Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is non-invasive sampling of faecal pellets a reliable method to estimate rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) population density?

The rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is relatively poorly studied worldwide, and little is known about its population status, which in Norway is based on hunting statistics. In order to develop proper and successful long-term management measures for any species, as well as to avoid poor management strategies, reliable data on population size and density over time is crucial. Importance should therefore be given to develop and choose the most reliable and effective estimation methods that provide results with firm precision. Faecal pellets were collected in spring from 75 snow roosts at the Lifjell plateau in Telemark County utilizing line transect surveys. All 75 samples were collected from a total of 35 observations, each containing from 1 to 5 snow roosts. Genetic analyses were used to investigate species of all samples, and 14 microsatellites were used in the individual identification. The species analyses resulted in 32 samples (43%) to originate from rock ptarmigan, and 43 samples (57%) to originate from willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus). The 32 rock ptarmigan samples originated from 28 different individuals due to re-sampling of one female which was sampled twice, and one male which was sampled four times. Estimated population density based on all 75 samples was calculated to be 2,66 birds per km2, while estimates based solely on rock ptarmigan samples was calculated to be 0,99 rock ptarmigans per km2. This suggest that estimating rock ptarmigan density by counting roosts will lead to a biased estimate, as the roosts are likely to originate from willow grouse. In Lifjell willow grouse habitat extend into rock ptarmigan habitat, leading to a mixing of roosts. Counting roosts therefore, presuming all are from rock ptarmigan, overestimates the rock ptarmigan population. Including genetic testing still provides a poor estimate, as it underestimates the population when compared to the counting of territorial males as performed in an unpublished study by Darrud & Storøy. This makes the method unattractive for field managers, as it provides erroneous estimates, is expensive, and demands laboratory knowledge. This, however, may not be the case in scenarios where no overlap between rock ptarmigan and willow grouse is present, either in other areas or at different times of the year.
Where Weight Waxes and Wanes: Spatial Variation in Adult Body Mass Index

Approximately 66 percent of U.S. adults are overweight (Ogden et al., 2006). Overweight adults are at greater risk of a range of health problems (Billington et al., 2000), including hypertension, diabetes, and several types of cancers (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1998). The Strategic Plan for NIH Obesity Research (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004) emphasizes the need to understand the environmental factors associated with problems of overweight. In this paper, we examine the roles that neighborhood factors are playing in American adults’ shifting energy balance. Data for this investigation come from the Utah Population Data Base (UPDB). The UPDB contains vast data holdings including records about genealogies, births, deaths, residences, health status, residential address, and height/weight. For these analyses, U.S. Census information on neighborhood characteristics measured at the block-group level has also been linked to the UPDB using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases. This unique linked data set allows us to assess the extent to which neighborhood design, population density, and land-use diversity may be associated with American adults’ growing propensity to be overweight for an entire urban county population in Utah.
Detrital zircon ages in Palaeozoic and Mesozoic basement assemblages of the Peninsular Ranges batholith, Baja California, Mexico: constraints for depositional ages and provenance

The origin and continuity of Phanerozoic lithostratigraphic terranes in southern and Baja California remain an unsolved issue in Cordilleran tectonics. We present data from eight detrital zircon samples collected across the southern extent of the Peninsular Ranges that help constrain the provenance of detritus and the depositional ages of these basement units. Detrital zircon signatures from units in the eastern Peninsular Ranges correlate with Palaeozoic passive margin assemblages in the southwestern North American Cordillera. Units in the central belt, which consists of Triassic–Jurassic metasedimentary turbidite assemblages that probably deformed in an accretionary prism setting, and Cretaceous metasedimentary and metavolcanic units that represent the remnants of a continental margin arc, were derived from both proximal and more distal sources. The westernmost units, which are locally structurally interleaved with the Triassic through Cretaceous units of the central belt, are Cretaceous deposits that represent a series of collapsed basin complexes located within and flanking the Cretaceous Alisitos volcanic island arc. Cretaceous intra-arc units show little influx of cratonal material until approximately 110 Ma, whereas coeval sediments on the northern and eastern flanks of the Alisitos arc contain abundant cratonal detritus. Intra-arc strata younger than approximately 110 Ma contain large amounts of Proterozoic and older detrital zircons. These data suggest that basins associated with the Alisitos arc were either too distant or somehow shielded from North American detritus before 110 Ma. In the case of the former, increased influx of continental detritus after 110 Ma would support a tectonic model in which the arc was separated from North America by an ocean basin and, as the arc approached the continent, associated depositional centres were close enough to receive input from continental sources.
Nsf-career: the Listening Machine Annual Report 2006

In 2006, we continued our investigations in machine understanding of complex audio signals in the domains of environmental 'personal audio' recordings, for music audio, and for marine mammal sounds. The problem of isolating and identifying individual sources in environmental recordings has been pursued from a number of directions. Ron Weiss has continued work on separation sound mixtures based on the constraints provided by learned models of source signal behavior (specifically speech); this work is now feeding into our new NSF supported collaboration on Separating Speech from Speech Noise (IIS-05-35168). We published a description of this work at ICASSP [5], as well as work on estimating time-frequency masks based on a trained " Relevance Vector Machine " classifier which we presented at the SAPA workshop [15].
Assessing the impacts of climate shocks on farm performance and adaptation responses in the Niger basin of Benin

This farm-level study in the Niger basin of Benin aims to assess the impacts of climate shocks on farm activities and to simulate adaptation policy responses using a recursive dynamic mathematical programming model. Eight types of farmers were identified, and the results show that the average farm income declines under climate shocks, by 17.43 to 69.48%, compared to the baseline scenario. Farmers of agro-ecological zone II will be affected the most by climate shocks, followed by those in agro-ecological zones III, I and IV. Moreover, land and labour shadow price declines over the years due to climate shocks and extreme events. Adaptation policies, namely (i) improved irrigation, (ii) better access to credit, (iii) research and development, and (iv) better access to the labour market, contribute to coping with the adverse impacts of climate shocks on farm income. However, the success of adaptation policies depends on the ability of policymakers to implement them.
Tropical Rain Forest Ecology, Diversity, and Conservation

Rain forests represent the world's richest repository of terrestrial biodiversity, and play a major role in regulating the global climate. They support the livelihoods of a substantial proportion of the world's population and are the source of many internationally traded commodities. They remain (despite decades of conservation attention) increasingly vulnerable to degradation and clearance, with profound though often uncertain future costs to global society. Understanding the ecology of these diverse biomes, and peoples' dependencies on them, is fundamental to their future management and conservation. Tropical Rain Forest Ecology, Diversity, and Conservation introduces and explores what rain forests are, how they arose, what they contain, how they function, and how humans use and impact them. The book starts by introducing the variety of rain forest plants, fungi, microorganisms, and animals, emphasising the spectacular diversity that is the motivation for their conservation. The central chapters describe the origins of rain forest communities, the variety of rain forest formations, and their ecology and dynamics. The challenge of explaining the species richness of rain forest communities lies at the heart of ecological theory, and forms a common theme throughout. The book's final section considers historical and current interactions of humans and rain forests. It explores biodiversity conservation as well as livelihood security for the many communities that are dependent on rain forests - inextricable issues that represent urgent priorities for scientists, conservationists, and policy makers.
Trends in vertebrate pesticide use and development: alternatives to 1080 - what and when?

i) Feratox® cyanide pellets are now being registered for wallabies control as well as possums. ii) Registration documents are currently being assessed by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) for zinc phosphide as an alternative to 1080 for the control of possums. iii) Registration documents are also being prepared for a combination of cholecalciferol and coumatetralyl to provide an anticoagulant alternative for effective possum control. iv) Anticipated timelines for product availability are 2010 (zinc phosphide) and 201113 (cholecalciferol and coumatetralyl) subject to ERMA and NZFSA approvals and continued focused research and development effort. v) In parallel we are pursuing the registration of para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP), a red blood cell toxicant, for 2010 – a novel poison for humane control of stoats and cats. vi) On the platform of PAPP, alternative red blood cell (RBC) toxicants are being advanced for larger pests, possums and rodents. These “RBC” toxins are safer toxins, designed to minimise the impact of invasive animals, exhibiting humane performance and having a simple antidote . The 1080 debate has become more polarised since the ERMA reassessment in 2007 and expenditure to meet increased compliance and consultation requirements continues to increase. Research on biocontrol of vertebrate pests has been an important and major focus for investment for more than 20 years in both New Zealand and Australia. Despite considerable commitment, effort and initiatives there is a gap between conventional poisons and the requirements of modern biocontrol that needs to be filled. More effective, safer alternatives to 1080 for the control of possums, predators, rodents and rabbits are required now to reduce over reliance on 1080 and provide greater flexibility. With continued focused research effort the next 1-6 years will see changes as improved, increasingly “ecofriendly,” toxin products become available and additional products with novel active ingredients targeting possums and other major pests are delivered.
A Literature Review of The Influence of The Stomatognathic System on Body Posture

ABSTRACT|INTRODUCTION: The stomatognathic system (SS) is a functional unit made up of the jaws, dental arches, masticatory muscles, and associated structures. The components of the SS act in unison to influence or control functional activities such as phonation, deglutition, mastication, and respiration. The aim of this literature review was to determine the impact of functional activities of the stomatognathic system on overall body posture based on available research studies. |RESOURCES: A thorough literature review of scholarly publications from peer reviewed journals was conducted. |DESCRIPTION: The review included available research material dealing with the functional impact of the SS on body posture. Emphasis was placed on similar findings and correlations to dental occlusion. |SIGNIFICANCE: A proven causal link or predictable relationship between stomatognathic function and positioning of the spine, ribcage, or pelvis would influence clinical treatment methods for a wide range of orthopedic issues such as scoliosis and low back pain. The literature has shown that body posture appears modifiable under experimental conditions, however, these findings seem limited to the head and neck region and in the case of occlusal interference evidence points to predominantly transient changes. A causal link or predictable relationship between dental occlusion and body posture did not emerge from the studies included suggesting low clinical significance of findings.
Fatigue Management in the New Zealand Aviation Industry

This report arose from work funded through a grant under the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's Aviation Safety Research Grants Program. The ATSB is an operationally independent bureau within the Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services. The program funds a number of one-off research projects selected on a competitive basis. The program aims to encourage researchers from a broad range of related disciplines to consider or to progress their own ideas in aviation safety research. The work reported and the views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the Australian Government or the ATSB. However, the ATSB publishes and disseminates the grant reports in the interests of information exchange and as part of the overall safety aim of the grants program.
Quality of soils cultivated with eucalyptus in the central region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil: physical, chemical and mineralogical attributes.

Latosols and Cambisols have great expressiveness in the central region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The present work aimed to study physical, chemical and mineralogical attributes of these soils, located in areas with eucalyptus forest. Thirteen soil profiles were described and sampled in two areas at Curvelo, Minas Gerais State. In the Cambisols, the high amounts of silt and higher density, the dominance of kaolinite and illite in the clay fraction, and the weak developed blocky structure, are responsible for surface sealing and sheet erosion, resulting in the decrease in the quality of forest areas. Furthermore, lower water holding capacity, low hydraulic conductivity and low soil thickness can result in lower water-recharge in depth, contributing to depreciate forest sites in Cambisols areas. The lower silt amounts of Latosols, greater depth, better structure, and smaller slopes may be the main reason for best quality of the forest sites.
Optimal Energy Procurement of Smart Large Consumers Incorporating Parking Lot, Renewable Energy Sources and Demand Response Program

Large commercial and industrial loads known as large energy consumers are always seeking to reduce their energy costs and consequently they are utilizing renewable and non-renewable energy sources in procurement of their required energy. Use of renewable energy sources (RESs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) parking lot without proper planning will make technical and economic problems for the owner of the large consumers. This study provides a model for energy management of a smart large consumer (SLC), concluding PHEVs parking lot, RESs (photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines (WT)) and nonrenewable sources (fuel cell (FC), micro-turbine (MT)). In this study, an optimal exploitation for the PHEVs parking is proposed, which has the potential of utilizing as an energy generation source with the goal of reducing operational costs of SLC. In addition, this study considers the demand response (DR) program as an energy source and reducing the costs. The purpose of objective function is decreasing the operation cost of SLC to the minimum amount while considering physical and technical constraints of the sources. The proposed model is considered both DR programs and PHEVs parking lot, and the results of the simulation illustrated the positive impact of the demand response program (DRP) and parking lot in reducing operation costs.
Optimisation of SKF's European return handling process

Traditionally reverse logistics has attracted little attention as companies have focused on the forward moving supply chain. But today interest in the field of reverse logistics is growing as many types of businesses have identified it as a vital part of the overall supply chain. The global company SKF the leading global supplier of products, solutions and services within rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems has also identified reversed logistics and return handling as an important area with many possible improvements. SKF has built up a strong distribution network to secure a high service level to the customers and the company has implemented a centralised return handling process with a collecting point in Tongeren, Belgium, which serves the European market. However, the existing policy is not followed and also, the company was interested in investigating whether the policy is the optimal solution or if there might be other superior solutions. The aim with this thesis has been to find the optimal return handling process for the European market in terms if cost, lead time, carbon emissions, and the customer‟s convenience of making a return. Identified sub aims has been to investigate the scale and nature of the returns at SKF and review prominent theory regarding the subject reversed logistics and return handling. The methods used in this thesis were site visits, value stream maps, database studies, SKF interviews, workshops and benchmark studies. One important part of the thesis was the development of a model which was used to identify and evaluate different return handling scenarios. The model is based both on theoretical scenarios for return handling and on company specific requirements on the return handling process. The model was used to compare the theoretical scenarios for each requirement and for each one of the objectives cost and lead time. The results were four different scenarios of how the return process could be structured at SKF. The scenarios were then evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively based on the results from the used methods. The decentralised structure came our as the best alternative for SKF‟s return handling process. The decentralised scenario was given as a recommendation to SKF of how the return handling process should be structured in Europe. Moreover, some general improvements that can be implemented regardless of the return handling structure were also given. Examples of these general improvements are better data management, reduction of the administration and the handling of returns, and better documented work procedures.
Correlação entre danos causados por pentatomídeos, acamamento e retenção foliar em soja

Os niveis de acamamento, retencao foliar e danos causados nas sementes, por pentatomideos, foram avaliados em 101 linhagens e uma variedade de soja. As correlacoes obtidas demonstraram que o acamamento influiu negativamente no dano causado pelos percevejos e que a retencao foliar e a quebra no rendimento, graos danificados e vagens vazias foram altamente associadas entre si. Abstract The levels of lodging, foliar retention and seed damage caused by pentatomids were evaluated on 101 lines and one variety of soybean. The data demonstrated high negative correlation of the lodging with percentagem of damage seeds and empty pods. The correlation of the foliar retention with damage caused by stink bugs were positive and highly significative, showing that they were not independent.
Crystal structure of unligated guanylate kinase from yeast reveals GMP-induced conformational changes.

The crystal structure of guanylate kinase (GK) from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with a non-acetylated N terminus has been determined in its unligated form (apo-GK) as well as in complex with GMP (GK.GMP). The structure of apo-GK was solved with multiwavelength anomalous diffraction data and refined to an R-factor of 0.164 (R(free)=0.199) at 2.3 A resolution. The structure of GK.GMP was determined using the crystal structure of GK with an acetylated N terminus as the search model and refined to an R-factor of 0.156 (R(free)=0.245) at 1.9 A. GK belongs to the family of nucleoside monophosphate (NMP) kinases and catalyzes the reversible phosphoryl transfer from ATP to GMP. Like other NMP kinases, GK consists of three dynamic domains: the CORE, LID, and NMP-binding domains. Dramatic movements of the GMP-binding domain and smaller but significant movements of the LID domain have been revealed by comparing the structures of apo-GK and GK.GMP. apo-GK has a much more open conformation than the GK.GMP complex. Systematic analysis of the domain movements using the program DynDom shows that the large movements of the GMP-binding domain involve a rotation around an effective hinge axis approximately parallel with helix 3, which connects the GMP-binding and CORE domains. The C-terminal portion of helix 3, which connects to the CORE domain, has strikingly higher temperature factors in GK.GMP than in apo-GK, indicating that these residues become more mobile upon GMP binding. The results suggest that helix 3 plays an important role in domain movement. Unlike the GMP-binding domain, which moves toward the active center of the enzyme upon GMP binding, the LID domain moves away from the active center and makes the presumed ATP-binding site more open. Therefore, the LID domain movement may facilitate the binding of MgATP. The structure of the recombinant GK.GMP complex superimposes very well with that of the native GK.GMP complex, indicating that N-terminal acetylation does not have significant impact on the three-dimensional structure of GK.
PREDICTION OF THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF DESIGNED DIFFERENT OBSTACLES ON ABSORBER PLATES IN SOLAR AIR COLLECTORS BY SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE

In this study, energy performance of a new flat plate solar air collector (SAHs) with different obstacles at fin shape and rectangle Type I and Type II was investigated. The measured parameters were the inlet and outlet temperatures, the absorbing plate temperatures, the ambient temperature, and the solar radiation. Further, the measurements were performed at different values of mass flow rate of air (0.0074, 0.0052, 0.0016 kg/s). The thermal efficiency was calculated based on the measurements The results obtained were trained and tested with the support vector machine (SVM) which is one of the regression analyse methods. 10-fold cross-validation method was used to evaluate the regression performance. The best regression analysis result was obtained using cubic SVM method in which R 2 was 0.88 in the Type II air collector. Comparison between predicted and experimental results indicates that the proposed SVM model can be used for estimating the efficiency of SAHs with reasonable accuracy.
Vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus block in children: a preliminary study

thesia 1987; 42: 1197–1200. 4 Bahk JH, Han SM, Kim SD. Management of difficult airways with a laryngeal mask airway under propofol anaesthesia. Paediatr Anaesth 1999; 9: 163–166. 5 Sculerati N, Gottlieb MD, Zimbler MS et al. Airway management in children with major craniofacial anomalies. The Laryngoscope 1998; 108: 1806–1812. 6 Gemma M, Tommasino C, Cozzi S et al. Remifentanil provides hemodynamic stability and faster awakening time in transsphenoidal surgery. Anesth Analg 2002; 94: 163–168.