Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain-Computer Interface-Based Humanoid Control: A Review

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) acts as a communication mechanism using brain signals to control external devices. The generation of such signals is sometimes independent of the nervous system, such as in Passive BCI. This is majorly beneficial for those who have severe motor disabilities. Traditional BCI systems have been dependent only on brain signals recorded using Electroencephalography (EEG) and have used a rule-based translation algorithm to generate control commands. However, the recent use of multi-sensor data fusion and machine learning-based translation algorithms has improved the accuracy of such systems. This paper discusses various BCI applications such as tele-presence, grasping of objects, navigation, etc. that use multi-sensor fusion and machine learning to control a humanoid robot to perform a desired task. The paper also includes a review of the methods and system design used in the discussed applications.
Subchronic effects of five di‐ortho PCB congeners on survival, growth and reproduction in the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas

The effects of five di‐ortho polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemists numbers 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) on survival, growth, and reproduction in the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, were determined. Fish were exposed to one of two nominal concentrations (2.5 μg/L [low] and 25.0 μg/L [high]) of each congener for a total of 13 weeks (7‐week prespawning period plus 6‐week spawning period) under flow‐through conditions using methanol as a carrier solvent. At termination, P. promelas survival was high (92.6–100%) in all PCB congener treatments. PCB congeners had no significant (p < 0.05) sublethal effects on reproductive success within the concentration range examined. The total number of eggs, clutch size, number of clutches, percent hatchability, and presence of terata in offspring were not significantly affected. Reproductive success was slightly but not significantly enhanced in the solvent control and high (25 μg/L) treatment concentrations for congeners 52, 101, 138, and 153. Growth expressed as wet weight was not affected for both adult males or females. Male lengths were not significantly affected but female lengths were significantly reduced when exposed to congeners 101, 138, 153, and 180. Pimephales promelas accumulated substantial amounts of all PCBs, with tissue concentrations ranging from 13 to 183 mg/kg wet weight at termination in PCB‐exposed fish. These tissue residues are one to several orders of magnitude greater than those reported for these congeners in aquatic biota previously collected in industrial waterways of the Great Lakes. Several di‐ortho PCB congeners frequently found in aquatic biota showed minimal adverse effects on fathead minnow survival, growth, and reproduction even though bioaccumulation of these congeners was substantial.
Foraging efficiency and vigilance behaviour of impala: the influence of herd size and neighbour density

Groupforagingcanbebeneficialforungulatesbydecreasing the time required for vigilance, but it can also prove costly because of competition. To determine responses to gregarious behaviour, we studied foraging activity and vigilance of impala (Aepyceros melampus) near Kruger National Park, South Africa. We measured time spent foraging, vigilant, moving, grooming, engaging in social interactions and determined herd size and group distribution (i.e. density). We calculated accepted food abundance (AFA), food ingestion rate, steps per minute and percent vigilance for female, bachelor male and herd male impala. There was no relationship between herd size and vigilance, but vigilance decreased with increasing density (t1,311 = 4.91, P < 0.0001). Additionally, AFA decreased (t1,61 = 5.96, P < 0.0001) and steps per minute increased (t1,311 = 14.38, P < 0.0001) as more individuals fed in close proximity to each other. Impala could be altering their behaviour to accommodate a perceived change in resources because of intraspecific competition and these adjustments might be related more to the distribution of herd members than to herd size. Further studies should examine the behaviour of gregarious animals in relation to the distribution of herd members in addition to group size.
DNA Repair and Ovarian Carcinogenesis: Impact on Risk, Prognosis and Therapy Outcome

There is ample evidence for the essential involvement of DNA repair and DNA damage response in the onset of solid malignancies, including ovarian cancer. Indeed, high-penetrance germline mutations in DNA repair genes are important players in familial cancers: BRCA1, BRCA2 mutations or mismatch repair, and polymerase deficiency in colorectal, breast, and ovarian cancers. Recently, some molecular hallmarks (e.g., TP53, KRAS, BRAF, RAD51C/D or PTEN mutations) of ovarian carcinomas were identified. The manuscript overviews the role of DNA repair machinery in ovarian cancer, its risk, prognosis, and therapy outcome. We have attempted to expose molecular hallmarks of ovarian cancer with a focus on DNA repair system and scrutinized genetic, epigenetic, functional, and protein alterations in individual DNA repair pathways (homologous recombination, non-homologous end-joining, DNA mismatch repair, base- and nucleotide-excision repair, and direct repair). We suggest that lack of knowledge particularly in non-homologous end joining repair pathway and the interplay between DNA repair pathways needs to be confronted. The most important genes of the DNA repair system are emphasized and their targeting in ovarian cancer will deserve further attention. The function of those genes, as well as the functional status of the entire DNA repair pathways, should be investigated in detail in the near future.
in H2-M3-defi cient mice reveals a nonredundant role of MHC class Ib-specifi c T cells in host defense

signifi cance of H2-M3–restricted T cells in host defense against bacteria is unclear. We generated H2-M3–defi cient mice to investigate the role of H2-M3 in immunity against Listeria monocytogenes (LM), a model intracellular bacterial pathogen. H2-M3–defi cient mice are impaired in early bacterial clearance during primary infection, with diminished LM-specifi c CD8 + T cell responses and compromised innate immune functions. Although H2-M3–restricted CD8 + T cells constitute a signifi cant proportion of the anti-listerial CD8 + T cell repertoire, the kinetics and magnitude of MHC class Ia–restricted T cell responses are not altered in H2-M3–defi cient mice. The fact that MHC class Ia–restricted responses cannot compensate for the H2-M3–mediated immunity suggests a nonredundant role of H2-M3 in the protective immunity against LM. Thus, the early H2-M3–restricted response temporally bridges the gap between innate and adaptive immune responses, subsequently affecting the function of both branches of the immune system.
Aggressive behavior and dominance hierarchies in female sable antelope, Hippotragus niger: Implications for captive management

Social interactions of adult female sable antelope, Hippotragus niger, were observed at the National Zoological Park's Conservation and Research Center. Aggressive behavior was quantified for two herds containing 8 and 11 females. Aggression was lowest at calving, and highest near the time of conception. Dominance hierarchies were strictly linear and stable over time. Dominance rank was highly correlated with age, with the oldest females achieving highest rank. High-ranking females initiated more aggression and were more likely to behave aggressively towards a newly introduced adult female. The newly introduced individual was the victim of prolonged, intense group chases and was permanently excluded from the herd. Low-ranking females directed more aggression at yearling herd members than did high-ranking females. Temporary absences by herd members resulted in long-lasting, substantial increases in received aggression upon their return. Because of their aggressive nature, sable antelope present a challenge to captive management. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Growth Medium Strength on Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Tannins and Tannin Extracts against E. coli

In this study the effect of growth medium strength on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of different tannins and tannin extracts against Escherichia coli was systematically investigated for the first time. Three pure compounds (vescalagin, castalagin and gallic acid) and five extracts (chestnut, quebracho, mimosa, Colistizer and tannic acid) were studied. Broth microdilution was assayed and bacteria were grown using different growth medium strengths varying from half to double the concentration recommended by the producer. MICs were determined using the iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) dye or turbidity measurements. It was observed that MIC values depend on the growth medium strength. With an increase in the growth medium concentration MIC values rose roughly linearly for all samples, while their relative order remained unchanged, indicating that a direct interaction of tannins with growth medium nutrients represents the likely source of their antimicrobial activity. Understanding the effect of growth medium strength can finally yield a plausible explanation for the observed variation in MIC values reported in the scientific literature as well as provide help in planning proper applications of tannins in the livestock production.
Ultrafast and Sensitive Self-Powered Photodetector Featuring Self-Limited Depletion Region and Fully-Depleted Channel with van der Waals Contacts.

Self-powered photodetectors with great potentials for implanted medical diagnosis and smart communications, have been severely hindered by the difficulty of simultaneously achieving high sensitivity and fast response speed. Here, we report an ultrafast and highly sensitive self-powered photodetectors based on two-dimensional (2D) InSe, which is achieved by applying a device architecture design and generating ideal Schottky or ohmic contacts on 2D layered semiconductors, which are difficult to realize in the conventional semiconductors owing to their surface Fermi-level pinning. The as-fabricated InSe photodiode features a maximal lateral self-limited depletion region and a vertical fully-depleted channel. It exhibits a high detectivity of 1.26×1013 Jones and an ultrafast response speed of ~200 ns, which breaks the response speed limit of reported self-powered photodetectors based on 2D semiconductors. The high sensitivity is achieved by an ultralow dark current noise generated from the robust van der Waals (vdWs) Schottky junction and a high photoresponsivity due to the formation of maximal lateral self-limited depletion region. The ultrafast response time is dominated by the fast carrier drift driven by a strong build-in electric field in the vertical fully-depleted channel. This device architecture can help us to design high-performance photodetectors utilizing vdWs layered semiconductors.
Embryo epigenomic response to breeder management and nutrition

Summary ased on Darwin’s theory of evolution and Mendel’s fundamental laws of heritability, genetic selection for increased growth rate and meat yield has dramatically advanced the production efficiency of poultry during the last 50 years, and this trend is expected to continue well into the future. Embryonic and neonatal development is now approaching about 50% of the productive life of modern broilers. Although genetic selection does dictate how maternal and paternal genes that are inherited by their progeny, we are becoming more aware that nutrition and management may influence how those inherited genes are expressed. Epigenetics is the rising science of gene expression that could affect the progeny’s lifetime growth performance. In order to counter the adverse effects of genetic selection for growth on reproductive performance, the growth of breeding stock must be restricted, but this management practice may have significant epigenetic programming implications that affect the health and productivity of future generations. Epigenetic programming can occur during two critical periods: during the period of gametogenesis when breeding stock are adolescents, and during egg formation when egg nutrients affect the embryo when it consumes the amniotic fluid prior to hatch. This paper discusses implications of nutritional and physiological stress of breeders on the epigenetic response of progeny, and how it can be modified by breeder nutrition or amniotic fluid supplementation
ANÁLISIS empírico del efecto de las rentas económicas en el comportamiento independiente del auditor

RESUMEN Este trabajo analiza si las rentas económicas que los auditores obtienen de sus clientes por la prestación de servicios de auditoría afectan a la independencia de auditor. La independencia del auditor ha sido subrogada a través de la propensión a emitir informes de auditoría cualificados por gestión continuada para una muestra de empresas españolas cotizadas que presentan síntomas de deterioro financiero durante el periodo 2002–2010. Para captar el efecto de las rentas económicas se han tenido en cuenta tres dimensiones de la dependencia económica: el nivel de honorarios de auditoría en términos absolutos, el nivel de honorarios relativos percibidos de un cliente y el nivel de honorarios futuros esperados. Los resultados muestran que ninguna de las dimensiones tiene efecto sobre la decisión del auditor de emitir una opinión cualificada por gestión continuada, cuestionando la idea subyacente en algunas de las medidas de salvaguarda propuestas por el regulador de que elevados honorarios de auditoría comprometen la independencia del auditor.
Using Chorus-Size Ranks from Call Surveys to Estimate Reproductive Activity of the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)

Abstract Call surveys are a relatively new and efficient technique for detecting the presence of breeding male anurans. Using data from multiple surveys of breeding choruses of Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) combined with counts of egg masses on ponds in west-central Alberta we determined (1) the relationship between ranks of chorus size and total number of egg masses in ponds, and (2) number of breeding males in standard chorus-size ranks (1, 2 and 3). Estimates for Rank 3 choruses were based on a formula with number of egg masses present per pond and a fixed male to female ratio of 2:1 calculated from the literature. Calling males were recorded from all ponds that had evidence of female reproductive activity (i.e., egg masses). Generalized linear models suggested that ranks were positively and linearly correlated with the number of egg masses in a pond. In addition, call data from only the second of four sampling periods (each 3–6 days) significantly predicted number of egg masses in ponds, suggesting that timing is important when surveying calling wood frogs. The mean number of chorusing males per rank did not correspond to aural ranks of calling intensity: Rank 1 = 1.3 males, Rank 2 = 3.7 males, and Rank 3 = 118 males. We recommend similar assessments for other widely distributed species to improve our ability to detect and interpret habitat-use patterns and population trends of amphibians through monitoring programs.
The Economics of Terrestrial Invasive Species: A Review of the Literature

This paper reviews the literature on the economics of invasive species management as it applies to invasive species in general and terrestrial invasive species in particular. The paper summarizes a number of recent studies that assign values to the economic impact of terrestrial invasive species on a national scale. This is followed by a review of the economic literature on control and prevention of a biological invasion and the literature on international trade and trade policy with invasive species. The paper then reviews selected studies on terrestrial invasive plants, animals, and microbes, respectively.
Studying plant development in mosses: the transgenic route

The current status of transgenic studies in mosses is reviewed with particular attention being given to the mosses Physcomitrella patens and Ceratodon purpureus. This paper reviews the advantages of using mosses as models for higher plants in the study of plant development, and includes developmental processes, already partially characterized at the genetic level by mutant analysis, for which transgenic studies may be applicable. The P. patens transformation process is being studied in this laboratory and details are given for a class of transformants which contain extrachromosomal plasmid DNA. Publications which present the nucleic acid and/or protein sequence for nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genes are reviewed. Areas of research in which transgenic studies promise to complement existing cell biological and physiological approaches are discussed. These include the measurement of calcium levels in mutant and wild-type transformants expressing the apoaequorin gene and a role for phytochrome gene expression in the establishment of polarity.
SUNRISE NEST ATTENDANCE AND AGGRESSION BY LEAST BELL'S VIREOS FAIL TO DETER COWBIRD PARASITISM

Abstract We video-recorded three, natural, brood-parasitism events by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) at nests of Least Bell's Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus). All instances occurred near dawn, during both egg-laying and incubation stages of the nesting cycle. In each case, an adult vireo was on the nest when the female cowbird arrived. Both members of each parasitized pair vigorously attacked the intruding cowbird, but in no encounter did a pair of vireos successfully defend its nest from parasitism. Thus, Least Bell's Vireos in our study were unable to prevent a female cowbird from parasitizing their nests once the cowbird had reached the nest.
A branch bag and CO2 control system for long-term CO2 enrichment of mature Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.]

This paper describes the construction and performance of branch bags and a CO2 control system used to fumigate branches of mature Sitka spruce trees with air enriched in CO2 (700 μmolmol-1). It contains some examples of results obtained using the system over the course of the first two growing seasons. The branch bags have run continuously for 2 years with very few problems. CO2 concentrations were within 20 μmol mol-1 of the target concentration for more than 90% of the time. Temperatures within the bags were slightly higher than ambient (1–2 °C) and this had some effect on phenology. Attenuation of quantum flux density (photosynthetically active radiation) was 10–15%. The branch bag system has enabled investigation into the effects of elevated CO2 on mature tissue without the problems and expense of fumigating whole trees. Growth in elevated CO2 resulted in an increase in starch and a decrease in soluble protein content of needles. Stomatal conductance was higher in elevated CO2 grown needles, and there was some evidence of an increase in photosynthetic capacity.
Exposure to wind alters insect herbivore behaviour in larvae of Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera: Nolidae)

Wind is a pervasive environmental stress that may directly alter the behaviour of insect herbivores, thus limiting the ability to find and assimilate food and avoid natural enemies. We investigated the direct effects of wind on larvae of gum leaf skeletoniser Uraba lugens Walker by investigating their movement patterns and plant micro‐site selection. We allocated individuals to Eucalyptus tereticornis plants and exposed them to zero (control) or moderate wind speeds (3 m/s) for 2 h and quantified their movement patterns. When exposed to wind, individuals dropped from plants, and a greater proportion of individuals were found on petioles, branches, the underside of leaves and the leeward side of plants. The dramatic effects of wind on larval behaviour, even at relatively moderate intensities, reveal the significant potential of wind to influence plant–insect interactions.
Stable isotope analysis and fin whale subpopulation structure in the eastern North Atlantic

The North Atlantic fin whale was subject to heavy exploitation in the past and, despite partial recovery, it is still considered endangered. Recent research has questioned its currently accepted subpopulation structure and migratory movements, challenging management and conservation efforts. Here we contribute to this discussion by presenting results of stable isotope analysis of fin whale bones and krill samples collected from fin whale stomachs from two exploited areas, west Iceland and northwest Spain, and comparing these results with North Atlantic isoscapes. In krill, δ15N values were highly variable and no significant differences in δ15N and δ13C between areas emerged. δ15N and δ13C values in bone were higher than in krill, due to trophic enrichment, and were not significantly different between areas. Both krill and bone results were slightly inconsistent with the local isoscapes, maybe due to seasonal variations in local productivity and in krill diet and, in the case of bone, to its capability to integrate long-term isotopic values, derived from food consumed in distant areas. Conversely, δ18O values, which reflect the basal signal of sea water, were consistent with isoscapes and significantly higher in whales from northwestern Spain, possibly indicating migration to breeding grounds located at lower latitudes.
Eyes and vision in Arion rufus and Deroceras agreste (Mollusca; Gastropoda; Pulmonata): What role does photoreception play in the orientation of these terrestrial slugs?

Zieger, M.V. , Vakoliuk, I.A. , Tuchina, O.P., Zhukov, V.V. and Meyer-Rochow, V.B. 2009. Eyes and vision in Arion rufus and Deroceras agreste (Mollusca; Gastropoda; Pulmonata): What role does photoreception play in the orientation of these terrestrial slugs? — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 90 : 189‐204 This paper deals with the orientational behaviour in the two terrestrial slugs Arion rufus and Deroceras agreste . It presents anatomical details of their eyes and provides an appraisal of the eyes’ optical system. In both species the retinae contain two principal types of cell: photoreceptive and pigmented supportive cells. While only the eye of A. rufus apparently contains neurosecretory neurones, that of D. agreste is the only one equipped with a small additional retina with its own separate lens. Lens shapes vary between ovoid ( A. rufus ) and spherical ( D. agreste ). Our results demonstrate that the camera-type eyes in A. rufus and D. agreste have optical systems that do not allow the production of a sharp image on the retina. The slugs demonstrate negative visually mediated phototactic behaviour, but no polarization sensitivity. Only one aspect of the visual environment, namely the overall distribution of light and dark, seems to be important for these slugs. As the main role of the slugs’ photoreceptors is to monitor environmental brightness and to assist the animal in orientating towards dark places, we conclude that these slugs do not need to perceive sharp images.
Neural-Network Adaptive Output-Feedback Saturation Control for Uncertain Active Suspension Systems

The adaptive neural-network (NN) output-feedback control problem is investigated for a quarter-car active suspension system. The sprung mass and the suspension stiffness in the considered suspension system are unknown, and the part states are not measured directly. In the control design, NNs are employed to approximate the unknown nonlinear dynamics, and an NN state observer is given to estimate the immeasurable states. By using the adaptive backstepping control design technique and introducing the command filter method, an observer-based NN output-feedback control algorithm is developed, in which the input saturation constraint is compensated via constructing an auxiliary system. It is proved that all the variables of the controlled system are bounded, and the ride comfort, ride safety condition, and suspension space limit are guaranteed. The computer simulation and compared results further show the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.