ARPHA OAI-PMH Endpoint
Not a member yet
49206 research outputs found
Sort by
Examining Deep Learning Techniques for Ethical Artificial Intelligence: Cleansing Malicious Comments from Users
No full textThe advancement of AI has heightened the significance of ethical concerns, particularly in managing negative user feedback like malicious comments, necessitating thoughtful deliberation. The focus of this research is to explore the potential of deep learning techniques in addressing these issues and enhancing the ethical nature of AI systems. Specifically, we investigated the collection and processing of news comment data using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm and Word2Vec model. The primary objective was to evaluate how deep learning techniques can improve the quality of data obtained from news comments. Our findings demonstrate that deep learning models surpass CleanBot in accuracy and block rates for handling negative user comments, including malicious ones, enabling organizations to effectively manage such comments in online communities using AI-based methods. This study adds to the existing research by showing how advanced deep learning techniques can effectively identify and classify harmful comments by analyzing complex language patterns
Records of Bombus mastrucatus Gerstaecker, 1869 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in the Kola Peninsula
No full textWe present the records of Bombus mastrucatus Gerstaecker, 1869 in the Murmansk Region (Russia). We suppose that the distribution of this species in the region is probably limited to the territory from the vicinity of the town of Kandalaksha to the south of the Kola Peninsula along the Kandalaksha Gulf
First record of the Asian mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) in Cyprus, including an identification key and notes on its possible impacts
No full textSphecidae sensu lato currently includes more than 10,000 species of which 34 belong to the genus Sceliphron Klug, 1801. In Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, three out of eight species of Sceliphron are alien to the region, including the Asian S. curvatum (Smith, 1870) and S. deforme (Smith, 1856) as well as the Nearctic S. caementarium (Drury, 1773). Up-to-date, only three species of Sceliphron have been reported for Cyprus, S. destillatorium, S. madraspatanum tubifex and S. spirifex, being native to the island. In this publication, S. curvatum is reported for the first time as a new alien mud-dauber to the island. Specimens were first observed in 2020 at Xyliatos (Nicosia) and reared from nests collected in 2023 upon annual surveys. In addition, nests of both S. curvatum and S. spirifex co-existing at the site were opened providing preliminary data on spider prey. A literature investigation compared with the national list of spiders in Cyprus provides an insight into potential spider prey while a dichotomous identification key, including alien S. caementarium and S. deforme yet to be reported from the island, is provided. The number of Sceliphron species known from Cyprus is raised to four. More research is necessary to elucidate the biotic interactions of Sceliphron in Cyprus, the invasiveness and the further spread of S. curvatum on the island
From trash to teacher: utilizing unlabeled, unsealed, and unprocessed specimens for community engagement
No full textMembers of our society are currently spending an increasing amount of time engaging in virtual (digital) experiences and less time engaging in reality, including nature. It is imperative that people maintain a connection to the natural world and understand the value of natural history specimens. To facilitate that goal, the Museums in Miniature (MiM) project provides a drawer of curated local insect specimens for display in schools, libraries, and other educational institutions. Specimens of abundant taxa, or those missing data or otherwise unsuitable for research, are used as “ambassador specimens” in these drawers. Drawers provide real-life examples of pollinators, pests, invasive species, and beautiful and intricate insects. Additionally, fact sheets and other resources about specimens and entomology in general are provided as digital and hard copies. Museums in Miniature was inspired by difficulties in museum outreach experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when programs were entirely virtual. The first MiM drawers were created in 2022 at Clemson University and used exclusively in South Carolina, but since then the program has expanded to encompass the entire Southeast. Through partnerships with other natural history collections, suppliers, and volunteers, we aim to expand coverage and possibly even adapt the MiM model to disciplines beyond entomology
Discovery of two Palearctic Bootanomyia Girault (Hymenoptera, Megastigmidae) parasitic wasp species introduced to North America
No full textInvasive species are among the greatest threats to ecosystems, but our ability to detect species introductions varies across taxa. Parasitoid wasps, though one of the most species-rich groups of all animals, are small and have ephemeral adult stages, such that they often go unnoticed. Here, we document two separate introductions of European parasitoids of oak gall wasps into North America. Both wasps key morphologically to Bootanomyia dorsalis (Fabricus), which previous genetic data from Europe suggest comprises two distinct species, B. dorsalis sp. 1 and B. dorsalis sp. 2. We find B. dorsalis sp. 1 in oak galls from New York, USA and B. dorsalis sp. 2 in oak galls from Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, Canada. All oak gall wasp hosts were North American natives. We detect no genetic variation at the mtCOI locus within B. dorsalis sp. 2 specimens, suggesting this introduction may have had only a small number of founder individuals. In their native ranges, both species attack several different gall wasp hosts, and we likewise reared both from galls of multiple North American gall wasp hosts, suggesting a potential for widespread impact on North American gall insect communities. These introductions were detected only because our research groups are actively sampling and identifying parasitoid communities across gall habitats. Most parasitoid communities are not regularly sampled across hosts, time and space, or are well characterized, such that many more undetected wasp introductions may be impacting native insects worldwide
Unveiling an intricate relationship: Ficus trees, their associated wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) and another story of invasion in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe
No full textThe plant genus Ficus (Moraceae) includes keystone tree species in tropical ecosystems, providing essential resources for a wide range of animals. Due to their ornamental value, fig trees have been introduced beyond their native ranges, often accompanied by their natural pollinators, which in some cases has led to ecological invasions. This study documents, for the first time, the presence of several pollinating and non-pollinating fig wasps (Chalcidoidea) on the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on three exotic Ficus species: Ficus microcarpa L.f., 1782, F. rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent., 1805 and F. macrophylla Pers., 1807. Through syconia sampling and dissection, we identified six fig wasp species: the pollinators Eupristina aff. verticillata (Waterston, 1921) and Pleistodontes imperialis Saunders, 1882, the gall-formers Eufroggattisca okinavensis Ishii, 1934, Josephiella microcarpae Beardsley & Rasplus, 2001, Walkerella microcarpae Bouček, 1993, and the parasitoid Philotrypesis okinavensis Ishii, 1934. Additionally, we documented several cases of non-native Ficus species reproducing spontaneously in urban areas, suggesting a significant ecological establishment and invasive spread through sexual reproduction. This spread poses potential risks to urban infrastructure, as the robust root systems of fig trees can damage buildings, pavements, urban trees, and heritage sites. Finally, we observed urban native and non-native bird species consuming mature fig syconia, which likely assist in the dispersal of these plants. Our findings underscore the need for further studies on the ecological impact of introduced Ficus species in non-native regions, their long-term economic consequences for urban heritage, and the continued monitoring of pollinator fig wasp populations
Bio inspiration from Pseudogymnoascus destructans or White nose Fungus
No full textPseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) adapts to its environment by adapting its phenotype or gene expression; selectively upregulating genes to produce more proteins that promotes Pd growth within that environment. Thus Pd's production of proteins varies depending on its surroundings or environment. This is done by detection of its environment, followed by a signaling pathway to selectively upregulate genes encoding proteins that promote Pd growth depending on the environment Pd is in. The author suggests that a potential target for therapeutics for white nose syndrome is the signaling pathway that Pd utilizes to initiate upregulation of these genes thus, if blocked, potentially becoming less virulent in bats.Among the proteins produced by Pd invading the bat skin are proteins that help evade the bat's immune response [Glucan endo-1, 3-β glucosidase (VC83_07327) and Mannan endo-1, 6-α mannosidase (VC83_07145)]. This mechanism may potentially avoid inflammation as a side effect in the design of therapeutics such as microneedle patches with attenuated medicinal fungi with microfluidics that allow the fungi metabolite to be dosed into the patient. The genes of these proteins along with the signaling pathway that upregulates its gene expression must be genetically engineered into attenuated medicinal fungi. The operating condition of the fungi within the patch will depend upon the particular medicinal fungi utilized. This innovation is an attempt to utilize the Pd's evolved adaptation to environmental conditions like the extracellular matrix in mammals
The segetal flora of Cynara cardunculus L. (globe artichoke) fields in Sardinia
No full textThe aim of the present study was to produce a first inventory of the segetal flora in Cynara cardunculus L. (globe artichoke) cropping systems in Sardinia (Italy), to address the limited research available to date, despite the economic significance of this crop. Field surveys were conducted during 2019–2021, at least three times per year, to assess the segetal flora and its main specific features (e.g., life forms, chorology and invasive status in Sardinia), using randomly located georeferenced plots (1 × 1 m) within each field. Based on floristic surveys, it was possible to make an inventory of 113 taxa classified into 91 native species of the Italian flora, 1 archaeophyte, 5 cryptogenic and 16 neophytes, of which 11 were invasive in Sardinia, four naturalized and one casual. Among identified species, 83 were therophytes, 23 hemicryptophytes, 6 geophytes, and 1 chamaephyte. The chorological spectrum shows up the dominance of Mediterranean with 52 species. Widely distributed taxa are represented by 20 species, followed by Eurasian ones with 9 taxa. The most frequent and abundant species were the three native Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L., Convolvulus arvensis L., and Lolium rigidum Gaudin, the archaeophyte Avena fatua L. s.l., and the two neophytes Oxalis pes-caprae L., and Veronica persica Poir
Two new species of the genus Neoproutista Yang & Wu, 1994 (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Derbidae) from southern China, with notes on their host plants
No full textTwo new species of the genus Neoproutista Yang & Wu, 1994 (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Derbidae) are described from southern China: N. lobata Lv, Sui & Chen, sp. nov. from Guizhou Province, and N. quinaria Lv, Sui & Chen, sp. nov. from Fujian Province. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and diagnostic comparisons are provided for both new species, with a particular emphasis on the male genital structures that distinguish them from congeners. A revised identification key to all known species of Neoproutista is also presented. A possible host plant is reported for the first time. The discovery of these taxa expands the known diversity and distribution of the genus in the Oriental region, underscoring the richness of derbid planthoppers in subtropical China
Evaluation of foot tissue meal of golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Gastropoda, Ampullariidae), as an ingredient in the gonad maturation diet of female shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Malacostraca, Penaeidae) broodstocks
No full textThe Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931, is one of the valuable globally-cultured species. However, its production in the Philippines has declined due to disease outbreaks. One essential approach to improve shrimp production is the use of domesticated broodstock to produce pathogen-free larvae, combined with well-formulated maturation diets, although fresh feeds can pose risks like disease transmission and water quality issues. Golden apple snail foot tissue meal (GASFTM) presents a cost-effective alternative protein source to squid meal, offering high protein content and the potential to improve aquaculture feed formulations. A 32-day feeding trial evaluated the effects of GASFTM on ovarian maturation of P. vannamei female broodstocks. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets containing increasing levels of GASFTM: control (0%), T1 (25%), T2 (50%), T3 (75%), and T4 (100%) were formulated. Polychaetes/squids and a basal control diet were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. Each treatment with triplicate groups of 15 unilaterally eyestalk-ablated shrimp female broodstocks at early stages of ovarian development was fed with test diets. The ovarian development was tracked every four days. The results showed that the maximum ovary shadow ratios (OSR) as a measure of ovarian size was not different among the treatments. Ovarian maturation time (OMT) defined as the period between the initial and maximum OSR development indicate that the test diets with 50%, 75%, and 100% GASFTM were significantly shorter than those of the other treatments. The study also indicated that the test diets with 75% and 100% GASFTM inclusion were the most effective on P. vannamei ovarian maturation, followed by the test diet with 50% GASFTM inclusion. These findings suggest that GASFTM is a viable protein source for enhancing ovarian maturation and reproductive performance in P. vannamei broodstock