Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three orphan nuclear receptors in the scleractinian coral Pocillopora damicornis from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Within the animal kingdom, nuclear receptors modulate transcription to regulate diverse processes including embryonic development, energetic homeostasis and sexual differentiation. To date, nuclear receptor sequences have been reported in only a few cnidarian species, and little is known about nuclear receptor function in cnidarians. We have identified three nuclear receptor genes expressed in Pocillopora damicornis coral colonies (PdNR1, PdNR6, and PdNR7). The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences indicate that these three genes are closely related to nuclear receptors previously reported in Acropora millepora planula larvae (AmNR1, AmNR6, and AmNR7). None of the three P. damicornis nuclear receptors are apparent homologs of known ligand-activated receptors. Two are most closely related to vertebrate genes important in neural differentiation and signaling (subfamily 2E, tailless genes and subfamily 2F, COUP-TFs). The third cannot be unambiguously classified within a currently recognized subfamily. Future studies are needed to describe the roles of nuclear receptors in cnidarian development and physiology. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (Suppl. 4): 39-48. Epub 2009 June 30.
Neuro-Fuzzy Control of a Dynamometer for the Emulation of Nonlinear Mechanical Loads

This paper proposes a neuro-fuzzy controller for a vector controlled load machine (dynamometer) which is mechanically coupled to a drive machine for the emulation of nonlinear loads. The main objective is to provide a system for testing of high performance electrical drives under nonlinear loads. The proposed emulation strategy is based on the model reference control approach using an on-line trained Neuro-Fuzzy Controller (NFC). The emulation is placed in the closed speed loop of the drive machine. Varieties of dynamic load models which are the nonlinear functions of the shaft speed are successfully emulated and the generalization capability of the trained NFC is shown. Simulation results showing the excellent performance of the proposed emulation strategy are presented.
REGULATION AND PRIVATISATION : THE CASE OF ELECTRICITY Bernardo Bortolotti

This paper sheds some light about privatisation in utilities. An empirical analysis based on sales in the electricity sector in 38 countries for the period 1977-97 shows that regulation is a crucial institutional variable in privatisation. Not only it allows governments to increase the pace of divestiture and to sell higher stakes, but also to maximise proceeds reducing regulatory risk. The revenues-efficiency trade-off loses some relevance in electricity privatisation.
© Journal of Phytology, 2009 Available Online: www.phytol.org

In this study, fodder barley was irrigated with pure tertiary treated sewage effluent (TTSE) and TTSE mixed with different amounts of tap water (20, 40, 60, and 80% tap water) using pure tap water as a check in a hydroponic system. The objective was to evaluate the effect of TTSE on heavy metals content (Pb, Cd and Ni) in barley biomass and some other nutrient elements (N, P, K, Ca and Fe). All these elements were present in much higher concentrations in TTSE compared to tap water. Heavy metal concentrations in barley biomass increased with an increase in the concentration of TTSE. Cadmium levels ranged between 0.06 (barley grown in tap water) and 0.1 ppm for barley grown in pure TTSE. These figures are lower than the limits set by the Commission of the European Union and WHO. Lead levels in biomass also increased with an increase in TTSE level. Ranging between 0.33 (tap water) to 0.7 (TTSE) ppm on dry weight basis, these levels are within acceptable limits for fodder. Nickel concentrations in barley biomass ranged between 6 (tap water) and 9 (TTSE) ppm. The toxic or excessive nickel concentrations in mature leaf tissue ranged between 10 to 100 ppm. The concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Fe in barley biomass were within normal limits. The study revealed that fodder barley grown hydroponically could be irrigated safely with TTSE, as a useful alternative disposal method of waste water without the risk of accumulation of heavy metals in the soil.
Ecopharmacognosy and the globalization of Traditional medicines

“Ecopharmacognosy” is the study of sustainable, biologically active, natural resources. It provides a philosophical and practical framework for developing new strategies and scientific perspectives which can assure global healthcare product accessibility and beneficial outcomes. Here, the sustainable precepts of ecopharmacognosy to develop improved traditional medicinal agents for globalization, based on a holistic approach to technology integration, will be presented. Plants remain a primary source of healthcare for the majority of patients in the world. However, they are typically used with minimal quality control. In addition, there are many tropical diseases, as well as multidrug-resistant organisms, requiring drug discovery programs. To address these needs, ecopharmacognosy approaches and network pharmacology must enhance the quality, assure the safety, demonstrate efficacy, and provide consistency (QSEC), and explore the many diverse effects of individual and complex products at the gene level. Field-based instruments are being deployed to assess natural materials noninvasively, and spectroscopic and chromatographic procedures are in development to analyze quantitatively single and multi-component plant mixtures for established bioactive markers. Combining contemporary technologies and sustainability considerations, as aspects of ecopharmacognosy, are important strategies to enhance the quality control of traditional medicines for improved patient care.
Análisis paramétrico de la carbonatación en estructuras de hormigón por Redes Neuronales Artificiales

The aim of this paper is parametrically analyze the main factors that influence on the progress of concrete carbonation front. Therefore, a numerical model was developed using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), considering the Multi-Layer Perceptron class, designed in a C++ objectoriented program. The software was fed by experimental degradation data available in the current literature. The results obtained in the parametric analysis, besides adding knowledge to the building pathology area, reinforce concepts already known in the literature, demonstrating the efficiency of ANNs in the investigation of concrete carbonation.
Fourier restriction estimates for space curves

Fourier restriction estimates for space curves Jungwon Park Department of Mathematical Sciences Seoul National University For the Fourier transformation f̂(y) = ∫ e−iy·xf(x)dx of a Schwartz function f , one can ask for which p, q and subsets S ⊂ R we can meaningfully restrict the Fourier transform. That is, what geometrical property of a set S makes it possible to have the estimate ∥∥∥f̂∥∥∥ Lp ∗ (S,dμ) ≤ Cp ‖f‖p . In this paper, we will cover cases when a set S is a curve with certain nondegeneracy property. The purpose of this paper is to survey historical progress to deal with local restriction estimates for non-degenerate curves. Doing this, we review methods related to the restriction theorem and limitations come from those methods.
Differential advancement of breeding phenology in response to climate may alter staggered breeding among sympatric pygoscelid penguins

Numerous studies link climate change with advancing breeding phenology in birds, but less frequently considered are the joint impacts on sympatrically breeding communities of birds. We used data on clutch initiation dates (CID) from 4 sites along the Western Antarctic Peninsula for 3 congeneric and sympatrically breeding penguin species (Adelie Pygoscelis adeliae, gentoo P. papua and chinstrap P. antarcticus) to understand what factors correlate with the phenology and synchrony of breeding and how these factors might change with the recent warming experienced in this region. We found that clutch initiation was most significantly corre- lated with October air temperatures such that all 3 species advanced clutch initiation to varying degrees in warmer years. Gentoo penguins were able to advance CID almost twice as much (3.2 d° C −1 ) as Adelie (1.7 d °C −1 ) and chinstrap penguins (1.8 d °C −1 ). Beyond the variation explained by mean October temperatures, there was an unexplained trend to earlier clutch initiation of 0.15 ± 0.05 d yr −1 . Greater plasticity in gentoo breeding phenology compressed the mean interval between Adelie and gentoo breeding in warm years and this may increase competition for nesting space in mixed colonies. Our results suggest that differential responses in breeding phenology to changing temperatures represent an additional mechanism by which climate change may affect competitive interactions and, consequently, pygoscelid penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Influence of different sources of noise on epileptic spike EEG source localization

Spike EEG source localization results are influenced by different errors and approximations, e.g., head-model complexity, EEG signal noise, electrode misplacements, tissue anisotropy, tissue conductivity noise as well as numerical errors. For accurate source localization, understanding the affects of these errors on the source localization is very crucial. Six finite element head models are selected for a head-model complexity study. A reference head model is used to create the synthetic EEG signals by placing a dipole inside the model to mimic the epileptic spike activity. To understand the influence of EEG signal noise, tissue conductivity noise and electrode misplacements on the EEG source localization, different level of noises are added to EEG signals, tissue conductivities and electrode positions, independently. To investigate the influence of white matter anisotropy, a realistic head model generated from T1-weighted MRI is used and the conductivity anisotropy for the white matter is calculated from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Major findings of the study include (1) the CSF layer plays an important role to achieve an accurate source localization result, (2) the source localization is very sensitive to the tissue conductivity noises, (3) one centimeter electrode misplacement cause approximately 8 mm localization error, (4) the source localization is robust with respect to the EEG signal noise and (5) the model with white matter anisotropy has small source localization error but large amplitude and orientation errors compared to the isotropic head model.
Implementation of English-Text to Marathi-Speech (ETMS) Synthesizer

This paper describes the Implementation of Natural Sounding Speech Synthesizer for Marathi Language using English Script. The natural synthesizer is developed using unit selection on the basis of concatenative synthesis approach. The purpose of this synthesizer is to produce natural sound in Marathi language by computer. The natural Marathi words and sentences have been acquired by 'Marathi Wordnet' because all Marathi linguists are referred Wordnet. In this system, around 28,580 syllables, natural words and sentences were used. These natural syllables have been spoken by one female speaker. The voice signals were recorded through standard Sennheiser HD449 Wired Headphone using PRAAT tool with sampling frequency of 22 KHz. The ETMS-system was tested and generated the natural output as well as waveform. The formant frequencies (F1, F2 and F3) were also determined by MATLAB and PRAAT tools. The formant frequencies results are to be found satisfactory.
Larvicidal activities of a neem cake fractions on aedes albopictus

There is an urgent need for ecologically sound, equitable and ethical pest management, based on control agents that are pest-specific, nontoxic to humans and other biota, biodegradable, less prone to pest resistance and resurgence and relatively less expensive. The last aspect is fundamental for a large scale use in emerging countries. Among various options concerning botanical bio-pesticides, neem has been identified as a source of eco-friendly "soft" natural pesticides. We report our results in scientific validation of neem cake, a by-product of seed neem oil production. Neem cake was selected on the basis of low cost, sustainability, availability of enormous quantities, other uses in agriculture and possible direct utilization. However, the proposal had to face the possibility of different compositions of marketed neem cakes and their corresponding activities. Furthermore, neem cakes compositions resulted so different from the neem oil ones to make necessary a re-writing of the chemistry chapter. The last episode of this research is here reported with new data concerning the larvicidal activities of neem cake extracts at different compositions.
Contemporary Approaches on Reversible Data Hiding Methods: A Comparative Study

Reversible data hiding is an important concept on secret communication not only the hidden data can be subtracted from a covered media but also the cover media can be entirely reconstruct after the extraction steps. In the last decade, self-pixel based, block based and interpolation based methods have been extensively developed by using spatial-frequency domain and any others. In this paper, we presents an overview of these methods and their marginal specifications. In addition to these, the purpose of this study is to explain and to classify the various algorithms, inside groups and their studies in the reversible data hiding concept.
Artificial intelligence in knowledge management for time series forecasting

Knowledge Management (KM) is a keen topic for an organization, in particular to those that have to deal with knowledge acquired from different sources, either from its own experiences or from that of others, to decide on the effective use of that knowledge to fulfill the goals of the organization. As representative examples of KM, one may have the object-oriented data bases, hypermedia or concept maps. On the other hand, techniques developed in Artificial Intelligence for knowledge representation and discovery may be of great use in KM; in particular, it seems natural to explore the potential of the organization past data to deal with management decisions of the present. One way is to use Time Series Forecasting (TSF), where forecasts are based on pattern recognition of past observations ordered in time. Traditional TSF methods, such as the Holt-Winters and the Box-Jenkins ones, are based on particular characteristics of the Time Series (TS), such as trend or seasonal effects. These methods work with well behaved TS, but present some drawbacks on TS with noise or some unknown nonlinear relations among the TS data. An alternative approach is the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), which present two main advantages: ANNs can extrapolate patterns from past data, even in TS with noise, and may adapt their behavior as new data comes in. A problem with the use of this approach is the search time for the best ANN architecture, which involves a large searching space, demanding a huge computational effort. Other aspect of concern is that of TS data filtering. Not all lags of the TS have the same influence over the forecast. Feeding the ANN with a big time window will slow the ANN forecasting efficiency. To solve these pitfalls, one may use random search, hill climbing or genetic procedures. The last ones are known to work well on problems of combinatorial nature, obtaining good solutions where other methods seem to fail. This paper presents an integrated approach for TSF: a set of rules will create the training cases, based on some lags of the TS; these rules and the ANN parameters will be encoded on the genetic chromosomes; finally, each ANN will be trained, leading to competition.
A novel dynamic bandwidth selection method for thinning noisy point clouds

In this paper, we propose a dynamic bandwidth selection method for thinning noisy point clouds into curves. Due to the nonhomogeneous distribution of noise or varying curvature of the data, the thinning procedure requires a dynamically adjusted bandwidth along the curve. On the other hand, the selected local region must be sorted along a suitable direction vector for local curve fitting purposes. The contribution of this paper to the field is 2-folded: first, a normalized eigenvalue analysis-based method is used to determine the best local bandwidth. The second task is getting a good regression line of the local region for ordering the data. In this step, a feature that is based on the Euclidean distances between points is used to determine the best regression line in the search space. Finally, a third-order parametric polynomial is fitted to the local data using the least squares method. We adapt and test our algorithm on the widely used k-nearest neighbor and constant radius methods. Our experiments show that the proposed methods automatically produce comparable results with these methods at their best parameter, which is empirically determined. Our methods also do not require any empirically determined parameter to adjust the best bandwidth or to select a good regression axis. Moreover, this method can be used with point sets that do not have a regression axis.
CASSAVA OR MAIZE MEAL FOR BROILERS AND THE EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION WITH METHIONINE AND SULPHATE IN CASSAVA BASED DIETS

Three experiments were carried out with growing chicks to investigate the effect of substituting cassava for maize and to establish optimal levels of methionine and sulphate in practical cassava based diets. ln the first experiment 150 day-old chicks were fed for 8 weeks on diets in which the level of replacement for maize by cassava meal was 0, 33, 67 and 100%. }n a sixth treatment 10% of the cassava in the diet containing no maize was replaced by cane molasses. Liveweight gain and conversion efficiency decreased linearly as the proportion of cassava in tbe diet increased. The inclusion of 10% molasses in a cassava based dier gave little improvement in performance. Thyroid weight increased when cassava completely replaced maize. In the second experiment 270 day-old chicks were fed for three weeks on a practical cassava based diet supplemented with 0, 0.15. 0.30% methionine, 0, 0.15 or 0.30%. sodium sulphate, in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Ihere was a linear increase in liveweight gain with additions of methionine with either 0 or 0.15% additional sodium sulphate but additional methionine had no effect with 0.30% additional sodium sulphate. There was no significant effect on liveweight gain when sulphate alone was added to the diet. Food consumption and food conversion were not affected by any of the treatments. In the third experiment 240 day-old chicka were fed for three weeks on practical cassava based diets containing either 0, 0.20,. 0.40 or 0.60% added methionine or 0.15. 0.30, 0.45 or 0.60% added sodium sulphate. There was a linear decrease ir liveweight gain as the level of methionine increased. There were no significant effects of sulphate on weight gain, or of either sulphate or methionine on food consumption or food conversion efficiency.
Breeding for improved welfare in pigs: a conceptual framework and its use in practice

Welfare of animals can be defined as the kind of feelings the environmental conditions bring about in the animals. These feelings depend on the needs of the animals and their degree of satisfaction. Needs of animals, and so their welfare, are partly genetically determined. Therefore, welfare can be changed by breeding. The aim of this study was to investigate how welfare of pigs under modern intensive farm conditions can be improved by genetic selection, with emphasis on the precise definition of the breeding goal and determination of the animal characteristics on which selection can be based in practice. The existing thermoregulation model was used to develop a conceptual framework that describes welfare of growing pigs and production sows with respect to each of their needs as a curvilinear function of the respective environmental conditions. The framework assumes that welfare in terms of feelings is reflected by the physiological and behavioural mechanisms the pig has to activate in order to cope with the various environmental conditions it encounters. Based on those physiological and behavioural responses to changing conditions, five welfare zones can be distinguished for each need. Breeding goals for welfare were defined in terms of the transition points between these welfare zones, such that future pigs would better cope with unfavourable or unfamiliar farming conditions, therewith quickening the domestication process, to some extent. However, as long as genetic parameters for these transition points are not available, more common welfare-related characteristics like temperament, stress resistance and robustness can be included in the breeding goal, as an alternative. For selection among potential breeding candidates, transition points between welfare zones can be determined in sib tests, thereby also collecting the data for estimating genetic parameters. As a cheaper alternative, breeding candidates could be tested under hard conditions and selected on their coping success. In addition, various behavioural tests and operant conditioning tests ( to test a pig's motivation to change its actual environment) can be carried out. Under common conditions on the farm, problems associated with coping (like incidences of diseases, injuries, and stereotypies) and/or other relevant traits ( e. g. saliva cortisol levels, longevity and even production traits) should be recorded routinely and used as selection index information. Selection for improved welfare should lead to more tolerant pigs that are better able to cope with possible unfavourable farm conditions by a more efficient use of the adaptation mechanisms they already possess. It should, however, not result in lowering husbandry standards. More research is needed to assess genetic correlations among various welfare aspects and with production traits to prevent undesired side effects in future populations of pigs.
Towards measurement of political pressure on central banks: the case of the central bank of egypt

This paper assesses whether the legal independence granted to the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) by the latest legislation promulgated in 2005 is factual. The author followed Fry's methodology, which assumes that the level of independence of the central bank is determined by fiscal attributes. In an attempt to develop Fry's method, there was used a simple criterion to assess the central bank's independence, namely, that the central bank is actually independent if it can fulfill its money supply target without squeezing the private sector. Applying this criterion to the case of the CBE, we find that the legal independence granted to the CBE by the latest legislation is not factual.