Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity of bees and their interaction networks with Ludwigia sericea (Cambessides) H. Hara and Ludwigia peruviana (L.) H. Hara (Onagraceae) flowers in a swamp area in the Brazilian Atlantic Foresteae) flowers in Atlantic Forest Area in Southern Brazil

In Southern Brazil the great diversity of bees is due to the richness of ecosystems in the region and when studies attribute the processes for identification of the floral resources used by bees we can get important steps for the elaboration of management and conservation plans of the species involved. Based on this setting and considering that the study area is a "varzea" (swamp) with a large concentration of flowers of Ludwigia sericea and Ludwigia peruviana, important sources of resources for bees, the aim of this study was to find out about the floral visitor bees and through palynological studies and interaction networks, understand the role of these plants as providers of pollengrains to bees and how the bees interact with them and other plants, also found in this habitat. Ludwigia sericea, Ludwigia peruviana and the other plant species are presented as generalist in the interactions with the bee species, and the same occurs for most of the bee species in relation to these plants. Generalist bee species (Bombus pauloensis, Apis mellifera, Augochlora amphitrite and Melissoptila paraguayensis) tend to be more abundant and more resistant to disturbances than the specialist species. It was the first time that Plebeia emerina, Centris varia, Mourella caerulea and Augochlorella ephyra were recorded on the Ludwigia flowers in Brazil. Based on the results presented in this study, these plants are important for maintaining the bee community in the region of the Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil, because they provide resources (nectar and pollen) to bee species that only occur in this region.
Productivity Analysis of German Electricity Distribution Utilities

This paper provides a productivity analysis of German electricity distribution companies. It addresses both traditional issues in electricity sector benchmarking, such as the role of scale effects and optimal utility size, as well as new evidence specific to the situation in Germany. Regarding the latter, we consider the potential effects of the three structural variables defined in the association agreements ("Verbandevereinbarung Strom VV II+"): consumer density, grid composition (cable versus aerial lines),and differences between East and West German distribution companies. We use labour, capital, and peak load capacity as inputs, and units sold and the number of customers as output. The data covers 380 (out of 553) German electricity distribution utilities. We apply a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) with constant returns to scale (CRS) as the main productivity analysis technique, whereas stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) is our verification method. The results suggest that returns to scale play a minor role: only very small utilities have a significant cost advantage. Low customer density is found to affect the efficiency score significantly in the lower third of all observations. The grid composition does not produce systematic effects. Surprisingly, East German utilities feature a higher average efficiency than their West German counterparts. The correlation tests imply a high coherence of the results.
Application of Tissue Culture Techniques for Propagation and Crop Improvement in Mulberry (Morus spp.)

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an economically important tree grown widely in China, India and several other countries in Asia. The major economic product of mulberry is its leaf which is used for feeding the monophagous silkworm Bombyx mori L. Mulberry leaf is also used as fodder for livestock. Mulberry fruit is good for human consumption. Although mulberry is amenable to both sexual and asexual methods of reproduction, due to the high heterozygosity of the parental lines and long juvenile periods, propagation is mainly through stem cuttings or bud grafting. However, success of propagation through stem cuttings is greatly dependent on the genotype, environment, and age of the planting materials. Besides, most of the temperate species are hard to root from the stem cuttings. Micropropagation is seen as a cost effective method for propagation of these species, though a number of factors affect the success. In this article, we summarize these factors along with the causes and remedies for them. Other applications of tissue culture such as germplasm conservation, screening for stress tolerance, triploid developments, genetic transformation, and their impacts on the sericulture industry have also been detailed and discussed.
A Novel Triple-Mode Bandpass Filter Based on a Dual-Mode Defected Ground Structure Resonator and a Microstrip Resonator

A novel triple-mode bandpass filter (BPF) using a dual-mode defected ground structure (DGS) resonator and a microstrip resonator is proposed in this paper. The dual-mode characteristic is achieved by loading a defected T-shaped stub to a uniform impedance DGS resonator. A uniform impedance microstrip resonator is designed on the top layer of the DGS resonator and a compact bandpass filter with three resonant modes in the passband can be achieved. A coupling scheme for the structure is given and the coupling matrix is synthesized. Based on the structure, a triple-mode BPF with central frequency of 2.57 GHz and equal ripple bandwidth of 15% is designed for the Wireless Local Area Network. Three transmission zeros are achieved at 1.48 GHz, 2.17 GHz, and 4.18 GHz, respectively, which improve the stopband characteristics of the filter. The proposed filter is fabricated and measured. Good agreements between measured results and simulated results verify the proposed structure well.
A Game-Theoretic Model for Medium Access Control ∗ ( Invited Paper )

In this paper, a game-theoretic model for contention based medium access control (contention control) is proposed. We define a general game-theoretic model, called random access game, to capture the distributed nature of contention control and the interaction among wireless nodes with contention-based medium access. We study the design of random access games, characterize their equilibria, study their dynamics, and propose distributed algorithms to achieve the equilibria. This provides a unique perspective to understand existing MAC protocols and a general framework to guide the design of new ones to improve the system performance. As examples, a series of utility functions is proposed for games achieving the maximum throughput in a network of homogeneous nodes. The convergence of different variants (e.g., asynchronous and stochastic algorithms) of different dynamic algorithms such as gradient play are obtained. An equilibrium selection algorithm is also proposed to guarantee that the dynamic algorithms can actually achieve the desired operating point. Simulation results show that game model based protocols can achieve superior performance over the standard IEEE 802.11 DCF, and comparable performance as existing protocols with the best performance in literature.
Towards a Third Order Side Channel Analysis Resistant Table Recomputation Method

SCA exploits the instantaneous leakage from a physical implementation at a timet to recover some information about the data it processes at timet. Countermea- sures against (first-order) SCA consists in splitting the internal state of the algorithm in several random shares and processing this shares individually. However, d-th order SCA that leverage the information leaked at d times can be mounted to bypass coun- termeasures that provide (d 1)-th order SCA resistance. While higher order SCA has been thoroughly investigated during the last decade, countermeasures against these attacks received much less attention. In this paper we propose an extension of a known second order countermeasure to order 3 and we give some implementation results.
The Link between Uncertainty Relations and Non-Locality

Two of the most intriguing features of quantum physics are the uncertainty principle and the occurrence of non-local correlations. The uncertainty principle states that there exist pairs of non-compatible measurements on quantum systems such that their outcomes cannot be simultaneously predicted by any observer. Non-local correlations of measurement outcomes at different locations cannot be explained by classical physics, but appear in quantum mechanics in the presence of entanglement. Here, we show that these two essential properties of quantum mechanics are quantitatively related. Namely, we provide an entropic uncertainty relation that gives a lower bound on the uncertainty of the binary outcomes of two measurements in terms of the maximum Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt value that can be achieved using the same measurements. We discuss an application of this uncertainty relation to certify a quantum source using untrusted devices.
Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship in a Digital Age

Since Windschitl first outlined a research agenda for the World Wide Web and classroom research, significant shifts have occurred in the nature of the Web and the conceptualization of classrooms. Such shifts have affected constructs of learning and instruction, and paths for future research. This article discusses the characteristics of Web 2.0 that differentiate it from the Web of the 1990s, describes the contextual conditions in which students use the Web today, and examines how Web 2.0’s unique capabilities and youth’s proclivities in using it influence learning and teaching. Two important themes, learner participation and creativity and online identity formation, emerged from this analysis and support a new wave of research questions. A stronger research focus on students’ everyday use of Web 2.0 technologies and their learning with Web 2.0 both in and outside of classrooms is needed. Finally, insights on how educational scholarship might be transformed with Web 2.0 in light of these themes are discussed.
Marginalized knowledge: An agenda for Indigenous Knowledge development and integration with other forms of knowledge

The purpose of this paper is to re-examine Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in order to suggest an agenda for its development and integration with other forms of knowledge. The paper discusses what marginalization of IK mean, examines the challenges of integrating IK in the mainstream of other forms of knowledges and suggests agenda for IK development. The suggested agenda focuses on mapping and auditing IK capacity in Africa, legal and ethical issues, IK management, IK education and training, integration of IK and KM, IK brain drain. The paper recommends that information on IK be widely shared for evaluation, use and further development.
The Baska Mask® -A new concept in Self-sealing membrane cuff extraglottic airway devices, using a sump and two gastric drains: A critical evaluation

Background: In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Baska Mask® , a new extraglottic airway device (EAD) for use in anesthesia in adult patients undergoing a variety of surgical interventions. Materials and Methods: The self-recoiling membrane distally open cuff silicone mask consists of an anatomically curved airway tube with: (1) a bite block over the full length of the airway; (2) a self-sealing membranous variable-pressure cuff which adjusts to the contours of the mouth and pharynx; (3) a large sump cavity with two aspiratable gastric drain tubes; together with a number of special features such as (4) a tab for manually curving the mask to ease insertion; and (5) a suction elbow integral to one port with a second port acting as a free air flow access. The cuff of the Baska Mask® is not an inflatable balloon, but a membrane which inflates on every breath during intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) to achieve a superior seal when opposed to the larynx. An increase in IPPV pressure increases the oropharyngeal seal. With existing extraglottic airway devices, an increase in IPPV merely increases the leak. Results: Fifty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III were enrolled. We evaluated the first attempt and overall insertion success rates, insertion time, ease of insertion and removal of the device, oropharyngeal leak pressure, and anatomical position at fiberoptic view. The first attempt success rate was high (88%) and overall insertion success rates was considered easy to very easy by the operators in 92% of patients. Removal of the device was considered easy in all cases. The oropharyngeal leak pressure was above 30 cm H 2 O in all patients and the maximum of 40 cm H 2 O was achieved in 82% of the patients. In two patients, no adequate capnogram was obtained, so a smaller size mask was inserted with correction to adequate function. At fiberoptic evaluation of the anatomical position of the masks, the vocal cords could be seen, except in six patients (12%), where only the epiglottis could be visualized. Conclusion: The new EAD Baska Mask® has many novel features which should improve safety when used in both spontaneously breathing and IPPV anesthesia.
Grit, Mindset, and Academic Performance: A Study of Pre-University Science Students

Recent studies in educational psychology highlight the role of motivational variables such as trait-like perseverance. Studies have linked such variables (e.g., grit and mindset) to academic performance. However, research has reported inconsistent findings in explaining academic achievement differences. Drawing from a sample of pre-university students (N = 309), the present study assesses the efficacy of both grit and mindset in predicting academic achievement. The results suggest that neither grit, nor mindset was predictive of academic achievement. These findings have significant theoretical and practical implications.
Some remarks about the number of permutations one should consider to perform a permutation test

The main practical drawback of permutation testing is that, except for very small sample sizes, the number of all possible permutations is usually impractically large. Although now fast and relatively cheap computing facilities are at our disposal, this problem is still interesting, in particular for applied statisticians. The main idea is that it is not necessary to compute all possible permutations to obtain a reliable p-value estimate of the test. To deal with this problem, one may approximate the exact p-value of the test by using a random sample from all permutations. The aim of this paper is to reply to this question: how many permutations should be considered in the p-value estimation procedure? We suggest to use 500-1000 permutations to estimate the size and power of a permutation test, via Monte Carlo simulations, at the a significance level of 5% and 2000-5000 when a = 1%. Moreover, we suggest to use 5000 permutations in actual applications when a = 5% and 10000 when a = 1%. These suggestions are based on a review of many papers, a simulation study and two applications to actual data sets.
Research Priorities for Neotropical Dry Forests 1

Our understanding of the human and biophysical dimensions of tropical dry forest change and its cumulative effects is still in the early stages of academic discovery. The papers in this special section on Neotropical dry forests cover a wide range of sites and problems ranging from the use of multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing platforms to the impact of hurricanes on tropical dry forest regeneration. Here, we present to the scientific community the results of a workshop on which research priorities for tropical dry forests were discussed. This discussion focuses on the need to develop linkages between remote sensing, ecological, and social science research. The incorporation of social sciences into ecological research could contribute dramatically to our understandings of tropical dry forests by providing important contextual information to ecologists, and by helping to develop an important science–policy–public nexus on which environmental management can succeed.
The Geographical Mosaic of Myrmecochory in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot and the Fate of Myrmecochorous Seeds Dispersed by a Keystone Seed Disperser

Seed dispersal mutualisms are important ecological interactions that can shape plant communities by influencing species distributions, community composition, and the regeneration of populations following a disturbance. Considering the fundamental role seed dispersal mutualisms play in many plant communities, it is important to understand, both generally and for individual seed dispersal mutualisms, what determines when animal partners successfully disperse seeds and when they do not. Myrmecochory, the dispersal of seeds by ants, is the most common form of zoochory in Western Australia. Myrmecochore plant diversity is richest in the Kwongan sandplains of the south-west, where ant-dispersed species can make up as much as 36% of the plant community. Here, I studied the determinants of seed dispersal rates to understand local variation in myrmecochorous seed dispersal rates. At a series of 30 sites, we sampled the ant and plant communities, measured aspects of the community structure (vegetation height, openness, topography, soil), measured seed removal rates and observed ant-seed interactions. The most significant factor that governed seed removal rates was the presence of the ant species Rhytidoponera violacea. Additionally, during seed dispersal observation trials, R. violacea removed 95% of all seeds taken. To better understand the fate of Acacia blakelyi seeds dispersed by R. violacea, we simulated variable seed burial depths and elaiosome removal by ants, followed by a bushfire to stimulate germination. Seed burial depth had a significant effect on seedling emergence, with the proportion of emerged seedlings declining with burial depth. The effect of depth was due to the strength of a fire-cue (heat) declining with depth. Seed burial depth also had a fitness cost, with a greater proportion of â€˜robustâ€™ seedlings emerging from seeds buried closer to the surface. Seeds buried too deep to receive fire-cues remained dormant, adding to a long-lived soil seed bank.
Simultaneously Developing Flows Under Conjugated Conditions in a Mini-Channel Array: Liquid Crystal Thermography and Computational Simulations

This work presents experimental and computational calculations concerning thermo-hydrodynamics of simultaneously developing single-phase liquid flow in a semicircular mini-channel array subjected to conjugate thermal boundary conditions. Inherently, such developing flow conditions give higher species transfer coefficients. The understanding of transport processes in such systems is important because of its potential widespread use in many engineering systems. An array of seven parallel semicircular channels (internal diameter = 3.0 mm, hydraulic diameter = 1.83 mm, and length = 200 mm) was milled on a copper substrate (200 × 85 × 5 mm3). The interchannel pitch was 6.0 mm. Liquid crystal thermography was employed to measure spatial steady-state distribution of wall/fluid temperatures over the array. This technique was chosen to (i) obtain spatial field information needed for analyzing developing flows and (ii) overcome the limitations posed by conventional techniques when employed on small geometries. A differential transducer measured the pressure drop across the array. The flow experimental Reynolds number varied from 300 to 3200. The working fluid employed was distilled, deionized, and degassed water. A three-dimensional (3D) computational grid, representing the physical domain of the experiment, was generated and conservation equations were solved on a commercial platform. The results of the study show that: (a) Conventional theory, which predicts thermo-hydrodynamics of internal flows, is well applicable for the channels used in this study. The experimental Poiseuille number and Nusselt number under laminar as well as turbulent flow conditions closely matched with those generated by the computation model. Experimental data suggests that transitional flows existed between Reynolds number 800 and 1500. (b) Although with some limitations, liquid crystal thermography is well suited for mini-/micro-scale applications, especially for studying developing flows. (c) Wall conduction effects cannot be neglected under certain boundary/experimental conditions (d) A realizable k–ϵ model was found to be more suitable for turbulent flow modeling in mini-channels.
LOCALIZATION BY AUTORADIOGRAPHY OF SYNTHESIS OF (1-]3)-BETA AND (1-]6)-BETA LINKAGES IN A WALL GLUCAN DURING HYPHAL GROWTH OF SCHIZOPHYLLUM-COMMUNE

Labelling of the hyphal walls of basidiospore germlings of Schizophyllum commune with radioactive glucose resulted in immediate labelling of the glucans but labelling of chitin was delayed for about 20 min. Radioactive glucose could thus be used as a specific label for wall glucans in a 10 min labelling pulse. Special attention was given to the alkali-insoluble glucans containing (1→3)-β and (1→6)-β linkages and occurring in close association with chitin. Using [3-3H]glucose and treating the labelled glucans with periodate, a distinction could be made between glucose residues incorporated in (1→3) and in (1→6) linkages and the spatial distribution of these synthetic activities could be followed by microautoradiography. The results indicated that in growing hyphae the alkali-insoluble glucan synthesized at the apex was very rich in (1→3) linkages and that synthesis of (1→6) linkages increased subapically from about 10°% at the apex to about 60% just outside the extension zone. Inhibition of hyphal growth with cycloheximide or by low glucose concentrations inhibited glucan synthesis at the apex but not in subapical parts. At the same time a shift towards synthesis of (1→6) linkages was observed at the apex.