Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance

Stingrays play a key role in the regulation of nearshore ecosystems. However, their movement ecology in high-energy surf areas remains largely unknown due to the notorious difficulties in conducting research in these environments. Using a blimp as an aerial platform for video surveillance, we overcame some of the limitations of other tracking methods, such as the use of tags and drones. This novel technology offered near-continuous coverage to characterise the fine-scale movements of stingrays in a surf area in Kiama, Australia, without any invasive procedures. A total of 98 stingray tracks were recorded, providing 6 h 27 min of movement paths. The tracking data suggest that stingrays may use a depth gradient located in the sandflat area of the bay for orientating their movements and transiting between locations within their home range. Our research also indicates that stingray behaviour was influenced by diel periods and tidal states. We observed a higher stingray occurrence during the afternoon, potentially related to foraging and anti-predatory strategies. We also saw a reduced route fidelity during low tide, when the bathymetric reference was less accessible due to stranding risk. Considering the increasing threat of anthropogenic development to nearshore coastal environments, the identification of these patterns can better inform the management and mitigation of threats.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Fasciola eggs in Cattle in the White Nile State, the Sudan

ARTICLE HISTORY Received: 12/06/2017 Accepted: 4/11/2017 Available online: December 2017 A cross sectional study was conducted from July to September 2015 in El-Dueim slaughterhouse, the White Nile state, the Sudan, to estimate the prevalence of Fasciola species and their eggs in the livers and feces of cattle and to investigate potential risk factors associated with them. The liver inspection during post-mortem examination and sedimentation technique were used. The overall prevalence's of Fasciola species and their eggs were 43.4% (n= 92; 95% CI from 36.73 to 50.07) and 72.6% (n= 92; 95% CI from 66.6 to 78.6), while prevalence by risk factor category, ranged from 23.6% to 78.0% and from 60.0% to 90.0% respectively. Body condition (x=45.0, pvalue=0.001), grazing (x=5.49, p-value=0.019), and presence of snail (x=36.3, p-value=0.001) were associated with detection of Fasciola in the livers of slaughtered cattle in the univariate analysis. The same risk factors, excluding grazing, were also associated with the detection of the eggs of Fasciola in the feces. Cattle with poor body condition and in presence of snails were at higher risk of finding the worm and eggs in their livers and feces in comparison to the reference category of the same risk factor in the multivariate analysis. It can be concluded that the liver flukes and their eggs are prevalent in the White Nile state. Therefore, the use of and the limnetic by cattle farmers from is recommended as a prophylactic measure.  2017 Sudan University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved
Landscape-level DNA metabarcoding study in the Pannonian forests reveals differential effects of slope aspect on taxonomic and functional groups of fungi

In temperate regions, slope aspect is one of the most influential drivers of environmental conditions at landscape level. The effect of aspect on vegetation has been well studied, but virtually nothing is known about how fungal communities are shaped by aspect-driven environmental conditions. I carried out DNA metabarcoding of fungi from soil samples taken in a selected study area of Pannonian forests to compare richness and community composition of taxonomic and functional groups of fungi between slopes of predominantly southerly vs. northerly aspect and to assess the influence of selected environmental variables on fungal community composition. The deep sequence data presented here (i.e. 980 766 quality-filtered sequences) indicate that both niche (environmental filtering) and neutral (stochastic) processes shape fungal community composition at landscape level. Fungal community composition correlated strongly with aspect, with many fungi showing preference for either south-facing or north-facing slopes. Several taxonomic and functional groups showed significant differences in richness between north-and south-facing slopes and strong compositional differences were observed in all functional groups. The effect of aspect on fungal communities likely is mediated through contrasting mesoclimatic conditions, that in turn influence edaphic processes as well as vegetation. Finally, the data presented here provide an unprecedented insight into the diversity and landscape-level community dynamics of fungi in the Pannonian forests.
Non-structural carbohydrate metabolism and postharvest conservation of gerbera flowers

The species Gerbera jamesonii Adlam has great economic importance in the ornamental sector, due to exuberance of floral stems. However, florists face some challenges such as postharvest handling and difficulty of conservation. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the non-structural carbohydrate content in different floral stages of G. jamesonii var. Dawn and evaluate the effect of preservative solutions during the postharvest storage of this species. For this purpose, it was quantified TSS, RS and NRS from the seven stages of gerbera stems ontogeny (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6 and E7). The preservative solutions used were: T1) distilled water; T2) citric acid (100 mg L-1); T3) glucose (20 g L-1); T4) gibberellic acid (GA3 , 5 mg L-1); T5) calcium chloride (CaCl2 , 20g L-1) and T6) Sodium Thiosulphate (STS, 20 mM). The effect of preservative solutions were assessed daily, considering the longevity of flowers, variation in the absorption of preservative solution, pH of the solution and fresh mass variation. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replicates. There was a difference in carbohydrate metabolism during floral opening and senescence. In the orange bracts there was a lower TSS content, while in the inflorescences it was observed a reduction in the yellowish, greenish-green and greenish stages. The content of RS increased in the bracts, whereas in the inflorescence there was no difference. The NRS content was higher in the orange bracts, showing lower rates in the inflorescences in yellowish and yellowish greenish stages. The preservative solutions had an impact, on the floral stem longevity, varying according to the solutions used, i.e. CaCl2 and STS reduced the durability of gerbera flower in 9.25 and 11.5 days, respectively, compared to stems kept in distilled water. The glucose solution did not promote a significant difference compared to water. Therefore, we conclude that there is variation in the metabolism of non-structural carbohydrates during the floral development of G. jamesonii var. Dawn and the tested solutions were not effective in promoting postharvest conservation of gerbera.
Can past intergroup contact shape support for policies in a pandemic? Processes predicting endorsement of discriminatory Chinese restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis

A survey of 340 UK residents was conducted when the COVID-19 virus first reached the UK in February 2020. We measured past experiences of positive and negative intergroup contact with Chinese people as predictors of intergroup threat and emotions in the context of the pandemic; and how these processes in turn predicted support for discriminatory policies designed to restrict the freedom of Chinese people in the UK. We tested a novel threat-matching hypothesis which draws upon models of outgroup-specific social perception to predict that the emotional processes underlying contact effects will depend on the specific threat posed by the outgroup. In the present epidemiological context, Chinese people posed a salient threat to individuals’ physical health and welfare. Accordingly, we show that whilst intergroup contact predicted both fear and anger towards the outgroup, the indirect effect of contact on support for Chinese restriction policies via fear was significantly stronger than the indirect effect via anger. Our findings provide a more nuanced understanding of how specific threat and emotions drive intergroup contact effects, and offer important insights for efforts to maintain positive intergroup relations in the face of the crisis.
The impact of gender quotas in sport management: the case of Spain

Abstract This article investigates the impact of gender quotas on sport management by analyzing the gender quota established in 2014 in Spain on boards of national sport federations (of at least three women or 33% of board members). Drawing on published and on-line documents and eighty-six interviews of female and male federation board members, I find that the Spanish gender quota increased the proportion of women board members (but not the proportion of women federation presidents). Economic sanctions for non-compliance made the quota effective. The quota had the effect within federations of making gender inequality more visible. Thus, this research concludes that gender quotas have substantial consequences for sport management other than the numerical increment of women managers.
Effects of controlled breeding on cervicovaginal mucus and fertility of the merino ewe

Maddison, JW, Rickard, JP, Bathgate, R, Druart, X & de Graaf, SP 2014, 'Changes to ovine cervical mucus induced by the oestrous cycle, oestrus synchronisation and superovulation', Proceedings of the 18 Annual Conference of the European Society for Domestic Animal
Cyclic response of monopile-supported offshore wind turbines under wind and wave loading in sand

Abstract Monopiles are popular solutions as the foundation to support offshore wind turbines (OWTs), which suffer from various amplitudes of continuous lateral cyclic wind and wave loading. The accumulation of tilt and change of the natural frequency of OWTs under cyclic loading have become crucial issues for OWT design. Hence the monopile-tower-soil system was established at the small-scale level based on similarity laws with a suit of constant-amplitude and multi-amplitude tests in dense sand. Two sets of gear-driving assembly were successfully set up to achieve the application of cyclic loading to the model OWT. The amplitude and symmetry of cyclic loading were specified as three indicative regions according to those of real wind farms. On the basis of test results, the two-way loading was found to be the most hazardous situation and the preloading condition led to a high accumulation of tilt. The change of natural frequency was controlled by the load magnitude and tended to increase during cyclic loads, while a sharp decrease was observed when sand subsidence was generated. The post-cyclic lateral capacity seemed to be a slight increase compared with the static capacity. The relevant analyses based on test results can provide practical recommendations for OWT design.
Effect of organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides on the expression of GSTs from Tenebrio molitor pupae

Abstract In the present study we report on the effects of organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides on the kinetic properties as well as the isoenzymic profile of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme system from the pupae stage of the insect Tenebrio molitor. Injection of insecticides into the pupae body had little effect on the kinetic properties of the unpurified enzyme of the surviving insects. Pricking the insects' body wall with a syringe needle without injecting any insecticide caused a decrease of the KmGSH and VmaxGSH values of the enzyme by threefold. Surprisingly, such a reduction was not observed when insecticide was injected at the same time. Chromatofocusing revealed that injury alone caused a dramatic decrease in the activity of the alkaline isoenzyme (I), which was not evident when an insecticide was simultaneously injected. According to our results, the alterations of the kinetic characteristics of the unpurified enzyme, observed after injury, are due to an alteration of the isoenzymic profile. Also, injection of a high dose of insecticide results in an increase in the activity of the alkaline isoenzyme, selectively, altering therefore the GST isoenzymic profile of the insect. Our findings may offer an explanation for the controversy that exists in the literature concerning the existence of differences in the kinetic characteristics of the GST enzyme family, between resistant and susceptible insect strains, or before and after treatment with various insecticides.
Efficacy of whole cell vaccine Aeromonas hydrophila on catfish broodstock and it’s offspring resistance againt motile aeromonad septicemia (MAS)

ABSTRACT Transfer of maternal immunity by mean of passive immunization is a way to provide protection and durability of antibodies on the offspring. The purpose of this research was to analize effication of Aeromonas hydrophila vaccine on the catfish broodstock to maternal transfer of immunity, and offspring resistance. The average body weight of broodstock used in this study were 650±50 g were kept in pool tarps sized 2×1×0.5 m3. This study used a randomized complete design with two treatments and three replications. Female broodstock were vaccinated using intraperitonial injections at a dose 0.4 mL/kg and control fish were injected with phospate buffered saline (PBS). The observed parameters include hematology of broodstock, mortality, the relative survival rate, and antibody titers. Antibody titer measurements on broodstock, eggs, and offspring. Vaccination on broodstock catfish delivers a significant antibody level (P<0.05) on offspring compared to control catfish with relative survival rate of offspring at 5, 10, and 15 days after hatching were 67.76%, 82.66%, and 71.66% respectively. Keywords: catfish, Aeromonas hydrophila , vaccination, antibody transfer ABSTRAK Transfer kekebalan dari induk kepada benih melalui imunisasi pasif merupakan salah satu cara untuk memberikan proteksi pada benih. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menguji efikasi vaksin sel utuh Aeromonas hydrophila pada induk ikan nila dalam mentransfer kekebalan spesifik ke benih dan menguji ketahanan benih hasil pemijahan induk yang divaksin. Induk lele yang digunakan pada penelitian ini memiliki bobot rata-rata 650±50 g dipelihara di kolam terpal berukuran 2×1×0,5 m3. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap dengan dua perlakuan dan tiga ulangan. Induk betina lele divaksinasi secara intraperitonial dengan dosis 0,4 mL/kg ikan dan induk lele kontrol disuntik dengan phospate buffer saline (PBS). Parameter yang diamati meliputi hematologi induk, mortalitas, tingkat kelangsungan hidup relatif benih, dan titer antibodi. Vaksinasi induk lele memberikan hasil level antibodi yang signifikan (P<0,05) pada induk, telur, dan benih lele dibandingkan perlakuan kontrol dengan tingkat kelangsungan hidup relatif benih umur 5, 10, dan 15 hari pacatetas masing-masing sebesar 67,76; 82,66%; dan 71,66%. Kata kunci: ikan lele, Aeromonas hydrophila , vaksinasi, transfer antibodi
Healthcare professionals' and patients' perceptions of teamwork and collaboration at tertiary hospital in Oman

Summary: Participants will get an overview about the healthcare professionals' and patients' perceptions of teamwork and collaboration at tertiary hospital in Oman. The response rate was 92%, 70% and 73% for nurses, physicians and patients respectively. This study indicated that collaboration from different perspectives stands in an excellent level. References: • Kvist, T. , Mantynen, R. , Turenen, H. , Partanen, P., Miettinen, M. , Wolf, G. , & Vehvilainen-Julkunen, K. (2013). How magnetic are Finnish hospitals measured by transformational leadership and empirical quality outcomes? Journal of Nursing Management, 21, 152-164. • Lazarte, F. (2016). Core Competencies of Beginning Staff Nurses: A Basic Staff Development Training Program. Journal of Advanced Management Science, 4(2), 98105. • Voutilainen, A. , Pitkaaho, T. , Kvist, T. , & Vehvilainen-Julkunen, K. (2015). How to ask about patient satisfaction? The visual analogue scale is less vulnerable to confounding factors and ceiling effect than a symmetric Likert scale. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 946-957. • Karlstedt, M. , Wadensten, B. , Fagerberg, I. , & Poder, U. (2015). Is the competence of Swedish Registered Nurses working in municipal care of older people merely a question of age and postgraduate education? Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 29(2), 307–316. • Goh, M. L. , Ang, E. N. , Chan, Y. H. , He, H. G. , & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K. (2015. Psychometric testing of the Revised Humane Caring Scale for adult patients in Singapore. Nursing and Health Sciences, 17(3), 370-376. First Primary Presenting Author Primary Presenting Author Fatma Al Jabri, MSc, RN University of Eastern Finland Department of Nursing Science PhD candidate Kuopio Finland Author Summary: Ms. Fatma Al Jabri is a PhD candidate at University of Eastern Finland under supervision of Prof. Hannele and Prof. Tarja. Beside this, she is giving lectures as a part time. She published 4 scientific papers in international conferences. She is an active research member across sultanate of Oman and international. she got an outstanding in her work performance and research development. Second Secondary Presenting Author Corresponding Secondary Presenting Author Tarja Kvist, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN University of Eastern Finland Department of Nursing Science Associate Professor
The impact of leadership styles on employee commitment in Madda Walabu University

Effective leaders are able to contribute directly by enabling competent and committed employees through encouraging them to perform well. Studies in the area of organizational behavior literatures have indicated that among the major factors affecting organizational success and failure are leadership styles and employee commitment. The aim of this paper was to examine the impact of leadership styles on academic staffs’ commitments in Madda Walabu University (MWU). The total academic staffs in the two campuses (Robe and Goba) were 914. The sample of the study consists of 231 persons, included 209 academic staffs and 22 leaders. Two separate instruments namely, multifactor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) and organizational commitment questionnaire (OCQ), were used to measure the impact of leadership styles on employees’ organizational commitment respectively. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. There is a significant positive relationship between transformational leadership behavior and organizational commitments. There is weak, but positive and significant relationship between transactional leadership style with continuance commitment and normative commitment, and there is no relationship for transactional leadership style with affective commitment. Significant and positive correlation exists between laissez-faire leadership style and continuance commitment, but insignificant and negative relation with weak correlation between laissez-faire leadership style and affective commitment; however, the one that does not have any statistically significant correlation of normative commitment with laissez-faire leadership style. Key words: Leadership styles, employee commitment, MWU.
Retinal Vessel Segmentation Under Extreme Low Annotation: A Gan Based Semi-Supervised Approach

Contemporary deep learning based medical image segmentation algorithms require hours of annotation labor by domain experts. These data hungry deep models perform sub-optimally in the presence of limited amount of labeled data. In this paper, we present a data efficient learning framework using the recent concept of Generative Adversarial Networks; this allows a deep neural network to perform significantly better than its fully supervised counterpart in low annotation regime. The proposed method is an extension of our previous work with the addition of a new unsupervised adversarial loss and a structured prediction based architecture. Though generic, we demonstrate the efficacy of our approach for retinal blood vessels segmentation from fundus images on DRIVE and STARE datasets. We experiment with extreme low annotation budget and we show, that under this constrained data setting, the proposed method outperforms our previous method and other fully supervised benchmark models. In addition, our systematic ablation studies suggest some key observations for successfully training GAN based semi-supervised algorithms with an encoder-decoder style network architecture.
Multiple sclerosis and pregnancy- treatment considerations

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which, due to the destruction of the fibres of the central nervous system in the process of demyelination, leads to numerous neurological symptoms and progressive disability. The disease is autoimmune, which means that myelin is destroyed by the patient’s own cells, caused by improper functionong and regulation of the immune system. Multiple sclerosis affects more and more people and is therefore a significant clinical problem which, to a large Entent, affects women, especially in childbearing age This presents a big challenge for carrying out pregnancy while continuing the therapy, ensuring the safety of the foetus and simultaneously achieving the best possible therapeutic effect. The decision whether the therapy should be continued or whether it should be eliminatedis usually made according to assessment of the possible gains and losse. Despite the lack of clear indications, there are many studies proving the relative safety of the use of individual but not all the drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy, however, has a fairly good impact on the development of multiple sclerosis, and that safety considerations, especially those concerning the growing foetus, force a decision to change or completely suspend the therapy. In-depth research on the already available and emerging therapeutic pathways in multiple sclerosis bring hope for increasingly better results in the future in the treatment of pregnant patients with multiple sclerosis.
Forensic DNA Phenotyping: A Review in Korean Perspective

Current society understands the importance and capability of forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP), as a promising technique for supplementary investigative tool when the unknown short term repeat (STR) profile from person of interest fails to match anyone from DNA database [1,2]. In cases like these, FDP technique utilizes particular human externally visible characteristics (EVC) to deduce not only the physical appearance but also to estimate biological ages and even certain behavioral characteristics, such as smoking and alcohol consumption behaviors [1-4]. As FDP shows potential for its forensic operability by assuring reliable prediction results, Europe and America have already developed or in the process of developing prediction models, managing FDP as one of the investigative methods. Though Korea, as other Asian countries, is actively conducting researches regarding human EVCs, there are technological and administrative limitations for implementing such technique in Korea; further assessments and careful considerations are needed regarding the various aspects for introducing EVC Korean J Leg Med 2017;41:23-31 https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2017. 41.2. 23