Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive Modeling of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (ΗΡΑ) Function. Dynamic Systems Theory Approach by Stoichiometric Network Analysis and Quenching Small Amplitude Oscillations

Two methods for dynamic systems analysis, Stoichiometric Network Analysis (SNA) and Quenching of Small Amplitude Oscillations (QA), are used to study the behaviour of a vital biological system. Both methods use geometric approaches for the study of complex reaction systems. In SNA, methods based on convex polytopes geometry are applied for stability analysis and optimization of reaction networks. QA relies on a geometric representation of the concentration phase space, introduces the concept of manifolds and the singular perturbation theory to study the dynamics of complex processes. The analyzed system, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, as a major constituent of the neuroendocrine system has a critical role in integrating biological responses in basal conditions and during stress. Self-regulation in the HPA system was modeled through a positive and negative feedback effect of cortisol. A systematically reduced low-dimensional model of HPA activity in humans was fine-tuned by SNA, until quantitative agreement with experimental findings was achieved. By QA, we revealed an important dynamic regulatory mechanism that is a natural consequence of the intrinsic rhythmicity of the considered system.
Impact Assessment of Interregional Government Transfers in Brazil: An Input- output Approach

Redistributive policies carried out by the central government in Brazil through interregional government transfers is a relevant feature of the Brazilian federal fiscal system. Regional shares of the central government revenues in the poorer regions have been recurrently smaller than the shares of central government expenditures in those regions. Appeal to core-periphery outcomes could be made, as Sao Paulo, the wealthiest state in the country, concentrated, in 2005, over 40% of total Federal tax revenue, receiving less than 35% of Federal expenditures. These figures suggest an effective redistribution of public funds from the spatial economic core of the economy to the peripheral areas. In this paper we investigate the role interregional transfers play in the redistribution of activities in the country, using an interregional input-output approach. Counterfactual simulations allow us to estimate some costs and benefits, for the core and periphery respectively, from such fiscal mechanisms.
Physiochemical and nutritional characterization of Vitex payos (Lour.) Merr. (Verbenaceae): An indigenous fruit tree of Eastern Africa

In the dry areas, indigenous fruits become important staples when cereals harvested are inadequate to support populations. Farmers in these areas have identified many of the handicaps in domestication but there is still need for inputs from the food industry into identification of the desirable traits and characteristics of potentially novel food. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrient content of one edible wild fruit, Vitex payos that has been identified as a top priority species among the inhabitants of drylands of Kenya for domestication. The proximate, minerals and vitamin content were determined. Results showed that the fruit did contain useful quantities of potassium, manganese, phosphorus and vitamin C. Besides, sodium, magnesium and calcium were also present in minute quantities. Key words: Vitex payos, indigenous fruits, dry lands, nutrients, proximate, Kenya.
Activity profile of free ranging forest group of Assamese Macaque

A quantitative analysis of activity budget of the forest group of Assamese macaque has been carried out to find out the activity profiles in relation to time allotment and its fluctuations in inter seasonal variability. The study group was selected from the Jokai reserved forest (RF) of Assam ( lies between 27015′55′′ E to 27020′42′′ E and 94050′29′′ N to 94055′16′′ N) covering an area of 1847 ha. The vegetation profile of this reserved forest is of semi-evergreen type. A total of 4800 scan samples were recorded during June 1997 to May 1998 covering all four distinct seasons. The study group spent more than one third (40%) of their total annual time for foraging purpose, followed by 25% on locomotion, 13% on resting, 10% on grooming, 9% on monitoring, 1% on play and 2% on sexual and other activities. A distinct seasonal variation in activities has been recorded. The activity profiles of the forest group have revealed that foraging is the most crucial factor responsible for the variation in the activity profiles. In forest, as the food was randomly distributed, the group cost-effectively arranged their total time and spent more time on foraging, locomotion and resting and less time in grooming, monitoring and play activities. These findings clearly demonstrated that nature of distribution of food resource is the guiding force for allocating time to various activities in different habitats.
Drip Fertigation in Vegetable Crops for Enhancing Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency: An Overview

India is the brick of a Golden Revolution in Horticulture with a total annual production of 149 Million tonnes. Vegetables are important constituents of Indian agriculture and nutritional security due to their short duration, high yield, nutritional richness, economic viability and ability to generate on-farm and off-farm employment. Our country is blessed with diverse agro-climates with distinct seasons, making it possible to grow wide International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 11 (2017) pp. 3215-3230 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Registered music therapists motivations and perceptions of the impact of their practices on the well-being of clients and themselves

This paper explores how and why music therapists invest significant personal human resources in their clinical practice to facilitate well-being processes for others. We use self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) to understand the motivations of 15 Registered Music Therapists (RMTs) to practice, and analyse how their approaches vary in response to the different clinical contexts in which they work. Three focus group interviews were conducted and discussions were analysed thematically, the findings being compared across groups. The three groups comprised: four RMTs who worked with children who have various support needs; five RMTs who worked with adolescents and adults who have mental health issues; and six RMTs worked with adults who have a wide range of disabilities. The RMTs practiced in a variety of contexts such as medical, educational, and community-based settings. Analysis suggests that the RMTs were initially motivated by intrinsic factors such as personal belief in the power of music, but when working with clients who have particular needs, they integrated themselves into a newly identified role that could maximise therapeutic benefits. As might be predicted, differences were identified in music therapy facilitation styles, with variations in planning/focus of sessions and the use of music repertoire depending on the specific support needs of the particular groups of clients and their existing relationships with music. The findings report for the first time how perceived well-being benefits of the therapists’ themselves continue to motivate their ongoing professional development and further investment in musical practices.
Educators and Students Perceptions about Ecuadorian NEST Knowledge and Quality in Terms of Effective Teaching

EFL has become necessary in all areas of education over the last decade in Ecuador. There has been a widespread push for changes in the level of knowledge and quality of EFL teacher effectiveness throughout the educational system. This paper aims to look at what perceptions current EFL participants have about the Ecuadorian NNEST and if they have the necessary linguistic awareness, language skills and teaching qualities to teach EFL effectively . The data for this investigation includes 89 student questionnaires and 30 teacher interviews based on their perceptions. The findings illustrated how students at lower levels tend to be more comfortable with teachers who use primarily the first language (L1) and have effective teaching qualities, while upper intermediate students tended to choose NESTs, because they needed proficiency skills such as language fluency and high levels of oral communication to be examples in class. The study goes onto demonstrate how many Ecuadorian NNESTs cannot speak, understand, communicate or pronounce English fluently at higher levels since many did not have teachers who possessed these qualities. This phenomenon creates the perception that a native speaker will have better fluency, pronunciation and overall better proficiency than an Ecuadorian NNEST. These results show it is necessary for these teachers to increase their English proficiency to be effective teachers in the future and change the perception that native speakers have higher levels of English in Ecuador. Keywords: English Language proficiency; effective teaching; fluency; communicative competency; motivation
Prospect Theory: Test on Framing and Loss Aversion Effects on Investors Decision-Making Process At the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

Twenty years of experimental and empirical research has demonstrated that markets are not as efficient as perceived to be. Investors are not rational and risk preferences are stochastic. In addition to this, prospect theory criticized the standard expected utility hypothesis used to describe utility and investor performance preferences. Kahneman and Tversky in 1979 proposed a new framework to model the utility and risk preferences of investors. This study examined investment scenarios with individual investors indicating that the process of making investment decisions is based on the behavioral economics theory which uses the fundamental aspects of the prospect theory developed by Kahneman and Tversky. The study tested two items: firstly framing which modifies the investment decision depending on the perspective given to the problem and secondly loss aversion which refers to a scenario where greater utility is lost when losing x amount of money than the utility that is gained when obtaining the exact same amount. The study concluded that framing effects influenced the decisions made by individual investors and individual investors had their investment decisions affected by loss aversion. Key words: Investment decisions, prospect theory, framing effects, loss aversion, Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
Community structure of Echinoderms in seagrass beds of Pacitan beaches, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Muzaki FK, Setiawan E, Insany GFA, Dewi NK, Subagio IB. 2019. Community structure of Echinoderms in seagrass beds of Pacitan beaches, East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1787-1793. In this study, we attempt to access diversity and community structure of Echinoderms on seagrass beds in each three belt transect (width 2 m, length 100 m) in Tawang and Pidakan beaches, Pacitan, East Java, Java. Observed parameters were species richness, composition, and abundance, as well as diversity indices: Shannon-Wiener's diversity index (H'), Simpson's dominance index (D) and Pielou's evenness index (J). At the end of the study, we identified one species of sea star (Asteroidea), seven species of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea), ten species of sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) andnine species of sea urchins (Echinoidea). The most dominant species were Ophiocoma dentata (F. Ophiocomidae), Diadema setosum (F. Diadematiidae), Ophiomastix annulosa (F. Ophiocomidae) and Echinometra mathaei (F. Echinometridae). Value of H’ ranged from 0.538 to 1.252 in Tawang and 1.041 to 1.704 in Pidakan; which showing higher species richness and diversity in Pidakan. Echinoderm in the study area was not evenly distributed; D. setosum was very dominant in Tawang beach, while those three other species were more common in Pidakan. Furthermore, most of Holothuroid and Ophiuroid were found only in Pidakan which have relatively more complex habitat.
Path Coefficient Analysis of Early Maturing Maize (Zea Mays) Inbred Lines in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

This work was executed to work out direct and indirect effects of yield related traits on grain yield by path coefficient analysis in early maturing maize inbred lines. Hence, fifteen inbred lines were crossed in a diallel mating system. Two standard checks along with one candidate variety and hybrids were evaluated in Alpha Lattice Design with two replications at Melkassa Research Center. Path-coefficient analysis indicated that most traits; exerted positive direct effects on grain yield both at genotypic and phenotypic levels on grain yield. This suggests that grain yield could simultaneously be improved by selecting for these traits. In general, this study identified inbred lines and hybrid associations that had desirable expression of important traits. This will be useful for the selection of high yielding and early maturing hybrids for the location.
Revisiting the status-legitimacy hypothesis: Concepts, boundary conditions, and psychological mechanisms

The status-legitimacy hypothesis proposes that low-status groups are more inclined to justify the status quo as fair and legitimate than high-status groups. Although there are some research evidences for this hypothesis, many studies have found the opposite result, that disadvantaged groups are more dissatisfied with the social system. To resolve this disagreement, this article integrates relevant ideas and empirical research in three aspects. First, the conceptual approach emphasises that the controversy is a result of different operational definitions of social status and system justification in previous studies. The second approach, focusing on moderator variables, proposes that the disputes over past studies are probably due to moderator variables, which can influence the relationship between status and system justification. The third approach, based on psychological mechanisms, proposes that system justification theory cannot completely explain the psychological underpinnings of status differences in system justification, and in order to clarify this, it is necessary to explore other psychological processes. Future studies should continue to examine the mediation mechanisms and boundary conditions of the status-legitimacy hypothesis and may try to establish a nonlinear hypothesis. Moreover, researchers should also pay attention to the application of experimental methods and big-data methods.
Influence of cockle Cerastoderma edule bioturbation and tidal-current cycles on resuspension of sediment and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Experiments were performed to investigate the impact of cockle population density Cerastoderma edule on the resuspension of naturally contaminated sediments collected from the Tamar estuary (SW England). Annular flumes generated tidal-current cycles for 7 to 9 d. The sus- pended sediment concentration (SSC) at peak flow increased 5-fold with increasing cockle popu- lation density, although the 2 highest densities yielded similar resuspension. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediment were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) at the beginning of the experiment, and in the water column of each flume after 2 and 6 d at both the maximum and minimum current speeds. At the end of each experiment sediment erod- ability was measured as a function of a stepwise increase in current speed. Sediment erosion increased up to 10-fold with increasing cockle population density. However, at the highest density the SSC was lower than that observed for the medium density, probably due to binding resulting from higher mucus secretion and pseudofaeces production. Current-induced resuspension of conta- minated sediment was dependent on the density of the cockles. The correlation between the suspended sediment concentrations and the concentrations of PAH was weak for low molecular weight PAHs (phenanthrene and anthracene) due to their higher water solubility. In contrast, higher molecular weight PAHs (fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene and chrysene) showed a strong correlation with suspended particulates as a result of their higher hydrophobicity.
How Self-Regulatory Modes And Perceived Stress Affect Academic Performance

Kruglanski et al. (2000) demonstrated how two self-regulatory modes, locomotion and assessment, underlie most goal-directed activity: locomotors are inclined to engage in initiating and maintaining any goal-directed activity, whereas assessors tend to compare and select among alternative desired end-states. These two motivational components were thought as interdependent aspects and considered as trait or state, thus influencing individuals’ life activities. Previous research has shown the association between these self-regulatory modes and many aspects of goal pursuit, such as procrastination, time management, academic achievement (e.g., Chernikova et al., 2016), as well as self-esteem, optimism, anxiety, etc. (Pierro et al., 2008; Shalev & Sulkowski, 2009). The present study sought to analyze the association between self-regulatory modes, perceived stress, and academic performance. 492 Italian students (Mage = 20.63, SD = 5.22; 62.4% females) completed a questionnaire composed of a Socio-anagraphic section, the Locomotion and Assessment Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale, during an exam session. Results revealed that the average marks were positively associated only to locomotion and that perceived stress was correlated negatively with locomotion and positively with assessment. Hence, the degree to which students perceived exams as stressful was determined by the way they regulated their goal-related activities. Consequently, developing specific strategies in academic environment could contribute to prevent the potential deleterious consequences of perceived stress. © 2017 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.UK
EFFECT OF GENOTYPES AND CULTURE MEDIA ON EMBRYOGENIC CALLUS INDUCTION AND PLANTLET REGENERATION FROM MATURE AND IMMATURE BREAD WHEAT EMBRYOS

In this study, the effects of media, varieties and their interaction on callus induction and plant regeneration in bread wheat obtained from immature and mature embryos, used as explants, were studied. Four Moroccan bread wheat varieties ‘Achtar’, ‘Amal’, ’Mehdia’ and ‘Rajae’ were cultivated on four media (M1 to M4). A significant effect of variety, medium and variety x medium interaction were observed for callus induction from both immature and mature embryos. All tested media induced embryogenic callus for all varieties. For plantlet regeneration, the induction media used for callus induction had a significant effect on plantlets regeneration (p<0.001). M2 (21.988%) with 1.4168 number of plantlets regenerated per callus and 8 number of plantlets per regenerating callus showed higher plantlets regeneration rate from immature embryos and the same medium (20.223%) with 0.8427 of plantlets regenerated per callus and 7 number of plantlets per regenerating callus for plantlets regeneration rate from mature embryos. The most favourable medium was M2 for all the varieties from both immature and mature embryos. This medium will be used for genetic transformation by Agrobacterium from immature and mature embryos.
Instability and hydraulics of turbulent stratified shear flows

Abstract The Taylor–Goldstein (T–G) equation is extended to include the effects of small-scale turbulence represented by non-uniform vertical and horizontal eddy viscosity and diffusion coefficients. The vertical coefficients of viscosity and diffusion, ${A}_{V} $ and ${K}_{V} $, respectively, are assumed to be equal and are expressed in terms of the buoyancy frequency of the flow, $N$, and the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy per unit mass, $\varepsilon $, quantities that can be measured in the sea. The horizontal eddy coefficients, ${A}_{H} $ and ${K}_{H} $, are taken to be proportional to the dimensionally correct form, ${\varepsilon }^{1/ 3} {l}^{4/ 3} $, found appropriate in the description of horizontal dispersion of a field of passive markers of scale $l$. The extended T–G equation is applied to examine the stability and greatest growth rates in a turbulent shear flow in stratified waters near a sill, that at the entrance to the Clyde Sea in the west of Scotland. Here the main effect of turbulence is a tendency towards stabilizing the flow; the greatest growth rates of small unstable disturbances decrease, and in some cases flows that are unstable in the absence of turbulence are stabilized when its effects are included. It is conjectured that stabilization of a flow by turbulence may lead to a repeating cycle in which a flow with low levels of turbulence becomes unstable, increasing the turbulent dissipation rate and so stabilizing the flow. The collapse of turbulence then leads to a condition in which the flow may again become unstable, the cycle repeating. Two parameters are used to describe the ‘marginality’ of the observed flows. One is based on the proximity of the minimum flow Richardson number to the critical Richardson number, the other on the change in dissipation rate required to stabilize or destabilize an observed flow. The latter is related to the change needed in the flow Reynolds number to achieve zero growth rate. The unstable flows, typical of the Clyde Sea site, are relatively further from neutral stability in Reynolds number than in Richardson number. The effects of turbulence on the hydraulic state of the flow are assessed by examining the speed and propagation direction of long waves in the Clyde Sea. Results are compared to those obtained using the T–G equation without turbulent viscosity or diffusivity. Turbulence may change the state of a flow from subcritical to supercritical.
Television representations of political women: Reinforcing or disrupting gender constructs?

This article examines representations of fictitious political women in Commander in Chief (2005-2006), Veep (2012) and Political Animals (2012) using frameworks of leadership, stererotypes, the public-private, novelty and institutional structures to determine if social constructions of gender are being reinforced or distrupted. This analysis is contextualised within studies on voter attitudes and management theory which affirm a view that politics is a ‘man’s
Students anxiety towards the learning of Chemistry in some Nigerian secondary schools

The study was designed to find out students’ anxiety towards the learning of chemistry, identify the factors that cause the anxiety, examine the disposition of sex towards the learning of chemistry and suggest ways to increase their taste towards the learning of the subject. Data for the study was obtained by administering a questionnaire to 300 respondents involved in the study. The data obtained were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and stanine test. The findings of the study revealed that the students, whether male or female, urban or rural based, show great anxiety towards the learning of chemistry and that the anxiety is higher in female and rural based students than male and urban based students. The cause of students’ anxiety as revealed by the study include: wide coverage of the syllabus, low awareness of career opportunities, their teacher and his teaching methods and lack of teaching aids / laboratory. Key words: Anxiety, learning, performance, disposition, perception, prospect.