Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life-history traits of seabream Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central eastern Atlantic Ocean (Canary Islands)

Life-history traits of the sparid Boops boops are studied for the first time in an isolated Atlantic population. Boops boops is a hermaphrodite species characterised by late gonochorism or non-functional hermaphroditism. The 1:0.852 ratio of females to males was significantly different from unity. Both sexes had similar size distributions; however, females outnumbered males at sizes of between 16 and 18 cm TL, whereas males predominated among fish larger than 28 cm TL. The average lengths at first maturity for females and males were 16.02 (SD 0.28) and 16.49 (SD 0.25) cm TL, respectively, with no significant difference between sexes. Spawning-capable females were first observed in January, at a low percentage, and were present until May. The gonadosomatic index of both females and males peaked in February. Vitellogenesis did not begin synchronously, and the simultaneous presence of oocytes in all stages of development indicated an asynchronous mode of ovarian development. The presence of postovulatory follicles, together with tertiary-yolk-vesicle oocytes, indicates that the species is a multiple spawner. An age–length key showed an age-group composition for females of between 0 and 4 years, whereas males were between 0 and 5 years. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for females were L ∞ = 32.3 cm TL, k = 0.44 y–1 and t 0 = −0.81 y, and for males they were L ∞ = 35.3 cm TL, k = 0.38 y–1 and t 0 = −0.80 y.
Towards Demystifying Shannon Entropy, Lossless Compression and Approaches to Statistical Machine Learning

Current approaches in science, including most machine and deep learning methods, rely heavily at their core on traditional statistics and information theory, but these theories are known to fail to capture certain fundamental properties of data and the world related to recursive and computable phenomena, and they are ill-equipped to deal with high-level functions such as inference, abstraction, modelling and causation, being fragile and easily deceived. How is it that some of these approaches have (apparently) been successfully applied? We explore recent attempts to adopt more powerful, albeit more difficult methods, methods based on the theories of computability and algorithmic probability, which may eventually display and grasp these higher level elements of human intelligence. We propose that a fundamental question in science regarding how to find shortcuts for faster adoption of proven mathematical tools can be answered by shortening the adoption cycle and leaving behind old practices in favour of new ones. This is the case for randomness, where science continues to cling to purely statistical tools in disentangling randomness from meaning, and is stuck in a self-deluding pattern of still privileging regression and correlation despite the fact that mathematics has made important advances to better characterise randomness that have yet to be incorporated into scientific theory and practice.
Archival Linked (Open) Data: Empfehlungen für bestehende Metadaten und Massnahmen für die Zukunft am Fallbeispiel des Schweizerischen Sozialarchivs

Eine Kernaufgabe der Archive ist die Erschliessung des Archivguts. Bisher wurden Archivbestande meist als hierarchische und isolierte Einheiten verzeichnet. Die zunehmende Digitalisierung, neue Fachbereiche wie die Digital Humanities oder Entwicklungen wie das Semantic Web bzw. Linked Open Data haben jedoch neue Ideen in die Archivwelt getragen. Einer der deutlichsten Vorboten dieser neuen Welt ist Records in Context (RiC). Der neue Verzeichnungsstandard des wichtigen International Council on Archives (ICA) ist konzeptionell auf Linked Open Data und das Semantic Web ausgerichtet. Doch was bedeutet es fur die Archive, wenn aus den bisher isolierten Bestanden verlinkte und maschinenlesbare Netzwerke entstehen sollen? Wie sollen archivalische Metadaten und Datenmodelle in Linked Open Data aussehen und an welche Qualitatsanspruche sollen diese neu berucksichtigen? Um diese Fragen zu beantworten hat die Arbeit das Konzept und die Technologien die Linked Open Data zugrunde liegen vorgestellt. Danach wurden Qualitatsmerkmale fur Linked Open Data zusammengetragen und der momentane Stand von Linked Open Data im Archivbereich beleuchtet. Dabei wurde unter anderem bereits existierende Ansatze und Anwendungen aus dem Archivbereich vorgestellt und mit den Qualitatsmerkmalen verglichen. Die Uberprufung der Praxistauglichkeit der Qualitatsmerkmale erfolgte am Fallbeispiel der Metadaten des Schweizerischen Sozialarchivs.Auf Basis der erarbeitenden Resultate spricht die Arbeit eine Reihe von Empfehlungen aus. Diese richten sich an Archive, die sich mit dem Thema Linked Open Data beschaftigen oder eine Anwendung in diesem Bereich planen.
Productivity differences between southern and northern slopes of Southern Carpathians (Romania) for Norway spruce, silver fir, birch and black alder

Forest vegetation across Southern Carpathians is distributed in altitudinal layers. The aim of this study was to highlight the productivity differences between the Southern and Northern slopes of the Southern Carpathians for Norway spruce, silver fir, birch and black alder. Data from 45 forest management plans (46.329 stands from the Southern slopes and 32.787 stands from the Northern slopes) were used. For each stand, the mean diameter, mean height, age, standing volume, current volume increment and production class were assessed. Elementary statistical methods were used to identify the factors influencing productivity. Significant differences between the Southern and Northern slopes were recorded for silver fir. The volume and the current volume increment were higher on the Northern slopes. In the case of birch and black alder, the same two parameters recorded higher values on the Southern slopes. As regards Norway spruce, insignificant differences were recorded between the two slopes. The correlation between structure type and stand volume was positive and statistically significant in the case of Norway spruce, silver fir and birch, but it was negative in the case of alder. Analysing the correlation between stand volume and the main stand characteristics also revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between age and stand volume for all analysed species. The results of this study are especially interested for the forest managers and forest owners whose aim is to obtain a higher productivity for the studied species.
Wide-Speed Range Sensorless Control of an IPM Motor for Multi-Purpose Applications

In a growing number of battery-driven applications the need of removing any position and speed transducer is taking over due to space, cost and mechanical reliability constraints, further than making the installation easier as requiring less wiring. This paper presents the development of a sensorless algorithm capable of running an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (IPMSM), assuring constant torque production in the whole speed range, form standstill to high speeds. This is achieved with an hybrid method: at standstill and very low speeds the saliency of the IPM is exploited through an High Frequency Signal Injection (HFSI), which assures a robust estimation of the rotor position. At medium to high speeds an advanced V-I estimator is adopted in order to enhance the motor performances. The developed algorithm comes out of being highly scalable as it requires very little tuning, resulting in a multi-purpose application which can be employed with any motor size.
Cell Factories for Industrial Production Processes: Current Issues and Emerging Solutions

Despite all the progresses made by metabolic engineering, still only a few biotechnological processes are running at an industrial level. In order to boost the biotechnological sector, integration strategies as well as long-term views are needed. The aim of the present review is to identify the main drawbacks in biotechnological processes, and to propose possible solutions to overcome the issues in question. Novel cell factories and bioreactor design are discussed as possible solutions. In particular, the following microorganisms: Yarrowia lipolytica, Trichosporon oleaginosus, Ustilago cynodontis, Debaryomyces hansenii along with sequential bioreactor configurations are presented as possible cell factories and bioreactor design solutions, respectively.
Application of Laboratory-Synthesized Ammonium Zeolite LTX as Soil Amendment Additive

The production of ammonium-exchanged zeolite X (NH 4 -LTX) and its soil amendment activity is presented. The ammonium-exchanged zeolite X was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, particle size analysis and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The addition of NH 4 -LTX increased the pH, total nitrogen, potassium, sodium content and water retention capacity of the soil. Consequently, the fresh weight, dry weights, plant heights, stem thickness, stem length, number of leaves, leaves areas was remarkably greater for both maize and okro planted in soils containing NH 4 -LTX compared to plants in soil without NH 4 -LTX.
Alternative oxidase induction protects Candida albicans from respiratory stress and promotes hyphal growth

The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans possesses two genes expressing a cyanide-insensitive Alternative Oxidase (Aox) enzymes in addition to classical and parallel electron transfer chains (ETC). In this study, we examine the role of Aox in C. albicans under conditions of respiratory stress, which may be inflicted during its interaction with the human host or co-colonising bacteria. We find that the level of Aox expression is sufficient to modulate resistance to classical ETC inhibition under respiratory stress and are linked to gene expression changes that can promote both survival and pathogenicity. For example we demonstrate that Aox function is important for the regulation of filamentation in C. albicans and observe that cells lacking Aox function lose virulence in a zebrafish infection model. Our investigations also identify that pyocyanin, a phenazine produced by the co-colonising bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, inhibits Aox-based respiration in C. albicans. These results suggest that Aox plays important roles within respiratory stress response pathways which C. albicans may utilise both as a commensal organism and as a pathogen.
Monitoring of physical education and other standards of a Whole Active School Approach and assessment of learning outcomes: a PE teacher and PE student pilot study of the EuPEO project in Germany

This study of assessment of learning outcomes in physical education classes including a “Whole Active School Approach” (WASA) is a part of the Erasmus+ EuPEO project in Germany. 19 German PE teachers at n = 13 different secondary schools (rural area = 63.2%), cross 5 German countries with their n = 388 PE students (average age: 15.2 years; girls: 59.4%) were asked about their assessment of learning outcomes in PE teaching domains and the implementation of a WASA as a part of a questionnaire (European School Questionnaire (ESQ) for teachers and European Pupils Questionnaire (EPQ)). There is a clear ranking profile in the view of pupils about their assessment by PE teachers: the highest assessed criteria are social aspects like team work, respect and social relations with other class mates (85%), followed by physical competences with health-related fitness, motor skills and sport techniques (76%). In the ranking levels of achievements the motor domain ranked only in 4th position. Some teaching domains (social and behavioural purposes) seem to be of more importance in the view of teachers and their students than physical and motor development. Extra-curricular school sport is offered by more than 80% of the schools, but range of participation of pupils is low with around 32% assessed by teachers and up to 42% assessed by their pupils. Some other divergences in the view of teachers and pupils exist for the implementation of physical activities in recess (teachers 74%; pupils almost 60%) and after-school programmes (teachers about 53%, pupils about 23%). Data are discussed and divergences in assessment are explained in this study. Finally, a WASA to support daily physical activities does exist but really needs further support in school life.
Predictive Value of Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin and Serum Ischemia-modified Albumin for Early Diagnosis in Patients with Contrast-induced Acute Kidney Injury

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels could serve as early biomarkers of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with normal serum creatinine values who undergo coronary angiography (CAG). Methods: This study was conducted in 78 patients undergoing CAG. Urinary NGAL and serum IMA values which measured prior to and 6 hours after CAG were compared with creatinine values that measured prior to and 48 hours after CAG. Results: IMA and NGAL values obtained 6 hours after CAG differed significantly from those obtained at baseline. Statistically significant differences were found between stage renal function impairment (according to the MDRD formula eGFR value < 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), severe electrolyte imbalance, history of contrast media exposure within one week, and known nephrotoxic drug exposure comprised the exclusion criteria. to serum creatinine, urinary NGAL and serum IMA may be early and sensitive biomarkers for predicting CI-AKI.
Season effects on the composition of milk produced by a Holstein herd managed under semi-confinement followed by compost bedded dairy barn management

Here, we studied the composition of milk produced by a Holstein herd in the municipality of Nova Boa Vista, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The herd was first managed under a semi-confinement system and subsequently, in a compost bedded dairy barn system to facilitate animal management and, more importantly, family work. We monitored milk production by the herd under a semi-confinement system from January 2013 through September 2015, and then under a compost bedded dairy barn system from October 2015 through December 2017. The seasons of the year were spring (October to December), summer (January to March), autumn (April to June), and winter (July to September). Our results showed an increase in somatic cell count and total bacterial count with the change from semi-confinement to the compost bedded dairy barn system, possibly due to management factors; however, no changes were observed for any other of the variables under study, including lactose, fat, protein, and total solids. In addition, season markedly influenced milk composition and quality; thus, in winter and spring, milk was of a higher quality, whereas in the hotter months of summer and autumn fodder quality and availability, and the incidence of mastitis, as reflected by somatic cell count, affected milk quality negatively.
Determinants and risks of intentions to use mobile applications in museums: an application of fsQCA

ABSTRACT This research aims to analyse the complexity of the factors that influence intentions to use advanced mobile applications (apps) based on smart technologies like beacons in which tourists can access information through their smartphones while visiting a museum based in the localization. A total of 542 individuals participated in an experiment. An asymmetrical analysis through a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) investigated the causal configurations of determinants and risks that lead to the intention to use beacons mobile applications in museums. This study also uses a symmetrical analysis, namely partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), to compare this analysis with the asymmetrical one. The results revealed nine models of determinants and risks that led to a high intention to use these mobile applications. The findings have practical and theoretical implications for the development of new theories in mobile services with regard to accessing information while travelling.
Farmers’ Perception of Good Agricultural Practices in Rice Production in Myanmar: A Case Study of Myaungmya District, Ayeyarwady Region

Although the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI) implemented Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in rice production, farmers’ application of GAPs is decreasing. This study was conducted to examine farmers’ perception of GAPs and the determinants of that perception. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a random selection of 315 farmers. By applying principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, the study found that all component technologies of GAPs have relative advantages and visible benefits. However, these component technologies of GAPs in rice production are perceived as relatively difficult to apply by farmers. According to the result of the binary logit model, determinants of farmers’ perception were gender, education, farmland size, access to credit, income from crop production, contact with extension agents, receiving agricultural information, and receiving training in GAPs in rice production. Some agricultural policies and extension activities are needed to enhance farmers’ perceptions of the compatibility of GAPs in rice production. First, the implementation of GAPs in rice production should focus mainly on low-income farmers who own small amounts of farmland. Second, MOAI should reform the credit plan for farmers who wish to accept GAPs in rice production. Third, extension workers should have regular contact with farmers to enhance farmers’ perception of the compatibility of GAPs in rice production. Finally, more agricultural information should be provided, especially for farmers who have larger farms and higher income, concerning the advantages of using GAPs in rice production.
Mini Overview of a Prime Interoceptor: From Basics to Role in Pathologies

Frequently overlooked is arguably the most important sensor of the organism’s internal environment, the carotid body (CB). In human subjects this structure alone warns the organism when the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood is becoming insufficient to meet the organism’s needs. But the structure is also stimulated by hypercarbia, glucopenia, acidosis, increases in temperature and osmolarity of the arterial blood. Reflex responses generated by a stimulated CB are found in the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, and endocrine systems. Recent widespread pathologies also involve the CB. A simple, brief overview of this important structure could prove helpful for biomedical investigators focused on other important biomedical issues.
Job satisfaction of teachers working in most difficult schools, with special reference to Puttalam Education Zone, Sri Lanka

The present study was aimed at identifying the job satisfaction of teachers working in the most difficult schools in the Puttalam Education Zone, Sri Lanka. The objectives were to examine whether there is any relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction and intrinsic and extrinsic factors. A survey was carried out to identify teachers’ attitudes towards their careers. Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory was used as the theoretical framework for this study. Data was collected from 93 teachers working in the most difficult schools in the Puttalam Education Zone, through a self-developed, pre-tested questionnaire. The study sample was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that the majority of teachers were women and married. It is significant that more than 80% of teachers working in the most difficult schools have less than 10 years of teaching experience. There is a significant relationship between job satisfaction and intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Bi-variate analysis indicated that a sense of achievement of intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors, work conditions, pay and rewards have no significant relationship with teachers’ job satisfaction. Moreover, there is a multi-collinearity between the independent variables. The study recommends that the state should address teachers’ problems by providing them adequate teaching facilities, in-service training, promotions, accommodation and incentives, and revise transfer policies to motivate and retain teachers in the most difficult schools, to provide a long-term solution for teacher shortages in such schools in Sri Lanka.
Scale-adaptive Correlation Filter Tracking Algorithm Combined with Statistical Color Histogram Feature

The algorithm based on kernel correlation filtering shows excellent performance. Aiming at the problem that traditional correlation filtering algorithms are sensitive to deformation and cannot solve the tracking failure caused by scale changes, this paper proposes a scale-adaptive correlation filtering algorithm combining statistical color feature. Firstly, predict and train the HOG features of the correlation filter and the color histogram features to obtain the respective response values, namely the template response and the histogram response. Then adopt the block method, and perform scale prediction based on the position of each response point. Finally, the final fusion response is calculated. The experimental results demonstrate that compared with traditional KCF, when the target scale has large scale change and deformation, the improved algorithm in this paper performs better, and can still track stably.
The RNA-seq transcriptome analysis identified genes related to rice seed dormancy

Plant hormones play important roles in seed dormancy and dormancy breaking. We measured the hormone content in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nona Bokra) seeds at different stages and with or without imbibition treatment. We identified 1 265 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between dormant and dormancy-broken seeds using RNA-seq analysis: 1 015 genes were significantly up-regulated, while 250 genes were significantly down-regulated. Sixteen DEGs were selected as related to seed dormancy, and their expressions were validated using quantitative PCR. Three DEGs were in the same position as two reported dormancy QTLs, suggesting that they may be candidate genes that control the dormancy of rice seeds. Our study provides an important basis for cloning genes in dormant rice seeds and provides theoretical support for the study of the dormancy mechanism.
Akademisyenlerin İngilizce Öğrenme Süreçlerine İlişkin Sosyo-kültürel ve Çevresel Faktörler

Akademisyenlerin Ingilizceyi en etkin ve faydaci bicimde nasil ogrenebileceklerini anlamayi ve kesfetmeyi amaclayan bu durum calismasi Marmara bolgesinde bulunan bir devlet universitesinde farkli alanlarda gorev yapmakta olan 37 akademik personelin 2017 – 2018 yillarinda Turkiye’de ve yurtdisinda aldiklari Ingilizce egitimini nicel ve nitel yontemlerle incelemistir. Her iki yilda iki farkli grup halinde katilimcilara Turkiye’de ve yurtdisinda verilen Ingilizce egitiminin oncesinde, esnasinda ve sonrasinda uygulanan sinavlarin incelenmesi neticesinde yurtdisinda alinan dil egitiminin Turkiye’de dilbilgisinin yogun olarak verildigi Ingilizce egitiminden daha faydali oldugu saptanmistir. Ote yandan yurutulen odak grup gorusmeleri ve mulakatlarda katilimcilar buyuk oranda sosyo-kulturel ve cevresel faktorlerin dil ogrenmede basat rol oynadigini belirtmislerdir. Hem bilim dili, hem de aranan bir oznitelik olmasi sebebiyle akademik basarinin onemli kosullarindan bir tanesi haline gelen Ingilizce egitiminde klasik yontemlerden ziyade sosyal ve kulturel etkilesim onemlidir ve dolayisiyla basta konusma olmak uzere dil becerilerine daha cok agirlik verilmelidir.