Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining vessel-based surveys and tracking data to identify key marine areas for seabirds

An understanding of the distribution and habitat associations of far-ranging marine predators is being increasingly applied to protect these species from anthropogenic threats at sea (e.g. oil spills and fisheries bycatch). Within this framework, this research on Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea integrates vessel-based survey and tracking data to provide 2 distinct, yet complementary, perspectives of the habitats of this species in the western Mediterranean during incubation in June and chick rearing in August of 2007. We used a hierarchical modelling approach to (1) delineate the foraging habitat of the species using vessel-based surveys and (2) identify its feed- ing habitat based on tracking data within the Information-Theoretic framework. Our habitat model- ling analyses suggest that shearwaters respond to complex bio-physical coupling, illustrated by their association with frontal features and elevated ocean productivity. Our models yielded moderate pre- dictions of Cory's shearwater habitats within 2 distinct spatial scales. At the mesoscale, the foraging range of the species comprised the continental and insular shelf-slope waters of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, between the Gulf of Lions to the north and Cape Palos to the south. At the coarse scale, the tracking data highlighted important feeding areas within this larger foraging range: 3 continental shelf-slope 'hotspots' — (1) Gulf of Lions, (2) Cape Creus-Barcelona-Ebro Delta and (3) Cape La Nao-Cape Palos; from north to south — as well as the insular shelf-slope areas around the Balearic Islands. These results match previous observations of the foraging range and feeding pat- terns of the species, and are consistent with the interpretation of the regional oceanography. This study highlights how the integration of tracking and vessel-based survey data can provide a wider understanding of the predictability of aggregation (i.e. hotspots) and the key oceanographic habitats of far-ranging seabirds at multiple spatial scales. Thus, complementary data integration is a step forward in conservation studies of far-ranging marine top predators.
Possibilistic fusion for landcover mapping using correlated satellite imagery for environmental change

To acquire detection performance required for an operational system in the detection for satellite image for environmental change, it is necessary to use multiple images over years to know the environmental changes over years. This paper describes a method for decision-level fusion technique where the fusion can compensate for correlation among images. The fusion is done using possibilistic combiners based on T-norms families that better represent the correlation of images. This technique was applied to Nile River Delta, Egypt (1973, 1987). These images show the dramatic urban growth within the Nile River delta and the expansion of agriculture into adjoining desert areas.
A novel adaptive equalization and cancellation algorithm for direct conversion receivers

A novel technique is proposed in this paper to remove IM2, DC offset, ISI and AWGN simultaneously in a direct conversion receiver by using an adaptive complex filter. DC offset is modeled as a random tap, and IM2 signals are treated as variable real DC values both in I/Q channels separately. Then we can remove DC offset and IM2 simultaneously with only one complex tap. Furthermore, a decision feedback equalizer is employed to cancel the channel ISI. Simulation results are provided which verify the superior performance of the proposed method.
Price Indices for Ocean Charter Contracts

There is a long history of modeling of prices of commodity transportation by sea. These prices are referred to as (ocean) freight rates. Early contributions go back to the work of Tinbergen and Koopmans in the 1930s. The shipping industry is characterized by an abundance of individual contract data, which is collected and published by so-called charter brokers. The industry publishes this data both in raw form, as monthly and even weekly average prices for selected ship sizes and commodities on selected routes, and in the form of unit value indices. In this paper, we explore the calculation of these indices using a data set of ocean charter contracts for 1997-2005. We present unit value indices, which we compare with well known industry indices. We then explore the impact of weighting the subindices for aggregation, present indices based on matched models from period to period and we calculate indices are corrected for quality differences. Finally, we estimate price indices in which the duration of the contracts is reflected. We find that our unit value indices show substantial differences from current industry indices. Weighted aggregation is relevant especially for dry bulk spot rates, where some size classes dominate the others. The matched model results show that matching the indices by route can lead to widely different results compared to the unit value indices. We take this as an indication that care should be taken with indices based on a set of selected ’large’ routes only. The hedonic analysis shows that there are no structural quality aspects (such as age of the ship) that influence the level of the price indices. Quality differences do exist, but they are temporary, which is in line with previous research. Finally, the inclusion of contract duration is especially relevant for time charter indices, although there is also some impact for tanker spot rates. We conclude that current industry indices provide only limited insight in market developments, and we question the validity of some of the scientific research that uses these indices in its analysis.
Genetic connectivity of the reef fish Lutjanus kasmira at the scale of the western Indian Ocean

Examining the genetic structure of species allows an estimate of the level of evolutionary connectivity between localities; this information is important for marine biodiversity protection, in particular, for the delineation of marine pro- tected areas. In this context, a total of 601 Lutjanus kasmira (Forsskal, 1775) were sampled in 16 localities of the western Indian Ocean and analyzed with both mitochondrial cytochrome b sequencing and eight microsatellite loci genotyping. Both genetic markers indicate that differentiation was not significant even between samples separated by more than 4000 km. This absence of genetic differentiation among samples was favored by ecological plasticity of the species and is now en- sured by resultant high levels of dispersal. Nevertheless, some significant genetic structure was detected for the areas of Mauritius and Moroni, as well as within populations in all localities, which will have to be explained by additional studies on local processes. Resume : Etudier la structure genetique des especes permet d'estimer le degre de connectivite evolutive qui existe entre dif- ferentes localites pour ces especes; cette connaissance est importante dans le cadre de la protection de la biodiversite marine, et plus particulierement pour la delimitation d'aires marines protegees. Dans ce contexte, 601 Lutjanus kasmira (Forsskal, 1775) ont ete echantillonnes dans 16 localites de l'ouest de l'Ocean Indien. La structure genetique existant entre ces localites a ete determinee par le sequencage du gene mitochondrial cyctochrome b et le genotypage des individus a huit loci microsa- tellites. Les deux marqueurs genetiques indiquent une absence de difference significative entre les sites echantillonnes, et ce meme entre des echantillons distants de plus de 4000 km. Cette absence de structure genetique est principalement liee a l'e- cologie de l'espece, d'une part son importante plasticite ecologique et d'autre part sa forte capacite de dispersion. Nean- moins, de legeres differences genetiques sont observees pour les sites de Maurice et Moroni, ainsi qu'une structure entre individus au sein de chaque localite et restent encore a expliquer notamment par l'etude des processus locaux de renouvelle- ment des populations.
Attitude Towards Genetically Modified Soybean Amongst The Klang Valley Stakeholders

Public acceptance can be understood as the combined attitude of individuals on certain political issues, such as those arising from technological innovations. Other studies have concluded that the public’s attitude towards biotechnology was primarily driven by several factors such as the perceived benefits, risks, moral concerns and encouragement. Risk perception studies have identified two additional important factors named as familiarity and risk acceptance. The purpose of this paper is to study the attitude of the Malaysian public in the Klang Valley region towards genetically modified soybean. A survey was carried out on 1017 respondents from various interest groups in the Klang Valley region. Results of the survey have shown that the overall mean scores for familiarity, perceived benefits, perceived risks, moral concerns and encouragement of GM soybean were moderate. ANOVAs showed significant differences in the six dimensions of attitude across stakeholders’ groups.
Difficulties in the differential diagnosis of dengue and leptospirosis in Guayaquil

Leptospirosis and dengue fever are infectious diseases tha t co-occur during rainy seasons and both produce similar clinical signs. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative frequency of leptospirosis and dengue fever during a rainy s eason and the clinical difficulty to distinguish them. Blood samples from febrile patients in Guayaquil were obtained during the rainy season of 2008 and were analyzed by IgM ELISA for bot h diseases. Additionally, retrospective data (2003-2007) from febrile patient s who attended one of largest public hospitals in Guayaquil were obtained. From 135 febrile pati ents samples, 15 (11.1%) were positive to leptospirosis; 36 (26,7%) to dengue fever; 3 (2. 2%) to both pathogens and 81 (60%) were negative for both. Based on clinical diagnosis, c a es were classified 68.1% as dengue fever; 20.7% as leptospirosis; 9.6% as malaria and 1. 5% as other. However, 60% of patients clinically diagnosed as dengue had only antibod ies against Leptospiraand 25% patients diagnosed as leptospirosis had antibodies to deng ue virus. The hospital archives indicated that 72.8% of patients clinically diagnosed as de ngu fever had antibodies to Leptospiraand not to dengue virus. The results suggest the two diseases are often misidentified which is a serious problem because both diseases require dif ferent medical treatment.
Recent advances in bulkfill flowable composite resins: A review

The introduction of flowable composites provide expanded options for restorative dentistry. There is a growing trend among practitioners to use bulk-fill resin based composite materials because of their more simplified procedures. The main advancement of bulk-fill composite materials, namely increased depth of cure, which probably results from higher translucency, and low polymerization shrinkage stress are related to modifications in the filler content and/or organic matrix with the help of advanced technology. This article has enlighten different aspects of flowable bulkfill composite resin materials.
Supporting the Online Consumer Decision Process: Electronic Commerce in a Small Australian Retailer

The paper explores ways in which online retailers of physical products can utilise the Internet to support their consumers’ decision making processes. The approach followed by a small Australian retailer in selling boots online is examined. The case is analysed using theoretical constructs from consumer behaviour. It is concluded that it is indeed feasible even for small online retailers to successfully sell “look and feel” type goods such as footwear over the Internet. However, for this to occur, high levels of customer support is essential and online retailers need to engender consumer trust in terms of payment processing and product delivery.
Effect of Yogic Intervention on Blood pressure and Alpha- EEG level of working women

The present study was aimed to find out the effect of Yogic intervention on working women blood pressure and AlphaEEG level. There are many factors responsible for change in life and life style of women like biological, social and psychological. In the promotion of physical and mental health and prevention of many of these disorders, yogic practices are supposed to play a vital role. Yoga is an effective and time tested method for promote/improving our health as well as prevention and management of diseases. Fifty working women of age group 25-39 yrs selected from DAV Girls Degree College Yamuna Nagar (Haryana), and divided in to two groups, twenty five working women for experimental group and twenty five for control group. Before starting the practice both the groups control and experimental under went test for homogeneity of the groups. Control research design has been employed for the study. Practice time was 60 minutes each morning and the duration was 45 days. After 45 days again the post test has been taken for both the groups. The result of t-test revealed that the yogic intervention have significant effect at . 01 level on blood pressure and AlphaEEG level of working women age ranged from 25-39 yrs.
DEVELOPMENT AND SENSORY ANALYSIS OF ORAL VEHICLE TO CARRY DRUGS FOR PEDIATRIC USE

Article history The shortage of pharmaceutical formulations appropriate for different age subgroups that compose of the pediatric population, requires health professionals to prepare extemporaneous formulations. The present study deals with the development of a low-cost vehicle to be used in transformation of solid dosage form into liquid form for use on children, the study of the product's stability and the acceptability by healthy children. We formulated preparations with different suspending agents, and evaluated in terms of manufacturing facility, flavor, compatibility with actives and rheological behavior. The vehicle without actives was investigated by acceptance testing with the hedonic scale, involving 61 healthy children, between the ages of four and twelve years. The vehicle with the mint, cherry and strawberry flavors was widely accepted by children. Has pseudo-plastic behavior, density close to 1.00, sweet flavor, low cost, few components, absence of unsuitable substances to the health of children, physical, chemical and microbiological stability and acceptability. The vehicle was successfully employed for the preparation of oral liquid dosage forms containing furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide and valganciclovir with stability above 3 months.
Response of Different Levels of Nitrogen from Broiler Droppings Towards Planktonic Biota of Major Carps Rearing Ponds

Response of five levels of nitrogen, viz. 0.10, 0.13, 0.16, 0.19 and 0.22 g N/100 g fish daily, from broiler droppings towards planktonic productivity of major carps rearing ponds. Six genera of Chlorophyceae, viz. Chlamydomonas, Closterium, Microspora, “edogonium, Pandorina, Spirogyra; two genera of Chrysophyceae including Botryocaccus, Synura; and three genera of Bacillariophyceae (Cyclotella, Cymbella and Navicula) were recorded during different months in six treatments. As regards Dinophyceae and Euglenophyceae, the genera observed were Peridinium and Euglena respectively. Myxophyceae included the genera Anabaena, Microcystis and Oscillatoria. Zooplankton represented by ciliates (Protozoans) and 10 other genera in all treatments except under 0.16 g level of nitrogen. However, the increase beyond 0.16 g nitrogen level showed gradual decrease in zooplankton productivity upto 0.22 g nitrogen level. The correlation coefficients between phytoplankton and zooplankton productivities, under all the treatments, were positive and significant.
A Phenomenological Study of Sexual Harassment and Violence Among Girls Attending High Schools in Urban Slums, Nairobi, Kenya

In 2003, 31% of young Kenyan women ages 15–24 reported sexual harassment and violence (SHV), with a majority experiencing sexual debut due to coercion (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2004). Data were obtained from a sample of 20 girls attending school in Kamu and Lafamu (pseudonyms used for the study sites), 10 girls who had dropped out of school, and 14 teachers, using structured interviews. A phenomenological approach was used to describe narratives of girls' experiences with SHV in and out of school. The findings indicated that girls experienced frequent SHV in and out of school despite the Sexual Offences Act enacted by the Kenyan Parliament in 2006 (Government of Kenya, 2006). Hence, stakeholders need to reengage and implement existing policies on sexual abuse among children and women.
Two L-Shaped Array-Based 2-D DOAs Estimation in the Presence of Mutual Coupling

Recent research on the array geometrical conflguration shows that the two L-shaped array (TLSA) has a lower Cramer- Rao Low-Bound (CRLB) of two-dimensional (2-D) directions-of-arrival (DOAs) estimation than other array conflgurations. However, in this array conflguration, there are some problems to note: i) three electric angles are independently obtained from three uniformly linear subarrays on three axes, so they must be matched before solving elevation and azimuth angles from them; ii) Similar to other array geometries, the efiect of mutual coupling in the TLSA on the estimation performance cannot be ignored; and iii) the conventional elevation estimators may encounter estimation failure. In this paper, we develop a new TLSA-based 2-D DOAs estimation algorithm. The key points of this paper are: i) using some particularly selecting matrices, a trilinear model is constructed to compensate the efiect of mutual coupling on three subarrays. In addition, the steering vector is restored using the trilinear alternating least square method; ii) 2-D DOAs are estimated from the properly chosen elements of the restored steering vector to avoid pairing parameters and the severe performance degradation resulted from the failure in pairing; and iii) a new elevation estimator is designed to avoid estimation failure. Simulation results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed method.
Fas Ligand-exprimierende humane dendritische Zellen zur Induktion von T-Zelltoleranz: Phänotypische und funktionelle Charakterisierung

Die Aktivierung auto- oder alloreaktiver T-Zellen durch DC gilt als wesentlicher pathogenetischer Schritt zahlreicher Autoimmunerkrankungen bzw. Transplantat-Abstosungsreaktionen. Die Therapieoptionen bei diesen T-zellabhangigen Erkrankungen beschranken sich bisher auf die Gabe von unspezifisch wirkenden Immunsuppressiva, die das Immunsystem generell unterdrucken und deshalb zum Teil schwere Nebenwirkungen wie opportunistische Infektionen oder Tumorerkrankungen verursachen konnen. Wunschenswert ware dagegen die selektive Ausschaltung reaktiver T-Lymphozyten, d. h. die Induktion einer antigenspezifischen T-Zelltoleranz. In zahlreichen Tiermodellen und in vitro Experimenten mit Zelllinien konnte gezeigt werden, dass der Einsatz Fas Ligand- (FasL- oder CD95L-) exprimierender antigenprasentierender Zellen (APC-FasL) eine vielversprechende Therapieoption darstellt. Ahnliche Untersuchungen mit primaren humanen APC-FasL wurden bisher jedoch noch nicht durchgefuhrt. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war deshalb die Generierung humaner FasL-exprimierender APC durch adenoviralen Gentransfer und die Analyse der immunregulatorischen Funktionen dieser Zellen. Hierzu wurden DC aus primaren humanen Monozyten in vitro differenziert und in Kokultivierungsexperimenten mit T-Lymphozyten eingesetzt. Wegen der schlechten Vermehrungseffizienz adenoviraler Vektoren, die apoptoseinduzierende Gene kodieren, wurden Vektorkonstrukte verwendet, die eine induzierbare FasL-Expression unter Kontrolle des Cre/loxP-Vektorsystems ermoglichten. Durch die Expression des FasL-Gens wurden unreife DC durch Fas-vermittelte Apoptose ausgeschaltet, wahrend reife DC (mDC) davor geschutzt waren. Die adenovirale Transduktion der DC mit dem Kontrollvektor AdEGFP oder mit FasL (mDC-FasL) verursachte keine Anderung des DC-Phanotyps. Die Funktionalitat der mDC-FasL wurde in verschiedenen Kokultivierungsmodellen mit T-Zellen getestet. Zunachst wurden Fas-exprimierende Jurkat T-Zellen verwendet, die durch mDC-FasL besonders effizient eliminiert werden konnten. Die Apoptoseinduktion war abhangig vom Zellkontakt und konnte durch einen FasL-blockierenden Antikorper konzentrationsabhangig unterbunden werden. Untersuchungen mit primaren humanen T-Lymphozyten zeigten, dass diese erst nach Aktivierung durch mDC-FasL eliminiert werden konnten, wahrend ruhende T-Lymphozyten vor dem Apoptosesignal geschutzt waren. Dabei wurde in polyklonal aktivierten CD4+ und CD8+ T-Zellen gleichermasen Apoptose induziert. In einem allogenen Stimulationsmodell wurde gezeigt, dass mDC-FasL ebenfalls allogen aktivierte T-Zellen effizient eliminieren konnten. Ein Ausblick auf weitere Untersuchungen von mDC-FasL in einem autologen System zur antigenspezifischen Deletion von T-Lymphozyten wurde dargestellt und die Vorteile und Risiken des Einsatzes von mDC-FasL als potenzielle Therapieoption T-zellabhangiger Erkrankungen diskutiert.
Abundance Estimate of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Lower River Shannon candidate Special Area of Conservation, Ireland

An abundance assessment of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Lower River Shannon candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) was undertaken between July and October 2010 using photo-identification. European Union Member States are obliged to designate SACs for bottlenose dolphins to protect important habitats. The Lower River Shannon is the only cSAC in Ireland for this species. A cumulative total of 273 bottlenose dolphins were photographed during the 12 transects, and from these a total of 116 individual animals were identified. They were categorized as follows: 71 with Severity Grade 1 marks, 21 with Severity Grade 2 marks, and 24 with Severity Grade 3 marks. There were 50 dolphins with permanent marks (Severity Grade 1) recorded on both sides of the dorsal fin, 64 on the left hand side only, and 57 on the right hand side only. There was an overlap, with some dolphins occurring in more than one category. Estimates of abundance were calculated using left side, right side, and both side identifications. The proportion of dolphins with re-identifiable marks (Severity Grade 1 only) ranged from 0.60 to 0.63. The estimated abundance of marked individuals was elevated depending on the estimated proportion of marked individuals in the population to give a final estimate of 107 ± 12, CV = 0.12 (95% CI = 83 to 131). Previous abundance estimates for bottlenose dolphins in the Lower River Shannon cSAC ranged from 114 in 2008 to 140 in 2006; the present estimate was within this range and also within the 95% Confidence Intervals for all surveys carried out to date. This suggests that, within the power of the survey technique, the population of bottlenose dolphins in the Lower River Shannon cSAC is relatively stable.
Adaptive Nonlinear Control of an Electric Motor

This paper presents an adaptive nonlinear controller applied to a three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor. The designed controller combines the nonlinear Input-Output linearization technique with linear adaptive control techniques. It takes into account the uncertainties in the stator inductance and the rotor moment of inertia which are difficult to measure with accuracy in practice. Mathematics Subject Classification: 93C10, 93C15, 93C35, 93C95