Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Ground‐dwelling Ant Functional Diversity are Correlated with Water‐Table Level in an Amazonian Terra Firme Forest

Areas with shallow water tables comprise a significant portion of tropical forests and have distinct forest structure and plant‐assemblage composition. It is not clear, however, how the water table regime shapes the distributions of other organisms. Here, we evaluated the influence of water‐table level on ant‐assemblage richness, abundance, and composition in a terra firme forest, in Central Amazonia. We sampled ants in ten 250 m‐long transects, regularly distributed over 5 km2 by extracting ants from 100 1‐m2 litter samples, 100 pitfall traps, and 100 sardine baits. During 1 year, the water‐table level in each transect was monitored every 15 d with a 6‐m deep dipwell. Overall the abundance of individuals and occurrence of species were lower in areas where the water table was closer to the surface (< 1 m depth) for longer periods (~ 5.5 mo). The number of ant species, however, was higher in transects where the water table was close to the surface more frequently. Changes in number of species were mainly a result of an increase in generalist species associated with a decrease in the number of specialist predators and small hypogeic generalist foragers. Although disturbance by the water table may increase local alpha diversity, only one third of generalist species seems to prefer areas with shallow water table.
Research on Classification and Recognition of Object Image Based on Convolutional Neural Network

Image recognition and classification using a convolution neural network is an important application of image processing. How too reasonably to design the convolutional layer of the convolutional neural network, the number of hidden layers and optimize the parameters of the convolutional neural network to ensure high accuracy and efficiency in image recognition and classification are an extremely important part. The core of this thesis is the model design and parameter optimization of deep convolutional neural networks. This paper mainly designs, implements, optimizes and adjusts the model structure of the convolutional network of Tensor Flow framework platform. We redesigned the convolutional neural network model to a depth of 19 layers and used two data sets for training, testing and parameter optimization. Experimental results show that the convolution neural network models presented in this paper is superior to other neural network models in accuracy and efficiency of image recognition and classification, and has a good guiding role in solving practical engineering problems.
Macrobenthic community structure of the Mhlathuze Estuary, a permanently open estuarine embayment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Mhlathuze Estuary, an estuarine embayment in northern Zululand, is considered an estuary of national conservation importance. No historical data on the benthic macrofauna are available for the past 20 years, creating a significant gap in our understanding of the ecology and benthic assemblage of this system. The primary aim of this study was to provide updated information on the ecology of the macrobenthic community. Benthic samples were collected quarterly using a Zabalocki grab during the period 2016–2017. The 87 taxa recorded were largely dominated by the tanaid Halmyrapseudes cooperi, followed by the brachyuran crab, Paratylodiplax blephariskios and the amphipod Grandierella bonnieroides. A multivariate data analysis was performed and PERMANOVA results indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) between sites in number of taxa, species diversity and density. A stable system with limited seasonal influences and the effect of May 2017 flood were highlighted in the study. The 100 benthic taxa recorded in previous studies, of which 46 species are still present, suggests a marked decline in macrobenthic diversity and a change in community, possibly linked to reduced freshwater inflow and agricultural effluent. The continuing ecological relevance of this protected area relies on reducing catchment activities that are detrimental in sustaining benthic populations.
BİLİNÇLİ FARKINDALIK VE DİKKAT EĞİTİMİNİN ÖĞRENCİLERİN DİKKAT GELİŞİMLERİNE ETKİSİ

Bu arastirmanin amaci, herhangi bir sorunu (disleksi, hiperaktivite, dikkat eksikligi, vb.) olmayan ogrencilere belirli bir sure uygulanan bilincli farkindalik ve dikkat egitiminin, onlarin dikkatlerinin artmasina neden olup olmadigini belirlemektir. Arastirmada deneme oncesi modellerden tek gruplu ontest - sontest deneme modeli kullanilmistir. Calisma, 2014-2015 ve 2015-2016 ogretim yillarinda, Ankara Ozel Tevfik Fikret Ilkokulu ve Ortaokulundaki dorduncu ve besinci siniflarinda yurutulmustur. Veriler Bourdon Dikkat Testinin Harf Formu, Ogretmen Gozlem Formu ve Ogrenci Ozdegerlendirme Formu yardimiyla toplanmistir. Her bir olcme aracindan elde edilen veriler tekrarli veriler icin varyans analizi teknigi ile analiz edilmistir. Arastirmada iki ogretim yili boyunca bilincli farkindalik ve dikkat egitimi alan ogrencilerin Bourdon Dikkat Testi, Ozdegerlendirme Formlari ve Ogretmen Gozlem Formlarindan aldigi ortalama puanlarin donemlere gore anlamli olcude arttigi; ogrencilerin aldiklari bilincli farkindalik ve dikkat egitimi suresinin artmasinin dikkat duzeylerinin de artmasina neden oldugu sonucuna varilmistir
International Initiatives Against Invasive Alien Species1

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major threat to biological diversity on a global scale, necessitating international cooperation to address the problem. This paper gives the context in which action against IAS needs to take place, explains the need for international cooperation, and provides examples of key international instruments, strategies, and programs to deal with IAS. Additional index words: Convention on Biological Diversity, Global Invasive Species Program, International Plant Protection Convention, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Invasive Species Specialist Group, World Conservation Union. Abbreviations: CBD, UN Convention on Biological Diversity; GISD, Global Invasive Species Database; GISP, Global Invasive Species Program; IAS, invasive alien species; IPPC, International Plant Protection Convention; ISPM, International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures; ISSG, Invasive Species Specialist Group; IUCN,The World Conservation Union; PRA, Pest Risk Analysis; SPREP, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Program.
A simplified design scheme for stubs loaded planar dual‐frequency microstrip crossover

In this article, design of a planar dual‐band crossover circuit is proposed. The design utilizes the symmetry of the circuit for the simplified even‐odd mode analysis. Derived closed form expressions are readily able to account for the type of stubs used in the design. Evaluation of the proposed crossover circuit and the corresponding expressions demonstrate that the design is able to achieve a considerably wide range of frequency ratios (1.8‐4.6). Two prototypes have been developed on Roger's 5880 substrate with the design frequencies of 1/2 and 0.5/2 GHz and a very good agreement between the measured and electromagnetic simulated results validate the design scheme.
One-Pot Synthesis and Characterization of VO2(B) with a Large Voltage Window Electrochemical Performance in Aqueous Solution

B-type vanadium dioxide (defined as VO2(B)) nanobelts were synthesized through using commercial ammonium metavanadate, oxalic acid via one-step hydrothermal technique. The structure of VO2(B) was characterized using different instruments. N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms revealed that the VO2(B) nanobelts were porous structures where BET surface area was 10.4 m2·g−1, the pore volume was 0.0687 cm3/g, and the average pore size was 42.7 nm. Furthermore, the VO2(B) nanobelts as supercapacitors electrode exhibited a large voltage window (−0.8~1.0 V). The measured capacitance was based on the pseudocapacitance. When the discharge current density is 0.5, 1, and 10 A·g−1, the VO2(B) shows the specific capacitance of 287, 246, and 222 F·g−1, respectively.
Oak Decline in Southern Sweden

Quantitative measurements of crown damage and foliage distribution patterns on pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) were recorded at 157 observation sites in southern Sweden in 1988 and in 1993. The year - to - year variations in these measurements were determined by repeated observations at three experimental oak sites from 1994 to 1997. In general, the crown condition deteriorated over the 5 - yr period. In 1993, 55% and 21% of the observed trees displayed slight and moderate degrees of crown defoliation, respectively, compared with 37% and 9% of the trees in 1988. The frequency of damage symptoms increased significantly with tree age and the degree of wind exposure. Crown damage varied among the counties where observations were made. During the yearly observation period from 1994 to 1997, 20-30% of the trees changed damage symptom classes from one year to another. About 15% of the trees changed classes more than once and in both directions, while 54% of the trees remained in the same damage class for all.
Detection of Pyrazinamide Heteroresistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Heteroresistance is defined as the coexistence of both susceptible and resistant bacteria in a bacterial population. Previously published data show that it may occur in 9 to 57% of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates for various drugs. ABSTRACT Heteroresistance is defined as the coexistence of both susceptible and resistant bacteria in a bacterial population. Previously published data show that it may occur in 9 to 57% of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates for various drugs. Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important first-line drug used for treatment of both drug-susceptible and PZA-susceptible multidrug-resistant TB. Clinical PZA resistance is defined as a proportion of resistant bacteria in the isolate exceeding 10%, when the drug is no longer considered clinically effective. The ability of traditional drug susceptibility testing techniques to detect PZA heteroresistance has not yet been evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare the capacity of Bactec MGIT 960, Wayne’s test, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to detect PZA-resistant subpopulations in bacterial suspensions prepared with different proportions of mutant strains. Both Bactec MGIT 960 and WGS were able to detect the critical level of 10% PZA heteroresistance, whereas Wayne’s test failed to do so, with the latter falsely reporting highly resistant samples as PZA susceptible. Failure to detect drug-resistant subpopulations may lead to inadvertently weak treatment regimens if ineffective drugs are included, with the risk of treatment failure with the selective growth of resistant subpopulations. We need clinical awareness of heteroresistance as well as evaluation of new diagnostic tools for their capacity to detect heteroresistance in TB.
A new species of Seira (Collembola: Entomobryidae: Seirini) from Northern Brazil, with the addition of new chaetotaxic characters

Seira caerucinerea sp. nov. , a new species of springtail from the Cerrado domain, state of Tocantins, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is mainly characterized by bluish-gray coloration and dorsal chaetotaxy presenting macrochaeta S7 on head, three macrochaetae (a6, m6 and p6) on margin of metathorax and 4+4 macrochaetae (a1, m2, m3 and m4i) on abdomen I. Characteristics of maxillary and labial papillae, chaetotaxy of subcoxae, collophore, ventral region of head, ventral and lateral region of abdomen IV and V, which are usually omitted in species descriptions within the genus, are also provided. This is the first species of Seira described from the Cerrado domain, as well as the first record of the genus from the state of Tocantins.
Anatomical aspects of hormonal regulation of abscission in citrus – The shoot-peduncle abscission zone in the non-abscising stage

Although mature citrus fruits [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Shamouti] did not abscise at the peduncle-shoot abscission zone (AZ–A) when incubated in ethylene environment, abscission processes did occur in a limited number of cell layers situated in the inner bark, the starch sheath region, and in the pith of AZ–A. These processes were regulated by 2,4-D and ethylene treatments. Cells responding to the “separation processes”, particularly in the ethylene treatment, underwent either (a) cell wall swelling, dissolving and breakdown, or (b) growth and expansion in a radial plane. Further away from the dissolving area, the response of some cells of the mid and outer bark took the form of divisions or growth in a circumferential plane, while other cells remained unchanged. Non-responding tissues of the outer bark formed a “sleeve” of undissolved cells, and the vascular cylinder produced no abscission in AZ–A. It is concluded that the partial cell wall dissolution in AZ–A explains the increased activity of cellulase and polygalacturonase in the non-abscising AZ–A of the mature fruit (Greenberg et al. 1975. Physiol. Plant. 37: 1–7).
INFLUENCE DU MODE DE CONSERVATION DES FOURRAGES DE GRAMINÉES SUR LA VITESSE DE LEUR DIGESTION DANS LE RUMEN

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. INFLUENCE DU MODE DE CONSERVATION DES FOURRAGES DE GRAMINÉES SUR LA VITESSE DE LEUR DIGESTION DANS LE RUMEN J.-P. Dulphy, Marie Jailler, J.-M. Boisseau, L. l’Hotelier
Varying Responses of Field-Selected Herbicide-Resistant Rigid Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) Populations to Combinations of Phorate with PPI Herbicides

Abstract Organophosphate insecticides, which have the capacity to inhibit specific herbicide-degrading (cytochrome P450) enzymes, have been used to explore metabolic herbicide-resistance mechanisms in weeds. This study investigates the response of seven field-selected rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) populations to herbicides from three different sites of action in the presence or absence of the P450 inhibitor phorate. Phorate antagonized the thiocarbamate herbicides triallate and prosulfocarb (8-fold increase in LD50) in multiple resistant L. rigidum populations with resistance to three different site-of-action herbicides. In contrast, phorate synergized trifluralin and propyzamide in some populations, reducing the LD50 by 50%. Conversely, treatment with phorate had no significant effect on the LD50 for S-metolachlor or pyroxasulfone (inhibitors of very-long-chain fatty-acid synthesis). Phorate has diverse effects that are herbicide and population dependant in field-selected L. rigidum, suggesting P450 involvement in the metabolism of trifluralin and failure to activate thiocarbamate herbicides in these populations. This research highlights the need for implementation of diverse approaches other than herbicide alone as part of a long-term integrated strategy to reduce the likelihood of metabolism-based resistance to PPI herbicides in L. rigidum.
On the Sensitivity of Local Flexibility Markets to Forecast Error: A Bi-Level Optimization Approach

The large-scale integration of intermittent distributed energy resources has led to increased uncertainty in the planning and operation of distribution networks. The optimal flexibility dispatch is a recently introduced, power flow-based method that a distribution system operator can use to effectively determine the amount of flexibility it needs to procure from the controllable resources available on the demand side. However, the drawback of this method is that the optimal flexibility dispatch is inexact due to the relaxation error inherent in the second-order cone formulation. In this paper we propose a novel bi-level optimization problem, where the upper level problem seeks to minimize the relaxation error and the lower level solves the earlier introduced convex second-order cone optimal flexibility dispatch (SOC-OFD) problem. To make the problem tractable, we introduce an innovative reformulation to recast the bi-level problem as a non-linear, single level optimization problem which results in no loss of accuracy. We subsequently investigate the sensitivity of the optimal flexibility schedules and the locational flexibility prices with respect to uncertainty in load forecast and flexibility ranges of the demand response providers which are input parameters to the problem. The sensitivity analysis is performed based on the perturbed Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions. We investigate the feasibility and scalability of the proposed method in three case studies of standardized 9-bus, 30-bus, and 300-bus test systems. Simulation results in terms of local flexibility prices are interpreted in economic terms and show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Methods to improve UAV performance using hybrid-electric architectures

When comparing and contrasting different types of fixed-wing military aircraft on the basis of an energetic efficiency figure-of-merit, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) dedicated to tactical medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) operations appear to have significant potential when hybrid-electric propulsion and power systems (HEPPS) are implemented. Beginning with a baseline Eulair drone, this paper aims to examine the feasibility of retro-fitting with an Autarkic-Parallel-HEPPS architecture to enhance performance of the original single diesel engine. ,In view of the low gravimetric specific energy performance attributes of batteries in the foreseeable future, the best approach was found to be one in which the Parallel-HEPPS architecture has the thermal engine augmented by an organic rankine cycle (ORC). For this study, with the outer mould lines fixed, the goal was to increase endurance without increasing the Eulair drone maximum take-off weight beyond an upper limit of +10%. The intent was to also retain take-off distance and climb performance or, where possible, improve upon these aspects. Therefore, as the focus of the work was on power scheduling, two primary control variables were identified as degree-of-hybridisation for useful power and cut-off altitude during the en route climb phase. Quasi-static methods were used for technical sub-space modelling, and these modules were linked into a constrained optimisation algorithm. ,Results showed that an Autarkic-Parallel-HEPPS architecture comprising an ORC thermal energy recovery apparatus and high-end year-2020 battery, the endurance of the considered aircraft could be increased by 11%, i.e. a total of around 28 h, including de-icing system, in-flight recharge and emergency aircraft recovery capabilities. The same aircraft with the de-icing functionality removed resulted in a 20% increase in maximum endurance to 30 h. ,Although the adoption of Series/Parallel-HEPPS only solutions do tend to generate questionable improvements in UAV operational performance, combinations of HEPPS with energy recovery machines that use, for example, an ORC, were found to have merit. Furthermore, such architectural solutions could also offer opportunity to facilitate additional functions like de-icing and emergency aircraft recovery during engine failure, which is either not available for UAVs today or prove to be prohibitive in terms of operational performance attributes when implemented using a conventional PPS approach. ,This technical paper highlights a new degree of freedom in terms of power scheduling during climbing transversal flight operations. A control parameter of cut-off altitude for all types of HEPPS-based aircraft should be introduced into the technical decision-making/optimisation/analysis scheme and is seen to be a fundamental aspect when conducting trade-studies with respect to degree-of-hybridisation for useful power.
Population performance of Microtus pennsylvanicus confined to woodland habitat, and a model of habitat occupancy

Enclosure experiments were conducted to investigate short-term population performance of the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus, when confined to woodland. Animals survived in summer and winter, and reproduced but with generally low success. A large variety of plants was eaten, many of which do not occur in grassland habitat. These results demonstrate that the usual avoidance of woodland is not due to the inability of that habitat to meet the minimum requirements of Microtus. Coexistence for several weeks was demonstrated with Clethrionomys gapperi, a potential competitor species, but at low density. In one experiment an interaction between Microtus and Clethrionomys was indicated by spatial segregation.Performance of Microtus populations was distinctly poorer in woodland than in grassland habitat. Maximum density was much lower in woodland, primarily as a result of lower average adult survival in summer and lower reproductive success, secondarily to lower initial densities. Survival of young which were.
Bulldozing stumps and nitrogen fertilization affect growth of Douglas-fir seedlings

Eight treatments involving stump removal by bulldozing in combination with nitrogen fertilization were applied to 0.04-ha circular plots in a clear-cut on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. Treatments included stump removal (either all stumps removed or the plot left undisturbed) and broadcast fertilization with ammonium nitrate (0, 336, 672, or 1345 kg N ha−1). Diameter at breast height and height of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings, planted several months after treatment, were recorded five and eight seasons after outplanting. The results showed that either bulldozing stumps from the site or fertilizing with ammonium nitrate increased growth of seedlings through their eighth growing season. After eight growing seasons, bulldozing had increased seedling height by 23% and diameter at breast height by 43%; fertilizing produced increases of 13% in height and 17% in diameter at breast height.
Potato tuber lenticels: susceptibility to infection by Erwinia carotovora var. atroseptica and Phytophthora infestans

SUMMARY In laboratory tests, proliferation increased the susceptibility of lenticels on mature tubers to infection by Erwinia carotovora var. atroseptica. No differences in susceptibility to E. c. atroseptica and Phytophthora infestans were detected on tubers lifted at different stages of growth from soil kept wet or dry for 3 wk prior to each sampling. As tubers aged, fewer lenticels became infected by either pathogen or were penetrated by fluorescein dye, presumably because cells had been suberized and cork barriers formed.
Coumarins Isolated from the Roots of Seseli resinosum. in Turkey

Abstract Seseli resinosum. Freyn et Sint. (Umbelliferae) is a perennial herb that grows in the northern region of Anatolia, Turkey. The n. -hexane extract obtained from the roots of S. resinosum. was investigated for the presence of coumarins. Three angular-type pyranocoumarins and two linear-type furocoumarins were isolated from the roots. The compounds were identified as (+)-samidin [(3′S., 4′S.)-3′-senecioyloxy-4′-acetoxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin] (1), (−)-anomalin [(3′R., 4′R.)-3′, 4′-diangeloyloxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin] (2), calipteryxin (3′R., 4′R.)-3′-angeloyloxy-4′-senecioyloxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin (3), isoimperatorin (4), and deltoin (5). The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C COSY, HMBC, MS), physical methods (melting point and optical rotation), and chemical correlations with known compounds that have been described in the literature. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated coumarins is discussed in the genus Seseli. L.