Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Distinct Geographical Populations of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus ( Olivier ) ( Coleoptera : Curculionidae ) in Pakistan

The morphological identification using diagnostic morphological keys need tedious procedure of microscopic examination of male genital structures of adults and also require preparation of sample or specimens. Molecular identification and characterization for invasive insect pest based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and Inter transcribed spacer (ITS) is very important for correct identification. Red Palm Weevil (RPW) (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is an invasive palm pest and its mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and Inter transcribed spacer (ITS) based identification and genetic variation is very important because of its high polymorphism and existence of different Rhynchophorus spp. Here, for the first time, based on both COI and ITS primers, we have identified and characterized Red Palm Weevil (RPW) (R. ferrugineus) collected from four Provinces (KPK, Baluchistan, Sindh and Punjab) of Pakistan. The genetic analysis of various geographical population of Red Palm Weevil (RPW) (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) was carried out through PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotides sequence done by framing maximum likelihood trees using MEGA6 indicated that there were no genetic variations among our R. ferrugineus strains showing 99-100% among themselves while in association with other Rhynchophorus strains reported from KSA, UAE, Greece and USA exposed 97 to 99% homology. Further, RPW population collected from 4 provinces of Pakistan shared 84, 85 and 87% homology for R. palmarum, R. vulneratus and R. cruentatus respectively. While, the evolutionary genetic divergence of our R. ferrugineus strains RPW1 (Acc. no: KY458178), RPW3 (Acc. no: KY458179) and RPW4 (Acc. no: KY458180) with other R. ferrugineus strains of other countries ranged 2-10 indicating maximum similarity index. We found value greater than 10 of evolutionary divergence for strains other than R. ferrugineus reported from other countries. This is the first evidence of R. ferrugineus widely occurrence, and its molecular identification and characterization from four provinces of Pakistan. This study will help us to develop species specific R. ferrugineus control measures. © 2018 Friends Science Publishers
Agile Practices: An Assessment of Perception of Value of Professionals on the Quality Criteria in Performance of Projects

Deliver high quality software in accordance with deadlines has become a major challenge for the software industry and more organizations adopt agile practices as a mean to achieve quality in their products. This paper analyzes, through a survey, the perception of software professionals, working in different fronts of the development process, the relationship between the use of agile practices and quality of software products. The result shows agile practices that can contribute to quality in three aspects: bigger involvement of the staff, agile management of the requirements proposed and code developed.
Comparison of physiological and biochemical responses of wheat and barley to Selenium by spraying application under rain fed conditions.

This study investigated the effect of two forms of Se at three rates (0, 18, and 36 g/ha) on wheat and barley under rain fed conditions. Results showed that spraying application of 18 g/ha Se increased Chl a and Chl a+b contents while the selenium rate 36 g/ha decreased plant pigments. Evaluations of Chl a, Chl b, chlorophyll total a+b, carotenoids, chlorophyll total content, relative water content, and grain yield were higher in barley than in wheat. Foliar applications of selenate and selenite increased relative water content and decreased electrolyte leakage and MDA content in both plants but applying only Se increased catalase activity. The effect of sodium selenate on catalase activity was more than that of sodium selenite in both barley and wheat. Treatments had no significant effect on the glutathione content. In the plants treated with foliar application of 18 g/ha Se, grain yield increased by 6.3% compared with the control. It was concluded that foliar application of 18 g/ha sodium selenate or sodium selenite presents a good antioxidant chemical for improved physiological and biochemical characteristics for both wheat and barley grain yield under semi-arid or arid conditions.
Spillover Effects of Environmental Regulation for Sea Turtle Protection in the Hawaii Longline Swordfish Fishery

ABSTRACT This study examines spillover effects resulting from US fishing regulations instituted to protect sea turtles. Sea turtles, along with US and foreign fisheries for swordfish co-occur on the high seas in the North and Central Pacific and that allows for “spillover effects. ” When one fishery is required to curtail fishing activity to reduce incidental fishing mortality on sea turtle populations, the activity of other, unregulated fleets may change in ways that adversely affect the very species intended for protection. This study provides an empirical model that estimates these “spillover effects” on sea turtle bycatch resulting from production displacement between regulated US and less-regulated non-US fleets in the North and Central Pacific Ocean. The study demonstrates strong spillover effects, resulting in more sea turtle interaction due to increased foreign fleet activity when Hawaii swordfish production declines. JEL Codes: Q51, Q58, Q5.
A social work study on the effects of self-esteem games on elementary female self-esteem

Researchers and clinicians from many disciplines are interested in learning more about the effects of self-esteem. Self-esteem affects motivation, functional behavior, and life satisfaction, and it is associated with well-being throughout life, significantly. What individuals choose to do and the way they do it in part may depend on their selfesteem and it can also fulfill the aims of mental health. This paper presents an investigation to determine the effect of play on children’s self-esteem and surveys appropriate interventions in this area. This study was semi experimental and the sample was 3 rd grade elementary students who were randomly assigned into control (n=15) and experimental (n=15) groups. The instrument was Rosenberg self-esteem scale [Rosenberg, M. (1965). Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Measures Package, 61. ]. Independent variable was 12 group sessions of self-esteem games executed among experimental group. Data was analyzed with univariate analysis of covariance. Results showed that self-esteem games in α ≤ 0.05 were affected on self-esteem of children. Self-esteem game can be effective intervention for children self-esteem that with them control of factors such as time and children interactions with parent and teachers in future investigations could lead to greater confidence in its effectiveness discussed.
Amplification and posttranslational modification study of manganese superoxide dismutase gene in Sordaria fimicola

Manganese Superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is an important enzyme which is present in all organisms like plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. It protects the cells from oxidative damage. In this manuscript, we have amplified gene encoding MnSOD enzyme from four strains of Sordaria fimicola collected from the Evolution Canyon-1. Point mutations on 264 (G) and 330 (T) in S1 and S2 strains were observed. Post translational modifications (PTMs) of MnSOD were predicted and compared with the reference sequences of Neurospora crassa and Sordaria macrospora by using different PTMs predictor servers. Phosphorylation and glycosylation in S. fimicola as well as S. macrospora and N. crassa was calculated on Serine (S), Tyrosine (Y) and Threonine (T) residues by NetPhos and YinOYang. No acetylation was predicted in S. fimicola however, it was observed on different lysine residues of S. macrospora and N. crassa by PAIL. © 2018 Friends Science Publishers
NANOSILICA-MODIFIED EPOXY RESINS FOR USE IN LIGHTWEIGHT FILAMENT-WOUND DRIVE SHAFT APPLICATIONS

This paper explores and illustrates the enhanced properties of filament wound carbon-fiber tubes resulting from significantly increased matrix stiffness. Properties for a high modulus nanosilica-modified matrix resin (3MTM Matrix Resin 4833 (1)) and unfilled control resin were measured. Filament winding was used to create carbon fiber composite tubes using the resins. The axial and hoop stiffness of the tubes were measured and compared to theory. Lightweight driveshaft structures are featured through the application of the nanosilica resin technology.
FINAL VERSION Are trees able to grow in periods with shrunken stems ?

 Separating continuously measured stem radius (SR) fluctuations into growthinduced irreversible stem expansion (GRO) and tree water deficit-induced reversible stem shrinkage (TWD) requires a concept to decide on potential growth processes during periods of shrinking and expanding SR below a precedent maximum. Here we investigated two physiological concepts: the linear growth (LG) concept assuming linear growth vs. the zero growth (ZG) concept assuming no growth during periods of shrunken stems.  We evaluated the physiological mechanisms underlying these two concepts and assessed the respective plausibility with SR data obtained from 15 deciduous and evergreen trees.  The LG concept showed steady growth rates, whereas the ZG concept showed strongly varying growth rates over time, more in accordance with mechanistic expectations. Further, growth increased for maximally 120 min after periods of shrunken stems, indicating limited growth activity during that period. However, the fraction of this extra growth was found to be small. Furthermore, TWD of the ZG concept was better explained by a hydraulic plant model than TWD of the LG concept.  We conclude that periods of shrunken stems allow for very little growth in the four tree species investigated. However, further studies should focus on obtaining independent growth data to ultimately validate these findings.
A De-Noising Method for Track State Detection Signal Based on EMD

In the track irregularity detection, the acceleration signals of the inertial measurement unit (IMU) output which with low frequency components and noise, this paper studied a de-noising algorithm. Based on the criterion of consecutive mean square error, a de-noising method for IMU acceleration signals based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) was proposed. This method can divide the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) derived from EMD into signal dominant modes and noise dominant modes, then the modes reflecting the important structures of a signal were combined together to form partially reconstructed de-noised signal. Simulations were conducted for simulated signals and a real IMU acceleration signals using this method. Experimental results indicate that this method can efficiently and adaptively remove noise, and this method can better meet the precision requirement.
Targeting autophagy sensitises lung cancer cells to Src family kinase inhibitors

Lung cancer is the main cancer killer in both men and women, mostly due to the rapid development of drug resistant metastatic disease. Here, we evaluate the potential involvement of SRC family kinases (SFK) in lung cancer biology and assess the possible benefits of their inhibition as a therapeutic approach. We demonstrated that various SRC family members, including LYN and LCK, normally expressed solely in hematopoietic cells and neural tissues, are overexpressed and activated in a panel of SCLC and NSCLC cell lines. This was clinically relevant as LYN and FYN are also overexpressed in lung cancer clinical specimens. Moreover, LYN overexpression correlated with decreased patient survival on univariate and multivariate analysis. Dasatinib (BMS-354825), a SRC/ABL inhibitor, effectively blocked SFK activation at nanomolar concentrations which correlated with a significant decrease in cell numbers of multiple lung cancer cell lines. This effect was matched by a decrease in DNA synthesis, but only moderate induction of apoptosis. Indeed, dasatinib as well as PP2, another SFK inhibitor, strongly induced autophagy that likely prevented apoptosis. However, inhibition of this autophagic response induced robust apoptosis and sensitised lung cancer cells to dasatinib in vitro and in vivo. Our results provide an explanation for why dasatinib failed in NSCLC clinical trials. Furthermore, our data suggest that combining SFK inhibitors with autophagy inhibitors could provide a novel therapeutic approach in this disease.
Elemental Composition of Natural Nanoparticles and Fine Colloids in European Forest Stream Waters and Their Role as Phosphorus Carriers

Biogeochemical cycling of elements largely occurs in dissolved state, but many elements may also be bound to natural nanoparticles (NNP, 1–100 nm) and fine colloids (100–450 nm). We examined the hypothesis that the size and composition of stream water NNP and colloids vary systematically across Europe. To test this hypothesis, 96 stream water samples were simultaneously collected in 26 forested headwater catchments along two transects across Europe. Three size fractions (~1–20 nm, >20–60 nm, and >60 nm) of NNP and fine colloids were identified with Field Flow Fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and an organic carbon detector. The results showed that NNP and fine colloids constituted between 2 ± 5% (Si) and 53 ± 21% (Fe; mean ± SD) of total element concentrations, indicating a substantial contribution of particles to element transport in these European streams, especially for P and Fe. The particulate contents of Fe, Al, and organic C were correlated to their total element concentrations, but those of particulate Si, Mn, P, and Ca were not. The fine colloidal fractions >60 nm were dominated by clay minerals across all sites. The resulting element patterns of NNP <60 nm changed from North to South Europe from Fe‐ to Ca‐dominated particles, along with associated changes in acidity, forest type, and dominant lithology.
SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILING: A PANOPTICON OR OMNIOPTICON TOOL?

Online Social Networks and Media indicate and incorporate the shift to interpersonal, horizontal, and mutual communication and, thus, information aggregation. Online content (namely YouTube videos and comments or Tweets) along with online relations (friendships, followings, mentions, comments etc.) may be crawled and utilized for a variety of purposes including user/usage profiling and behavior prediction. In our previous research we have demonstrated that it is possible and even potentially trivial (by utilizing a simple personal computer and a broad-band internet connection) to extract sensitive, personal information such as political beliefs, psychosocial characteristics (narcissism and predisposition towards law enforcement) etc. about social media users in an automated manner via data crawling, data aggregation, machine learning and graph and content analysis of the collected dataset of YouTube and Twitter Open Source Intelligence. Web 2.0 technological features combined with voluntary exposure to an indefinite audience in social media give rise to traditional surveillance as Government is enabled to connect the dots, combine information about political beliefs and every-day activities and generate mass user profiles on the base of identifying patterns. Despite the lack of centralized control over the Internet, its platforms and applications allow multilevel and latent surveillance, thus pose new risks for individuals by forming new power relations and asymmetries. Our research highlights how Web 2.0 and social media (YouTube and Twitter) may become a topos of participatory panopticism , an omniopticon in which the many watch the many, and can re-construct sensitive information out of seemingly anonymous data/content. Individuals may be confronted with social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination risks both in their workplace and in their social environment. In our paper we focus on the results of this type of surveillance which facilitates the exculpation of such penetrating and privacy-violating technologies and amplifies the threshold of societal tolerance towards a panopticon-like state of surveillance.
TAK-242 affects Wallerian degeneration and peripheral nerve regeneration by regulating innate immunity in rats

Objective: The aim of this study is to distinguish whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling is included in Wallerian degeneration (WD) and nerve regeneration or not after peripheral nerve injury. Methods: The rats were assigned into four groups randomly: sham group (n = 10), control group (n = 10), model group (n = 20), and treatment group (n = 20). The rats were treated with TAK-242 (0.15 mg/kg) or saline. TAK-242, a small molecular that inhibit TLR4 signaling was first given to rats intravenously 1 h before nerve injury and followed by daily injections for 7 consecutive days. Animals were sacrificed 1.5 h, 24 h, 3 d, 4 d, or 7 d after surgery. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was adopted to test dynamic mRNA expressions of TIR-domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF), interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to test the expression of CD68+ macrophages and iba1+ Schwann cells in sciatic nerves. Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) staining was applied to test sciatic nerves myelin, and Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted in sciatic nerves tissue to observe the pathological variations. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to test the form of TRIF and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in sciatic nerve, and sciatic function index (SFI) was applied to assess the recovery of motor function in rats. Results: The expressions of TRIF, IL-1β, MCP-1 and recruitments of Schwann cells and macrophages in sciatic nerve of rats were decreased significantly in treatment group compared with model group after peripheral nerve injury. Myelin clearance and axonal regeneration were delayed in treatment group compared with model group. HE staining also indicated a poor organization of repair site in treatment group in distal stump. Finally, the SFI scores of treatment group at each time point (20, 30, and 40 d post-injury) was lower than that of model group. Conclusions: TLR4 signaling might affect myelin phagocytosis and nerve regeneration during WD in rat after peripheral nerve injury via regulating the innate immune response.
Feeding habits of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis, from south-eastern Brazil: new items and a knowledge review

This study presents new information on feeding habits of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis, in south-eastern Brazil, together with new regression equations to evaluate the weight and length of fish from otoliths, showing an overview on the knowledge about this species’ diet in this area. Eighteen stomach contents had been analysed and compared to 180 samples collected in another eight feeding studies. The analysed specimens were either incidentally caught in gillnets used in coastal waters by the fleet based in the Cananéia main harbour (25°00′S 47°55′W), south of São Paulo State, or found dead in inner waters of the Cananéia estuary between 2003 and 2009. Based on the index of relative importance analysis, the most important fish species were the banded croaker, Paralonchurus brasiliensis. Doryteuthis plei was the most representative cephalopod species. Stellifer rastrifer was the most important fish species observed in dolphins in inner estuarine waters and P. brasiliensis in recovered dolphins from coastal waters. Loliguncula brevis is the only cephalopod species reported from dolphins found in inner estuarine waters up to date. Doryteuthis plei was the most important cephalopod species observed in coastal dolphins. When considering other feeding studies, the most representative fish family in the diet of S. guianensis was Sciaenidae, which is mainly represented by demersal fishes. The main preys of S. guianensis are abundant in the studied areas, which may indicate an opportunistic feeding habit. The majority of them are not the most important target species by the commercial fishery in south-eastern Brazil.
NEP of a Swiss subalpine forest is significantly driven not only by current but also by previous year's weather

Understanding the response of forest net ecosys- tem productivity (NEP) to environmental drivers under cli- mate change is highly relevant for predictions of annual for- est carbon (C) flux budgets. Modeling annual forest NEP with soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer models (SVATs), however, remains challenging due to unknown delayed re- sponses to weather of the previous year. In this study, we addressed the influence of previous year's weather on the interannual variability of NEP for a subalpine spruce forest in Switzerland. Analysis of long-term (1997-2011) eddy co- variance measurements showed that the Norway spruce for- est Davos Seehornwald was a consistent sink for atmospheric CO2, sequestering 210± 88 g C m 2 yr 1 on average. Previ- ous year's weather strongly affected interannual variability of NEP, increasing the explained variance in linear models to 53 % compared to 20 % without accounting for previous year's weather. Thus, our results highlight the need to con- sider previous year's weather in modeling annual C budgets of forests. Furthermore, soil temperature in the current year's spring played a major role controlling annual NEP, mainly by influencing gross primary productivity early in the year, with spring NEP accounting for 56 % of annual NEP. Conse- quently, we expect an increase in net CO2 uptake with future climate warming, as long as no other resources become lim- iting.
Experimental results of frequency-based classification of damages in composites

Advances in composite technology led to the substitution of conventional, metallic construction material by composites. However, the more widespread application of composites is currently restricted by complex fracture mechanisms, which are not well understood. One approach to overcome this challenge are Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems, which provide information regarding the current condition in real-time. In this context, reliability assessment of SHM systems is currently an open issue. The reliability of conventional non-destructive testing (NDT) systems is evaluated and measured using widely accepted methods such as the Probability of Detection (POD) rate. Frequently, the a90|95 value, which is determined from POD curves, is used as a performance measure indicating the minimum damage size that is detected with a probability of 90 % and 95 % confidence. In contrast to NDT, SHM involves additional data analysis steps, i.e. statistical pattern recognition, where the classification result is also subject to uncertainty. Because similar methods are not available for SHM systems, the reliability is usually not quantified. In order to investigate influences on the classification performance, experiments were conducted. In particular, the effect of variable loading conditions and the evolution of damage over time are considered. To this end, AE measurements were performed while specimens of composite material were subjected to different cyclic loading patterns. Here, AE refers to elastic stress waves in the ultrasound regime, which emerge from the structure on damage initiation and propagation. Furthermore, a frequency-based damage classification scheme for AE measurements is proposed. Time-frequency domain features are extracted from the measurement signals using Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT). Classification is performed using Support Vector Machine (SVM). Experimental results presented in this paper indicate strong dependence of the classification performance on loading conditions. Due to variability in the results, a direct and reliable relationship could not be established under identical test conditions. Concluding from the experimental results the question raises, which approach is able to provide reliable statements about the actual damage state regarding the measurement devices, filtering, and classification approaches