway to improve path planning methods. This paper proposes an implementing visual servoing-based technique using the A* algorithm to achieve efﬁcient searching capabilities of path planning in complicated maps with a combination of LabVIEW and MATLAB software. The proposed algorithm is divided into three parts. Firstly, the environment model or robot motion environment is conducted. In this stage, the visual information extracted from a single ceiled camera. Secondly, the position and orientation of the objects (robot, obstacles etc.) under the visibility of the camera are generated from visual information. Thirdly, the A* algorithm is used as a path planning method. This algorithm is not guaranteed the generated path to be safe and desirable with obstacle-free. To solve this problem image processing techniques are utilized. This gives an effective improvement and high performance to A* in a complex environment and gives a safe path as a comparison to the traditional version of A*. The experimental results, considering the optimal path lengths and execution time, show that the proposed design is more effective and faster to generate the shortest path.
Growth and mortality estimates of a sciaenid Johnieops sina (Pisces/Perciformes) from Bombay waters

Growth and mortality in J. sina- based on the length frequency data collected during 1987-90 were computed. von Bertalanffy's growth parameters in length were estimated as L = 239 mm, K = 0.777 (per year) and to - 0.03814 y. This species attained 132 and 192 mm at the end of I st and 2nd year of its life respectively. Fishery was supported mostly by zero and I y class individuals. The instantaneous rates ortolal, natural and fisihing mortalities were4.35. 1. 76 and 2.59 respectively. The exploitation rate and ratios were same (0.59).
Ovarian development in the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, in relation to diet and juvenile hormone control

ABSTRACT. When female Stomoxys calcitrans were supplied a daily blood‐meal their polytrophic ovaries developed and deposited yolk, whereas those of females fed only 5% sucrose deposited no yolk and remained in a ‘resting’ condition. Longevity of the sugar‐fed flies was also reduced. Blood feeding was thus obligatory for general metabolism as well as reproduction. The follicles did not develop in females allatectomized within 1 h of emergence, irrespective of diet, and degenerated if blood was not provided. If blood was available the follicles did not degenerate, nor did they accumulate yolk. In both circumstances development was restored by implanting corpora allata. If allatectomy was delayed until 72 h after eclosion the follicles of sugar‐fed flies developed to the resting stage, and those of blood‐fed flies deposited yolk.
Cloning, cSNP Identification, and Genotyping of Pig Complement Factor B(CFB) Gene Located on the SLA Class III Region

ABSTRACT The primers for RT-PCR and RACE-PCR were designed by aligning the pig genomic sequence and the human complement factor B (CFB) coding sequence (CDS) from the GenBank. Each PCR product was amplified in pig cDNA and sequencing was carried out. The CDS length of pig CFB gene was determined to be 2298 bp. In addition, the pig CDS was more longer than human and mouse orthologs because of insertion and deletion. The identities of porcine nucleotide sequences with those of human and mice were 84% and 80%, and the identities of amino acids were 79% to 77%, respectively. Three complement control protein (CCP) domains, one Von Willebrand factor A (VWFA) domain and a serine protease domain, that are revealed typically in mammals, were found in the pig CFB gene. Based on the CDSs determined, the primers were designed in intron regions for amplification of entire length of exons. In amplification and direct sequencing with genomic DNAs of six pig breeds, three cSNPs (coding single nucleotide polymorphisms) were identified and verified as missense mutations. Using the Multiplex-ARMS method, we genotyped and verified the mutations identified from direct sequencing. To demonstrate recrudescence, we performed both direct sequencing and Multiplex-ARMS with two randomly selected DNA samples. The genotype of each sample exhibited the same results using both methods. Therefore, three cSNPs were identified from pig CFB gene and that can be used for haplotype analysis of the swine leukocyte antigen(SLA) class III region. Moreover, the results indicate that the Multiplex-ARMS method should be powerful for genotyping of genes in the SLA region. (
Solving the puzzle of Pringleophaga – threatened, keystone detritivores in the sub‐Antarctic

In the globally significant, lowland terrestrial systems of the sub‐Antarctic's South Indian Ocean Province Islands, caterpillars of the flightless moth genus Pringleophaga (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) are typically responsible for much nutrient turnover. On Marion Island, Pringleophaga marioni is a keystone species for this reason. Rising temperatures have led to increasing populations of introduced house mice, which, in turn, feed extensively on Pringleophaga caterpillars. Because of the caterpillars’ keystone role, predation by mice is leading to changes in the functioning of the terrestrial system. Given the estimates of an extended life cycle duration for P. marioni (and its congeners), that is, two to more than 5 years, an ongoing puzzle is why the species has not shown greater population declines on Marion Island than have been recorded (in some habitats 40–97% in 20 years), given extremely high estimates of predation (c. 1% of standing biomass per day). One reason may be inaccurate previous estimates of life cycle duration for the species. Here, we provide a new, quantitative estimate, by rearing caterpillars at different temperature regimes (5, 10, 15 and 5–15 °C), and combining these results with additional data from a prior study, to demonstrate that the life cycle duration for this species is approximately 1 year – half the previous minimum estimate. The new quantitative data provide grounds for improved models for estimating population persistence of this species, and information for models assessing the costs and benefits of conservation interventions such as the eradication of invasive house mice.
Relationship between freshwater angling catch of Atlantic salmon and stock size in the River Bush, Northern Ireland

Over 25 years rod catches of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar increased proportionately as stock size increased (r 2 =0.581, P 0.5). On a 15 year sub-set of these data annual effort (P=0.804) and flow (P=0.339) had little significance relative to stock size (P<0.01) on variation in rod catches. Stock size, time effort and flows had no influence on inter-annual variation of rod exploitation rate (r 2 =0.094, P=0.880). Pairwise correlation between variables confirmed these results. In 1998, weekly effort contributed significantly to overall catch variation (P<0.001), while weekly flow did not (P=0.438). These results are discussed in relation to the utility of rod eatch data for deriving estimates of stock for spawning target compliance purposes.
Prevalence of Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Litopenaeus vannamei in the Pacific Ocean off the Coast of Panama

— In March 2000, 104 wild caught Litopenaeus wannamei broodstock, captured off the Pacific coast of Panama, were screened for the following penaeid viruses: infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of IHHNV and WSSV in wild shrimp in this area of the Western Hemisphere and to acquire specific pathogen free (SPF) L. vannamei for inclusion into the Oceanic Institute's genetic breeding program. The prevalence of the viruses was determined using the dot blot hybridization format, which is a commercially available molecular method for detecting these viruses. Dot blot hybridization assays can be used as an initial screening method to detect moderately to highly infected shrimp. The results from the dot blot assays indicated the prevalence of IHHNV in 28% and WSSV in 2% of the 104 hemolyrnph samples tested. Results from this study were used to establish the initial candidate SPF status of the animals that were assessed and to determine the prevalence of two serious pathogens of penaeid shrimp captured from the wild of the Pacific Ocean in the Central American region off the coast of Panama.
Preliminary Research of Mathematics Learning Device Development Based on Realistic Mathematics Education (RME)

Based on the preliminary research stage conducted in Public Junior High School (SMPN) 3 Muara Bungo, it is obtained that students’ reasoning ability is low and has yet achieved optimum result. This is due to inappropriate learning device available in which it is yet facilitating the students in improving their mathematics reasoning. Therefore, it is of vital importance to develop learning devices in the form of lesson plan (RPP) and student worksheet (LKPD) based on Realistic Mathematics Education (RME). RME provides more opportunities for the students to be more active in comprehending mathematics concept, think logically, and are able to draw a problem fine conclusion. The purpose of this research is to obtain valid, practical, and effective learning device based on RME for class VII of Junior High School. Research data were collected through observation, interview, document, questionnaire, and mathematical reasoning ability. The research participants are students of class VII SMPN 3 Muaro Bungo. This is a model development research. Plomp model was employed as the development model in this research. There are 3 phases on this model, namely, preliminary research phase, development or prototyping phase, and assessment phase. However, this research focuses only on preliminary research phase. It is including things required to design the expected learning device. The result of preliminary research is 1) students’ mathematical reasoning ability has optimum yet; 2) class VII students are in their transition from elementary school to junior high school level; hence mathematics learning requires concrete learning object or mathematics learning should be linked with their daily life; 3) RPP used provides less support to improve students ability in mathematical reasoning and it provides less opportunities for the students to be more active; 4) students expected that LKPD has to be detail, attractive, fun, and easy to comprehend.
Characterization of Banni buffalo of Western India

Los bufalos de Banni se distribuyen en la region de Kachchh, en el Estado de Gujarat en el oeste de la India. Son de tamano medio-grande, cuerpo compacto y cuernos tipico enroscados. La largura del cuerpo, la circunferencia del torax y la altura media durante el estudio fueron de 153,7±0,4 cm; 205,5±0,6 cm y 136,7±0,2 cm, respectivamente. Los datos sobre 397 bufalos de leche de la zona de Banni se basan sobre encuestas a los ganaderos y muestran una media de edad al primo parto de 39,7±0,4 meses, un periodo medio de monta de 66,4±1,3 dias, una media de lactacion de 293,3±1,5 dias y una produccion media de 15,7±0,1 litros. Los analisis sobre diversidad genetica de los bufalos de Banni con la utilizacion de 15 marcadores microsatelitares heterologus bovinos han mostrado un grado elevado de polimorfismo alelico con un total de 81 alelos y una media de 5,4. La heterocigosis observada ha sido moderada con una media de 0,506 y un rango de 0,125 (ILSTS045) a 0,795 (ILSTS008). La media del valor Fis(0,181) entre los 15 loci microsatelitares fue positiva de forma significativa, lo que indica un deficit de heterocigosis en la poblacion. El test Hardy-Weinberg de equilibrio muestra siete de los 15 loci microsatelitares analizados con desviaciones significativas.
Differential Photosynthetic Responses to Salinity Stress between Two Perennial Grass Species Contrasting in Salinity Tolerance

Salinity is a detrimental abiotic stress for plant growth in salt-affected soils. The objective of this study was to examine photosynthetic responses to salinity stress in two warm-season turfgrasses differing in salinity tolerance. Salt-tolerant species seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) and salt-sensitive species centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides)wereexposedtosalinityatthreeNaClconcentrations(0,300,and500mM)in a growth chamber. Turf quality, relative water content (RWC), and leaf photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) declined, whereas electrolyte leakage (EL) increased under the two NaCl regimes for both grass species, and the changes were more dramatic in cen- tipedegrass than that in seashore paspalum aswell asin the higher salinity concentration. Two grass species showed different phytosynthetic responses to salinity stress. The earlier inhibition of photosynthesis in seashore paspalum was mainly associated with stomatal closure. As salinity increased and salinity stress prolonged, the inhibition of photosynthesis in seashore paspalum was mainly associated with non-stomatal factors. The inhibition of photosynthesis in centipedegrass was associated with both stomatal closure and non-stomatal factors at both salinity levels. The sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis demonstrated the Rubisco large subunit had no obvious decrease during the whole stress period under the 300-mM and 500-mM treatments in seashore paspalum, whereas it significantly decreased in centipedegrass under both the 300-mM and 500-mM treatments. The results indicated that the superior salinity tolerance in seashore paspalum, compared with centipedegrass, could be attributed to its maintenance of Rubisco stability, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency as well as photosynthetic rate (Pn) capacity under salinity stress.
The Serratus Anterior Plane Study: Continuous Deep Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Mitral Valve Surgery Performed in Right Minithoracotomy.

OBJECTIVE Regional anesthesia with thoracic wall blocks could represent an opioid-sparing alternative for mitral valve surgery in right minithoracotomy (mini-MVS). For the present study, an opioid-free analgesia using continuous deep serratus anterior plane block was compared with intravenous morphine. DESIGN Prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Italy. PARTICIPANTS The present study enrolled patients who underwent mini-MVS from March to October 2019 (63 patients) and divided them into the following 2 groups, according to pain control strategy: a morphine group and a serratus anterior plane (SAP) group. INTERVENTIONS Primary outcomes were pain evaluation and total postoperative opioid consumption, and secondary outcomes were incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, time to extubation, mechanical ventilation duration, and bowel dysfunction. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The mean number rating scale at 24 hours was 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-3.09) in the SAP group versus 3.23 (95% CI 2.28-4.29) in the morphine group (p = 0.07), whereas the mean number rating scale at 48 hours was significantly less in the SAP group compared with the morphine group (1.77 [95% CI 0.99-2.54] v 3.23 [95% CI 2.13-4.33], respectively; p = 0.03). Mean morphine consumption at 48 postoperative hours was 12.98 mg (95% CI 10.90-15.05 mg) in the morphine group and 2.22 mg (95% CI 0.99-3.44 mg) in the SAP group; p < 0.01. Cumulative morphine consumption at 24 postoperative hours was 10.44 mg (95% CI 8.36-12.52) in the morphine group and 1.16 mg (95% CI 0.37-1.95) in the SAP group; p < 0.01. There were no significant differences for secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Continuous deep serratus anterior plane block seems to be a valid alternative to intravenous opioids in terms of efficacy for patients undergoing mini-MVS with a lower opioid requirement.
Simulation of the thermophysical experiment with remote control to determine the quality properties of the object

Simulation of the thermophysical experiment for determination of thermophysical properties of insulating materials using the impulse method in the influence of a linear heat source on the test material and mathematical model of the process of thermophysical measurement is fulfilled in MathCad software. As a result of the simulation the optimum operating parameters for thermophysical measurements are determined: optimum operating parameters and thermal pulse repetition time interval in minimum measurement error of coefficients of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of materials. The structure of an intelligent information-measuring system of remote control is offered that realizes the structure of an intelligent information-measuring system of remote control using methods of artificial intelligence that let us increase the efficiency and accuracy of determining the thermophysical properties of insulating materials.
Floods can cause large interannual differences in littoral net ecosystem productivity

Littoral wetlands comprise a terrestrial to aquatic continuum along which carbon dioxide is exchanged with the atmosphere and organic carbon is transferred to lakes. Net ecosystem productivity—the difference between atmospheric CO2 uptake and total ecosystem respiration—in these shore areas depends partly on the extent and duration of spring flooding. Ecosystem‐atmosphere CO2 fluxes were studied at a boreal lake in Finland to analyze how flooding affects the dynamics of littoral net ecosystem productivity. Two shore transects with different hydrological conditions and vegetation distributions were studied during consecutive ice‐free periods with contrasting flooding patterns. Net ecosystem productivity in different vegetation zones did not respond consistently to extended flooding; the response depended on the phenology of plant emergence during the flood and on the decrease in the water level after flooding. The decrease in the water level was steeper in silt‐mud sediment than in fen peat. With an exceptionally high water level relative to the height of the vegetation, net ecosystem productivity decreased by 50–100% (net loss, 0.4–7.4 mol m−2 of CO2 during the wetter open‐water period). However, the wetter season could also have a 60–140% higher net ecosystem productivity (net CO2 gain of 0.7 mol m−2 to net loss of 6.8 mol m−2) because of the decreased decomposition rate. An extended flooding period greatly reduces the amount of litter produced in a specific year. In both flooding patterns, the littoral zone was an overall net CO2 emitter, but the large variation in the decomposition rate suggests that there are differences in the load of organic matter from the littoral to the pelagic zone.
ASSOCIATION OF PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI FOR THE SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) WITH THE EUROPEAN PINE WEEVIL HYLOBIUS ABIETIS (L.) (COL. CURCULIONIDAE)

Abstract In 1989 and 1990, the contamination rate of the European pine weevil Hylobius abietis (L.) by several pathogenic fungi for the Scots pine was measured [Leptographium procerum (Kendrick) Wingf. — 45% of the specimens; Pachnodium canum (Upadh. and Kendr.) — 14%; or Ophiostoma piliferum (Fries) H. and P. Syd — 3% (Piou 1993)]. To understand the processes of transportation, a detailed study was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. Several types of spores vectored are found mainly in the thoracic cuticular rounded wells located near the sensorial setae. These wells are connected with an epidermal glandular apparatus whose ultrastructural description is given. We question the origin and composition of these secretions which are believed to protect the spores and contribute to the infection process. Résumé En 1989 et 1990, on a mesuré en Forêt d’Orléans (France) le taux de contamination du charançon européen Hylobius abietis (L.) par plusieurs champignons phytopathogènes comme Leptographium procerum (Kendrick) Wingf. — 45% des individus; Pachnodium canum (Upadh. et Kendr.) — 14%; et Ophiostoma piliferum (Fries) H. et P. Syd — 3% (Piou 1993). L’étude du mode de transport des spores par l’insecte montre que celui ci s’effectue préférentiellement dans de nombreuses dépressions cuticulaires thoraciques voisines des soies sensorielles. Comme chez les scolytes, chaque dépression communique avec un système glandulaire de nature épidermique dont la description est donnée. On s’interroge pour savoir si les sécrétions de ces glandes pourraient servir à protéger les champignons ou aider à leur développement lors du transport ou de l’inoculation.