Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engaging Recreational Fishers in Management and Conservation: Global Case Studies

Abstract: Globally, the number of recreational fishers is sizeable and increasing in many countries. Associated with this trend is the potential for negative impacts on fish stocks through exploitation or management measures such as stocking and introduction of non‐native fishes. Nevertheless, recreational fishers can be instrumental in successful fisheries conservation through active involvement in, or initiation of, conservation projects to reduce both direct and external stressors contributing to fishery declines. Understanding fishers' concerns for sustained access to the resource and developing methods for their meaningful participation can have positive impacts on conservation efforts. We examined a suite of case studies that demonstrate successful involvement of recreational fishers in conservation and management activities that span developed and developing countries, temperate and tropical regions, marine and freshwater systems, and open‐ and closed‐access fisheries. To illustrate potential benefits and challenges of involving recreational fishers in fisheries management and conservation, we examined the socioeconomic and ecological contexts of each case study. We devised a conceptual framework for the engagement of recreational fishers that targets particular types of involvement (enforcement, advocacy, conservation, management design [type and location], research, and monitoring) on the basis of degree of stakeholder stewardship, scale of the fishery, and source of impacts (internal or external). These activities can be enhanced by incorporating local knowledge and traditions, taking advantage of leadership and regional networks, and creating collaborations among various stakeholder groups, scientists, and agencies to maximize the probability of recreational fisher involvement and project success.
Long-term benefit of implantable cardioverter/defibrillator therapy after elective device replacement: results of the INcidence free SUrvival after ICD REplacement (INSURE) trial--a prospective multicentre study.

AIMS Prevention of sudden cardiac death by means of the implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) is considered to be a lifelong therapy. However, it is still unresolved if patients who never experienced an appropriate ICD intervention during generator longevity really need to undergo device replacement. METHODS AND RESULTS The INSURE trial was a multicentre prospective observational cohort study that enrolled patients at the time of their first ICD replacement. Patients with and without previous appropriate ICD therapy were enrolled prospectively and were evaluated every 3-6 months after ICD replacement. Primary endpoint of the study was the first occurrence of appropriate ICD therapy after device replacement. Five hundred and ten patients (83% males, mean age 65 ± 10 years, mean ejection fraction 39 ± 16%) were enrolled between 2002 and 2007 in the study after an average lifespan of their first ICD generator of 62 ± 18 months. Three years after elective ICD replacement, the rates of appropriate ICD therapies in patients with (n = 245) and without (n = 265) former appropriate ICD intervention were 48.1 and 21.4% (adjusted hazard ratio 3.08, CI: 2.15-4.39, P < 0.001). Notably, no predictive factors for lower need of ICD therapy could be identified in patients without prior appropriate ICD intervention. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a significant number of ICD-indicated patients without the need for therapy by their first device received appropriate ICD intervention after generator replacement. There were no predictors for lower need of ICD therapy. Hence, ICD replacement appears still necessary in patients without prior ICD interventions.
Obstacle detection for a bipedal walking robot by a fisheye stereo

Having a sense of its environment is essential for a bipedal robot to walk around autonomously in unknown and uneven indoor environments. In a previous study, we measured the floor height necessary for stable walk by processing images acquired by a fisheye stereo mounted on the chest of a bipedal robot. In order to avoid collisions between the bipedal robot and environmental obstacles, very wide field of sensing area is necessary because the bipedal robot can move sideways. In this study, we developed a method for checking the existence of an object on the barrier, which is the front half surface of a cylinder surrounding the body of the robot, by using the fisheye stereo images. By combining this with the occupancy grid method, we can detect an object that is likely to collide with the walking robot body even while walking sideways. The results of a real experiment conducted using the bipedal robot validate the proposed method.
Carbohydrate repression of catalase synthesis in Bacteroides fragilis

Catalase formation by Bacteroides fragilis was immediately stopped upon addition of glucose to a culture growing in peptone medium. Each of eight other carbohydrates fermented by the organism also repressed catalase formation. Without added carbohydrate, the strains produced relatively large amounts of catalase (25 to 50 U/mg of protein).
Extraction of Unconventional Bast Fibers from Kydia calycina Plant and their Characterisation

ABSTRACT The Kydia calycina fibers were screened out from various plant sources through the water retting method and then the time duration for extraction of fibers was optimized. After optimization, the extracted Kydia calycina fibers were compared with cotton, flax, and jute fibers on the basis of physical and mechanical properties. The morphology of extracted fibers was also studied through SEM. The results showed that the Kydia calycina plant produces better quality bast fibers with respect to plants like jute and flax.
Active synchronization control for microgrid reconnection after islanding

Microgrid (MG) islanding is considered as an effective measure to minimize power outage and therefore to maximize usage of renewable energy resources. One of the most challenging technical difficulties associated with islanding is out-of-phase reclosing caused by asynchronism of MG with the electric power system (EPS). In this paper, a novel control methodology is proposed to synchronize MG with the main power grid so that smooth transition from islanded mode to grid-tied mode can be guaranteed. Synchronization is achieved by eliminating the voltage phase angle difference across the circuit breaker/recloser at the point of common coupling (PCC). The proposed control employs synchrophasor measurements transmitted via Internet Protocol (IP) communications. A MG hardware testbed with multiple distributed generators and loads is built to validate the performance of the proposed method.
The Quality of User Documentation: An Instrument Validation

Abstract:User documentation is an important tool for communication. It enhances the value of an application to the user and, in turn, improves user satisfaction. The impact of user documentation is even more considerable since interest in end-user computing is booming. Yet, there are very few practical managerial tools for measuring the quality of user documentation. This article examines two alternative forms of an instrument for measuring user perceptions of the quality of user documentation. The reliability and validity of these instruments are examined. Using a survey of 618 end-users from 44 firms, the author cross validates this instrument, conducts a factor analysis, and assesses the construct validity of the instrument. Furthermore, the reliability and validity of the instrument is assessed by nature and type of application. The results indicate a strong support for the instrument. With these instruments, management can more easily monitor and control the condition of their firm’s user documentation.
Optimization of solvation models for predicting the structure of surface loops in proteins

A novel procedure for optimizing the atomic solvation parameters (ASPs) σi developed recently for cyclic peptides is extended to surface loops in proteins. The loop is free to move, whereas the protein template is held fixed in its X‐ray structure. The energy is Etot = EFF(ϵ = nr) + ∑ σiAi, where EFF(ϵ = nr) is the force‐field energy of the loop–loop and loop–template interactions, ϵ = nr is a distance‐dependent dielectric constant, and n is an additional parameter to be optimized. Ai is the solvent‐accessible surface area of atom i. The optimal σi and n are those for which the loop structure with the global minimum of Etot(n, σi) becomes the experimental X‐ray structure. Thus, the ASPs depend on the force field and are optimized in the protein environment, unlike commonly used ASPs such as those of Wesson and Eisenberg (Protein Sci 1992;1:227–235). The latter are based on the free energy of transfer of small molecules from the gas phase to water and have been traditionally combined with various force fields without further calibration. We found that for loops the all‐atom AMBER force field performed better than OPLS and CHARMM22. Two sets of ASPs [based on AMBER (n = 2)], optimized independently for loops 64–71 and 89–97 of ribonuclease A, were similar and thus enabled the definition of a best‐fit set. All these ASPs were negative (hydrophilic), including those for carbon. Very good (i.e., small) root‐mean‐square‐deviation values from the X‐ray loop structure were obtained with the three sets of ASPs, suggesting that the best‐fit set would be transferable to loops in other proteins as well. The structure of loop 13–24 is relatively stretched and was insensitive to the effect of the ASPs. Proteins 2001;43:303–314. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuroscience of Childhood Poverty: Evidence of Impacts and Mechanisms as Vehicles of Dialog With Ethics

Several studies have identified associations between poverty and development of self-regulation during childhood, which is broadly defined as those skills involved in cognitive, emotional, and stress self-regulation. These skills are influenced by different individual and contextual factors at multiple levels of analysis (i.e., individual, family, social, and cultural). Available evidence suggests that the influences of those biological, psychosocial, and sociocultural factors on emotional and cognitive development can vary according to the type, number, accumulation of risks, and co-occurrence of adverse circumstances that are related to poverty, the time in which these factors exert their influences, and the individual susceptibility to them. Complementary, during the past three decades, several experimental interventions that were aimed at optimizing development of self-regulation of children who live in poverty have been designed, implemented, and evaluated. Their results suggest that it is possible to optimize different aspects of cognitive performance and that it would be possible to transfer some aspects of these gains to other cognitive domains and academic achievement. We suggest that it is an important task for ethics, notably but not exclusively neuroethics, to engage in this interdisciplinary research domain to contribute analyses of key concepts, arguments, and interpretations. The specific evidence that neuroscience brings to the analyses of poverty and its implications needs to be spelled out in detail and clarified conceptually, notably in terms of causes of and attitudes toward poverty, implications of poverty for brain development, and for the possibilities to reduce and reverse these effects.
Classification of BRCA1 missense variants of unknown clinical significance

Background:BRCA1 is a tumour suppressor with pleiotropic actions. Germline mutations in BRCA1 are responsible for a large proportion of breast–ovarian cancer families. Several missense variants have been identified throughout the gene but because of lack of information about their impact on the function of BRCA1, predictive testing is not always informative. Classification of missense variants into deleterious/high risk or neutral/low clinical significance is essential to identify individuals at risk. Objective: To investigate a panel of missense variants. Methods and results: The panel was investigated in a comprehensive framework that included (1) a functional assay based on transcription activation; (2) segregation analysis and a method of using incomplete pedigree data to calculate the odds of causality; (3) a method based on interspecific sequence variation. It was shown that the transcriptional activation assay could be used as a test to characterise mutations in the carboxy-terminus region of BRCA1 encompassing residues 1396–1863. Thirteen missense variants (H1402Y, L1407P, H1421Y, S1512I, M1628T, M1628V, T1685I, G1706A, T1720A, A1752P, G1788V, V1809F, and W1837R) were specifically investigated. Conclusions: While individual classification schemes for BRCA1 alleles still present limitations, a combination of several methods provides a more powerful way of identifying variants that are causally linked to a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The framework presented here brings these variants nearer to clinical applicability.
Giysilik Derilerin Haslık Özelliklerinin TiO2/SiO2/GLYMO Esaslı Nanokompozit Çözeltisi ve Lak Kaplaması ile İyileştirilmesi

Bu calismada, sol-jel yontemi ile TiO 2 /SiO 2 /GLYMO esasli nanokompozit cozeltisi uretimi ve finisaj isleminde deri uzerine uygulanarak lak kaplamasi ile giysilik derinin haslik ozelliklerinin iyilestirilmesi incelenmistir. Calisma sonucunda, TiO 2 /SiO 2 /GLYMO esasli nanokompozit cozeltisi uygulanan deri orneklerinin uzerindeki filmlerin homojen ve duzgun oldugu gozlemlenmistir. Derilerin haslik ozellikleri degerlendirildiginde, nanokompozit ile finisajlanmis deri yuzeylerin kuru surtme ve yas surtme hasligi, su ve tere karsi renk hasligi degerlerinin artirildigi ve en iyi sonuclarin soz konusu nanokompozitin lak ile birlikte uygulandigi KL grubu derilerden elde edildigi tespit edilmistir. Buna ek olarak, TiO 2 /SiO 2 /GLYMO esasli nanokompozit cozeltisi uygulanan derilerin isik ve UV isigina karsi renk hasligi degerlerinin de iyilestirilmesinin buyuk olasilikla TiO 2 'nin UV-absorbe edici ozelliginden kaynaklandigi ileri surulmustur. Sonuc olarak, bu calismada TiO 2 /SiO 2 /GLYMO esasli nanokompozit cozeltisi ve lak kaplamasinin uygulanmasi ile haslik degerleri iyilestirilmis ve bu nedenle daha uzun omurlu giysilik deriler elde edilmistir.
The OPEN Software Engineering Process Architecture: From Activities to Techniques

The 1997 OPEN process metamodel was the first fully documented software engineering process architecture for object-oriented projects, predating the Catalysis method, Select Perspective and the still emerging Rational Unified Process by a number of years. The OPEN process metamodel is based on a three-tier architecture, in which process Activities are broken down into a number of distinct Tasks; and each Task may be achieved through the application of a number of approved Techniques. This paper describes the relationships between the three layers of the OPEN process metamodel and shows how OPEN’s Techniques contribute to a particular tailored process. As an exemplar, we describe Techniques relevant to late design and coding.
Predicting pre-Columbian anthropogenic soils in Amazonia

The extent and intensity of pre-Columbian impacts on lowland Amazonia have remained uncertain and controversial. Various indicators can be used to gauge the impact of pre-Columbian societies, but the formation of nutrient-enriched terra preta soils has been widely accepted as an indication of long-term settlement and site fidelity. Using known and newly discovered terra preta sites and maximum entropy algorithms (Maxent), we determined the influence of regional environmental conditions on the likelihood that terra pretas would have been formed at any given location in lowland Amazonia. Terra pretas were most frequently found in central and eastern Amazonia along the lower courses of the major Amazonian rivers. Terrain, hydrologic and soil characteristics were more important predictors of terra preta distributions than climatic conditions. Our modelling efforts indicated that terra pretas are likely to be found throughout ca 154 063 km2 or 3.2% of the forest. We also predict that terra preta formation was limited in most of western Amazonia. Model results suggested that the distribution of terra preta was highly predictable based on environmental parameters. We provided targets for future archaeological surveys under the vast forest canopy and also highlighted how few of the long-term forest inventory sites in Amazonia are able to capture the effects of historical disturbance.
Differential regulation of toxoflavin production and its role in the enhanced virulence of Burkholderia gladioli.

Burkholderia gladioli is a causal agent of bacterial panicle blight and sheath/grain browning in rice in many countries. Many strains produce the yellow pigment toxoflavin, which is highly toxic to plants, fungi, animals and microorganisms. Although there have been several studies on the toxoflavin biosynthesis system of B. glumae, it is still unclear how B. gladioli activates toxoflavin biosynthesis. In this study, we explored the genomic organization of the toxoflavin system of B. gladioli and its biological functions using comparative genomic analysis between toxoflavin-producing strains (B. glumae BGR1 and B. gladioli BSR3) and a strain not producing toxoflavin (B. gladioli KACC11889). The latter exhibits normal physiological characteristics similar to other B. gladioli strains. Burkholderia gladioli KACC11889 possesses all the genes involved in toxoflavin biosynthesis, but lacks the quorum-sensing (QS) system that functions as an on/off switch for toxoflavin biosynthesis. These data suggest that B. gladioli has evolved to use the QS signalling cascade of toxoflavin production (TofI/TofR of QS → ToxJ or ToxR → tox operons) similar to that in B. glumae. However, some strains may have evolved to eliminate toxoflavin production through deletion of the QS genes. In addition, we demonstrate that the toxoflavin biosynthetic system enhances the virulence of B. gladioli. These findings provide another line of evidence supporting the differential regulation of the toxoflavin system in Burkholderia strains.
Isolating the Network Effect of Immigrants on Trade

Within the migration-trade nexus literature, this paper proposes a more carefully defined measure of migration business networks, and quantifies its impact on bilateral trade. Using cross-sectional data and controlling for the overall bilateral stock of migrants, the share of migrants employed in managerial/business-related occupations has a strong additional effect on trade, and especially on exports. Those immigrants should be the ones directly involved in the diffusion and transmission of information relevant for companies trading with other countries. Their presence is found to increase the volume of trade beyond the already known effect of immigrants or highly educated immigrants. When we control for the presence of highly educated immigrants, the share of immigrants in business network occupations shows a particularly large effect on trade in differentiated goods. Specifically, we find that highly educated individuals in business-related occupations are those contributing to export by the largest margin. Business network effects seem particularly important in stimulating exports to culturally different countries, such as those with different legal origin.
Effect of groundnut shell powder on the viscoelastic properties of recycled high density polyethylene composites

In the quest to clean up the environment and produce economically viable materials from plastic wastes and readily available natural fibres, groundnut shell powder reinforced recycled high density polyethylene composite was prepared via two roll melt mixing and compression moulding technique. The dynamic mechanical properties of the composites such as storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), and damping parameter (Tan ∂) were investigated using 242E dynamic mechanical analyzer in a temperature range from 30 o C 100 o C at a frequency of 1 Hz. It was found that the storage modulus of all the composites decrease with increase in temperature with composite containing 25%wt fibre having maximum E' value of 1158.47MPa compared to 1033.58MPa of the unreinforced recycled high density polyethylene. These results indicated that the thermal stability and load bearing capacity of the recycled high density polyethylene have been improved with the incorporation of groundnut shell powder. Scanning Electron micrographs showed better interfacial adhesion between treated groundnut shell powder in the polymer matrix; this explained the observed improvement in the viscoelastic properties of the composites. Keywords : Mechanical Properties, Groundnut Shell Powder, Recycled polyethylene, Viscolastic, Composites.
A background to acupuncture and its use in chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions

This article gives a brief description of the origins of acupuncture and describes some of the underlying philosophy behind this treatment and attempts to place it in context of the traditional Chinese medicine genre within which acupuncture is set. The article then explains the difference between traditional and Western style acupuncture and explains how point selection is made. The use of acupuncture is steadily increasing for a variety of reasons, it is a very safe intervention particularly when compared to conventional treatment and its lack of serious side effects might in part account for some of its popularity. The science behind acupuncture is also explored in terms of its underlying mechanisms and includes pain gate, endogenous opioids, diffuse noxious inhibitory control, serotonin and bioelectricity as possible explanations. The efficacy of acupuncture for a range of chronic musculoskeletal conditions is then explored and it is concluded that acupuncture has a place in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain and in particular osteo-arthritis (OA). Where degenerative conditions are involved, acupuncture clearly cannot provide a ‘cure’ but can provide symptomatic relief, often over a prolonged period.
Therapeutic Efficacy by Targeting Correction of Notch1-Induced Aberrants in Uveal Tumors

There is a need for more effective treatments for uveal melanoma. The recombinant oncolytic adenovirus H101 replicates specifically in p53-depleted tumor cells, and has been approved for use by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration. However, this treatment is associated with subsequent remission. Transfection of uveal melanoma cells with a small interfering RNA against Notch1 (siNotch1) effectively suppressed Notch1 expression, resulting in significant cell growth inhibition when combined with H101 treatment. Combined treatment with siNotch1 and H101 (H101-Notch1-siRNA) greatly enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro as compared to treatment with H101 or siNotch1 alone. For in vivo treatments, the combined treatment of siNotch1 and H101 showed remarkable tumor growth inhibition and prolonged mouse survival in the OCM1 xenograft model. We predict that Notch pathway deregulation could be a feature of uveal melanoma, and could be a therapeutic target, especially if p53 is concurrently targeted.