Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Swarms of Predators Exhibit "Preytaxis" if Individual Predators Use Area-Restricted Search

We show that if individual predators restrict the area of their search following an encounter with prey, then this behavior translates into populations of predators flowing toward regions of high prey density. This result requires only that predators move at a constant speed but change their direction of movement more often when their stomachs are full and that increases in prey density increase the feeding rate and stomach fullness of predators. The partial differential equation that is derived by assuming such behavior includes terms representing both random motion and taxis on the part of the predator. The form and magnitude of these terms can be estimated by quantifying how prey density influences the frequency of directional changes in a foraging predator and by obtaining functional-response curves for predators that have been starved for different lengths of time. In general, the strength of a predator's taxis or aggregation response depends on its average velocity of search and on the sensitivity of its turning frequency to changes in prey density, both of which are easily measured. Thus, we show how short-term observations of individual predators can lead to a complete macroscopic description of predator-prey interactions in a spatially distributed environment. We demonstrate the use of our model by applying it to the spatial dynamics of an interaction between goldenrod aphids (Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum) and adult ladybug beetles (Coccinella septempunctata). Although in this specific case the model is limited to predictions on the order of weeks, we show how it might be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different predators as biological control agents. Our particular mechanistic model indicates that the consequences of aggregation for prey control depend on the rates of taxis relative to the rates of prey population growth; only sometimes is predator aggregation sufficient to halt an incipient prey outbreak.
Data-driven Fault Diagnosis of Power Transformers using Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA)

A power transformer is a critical piece of equipment in a power plant for distributing electricity, and it experiences thermal and electrical stresses during operation. Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) remains one of the most effective techniques to monitor the health of oil-filled transformers. Some traditional approaches for interpreting DGAs have been introduced. Occasionally, such approaches leave the state of the transformer uncategorized. This study proposed data-driven approaches for a fault diagnosis system based on DGA data using support vector machine (SVM). SVM is known for its robustness, good generalization capability, and unique global optimum solutions, particularly when data is limited. Backpropagation neural networks (BPNN) and extreme learning machine-radial basis function (ELM-RBF), a recent Neural Networks (NN)-based method with extremely fast computation time, were compared to SVM. An advanced technique to overcome the imbalanced data and synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was proposed to investigate the effect on classifier performance. The model was trained and tested using IEC TC 10 databases and transformer DGA monitoring data of a thermal power plant in Jakarta. The results indicated that SVM displayed the best performance compared to ELM-RBF and BPNN. It demonstrated extremely high accuracy, while still maintaining fast computation time for all stages in the proposed multistage fault diagnosis system.
Proceedings of an FAO/IAEA Coordinated Research Project on Improvement of Codling Moth SIT to Facilitate Expansion of Field Application

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) is the key pest in most pome fruit (apple, pear and quince) and some walnut orchards in the temperate regions of all major continents. The damage inflicted on fruit can be considerable with up to 80% of apples and up to 60% of pears infested on neglected apple and pear trees. Control of the pest has relied mainly on the intensive use of organophosphate and other broadspectrum insecticides applied throughout the growing season. This has resulted in losses of natural enemies and pollinators, increased insecticide residues, environmental contamination, the development of resistance and cross-resistance to these insecticides. Farmers and growers have therefore been demanding for the development of additional, non-chemical but effective control options for the coding moth. The history of technical advancements in programmes that have integrated the sterile insect technique (SIT) suggests that there is great potential for the application of the technique against codling moth. A consultants meeting convened in Vienna in October 2000, concluded that there are a number of promising research areas that can advance SIT’s applicability and cost-efficiency for codling moth control in both developed and developing economies. The meeting recommended that the best mechanism to address these research needs is a Coordinated Research Project (CRP). The CRP entitled ‘Improvement of Codling Moth SIT to Facilitate Expansion of Field Application’ was initiated in 2001 and was completed in 2007. It included participants from Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Syria, South Africa, Switzerland, and the USA. The research results of the CRP are presented in this special issue. The CRP had the objective to improve codling moth SIT for application in orchards and urban areas internationally and thereby contributing to reduce insecticide use in agriculture in general and in the rural–urban interface in particular and to facilitate international trade in agricultural commodities. Research focussed on sterile moth quality and management and to a better understanding of the basic genetics of codling moth with the aim to develop genetic sexing strains. During the CRP, four research coordination meetings were organised and hosted by Canada, Argentina, South Africa and Brazil. The paper of Fukova, I. , Neven LG, Barcena NM, Gund NA, Dalikova and Marec F entitled ‘Rapid assessment of the sex of codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus)(Lepidoptera) eggs and larvae’ was part of the CRP but was erroneously published in an earlier issue of the Journal of Applied Entomology (133: 249– 261).
Acceleration slip regulation control for four-wheel independently drive electric vehicle based on fuzzy control

To improve the acceleration performance and stability of the four-wheel independent drive (4WID) electric vehicle on low-adhesion road, a fuzzy control that doesn’t depend on accurate vehicle models is proposed. Taking the driving torque of one side wheel as a reference the slip rate is controlled by controlling the torque errors between the left and right wheels to a certain range. Carsim-Simulink co-simulation is used to analyze the acceleration stability of 4WID electric vehicle on low-adhesion road and μ-split road. The simulation results show that the wheel slip rate can be controlled within a reasonable range through proposed method, and the stability and safety of the vehicle can be effectively improved on the basis of ensuring the power performance of the vehicle.
Evaluating taxonomic inflation: towards evidence-based species delimitation in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae)

The designation of taxonomic units has important implications for the understanding and conservation of biodiversity. Eurasian vipers are a monophyletic group of viperid snakes (Serpentes, Viperinae), currently comprising four genera (Daboia, Macrovipera, Montivipera and Vipera) and up to 40 species. Taxonomic units have been described using a wide variety of methods and criteria, and consequently, considerable controversy still surrounds the validity of some currently listed species. In order to promote a consensus- and evidence-based taxonomy of Eurasian vipers, we analysed published mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences for this group to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among currently recognized viper species. We also compiled information on external morphology to assess their morphological distinctiveness. Phylogenetic inference based on mtDNA sequences shows contrasting levels of divergence across genera and species and identifies several instances of non-monophyly in described species. Nuclear DNA sequences show extremely low levels of genetic variation, with a widespread pattern of allele sharing among distant species, and even among genera. Revision of morphological data shows that most species designations rely on scalation traits that overlap extensively among species of the same genus. Based on our combined assessment, we recognize 15 taxa as valid species, three taxa which likely represent species complexes, 17 taxa of doubtful validity as species, and five taxa for which species status is maintained but further research is highly recommended to assess taxonomic arrangements. We stress the need to implement integrative taxonomic approaches for the recognition of evidence-based taxonomic units in Eurasian vipers.
Eco-friendly wood-biofungicidal and antibacterial activities of various Coccoloba uvifera L. leaf extracts: HPLC analysis of phenolic and flavonoid compounds

Aqueous, acetone, and ethanol extracts of Coccoloba uvifera L. (Polygonaceae) leaves were assessed for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The fungal pathogens Fusarium culmorum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Botrytis cinerea were isolated from strawberry plants, and they were molecularly identified through internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequence analysis. Wood treated with ethanol extract at 3% showed the highest inhibition of R. solani, B. cinerea, and F. culmorum growth, with mycelial growth inhibited by 64.4%, 100%, and 38.5%, respectively. Moderate growth inhibition was found against the plant pathogenic bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, Erwinia amylovora, Ralstonia solanacearum, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, and Dickeya solani. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis identified the phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the extracts. Regarding phenolic acid compounds, benzoic, ellagic, gallic, and o-coumaric acids were found as the main compounds in ethanol, acetone, and aqueous extracts. Regarding flavonoids, rutin, myricetin, and quercetin were identified in aqueous, acetone, and ethanol extracts. The results suggesting that the extracts can be used as environmentally friendly bioagents.
Benefits of recruitment in honey bees: effects of ecology and colony size in an individual-based model

Why do some social insects have sophisticated recruitment systems, while other species do not communicate about food source locations at all? To answer this question, it is necessary to identify the social or ecological factors that make recruitment adaptive and thus likely to evolve. We developed an individual-based model of honey bee foraging to quantify the benefits of recruitment under different spatial distributions of nondepleting resource patches and with different colony sizes. Benefits of recruitment were strongly dependent on resource patch quality, density, and variability. Communication was especially beneficial if patches were poor, few, and variable. A sensitivity analysis of the model showed that under conditions of high resource density recruitment could even become detrimental, especially if foraging duration was short, tendency to scout was high, or recruits needed a long time to find communicated locations. Colony size, a factor often suspected to influence recruitment evolution, had no significant effect. These results may explain the recent experimental findings that in honey bees, benefits of waggle dance recruitment seem to vary seasonally and with habitat. They may also explain why some, but not other, species of social bees have evolved a strategy to communicate food locations to nest mates. Copyright 2006.
The mode of seed formation in Allium senescens and two Korean Allium species

The genus Allium includes several important vegetable and ornamental species, and is an economically important crop. The objective of this study was to determine the mode of reproduction in A. senescens L. (2n = 6x = 48) and two Allium species collected in Korea. Chromosome numbers of embryo sac mother cells (EMCs) at diplotene of meiosis were 2n = 48 and unreduced in A. senescens. However, normal sexual reproduction was observed at diplotene in both A enescens var. minor (2n = 2x = 16) and A. nutans L. [2n = 4x = 32). Parthenogenetic embryogenesis also occurred in A. senescens at high frequencies among the three Allium species. Antipodal embryos in A. nutans were formed in unpollinated flowers. Normal seeds were not formed in flowers of A. senescens that had been emasculated and kept in sealed conditions. However, normal seeds were formed in the flowers that were pollinated 2 days after anthesis. In conclusion, diplospory, parthenogenesis, and pseudogamy occur in A. senescens.
Chemical Analysis and in Vitro Antiproliferative Potential of Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae)

Natural products and especially medicinal plants, have been extensively studied and have exhibited antiproliferative effects. The species Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) is native to Brazil and distributed throughout Australia, East Asia, and the Americas. The leaves are commonly used for the treatment of diarrhea, fever, and hypertension. However, the chemical properties and antiproliferative potential of the extracts remain to be elucidated. In this work, the antiproliferative effects of hydroethanolic (HEE) and dichloromethane (DEE) extracts of leaves from E. uniflora Original Research Article Gomes et al.; EJMP, 31(6): 34-44, 2020; Article no.EJMP. 55712 35 against a panel of human tumor cell lines in vitro were evaluated. Quercetin was identified using an HPLC, and the chemical component β-sitosterol was isolated. The HEE was an inactive extract, whereas the DEE extract showed antiproliferative activity against OVCAR-3 ovarian cells. In a bioassay-guided process, more pronounced antiproliferative effects were found for β-sitosterol isolated from DEE, which demonstrated potent antiproliferative effects against glioblastoma (U-251 cells) and leukemia (K-562 cells). This study contributes to the knowledge of E. uniflora and suggests that β-sitosterol is a potential chemotherapeutic compound.
Research on Big Data of Customer Product Reviews Based on Text Sentiment Extraction and Statistical Analysis

With the rapid development of the Internet and smart phones, in recent years, major global e-commerce service industries have attracted a large number of online sellers. At the same time, most consumers have also transformed traditional mall shopping into a convenient and fashionable online shopping model. When consumers purchase products on the e-commerce platform, most consumers will be able to make purchases and make certain evaluations and star ratings based on their preferences. This not only helps other consumers to have a preliminary understanding of the product before making a purchase, and to make judgments. At the same time, online sellers and e-commerce platforms can conduct background big data analysis and processing based on the indicators evaluated by users, and make a future Forecast the sales volume of goods in the market over time, and upgrade and improve the goods.
CTP synthase forms cytoophidia in archaea

CTP synthase (CTPS) is an important metabolic enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction of de novo synthesis of the nucleotide CTP. Since 2010, a series studies have demonstrated that CTPS can form filamentous structures termed cytoophidia in bacteria and eukaryotes. However, it remains unknown whether cytoophidia exist in archaea, the third domain of life. Using Haloarcula hispanica as a model system, here we demonstrate that CTPS forms distinct intracellular compartments in archaeal cells. Under stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, we find that those HhCTPS compartments are elongated filamentous structure, resembling cytoophidia in bacteria and eukaryotes. When Haloarcula cells cultured in low-salt medium, the occurrence of cytoophidia increases dramatically. Moreover, overexpression CTPS or glutamine analog treatment promote cytoophidium assembly in H. hispanica. Our study reveals that CTPS forms cytoophidia in all three domains of life, suggesting that forming cytoophidia is an ancient property of CTPS. Summary Author CTP synthase (CTPS), as a textbook molecule, has been studied biochemically for almost 70 years. It catalyses the last step of making up the nucleotide CTP. Since biochemical properties and the regulatory mechanisms of CTPS were thoroughly studied in the past decades, it came as a surprise when a new feature of CTPS was revealed in 2010. Multiple studies reveal that CTPS can form snakeshaped structures termed cytoophidia in bacteria and eukaryotes. However, it is not clear whether cytoophidia exist in archaea, the third domain of life. Here we use halophilic archaeon Haloarcula hispanica as a model and show that CTPS can form defined structures in archaea. Using super resolution microscopy, we confirm that those CTPS-containing structures are elongated filaments, similar to cytoophidia described in bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Therefore, this study demonstrates that CTPS forms cytoophidia not only in bacteria and eukaryotes, but also in archaea.
Impact of gastric pH on dietary enzyme activity and survivability in swine fed β-glucanase supplemented diets

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the effect of pH on β-glucanase activity and to monitor the effect of passage through the stomach on the ability of enzymes to degrade β-glucans. In exp. 1, β-glucanase activity was determined in 10 commercially available enzyme products at 5 pH levels (2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5) using a discontinuous assay. Little activity was evident at pH 2.5, and activity was only slightly increased at pH 3.5. The highest activity occurred at pH 4.5 and 5.5. Enzyme activity declined quickly at pH 6.5. Experiment 2 evaluated the capability of β-glucanase to recover activity after incubation at suboptimal pH levels. Five enzyme preparations were incubated at three pH levels (2.5, 3.5 and 4.5) for 15, 30, 60 or 120-min. The pH level was then increased to pH 5.5, which was the optimum pH for activity determined in exp. 1. All enzyme products were relatively stable at pH 4.5 and 5.5. Enzyme products treated at pH 3.5 started to lose activity and all enzyme products exhibi.
Adaptive Evolution after Gene Duplication in α‐KT × 14 Subfamily from Buthus martensii Karsch

A series of isoforms of α‐KT × 14 (short chain potassium channel scorpion toxins) were isolated from the venom of Buthus martensii Karsch by RACE and screening cDNA library methods. These isoforms adding BmKK1 ‐ 3 and BmSKTx1 ‐ 2 together shared high homology (more than 97%) with each other. The result of genomic sequence analysis showed that a length 79bp intron is inserted Ala codes between the first and the second base at the 17th amino acid of signal peptide. The introns of these isoforms also share high homology with those of BmKK2 and BmSKT × 1 reported previously. Sequence analysis of many clones of cDNA and genomic DNA showed that a species population or individual polymorphism of α‐KT × 14 genes took place in scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch and accelerated evolution played an important role in the forming process of α‐KT × 14 scorpion toxins subfamily. The result of southern hybridization indicated that α‐KT × 14 toxin genes existed in scorpion chromosome with multicopies. All findings maybe provided an important evidence for an extensive evolutionary process of the scorpion “pharmacological factory”: at the early course of evolution, the ancestor toxic gene duplicated into a series of multicopy genes integrated at the different chromosome; at the late course of evolution, subsequent functional divergence of duplicate genes was generated by mutations, deletions and insertion. IUBMB Life, 57: 513‐521, 2005
Effects of Municipal Waste Leachate on Seed Germination in Soil‐Compost Mixtures

The goal of revegetation projects on degraded or polluted lands is to create a near‐natural, stable, and quick‐response ecosystem that does not require particular management after establishment and that is compatible with the surrounding landscape. Municipal waste compost (MWC) is commonly used in revegetation projects as a source of organic matter. The aim of this study was to investigate the germination percentage and average time of germination of 23 species (12 cultivated grasses and legumes and 11 native herbs) as affected by the leachates from soil, three different mixtures of soil‐compost, and pure compost. The treatments influenced the average time of germination (ATG); legumes were the most affected species, followed by grasses and wild herbs. The percentage of germination of Festuca arundinacea was not affected by the presence of compost leachate, while Lolium multiflorum was the most sensitive species. A higher content of compost in the mixture caused a delay in germination of all the grasses. Most of the legumes were able to germinate in the leachate of the soil‐compost mixtures, but their germination was delayed; Trifolium pratense had the highest sensitivity in terms of average time of germination. The native herbs Lepidium sativum, Matricaria chamomilla, and Sanguisorba officinalis germinated without any adverse effect when treated with leachate from high levels of MWC; the germination of Amaranthus cruentus was influenced by all levels of MWC in substrates, suggesting a high specific sensitivity for toxic components of leachate from MWC‐soil mixtures.
Information Asymmetry Effects of Deregulation-Driven Decreases in Quarterly Financial Disclosure - Evidence from Germany

Based on the ongoing disclosure overload debate, this paper investigates how deregulation-driven decreases in quarterly disclosure affect information asymmetry. We exploit a German setting in which the minimum content requirements for quarterly reporting have been reduced for firms listed in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE). This deregulation allows Prime Standard companies to choose whether to continue to publish full quarterly financial reports or to switch to so-called quarterly statements to meet their quarterly reporting obligations. Compared to full quarterly reports, the latter have significantly lower minimum content requirements. Based on a difference-in-differences research design, our results provide empirical evidence that decreases in quarterly disclosure come along with statistically and economically significant increases in information asymmetry. However, we find that this effect is particularly driven by smaller firms, which operate in weaker information environments. Additionally, our results confirm that this information asymmetry effect is associated with the extent of actual decreases in (specific content-related types of) quarterly disclosure.