Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diets of trawled predatory fish of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, with particular reference to predation on prawns

The diets of 79 predatory fish species from 128 trawling stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria are described. Twenty-three of the 40 most abundant predatory species were major piscivores (more than 50% by dry weight of their diets consisted of teleosts). These fish ate mainly Pleuronectiformes, Leiognathidae and Anguilliformes. For 14 of the 17 minor piscivore species (less than 50% by dry weight of their diets consisted of teleosts), members of the Crustacea (Brachyura, Penaeidae, Stomatopoda and other Crustacea) were the main dietary items. Members of the Penaeidae were the second most important crustacean component in the combined diets after Brachyura, but they represented a relatively small fraction of the diet of all 27 prawn-eating fish species. Most of the penaeid prey consisted of small, non-commercial Metapenaeopsis spp. and Trachypenaeus spp. The diets of four species -Arius thalassinus, Carangoides rnalabaricus, Lutjanus rnalabaricus and Nernipterus furcosus- showed evidence of seasonal differences.
Ecological forecasts reveal limitations of common model selection methods: predicting changes in beaver colony densities

Abstract Over the past two decades, there have been numerous calls to make ecology a more predictive science through direct empirical assessments of ecological models and predictions. While the widespread use of model selection using information criteria has pushed ecology toward placing a higher emphasis on prediction, few attempts have been made to validate the ability of information criteria to correctly identify the most parsimonious model with the greatest predictive accuracy. Here, we used an ecological forecasting framework to test the ability of information criteria to accurately predict the relative contribution of density dependence and density‐independent factors (forage availability, harvest, weather, wolf [Canis lupus] density) on inter‐annual fluctuations in beaver (Castor canadensis) colony densities. We modeled changes in colony densities using a discrete‐time Gompertz model, and assessed the performance of four models using information criteria values: density‐independent models with (1) and without (2) environmental covariates; and density‐dependent models with (3) and without (4) environmental covariates. We then evaluated the forecasting accuracy of each model by withholding the final one‐third of observations from each population and compared observed vs. predicted densities. Information criteria and our forecasting accuracy metrics both provided strong evidence of compensatory density dependence in the annual dynamics of beaver colony densities. However, despite strong within‐sample performance by the most complex model (density‐dependent with covariates) as determined using information criteria, hindcasts of colony densities revealed that the much simpler density‐dependent model without covariates performed nearly as well predicting out‐of‐sample colony densities. The hindcast results indicated that the complex model over‐fit our data, suggesting that parameters identified by information criteria as important predictor variables are only marginally valuable for predicting landscape‐scale beaver colony dynamics. Our study demonstrates the importance of evaluating ecological models and predictions with long‐term data and revealed how a known limitation of information criteria (over‐fitting of complex models) can affect our interpretation of ecological dynamics. While incorporating knowledge of the factors that influence animal population dynamics can improve population forecasts, we suggest that comparing forecast performance metrics can likewise improve our knowledge of the factors driving population dynamics.
Assessing the Impacts of Two Averaging Methods on AIRS Level 3 Monthly Products and Multiyear Monthly Means

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on board NASA’s Aqua satellite provides more than 16 years of data. Its monthly gridded (Level 3) product has been widely used for climate research and applications. Since counts of successful soundings in a grid cell are used to derive monthly averages, this averaged by observations (ABO) approach effectively gives equal importance to all participating soundings within a month. It is conceivable then that days with more observations due to day-to-day orbit shift and regimes with better retrieval skills will contribute disproportionately to the monthly average within a cell. Alternatively, the AIRS Level 3 monthly product can be produced through an averaged by days (ABD) approach, where the monthly mean in a grid cell is a simple average of the daily means. The effects of these averaging methods on the AIRS version 6 monthly product are assessed quantitatively using temperature and water vapor at the surface and 500 hPa. The ABO method results in a warmer (slightly colder) global mean temperature at the surface (500 hPa) and a drier global mean water vapor than ABD method. The AIRS multiyear monthly mean temperature and water vapor from both methods are also compared with the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) product and evaluated with a simulation experiment, indicating the ABD method has lower error and is more closely correlated with MERRA-2. In summary, the ABD method is recommended for future versions of the AIRS Level 3 monthly product and more data services supporting Level 3 aggregation are needed.
Fair Task Allocation When Cost of Task Is Multidimensional

We consider the problem of fairly allocating indivisible tasks, focusing on a recently introduced notion of fairness called Minmax share guarantee. Minmax share (MMS) is a term of fairness guarantees that is defined to be the minimum cost that an agent can ensure for herself, if she were to partition the tasks into n bundles, and then receive the maximum cost bundle of tasks. However, the cost of tasks considered in previous work is single dimensional, and multidimensional situations have not been researched. In this work, we proposed an allocation algorithm that allocates tasks with multidimensional cost to agents under ordinal model. We prove the approximation ratio of MMS of the algorithm proposed can be guaranteed under 2 + m · α i · ( 1 + n ) - n n 2 , in addition the time complexity of the algorithm is O ( m log m ) . This proposed method is implemented and tested on datasets generated based on a real environment, and the experimental result shows that our algorithm has better performance than existing task allocation algorithms when cost of tasks is multidimensional.
Impact of Sitka spruce on biodiversity in NW Europe with a special focus on Norway – evidence, perceptions and regulations

ABSTRACT The impact of historical and present drivers on biodiversity, particularly species richness and abundance, in afforestation areas concerning non-native tree species is still poorly understood. A better understanding is important to ensure appropriate forest management in the face of climate change and increasing demand for wood products. Here, we have reviewed 75 biodiversity studies in Sitka spruce plantations in NW Europe, forest management recommendations for maintaining biodiversity, timber production and carbon sequestration in Sitka spruce forests in coastal Norway compared to NW Europe. Due to more focus on non-market landscape benefits and protection sites in coastal areas, transformation of spruce plantations is common. Premature cutting of stands and shelterbelts and clearing away saplings has become the dominant management practice in Norway. Based on the extent of use in Norway, and results from biodiversity studies in Sitka spruce plantations in NW Europe, the quality of evidence for the prevailing practice and recommendations in coastal Norway is highly questioned. To reduce conflicts, we propose a more knowledge-based management, a broader perspective underpinning the range of afforestation goals, also including the use of alternative silvicultural methods to increase structural variation in Sitka spruce stands.
A New Genus of Pseudoscorpion from East Africa (Pseudoscorpiones, Atemnidae)

Summary A new genus and species of atemnid pseudoscorpion, Nilotemnus comboni, is described from Uganda. It is placed in the subfamily Miratemninae because of the five setae on the cheliceral hand. It is distinguished from all other Miratemninae by the carapace of both male and female lacking transverse furrows and the carapace not being granulate or papillate, but rather having a glossy, squamotesselate surface. The nearest relative is Tullgrenius Chamberlin, distributed in India and South-east Asia, based on the basally placed trichobothria IT, IST and EST of the palpal chela, the shape of the ejaculatory canal atrium and the elaborate folding of the medial diverticula of the male genitalia, and the mushroom-shaped cribriform plates of the median glands in the female genitalia. The reduced number of trichobothria on the movable finger is commented upon, and the biogeographical distribution is discussed.
METABOLIC EFFECTS OF INFREQUENT DRINKING AND LOW-QUALITY FEED ON BEDOUIN GOATS'

The combined effect of infrequent drinking and poor feed quality on water economy and energy metabolism was investigated in Bedouin goats indigenous to the extreme deserts of the Middle East. Goats maintained under midsummer conditions were watered either once every 4 d, or once daily. Under each of the drinking regimes, they were tested on three diets: high-quality roughage (alfalfa hay), feed of medium quality (dry Rhodes grass) and low-quality feed (wheat straw). Goats maintained constant body mass in all trials except when maintained on wheat straw and watered once a day. Infrequent drinking as well as feed of low quality each independently reduced water requirement of the goats. When on alfalfa hay, goats watered once daily consumed an average (? 1 SD) of 248 ? 21 mL kg-075 . d-t. The combined effect of infrequent drinking and a diet of wheat straw resulted in a water consumption of only 93 ? 10 mL kg-075 d-l. Gross energy (GE) intake on high-quality roughage was higher than on low-quality feeds. Infrequent drinking hampered feed intake more markedly on the high-quality feed than on the low-quality ones. On alfalfa hay, daily GE intake of goats watered daily amounted to 1496 ? 43 kJ kg-075 d-l and to only 901 ? 26 kJ kg-075 d-l in those watered once every 4 d. On Rhodes grass a GE intake of 828 ? 70 kJ kg-075 d-l vs. 699 ? 58 kJ kg-075 d-l was measured, and on wheat straw the GE intake for the two regimes was: 532 ? 72 kJ kg-075 d-t vs. 416 ? 57 kJ-kg-075 d-l. Digestibility of the high- quality feed was higher than that of the low-quality one. When the goats were watered infrequently, digestibility increased to a greater extent on low-quality feeds than on alfalfa hay. Infrequent drinking and low-quality feed, each independently, resulted in a decrease in the resting metabolic rate of the goats. When the goat was watered once daily and fed alfalfa hay, its 02 con- sumption was 724 ? 14 mL kg-075 h-1. 02 consumption rate was only 54% of this when the goats were fed on wheat straw and watered once every 4 d. We conclude that infrequent drinking increases feed digestibility and reduces the animals' demands for metabolizable energy, and may thus help Bedouin goats balance their energy metabolism when nutritional conditions in the desert deteriorate.
A Quantitative Study of the Stony Coral Fishery in Cebu, Philippines

The Philippines is generally accepted to be the center of the international trade of stony corals for ornamental use. Despite existing legal bans on the collection and export of stony corals in the Philippines, the coral trade continues to date, particularly in Cebu. This paper reports on the specific market demand for stony corals in Cebu and the effects of commercial collection based on the results of a quantitative study of two shallow coral reef areas subjected to large differences in collection effort. Comparison of the measured coral community parameters suggests selective population changes and reduced abundance of exploited coral populations as a result of commercial collection. Estimates of the natural mortality, fishing mortality and yield are presented for the two sampled populations of Pocillopora verrucosa, utilizing the method of GRIGG (1976). Based on the study results and a review of reported coral growth rates and coral colony size at reproductive maturity, the potential for resource management of stony corals on a sustainable yield basis is - discussed.
A prospective, randomised, split-face comparative study of 50% glycolic acid peel versus laser toning in the treatment of melasma in Asian skin

Background: Although various treatment options are available for the management of melasma, still it is challenging disorder to treat. Apart from topical therapies, newer modalities like laser toning and chemical peeling are being explored to manage this notorious dermatosis. To evaluate and compare the efficacy and side effects of laser toning versus 50% glycolic acid peel in the management of melasma. Methods: A split face comparative study was done in 30 female patients with melasma. Over the right half of patient’s face laser toning was done whereas other half was treated with 50% glycolic acid peel. 4 such sessions were given at an interval of 15 days. Response to treatment was assessed using melasma area and severity index (MASI) score. Results: Baseline mean MASI score on right and left half of patient’s face was 7.85±3.34 and 6.25±1.56 respectively. After completion of 4 treatment sessions, it was reduced to 4.23±1.45 and 3.71±1.10 respectively with statistically insignificant difference between two halves (p=0.08). Recurrence rate of melasma was higher (46.66%) with laser toning in comparison to glycolic acid peel (26.6% patients). Conclusions: Glycolic acid peel and laser toning were comparable in terms of outcome with laser toning showing slightly better results. In comparison to peels recurrence rate and complications like hypopigmentation in Asian patients were higher with laser toning.
Management, Medication Use and Economic Burden of Asthma among Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

Introduction: During Hajj and Umrah season, asthma-related acute admissions produce the enormous burden on healthcare facilities and causes delay in admissions for more severe cases, e.g. myocardial infarction, cardiac failure and severe trauma cases. Therefore, the snapshot of asthma-related admissions during the Hajj and Umrah season was determined by asthma-related admissions and medication use and economic burden during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage season. Methodology: All asthma-related admissions during the month of Ramadan (fasting month) and Hajj pilgrimage were assessed from patients’ data retrospectively. The convenience sampling strategy was used to retrieve study variables. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 22.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 271 patients were selected as per inclusion criteria, the majority of them were males 153 (56.5%), while most of them were Saudi 70 (35.8%) and Egyptians 86 (31.7%). During hospitalization, the common treatment for acute exacerbations was inhaled corticosteroids 224 (86.3%), IV corticosteroids 129 (47.6%), Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists 244 (90%) and inhaled bronchodilators (ipratropium bromide) 237(87.5 5%). Conclusion: This periodic mapping of asthma-related admissions and its management during these massive gathering events is indeed a significant effort to explore issues of acute asthma exacerbations management and to provide information to plan for future interventions and policies.
A Human Skeleton of the Early Phase of the Okhotsk Culture Unearthed at the Hamanaka-2-Site, Rebun Island, Hokkaido

A burial site of the early phase of the Okhotsk culture was found at the Hamanaka-2 site, Rebun Island, Hokkaido, from which an adult female human skeleton was unearthed. This is the oldest extant human remains from the Okhotsk culture. Both measurements and nonmetric traits of the skeleton showed that she has common physical characteristics with the Northern Mongoloid populations. Because her skeletal morphology shows a contrast to those of the Jomon, Epi-Jomon and Ainu peoples, we reconfirmed the earlier conclusion that the Okhotsk people were originated in the northern area including the Sakhalin and Amur region and then migrated into the northern Hokkaido with their culture. Severe dental wear had caused apical periodontitis around the left lower first molar, secondarily resulting in tooth fracture. Compression fractures affected the first and third lumbar vertebrae, probably because of osteoporosis.
Altruism and Selfishness in Believable Game Agents: Deep Reinforcement Learning in Modified Dictator Games

This article focuses on using deep reinforcement learning, specifically proximity policy optimization, to train agents in a social dilemma game, modified dictator game, in order to investigate the effect of selfishness and altruism on the believability of the game agents. We present the design and implementation of the training environment, including the reward functions which are based on the findings of established empirical research, with three agent profiles mapped to the three standard constant elasticity of substitution (CES) utility functions, i.e., selfish, perfect substitutes, and Leontief, which measure different levels of selfishness/altruism. The trained models are validated and then used in a sample game, which is used to evaluate the believability of the three agent profiles using the agent believability metrics. The results indicate that players find altruistic behaviour more believable and consider selfishness less so. Analysis of the results indicates that human-like behavior resulting from the application of artificial intelligence evolves from perceived human behavior rather than the observed. The analysis also indicates that selfishness/altruism may be considered as an extra dimension to be included in the believability metrics.
Neighborhood Opportunity and Satisfaction Among Housing Choice Voucher Recipients: A Subjective Well-Being Perspective

ABSTRACT This study analyzes how different neighborhood opportunity characteristics are associated with Housing Choice Voucher recipients’ subjective well-being, as measured by neighborhood satisfaction. We focus on this topic because subjective well-being is linked to a variety of important outcomes, such as health, productivity, and social relationships. Thus, a complete understanding of how opportunity neighborhoods impact low-income households’ lives requires consideration of subjective well-being. Relying on a sample of Housing Choice Voucher recipients living in Charlotte, North Carolina, we find that neighborhood opportunity indicators are not strong predictors of neighborhood satisfaction after controlling for perceptions of neighborhood conditions and household composition. This result suggests that mobility to opportunity neighborhoods may not result in corresponding increases in neighborhood satisfaction and, thus, subjective well-being.
Landmark Graph-Based Indoor Localization

Indoor localization is important for a variety of applications, such as location-based services, mobile social networks, and emergency response. Fusing spatial information is an effective way to achieve accurate indoor localization with little or with no need for extra hardware. However, the existing indoor localization methods that make use of spatial information are either computationally expensive or sensitive to the completeness of landmarks. In this article, we propose a novel, low-cost, high-accuracy indoor localization method based on a landmark graph. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
The pollination ecology of Listera ovata (Orchidaceae)

Interactions between Listera ovata (L.) R. Br. and anthophilous insects were observed on Oland and in Uppland, Sweden, during 1974–1980. The pollen vectors were mainly ichneumons (Hymenoptera Parasitica, Ichneumonidae), saw–flies (Hymenoptera Symphyta) and beetles (Coleoptera). These three groups transported on Oland 56, 28 and 10% and in Uppland 28, 54 and 15% of the pollinia. The most common visitors were Diptera. In the Ichneumonidae, males were on average over three times as frequent as females and carried 81% of the pollinia. Various data indicated anthecological specialization to about 8–12 mm long, relatively strong insects, which show abundance and diversity in the biotopes with L. ovata. They have medium–sized almost hairless heads with short and rather small mouth–parts. Perhaps optimal interaction takes place with ichneumon males. Since floral adaptation to the legitimate group obviously includes generalized chemical attractants and complete accessibility of nectar, the spectrum of visitors reaches that of an umbelliferous plant. The touch–sensitive rostellum has probably induced evolution of the long nectariferous furrow on the labellum surface. The floral fragrance is essentially a terpene–blend. Experiments indicated strict entomogamy.
Two New Cyclic Pentapeptides from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Aspergillus versicolor

Two new cyclic pentapeptides, named versicotides A (1) and B (2), were obtained from a marine-derived fungus strain ZLN-60, identified as Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Versicotides are new cyclic pentapeptides which contain an L-alanine residue, two anthranilic acid (=2-aminobenzoic acid) residues, and two N-methyl-L-alanine residues. Antitumor activities were evaluated by the SRB and MTT methods.
Chondrilla juncea in Australia. 4. Root morphology and regeneration from root fragments

The morphology of the root system of Chondrilla juncea and its response to changes in soil type near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, is described. The root system is described as consisting of vigorous long roots capable of vegetative reproduction at any depth and short roots, apparently without secondary thickening, of limited life span. The long root system consists of a simple tap root and a number of surface laterals, which increase in frequency and extent of lateral spread as soil clay content decreases. The relationship between plant age, growth stage, and depth of origin, as well as depth of planting and soil type, on shoot production from root fragments also was studied. Root fragments from depths to 80 cm and more did not differ appreciably in regenerative capacity. But, whereas shoot buds formed on some seedling roots two to four weeks after germination, all such roots formed buds five weeks after germination. Soil type and depth of planting did not affect shoot production from root fragments per s e, but establishment of new plants fell as depth of planting increased. A comparison of vegetative and reproductive plant roots of similar age showed that regenerative capacity was minimal during the reproductive growth phase. The inhibition of shoot bud formation on the roots, however, was confined to the proximal 40 cm. It is suggested that weed control operations are likely to be more effective when carried out shortly after stem initiation than at other times.
The synthesis of [3,4,1′-13C3]genistein

A facile synthesis is described for [3,4,1′-13C3]genistein for use as an internal standard in isoflavone analysis by mass spectrometric methods. Ethyl 4-hydroxy[1-13C]benzoate was first prepared from the reaction of diethyl [2-13C]malonate and 4H-pyran-4-one. Two further 13C atoms were incorporated using potassium [13C]cyanide as the source to give 4′-benzyloxy-[1,2,1′-13C3]phenylacetonitrile. [3,4,1′-13C3]Genistein was then constructed through coupling of the isotopically labelled phenylacetonitrile with phloroglucinol under Hoesch conditions, followed by formylation and cyclization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.