Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ewe nutrition during pregnancy and birthweight of lambs has minimal impact on fat and eye muscle depth in Merino progeny

The hypothesis tested in this experiment was that Merino lambs with lower birthweights, due to poor ewe nutrition during pregnancy, would have more fat and less muscle than Merino lambs with higher birthweights. At two sites (Victoria and Western Australia) in each of 2 years, a wide range in the liveweight profiles of ewes was generated during pregnancy and lactation by varying the amount of supplements fed and feed on offer grazed. Progeny had fat and muscle depth at the C-site measured at various ages from 8 to 28 months of age. Across the four experiments, there were differences of 0.5 kg in birthweights and 8 kg in weaning weights between extreme treatments. The effects on the depth of fat and muscle were very small with fat depth increasing by 0.1-0.2 mm (5-7%) and muscle depth increasing by 0.2-0.7 mm (1-3%) when birthweights decreased by 1 kg. The effects of birthweight on fat depth are consistent with our hypothesis whereas the effects of birthweight on muscle depth are in contrast to our hypothesis. Nevertheless, the impacts of birthweight on the depth of fat and muscle measured at the C-site of progeny from Merino ewes, is unlikely to be of any commercial significance within the range of nutritional scenarios during pregnancy and lactation that are likely to be experienced within the Australian sheep industry.
Growth and N-uptake by wheat as affected by sowing date and nitrogen in irrigated semi-arid conditions

Summary Field experiments were made under irrigated semi-arid conditions to determine the effects of sowing date and nitrogen application on the growth and yield of wheat and nitrogen-uptake by wheat plants. Early sowing was found to be favourable to high grain production because the post-anthesis period coincided with relatively lower temperatures. Late sowing was unfavourable to grain yields since the period between anthesis and leaf senescence was curtailed by the onset of relatively higher temperature. The benefits from nitrogen were greater with early sowing because of higher nitrogen-uptake during early vegetative growth as a consequence of which, nitrogen was readily available to the plants. This resulted in better leaf expansion, and higher leaf-area indices and leaf-area duration. With late sowing nitrogen-uptake was much lower during early vegetative growth and this resulted in decreased leaf expansion, reduced leaf-area indices and leaf-area duration and therefore diminished response in grain yield to nitrogen application.
Effect of drought and defoliation on the susceptibility of eucalypts to cankers caused by Endothia gyrosa and Botryosphaeria ribis.

Seedlings, saplings and mature eucalypts were susceptible to infection by Endothia gyrosa and Botryosphaeria ribis. Eucalyptus regnans and E. delegatensis were more susceptible than E. grandis and E. saligna. In trees not subjected to stress, cankers were limited in extent and often healed. When trees were defoliated, either manually or by severe insect attack, stem concentrations of both starch and soluble carbohydrates were reduced and canker development in some pathogen/host combinations was increased. Seedlings subjected to water stress were not predisposed to canker formation. The association of E. gyrosa with branch dieback of rural eucalypts suffering from chronic defoliation suggests that canker fungi contribute to the crown dieback syndrome in south-eastern Australia.
Genetic and Environmental Factors Affecting Size of Body and Body Parts of Turkeys 2. The Relation of Body Weight and Certain Body Measurements to Pectoral and Tibial Muscle Weights

ABSTRACT BODY measurements of turkeys have been used to describe their conformation but, in many cases, the actual relationships between these measurements and the amount of flesh on different parts of the carcass have been undetermined. The objectives of some selection programs with turkeys have been somewhat illdefined in that they have not made it clear whether the ideal was a pleasing conformation, a relatively large amount of meat, or both. The actual correspondence between body measurements and the amount of flesh on the carcass can only be determined by studies of correlations between them. Such studies have been conducted on the phenotypic level with turkeys by Asmundson and Lerner (1940) and Berg and Shoffner (1954) and with chicken broilers by Frischknecht and Jull (1946), Blow and Glazener (1952) and Newell and Godfrey (1954), among others. Jaap, Renard and Buckingham (1950) have shown that strains of chickens vary in percentages of .
A New Differentially-Fed Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for WLAN and Sub-6GHz 5G Applications

A new differentially fed frequency reconfigurable antenna adopting proximity-coupling feeding for WLAN and sub-6-GHz 5G applications is proposed in this paper. It consists of two substrates that are separated by a 2.5-mm-thick air gap. By configuring the four p-i-n diode switches arranged on the two substrates, the excitation of the radiating patch and the length of the feed-lines can be controlled, and then, two different operating frequency bands can be obtained. The experiments indicate that the designed antenna can be switched between two states operating at 2.45- and 3.50-GHz band, respectively. Good agreement between the simulated and measured results is achieved, and the radiation patterns and gains are similar for the two states. The proposed antenna is a good candidate for WLAN (2.45 GHz) and sub-6-GHz 5G (3.50 GHz) applications.
A wavelet-based approach to contoured-beam antennas

In the design of contoured-beam antennas, several synthesis methods have been developed, but usually little importance has been given to the issue of finding an “efficient” representation of the antenna far field: this is the main scope of this work. A wavelet expansion of the far field is developed, and applied to the synthesis of array-fed reflector antennas for geographic coverage (e.g. Europe coverage). Two different synthesis techniques are considered as application examples of the devised pattern representation: a field-synthesis projection method, and a power synthesis optimization based on a genetic algorithm (GA) specifically adapted for antenna design. INTRODUCTION In this work we deal with the design of “contoured-beam” antennas as used in satellite communication systems [1], i.e. antennas having the main beam shaped so that its footprint on ground closely follows the contour of specific geographical regions (e.g. Europe), with the objective of maximizing the radiation efficiency and reducing interferences with neighbouring regional systems. As contoured-beam antennas we consider “array-fed” reflectors [1], [2], i.e. antennas fed by an array of horns or equivalent radiating elements, each producing a beam toward a different direction upon reflection on the reflection dish (see Figure 1.a). The synthesis is a key point in the design of all high performance antennas. While our final goal is the synthesis of contoured-beam antennas, we will not propose a new synthesis algorithm in the strict sense. In the many synthesis approaches that have been proposed usually little importance has been given to the representation of the antenna far field in the synthesis procedure: this will be instead our main concern here. The idea behind this work is to find an efficient representation of the desired radiation pattern that concentrates the field information relevant to the design task in few, suitably constructed functions; if properly coded, this enables synthesis algorithms to converge faster. The proposed approach exploits the properties of the multiresolution (MR) representation. In loose terms, a MR basis is divided into a number of subsets of functions (all linearly independent), and each subset possesses a different resolution. To synthesize the desired directivity two different synthesis techniques are considered: a field-synthesis projection method, and a power synthesis optimization based on a genetic algorithm (GA) [3], specifically adapted for antenna design. Preliminary results of the developed technique applied to the synthesis of circular aperture antennas are reported in [4].
Transformative Ambition in Peace and War: The Case of Pericles of Athens

This paper revisits the realist interpretation of the Peloponnesian War that was fought by Athens against Sparta. This paper explores how the transformative ambition of ancient Athens’s most prominent leader, Pericles, was directly involved in the precipitation and conduct of the war against Sparta. Specifically, Pericles’ vision of Athens deeply influenced its politics and foreign policy. His diplomatic decisions were instrumental in precipitating the war against Sparta and his military strategy revolutionized the conduct of ancient Greek warfare.
Ecosystem vulnerability to alien and invasive species: a case study on marine habitats along the Italian coast

Spread of alien species (AS) is a serious threat to marine habitats and analysis of principal descriptors of their occurrence is pivotal to set reliable conservation strategies. 2. In order to assess the susceptibility of marine habitats to biological invasions, a dataset was gathered of the occurrence of 3899 species from 29 phyla, taken from 93 marine sites located along the Italian coast in the period 2000-2012.
A simple method for tracking vertebrate-dispersed seeds.

Tracking vertebrate-dispersed seeds from parent plant to deposition site remains a primary obstacle to understanding the ecological and evolutionary consequences of seed dispersal. We evaluate a new and simple technique for tracking seeds. Fluorescent microspheres (15 μm diameter) are applied to fruits and later recovered in fecal material associated with the fruits’ seeds. Trials with captive Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) demonstrated that (1) percentage recovery of microspheres is high, (2) all defecations containing seeds also contain microspheres, (3) relatively few microspheres are recovered in defecations not containing seeds, and (4) presence of microspheres on fruits does not affect fruit choice. Field trials with five species of fruits demonstrated that, after ∼30 d under full sun and high temperatures, photodegradation limits one’s ability to detect microspheres. The field trials also showed that an anti-transpirant applied with the microspheres allows them to adhere to fruits without det.
CHARLES DARWIN THEORY OF EVOLUTION AND MORDERN GENETIC ENGINEERING

Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins(Hall, B. K et al,2008). Organisms could evolve from one form to another as a result of changes in environment and genetic information which results in variations. As variations and adaptive changes continue over a long period of time, these give rise to diversity of form, structure and function in organisms. This is organic evolution(Mayr E. 1982). The theories of evolution attempt a biological explanation of the diversity of form, structure and function among organisms. Charles Darwin (1859) an English naturalist proposed the theory of evolution. (Goldschmidt,1940). He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection. He published his theory with compelling evidence for evolution in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species. This theory had limitations which was the underlying mechanism for hereditary. This limitation is further compounded in modern genetic engineering which involves the direct modification of nucleic acid material of an organism.
Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis with Hilbert Spectrum Based on EEMD

A new time-frequency distribution to detect bearing inner race fault is proposed here, which is based on HHT and EEMD. The intrinsic mode functions generated by EEMD can alleviate the problem of mode mixing and its Hilbert spectrum has more focusing force in time-frequency distribution. The characteristic frequencies of a rolling bearing with inner-race fault were found in the instantaneous energy density of Hilbert spectrum. Compared with other time-frequency distribution, this method can show the fault characteristic frequencies more clearly and has less calculation expensive.
An Internal Limiting Membrane Plug and Gas Endotamponade for Recurrent or Persistent Macular Hole

Introduction Recurrent or persistent macular holes (MHs) are rare today due to the tendency to carefully peel the internal limiting membrane. Conversely, their treatment is still a challenge for a vitreoretinal surgeon. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective, consecutive, and nonrandomized study of patients affected by recurrent or persistent MHs treated using small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (25- or 23-gauge) and an autologous ILM plug, at the Eye Clinic of Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (Florence, Italy) between January 2016 and May 2018. We included 8 eyes of 8 patients in the study. Five patients had a recurrent MH while 3 had a persistent MH. The case series includes patients with myopic eyes and with large macular holes (>400 μ). Patients were followed up with ophthalmoscopic examinations and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Results The mean age of the patients was 74 years (±4.81 standard deviation (SD)), 3 patients were men and 5 women. The average axial length was 26.28 mm (±2.84 SD). Four patients had an AL ≧ 26 mm. The mean MH diameter was 436.5 (±49.82 SD). Average preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.81 logMAR (±0.16 SD) and 20/125 Snellen. The ILM plug has been found integrated in the MH in all the follow-ups. Conclusion In our study, an ILM autologous macular transplant was used successfully in 5 cases of macular hole recurrence and 3 cases of macular hole persistence. The anatomical success was achieved in all the cases; 4 patients improved their BCVA, and 4 patients maintained it. No macular alterations such as RPE or retinal atrophy/dystrophy were observed after 6 months.
Irradiance from Distinct Wavelength Light-emitting Diodes Affect Secondary Metabolites in Kale

The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for plant production is a new field of research that has great promise to optimize wavelength-specific lighting systems for precise management of plant physiological responses and important secondary metabolite production. In our experiment, hydroponically cultured kale plants (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C.) were grown under specific LED wavelength treatments of 730, 640, 525, 440, and 400 nm to determine changes in the accumulation of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and glucosinolates. Maximum accumulation, on a fresh mass basis, of chlorophyll a and b and lutein occurred at the wavelength of 640 nm, whereas β-carotene accumulation peaked under the 440-nm treatment. However, when lutein was measured on a dry mass basis, maximum accumulation was shifted to 440 nm. Sinigrin was the only glucosinolate to respond to wavelength treatments. Wavelength control using LED technology can affect the production of secondary metabolites such as carotenoids and glucosinolates with irradiance levels also a factor in kale. Management of irradiance and wavelength may hold promise to maximize nutritional potential of vegetable crops grown in controlled environments.
Identification of the Novel Player δEF1 in Estrogen Transcriptional Cascades

ABSTRACT Although many genes are regulated by estrogen, very few have been shown to directly bind the estrogen receptor complex. Therefore, transcriptional cascades probably occur in which the estrogen receptor directly binds to a target gene that encodes another transcription factor that subsequently regulates additional genes. Through the use of a differential display assay, a transcription factor has been identified that may be involved in estrogen transcriptional cascades. This report demonstrates that transcription factor δEF1 is induced eightfold by estrogen in the chick oviduct. Furthermore, the regulation by estrogen occurs at the transcriptional level and is likely to be a direct effect of the estrogen receptor complex, as it does not require concomitant protein synthesis. A putative binding site was identified in the 5′-flanking region of the chick ovalbumin gene identifying it as a possible target gene for regulation by δEF1. Characterization of this binding site revealed that δEF1 binds to and regulates the chick ovalbumin gene. Thus, a novel regulatory cascade that is triggered by estrogen has been defined.
Imaging of Non-Resolved Objects Using the Fine Scale Optical Range

The Fine Scale Optical Range (FiScOR) has been designed and assembled at the Space Engineering Research Center(SERC) at Texas A&M University to study the efficacy of on-orbit debris characterization using small spacebased cameras. Physically, this facility permits imaging of small, one to two centimeter models of simple or complex shapes from a distance sufficiently great to produce image sizes of about one pixel. The objects are designed in 3D CAD and produced in plastic by 3D printing. They are then surfaced with real materials such as multi-layer insulation (MLI) and silicon solar cell fragments. Details, such as slight faceting in solar cell arrays, are achieved to dimensions as fine as 200 micrometers. Mechanisms are provided to rotate and translate the object. Illumination sources approximating the solar spectrum are used. Light curves are recorded using CCD or CMOS cameras which may be cooled or operated at ambient temperature. This research supports a more extensive body of work for the Air Force Research Lab and others examining image processing with noise terms for cameras imaging in visible and near-visible light, and assessing operational effects using synthetic space images created in the lab.
Columns in reinforced concrete buildings impacted by tsunami water-borne massive objects

The tsunamis generated by the Chile earthquake in February 2010 and Tohoku Pacific Ocean earthquake in March 2011 caused numerous shipping containers in ports to be dislodged and impact on port structures. Hence, characterization of forces on structures due to such impact loads is vital for the design of buildings used for evacuation purposes and other important structures located in tsunami inundation zones. In this paper, reinforced concrete (RC) columns impacted by shipping containers dispersed by a tsunami is considered. The container-column impact analysis is carried out using two types of standard shipping containers and RC columns with square and circular sections. The findings of this study provide useful insight into container-column impact behavior and will be useful when revising existing design guidelines on tsunami loads.
Vegetation structure and prey abundance requirements of the Iberian lynx: implications for the design of reserves and corridors

Summary 1. Habitat alteration and fragmentation are two of the greatest threats to biodiversity. The conservation of most species in highly encroached areas requires reserves that are connected by suitable habitat corridors to increase the effectiveness of the area under protection. However, the quality required for such corridors is still debated. This study investigated the habitat characteristics (vegetation structure and prey abundance) of sites used by resident and dispersing Iberian lynx in south-western Spain. 2. Vegetation structure and an index of rabbit abundance (the staple prey of lynx) were measured at sites used by radio-collared lynx in 1996 and 1997. Data from 128 plots used by resident lynx and 310 plots used by dispersing individuals were compared with data from 162 randomly located plots in sites considered to be unused by lynx. 3. Resident sites had a lower percentage of tree cover, shorter tree height, higher percentage of tall shrub cover, higher percentage of overall understorey and higher number of rabbit pellets than both dispersal and unused sites. The height of the short shrub layer was taller and the rabbit abundance index was higher in dispersing sites than in unused sites. 4. Gender did not affect habitat selection by lynx. During dispersal, lynx frequently (50% of cases) used vegetation patches narrower than 300 m. In these cases, sites used by lynx had higher understorey cover and taller shrub height than adjacent unused sites. The percentage of short shrub cover used by lynx increased with the length of time taken to disperse; this was the only variable that changed over time. 5. Range size of resident individuals declined significantly with the index of rabbit abundance but increased with the percentage of short shrub cover. Both variables were good predictors of range size. 6. The study shows that corridors connecting reserves do not have to be prime habitats; they can even support moderate habitat degradation due to human activity. This result has implications both for the conservation of existing corridors, and for the restoration of the many corridors between reserves that have been lost.
What's new

Regular readers of this column will realise that this is not a random ragbag of business information news stories. There are clear recurrent themes and strategic directions being taken by both the consumers and providers of business information. We have grouped the items under the key agenda areas — the way the information industry is restructuring in the face of the harshest economic climate in more than 20 years; the richness of the many new business information products that have been developed or reworked in some way; the myriad paths of technology development, through software and hardware innovation, affecting business information use; and, last but not least, the growing impact of social networks and their nexus with established business information products.
Design of High Speed Fixed and Reconfigurable FIR Filter for Speech Signal Processing

Transpose form finite-impulse response (FIR) filters are inherently pipelined and support multiple constant multiplications (MCM) technique that results in significant saving of computation. However, transpose form configuration does not directly support the block processing unlike direct-form configuration. In this paper, we explore the possibility of realization of block FIR filter in transpose form configuration for area-delay efficient realization of large order FIR filters for both fixed and reconfigurable applications. Based on a detailed computational analysis of transpose form configuration of FIR filter, we have derived a flow graph for transpose form block FIR filter with optimized register complexity. A generalized block formulation is presented for transpose form FIR filter. We have derived a general multiplier-based architecture for the proposed transpose form block filter for reconfigurable applications. A low-complexity design using the MCM scheme is also presented for the block implementation of fixed FIR filters. The proposed structure involves significantly less area-delay than the existing block implementation of direct-form structure for medium or large filter lengths, while for the short-length filters For the same filter length and the same block size, the proposed structure involves less area and delay that of the existing direct-form block FIR structure. All the synthesis and simulation results of the Proposed High performance FIR Filters are performed on Xilinx ISE 14.7 using Verilog HDL.