Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting biodiversity loss in island and countryside ecosystems through the lens of taxonomic and functional biogeography

We investigate how variation in patch area and forest cover quantified for three different spatial scales (buffer size of 500, 1500 and 3000 m radius) affects species richness and functional diversity of bat assemblages in two ecosystems differing in fragment–matrix contrast: a landbridge island system in Panama and a countryside ecosystem in the Brazilian Amazon. Bats were sampled on 11 islands and the adjacent mainland in Panama, and in eight forest fragments and nearby continuous forest in Brazil. Species–area relationships (SAR) were assessed based on Chao1 species richness estimates, and functional diversity–area relationships (FAR) were quantified using Chao1 functional diversity estimates measured as the total branch length of a trait dendrogram. FARs were calculated using three trait sets: considering five species functional traits (FARALL), and trait subsets reflecting ‘diet breadth’ (FARDIET) and ‘dispersal ability’ (FARDISPERSAL). We found that in both study systems, FARALL was less sensitive to habitat loss than SAR, in the sense that an equal reduction in habitat loss led to a disproportionately smaller loss of functional diversity compared to species richness. However, the inhospitable and static aquatic matrix in the island ecosystem resulted in more pronounced species loss with increasing loss of habitat compared to the countryside ecosystem. Moreover, while we found a significant FARDISPERSAL for the island ecosystem in relation to forest cover within 500 m landscape buffers, FARDIET and FARDISPERSAL were not significant for the countryside ecosystem. Our findings highlight that species richness and functional diversity in island and countryside ecosystems scale fundamentally differently with habitat loss, and suggest that key bat ecological functions, such as pollination, seed dispersal and arthropod suppression, may be maintained in fragments despite a reduction in species richness. Our study reinforces the importance of increasing habitat availability for decreasing the chances of losing species richness in smaller fragments.
Single cell transcriptome profiling of the human alcohol-dependent brain

Background Alcoholism remains a prevalent health concern throughout the world. Previous studies have identified transcriptomic patterns in the brain associated with alcohol dependence in both humans and animal models. But none of these studies have systematically investigated expression within the unique cell types present in the brain. Results We utilized single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to examine the transcriptomes of over 16,000 nuclei isolated from prefrontal cortex of alcoholic and control individuals. Each nucleus was assigned to one of seven major cell types by unsupervised clustering. Cell type enrichment patterns varied greatly among neuroinflammatory-related genes, which are known to play roles in alcohol dependence and neurodegeneration. Differential expression analysis identified cell type-specific genes with altered expression in alcoholics. The largest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including both protein-coding and non-coding, were detected in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first single cell transcriptome analysis of alcohol-associated gene expression in any species, and the first such analysis in humans for any addictive substance. These findings greatly advance understanding of transcriptomic changes in the brain of alcohol-dependent individuals.
What makes motion dazzle markings effective against predation?

Motion dazzle markings comprise patterns such as stripes and zig-zags that are postulated to protect moving prey by making predators misjudge the prey’s speed or trajectory. Recent experiments have provided conflicting results on their effect on speed perception and attack success. We focus on motion dazzle stripes and investigate the influence of four parameters—stripe orientation, stripe contrast, target size, and target speed—on perceived speed and attack success using a common experimental paradigm involving human “predators” attacking virtual moving targets on a computer touchscreen. We found that high-contrast stripes running parallel or perpendicular to the direction of motion reduce attack success compared to conspicuous uniform targets. Surprisingly, parallel stripes induced underestimation of speed, while perpendicular stripes induced overestimation of speed in relation to uniform black, suggesting that misjudgment of speed per se is sufficient to reduce attack accuracy. Across all the experiments, we found some support for parallel stripes inducing underestimation of target speed but these stripes reduced attack success only when targets were small, moved at an intermediate speed, and had high internal contrast. We suggest that prey features (e.g., size or speed) are an important determinant of capture success and that distortion of speed perception by a color pattern does not necessarily translate to reduced capture success of the prey. Overall, our results support the idea that striped patterns in prey animals can reduce capture in motion but are effective under a limited set of conditions.
On Bidirectional DC Nano-Grids: Design Considerations and an Architecture Proposal

The use of DC distribution networks has several advantages, especially for energy saving and integration of energy storage system and renewable energies. In this regard, DC nano-grids are a very interesting solution when distributing electrical power in households. In this paper, an analysis about the possible bidirectional capability of this DC nano-grid is presented. The end-user can freely connect either a passive load (demanding power) or an active one (able to sink current to the grid). The analysis is divided into three different parts. First, a discussion about the most promising power architecture is addressed, taking into consideration the loads in a house. Second, a standard for voltage regulation in a bidirectional DC nano-grid is proposed. Finally, a possible bus provider for this particular bidirectional DC nano-grid is also addressed. This power converter is based on a Dual Active Bridge cascaded with five synchronous buck converters. The key design aspects of the proposed topology are analyzed to emphasize the particular constraints imposed by the standard and the power architecture. A 500 W, 380 V to 24 V bidirectional bus provider has been built in order to experimentally validate the standard proposal and the design aspects.
ANTAGONISTIC POTENTIAL OF RHIZOSPHERIC BIOCONTROL AGENTS AGAINST SOYBEAN ROOT ROT- WILT DISEASE COMPLEX SYNDROME

Biological control is an environmentally safe alternative technique for management of plant pathogenic fungi. This work aims to identify and characterize potential bioagents prevalent in soybean soil. A total of 27 fungal isolates were recovered from soybean plants exhibiting typical wilt and root rot symptoms. Pathogenicity of each isolate was examined on soybean seedlings, and the most pathogenic isolates, were selected. Those isolates were identified based on their microscopic features as Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht, F. solani Mart and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. The identity of each isolate was confirmed by molecular phylogeny based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence. Additional 31 microorganisms of the population within soybean rhizosphere were isolated and their potential antagonistic ability was characterized in vitro and in vivo. A collection of three fungi, four bacteria, one actinomycete and one yeast isolate showed significant reduction of mycelial growth of the tested fungal pathogens. The same potential bioagents allocate significant decrease in disease severity percentage of wilt-root rot complex disease under greenhouse and open field conditions compared with mycorrhizae and Rhizolex-T. Potential mechanisms by which the bioagents suppressed soybean wilt-root rot complex disease, were addressed. Application with bioagents induced expression of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, chitinase, β-1,3-gluctronase, total carbohydrates and total phenols in treated soybeans, which significantly contribute to plant disease resistance. Quality parameters of soybean seeds from bioagent-treated plants showed favorable elevation in total proteins and oils within the seeds.
Effect of added dietary lysine and methionine above recommended levels, on growth performance, breast meat yield and financial returns in broilers

This study investigated the effect of added lysine and methionine above recommended levels in broiler diets, on their growth, breast meat yield and financial returns. A total of 175 one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were assigned to seven dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatment one (T1) was a control diet formulated to breed specifications. Treatments two (T2) and three (T3) contained 1.2 times recommended levels of Lys and Met respectively. Treatment four (T4) contained Lys and Met at 1.2 times recommended levels. Treatments five (T5) to seven (T7) had similar combinations of Lys and Met as T2 to T4 but their inclusions were 1.4 times recommended levels. On day 43 five birds per treatment were slaughtered for breast meat yield measurements. Broilers on T6 had heavier (P<0.05) breast meat (691.6 g) and tenderloin weights (126.4 g) compared to birds on T1 (491.2 and 93.8 g respectively). The premium on the price of breast meat more than offset the added feed cost of the nutrient dense diets. However, if the finished dressed broilers are to be sold whole and uncut, this trial showed that it is better to feed the birds at the manufacturers recommended levels of Lys and Met. Keywords: Lysine; Methionine; Broilers; Breastmeat; Financial analysis
Physiological differences between advanced CrossFit athletes, recreational CrossFit participants, and physically-active adults

This investigation examined anthropometric, hormonal, and physiological differences between advanced (ADV; n = 8, 27.8 ± 4.2 years, 170 ± 11 cm, 79.8 ± 13.3 kg) and recreational (REC; n = 8, 33.5 ± 8.1 years, 172 ± 14 cm, 76.3 ± 19.5 kg) CrossFit (CF) trained participants in comparison to physically-active controls (CON; n = 7, 27.5 ± 6.7 years, 171 ± 14 cm, 74.5 ± 14.3 kg). ADV and REC were distinguished by their past competitive success. REC and CON were resistance-trained (>2 years) and exercised on 3-5 days·wk-1 for the past year, but CON utilized traditional resistance and cardiovascular exercise. All participants provided a fasted, resting blood sample and completed assessments of resting metabolic rate, body composition, muscle morphology, isometric mid-thigh pull strength, peak aerobic capacity, and a 3-minute maximal cycle ergometer sprint across two separate occasions (separated by 3-7 days). Blood samples were analyzed for testosterone, cortisol, and insulin-like growth factor-1. One-way analysis of variance revealed ADV to possess lower body fat percentage (6.7-8.3%, p = 0.007), greater bone and non-bone lean mass (12.5-26.8%, p ≤ 0.028), muscle morphology characteristics (14.2-59.9%, p < 0.05), isometric strength characteristics (15.4-41.8%, p < 0.05), peak aerobic capacity (18.8-19.1%, p = 0.002), and anaerobic performance (15.4-51.1%, p ≤ 0.023) compared to both REC and CON. No differences were seen between REC and CON, or between all groups for resting metabolic rate or hormone concentrations. These data suggest ADV possess several physiological advantages over REC and CON, whereas similar physiological characteristics were present in individuals who have been regularly participating in either CF or resistance and cardiovascular training for the past year.
Feeding systems and tocopherol level in the diet and their effects on the quality of lamb meat: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to evaluate, through a meta-analysis, the effects of feeding systems and tocopherol levels found in the diet of lambs on qualitative characteristics of their meat. A search of the computerised literature in Science Direct databases, PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO virtual library was carried out to select works that evaluated the quality of lamb meat. As a first requirement for inclusion in the meta-analysis, articles were selected with the keywords “tocopherol”, “meat”, and [. ]
Feeding biology of near threatened small indigenous species dhela, Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton 1822)

To get success in culture of any fish species, detail information on food and feedinghabit of that particular fishspecies is really crucial. So the present study has been performed togetthe information on the food and feeding habit of Osteobrama cotio. A total of 30 Genera of foodorganisms were identified and recorded from the gut content of O. cotio, where 29 Generabelong to phytoplankton and one belongs to zooplankton. The percentage of food compositionrecorded from the gut of the fish were: Bacillariophyceae (12.90%), Chlorophyceae (63.82%),Cyanophyceae (11.32%), Euglenophyceae (8.13%), Rhodophyceae(1.57%), Rotifera (1.43%)and Benthos (0.83%). Chlorophyceae was the most preferred food item and benthos was the leastpreferred food item of the fish. Gut fullness of the fish was the highest during May and June andthe lowest in December. The study results suggest, Osteobrama cotio is an omnivorous columnfeeder with much higher preference for phytoplankton over both zooplankton and benthos. As itis expected that the outcomes of the present study would be useful in the conservation andmanagement of Dhela in the open water and in the domestication in future to pave the way of theaquaculture in captivity of this nutritionally rich threatened small fish of Bangladesh.
A Comb-Type Capacitive 2-FAL Sensor for Transformer Oil With Improved Sensitivity

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based 2-furfuraldehyde (2-FAL, C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>4</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) capacitive sensor with improved sensitivity has been presented. The electrode is shaped into a novel comb structure to increase the fringe field capacitance which is responsible for sensing 2-FAL. The MIP solution sensitive to 2-FAL molecules is prepared using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and is coated on the printed circuit board (PCB) comb electrode. When the sensor is dipped in the transformer oil, the 2-FAL molecules are adsorbed on the template cavity of the MIP. The adsorbed layer of 2-FAL is responsible for the change in capacitance of the sensor. The sensor is tested for six oil samples containing the 2-FAL concentration (0–20-ppm range) and shows a mean sensitivity (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of 0.184 pF/ppm with a standard deviation (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sigma $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) 0.022 pF at 1 kHz. The sensor shows a linear result with the coefficient of correlation (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) 0.998, and a maximum nonlinearity is 0.37% at 1 kHz in the 0–20-ppm range. The average repeatability of the sensor is ±0.12% over two weeks. Furthermore, the sensor is connected to a suitably designed electronic circuit based on the instrumentation amplifier for obtaining an electrical signal. The circuit gives an output voltage of 0.35 V/ppm at 1 kHz.
A STUDY OF ANTENNA ELEMENTS CONFIGURATION AND USER'S HAND EFFECTS ON A FOUR-ELEMENT DUAL-BAND SUB-6 GHZ MIMO ANTENNA

This paper evaluates the performance of different configurations of MIMO antenna operating in the 5G band with the effect of user’s hand in data mode and suggests an optimized configuration to mitigate hand effects. A dual-band four-element MIMO antenna is used. All antenna elements (AEs) are identical planar inverted-F antenna (PIFAs) with a lower frequency band (LB) from 3.3 to 3.8 GHz and an upper frequency band (UB) from 5.2 to 6 GHz. In addition, four different configurations to place the AEs on the chassis are selected including worst and optimized configurations as well two intermediate cases. Results show that similar values of ECC are produced for both cases without and with user hand. These values are less than 0.20 on most frequency range, except the worst case configuration which has some high ECC values close to unity. Unlike ECC, TE is severely affected by user’s hand as well as by the different configuration. TE of each AE under hand effect is degraded differently according to the thickness of hand tissue that covers it. TE in the optimized configuration without user’s hand ranges between 50 and 95% in both frequency bands. However, this range deteriorates when user’s hand effect is considered, between 40% and 15% in LB, and from 35% to 41% in the UB. Multiplexing efficiency analysis reveals that MIMO performance is mainly determined by TE, and the impact of the low ECC is insignificant. This indicates that improving the performance depends on improving the TE of AEs and optimizing their positions on the chassis to reduce interaction with user’s hand. Moreover, the loss in ergodic capacity due to user’s hand compared with free space is increased from 5 to 40% in the LB, and it is more stable in the UB and ranging between 12 and 17%.
Solution structure of [d(ATGAGCGAATA)]2: Adjacent G: A mismatches stabilized by cross-strand base-stacking and BII phosphate groups

Abstract The solution structure of a rather unusual B -form duplex [d(ATGAGCGAATA)] 2 has been determined using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) and distance geometry methods. This sequence forms a stable ten base-pair B -form duplex with 3′ overhangs and two pairs of adjacent G:A mismatches paired via a sheared hydrogen-bonding scheme. All non-exchangeable protons, including the stereo-specific H-5′S/H-5′R of the 3G and 7G residues, were assigned by 2D-NMR. The phosphorus spectrum was assigned using heteronuclear correlation with H-3′ and H-4′ resonances. The complete assignments reveal several unusual nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOEs) and unusual chemical shifts for the neighboring G:A mismatch pairs and their adjacent nucleotides. Inter-proton distances were derived from time-dependent NOEs and used to generate initial structures, which were further refined by iterative back-calculation of the two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectra; 22 final structures were calculated from the refined distance bounds. All these final structures exhibit fully wound helical structures with small penalty values against the refined distance bounds and small pair-wise root-mean-square deviation values (typically 0.5 A to 0.9 A). The two helical strands exchange base stacking at both of the two G:A mismatch sites, resulting in base stacking down each side rather than down each strand of the twisted duplex. Very large twist angles (77 °) were found at the G:A mismatch steps. All the final structures were found to have B II phosphate conformations at the adjacent G:A mismatch sites, consistent with observed downfield 31 P chemical shifts and Monte-Carlo conformational search results. Our results support the hypothesis that 31 P chemical shifts are related to backbone torsion angles. These B II phosphate conformations in the adjacent G:A mismatch step suggest that hydrogen bonding of the G:A pair G-NH 2 to a nearby phosphate oxygen atom is unlikely. The unusual structure of the duplex may be stabilized by strong interstrand base stacking as well as intrastrand stacking, as indicated by excellent base overlap within the mismatch stacks.
Aluminium toxicokinetics: an updated minireview.

This MiniReview updates and expands the MiniReview of aluminium toxicokinetics by Wilhelm et al. published by this journal in 1990. The use of 26Al, analyzed by accelerator mass spectrometry, now enables determination of Al toxicokinetics under physiological conditions. There is concern about aluminium in drinking water. The common sources of aluminium for man are reviewed. Oral Al bioavailability from water appears to be about 0.3%. Food is the primary common source. Al bioavailability from food has not been adequately determined. Industrial and medicinal exposure, and perhaps antiperspirant use, can significantly increase absorbed aluminium. Inhalation bioavailability of airborne soluble Al appears to be about 1.5% in the industrial environment. Al may distribute to the brain from the nasal cavity, but the significance of this exposure route is unknown. Systemic Al bioavailability after single underarm antiperspirant application may be up to 0.012%. All intramuscularly injected Al, e.g. from vaccines, may eventually be absorbed. Al distributes unequally to all tissues. Distribution and renal excretion appear to be enhanced by citrate. Brain uptake of Al may be mediated by Al transferrin and Al citrate complexes. There appears to be carrier-mediated efflux of Al citrate from the brain. Elimination half-lives of years have been reported in man, probably reflecting release from bone. Al elimination is primarily renal with < or = 2% excreted in bile. The contribution of food to absorbed Al needs to be determined to advance our understanding of the major components of Al toxicokinetics.
Analysis Application of Controllable Load Appliances Management in a Smart Home

The residential sector is one of the sectors with the highest rates of electricity consumption worldwide. For years, many studies have been presented in order to minimize energy consumption at the residential level. The idea of such studies is that the residential customer (RC) is the interested party of their own consumption. Moreover, the algorithms that have been developed to predict and manage the energy consumption, also analyze the behavior of the loads, with the objective of minimizing the energy costs, with good safety, robustness, and comfort levels. In the context of the smart house (SH), one of the objectives of smart grids (SGs) is to enable the RC, with home energy management systems (HEM), to actively participate, allowing for higher reliability at different levels. In this work, a new model that simulates the behavior of an SH, considering heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and sanitarian water heater (SWH) devices, is presented. For this purpose, the proposed model considers realistic physical parameters of the SH, together with customer comfort, in order to mitigate the RC disinterest. The proposed model considers the electric vehicle (EV), a battery-based energy storage system (ESS), a micro production unit, and different types of tariffs that the RC might choose, aiming to maximize the benefits, and temporarily shifting the proposed loads.
Willingness to Use Electronic Revenue Collection System: Moderating Effect of E-Collection Training on the Extended Technology Acceptance Model

The current study examines accounting staff willingness in state-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria to use a e-revenue collection system. Specifically, e-collection training was employed as a moderating variable to explore its effect towards technology acceptance model (TAM). In accomplishing the above, a survey method was used by distributing a set of questionnaires to users of the e-collection system in nine state-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The statistical results from the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis demonstrated that perceived usefulness, computer self-efficacy and attitude were all significant influences on the willingness to use. More so, e-collection training was found only to moderate the relationship between attitude and willingness to use. As such, it is recommended that the government needs to provide adequate training opportunities to encourage the use of technological devices among the accounting staff, most importantly, e-collection system training.