Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of carcass abundance on estimates of mortality and assessment of population dynamics in Acartia tonsa

Using 2 yr of field data on the abundances of live and dead planktonic copepod nauplii and Acartia tonsa copepodites from the lower Chesapeake Bay, we evaluated the accuracy of calculated mortality rates and modeled population dynamics. Copepod mortality rates were estimated from field data both before and after removal of carcasses from abundance values, resulting in significantly different mortality rates. After removing carcasses, instan taneous mortality rates for nauplii varied from <0.01 d–1 to a maximum of 0.35 d–1 (in August 2009), and for A. tonsa copepodites from <0.01 d–1 in winter to 0.5 d–1 or higher in summer. A simple model was used to evaluate the effect of both uncorrected and corrected mortality rate estimates on A. tonsa population dy namics. Model predictions more closely matched field observations when parameterized with corrected mortality rates, indicating the importance of the abundances of live and dead organisms for field studies in zooplankton ecology. We used the same field dataset to estimate the predatory and nonpredatory components of mortality. Non-predatory mortality comprised an aver age of 25% of total mortality for nauplii, and 12% of total mortality for A. tonsa copepodites. Predatory mortality alone was insufficient to keep the A. tonsa population size under control during the growing season (from June to October), demonstrating the importance of nonpredatory mortality for A. tonsa in the lower Chesapeake Bay.
Late-Season Survey of Bumble Bees along Canadian Highways of British Columbia and Yukon Territories

Abstract. Bumble bees are important pollinators of flowering plants, foraging and providing pollination services throughout the growing season. They are adapted to cool temperatures and are among the most important of all pollinators at high elevations and northern latitudes. Over the past several decades, multiple species of bumble bees have experienced declines in both geographic range and abundance in Europe and North America, while 4 species of the genus Bombus (Bombus) have suffered dramatic declines in the United States. Such declines are not as evident in Alaska, and the status of Bombus remains relatively unknown in the adjacent territories of Canada. To begin addressing this knowledge gap, we sampled the bumble bee fauna foraging on floral patches along 5 highways of Canada and southeastern Alaska in a short-term, one-time survey during late summer 2010. We observed 14 species and found Bombus assemblages to be structured by broad geographic features and ecoregions. The Bombus species B. (B.) occidentalis and B. (B.) terricola were relatively abundant in sample sites west and east of the Rocky Mountains, respectively, and B. (Pyrobombus) vagans, B. (Cullumanobombus) rufocinctus, and B. occidentalis were the most abundant species across all sites.
Rates of changes in organic matter and nutrient stocks during seagrass Cymodosea nodosa colonization and stand development

The rates of changes in stocks of organic matter and major nutrients (N and P) durlng colonization and development of seagrass Cymodocea nodosa biomass in a semi-closed estuary. Alfacs Bay, Spain, were studied. The non-vegetated sediments of Alfacs Bay contain large reserves of N and P, but most of these nutrients are not readily available for plant growth as they are tied up in organic matter or mineral fractions within the sediment. Seagrass biomass per unit area increased linearly during the first 5 yr after colonization although the very low tissue concentrations of P in leaves of C. nodosa suggested P limitation. Development of plant biomass was accompdnied by a net accumulation of N at a rate of 3.6 g N m-' yr-' Half of this increase was caused by the build up of plant-bound N in living and dead biomass, while the other half was accounted for by accumulation in other N fractions. P accumulated as plant-bound P, but this fractlon constituted less than 1 of the total P pool. Accumulation of plant-bound P was of the same magnitude as depletion of other P fractions, leaving the pool of total P unaffected by plant development. These results suggest that colonization and development C. nodosa in Alfacs Bay facilitate capture and accumulation of external N within the stands, while P may be mobilized from mineral-bound P reserves within the sediments.
Creative Thinking Ability, Cognitive Type and R&D Performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of creative thinking ability and cognitive type to research and development (R&D) performance. One hundred and six researchers in an R&D institute of a petroleum company in Taiwan were given the Circle Test of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Their R&D performance was measured in terms of assigned technical reports, completed service projects, published papers, and a supervisor’s performance rating. Results showed that there was a low but positive correlation between creativity and the first-authored paper and the technical report. The cognitive type was on the other hand associated with the performance rating and the first-authored service project assignment. Implications for R&D management are discussed.
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Polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) play a key role in polar ozone depletion in the stratosphere. Improved observations and continuous monitoring of PSCs can help to validate and enhance :::::: improve : chemistry-climate models that are used to predict the evolution of the polar ozone hole. In this paper, we explore the potential of applying machine learning (ML) methods to classify PSC observations of infrared limb sounders. Two datasets have been considered in this study. The first dataset is a collection of infrared spectra captured in Northern Hemisphere winter 2006/2007 and Southern Hemisphere winter 2009 by the 5 Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) instrument onboard ESA’s Envisat satellite. The second dataset is the cloud scenario database (CSDB) of simulated MIPAS spectra. We first performed an initial analysis to assess the basic characteristics of these datasets ::: the :::::: CSDB and to decide which features to extract from them :: it. Here, we focused on an approach using brightness temperature differences (BTDs). From the both, the measured and the simulated infrared spectra, more than 10,000 BTD features have been generated. Next, we assessed the use of ML methods for the reduction of the 10 dimensionality of this large feature space using principal component analysis (PCA) and kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) as well as the ::::::: followed ::: by : a : classification with the random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM)techniques. : . ::: The ::::::: random ::::: forest ::::: (RF) ::::::::: technique, ::::: which ::::::: embeds ::: the :::::: feature :::::::: selection ::::: step, ::: has :::: also :::: been ::::: used :: as :::::::: classifier. : All methods were found to be suitable to retrieve information on the composition of PSCs. Of these, RF seems to be the most promising method, being less prone to overfitting and producing results that agree well with established results based on conventional 15 classification methods.
ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEILLANCE OF POLIO AND NON-POLIO ENTEROVIRUSES IN SISTAN AND BALOUCHESTAN PROVINCE

Background: Enteroviruses can easily circulate in the population through sewage and they are suitable indicators for environmental surveillance. On the other hand, in some countries there are evidences of silent circulation of viruses in sewage specimens despite no virus isolation from clinical specimens. Therefore, WHO has suggested environmental surveillance using surface water and sewage specimens for final confirmation of Poliovirus eradication. In this research, according to wild Poliovirus circulation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and probability of virus entrance to Iran, and also to assure wild Poliovirus eradication, the environmental surveillance was performed in Sistan and Balouchestan Province of Iran. Methods: From March 2004 to February 2005, 86 specimens from 2 sewage disposal systems, 5 hospitals and surface water from several villages were collected by Grab Sample method and tested for Enteroviruses directly and using 2 concentration methods: Pellet and Two-phase. Then Poliovirus and Non-Polio Enteroviruses (NPEV) were serotyped by microneutralization method and Polioviruses were intratypically differentiated using ELISA and Probe Hybridization techniques. Results: From a total of 86 specimens, Enteroviruses and Non-Polio Enteroviruses were isolated from 49(56.98%) and 46(53.49%) of specimens respectively. Polioviruses were isolated from 18(20.93%) specimens and none of them was wild Poliovirus fortunately. 13(17.81%), 39(53.42%) and 57(78.08%) of enteroviruses were isolated using Direct, Pellet and Two-phase methods, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this research confirm the validity of environmental surveillance and Polio eradication in Sistan and Balouchestan Province.
Death of an expert system: A case study of success and failure

A decision team composed of managers and staff experts at Mary Kay Cosmetics devel­ ops packaging for new and revised products as well as sets their prices. However, the potential for costly errors in the decision-making process motivated this group to pursue development of an expert system (ES) to assist with the problem. The ES performed so well that it changed the organization's behavior—the group ceased to meet for the purpose of developing the packaging but instead gathered just to confirm and approve the expert system's solution. Despite the clear benefits associated with using an ES approach, the group stopped using the ES application and the behavior of the group returned to pre-ES practices. This work describes from a managerial perspective how and why this valuable tool fell into disuse, and offers valuable lessons for management. INTRODUCTION A decision team composed of managers and staff experts at Mary Kay Cosmetics develops packaging for new and revised products as well as sets their prices. However, errors in this decision-making process have costly results. For example, incompatibility between a cosmetic product and its container can cause product discoloration or failure of the package's integrity. Consequently, the group became interested in pursuing development of an expert system (ES) to help design error-free packaging. After construction, the ES performed so well that the group ceased to meet for purposes of making the decisions but instead assembled only to confirm and approve the expert system's solution. Despite the clear benefits associated with using this ES approach, the application fell into disuse and the behavior of the group returned to the pre-ES process.
Six-day westward propagating wave in the maximum electron density of the ionosphere

Analyses of time-spatial variations of critical plasma frequency f oF2 during the summer of 1998 reveal the existence of an oscillation activity with attributes of a 6-day westward propagating wave. This event manifests itself as a global scale wave in the f oF2 of the Northern Hemisphere, having a zonal wave number 2. This event coincides with a 6-day oscillation activity in the meridional neutral winds of the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT). The oscillation in neutral winds seems to be linked to the 6–7-day global scale unstable mode westward propagating wave number 1 in the MLT. The forcing mechanisms of the 6-day wave event in the ionosphere from the wave activity in the MLT are discussed. Key words. Ionosphere (Ionosphere-Atmosphere interactions; Mid-latitude Ionosphere) – Meterology and atmospheric dynamics (waves and tides)
A Genetic Algorithm Based Economic Dispatch (GAED) with Environmental Constraint Optimisation

The role of renewable energy in power systems is becoming more significant due to the increasing cost of fossil fuels and climate change concerns. However, the inclusion of Renewable Energy Generators (REG), such as wind power, has created additional problems for power system operators due to the variability and lower predictability of output of most REGs, with the Economic Dispatch (ED) problem being particularly difficult to resolve. In previous papers we had reported on the inclusion of wind power in the ED calculations. The simulation had been performed using a system model with wind power as an intermittent source, and the results of the simulation have been compared to that of the Direct Search Method (DSM) for similar cases. In this paper we report on our continuing investigations into using Genetic Algorithms (GA) for ED for an independent power system with a significant amount of wind energy in its generator portfolio. The results demonstrate, in line with previous reports in the literature, the effectiveness of GA when measured against a benchmark technique such as DSM.
Bio-optical characterization of subsurface chlorophyll maxima in the Mediterranean Sea from a Biogeochemical-Argo float database

Abstract. As commonly observed in oligotrophic stratified waters, a subsurface (or deep) chlorophyll maximum (SCM) frequently characterizes the vertical distribution of phytoplankton chlorophyll in the Mediterranean Sea. Occurring far from the surface layer “seen” by ocean colour satellites, SCMs are difficult to observe with adequate spatio-temporal resolution and their biogeochemical impact remains unknown. Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) profiling floats represent appropriate tools for studying the dynamics of SCMs. Based on data collected from 36 BGC-Argo floats deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, our study aims to address two main questions. (1) What are the different types of SCMs in the Mediterranean Sea? (2) Which environmental factors control their occurrence and dynamics? First, we analysed the seasonal and regional variations in the chlorophyll concentration (Chl a), particulate backscattering coefficient (bbp), a proxy of the particulate organic carbon (POC) and environmental parameters (photosynthetically active radiation and nitrates) within the SCM layer over the Mediterranean Basin. The vertical profiles of Chl a and bbp were then statistically classified and the seasonal occurrence of each of the different types of SCMs quantified. Finally, a case study was performed on two contrasted regions and the environmental conditions at depth were further investigated to understand the main controls on the SCMs. In the eastern basin, SCMs result, at a first order, from a photoacclimation process. Conversely, SCMs in the western basin reflect a biomass increase at depth benefiting from both light and nitrate resources. Our results also suggest that a variety of intermediate types of SCMs are encountered between these two endmember situations.
Metal transport and chemical heterogeneity in early star forming systems

To constrain the properties of the first stars with the chemical abundance patterns observed in metal-poor stars, one must identify any non-trivial effects that the hydrodynamics of metal dispersal can imprint on the abundances. We use realistic cosmological hydrodynamic simulations to quantify the distribution of metals resulting from one Population III supernova and from a small number of such supernovae exploding in close succession. Overall, supernova ejecta are highly inhomogeneously dispersed throughout the simulations. When the supernova bubbles collapse, quasi-virialized metal-enriched clouds, fed by fallback from the bubbles and by streaming of metal-free gas from the cosmic web, grow in the centers of the dark matter halos. Partial turbulent homogenization on scales resolved in the simulation is observed only in the densest clouds where the vortical time scales are short enough to ensure true homogenization on subgrid scales. However, the abundances in the clouds differ from the gross yields of the supernovae. Continuing the simulations until the cloud have gone into gravitational collapse, we predict that the abundances in second-generation stars will be deficient in the innermost mass shells of the supernova (if only one has exploded) or in the ejecta of the latest supernovae (when multiple have exploded). This indicates that hydrodynamics gives rise to biases complicating the identification of nucleosynthetic sources in the chemical abundance spaces of the surviving stars.
Design of a direct connection scheme of supercapacitors to the grid-tied photovoltaic system

A maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) technique needs to be applied to the photovoltaic (PV) system in order to extract maximum possible power output under those varying conditions. The development of supercapacitor (SC) as high power storage device in recent years has created opportunity to replace electrolytic capacitor by SC as dc-link capacitor to provide power during fault ride-through (FRT) condition. However, due to its much bigger capacitance, the voltage dynamics of SC is much slower compared to electrolytic capacitor. Therefore, in this paper, a MPPT technique using a string of supercapacitors which is directly connected to the DC-link of a PV generation system is proposed. The direct connection is proposed to avoid one stage DC-DC power conversion to implement MPPT, so that the efficiency of the system is increased. The proposed direct connection of supercapacitors string configuration along with MPPT strategy is verified by simulation analysis using MATLAB/Simulink where real solar irradiance data is used.
Design of Data Secure Storage for Cloud Compute ring

With its great power to integrate resources, Cloud Computing can offer individuals and organizations the convenient and on-demand computing and storage service. As the increasingly influence on everyday life, its structural safety problem emerges. Due to the loss of physical control towards data, the users' data safety only relies on the cloud server unilaterally. In this paper, based on the current problems, our dissertation chooses secure cloud data storage auditing protocol as the main researching object. With the basic theory and tools of cryptography, based on provably secure theory, we analyze the existing works for detailed security, efficiency and scalability research. Meanwhile, we focus on the key technology of secure data verification, i.e. data aggregate signature algorithm.
Hold on to what you’ve got: the volunteer retention literature

This article, based on a review of the literature on volunteer retention, finds many areas of disagreement among researchers about the factors that cause people to remain as volunteers. The section on ‘personal factors and life events’ suggests that changes in personal circumstances may cause people to leave volunteering and that domestic stability may cause them to stay, but is unable to give a clear answer on the part played by people’s demographic profiles or by their personalities, attitudes and religious beliefs. In the same way, the section on ‘organisations and contexts’ suggests that poor management may cause volunteers to leave organisations and that management which is ‘explicit, developmental, supportive and appreciative’ may encourage them to stay, but is forced to point out that the evidence on the influence of the motivation, commitment and satisfaction of the individual volunteer on retention is as yet inconclusive. One of the main conclusions of the article is that any future research into volunteer retention will need to ‘analyse complex situations and multiple factors’.
Numerical integration of functions with endpoint singularities and/or complex poles in 3D Galerkin boundary element methods

In this paper we propose special strategies to compute 1D integrals of functions having weakly or strong singularities at the endpoints of the interval of integration or complex poles close to the domain of integration. As application of the proposed strategies, we compute a four dimensional integral arising from 3D Galerkin boundary element methods (BEM) applied to hypersingular boundary integral equations.
Get All, Filter Details - On the Use of Regular Expressions in SPARQL Queries

SPARQL is the standardised query language for the RDF data model. To process literal strings, filter expressions can be used with regexes. However, regex can be slow due to its computational complexity. As an initial step towards this area, we present an analysis of regex queries from a large real-world set of queries that have been posed on different SPARQL end-points that represent different domains. We report our findings and deliver some suggestions that can help the performance of regex queries within SPARQL.
Enhancing Secondary School Students’ Understanding of Descriptive Statistics Using a Modeling Instructional Approach

The purpose of this study is to explain how secondary students can enhance their understanding of descriptive statistics using Modeling Approach and to what extent do students improve their achievement of procedural and conceptual understanding in descriptive statistics using Modeling Instructional Approach. The study was conducted at two secondary schools in urban district in West Oromia Zone, Ethiopia. For comparisons, four grade nine sections with a total of 163 students were selected by purposive sampling technique. Quality Assurance Guide instrument was used to assess students’ models on Model Eliciting Activities (MEA). Standard questions were used for achievement tests on procedural and conceptual understanding of descriptive statistics. The quantitative data of the study was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and independent t-test. The qualitative data of the study was analyzed using thematic and content analyses. The findings of this study are: though students found MEAs cognitively challenging tasks, they constructed different models working in a team collaboratively. The study showed students more likely can enhance their critical understanding of descriptive statistics and gain modeling experiences working on relevant non-routine tasks like MEAs and doing project on their own themes. Also a statistically significant difference was found on conceptual understanding achievement test with medium effect size using Modeling Approach, but no statistical significant difference was found on procedural understanding achievement test except female comparison. The findings of this study suggested students more likely enhanced their understanding of descriptive statistics using Modeling Approach.