Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploting the Use of Mixed Pectin-Chitosan Film for the Shelf-life Extension of Tuna Fish Slices

The effects of pectin-chitosan film on shelf life extension of tuna fish fillets during refrigerated storage (4°C) were evaluated over a period of 10 days. Fillet samples were previously treated by immersion in a solution containing 0.5 % ascorbic acid, 50 mM sodium citrate and 2% NaCl at pH 6 and after in edible film. Chemical, biochemical and microbiological assays were carried out to profile variations on fatty acid composition (UFA/SFA, MUFA/SFA and PUFA/SFA), Trimethylamine (TMA) content, protease activity, protein pattern on SDS-PAGE and total bacterial count. The effect of lipid oxidation observed in control fillets as reduction of UFA/SFA, MUFA/SFA and PUFA/SFA ratios was reduced in pectin-chitosan treated tuna slices. Similarly, the amount of TMA per mg of treated sample resulted lower than the controls. Moreover, both microbiological and biochemical analyses provide evidences of an extension of the shelf-life extension of tuna fish slices after pectin-chitosan film deposition. Thus, it could be hypothesized that such procedure could act preserving physical and chemical properties of tuna slice enabling the use of pectin-chitosan film for commercially important fish species.
Trends and controls of terrestrial gross primary productivity of China during 2000–2016

Terrestrial gross primary productivity ( GPP ) is an important ﬂ ux that drives the global carbon cycle. However, quantifying the trend and the control factor of GPP from the pixel level to the regional level is still a challenge. We generated monthly GPP dataset using the vegetation photosynthesis model and calculated the interannual linear trend for China during 2000 – 2016. The Breaks For Additive Seasonal and Trend method was applied to detect the timing of breakpoint and trends shift of monthly GPP, while boosted regression tree analysis was used to identify the most important factor and its relative in ﬂ uence on GPP based on gridded leaf area index ( LAI ) , aerosol optical thickness, and NCEP-DOE Reanalysis II meteorological data. The results show that annual mean GPP was signi ﬁ cantly ( P  <  0.001, R 2  =  0.78 ) increased, especially in the Loess Plateau and South China, from 2000 to 2016. The change rate of annual mean GPP declined from 18.82 g C m − 2 yr − 1 in 2000 – 2008 to 3.48 g C m − 2 yr − 1 in 2008 – 2016. About 55.4% of the breakpoints occur between 2009 and 2011 and was mainly distributed in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Central China, Southwestern China, and South China, and negative oriented GPP trends variation type still accounts for about 28.76%. LAI and temperature related factors generally had the highest relative in ﬂ uence on GPP in the north part and south part of China, respectively. Our study indicates that the ecological restoration projects and rapid urbanization have respectively induced the most obvious increase and decrease trends of GPP in China. Land cover change and climate change are the main reasons for GPP dynamics in the north and south and
UNMASKING EMOTIONS VIA FACIAL EXPRESSIONS – FIRST

Although much research has been devoted to positive emotions and how they foster Information Systems (IS) use and continuance, less is known about the role of negative emotions and their impact on IS discontinuance. Thus, based on theories in environmental psychology towards the role of emotional valence, a research model is developed to explain the effect of cognitively appraised emotional valence on IS discontinuance. To test our hypotheses, we have conducted a laboratory experiment with eye tracking and evaluated users’ emotional valence objectively based on their facial expressions using FaceReader, a facial expression analysis software. Preliminary results of our study suggest that users’ initial emotional responses evoked by unexpected opposing features of the IS, when first encountered, do have significant effects on subsequent avoidance behavior. The results also reveal that cognitive system appraisal seems to influence users’ emotions and behaviors differently depending on the type of the system for the task at hand. For example, we reveal that if IS are enhanced by hedonic design elements (e.g., pictures, graphics, video files), these elements could also trigger negatively valenced emotion if they are assessed as hindrance for the achievement of one’s objectives.
Female condom: a powerful tool for protection.

Millions of couples worldwide need effective protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and pregnancy. Treatment and care efforts are expanding worldwide but they cannot keep up with the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic especially among women and girls. The female condom is an effective STI and pregnancy prevention technology available now that enables couples to reduce their risks. Research shows that the method is comparable to the male condom in its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy and STIs. Access to the female condom can increase the proportion of couples having protected sex and offers a lifesaving alternative when male condoms are not used. Although female condoms have been introduced in many countries their supply and uptake in countries hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic is woefully inadequate. In 2005 only 14 million female condoms were available for distribution while 6 to 9 billion male condoms were provided worldwide. Greater investment by theprivate and public sectors and support from the donor community are urgently needed to make the female condom an affordable option. While new female condom products being developed offer more choice and may overcome some of the problems reported by current users these products face financial and regulatory barriers that slow their path to market. Advocacy for the female condom from the community level upwards is needed to stimulate demand and increase access and availability. Research that provides more data on the methods impact and cost-effectiveness will help promote the female condom. (excerpt)
DEVELOPMENT OF HABITAT USE DATA, DETECTION, AND SURVEY METHODS FOR THE ENDANGERED GASTROPOD, PECOS ASSIMINEA (ASSIMINEA PECOS), AT BITTER LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE By

Developing monitoring methods for elusive, rare, patchily distributed, or imperiled species requires extra considerations such as survey efficiency. While detection is frequently modeled, the opportunity to assess it empirically is relatively rare. As part of an assessment of survey methodologies for Pecos assiminea, an endangered snail, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness and accuracy of quadrat searches. Quadrat surveys (9 x 20 cm metal frame; n = 12) were placed along spring banks in suitable Pecos assiminea habitat and a randomly assigned number of empty springsnail shells (n = 0, 3, 6, or 9 shells) were placed in each quadrat. Ten observers searched through the same 12 quadrats for springsnail shells and habitat characteristics were recorded. The probability of detecting a snail when present was 72.2% but decreased with increasing in litter depth and lower numbers of shells present. The mean (± SE) observer accuracy was 43.59% ± 17.09%. Observer accuracy was positively correlated to the number of snail shells in the quadrat and the order the quadrats were observed. The probability of detecting Pecos assiminea may be high, particularly in locations where there is a high density of snails and minimal vegetative litter, but estimates from past surveys likely underrepresent true abundance but are likely accurate in determining presence or absence. A standardized detection probability protocol serves as a monitoring tool to improve density estimates and conservation efforts of numerous behaviorally or environmentally elusive, small, rare, threatened and/or endangered species. Texas Tech University, Elizabeth Roesler, May 2016
2 Immobile Points , Immobility Orders and Implicit Optimality Criterion

We consider the convex Semi-Infinite Programming (SIP) problem where objective function and constraint function are convex w.r. t. a finite-dimensional variable x and all of these functions are sufficiently smooth in their domains. The constraint function depends also on so called time variable t that is defined on the compact set T ⊂ R. In our recent paper [15] the new concept of immobility order of the points of the set T was introduced and the Implicit Optimality Criterion was proved for the convex SIP problem under consideration. In this paper the Implicit Optimality Criterion is used to obtain new first and second order explicit optimality conditions. We consider separately problems that satisfy and that do not satisfy the the Slater condition. In the case of SIP problems with linear w.r. t. x constraints the optimality conditions have a form of the criterion. Comparison of the results obtained with some other known optimality conditions for SIP problems is provided as well.
Learning and analysing amyloid fibril crossovers from cryo-EM image data

Learning and analysing amyloid fibril crossovers from cryo-EM image data Matthias Weber1 | Alex Bäuerle2 | Matthias Schmidt3 | Matthias Neumann1 | Marcus Fändrich3 | Timo Ropinski2 | Volker Schmidt1 1Institute of Stochastics, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany 2Visual Computing Group, Institute of Media Informatics, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany 3Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
The Intelligent Clinician's Guide to the DSM-5

Introduction Part I: Diagnostic Principles Chapter 1-The history of diagnosis in psychiatry Chapter 2-How diagnostic manuals are made Chapter 3-What is (and is not) a mental disorder Chapter 4-Diagnostic validity Chapter 5-Dimensionality Chapter 6-Clinical utility Part II: Specific Diagnoses Chapter 7-Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychoses Chapter 8-Bipolar and related disorders Chapter 9-Depressive disorders Chapter 10-Anxiety disorders, trauma, and the obsessive-compulsive spectrum Chapter 11- Substance use, eating, and sexual disorders Chapter 12-Neurodevelopmental and disruptive behavioral disorders Chapter 13-Personality disorders Chapter 14-Other diagnostic groupings Part III-Overview Chapter 15-A guide for the perplexed
Data-driven brain network models predict individual variability in behavior

The relationship between brain structure and function has been probed using a variety of approaches, but how the underlying structural connectivity of the human brain drives behavior is far from understood. To investigate the effect of anatomical brain organization on human task performance, we use a data-driven computational modeling approach and explore the functional effects of naturally occurring structural differences in brain networks. We construct personalized brain network models by combining anatomical connectivity estimated from diffusion spectrum imaging of individual subjects with a nonlinear model of brain dynamics. By performing computational experiments in which we measure the excitability of the global brain network and spread of synchronization following a targeted computational stimulation, we quantify how individual variation in the underlying connectivity impacts both local and global brain dynamics. We further relate the computational results to individual variability in the subjects’ performance of three language-demanding tasks both before and after transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left-inferior frontal gyrus. Our results show that task performance correlates with either local or global measures of functional activity, depending on the complexity of the task. By emphasizing differences in the underlying structural connectivity, our model serves as a powerful tool to predict individual differences in task performances, to dissociate the effect of targeted stimulation in tasks that differ in cognitive complexity, and to pave the way for the development of personalized therapeutics.
Evolving Neural Networks for Improved Incremental Learning Performance

It is well known that incremental learning is often difficult for traditional artificial neural networks, due to newly learned information interfering with what was previously learned, and this proves problematic for cognitive models. This paper present a series of computational experiments that explore the extent to which evolutionary techniques can be used to generate simple neural network incremental learners that exhibit improved performance over existing “hand-crafted” networks. The nature of the learning difficulties are inevitably application dependent, so a sequence of representative cases are considered. These range from pure memory networks, that must learn new items without forgetting old items, to generalization networks, that must learn from new items to improve their classification performance. It is shown for all cases that the evolutionary optimized traditional neural networks perform considerably better than equivalent neural networks with standard parameter values, casting doubt on the need for more complex specialist incremental learning systems. The implications for brain modelling are discussed.
Nitrification potentials of benthic macrofaunal tubes and burrow walls : effects of sediment NH 4 + and animal irrigation behavior

We examined the natural variation of nitrification potentials (NPs) of surface sediments and macrofaunal tubes and burrow walls in relation to sediment NH,' level, season, and macrofaunal species. NP (the ability of a unit of sediment to oxidize NH,' when NH,+ and O2 are not limting) is an index of the abundance and activity of nitrifying bacteria which we measured in slurries with the chlorate block technique (nmol NO2--N produced g' dry weight sediment h ' ) . The NP of the tubes of the polychaete Loimia medusa was positively related to sediment NI I < + (KC]-extractable) concentration at 3 sites where tubes were collected in June 1990 (Spearman rank correlation coefficient rs 0.90. p = 0.03), as was the NP of surface (0 to 1 cm) sediment (r2 = 0.92, p = 0.002). The degree to which tube NP exceeded the NP of surface sediment was, however, negatively associated with sediment NH4+ (rS = -0.84, p = 0.05). Tube NP of L. medusa did not vary significantly with date (February, April, and June 1990). Tubes or burrow walls of Macoma balthjca (bivalve), Leptocheirusplumulosus (amphipod), and the polychaetes Macroclymene zonalis, Pectinaria gouldll, L. medusa, and Diopatra cuprea had NPs significantly greater (2 to 20 times) than that of adjacent sediment from the same depth interval, indicating that these species stimulated nitrification. Except for burrows of M. balthjca, the NPs of these structures were significantly (p 2 0.05) greater (1.5 to 61 times) than that of surface sediment. The duration of macrofaunal irrigation activity, but not irrigation rate, was positively associated (rS = 0.72, p = 0.01) with the enhancement of NP in tubes and burrow walls relative to surface sediment. These findings indicate that macrofaunal tubes and burrows tend to be sites of enhanced NP and that this enhancement varies among species due to variations in irrigation behavior. The NP of macrofaunal structures also varies among sites in relation to sediment NH,' concentrations.
Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Kedrostis foetidissima ( Jacq . ) Cogn . plant extracts against pathogens causing bovine mastitis

Mastitis is an infectious, inflammatory disease of mammary gland caused by various invading pathogenic microorganisms. Occurrence of this disease in bovine causes low yield of milk and huge economic loss to the dairy farming community. Antimicrobials are commonly used to treat mastitis. But, disadvantages like antimicrobial resistance, food residues, environmental pollution and high cost of antimicrobials prompted the search of alternative therapeutics. In this study, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn. herb at different concentrations was evaluated for its antibacterial activity using disc diffusion method and compared with standard antibiotics. A total number of 125 milk samples were collected from mastitis cows and organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Klebsiella pneumonia were isolated and used for the demonstration of antibacterial activity by estimating the zone of inhibition. The results of present study revealed the antibacterial potential of Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn. herb extracts against mastitis causing pathogens. At higher concentration both extracts produced therapeutic level of zone of inhibition against pathogens, which is almost similar, that of gentamicin and tetracycline. Since the herbal extracts have proved for their antimicrobial properties they may become an alternative source for the treatment of mastitis in future with further detailed studies.
Parametric Investigation of a 2-D Circulation Control Geometry

Circulation control is an active flow control method with the potential to generate more lift than that obtained from a conventional airfoil or finite wing geometry. In general, circulation control consists of an air jet blown tangentially from a thin slot along the trailing edge of an airfoil or wing, which through the Coanda effect can be utilized for separation control or super-circulation control. The net results are a change in the circulation strength around the airfoil and, consequently, lift augmentation. NASA considers circulation control to be a viable flow control method for lift augmentation, and subsequently has incorporated it into achieving the NASA Subsonic Fixed Wing program’s Cruise Efficient Short Take Off and Landing (CESTOL) goals. The CESTOL goals have been prompted by recent airport congestion and a need for noise abatement. The implementation of circulation control as a means to improve take off and landing characteristics of aircraft could potentially provide relief on both fronts by allowing the use of under-utilized, shorter runways and by altering traffic patterns to control noise footprints. However, as a 2004 NASA/ONR workshop revealed, performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on circulation control geometries has been widely unreliable. Therefore, the NASA Langley Research Center has undertaken a research program to provide CFD validation data for circulation control geometries. Starting from the unit problem and working up through full-scale complexity, the goals of the study are to provide better understanding of the complex flow physics involved and to build a database for CFD validation of circulation control cases. Through better understanding and validation, CFD would be able to provide reliable predictions and aid in the eventual implementation of full-scale circulation control. The current project is a subset of the larger whole; this investigation dealt with a 2-D benchmark case with a simplified geometry. A parametric CFD study was performed using NASA’s TetrUSS software in order to create a database for 2-D circulation control CFD validation. Several important parameters were varied and investigated such as the amount of blowing, or momentum coefficient (Cμ), the size and shape of the computational grid, and the turbulence models employed in the computations. Further, the results were compared to wind tunnel measurements of the same geometry. The investigation yielded a set of results offering better physical understanding of the 2-D circulation control phenomenon including the effects of varying key parameters. Further, the results will act as part of a database for circulation control CFD validation and will aid in progressing the present program to more complex circulation control geometries and, ultimately, full-scale implementation.
Their im Mas Mergers and Acquisitions : pact on technological performance

This Thesis examines the impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on the subsequent technological performance of the related firms. The investigated firms are selected according to their strategic choice which consists in seeing M&As as a shortcut for acquiring technological assets and capabilities and therefore the subsequent technological performance. The relatedness issue as well as the resource-based view of the firm are theoretical hints, which effectiveness on technological performance is discussed. A more managerial approach using case studies is also used in order to demonstrate a new organisational form of cooperation, derived from strategic alliances and M&As. With the help of the Renault-Nissan Alliance it is argued that this hybrid form presents many capacities for developing a successful integration process, and subsequently enhancing technological performance.
NUTRACEUTICALS AS PHENOLIC BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS ANALYSIS OF SOFTWOOD BARK AND THEIR POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

Softwoods have a numerically large group of economically important renewable plants. Waste processing of trees mainly bark, needles are reasonable extent not recovered. The waste contains relatively high levels of phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds are one of the main components that have a high potential in various fields of food, pharmacy, and other industries. This review focuses on the main uses of softwood bark and overviews the extraction and analytical methods used to determine phenolic bioactive compounds in this matrix. At this time, various extraction techniques are used to obtain secondary metabolites from bark mainly bioactive phenolic compounds. The amount of bioactive compounds derived from the matrix affects the: extraction conditions, choice of the solvent, particle size, content of the water and, in particular, the extraction method. Amount and nature of the isolated compounds greatly depend on the isolation; the isolation is possible to use different methods: extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus, Soxtec extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction. According to literature were selected nutraceuticals phenolic compounds (isolated from softwood bark): Astringin; Catechin; Epicatechin; Ellagic acid; Ferulic acid; Gallic acid; Hydroxymatairesinol; isolariciresinol; Isorhapontigenin; Isorhapontin,lariciresinol; Lariciresinol-9-p-coumarate; Methylthy mol;p-Coumaric acid; Piceatannol; Piceid; Podocarpic acid; Quercetin; Resveratrol; Sesquipinsapol B; Sinapic acid; Tannic acid; Taxifolin; Vanillic acid; Vladinol D. From this viewpoint, it is important to collect information on pharmacokinetic properties of the nutraceutical phenolic substances isolated from bark according to published papers. Pharmacokinetics properties of phenolic bioactive substances extracted by different techniques such as: molecular weight, logP, AlogP, H-bond acceptor, H-bond donor, total polar surface area, atom molar refractivity, number of rotatable bond, number of atom, rotatable bond count, number of rigid bond, number of atom ring, and number of Hydrogen Bond were calculated by DruLito (Drug LiknessTool).
Towards self-paced ( asynchronous ) Brain-Computer Communication : Navigation through virtual worlds

The self-paced (or asynchronous) control paradigm enables users to operate Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) i n a more natural way: no longer the machine is in control of timing and speed of communication, but the user. This is important t o enhance the usability, flexibility and response time of a BCI . In this work, we show how subjects, after performing a cuebased feedback training (smiley paradigm), learned to navi gate self-paced through the “freeSpace” Virtual Environment (VE). Similar to computer games, subjects had the task of picking u p items within a limited time period using the following navigation commands: rotate left, rotate right and move forward (3-classes). Since the self-paced control paradigm allows subjects to ma ke voluntary decisions on time, type and duration of mental act ivity, no cues or routing directives were presented. The BCI was based on three bipolar electroencephalogram (EEG) channel s and operated by motor imagery. Eye movements (electrooculogra m, EOG) and electromyographic (EMG) artifacts were reduced and detected on-line. Results of three able-bodied subject s are reported and problems emerging from asynchronous control a re discussed.