Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Black scabbardfish, Aphanopus carbo, in the northeast Atlantic: distribution and hypothetical migratory cycle

The biology, ecology, and dynamics of the deep-sea teleost black scabbardfish in the northeast Atlantic are reviewed. The black scabbardfish is a commercial bathypelagic species found in the NE Atlantic mostly from Iceland to the Canary Islands and Western Sahara, at depths from 800 to 1300 m. The spatial structure of its population is still uncertain, although the existence of one single stock that migrates around the NE Atlantic driven by feeding and reproduction is the most likely hypothesis consistent with available data. This review is based on data from commercial fisheries off the Faroe Islands, Hatton Bank, the west of the British Isles, and Portugal (mainland, Azores, and Madeira) and from Icelandic and Scottish scientific surveys collected between 1988 and 2012. Spawning of black scabbardfish occurs around Madeira and the Canary Archipelagos during the last quarter of the year. According to the migratory hypothesis, eggs, larvae, and possibly juveniles move north to areas from south of Icelandic and Faroe Islands to the west of the British Isles where they remain for some years to feed and grow. Then, they move south to the area off mainland Portugal, where they reach the size of first maturity but do not reproduce, and later move further south to the spawning grounds. Further studies are needed to understand which of the environmental conditions prevailing around Madeira and the Canaries, but not elsewhere, allow this species to mature and subsequently reproduce. This review suggests that a multidisciplinary approach is required to confirm the spatiotemporal migration and habitats used by black scabbardfish populations in the NE Atlantic at different life stages. Otolith contour shape and microchemistry, fatty acids, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, as well as steroid hormones are proposed as promising alternative tools for responding to this challenge.
Ecotourism and the Conservation Ethic: Recruiting the Uninitiated or Preaching to the Converted?

Ecotourism is being promoted as a sustainable alternative to mass tourism, although critics suggest that it may be just as damaging because it encourages increased use of natural areas. One of ecotourism's claimed benefits is the promotion of pro-environment attitudes and behaviours. However, this may not occur if ecotourists are already 'converted' to the pro-environment cause. To test this claim, a study was undertaken of ecotourists visiting Lamington National Park in southeast Queensland. A pre-/post-visit questionnaire survey was conducted on-site, as well as a follow-up mail-out survey four months later. This paper presents results of that study in terms of four ecotourist groups. Results indicate that ecotourism can increase environmental knowledge and influence conservation views and behaviours. Of the four groups, coach day tour visitors were the least pro-environment initially but had relatively strong ecotourist motivations. They achieved the highest gains in knowledge and in the short term were influenced the most by the visit. In the long term, respondents who were the most pro-environment and who had learnt most during their visit were influenced the most. Therefore, for immediate effects of the experience on the uninitiated to endure, motivations need to be stimulated to encourage further involvement in and learning about nature. The question remains as to whether encouraging such involvement will have net benefits for the environment.
A Comparative Illustration of Foundational Ontologies: BORO and UFO

This paper investigates the differences that exist between a 3D and a 4D ontology. We examine these differences by comparing both ontologies through the metaphysical choices each ontology makes and explore the composing characteristics that define them. More specifically, the differences between the ontologies were illustrated through several modeling fragments that were derived from a modeling case presented at the 5 OntoCom workshop. Each of these modeling fragments focused on the metaphysical choices that the ontologies make – Essence and Identity, Relationships and Time. These comparisons highlighted the different ontological approaches and structures that exist between the ontologies. Moreover, depending on the ontology, the resulting conceptual model could differ substantially, confirming the impact and importance of the choice of a certain ontology. The observed differences between both ontologies eventually led us to formulate three discussion points that question the applicability of certain metaphysical choices in certain circumstances, and that can serve as a basis for future discussion or future research studies in the domain of ODCM.
Physico-chemical, microbiological, agronomical, and phytopathological aspects in the recycling of olive waste composted residues.

Olive mill wastes might impact plants, soil, microbial population, aquatic ecosystems and air media unfavourably. In the present work, olive waste composting confirmed to be a suitable microbial biotechnology for transformation of these by-products into organic fertilizers (cured composted residues) with no phytotoxicity, free of pathogens and able to improve soil fertility and plant production. In our experimental conditions, physico-chemical, biochemical, phytotoxicity and microbiological analysis confirmed the negligible agronomical qualitative characteristics of the cured composted residues. Moreover, olive mill residues after the composting process showed positive properties which suppressed soil-borne plant pathogens. Composted olive waste evidenced good suppressive activity against microsclerotia of V. dahliae and other fungal plant pathogens. Agronomical trials on tomato and sunflower crops showed that seed and fruit production was not decreased by the exclusive addition of compost. Compost amendment caused an increase in soil organic matter, although crop yield and plant growth increased only after mineral fertilization. Furthermore, olive yield and olive oil quality were not negatively affected by compost distribution. These results are encouraging for the agronomic use of composted residues in addition to mineral fertilizers. This may represent an initial phase to increase organic matter in the soil and possibly to reduce mineral fertilization. This process may be considered a new environmental opportunity for greater agriculture sustainability. All these aspects take into consideration that the application of good quality cured composts with high agronomic, microbiological and suppressive characteristics seem to be a very promising strategy for organic and integrated agriculture systems and for organic matter re-integration of soil. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Enhancing Secrecy via Exploring Randomness in the Wireless Physical Layer

ENHANCING SECRECY VIA EXPLORING RANDOMNESS IN THE WIRELESS PHYSICAL LAYER SEPTEMBER 2013 REHAN TALAT B.S., GIK INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY M.S.E.C. E. , UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Dennis L. Goeckel In order to establish a secure connections in the wireless environment, cryptographic methods may require an exchange of a key or secret. Fortunately, the environment provides randomness due to multi-path fading that can be exploited by physical-layer security algorithms to help establish this shared secret. However, in some cases, multi-path fading might be absent or negligible; therefore, we look for artificial ways to increase randomness. In this thesis, we explore antenna radiation variation by altering the phase between two antennas as a means of creating artificial fading. We construct a model of the antenna gain variation by analyzing the radiation pattern and run Monte-Carlo simulations to compare our approach to a base case with only multi-path fading. We then empirically collect data in order to confirm our analysis. Finally, we incorporate this model in a prominent security algorithm to demonstrate the improvements in security possible through such an approach.
Discriminating emotions from appraisal-relevant situational information: Baseline data for structural models of cognitive appraisals

Abstract Cognitive emotion theorists assume that the quality of emotions is determined by the appraisal of the eliciting states of affairs. Accordingly, a central criterion for the evaluation of structural models of cognitive appraisal is their capacity to discriminate between emotions on the basis of the proposed appraisal dimensions. It is suggested that a good model should approximate subjects' “natural” ability to distinguish emotions on the basis of appraisal-relevant situational information. Corresponding data for 23 common emotions, which can serve as a baseline for the evaluation of cognitive appraisal theories, are reported, and various factors that may have deflated the discrimination rates obtained so far in empirical studies are discussed.
Effects of Oviductal Fluid, Culture Media and Zona Pellucida Removal on the Development of Porcine Embryos by Nuclear Transfer

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of oviductal fluid, porcine zygote medium (PZM)-3, PZM-4 and PZM-5, and modified PZM-5 culture media, and determine the effects of zona pellucida (ZP) removal on the development of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. There were no significant differences in the rates of fusion and cleavage among the five different oviductal fluid concentrations. However, the rates of blastocyst formation and the cell numbers per blastocyst were high in the embryos at the 14 and 28 μg/ml concentrations of oviductal fluid compared to the 0, 56 and 100 μg/ml concentrations. The rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation, and the cell numbers per blastocyst were higher in the PZM-3, PZM-5 and modified PZM-5 media than in the PZM-4 medium. However, there were no significant differences in the fusion rates of oocytes among the four culture media. The cell numbers per blastocyst in the embryos without ZP were significantly greater than those with ZP. However, there were no significant differences in the rates of fusion, cleavage and blastocyst formation between the embryos with and without ZP. In conclusion, we improved blastocyst development and the quality of NT embryos by replacing PVA with 3 mg/ml of BSA in PZM-5 medium and supplementing the PZM-5 medium with 14 μg/ml oviductal fluid. The NT embryos produced by the zona-free NT method had a high rate of blastocyst formation in the modified PZM-5 medium. (Key Words : Oviductal Fluid, Nuclear Transfer, Culture Media, Zona Pellucida, Porcine)
Exploring the Impact of Activity-Dependent Stimulation on Neuroanatomy

Background: Activity-dependent stimulation (ADS) uses recorded neural activity to trigger stimulation of the brain. Open-loop stimulation (OLS) is independent of neural feedback, thus relying on a machine-generated pattern of stimulation. A previous study found that ADS and OLS both promote fine motor control recovery in a rat model of traumatic brain injury in the primary motor cortex. ADS enhanced recovery of motor function compared to OLS. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms driving motor recovery in response to ADS and OLS is needed. Methods: Six healthy, adult male rats were implanted with recording electrodes in the premotor cortex (PM) and stimulating electrodes in the somatosensory cortex (S1). Three of the rats were treated with ADS; action potentials (spikes) recorded in the premotor cortex triggered stimulation in S1. Three rats were treated with random OLS mimicking the same rate of stimulation as ADS. After 21 days of stimulation, brain tissue was processed for evidence of morphological differences between the two types of stimulation. Immunohistochemistry was used to label sections for synaptophysin, BDNF, GluR1, and GluR2. Densitometry was used for semiquantitative analysis. Results: As this was a pilot study with a small sample size, analyses were exploratory. Observed synaptophysin and GluR1 immunoreactivity (IR) was greater in ADS rats compared to OLS rats (p=0.0253 and p=0.0253 respectively), whereas BDNF and GluR2 lacked such trends (p=0.456 and p=0.456 respectively). In all rats the stimulated hemispheres expressed significantly more synaptophysin (p= 0.0132) and GluR1 (p=0.0062) than the non-stimulated hemispheres. BDNF and GluR2 expression were significantly lower in the stimulated hemispheres (p=0.0030 and p=0.0054 respectively).
Calcite saturation, foraminiferal test mass, and Mg/Ca‐based temperatures dissolution corrected using XDX—A 150 ka record from the western Indian Ocean

A record of deep‐sea calcite saturation (Δ[CO 32−]) , derived from X‐ray computed tomography‐based foraminifer dissolution index, XDX, was constructed for the past 150 ka for a core from the deep (4157 m) tropical western Indian Ocean. G. sacculifer and N. dutertrei recorded a similar dissolution history, consistent with the process of calcite compensation. Peaks in calcite saturation (∼15 µmol/kg higher than the present‐day value) occurred during deglaciations and early in MIS 3. Dissolution maxima coincided with transitions to colder stages. The mass record of G. sacculifer better indicated preservation than did that of N. dutertrei or G. ruber. Dissolution‐corrected Mg/Ca‐derived SST records, like other SST records from marginal Indian Ocean sites, showed coolest temperatures of the last 150 ka in early MIS 3, when mixed layer temperatures were ∼4°C lower than present SST. Temperatures recorded by N. dutertrei showed the thermocline to be ∼4°C colder in MIS 3 compared to the Holocene (8 ka B.P.).
Physiochemical Parameters Analysis to Get an Upgraded Composting System

Physicochemical determinants parameters were analyzed in different stages of organic matter decomposition, using various chemical and biological treatments: Manure, Legumes, Mineral solution, and Vermicompost. Specifically, we studied the importance of decisive physicochemical parameters for obtaining an improved composting system. To do this, were used different techniques, such a C/N ratio, pH, organic matter content, atomic absorption to determining concentration of several mineral, ashes quantification for moisture content and temperature measurement. The vermicompost was the most effective treatment for decomposition of matter, achieving speed up the composting process just 35 days, accounting for 5 months the minimum estimated time to have a complete degradation using a conventional composting system, this represents a decrease of 23.3%, values obtained mainly from C/N ratio were close to 25:1 (25%), a final pH of 8.2, a percent of organic matter lower than 48%, and a concentration of minerals and heavy metals within the norm.
The Effect of N-acetylcysteine on Pyrrolized Protein, Lipid Hydroperoxide and Thiol Levels in the Carbon Tetrachloride Hepatotoxicity

This study was performed, on the rat model, to form oxidative stress by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and to reveal the relationship between toxicity and oxidative/thiol stresses through lipid/protein oxidation and to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine on the hepatotoxicity induced oxidative stress. Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups as CCl4, N-acetylcysteine, CCl4-N-acetylcysteine and Control, each of ten rats. CCl4 (1.0 ml, 800 mg/kg; single dose) and N-acetylcysteine (200 mg; three doses) were intraperitoneally applied to corresponding groups as per kg of rat weight. Hepatotoxicity was identified with histopathological methods. Besides the thiol levels in plasma/tissue samples, pyrrolized protein and total lipid hydroperoxide levels in serum samples were measured. CCl4-induced hepatotoxic lesions remarkably improved in the presence of N-acetylcysteine. There was no significant difference between Control and N-acetylcysteine groups, in terms of parameters measured in serum/plasma and tissue samples. When compared to these groups, pyrrolized protein and total lipid hydroperoxide levels were found to be higher; whereas plasma/tissue thiol levels lower in the CCl4 group. N-acetylcysteine in combination with CCl4 significantly lowered pyrrolized protein and total lipid hydroperoxide levels, and increased thiol levels, so that the values were reached to those of Control and N-acetylcysteine groups. As reflected by higher pyrrolized protein and total lipid hydroperoxide, and lower thiol levels, enhanced free radical production in the CCl4 hepatotoxicity may lead to oxidative and thiol stresses mediated lipid/protein oxidation. In addition, N-acetylcysteine, a powerful antioxidant, may be added as a thiol source to the treatment protocols of several diseases whose pathogenesis is of oxidative and thiol stress.
Parameters for improvement of the housing quality in social housing dwellings

Abstract . Experiences of the countries with developed social housing sector indicate that the role of social housing should not be treated in a limited manner, considered to be just a roof over one’s head, whereby housing quality will be neglected. Contemporary approaches to the development of social housing models are focused on users themselves, with a special concern for the housing quality. Because the units of social housing have the minimal size, it is necessary to provide such amenities so as to overcome the shortage of usable housing space. It is also desirable that the design of social housing dwellings should have a simulative effect on the tenants within this areas. This paper discusses the spatial and physical parameters which could affect the housing quality of this type of dwellings. Key words: housing quality, housing standard, housing unit, social housing
Osmotic Monitoring of Microservices between the Edge and Cloud

Osmotic computing is a new IoT application programming paradigm that's driven by the significant increase in resource capacity/capability at the network edge, along with support for data transfer protocols that enable such resources to interact more seamlessly with Cloud-based services. Much of the difficulty in QoS and performance monitoring of IoT applications in an Osmotic computing environment is due to the massive scale and heterogeneity (IoT + Edge + Cloud) of computing environments. To, this end, this work presents an integrated monitoring system for monitoring IoT applications decomposed as microservices and executed in an Osmotic computing environment. A real-world smart parking IoT application is used for an experimental evaluation and for demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Through rigorous experimental evaluation, we validate the Osmotic monitoring system ability to holistically identify variation in CPU, memory, and network latency of microservices deployed across Cloud and Edge layers.
Evaluating professional tennis players’ career performance: A Data Envelopment Analysis approach

This paper by applying a sporting production function evaluates 229 professional tennis players’ career performance. By applying Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) the paper produces a unified measure of nine performance indicators into a single career performance index. In addition bootstrap techniques have been applied for bias correction and the construction of confidence intervals of the efficiency estimates. The results reveal a highly competitive environment among the tennis players with thirty nine tennis players appearing to be efficient.
Assessment of antimicrobial effectiveness of natural dyed fabrics

There is an increasing interest in adding value to textiles by the use of natural products. Many of the plant materials, from which natural dyes are obtained, found to have some medicinal values. In the current study, dyeing materials were prepared from pomegranate ( Punica granatum ), wild mangosteen ( Diospyros peregrine ), myrabalan ( Terminalia chebula ), arjun ( Terminalia arjuna ), betel nut ( Areca catech ), onion ( Allium cepa ), tea ( Camellia sinensis ), neem ( Camellia sinensis ), eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus cinerea ) and dye flower ( Coreopsis basalis ). Cotton fabrics were dyed with the extracted colouring materials and were tested for their wash fastness to ensure the durability of the colour on the fabrics. Finally, the antimicrobial property of ten different natural dyed fabrics was tested against Bacillus subtilis (Gram positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative). The cotton fabrics dyed with extracts of arjun, betel nut, pomegranate, tea and onion were found to have antimicrobial activity against both the test bacteria at varying efficiency. The dyed fabrics also showed reasonably good wash fastness; hence have practical potential for adding antibacterial properties along with vibrant colours to textiles of medical and other delicate uses. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjsir.v48i3. 17327 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 48(3) , 179-184, 2013
Recent Changes in Surface Humidity: Development of the HadCRUH Dataset

Water vapor constitutes the most significant greenhouse gas, is a key driver of many atmospheric processes, and hence, is fundamental to understanding the climate system. It is a major factor in human “heat stress,” whereby increasing humidity reduces the ability to stay cool. Until now no truly global homogenized surface humidity dataset has existed with which to assess recent changes. The Met Office Hadley Centre and Climatic Research Unit Global Surface Humidity dataset (HadCRUH), described herein, provides a homogenized quality controlled near-global 5° by 5° gridded monthly mean anomaly dataset in surface specific and relative humidity from 1973 to 2003. It consists of land and marine data, and is geographically quasicomplete over the region 60°N–40°S. Between 1973 and 2003 surface specific humidity has increased significantly over the globe, tropics, and Northern Hemisphere. Global trends are 0.11 and 0.07 g kg 1 (10 yr) 1 for land and marine components, respectively. Trends are consistently larger in the tropics and in the Northern Hemisphere during summer, as expected: warmer regions exhibit larger increases in specific humidity for a given temperature change under conditions of constant relative humidity, based on the Clausius–Clapeyron equation. Relative humidity trends are not significant when averaged over the landmass of the globe, tropics, and Northern Hemisphere, although some seasonal changes are significant. A strong positive bias is apparent in marine humidity data prior to 1982, likely owing to a known change in reporting practice for dewpoint temperature at this time. Consequently, trends in both specific and relative humidity are likely underestimated over the oceans.
Working Papers in Trade and Development Global Production Sharing, Trade Patterns and Determinants of Trade Flows

This paper examines the extent and pattern of global production sharing, focusing on East Asia, and probes its implications for the analysis of the determinants of trade flows. Reflecting rapid global spread of production sharing, trade in parts and components has increased at a much faster rate than total manufacturing trade in recent years and East Asia (both including and excluding Japan) is unique in the world for its heavy reliance on this new form of international exchange. The econometric analysis reveals that parts and components are highly insensitive to changes in relative prices and; as a result, the impact on aggregate trade flows of relative price changes diminishes as its share increases. This implies that exchange rate policy may be less effective in balance of payments adjustment, in countries where component trade is high and growing.