Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat Suitability Modeling to Identify the Potential Nursery Grounds of the Atlantic Mackerel and Its Relation to Oceanographic Conditions in the Mediterranean Sea

Our knowledge for the distribution of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in the Mediterranean Sea is very limited and fragmented. In the current work habitat suitability modelling was applied to summer acoustic surveys data of Atlantic mackerel juveniles derived from the north part of the Mediterranean (i.e. acoustic data from the Gulf of Lions, pelagic trawls held during acoustic surveys in Spanish Mediterranean waters, south Adriatic Sea, Strait of Sicily and North Aegean Sea) using generalized additive models along with satellite environmental and bathymetry data. Bathymetry along with sea surface temperature and circulation patterns, expressed through sea level anomaly and the zonal component of the absolute geostrophic velocity, were the variables found important. The selected model was used to produce maps presenting the potential nursery grounds of Atlantic mackerel throughout the Mediterranean Sea as a measure of habitat adequacy. However, the assessed potential nursery grounds were generally marked as “occasional”, implying that although there are areas presenting high probability to encounter Atlantic mackerel, this picture can largely vary from year to year stressing the high susceptibility of the species to environmental conditions. In a further step and towards a spatial management perspective, we have estimated and visualized the overlap between Atlantic mackerel and anchovy/ sardine juvenile grounds throughout the basin. Results showed that although the degree of overlapping was generally low, not exceeding 15 % in general, this varied at a regional level going up to 30%. The potential of the output of this work for management purposes like the implementation of spatially-explicit management tools is discussed.
Prevalence and predictors of antiretroviral drug resistance in newly diagnosed HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVES To determine prevalence and predictors of antiretroviral drug resistance in newly diagnosed individuals with HIV-1 infection, using a systematic approach to avoid selection bias. METHODS Plasma samples from all persons diagnosed HIV-1 seropositive at a large London centre between April 2004 and February 2006 underwent sequencing of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease genes. Subtype was assigned by phylogenetic analysis. Resistance was scored according to the IAS-USA list (2005) modified to include T215revertants and exclude isolated E44D or V118I and minor protease mutations. Recent seroconversion was identified by HIV antibody avidity testing. RESULTS The cohort of 239 included 169 (70.7%) males, 126 (52.7%) homosexuals, 118 (49.5%) persons of white ethnicity and 144 (60.0%) persons born outside the UK. Subtypes included B 134 (56.1%), C 46 (19.2%), A 17 (7.1%), other non-B 42 (17.6%). The prevalence of resistance mutations was 17/239 (7.1%; 95% confidence interval 4.5-11.1%), comprising 10/239 (4.2%) nucleoside/nucleotide RT inhibitor (NRTI); 4/239 (1.7%) non-nucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI) and 4/239 (1.7%) protease inhibitor (PI) associated mutations. Dual-class (NRTI + PI) resistance mutations were detected in 1/239 (0.4%) person. The prevalence of resistance mutations was 7/85 (8.2%) and 10/154 (6.5%) in persons with recent and established infection, respectively. In multivariate analysis, having been born in the UK and high CD4 count, but not gender, age, risk group, ethnicity or subtype, were independent predictors of resistance. CONCLUSIONS In an unselected UK cohort, subtypes other than B accounted for 43.9% of new HIV-1 diagnoses. The prevalence of resistance mutations was 7.1% and highest in those born in the UK.
The study on feature selection strategy in EMG signal recognition

In this paper, the wavelet package-based feature extraction method is utilized to get the discriminative feature set. Furthermore, two categories of feature selection mechanisms, i.e., filter-based and wrapper-based feature selection, are introduced. As the classic representatives, the rough set and principal component analysis techniques are subject to the filter-based feature selection mechanism while the sequential forward search and backward elimination techniques are subject to the wrapper-based mechanism. All the four techniques are employed to refine the full feature set and the comparison result is analyzed with the adoption of support-vector-machine classifier. Experiments show that considering the classification accuracy and time consumption, the wavelet package-rough set is an advisable feature extraction and reduction method for the electromyographic (EMG) signals.
Preschoolers’ Technology-Assessed Physical Activity and Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Study

Early childhood is a critical period for development of cognitive function, but research on the association between physical activity and cognitive function in preschool children is limited and inconclusive. This study aimed to examine the association between technology-assessed physical activity and cognitive function in preschool children. A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Physical Activity and Cognitive Development Study was conducted in Shanghai, China. Physical activity was measured with accelerometers for 7 consecutive days, and cognitive functions were assessed using the Chinese version of Wechsler Young Children Scale of Intelligence (C-WYCSI). Linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between physical activity and cognitive function. A total of 260 preschool children (boys, 144; girls, 116; mean age: 57.2 ± 5.4 months) were included in analyses for this study. After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that Verbal Intelligence Quotient, Performance Intelligence Quotient, and Full Intelligence Quotient were significantly correlated with light physical activity, not moderate to vigorous physical activity, in boys. Standardized coefficients were 0.211, 0.218, and 0.242 (all p < 0.05) in three different models, respectively. However, the correlation between physical activity and cognitive functions were not significant in girls (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that cognitive function is apparently associated with light physical activity in boys. Further studies are required to clarify the sex-specific effect on physical activity and cognitive functions.
Fully gapped d-wave superconductivity in CeCu2Si2

Significance Identifying the gap structure of superconductors is vital for understanding the underlying pairing mechanism of the Cooper pairs. The first heavy fermion superconductor to be discovered, CeCu2Si2, was thought to be a d-wave superconductor with gap nodes, until recent specific heat measurements provided evidence that the gap is fully open across the Fermi surface. We propose a resolution to this puzzle from measurements of the London penetration depth, which give further evidence for fully gapped superconductivity. We analyze the data using a d-wave band-mixing pairing model, which leads to a fully open superconducting gap. Our model accounts well for the penetration depth and specific heat data, while reconciling the nodeless and sign-changing nature of the gap function. The nature of the pairing symmetry of the first heavy fermion superconductor CeCu2Si2 has recently become the subject of controversy. While CeCu2Si2 was generally believed to be a d-wave superconductor, recent low-temperature specific heat measurements showed evidence for fully gapped superconductivity, contrary to the nodal behavior inferred from earlier results. Here, we report London penetration depth measurements, which also reveal fully gapped behavior at very low temperatures. To explain these seemingly conflicting results, we propose a fully gapped d+d band-mixing pairing state for CeCu2Si2, which yields very good fits to both the superfluid density and specific heat, as well as accounting for a sign change of the superconducting order parameter, as previously concluded from inelastic neutron scattering results.
Nucleotide sequence and molecular characterization of pnlA, the structural gene for damage-inducible pectin lyase of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 71

In a previous study, pnlA (the DNA damage-inducible structural gene for pectin lyase) of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 71 was localized to a 1.4-kb DNA segment within a 3.4-kb EcoRI fragment (J. L. McEvoy, H. Murata, and A. K. Chatterjee, J. Bacteriol. 172:3284-3289, 1990). We present here DNA sequence data for a 2.2-kb region revealing an open reading frame of 870 bases, corresponding to a protein (Pnl) of an approximate molecular mass of 32,100 Da and an isoelectric point of 9.92. Although initiation of translation is presumed to occur at the ATG codon, direct protein sequencing revealed alanine as the N-terminal amino acid, probably as a consequence of posttranslational removal of the initiating amino acid. The sequence of the first 20 amino acid residues of Pnl, purified from E. carotovora subsp. carotovora 71, agreed completely with the predicted amino acid sequence of the N-terminal segment. This finding also indicated that Pnl is not subject to processing by a signal peptidase. The transcriptional start site of pnlA was determined to reside 80 bp upstream of the translational start site. Deletion analysis revealed that 218 bp of DNA upstream of the transcriptional start site is sufficient for induction of pnlA by mitomycin C. Within 600 bp upstream of the translational start site, no sequences resembling a LexA binding site (SOS box) or a cyclic AMP receptor protein binding site were found. However, palindromic sequences were detected at -187 and -86 bp relative to the translational start site, and these could be potential sites for the binding of a regulatory protein(s). Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence for PnlA with that of a Pnl from Aspergillus niger and with those of various pectate lyases of Erwinia species revealed a low degree of homology dispersed throughout the length of the proteins.
Detection and localization of multiple short range targets using FMCW radar signal

In this paper, a 24 GHz frequency-modulated continuous wave radar is used to detect and localize both stationary and moving targets. Depending on the application, the implemented software offers different modes of operation. For example, it can simply output raw data samples for advanced offline processing or directly carry out a two dimensional fast Fourier transform to estimate the location and velocity of multiple targets. To suppress clutter and detect only moving targets, two methods based on the background reduction and the slow time processing techniques are implemented. A trade-off between the two methods is presented based on their performance and the required processing time.
Lean e-integration for development: the case of the national licensing center in Albania

E-government services have transformed public services for citizens and organizations. Yet, the challenge remains to integrate the increasing number of projects and systems not only according to budgetary or political agendas, but based on what end-users expect from the new services. This study analyzes how lean management referring to increased value and reduction of waste could be applied to e-integration reforms for development. The findings are based on the new National Licensing Center in Albania, a developing country in South-East Europe. They suggest that integrated change takes time and there is significant resistance from old practices and structures, regardless of the information technology solutions. One-stop-shop agencies have the potential to enact lean management in practice by providing more standardized and efficient services for end-users. However, continuous improvements for integrated services require more attention than temporary projects for sustainable development.
Multichannel Wavelength Conversion Using Fourth-Order Soliton Decay

In this paper, we present the decaying behavior of a fourth-order temporal soliton, which propagates through optical fibers with various dispersion profiles, using the symmetrized split-step Fourier method. We use these behaviors to design two types of 1 times 4 and on 1 times 5 channel wavelength converters using three different types of dispersion profiles along the optical fibers. We also demonstrate that under certain conditions one can use one of the 1 times 4 converters for a pulse train with duration of 30 ps.
Institutional Challenges for National Groundwater Governance: Policies and Issues

Understanding the issues surrounding groundwater governance is a precondition for developing policy recommendations for both national and transboundary groundwater governance. This review discusses groundwater attributes relevant to the design of governance systems and provides a systematic review of current national groundwater governance differentiated by various policy instruments. The synthesis of both resource system characteristics and experience with policy instruments allows us to conceptualize institutional aspects of groundwater governance. This leads to six institutional aspects: (1) voluntary compliance; (2) tradition and mental models; (3) administrative responsibility and bureaucratic inertia; (4) conflict resolution mechanisms; (5) political economy; and (6) information deficits. Each of these issues embodies institutional challenges for national and international policy implementation.
Expression of cyanobacterial FBP/SBPase in soybean prevents yield depression under future climate conditions

Predictions suggest that current crop production needs to double by 2050 to meet global food and energy demands. Based on theory and experimental studies, overexpression of the photosynthetic enzyme sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase) is expected to enhance C3 crop photosynthesis and yields. Here we test how expression of the cyanobacterial, bifunctional fructose-1,6/sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (FBP/SBPase) affects carbon assimilation and seed yield (SY) in a major crop (soybean, Glycine max). For three growing seasons, wild-type (WT) and FBP/SBPase-expressing (FS) plants were grown in the field under ambient (400 μmol mol-1) and elevated (600 μmol mol-1) CO2 concentrations [CO2] and under ambient and elevated temperatures (+2.7 °C during daytime, +3.4 °C at night) at the SoyFACE research site. Across treatments, FS plants had significantly higher carbon assimilation (4-14%), V c,max (5-8%), and J max (4-8%). Under ambient [CO2], elevated temperature led to significant reductions of SY of both genotypes by 19-31%. However, under elevated [CO2] and elevated temperature, FS plants maintained SY levels, while the WT showed significant reductions between 11% and 22% compared with plants under elevated [CO2] alone. These results show that the manipulation of the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle can mitigate the effects of future high CO2 and high temperature environments on soybean yield.
Validation of an ingestible temperature data logging and telemetry system during exercise in the heat

ABSTRACT Aim: Intestinal temperature telemetry systems are promising monitoring and research tools in athletes. However, the additional equipment that must be carried to continuously record temperature data limits their use to training. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of a new gastrointestinal temperature data logging and telemetry system (e-Celsius™) during water bath experimentation and exercise trials. Materials and Methods: Temperature readings of 23 pairs of e-Celsius (TeC) and VitalSense (TVS) ingestible capsules were compared to rectal thermistor responses (Trec) at 35, 38.5 and 42°C in a water bath. Devices were also assessed in vivo during steady-state cycling (n = 11) and intermittent running (n = 11) in hot conditions. Results: The water bath experiment showed TVS and TeC under-reported Trec (P<0.001). This underestimation of Trec also occurred during both cycling (mean bias vs TVS: 0.21°C, ICC: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.66–0.91; mean bias vs. TeC: 0.44°C, ICC: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.07–0.86, P<0.05) and running trials (mean bias vs. TVS: 0.15°C, ICC: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.83–0.96; mean bias vs. TeC: 0.25, ICC: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.61–0.94, P<0.05). However, calibrating the devices attenuated this difference during cycling and eliminated it during running. During recovery following cycling exercise, TeC and TVS were significantly lower than Trec despite calibration (P<0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that both TeC and TVS under-report Trec during steady-state and intermittent exercise in the heat, with TeC predicting Trec with the least accuracy of the telemetry devices. It is therefore recommended to calibrate these devices at multiple temperatures prior to use.
Doing education policy enactment research in a minor key

ABSTRACT This article discusses ‘minor key research’ and doing this kind of research as ‘response-ability’. We explore the possibilities that education policy enactment research might hold for theorising and doing research, not just for work on ‘how schools do policy’, but also for how researchers do policy research with schools. A methodological question is raised here by us with respect to what researchers might ‘do’ in schools and other policy locations (such as when working with bureaucrats or politicians). We also discuss our researcher responsibility with respect to such work, and we have attempted to respond to the questions: ‘Is there an alternative for the current regime of accountability? Are there ways to resist and intervene in the current culture of accountability? ’ In the first section, we focus on minor key research, and in the second section we discuss doing minor key research as ‘response-ability’.
The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri)

Abstract The emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest living species of penguin. Herein, we first reported the complete mitochondrial genome of emperor penguin. The mitochondrial genome is a circular molecule of 17 301 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA, and one control region. To verify the accuracy and the utility of new determined mitogenome sequences, we constructed the species phylogenetic tree of emperor penguin together with 10 other closely species. This is the second complete mitochondrial genome of penguin, and this is going to be an important data to study mitochondrial evolution of birds.
Evolutionary History of the Enzymes Involved in the Calvin–Benson Cycle in Euglenids

Euglenids are an ancient lineage that may have existed as early as 2 billion years ago. A mere 65 years ago, Melvin Calvin and Andrew A. Benson performed experiments on Euglena gracilis and elucidated the series of reactions by which carbon was fixed and reduced during photosynthesis. However, the evolutionary history of this pathway (Calvin–Benson cycle) in euglenids was more complex than Calvin and Benson could have imagined. The chloroplast present today in euglenophytes arose from a secondary endosymbiosis between a phagotrophic euglenid and a prasinophyte green alga. A long period of evolutionary time existed before this secondary endosymbiotic event took place, which allowed for other endosymbiotic events or gene transfers to occur prior to the establishment of the green chloroplast. This research revealed the evolutionary history of the major enzymes of the Calvin–Benson cycle throughout the euglenid lineage and showed that the majority of genes for Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes shared an ancestry with red algae and/or chromophytes suggesting they may have been transferred to the nucleus prior to the acquisition of the green chloroplast.
Divorce from Arranged Marriages: An Exploration of Lived Experiences

ABSTRACT Divorce in virtually every culture is a private affair and thus not easily discussed in public. In the Arabian Gulf, because of the shame associated with deep religious, traditional, and gendered views of marriage, divorce is extremely secretive and has therefore been rarely studied. This article explores the lived experiences of 21 Arab Muslims from the United Arab Emirates who were in traditional arranged marriages and have divorced. Ten Emirati women and 11 Emirati men were interviewed using phenomenology to guide an inductive exploration. Nine themes emerged from the interviews. Five were shared across genders and 2 themes were specific to 1 gender. The first 4 might be called universal themes as they show up consistently in literature from both the East and the West. The rest appear to be more culturally specific.
Stress‐Induced Activation of Apoptosis Signal‐Regulating Kinase 1 Promotes Osteoarthritis

Apoptosis signal‐regulated kinase 1 (ASK1) has been shown to affect a wide range of cellular processes including stress‐related responses, cytokine and growth factor signaling, cell cycle and cell death. Recently, we reported that lack of ASK1 slowed chondrocyte hypertrophy, terminal differentiation and apoptosis resulting in an increase in trabecular bone formation. Herein, we investigated the role of ASK1 in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Immunohistochemistry performed on articular cartilage samples from patients with OA showed ASK1 expression increased with OA severity. In vitro analysis of chondrocyte hypertrophy, maturation and ASK1 signaling in embryonic fibroblasts from ASK1 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice was examined. Western analysis demonstrated an increase in ASK1 signaling commensurate with chondrogenic maturation during differentiation or in response to stress by the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin 1 beta in WT, but not in ASK1 KO embryonic fibroblasts. Surgically induced moderate or severe OA or OA due to natural aging in WT and ASK1 KO mice was assessed by microCT of subchondral bone, immunohistochemistry, histology, and OARSI scoring. Immunohistochemistry, microCT and OARSI scoring all indicated that the lack of ASK1 protected against OA joint degeneration, both in surgically induced OA and in aging mice. We propose that the ASK1 MAP kinase signaling cascade is an important regulator of chondrocyte terminal differentiation and inhibitors of this pathway could be useful for slowing chondrocyte maturation and cell death observed with OA progression. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 944–953, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting recovery in patients with acute low back pain: A Clinical Prediction Model

There is substantial variability in the prognosis of acute low back pain (LBP). The ability to identify the probability of individual patients recovering by key time points would be valuable in making informed decisions about the amount and type of treatment to provide. Predicting recovery based on presentation 1‐week after initially seeking care is clinically important and may be more accurate than predictions made at initial presentation. The aim of this study was to predict the probability of recovery at 1‐week, 1‐month and 3‐months after 1‐week review in patients who still have LBP 1‐week after initially seeking care.