Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental evidence that intra-specific competition in seagrass meadows reduces reproductive potential in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck)*

To better understand the biological controls that regulate sea urchin dynamics, we studied the effects of potential inter- and intra-specific competition for food on several biological variables of the main sea urchin in the Mediterranean ( Paracentrotus lividus ). We carried out a caging experiment in which we manipulated sea urchin density (natural vs. high density) and herbivorous fish ( Sarpa salpa ) accessibility (free access vs. exclusion) in a Posidonia oceanica meadow. No evidence of competition between fish and urchins was detected. Neither density-dependent mortality nor changes in the somatic variables were found; however, we detected that intra-specific competition affected the reproductive potential of P. lividus . The gonad index of urchins at high population densities was ca. 30% lower than that of urchins at natural densities. As a spawning event had just occurred when urchins were collected, these differences probably reflect differences in reserve content, which may compromise the following reproductive period and decrease survival in the long term, as the gonads are also used as storage organs. For the time period studied, mortality rates appeared to be independent of local densities. The results indicate that a long-term negative feedback mechanism appears to take place in P. lividus in response to increased population density.
Validation of Age at Puberty of Nigerian Bitches

The age at puberty of Nigerian dogs around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja was determined in order to validate earlier reports from other parts of Nigeria and to provide additional information for canine reproductive research. 16 pre-pubertal female dogs were purchased from different dog markets and households within the FCT. They were housed in cages in groups of four and allowed to acclimatise for two weeks, during which time they were treated against external and internal parasitic infections until they were clinically free from disease. They were also vaccinated against common diseases such as rabies, distemper, leptospirosis, parvo and hepatitis using standard vaccines and fed twice daily with household meals. They were then observed daily for the onset of puberty through behavioural changes, haematology and vaginal cytology. All the dogs attained puberty between eight and thirteen months of age. Dog owners are therefore advised to be properly guided to prepare for the bloody discharge that is associated with onset of reproductive cyclicity. There is also need for patience as many dogs in this environment attain puberty at a later age than exotic breeds.
Manga Drawing as Stereotyped Aesthetics

This essay is based on findings of my longitudinal phenomenological research study conducted from 2006 to 2009. The aim of my study was to understand the manga drawings produced by young adolescents in Hong Kong. Based on my findings, I present the argument that these adolescents have derived a conception of beauty from the manga images they have seen in popular visual culture, and that they have the ability to connect this concept with their life experiences. I also argue that their manga productions assist these students in making sense of the world around them.
Relationship Between the Thermal Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Uludağ Fir and Black Poplar

The relationship between the thermal conductivity and some mechanical properties of Uludag fir and black poplar specimens were determined based on related standards. It was hypothesized that thermal conductivity can be used as a predictor for wood properties. The hot plate test method was used as a thermal conductivity testing method. The density, compression strength, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity values were also measured. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was determined and both linear and multiple regression analyses were performed to estimate the relationship between the parameters. The correlation between the thermal conductivity and density values was strong, which was consistent with past findings. Also, there was a strong correlation between the thermal conductivity, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity, while the compression strength and thermal conductivity had a moderate correlation. The regression equations and test graphs were also determined and shown. Overall, it can be claimed that the thermal conductivity could be used for predicting the density and mechanical properties of wooden materials.
Enhancing Tolerance of Broiler Chickens to Heat Stress by Supplementation with Vitamin E, Vitamin C and/or Probiotics

Abstract Heat stress is one of the major challenges which the poultry industry faces during summer in tropical and subtropical regions. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of Vitamin (Vit) E, C and/or probiotics on improving tolerance of broiler chickens to chronic heat stress (CHS). A total of 294, 1-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were allocated into seven treatment groups; Thermoneutral group was raised under a thermoneutral condition during 25–42 d of age. The other six groups were raised for three successive days per week at 36±2ºC and 75–85% relative humidity for 7 h daily: heat stressed group, Vit E (100 mg/kg diet), Vit C (200 mg/kg diet), Vit C+Vit E, probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus acidophilus at 2 g/kg diet) and Vit C+Vit E+probiotics. Exposure to CHS decreased body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and abdominal fat. It had adverse impact on feed conversion ratio (FCR), packed cell volume (PCV), monocyte, basophil, total protein, and phagocytic activity while increased plasma cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) compared to the thermoneutral group. Vit E, Vit C or probiotics alone decreased the adverse effects of CHS on growth rate throughout the experimental period. Vit C and E were equally potent during the experimental period, but were less effective than the combination of both vitamins. Vit E increased the dressing percentage and abdominal fat as compared to the thermoneutral group, but decreased AST while increasing basophil, monocyte and globulin compared to the heat stressed group. In addition, serum albumin and AST of Vit E were lower compared to Vit C, but cholesterol was higher. Vit E increased red blood cells and white blood cells, but plasma cholesterol was increased compared with the heat stressed group. Vit C increased PCV, lymphocytes, monocyte, basophil and albumin and decreased neutrophil. Both vitamins without/with probiotic induced a further increase in basophil, serum total protein, and albumin. It could be concluded that supplementation of Vit E, Vit C, probiotics, and different combinations reduced some of the adverse effects of CHS, and Vit E+Vit C+probiotics was the most effective for economic traits followed by Vit E+Vit C or probiotics.
Income and Life Satisfaction Among Voluntary vs. Involuntary Retirees

This field study examined relationships of income and life satisfaction among retirees, their perceptions of whether their decisions to retire were voluntary or involuntary, and their stated reasons for retiring: “push” (to exit unsustainable work situations) or “pull” (to pursue more attractive options). Based on prior research, hypotheses predicted that voluntary / involuntary choice would moderate the relationship of income and life satisfaction, and that the relationship would vary as a function of "push" vs. "pull" reasons for retiring. A screened, national sample of 1,043 U.S. retirees completed an online survey that assessed satisfaction with multiple life domains, reason for retiring, demographic characteristics, family income, and perceived financial control. Results showed that voluntary retirees had, on average, higher income, life satisfaction, and perceived financial control than those who saw their retirements as involuntary. Type of reason for retirement did moderate the relationship between income and life satisfaction, but in an unexpected way. Based on decades of research on the relationship of control and stress, the hypothesis predicted the correlation between income and life satisfaction would be weakest in voluntary "pull" retirees, and strongest in the involuntary group. Instead, the relationship was strongest among voluntary "push" retirees (r=+.35). These surprising results highlight the importance of further research on perceived control over retirement on common predictors of life satisfaction in retirement.
Phytochemical Evaluation of Wild and Cultivated Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pav.) from Oaxaca, Mexico

Reports of the last decade show that some types of food and spices included in the human diet, such as pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) can have a positive effect on human health. The Mexican pepper germplasm is poorly documented with regard to variety and the amount of phytochemical compounds that it contains. In the present study, the variation of phytochemical compounds was evaluated in nine fruit variants (morphotypes) of wild and cultivated pepper grown in Oaxaca. ANOVA detected significant differences among pepper morphotypes and ripeness stages of fruits; vitamin C, total phenols, flavonoids, β-carotene, coordinated chromatic of color, and capsaicinoids. The highest values of vitamin C were found in ‘Tabaquero’, ‘Guero’ and ‘Costeno’ morphotypes (151.6 to 183.2 mg 100 g -1 ). With regard to total phenols and flavonoids, ‘Piquin’ and ‘Solterito’ had the highest levels. Coordinates of color a* and b*, and chroma presented a positive correlation with phenol and flavonoid contents. The evaluated morphotypes differed in capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin; C. annuum had higher capsaicin content (4.9 to 142 µg mL -1 ) than dihydrocapsaicin (1.5 to 65.5 µg mL -1 ) and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pav. showed the opposite pattern.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON FENTON OXIDATION OF YOUNG LANDFILL LEACHATE: KINETIC ASSESSMENT AND SLUDGE PROPERTIES

Treatment of young landfill leachate, collectedfrom municipal solid waste site of city of Konya, was investigatedbyusingtheFenton process.The leachateitselfshowed the characteristics of pH 7.25, COD 38.2 gL -1 and BOD 522 gL -1 . Ratio of BOD5to COD with0.58 indicatesthat leachate can be defined young.Fenton oxidation of landfill leachate was expressed in two -stage process,where a fast initial re action(H2O 2/Fe 2+ )was followed by a much slower one ( H2O 2/Fe 3+ ). Overall kinetics can be described by asecond-order rate equation followed by zero -order one. The kinetic studies were undertaken at the different temperatures and reaction rates increcesed by increasing temp erature. The apparent kinetic constants at 303 K are k = 3. 16 x10 -3 L g -1 min -1 and k0= 0,171 gL -1 min -1 , respectively.Fenton reagents effectively degradedthe leachate organics and most of the degradation was completed within 30 minutesfor alltemperatures.The performance of Fenton process was not only presented as a COD removal but al so expressed as the amount of generated sludge and its properties. Sludge properties were revealed with Capillary Suction Time (CST) and Sludge Volume Index (SVI). The minimum CST value was obtained at the optimum molar ratio of 4.12 mol/mol and increasingtemperature resulted in a positive effect on CST values. All SVI values were significantly low which indicates thatsludgeitselfhad good settling properties.
Fecal calprotectin and transforming growth factor-b1 in the evaluation of disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis

Aims: to evaluate the correlation between endoscopic disease activity, and fecal calprotectin, transforming growth factor-B1, Clinical Activity Index, C- reactive protein, and blood leucocytes. Methods: Ninety two patients with ulcerative colitis were enrolled and scored according to the endoscopic part of the Rachmilewitz Index. Patients and controls provided fecal and blood samples for measuring calprotectin, TGF-B1, CRP, and leucocytes. Results: The values in ulcerative colitis patients (n = 92) compared to controls (n = 20): calprotectin: 728.9 ± 388.4 versus 22.9 ± 12.9 µg / g, TGF-B1: 350.1 ± 214.7 versus 4.3 ± 2.01 pg /Ml, CRP: 36.9 ± 20.3 versus 3.5 ± 1.9m g/L, blood leucocytes: 13.8 ± 4.5 versus 7.3 ± 1.8 g/ L (all P< 0.001). Endoscopic disease activity correlated significantly with calprotectin (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient r = 0.545), TGF-B1 (r = 0.531), Clinical Activity Index (r = 0. 520), CRP (r = 0.481), and blood leucocytes (r = 436). Calprotectin and TGF-B1 levels were significantly lower in ulcerative colitis patients with inactive disease ( endoscopic score 0 -3, calprotectin 60.5 ± 47.8 µg / g, TGF-B1 39.9 ± 35.4 pg/Ml , P < 0.001), compared to patients with mild ( score 4 – 6, calprotectin 460.2 ±240 µg/g, TGF-B1 172.4 ± 88.2 pg/ Ml, P < 0.001 ), moderate ( score 7 – 9, calprotectin 797.9 ± 239.2 µg/g, TGF-B1 352.6 ± 89.9 pg/Ml, P < 0.001 ), and high disease ( score 10 – 12 , calprotectin 969.2 ±268.9 µg/g, TGF-B1 486.8 ± 211.2 Pg/ Ml, P < 0.001). The overall accuracy for detection of histopathological active disease was 96.7 % for fecal calprotectin, 94.5 % for TGF-B1, 90 % for Endoscopic Activity Index, 87 % for Clinical Activity Index, and 65 % for both blood leucocytes and CRP. Conclusion: Both fecal calprotectin and TGF-B1 correlated significantly with endoscopic disease activity, clinical activity index, CRP, and blood leucocytes. Furthermore, both calprotectin and TGF-B1 were suitable markers that can differentiate endoscopically and histopathologically inactive from active disease, thus, these two biomarkers may be used for monitoring ulcerative colitis activity.
Pengaruh Penggunaan Media Video Terhadap Peningkatan Pemahaman Konsep Suhu dan Kalor Pada Siswa Kelas X Man 1 Palu

Abstrak - Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui ada tidaknya pengaruh penggunaan media video terhadap peningkatan pemahaman konsep suhu dan kalor pada siswa kelas X MAN 1 Palu. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah “ Quasi-Eksperimental ” dengan desain “ Equivalent Control Group Design ”. Sampel penelitian yaitu kelas X MIA 2 sebagai kelas eksperimen dan kelas X MIA 3 sebagai kelas kontrol. Instrumen yang digunakan berupa tes pemahaman konsep dalam bentuk essay tes. Berdasarkan hasil pengolahan data, untuk kelas eksperimen diperoleh rerata skor pre-test adalah 39,31 dengan standar deviasi 10,15 dan rerata skor post-test adalah 61,90 dengan standar deviasi 12,52. Sedangkan untuk kelas kontrol diperoleh rerata skor pre-test adalah 27,04 dengan standar deviasi 9,59 dan rerata skor post-test adalah 41,48 dengan standar deviasi 9,84. Berdasarkan hasil pengujian N-Gain untuk kelas eksperimen berada berada dalam kategori sedang dengan nilai N-Gain sebesar 38,00% dan untuk kelas kontrol berada dalam kategori rendah dengan nilai N-Gain sebesar 19%. Berdasarkan hasil pengujian hipotesis diperoleh nilai t hitung > t tabel (6,75 > 1,67 ). Hal ini berarti H 1 diterima dan H 0 ditolak. Dengan demikian dapat dinyatakan bahwa ada pengaruh penggunaan media video terhadap peningkatan pemahaman konsep suhu dan kalor pada siswa kelas X MAN 1 Palu. Kata Kunci : Pemahaman Konsep Fisika, Media Video .
Global Data Set on Education Quality (1965-2015)

This paper presents the largest globally comparable panel database of education quality. The database includes 163 countries and regions over 1965-2015. The globally comparable achievement outcomes were constructed by linking standardized, psychometrically-robust international and regional achievement tests. The paper contributes to the literature in the following ways: (1) it is the largest and most current globally comparable data set, covering more than 90 percent of the global population; (2) the data set includes 100 developing areas and the most developing countries included in such a data set to date -- the countries that have the most to gain from the potential benefits of a high-quality education; (3) the data set contains credible measures of globally comparable achievement distributions as well as mean scores; (4) the data set uses multiple methods to link assessments, including mean and percentile linking methods, thus enhancing the robustness of the data set; (5) the data set includes the standard errors for the estimates, enabling explicit quantification of the degree of reliability of each estimate; and (6) the data set can be disaggregated across gender, socioeconomic status, rural/urban, language, and immigration status, thus enabling greater precision and equity analysis. A first analysis of the data set reveals a few important trends: learning outcomes in developing countries are often clustered at the bottom of the global scale; although variation in performance is high in developing countries, the top performers still often perform worse than the bottom performers in developed countries; gender gaps are relatively small, with high variation in the direction of the gap; and distributions reveal meaningfully different trends than mean scores, with less than 50 percent of students reaching the global minimum threshold of proficiency in developing countries relative to 86 percent in developed countries. The paper also finds a positive and significant association between educational achievement and economic growth. The data set can be used to benchmark global progress on education quality, as well as to uncover potential drivers of education quality, growth, and development.
Social anxiety symptoms and body image dissatisfaction in medical students: prevalence and correlates

ABSTRACT Objective Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and body image dissatisfaction (BID) are common problems among college students, but few studies focused on medical students. We aimed to estimate the prevalence, severity and correlates of SAD symptoms and BID among medical students of a Brazilian public university. Methods A cross-sectional study with 479 students, using structured instruments: Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Bivariate analyses were followed by logistic regression models to obtain independent predictors of SAD symptoms, BID and both outcomes combined. Results Most students were single (99%) and female (58.7%). The prevalence rates of SAD symptoms (SPIN ≥ 19) and BID (BSQ ≥ 81) were 36.3% and 34.7%, respectively. Depressive symptoms (BDI ≥ 19) occurred in 8.8% of the sample. SAD symptoms were independently associated with: BID, thoughts of abandoning the course, difficulty making friends, depressive symptoms, and mental health treatment prior to university. Besides SAD symptoms, BID was associated with female sex, difficulty making friends, depressive symptoms, and body mass index (BMI). Seventy-eight students (16.3%) presented SAD symptoms and BID, which was associated with female sex, difficulty making friends, dissatisfaction with the course, depressive symptoms and BMI. Conclusion SAD symptoms and BID are common and related problems that should be screened for among medical students. The identification of specific correlates could contribute to the elaboration of preventive measures, minimizing the distress and negative impact of these mental health problems on relationships and academic performance.
Yeast and its Importance to Wine Aroma - A Review

The most mysterious aspect of wine is the endless variety of flavours that stem from a complex, completely non-linear system of interactions among many hundreds of compounds. In its widest sense, wine flavour refers to the overall impression of both aroma and taste components. Aroma is usually associated with odorous, volatile compounds; the bouquet of wine refers to the more complex flavour compounds which evolve as a result of fermentation, elevage and ageing. With the exception of terpenes in the aromatic grape varieties and alkoxypyrazines in the herbaceous cultivars, perceived flavour is the result of absolute amounts and specific ratios of many of these interactive compounds, rather than being attributable to a single "impact" compound. Without underestimating the complexity of these interactive effects or negating the definitive role played by the accumulated secondary grape metabolites in the varietal character of wine, this review will focus mainly on the contribution of yeast fermentation to the sensorial quality of the final product. Yeast and fermentation conditions are claimed to be the most important factors influencing the flavours in wine. Both spontaneous and inoculated wine fermentations are affected by the diversity of yeasts associated with the vineyard and winery. During the primary alcoholic fermentation of sugar, the wine yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, together with other indigenous non-Saccharomyces species, produce ethanol, carbon dioxide and a number of by-products. Of these yeast-derived metabolites, the alcohols, acetates and C4-C8 1tfatty acid ethyl esters are found in the highest concentration in wine. While the volatile metabolites contribute to the fermentation bouquet ubiquitous to all young wines, the production levels of these by-products are variable and yeast strain specific. Therefore, this article also highlights the importance of untapping the hidden wealth of indigenous yeast species present on grapes, and the selection and genetic development of yeast starter culture strains with improved flavour profiles. In the future, some winemakers may prefer to use mixtures of indigenous yeast species and tailored S. cerevisiae strains as starter cultures to reflect the biodiversity and stylistic distinctiveness of a given region. This will help winemakers to fullfil the consumer's demand for individual wines with intact local character and to ensure the survival of wine's most enthralling aspect - its endless variety.
Self-Event Connections in Life Stories, Self-Concept Clarity, and Dissociation: Examining Their Relations with Symptoms of Psychopathology

Constructing a coherent life story through the formation of self-event connections may help maintain unity in the self. We examined how positive and negative self-event connections were related to symptoms of psychopathology when controlling for two other measures of self-unity: self-concept clarity and dissociation. While most studies of life stories use content coding, we used a self-report method and hence provide a rationale for this method. One hundred five young adults identified life story chapters and rated them on self-event connections, including questions of positive or negative self-change and self-stability connections. They also completed scales measuring self-concept clarity, dissociation, and symptoms. Higher ratings of positive and lower ratings of negative self-event connections in life stories were related to fewer symptoms of psychopathology. Positive self-change was related to fewer symptoms when controlling for self-concept clarity and dissociation. The results suggest that positive and negative self-event connections are differentially related to symptoms of psychopathology. In addition, the results indicate that self-report measures of life stories may be a useful supplement to coding of narratives.