Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precise Point Positioning in a New GNSS Era

The rapid changes in the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), with the modernization of GPS and GLONASS and the emergence of BeiDou and Galileo, will play a key role for the reliability and accuracy of high-precision GNSS applications. The redundant observables and the additional frequencies can vastly enhance the geodetic positioning techniques and thus provide significantly improved solutions even in challenging environments, where the visibility of GPS-only satellites is degraded. This paper presents an investigation and analysis of accuracy improvement techniques in the so-called Precise Point Positioning (PPP) method using signals from the fully operational (GPS and GLONASS), as well as the emerging (Galileo and BeiDou) GNSS systems. The main aim was to determine the improvement in both the positioning accuracy achieved and the time convergence it takes to achieve geodetic-level (10 cm or less) accuracy. To this end, freely available observation data and precise orbit and clock products from the recent Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) of the International GNSS Service (IGS), as well as the open source program RTKLIB were used.
Estimation of Heritable Relationship and Variability of Yield and Yield Determinants in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 6 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com The present investigation was carried out with fifty one genotypes of chickpea to analyze the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path analysis for ten quantitative traits. The study was carried out at Crop Research Centre (CRC) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) during Rabi season 2017-18. Material was planted in randomized block design in 3 rows plot of 4 meter length, with row to row and plant to plant spacing of 30 cm and 10 cm, respectively. The observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants from each genotype in each replication for the ten characters viz.,days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, biological yield per plant, harvest index and grain yield per plant. All the 51 diverse genotypes of chickpea exhibited significant differences for all the traits under study, thus, it is implied that there was reasonably sufficient variability in the experimental material. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was found to be high for grain yield per plant, number of pods per plant and biological yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance observed for grain yield per plant, number of pods per plant, biological yield per plant, 100 seed weight, harvest index, number of seeds per pod and plant height, hence direct selection of genotypes can be done through these characters for further improvement of genotypes of chickpea. In general, the genotypic correlation coefficient values were higher than the phenotypic values. This indicated that strong intrinsic associations were somewhat masked at phenotypic level due to environmental effects. Grain yield per plant had highly significant positive correlation with number of pods per plant, biological yield per plant, number of seeds per pod, harvest index, number of branches per plant and 100 seed weight at genotypic and phenotypic level. Hence, improvement of grain yield per plant can be achieved by improvement of these characters. Among the various traits studied biological yield per plant had high positive direct effect followed by harvest index at both genotypic and phenotypic levels on grain yield per plant. This indicated that biological yield per plant and harvest index are most important characters in influencing grain yield per plant. Grain yield per plant could be improved by selection based on these characters. K e y w o r d s Heritable relationship, Variability, Yield, Chickpea Accepted: 20 May 2020 Available Online: 10 June 2020 Article Info Int.J.Curr.Microbiol. App.Sci (2020) 9(6): 2511-2519
The rise and fall of the Barents Sea capelin (Mallotus villosus): a multivariate scenario

The Barents Sea capelin is a major forage species for many apex predators, for example, fish, marine mammals, sea birds, and man. The fishery for Barents Sea capelin increased exponentially in the early 1970s with the demise of the Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery along the Norwegian coast. The collapse of the herring spawning-stock resulted in the disappearance of young herring from the southern Barents Sea and the diet of the larger (ca. 3+ ages), piscivorous cod. Since then the only major dietary alternative for these larger cod has been capelin. The over-all trend in the biomass of the Barents Sea cod. however, has been one of decline since the late 1940s. As there was a marked decrease in the biomass of the 3+ ages of cod from ca. 3 • 106 tonnes to ca. 1 • 106 tonnes from 1974 to 1983, this would have simultaneously caused a great reduction in the predation pressure from cod on the capelin. The Barents Sea capelin is an r-strategist. Its weight-at-age is inversely related to population size, and thus the number of cohorts and subsequently age-at-maturity are positively related to population size. Principal components analysis (PCA) indicates that the biomass of 2+ ages of capelin and population characteristics already exhibited a declining trend from about 1975, despite a declining cod stock. Coupling of independent Russian and Norwegian data clearly shows that the percentage occurrence of prawns in the stomach of 3+ cod increased disproportionately from the mid-1970s despite a decrease in the cod biomass, probably indicating a lack of capelin as primary-choice prey. The nominal capelin catch between 1978 and 1983 is probably an unreliable estimate of fishing mortality. A drastic decline in the capelin stock occurred after 1983/1984, with marked predation from the potentially strong 1983 cod year-class. The capelin, as an r-strategist, is very difficult to manage in the fluctuating biological and climatic environment of the Barents Sea. Fisheries for capelin should be limited within the framework of multispecies perspectives, with much of its production being primarily used to sustain an elevated long-term yield of cod.
A Study on the More Electric Architecture for Aircraft and Propulsion (MEAAP) Concept

The use of more electric aircrafts will improve safety, ecology and economic benefits through innovations designed to integrate their power and thermal management. Under this concept, high power generation is the crucial issue. The More Electric Architecture for Aircraft and Propulsion (MEAAP) consortium is working with IHI to exploit the electrification system for future engines and aircrafts over the next decade or two. This paper introduces the latest resolution approach developed by IHI and the results of Japanese interactive open innovation.
Long-Term Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Cochlear Nerve Deficiency

Objective: To evaluate long-term auditory outcomes with the continuous use of cochlear implants (CIs) in pediatric patients with cochlear nerve deficiencies (CNDs). Methods: Six children with CNDs who received CIs (mean age: 38.7 months old) were retrospectively evaluated. Audiological performance was assessed with a mean follow-up of 126 months (range 63-161) using unaided and aided pure-tone average (PTA) thresholds, categories of auditory performance-II (CAP-II) scores, and the perception of Japanese monosyllabic words. CI use was evaluated by retrospective chart review. Results: Two of the six patients did not achieve sufficient PTA threshold improvement and discontinued CI use more than 7 years after implantation. The remaining four patients demonstrated improvements in PTA thresholds with CIs, while their speech understanding remained poor with CAP-II scores of 5, even in the best cases. They did not develop open-set speech perception, resulting in continued sign language use. Conclusion: The long-term auditory outcomes of CI use in CND patients are poor, and some patients may discontinue CI use. Continuous support and education in using sign language is highly recommended for children with CNDs undergoing cochlear implantation.
Experimental study on the resistance of Oncomelania snails to niclosamide

Objective To study whether Oncomelania snails developed resistance to niclosamide after its long-term use in fields.Methods Snails in the experimental group were captured from the area where niclosamide was used long-term while snails in the control group were captured from an area where niclosamide was never used;the two areas were both located in Xuba Township,Tongling County,Anhui Province.Different concentrations of niclosamide,i.e.2.0000,1.0000,0.5000,0.2500,0.1250,0.0625,and 0.0313 mg/L,were prepared,and snails in the two groups were immersed in solutions of niclosamide at(24±1) ℃ in the laboratory.The snail mortality rate and the 50% lethal concentration(LC50) were observed.Results The LC50 for niclosamide used on the experimental group for 24,72,and 120 hours was 0.337,0.175,and 0.136 mg/L,respectively,while the LC50 for niclosamide used on the control group for 24,72,and 120 hours was 0.165,0.090,and 0.061 mg/L,respectively.Values for the former were markedly higher than those for the latter.The snail mortality rate in the experimental group was much lower than that in the control group when the concentration of niclosamide was from 0.0625 to 0.0250 mg/L.Conclusion Oncomelania snails may have developed resistance to niclosamide after its long-term use in fields.
Bird communities of early-successional burned and logged forest

Because logging has replaced fire as the most extensive and frequent disturbance regime in northeastern Minnesota, monitoring bird populations and their habitats has become increasingly important. We surveyed early-successional forests created by fire or logging for birds and their habitat during the 1994 and 1995 breeding seasons. We found that overall bird species richness and number of individuals (territorial males/ ha) were higher (P < 0.05) in burned forests than in logged forests. The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), house wren (Troglodytes aedon), common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), clay-colored sparrov (Spizella pallida), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Lincoln's sparrow (M. lincolnii), and brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) were more abundant in burned areas. The Nashville warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla), chestnut-sided warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica), black-throated green warbler (D virens), and mourning warbler (Oporornis agilis) were present in greater numbers in the logged areas. We related these differences in bird presence and abundance to vegetation differences in the burned and logged habitat types. Burned areas had higher densities of dead trees, wider size ranges of dead trees, and greater heterogeneity in the shrub layer. Logged areas had higher densities of live trees, more live tree species, and wider size ranges of live trees. Red maple (Acer rubrum) was the live tree species found in greatest abundance in logged areas. If management goals include simulating natural disturbances like fire and maintaining bird populations, more dead trees should be left within logged habitats and the variability among logged areas should be increased.
Fertility of Buffalo Cauda Epididymal Sperm with Swim up Method

Original Research Article This study was conducted to evaluate the use of swim up methods in vitro fertilization on buffalo oocytes. Buffalo epididymis cauda was sexed with 3 sexing treatments P1 (1 hour), P2 (2 hours) and P3 (3 hours) in Co2 incubator 5%. Oocyte fertilized in vitro with Cauda Epididymal Sperm in each treatment. The results showed that the fertilization rate of cauda epididymal sperm after swim up showed very significant differences (P <0.01) in P2 treatment with a 2hour swim-up incubation duration in Co2 incubator 5% with a value of 95,222 ± 3.71%. 2 cell division rates showed very significant differences (P <0.01) in P2 treatment with a value of 88.97 ± 5.54 and not significantly different in the development of 8 cells (P> 0.05). It can be concluded that the swim up method has an effect on the level of fertilization and development of oocytes to 2 cells and there has been a decrease in development at the level of 8 cells in buffalo oocytes in vitro.
Biodiversity of the Germs Involved in the Human and Animal Leptospirosis (2010)

A number of 103 ownerless dogs, not vaccinated against leptospirosis, accommodated at the testing moment in a community shelter in Bucharest, are tested for leptospirosis by the ultramicroscopic agglutination seroreaction with MAR (microagglutination reaction-type) type live antigen. The results revealed that 36,89% of these dogs represent for humans and for domestic and farm animals a potential natural reservoir of infection with microorganisms of the Lesptospira genus. The Canicola serotype was identified in 81,57% of the positive cases and the Icterohaemorrhagiae serotype in 18,43% of the positive cases.
Efficacy of Grain Protectants and Phosphine Against Liposcelis bostrychophila, L. entomophila, and L. paeta (Psocoptera: Liposcelidae)

The effectiveness of8 grain protectants and the fumigant phosphine was tested against Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, L. entomophila (Enderlein), and L. paeta Peamlan. These species are common pests in Asia and have become important pests in the Australian grain-handling system. L. entomophila and L. paeta were tolerant to all protectants tested, whereas only organophosphates were effective against L. bostrychophila . Phosphine was highly effective against all 3species. Asurvey of field populations of L. entomophila and L. bostrychophila suggested that the tolerance to protectant insecticides was a natural phenomenon and not due to resistance. We conclude that of these chemical tactics only phosphine has a place in the management of psocids in general. Organophosphorous grain protectants could be used where L. bostrychophila is prevalent.
Friction of Longmaxi Shale Gouges and Implications for Seismicity During Hydraulic Fracturing

Longmaxi formation shales are the major target reservoir for shale gas extraction in Sichuan Basin, southwest China. Swarms of earthquakes accompanying hydraulic fracturing are observed at depths typifying the Longmaxi formation. Mineral composition varies broadly through the stratigraphic section due to different depositional environments. The section is generally tectosilicate‐poor and phyllosilicate‐rich with a minor portion the converse. We measure the frictional and stability properties of shale gouges taken from the full stratigraphic section at conditions typifying the reservoir depth. Velocity‐stepping experiments were performed on representative shale gouges at a confining pressure of 60 MPa, pore fluid pressure of 30 MPa, and temperature of 150°C. Results show the gouges are generally frictionally strong with friction coefficients ranging between 0.50 and 0.75. Two phyllosilicate + TOC (total organic carbon)‐poor gouges exhibited higher frictional strength and velocity weakening, capable of potentially unstable fault slip, while only velocity strengthening was observed for the remaining phyllosilicate + TOC‐rich gouges. These results confirm that the frictional and stability properties are mainly controlled by phyllosilicate + TOC content. Elevating the temperature further weakens the gouges and drives it toward velocity weakening. The presence of observed seismicity in a majority of velocity‐strengthening materials suggests the importance of the velocity‐weakening materials. We suggest a model where seismicity is triggered when pore fluid pressures drive aseismic slip and triggers seismic slip on adjacent faults in the same formation and distant faults in the formations above/below. The effect of pore pressure transients within low‐permeability shale gouges is incorporated. Our results highlight the importance of understanding mechanisms of induced earthquakes and characterizing fault properties prior to hydraulic fracturing.
Diet of the Racerunner Callopistes palluma in North-Central Chile

The racerunner Callopistes palluma is the only member of the family Teiidae in Chile (Donoso-Barros, 1966; Valencia and Veloso, 1981). In two separate studies of ecological convergence of lizard faunas between Chile and California, C. palluma was considered the functional analog of the teiid Cnemidophorus tigris because of their similar morphologies and habitat uses (Sage, 1973; Fuentes, 1976). Their foraging behavior seems to be similar as well: Chilean racerunners are
How female × male and male × male interactions influence competitive fertilization in Drosophila melanogaster

How males and females contribute to joint reproductive success has been a long‐standing question in sexual selection. Under postcopulatory sexual selection, paternity success is predicted to derive from complex interactions among females engaging in cryptic female choice and males engaging in sperm competition. Such interactions have been identified as potential sources of genetic variation in sexually selected traits but are also expected to inhibit trait diversification. To date, studies of interactions between females and competing males have focused almost exclusively on genotypes and not phenotypic variation in sexually selected traits. Here, we characterize within‐ and between‐sex interactions in Drosophila melanogaster using isogenic lines with heritable variation in both male and female traits known to influence competitive fertilization. We confirmed, and expanded on, previously reported genotypic interactions within and between the sexes, and showed that several reproductive events, including sperm transfer, female sperm ejection, and sperm storage, were explained by two‐ and three‐way interactions among sex‐specific phenotypes. We also documented complex interactions between the lengths of competing males’ sperm and the female seminal receptacle, which are known to have experienced rapid female‐male co‐diversification. Our results highlight the nonindependence of sperm competition and cryptic female choice and demonstrate that complex interactions between the sexes do not limit the ability of multivariate systems to respond to directional sexual selection.
Glucose homeostasis: lessons from knockout mice

Research using mice bearing targeted gene mutations that affect insulin action and β-cell function has contributed important new information to our understanding of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The phenotypes of these mutant mice have shed new light on mechanisms and sites of insulin resistance in vivo. Moreover, they have enabled investigators to analyze the genetic interactions underlying the complex inheritance of type 2 diabetes. These studies suggest that the insulin receptor preferentially acts through different IRS molecules in different tissues, and that an impairment of insulin action in canonical and noncanonical target tissues is required for the onset of diabetes.
Ammonium Alleviates Redox State in Solanum Seedlings under Cadmium Stress Conditions

Cadmium effects on growth and oxidative stress were investigated in 21-day-old tomato seedlings (Solanum) grown in hydroponics media containing 5 mM of KNO3 or (NH4)2SO4 and three Cd levels as CdCl2 (0, 5 and 25 μM) for 14 d. Cadmium was more accumulated in nitrate-fed tomato compared to ammonium-fed ones. Dry weight, Chla, Chlb and carotenoides contents were reduced in NO3--fed tomato. But in NH4 +-fed plants the parameters were increased. Cadmium induced an increase in the H2O2 and MDA levels which was more pronounced in nitrate-fed tomato. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase(APX) were induced with Cd. But, the enhancement degree of these enzymes activities were higher in ammonium-fed tomato compared to those grown with nitrate. These data suggested that antioxidative activity developed by tomato leaves is more induced by cadmium when ammonium was added in nutrient solution as nitrogen source. This can be related to the ability of cadmium to induce an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) less pronounced in presence of ammonium regime. The beneficial effect of NH4+ on Cd toxicity was confirmed by a significant decrease in MDA level and accumulation of photosynthetic pigments.
How organisms partition habitats : different types of community organization can produce identical patterns

Patterns of habitat partitioning have been widely described, but how the patterns are formed is as yet incompletely understood. To document and describe the different types of community organization that can produce patterns of partitioning, I surveyed the literature to find examples of habitat partitioning. I then identified, characterized, and tabulated occurrences of the different types of community organization. In ten years of Ecology, there were 66 instances of habitat partitioning accompanied by experimental demonstrations of how the patterns were formed. Shared preferences and distinct preferences were most commonly cited as producing patterns of partitioning (34 and 17 times, respectively), but there were also 8 examples of one-sided preferences, 4 examples of centrifugal organization, and 3 instances of niche contraction. This indicates that a variety of community organizations can produce patterns of partitioning and that shared preferences may occur more frequently in nature than generally thought. The presence of particular types of organization was influenced by the kind of study organism, with shared preferences occurring more frequently than distinct preferences among autotrophs and among different-aged individuals of the same species. Distinct preferences occurred when species were partitioned on different hosts rather than along gradients, suggesting that the kinds of resources that species use in a habitat may also influence how patterns of partitioning are formed.
Stress Metabolism. VI.* Temperature Stress and the Accumulation of Proline in Barley and Radish

Barley (cv.Prior) and radish (cv.White Icicle) plants were subjected to heat stress (39°C) for 1–5 days when growing in either a high (90–95 %) or low (50%) relative humidity environment. Although the plants were watered daily, leaf water potential (ψw) in heat-stressed plants at low relative humidity fell to a low level (– 30 bars, day 5) whereas there was no such decrease in the leaves of those maintained at a high humidity (– 4.6 bars). Growth in height was inhibited and leaf chlorophyll concentration decreased by high temperature, these effects being accentuated by accompanying water-stress in the leaves. On the other hand, proline only accumulated in the leaves when (ψw) fell, there being apparently no direct response to elevated temperature. These effects were confirmed for a range of temperatures extending to a maximum of 41°C. Proline accumulated rapidly, after an initial lag phase, in both barley and radish plants exposed to a low temperature (4°C). This accumulation was unrelated to any changes in the leaf water relationships. Neither leaf water potential, osmotic potential nor turgor demonstrated changes with low temperature sufficient to account for the accumulation of proline. The characteristics of this cold- induced accumulation of proline are compared with those of water stress-induced accumulation. * Part V, Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 1973, 26, 319–27.