Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biochemical and Histopathological Markers as Indicators of Genuine Toxicity Caused by Intraperitoneal Application of Tilt 250 Fungicides of Fish Barbus Peloponnesius

In this paper are presented the obtained results from the research activity of the enzyme so-called Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase in the liver of the fish Barbus peloponnesius (Valenciennes, 1842), after intraperitoneal application of certain doses of Tilt 250 fungicide (0.18mg/l, 0.36mg/l and 1.08 mg/l). Also in this paper are presented the results of histopathological analysis of liver, kidney and gonads after the intraperitoneal application of certain dose Tilt 250 fungicide (2? g/l), during the 1,2,3,7 and 14 days. From the obtained results it was concluded that the application of the doses of 0.18mg/l, 0.36mg/l and 1.08mg/l to 250 tilt fungicides have caused the induction of EROD enzyme, whereas the dosage application of 2? g/l toxicity has caused changes in the liver, kidney and gonads. Keywords: pesticides, fish, biomarker, EROD, lesions.
Assessing Principals" Coordinating and Controlling Strategies for Effective Teaching and Quality Learning Outcome in Secondary Schools in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study examined the efficacy of principals’ coordinating and controlling strategies on teachers’ instructional performance; determined students’ learning outcome; and investigated the challenges in instructional management in secondary schools. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for data collection and analysis. A total of 480 participants comprised of 30 principals and 450 teachers completed the questionnaire titled ‘’ Coordination and Control Strategies Questionnaire (CCSQ)’’ in 30 public secondary schools using multi-stage sampling technique. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated. The simple percentage was used to answer the research questions while Pearson correlation statistics was employed to test the hypotheses at p<0.05 level of significance. The result showed that the relationship between principals’ strategies and teachers’ instructional performance was low in coordinating (r=0.284, p<0.05), controlling (r=0.149, p<0.05), and teachers’ instructional performance and students’ learning outcome (0. 076, p<0.05). The major constraints identified included inadequate number of qualified teachers (50%); excess workload for teachers (63.3%); inadequate learning resources (63.3%); lack of adequate and well equipped offices for teachers (80%); lack of conducive classrooms (36.7%); and fairly conducive classrooms (40%). The study concluded that the Government in collaboration with the school principals and other relevant stakeholders should provide adequate number of teachers, learning resources, classrooms and capacity development for teachers to address the gaps in curriculum instruction management in secondary schools.
Sexual Size Dimorphism and Microhabitat Use of Two Sympatric Lizards, Sphenomorphus taiwanensis and Takydromus hsuehshanensis, from the Central Highlands of Taiwan

Wen-San Huang (1998) Sexual size dimorphism and microhabitat use of two sympatric lizards, Sphenomorphus taiwanensis and Takydromus hsuehshanensis, from the central highlands of Taiwan. Zoological Studies 37(4): 302-308. Sexual size dimorphism and microhabitat use of 2 syntopic lizards, Sphenomorphus taiwanensis and Takydromus hsuehshanensis, from the central highlands of Taiwan are examined. Adult S. taiwanensis females attain a larger body size than do males, but in T. hsuehshanensis, body size shows no significant difference between sexes. Head sizes of males are larger than those of females in both species. All morphological traits of T. hsuehshanensis are larger than those of S. taiwanensis. The 2 species differ considerably in microhabitat use horizontally. T. hsuehshanensis was collected predominantly in cultivated land of Brassica oleracea capitata, while S. taiwanensis was found mainly in a saxicolous area. Neither T. hsuehshanensis nor S. taiwanensis shows significant differences in microhabitat utilization between sexes. Morphological differences were observed between the 2 species, and these are presumably associated with their differential microhabitat preferences. The longer forehand of T. hsuehshanensis allows a greater degree of locomotor activity. Causality of snout-vent length dimorphism of 5 sympatric lizards are also discussed.
The Implementation of Online Homework in College Algebra and Its Results

In this study, we implemented an online homework system in a College Algebra course and compared the students' performance to the previous term, during which a traditional textbook with no graded homework was utilized. There were no significant differences in performance with the online homework system. We discuss some implications of our study and suggest future research directions.
Danish University Colleges Internet-Based Brief Personalized Feedback Intervention in a Non-Treatment-Seeking Population of Adult Heavy Drinkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Internet-based interventions for heavy drinkers show promising results, but existing research is characterized by few studies in nonstudent adult populations and few comparisons with appropriate control groups. Objective: To test whether a fully automated Internet-based brief personalized feedback intervention and a fully automated Internet-based personalized brief advice intervention in a non-treatment-seeking population of heavy drinkers would result in a reduced alcohol intake. Methods: We conducted a 3-arm parallel randomized controlled trial in a general population-based sample of heavy drinkers. The 54,157 participants (median age of 58 years) were screened for heavy drinking. Of the 3418 participants who had a weekly alcohol consumption above 14 drinks for women and 21 drinks for men, 1380 (619 women) consented to take part in the trial and were randomly assigned to an Internet-based brief personalized feedback intervention group (normative feedback, n = 476), an Internet-based personalized brief advice intervention group (n = 450), or a nonintervention control group (n = 454). Follow-up after 6 and 12 months included 871 and 1064 participants, respectively, of all groups combined. The outcome measure was self-reported weekly alcohol consumption. We analyzed the data according to the intention-to-treat principle. To examine changes over time and to account for the multiple time measurements, we used a multilevel linear mixed model. To take attrition into account, we used multiple imputation to address missing data. Results: The intervention effect of the Internet-based brief personalized feedback intervention, determined as the mean additional difference in changes in alcohol consumption in the Internet-based brief personalized feedback intervention compared with the control group, was –1.8 drinks/week after 6 months and –1.4 drinks/week after 12 months; these effects were nonsignificant (95% confidence interval –4.0 to 0.3 at 6 months, –3.4 to 0.6 at 12 months). The intervention effect of the Internet-based personalized brief advice intervention was –0.5 drinks/week after 6 months and –1.2 drinks/week after 12 months; these effects were nonsignificant (95% confidence interval –2.7 to 1.6 at 6 months, –3.3 to 0.9 at 12 months). Conclusions: In this randomized controlled trial we found no evidence that an Internet-based brief personalized feedback intervention was effective in reducing drinking in an adult population of heavy drinkers. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00751985; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00751985 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/68WCRLyaP) J Med Internet Res 2012 | vol. 14 | iss. 4 | e98 | p.1 http://www.jmir. org/2012/4/e98/ (page number not for citation purposes) Hansen et al JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
Improving Scan Registration Methods Using Secondary Point Data Channels

Autonomous vehicle technology has advanced significantly in recent years and these vehicles are poised to make major strides into everyday use. Autonomous vehicles have already entered military and commercial use, performing the dirty, dull, and dangerous tasks that humans do not want to, or cannot perform. With any complex autonomy task for a mobile robot, a method is required to map the environment and to localize within that environment. In unknown environments when the mapping and localization stages are performed simultaneously, this is known as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). One key technology used to solve the SLAM problem involves matching sensor data in the form of point clouds. Scan registration attempts to find the transformation between two point clouds, or scans, which results in the optimal overlap of the scan information. One of the major drawbacks of existing approaches is the over-reliance on geometric features and a well structured environment in order to perform the registration. When insufficient geometric features are present to constrain the optimization, this is known as geometric degeneracy, and can be a common problem in typically environments. The reliability of these methods is of vital importance in order to improve the robustness of autonomous vehicles operating in uncontrolled environments. This thesis presents methods to improve upon existing scan registration methods by incorporating secondary information into the registration process. In this work, three methods are presented: Ground Segmented Iterative Closest Point (GSICP), Color Clustered Normal Distribution Transform (CCNDT), and Multi Channel Generalized Iterative Closest Point (MCGICP). Each method provides a unique addition to the scan registration literature and has its own set of benefits, limitations, and uses. GSICP segments the ground plane from a 3D scan then compresses the scan into a 2D plane. The points are then classified as either ground-adjacent, or non-ground-adjacent. Using this classification, a class constrained ICP registration is performed where only points of the same class can be corresponded. This results in the method essentially creating simulated edges for the registration to align. GSICP improves accuracy and robustness in sparse unstructured environments such as forests or rolling hills. When compared to existing methods on the Ford Vision and Lidar Dataset, GSICP shows a tighter variance in error values as well as a significant improvement in overall error. This method is also shown to be highly computationally efficient, running registrations on a low power system twice as fast as GICP, the next most accurate method. However, it does require the input scans to have specific characteristics such as a defined ground plane and spatially separated
Chromatogram Profiles and Cytotoxic Activity of Irradiated Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria Macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl) Leaves

Gamma irradiation has been used by the industries for preservation of herbal medicine, but it has not been studied the effect of gamma irradiation on their efficacy, especially their bioactivity as anticancer substances. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of gamma irradiation on the mahkota dewa leaves which has been claimed to contain potent anticancer substances. Maceration of dried mahkota dewa leaves successively with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol gave crude extracts which the ethyl acetate was the most cytotoxic extract against leukemia L1210 cells with an inhibition concentration fifty (IC 50 ) value of 10.3 µg/ml. Further separation of ethyl acetate extract by column chromatograph gave 7 fractions, and fraction 2 showed the most cytotoxic fraction exhibited the most cytotoxic extract against leukemia L1210 cells with an IC 50 value of 1.9 µg/ml. Since, the fraction 2 of ethyl acetate extract was the most potent fraction, the irradiated samples were treated with the same procedure as treatment of fraction 2 from control sample. Cytotoxic activity test of fractions 2 from irradiated samples showed that the cytotoxic activity decreased depending on increasing of irradiation dose. Gamma irradiation dose up to 7.5 kGy on mahkota dewa leaves could decreased the cytotoxic activity of fraction 2 as the most cytotoxic-potential fraction against leukemia L1210 cells, but decreasing the cytotoxic activity has not exceeded the limit of the fraction declared inactive. So that the irradiation dose up to 7.5 kGy can be used for decontamination of bacteria and fungus/yeast without eliminating the cytotoxic activity. Gamma irradiation also caused changes in the thin layer chromatograph (TLC) spots and HPLC chromatograms profiles of fraction 2 which was the most cytotoxic fraction in ethyl acetate extract of mahkota dewa leaves against leukemia L1210 cells. One of the main peaks (peak 1) on HPLC chromatograms decreased with increasing the irradiation dose. In agree with the decreasing peak 1 in chromatogram of fraction 2 due to irradiation, cytotoxic activity of fraction 2 also decreased along with increasing doses of irradiation. It suggested that peak 1 is the component that contributes to the cytotoxic activity of fraction 2 in ethyl acetate extract of mahkota dewa leaves. Received: 20 November 2010; Revised: 06 April 2011; Accepted: 14 April 2011
Do geeks dream of electric sheep?Exploring the attitude of geeks toward robots

Due to the improvement of the functions of humanoid robots, the concept of anthropomorphism is a relevant research topic in the field of human-robot interaction. In order to supplement the concept of ‘geekism’ – which is defined as the initial likelihood of an individual to intellectually delve into the underlying mechanisms of technological systems, based on a strong intrinsic motivation (Schmettow and Drees, 2014) – we tested the tendency of so-called ‘geeks’ to anthropomorphize robotic agents. Implementations about a low tendency were based on the three-factor theory of anthropomorphism, developed by Epley, Waytz, & Cacioppo (2007) and tested by the means of the perceived humanness scale and an adaption of the Stroop priming task. Mixed-effects regression analysis revealed no statistically significant results. In the scope of this study it could not be indicated that ‘so-called’ geeks have a tendency toward anthropomorphism that significantly differs from other people. Moreover, explanatory attempts of Epley et al. (2007) about the occurrence of anthropomorphism due to a complex inductive process could not be confirmed. Yet, correlational analysis between personality concepts revealed a moderate positive correlation between computer enthusiasm and need for cognition, supporting the assumption that those two features form the core of ‘geekism’. Finally, although it could be shown that individuals with computer enthusiasm have no preference for order, the need for closure does not seem to be related to the concept of geekism. Due to possible research limitations future studies on the relation between geekism and anthropomorphism should focus on the addition of sociality to the research model, which is one of the three factors within the theory of Epley et al. (2007), the use of a method that is able to detect whether anthropomorphic processing takes place on an automatic level, and an explicit measure of anthropomorphism that includes an affective component.
ifferent attentional traits , different creativities

This study examines the relationships between two aspects of “breadth of attention” (orienting sensitivity and effortful control) and two forms of creativity (divergent thinking and insight problem-solving). It suggests that the two forms of creativity relate differently to the two modes of attention. This distinction has not been made in previous studies. Intelligence and other personality traits were also assessed as control variables. Over 300 participants’ responses to the Adult Temperament Questionnaire, the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults, insight-problem tasks, the HEXACO Personality Inventory, and Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices were collected. The results showed that, after the effects of intelligence scores and personality traits were controlled for, individuals’ performance on insight problem-solving was predicted only by orienting sensitivity, while effortful control could only predicted divergent thinking performance. The relationships between attentional traits and creative performances were discussed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The temporal location of rms peak in coarticulated vowels

The acoustic energy peak of the vowel, here defined as the rms peak, occurs typically before the temporal vowel midpoint. This study examines whether and how the location of the rms peak varies as a function of consonantal context and vowel duration. Four measures of rms peak location were explored: its distance (in ms) from vowel onset and from CVC‐word onset (absolute measures) and its relative position (ranging from 0 to 100%) within the vowel and within the CVC‐word (relative measures). Analysis of eight American English vowels produced in ten consonantal contexts by twenty speakers shows that the two relative measures yielded the most comparable and consistent patterns. The relative location of rms peak varied significantly as a function of consonantal context. It occurred earlier (i.e., closer to vowel or word onset) in the context of fricatives (and not stops), voiced consonants (as opposed to voiceless), and labials (as opposed to alveolars). The temporal location of rms peak was also closer to th.
Common resistance to Fusarium head blight in Brazilian wheat cultivars

Mycotoxin levels in Fusarium head blight (FHB) infections can be difficult to quantify. The relationship between mycotoxin and disease is not consistent and it is not clear if wheatpathogen interaction is of significance in regions where more than one Fusarium species with distinct trichothecene production ability co-exists. This study aimed to investigate whether a set of eight Brazilian wheat genotypes, varying in resistance according to classification by the breeder, exhibit a common or differential resistance to Fusarium graminearum (Fgra) (deoxynivalenolproducing) and Fusarium meridionale (nivalenol-producing) (Fmer) using full-spike and central spikelet inoculation (type II resistance). Fgra was generally more aggressive than Fmer based on the percentage of diseased spikes (99 and 84 %, respectively) and number of diseased spikelets (mean 2.8 and 2.0, respectively) below the central spikelet. The genotype-pathogen species interaction was not significant, but there were differences between the genotypes, with BRS 194 and BRS 327 being the least and most resistant, respectively, based on severity ratings. The incidence of Fusarium-damaged kernel (FDK, %) was not affected by species, but two genotypes (BRS Parrudo and BRS 327) showed a lower incidence of FDK. There were substantial variations in the accumulation of deoxynivalenol and nivalenol among the genotypes, reaching maxima of 691.2 µg g−1 and 355.2 µg g−1, respectively, suggesting that Fgra is a more potent producer of trichothecene. Our data confirm prior resistance classifications by the breeders and suggest that the use of a single highly aggressive Fgra isolate may be sufficient for effective screening for FHB resistance. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the accumulation of resistance to trichothecene.
HMGN1 and R848 Synergistically Activate Dendritic Cells Using Multiple Signaling Pathways

High mobility group nucleosome-binding protein 1 (HMGN1 or N1) is a Th1-polarizing alarmin, but alone is insufficient to induce antitumor immunity. We previously showed that combination of N1 and R848, a synthetic TLR7/8 agonist, synergistically activates dendritic cells (DCs) and induces therapeutic antitumor immunity, however, it remained unclear how N1 and R848 synergistically activate DCs. Here, we show that co-stimulation with N1 and R848 of human monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) markedly upregulated DC's surface expression of CD80, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR, as well as synergistic production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-12p70, IL-1β, and TNF-α. This combination also synergistically activated NF-κB and multiple MAPKs that are involved in DC maturation. Moreover, N1 and R848 synergistically increased nuclear translocation of interferon (IFN) regulatory transcription factors (e.g., IRF3 and IRF7) and promoted the expression of type 1 IFNs such as IFN-α2, IFN-α4, and IFN-β1. Similar signaling pathways were also induced in mouse bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs). RNA-seq analysis in human MoDCs revealed that N1 plus R848 synergistically upregulated the expression of genes predominantly involved in DC maturation pathway, particularly genes critical for the polarization of Th1 immune responses (e.g., IL12A, IL12B, and IFNB1, etc.). Overall, our findings show that (1) N1 synergizes with R848 in activating human and mouse DCs and (2) the synergistic effect based on various intracellular signaling events culminated in the activation of multiple transcriptional factors. These findings have important implications for future clinical trials since N1 and R848 synergistically promoted optimal Th1 lineage immune responses resulting in tumor rejection in mice.
Estimation of a Model of Entry in the Airline Industry

This paper considers the effect of an airline's scale of operation at an airport on the profitability of routes flown out of that airport. The empirical methodology uses the entry decisions of airlines as indicators of underlying profitability; the results extend the empirical literature on airport presence by providing a new set of estimates of the determinants of city-pair profitability. These estimates imply that city-pair profits increase in airport presence and decrease rapidly in the number of entering firms. The literature on empirical models of oligopoly entry is also extended via a focus on the role of differences between firms.
Detection efficiency and photometry in supernova surveys - the Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey I

The aim of the work presented in this paper is to test and optimise supernova detection methods based on the optimal image subtraction technique. The main focus is on applying the detection methods to wide field supernova imaging surveys and in particular to the Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS). We have constructed a supernova detection pipeline for imaging surveys. The core of the pipeline is image subtraction using the ISIS 2.2 package. Using real data from the SVISS we simulate supernovae in the images, both inside and outside galaxies. The detection pipeline is then run on the simulated frames and the effects of image quality and subtraction parameters on the detection efficiency and photometric accuracy are studied. The pipeline allows efficient detection of faint supernovae in the deep imaging data. It also allows controlling and correcting for possible systematic effects in the SN detection and photometry. We find such a systematic effect in the form of a small systematic flux offset remaining at the positions of galaxies in the subtracted frames. This offset will not only affect the photometric accuracy of the survey, but also the detection efficiencies. Our study has shown that ISIS 2.2 works well for the SVISS data. We have found that the detection efficiency and photometric accuracy of the survey are affected by the stamp selection for the image subtraction and by host galaxy brightness. With our tools the subtraction results can be further optimised, any systematic effects can be controlled and photometric errors estimated, which is very important for the SVISS, as well as for future SN searches based on large imaging surveys such as Pan-STARRS and LSST.