Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing Nordmøre grids on the target and by-catch species of the commercial bottom trawl fishery in the Gulf of Cadiz

Sorting grids have been tested worldwide in trawl fisheries. Here we report upon the first trials performed using Nordmore sorting grids with four different bar spacings in the trawl fisheries of the Gulf of Cadiz targeting crustaceans as the main resource. A total of 288 valid hauls and 67 commercial species were caught. Escapement and escape size selectivity were evaluated for the most important target and by-catch species. A decrease in the percentage of biomass escape was recorded with increasing grid spacing for the two target species, deep-water rose shrimp ( Parapenaeus longirostris ) and Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ), from 24% to 8% for the former and from 86 to 9% for the latter, with a 15-mm and 30-mm grid respectively. In general, high escape rates were found for most finfish and cephalopods. For hake ( Merluccius merluccius ), as the main by-catch species, the results showed an escape rate decreasing from 96% to 71% as the bar spacing increased. Our findings suggest the 30-mm grid would be effective for the deep-water crustacean trawlers but different mitigation measures will be required for other metiers in the multispecies trawl fishery of the Gulf of Cadiz.
Centchroman - A Magical Pill or a Myth

MASTALGIA is a common symptom experienced by most of the females and most common complaint encountered in outpatient department. Many agents have been tried but till now ideal treatment still awaits. Centchroman (ormeloxifene) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Method: 56 Eligible patients of cyclic as well as non cyclic mastalgia were enrolled in our study to evaluate the efficacy of centchroman. Patients were treated with centchroman 30 mg daily for three months. Patients were followed at 4, 8, 12 weeks up to a period of 6 months. Patients were assessed using VAS score (visual analogue pain score) and breast pain chart. Results: At 12 weeks, 87% women achieved reduction in pain score <3. Centchroman is an effective, safe, inexpensive and easily available drug for mastalgia. Except for 3 patients who had delay of menstruation 710 days.
Antioxidant activity of the essential oil from the flowers of Lavandula stoechas

This study was aimed at determining the chemical constituents and evaluating the antioxidant activity of essential oil of dry flowers’ of lavender (Lavandula stoechas). Extraction of essential oil was carried out by water distillation. The essential oils yield based on dry weight was 3.41% (v/w). The gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID) technique was used and identification of separated components was achieved by retention times in comparison with respective standards. According to the results, 6 compounds were identified and the most important ones are: linalyl acetate (15.26%), linalool (10.68%), 1-8 cineole (10.25%), γ-terpinene (11.2%) and camphor (11.25%). The study of antioxidant power of this oils was carried out by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH•) method. The results obtained showed the existence of an antioxidant activity of the essential oil from the dried flowers of L. stoechas, but less effective compared with vitamin E. Key words: Essential oil, Lavandula stoechas composition, antioxidant activity.
Deformation Simulation of Human Kidney Using Molecular Modelling Method

This paper focuses on modelling and simulation of the interaction between human kidney model and a surgical tool, Nephroscope. A surface model of a kidney with 4500 vertices and 12500 triangles is used in the deformation simulations. The simulation algorithm detects the collision between Nephroscope and kidney surface and performs deformation using molecular modelling method (MMM). Deformation characteristics of the kidney is represented by the free parameters of the MMM. The deformation algorithm produces realistic results in real time.
Breaking the Unbreakable Union: Nationalism, trade disintegration and the Soviet economic collapse

The Soviet Union in the late 1980s provides evidence on the negative effect of political conflict on trade integration and economic growth. This paper shows that, as central control became weaker, the probability of secessions by the Union’s constituent republics reduced internal Union trade. The probability of secession is demonstrated to have been driven by traditional nationalistic agendas, such as the preservation of national languages, excluding any endogeneity running from trade to secession. Economic disintegration thus proceeded along ethno-national lines and preceded state break-up. This quantitatively explains the severity of the output fall of the late Soviet and early transitional period. Methodologically, these results stem from an empirical gravity framework, which is derived from first principles by a gametheoretic modeling of Soviet internal trade during the break-up phase.
Link Analysis among Sightseeing Spots based on Geo-Image Analysis --Towards Majority-based Route Recommendation in Sightseeing--

In recent years, photo sharing sites such as Flickr, Picasa and others have become popular. These sites are open to public and many photographers upload their photos to share them with family, friends and people in the world. Each photo has several types of metadata including date, time, tags, geo-locations and others, which are automatically produced by a camera or manually provided by the owner. Researchers are interested in such a large-scale image database and use it for image analysis, image annotation, scene understanding and other purposes. Our research focuses on sightseeing images. Analysis of these images shows not only famous sightseeing spots but also links between several sightseeing spots, i.e., popular sightseeing routes. We extract such information through analysis of image metadata. Furthermore, we characterize the sightseeing spots by link type. We developed application software for smartphones in which recommendation information based on the above analyses are displayed. We performed several field tests of real scenes, finding that the recommendation information is useful to travelers. Keywords–user-generated contents; big data analysis; sightseeing spot; sightseeing links; characteristic analysis.
Effects of defoliation on the frost hardiness and the concentrations of soluble sugars and cyclitols in the bark tissue of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)

Comme mesure de la resistance au gel du liber vivant de chenes pedoncules âges de vingt ans et ayant deja ete defolies manuellement presque entierement dans la premiere moitie du mai d'une ou deux annees, on a calcule un index de dommage (I -30 ) et on a compare avec la valeur correspondante d'arbres temoins non defolies. On a determine I -30 comme une valeur de pourcentage sur la base de perte d'electrolytes des echantillons congeles artificiellement a -30 °C, et des echantillons pas congeles. Parallelement on a mesure les concentrations de sucres solubles, d'azote et de quercetol, un polyalcool cyclique, du liber. La deuxieme defoliation a reduit de maniere significative tant la resistance au gel du liber que ses concentrations en raffinose, stachyose, azote et quercetol. Les indices de dommage (I -30 ) etaient en correlation avec la concentration totale de sucres solubles et avec les concentrations de sucres individuels, mais pas avec la concentration de quercetol. Des correlations moins etroites mais toutefois significatives ont ete mises en evidence entre les valeurs I -30 et les concentrations d'azote. Ces resultats nous permettent de conclure qu'une defoliation repetee reduit la capacite d'acclimatation du liber aux gels d'hiver en raison d'une diminution des concentrations de sucres solubles, surtout de raffinose et de stachyose.
Show Some Love: Youth Responses to "Kiss Me Thru the Phone"

Although hip hop' emphases on violence and sex have been the subject of numerous research studies, little is known about the connection between hip hop and love. This study begins to fill that lacuna by investigating how individuals exposed to hip hop culture perceive love. Seventy-one youth of color ages 14-25 viewed rapper Soulja Boy Tell 'Em's video "Kiss Me Thru The Phone" and completed open-ended survey questions about their relationship to hip hop, interpretations of the video, and lived experiences with love. The youth's responses reveal that they actively sought love's representations within hop culture.
Search for trans-iron elements in hot, helium-rich white dwarfs with the HST Cosmic Origins Spectrograph

The metal abundances in the atmospheres of hot white dwarfs (WDs) entering the cooling sequence are determined by the preceding Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) evolutionary phase and, subsequently, by the onset of gravitational settling and radiative levitation. In this paper, we investigate three hot He-rich WDs, which are believed to result from a late He-shell flash. During such a flash, the He-rich intershell matter is dredged up and dominates the surface chemistry. Hence, in contrast to the usual H-rich WDs, their spectra allow direct access to s-process element abundances in the intershell that were synthesized during the AGB stage. In order to look for trans-iron group elements (atomic number Z>29), we performed a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmosphere analysis of new ultraviolet spectra taken with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. One of our program stars is of PG1159 spectral type; this star, PG1707+427, has effective temperature Teff=85,000 K, and surface gravity logg=7.5. The two other stars are DO white dwarfs: WD0111+002 has Teff=58,000 K and logg=7.7, and PG0109+111 has Teff=70,000 K and logg=8.0. These stars trace the onset of element diffusion during early WD evolution. While zinc is the only trans-iron element we could detect in the PG1159 star, both DOs exhibit lines from Zn, Ga, Ge, Se; one additionally exhibits lines from Sr, Sn, Te, and I and the other from As. Generally, the trans-iron elements are very abundant in the DOs, meaning that radiative levitation must be acting. Most extreme is the almost six orders of magnitude oversolar abundance of tellurium in PG0109+111. In terms of mass fraction, it is the most abundant metal in the atmosphere. The two DOs join the hitherto unique hot DO RE0503-289, in which 14 trans-iron elements had even been identified.
Onmyouji: Gesture-based virtual reality game

With the emergence of Virtual Reality (VR), user’s senses are taken into consideration in achieving a natural and intuitive human-computer interaction (HCI) as well for a more effective data interaction. The conventional keyboard and mouse interface and control methods of VR no longer sufficiently handles the richness of the information and facilitate intuitive user interaction in the virtual environment. There are alternative controllers such as motion controller used in the game, but this burden users for having them to hold a controller during gameplay. Hand gestures are a powerful tool for communication among humans. Hand gestures recognition has the potential to achieve the naturalness and intuitiveness for HCI. Here, we have proposed a VR game implemented a set of simple gestures with Leap Motion controller named Onmyouji. Onmyouji emphasizes on the VR experience provided with utilizing hand gestures to move and cast attack as the player control. A set of gestures are designed to fulfill the naturalness and intuitiveness of controls in the game. By qualitative user evaluation on a target interest group, most of the participants evaluated positively on the intuitive gestures and gameplay. For the overall game experience, all participants rated 4 and 5 out of 5 scores.
A New Method of Image Denoising Based on the Energy Method

To sove the minimization problem of the energy method in image denoising, the diffusion process of the Euler-Lagrange could be decomposed to the diffusions along the tangential direction and normal direction. In order to denoising and retained the texture information of the real scene as possible, at the texture pixels, the diffusion along the tangential direction should be retained and the diffusion along the normal direction should be controlled. Therefore we propose a new denoising method with edge diffusion along the tangential direction directly. The performance of this method is tested by single images in this thesis.
Interactive comment on “Relaxation times of Arctic mixed-phase clouds to short-term aerosol perturbations under different surface forcings” by Gesa K. Eirund et al

The formation and persistence of low lying mixed-phase clouds (MPCs) in the Arctic depends on a multitude of processes, such as surface conditions, the environmental state, air mass advection and the ambient aerosol concentration. In this study, we focus on the relative importance of different aerosol perturbations (cloud condensation nuclei and ice nucleating particles; CCN and INP, respectively) on MPC properties in the central Arctic. To address this topic, we performed high resolution large eddy simulations (LES) using the COSMO model and designed a case study for the Aerosol-Cloud Cou5 pling and Climate Interactions in the Arctic (ACCACIA) campaign in March 2013. Motivated by ongoing sea ice retreat, we additionally contrast the simulated MPC that formed over an open ocean surface and a sea ice surface. We find that surface conditions highly impact cloud dynamics: over sea ice, a rather homogeneous, optically thin, mixed-phase stratus cloud forms. In contrast, the MPC over the open ocean has a stratocumulus-like cloud structure. With cumuli feeding moisture into the stratus layer, the cloud features a higher liquid (LWC) and ice water content (IWC) and has a lifted cloud base compared to the 10 cloud over sea ice. Furthermore, we analyzed the aerosol impact on these two dynamically different regimes. Perturbations in the INP concentration increase the IWC and decrease the LWC consistently in both regimes. The cloud microphysical response to potential CCN perturbations occurs faster in the stratocumulus regime over the ocean, where the increased moisture flux favors rapid cloud droplet formation and growth, leading to an increase in LWC following the aerosol injection. In addition, the IWC increases 15 through increased immersion freezing and subsequent growth by deposition. Over sea ice, the maximum response is delayed by a factor of 2.5 compared to open ocean surface. However, independent of the cloud regime and aerosol perturbation, the cloud regains its original state after at most 12 h for an aerosol perturbation of 1000 cm−3. Cloud microphysical and macrophysical peoperties relax to their unperturbed range, and any aerosol perturbation is efficiently buffered. A substantial fraction of the aerosol is transported out of the boundary layer into the capping inversion, where the supersaturation is insufficient for aerosol 20 activation. Our results are robust across different temperature ranges and insensitive to the aerosol injection period. Based on these results we postulate an efficient aerosol processing and transport mechanism that appears to inhibit any long-term aerosol impact on Arctic MPC properties. 1 Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss. , https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2018-1076 Manuscript under review for journal Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discussion started: 1 November 2018 c © Author(s) 2018. CC BY 4.0 License.
A Comparative Study on the Proximate Composition and Nutrient Analysis of Three Varieties of Pine Apples (Annanas Comosus) Grown In Bangladesh

The present study was undertaken to investigate the nutritive values of three different varieties of locally grown pineapples (Annanas comosus). Nutritional parameters analyzed include moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, energy, ash, fiber, total sugar, vitamin C, B1 and vitamin B2, minerals (Ca, P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mg) and the amino acids compositions as determined by Amino Analyzer. Among the three varieties Kalender (Giant Kew) contained the highest amount of Protein, carbohydrate, total sugar ash and energy. Jaldubi (Honey Queen) contains the highest amount of moisture while Kalender the lowest. Fat content varies from 0.09% to 0.032%. The present study also revealed that with the exception of vitamin C and Ca, P, Fe, Mg, pineapples do not contain very much of the other vitamins and minerals.
Manipulation of rumen methanogenesis by the combination of nitrate with 1-4 galacto-oligosaccharides or nisin in sheep

Effects of 1-4 galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) or nisin in combination with nitrate were assessed on rumen methanogenesis, intoxication by nitrate, and metabolic rate in nitrate-treated sheep. Four rumen-fistulated wethers were allocated in a 4 ×4 Latin square design. Nitrate (1.3 g NaNO 3/kg of body weight (BW)), with and without 1-4 galacto-oligosaccharides or nisin was administered into the rumen through a fistula 30 min after the morning meal as a single dose, whereas, 1-4 galacto-oligosaccharides (20 g per day) or nisin (3 mg/kg 0.75 of BW per day) was supplemented by sprinkling it onto the feed. Physiological saline was used as control treatment. When compared to saline, nitrate alone markedly lowered rumen methane production and caused a marked accumulation of rumen and plasma nitrite, and formation of blood methemoglobin consequently reduced oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and metabolic rate. As compared to nitrate alone, simultaneous administration of nitrate with 1-4 galacto-oligosaccharides or nisin lowered the concentration of rumen and plasma nitrite and methemoglobin, while keeping rumen methanogenesis at a low level. A relatively higher rate of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and metabolic rate of sheep given nitrate plus nisin was observed versus that in sheep given nitrate alone. Therefore, an appropriate combination of nitrate with 1-4 galacto-oligosaccharides or nisin might be effective manipulators to abate rumen methanogenesis without nitrate intoxication in ruminants. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
FROM Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education ( AACE )

Twenty-one schools from the United States and Singapore participated in this evaluation of a high-school biology multimedia CD-ROM called BioBLAST(R). Results include a summary of teacher descriptions of their curriculum-based justifications for using this software as well as a compilation of program features that teachers describe as facilitating successful implementation of new learning technologies. Analysis of teacher reports provides a profile of three types of strategies teachers used to implement the program. Analysis of student performance on pre/posttest shows how implementation strategies were associated with student gains in particular schools and classes. A comparison of student pre/posttest scores one year later with previous pre/posttest results suggests that changes in implementation strategies, teacher incentives, or a decrease in support services had a direct impact on student performance. Students with a wide range of prior knowledge were able to use the software and show performance gains appropriate to their knowledge level and experience. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/AEF) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.
A Lower Extremity Exoskeleton: Human-Machine Coupled Modeling, Robust Control Design, Simulation, and Overload-Carrying Experiment

A robust control method and switched control algorithm for hydraulic actuator presents in human-machine coordinated motion to solve the motion delay of lower extremity exoskeleton. After the characteristic parameters synthesis of human limb and exoskeleton linkage, the human-machine coupled motion model is constructed to estimate the appropriate hydraulic pressure, which is considered as a structural uncertainty in hydraulic model. Then the robust controller is designed to improve the robust stability and performance under the structural and parametric uncertainty disturbances. Simulation results show that, in walking mode, this robust controller can achieve a better dynamic response and aid-force efficiency than PID controller. Then, according to gait divisions of person’s limb motion, the switched control algorithm is designed to reduce the delay of exoskeleton tracking person. Finally, the experimental results show that the human-machine coordinated walk with bearing 60 kg load and squat action with no external load are realized effectively by this proposed method.
Challenging Issues in Face Recognition

This paper provides a concise & up-to-date review of research efforts in face recognition techniques based on 2D and 3D images. Recent research has also demonstrated that the fusion of different imaging modalities and spectral components can improve the overall performance of face recognition. The majority of face recognition methods have been developed by scientists with a very technical background such as biometry, pattern recognition and computer vision methods using 3D shape applied to data embodying facial expressions. Different strategies to deal with expressions are presented. The underlying concepts and practical issues relating to the application of each strategy are given, without going into technical details. The discussion clearly articulates the justification to establish archival, reference databases to compare and evaluate different strategies.
Impact of Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) Biodiesel-Contaminated Catfish on Hepatic Function of Rat

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of consumption of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to palm kernel oil (PKO) biodiesel on functions and oxidative status of liver of albino rat. The author measured the responses of growth performance (average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, body weight, and relative liver weight), oxidative stress, and indices of liver functions of rat placed on feed formulated with catfish exposed to borehole water mixed with different concentrations of PKO biodiesel ( 0 % w/v, 0.1 % w/v, 0.25 % w/v). The results showed that fish exposed to PKO biodiesel had no effect on relative liver weight, but average body weight was significantly reduced, serum levels of total and direct bilirubin were significantly elevated while those of bilirubin and globulin were significantly reduced. However, specific activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) of serum of rats fed with catfish exposed to lower concentration of PKO biodiesel (BD 0.1) were significantly higher than those of rats fed with catfish exposed to higher concentration of PKO biodiesel (BD 0.25) (p<0.05) while both are significantly lower than that of the control rats (p<0.05). Serum level of MDA in test rats increased significantly (p<0.05) as the concentration of PKO biodiesel increased. The data clearly demonstrate that consumption of catfish exposed to PKO biodiesel can result in liver dysfunction at a degree not dependent on concentration of PKO biodiesel by a mechanism of oxidative stress which is dependent on the concentration of PKO biodiesel.