Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
M ayfly Diversity in the Brazilian Tropical Headwaters of Serra do Cipó

The objectives of this study were to evaluate spatial and seasonal distribution, assemblage structure and substrate associations of mayfly nymphs in five lotic ecosystems in the headwaters of the Doce River and Sao Francisco River watersheds, Brazil. Samples were taken in 24 sampling stations during rainy and dry seasons in 1998. In total, 7,066 organisms were collected, belonging to 27 genera and 6 families of Ephemeroptera. The dominant taxa were Americabaetis, Paracloeodes, Leptohyphes and Hagenulus. During the rainy period, the Sao Francisco River watershed showed higher taxonomic richness, diversity and evenness, while in the dry period, the taxonomic richness was higher in Doce River watershed. No significant differences were found in the taxonomic richness, diversity, evenness and d ensity of mayfly assemblages between the two studied sampling p eriods. The results suggested that the diversity of the mayfly assemblages in tropical headwaters of Serra do Cipo would be probably due to ecosystem and watershed characteristics.
Trophic niche overlap in two syntopic colubrid snakes (Hierophis viridiflavus and Zamenis longissimus) with contrasted lifestyles

In many organisms, including snakes, trophic niche partitioning is an important mechanism promoting species coexistence. In ectotherms, feeding strategies are also influenced by lifestyle and thermoregulatory requirements: active foragers tend to maintain high body temperatures, expend more energy, and thus necessitate higher energy income. We studied diet composition and trophic niche overlap in two south European snakes (Hierophis viridiflavus and Zamenis longissimus) in the northern part of their range. The two species exhibit contrasted thermal adaptations, one being highly mobile and thermophilic (H. viridiflavus) and the other being elusive with low thermal needs (Z. longissimus). We analyzed feeding rate (proportion of snakes with indication of a recent meal) and examined more than 300 food items (fecal pellets and stomach contents) in 147 Z. longissimus and 167 H. viridiflavus. There was noticeable overlap in diet (overlap of Z. longissimus on H. viridiflavus = 0.62; overlap of H. viridiflavus on Z. longissimus = 0.80), but the similarity analyses showed some divergence in diet composition. Dietary spectrum was wider in H. viridiflavus, which fed on various mammals, birds, reptiles, and arthropods whereas Z. longissimus was more specialized on mammals and birds. The more generalist nature of H. viridiflavus was consistent with its higher energy requirements. In contrast to our expectation, feeding rate was apparently higher in Z. longissimus than in H. viridiflavus, but this could be an artifact of a longer transit time in Z. longissimus, given its lower mean body temperature. These results allow a better understanding of the ability to coexist in snakes belonging to temperate climate colubrid communities.
Ecosystem Functioning Linked to Benthic Biodiversity Loss

Roberto Danovaro,1,* Cristina Gambi,1 Antonio Dell’Anno,1 Cinzia Corinaldesi,1 Simonetta Fraschetti,2 Ann Vanreusel,3 Magda Vincx,3 and Andrew J. Gooday4 1Department of Marine Science Faculty of Science Polytechnic University of Marche Via Brecce Bianche 60131 Ancona Italy 2Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology University of Salento Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni 73100 Lecce Italy 3Marine Biology Section University of Ghent Krijgslaan 281 S8 Sterre Campus B-9000 Ghent Belgium 4National Oceanography Centre, Southampton European Way Southampton SO14 3ZH United Kingdom
Using Service Logic Business Model Canvas in Lean Service Development

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach for using Service Logic Business Model Canvas in the lean service development, and visa versa. So far, the literature on business logics for service or business models does not utilize the ideas of lean development. There is a clear knowledge gap in the intersections of the three research areas: business logics for service, business models, and lean development. The present article addresses this knowledge gap. Design/methodology/approach. The present conceptual paper is based on an extensive literature analysis on business logics for service, as well as business models, and lean development. Findings. The paper proposes a model of lean service development. It integrates the model in the process of using the Service Logic Business Model Canvas. Research limitations/implications. The paper shows how a new service is iteratively developed through several improvement rounds into a final business model, it shows the important role of rapid testing and learning in the iterative service development process, it supports the implementation of the fundamental philosophy of business logics for service in business development, and encourages using multiple service design methods in the service development, if needed. Practical implications. The ideas of lean or agile development have been used for a long time in software development. In addition, the ideas were later adopted in the business development of startups. Agile and lean development principles have dramatically changed the managerial thinking and practice in these areas. The present paper develops an application of these approaches to be used in service development, business model development, and implementation of business logics for service in practice. Originality/value. This paper contributes by (1) developing and introducing the lean service development model, and by (2) integrating it to the process model of using Service Logic Business Model Canvas
Design analysis of new metamaterial for EM absorption reduction

A new triangular metamaterials (TMMs) is designed for electromagnetic (EM) absorption reduction at microwave frequencies in this paper. The reduction of EM absorption with a new TMMs attachment is investigated in this research. The flnite-difierence time-domain method with lossy-Drude model is adopted in this investigation. The method of EM reduction is presented and the efiects of position, distance, and size of metamaterials are analyzed. TMMs have achieved a 1.0923W/kg for SAR 1gm which is 45.44% reduction of the initial SAR value for the case of 1gm SAR.
INVESTIGATING THE NEUROBIOLOGICAL ROLE OF TUBBY, A PROTEIN INVOLVED IN OBESITY by RYAN MUI A THESIS SUBMITTED IN CONFORMITY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR GENETICS

Tubby mice succumb to blindness, deafness, and obesity. Vision and auditory deficits are attributed to neurodegeneration and tubby-associated obesity has been postulated to result from neuronal deficits in brain regions controlling weight regulation. TUB has been implicated in Gαq signaling and 2 isoforms of TUB, found exclusively in the brain, may have opposing effects on transactivation. Toward this end, I developed several cell culture assays to interrogate TUB function and found that TUB directs neuronal outgrowth in an isoform-specific manner. One isoform directs stable and polar outgrowth while the other directs multiple process outgrowths and branching. These effects can occur via Gαq signaling and require nuclear localization. Furthermore, I have found that the serotonergic system of tubby mice displays morphological and innervation deficits. Since the serotonergic system is implicated in modulating moods and behaviours, including appetite, these deficits may result in the obesity and motivational issues observed in tubby mice.
ATTENUATION OF SEPSIS-INDUCED ACUTE LUNG INJURY IN MICE WITH IGE-MEDIATED FOOD ALLERGY

Grazielle Caroline da Silva, Leonardo Silva Augusto, Giselle Santos Magalhães, Daniela Longo Gargiulo, Denise C Cara, Marcelo Vidigal Caliari, Fernando Antônio Botoni, José Carlos Serufo, Maria da Glória Rodrigues-Machado RESUMO Introdução: A sepse apresenta elevado índice de mortalidade apesar da terapia antimicrobiana. Conhecimento sobre o processo fisiopatológico da sepse auxiliará na terapêutica e na redução da morbimortalidade. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da lesão pulmonar aguda (LPA)/síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA) induzida pela sepse em camundongos com alergia alimentar mediada pela imunoglobulina E (IgE). Método: Cinquenta camundongos BALB/C machos (6 semanas) foram randomizados em grupo alérgico (AL) e controle (C). A alergia alimentar foi induzida por administração subcutânea de ovalbumina (10 mg). Os animais receberam solução aquosa contendo clara de ovo (desafio oral). A alergia foi confirmada pelo teste sorológico ELISA. A SDRA foi induzida por sepse, pela cirurgia de ligadura e perfuração de cecum (AL-SEPSIS e SEPSIS), e o grupo controle foi submetido a cirurgia ficitícia (sham) (AL e C). A eutanásia ocorreu 24 horas após a indução da SDRA e 48 horas após o desafio oral. Foram coletados o lavado broncoalveolar para análise das células inflamatórias e o pulmão, em capacidade residual funcional (CRF), para análise histológica e morfométrica. Resultados: O grupo alérgico aumentou os níveis de IgE circulante. Espessamento da parede alveolar e infiltrado de células inflamatórias foram maiores em todos os grupos comparados com o grupo C. Os grupos AL e AL-SEPSIS não diferiram entre si mas exibiram menor espessamento da parede alveolar e infiltrado de células inflamatórias em comparação com o grupo SEPSIS. Resultados similares foram observados no lavado broncoalveolar. Conclusão: A alergia alimentar mediada por IgE atenua o espessamento da parede alveolar e o infiltrado inflamatório pulmonar em camundongos com sepse.
Reducing The Space And Time Complexity By The Use of Triangular Matrices

Matrices are commonly used data structures in computer science. There do not exist available structures in programming languages for the special type of matrices such as triangular matrix. If it is required to use a triangular matrix as a data structure, then softwares are coded with inefficient space and time complexity due to the lack of data structure of a programming language. In this paper, transformation and inverse tranformation formulae to be used for representing the triangular matrices as a one dimensional array are gathered and an increase in the amount of efficiency of a program in terms of space and time complexity is objected.
Effects of Temperature, Fish Size and Dosage of Clove Oil on Anaesthesia in Turbot (Psetta maxima Linnaeus, 1758)

The effects of four concentrations of clove oil (150, 300, 450 and 600 mg L -1 ) as ananaesthetic substance at three temperature levels (10, 15 and 20°C) and three fish size (as weight) groups (57.0±11.3, 103.0±11.9 and 457.0±89.8 g) on induction and recovery times in turbot (Psetta maxima) were investigated in this study. The fish were individually exposed to each clove oil bath in 10, 20 or 50L buckets with respect to fish size and were recovered in a 500-L tank with running seawater. Temperature, fish size and clove oil concentrations were found to have significant effects on induction and recovery times in turbot (P<0.01). Induction and recovery times were both less than half when the temperature was increased from 10 to 20°C (P<0.01). The duration to reach surgical anaesthesia and recovery times of small size turbot varied in relation to temperature, but were generally shorter than big size turbot (P<0.01). Overall, the increase of clove oil concentration from 150 to 600 mg L -1 decreased the induction time by a factor of 2.3 but on the contrary, prolonged the full recovery time by a factor of 1.92. The surgicalanesthesia was attained in all the groups under 4.45 min at 150 mg L -1 or even under 2 min at 600 mg L -1 clove oil concentration. However, the time of recovery ranged from 4.32 min (150 mg L -1 ) to 8.29 min (600 mg L -1 ). Based on our results, the clove oil concentrations around 180-220 mg L -1 appeared to be adequate to be used for fast anaesthesia and relatively short recovery time for turbot. Mean effective concentration (EC50) of clove oil was calculated as 190.00 ± 10.34 mg L -1 with 95% confidence limits for overall three temperature and fish sizes. This study has demonstrated that clove oil can be safely and effectively used in the anaesthesia of turbot.
Cloning and immunogenicity of a Chlamydia Trachomatis 36 kilodalton recombinant gene product in Escherichia Coli

Chlamydia trachomatis {Ct. ) is a Gram negative prokaryote responsible for the single largest cause of infectious human blindness, involving 500 million cases of trachoma worldwide, and strongly implicated in genital tract infections. Chlamydia trachomatis contains on its outer membrane surface a variety of antigens, some eliciting a protective, others a hypersensitive and detrimental immunological response. The cloning, isolation, and immunogenicity of antigens in the development of a chlamydial subunit vaccine is the subject of this study. I have identified a 36kd Ct protein in E.coli lysates, originally derived from a bacteriophage lambda library. Due to low expression yields in the bacteriophage vector, the Ct DNA fragment was sub-cloned into pBluescript plasmid and propagated in E.coli XL-1 Blue cells. The cloning, isolation, and immunogenicity of the recombinant gene product were tested in 4 assays: 1) enzyme restriction analysis to determine the recombinant insert size, 2) dot immunoblots to screen for positive-expressing recombinant clones, 3) Western immunoblots to identify the recombinant chlamydial product and 4) enzyme immunoassays (EIA's) to determine the probable location of the 36kd protein in Chlamydia trachomatis. The results of these serological studies demonstrated that: 1) the Ct recombinant protein is immunogenic for at least one epitope of the 36kd Ct protein (maybe more), 2) the expression of the recombinant Ct protein in pBluescript increased when compared to the product yield obtained in the lambda bacteriophage vector, and 3) the location of the 36kd protein in Ct. remained inconclusive. Based on the results obtained, further studies are necessary to clearly evaluate the protective capabilities of this potential vaccine canditate, and to determine its role during the growth cycle of chlamydial infections.
Pratique théâtrale et valorisation des émotions : des leviers pédagogiques pour l'apprentissage de l'intonation en classe d'anglais

A l'heure de la robotisation et des clones parlants, scientifiques et linguistes tentent de donner vie a la communication et eclairent les zones d'ombre de la fabuleuse carte du fonctionnement du langage et des emotions. Le dramaturge Peter Brook affirme quant a lui que « les neurosciences commencent a comprendre ce que le theâtre sait depuis toujours ». Intonation, expressions faciales, melodie de la langue, emission et perception des emotions sont autant de pistes qu'il convient d'explorer aussi lors de l'apprentissage d'une langue seconde. Ramenee au niveau de la classe d'anglais, cette etude se propose donc d'etudier et d'expliciter les liens entre pratique theâtrale et expression des emotions en tant que support pour une meilleure communication en anglais. Et si le theâtre fournissait un cadre pratique tangible pour l'apprentissage de l'intonation en anglais ?
Testing modified gravity using a marked correlation function

In theories of modified gravity with the chameleon screening mechanism, the strength of the fifth force depends on environment. This induces an environment dependence of structure formation, which differs from Λ-cold-dark-matter (ΛCDM). We show that these differences could be captured by the marked correlation function. With the galaxy correlation functions and number densities calibrated to match between f(R) and ΛCDM models in simulations, we show that the marked correlation functions by using either the local galaxy number density or halo mass as the marks encode extra information, which can be used to test these theories. We discuss possible applications of these statistics in observations.
DSM-5 may have adverse effects

Results: In comparison with ICD-10 with no apparent flaws, DSM -5 have major flaws including inaccurate diagnosis ,inability to differentiate a complication from a disease, insensitivity to input from biochemical essays and imaging. Average DSM-5 accuracy was 62.5%. DSM -5 may contribute to inaccurate diagnoses and treatment for some people with substance abuse disorders. DSM-5 may have adverse effects
Evaluation of Bauhinia variegata Linn Stem Bark for Anthelmintic and Antimicrobial Properties

This research work was taken up to investigate the anthelmintic and antimicrobial potential of the stem bark of Bauhinia variegata Linn. The crude ethanolic extract of the plant was evaluated for anthelmintic activity using Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma and Ascardia galli as test worms. Various concentrations (10-100 mg/ml) of ethanolic extract were tested in the bioassay, which involved determination of time of paralysis (P) and time of death (D) of the worms. Piperazine citrate (10mg/ml) included as reference standard. Antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanolic extract was evaluated by agar disc diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by broth dilution method by using some bacterial and fungal strains of microorganism. Ciprofloxacin (5μg/ml) and Cotrimazole (25μg/ml) were used as reference standard for the antibacterial and antifungal studies respectively. The ethanolic extract showed promising anthelmintic and antimicrobial activities and results were comparable with the standards included in the study.
From the binary digit to technological convergence

The digital paradigm began some decades ago with the introduction of the microprocessor and the manipulation of information. The progresses of science and technology have been fantastic since those years, and due to these tremendous advances, the digital paradigm is in transitions today. Whereas the omnipresent importance of information for physical and living systems is not neglected, it is claimed that recent technological advances introduced a qualitative and quantitative change in the nature of how we handle information, thus placing these processes at the forefront of human activities. In this paper, we present a renovated and updated overview of the scope of the digital paradigm. We focus on the old ideas that make it possible, but also in the new ones that will show the new road.
Direct torque control with variable voltage duty ratio for inverter fed induction motor drives

Direct Torque Control (DTC) is a high performance control technique introduced for voltage inverter fed induction motor drives. This technique, based on selecting the optimum stator voltage vector of the inverter standard topology, makes the torque and stator flux reference values to be reached quickly, with a small number of changes in inverter switching states, resulting in a very good dynamic response. However, by this switching technique, based on hysteresis, large and small torque and flux errors are not distinguished, which cause a high torque and current ripple in motor steady state operation. To overcome this problem, this paper proposes a solution, which consists in the modulation of the nonzero voltage vector duration over a sampling period, according to the instant values of the torque and stator flux errors. The introduced duty ratio is calculated using a relation containing terms proportional to these errors. The presented results show the torque, flux and current ripple reduction obtained by using the proposed method. The main advantage is that it requires an insignificant additional computation, preserving the simplicity of the classical DTC.
The Impact of Mobile Device Preference on the Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience (QoE) is not only related to network impairments and video signal quality. Recent studies have found that video content preference also has an impact on the QoE. To date, no research has reported the impact of device preference on the QoE. In this context, we investigate the impact of mobile devices preference on the QoE for video services. We evaluate the QoE of watching videos using mobile devices of different models, sizes, resolutions and densities. The experimental results based on subjective tests have shown that QoE is highly correlated with user preference on mobile devices.
Differences in invasibility of two contrasting habitats and invasiveness of two mugwort Artemisia vulgaris populations

Summary 1. Establishment success of non-native invasive species is often attributable either to habitat invasibility or inherent species traits. In this study we explored the interplay between these two factors in the establishment, expansion and plasticity in growth of the clonally reproducing invasive weed mugwort Artemisia vulgaris in two contrasting habitats, as well as the potential management practice of monthly mowing. 2. We investigated resource allocation patterns and spatial distribution of ramets originating from two naturalized populations over a 3-year period. Ramets from these morphologically distinct populations were transplanted into each of two contrasting habitats to determine the invasive potential of these populations and the relative resistance of each habitat to invasion. 3. Total ramet production, average ramet height and spatial distribution patterns differed significantly between the two populations, but the degree of variation in the response was habitat dependent. There were no interpopulation differences in total biomass production. Plastic responses in resource allocation patterns, spatial distribution of ramets and relative growth rates were observed, demonstrating differences in invasive potential between the two mugwort populations. 4. The two habitats differed in invasibility. This could have been the result of differences in community structure, competition for available resources, disturbance and/or invader traits. In addition, monthly defoliation (mowing) reduced mugwort ramet production by as much as 90% and as little as 10%. 5. Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates that variation exists in habitat invasibility, and that intraspecific variation in growth patterns occurs in mugwort. The interaction between habitat traits and species characteristics was found to be important when determining invasion success. We also demonstrated that monthly mowing following the introduction of mugwort can substantially decrease the rate of spread of this clonal species, which may provide an effective management opportunity both for this species and for other clonal invaders.
Conservation Agriculture in Maize- and Wheat-Based Systems in the (Sub)tropics: Lessons from Adaptation Initiatives in South Asia, Mexico, and Southern Africa

Conservation agriculture's underlying principles—minimal soil disturbance, soil cover and crop rotation—are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable agriculture. This article summarizes three contrasting cases of adapting conservation agriculture (CA) to smallholder conditions in the (sub)tropics: a) irrigated rice-wheat systems in South Asia; b) rainfed maize/wheat and irrigated wheat systems in Mexico; and c) rainfed maize in Southern Africa. In the South Asia case, farm surveys show rapid and widespread adoption of zero tillage wheat—primarily due to a substantial cost saving (15–16%). In the other cases, uptake so far has been limited—although long-term trials show continuously higher and more stable yields both for maize and wheat. Under marginal conditions CA can generate substantial yield increases—averaging some 50% over conventional smallholder maize yields of 1 ton per ha over 6 years in on-farm trails in Southern Africa. The diverse experiences attest to the wide adaptability of CA systems, which can generate clear economic and potentially enormous environmental benefits. The case studies and wider literature however also reiterate the substantial challenges in terms of targeting, adapting and adopting CA—particularly for smallholders in the (sub)tropics. CA systems are best developed in situ through a multi-stakeholder adaptive learning process to create viable CA-based options that are technically sound, economically attractive, and socially acceptable.