Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Characteristics that Define the Feasibility of Conservation Actions in a Common Pool Marine Resource Governance System

Effective conservation requires people to make choices about how they interact with the environment. Social characteristics influence the likelihood of establishing conservation actions with strong compliance (hereafter “feasibility”), but are rarely considered in conservation planning. Our study makes two contributions to understand feasibility. First, we explicitly test the associations between social characteristics and the presence and form of resource management. Second, we compare the ability of different types of data to elucidate feasibility. We use Ostrom's (2007) thinking on social–ecological systems and literature on resource management in Melanesia to create a context‐specific framework to identify social characteristics that influence feasibility for conservation management. We then apply this framework and test for associations between the presence and form of management on one hand and social characteristics on the other, using data collected at different resolutions. We found that conservation feasibility was associated with characteristics of the governance system, users, and the social, economic, and political setting. Villages with different forms of management were more similar to each other socially than to villages without management. Social data collected at the resolution of households accounted for over double the variation in the form and presence of management compared to data at the resolution of villages. Our methods can be adapted to conservation planning initiatives in other socioeconomic settings.
A Tutorial on Auditory Attention Identification Methods

Auditory attention identification methods attempt to identify the sound source of a listener's interest by analyzing measurements of electrophysiological data. We present a tutorial on the numerous techniques that have been developed in recent decades, and we present an overview of current trends in multivariate correlation-based and model-based learning frameworks. The focus is on the use of linear relations between electrophysiological and audio data. The way in which these relations are computed differs. For example, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) finds a linear subset of electrophysiological data that best correlates to audio data and a similar subset of audio data that best correlates to electrophysiological data. Model-based (encoding and decoding) approaches focus on either of these two sets. We investigate the similarities and differences between these linear model philosophies. We focus on (1) correlation-based approaches (CCA), (2) encoding/decoding models based on dense estimation, and (3) (adaptive) encoding/decoding models based on sparse estimation. The specific focus is on sparsity-driven adaptive encoding models and comparing the methodology in state-of-the-art models found in the auditory literature. Furthermore, we outline the main signal processing pipeline for how to identify the attended sound source in a cocktail party environment from the raw electrophysiological data with all the necessary steps, complemented with the necessary MATLAB code and the relevant references for each step. Our main aim is to compare the methodology of the available methods, and provide numerical illustrations to some of them to get a feeling for their potential. A thorough performance comparison is outside the scope of this tutorial.
Motivations for CSR in the Norwegian maritime cluster: stakeholder perspectives and policy implications

ABSTRACT The goal of the paper is to explore the motives for firms’ engagement in CSR and to find out what underlines the CSR stakeholder choice. We integrated both qualitative and quantitative approaches and addressed the research questions by using the Norwegian maritime cluster as the research setting. The findings show that the concept of CSR differs among industry players even within the same industry. CSR may have different interpretations based on industry, firm, or even individual perception. Consensus over the meaning of CSR continues to be problematic while the lack of clarity is complicated by the multiplicity of stakeholders’ interests and expectations. We found that within the maritime industry, important CSR initiatives are targeted at stakeholders such as the environment, sponsorship, charities, and safety. Intrinsic motivation was found to be highly related to CSR targeted at the community, shareholders, and employees while extrinsic motivation appears to be limited to concerns for the environment and suppliers. However, the weak association between motivation and CSR targeted at the environment could be explained by other factors (e.g. legislation).
Inves: Incremental Partitioning-Based Verification for Graph Similarity Search

We study the problem of graph similarity search with a graph edit distance (GED) constraint. Existing solutions adopt a filteringand-verification framework, with a focus on the filtering phase where a feature-based index is used to reduce the number of candidate graphs to be verified. These solutions suffer from a computationally expensive verification phase. In this paper, we develop a novel technique called Inves that can significantly reduce the time of verifying a candidate graph. Its main idea is to judiciously and incrementally partition a candidate graph based on the query graph, and use the results to compute a lower bound of their distance. If a full GED computation is needed, Inves utilizes the collected information, and uses novel methods and an A* algorithm to search in the space of possible vertex mappings between the graphs to compute their GED efficiently. A main advantage of Inves is that it can be adopted by a plethora of graph similarity search algorithms. Our extensive experiments on both real and synthetic datasets show that Inves can significantly improve the performance of existing techniques by an order of magnitude.
Assessment of sperm PAWP expression in infertile men.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of Post-Acrosomal WW Binding Protein (PAWP) in infertile men with low and high fertilization post ICSI and also globozoospermic men. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen samples were collected from 18 infertile men with previous failed or low fertilization (<25%) post ICSI, 10 men with high fertilization (>50%) post ICSI, 15 globozoospermic men, and 21 fertile individuals. Then, expression of PAWP was assessed at RNA with quantitative Real Time PCR. RESULTS Relative expression of PAWP in sperm was significantly (p<0.05) lower in infertile men with globozoospermia (41.5±5.7) or low fertilization rate (43.3±10.4) compared to fertile (138.8±17.3)or men with high fertilization (211.6±75.6). In addition, a significant positive correlation (r=0.628; p=0.001) was observed between percentage of fertilization with the relative expression of PAWP. CONCLUSION Considering solid recent evidences regarding PLC? as the main sperm factor involved in oocyte activation, therefore co-localization of PLC? with PAWP in perinuclear theca may account for the above observation and it is likely that PAWP may have other functions and/or it may assist PLC?
Using the age shift method to determine gains from weed management for Pinus radiata in New Zealand

Summary Understanding the effects of interspecific competition on long-term growth of plantation forestry crops is critical to forest management decisions around methods used for weed control. A series of permanent sample plots (31) incorporating trees maintained either weedy or weed-free until canopy closure were established across New Zealand between 2000 and 2002. We used the age shift method to characterise growth responses of Pinus radiata, in New Zealand, to interspecific competition over the first third of a typical rotation. Eight years after planting, age shifts between treatments ranged between � 0.60 years and +3.07 years. On average, the age shift due to weed control increased from 0.62 to 0.96 years between 4 and 8 years of age. This was due to divergent tree growth between weedy and weed-free plots at 55% of the sites, while at 32% and 13% of sites, respectively, differences between treatments remained constant or decreased beyond age 4 years. The magnitude of the age shift was found to be related to the type of weed dominating early interspecific competition, with woody weeds associated with significantly greater age shifts. Continued divergence in tree growth between weedy and weed-free treatments up to 8 years after planting at the majority of sites was an unexpected result and contrasts with previous literature. In situations where growth divergence continues beyond 2 years, managers should consider continued treatment of weeds to mitigate the detrimental impacts of on-going
Cost-effectiveness of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening before Immigration to Low-Incidence Countries

Prospective migrants to countries where the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is low (low-incidence countries) receive TB screening; however, screening for latent TB infection (LTBI) before immigration is rare. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of mandated and sponsored preimmigration LTBI screening for migrants to low-incidence countries. We used discrete event simulation to model preimmigration LTBI screening coupled with postarrival follow-up and treatment for those who test positive. Preimmigration interferon-gamma release assay screening and postarrival rifampin treatment was preferred in deterministic analysis. We calculated cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained for migrants from countries with different TB incidences. Our analysis provides evidence of the cost-effectiveness of preimmigration LTBI screening for migrants to low-incidence countries. Coupled with research on sustainability, acceptability, and program implementation, these results can inform policy decisions.
Investigating the development of secondary students’ views about scientific inquiry

ABSTRACT The purposes of this study were to (1) investigate 127 high school students’ views about scientific inquiry at different grade levels, and (2) to describe factors such as the teacher’s views about scientific inquiry, his teaching, and his curriculum that facilitated or constrained students’ views about scientific inquiry. The majority of students held naïve and mixed views for many aspects about scientific inquiry. There were few differences among students’ views about scientific inquiry when comparing ninth/tenth graders to eleventh/twelfth graders. Despite the teacher having informed views and implementing aspects of inquiry-oriented teaching, few students held informed views for many aspects. When comparing the findings of the present study to past VASI studies, students had more mixed and informed views for specific VASI items. Based on interviews with the teacher and a review of the teacher’s curriculum, these mixed and informed views about scientific inquiry were explicitly addressed in the classroom.
Demand Response Economic Assessment with the Integration of Renewable Energy for Developing Electricity Markets

Electricity disparity in sub-Saharan Africa is a multi-dimensional challenge that has significant implications on the current socio-economic predicament of the region. Strategic implementation of demand response (DR) programs and renewable energy (RE) integration can provide efficient solutions with several benefits such as peak load reduction, grid congestion mitigation, load profile modification, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. In this research, an incentive and price-based DR programs model using the price elasticity concepts is proposed. Economic analysis of the customer benefit, utility revenue, load factor, and load profile modification are optimally carried out using Freetown (Sierra Leone) peak load demand. The strategic selection index is employed to prioritize relevant DR programs that are techno-economically beneficial for the independent power producers (IPPs) and participating customers. Moreover, optimally designed hybridized grid-connected RE was incorporated using the Genetic Algorithm (GA) to meet the deficit after DR implementation. GA is used to get the optimal solution in terms of the required PV area and the number of BESS to match the net load demand after implementing the DR schemes. The results show credible enhancement in the load profile in terms of peak period reduction as measured using the effective load factor. Moreover, customer benefit and utility revenues are significantly improved using the proposed approach. Furthermore, the inclusion of the hybrid RE supply proves to be an efficient approach to meet the load demand during low peak and valley periods and can also mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Evaluation of adhesive properties of presumptive probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strains = Avaliação das propriedades de adesão de presumíveis estirpes probióticas de Lactobacillus plantarum

Thirty-two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum UFLA SAU from pork sausages, pre-selected for some features for probiotic application, were utilized in this study to evaluate their adhesive properties and compare the results against the three pathogens also tested. Strains were tested for autoaggregation and coaggregation capacity and Microbial Adhesion To Solvents (MATS) at the time intervals of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h. Our findings revealed that UFLA SAU strains have a high autoaggregative capacity and coaggregative ability with pathogens, especially Listeria monocytogenes. In relation to adhesion to solvents, in general, L. plantarum strains showed hydrophilic cell surface properties and an important electron donor and basic character. Adhesive properties were markedly separated for the strains under study by Principal Component Analysis software. UFLA SAU 132, 226 and 87 were differentiated by autoaggregation ability. UFLA SAU 11 and Listeria monocytogenes were characterized by adhesion to solvents. UFLA SAU 14, 18 and 172 showed high coaggregation with Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi and Listeria monocytogenes. In comparison to the pathogens tested, many UFLA SAU strains presented higher adhesive capacity. These tests should be used for screening and identifying potentially adherent microorganisms. Adhesive properties are important features for the choice of probiotic strains and confer various applications, such as in the pharmaceutical (therapeutic or prophylactic) and food (functional foods) industries.
Volumetric Reductions of Subcortical Structures and Their Localizations in Alcohol-Dependent Patients

Changes in brain morphometry have been extensively reported in various studies examining the effects of chronic alcohol use in alcohol-dependent patients. Such studies were able to confirm the association between chronic alcohol use and volumetric reductions in subcortical structures using FSL (FMRIB software library). However, each study that utilized FSL had different sets of subcortical structures that showed significant volumetric reduction. First, we aimed to investigate the reproducibility of using FSL to assess volumetric differences of subcortical structures between alcohol-dependent patients and control subjects. Second, we aimed to use Vertex analysis, a less utilized program, to visually inspect 3D meshes of subcortical structures and observe significant shape abnormalities that occurred in each subcortical structure. Vertex analysis results from the hippocampus and thalamus were overlaid on top of their respective subregional atlases to further pinpoint the subregional locations where shape abnormalities occurred. We analyzed the volumes of 14 subcortical structures (bilateral thalamus, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens) in 21 alcohol-dependent subjects and 21 healthy controls using images acquired with 3T MRI. The images were run through various programs found in FSL, such as SIENAX, FIRST, and Vertex analysis. We found that in alcohol-dependent patients, the bilateral thalamus (left: p < 0.01, right: p = 0.01), bilateral putamen (left: p = 0.02, right: p < 0.01), right globus pallidus (p < 0.01), bilateral hippocampus (left: p = 0.05, right: p = 0.03) and bilateral nucleus accumbens (left: p = 0.05, right: p = 0.03) were significantly reduced compared to the corresponding subcortical structures of healthy controls. With vertex analysis, we observed surface reductions of the following hippocampal subfields: Presubiculum, hippocampal tail, hippocampal molecular layer, hippocampal fissure, fimbria, and CA3. We reproduced the assessment made in previous studies that reductions in subcortical volume were negatively associated with alcohol dependence by using the FMRIB Software Library. In addition, we identified the subfields of the thalamus and hippocampus that showed volumetric reduction.
Synthesis and characterization of conducting polypyrrole/bentonite nanocomposites and in-situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole: adsorption of 4-nitrophenol by polypyrrole/bentonite nanocomposite

Abstract Oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in aqueous medium was used for the preparation of the Polypyrrole/Bentonite nanocomposites. Iron chloride hexahydrate was preferred as the oxidant. The nanocomposites were characterized by using several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the polypyrrole was intercalated into the bentonite layers. The results of FT-IR and XRD spectroscopy proved that the structure was a composite. The conductivity of composites was measured using four-point techniques. TGA was used to analyze the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Moreover, the adsorption of 4-nitrophenol (4NP) by the composite from aqueous solution was studied both thermodynamically and kinetically. Equilibrium data were acquired from adsorption of 4NP solutions that have the initial concentrations from 25 to 300 mg L−1 by adsorption of the nanocomposite at different temperatures (25, 35 and 45 °C) according to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. Qmax (maximum adsorption capacity) was defined as 96 mg g−1 via the Langmuir isotherm model. The parameters of thermodynamic (ΔHo, ΔGo and ΔSo) were calculated as well, and adsorption process was determined to be exothermic.
Evaluation of imidacloprid against okra jassid, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius).

Field experiments were conducted in two crop seasons during 2006 with Ajeet 333 okra to evaluate the efficacy of neonicotinoid, imidacloprid as foliar application against jassid, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). Imidacloprid 17.8 SL at 25 g a.i. ha−1 was found effective against jassids and whiteflies. The other neonicotinoid, thiamethoxam also provided similar levels of protection as that of imidacloprid. The conventional insecticide, methyl demeton (125 g a.i. ha−1) was less effective.
The role of support groups in linking and retaining newly diagnosed clients in HIV care in a peri-urban location in South Africa

Although South Africa has the largest number of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the world, many HIV clients drop out of care immediately after HIV diagnosis. This qualitative study explored the perceptions and experiences of newly diagnosed clients on the role support groups play in linking and retaining newly diagnosed clients in HIV care in Mbandazayo peri-urban location. The data were analysed using the thematic content analysis approach. Data revealed four mechanisms through which support groups appeared to link and retain newly diagnosed clients in the HIV care continuum. First, support groups were a formal link between newly diagnosed clients and health facilities. Second, support groups mitigated the effects of both felt and enacted stigma, thereby facilitating acceptance of HIV diagnosis among newly diagnosed clients. Third, support groups were an advocacy and networking tool for newly diagnosed clients to make their health related needs, challenges, and concerns known to local health clinics, thereby forging and maintaining a close relationship with their local health facilities. Last, support groups were spaces within the community where practical needs of newly diagnosed clients are met, which in turn help in retaining them within support groups, and facilitate their linkage and retention in the HIV continuum of care in Mbandazayo. Our findings suggest that HIV support groups are critical in enhancing linkages and retention of newly diagnosed clients in HIV care. With the introduction of universal test and treat (UTT) in South Africa, our findings suggest that support groups can play a significant role in retaining HIV care clients who are diagnosed and immediately enrolled on ART.
‘Trophy Architects’ and Design as Rent‐Seeking: Quantifying Deadweight Losses in a Tightly Regulated Office Market

Britain tightly restricts the supply of office space, creating substantial economic rents, but its development restrictions are politically administered and therefore gameable, inducing rent-seeking activity. We find that ‘trophy architects’ (TAs)—prior winners of a lifetime achievement award—obtain more space on a given site apparently by signalling architectural merit. Analysis of 2039 office buildings shows that TAs build 14 stories taller, thereby increasing a representative site value by 152% and capturing potential economic rents of £148m. However, we argue that this apparent premium is merely compensation for the extra costs, risks and delays of using a TA to game the planning system; it is therefore an indirect measure of the deadweight costs of this form of rent-seeking.
An Experimental Study on Network Immunization

Given a network in which a undesirable rumor, disease, or contamination spreads, which set of network nodes should we block so as to contain that spread? Past research has proposed several methods to address this network immunization (NI) problem, which is to find a set of k nodes, such that the undesirable dissemination is minimized in expectation when they are blocked. As the problem is NP-hard, some algorithms utilize solely features of the network structure in a preemptive manner, to others that take into account the specific source of a contamination in a data-aware fashion. This paper presents an experimental study on NI algorithms and baselines under the independent cascade (IC) diffusion model. We employ a variety of synthetic and real-world networks with diverse graph density, degree distribution, and clustering coefficients, under realistically calculated influence probabilities. We conclude that data-aware approaches based on the construct of dominator trees usually perform best; however, in networks with a power-law degree distribution, preemptive approaches utilizing spectral network properties shine out by virtue of their efficiency in identifying central nodes.