Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whole Lake Fluridone Treatments For Selective Control of Eurasian Watermilfoil: II. Impacts on Submersed Plant Communities

ABSTRACT The aquatic herbicide fluridone is being used in northern tier states to selectively control the submersed exotic species Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) growing in lakes and reservoirs. Reliable quantitative information linking changes in the submersed plant community following fluridone applications is limited, particularly with respect to water residue records. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of low-dose fluridone treatments on the submersed plant communities in four lakes in Michigan. The overall study objective was to determine whether submersed plant species diversity and frequency were impacted by low-dose fluridone applications in the year of treatment, when targeting a whole lake for Eurasian watermilfoil control. The primary objectives of this portion (part II) of the overall study was to determine fluridone effectiveness on the exotic submersed species Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) and to evaluate shifts in plant species diversity at one year posttreatment. Secondary objectives included determining fluridone effectiveness on the exotic submersed species curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.) and verifying laboratory-derived results of fluridone concentration and exposure time relationships with respect to efficacy against Eurasian watermilfoil. Quantitative sampling of vegetation was performed using point-based frequency of species occurrence to evaluate whole-lake distribution and diversity of the submersed plant community of all eight study lakes. The technique was implemented using global positioning and geographic information systems, with a minimum grid resolution of 50 m by 50 m. Plant surveys were conducted in early to mid May and in mid August in 1997 (year of treatment) and 1998 (12 and 15 months post treatment). The fluridone concentration and exposure time (CET) relationship resulted in good to excellent control of Eurasian watermilfoil through 15 months posttreatment on three of the treated lakes (Big Crooked, Camp, and Lobdell). On a fourth lake, Wolverine, the required CET relationship was not maintained and poor control of Eurasian water milfoil was observed. There was no strong evidence of long-term curlyleaf pondweed control in any of the fluridone-treated lakes. The herbicide application strategy used in this study did not significantly impact the native plant species diversity or cover in the year of treatment, or through 15 months posttreatment, in any of the fluridone-treated lakes. Native plant cover was maintained at levels >70% in the year of treatment and at one year posttreatment; a level above the range (20 to 40%) recommended for healthy fish and wildlife habitat. The selective control of Eurasian watermilfoil achieved in this study verified results from previously conducted laboratory and outdoor mesocosm evaluations.
A Review of the Literature on Participatory Approaches to Local Development for an Evaluation of the Effectiveness of World Bank Support for Community-Based and Driven Development Approaches

This paper explores the available literature on participatory approaches to development as an input to the operations evaluation department (OED) evaluation of World Bank-supported community-based development (CBD) and community-driven development (CDD) interventions. Participatory approaches to development have gained substantial support in the international community over the past quarter century, and have become increasingly important in the work of the World Bank and other donors. Undertaking this literature review has been a particularly challenging exercise for two reasons. The Bank categories CDD approaches in a three-fold typology, which encompasses both community participation efforts and participatory governance initiatives. This paper is primarily concerned with regularized participatory spaces, in which community members deliberate over the provision of services and the allocation of resources, rather than transient spaces, which entail one-off events or exercises aimed at generating discussion on specific policy issues with no direct link to decision making. This review was undertaken with a four-fold objective. First, to simply bring to the ongoing CBD and CDD evaluation information on the kind of evidence that is out on participatory approaches to local development, qualitative, quantitative, and anecdotal. Second, to draw on the evidence in the literature to understand the different kinds of participatory spaces that Bank's CBD and CDD interventions have fostered at the local level. Third, to explore the evidence in the literature on factors that has a bearing on development effectiveness of CBD and CDD-type interventions. Finally, to provide a means for testing the findings emerging from other study components, particularly case study countries and the portfolio review both of which indicate several challenges that donor agencies face in implementing participatory projects. This review proceeds in six sections. Section one gives introduction; section two examines the evidence in the literature on the extent to which participation in decision-making has promoted inclusiveness; section three explores factors that are likely to facilitate or hinder participatory and collective undertakings; section four assesses the development effectiveness of participatory interventions; section five explores key issues related to the institutional contexts of CBD and CDD-type interventions; and finally section six draws on the evidence in the literature to explore the main challenges that donors and lenders are likely to encounter in the promotion of the CDD approach.
Online Misinformation Spread: A Systematic Literature Map

Misinformation is widely and rapidly spreading on social media platforms. This could result in severe negative effects on users and the quality of online generated content. Luckily, there is a growing interest among researchers to combat this spread of misinformation on social media platforms. Despite this growing interest and to the best of the author's knowledge, there are no studies that cover and classify the types of research being published on this topic. To overcome this gap, the author performed a literature systematic mapping to produce a comprehensive overview of this research area. This results in the identification of 101 primary studies that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria of articles defined in this study. These primary studies were then categorized according to their research type, contribution type, and research focus. The results indicated that most studies focus on providing solutions to detect misinformation spread on social media platforms. In contrast, these is a lack of research on areas such as the validation and evaluation of proposed detection solutions, the use of digital intervention techniques to minimize users spread of misinformation and the management of misinformation spread. This study is meant to help domain researchers and practitioners to identify research gaps and future research opportunities on topic of this study.
Design of a Novel Framework to Control Nonlinear Affine Systems Based on Fast Terminal Sliding-Mode Controller

In this paper, a novel approach for finite-time stabilization of uncertain affine systems is proposed. In the proposed approach, a fast terminal sliding mode (FTSM) controller is designed, based on the input-output feedback linearization of the nonlinear system with considering its internal dynamics. One of the main advantages of the proposed approach is that only the outputs and external states of the system should be measured. Moreover, in order to realize finite-time convergence of the output variables, a set of switching manifolds with a recursive procedure is utilized. Finally, robust stability and efficacy of the proposed control law are shown through computer simulations.
Comparison of EM with Jackknife Standard Errors and Multiple Imputation Standard Errors

Most discussions of single imputation methods and the EM algorithm concern point estimation of population quantities with missing values. A second concern is how to get standard errors of the point estimates obtained from the filled-in data by single imputation methods and EM algorithm. Now we focus on how to estimate standard errors with incorporating the additional uncertainty due to nonresponse. There are some approaches to account for the additional uncertainty. The general two possible approaches are considered. One is the jackknife method of resampling methods. The other is multiple imputation(MI). These two approaches are reviewed and compared through simulation studies.
The Use of Augmented Reality in Formal Education: A Scoping Review.

Augmented Reality (AR) is recognized as one of the most important developments in educational technology for both higher and K-12 education as emphasized in Horizon report . The purpose of this scoping review was to provide a comprehensive overview of relevant research regarding the emergence of augmented reality, the links to pedagogy and educational outcomes, specifically in the context of formal education. The scoping review is underpinned by the five-stage framework Arksey and O’Malley (2005). First, research questions are identified. Second, the last five years in ERIC database is explored by using the search term ‘augmented reality. ’ Third, studies are investigated through inclusion and exclusion criteria, and PRISMA (2009) model is utilized for article selection. Fourth, selected articles are charted with respect to numerous dimensions and summaries. finally, findings are reported in the light of research questions. The findings of the scoping review illustrated a set of studies that provide evidence of improved academic performance, increase in students’ engagement, motivation, and satisfaction through the educational environments that are enriched with AR applications. The findings of the scoping review are discussed with respect to multiple dimensions that are explored under research questions
Efecto de la utilización de arbóreas y arbustivas forrajeras sobre la dinámica digestiva en bovinos

The cattle production systems in the tropic are developed, basically, under systems of pasturing with monocultures of grasses, generally with nutritional contents from mid to low quality, mainly because of their high content of fiber and low protein levels. As opposed to this situation it appears the SPS (silvopastoral systems) under pasturing or cuts and transportation as an alternative that generally empowers the total quality of the diet, among other beneficial factors. The arboreal and shrubs component involved in these systems presents ample effects in the nutritional framework of bovines. Their effects in the animal can be varied, due to the divergence that occurs in its composition, when compared to the grasses. This difference occurs, not only at the primary nutrients level, but also at that of secondary metabolites (also denominated ANF, or anti nutritional factors). Traditionally, some metabolites have been considered anti nutritional factors because of their negative effects on the fermentative process at a ruminal level or, in general, on the digestive process in the total tract. But the effects depend, in general terms, on the consumption level. Considering the spectrum of main arboreal and arbustives, the tropical ones (legumes and non legumes) with potential in the feeding of the bovines, there are diverse studied secondary metabolites, such as tannins, cianogenic glycosides, phytotoestrogens, saponines and mimosine, among others.
Lawson, Tony and Rogerson, Robert and Barnacle, Malcolm (2017) A comparison between the cost effectiveness of CCTV and improved street lighting as a means of crime reduction. Computers, Environment

The effectiveness of CCTV and improved street lighting has been studied extensively in terms of their potential for reducing the number of crimes in a certain area. However, this does not take into account the cost of the interventions or the savings due to crime reduction. This paper presents a model, which takes the form of a cellular automaton to simulate the implementation of improved street lighting and CCTV cameras using a range of strategies. This permits an exploration of simulated options to find which is most cost effective and what the best strategy for implementation is. The results indicate that there are few situations where CCTV is more cost effective than improved street lighting as a way of reducing street crime. In addition, it is shown that the strategy of targeting locations with the highest crime rates, “hot spots”, has the greatest potential for maximising the cost effectiveness of interventions.
Cloud-to-Ground Lightning throughout the Lifetime of a Severe Storm System in Oklahoma

Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning data are examined relative to digitized radar data for a storm system that occurred in Oklahoma on 26 May 1985. This system evolved through three stages: 1) two lines of cells, one near the dryline and the other 60 km ahead of it; 2) a supercell storm; and 3) a mesoscale convective system (MCS). The behavior of lightning in each stage was different. Initially no ground flashes were observed in either line until reflectivity increased to $46 dBZ and vertically integrated liquid (VIL) increased to $10 kg m22; then ground flash rates remained ,1.2 min21 for . 1 h. Most ground flashes in the line of storms near the dryline were negative (18 2CG, 3 1CG), while most in the leading line were positive (11 1CG, 3 2CG), a pattern of polarity opposite to what usually has been observed. Approximately 3 h after radar detected the first storm, ground flash rates increased to . 5 min21 and remained so for 6 h. A mesocyclone formed approximately 30 min after flash rates exceeded 5 min 21, and a few positive ground flashes occurred near it. Ground flash rates increased briefly to . 20 min21 as the mesocyclone dissipated and then remained . 10 min21 as a squall line formed along the outflow boundary from the dissipating supercell and produced a stratiform region. Most ground flashes in this MCS occurred in the convective line and had negative polarity. The few ground flashes in the stratiform region tended to be positive (42 1CG, 32 2CG during 3 h). Durin g1ho f theMCS, ground flash rates decreased and then increased again simultaneously in both the convective and stratiform regions, a previously undocumented behavior. It is possible that this was caused by updrafts in both the convective line and stratiform region changing at roughly the same time. It is also possible that most ground flashes in the stratiform region originated near the convective line, and so were influenced by the line. Overall trends in ground flash density, flash relative frequency, reflectivity, VIL, and severe hail reports appeared similar as the storm system evolved.
Dakwah Among Indian Mualaf in Malaysia Dakwah dalam Kalangan Mualaf India di Malaysia

This article sets out to look activities and challenges of dakwah among Indian Mualaf in Malaysia. It was sure that their Muslim culture applying becomes a dilemma when they are a Muslim minority group. It suggests that when this group begin to practice Islām, their behavior changes dramatically. This is because instead changing their faiths, they also need to maintain their new culture as Muslim converts. Whilst they are welcomed by their Indian Muslim counterparts, it is nevertheless hypothesized that they may not participate fully in the Muslim mainstream. This document research based method finally found that Indian Mualaf only involved with internal activities in order to build relationship between them and this given them a big challenge to put them as Muslim dominated by Malays in Malaysia.
Valsa viburni, a rare fungus in Europe?

The paper provides brief illustrated description and general distribution of Valsa viburni . The fungus is found to be highly host-specific and confined to Viburnum lantana . According to currently available data on its distribution, the species has small number of records, fragmented range and is shown to be rare in Europe. However, before assessment of the species, information on any additional unrecorded specimens is needed. On the example of V. viburni , some issues on fungal conservation for species of microfungi are considered.
A 60 GHz End-Fire High-Gain Tapered Slot Antenna with Side-Lobe Suppression

A simple end-fire high-gain antenna with side-lobe level suppression is proposed for 60 GHz technology in this paper. The antenna has a tapered slot radiation patch which is obtained by subtracting a quarter of ellipse from a bigger quarter. Two reflecting circle units (RCU) are located at both sides of radiant patch to suppress side-lobe level of radiation patterns. The antenna has a simple two-layered planar structure with on via and is fabricated on a Rogers 4350 substrate with a compact size of 15 mm × 15 mm. Simulated and measured results match well, and both show its good characteristics of impedance matching, stable radiation patterns and steady peak gains above 10 dBi across 57-64 GHz, which makes it fit 60 GHz wireless communication systems.
Science and the system: IPE and international monetary politics

ABSTRACT A recent RIPE article by Jerry Cohen argues that current research on the political economy of money has stagnated because of its overemphasis on the scientific method and domestic variables. We argue that a wide array of scientifically oriented research on the IPE of money considers the system in many different ways. To help build a dialogue, we categorize each of these conceptions of ‘the system’ and give examples of their application from recent research on the IPE of money. Our hope is that this typology will help scholars of different approaches recognize the similarities and differences in their research, beyond simply whether the research is scientific or heterodox.
Ultrastructure of the venom gland of the Andean Red-tailed Coral Snake Micrurus mipartitus decussatus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril 1854) (Squamata Serpentes Elapidae)

Venom glands (VG) in the Colombian coral snake Micrurus mipartitus decussatus (Dumeril, Bibron & Dumeril 1854) are described by light and transmission electron microscopy. Resting glands are compared with glands that restored their secretory activity after manual venom extraction, i.e. “milking”. Both accessory (AG) and main gland (MG) portions are considered. AG secretory units are ordinary mucous acini, which form the distal part of the VG. The MG is the proper venom-producing gland; it is proximal and consists of tubules with lumina ranging from narrow to dilated. Typically, the narrow-lumen tubules are elongated, and their secretory walls consist of tall pyramidal cells with basal nuclei. Tubules with large lumina are relatively short, and their component cells are cuboidal, with central nuclei. In both cases, secretory cell organelles include rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi stacks. Intracytoplasmic venom consists of granules with varying densities, whereas venom stored in the lumen of the tubules is structureless. Venom release into the tubule lumen involves both merocrine and apocrine processes, the latter leading to disintegration of the apical cytoplasm containing secretory granules. Although discharge amounts differed in stimulated specimens, ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that manual extraction is an effective procedure to activate biosynthesis in snake venom glands.
A hybrid system for three-dimensional objects reconstruction from point-clouds based on ball pivoting algorithm and radial basis functions

In this paper, a new hybrid system for 3D objects reconstruction is presented. This system is based on the well-known Ball Pivoting Algorithm (BPA) of Bernardini et al. combined with the Radial Basis Function (RBF) model. The BPA can reconstruct surfaces from very large data sets in a little execution time, using small amount of memory, and exhibits linear complexity but it produces holes in case of low sampling density besides it is not capable to fill mis-registration domains. So, the BPA is coupled with the RBF in an integrated system to gain the edge of the RBF as a powerful interpolator for generating surface vertices within severe holes and/or mis-registration domains. Performance and accuracy of the system components are investigated through reconstructing benchmark objects. The results obtained compare favorably with other eminent algorithms. Finally, the proposed system exhibited high robustness in reconstructing objects from real large clouds with non-uniform sampling and mis-registrations.
Separation of Nanoparticles from Air Using Melt-Blown Filtering Media

ABSTRACTOver the last few years, expectations have grown for the development of appropriate materials for separation of nanoparticles of different morphologies from air. Therefore, the objective of this work was to conduct a broad study of the process of filtration of polydisperse nanoaerosols in materials of our design and production. They were made using the modified melt-blown technology, a very promising technique that allows to produce large amounts of fibers with a wide range of diameters which when properly formed in mats or cores can be used in various filtering products, such as protective masks, car filters. The filtration efficiency for KCl solid nanoparticles and DEHS (di-ethyl-hexyl-sebacat) liquid nanoparticles in three polypropylene filters of different morphologies have been established. The obtained results show how the aerosol face velocity and the morphology of the nonwoven media affect the filtration efficiency and pressure drop. It turned out that fibrous filters of our own production can separate particles with very small diameters from the air. As the effectiveness of the separation grew with a decrease in diameter of filter fibers, a filter composed of nanoscale fibers proved to be the most effective. An increase in aerosol flow velocity through the filter negatively affected its filtering effectiveness. The observation of data for cubical KCl and spherical DEHS particles, showed no differences in filtering effectiveness, which proves that for the tested diameter range the morphology of particles removed from air does not play a significant role, as it does for larger particles. The results obtained from the filtration of polydisperse nanoaerosols were successfully interpreted using our Partially Segregated Flow Model which takes into account the polydisperse distribution of fiber diameters in the filter. What is more, it shows that the application of the classical theory of filtration significantly overvalues the results obtained in our experiments.