Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of 343 plastid genomes of Solanum section Petota: Insights into potato diversity, phylogeny, and species discrimination

Common potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and its wild relatives belong to Solanum section Petota. This section's phylogeny and species delimitation are complicated due to various ploidy levels, high heterozygosity, and frequent interspecific hybridization. Compared to the nuclear genome, the plastid genome is more conserved, has a haploid nature, and has a lower nucleotide substitution rate, providing informative alternative insights into the phylogenetic study of section Petota. Here, we analyzed 343 potato plastid genomes from 53 wild and four cultivated species. The diversity of sequences and genomes was comprehensively analyzed. A total of 24 species were placed in a phylogenetic tree based on genomic data for the first time. Overall, our results not only confirmed most existing clades and species boundaries inferred by nuclear evidence but also provided some distinctive species clade belonging and the maternally inherited evidence supporting the hybrid origin of some species. Furthermore, the divergence times between the major potato clades were estimated. In addition, the species discriminatory power of universal barcodes, nuclear ribosomal DNA, and whole and partial plastid genomes and their combinations were thoroughly evaluated; the plastid genome performed best but had limited discriminatory power for all survey species (40%). Overall, our study provided not only new insights into phylogeny and DNA barcoding of potato but also provided valuable genetic data resources for further systematical research of Petota.
Assessment of global DNA methylation in peripheral blood of type 2 diabetic patients

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a challenge to global health. About 400 million people are affected globally, and this figure is expected to skyrocket steeply in the coming decades. T2DM patients are at risk of developing serious and life-threatening problems, necessitating increased medical attention, and detecting undiagnosed diabetes and preventing it is particularly important. T2DM’s etiology and molecular causes have yet to be fully determined. Its development could be influenced by epigenetic alterations. Hence, in this work, the level of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), has been determined in DNA from the peripheral blood of T2DM patients. Global DNA methylation level was analyzed in peripheral blood leucocytes from 200 patients with T2DM and 120 control participants using a Global DNA Methylation Assay Kit. Levels of global DNA methylation increased in both controlled and uncontrolled T2DM patients compared to healthy controls. However, only the difference in global DNA methylation levels between uncontrolled patients and healthy subjects was statistically significant. In addition, global DNA methylation statistically insignificantly increased in uncontrolled DM patients compared to controlled DM patients. Clinical and biochemical factors had no effect on methylation levels in T2DM patients’ DNA. This study has shown that T2DM patients have a higher level of Global DNA methylation on their peripheral blood leucocytes than healthy people, and the degree of methylation is significantly higher in uncontrolled T2DM patients showing that methylation is affected by the level of disease control.
Delivering digital higher education into prisons: the cases of four universities in Australia, UK, Turkey and Nigeria

Around the world, various correctional jurisdictions are struggling to enable the delivery of higher education into prisons. At a time when universities are moving increasingly online, very often access to the internet is restricted or disallowed in correctional environments. Four universities, all leading distance education providers in the countries in which they are based, are delivering higher education into prisons using technology to varying extents. This paper reports on regional differences in the provision of distance education into prisons, particularly using technology, in Australia, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Nigeria. In these four jurisdictions, there are significant differences in prisoner access to computer hardware, personal devices and to the internet. How these differences impact on the delivery of distance education is explored with an examination of various learning initiatives and lessons learned.
RESPONSE OF METHANE EMISSION AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF YEARLING MALE BOER GOATS TO AN INCLUSION OF ACACIA KARROO (SWEET THORN) IN AVENA SATIVA (COMMON OAT) HAY BASED DIET

This study determined the response of methane emission and growth performance of yearling male Boer goats fed a basal diet of Avena sativa hay supplemented with Acacia karroo (sweet thorn ) leaf meal. Twelve yearling male Boer goats with initial mean live weights of 23 ± 2 kg were used in a 21-day experiment. The goats were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each containing sweet thorn leaf meal at 10, 15, 20 and 30% with Avena sativa hay as a basal diet. The data collected was subjected to analysis of covariance and analysis of variance in a completely randomized design using Statistical Analysis Software. Differences were separated at 5% level of probability. Sweet thorn leaf meal inclusion level had no effect (p > 0.05) on diet intake, methane emission, live weight changes and digestibility. Feed conversion ratio improved linearly with increased Sweet thorn leaf meal inclusion level. The low tannin contents in sweet thorn leaves indicate that these leaves can be safe to use as a source of protein in animal nutrition if used sparingly. Although, sweet thorn leaf meal reduced methane emission, the optimal dose was not determined. Further validation is required to determine sweet thorn inclusion levels for optimal methane production and emission
Issues in the Implementing of Online Learning in Islamic Higher Education During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Our research aims to find out the problems experienced by students and lecturers in the implementation of online learning, during the Covid-19 pandemic and efforts to overcome styles in universities. Qualitative descriptive approaches and exploratory case studies were used to collect data from students and lecturers at the State Islamic University of Walisongo Indonesia. This study shows that the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the learning system that have led to a new lecture paradigm that can be highlighted in four sub-scales including the level of saturation, seriousness and participation in learning, learning motivation, and the level of intellectual satisfaction. Meanwhile, the efforts made by lecturers in overcoming this problem are by maximizing the use of learning technology tools, modifying certain learning methods such as project based learning, integrated curriculum, and blended learning. This study contributes to research on pedagogy and online learning by clarifying the role of lecturers in finding problem solving problems faced by students.
Effective Supreme Auditing Institutions, Sound Public Finance Management and National Development: Lessons for Zimbabwe’s Office of Auditor General

Numerous reports on systemic public corruption, fraud, illicit financial outflows, and corporate mis-governance in Zimbabwe’s public sector have brought the effectiveness of the country’s supreme audit institution under intensive public foci. There are now urgent calls for the country’s supreme audit institution to go beyond the traditional compliance-oriented cynosure by addressing challenges in the public sector that are encumbering national development. The aim of the paper is to interrogate with the aid of structural equation modelling the relationship among an effective supreme auditing institution, national development, and sound public finance management. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered on a multi-stage cluster sample of 210 public officials in Zimbabwe’s public sector. We found the relationship among three statistically significant at 99% level of confidence implying that increasing audit effectiveness has both feedback and feedforward effects on sound public finance management and, national development. Strategies that enhance auditor independence, public sector financial accountability and public trust have been recommended for a robust public finance management and sustainable national development.
Routine Measurement of Water Vapour Using GNSS in the Framework of the Map-Io Project

The "Marion Dufresne Atmospheric Program - Indian Ocean" (MAP-IO) project is a research program that aims to collect long-term atmospheric observations in the under-instrumented Indian and Austral Oceans. As part of this project, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna was installed on the research vessel (R/V) Marion Dufresne in October 2020. GNSS raw data is intended to be used to retrieve Integrated Water Vapour (IWV) content along the Marion Dufresne route, which cruises more than 300 days per year in the tropical and austral Indian Ocean. This paper presents a first assessment of this GNSS-based IWV retrieval, based on the analysis of 9 months of GNSS raw data acquired along the route of the R/V Marion Dufresne in the Indian Ocean. A first investigation of GNSS raw data collected during the first 5 months of operation has highlighted the bad positioning of the antenna on the R/V that makes it prone to interference. Changing the location of the antenna has been shown to improve the quality of the raw data. Then, ship-borne GNSS-IWV are compared with IWV estimates deduced using more conventional techniques such as European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) fifth reanalysis (ERA5), ground-launched radiosondes and permanent ground GNSS stations operating close to the route of the R/V Marion Dufresne. The rms difference of 2.79 kg m−2 shows a good match with ERA5 and subsequently improved after the change in location of the GNSS antenna (2.49 kg m−2). The match with ground-based permanent GNSS stations fluctuates between 1.30 and 3.63 kg m−2, which is also shown to be improved after the change in location of the GNSS antenna. However, differences with ground-launched radiosondes still exhibit large biases (larger than 2 kg m−2). Finally, two operational daily routine analyses (at day+1 and day+3) are presented and assessed: the rms of the differences are shown to be quite low (1 kg m−2 for the day+1 analyses, 0.7 kg m−2 for the day+3 analysis), which confirms the quality of these routine analysis. These two routine analyses are intended to provide a continuous monitoring of water vapour above the Indian Ocean and deliver ship-borne IWV with a low latency for the entire scientific community.
Achievement emotions and elementary school children’s academic performance: Longitudinal models of developmental ordering.

Achievement emotions have received increasing attention in research on adolescence and young adulthood, but little is known about these emotions in the early years of schooling. Studies addressing the development of different achievement emotions and their linkages with achievement during these years are largely lacking. The present longitudinal study aimed to fill this gap by examining the development of enjoyment, boredom, and anxiety in mathematics across second to fourth grade (N = 670 German students; Mage = 8.45 years, 51.0 % female at baseline) as well as relations between these emotions and children’s math achievement. Students’ emotions during learning and when taking test and exams in math, school grades in math, and math achievement test scores were measured in annual assessments. Latent structural equation modeling showed that enjoyment decreased, whereas boredom and anxiety remained relatively stable across these years. Moreover, the findings from reciprocal effects models (REMs) show that emotions and achievement were reciprocally linked over time, controlling for autoregressive effects, gender, and family socioeconomic status. Enjoyment positively predicted subsequent achievement, and achievement positively predicted subsequent enjoyment. Boredom and anxiety negatively predicted subsequent achievement, and achievement negatively predicted subsequent boredom and anxiety. The results were consistent across waves and achievement indicators, and highlight the need to attend to students’ achievement emotions already during the early years of schooling. Directions for future research and implications for educational practice are discussed.
Impact of a Sepsis Guideline in Emergency Department on Outcome of Patients with Severe Sepsis

Objective A dedicated program with guideline to enhance sepsis care was launched in July 2014 in Emergency Department (ED) of two regional hospitals. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventional program for severe sepsis patients, in antibiotic delivery rate and survival outcome. Methods It is a before-and-after interventional study with data from July to December 2013 and August 2014 to January 2015. A dedicated program for severe sepsis patients was introduced in July 2014. The outcome measures were blood culture rate, antibiotic administration rate in ED and mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test was used for comparison of the survival. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to predict time to mortality adjusted for covariates. Results 64 patients were included, 31 patients were in the pre-intervention group whereas 33 post-intervention. Both blood culture rate (29% vs 72.7%; p<0.001) and antibiotics administration in ED (38.7% vs 72.7%, p=0.0011) were significantly increased. Survival outcome was significantly improved in patients receiving timely antibiotics in ED (log-rank test p=0.016). Antibiotics administered in ED had hazard ratio of 0.178 (95% CI 0.053 to 0.595; p=0.005) in the Cox Proportional hazard regression model with adjustment of covariates. Age (adjusted odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.12, p=0.033) and initial hypotension (adjusted odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99, p=0.005) were significant predictors of mortality. Conclusion A dedicated guideline for severe sepsis management could improve blood culture rate, early antibiotics administration in the emergency department. Patients received early antibiotic had better outcome and survival.
Effects of Provided versus Learner-Generated Pictures on Chinese Reading Comprehension

Concerning Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI), this research builds a “Provided Picture System” and a “Learner-Generated Picture System” based on related pedagogical principles. The effects and longevity of these two methodologies on improving students’ reading comprehension are compared through a teaching experiment. 96 fourth-grade students in a Taiwanese primary school were divided into the provided picture condition group (PPCG) and learner-generated picture condition group (LPCG) based on their reading comprehension test results. One-way ANOVA proved that the reading comprehension competency of these two groups was comparable. The PPCG was trained to read articles and examine pictures based on the articles’ themes by using the “Provided Picture System”. The LPGP was trained to read articles using the “Learner-Generated Picture System” before generating pictures corresponding to the theme of each paragraph. All students were required to take post-test and delayed post-test one and three weeks after the reading classes, respectively. Finally, paired-samples t-test was used to analyze the three test results. Analysis of the PPCG’s results indicated no significant difference in reading comprehension competency among the three tests before and after the experiment. In contrast, the LPCG’s reading comprehension competency improved significantly, and the effects persisted following the experiment. The results revealed that the learner-generated picture pedagogy was effective in improving students’ reading comprehension competency, superior to the provided picture pedagogy.
Stress-balancing in piezoelectric adjustable x-ray optics

Abstract. Next-generation x-ray observatories require lightweight, high throughput optics that maintain a <0.5 arcsec resolution to probe the physics of black holes and gain understanding of the early universe. One potential type of x-ray mirror consists of a 400-μm thick curved Corning EAGLE XG® glass substrate with a Cr/Ir x-ray mirror coating deposited on the front (concave) side and an array of radio frequency sputtered Pb0.995 ( Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.99Nb0. 01O3 piezoelectric thin film actuators on the back (convex) side to enable correction of figure errors. A stress-balancing process was developed to correct the figure distortion arising from thin film stresses in the actuator layers. Compressively stressed SiO2 films were deposited on the convex side of the mirror to balance the tensile integrated stress of the actuator array while also matching the film thickness distribution. Finite-element methods were used to assess the impact of film thickness distributions on the convex and concave substrate surfaces. The resulting models show peak-to-valley figure errors of 105 nm, well within the 1-μm peak-to-valley dynamic range of the piezoelectric adjusters. In contrast, when stress compensation was done with an iridium mirror film deposited on the front side, the mismatched thickness distribution results in peak-to-valley figure errors over 3 μm.
Application of silica fume in high-volume fly ash self-compacting recycled aggregate concrete

ABSTRACT Recent advancement in construction practices demands the utilisation of construction materials in a sustainable way which promotes the use of industrial by-products as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) and alternative aggregates to protect diminishing natural resources. The present study proposed the utilisation of high-volume fly ash in the production of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) made with varying proportions of coarse and fine recycled aggregates. Natural Aggregates (NA) of both coarse and fine type in high-volume fly ash SCC were replaced with the respective type of recycled aggregates at the dosage of 0%, 50% and 100% by volume and their hardened state behaviour was studied in terms of compressive strength, chloride ion permeability, initial rate of water absorption, sorptivity coefficient and sulphate resistance. Results of the investigation recommends uses of Silica Fume (SF) at 10% dosages in ternary blends of cement along with high-volume fly ash for the production of SCC at 50% replacement level of both coarse and fine recycled aggregates, without compromising the hardened state properties of concrete.
The philosophical and pedagogical underpinnings of Active Learning in Engineering Education

ABSTRACT In this paper the authors draw on three sequential keynote addresses that they gave at Active Learning in Engineering Education (ALE) workshops in Copenhagen (2012), Caxias do Sol (2014) and San Sebastian (2015). Active Learning in Engineering Education is an informal international network of engineering educators dedicated to improving engineering education through active learning (http://www.ale-net.org/). The paper reiterates themes from those keynotes, namely, the philosophical and pedagogical underpinnings of Active Learning in Engineering Education, the scholarly questions that inspire engineering educators to go on improving their practice and exemplary models designed to activate the learning of engineering students. This paper aims to uncover the bedrock of established educational philosophies and theories that define and support active learning. The paper does not claim to present any new or innovative educational theory. There is already a surfeit of them. Rather, the aim is to assist Engineering Educators who wish to research how they can best activate the learning of their students by providing a readable, reasonable and solid underpinning for best practice in this field.
Millimeter-Wave Spectroscopy of Methylfuran Isomers: Local vs. Global Treatments of the Internal Rotation

Methylfurans are methylated aromatic heterocyclic volatile organic compounds and primary or secondary pollutants in the atmosphere due to their capability to form secondary organic aerosols in presence of atmospheric oxidants. There is therefore a significant interest to monitor these molecules in the gas phase. High resolution spectroscopic studies of methylated furan compounds are generally limited to pure rotational spectroscopy in the vibrational ground state. This lack of results might be explained by the difficulties arisen from the internal rotation of the methyl group inducing non-trivial patterns in the rotational spectra. In this study, we discuss the benefits to assign the mm-wave rotational-torsional spectra of methylfuran with the global approach of the BELGI-Cs code compared to local approaches such as XIAM and ERHAM. The global approach reproduces the observed rotational lines of 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran in the mm-wave region at the experimental accuracy for the ground vt=0 and the first torsional vt=1 states with a unique set of molecular parameters. In addition, the V3 and V6 parameters describing the internal rotation potential barrier may be determined with a high degree of accuracy with the global approach. Finally, a discussion with other heterocyclic compounds enables the study of the influence of the electronic environment on the hindered rotation of the methyl group.
Phenological trajectories of Caribbean very dry tropical forests diverge under different geologic formations

Tropical dry forests experience pronounced seasonal changes in precipitation manifested in varied plant phenologies. At landscape scales, geologic substrate—one of the least understood abiotic factors interacting with precipitation—may modulate phenological responses in these forests through a combination of mechanisms regulating water and nutrient use. We leveraged a phenological dataset from the semiarid island of Curaçao to examine the extent to which plant phenology at multiple levels of biological organization diverge under different geologies. Monthly observations over a 30‐month period of leaves, flowers, and fruits of 69 plant species of different life forms at three nearby sites differing in their underlaying geology were used to examine intra‐ and inter‐annual plant responses at species, community, and system levels. The integration of leaf, flower, and fruit observations at intra‐annual scales revealed diverse phenological strategies among species, broad associations with geologic substrate, and the extent of intra‐specific variation as a function of geology. The community‐ and system‐level analyses at inter‐annual scales showed a reduction in mean leaf scores during the 30‐month period, a weak and strong leafless period in 1993 and 1994, respectively, and differences among geologic substrates. Finally, we observed significant and positive relationships between precipitation and the phenophase scores; the strength of the relationships varied with phenophase and geologic substrate. Results of this work emphasize the importance of geologic substrate, and more broadly speaking landscape heterogeneity, in modulating plant phenological responses in tropical dry forests. Ultimately, this information will become important to understand and mitigate global climate change impacts.