Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population dynamics of Rainbow Sardines, Dussumieria acuta (Valenciennes, 1847) from Pakistani waters

Length frequency data of Rainbow Sardines, Dussumieria acuta were collected and measured from the coast of Pakistan during 2015, ranging from 5 to 19 cm (total length). Weight ranges were measured from 2 to 64 g. The length frequency data were analysed for the estimation of population dynamics, so b was estimated at 2.70. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth function parameters of 19.95 cm (L∞) and 0.730 year-1 (K). The mortality rate Z= 1.84 year-1, M= 1.59 year-1 F= 0.25 year-1 and E= F/Z= 0.135. The yield-per-recruit analysis indicated that when tc was 1, Fmax was 1 year-1. Currently, the age at first capture is about 1 year and Fcurrent was 0.25 year-1. Therefore, Fcurrent was smaller than Fmax. With Gulland method, the biological reference point for fishery (Fopt) was estimated as 1.59 year1, which is also higher than current fish mortality. Therefore, the present study shows that the Dussumieria acuta fishery is safe in Pakistan.
A practical glycosyltransferase assay for the identification of new inhibitor chemotypes

We have developed an operationally simple assay protocol for the identification and evaluation of small molecular glycosyltransferase inhibitors. Wu and co-workers have recently reported that the formation of the nucleoside diphosphate during the glycosyltransferase reaction can be monitored with a phosphatase/malachite green detection system at 620 nm. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, that this assay principle can be exploited for enzyme inhibition studies, and report the optimisation of several key parameters of this assay. We have significantly improved the reproducibility of the assay by addition of chicken egg-white lysozyme as a carrier protein. We have also substantially reduced the assay running costs by using the inexpensive and widely available calf intestinal phosphatase. Critically for inhibition studies with small organic molecules, our assay protocol tolerates additives such as the solubiliser DMSO and the surfactant Triton-X 100, and we have validated its application in inhibition experiments with two known galactosyltransferase ligands. The new assay protocol is robust and inexpensive, requires only short incubation times, and can be carried out in a microplate format. These characteristics make it ideal for high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns. As it does not require specialist equipment and can readily be performed in non-biochemistry laboratories, we anticipate that the assay will help expedite the identification of new glycosyltransferase inhibitors both in industry and academia.
Disinformation online: potential legal and regulatory ramifications to the right to
 free elections – policy position paper

This paper provides an overview on the implications of digital information disorder to exercise the right to free elections. It suggests a need for public scrutiny and calls for action on the revision of rules on political advertising, on enhanced accountability of internet intermediaries, on strengthening quality journalism and empowerment of voters towards a critical evaluation of electoral communication. Furthermore, it considers the potential role and involvement of national regulators and of the judiciary in law enforcement and regulation.
Foliar applications of spermidine improve foxtail millet seedling characteristics under salt stress

This study investigated the mitigating effects of spermidine (Spd) application on salinity-induced ion inbalance, physiological properties, and the expression of some genes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.). We observed 30-d-old seedlings maintained at a half-strength Hoagland solution (control), 1.0 % NaCl, 10, 20, and 40 μM Spd, and 10, 20, and 40 μM Spd + 1.0 % (m/v) NaCl for 14 d. The results show that salt stress significantly inhibited plant growth, and this was significantly ameliorated by Spd. The mass of the shoots and roots, content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, root activity, and K+ content were higher whereas Na+ content, Na+/K+ ratio, relative electrolyte leakage, glutathione content, H2O2 content, activity of glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) were lower after application of Spd in comparison with NaCl alone. The expression of GR, ascorbate peroxidase, CAT, and superoxide dismutase genes also significantly decreased in salt stressed plants with Spd. This study has proved the role of Spd in alleviating salt stress in foxtail millet and identified that 20 μM Spd was most effective.
A deep residual learning serial segmentation network for extracting buildings from remote sensing imagery

ABSTRACT Extracting buildings from high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery automatically is considered as an important task in many applications. The huge differences in the appearance and spatial distribution of man-made buildings make it a challenging issue. In recent years, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have made remarkable progress in computer vision. Many published papers have applied deep CNNs to remote sensing successfully. However, most contributions require complex structure and a big number of parameters which lead to redundant computations, and limit the application of the models. To address these issues, we propose a deep residual learning serial segmentation network called SSNet, an end-to-end semantic segmentation network, to extract buildings from high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery. SSNet reduces the network complexity and computations by drawing on the advantages of U-Net and ResNet, and improves the detection accuracy. The SSNet is extensively evaluated on two large remote sensing datasets covering a wide range of urban settlement appearances. The comparison of SSNet and state-of-the-art algorithms demonstrates the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed model for building extraction.
SCALE‐DEPENDENT PREDATOR–PREY INTERACTIONS: THE HIERARCHICAL SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SEABIRDS AND PREY

It has been suggested that the spatial distribution of many marine pelagic organisms can be described by a hierarchical patch structure. Here, we present evidence for a hierarchical spatial distribution of murres (Uria spp.) foraging on capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the Barents Sea. We found three distinct levels of patchiness. At the largest level we found spatial structures with a characteristic scale of >300 km, and a spatial overlap between murre and capelin. Within the large-scale structures, we found medium- scale patches with a characteristic scale of -50 km, and an overlap between the patches of murre and capelin. Within the medium-scale patches we found small-scale patches with a characteristic scale of -3 km. At the smallest scale there was no overlap between patches of capelin and murre. Our results indicate that murres actively track the spatial distribution of capelin at several scales. We suggest that murres use a strategy where the search pattern reflects the hierarchical properties of the prey system. Under this hypothesis the predator searches for large-scale patches by using long travel distances and low turning frequency. Once within a large-scale patch, the predator starts searching for smaller scale patches by using shorter travel distances and higher turning frequencies. Such a search pattern will minimize the area to be searched by the predator and move the predator upward in the hierarchical prey system in a stepwise fashion.
PROGRESS TOWARDS A SPECIES INVENTORY FOR CONSERVATION OF BRYOPHYTES IN IRELAND

Abstract:Ireland has one of the richest bryofloras in Europe, with a wealth of Atlantic species that is shared only with western Scotland. Until recently knowledge of Irish bryophyte distribution has nevertheless been insufficient to inform conservation priorities. Intensive field surveys of rare and threatened bryophytes in Ireland were therefore carried out during 1999-2005 and are continuing. The draft Red List of Irish bryophytes from 1998 has already been greatly altered by this work, with deletion of 53 taxa that were under-recorded, whereas 24 taxa have been newly discovered in Ireland and several others that had been lost for more than a century have been rediscovered. The result should eventually be a more reliable Red List that provides an effective tool for conservation of threatened bryophytes, by recognising which taxa are really threatened and which populations are of greatest importance in a European context. Action to protect bryophytes in Ireland can then be developed more effectively. It has been realised that certain habitats are especially threatened, most notably the montane 'Northern Hepatic Mat', but also some coastal sites and intermediate fens.
Classifying Pathways for Smart City Development: Comparing Design, Governance and Implementation in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) as the new paradigm of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and rapid changes in technology and urban needs urge cities around the world towards formulating smart city policies. Nevertheless, policy makers, city planners, and practitioners appear to have quite different expectations from what smart cities can offer them. This has led to the emergence of different types of smart cities and pathways of development. This paper aims to answer the research question: When comparing a selection of smart city projects, can we classify pathways for their implementation? We do this by using a cross-case research design of four cities to explore commonalities and differences in development patterns. An input-output (IO) model of smart city development is used to retrieve which design variables are at play and lead to which output. The four cases pertain to the following smart city projects: Smart Dubai, Masdar City, Barcelona Smart City, and Amsterdam Smart City. Our analysis shows that Amsterdam is based on a business-driven approach that puts innovation at its core; for Masdar, technological optimism is the main essence of the pathway; social inclusion is the focus of Barcelona Smart City; and visionary ambitious leadership is the main driver for Smart Dubai. Based on these insights, a classification for smart city development pathways is established. The results of the present study are useful to academic researchers, smart city practitioners, and policy makers.
GROWTH PATTERNS OF MUSCLE. FAT AND BONE. AND CARCASS COMPOSITION OF DOUBLE MUSCLED AND NORMAL CATTLE

Eighteen Double Muscled (DM), 18 Beef Synthetic (SY) and 18 Hereford (HE) bulls were serially slaughtered from approximately 250 to 800 kg liveweight to determine the influence of maturity type and "double muscling" on tissue growth patterns and compositional differences which were examined by using the allometric equation Y = aXb after transformation to common logarithms (log10). As liveweight (LW) increased, the proportions of total side fat (TSF) and subcutaneous fat (SCF) increased, the proportions of total side muscle (TSM) and intermuscular fat (IMF) remained relatively constant and the proportion of total side bone (TSB) decreased. Relative to LW, DM had a similar growth rate for TSM and lower growth rates for TSF, SCF and IMF than HE and SY. All breed types had similar growth rates for TSB on LW. Relative to dissected side weight (DSW) and TSB, the DM bulls had a higher growth rate for TSM than did the HE and S Y bulls. Differences existed between DM and the more normal genotypes in carcass compos.
Learning across views for stereo image completion

Stereo image completion (SIC) is to fill holes existing in a pair of stereo images. SIC is more complicated than single image repairing, which needs to complete the pair of images while keeping their stereoscopic consistency. In recent years, deep learning has been introduced into single image repairing but seldom used for SIC. The authors present a novel deep learning-based approach for SIC. In their method, an X-shaped fully convolutional network (called SICNet) is proposed and designed to complete stereo images, which is composed of two branches of convolutional neural network layers to encode the context of the left and right images separately, a fusion module for stereo-interactive completion, and two branches of decoders to produce completed left and right images, respectively. In consideration of both inter-view and intra-view cues, they introduce auxiliary networks and define comprehensive losses to train SICNet to perform single-view coherent and cross-view consistent completion simultaneously. Extensive experiments are conducted to show the state-of-the-art performances of the proposed approach and its key components.
Off the charts: user engagement enhancers in election infographics

ABSTRACT In recent years, political discourse in digital spheres has seen a rise in the use of infographics. The paper addresses an unexplored question about this phenomenon: which characteristics are associated with higher levels of ostensive user engagement with political infographics in social media? We conceptualize ostensive user engagement as the outward-facing metrics afforded by a platform (e.g., like, share, and comment count) that serve both as means for self-presentation and shape the informational environment that others are exposed to. A corpus comprised of all infographics posted on Facebook by the four leading candidates in the 2016 US presidential campaign (N = 252) was coded for cognitive, behavioral, and emotional characteristics. We found that two of the cognitively oriented dimensions enhanced engagement, while behavioral cues (calls to action) were, surprisingly, negatively linked. The inclusion of emotions did not show an overall association; however, a deeper look revealed a candidate-specific effect: anger was associated with greater engagement on Trump's infographics, and similarly, pleasure on Sanders’. In conclusion, we discuss the implications of our findings for understanding the informational environment shaped by engagement with infographics in light of the two seemingly opposing perceptions of internal and external authenticity.
The Epstein–Barr virus oncogene product latent membrane protein 1 engages the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated death domain protein to mediate B lymphocyte growth transformation and activate NF-κB

The Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is essential for the transformation of B lymphocytes into lymphoblastoid cell lines. Previous data are consistent with a model that LMP1 is a constitutively activated receptor that transduces signals for transformation through its carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic tail. One transformation effector site (TES1), located within the membrane proximal 45 residues of the cytoplasmic tail, constitutively engages tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors. Signals from TES1 are sufficient to drive initial proliferation of infected resting B lymphocytes, but most lymphoblastoid cells infected with a virus that does not express the 155 residues beyond TES1 fail to grow as long-term cell lines. We now find that mutating two tyrosines to an isoleucine at the carboxyl end of the cytoplasmic tail cripples the ability of EBV to cause lymphoblastoid cell outgrowth, thereby marking a second transformation effector site, TES2. A yeast two-hybrid screen identified TES2 interacting proteins, including the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated death domain protein (TRADD). TRADD was the only protein that interacted with wild-type TES2 and not with isoleucine-mutated TES2. TRADD associated with wild-type LMP1 but not with isoleucine-mutated LMP1 in mammalian cells, and TRADD constitutively associated with LMP1 in EBV-transformed cells. In transfection assays, TRADD and TES2 synergistically mediated high-level NF-κB activation. These results indicate that LMP1 appropriates TRADD to enable efficient long-term lymphoblastoid cell outgrowth. High-level NF-κB activation also appears to be a critical component of long-term outgrowth.
Empirical testing of destination attribute preferences of women snow-sport tourists along a trajectory of participation

ABSTRACT This study explored women snow-sport tourists’ destination attribute preferences in relation to their participation level (e.g. skill; sport career stage) through a complementary sequential mixed-methods approach. Initially, a model illustrating a trajectory of snow-sport participation, travel behavior and preferences was created through qualitative methods. This paper presents the quantitative testing of this proposed trajectory model and the associated destination attribute preferences. Enduring Involvement was used to quantitatively assess proposed stages of the snow-sport participation trajectory. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed two dimensions in women's enduring involvement in snow-sports: ‘identity/centrality’ and ‘hedonism’. Additionally, three dimensions were found for destination attributes: ‘resort amenities and activities’, ‘snow-sport conditions and quality’, and ‘price’. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance showed that stages of the trajectory could be quantitatively verified. Analysis of Variance indicated that the importance placed on ‘resort amenities and activities’ decreased as women progressed along the trajectory. ‘Snow-sport conditions and quality’ was rated higher by more advanced skiers/snowboarders. ‘Price’ was rated highly along the trajectory stages.
Fatores genéticos e de ambiente sobre o intervalo de partos de cabras leiteiras no semi-árido nordestino

The aims of this study were evaluate influence of the environmental and genetic effects on the kidding interval, using 486 records of kidding crossbred dairy goats obtained from 1988 to 1996 in Paraiba State. The environmental effects were analyzed by means of the procedure GLM of the SAS with a model that included as fixed factors the contemporary group and kidding type, and covariates age of goat at kidding and lactation length. Buck, goat inside of the buck and error were included as random effects. MTDFREML program was used in the analysis with an animal model containing the contemporary group and kidding type, the linear and quadratic effects of age of kidding and lactation length as fixed effects. Animal and permanent environmental and error were included as random effects. The least-square means of kidding interval was 275.55 ± 60.96 days. Kidding interval was affected by the contemporary group and lactation length effects. Estimates of heritability and repeatability were low, 0.09 and 0.09, respectively, showing that smaller kidding intervals would be obtained by better management.
Influence of Image TIFF Format and JPEG Compression Level in the Accuracy of the 3D Model and Quality of the Orthophoto in UAV Photogrammetry

The aim of this study is to evaluate the degradation of the accuracy and quality of the images in relation to the TIFF format and the different compression level of the JPEG format compared to the raw images acquired by UAV platform. Experiments were carried out using DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Hasselblad L1D-20c camera on three test sites. Post-processing of images was performed using software based on structure from motion and multi-view stereo approaches. The results show a slight influence of image format and compression levels in flat or slightly flat surfaces; in the case of a complex 3D model, instead, the choice of a format became important. Across all tests, processing times were found to also play a key role, especially in point cloud generation. The qualitative and quantitative analysis, carried out on the different orthophotos, allowed to highlight a modest impact in the use of the TIFF format and a strong influence as the JPEG compression level increases.
The Impact of an Online Orientation Program on Student Success at a Community College

This study examined the effectiveness of an online orientation program on participation and student success for a defined cohort of students at a mid-size community college in the mid-Atlantic region. Specifically, a quantitative analysis focused on differences in grade point average (GPA) and retention as success factors among students who completed the online orientation versus students who only started but did not finish and students who did not attempt the program. The findings indicate a statistically significant difference in fall-to-spring retention and first semester GPA for students who completed the online orientation module compared to students who accessed but did not complete and students who did not access the program. This study contributes to the research and literature on online orientation programs, specifically in the community college setting, and the researchers offer a discussion of results and recommendations for policy, practice, and future research.
Administration of Chemotherapy in University Clinical Center of Kosova by Nurses

Policy development on chemotherapy management has increased the demand for deeper knowledge in this field. In this way, there was a need to identify, recognize the consumption trends of chemotherapeutic and prioritize the interest of regulatory bodies, as well as to design programs for health education. In 1978 for the first time in Kosovo, a Hematology Department was established within the Internal Diseases Clinic by Dr. Shaban Geci. In 2013 it became a Clinic of Hematology. The Department of Clinical Hematology deals with the diagnosis of hematologic and hematopoietic diseases including erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets as well as malignant diseases. Within the department is also the location for puncture and biopsy of the bone marrow as well as for ultrasonography. Methods: The study was prospective and was conducted at University Clinical Center of Kosova (UCCK) and is based on an anonymous survey designed specifically for this purpose. The subject of the analysis was the available space for hospitalization and administration of chemotherapeutic at UCCK, the existence or not of written protocols, and available technical equipment. Results: Respondents were asked how many nurses handle the administration of cytostatic at the clinic where they work. 48% of respondents state that 1 - 5 nurses deal with cytostatic administration, 52% of respondents say 1 - 15 nurses deal with cytostatic administration, while alternatives 6 - 10 nurses and 16 and more nurses were not selected by no respondents.